Weekly Drinking Report Thread as at 22/9/2013

[dlo]

Greetings,

This thread is intended to stimulate contributions from members of the board on what "has gone down" in the previous week. Wine, that is, folks. So, if you're feeling up to it, please let us know what you've been drinking and what you thought of it.

For me, after the stellar performance of the 1998 Pepper Tree Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet I reported on in last week's posts, I opened another bottle of same for my family and best friend celebrating my father's 84th birthday here last night. It was excellent indeed, but just lacked some of the wow factor of the previous bottle. I left some in the bottle overnight and it's all over red rover at lunchtime today.

[tpang]

A couple of sparkles:

Taltarni Brut 2010, Pyreness, VIC (multi-regional sparkling)
Fruit sourced from multiple states, namely Victoria (65%), South Australia (24%) and Tasmania (11%). Composed of Chardonnay (53%), Pinot Noir (44%) and Pinot Meunier (3%). $20. Pale yellow colour, soft aromas of smokey mandarin citrus, nougat and apple. Fine mousse, nice creamy rounded mouthfeel. Very flavoursome, high acidity (7.9g/L) and certainly sweet (10g/L). Notes of honey, fresh lemon fruit, Fuji apple, a well-balanced weight leading into a smooth lingering finish.

Seppelt Salinger Vintage Cuvee 2009, Great Western, VIC (Multi-regional sparkling)
Made from Chardonnay (63%), Pinot Noir (28%) and Pinot Meunier (9%), and includes up to 5% aged reserve wine. Fruit sourced from Henty (70%), Adelaide Hills (25%) and Mornington (5%). The wine is aged in the underground cellars at Seppelt for a minimum of three years before release. $26. Clear, pale straw yellow colour. Youthful aromas of green apple and lime citrus, hints of raw nuts and white pepper. Very fine mousse texture, I’d personally prefer larger bubbles for a more robust mouthfeel. It has med+ acidity (specifications state 7.3g/L which is on the lower side of white wines), and weighs in at 12% alc. Flavours of lemon, lime rind, green apple, fresh and persistent finish. This is a good quality wine for this pricetag.

[Panda 9D]

Sine Qua Non B20 2008 - Syrah with (I think) 6% Grenache and 2% Viognier. 26 months in 60% new French oak. Okonomiyaki sauce (like BBQ sauce I guess), red to purple fruits and faint spice on the nose. The nose was somewhat like looking into layers of almost-invisible curtains. Hard to be sure which layer you're looking at but it was all very nice. The palate gave a simpler impression (it usually does). Nice fruit, some of that BBQ sauce and a little dustiness. It had acidity that seemed to tingle random pinpoints on your tongue... fun! Gave the impression of an actress in a maroon ball gown arriving at the set of a costume drama having passed through the dusty set of a western. Beautiful, red lipstick and a little twig of tumbleweed stuck in her hair.

Hobbs 2010 Shiraz - Huge, rich, wonderful Shiraz that shouldn't be drunk for another 10 years. Black fruit, graphite, cedar, raspberry, coins and just black on the nose. Black, purple, red fruits on the palate with a thick creaminess before the acid hits. Nice acid that feels like a natural part of the wine. Tannins are certainly there but soft and well contained. This wine would go for yonks. Smells like money.

[Chuck]

I am back in Sydney alone in the family home as my mother continues her struggle. So I have numbed the pain each night with some cheapies brought from Adelaide. At the moment I need quantity however the quality hasn't been too shabby.

Mercedes Benz Club 2010 Shiraz Cabernet made by Tilbrook Estate in the Adelaide Hills. Lovely black fruits with a dash of US oak and integrated tannins. Drink up. And no I don't drive a Merc just a 7 year old Crummidore with a big boot for many cases.

Quarisa Melissa Block 2009 McLaren Vale Cabernet. I believe its a virtual winery and one of the partners passed away unexpectantly. Drinks like a $25 cabernet. Blackcurrent and serious tannins which I like. The 2010 model is even better. Time to load up in large at $9.00 pb.

Treasures 2010 Coonawarra Cabernet. Again lovely black fruits and approacable tannin. A crowd favourite at home.

Carl

[timmspe]

Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2011. Intense dark red. Blackberries and plums on the nose with a hint of spice, coming through on the palate as flavour. Rigid tannins. Good balance. Zappos (the purple packet) on the finish. On Day 2, it was a bit flabby with rotting fruit and vinegar knocking on the door (still enjoyable, but on its last legs). Excellent value for money.

[daz]

Best Bin 1 Shiraz 2012 This is right in the slot, power without force, deep-seated (Ric-speak) ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, tannins ripe, integral to the flavour profile of the wine at present but a bit raspy/stalky/pippy at this stage, should soften over the next few years. The fruit has tried to gobble the oak but it's still there, think it will be better integrated in a few years time by when the lively acid on the long finish should soften a bit too. Grampians shiraz is a favourite of mine.

[Teisto]

2008 Peppertree Cab Sauv had 2 of these and were fairly good. These are their entry level so you wouldn't want to keep them much longer. Good balance of fruit.

1999 Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz - My brother cracked this for a BBQ yesterday. This was beautifully integrated with secondary characters and still some good fruit poking through. I wish I wasn't driving as I reckon I could have polished the lot off. Very very good.

[Broughy]

2003 Steingarten Riesling colour starting to turn and has a green hue to it with a touch of yellow. some initial Kero on the nose which dissipated quite quickly. Acidic but adds to the appeal of this wine. Palate in the lemon to lime part of the spectrum. Rounded mouth feel and textural with some oiliness and minerality. a complex wine and very enjoyable now. Probably has a strong future if you wanted to hold but I like riesling before it gets too much in the petroleum scale.

2008 D'arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz purchased off a wine list. big wine but alittle closed on the nose. Full paltate rich fruit and integrated oak. after sitting in the glass for 30 mins it developed a lovely violet aroma.

2009 Grant Burge Holy Trinity agfain off the wine list, quite delicate and good drinking in its own right. Probably needs a little age to show its best

[Michael R]

Some notes from weekend with in-laws

2012 Woods Crampton Barossa Shiraz, very nicely priced and drank well, fair bit of fruit showing, an early window into the Barossan 2012s for me.
2011 Droin Montee De Tonerre Chablis… last of 3 bottles, had to pop and pour and this was notably green (more than previously), …highly recommend decanting or a slow-ox for quite a while if approaching in next couple of years.
2006 Rockford Basket Press… maybe just a touch more heat than I remember from last experience (which was a couple of years ago)…still looking very good, and top 3 favourite BP vintage for me
2006 Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz……showed well, even with a 30 mins decant, definitely better with food at this stage
2010 Devils Lair Chardonnay….Quality, chalk & cheese compared to the Chablis obviously, but despite its fuller figure its got balance and a very decent finish.

[TiggerK]

I am back in Sydney alone in the family home as my mother continues her struggle. So I have numbed the pain each night with some cheapies brought from Adelaide. At the moment I need quantity however the quality hasn't been too shabby. Carl

Hey Carl, all my best wishes to you and your Mum in a difficult time.

If you feel you're up for an offline while still in Sydney, let us know, we can usually whip one up with a couple of days notice!

[timmspe]

2009 Nepenthe Gate Block Shiraz. Dark red, moderate intensity. The nose is interesting and layered. Primarily savoury, followed by oak and earthiness and a hint of raspberry and cherry. The flavours are again savoury. Fruit mince pie, pepper and mint. Hot and lively with bitter tannins and a dry finish.

[daz]

Taylors Estate Shiraz 2012 is an agreeable wine, not noteworthy but representative of the house style.

[Jay60A]

Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2004 Thought I would crack one given the Dave Powell falling out over there. Second time I have had this but I find it big and brawny ... over-extracted, lacks freshness and finesse, dead fruit tending towards blackcurrants - others may love it and a few years back that might have been me. Not sure this is going anywhere, ever.

Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2002 Not a classic BP by any means ... a bit porty, slightly hot on the finish. Having said that lovely weight in the mouth, red fruits, medium build, lingers, and absolutely delicious. Hard not to enjoy it for the way it is, just don't go all analytical on this wine. Have drunk a few and still improving. Nice.

[Luke W]

1997 Penfolds RWT -opened with a lousy nose but a smooth palate. Over 4 or 5 hours morphed into a thing of beauty - would definitely recommend considerable decanting time to get the best out of it. Reckon it will last another 7 or 8 years with good cellaring.

2000 Katnook Prodigy - all the hallmarks of a great Coonawarra Shiraz. Fruity, smooth, cigar box tannins - great almost straight out of the bottle.

Seppelt Silverband Grampians Sparkling Shiraz -NV- an easy way to get the palate ready for some serious drinking after a round of golf.

Yalumba Dulcify Vintage Port 1979 - the reason for my hangover this morning (and the Cubans didn't help either). Far too smooth and too easy to drink.

2003 Steingarten Riesling - ditto to Broughy above - this wine is really starting to get its act together. Looking forward to imbibing over the next 10 years - no doubt that with its acidity, fruit and Stelvin that it will go the distance.

2010 Rolf Binder Reserve Barossa Shiraz - another stunner from Veritas - reduced from $45 to $15 and would be good buying at the former price. Beautiful balance and lovely black fruits.....

1997 McWilliams Lovedale Semillon - lovely, soft and complex - goes brilliantly with seafood. Only a year or two left on top then I think a graceful decline.

1990 Virgin Hills - lovely nose but palate as flat as a pancake. Possibly OK 10 years ago but dead in the water in 2013.

2001 Antiquarian - made by the people who used to make Brewery Hill. A beautiful Shiraz from McLaren Vale that had everything - great black fruit, balance and harmony.

2010 Normans Chais Clarendon Shiraz - lovely after a bit of time in the decanter but a bit one dimensional after the previous wine.

Buller Fine Old Muscat (NV) 375ml - great sticky, smooth and raisiny. Problem is that it's in a small bottle and it disappears too fast. I think wine needs to be put in 1 litre bottles. 750ml seems to not be enough any more.

[dlo]

Just a couple more since the weekend -

Petaluma Hanlin's Hill Clare Riesling 2002 - Screwcap - a most lovely example - remarkable bright straw green colour - tip top aromatics of lime, bitters, slate, honeysuckle, fennel and chalky minerals - very little evidence of honey or toast, but it is building ever so slowly way underneath of what I've described beforehand. The palate is remarkably youthful, zesty and crisp with bucketloads of classic lime and mineral-tinged flavour hovering over hints of crisp green apple and the barest twist of lemon pith counterbalanced by the most complimentary cleansing minerally acidity imaginable. Finishes almost interminably. A tour de force and about half way through its developmental phase. How long it will sit after this is difficult to guess but my gut tells me this could be a thirty year wine. It's taken a long while to come around but somehow I think, as good as it is today, much better is in store for those who have the right conditions and can keep their hands off for another ten years. 95

Also - Buller's 2007 Beresford Durif (15% and screwcapped). A gift from a friend some time back that languished in my "drinkers" box for way too long. I have a soft spot for Rutherglen durif - it does very well indeed right across this district and many a good drop has passed my lips over the years from a number of producers, including some superb sparking reds (durif seems to blend exceptionally well with shiraz here). The alcohol probably the big turn off not opening this sooner - 9 alcoholic drinks per bottle, but surprisingly the wine drank reasonably well this afternoon over Turkish pizzas with the jazz band all giving it the thumbs up. Only right at the death of the finish was there any discernible heat and I've drunk a lot worse. The big earthy black fruit remains fresh and boisterous both on nose and palate and there's enough acidity and tannin for this wine to last for a few years yet. Probably +/- 84 points. Almost very good. Strong bronze medal from me.

[Waiters Friend]

After deciding the cellar is full (the cardboard boxes have now made easy ingress to half the cellar impossible), of course, I bought more wine. A couple of trips up to the Perth Hills recently allowed me to fill up on Myattsfield and Cosham wines.

There was a barrel tasting at Myattsfield on Sunday, and it looks like their 2013 chardonnay will be very good indeed (part of the fruit is taken from the Bellarmine vineyard in Pemberton, and the wine tastes very much like the Bellarmine chardonnay). Myattsfield produce a wide range of non-standard blends and varietals, and are worth checking out. They also produce a Reserve blend most years, whih is priced higher ($32) than their other reds ($24). I have a few of each vintage from 2006-2009 - except I missed out on the 2008. Josh happily provided me with a few to fill the gap, and I opened one that night. Unlike most of their Reserves (based around Cabernet and Merlot), this is a Cabernet Shiraz, and is a cracker. Great structure and balance, and ample fruit weight, it went down way too quickly.

Cosham wines (next door to Myattsfield on Union Road Carmel) has been a long term favourite. Unfortunately, they don't appear to be selling enough wine. The current vintage chardonnay is 2006 (and I have probably posted a TN on it) and is a mature wine made from older vines (roughly 30 years). They make a selection of reds as well, most of which are good examples of the variety (or blend, in one case - except I don't like straight Merlots). For me, the pick is their straight 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - the first time they have made the varietal (usually a CM blend) - it is fleshy and fruity, but with grippy tannins and a structure that keeps you coming back for another taste. Utterly delicious, and relatively inexpensive. Cosham wines in general are a bargain, and their bubbles (a blanc de noir) is the best of this style in WA. And the current vintage on sale is 2005!

Both of these wineries are worth a visit (if you're nearby) or worth a mixed case 'experimental dabble'. No bad wines, and mostly very good ones, at a reasonable price.

Cheers

Allan

[Matt]

Ok your've sold it to me...will pop in next time we visit the amazing Vineyard Kitchen.

[conformistpete]

Yeah, sounds good, next time I am back home will steal the folks car and have a peek. I presume its cooler in these spots than the swan valley...

[griff]

2011 Coates Consonance Sparkling Shiraz
Imperial purple. Light fine bead. Deep palate of black forest fruits with only a moderate creamy mouthfeel. One of the rare sparkling reds that taste good when at ambient temperature. Very Good.

2012 Woods Crampton Barossa Shiraz
A lick of beef stock and bay providing savoury complexity to a fragrant, sweet palate of blackberries and milk chocolate. Silky tannin and lingering finish. Excellent and a bargain.

1983 Gould Campbell Vintage Port
A medium red, clear at the rim with little bricking. Some honey and strawberries on the nose. Black pepper emerging after an hour. Sweeter than a Warres however. Cacao adding to the strawberry jam palate with a fine acidity. Moderate heat on the finish. A day later and improvement is seen with the heat on the finish no longer apparent due to the increased integration as well as a sweeter, more plush palate continuing the strawberry jam theme. Very Good/Excellent.

cheers

Carl

[n4sir]

Some wines at a recent committee dinner:



2007 Viña Tunquelén Toro d’Oro Carménère Reserve, Curico Valley (cork): 14% alc. Dark to inky purple. Inky and stalky, Mataro-like at times with black cherries and shoe polish, some mushroom with breathing; the palate’s medium-weight with cherry fruit and a minty, finish. I’ve tried a couple of shocking Carménère from Chile a few years ago; this was very clean and not bad at all.

NV Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs (cork): 12.5% alc. Very similar to a bottle tried at another dinner earlier this year, bright straw with a good mousse and bead, very bready and cheesy with lots of yeast, baked apples, and a very dry finish. Lots of development, but not a hell of a lot of depth – solid, but nothing special.

2010 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Mataro, Barossa Valley (screwcap): See separate post.

2011 Tscharke Only Son Tempranillo, Barossa Valley (screwcap): 14% alc. Medium to very dark purple. Stalky and savoury nose, black cherries, boot polish, stems/dried herbs and ouzo; the palate’s very good, medium-weight, earthy/sooty and jubey, more black cherries and black olives, touches of dried herbs. I found this very true to the varietal and a good drop – unusually I think it’s probably the best of Damien’s wines I’ve tried from the wet 2011 vintage.

2002 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro, Clare Valley (cork): 13.3% alc. Medium to dark red. Very developed, soupy/meaty nose with dark chocolate and mocha, leather and stock, black liquorice with breathing; the palate’s rather sour with a surprising wallop of VA followed by bourbon (American?) oak, finishing with black liquorice and fine, grippy tannins. Possibly an advanced bottle – a bit disappointing.

Cheers,
Ian

[Chuck]

I am back in Sydney alone in the family home as my mother continues her struggle. So I have numbed the pain each night with some cheapies brought from Adelaide. At the moment I need quantity however the quality hasn't been too shabby. Carl

Hey Carl, all my best wishes to you and your Mum in a difficult time.

If you feel you're up for an offline while still in Sydney, let us know, we can usually whip one up with a couple of days notice!

Thanks for your kind words. Only just opened the laptop after seeing mum off on Thursday. A truely fine person who lived a great life. We're having a wake in Sydney soon and will see her out with her favourite food and wine combo - Sparkling Pinot/Chard and Sydney Rock Oysters. Probably Croser Vintage as on my regular visits to see her we went to Doyles at Watsons Bay where they had Croser by the glass and freshly shucked oysters that were so fresh they would sometimes contract when the lemon was squeezed on them. Apologies to the vegetarians out there.

Appreciate the offline offer. I wouldn't have been much company. After the 9 days in Sydney and about 9 bottles of red and a few scotches or 4 and a grand final party yesterday I think my liver and other affected organs need a holiday. BTW at the GF do we enjoyed amongst others a Punters Corner 2005 Coonawarra Cabernet that was right in its window and a Ben's Run 2005 Hunter Valley Shiraz. Not too shabby. Small vineyard owned by friends of my mother. They used to hike in Nepal right up to Everest base camp. I think she went at least 10 times. Her house is adorned with many momentos of her trips. Apologies for the ramblings.

Carl

Carl

[n4sir]

My condolences Carl, know what you're going through. Have to catch up again sometime when you get back.

Cheers,
Ian

[daz]

Condolences to you and family Carl, at least you celebrated your mother's life as well as mourning your loss. On my drinking:

Mr Mick Clare Shiraz 2010 14% a/v Wasn't expecting much of this $15 wine from Less Choice, thinking it may have been one of their exclusive labels. But it surprised - full-bodied, mouth-filling ripe plum and sweet red cherry fruit, soft tannins and background oak, a bit simple with medium length. Not my usual preferred style but it was just what I was seeking, in the mood for and good for the price. There's little info on the back label so googled to find it was made by Tim Adams and named in honour of "Mick" Knappstein. It seemed well-balanced it so could perhaps cellar for the up to 10 years mentioned in the TN on the winery website.

Tomich Hill Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2012 is varietal with white peach, little citrus but for a hint of lemon/lime jubes. Subtle, barely noticeable oak adds some structure. The finish has satisfying length.

Impressions of Bests Great Western range Riesling 2013 and Bin 1 shiraz 2012:
The Riesling 2013 doesn't have the "wow" factor of the 2011, is more subtle and refined than the 2012 with perhaps more complexity than both the previous vintages; it has an interesting perfumed character. The shiraz 2012 is right in the slot, power without force, deep-seated ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, tannins ripe, integral to the flavour profile of the wine at present but a bit raspy/stalky/pippy at this stage, should soften over the next few years. The fruit has tried to gobble the oak but it's still there, think it will be better integrated in a few years time by when the lively acid on the long finish should soften a bit too. Grampians shiraz is a favourite of mine.




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Also been occasionally indulging in a few drams of a couple of $40 whiskies I enjoy, Grants Monkey Shoulder vatted/blended malt and Dewar's 12yo blend.

[ross67]

Yes sorry Carl to hear of your loss.
All the best with everything and your family.

Ross

[phillisc]

A few yesterday:

91 Bin 28 magnum....beautiful colour sweet jubes and vanilla, lovely length on the pale oh so gentle tannins...yummo
2000 zema shiraz...in a good spot but drink up
A few 2012 rieslings
Pikes sensational, Penna lane very good, Mr mick for the money an excellent drop...but 2012 Petaluma, I am really disappointed with this, but think this was a bad bottle...how could it be less than a year old under stelvin...it just tasted sour which is very strange...will have to open another

Cheers craig.

[Matt]

MSV Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Wow nice cab...blueberries are prominent with a hint of chocolate, coconut rough...lovely wine with the tannins beginning to integrate nicely...raspberries on the finish with a touch of oak.
Thumbs up!

[MarKofQuality]

Te Mata Chardonnay - couple of glasses with lunch on Sunday - scallops done in garlic, tomato and bacon, followed by barramundi with mussels and saffron leeks. Light on the front palate but develops nicely with a mild hint of fruit before relaxing into a delicate dray mid and lingering after palate. Rewarded to leave sit in glass if initially served too cold.

Langmeil 2010 Jackaman's Cab Sav - taken without food. Every bit as good (if not better ?) than 2009.

Langmeil 2010 Ressurection Mataro - spicy ripe cherry tang in your face but went a treat with sweet potato and lamb tagine and couscous ....

Samuel's Gorge 2009 Shiraz - deep, dark peppery fruity lushness with a silken smoothness through all stages of palate

Samuel's Gorge 2009 Mouvedre - dark inkiness, intense and lively when drinking the 1st half of bottle on night 1, but imo benefits from the sit overnight on night 2 to bring out the best (didn't air on night 1).