Hi Good Peoples,
It's thats time of the week again. What have you been drinking. TN's or tasting vibes are most welcome.
Its a winter Sunday, so what have you all been drinking...
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KMP
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:02 am
- Location: Expat, now in San Diego, California
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Re: Its a winter Sunday, so what have you all been drinking.
TORB wrote: What have you been drinking. TN's or tasting vibes are most welcome.
Oh, just some Italians and some wines for the BBQ including a 1997 Thalgara Show Reserve Shiraz - awful stuff! TNÂ’s will follow after I sober up and replant some citrus trees.
Mike
PS I'm not joking about the Thalgara!
2001 Yarra Burn pinot noir.
Got this one on spec since I've enjoyed other wines of theirs in the past.
I have to say that I was underwhelmed. The nose had a little of what I look for in a pinot (at least to remind me that I'm drinking a pinot), some red fruits with a little funk and earth. In the mouth it seemed I was drinking a lightbodied wine with generic "red wine flavours". By this I mean that there was some fruit and some structure and some tannin, but nothing that actually grabbed my interest. I also found that the front palate seemed very quiet with very little flavour at all.
Thoroughly dissapointed I tried a little enforced breathing, putting my thumb over the bottle mouth and giving the wine a good shake. This definitely lent some more intensity to the nose but the palate remained unremarkable.
I finally gave up, left the balance of the bottle to my partner, and cracked a long neck of Swan Stout...mmm, best stout in the country (to my palate).
Got this one on spec since I've enjoyed other wines of theirs in the past.
I have to say that I was underwhelmed. The nose had a little of what I look for in a pinot (at least to remind me that I'm drinking a pinot), some red fruits with a little funk and earth. In the mouth it seemed I was drinking a lightbodied wine with generic "red wine flavours". By this I mean that there was some fruit and some structure and some tannin, but nothing that actually grabbed my interest. I also found that the front palate seemed very quiet with very little flavour at all.
Thoroughly dissapointed I tried a little enforced breathing, putting my thumb over the bottle mouth and giving the wine a good shake. This definitely lent some more intensity to the nose but the palate remained unremarkable.
I finally gave up, left the balance of the bottle to my partner, and cracked a long neck of Swan Stout...mmm, best stout in the country (to my palate).
Ground control to Major Tom, take your protein pills and put your helmet on.
Cheap and cheerful at the moment..
Seppelts Vic Shiraz 2002 - its become a bit of a staple..i love it.
Salena Estate Shiraz 2000 - another regular..amazing for $12
Maybe a bottle of Rockford Vintage Port 1997 if it is cold tonight
Cheers
Paul
Seppelts Vic Shiraz 2002 - its become a bit of a staple..i love it.
Salena Estate Shiraz 2000 - another regular..amazing for $12
Maybe a bottle of Rockford Vintage Port 1997 if it is cold tonight
Cheers
Paul
"You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one"
---Len Evans
---Len Evans
1998 Hardys Tintara Trial Blend Shiraz Grenache: A $15 cellar door special they just got back in for the Sea and Vines Festival last weekend – I was very impressed then, and got to play with a full bottle this week. The colour is a deep raspberry with a hint of purple on the rim. A rich nose featuring chocolate, coffee and spices, some green minty notes, and hints of leather. With breathing it’s more exotic with smoky, sliced Deli-meats, some tobacco spit, and concentrated tomato. The mid-weight palate is spicy and velvety, rich with chocolate, and with air more of those smoky/meaty nuances. The finish is spicy, but soft and lingering – great stuff!
2000 Kay Bros Amery Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache: Dipped into the cellar door for a break from the Festival, and picked up this little cheapie among the other gems. Dark red/purple colour – like the Merlot, excellent for the 2000 vintage! A big savoury mess of a nose; coffee, cinnamon, mint, violets and spices that completely close down after a while, opening up again to reveal dark chocolate, cocoa and cinnamon sticks. The palate is very spicy/meaty/smoky, rather like smoky bacon and anchovies, and finishing with lingering blackberries and sweet plum. Not huge, but a great food wine, and for $120/dozen a real bargain.
2002 Hugel Riquewhir Alsace Gentil: I first tried this a few months ago in an “Old World” mixed tasting at my local haunt, and it was the only wine I really liked – funny thing was all my friends there hated it! I decided a second look was warranted in future, and grabbed a stray bottle to try last week. Pale straw yellow colour; like my first encounter, the nose is very spicy and well, almost crunchy for lack of a better term. Very complex with a mix of orange/lemon rinds and nutmeg at first, then pickled capsicum, and later a beautiful floral perfume, with a bare hint of dry herbs in the distant background. The palate revolves around a citrus base with spiced/sugared lemons throughout, finishing with a tingly lemon sherbet finish. With a lot more breathing, the palate becomes even more spicy and pithy, with stewed apples and orange zest appearing, while the tannins become mealier in texture. What’s not to like?
1998 d’Arenberg The Footbolt Old Vine Shiraz: Deep, dark inky red colour. Wonderful complex, smoky nose with deep-set blackberry/cordial fruit, cigar box, violets and some mushroom. The palate has a soft entry, and ripe/stewed, jammy blackberry fruit entwined with spice, pepper and tannin, and a slightly green finish. With breathing some liquorice starts to appear on the nose and especially the palate, as the blackberry characters intensify to replace the greens on the aftertaste. A great way to finish off the week.
I also got to try the Lake Breeze range during the week, but strangley found that every wine finished with me picking up bitter phenolics on the back palate. Assuming I was having an off day, I decided not to make any notes.
Cheers,
Ian
2000 Kay Bros Amery Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache: Dipped into the cellar door for a break from the Festival, and picked up this little cheapie among the other gems. Dark red/purple colour – like the Merlot, excellent for the 2000 vintage! A big savoury mess of a nose; coffee, cinnamon, mint, violets and spices that completely close down after a while, opening up again to reveal dark chocolate, cocoa and cinnamon sticks. The palate is very spicy/meaty/smoky, rather like smoky bacon and anchovies, and finishing with lingering blackberries and sweet plum. Not huge, but a great food wine, and for $120/dozen a real bargain.
2002 Hugel Riquewhir Alsace Gentil: I first tried this a few months ago in an “Old World” mixed tasting at my local haunt, and it was the only wine I really liked – funny thing was all my friends there hated it! I decided a second look was warranted in future, and grabbed a stray bottle to try last week. Pale straw yellow colour; like my first encounter, the nose is very spicy and well, almost crunchy for lack of a better term. Very complex with a mix of orange/lemon rinds and nutmeg at first, then pickled capsicum, and later a beautiful floral perfume, with a bare hint of dry herbs in the distant background. The palate revolves around a citrus base with spiced/sugared lemons throughout, finishing with a tingly lemon sherbet finish. With a lot more breathing, the palate becomes even more spicy and pithy, with stewed apples and orange zest appearing, while the tannins become mealier in texture. What’s not to like?
1998 d’Arenberg The Footbolt Old Vine Shiraz: Deep, dark inky red colour. Wonderful complex, smoky nose with deep-set blackberry/cordial fruit, cigar box, violets and some mushroom. The palate has a soft entry, and ripe/stewed, jammy blackberry fruit entwined with spice, pepper and tannin, and a slightly green finish. With breathing some liquorice starts to appear on the nose and especially the palate, as the blackberry characters intensify to replace the greens on the aftertaste. A great way to finish off the week.
I also got to try the Lake Breeze range during the week, but strangley found that every wine finished with me picking up bitter phenolics on the back palate. Assuming I was having an off day, I decided not to make any notes.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
As widely predicted, a bunch of sore heads around the house today.
Many good ones, but happily we got to the St Ignatius 91 before we lost consciousness - this wine is still powering, not bad for around $18 (?) at original purchase.
And I even remember how good the Lustau San Emilio PX was with chocolate cake and Simmo's icecream before we all fell down.
Many good ones, but happily we got to the St Ignatius 91 before we lost consciousness - this wine is still powering, not bad for around $18 (?) at original purchase.
And I even remember how good the Lustau San Emilio PX was with chocolate cake and Simmo's icecream before we all fell down.
And gladys save a place for me
On your grapevine
Till i get my own tv show
On your grapevine
Till i get my own tv show
Highlight of the week was dinner at Matteo's for a mates going away.
95 Chablis Premier Cru will fill in the producer later but was a lovely wine. Complex, still quite youthful and just a really good drink.
81 Seppelt Great Western Riesling for a 23 year old whie this was still hanging on. Just shows you that Great Western can produce some damn fine riesling.
85 Cape Mentelle Cab/Sauv A wine of it's era, leafy, green and very enjoyable. This wine is 12% and just shows you, you don't always need alcohol to make a good red.
94 Howard Park Cabernet Merlot I must admit that I have enjoyed better bottles of this wine. It was still a favorite for the group and still has a long life ahead of it. Plenty of power and structure.
02 Curlewis Reserve Pinot Noir close to my best wine for the night. Had everything you would want in top-class Pinot. The fruit is not over-ripe and this wine should age superbly.
94 Jim Barry Armagh Probalby way too young and still evolving. Bit simple at the moment but should evolve and open up into a very good wine.
91 Wynns Michael Shiraz Vanilla milkshake anyone? I don't think this wine will change, nor do I think I will ever like it. Oak. Oak. And more Oak. Maybe there is some fruit there but it has been suffocated.
This between 4-5 people meant I woke up with a very sore head Friday morning.
95 Chablis Premier Cru will fill in the producer later but was a lovely wine. Complex, still quite youthful and just a really good drink.
81 Seppelt Great Western Riesling for a 23 year old whie this was still hanging on. Just shows you that Great Western can produce some damn fine riesling.
85 Cape Mentelle Cab/Sauv A wine of it's era, leafy, green and very enjoyable. This wine is 12% and just shows you, you don't always need alcohol to make a good red.
94 Howard Park Cabernet Merlot I must admit that I have enjoyed better bottles of this wine. It was still a favorite for the group and still has a long life ahead of it. Plenty of power and structure.
02 Curlewis Reserve Pinot Noir close to my best wine for the night. Had everything you would want in top-class Pinot. The fruit is not over-ripe and this wine should age superbly.
94 Jim Barry Armagh Probalby way too young and still evolving. Bit simple at the moment but should evolve and open up into a very good wine.
91 Wynns Michael Shiraz Vanilla milkshake anyone? I don't think this wine will change, nor do I think I will ever like it. Oak. Oak. And more Oak. Maybe there is some fruit there but it has been suffocated.
This between 4-5 people meant I woke up with a very sore head Friday morning.
Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach
Spanish saying
Spanish saying
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KMP
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Couple of tastings this week. Thursday was Brunello-vs-Barolo and I hope to put those notes together tomorrow. Today was a tasting of wines recommended for B-B-Q season - which the neighbors are having as I write this. I've posted those notes here, but wanted to extract and post in this thread the notes from the two Aussies that I had during that tasting.
Among the B-B-Q tasting was the Thalgara, Show Reserve Shiraz, 1997 ($17.99US). This wine was brick red with a distinct brown edge; obviously not a young wine. Predominant flavor of burnt caramel (oxidized). On the palate the wine was thin with mouth watering acidity to the finish. Flavors carried through on retronasal.
I tasted the wine blind and was frankly shocked when I read the tasting notes provided for the Thalgara (“Tons of ripe black fruit flavors in this chewy mouthstaining Aussie shiraz.Ââ€Â) The wine had been reduced from $38.99US and was described as a great deal. To me the wine was oxidized and well past its peak.
It recover from the insult that the Thalgara made to Aussie shiraz I ordered a tasting of Penfold's RWT Shiraz, Barossa, 2001 ($69.99US) from the wine bar. For a 2 oz taste it was $7.75US, but this is shiraz. A dark cherry with a reddish edge, the wine was very open and opulent with cherries and floral notes. It was simply enjoyable just to smell the wine. On the palate it had good mouthfeel, very well balanced with a clean finish. On retronasal the flavors lingered as a good wine should do.
Mike
Among the B-B-Q tasting was the Thalgara, Show Reserve Shiraz, 1997 ($17.99US). This wine was brick red with a distinct brown edge; obviously not a young wine. Predominant flavor of burnt caramel (oxidized). On the palate the wine was thin with mouth watering acidity to the finish. Flavors carried through on retronasal.
I tasted the wine blind and was frankly shocked when I read the tasting notes provided for the Thalgara (“Tons of ripe black fruit flavors in this chewy mouthstaining Aussie shiraz.Ââ€Â) The wine had been reduced from $38.99US and was described as a great deal. To me the wine was oxidized and well past its peak.
It recover from the insult that the Thalgara made to Aussie shiraz I ordered a tasting of Penfold's RWT Shiraz, Barossa, 2001 ($69.99US) from the wine bar. For a 2 oz taste it was $7.75US, but this is shiraz. A dark cherry with a reddish edge, the wine was very open and opulent with cherries and floral notes. It was simply enjoyable just to smell the wine. On the palate it had good mouthfeel, very well balanced with a clean finish. On retronasal the flavors lingered as a good wine should do.
Mike
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Guest
On Friday, went to dinner with a few friends to celebrate the finishing of exams. We had:
Penfolds St Henri 1999 : Corked.
Kays Amery Shiraz 2001 : Fragrant nose. But lacking in palate. Maybe the above wine made it feel clunky.
On Saturday:
Coriole Shiraz 2002 : Yummy wine. Purity of fruit with plum and blackcurrant flavors. A half bottle left for tonight.
Penfolds St Henri 1999 : Corked.
Kays Amery Shiraz 2001 : Fragrant nose. But lacking in palate. Maybe the above wine made it feel clunky.
On Saturday:
Coriole Shiraz 2002 : Yummy wine. Purity of fruit with plum and blackcurrant flavors. A half bottle left for tonight.
Stepping Stone 2002 Coonawarra Cabernet - Well made cheapie ($8.50) but needs a year settle down.
Pennys Hill 2002 Shiraz - Yum
O'leary Walker 2002 Shiraz - Well made with great fruit but yet another high octane job (14.5%)
Cleanskin Vintage Port. - Very old. God I love this stuff!!!
Something last night after the PH and OW but only remember it being a 2000. Taxi home soon after.
Chuck
Pennys Hill 2002 Shiraz - Yum
O'leary Walker 2002 Shiraz - Well made with great fruit but yet another high octane job (14.5%)
Cleanskin Vintage Port. - Very old. God I love this stuff!!!
Something last night after the PH and OW but only remember it being a 2000. Taxi home soon after.
Chuck
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David Lole
Domaine Combier Crozes-Hermitage Cos des Grives 1999
(from a parcel of 50-year-old Syrah vines aged in 50% new oak casks, remainder 1 year old casks)
13% A/V Bottle opened last evening, finished tonight.
Medium to dark ruby core gradating to bright crimson in the edge. Savoury, meaty nose of over-ripe black plums, sour cherries, ashphalt, charcoal and freshly sawn cedar (a touch oxidised tonight - considerably more oak evident than last night). Sweet, ripe plum and cherry dominate the palate, low acid and tannin levels provide a plump, soft rounded mouthfeel with, seemingly little input from the oak, but lacking in any great distinction or authority. Only moderate length. Drink over the next few years. Recommended.
Miranda Golden Botrytis 2002
Riverina Semillon, only 9% A/V
Already a deep medium gold revealing amazing viscosity on the inside of the glass. Surprising big, complex and integrated bouquet of honey, oranges, sugar pineapples, apricot marmalade, almond kernel and vanilla pod (new oak?) lathered in a swathe of botrytis. Most impressive. Thick, unctious palate verging on cloying that fails to deliver on what the nose promised. Plenty of honeyed fruit but deficient in balancing acidity to provide clarity or focus. Reasonable length. Reminds me of the dashing front runner in a Melbourne Cup - 16 lengths in front after the first 1000 metres but pulled up lame in the home straight. Hard to rate - Excellent nose, (just) Acceptable palate. Probably Recommended, in the end. Drink now.
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre 1992
Bought rather cheaply at auction recently. 13% A/V
Brilliant light gold colour, amazing brightness. Profound, integrated nose nose of char, smoke, chalky minerals, gunflint, bacon fat, buttered corn, citrus (mostly oranges) and white peach. A seamless beauty, almost constantly overpowering one to dropping the probiscus back into the glass for another whiff. The palate displays a tight profile with an attractive stony, minerally core with crisp apple, lemon and white peach fruit surrounded by persistent, mouthcoating acidity mixed with creamy butterscotch in a finish of some depth and considerable length. Probably a' point , this Excellent Chardonnay shows no sign of cracking up, even after several hours exposed to air. Somewhat of a revelation, I'm keen to hear if anyone here can enlighten me on their experiences with this producer.
Grosset Watervale Riesling 2002 (Screwcap)
Still pale straw with amazing brightness. Classical primary lime and mineral aromas with the last vestige of orange blossom. The palate steps up a gear revealing striking minerality bound to abundant apple, pear and limey fruit with indelible acidity sitting nicely alongside. Coupled with an intense, persistent aftertaste, this profound Riesling deserves an Outstanding rating and has considerable aging potential.
Otherwise some hazy vibes on some others:
Rockford Semillon 1996 - Holding well, pleasantly surprised, very good
Seaview Edwards & Chaffey Shiraz 1994 - Unrepresentative bottle - where's the fruit?, lean and angular - not nice.
Lindeman's Limestone Ridge 1991 - again not on (recent) form - US oak dominant, showing tertairy fruit characters - enjoyed it much more than the Seaview.
Petaluma Chardonnay 1997 - Developed colour; honey, butterscotch, nuts, overipe figs on the nose; broad palate, tending to dry out in the finish. OK, but going nowhere.
Charles Sturt University Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - Guessed this as a Barossa or Mclaren Vale 1998 Shiraz with too much American oak. In fact, it spent 20 months in French oak.
Very tight, oaky, chocolatey wine at first with plenty of grip. Improved with a good breath, not particularly varietal or regional, though.
J. J. Confuron Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 1996 - Poxy Brett nose. Disjointed palate, surprisingly good plummy fruit with plenty of acid and tannin. Not a patch on the previous bottle tried. Blech!
(from a parcel of 50-year-old Syrah vines aged in 50% new oak casks, remainder 1 year old casks)
13% A/V Bottle opened last evening, finished tonight.
Medium to dark ruby core gradating to bright crimson in the edge. Savoury, meaty nose of over-ripe black plums, sour cherries, ashphalt, charcoal and freshly sawn cedar (a touch oxidised tonight - considerably more oak evident than last night). Sweet, ripe plum and cherry dominate the palate, low acid and tannin levels provide a plump, soft rounded mouthfeel with, seemingly little input from the oak, but lacking in any great distinction or authority. Only moderate length. Drink over the next few years. Recommended.
Miranda Golden Botrytis 2002
Riverina Semillon, only 9% A/V
Already a deep medium gold revealing amazing viscosity on the inside of the glass. Surprising big, complex and integrated bouquet of honey, oranges, sugar pineapples, apricot marmalade, almond kernel and vanilla pod (new oak?) lathered in a swathe of botrytis. Most impressive. Thick, unctious palate verging on cloying that fails to deliver on what the nose promised. Plenty of honeyed fruit but deficient in balancing acidity to provide clarity or focus. Reasonable length. Reminds me of the dashing front runner in a Melbourne Cup - 16 lengths in front after the first 1000 metres but pulled up lame in the home straight. Hard to rate - Excellent nose, (just) Acceptable palate. Probably Recommended, in the end. Drink now.
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre 1992
Bought rather cheaply at auction recently. 13% A/V
Brilliant light gold colour, amazing brightness. Profound, integrated nose nose of char, smoke, chalky minerals, gunflint, bacon fat, buttered corn, citrus (mostly oranges) and white peach. A seamless beauty, almost constantly overpowering one to dropping the probiscus back into the glass for another whiff. The palate displays a tight profile with an attractive stony, minerally core with crisp apple, lemon and white peach fruit surrounded by persistent, mouthcoating acidity mixed with creamy butterscotch in a finish of some depth and considerable length. Probably a' point , this Excellent Chardonnay shows no sign of cracking up, even after several hours exposed to air. Somewhat of a revelation, I'm keen to hear if anyone here can enlighten me on their experiences with this producer.
Grosset Watervale Riesling 2002 (Screwcap)
Still pale straw with amazing brightness. Classical primary lime and mineral aromas with the last vestige of orange blossom. The palate steps up a gear revealing striking minerality bound to abundant apple, pear and limey fruit with indelible acidity sitting nicely alongside. Coupled with an intense, persistent aftertaste, this profound Riesling deserves an Outstanding rating and has considerable aging potential.
Otherwise some hazy vibes on some others:
Rockford Semillon 1996 - Holding well, pleasantly surprised, very good
Seaview Edwards & Chaffey Shiraz 1994 - Unrepresentative bottle - where's the fruit?, lean and angular - not nice.
Lindeman's Limestone Ridge 1991 - again not on (recent) form - US oak dominant, showing tertairy fruit characters - enjoyed it much more than the Seaview.
Petaluma Chardonnay 1997 - Developed colour; honey, butterscotch, nuts, overipe figs on the nose; broad palate, tending to dry out in the finish. OK, but going nowhere.
Charles Sturt University Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - Guessed this as a Barossa or Mclaren Vale 1998 Shiraz with too much American oak. In fact, it spent 20 months in French oak.
Very tight, oaky, chocolatey wine at first with plenty of grip. Improved with a good breath, not particularly varietal or regional, though.
J. J. Confuron Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 1996 - Poxy Brett nose. Disjointed palate, surprisingly good plummy fruit with plenty of acid and tannin. Not a patch on the previous bottle tried. Blech!
1997 Clos-de-Vougeot , Grand Cru , Haegelen-Jayer : the most enjoyable wine for me so far this year. Wonderfully complex Pinot with a lovely dry finish. Has that " power in reserve " aspect , got better as you drank more , was vegetal , earthy, mushroomy but sort of real calm and classy at the same time. Too bloody hard to describe really. Put the Riedel Grand Cru Burgundy glasses to excellent use indeed. I will drink the other 5 bottles over the next 5 to 10 years.
Anthony wrote:85 Cape Mentelle Cab/Sauv A wine of it's era, leafy, green and very enjoyable. This wine is 12% and just shows you, you don't always need alcohol to make a good red.
Yes, I doubt you'll see many of the bully-buster alcoholic reds of the modern era looking good at this distance.
Enjoyed 86 LEAS cab a few months back in same style.
And gladys save a place for me
On your grapevine
Till i get my own tv show
On your grapevine
Till i get my own tv show
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George Krashos
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:26 pm
David Lole wrote:Otherwise some hazy vibes on some others:
Rockford Semillon 1996 - Holding well, pleasantly surprised, very good
I had my last one of these the other week also. Level was down so I wasn't expecting much but it was damn tasty. Heard around the traps that the '97 is an absolute rip snorter - but I've only got one left so I'll save it a while longer.
-- George Krashos
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radioactiveman
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2003 9:38 pm
- Location: canberra
David Lole wrote:
Otherwise some hazy vibes on some others:
Rockford Semillon 1996 - Holding well, pleasantly surprised, very good
Seaview Edwards & Chaffey Shiraz 1994 - Unrepresentative bottle - where's the fruit?, lean and angular - not nice.
Lindeman's Limestone Ridge 1991 - again not on (recent) form - US oak dominant, showing tertairy fruit characters - enjoyed it much more than the Seaview.
Petaluma Chardonnay 1997 - Developed colour; honey, butterscotch, nuts, overipe figs on the nose; broad palate, tending to dry out in the finish. OK, but going nowhere.
Charles Sturt University Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - Guessed this as a Barossa or Mclaren Vale 1998 Shiraz with too much American oak. In fact, it spent 20 months in French oak.
J. J. Confuron Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 1996 - Poxy Brett nose. Disjointed palate, surprisingly good plummy fruit with plenty of acid and tannin. Not a patch on the previous bottle tried. Blech!
Thanks for dinner on friday DLo. I enjoyed the Limestone despite the American oak (which I actually don't mind), and I'm glad you thought the Rockfords was OK, despite it not being a favourite style of yours. I'm quite a fan of Barossa Semillon and have a few more of these to savour.
The Confuron's brett seems to have mostly blown off today, but it's still not as enjoyable as others I have tried. The CSU cab is a great options wine and quite a good wine overall from the uni, even though it isn't very varietal. Although it did develop more capsicum and herbs the longer it spent in the decanter.
Cheers
Jamie
KMP wrote:. Thursday was Brunello-vs-Barolo and I hope to put those notes together tomorrow.
Mike
Mike
Looking forward to your notes.
Incidentally, have you encountered the following story, broken in the UK by Tom Cannavan...
"...more than half of the wine sold as Italian in the US is fake. It's almost 58% and by fake I mean it's not what's on the bottle. It could very well be Italian, and it might even be better than the genuine stuff! This is based on the findings of an NOMISMA, an Italian economic research institute based in Bologna..."
(fuller discussion here)
http://www.wine-pages.com/ubb/ultimateb ... 1;t=000435
regards
Ian
1996 PL Stonewell. Bloody sensational with years ahead of it.
1998 Penley Cab Sauv. Very nice fruit driven style without a hint of green. Thank God as I hate salad reds.
2000 Goundrey Reserve Shiraz. Sensational if you like crtacked black pepper and blackberry. Fortunately I do. All in all a very well packaged cold climate shiraz.
1995 Bleasedale "Frank Potts". Pretty damn good wine from a supposedly "off" year. Complex berries and tobacco leaf with soft tannins. Yummo.
2002 Miranda "Mirrool Creek" Durif. Sheesh. I had to open a second bottle before I would believe anyone could turn out a Durif this pathetic.Acidic, tannic, thin crap, but I expect you should not expect much more at $6 a bottle.
1964 McWilliams Vintage Port. My last bottle of this and it is sadly missed already. Holly hell this stuff is good.
2000 Vasse Felix Shiraz. Absolutely splendid stuff, and only bettered by:-
1999 Vasse Felix Shiraz. Which was so good even I got lucky. Seriously though, this is great stuff at the price. L0ovely fruit with a hint of pepper and some vanilla from the oak and the tannins still so soft and silky.
I think that is it for the week, but my memory is a little clouded at the moment following the couple or six reds and one or nine Amaretto Di Saronne (analgaesia for my back pain of course). I think I need to lie down now.
1998 Penley Cab Sauv. Very nice fruit driven style without a hint of green. Thank God as I hate salad reds.
2000 Goundrey Reserve Shiraz. Sensational if you like crtacked black pepper and blackberry. Fortunately I do. All in all a very well packaged cold climate shiraz.
1995 Bleasedale "Frank Potts". Pretty damn good wine from a supposedly "off" year. Complex berries and tobacco leaf with soft tannins. Yummo.
2002 Miranda "Mirrool Creek" Durif. Sheesh. I had to open a second bottle before I would believe anyone could turn out a Durif this pathetic.Acidic, tannic, thin crap, but I expect you should not expect much more at $6 a bottle.
1964 McWilliams Vintage Port. My last bottle of this and it is sadly missed already. Holly hell this stuff is good.
2000 Vasse Felix Shiraz. Absolutely splendid stuff, and only bettered by:-
1999 Vasse Felix Shiraz. Which was so good even I got lucky. Seriously though, this is great stuff at the price. L0ovely fruit with a hint of pepper and some vanilla from the oak and the tannins still so soft and silky.
I think that is it for the week, but my memory is a little clouded at the moment following the couple or six reds and one or nine Amaretto Di Saronne (analgaesia for my back pain of course). I think I need to lie down now.
Davo wrote:1999 Vasse Felix Shiraz. Which was so good even I got lucky. ...
...couple or six reds and one or nine Amaretto Di Saronne (analgaesia for my back pain of course).
Davo, did you have the back pain before you got lucky?
(I have 6 of the VF 99 Shiraz in my cellar, might have to try one soon.)
I'm glad I don't have a consult with you this morning, be careful on that (non-wine) self-medication now.
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Henschke Keyneton Estate 1995- Just approaching it's maturation plateau. The youthful, atypical Henschke notes have melded wonderfully. The wine is seamless, integrated and balanced by soft tannin and fresh acid. There is not the complexity expected- young Keyneton from the mid to late 90's a pleasure to drink early due it's youthful complexity. Perhaps more will build.
The rantings on another thread steered me away from Barossa wines, I picked up a young Heatcote shiraz at the bottle shop from Carlei-1940's block. Lovely shiraz, smooth and supple, with some restrained power. Certainly a change from some of the ripe Barossa shiraz I have over indulged in over the last few weeks.
The rantings on another thread steered me away from Barossa wines, I picked up a young Heatcote shiraz at the bottle shop from Carlei-1940's block. Lovely shiraz, smooth and supple, with some restrained power. Certainly a change from some of the ripe Barossa shiraz I have over indulged in over the last few weeks.
David Lole wrote:Miranda Golden Botrytis 2002
Riverina Semillon, only 9% A/V
Already a deep medium gold revealing amazing viscosity on the inside of the glass. Surprising big, complex and integrated bouquet of honey, oranges, sugar pineapples, apricot marmalade, almond kernel and vanilla pod (new oak?) lathered in a swathe of botrytis. Most impressive. Thick, unctious palate verging on cloying that fails to deliver on what the nose promised. Plenty of honeyed fruit but deficient in balancing acidity to provide clarity or focus. Reasonable length. Reminds me of the dashing front runner in a Melbourne Cup - 16 lengths in front after the first 1000 metres but pulled up lame in the home straight. Hard to rate - Excellent nose, (just) Acceptable palate. Probably Recommended, in the end. Drink now.
Had the 2001 Winemaker's Selection of this wine on Friday night, I think a step above your wine per the label. Big sweet wine in the same mould as your wine but obviously delivered better than your wine as it had better acidity. I love your Melbourne Cup analogy. On Friday night, I thought that my wine was saying: "Stuff it, I don't care about political correctness". At $15, this is good sweet stuff and worth every cent. It has been a while since I finished off a bottle of stickie!
David Lole wrote:Charles Sturt University Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - Guessed this as a Barossa or Mclaren Vale 1998 Shiraz with too much American oak. In fact, it spent 20 months in French oak.
I am seeing a lot of the 2001 Charles Sturt University "Limited Release" Cabernet Sauvignon at auction at the moment. I wonder if they have let the fruit shine more?
Adair
Hi all,
Tyrells Stevens Reserve Shiraz 1999 - but don't have any notes.
From what I can remember it had a good strong colour, the nose was slightly earthy (not as much as I expected) with plums and black cherries. The palate was mid-wieght and had quite an elegant mix of fruit and earthyness, tight but low level tannins, and good length. Lovely to drink on it's own now, but not incrediable. Give it maybe 89/100 and good value for $23 (all at a guess from days ago)
Adios,
Tyrells Stevens Reserve Shiraz 1999 - but don't have any notes.
From what I can remember it had a good strong colour, the nose was slightly earthy (not as much as I expected) with plums and black cherries. The palate was mid-wieght and had quite an elegant mix of fruit and earthyness, tight but low level tannins, and good length. Lovely to drink on it's own now, but not incrediable. Give it maybe 89/100 and good value for $23 (all at a guess from days ago)
Adios,
simm.
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
KMP wrote:Among the B-B-Q tasting was the Thalgara, Show Reserve Shiraz, 1997 ($17.99US). This wine was brick red with a distinct brown edge; obviously not a young wine. Predominant flavor of burnt caramel (oxidized). On the palate the wine was thin with mouth watering acidity to the finish. Flavors carried through on retronasal.
I tasted the wine blind and was frankly shocked when I read the tasting notes provided for the Thalgara (“Tons of ripe black fruit flavors in this chewy mouthstaining Aussie shiraz.Ââ€Â) The wine had been reduced from $38.99US and was described as a great deal. To me the wine was oxidized and well past its peak.
Mike I wonder if your bottle has been cooked or some such - I have a bottle or two and will try and remember to pull one this week and report back.
Two of any note this week
1997 Turkey Flat Butchers Block (red blend) - finally a bottle of this I enjoyed. This is my least favourite of the Turkey Flat range. This was my last bottle and finally seems to have softened out. Pleasant wine but I'll keep my money for the Shiraz and Cab Sav.
1996 Taylor's St Andrews Shiraz - very pleasant well made wine. Highly recommended It would probablyrate higher with a bit less oak and malo character - I would have liked to see some more of the fruit coming through.
David
David J
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Weekly dose...
Short summary of the weeks efforts:
'02 D'arenberg Custodian Grenache: Not bad, but linear.
'02 Heritage Shiraz: Awsome Barossa shiraz for the price, a thumper!
'02 Laughing Magpie: Gotta stop drinking this stuff! Great.
'99 Murdoch Cab/Sauv: Excellent Coonawarra Cab with years ahead of it, wonderfull structure.
'01 Zema Estate Merot: Dissappointing, linear and simple.
'01 Morris Durif: Big, rich, round and mouthfilling, years off it's best.
'02 D'arenberg Stump Jump GSM: another very good wine for the price.
'99 Parker Cab/Sauv: Drinking beautifully, progressing well, will go another 5-8 years effortlessly.
'02 Sepelt Vic shiraz: agree with everyone, for the price it's a bargain.
Rory
'02 D'arenberg Custodian Grenache: Not bad, but linear.
'02 Heritage Shiraz: Awsome Barossa shiraz for the price, a thumper!
'02 Laughing Magpie: Gotta stop drinking this stuff! Great.
'99 Murdoch Cab/Sauv: Excellent Coonawarra Cab with years ahead of it, wonderfull structure.
'01 Zema Estate Merot: Dissappointing, linear and simple.
'01 Morris Durif: Big, rich, round and mouthfilling, years off it's best.
'02 D'arenberg Stump Jump GSM: another very good wine for the price.
'99 Parker Cab/Sauv: Drinking beautifully, progressing well, will go another 5-8 years effortlessly.
'02 Sepelt Vic shiraz: agree with everyone, for the price it's a bargain.
Rory
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radioactiveman
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2003 9:38 pm
- Location: canberra
Adair wrote:David Lole wrote:Charles Sturt University Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - Guessed this as a Barossa or Mclaren Vale 1998 Shiraz with too much American oak. In fact, it spent 20 months in French oak.
I am seeing a lot of the 2001 Charles Sturt University "Limited Release" Cabernet Sauvignon at auction at the moment. I wonder if they have let the fruit shine more?
Adair
It would be worthwhile grabbing some, as it would be pretty cheap and a nice wine to boot. It needs a little time though. I'll be searching out some more 98, as it's great now and will last a few more years yet.
Cheers
Jamie
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2747
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
2002 Tin Shed Shiraz - pepper and spice nose, soft palate, medium bodied. Highly recommended.
1996 Peterson's HV Semillon - secondary charcteristics (toast etc) kicking in, softening acid. Acceptable.
2003 Grosset Watervale Riesling - citrus nose, beautiful palate with great length and excellent balance. Highly recommended, bordering on excellent.
1990 Mildara Coonawarra Cab - reasonable wine at the end of its life. Lovely perfumed nose, but palate lacked intensity and length.
1994 St Hugo - didn't take notes but seemed OK.
2000 Columbia Crest Syrah (Washington) - nose was dominated by brett. Medium bodied and reminded me why I'll take Aussie shiraz every time.
2002 Kalleske - two bottles both identical and both outstanding. Choc - berry nose and palate of great intensity and length.
1996 Peterson's HV Semillon - secondary charcteristics (toast etc) kicking in, softening acid. Acceptable.
2003 Grosset Watervale Riesling - citrus nose, beautiful palate with great length and excellent balance. Highly recommended, bordering on excellent.
1990 Mildara Coonawarra Cab - reasonable wine at the end of its life. Lovely perfumed nose, but palate lacked intensity and length.
1994 St Hugo - didn't take notes but seemed OK.
2000 Columbia Crest Syrah (Washington) - nose was dominated by brett. Medium bodied and reminded me why I'll take Aussie shiraz every time.
2002 Kalleske - two bottles both identical and both outstanding. Choc - berry nose and palate of great intensity and length.
-
KMP
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:02 am
- Location: Expat, now in San Diego, California
- Contact:
DJ wrote:KMP wrote:Among the B-B-Q tasting was the Thalgara, Show Reserve Shiraz, 1997 ($17.99US). This wine was brick red with a distinct brown edge; obviously not a young wine. Predominant flavor of burnt caramel (oxidized). On the palate the wine was thin with mouth watering acidity to the finish. Flavors carried through on retronasal.
I tasted the wine blind and was frankly shocked when I read the tasting notes provided for the Thalgara (“Tons of ripe black fruit flavors in this chewy mouthstaining Aussie shiraz.Ââ€Â) The wine had been reduced from $38.99US and was described as a great deal. To me the wine was oxidized and well past its peak.
Mike I wonder if your bottle has been cooked or some such - I have a bottle or two and will try and remember to pull one this week and report back.
David
David: I wanted to ask the guys in the wine shop about the Thalgara, but we got sidetracked into a discussion about another Australian shiraz. They do have both the 1997 and the 1998 for sale. First time I've seen them there and I'm not sure where they got the wines from.
Mike