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

[rens]

By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old.

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

I actually did this with an '87 Grange 2 years ago. In the morning, I thought it was stuffed and past it. That evening it was a absolute star.

[Bobthebuilder]

By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old.

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

I actually did this with an '87 Grange 2 years ago. In the morning, I thought it was stuffed and past it. That evening it was a absolute star.

I do wonder sometimes if our morning tastebuds just don't like starting the day with a big red!

[Rossco]

By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old.

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

I actually did this with an '87 Grange 2 years ago. In the morning, I thought it was stuffed and past it. That evening it was a absolute star.

Maybe this is where I went wrong with my 1979 a few years ago.

Decanted in the afternoon and thought it was dead. Still flat in the evening when it came to drink it. Perhaps a little more time would
have had it singing.

[phillisc]

A couple of bottles of 2012 Salinger...I just love the style, could be in QPR thread for me

Cheers
Craig

[Scotty vino]

2010 mount langi cliff edge shiraz. One of those wines you open, pour and the bouquet coils around the room.
Great drop. Really nice dark cherry fruits and spiciness. Tannins were fairly light but gripped enough to give it structure.
Solid finish too. I'll be getting more of this. Hopefully this vintage.

[Rossco]

2010 mount langi cliff edge shiraz. One of those wines you open, pour and the bouquet coils around the room.
Great drop. Really nice dark cherry fruits and spiciness. Tannins were fairly light but gripped enough to give it structure.
Solid finish too. I'll be getting more of this. Hopefully this vintage.

I have had a monumental amount of 2009, which is simply stunning.
The 2014 is sensational and I compare it to the 2009 in terms of quality.

[sjw_11]

2010 mount langi cliff edge shiraz. One of those wines you open, pour and the bouquet coils around the room.
Great drop. Really nice dark cherry fruits and spiciness. Tannins were fairly light but gripped enough to give it structure.
Solid finish too. I'll be getting more of this. Hopefully this vintage.

I have had a monumental amount of 2009, which is simply stunning.
The 2014 is sensational and I compare it to the 2009 in terms of quality.

Apparently I have 6 of the 2009 in the cellar... did you try it recently or was that awhile back Rossco?

I don't think I ever got around to opening the 6-pack, I think it was a discount offer not long before I left Oz and is hiding somewhere in the cellar. I also have 3x the 2006 if Cellar Tracker is accurate!

[Chuck]

Cullens 2007 Margaret River Mangan. Unusual blend of merlot, petit verdot and malbec. Interesting blend not seen before but it seemed to work. Medium bodied. Everything in place with oak and tannins fully resolved. Lovely fruit and good mouthfeel. Quite nice without being great. Not sure it will get any better.

Carl

[rens]

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

I actually did this with an '87 Grange 2 years ago. In the morning, I thought it was stuffed and past it. That evening it was a absolute star.

Maybe this is where I went wrong with my 1979 a few years ago.

Decanted in the afternoon and thought it was dead. Still flat in the evening when it came to drink it. Perhaps a little more time would
have had it singing.

Yes, when I opened it and tested for taint, it was flat and lifeless. There was no detectable taint (I'm pretty sensitive to TCA) and not oxidised, just short and lifeless. That was about 9 or 10am. I tested it a few hours later and it was the same so I popped out to the cellar and grabbed another bottle as back up as I was sure the Grange was going to disappoint (It was an auction buy too). That night at dinner following a glass of bubbles the Grange was poured. The colour looked great with some bricking. I stuck my nose in the glass following a customary swirl and it was one of those wine moments where you find yourself uncontrollably smiling. My grin was instant when I smelt it. The palate confirmed it was a stunner. Best bottle of Grange I have ever had (not that I have had lots, but this one was next level stuff and from a supposedly crappy vintage).

[Ian S]

• 2014 Payten & Jones Syrah Major Kong - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (24/04/2017)
  Intrigued by the low (13%) alcohol level, and Yarra Valley origins (less so the wacky hipster style marketing).
  
  The nose has good bright but a little liqueury blackberry fruit with some leafiness / smoke.
  
  Very approachable, with a silky texture, background/supportive acidity and little in the way of tannin. There is a slightly syrupy quality to the fruit (yet also a lighter parma violet & red cherry element), but brought in line for the finish by a touch of bitterness.
  
  Interesting wine, one I'm glad I opened quite young, as I'm not sure there is much to suggest cellaring benefits. It's certainly a wine that invites/encourages a second sip. It's also got a good freshness to its appeal, no doubt what the no sulphur treatment seeks. At ~ £30 a bottle I'm feeling it's relatively poor value, but at £20 I'd be keen to buy.

.

thinking about where I'd place this, I think I would have been in the newer coastal Tuscan regions experimenting with Syrah.

[Rossco]

2010 mount langi cliff edge shiraz. One of those wines you open, pour and the bouquet coils around the room.
Great drop. Really nice dark cherry fruits and spiciness. Tannins were fairly light but gripped enough to give it structure.
Solid finish too. I'll be getting more of this. Hopefully this vintage.

I have had a monumental amount of 2009, which is simply stunning.
The 2014 is sensational and I compare it to the 2009 in terms of quality.

Apparently I have 6 of the 2009 in the cellar... did you try it recently or was that awhile back Rossco?

I don't think I ever got around to opening the 6-pack, I think it was a discount offer not long before I left Oz and is hiding somewhere in the cellar. I also have 3x the 2006 if Cellar Tracker is accurate!

Would be interesting to see how the 2006's are holding up. Im planning to crack one of my 2009's this Saturday, so
will let you know.

[mjs]

Quiet night at Choi's last night ....



Many terrific wines, '96 Krug and '86 LLC both standouts

[Hunter]

Any notes on the Mouline ?

[Hacker]

We had a few days at Hamilton Island last week to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with all the family. On the night we ate at Bommie - an amazingly great restaurant, one of the top places I have ever been. We had:
Krug 1996 - I don't know why, it just didn't live up to its ultra high reputation for me.
Jacques Selosse Mareuil Sur Ay Sous le Mont, disg. Feb 2013 - Amazingly good, just so much better than the Krug.
LEAS 2006 Chardonnay - yum! Plenty of life left.
Fourrier 2001 Clos St Jacques - velvety and complex.
Moss Wood 2001 Cab Sauv - still young, but not quite as good as....
Woodlands 2004 Margaret Cab - Just delicious. Wow.
Chateau d'Yquem 1990 - half served with our entrees and half with dessert. Quite dark and voluptuously sweet. Just not as complex as I'd imagined.

[mjs]

Have to mention the Penfolds 1990 Bin90A from Friday night at Choi's. Different to the other reds which were all old world. This bottle was an excellent example of the label, double decanted three hours prior, beautiful nick, slight mint from the Coonawarra Cabernet, nice complexity, great fruit, still has years to go.

[Chris H]

Was a baby in fact. I reckon its maturity will co-incide with your 100th birthday Malcolm

[Rickowa]

Willow Bridge 2001 Shiraz - second bottle with a lot of brett.
Any suggestions out there? Left it decanted overnight with a fresh cork in it, seemed to help a little.

[Redwine&Rum]

Had 2 Coonawarra shiraz's on the weekend.

Wynns V & A Lane Shiraz 2013
Bowen Estate Shiraz 2013

If you like the big robust spicy shiraz's then the Bowen is your wine. If you like more medium bodied wines than the Wynns you will enjoy more.
For the record I like a big wine, but the Wynns was just so beautifully integrated. It has been a while since I have enjoyed a wine like that. Straight from the first sip, I knew it was something special. Lovely silky tannins and beautiful mouth feel. Wish I had more of this.

[Bobthebuilder]

Quiet night at Choi's last night ....



Many terrific wines, '96 Krug and '86 LLC both standouts

Hi Malcom,

How was the Azelia?
And what vintage is it?

Cheers,
Nic

[winewhisperer]

Opened a bottle of 2014 Haselgrove First Cut Shiraz as was the cheapest wine in stock and needed a 1/2 bottle for Pasta Sauce. Obviously finished the rest while cooking and it reminded me what a incredible value wine this is. Prunes, plums, Rhubarb, Blueberries and the length!!! Think i paid $13.50 !!

[ticklenow1]

We had a few days at Hamilton Island last week to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with all the family. On the night we ate at Bommie - an amazingly great restaurant, one of the top places I have ever been. We had:
Krug 1996 - I don't know why, it just didn't live up to its ultra high reputation for me.
Jacques Selosse Mareuil Sur Ay Sous le Mont, disg. Feb 2013 - Amazingly good, just so much better than the Krug.
LEAS 2006 Chardonnay - yum! Plenty of life left.
Fourrier 2001 Clos St Jacques - velvety and complex.
Moss Wood 2001 Cab Sauv - still young, but not quite as good as....
Woodlands 2004 Margaret Cab - Just delicious. Wow.
Chateau d'Yquem 1990 - half served with our entrees and half with dessert. Quite dark and voluptuously sweet. Just not as complex as I'd imagined.

Congratulations to you both. Catch you in a couple of weeks for a celebratory glass.

Cheers
Ian

[Con J]

Any notes on the Mouline ?

The 1997 La Mouline was a really good clean wine and still young, lacked complexity for me at this stage, I’d like to see this again in about 5 years.
This was the last bottle of the reds opened, popped and poured so didn’t get the treatment or attention it deserved.

Cheers Con.

[Con J]

Quiet night at Choi's last night ....



Many terrific wines, '96 Krug and '86 LLC both standouts

Hi Malcom,

How was the Azelia?
And what vintage is it?

Cheers,
Nic

The Azailia was a 2001 and is drinking really well, still had some oak but not out place. I think this should drink well for a while yet. If I remember correctly this was opened in the morning.

Cheers Con.

[Ozzie W]

Hi Malcom,

How was the Azelia?
And what vintage is it?

Cheers,
Nic

The Azailia was a 2001 and is drinking really well, still had some oak but not out place. I think this should drink well for a while yet. If I remember correctly this was opened in the morning.

Cheers Con.

It was the 2001 Bricco Fiasco. I opened it in the morning and had a tiny sip to check for TCA/etc. It was extremely tannic and not particularly enjoyable to drink, so I double decanted it. It was decanted again before serving in the evening. CellarTracker has a drinking window until 2021 which seems way to conservative for me. Anyone who pops and pours this wine would be very disappointed. But give it half a day in the decanter and it transforms into lovely drinking.

[maybs]

2015 Clos du tue boeuf La Butte gamay

Light medium weight funky juicy goodness. At just over $30 this is pretty delicious and right in my wheelhouse. The missus loved it too, slowly training her to love a bit of funky interest. When she said 'It's funky and a little stemmy without being green or gross' I fell in love all over again

[Rossco]

2010 mount langi cliff edge shiraz. One of those wines you open, pour and the bouquet coils around the room.
Great drop. Really nice dark cherry fruits and spiciness. Tannins were fairly light but gripped enough to give it structure.
Solid finish too. I'll be getting more of this. Hopefully this vintage.

I have had a monumental amount of 2009, which is simply stunning.
The 2014 is sensational and I compare it to the 2009 in terms of quality.

Apparently I have 6 of the 2009 in the cellar... did you try it recently or was that awhile back Rossco?

I don't think I ever got around to opening the 6-pack, I think it was a discount offer not long before I left Oz and is hiding somewhere in the cellar. I also have 3x the 2006 if Cellar Tracker is accurate!

Today's tasting notes on the 09:

Still bright and vibrant dark purple. No sign of bricking or age yet.
Nose has a beautiful cool climate herbs of dried thyme, oregano, violets, licorice, white pepper and eucalypt/mint.
Still has some quite prominent acidity that hasnt integrated as yet. Its doesnt stick out or is sharp, but its just not
smooth/integrated. Oak taking a supporting role only due to the acidity, but those beautiful fruits just punch through
everything. Blackberries, dark cherries and plums, with some coffee notes in there as well. Still medium bodied and will live for another 5 years no probs, but I would say on this showing 10+ isnt out of the question either.

[Ozzie W]

2007 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Dehesa la Granja



100% Tempranillo from Castilla y León.

Medium bodied candied fig, dried cherry, ripe plum, red meat, tobacco and vanilla. Integrated velvety tannins and acidity which nicely balances out the fruit sweetness. Long dry smoky savoury finish.

Drinking at its peak. I can't see this getting any better. Great QPR too at $32.

[Hunter]

Pewsey vale contours 2006

Light golden hue. Hardly developed.
Dissapointed, Typical kero nose.. suprisingly after time it has faded off and some gentle citrus shining through.
The palates just great, acid well melded, juicy lemon, getting marmalade like.. plenty left in the tank.!
Dissapearing fast ..

[Ian S]

The missus loved it too, slowly training her to love a bit of funky interest. When she said 'It's funky and a little stemmy without being green or gross' I fell in love all over again

Are you sure she wasn't talking about you...?

[Pej]

2007 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Dehesa la Granja



100% Tempranillo from Castilla y León.

Medium bodied candied fig, dried cherry, ripe plum, red meat, tobacco and vanilla. Integrated velvety tannins and acidity which nicely balances out the fruit sweetness. Long dry smoky savoury finish.

Drinking at its peak. I can't see this getting any better. Great QPR too at $32.

Had a 1998 last year that was beautiful. I was in a little wine bar in Sevilla, Spain, and I was just letting the owner pick wines for me. I wasn't really expecting such a modest wine to live so well for so long.