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

[Dragzworthy]

2001 Chateau Larmande.
Wasn't sure whether or not to decant this bad boy. Took it to a friends house and opened it up, the nose suggest a decant but a first sip led us to believe it would fall apart. Delicious, black fruit (though had definitely dulled) - blackberries, plums and licorice. Drinking well right now but I wouldn't keep it beyond another year.

[JamieBahrain]

The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2003- Seemed to be grapes picked early in a super hot vintage. Ripe, jammy with melted licorice notes dominating though overtones were menthol, cough-medicine like. Long and sweet fruited. Will hold in its present form for some while.

86pts

[michel]

The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2003- Seemed to be grapes picked early in a super hot vintage. Ripe, jammy with melted licorice notes dominating though overtones were menthol, cough-medicine like. Long and sweet fruited. Will hold in its present form for some while.

86pts

Sounds like the Nyal decongestant cough mixture my mum gave me as a child
You could have a tablespoon each night before bed

[Gavin Trott]

The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2003- Seemed to be grapes picked early in a super hot vintage. Ripe, jammy with melted licorice notes dominating though overtones were menthol, cough-medicine like. Long and sweet fruited. Will hold in its present form for some while.

86pts

Jamie, do you have any other Willows Shiraz? In the Barossa's cooler years, these are really lovely, subtle, elegant wines with about 10 or more years on them.

Understated when young, they age slowly and subtly.

Recently loved a 1996 at about 15 years of age, superbly subtle classy wine.

2003 .... tough tough year!

.

[Luke W]

1999 Seppelt Dorrien Cabernet Sauvignon - lovely wine reaching it's majority in style.
2012 Teusner Joshua - proof that u don't need oak in a red wine to have a good time - in your face clean well balanced fruit bomb.

[JamieBahrain]

The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2003- Seemed to be grapes picked early in a super hot vintage. Ripe, jammy with melted licorice notes dominating though overtones were menthol, cough-medicine like. Long and sweet fruited. Will hold in its present form for some while.

86pts

Jamie, do you have any other Willows Shiraz? In the Barossa's cooler years, these are really lovely, subtle, elegant wines with about 10 or more years on them.

Understated when young, they age slowly and subtly.

Recently loved a 1996 at about 15 years of age, superbly subtle classy wine.

2003 .... tough tough year!

.

Hi Gavin

Yes, I have a bit of experience with the Willows, from the glory days of the 90's in the Barossa, which drew me to Bonesetter. 2002 Bonesetter can be very good though variation 50%- cork and a peculiar caramello koala effect on some bottles which I'm not sure what the cause is.

[andyled]

Were drinking a 1993 Penfolds Grange. I plan to decant it around 4.30pm to give it 3 hours to breath. Does anybody have any views as to whether it should be decanted any earlier or later than this?
Andy

[TiggerK]

Were drinking a 1993 Penfolds Grange. I plan to decant it around 4.30pm to give it 3 hours to breath. Does anybody have any views as to whether it should be decanted any earlier or later than this?
Andy

Hi Andy and welcome to the forum!

Different bottles will show differently, depends on cork and how it's been stored. It may not even need much time at all, or any. Open it, pour a bit, see what you think. If you love it, I'd not decant it at all, but just leave the cork out and keep it cool if possible, serve around 16-18C. If you think it's a bit shy, then yeah, 3 hours should be fine, probably no less though.

Here's my answer to a similar question recently if it helps.... I suspect 93 will be a 'lighter', less dense vintage than 99.

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15341

Let us know how it goes?

Cheers
TiggerK

[andyled]

Thanks for the informative response. We opened a similar bottle three years ago and I felt 6 hours was a little to long. It will definitly have to be decanted to deal with sedimentation. Pouring direct from the bottle is a little like russian roulette. I will be delighted to let you know how it goes.
Andy

[andyled]

Report: It had cellared well. There was a heavy coarse sediment and a much finer grainy sediment. Careful decanting was required. Possibly a slightly steadier hand on the bottle whilst decanting would have helped. 3 hours worked nicely. It drank really well, pretty much what I expected from previous bottles. I would agree with your comment 'lighter, less dense'. A very agreeable bottle of wine. We prepared slow roast lamb with carrots, green beans, and potatoes to accompany the wine.

We are off to South Australia next week for 7 days. Barossa, Claire Valley, day off, McClaren Vale, Langhorn Creek, Padthway and Coonawara.
Andy

[Hacker]

I got so excited last night when I opened a random six pack of wine and I saw what I thought was a forgotten previous amazing purchase, but turned out to be an Aussie pinot of medium quality. You can see from the photo why my heart skipped a few beats....

[maybs]

Haha Dave you must have felt you won the lottery for a second.

A few over the last week or so

2012 Pierro Chardonnay

Complex nose of peach, stonefruit, lemon, and buttery oak. Flavour profile matches the nose pretty well, less citrus zing and more buttery richness, though well balanced with acid. The oak is less prominent than when I last tasted this wine about 2 years ago, but still a little too heavy for me. The wine has time on its side and I am hoping it will integrate further, though would prefer it to be more balanced by now. All in all however a very high quality Chardonnay, especially if you like a slightly riper/richer type. Almost worth opening just for the nose.

2015 Flametree SRS Chardonnay

Super crisp, acidic, chalky, flinty, citrusy Chardonnay. Still quite rich but in a very precise way, not an ounce of flab. Not what I was expecting from a Margaret River wine. Tasty, but feel it will get better after settling down in bottle for a few years.

2004 Moët et Chandon Grand Vintage

This drinking, surprisingly, quite well. Have had definite bottle variation as have had a few that felt tired and flabby, but this was a little toasty, yeasty, rich but still clean and fresh. Actually felt like it had plenty of life ahead. Quite tasty and most welcome.

2011 Freycinet Pinot Noir

Dark brooding cherry, pepper, medium bodied but rich, definitely a fuller bodied Pinot. Quite enjoyable. Tough vintage and a good result considering, but not their best.

2010 Paolo Scavino Barolo

Decent barolo, considering there were quite a few getting around at auction in Australia last year at a very reasonable price. Elegant but restrained nose, even after 2 hours in the decanter. Nice fruit, still too tannic but in a pleasant neb kind of way. Tasty and moreish.

[Willard]

2011 Freycinet Pinot Noir

Dark brooding cherry, pepper, medium bodied but rich, definitely a fuller bodied Pinot. Quite enjoyable. Tough vintage and a good result considering, but not their best.

Hi Maybs,

Have you tried the '09? I haven't tried other vintages but have a single of the '09 that I bought at the cellar door a few years ago, pondering when to open it.

The impression I get from other notes/comments is that they are fairly long-lived (in an Aust PN context), wondering your thoughts?

Will

[dave vino]

I got so excited last night when I opened a random six pack of wine and I saw what I thought was a forgotten previous amazing purchase, but turned out to be an Aussie pinot of medium quality. You can see from the photo why my heart skipped a few beats....

That's a bit harsh Dave I reckon Mayer is a very capable wine, not Rousseau Chambertin by any means but not too many wines are.

[maybs]

I got so excited last night when I opened a random six pack of wine and I saw what I thought was a forgotten previous amazing purchase, but turned out to be an Aussie pinot of medium quality. You can see from the photo why my heart skipped a few beats....

That's a bit harsh Dave I reckon Mayer is a very capable wine, not Rousseau Chambertin by any means but not too many wines are.

Haha I was thinking the same thing!

Willard, I haven't tried the 2009 but I think it was a pretty decent vintage for them. I would say these wines, in a decent vintage, would comfortably go 8-10 years, perhaps more. I guess it depends how you like your pinot, younger or older. For me, I would be looking to open it now, I feel like in an aussie pinot like this you should get the best of both worlds, still some nice fruit but good secondary characteristics too. Just a guess though really. IMO better to open too young than too old anyway. Will look forward to a note at some stage!

[Hacker]

I got so excited last night when I opened a random six pack of wine and I saw what I thought was a forgotten previous amazing purchase, but turned out to be an Aussie pinot of medium quality. You can see from the photo why my heart skipped a few beats....

That's a bit harsh Dave I reckon Mayer is a very capable wine, not Rousseau Chambertin by any means but not too many wines are.

Haha I was thinking the same thing!

The post was partly in fun.
But, the Mayer just didn't float my boat. Maybe too young, so I will reserve my judgement for another time.

[maybs]

That's a bit harsh Dave I reckon Mayer is a very capable wine, not Rousseau Chambertin by any means but not too many wines are.

Haha I was thinking the same thing!

The post was partly in fun.
But, the Mayer just didn't float my boat. Maybe too young, so I will reserve my judgement for another time.

He does a pretty good Syrah too IMO

[Willard]

Willard, I haven't tried the 2009 but I think it was a pretty decent vintage for them. I would say these wines, in a decent vintage, would comfortably go 8-10 years, perhaps more. I guess it depends how you like your pinot, younger or older. For me, I would be looking to open it now, I feel like in an aussie pinot like this you should get the best of both worlds, still some nice fruit but good secondary characteristics too. Just a guess though really. IMO better to open too young than too old anyway. Will look forward to a note at some stage!

Thanks Maybs, think you're right, reckon I'll open it in not too long.

Will

[Chuck]

A few nights ago with some os guests we opened a Lindemans 1997 Limestone Ridge Coonwarra Cabernet Shiraz (Magnum). Not a great vintage but the wine held up pretty well and was clearly from Coonawarra. Oak was now in balance and it was enjoyed by all. Still a few years left but I wouldn't wait any longer than 3 years particularly if in a standard bottle size (750ml) which tend to age faster than mangums.

Carl

[Hunter]

Gertie cabernet franc 2016

Closed nose not showing too much, anise and a little heat, very cloudy like someone mentioned here. Strange.. awesome colour almost a fluro red. Sweet red fruits current, strawberry. Fine furry tannin. Good drive and mouth feel. Absolute bargain.
Nothing green about it. Like some C.F

[Redback]

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra

Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and definitely my last. I purchased this on release for less than $18 and I think that current releases are around the $50 mark. Certainly better alternatives in the Coonawarra and elsewhere for less than that price.

[rooman]

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra

Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and definitely my last. I purchased this on release for less than $18 and I think that current releases are around the $50 mark. Certainly better alternatives in the Coonawarra and elsewhere for less than that price.

Any chance of a hint re the vintage?

Mark

[Ian S]

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra

Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and definitely my last. I purchased this on release for less than $18 and I think that current releases are around the $50 mark. Certainly better alternatives in the Coonawarra and elsewhere for less than that price.

Any chance of a hint re the vintage?

Mark

Or we could guess

At the price and starting to tire, I'll guess 1998

[rooman]

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra

Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and definitely my last. I purchased this on release for less than $18 and I think that current releases are around the $50 mark. Certainly better alternatives in the Coonawarra and elsewhere for less than that price.

Any chance of a hint re the vintage?

Mark

Or we could guess

At the price and starting to tire, I'll guess 1998

Careful this could be the start of a new trend - posting reviews without vintages and just the price.

[Redback]

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra

Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and definitely my last. I purchased this on release for less than $18 and I think that current releases are around the $50 mark. Certainly better alternatives in the Coonawarra and elsewhere for less than that price.

Any chance of a hint re the vintage?

Mark

Or we could guess

At the price and starting to tire, I'll guess 1998

2004.

[rooman]

Any chance of a hint re the vintage?

Mark

Or we could guess

At the price and starting to tire, I'll guess 1998

2004.

No I think it's an earlier vintage. Probably 1996.

Mark

[TiggerK]

LOL, it's 2004, it was his post!

[Chuck]

Freycinet 2013 Tasmanian Pinot Noir. I don't get pinot (with the bank balance healthier for it) but wife liked this very much. One of the nicer pinots we have had. Light in colour with strawberry and raspberry flavours.

Carl

[rooman]

LOL, it's 2004, it was his post!

[Hacker]

2009 Jadot Cazetiers. My lordy lord, this is just delicious! Full, rich, slightly sweet (I have a sweet tooth) and complex. Years to go and I can understand why many would leave this a further 10 years to get more tertiary development. But I am one happy camper. Have to share with Mrs. Hacker though