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

[Hacker]

Followed the Jadot with a A-F Gros 2009 Vosne Romanee. So different to the Gevrey; more savoury and meaty/bloody but no less delicious. Family dropped over necessitating the extra bottle (thats my story anyway). My explaining the different terroir was met with

[Hunter]

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.

Heres one..

Can you guess what year it's ?

One of the clear wines of the vintage, the 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is a stunner. Rich and intense, yet also finely cut, the 2015 dazzles from the very first taste. A host of lemon confit, white peach and slate notes race across the palate. Remarkably fresh and vivid, the 2015 offers an alluring interplay of textural creaminess and energy. I imagine the 2015 will age effortlessly for decades, as these wines do. The 2015 is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, fermented in barrel, with blocked malo. Domaine de Chevalier's Blanc remains a reference point, perhaps the reference point, for dry white wine in Bordeaux. Don't miss it!
93-96 points
Antonio Galloni

[rooman]

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.

Heres one..

Can you guess what year it's ?

One of the clear wines of the vintage, the 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is a stunner. Rich and intense, yet also finely cut, the 2015 dazzles from the very first taste. A host of lemon confit, white peach and slate notes race across the palate. Remarkably fresh and vivid, the 2015 offers an alluring interplay of textural creaminess and energy. I imagine the 2015 will age effortlessly for decades, as these wines do. The 2015 is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, fermented in barrel, with blocked malo. Domaine de Chevalier's Blanc remains a reference point, perhaps the reference point, for dry white wine in Bordeaux. Don't miss it!
93-96 points
Antonio Galloni

Is it the 2011?

[Ian S]

2008 San Patrignano 'Avi' Riserva
Still very good depth of colour, with just a little bricking at the rim. On the nose, dark fruit, olive and meaty nose, backed by coffee and a little liqueur orange.

The palate still has plenty of structure and again dark fruit / black olive lead. The tannins aren't imposing, but are persistent and grainy textured. There is good acidity without being aggressive.

I reckon there is still significant improvement possible, though with food this is really very appetising. Indeed once the food had gone, the tannins showed through more, bringing more bitterness than you'd want in a drink without food. This could conceivably last/improve for another decade or two. Definitely the best vintage of this label I've tried (the 2010 in particular lacks this class).

Background - I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but even if I have, it's worthy of repetition. San Patrignano is a privately run/funded organisation (based near Rimini in Italy) aiming to assist drug addicts in ridding themselves of their addiction, but in addition they then provide training in a number of areas, including in this case, viticulture and viniculture. The wines vary from cheap to a similar price to (say) Wynns Black Label. This is arguably their top wine (and my favourite of those I've tried), but the Montepirolo is worth trying as well (Cabernet Sauvignon led blend). Consultancy is supplied by someone who I'm not always a fan of - Riccardo Cotarella, but I like how these wines are styled. I believe he provides his services for free.

I am in awe of how this community has been built up and maintained, shunning government offers of support in order to ensure they do what they need to do without political influence

There are some videos on youtube, including some in English, but this subtitled one appeals more than most https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2CcpaJ0H7c

I recall seeing one a few years ago, where the guy making cheese explained how his intense personality had driven him to drugs, but that through San Patrignano enabling him to immerse in cheese-making he was able to direct that intensity into this skill. Indeed it gave him the ability to not just make cheese, but to really push his horizons to pursue the aim of making great cheese

regards
Ian

[phillisc]

2012 Mildara Cabernet
I purchased 18 of these and have drunk 3. This is beautiful wine with nothing overdone and oozes absolute finesse. All sweet berries and savoury spice such a lovely palate that lingers. No mint like the famed 63 but under screwcap will go for decades. I paid $15 for these and should have looked at getting many more. The remaining bottles will be buried to become forgotten purchases in 10-20 years.
Cheers
Craig

[Redback]

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

Ha Ha, it was mine, though I like the idea of guessing the vintage. Last night, enjoyed a 2015 Henschke Peggys Hill Riesling. Normally Pewsey Vale is my "go to" mid week quaffer with Thai food, but this Rizza certainly hit the spot.

[Mike Hawkins]

2012 Mildara Cabernet
I purchased 18 of these and have drunk 3. This is beautiful wine with nothing overdone and oozes absolute finesse. All sweet berries and savoury spice such a lovely palate that lingers. No mint like the famed 63 but under screwcap will go for decades. I paid $15 for these and should have looked at getting many more. The remaining bottles will be buried to become forgotten purchases in 10-20 years.
Cheers
Craig

It's always been an under rated label

[Chuck]

2012 Mildara Cabernet
I purchased 18 of these and have drunk 3. This is beautiful wine with nothing overdone and oozes absolute finesse. All sweet berries and savoury spice such a lovely palate that lingers. No mint like the famed 63 but under screwcap will go for decades. I paid $15 for these and should have looked at getting many more. The remaining bottles will be buried to become forgotten purchases in 10-20 years.
Cheers
Craig

A much unloved wine that keeps delivering for me. I think I have a 98 version buried in the cellar somewhere plus a few other vintages - 06, 08, 12 I think. They definitely need time in the cellar particularly under screwcap.

Carl

[rooman]

2012 Mildara Cabernet
I purchased 18 of these and have drunk 3. This is beautiful wine with nothing overdone and oozes absolute finesse. All sweet berries and savoury spice such a lovely palate that lingers. No mint like the famed 63 but under screwcap will go for decades. I paid $15 for these and should have looked at getting many more. The remaining bottles will be buried to become forgotten purchases in 10-20 years.
Cheers
Craig

Craig

I remember trying the 2102 as I was looking for a midweek cab sav to put away and this price was spot on. I did however find it too sweet for my taste and passed on pick up more for the long term. As I normally buy and store without trying, tasting it young was a newish departure for me so I will be interest to see how it develops.

Mark

[Rory]

2010 Moorooduc Estate Duck Pinot Noir

From an outstanding Mornington Peninsula vintage. An living up to it. Marvelous example if Peninsula Pinot, wonderfull spicy ripe nose, beautifully balanced palate. Nothing out of place, rolls around the sensors effortlessly, silky tannins. At its height, may hold well for at least another 5 years.

[maybs]

2015 Chatto Pinot Noir

Spicy, elegant, moreish, delicious. Glad I have more in the cellar as patience will be rewarded with this smartly made wine which is too young right now but has all the bits in place to be very good.

[rens]

A few over the Xmas break.

2010 Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars Shiraz Small Berry Shiraz
2010 Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars Shiraz Small Berry Shiraz (American)
2010 Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars Shiraz Small Berry Shiraz (French)
2010 Clonakilla Shiraz
2007 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm
2006 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm*
2009 Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon*
2012 Greenock Creek Grenache Cornerstone
2012 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay
2011 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 1er*
2008 Rockford Shiraz Basket Press*
2012 Teusner Avatar
2009 Teusner Avatar
2008 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon The Cigar Coonawarra
2008 Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon The Cigar Coonawarra
2006 Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon The Cigar Coonawarra
2009 Yalumba FDR1A
2006 Yalumba The Signature*

Rather than notes, those with an * were very good. The others were OK.

[dave vino]

A few over the Xmas break

Rather than notes, those with an * were very good. The others were OK.

few
fjuː/
determiner, pronoun, & adjective
1.
a small number of.
"may I ask a few questions?"
synonyms: not many, hardly any, scarcely any; More
2.
used to emphasize how small a number of people or things is.
"he had few friends"
synonyms: not many, hardly any, scarcely any; More

[Luke W]

Great night out with Rickowa and his family. Accompanying the steaks were:
1984 Penfolds 389
2008 Two Hands Ares
2013 Escarpment Pinot
We were blown away at how well the 389 went - quick double decant and then poured 2 or 3oz at a time and replaced the cork. Drank over a 2 hour session with no sign of fading - seemed to actually get better! Lovely wine
The Ares is a big fruit bomb with great balance and texture - a long life ahead for this vintage.
The pinot was typical of its breed - the Kiwis certainly know how to make this style.

21 jan.jpg

[Chuck]

Jamieson's Run 2001 Winemakers Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz. Another of these much unloved wines that were DOA in the market due to the JR label and $60 price tags (a lot for a wine back then). Festooned with trophy and gold medal stickers. Heavy bottle. Winemakers from 1998 to around 2002 were given some great Coonawarra fruit and oak and made some great wines. This was another example. Secondary flavours to the for and oak integrated. Yum. In the drinking window slot although it should go a few more years, cork gods willing. Still a few left in the stash. If you see any at auction do yourself a favour. I still see these orphans floating around looking for a welcoming home.

Carl

[rooman]

2007 Leo Buring Riesling Leopold at 10 years of age, opening this wine still felt like infanticide. Ms Roo +1 thought it is a current vintage and wondered why we were opening a wine this young. To be fair there has been some development of the colour with the initial pale greenish hue starting to give way to a more golden straw but the key word is starting. The acid is still strong in this one and the secondary flavour only just peeking out from underneath the bed covers. I have no doubt in another 7-10 years it will be superb but unless you are short riesling, don't bother opening now - its been built for the long haul.

[rooman]

Whilst on rieslings, I added 6 2016 Adelina Watervale Rieslings and 6 2016 Adelina Polish Hill Rieslings to the cellar last year after a glow write up from Bernie the Dude on TWF and the label is one of the best riesling labels I have seen anywhere. Anyhow I tried the 2016 Adelina Watervale Riesling over Xmas and I see why it was so well reviewed. Many Aussie rieslings start out so tight they are unpleasant to dry young - not this wine. Whilst it has the acid structure to last and develop, there is a superb array of flavours even at this very young age, white nectarines and limes with just a hint of honeysuckle far in the distance. Purchased directly from the vineyard, I see myself buying more in the future.

Other rieslings taken on holiday and consumed included the Sons of Eden Riesling Freya 2012 I liked this so much on release I discovered in preparing for the holiday that I had two cases!! Not a problem, I will happily a bottle or two for the next couple of decades. Like the Adelina, this wine is already showing interesting fruit supported by a good acid structure that is not overpowering unlike the Grosset Polish Hll 2009 which I am putting back into the cellar for another decade.

Probably the most disappointing riesling was the Mesh 2009. Its really a nothing wine at present - no flavour development, minimal acid structure, just sort of dead. I am not sure if perhaps its in a hole or just won't develop into anything much better. The acid level is low so I am not convinced it has the bones to last a long time. Perhaps I will leave the case alone for awhile. Has anyone else tried this wine recently?

Finally the Leo Buring Leonay 2005 purchased as a museum release from DM is well into its drinking window. Looking at the other Leo Buring 2005 I purchased on release, I remain convinced that (a) wines develop more slowly in my cellar and (b) DM isn't keeping their museum release wines at a comparable low temp.

Mark

[rens]

A few over the Xmas break

Rather than notes, those with an * were very good. The others were OK.

few
fjuː/
determiner, pronoun, & adjective
1.
a small number of.
"may I ask a few questions?"
synonyms: not many, hardly any, scarcely any; More
2.
used to emphasize how small a number of people or things is.
"he had few friends"
synonyms: not many, hardly any, scarcely any; More

Are you suggesting that's an understatement?
Policeman to driver- 'How much have you had to drink tonight?'
Driver-'Just a few'

[michel]

2013 Rousseau Chambertin
High tone perfume
Very CSJ like
I like it's future

2002 Vogue 1er young vine Musigny
Captivating haunting perfume
Still young but length is incredible

2009 Soldera more savoury & transparent than 2008
Very long & persistant
I would open in 5 years time
A beautiful wine

[Con J]

2013 Rousseau Chambertin
High tone perfume
Very CSJ like
I like it's future

2002 Vogue 1er young vine Musigny
Captivating haunting perfume
Still young but length is incredible

2009 Soldera more savoury & transparent than 2008
Very long & persistant
I would open in 5 years time
A beautiful wine

Thanks for the report, great set of wines.

Cheers Con.

[shauno]

2008 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva - Good & spicey, decanted for an hour or so & went well with BBQ'd
lamb shoulder. Impressive QPR for a 7-8 year old wine bought last week for under $30.

I'm a big fan and could not agree more.

I bought a bottle of the 2011 this week, still under $30 - let's see if it's as good as the 2008...

[Mahmoud Ali]

Not tonight, but a couple of nights ago, a 2006 de Bartoli 'Noble One' (10%) that was dark gold in colour, the nose full of ripe, luscious, tropical fruit, and a palate that was broad, deep and sweet, the botrytis evident in both the nose and palate. It is ready to dring now, the acidty being a bit on the low side. Yum, yum, yum.

This is something I found on a store shelf recently and I will be snapping up a few more.

Mahmoud.

[Matt@5453]

A bit of wine consumed over the last week or so. On reflection a lot of Clare wines (totally unintentional) particularly white wines due to the recent heat in Adelaide:

2014 Hill River Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley – in a good place, drinking well

2015 Penna Lane Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley – very good wine, still got a slight acid kick, fruit very good.

2015 Georges Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley – very good wine, soft and attractive

2016 Riesling Freak No.2 Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley – excellent. Love this producer.

2016 Shut the Gate Wines Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills – interesting wine and not your typical sauv blanc. Bright acidity, lemons without the tropical fruit. Good mouthfeel and texture from 3 months of lees stirring. Interesting, but very enjoyable

2012 Torbreck ‘The Steading’ GSM, Barossa Valley (ex Magnum) – the first of two I have. Really good drinking now, but tight and focused, plenty of spice. The 15.5% Alc is not noticeable. Drank over 3 nights and it did not budge. Will wait 5-7 years for the next.

2012 Paulett Wines Cabernet Merlot, Clare Valley – another wine in a good spot, will age gracefully for next 5-7 years.

2012 Taylors Wines ‘St Andrews’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley – full bodied with solid fruit, drinking very well, balanced and good tannin structure. One for the longer term.

2013 Seven Hill Cellars ‘St Ignatius’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec & Cabernet Franc – very good depth of fruit and good some dusty/drying tannins. Leave for at least 5-7 years or even longer.

2014 Taylors Wines ‘St Andrews Shiraz’, Clare Valley – an excellent Clare Shiraz. Very good palate weight balance and finish.

2015 St Hallet ‘Faith’ Shiraz, Barossa – good quaffer for $8. A good mid-week pasta wine.

[rens]

2008 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva - Good & spicey, decanted for an hour or so & went well with BBQ'd
lamb shoulder. Impressive QPR for a 7-8 year old wine bought last week for under $30.

I'm a big fan and could not agree more.

I bought a bottle of the 2011 this week, still under $30 - let's see if it's as good as the 2008...

Nice to know that the 2010 is now sold out. I will keep an eye out for a few of the 2011s.

[Mahmoud Ali]

2008 Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva - Good & spicey, decanted for an hour or so & went well with BBQ'd lamb shoulder. Impressive QPR for a 7-8 year old wine bought last week for under $30.

I bought a bottle of the 2011 this week, still under $30 - let's see if it's as good as the 2008...

These wines age very well, so please keep some in reserve, you will be rewarded. I had a different producer's '96 Crianza recently and it was glorious, my friends thought it was a Gran Reserva, so I have no doubt that the Murrieta Reserva will last at least if not more than 20 years.

Mahmoud.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I opened a 2001 Paringa Shiraz, South Australia, 14%, tonight to have with pan-fried steaks. Expecting it to be mature, it turned out to be quite dark and firm, tannic enough to be Cabernet-like. This wine belies its 16 years and has the ability to carry on for a good deal longer.

[Chuck]

Olssen of Watervale 2006 Second Six Cabernet Blend. From a few cases acquired at ridiculous prices after the winery closed down a few years ago. Winery deserved better but could not compete in the pricing war during the glut. The owner I think found it just too hard to continue which is a bit sad.

A blend of 6 Bordeaux grapes this is the second level wine to the fantastic Olssen Six. Previous bottles had some acid poking out that detracted from the great fruit and oak however this bottle was all in balance. Lovely black fruits. Should go another few years as will the Olsen 6.

Carl

[michel]

I opened a 2001 Paringa Shiraz, South Australia, 14%, tonight to have with pan-fried steaks. Expecting it to be mature, it turned out to be quite dark and firm, tannic enough to be Cabernet-like. This wine belies its 16 years and has the ability to carry on for a good deal longer.

Good storage?
Screwcap?

[michel]

Tarrawarra 2014 Reserve pinot
3 bottles in to my purchase
Needs air
Time
I really get this pinosity that fleshes out with petals florals & a tad of mild earthy funk in an excellent way
My kinda Australian wine
Try again in 2 years

[Dang]

[quote][quote="Mahmoud Ali"]Not tonight, but a couple of nights ago, a 2006 de Bartoli 'Noble One' (10%) that was dark gold in colour, the nose full of ripe, luscious, tropical fruit, and a palate that was broad, deep and sweet, the botrytis evident in both the nose and palate. It is ready to dring now, the acidty being a bit on the low side. Yum, yum, yum.

This is something I found on a store shelf recently and I will be snapping up a few more.

Mahmoud.
Thanks Mahmoud for the info on the 06 Noble One. I would have a couple of questions about these sweet drinks:
1) I have a Black Noble instead, more like a NV port, I could not remember when I got it. So I do not have to rush to drink it, yes?
2) I also have a Keith Tulloch Botrytis Semillon and a Keith Tulloch straight Semillon, both from the 05 vintage. The BS is almost dark orange in colour while the straight Semillon is barely golden in colour. One seems to age faster than the other, both are under screw caps. What's up?
Anyway I get to visit Edmonton this weekend for a wedding. I would not mind to meet you and share notes, especially where are the best winestores and which good restaurants where there is corkage. Text me 4038898502!