Its a winter Sunday, what have you all been drinking...
Its a winter Sunday, what have you all been drinking...
Hi Good Peoples,
Its that time of the week again. I had an interesting one on Friday a Classic McLaren 1997 La Testa Shiraz. A very unusual wine and in many respects like a cool climate job. Loaded with black pepper but complimented with chocolate, most unusual flavour profile but it worked. The tannins have resolved and the wine is at its peak. Rated as Excellent.
Please let us all know what you have been drinking.
Its that time of the week again. I had an interesting one on Friday a Classic McLaren 1997 La Testa Shiraz. A very unusual wine and in many respects like a cool climate job. Loaded with black pepper but complimented with chocolate, most unusual flavour profile but it worked. The tannins have resolved and the wine is at its peak. Rated as Excellent.
Please let us all know what you have been drinking.
A few pretty good bottles:
1999 MOUNT PLEASANT Elizabeth Semillon- Surprisingly fresh and dry, nice and smooth on the palate.
1999 CROFTER'S Cabernet Merlot W.A.- very rich and perfectly ready now. Delicious drinking.
1998 WOLF BLASS Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon- Twenty months in US and French oak, huge vanilla impact, powerful, ripe Cabernet.
1998 LARK HILL Cabernet Merlot- from near Canberra, the best Bordeaux style red I've tasted from that region, for some time. Scented, balanced and very delicious.
1996 d'ARENBERG D'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache- Softened up greatly, Burgundy like. Authentic, unique and very good.
Cheers,
Attila
1999 MOUNT PLEASANT Elizabeth Semillon- Surprisingly fresh and dry, nice and smooth on the palate.
1999 CROFTER'S Cabernet Merlot W.A.- very rich and perfectly ready now. Delicious drinking.
1998 WOLF BLASS Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon- Twenty months in US and French oak, huge vanilla impact, powerful, ripe Cabernet.
1998 LARK HILL Cabernet Merlot- from near Canberra, the best Bordeaux style red I've tasted from that region, for some time. Scented, balanced and very delicious.
1996 d'ARENBERG D'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache- Softened up greatly, Burgundy like. Authentic, unique and very good.
Cheers,
Attila
The cool weather is a bit hard to take after 17 days in Thailand drinking Oz shiraz (plus a Durif and a NZ shiraz for a change) with the wonderful Thai food, plus lots of Thai beer as well.
With a bit of help from our Thai friends we managed to be escorted through the VIP channel on arrival with 11 bottles of Oz red concealed in our luggage.
After leaving 2 bottles with our Thai friends (well they were from their cellar in CBR), the 9 we drank were:
Metala Original Vines Shiraz 1994 - classy wine, at it's peak for my tastes, went well with the food.
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz 2002 - this one was the least compatible of the 9 wines we tried during the trip, seemed a bit disjointed and jarring, perhaps a bit too much oak at this stage.
Noons Reserve Shiraz 1998 - This was drunk with the Thai version of a Korean steamboat meal and was absolutely glorious, will mature another 10 years yet.
Noons Reserve Shiraz 2002 - opened for comparison, it was too cold for a while and took an hour or so to start to open up and show the structure behind the exuberant fruit. Will be a good wine, but probably not quite as good as the magnificent 98.
BTW, most of the meals we had (away from a couple of resorts we stayed at for a few days) cost less than $25 for 4 people and there was usually more lovely food than we could completely finish, now we just need to convince the Thais that it's not absolutely necessary to deliver everything ordered all at once! At the markets or roadside vendors you can get a plate/bowl of interesting food for about $1
Dalwhinnie Shiraz 94 - Classy and seamless, good food match.
Yering Station Reserve Shiraz-Viognier 2002 - On a primitive jungle raft in the Khao Sok national park an hour by boat up from the dam wall, after a 2-hour hike through the jungle to and from the cave where one of the streams feeding the dam emerges from the side of a hill, with lovely food emerging from a primitive kitchen, another good food match.
Warrabilla Parola's Durif 2002 - This one turned out to be the surprise hit of the whole bunch of reds, drunk with a variety of local southern curries from a market vendor in Surat Thani, it complimented and had the strength to survive the distinctive southern herb/bitter flavours and richness in some of the curries.
Greenock Ck VII Acre Shiraz 94 - This bottle seemed more advanced in maturity than the one I had earlier this year, nearly fully mature, but still a good match for more southern-style food.
Craggy Range (NZ) Shiraz 2002 - On Koh Samui, a very good wine, buth this one was a less successful than some of the others and come across as a little thin with the spicy food.
I think we'll go back again next winter...
Last night we had friends around to try again some of the recipes from the cooking classes we did in Chang Mai and Koh Samui (result: pretty good, but more practice needed). We had lugged back a big, deep wooden mortar/pestle and made a fiery green papaya salad (Som Tem) plus a duck red curry and some other dishes. We drank a bottle of the Tarchalice Blackstone Shiraz 1998 from the new batch bought recently at half the price of the original batch I bought a few years ago and it was in fine form an a good match for the spicy food.
Going back to work on Monday will be tough
With a bit of help from our Thai friends we managed to be escorted through the VIP channel on arrival with 11 bottles of Oz red concealed in our luggage.
After leaving 2 bottles with our Thai friends (well they were from their cellar in CBR), the 9 we drank were:
Metala Original Vines Shiraz 1994 - classy wine, at it's peak for my tastes, went well with the food.
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz 2002 - this one was the least compatible of the 9 wines we tried during the trip, seemed a bit disjointed and jarring, perhaps a bit too much oak at this stage.
Noons Reserve Shiraz 1998 - This was drunk with the Thai version of a Korean steamboat meal and was absolutely glorious, will mature another 10 years yet.
Noons Reserve Shiraz 2002 - opened for comparison, it was too cold for a while and took an hour or so to start to open up and show the structure behind the exuberant fruit. Will be a good wine, but probably not quite as good as the magnificent 98.
BTW, most of the meals we had (away from a couple of resorts we stayed at for a few days) cost less than $25 for 4 people and there was usually more lovely food than we could completely finish, now we just need to convince the Thais that it's not absolutely necessary to deliver everything ordered all at once! At the markets or roadside vendors you can get a plate/bowl of interesting food for about $1
Dalwhinnie Shiraz 94 - Classy and seamless, good food match.
Yering Station Reserve Shiraz-Viognier 2002 - On a primitive jungle raft in the Khao Sok national park an hour by boat up from the dam wall, after a 2-hour hike through the jungle to and from the cave where one of the streams feeding the dam emerges from the side of a hill, with lovely food emerging from a primitive kitchen, another good food match.
Warrabilla Parola's Durif 2002 - This one turned out to be the surprise hit of the whole bunch of reds, drunk with a variety of local southern curries from a market vendor in Surat Thani, it complimented and had the strength to survive the distinctive southern herb/bitter flavours and richness in some of the curries.
Greenock Ck VII Acre Shiraz 94 - This bottle seemed more advanced in maturity than the one I had earlier this year, nearly fully mature, but still a good match for more southern-style food.
Craggy Range (NZ) Shiraz 2002 - On Koh Samui, a very good wine, buth this one was a less successful than some of the others and come across as a little thin with the spicy food.
I think we'll go back again next winter...
Last night we had friends around to try again some of the recipes from the cooking classes we did in Chang Mai and Koh Samui (result: pretty good, but more practice needed). We had lugged back a big, deep wooden mortar/pestle and made a fiery green papaya salad (Som Tem) plus a duck red curry and some other dishes. We drank a bottle of the Tarchalice Blackstone Shiraz 1998 from the new batch bought recently at half the price of the original batch I bought a few years ago and it was in fine form an a good match for the spicy food.
Going back to work on Monday will be tough
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! :-)
Last night threw an impromptu dinner for Tony, Deb and Radioactiveman - mostly Turkish fare.
The wines of note -
McWilliams 1996 Lovedale Semillon - glorious wine with a hypnotic lemon butter on toast nose and a tight, acid-laden citrus palate. Long cellaring potential. Outstanding
Giaconda 1998 Chardonnay - possibly the best Chardonnay from Australia I've tried. Ranks up there with the '82 LEAS. Simply brilliant, beautifully focussed, multidimensional, gloriously balanced, stunning poise and a joy to drink - almost perfect. Would give most top Grand Cru's a run for their money. Looks awfully good for several more years development, too.
Wendouree 1990 Cabernet Malbec - Peppermint pattie in a glass. Monolithic, aging at a glacial pace with seriously good tea-like tannins and a whopping finish. I'm not sure if this will ever be great, though - Wendouree's just not my cuppa tea, I'm afraid. Rated, in context, as Highly Recommended, all the same.
Ch. Filhot 1990 Sauternes - by no means a blockbuster, this well-crafted sticky delivers the goods with great style within an elegant framework. Plenty of tropical fruit with hints of marzipan and spice. Lively acidity and a composed, delicious finish. Drink anytime this decade. Excellent
Leo Buring 1967 Reserve Bin Bin P 65 Vintage Port - a recent cheap auction purchase with plenty of volatility from the spirit on both nose and palate. Earthy prune, blackberry, licorice and chocolate fruit just starting to fade a little. Not bad at all for its considerable age.
The wines of note -
McWilliams 1996 Lovedale Semillon - glorious wine with a hypnotic lemon butter on toast nose and a tight, acid-laden citrus palate. Long cellaring potential. Outstanding
Giaconda 1998 Chardonnay - possibly the best Chardonnay from Australia I've tried. Ranks up there with the '82 LEAS. Simply brilliant, beautifully focussed, multidimensional, gloriously balanced, stunning poise and a joy to drink - almost perfect. Would give most top Grand Cru's a run for their money. Looks awfully good for several more years development, too.
Wendouree 1990 Cabernet Malbec - Peppermint pattie in a glass. Monolithic, aging at a glacial pace with seriously good tea-like tannins and a whopping finish. I'm not sure if this will ever be great, though - Wendouree's just not my cuppa tea, I'm afraid. Rated, in context, as Highly Recommended, all the same.
Ch. Filhot 1990 Sauternes - by no means a blockbuster, this well-crafted sticky delivers the goods with great style within an elegant framework. Plenty of tropical fruit with hints of marzipan and spice. Lively acidity and a composed, delicious finish. Drink anytime this decade. Excellent
Leo Buring 1967 Reserve Bin Bin P 65 Vintage Port - a recent cheap auction purchase with plenty of volatility from the spirit on both nose and palate. Earthy prune, blackberry, licorice and chocolate fruit just starting to fade a little. Not bad at all for its considerable age.
After trying just about every suggestion for cleaning my " Turn " Decanter I have decided to retire it - it is stained beyond cleaning. I have been using a simple water jug which works very well in fact , so well I might not buy a decanter proper - the money is probably better spent on some actual wine. Also thinking about what to do with the dirty decanter - maybe I could breed sea monkeys in it - if you can still get 'em.......
2004 Bremerton Verdehlo , Langhornes Creek : this grape combined with Bremertons winemaking style means I did not enjoy this much - too Sweet. Also tried their 2001 Old Adam Shiraz which was also tiring after 1 glass. Not my style of wines I suppose - they are not faulty as such.
2004 Barratt Rose , Piccadilly Valley: like all Barratt wines very clean but also with good character ( I think Grosset still is involved here )...this had nice sweet but not tiring strawberry Pinot fruit.
2003 Domaine Day Lagrein , Mt Crawford : a deep berry red wine. Fresh , perhaps a bit green but I did not mind that. Had with Grilled Lamb Chops Parmesan - the recipe from page 78 of the 1968 edition of Margaret Fultons Cookbook.
2004 Bremerton Verdehlo , Langhornes Creek : this grape combined with Bremertons winemaking style means I did not enjoy this much - too Sweet. Also tried their 2001 Old Adam Shiraz which was also tiring after 1 glass. Not my style of wines I suppose - they are not faulty as such.
2004 Barratt Rose , Piccadilly Valley: like all Barratt wines very clean but also with good character ( I think Grosset still is involved here )...this had nice sweet but not tiring strawberry Pinot fruit.
2003 Domaine Day Lagrein , Mt Crawford : a deep berry red wine. Fresh , perhaps a bit green but I did not mind that. Had with Grilled Lamb Chops Parmesan - the recipe from page 78 of the 1968 edition of Margaret Fultons Cookbook.
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Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas 2000- Grenache dominant. Berries evident, plenty of spice, medium weight wine with a long finish. Great GSM with food.
Brown Brother's Shiraz consumed in Beijing last night. China an emerging market for Australian wine.
Brian- sounds like a nice trip. Did you find your older wines showed as well as expected? Considering the travel. I am having a bit of trouble settling my wines down after similar.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas 2000- Grenache dominant. Berries evident, plenty of spice, medium weight wine with a long finish. Great GSM with food.
Brown Brother's Shiraz consumed in Beijing last night. China an emerging market for Australian wine.
Brian- sounds like a nice trip. Did you find your older wines showed as well as expected? Considering the travel. I am having a bit of trouble settling my wines down after similar.
Last edited by JamieBahrain on Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Felton Road P/N 2000 - Elegance + Power like liquid silk with backbone to boot.
Wynns JR 98 - I know it sounds silly, seems "riper" than when it was 1st released.
Hutton Vale Shiraz 98 - Drinking extremely well now. Multiple layers of flavours, bloody good grip and finishes long & lenghty.
Wirra2 Angelus 98 - Seems to thin out. Losing 'steam'.
Noons Eclipse 2001 - A big mouthfull of decadent indulgence which left me speechless.
Wynns JR 98 - I know it sounds silly, seems "riper" than when it was 1st released.
Hutton Vale Shiraz 98 - Drinking extremely well now. Multiple layers of flavours, bloody good grip and finishes long & lenghty.
Wirra2 Angelus 98 - Seems to thin out. Losing 'steam'.
Noons Eclipse 2001 - A big mouthfull of decadent indulgence which left me speechless.
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David Lole wrote:Last night threw an impromptu dinner for Tony, Deb and Radioactiveman - mostly Turkish fare.
The wines of note -
McWilliams 1996 Lovedale Semillon - glorious wine with a hypnotic lemon butter on toast nose and a tight, acid-laden citrus palate. Long cellaring potential. Outstanding
Giaconda 1998 Chardonnay - possibly the best Chardonnay from Australia I've tried. Ranks up there with the '82 LEAS. Simply brilliant, beautifully focussed, multidimensional, gloriously balanced, stunning poise and a joy to drink - almost perfect. Would give most top Grand Cru's a run for their money. Looks awfully good for several more years development, too.
Wendouree 1990 Cabernet Malbec - Peppermint pattie in a glass. Monolithic, aging at a glacial pace with seriously good tea-like tannins and a whopping finish. I'm not sure if this will ever be great, though - Wendouree's just not my cuppa tea, I'm afraid. Rated, in context, as Highly Recommended, all the same.
Ch. Filhot 1990 Sauternes - by no means a blockbuster, this well-crafted sticky delivers the goods with great style within an elegant framework. Plenty of tropical fruit with hints of marzipan and spice. Lively acidity and a composed, delicious finish. Drink anytime this decade. Excellent
Leo Buring 1967 Reserve Bin Bin P 65 Vintage Port - a recent cheap auction purchase with plenty of volatility from the spirit on both nose and palate. Earthy prune, blackberry, licorice and chocolate fruit just starting to fade a little. Not bad at all for its considerable age.
A fun night, thanks again DLo. The '96 407 was drinking reasonably well also, although with that predictable Penfolds feel. The Wendouree was a nice wine and amazing for a '90 vintage. The peppermint nose was not hard to miss. That sauturnes was lovely and I wish you had a 750ml bottle rather than the half. It went too quickly.
Cheers
Jamie
A quiet week as I gradually build up the stamina for the Peel Estate 1998 shiraz challenge.
Rockford 2001 BP, splendid drinking right now but really will be much better in about 5 to 6 years.
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz 1998, opened by accident but enjoyed none the less. Superb wine chock a block full of all the good stuff that makes me so love shiraz. Drinking really well now but I think will be extraordinary in another 5 years.
Peel Estate 1997 Shiraz, typical Peel "sour" finish disappeared with airtime and improved immensely over 2 hours. Better with food where it showed it's true colours. Needs more time, say 2007 to 2010.
Morris 1987 Durif, Oh my God. This is some red hot stuff. Pity I have only a couple left. Still going strong and will do another 10 years easy.
Rockford 2001 BP, splendid drinking right now but really will be much better in about 5 to 6 years.
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz 1998, opened by accident but enjoyed none the less. Superb wine chock a block full of all the good stuff that makes me so love shiraz. Drinking really well now but I think will be extraordinary in another 5 years.
Peel Estate 1997 Shiraz, typical Peel "sour" finish disappeared with airtime and improved immensely over 2 hours. Better with food where it showed it's true colours. Needs more time, say 2007 to 2010.
Morris 1987 Durif, Oh my God. This is some red hot stuff. Pity I have only a couple left. Still going strong and will do another 10 years easy.
Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2002
I visited Fox Creek during my Easter trip to SA and was disappointed in the range of wines available for tasting. They had either run out of the good stuff or didnÂ’t put it up for tasting of the masses.
Glorious nose immediately on opening. A black fruity glass stainer with good balance of acid and tannin. Excellent length on the palate.
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 1998
This is the second one I have had recently and it appears a little tired. Showed better after 24 hours but I donÂ’t think it will get much better.
Rufus Stone Shiraz 1998
Another slightly tired 98 shiraz this time from Mc Laren Vale. Was Ok 24 hours later but didnÂ’t improve much at all.
Graham
I visited Fox Creek during my Easter trip to SA and was disappointed in the range of wines available for tasting. They had either run out of the good stuff or didnÂ’t put it up for tasting of the masses.
Glorious nose immediately on opening. A black fruity glass stainer with good balance of acid and tannin. Excellent length on the palate.
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 1998
This is the second one I have had recently and it appears a little tired. Showed better after 24 hours but I donÂ’t think it will get much better.
Rufus Stone Shiraz 1998
Another slightly tired 98 shiraz this time from Mc Laren Vale. Was Ok 24 hours later but didnÂ’t improve much at all.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Weekends Highlights.
A great weekend for wine...
Penfolds Bin 95A Chardonnay.
Still holding it's head up high, and would join the ranks of the top five Oz Chards I've drunk, and I think this particular bottle was the best. Years ahead of it. Seamless fruit purity with great nutty secondary chararcters.
'98 Pipers Brook Summit Chardonnay.
And this could probably go into the top five as well. Developing slowly, intense fruit and lovely rich nose, awsome length.
'92 Mount Mary Quintet.
It's understandable why so many people don't get this wine. But for me, it's sheer elegance. The two things that I really appreciate about this wine is that 1, at 12% Alc, there is no greenness that comes normally with Yarra Valley Cabernet at that level, and 2, It's seamless. Everything flows into place beautifully. This paricular bottle displayed lovely cigar box/cedar notes with cassis still there on the nose, and intensity of fruit on the elegant palate. Not as long as some MM's Iv'e had, but a sheer joy to behold.
'64 Saltram Hermitage.
Impeccably cellared by accident in cool mud at a renovation sight for god knows how long, and found by a fellow diner with some Hill of Grace as well, it was drinking superbly. Sweet honeyed nose with some smokey tones, that had us thinking there may be Pinot in it, sweet earthy palate of great length as smooth as silk. A real delight!
I have emailed Saltram as to what actually went into the wine, but as yet have no response.
Rory
Penfolds Bin 95A Chardonnay.
Still holding it's head up high, and would join the ranks of the top five Oz Chards I've drunk, and I think this particular bottle was the best. Years ahead of it. Seamless fruit purity with great nutty secondary chararcters.
'98 Pipers Brook Summit Chardonnay.
And this could probably go into the top five as well. Developing slowly, intense fruit and lovely rich nose, awsome length.
'92 Mount Mary Quintet.
It's understandable why so many people don't get this wine. But for me, it's sheer elegance. The two things that I really appreciate about this wine is that 1, at 12% Alc, there is no greenness that comes normally with Yarra Valley Cabernet at that level, and 2, It's seamless. Everything flows into place beautifully. This paricular bottle displayed lovely cigar box/cedar notes with cassis still there on the nose, and intensity of fruit on the elegant palate. Not as long as some MM's Iv'e had, but a sheer joy to behold.
'64 Saltram Hermitage.
Impeccably cellared by accident in cool mud at a renovation sight for god knows how long, and found by a fellow diner with some Hill of Grace as well, it was drinking superbly. Sweet honeyed nose with some smokey tones, that had us thinking there may be Pinot in it, sweet earthy palate of great length as smooth as silk. A real delight!
I have emailed Saltram as to what actually went into the wine, but as yet have no response.
Rory
1989 Penfolds Grange T.N.
Middle of the summer here in Scotland..a sweltering 20 cen today!
I opened an '89 Grange yesterday.
Anyone who says Aussie wines don't age are talking c**p! This wine from a 'lesser vintage' is singing at the moment.
T.N...colour red/purple
aroma...blackcurrent/dark fruits..
taste..blackcurrent,plummy silky smooth palate with a 30/40 sec length.
This 15 year old wine still has at least 10 years drinking at its peak.
Classy wine!
Cheers
Enzo...[/b]
I opened an '89 Grange yesterday.
Anyone who says Aussie wines don't age are talking c**p! This wine from a 'lesser vintage' is singing at the moment.
T.N...colour red/purple
aroma...blackcurrent/dark fruits..
taste..blackcurrent,plummy silky smooth palate with a 30/40 sec length.
This 15 year old wine still has at least 10 years drinking at its peak.
Classy wine!
Cheers
Enzo...[/b]
1998 Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz (Clare)
Lovely dark red/blue. Wonderful sweet nose of plump blackberries & blueberries, chocolate splash, & gently unobtrusive oak spice. Has lost that bright nose of a young wine - nearer mahogony than teak, if you know what I mean. The palate doesn't quite live up to the promise - the tannins have softened considerably, and the fruit flavours are rich and full, but the acid has faded somewhat. It's a bit fruit-jubey, and lacks the last word in sophistication. Moderate length finish.
I have to say though, that for the $15-odd this cost when new, it's absolutely outstanding. Drinking nicely and will hold for some time, I suspect.
cheers,
Graeme
Lovely dark red/blue. Wonderful sweet nose of plump blackberries & blueberries, chocolate splash, & gently unobtrusive oak spice. Has lost that bright nose of a young wine - nearer mahogony than teak, if you know what I mean. The palate doesn't quite live up to the promise - the tannins have softened considerably, and the fruit flavours are rich and full, but the acid has faded somewhat. It's a bit fruit-jubey, and lacks the last word in sophistication. Moderate length finish.
I have to say though, that for the $15-odd this cost when new, it's absolutely outstanding. Drinking nicely and will hold for some time, I suspect.
cheers,
Graeme
Jenke Merlot 99 - Ripe fruit, but overwhelmed by wood. Agreeable.
Pipers Brook Opimian (Cabernet blend) 98 - Well made, but I suspect the grapes weren't quite ripe (a lively possibility with Tasmanian Cab). Not bad, but not really good either.
Angus The Bull 02 (Cabernet Sauvignon) - A shiraz drinker's cabernet. Ripe fruit abounds, and it overwhelms any tannins or wood that might be about. I can't see this improving a lot over time. Very good value - $32 on the wine list at the Hickson Road Bistro (Sydney Theatre).
Kays SMG 00 - Getting better and better. My find of the year.
Kieran
Pipers Brook Opimian (Cabernet blend) 98 - Well made, but I suspect the grapes weren't quite ripe (a lively possibility with Tasmanian Cab). Not bad, but not really good either.
Angus The Bull 02 (Cabernet Sauvignon) - A shiraz drinker's cabernet. Ripe fruit abounds, and it overwhelms any tannins or wood that might be about. I can't see this improving a lot over time. Very good value - $32 on the wine list at the Hickson Road Bistro (Sydney Theatre).
Kays SMG 00 - Getting better and better. My find of the year.
Kieran
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Martin C wrote:Hutton Vale Shiraz 98 - Drinking extremely well now. Multiple layers of flavours, bloody good grip and finishes long & lenghty.
Hello Martin,
I just put my 6 of these at the bottom of my cellar to be opened in many years time, maybe a decade, based upon your notes of this wine a while ago. I remember you commenting that the wine was extremely tight. Is this wine aging faster than you expected? Could you please give me a drinking window and an indication how long you think it would hold after that?
Thanks,
Adair
JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
1996 Leasingham Bin 56 Cab Malbec Fully mature beautiful drinking - I was a little surprised that this wouldn't go any further but should hold for a while.Highly recommended
1996 Turkey Flat Cab Sav yummo Excellent - just what was needed after along week - this should keep going for ages, quarter of a bottle left over went into a half bottle overnight and it drank just as well the following day
1996 Eldridge Watervale Riesling Hum seems to have been a 96 theme this week completely unintentional. Initially was looking a touch maderised but this quickly blew off. I have had Eldridges from 96 & 98 and neither have been able to cope with much chilling - this came straight out of the cupboard (propbably 12 degrees or less) and openned very well. Highly recommended - good example of aged riesling but I think time to drink up.
Went out to Mount Majura yesterday following the discussions here last week. Rated the Tempranillo and Pinot Gris as Excellent, Shiraz and Chardonnay as Highly recommended and the reset as Recommended worth a look if you are Canberra - was also nice to see prices from $12 to $25 - too many wineries start at $25 these days.
David
1996 Turkey Flat Cab Sav yummo Excellent - just what was needed after along week - this should keep going for ages, quarter of a bottle left over went into a half bottle overnight and it drank just as well the following day
1996 Eldridge Watervale Riesling Hum seems to have been a 96 theme this week completely unintentional. Initially was looking a touch maderised but this quickly blew off. I have had Eldridges from 96 & 98 and neither have been able to cope with much chilling - this came straight out of the cupboard (propbably 12 degrees or less) and openned very well. Highly recommended - good example of aged riesling but I think time to drink up.
Went out to Mount Majura yesterday following the discussions here last week. Rated the Tempranillo and Pinot Gris as Excellent, Shiraz and Chardonnay as Highly recommended and the reset as Recommended worth a look if you are Canberra - was also nice to see prices from $12 to $25 - too many wineries start at $25 these days.
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
Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
Bad bottle. Probably cork. Had one about 2 months ago. Exceptional.
GW
Gary W wrote:Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
Bad bottle. Probably cork. Had one about 2 months ago. Exceptional.
GW
Look here Mr. Cork Nazi,
I concede that it is possible that cork may have been a factor but this wine WILL be shutting down, either now or soon. I have already experienced this with one of my bottles, which displayed a similar characteristics as that discribed by Jamie, and must be considered a factor in this case, with this wine. You can not attribute this experience solely to cork... well, yes you can!
Adair
Adair wrote:I have already experienced this with one of my bottles, which displayed a similar characteristics as that discribed by Jamie, and must be considered a factor in this case, with this wine. You can not attribute this experience solely to cork... well, yes you can!
Was this the bottle that you brought up to Brisbane earlier in the year?
Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
I reckon its neither...just a style thing...I often find this dominated by pepper, maybe you are just sensitive to it...
Lincoln wrote:Adair wrote:I have already experienced this with one of my bottles, which displayed a similar characteristics as that discribed by Jamie, and must be considered a factor in this case, with this wine. You can not attribute this experience solely to cork... well, yes you can!
Was this the bottle that you brought up to Brisbane earlier in the year?
I think so... I have had a few 2001 and 2002 Clonakilla SV and sometimes forget where I drank which, but I am pretty confident that it was with you.
Adair
Adam wrote:Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
I reckon its neither...just a style thing...I often find this dominated by pepper, maybe you are just sensitive to it...
Sensitive... Ha!
I love the stuff. I wish I were more sensitive to it. It would make many overripe, boring Shiraz more interesting.
Adair
Notes to follow later, but at great dinner with Gavin, Robyn, Gary and Chris;
1996 Dom Perignon
2001 Cullen Chardonnay
1990 Jasper Hill Emilys Paddock
1990 Wendouree Cab Malbec
1991 Wendouree Shiraz
1976 Chateau Lafite
1997 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road Shiraz
1976 Chateau D'Quem (750ml - 375ml is for poofters !)
1996 Dom Perignon
2001 Cullen Chardonnay
1990 Jasper Hill Emilys Paddock
1990 Wendouree Cab Malbec
1991 Wendouree Shiraz
1976 Chateau Lafite
1997 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road Shiraz
1976 Chateau D'Quem (750ml - 375ml is for poofters !)
Last edited by markg on Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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-Mark Wickman
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-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
Adair wrote:Gary W wrote:Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
Bad bottle. Probably cork. Had one about 2 months ago. Exceptional.
GW
Look here Mr. Cork Nazi,
I concede that it is possible that cork may have been a factor but this wine WILL be shutting down, either now or soon. I have already experienced this with one of my bottles, which displayed a similar characteristics as that discribed by Jamie, and must be considered a factor in this case, with this wine. You can not attribute this experience solely to cork... well, yes you can!
Adair
Yes...shutting down...most likely to do with the phases of the moon or something....I think something may passing through uranus at the moment.
GW
Gary W wrote:Adair wrote:Gary W wrote:Adair wrote:JamieBahrain wrote:Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Black cherry, pepper, floral notes and spice. The pepper to the fore on the palate, lacking the interwoven black fruits of the great bottles from this vintage. The pepper dominance made the usually pleasant acid dominated finish a little rougher.
Not in the class of the 01's consumed a few months back-shutting down or a bad bottle?
Shutting down.
Adair
Bad bottle. Probably cork. Had one about 2 months ago. Exceptional.
GW
Look here Mr. Cork Nazi,
I concede that it is possible that cork may have been a factor but this wine WILL be shutting down, either now or soon. I have already experienced this with one of my bottles, which displayed a similar characteristics as that discribed by Jamie, and must be considered a factor in this case, with this wine. You can not attribute this experience solely to cork... well, yes you can!
Adair
Yes...shutting down...most likely to do with the phases of the moon or something....I think something may passing through uranus at the moment.
GW
Look here Mr. Super Skeptic,
1) I believe I have experienced this phenomenon myself.
2) Tim Kirk says so!!!
Adair (with tongue sticking out)