have been drinking.
A pretty unexciting wine week for me last week. Nothing great and nothing new. Lat night I opened a Kay Bros 1998 Shiraz which was a bit of a surprise. The nose initially had a cardboard scent that could easily be confused with corked characters but after a little swirling it was obviously an oak character. Also unusual in a 98 McLaren Vale wine was the pepper character that was on the bouquet and palate. The palate also showed plum, eucalyptus, chocolate, aniseed and an almost bitter twang to the finish. It has excellent complexity and still showing a puppy fat (primary fruit) but that was offset by the drying tannins. The alcohol (14.8%) was obvious but it was by way of sweetness rather than heat and that sweetness complimented the off-sweet nature of the grape flavours.
Interesting wine and made me think about it. Not sure how long it will last as the tannins seem to be starting to dry the wine out but there is still fresh fruit there.
Your turn, what have you been drinking? Notes, impressions or vibes welcome.
Come on you slack'os - time to tell us what you.....
Two decent bottles this time around but nothing grand.
1999 CLOVER HILL Sparkling
Pretty intense, hugely concentrated lemony wine with cleansing acid. A Bollinger style, austere drop that is expertly made and serious but lacks charm. Nevertheless it's good and in need of a few years to mature. AU $30
2001 PIKES Clare Valley Cabernet
Almost black in colour. Walnut oak on the nose (matured 14 months in French oak) and is restrained, clean and varietal on the palate. Good concentration of sweet fruit and excellent length. Cellar 10 years. Good wine at AU $25.
Cheers,
Attila
1999 CLOVER HILL Sparkling
Pretty intense, hugely concentrated lemony wine with cleansing acid. A Bollinger style, austere drop that is expertly made and serious but lacks charm. Nevertheless it's good and in need of a few years to mature. AU $30
2001 PIKES Clare Valley Cabernet
Almost black in colour. Walnut oak on the nose (matured 14 months in French oak) and is restrained, clean and varietal on the palate. Good concentration of sweet fruit and excellent length. Cellar 10 years. Good wine at AU $25.
Cheers,
Attila
Hi all,
Not much of note. After initially being disappointed wih the '01 Penley Phoenix Cabernet last night's bottle starting showing its true potential. Lovely fruit emerging from behind a wall of tannins and will be better in 2 - 7 years. As with most Coonawarra Cabernets you need to be patient; not your in your face '02 Shiraz jobs. 13.5%
Chuck
Not much of note. After initially being disappointed wih the '01 Penley Phoenix Cabernet last night's bottle starting showing its true potential. Lovely fruit emerging from behind a wall of tannins and will be better in 2 - 7 years. As with most Coonawarra Cabernets you need to be patient; not your in your face '02 Shiraz jobs. 13.5%
Chuck
Quiet weekend, went away but managed one wine.
M.Chapoutier 1999 Mount Benson Shiraz
At first nothing on the nose except briary type smells, with a weak, nearly watery palate, I was beginning to worry. After half an hour things were starting to happen, dry savoury flavours mixed with cherry and dark fruits, subdued dry tannins. Not much fuss about this wine, it evolved astonishingly well after a slow start and once it found its legs was an interesting style.
Colin
M.Chapoutier 1999 Mount Benson Shiraz
At first nothing on the nose except briary type smells, with a weak, nearly watery palate, I was beginning to worry. After half an hour things were starting to happen, dry savoury flavours mixed with cherry and dark fruits, subdued dry tannins. Not much fuss about this wine, it evolved astonishingly well after a slow start and once it found its legs was an interesting style.
Colin
Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter. Sermons and soda water the day after.
Glugged heaps of the 04 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc for Friday lunch. This is a more subtle and delicate style than some of the 04 Kiwis I've seen so far - an elegant expression of gooseberry and grass.
Last night with a Thai red beef curry a 91 Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz. Bretty as hell. Even Mrs Wizz picked it unprompted ("this tastes sort of moldy"). Shame, as the palate texture is lovely.
cheers
Andrew
Last night with a Thai red beef curry a 91 Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz. Bretty as hell. Even Mrs Wizz picked it unprompted ("this tastes sort of moldy"). Shame, as the palate texture is lovely.
cheers
Andrew
TORB, with all due respect Sir, one note? Who's the slacko then...tsk tsk 
Anyway here's my homework...
Beers. Many and varied. - Too damn hot for wine for a few days in the middle of the week there, best beers were the staples; Squires Amber and Coopers Sparkling ales. When something lighter was called for, Boags Strongarm (very freshing), Tui (Kiwi mid-stregth, worth a try for something overly easy to drink) and good ole Tooheys New (non-descript lager, but satisfies that 'I need a beer' feeling so very well) on tap provided, well, a little light relief.
2002 Leasingham Bin 61 - $16 - This to me is the best Bin 61 in years, fragrant floral notes over dark berries, chocolate, plums (never into the cooked spectrum, yay) and the expected vanilla oak. Silky smooth mouthfeel with excellent weight and structure, long finish with very fine tannins. This should be great in 5-6+ years. From memory, the label claims 13.5 degrees which is against the trend but believable. This wine has class well above it's price point; Very Good with 4.5/5 for Value.
2002 Winter Creek Shiraz - $29 - Very deep Black red, great colour. Wonderful nose - complex with crushed red and black berries, some subdued flroal notes, spices, mint, though surprisingly only a hint of very dark chocolate; I would not have picked this as a Barossa. On the first day this is the big end of town on the palate, though not at all over the top. As promised, highly complex notes matching the nose. Great structure, not a bruiser but very well knit. Unobtrusive but marked fine tannins under a gradual finish with plain great length. A 1/2 bottle left for 5 nights shows this to be a contender for the medium to long term, maybe 10+ years? Everything has come together on the palate, which has smoothed out and put on a little weight adding buttery hazelnut and dark peppermint chocolate...we're looking at an excellent wine that doesn't let itself be pigeon-holed. Worth looking for. Very Good+ and will improve, with 4-and-a-bit/5 for Value.
1999 JJ Hanh 1914 Shiraz - Red-purple with a slightly brown tone throughout, but it's not oxidation. Complex coffee, plum, melted dark chocolate, a little mint, red berries. Lovely structure. Somehow this wine reminds me a great deal of the 2000 Greenock Creek Apricot Block; though the JJ Hahn is a little deeper and tighter knit, both share that slightly 'pulpy' mouthfeel. Very good length and depth of flavour, this should get better with 3-4 years rest and last a few more. Very Good feels like I'm short-changing.
1989 Chateau Clerc Milon Rothchild - This is serious Pauillac at the price, current release is still down around $60. Red and black fruits in that restrained style, cigar box, toasted sandalwood, leather, crushed blackcurrant and licorice root. Plays between characters in the glass. Great depth of flavour and length, freshing acid and firm but fine tannins on the finish. Will develop over the next few years (give it 2-6?) and has 10+ to go. Very Good/Excellent.
1983 Chateay Grand-Puy-Lacoste - Not a terribly complex bottle. Slighlty subdued nose matching the palate of red berries and fruits, strawberry, cherry and tartly sweet licorice strap. Good finish with fully integrated tannins and some acid. Excellent food wine but would be a little boring by itself. Next day there is no change in the quearter bottle left. Will hold for several years but is ready now and I can't see it improving. Good.
Happy Drinking
Jakob
Anyway here's my homework...
Beers. Many and varied. - Too damn hot for wine for a few days in the middle of the week there, best beers were the staples; Squires Amber and Coopers Sparkling ales. When something lighter was called for, Boags Strongarm (very freshing), Tui (Kiwi mid-stregth, worth a try for something overly easy to drink) and good ole Tooheys New (non-descript lager, but satisfies that 'I need a beer' feeling so very well) on tap provided, well, a little light relief.
2002 Leasingham Bin 61 - $16 - This to me is the best Bin 61 in years, fragrant floral notes over dark berries, chocolate, plums (never into the cooked spectrum, yay) and the expected vanilla oak. Silky smooth mouthfeel with excellent weight and structure, long finish with very fine tannins. This should be great in 5-6+ years. From memory, the label claims 13.5 degrees which is against the trend but believable. This wine has class well above it's price point; Very Good with 4.5/5 for Value.
2002 Winter Creek Shiraz - $29 - Very deep Black red, great colour. Wonderful nose - complex with crushed red and black berries, some subdued flroal notes, spices, mint, though surprisingly only a hint of very dark chocolate; I would not have picked this as a Barossa. On the first day this is the big end of town on the palate, though not at all over the top. As promised, highly complex notes matching the nose. Great structure, not a bruiser but very well knit. Unobtrusive but marked fine tannins under a gradual finish with plain great length. A 1/2 bottle left for 5 nights shows this to be a contender for the medium to long term, maybe 10+ years? Everything has come together on the palate, which has smoothed out and put on a little weight adding buttery hazelnut and dark peppermint chocolate...we're looking at an excellent wine that doesn't let itself be pigeon-holed. Worth looking for. Very Good+ and will improve, with 4-and-a-bit/5 for Value.
1999 JJ Hanh 1914 Shiraz - Red-purple with a slightly brown tone throughout, but it's not oxidation. Complex coffee, plum, melted dark chocolate, a little mint, red berries. Lovely structure. Somehow this wine reminds me a great deal of the 2000 Greenock Creek Apricot Block; though the JJ Hahn is a little deeper and tighter knit, both share that slightly 'pulpy' mouthfeel. Very good length and depth of flavour, this should get better with 3-4 years rest and last a few more. Very Good feels like I'm short-changing.
1989 Chateau Clerc Milon Rothchild - This is serious Pauillac at the price, current release is still down around $60. Red and black fruits in that restrained style, cigar box, toasted sandalwood, leather, crushed blackcurrant and licorice root. Plays between characters in the glass. Great depth of flavour and length, freshing acid and firm but fine tannins on the finish. Will develop over the next few years (give it 2-6?) and has 10+ to go. Very Good/Excellent.
1983 Chateay Grand-Puy-Lacoste - Not a terribly complex bottle. Slighlty subdued nose matching the palate of red berries and fruits, strawberry, cherry and tartly sweet licorice strap. Good finish with fully integrated tannins and some acid. Excellent food wine but would be a little boring by itself. Next day there is no change in the quearter bottle left. Will hold for several years but is ready now and I can't see it improving. Good.
Happy Drinking
Jakob
Jakob wrote:TORB, with all due respect Sir, one note? Who's the slacko then...tsk tsk
Jakob
Jabok,
I have to keep something to put on my site.
Nice line up of wines you tried this week. I have the Winter Creek and the JJ Hahn in my cellar too. Both terrific most enjoyable wines. Agree totally with your comment on the WC not seeming like its from the Barossa but Williams Town is quite high up.
And right now, I am tasting my way through a line up of 4 Kilakanoon reds
to get a start on next weeks homework.-
Craig(NZ).
Just a few cheapies to celebrate 10 years with the mrs...
last weekend a few quiet and not so quiet ones with rossi and about 25 others to bring in a decade with the mrs. No sit down and write notes and analyse in a dry boring environment here. no wine snobs (just me)spitting was definately banned and no one talked wine really, we just played music and danced hehe
starting with 1988 Dom Perignon from a magnum, this went down a treat with a few slithers of top spanish anchovies yummy. Really really impressed some people that hadnt tried a top champagne before. Still in magic condition. No sign of decline. Fine, powerful and concentrated with ultra fine bead, bready, slightly flinty even. Super. My mother enjoyed it so much that she even asked me what it was.
The mother of all antipasto and cheese platters appeared to help soak up ....
1994 Penfolds Bin 707 Cab was next, its really fattenned up over the last few years, still totally opaque, purple with a chocolate tinge, fantastic wine will live another 20 years with ease. Rawnsley we loved this wine aye...put it on the list for the 25th anni
1998 BVE E+E Black Pepper Shiraz. Thanks rossi. Massive rich wine gushing with flavour 100% aussie. My head was spinning a bit but this was good. shoulda slowed down a bit to enjoy this a bit more, again bottle was emptied in a flash
1998 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock. In the same vein with some very unique flavour and the alcohol in this although not out of balance tipped us on the way to a good night!! Thanks Kenzo for this - it was damn good.
1998 Unison Selection from a Magnum. Smooth sensual black fruit. Seamless and gorgeous. fantastic kiwi wine. should be a cult, thank god its not. this disappeared faster than you could say anna barbara halliwell. 5 minutes after the cork was pulled it was empty
1998 Church Rd Reserve Cabernet. Fantastic kiwi cab, this is an equisite wine, full, structured and just real classy. wasnt embarrased by the 707 even. Top 1998 Hawkes bays are just starting to hit their straps (some are yet to)
1999 Te Awa Boundary Merlot. This wine was actually piles better than i expected. A firm dark merlot blend, power packed and still ascending. A real surprise.
2002 Pegasus Bay Riesling. Just a smart bomb of fantastic flavours, opulent rich, complex, zingy and zaney. This wine went off. everyone loved it
2003 Main Divide Riesling. Just Gorgeous as usual, fantastic party wine. got something for everyone.
still eating leftovers then its into the diet and exercise. There were a few other wines but those are the ones i had a glass or more of hehe.
Catch ya
C.
starting with 1988 Dom Perignon from a magnum, this went down a treat with a few slithers of top spanish anchovies yummy. Really really impressed some people that hadnt tried a top champagne before. Still in magic condition. No sign of decline. Fine, powerful and concentrated with ultra fine bead, bready, slightly flinty even. Super. My mother enjoyed it so much that she even asked me what it was.
The mother of all antipasto and cheese platters appeared to help soak up ....
1994 Penfolds Bin 707 Cab was next, its really fattenned up over the last few years, still totally opaque, purple with a chocolate tinge, fantastic wine will live another 20 years with ease. Rawnsley we loved this wine aye...put it on the list for the 25th anni
1998 BVE E+E Black Pepper Shiraz. Thanks rossi. Massive rich wine gushing with flavour 100% aussie. My head was spinning a bit but this was good. shoulda slowed down a bit to enjoy this a bit more, again bottle was emptied in a flash
1998 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock. In the same vein with some very unique flavour and the alcohol in this although not out of balance tipped us on the way to a good night!! Thanks Kenzo for this - it was damn good.
1998 Unison Selection from a Magnum. Smooth sensual black fruit. Seamless and gorgeous. fantastic kiwi wine. should be a cult, thank god its not. this disappeared faster than you could say anna barbara halliwell. 5 minutes after the cork was pulled it was empty
1998 Church Rd Reserve Cabernet. Fantastic kiwi cab, this is an equisite wine, full, structured and just real classy. wasnt embarrased by the 707 even. Top 1998 Hawkes bays are just starting to hit their straps (some are yet to)
1999 Te Awa Boundary Merlot. This wine was actually piles better than i expected. A firm dark merlot blend, power packed and still ascending. A real surprise.
2002 Pegasus Bay Riesling. Just a smart bomb of fantastic flavours, opulent rich, complex, zingy and zaney. This wine went off. everyone loved it
2003 Main Divide Riesling. Just Gorgeous as usual, fantastic party wine. got something for everyone.
still eating leftovers then its into the diet and exercise. There were a few other wines but those are the ones i had a glass or more of hehe.
Catch ya
C.
-
George Krashos
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:26 pm
Re: Come on you slack'os - time to tell us what you.....
TORB wrote:have been drinking.
A pretty unexciting wine week for me last week. Nothing great and nothing new. Lat night I opened a Kay Bros 1998 Shiraz which was a bit of a surprise. The nose initially had a cardboard scent that could easily be confused with corked characters but after a little swirling it was obviously an oak character.
Yeah, a similar thing happened to me on Friday night with a '98 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz. First sniff was all wet wood and I was sure it was corked. Wiser heads prevailed and after a decant the wet part departed leaving lashings and lashings of american oak that was leaving splinters in my mouth. Very disappointed given the raps this wine gets usually. It did have some dark, juicy fruit but was simply not intergrated with the oak. Maybe it will come into balance, but I much preferred the other wine on offer. Note however that I understand the bottle was a gift from someone who doesn't have a cellar of their own. Provenance the cause of the problem here?
Second wine was a '98 Charles Melton Nine Popes. Smooth, savoury and long with good grenache tanginess it was more secondary and developed than I'd expected - especially given the other Barossa wines of the vintage which I think are fruit forward and volumptuous, if a tad one-dimensional. This was a great drink with sirloin though. Given the development however, I'm not sure it will go more than another 5-8 years unless it hits a plateau and holds.
Barossa trip on Friday saw us sit down for Friday Soup Lunch with the Charlie Melton crew and Charlie opened a 2002 D'Arenberg Galvo Garage. I'd never had this one before and was impressed witn the colour and intensity. No obvious oak influences but with solid tannins and ripe fruit. A very enjoyable drink that matched the company - although a few punters got scared off by us all sitting in cellar door around a steaming soup pot!
Popped into Rockford but didn't taste anything - believe it or not! Bought some Cabernet (the best they've made, they reckon) and Alicante for summer as well as a few 'orders' for friends and family. We'll be down for the weekend at the end of November, and will hopefully get to try the new BP et. al. Both cellar door and Stonewaller cellar were three deep and they had 25 Stonewaller bookings for Saturday! Busy, busy and not super-conducive to lazy tasting whilst having a chat to staff/friends.
The Saturday night line-up was a '97 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz and a '95 Seppelt Great Western Shiraz. I hadn't had that vintage of BP for a while and it was similar to the '93 in terms of a slightly green character. For vintage it was a smart fellow, still deep red with great balance and length but lacking the 'wow' factor you get with BP in a superior vintage. It probably didn't help that it was overshadowed by the company.
The Seppelt Great Western was absolutely brilliant. A big monster of a wine in colour, extract and weight but no oak evident (new french for 18 months) and a surprising 13.5% alcohol. This part really appealed to me as there was no hotness at all on a palate that sang with dark fruits and leather and was long, long, long. It's not often that I see a BP get overshadowed that easily. The Seppelt was only a baby and could easily go another 10 years whereupon it will be outstanding - and on a good night with good company, it's outstanding already.
A question for the curious: Is the current Seppelt St Peters Shiraz the re-badged/packaged equivalent of this wine? If so, I've got to get my hands on some. Superb.
-- George Krashos
-
Martin C
A Bastard & a Fox.
Went to 2 winemaker's dinner last week - Kaesler & Fox Creek.
Tasted with Reid Boswald.
Kaesler Sem. 2002 - Not the vicose, bee-wax style I like fr Barossa. This is more Hunter like. According to Reid it's influenced by his early stint at Tyrell.
Kaesler O'Vines Cabernet 2002 - As a wine excellent, as a Cab, it lacked typicity.
Kaesler Avignon GSM 2002 - Big ripe fruit bomb. Delicious.
Kaesler O'Vines 2002 - Excellent+. The best O'Vines yet.
Kaesler O'Bastard 2002 - A more refined O'Bastard. Quality wise, only marginal fr O'Vines. For $165, it's not in the W.B. Platinum territory. The smart money will go for the O'Vines.
Fox Creek.
Sau.Blanc/ Sem. 2002 - Too ripe. No backbone.
Fox Creek JSM 2001 - a lil' austere compared with their presvious JSM
Fox Creek JSM 1998 - singing beautifully.
Duet Cab/Mer. 2002 - decent wine, not exciting.
Fox Creek Resv. Shiraz 2002 - good but not inspiring next to their next wine.
Fox Creek Resv.Shiraz 1997 - darker, thicker n more profound than their 2002 despite of the 5 extra year. Bloody excellent.
Rant: I clearly missed Sparky Marquis.
Tasted with Reid Boswald.
Kaesler Sem. 2002 - Not the vicose, bee-wax style I like fr Barossa. This is more Hunter like. According to Reid it's influenced by his early stint at Tyrell.
Kaesler O'Vines Cabernet 2002 - As a wine excellent, as a Cab, it lacked typicity.
Kaesler Avignon GSM 2002 - Big ripe fruit bomb. Delicious.
Kaesler O'Vines 2002 - Excellent+. The best O'Vines yet.
Kaesler O'Bastard 2002 - A more refined O'Bastard. Quality wise, only marginal fr O'Vines. For $165, it's not in the W.B. Platinum territory. The smart money will go for the O'Vines.
Fox Creek.
Sau.Blanc/ Sem. 2002 - Too ripe. No backbone.
Fox Creek JSM 2001 - a lil' austere compared with their presvious JSM
Fox Creek JSM 1998 - singing beautifully.
Duet Cab/Mer. 2002 - decent wine, not exciting.
Fox Creek Resv. Shiraz 2002 - good but not inspiring next to their next wine.
Fox Creek Resv.Shiraz 1997 - darker, thicker n more profound than their 2002 despite of the 5 extra year. Bloody excellent.
Rant: I clearly missed Sparky Marquis.
2004 Turkey Flat Rose’ (Stelvin): Deep, clear dark pink/red/purple. A beautifully perfumed and sweet nose of raspberry, tropicals musk and Turkish delight, that all flow on to the palate, which is fruity, crisp, dry and refreshing. This is a fantastic spring/summer picnic wine.
1998 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz: Medium to heavy crusting/sludge; decanting recommended. Dark, inky crimson with purple on the rim. A closed nose at first, with underlying vanilla, blackberry and mint well hidden under the surface. The palate features an aggressive attack of acid, brambly fruit, and tannin; the fruit seems to come in waves, with green/minty blackberry and chocolate, finishing slightly green with a long, chalky finish, and chocolate/oak on the aftertaste. The wine hadn’t changed much after 3 nights in the fridge, so I forced the issue on the final day by leaving it at room temperature while I was at work. The nose was very savoury, with some fish sauce, leather and vegetal/horsey characters; the palate was softer but still spicy, with some liquorice on the finish and retaining it’s good length. This was always a very closed and savoury wine, but it’s still hard to get a grasp on where this vintage is going.
1998 Alcatraz Vineyard Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot: No crusting. Dark red/crimson colour. An amazingly sweet nose, with cocoa/dark chocolate, black cherries, some dried herbs and coconut, water-based house paint, and a hint of mushroom. The sweet characters all flow on to the velvety palate, which is medium weight and very inviting. Mitchells of Clare made this wine, and its disarming sweetness has a lot in common with the 1996 Peppertree Shiraz; it’s kind of like an adult version of a Cherry Ripe!
1996 Yalumba Reserve Clare Valley Shiraz: Little/no crusting. Dark, clear blood- red, with a hint of purple on the rim. The complex nose reflects that Waninga Vineyard Shiraz plus extended time in air-dried French oak working at their best; smoke, biscuit dough, sweet blackberry and a bare hint of barnyard and tomato. The mid-weight palate starts with a flood of rich, velvety black cherry/blackberry fruit entwined by a pixel-fine tannin structure providing sustain. It’s a pity that Yalumba don’t have access to the fruit for this wine any more – I only hope that McWilliams manages this resource as masterfully.
Cheers,
Ian
1998 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz: Medium to heavy crusting/sludge; decanting recommended. Dark, inky crimson with purple on the rim. A closed nose at first, with underlying vanilla, blackberry and mint well hidden under the surface. The palate features an aggressive attack of acid, brambly fruit, and tannin; the fruit seems to come in waves, with green/minty blackberry and chocolate, finishing slightly green with a long, chalky finish, and chocolate/oak on the aftertaste. The wine hadn’t changed much after 3 nights in the fridge, so I forced the issue on the final day by leaving it at room temperature while I was at work. The nose was very savoury, with some fish sauce, leather and vegetal/horsey characters; the palate was softer but still spicy, with some liquorice on the finish and retaining it’s good length. This was always a very closed and savoury wine, but it’s still hard to get a grasp on where this vintage is going.
1998 Alcatraz Vineyard Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot: No crusting. Dark red/crimson colour. An amazingly sweet nose, with cocoa/dark chocolate, black cherries, some dried herbs and coconut, water-based house paint, and a hint of mushroom. The sweet characters all flow on to the velvety palate, which is medium weight and very inviting. Mitchells of Clare made this wine, and its disarming sweetness has a lot in common with the 1996 Peppertree Shiraz; it’s kind of like an adult version of a Cherry Ripe!
1996 Yalumba Reserve Clare Valley Shiraz: Little/no crusting. Dark, clear blood- red, with a hint of purple on the rim. The complex nose reflects that Waninga Vineyard Shiraz plus extended time in air-dried French oak working at their best; smoke, biscuit dough, sweet blackberry and a bare hint of barnyard and tomato. The mid-weight palate starts with a flood of rich, velvety black cherry/blackberry fruit entwined by a pixel-fine tannin structure providing sustain. It’s a pity that Yalumba don’t have access to the fruit for this wine any more – I only hope that McWilliams manages this resource as masterfully.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Dear Enforcer,
Stop torturing that poor 1998 Bin 28 from Penfolds. It's quite a good wine actually but it's sleeping right now. It should only be open 2006 onwards.
I can hear that wine snoring.
No wonder it's not better after your fridge treatment. Incidentally, I had one open on release (when it was still warm weather in Sydney) and I too put it in the fridge but it became steely in taste and the oak showed really grainy.
This wine is quite brilliant so force yourself to try it again in winter 1996.
Cheers,
Attila
Stop torturing that poor 1998 Bin 28 from Penfolds. It's quite a good wine actually but it's sleeping right now. It should only be open 2006 onwards.
I can hear that wine snoring.
No wonder it's not better after your fridge treatment. Incidentally, I had one open on release (when it was still warm weather in Sydney) and I too put it in the fridge but it became steely in taste and the oak showed really grainy.
This wine is quite brilliant so force yourself to try it again in winter 1996.
Cheers,
Attila
Cabs!
Went to a large tasting of assorted cabernet based wines last Monday, courtesy of BWS Claremont, at the very old-fashioned-club-like Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club rooms (though the large function room we were in at the back didn't have as much wood panelling as the bar and smaller meeting rooms...)
Standouts were the
2000 Leeuwin Estate in both Prelude and Art Series guises. The Art series is so much more approachable on release than the last time I tried one a few years back. Definitly a step up between to two, but the Prelude was still very good.
2002 Ringbolt Damn fine red.
2000 Redman Cabernet Merlot Very good
2002 Bowen Estate
Very good were
Sinclair Wines 2001 Jezabel, 2002 Yalumba Mawsons, 2001 Vasse Felix Cab Merlot and 2002 Taylors
Also good were
2002 Lenton Brae Cab Merlot, 2001 Clairault Cab Merlot, 2002 Goundrey reserve, 2001 Wynns Black label (should improve a lot with age), 2002 Annie's Lane, 2002 Shelmerdine, 2002 Reschke Vitulus, 2002 Heartland
Standouts were the
2000 Leeuwin Estate in both Prelude and Art Series guises. The Art series is so much more approachable on release than the last time I tried one a few years back. Definitly a step up between to two, but the Prelude was still very good.
2002 Ringbolt Damn fine red.
2000 Redman Cabernet Merlot Very good
2002 Bowen Estate
Very good were
Sinclair Wines 2001 Jezabel, 2002 Yalumba Mawsons, 2001 Vasse Felix Cab Merlot and 2002 Taylors
Also good were
2002 Lenton Brae Cab Merlot, 2001 Clairault Cab Merlot, 2002 Goundrey reserve, 2001 Wynns Black label (should improve a lot with age), 2002 Annie's Lane, 2002 Shelmerdine, 2002 Reschke Vitulus, 2002 Heartland
Gavin's Picks!
http://www.auswine.com.au/page.asp?PageID=1064
http://www.auswine.com.au/page.asp?PageID=1064
Arcadia NV Brut Central Otago NZ ($29) : Quite rich. Good.
2004 Jacobs Creek Shiraz Rose : I was hoping a mammoth producer with economies of scale could produce an interesting rose at a low price but it seems they cannot.
2002 Mitchell Growers Semillon Clare Valley : Very good semillon. Real wine at a very fair price ( under $20 ).
1989 Heemskerk Tasmania Pinot Noir : surprisingly dry and GOOD ! Just when I thought I had Oz Pinot pinned down as obvious and too " sweet " !
1995 Penfold's Clare Estate : enjoyable with Beef. the oak treatment seems to have been greater than was needed for the modest fruit but I liked this Merlot etc wine anyway ...this is no longer made but is still better than most recent additions to the Penfold's stable
1993 Chateau Cissac Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois : Gosh I like this style ( ie Red Bordeaux ) - yes from a weak vintage and at a high level is rather short and lacks fruit depth BUT I love those refreshing tannins and clean farewell and had it with a nice Dinner whilst not trying to compare it with any other vintage or indeed any other types of wine. It's pleasing to realise what you like and to not be influenced too much anymore by people who say Bordeaux is only any good in great years blah blah blah...
2004 Jacobs Creek Shiraz Rose : I was hoping a mammoth producer with economies of scale could produce an interesting rose at a low price but it seems they cannot.
2002 Mitchell Growers Semillon Clare Valley : Very good semillon. Real wine at a very fair price ( under $20 ).
1989 Heemskerk Tasmania Pinot Noir : surprisingly dry and GOOD ! Just when I thought I had Oz Pinot pinned down as obvious and too " sweet " !
1995 Penfold's Clare Estate : enjoyable with Beef. the oak treatment seems to have been greater than was needed for the modest fruit but I liked this Merlot etc wine anyway ...this is no longer made but is still better than most recent additions to the Penfold's stable
1993 Chateau Cissac Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois : Gosh I like this style ( ie Red Bordeaux ) - yes from a weak vintage and at a high level is rather short and lacks fruit depth BUT I love those refreshing tannins and clean farewell and had it with a nice Dinner whilst not trying to compare it with any other vintage or indeed any other types of wine. It's pleasing to realise what you like and to not be influenced too much anymore by people who say Bordeaux is only any good in great years blah blah blah...
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Escaped Hong Kong, for a weekend in Borneo. Plentiful seafood and Tiger Beer. But, to my surprise, Borneo is awash with premium Australian wine. Dalwhinnie Eagle at the local supermarket and as much 02 Dead Arm as you want. It was all there!
Kilikanoon Mort's Block Riesling 01- Pale, yellow green. Varietal nose with a hint of smoke amongst the lemon-lime fragrance, broad citrus-lime palate flavours of good weight, building toward a finish more tangy than clean. Good flavour persistance.
Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2000- The slightly savoury nature, and elegance of this Heathcote shiraz, matched beautifully with barbequed Kinabalu lobster by the kilo.
Kilikanoon Mort's Block Riesling 01- Pale, yellow green. Varietal nose with a hint of smoke amongst the lemon-lime fragrance, broad citrus-lime palate flavours of good weight, building toward a finish more tangy than clean. Good flavour persistance.
Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2000- The slightly savoury nature, and elegance of this Heathcote shiraz, matched beautifully with barbequed Kinabalu lobster by the kilo.
Last edited by JamieBahrain on Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
Haselgrove Futures Shiraz 1994 well-cellared, equivalent standard to the Reserve or H-series shiraz- full on, big warm climate aged varietal shiraz, blackberry, salted licorice, strong character of crushed ants/aniseed; on its plateau, ample proportions of everything: fruit, tannins, oak, acidity. Meal-in-a-glass.
Yalumba Old Sweet White (375 ml, $16) very much in the Rutherglen Grand Tokay style, hints of parmesan cheese, high quality furniture polish, fermenting figs; loved it! Heavy, very sweet, very very long.
Diamond Valley Estate Pinot 1991 - bought at auction, remarkable wine, clearly of excellent provenance; full of life and burgundian complexities, foresty fruit quite evident; half bottle kept in the fridge showed even better next day!
Lindemans Reserve Bin 8650 semillon 1995 - on opening, flabby, over-developed, some strange sulphury aftertaste - but within an hour, a miraculous transformation took place! - acidity and fruit appeared, a gorgeous aged semillon with lanolin & buttered toast & lots of zest, just as good the next day, with a lovely slippery mouthfeel.
Yalumba Old Sweet White (375 ml, $16) very much in the Rutherglen Grand Tokay style, hints of parmesan cheese, high quality furniture polish, fermenting figs; loved it! Heavy, very sweet, very very long.
Diamond Valley Estate Pinot 1991 - bought at auction, remarkable wine, clearly of excellent provenance; full of life and burgundian complexities, foresty fruit quite evident; half bottle kept in the fridge showed even better next day!
Lindemans Reserve Bin 8650 semillon 1995 - on opening, flabby, over-developed, some strange sulphury aftertaste - but within an hour, a miraculous transformation took place! - acidity and fruit appeared, a gorgeous aged semillon with lanolin & buttered toast & lots of zest, just as good the next day, with a lovely slippery mouthfeel.
Barossa Vale Wines Gibson Shiraz 2002
Wow and wow again for this one. Fruit and chocolate mocha just unfolded for a couple of hours after opening.
Brokenwood Graveyard 2000
This was a test run to check out the vintage. Put yours away and do not look at them for many years. You will be well rewarded with this after 2010 +.
Petersons Wines Mudgee Merlot 2000
You know how sometimes you look at a bottle in your cellar and say “Why did I buy this?†Well according to the cellar listing I did purchase this from the cellar door in the Hunter on Jan 1 2002. I must have liked it then and I loved it 33 months later. An absolutely beautiful example of a Merlot.
West Cape Howe Cabernet 2000
Good but not great example of the Great Southern Cabernet.
Old Station Vineyard Fire Block Shiraz 2002
This was really too sweet for me. Seemed like a wine made for the US market. By the end of the night it had leveled out and was OK to drink.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet 2000
Consumed on the same night as the Old Station and drank very well after a couple of hours in the decanting wine vase (Carafe). Still lots of time left but I donÂ’t think it will improve much more.
Graham
Wow and wow again for this one. Fruit and chocolate mocha just unfolded for a couple of hours after opening.
Brokenwood Graveyard 2000
This was a test run to check out the vintage. Put yours away and do not look at them for many years. You will be well rewarded with this after 2010 +.
Petersons Wines Mudgee Merlot 2000
You know how sometimes you look at a bottle in your cellar and say “Why did I buy this?†Well according to the cellar listing I did purchase this from the cellar door in the Hunter on Jan 1 2002. I must have liked it then and I loved it 33 months later. An absolutely beautiful example of a Merlot.
West Cape Howe Cabernet 2000
Good but not great example of the Great Southern Cabernet.
Old Station Vineyard Fire Block Shiraz 2002
This was really too sweet for me. Seemed like a wine made for the US market. By the end of the night it had leveled out and was OK to drink.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet 2000
Consumed on the same night as the Old Station and drank very well after a couple of hours in the decanting wine vase (Carafe). Still lots of time left but I donÂ’t think it will improve much more.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
A wine I purchased recently for $38 as an experimental taster;
2000 Chateau Canon de Brem (Canon Fronsac)
A dark purple colour, but not hugely opaque, this showed a restrained nose of ripe berry/blackcurrant fruit, with soft underlying oak. The palate is quite soft - tannins are fine-grained and not particularly aggressive, acid is also soft. It tastes ripe, certainly, and I find the palate balance (front, middle, back) much better many local wines at similar price levels, but a little bit more fruit wouldn't have gone astray. Blending a bit of Barossa cabernet into this (02 Mamre Brook for instance) would probably produce a wine better than either wine separately! But for $38, I would expect better length of finish, which I find to fade away quickly. Second half of bottle remains in fridge to drink tonight.
Also, by way of interest, I broached another 1998 Hardy's Tintara Shiraz (McLaren Vale) which tasted similar to previous examples (stewed, disjoined short). A remaining sealed half bottle then spent a week in the refrigerator and emerged much the better for tasting last Friday night I thought. It had developed a velvety mouthfeel much lacking earlier, and the sweet fruit sang much better. Tannins are still very soft - I'm remain unconvinced it's going to improve much with further cellaring; rather I think it's a wine that simply needs plenty of oxygen to show its best.
cheers,
Graeme
2000 Chateau Canon de Brem (Canon Fronsac)
A dark purple colour, but not hugely opaque, this showed a restrained nose of ripe berry/blackcurrant fruit, with soft underlying oak. The palate is quite soft - tannins are fine-grained and not particularly aggressive, acid is also soft. It tastes ripe, certainly, and I find the palate balance (front, middle, back) much better many local wines at similar price levels, but a little bit more fruit wouldn't have gone astray. Blending a bit of Barossa cabernet into this (02 Mamre Brook for instance) would probably produce a wine better than either wine separately! But for $38, I would expect better length of finish, which I find to fade away quickly. Second half of bottle remains in fridge to drink tonight.
Also, by way of interest, I broached another 1998 Hardy's Tintara Shiraz (McLaren Vale) which tasted similar to previous examples (stewed, disjoined short). A remaining sealed half bottle then spent a week in the refrigerator and emerged much the better for tasting last Friday night I thought. It had developed a velvety mouthfeel much lacking earlier, and the sweet fruit sang much better. Tannins are still very soft - I'm remain unconvinced it's going to improve much with further cellaring; rather I think it's a wine that simply needs plenty of oxygen to show its best.
cheers,
Graeme
Hi there everyone,
I stumbled across this site last week and it's a beauty. So I guess this would be my first post then.
Last week I had a bit of a '96 vintage thing going, and had three pretty good bottles from the cellar.
First up was a 1996 Henschke Green's Hill Riesling I drank this one over two nights, and on the first tasting it didn't impress all that much. Obviously, the primary fruit flavours were long gone, but they hadn't seemed to be replaced by a lot of secondary action. Pleasant enough, but in a forgettable way.
On the second night, however, it was a different story. Some really lovely toasty, honeyed-fruit on the nose and palate, with a very pleasing complexity. Hints of the young wine it once was were there, giving a terrific balance to this wine. Went down a treat with a chicken and leek pie.
So if any of you have some stashed away, I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to drink them. I reckon they've got a few years still to go.
Also had a 1996 Mount Mary Pinot and this was like a girl who sidled up to you at a party, gently touched you on the bum and whispered something really naughty in your ear. And by the time you turned around to reciprocate, she was gone.
Ethereal, beautifully structured and in the prime of its life (at least according to my palate). Very light in colour, but with bright cherry fruit and undergrowth aromas rising up out of the glass. Hit really nicely on the front/mid and back palate with beautifully balanced tannins, acid and fruit.
Pretty hard to describe a good pinot, so I won't really try much further. But I had this with a rack of lamb (just a little garlic and rosemary) and it made us both smile all the way through.
Next up was a 1996 Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz which was nothing like the girl above. This one grabbed you by the arm and dragged you to her room. All she was wearing was an overcoat and sexy underwear, so I'm not complaining.
I stopped buying JH after the 97 vintage because of the price and also silly alcohol levels of 15.5% and rising. But I'm mighty glad I got some of the 96. Amazing decadent fruit with beautifully judged oak. Tannins weren't too much to handle at all. If ever a wine can be both subtle and in-your-face, this would be it. We had it with a nice steak, but it's the kind of wine that pretty much takes over the meal (not always a good thing, but when a wine's this good, why the hell not).
I'm sure this wine will continue to do some interesting things in bottle over the next several years, but it's pretty tempting to drink them all now. I'm still not convinced that in time the alcohol won't dominate a little too much. But right now, everything's in harmony and a joy to behold.
Oh, I also had a 2002 Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz and was really disappointed. It just seemed simple and obvious, with little of the complexity (relative to the price) I've come to expect from this wine. Is it because of less time on lees, or because it's younger than the wines normally released under this label?
Either way, I'm glad I stocked up on the '98s.
That's it. And once again, this is a pretty cool site. I'll be back for more.
I stumbled across this site last week and it's a beauty. So I guess this would be my first post then.
Last week I had a bit of a '96 vintage thing going, and had three pretty good bottles from the cellar.
First up was a 1996 Henschke Green's Hill Riesling I drank this one over two nights, and on the first tasting it didn't impress all that much. Obviously, the primary fruit flavours were long gone, but they hadn't seemed to be replaced by a lot of secondary action. Pleasant enough, but in a forgettable way.
On the second night, however, it was a different story. Some really lovely toasty, honeyed-fruit on the nose and palate, with a very pleasing complexity. Hints of the young wine it once was were there, giving a terrific balance to this wine. Went down a treat with a chicken and leek pie.
So if any of you have some stashed away, I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to drink them. I reckon they've got a few years still to go.
Also had a 1996 Mount Mary Pinot and this was like a girl who sidled up to you at a party, gently touched you on the bum and whispered something really naughty in your ear. And by the time you turned around to reciprocate, she was gone.
Ethereal, beautifully structured and in the prime of its life (at least according to my palate). Very light in colour, but with bright cherry fruit and undergrowth aromas rising up out of the glass. Hit really nicely on the front/mid and back palate with beautifully balanced tannins, acid and fruit.
Pretty hard to describe a good pinot, so I won't really try much further. But I had this with a rack of lamb (just a little garlic and rosemary) and it made us both smile all the way through.
Next up was a 1996 Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz which was nothing like the girl above. This one grabbed you by the arm and dragged you to her room. All she was wearing was an overcoat and sexy underwear, so I'm not complaining.
I stopped buying JH after the 97 vintage because of the price and also silly alcohol levels of 15.5% and rising. But I'm mighty glad I got some of the 96. Amazing decadent fruit with beautifully judged oak. Tannins weren't too much to handle at all. If ever a wine can be both subtle and in-your-face, this would be it. We had it with a nice steak, but it's the kind of wine that pretty much takes over the meal (not always a good thing, but when a wine's this good, why the hell not).
I'm sure this wine will continue to do some interesting things in bottle over the next several years, but it's pretty tempting to drink them all now. I'm still not convinced that in time the alcohol won't dominate a little too much. But right now, everything's in harmony and a joy to behold.
Oh, I also had a 2002 Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz and was really disappointed. It just seemed simple and obvious, with little of the complexity (relative to the price) I've come to expect from this wine. Is it because of less time on lees, or because it's younger than the wines normally released under this label?
Either way, I'm glad I stocked up on the '98s.
That's it. And once again, this is a pretty cool site. I'll be back for more.
Dear Enforcer,
Stop torturing that poor 1998 Bin 28 from Penfolds. It's quite a good wine actually but it's sleeping right now. It should only be open 2006 onwards.
I can hear that wine snoring.
No wonder it's not better after your fridge treatment. Incidentally, I had one open on release (when it was still warm weather in Sydney) and I too put it in the fridge but it became steely in taste and the oak showed really grainy.
This wine is quite brilliant so force yourself to try it again in winter 1996.
Cheers,
Attila
Point taken - this Sadistic Playboy promises not to touch any of his remaining bottles for at least another 2 years. I'll move on to torturing something else instead!
And right now, I am tasting my way through a line up of 4 Kilikanoon reds to get a start on next weeks homework.
I'm interested to see your thoughts on these wines Ric. I tried the 2002 Killerman's Shiraz/Grenache, Killerman's Shiraz, Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Covenant & Oracle Shirazes at an in-store last week. I was only really impressed by the Blocks Road; the Covenant & the Oracle side-by-side gave me the impression they would have been better blended together to get the fruit sweetness of the Oracle, and the layered structure of the Covenant. I wasn't impressed with the Killerman's reds at all.
Cheers
Ian
Last edited by n4sir on Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Welcome Yarra.
The 98 Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz was disappointing on immediate release- simple and juicy-ripe. It settled down quickly to become the gem it is.
I am hoping for similar with the 02. Of which I had a bottle recently and agree with you.
Southcorp accountants should hang from lamp posts if they bugger this label!
The 98 Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz was disappointing on immediate release- simple and juicy-ripe. It settled down quickly to become the gem it is.
I am hoping for similar with the 02. Of which I had a bottle recently and agree with you.
Southcorp accountants should hang from lamp posts if they bugger this label!
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Last night, with a chicken roast, I pulled a 2002 Noons cleanskin. Wandered into the cellar and looked around and wasn't really sure what I wanted to drink. I looked at the pile of Noon's cleanskins and contemplated them, having just placed my annual order, and then looked at the alcohol on the 2002 at 16% and thought 'nah' as I had a friend over for dinner that had to drive home. Did another lap of the cellar and came back to it and thought, 'what the hell - time to check out how they are travelling'
Brought it upstairs and it was a little musty on opening but that was mainly around the top of the cork. Poured out a couple of glasses and a deep red with purple tinges liquid came out. No worries with it being corked at all.
We sat down with the wine and a lovely full bouquet was revealed. Lots of fruits and berries. Once in the mouth, there was more berries, plums and maybe even a trace of apple, strangely enough. This is very full bodied and more than a mouthful. I was kind of thinking meat pie while I was drinking this. It really was a meal in itself. Very long complex finish too. There is a slight astringency with the alcohol which stops you from having big gulps and try to sip it more. It's a little bit porty like that but totally delicious.
I was very impressed with this wine and still have most of the dozen left. I have Noon's back to 99 but haven't tasted any of the labelled bottles as yet. Finding the 02 cleanskin drinking so well is making me want to rip into them all.
My dinner guest was asking if it was a cleanskin and wanting to know where she could get some. I expained the sad story of the rarity of the wine and the closed mailing list much to her dismay.
So if you were lucky enough to get any of this, get into it. It's brilliant right now but I can see it still improving over the next few years. Best valued wine I've ever bought at $90 a case from memory.
Also, congrats, Craig , on your ten years. Sounded like a good party.
And George, interested in your notes on the Rockford Alicante and Cabernet if you open those soon. I've ordered both and certainly the Alicante will get a thrashing over summer but might wait on the cab.
Brought it upstairs and it was a little musty on opening but that was mainly around the top of the cork. Poured out a couple of glasses and a deep red with purple tinges liquid came out. No worries with it being corked at all.
We sat down with the wine and a lovely full bouquet was revealed. Lots of fruits and berries. Once in the mouth, there was more berries, plums and maybe even a trace of apple, strangely enough. This is very full bodied and more than a mouthful. I was kind of thinking meat pie while I was drinking this. It really was a meal in itself. Very long complex finish too. There is a slight astringency with the alcohol which stops you from having big gulps and try to sip it more. It's a little bit porty like that but totally delicious.
I was very impressed with this wine and still have most of the dozen left. I have Noon's back to 99 but haven't tasted any of the labelled bottles as yet. Finding the 02 cleanskin drinking so well is making me want to rip into them all.
My dinner guest was asking if it was a cleanskin and wanting to know where she could get some. I expained the sad story of the rarity of the wine and the closed mailing list much to her dismay.
So if you were lucky enough to get any of this, get into it. It's brilliant right now but I can see it still improving over the next few years. Best valued wine I've ever bought at $90 a case from memory.
Also, congrats, Craig , on your ten years. Sounded like a good party.
And George, interested in your notes on the Rockford Alicante and Cabernet if you open those soon. I've ordered both and certainly the Alicante will get a thrashing over summer but might wait on the cab.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
-
meshach
Cape mentelle Zinfandel 1999 (15% alc): wiped out 1/2 bottle on my own, black purple red, very slight browning at edges, fruitcake nose, rich and coconutty, very obvious US initially but toned down after some breathing, on the palate also fruitcake and quite porty, personally i don't mind this kind of porty and brandied style, but i think many people may take offence, in any case, can't drink too much of this kind, rich intense but quite simple....
Pol Gessner Champagne NV: for the price, an absolute bargain. this has been my regular champagne and so far every bottle had (approx 9-10 bottles so far) has been exemplary and very very good qpr... pale golden, very fizzy and big bubbles, rich yeasty nose, relatively rich on palate, apples and lemon, good finish. can't ask for more for a $30 champagne.... had this with homemade noodles (made from a dough of flour, salt, oil and water) cooked in a rich savoury broth comprising pork & prawns with dried anchovy stock - delicious....
Pol Gessner Champagne NV: for the price, an absolute bargain. this has been my regular champagne and so far every bottle had (approx 9-10 bottles so far) has been exemplary and very very good qpr... pale golden, very fizzy and big bubbles, rich yeasty nose, relatively rich on palate, apples and lemon, good finish. can't ask for more for a $30 champagne.... had this with homemade noodles (made from a dough of flour, salt, oil and water) cooked in a rich savoury broth comprising pork & prawns with dried anchovy stock - delicious....
Hi,
Its been a fairly light week, after the big Bathurst Sunday.
98 Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz.
Seems to have gone into a really reductive stage, and I couldnt drink it.
It cook be a funny bottle, but it wasnt corked. Down the sink.
96 Tattachilla Foundation.
I love this wine. Its coming to the end of its life. A little bit reductive, but still bloody good.
97 Tattachilla Foundation.
Not as good as the 96, but still drinking fine. If you have any, I would drink in the next year.
97 Charles Melton Shiraz
This wine tastes like a mob of Vinegar Flies landed in the bottle. Could just handle a couple of glasses with a steak, but the half bottle left the next day was undrinkable. Could be just this bottle.
96 Ebenezer Shiraz.
A good well made Barossa Shiraz. Drinking well now.
Its been a fairly light week, after the big Bathurst Sunday.
98 Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz.
Seems to have gone into a really reductive stage, and I couldnt drink it.
It cook be a funny bottle, but it wasnt corked. Down the sink.
96 Tattachilla Foundation.
I love this wine. Its coming to the end of its life. A little bit reductive, but still bloody good.
97 Tattachilla Foundation.
Not as good as the 96, but still drinking fine. If you have any, I would drink in the next year.
97 Charles Melton Shiraz
This wine tastes like a mob of Vinegar Flies landed in the bottle. Could just handle a couple of glasses with a steak, but the half bottle left the next day was undrinkable. Could be just this bottle.
96 Ebenezer Shiraz.
A good well made Barossa Shiraz. Drinking well now.
-
KMP
- Posts: 1246
- Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:02 am
- Location: Expat, now in San Diego, California
- Contact:
Opened up a 375 ml bottle of 2002 dÂ’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier and found it was corked. That must be four out of the last five bottles opened at home that have been tainted in some way or another, so I've given up drinking wine! Well, at least until I can get a corkscrew into another cork tonight.
Mike
Mike
Bruce wrote:98 Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz.
Seems to have gone into a really reductive stage, and I couldnt drink it.
It cook be a funny bottle, but it wasnt corked. Down the sink.
Hi Bruce,
I think this wine could be past its peak. I picked it as an early drinker and had the last one about a year ago.