Feb 2016 Purchases

[winetastic]

Over a week in and no Feb thread yet, figured I would kick things off:

x1 Passopisciaro Passopisciaro (Etna Rosso) 2007
x2 Passopisciaro Passopisciaro (Etna Rosso) 2013
x1 Girolamo Russo 'a Rina (Etna Rosso) 2013

Nerello Mascalese has me really intrigued, I have a feeling the examples from Passopisciaro will cellar well, so as soon as I saw a bottle of the 2007 at retail I jumped on it to try get an idea of where the 2013s might head if left alone in the cellar.

Drank the Girolamo the other night, off the charts on the drinkability scale and so food friendly.

[Ozzie W]

I like your palate winetastic. I've never tried the Girolamo but I just love the Passopisciaro. Got some '11, '12 and '13 in the cellar.

[winetastic]

I like your palate winetastic. I've never tried the Girolamo but I just love the Passopisciaro. Got some '11, '12 and '13 in the cellar.

Any other suggestions on the Nerello Mascalese front? Only really 'discovered' these very recently.

[swirler]

Good idea to taste an older vintage of a wine you already have. Bear in mind vintage variation. Some wines are quite approachable upon release and others a firm and need lots of time to soften up. 2007 was a hot year in most of Europe and doesn't have so much acidity. I'd guess it will develop quicker than some other vintages.

Via Collins seems to be the expert of Nerello Mascalese. Maybe he can give you a better idea.

Lovely variety by the way!

[winz]

Bought a bottle of the '07 Passopisciaro Etna Rosso when I was down in Melbourne over Christmas, and had it the next day at the half way point on our drive to Adelaide.

'Twas just starting to show some secondary characteristics, whilst maintaining a freshness from the fruit that was still present and a refreshing line of acid from the mid palate through.. your post has just reminded me that I need to grab some more!

Edited: to remove mention of other retailers

[Rossco]

1 * 2003 Magnum The Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz
2 * 2004 Double Magnum The Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz
1 * 2007 Chateau La Grave-Figeac Grand Cru
1 * 2008 Chateau La Grave-Figeac Grand Cru
1 * 2008 Magnum Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cab Blend


Havent tried the La Grave-Figeac, and I know the 07 & 08 weren't the greatest vintages, but for circa $20 each, I thought it a good entry into trying some st emilion/bordeaux for the first time. I will find out soon enough....

[Ozzie W]

I like your palate winetastic. I've never tried the Girolamo but I just love the Passopisciaro. Got some '11, '12 and '13 in the cellar.

Any other suggestions on the Nerello Mascalese front? Only really 'discovered' these very recently.

I've tried the 2009 Benanti Nerello Mascalese Sicilia Il Monovitigno and also the 2010 Pietro Caciorgna Etna Rosso N'anticchia. Both of them were great, but to me the Passopisciaro is more complex and enjoyable.

For anyone interested in trying the Passopisciaro, the 2013 vintage is available from our gracious host.

[Ozzie W]

A few purchases so far this month:

1 x 2010 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino
2 x 2012 Camillo Donati Malvasia dell'Emilia IGT
3 x 2015 DCB Wine Pinot Noir
2 x 2015 Luke Lambert Rose Crudo
1 x 2015 Luke Lambert Syrah Crudo
2 x 2013 Sassafras Sagrantino

[winetastic]

Good idea to taste an older vintage of a wine you already have. Bear in mind vintage variation. Some wines are quite approachable upon release and others a firm and need lots of time to soften up. 2007 was a hot year in most of Europe and doesn't have so much acidity. I'd guess it will develop quicker than some other vintages.

Via Collins seems to be the expert of Nerello Mascalese. Maybe he can give you a better idea.

Lovely variety by the way!

Duly noted on the vintage variation, just curious to get an idea of what happens with this variety as it starts to age.

[winetastic]

I've tried the 2009 Benanti Nerello Mascalese Sicilia Il Monovitigno and also the 2010 Pietro Caciorgna Etna Rosso N'anticchia. Both of them were great, but to me the Passopisciaro is more complex and enjoyable.

For anyone interested in trying the Passopisciaro, the 2013 vintage is available from our gracious host.

Thanks, I will try track them down.

[conformistpete]

A few purchases so far this month:

1 x 2010 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino
2 x 2012 Camillo Donati Malvasia dell'Emilia IGT
3 x 2015 DCB Wine Pinot Noir
2 x 2015 Luke Lambert Rose Crudo
1 x 2015 Luke Lambert Syrah Crudo
2 x 2013 Sassafras Sagrantino

Did you try the DCB and Sassafras wines? Thoughts?

[TommyB]

Jumped aboard the Blue Poles train after reading very interesting things from various sources (including here).

6 each of the 2011 Allouran and Shiraz.

[rens]

3 x 2014 Sorrenberg Gamay
3 x 2012 Sorrenberg Gamay

[Ozzie W]

Did you try the DCB and Sassafras wines? Thoughts?

Not yet. Got a bottle of the DCB at home so I'll try it in the next few days and will report back. Still waiting to receive the shipment which includes my Sassafras.

[mychurch]

I just picked up 2 bottles of Kaiser Stuhl NV Fine Old Tawny. Apparantly its a special bottling to celebrate 100 years of St. Joseph's College Hunter's Hill (1881 to 1981). Looks good, but have no idea of the house or the contents...Not sure either if tawny improves in the bottle ...50 birthday in April, and this will be served with the cheese

[Diddy]

3 x  2013 Joshua Cooper Willoughby Bridge Heathcote Nebbiolo

[Hunter]

6x 2015 bay of fires riesling.

[Michael McNally]

6 x various 2014 Aphelion Grenache
6 x 2011 Teusner Six Million Dollar Shiraz

[Diddy]

3 x 2015 Allies Pinot Noir Assemblage
3 x 2015 Brave New Wine Shiraz Schadenfreude
3 x 2014 Innocent Bystander Syrah Yarra Valley
1 x 2013 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Angel Flower

[Michael McNally]

6 x 1998 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
6 x 1998 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Kay Brothers 'Hillside' Shiraz
6 x 1999 Penley Estate `Reserve` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic McLaren Vale `La Testa` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic Mclaren La Testa Shiraz
12 x 1999 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
12 x 1999 Charles Cimicky `Signature` Shiraz
6 x 2000 Cape d'Estaing Cabernet Sauvignon
5 x 2001 Wirra Wirra `The Angelus` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 2001 Glaetzer `Goldbeater` Shiraz

Not sure Yasmin would thank you for the heads up Luke???

Cheers

Michael

[phillisc]

Not a bad haul that...might have to look at auction houses more closely.
Cheers
Craig

[Bobthebuilder]

that one big "drink now" purchase!

[vovo]

6 x 1998 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
6 x 1998 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Kay Brothers 'Hillside' Shiraz
6 x 1999 Penley Estate `Reserve` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic McLaren Vale `La Testa` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic Mclaren La Testa Shiraz
12 x 1999 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
12 x 1999 Charles Cimicky `Signature` Shiraz
6 x 2000 Cape d'Estaing Cabernet Sauvignon
5 x 2001 Wirra Wirra `The Angelus` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 2001 Glaetzer `Goldbeater` Shiraz

Not sure Yasmin would thank you for the heads up Luke???

Cheers

Michael

Very nice haul.

[ticklenow1]

6 x 1998 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
6 x 1998 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Mount Langi Ghiran `Langi` Shiraz
6 x 1999 Kay Brothers 'Hillside' Shiraz
6 x 1999 Penley Estate `Reserve` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic McLaren Vale `La Testa` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 1999 Classic Mclaren La Testa Shiraz
12 x 1999 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
12 x 1999 Charles Cimicky `Signature` Shiraz
6 x 2000 Cape d'Estaing Cabernet Sauvignon
5 x 2001 Wirra Wirra `The Angelus` Cabernet Sauvignon
6 x 2001 Glaetzer `Goldbeater` Shiraz

Not sure Yasmin would thank you for the heads up Luke???

Cheers

Michael

Yes, my credit card (and the minister of finance) are glad I stayed away from that. Very impressive stash you've scored though. That will fill some space in the cellar and most of that should be drinking very well now. Well done Michael.

Cheers
Ian

[JamieBahrain]

6 x 2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Vilero

After the hoo-hah of a visit to cellar door and the difficulty securing 2010 Giuseppe Mascarello in Piedmont, comical that this ends up in a UK sale! Very happy- to be tucked away with my Monprivato though its drinkable far earlier.

I know its cliche, but Villero is a Burgundy lovers nebbiolo!

[swirler]

Some of those late 90s Langis are supposed to be Brett monsters. Good luck!

[Rossco]

2 * 2004 dutschke st jakobi shiraz magnums

- Nice little touch/find that these are personally signed by Wayne!
Happy with that!

[Rossco]

Some of those late 90s Langis are supposed to be Brett monsters. Good luck!

I have had at least a dozen of both the 99 and 98 langi, and have been fortunate that only one bottle has been bad.

[Michael McNally]

Some of those late 90s Langis are supposed to be Brett monsters. Good luck!

I have had at least a dozen of both the 99 and 98 langi, and have been fortunate that only one bottle has been bad.

Thanks for the reports on these. Fingers crossed. Will report on this lot.

Cheers

Michael

[swirler]

Michael, it looks like they aren't the worst ones and the level of Brett varies from bottle to bottle.