Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

[JamieBahrain]

I opened these two for quaffing over three or four days as I'm working over the weekend.

The Arneis is wonderful and probably my favorite expression of this local Piedmontese varietal. The CNP has superb aromatics & texture; prying itself open nicely over a few days hopefully.

[Michael McNally]

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet 2010 - wife wanted a red, this was handy. It's pretty decent actually, maybe a teeny tiny bit extracted/overripe, but chewy rich red and black fruit plus a good whack of tannin. Probably better drinking around for $30, but a nice wine, and should match the big fillet steak dinner I'm about to go and cook.

Yes, liked this and the extract faded the second night. Thought it pretty cellarable, but you are right about better drinking available at $30.

Cheers

Michael

[Mike Hawkins]

1971 Wynns Black Label Cabernet - my stash of this vintage is progressively eroding (sadly). Thankfully the rest are 16000kms away and so I can't access them.... This was in really good shape. Lovely old Coonawarra that is holding on admirably. Earthy, mushroomy, but also notes of chocolate and rose petals (surprisingly).

1996 Seppelts Dorrien - another cracking cabernet drinking at its peak right now, but will hold for some years. Shame they don't make this any more.

2001 Chateau Rieussec - continues to live up to the hype. Amazing.

1996 Pichon Baron - there is quite a bit of variation in bottles of this wine. Some are superb; alas, this wasn't one of them.

1986 Penfolds Bin 389 - while I've had some really good bottles of this wine in the past few years, this was another bottle that didn't live up to my expectations. Given it was transported on a flight with the PB and some others, perhaps the baggage wasn't treated too well.

2004 Taittinger Comtes - opened way too young but it's such an excellent wine - quite possibly my favourite champagne from this high yielding and under-rated vintage. It undergoes fascinating changes over a three night period - starts off with lots of minerality, fattens up on night 2 and on the third night, gets some hints of honey and toast. Might open another tonight.

[Cactus]

So on weekend
- 2011 Greenock Apricot Block Shiraz: Decanted and then took a whiff of the bouquet. Wow, what a huge fruity sensation. Dont think I've smelt such an overpowering aroma on a wine before. I was a bit excited, thinking, wow this is a bit different. Upon tasting though quite dissapointed. Huge flavour, but it just wasnt to my liking. Way too much fruit, and an earthy aftertaste. Overbearing? Continued to open up a little bit and become more palatable, but not really my wine I think. I bought a bunch of the other Shiraz's to try, worried about them. Is this their style? Or is it the dreaded 2011 vintage? A bad bottle?
- 2010 Rockford Moppa Springs GMS: Very easy drinking red, good way to open up the night and at $27, not sure too many are going to survive in my cellar while I wait for other wines to age. Should I wait?
- 2012 Greenock Cornerstone Grenache: was hesitant on this one, worried it might be too big for me. But was pleasantly surprised, was easier to drink than the Alice's. But against the Rockford, I much prefer the Moppa.
- 2011 Greenock Cab Sav: A lot easier drinking that the Alices, but was a pit pissed by now so notes unreliable. Will have to try again.
- 2012 Margan Barbera: I bought a few of these as part of a mixed case. Thought it worth a try after really liking David Hookes Barbera on a Hunter trip. Anyway I am really liking this grape variety. Its a very easy drinking wine, theres not too much tannin, just soft velvet flavour. I am new to this, but I dont think it needs any ageing, drinks great now and no need to soften. Perfect for Pizza I reckon. Anyone else a fan of the Barbera?

[paulf]

A 2006 Cobaw Ridge Lagrein. I enjoyed this bottle a lot more than the last one I had. It wasn't shy on the acidity, but there was enough fruit and tannin to keep it all in check. I was drinking it with a creamy pasta and it cut through that rather nicely

[phillisc]

Up in Townsville at the moment...a six pack of Boags...what else in 27 sticky degrees...when the rest of Southern Australia is snowing

Cheers
Craig.

[Hacker]

A bottle of Misha's High Note Central Otago Pinot 2008. Nice, but nothing earth shattering. No one is rushing to finish the bottle.

[Michael McNally]

2004 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz. Has taken some time to come out and play, but now very nice with full-bodied fruit and soy and essence of something black. Maybe really concentrated aniseed (but without the overt aniseed flavour). Miso paste? (never tried it, but maybe concentrated miso soup?). Anyway, really very good and interesting, though not particularly long.

[catchnrelease]

2010 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône - Blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mouvedre. Decent nose and good flavours, not overly complex but nice fruity profile and a bit of spice. Finish was too short to be really enjoyable, though. No real acidity and a slight lick of tannins for structure, but can't see this having a long life in the cellar. Not a bad drop if you were paying $10-15 for it like you would OS, but for around $20 here I'm left ever so slightly underwhelmed.

[daz]

I thought the info request was RIGHT NOW, not last night.
In accordance with Gavin's request, Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet 2012.
On the palate, it's a big, muscular, Langhorne Creek blend, sweet/savoury with black fruits, liquorice, obvious cedar/cigar box oak, bacon notes. Tannins are ripe with some cabernet grip that add to the mid-palate and the medium finish with support from soft acid.
Background regional eucalypt

[Hacker]

I thought the info request was RIGHT NOW, not last night.

I think we are allowed latitude - your comment would imply that we wouldn't be able to comment during the morning because we weren't drinking at the time

[maybs]

Right now I am drinking cough syrup. Attack of the dreaded man flu. Smells slightly iodine and medicinal, with a hint of cherry and sugar. Thick viscous texture with a very mouth filling presence. The flavours are primarily artificial cherry and sugar syrup. Finishes extra long.

[rooman]

Stonyridge had Brett. First whiff was like smelling an Elastoplast packet. Pretty disappointing as I was looking forward to it. Tell your mate he owes me a bottle

thats a pity I will pass on your comments. I really enjoy his wines.

[Sean]

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[Rossco]

6 * 2012 Metala While Label Cab/Shiraz - Cracked 2 already and I can see what all the fuss is about, so thank you guys. Very good VFM

[Sean]

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[Sean]

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[Mike Hawkins]

1996 Henri Goutorbe Cuvee Rene - this was right at its peak and I can't imagine it will improve. While I'm not sure of the blend, it certainly seemed pinot dominant (being from Ay suggests that would ebt he case too). It was a treat with Monkfish tail and beurre..

2011 William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Preuses - really perfumed nose - primarily floral - that leapt from the glass with a long minerally palate. Lovely acid treatment. A wine that I really liked and expect will enjoy even more down the track.

[Redback]

So on weekend

- 2012 Margan Barbera: I bought a few of these as part of a mixed case. Thought it worth a try after really liking David Hookes Barbera on a Hunter trip. Anyway I am really liking this grape variety. Its a very easy drinking wine, theres not too much tannin, just soft velvet flavour. I am new to this, but I dont think it needs any ageing, drinks great now and no need to soften. Perfect for Pizza I reckon. Anyone else a fan of the Barbera?

I am a bit of fan of Barbera and also was introduced to it through a David Hooke wine. Now basically drink Italian.
Suggest you try the Maretti Langhe Rosso which Gavin sells . 70% Barbera / 30% Neb. Had this on the weekend. Nothing too fancy but a very easy wine to drink. Great VFM.

Just finished a 2013 St Hallets Western Front Shiraz. Punches above its weight for a mid week quaffer.

[Michael McNally]

Given the buzz around the Metala, thought I would crack a 2010. Meaty, bloody nose with hints of cocoa, raspberry and fennel. Very moreish, very dark plum and dark berry fruit with some cocoa. The acid is great, but this really needs a couple more years to hit its straps. Must try the 2012.

Cheers

Michael

[maybs]

Right now I am drinking cough syrup. Attack of the dreaded man flu. Smells slightly iodine and medicinal, with a hint of cherry and sugar. Thick viscous texture with a very mouth filling presence. The flavours are primarily artificial cherry and sugar syrup. Finishes extra long.

Sounds like a McLaren Vale shiraz. How many RPJ points do you give that?

It's 99 points. The next big thing. But the current non-vintage NOW while there is some left.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Tonight I'm drinking a superb half bottle of the 1996 Mc'Williams Riverina Botrytis Semillon 'Limited Release' which I picked up at auction a month ago for a measly $9. The colour is heading towards molasses and the flavour profile is predominantly honey and christmas cake, but it retains a little of its primary apricot flavour and has great texture and length.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Drinking a '12 Tahbilk Marsanne tonight on the end of a kinda vertical that I have been doing since the weekend. Really just a progress check on recent vintages that have coloured up a bit too quickly for my liking??

2009 Tahbilk Marsanne - This has some yellow colour getting into gold, so it is starting to develop now. Citrus, honeysuckle, toast, a little honey and showing the beginnings of some oiliness, though still quite tangy. A steady line of flavour through the palate and a dry finish. Good drinking now, but hasn't sweetened up too much yet.

2010 Tahbilk Marsanne - This has similar colouring to the 09, but hasn't developed. Tightly wound on the palate and feels chalky and tangy with typical fresh citrus, honeysuckle and deep acidity. I'd like to try this again in 3 or 4 years time when it has aged a bit more and will be better to drink.

2011 Tahbilk Marsanne - This has the same colour as the 09 with legs in the glass and has obvious development on the palate. Citrus, honeysuckle, tropical fruit and a really pleasant honey and fig character as it warms up in the glass. Still very fresh tasting and no hurry to drink this, but I wouldn't be keeping it as long as other vintages.

2012 Tahbilk Marsanne - I should probably be drinking the 2013 rather than this, because by now the 2012 might have been in the typical sleep phase that these marsannes go into after a year or two. But this hasn't yet. A bit of colour in this, with lemon, honey, herbs, sweet all over the mid-palate, but comes up dry on the finish. This is a good one and will age and develop in the bottle very nicely.

Hi Sean, I'm quite fond of the Tahbilk Marsanne and I've been fortunate to have 2 bottles each of the 1996, 1998 and 2000 vintages this year which I bought at auction and a couple of other bottles of the '96 over the last three years. However I also have some 02's, 04's and 07's and I was wondering if you can tell me when the grapefruit like primary flavours are likely to fall away and you are left with the unctuous honey, almond and lanolin characters of the older wines?

[dave73]

2012 Dexter Pinot Noir. Really good, but a few years off its best. Best sip was the last. Two more, try again in 4 years.

[phillisc]

Up in Townsville at the moment...a six pack of Boags...what else in 27 sticky degrees...when the rest of Southern Australia is snowing

Cheers
Craig.

Maybe you should do an off-line.

Stand on top of Castle Hill with a flaming torch in one hand and a btl of 86 St Henri in the other, so daz can find you.

I thought long and hard about climbing that bastard, but ran out of time and have a bit of a phobia about snakes...apparently Qld has some pretty nasty ones...and dying on Castle Hill particularly without an elixir such as a 86 St Henri would be terrible. I am flying out today so alas no offline.
The Boags were very good though.

Cheers
Craig.

[Sean]

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[Sean]

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[alexc92]

Lagarde Guarda Cabernet Franc 2010 From Mendoza..fantasic wine, right amount of tannin + acid...a pleasure to drink!

[Mike Hawkins]

Tonight I'm drinking a superb half bottle of the 1996 Mc'Williams Riverina Botrytis Semillon 'Limited Release' which I picked up at auction a month ago for a measly $9. The colour is heading towards molasses and the flavour profile is predominantly honey and christmas cake, but it retains a little of its primary apricot flavour and has great texture and length.

Good to hear its alive. I still have a dozen or so of the 2000 and 2001 somewhere.

[Hacker]

Half bottle of 2010 Teusner The Riebke. Powerful Barossan goodness. How I wish they did the 2012 in halves, but I asked them and they said it wasn't worth it for them.