Next Melbourne Offline - thoughts, ideas?

[LGW]

Yep, I'm in. Lots of Pinot options in the cellar! Couple of guests coming along too.

simon1980

John, I think the pinot fanatic is +2.

Will we need duplicates of the same wine again? I'm going to struggle finding any pinot duplicates!

[Softie]

All,

I've had two expressions [here or by email] suggesting we hold numbers down and try to have a one-bottle event [as opposed to duplicates of the same wine].

For that reason, I'm calling a provisional hold on further guests. Do contact me here or by email if you're not in yet and wish to come. We'll move this week to get $20 per head deposits in - a week or so before the event - and some vacancies might arise through that.

I hope someone puts his/her hand up in the New Year for an informal (eg backyard BBQ event) so we can accommodate larger numbers (say 15-20).

I've got lots of examples of 3-6 bottles of the same Riesling or Pinot in my cellar and could co-operate with any attendee over duplicates should that suit the final numbers.

John

[LGW]

Looking forward to tomorrow, looks like there will be a lineup of 17 wines!

[Sipper]

Just new to the forum and only discovered this thread tonight!

Oh well, good excuse for another one in the not to distant future.

Count me in next time.

Sipper

[Softie]

Great to get your post Sipper. See you soon. The next one is likely to be around end of January.
John

[bendid]

If someone could start a business delivering bulk quantities of bacon and egg breakies to my home, they'd be set for life. Struggling just a touch this morning... the most I can manage is a list of wines, and once said bacon is in the system perhaps some more coherent thoughts. Great night, again loved the food from The Moat, what a find John.

Riesling
Flight one:
2007 Rochford Macedon Ranges Riesling
2006 Sam Miranda Riesling
2004 Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling

Flight two:
2004 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
2003 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
[2002 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling (Cork)] (Dead before arrival, replace with Rochford)
2002 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling (Screwcap)

Pinot Noir
Flight three:
2009 Bushranger Pinot Noir
2009 Gargiste Pinot Noir
2004 Hurley Garamond Pinot Noir

Flight four:
2005 Diamond Valley Pinot Noir Reserve
2003 Bay of Fires Pinot [cork issues]
2008 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir

Flight five:
2012 Mayer 'Granite' Pinot Noir
2012 Mayer 'Close Planted' Pinot Noir
2012 Mayer 'Doktor' Pinot Noir

Sweet wines
Flight six:
2008 Grove Mill 'The Diversion' Noble Riesling
Barretts Pinot/Cabernet Sauvignon (75%/25%) Port
Bulas 20 y.o. Tawny Port

* bolded are wines of each flight (not always unanimous)

[Softie]

Yes, a terrific night with a great consistency of quality and delightful Bonhomie, and now a fuzzy head even after ten hours sleep.

All wines of flight were either unanimous, or close to unanimous. For me the revelation was Paulf's Bulas direct from Portugal. So different in style from Rutherglen. Actually reminded me of Cognac on the nose and overall purity. It inspires me to want to experience more of its ilk, which illustrates one of the delights of wine dinners with fellow devotees. Not a revelation, but once again the quality and variety of Victorian Pinots shone through. The Doktor Mayer was WOTN.

Thanks to Ben for being Sommelier and to the generosity of contributions from many.

John

[paulf]

Yep a great night all round. Thanks to John for organising, Thanks to Ben for acting as Sommelier for the evening (and for bringing the Mayers) and thanks everybody for bringing excellent and interesting wines. I am Looking forward to the next one in early 2014.

[simon1980]

Superb evening (again). I really think we should do Pinots every time!

My WOTN was the Mayer (I much preferred the Doktor to the Close Planted), closely followed by the Hurley. A special mention to the Petaluma 2002 Riesling...I thought it was just about at the peak of its powers.

Thank you (as always) to John for arranging. It's thanks to John's energy that the Melbourne group has formed, and I think starting to flourish nicely. But it's only possible with a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, generous group.

Looking forward to the next one.

simon1980

[Cloth Ears]

Yep, thoroughly enjoyed the night. Moreso as I wasn't the driver on Saturday - thanks to my lovely wife. Revelations: the 'Dr' (of which I bought up the only remaining 7 bottles I could find on Sunday), the Grove Mill and Bushranger (on a price per enjoyment scale) and the Bulas. Disappointments: The corked Hanlin Hill (was so looking forward to comparing the corked/screwcap versions) the Bay of Fires (also cork issues) and the 2003 Grossett (not bad, but against the other two wines in it's flight is was a distant 3rd).

[via collins]

A night full of highlights, as referenced above, but I especially enjoyed the look on John's face (before a wallet loss, I missed that bit!) at the end of formalities.

As mentioned above, John has put a huge amount of time and energy into developing a Melbourne tasting group, and back in early formations, I recall he was sincerely puzzled by the lack of traction. We always had a good time, that was easy, but there was just a feeling of "not quite there yet".

Saturday changed all that for good I reckon.

The restaurant was top shelf, not to mention ludicrously cheap - if you're looking for eating options in the CBD, do try The Moat - it's tucked under the State Library, and is bloody wonderful. http://www.themoat.com.au/Welcome.html

The company, and the wines were similarly top shelf.

So yeah, John's smile of satisfaction towards the end was a nice touch - could have been the Portuguese tawny as well - that had all in raptures, many thanks Paul. And to Ben for exceptional sommeliering. And to all for terrific generosity.

Look forward very much to the next edition.

Cheers,

Via Collins.

[LGW]

I have finally resurrected from the dead after 48hrs!
Once again an excellent night, special thanks to John for his passion and dedication in developing the Melbourne offline group. Without him we would be lost!
Here is my hazy recollection on the night’s wines:
#1
07 Rochford I thought it had some phenolic characters which distracted the wine somewhat
06 Sam Miranda Still Very fresh, piercing acidity giving it some nice line and length. A surprise from king valley
04 Pewsey Vale Contours Lovely wine with some developed toasty characters, my WOTF
#2
04 Grosset PH Still very tight with great minerality, just got pipped by the 02 petaluma for my WOTF
03 Grosset PH Much richer and broader and lacking the definition of the 04. It didn’t have minerality I expected from this label. Still a very good wine with some nice honey aromas, just overshadowed by the other two in this flight
02 Petaluma YUM! A classic wine from one of the great Clare vintages. My WOTF and favourite riesling
#3
09 Bushranger Stood up well against the other two in this flight at a fraction of the cost. I could detect some nail varnish aromas which detracted from it a bit though.
09 Garagiste I thought it had a really nice nose but unfortunately that’s all I remember! I was too consumed with the next wine in this flight…
04 Hurly Garamond The pallet on this was great, with power, density and length, proves how well VIC pinot can age. My WOTF
#4
05 Diamond Vally Reserve A bit murky in colour but the nose and pallet were very good. Fantastic drinking right now.
03 Bay of fires Cork issues, and I thought I could detect a bit of brett somewhere
08 Craggy Range Te Muna rd My kind of pinot, totally seductive floral nose which I thought was the defining difference to the other pinots on the night, I could have sniffed this all night. My WOTF and favourite Pinot. (Very biased as it was my contribution)!
#5
12 Mayer Flight I think the others have said enough! Thanks Ben!
#6
08 Grove Mill Noble riesling Initially I was a bit worried showing this after such a fantastic line up, but was happy everyone enjoyed it! I’ve had this a number of times and I find it a bit cloying, without the acidity to freshen it up. Who cares for the price I got it for.
Barretts Pinot/Cab Port What an interesting mix for a port! Again unfortunately my thoughts were elsewhere…
Bulas 20y.o Port I have never imagined a port to be like this. Thanks Paul for bringing a real eye opener. I think it will be one of those moments I remember for a long time, great company, great food and the Bulas!
I think it’s a sheer testament to the groups’ generosity and enthusiasm as a whole that every person/partner brought either a WOTF or a very close second. Cheers!

[TiggerK]

(was so looking forward to comparing the corked/screwcap versions).

I know what you mean, but you certainly made a point!

Once again an excellent night, special thanks to John for his passion and dedication in developing the Melbourne offline group. Without him we would be lost!

Nice work John, look forward to attending one of these one day!

[Softie]

Thank you Tim, perhaps we should adopt the name Melbourne Grape Mates and build the Grape Mates brand! JL