Weekly Drinking Thread commencing 10/11/2013

[dlo]

Time to kick off a new thread.

Please feel free to post below what's been opened in your neck of the woods. Lists, vibes, tasting notes are all welcome here.

Nothing opened of any great consequence here since my last post, although my gut tells me, everyone should go big on 2012 reds from South Australia. So far, I have blown away by the even and high quality of the vintage, especially after my trip to McLaren Vale a few weeks ago and, then yesterday, I tried a relative cheapy that delivered lashings of ripe, mouth filling fruit - Tyrrell's 2012 Lost Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. I suspect 2012 might be the best South Australian vintage for many a year. Anyone (more up to speed on this than me) with any thoughts?

[sjw_11]

Turkey Flat "Butchers Block" Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne 2009... Spotted this in a local shop and thought, hey why not. Its about 55% Marsanne, 30% Viognier and the rest Roussanne. Opens with a full yellow colour, the nose has a complex combination of honeysuckle, some slight apricot but the Viognier is not overwhelmingly present, and a hint of citrus. The palate is quite full, with a pleasant oily character, but finishes quite clean. Very pleasant and interesting wine. I would say this will certainly hold for another 1-2 yrs but really I would drink now.

RedDot Brewery Lime Wheat Beer... Very refreshing drop from this Singapore micro-brewery. Drank this in preference to trying their "green" lager (yes, a bright green coloured lager). As against one couple in the bar who felt that a Sunday arvo was the perfect time for a 3L tower of Green lager shared between 2 (with the gentleman ensuring it was nice and cool by putting ice cubes in his pint)... As an aside, the 3L "beer tower" seems very popular here which to me is bizarre as all Australian's know the answer to hot weather is a smaller pint (but more of them).

[Teisto]

2003 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz - Cork in great nick. The wine whilst nothing wrong with it - a bit of chocolate, a little porty, plenty of fruit and little tannin well that was about it. Nothing to get the taste buds overly interested

[simon1980]

Marius Symphony 2008 Yes, it may be too young, but I could resist no longer. Pure McLaren vale fruit, power, but such balance. Starting to show a little age, and the wonderful tannins on the finish show this has a long way to go. I have had a few bottles of Marius from 2008 now, and have always been delighted. I found out about these wines from this forum...thank you to those who wrote up earlier vintages.

Spinifex Taureau 2008 This is one wholehearted wine, which looked pretty good on day 1. Spicy red fruits, lovely texture, and a reasonably long finish. However on day 2 the alcohol became prominent, and all freshness and balance had gone. Not a bad wine, and did suffer a bit in comparison to the above. Good value.

simon1980

[Rossco]

2005 Tyrell's Vat 1 - have posted about this one before. Needless to say it was still amazing, and drank quite well now. Given that, I wonder if the 2005's will last (or were built to last) the 20+ years of other vintages, as its drinking pretty well now.

N/V Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red - Second place WOTN for me. Have posted notes before, but was still amazing. Some of the company didnt rate it, but I think it was more to do with their preferences of style rather than a bad wine (ie they were not sparkling red drinkers)

2005 Mt Langi Ghiran - Langi Shiraz - Cool climate shiraz not even hitting its strides as yet. Under screwcap and needs another 10+ years, but the fruit & oak quality was first class, not in balance yet. Cant wait to crack my 99's that I have in the cellar (under cork)

2001 Grampians Estate Streeton Reserve Shiraz - WOTN. When this was decanted for over an hour and poured into the glass, i thought.....wow this is SO bright it must be an 08 or 09. Looked at the bottle, and to my absolute surprise it was an 01. Fvk me this was good too. So juicy, succulent & silky. Has YEARS left in it (maybe even decades) but alas.....cant say the same about the cork, it had 6 months left at most. Very underrated wine & winery who produce some top wine at reasonable prices. Some of their vines are over 100 years old too.

1998 Virgin Hills Blend - Never heard of this winery before. Not really impressed by this. The fruit had well and truly died long before now, leaving a massive hole in the front & mid palate. There was still structure there, some acid and slight dry tannins and nice oak, but really nothing could distract the feeling (or taste) of a wine lacking in fruit.

2010 Frogmore Creek Iced Riesling - All I remember was this was good. Didnt write any tasting notes on this bit too late in the evening.

[dlo]

Tonight with a warm chicken thigh fillet salad, a 1999 Earl Pierre Gaillard Cote Rotie. Been in my cellar since it arrived in the country, throwing an even 25ml strip of crust along the length of the bottle. The colour is an attractive dark ruby with some transluscence evident in the edges (no browning). The nose delivers a seductive array of floral (violets?) perfumed black fruits (blackberry/berry tart) mixed with classic Rhone gaminess, new saddle leather, sweet earth and first class oak-derived spice including vanilla bean and cinammon. In the mouth, identically nuanced silky fruit marches to beat of of its own drum, with integrated spicy/vanillin oak playing a purely complimentary role along with very fine lacy tannins and surprisingly refreshing acidity lingering on a expansive, soft and lengthy finish. Top wine. Thanks to JO for selling it to me for next to nothing (the "written off" frozen container deal). Although there's a few bottles that have been a little "off", I have not one complaint about this outstanding example. 93 points. If all bottles were as representative, this wine possesses a chequered drinking window well into the 2020's. Great juice.

[phillisc]

Rossco, mildly concerned about your thoughts re the 98 Virgin Hills.
Once one of the most intriguing wines in the country, alas a mere shadow of its former self. The 1990 vintage is one of the best ever wines to pass my lips.

I have a number of vintages of this and see a heap of it at auction now. Guess there are a stack of dud bottles or the wine itself is stuffed.
Don't get me started on the winery since hope estate purchased it....so many missed vintages and a current release that is approaching 10 years of age...what other winery releases a near 10 year old red.

Cheers Craig.

[Luke W]

Rossco, mildly concerned about your thoughts re the 98 Virgin Hills.
Once one of the most intriguing wines in the country, alas a mere shadow of its former self. The 1990 vintage is one of the best ever wines to pass my lips.

I have a number of vintages of this and see a heap of it at auction now. Guess there are a stack of dud bottles or the wine itself is stuffed.
Don't get me started on the winery since hope estate purchased it....so many missed vintages and a current release that is approaching 10 years of age...what other winery releases a near 10 year old red.

Cheers Craig.

Hi Craig

You'd be lucky to find a 1990 that's drinkable now - they seem to have faded badly in the last few years if mine were any indication. Some of the 01's are still ok but I'd avoid buying these on the secondary market.

Cheers

Luke

[Phil H]

2004 Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz One of my favourites, along with the OPOH, however I ,was disappointed . Med bodied, Slightly portly, over cooked fruit. At 15%, it strengthens my general rule not to purchase wines over 14.5% Average

2008 Kooyong Estate Pinot Med bodied, drinking well now but still has plenty of life left in it. Very Good

2011 Astruc Reserve Chardonnay(Languedoc Region. A Chardonnay that the fruit is hidden by French Oak, and malolactic fermentation. Not much acid, full bodied, however if you love the old style of Buttery/oaky Chardonnays this is worth trying. Good

[Rossco]

Rossco, mildly concerned about your thoughts re the 98 Virgin Hills.
Once one of the most intriguing wines in the country, alas a mere shadow of its former self. The 1990 vintage is one of the best ever wines to pass my lips.

I have a number of vintages of this and see a heap of it at auction now. Guess there are a stack of dud bottles or the wine itself is stuffed.
Don't get me started on the winery since hope estate purchased it....so many missed vintages and a current release that is approaching 10 years of age...what other winery releases a near 10 year old red.

Cheers Craig.

You are right it could have been a dud bottle. The cork was dry and broke upon opening. When i looked at it though, the cork
hadnt leaked, was only 2mm from base of cork and the fill level was perfect.

However if this bottle was anything to go by (and if it was a typical example), drink any you have now as this was definately on the way down.

Also sunday night tucked into

2012 Vinteloper 'Adelo' - Blend of Touriga, Shiraz & Pinot. Really intriguing wine. Well made too. Touriga gives a massive spice hit. Chinese five spice, cloves, cinnamon and cardamon. The shiraz gives the body, while the Pinot adds to the lovely strawberry & sour cherry fruit. Took a while to open up, but if you like smelling your wine for ages, then this is your vino! You will get something different each time.

[daz]

Taylors Cab Sauv 2012 is the first of their cabs I've had for some years. Not quite full-bodied but it did build with time after opening, the cab tannins providing a bit of length on the finish after they developed to provide some varietal character. First impression is that it's a bit simple but wouldn't disappoint at a barbecue.

[GraemeG]

Rossco, mildly concerned about your thoughts re the 98 Virgin Hills.
Once one of the most intriguing wines in the country, alas a mere shadow of its former self. The 1990 vintage is one of the best ever wines to pass my lips.

I have a number of vintages of this and see a heap of it at auction now. Guess there are a stack of dud bottles or the wine itself is stuffed.
Don't get me started on the winery since hope estate purchased it....so many missed vintages and a current release that is approaching 10 years of age...what other winery releases a near 10 year old red.

Cheers Craig.

Hi Craig

You'd be lucky to find a 1990 that's drinkable now - they seem to have faded badly in the last few years if mine were any indication. Some of the 01's are still ok but I'd avoid buying these on the secondary market.

Cheers

Luke

A few of those late-90s vintages were looking shaky even when I drank some in the early 2000s!
I have had a 1990 Reserve which was faded but beautiful; fragile like a 60s Lamborghini.
I still have one bottle of that; also a 1993 Reserve I picked up at auction.
Virgin Hills was the real Folly, never mind Max Lake.
It made all 3 editions of Hallidays "Classic Wines of Australia", it was in at least the first two Langtons Classifications...
Ought to be renamed Ghost Hills now...
cheers,
GG

[phillisc]

Or perhaps Graeme,

"over the hill"

Starting the cellar clean up shortly....perhaps a mini VH vertical is in order.

Cheers Craig.

ps. one could also say there is nothing virginal about it anymore...I would say that the wine is rather _ _ _ _ _ _ now. ( I will let you fill in the gaps, but the opposite of virgin)

[sjw_11]

Another Majella Cabernet 2010... to celebrate my first piece of "expert" research published on Singapore property companies. This is now my 3rd bottle and re the previous discussion about alcohol heat and cellaring potential, I continue to be impressed by the intensity and purity of the wine. The 14.5% abv could perhaps be 13.5-14%, but it really doesn't detract from the freshness and the underlying acidity balance. For the record Halliday gave it a 2040 drinking window and his description "a profound cabernet awash with cassis and mulberry" says it pretty well for me.

I would love to get some for the cellar, but I think my cellar is about to burst and besides I think my dad is getting a bit irritated with the 4 odd dozen I have already dumped on him to take to the cellar for me so I might have to wait...

[monghead]

I would love to get some for the cellar, but I think my cellar is about to burst and besides I think my dad is getting a bit irritated with the 4 odd dozen I have already dumped on him to take to the cellar for me so I might have to wait...

Store off site my friend... I started doing this in 2000, and have not looked back. Unfortunately though, every couple of years, I upgrade to a larger vault...

[Mike Hawkins]

I just sent an email off to Kennards requesting my 4th large cabinet. Its really quite depressing in a way.......

[monghead]

I just sent an email off to Kennards requesting my 4th large cabinet. Its really quite depressing in a way.......

Hmmm, my battles with Wine Care (post Sandy) over your neck of the woods continue...

[monghead]

2006 Domaine La Pousse d'Or Clos d'Audignac
Perfumed, expressive, and earthy. Average depth and length though. Good Good.

[sjw_11]

I would love to get some for the cellar, but I think my cellar is about to burst and besides I think my dad is getting a bit irritated with the 4 odd dozen I have already dumped on him to take to the cellar for me so I might have to wait...

Store off site my friend... I started doing this in 2000, and have not looked back. Unfortunately though, every couple of years, I upgrade to a larger vault...

I store off site, I just need to upgrade to the next biggest option (currently 60dozen)... but I am not sure I can ask my dad, however kind and generous he is, to move some 50-odd dozen bottles on my behalf so it will have to wait until I am next back in Adelaide

[phillisc]

I just sent an email off to Kennards requesting my 4th large cabinet. Its really quite depressing in a way.......

Nice problem I would have thought

[Michael McNally]

2010 Marius 'Matarius' Mataro. Drinking this tonight and once the wine has had a breather, it’s fabulous. When it is first open it is all blood and meat and earth. Two hours later it truly sings with pitch black fruit (those meaty, bloody, earthy characters in a major supporting role – think Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive) mouth-coating tannin and jaw-dropping length. Structure to burn. My drinking window would be 2016-2030+ and I will not be having my next one for a couple of years.

[sjw_11]

Or perhaps Graeme,

"over the hill"

Starting the cellar clean up shortly....perhaps a mini VH vertical is in order.

Cheers Craig.

ps. one could also say there is nothing virginal about it anymore...I would say that the wine is rather _ _ _ _ _ _ now. ( I will let you fill in the gaps, but the opposite of virgin)

I just ran across this note of Halliday's from 2years ago which I thought was quite interesting re your discussion over Virgin Hills:

Publish Date: 04 Aug 2011
Authored by: James Halliday

I first opened a bottle of '79 Virgin Hills, but the 54mm cork had slipped partially into the bottle, and volatile acidity made the wine virtually undrinkable. So I moved to a much younger vintage, albeit with challenges of its own. The back label tells part of the story. "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Merlot, free of herbicides, systemic sprays and preservatives. Wine is the temperate, civilized, romantic and sometimes sacred beverage enjoyed with food and pondered over since the beginning of civilization. Share a glass or two with us for the pleasures and good health it undeniably has. Alcohol by volume 11.5% Preservatives naturally occurring sulphur less than 10 parts per million.' So. No SO2 added. Low alcohol. A mega-length cork. The colour was light, but clear and healthy, with some garnet. Tasted on opening before the steak it was to be matched with, it seemed rather thin, with a herbal/silage aroma. Instead of fading (no preservative) it bloomed, the bouquet freshening, and the labent red fruits of the palate blossoming. The tannins have never really made their mark, not even in the wine's youth, and are now at a subliminal level. Did I finish my half bottle? Yes, I did.

[phillisc]

Sam, that is almost exactly my memory of the 1990....hope Graeme's lone bottle is as good.

I am mildly hopefull that the 92, 97, 98, and 2000s that I have offer some promise.

Cheers Craig.

[Mike Hawkins]

I just sent an email off to Kennards requesting my 4th large cabinet. Its really quite depressing in a way.......

Nice problem I would have thought

Ouch.... Mine are stored at a friends cellar in Seattle thankfully. Hope it works out for you.

Mike

[Chuck]

Time to kick off a new thread.

Please feel free to post below what's been opened in your neck of the woods. Lists, vibes, tasting notes are all welcome here.

Nothing opened of any great consequence here since my last post, although my gut tells me, everyone should go big on 2012 reds from South Australia. So far, I have blown away by the even and high quality of the vintage, especially after my trip to McLaren Vale a few weeks ago and, then yesterday, I tried a relative cheapy that delivered lashings of ripe, mouth filling fruit - Tyrrell's 2012 Lost Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. I suspect 2012 might be the best South Australian vintage for many a year. Anyone (more up to speed on this than me) with any thoughts?

Hi David. I have only tried the 12 whites that are very impressive so if they are a guide the reds should be pretty good. I monitor the weather here in Adelaide during the growing season which can be used as a reasonable guide (most premium regions are close) and felt 2012 was as good as 2010 which IMO will go on to being up there with the best. 10 fruit is just that good it hardly needs anything else. Consistent with trend here in SA the even years are generally better. 2011 was the thorn between 2 roses. Buy 2010 now because they are just that good and save up for 2012 and buy if they are up to scratch. 08 despite the heat blast in March is shaping up as pretty reasonable too. There's no such thing as too much wine.

Carl

[Bern]

1986 Rothbury Estate Hunter Valley Barrique Red This was a gamble from auction. Was a bit nervous when seepage was clearly evident on the cork after removing foil. Managed to extract the cork in one piece. Absolutely no fault with wine. Colour was pale red some brown, nose was vibrant with red fruit and some leather, spices and earth, medium bodied, cherries, cranberries, forest floor, earth, slight drying tannins (surprising), light to medium acid (again surprising). Very delightful drink for a wet night in Sydney watching Somm!

Bernard

[dlo]

Time to kick off a new thread.

Please feel free to post below what's been opened in your neck of the woods. Lists, vibes, tasting notes are all welcome here.

Nothing opened of any great consequence here since my last post, although my gut tells me, everyone should go big on 2012 reds from South Australia. So far, I have blown away by the even and high quality of the vintage, especially after my trip to McLaren Vale a few weeks ago and, then yesterday, I tried a relative cheapy that delivered lashings of ripe, mouth filling fruit - Tyrrell's 2012 Lost Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. I suspect 2012 might be the best South Australian vintage for many a year. Anyone (more up to speed on this than me) with any thoughts?

Hi David. I have only tried the 12 whites that are very impressive so if they are a guide the reds should be pretty good. I monitor the weather here in Adelaide during the growing season which can be used as a reasonable guide (most premium regions are close) and felt 2012 was as good as 2010 which IMO will go on to being up there with the best. 10 fruit is just that good it hardly needs anything else. Consistent with trend here in SA the even years are generally better. 2011 was the thorn between 2 roses. Buy 2010 now because they are just that good and save up for 2012 and buy if they are up to scratch. 08 despite the heat blast in March is shaping up as pretty reasonable too. There's no such thing as too much wine.

Carl

Thanks, Carl. A few of the staff at the McLaren Vale wineries said 2010 was very good but 2012 was probably even better.