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

[Matt@5453]

some impressions from the weekend:

2016 Paulett Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley

In a very good place; limes, minerals, and excellent line of acidity with great colour. Going forward I can see the acid fading away leaving an array of flavours, but no sign of kero. Drinking very well. Going to pop a few away to see how this wine evolves.

2015 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling

Grassy, Granny Smith apples, tart. Massive hit of acidity on the palate that really drives the wine; pethaps a little over powering. Good, but would not go here again.

2012 Rusden Wines Christine's Vineyard Single Vineyard Grenache, Barossa Valley

Superb wine. Great fruit; cherry compote, confectionery, very good line of acidity with supporting oak. Medium body and weight was so enjoyable now however I feel will improve and peak over the next 5-10 years. Loved it!

2014 Kilikanoon Convenant Shiraz, Watervale, Clare Valley

Medium to full bodied with ripe plums, Christmas pudding spices, nutmeg and slight touch of vanilla. Superb in the mouth with long and sumptuous finish.

Also tried some '16 Pinots from Tassie and the Yarra Valley prior to release, some great examples coming through.

[Con J]

Last Friday went to a North V South Rhone, we had the following.

2007 Chapoutier Chante Alouette hermitage blanc.
2004 Delamotte Blancs de Blancs.
2007 Dom Raymond Usseglio – CdP.
2009 Bressy Court de Mautens – Rasteau.
2004 Delas Landonne – Cote Rotie.
1998 Guigal Chateau d’ampuis – Cote Rotie.
2003 Guigal Brune et Blonde – Cote Rotie.
1995 Guigal Hermitage.
2010 Vincent Paris Granite 60% - Cornas.
1998 Ch de Beaucastel “hommage a Jacques Perrin” – CdP.
NV Morris 120 anniversary Liqueur Muscat.

For me the standouts were the three Guigal’s with the 95 Hermitage my WOTN.

Cheers Con.

[mjs]

1994 Lindemans St George Cabernet
2004 Majella The Malleea
1996 Yalumba The Menzies
2001 Wynns Black Label Cabernet
1993 Orlando St Hugo

All good at a dinner for a few friends and family last night

[phillisc]

Malcolm, trying to chase a few 94s for a lads birth year, have a heap but overlooked the St George...still good drinking??
Cheers
Craig

[mjs]

Malcolm, trying to chase a few 94s for a lads birth year, have a heap but overlooked the St George...still good drinking??
Cheers
Craig

Yep, The St G was pretty good

[Sigmamupi]

Last Friday went to a North V South Rhone, we had the following.

2007 Chapoutier Chante Alouette hermitage blanc.
2004 Delamotte Blancs de Blancs.
2007 Dom Raymond Usseglio – CdP.
2009 Bressy Court de Mautens – Rasteau.
2004 Delas Landonne – Cote Rotie.
1998 Guigal Chateau d’ampuis – Cote Rotie.
2003 Guigal Brune et Blonde – Cote Rotie.
1995 Guigal Hermitage.
2010 Vincent Paris Granite 60% - Cornas.
1998 Ch de Beaucastel “hommage a Jacques Perrin” – CdP.
NV Morris 120 anniversary Liqueur Muscat.

For me the standouts were the three Guigal’s with the 95 Hermitage my WOTN.

Cheers Con.

Con - I notice the 98 Beaucastel Hommage was not in your top wines. Not ready yet, a wine fault problem or just unimpressive? I have one hanging around in the cellar and was thinking of opening it while the weather is still chilly but will be guided by your feedback.

[Luke W]

Janine's 60th birthday so away for the weekend to a mountain retreat. Took a 96 Grange, Rockford Black Sparkling, Taittinger Comtes 2004, Mollydooker Carnival of Love 2012, and an old Leonay to wet the whistle.
Decanted the Grange at 3pm and started sipping at 7pm but thought it needed more time and started on the CoL (also decanted). Got bored with that after about a third of a glass and went back to the Grange (around a log fire, sitting on those old tartan sofas where u just sink in!).
It took us 5 hours to drink the Grange. We revelled in the changing aromas and flavours and layer upon layer of amazing complexity. We only needed to put three or four drops of wine in our mouths at any time. I bought this wine around 2001 and paid $205 for it. I've looked forward to drinking it for over 15 years and was not disappointed for a second. If I had shitloads of $$$ I think I'd buy heaps of these and do this regularly - the experience of drinking a great wine at it's peak (suspect that peak will last another 20 years), is the fulfilment of collecting and cellaring wine.
By the way the Carnival of Love was wonderful the next nite (but not on a par with the Grange).
Never got to the others.. ...

[Con J]

Last Friday went to a North V South Rhone, we had the following.

2007 Chapoutier Chante Alouette hermitage blanc.
2004 Delamotte Blancs de Blancs.
2007 Dom Raymond Usseglio – CdP.
2009 Bressy Court de Mautens – Rasteau.
2004 Delas Landonne – Cote Rotie.
1998 Guigal Chateau d’ampuis – Cote Rotie.
2003 Guigal Brune et Blonde – Cote Rotie.
1995 Guigal Hermitage.
2010 Vincent Paris Granite 60% - Cornas.
1998 Ch de Beaucastel “hommage a Jacques Perrin” – CdP.
NV Morris 120 anniversary Liqueur Muscat.

For me the standouts were the three Guigal’s with the 95 Hermitage my WOTN.

Cheers Con.

Con - I notice the 98 Beaucastel Hommage was not in your top wines. Not ready yet, a wine fault problem or just unimpressive? I have one hanging around in the cellar and was thinking of opening it while the weather is still chilly but will be guided by your feedback.

I didn’t think the wine was faulty, just not very exciting.
On this showing I don’t think it will get better but will hold for a while.

Chateauneuf du Pape in general hasn’t met expectations for me.

Cheers Con.

[JamieBahrain]

Chateauneuf du Pape in general hasn’t met expectations for me.

I have found I'm not enamoured toward the big Parker vintages despite getting sucked into buying them. Discovered I have more attraction toward lesser and restrained vintages with a little time in the cellar.

[michel]

Chateauneuf du Pape in general hasn’t met expectations for me.

I have found I'm not enamoured toward the big Parker vintages despite getting sucked into buying them. Discovered I have more attraction toward lesser and restrained vintages with a little time in the cellar.

I agree regarding vintages- less is more for structured CNDP- BUT provenance is so important.....
86 Chave
And an even older Rayas looked youthful recently

[Michael McNally]

Janine's 60th birthday so away for the weekend to a mountain retreat

Sounds like a lovely time. Nice work!

Cheers

Michael

[JamieBahrain]

Had a Peregrine Pinot Noir 2009 last night which has peaked into a pleasurable, in your face Central Otago pinot.

[Con J]

Chateauneuf du Pape in general hasn’t met expectations for me.

I have found I'm not enamoured toward the big Parker vintages despite getting sucked into buying them. Discovered I have more attraction toward lesser and restrained vintages with a little time in the cellar.

I agree regarding vintages- less is more for structured CNDP- BUT provenance is so important.....
86 Chave
And an even older Rayas looked youthful recently

I have to admit that I forgot about the 96 Rayas I've had a couple of times (thanks to a friend) that were fantastic, very Burgundian in style.

Yes I got sucked in buying them by the hype and points.

Cheers Con.

[Matt@5453]

2016 Ninth Island Pinot Noir

Insipid rubbish. Light bodied. Terrible wet hession after taste though under screw cap. Avoid!

[Luke W]

Janine's 60th birthday so away for the weekend to a mountain retreat

Sounds like a lovely time. Nice work!

Cheers

Michael

Ta - it was

[Mahmoud Ali]

2016 Ninth Island Pinot Noir - Insipid rubbish. Light bodied. Terrible wet hession after taste though under screw cap. Avoid!

I haven't seen one of these since the 2001 vintage made it to my shores many years ago. Back then it was definitley in a darker and structured style. It wasn't by any means generous or fleshy but I thought that a few years might help it along. I ought to consider opening a bottle soon since it is now over 15 years old. I will try to remember to post a note. It's a second wine of a Tasmanian producer if I remember correctly.

Mahmoud.

[shauno]

2015 Blackstone Paddock Shiraz - it's the 'fancy' $18 stuff from Aldi, received as a gift - not bad, pretty standard Shiraz, deep purple, has a nice richness but the tannins need more time I think.

I'd say comparable to a wynns 'white label' Shiraz, which is a ~$25 wine (but available for closer to $10 from time to time).

[rens]

Janine's 60th birthday so away for the weekend to a mountain retreat. Took a 96 Grange, Rockford Black Sparkling, Taittinger Comtes 2004, Mollydooker Carnival of Love 2012, and an old Leonay to wet the whistle.
Decanted the Grange at 3pm and started sipping at 7pm but thought it needed more time and started on the CoL (also decanted). Got bored with that after about a third of a glass and went back to the Grange (around a log fire, sitting on those old tartan sofas where u just sink in!).
It took us 5 hours to drink the Grange. We revelled in the changing aromas and flavours and layer upon layer of amazing complexity. We only needed to put three or four drops of wine in our mouths at any time. I bought this wine around 2001 and paid $205 for it. I've looked forward to drinking it for over 15 years and was not disappointed for a second. If I had shitloads of $$$ I think I'd buy heaps of these and do this regularly - the experience of drinking a great wine at it's peak (suspect that peak will last another 20 years), is the fulfilment of collecting and cellaring wine.
By the way the Carnival of Love was wonderful the next nite (but not on a par with the Grange).
Never got to the others.. ...

Congratulations Janine.
The wine and venue sound sublime-Love a great old couch!

[dave vino]

Not sure if this counts as a tasting note...I drank the whole bottle by myself. I really enjoyed it, not overbearing or too Coonawarray, subtle hints of it's origins in all the right measures. I like. I think Mick McNally or Rens put me on to it to try.

[Hunter]

fraser gallop cabernet blend 2013
Such great value, i cant keep my hands off them.
Pnp A touch green with pepper on nose
Red fruit a little dusty. Its tight and tannic although layerd with good acid and juicy mouthfeel
Stock up!

[Bobthebuilder]

2002 Leo Buring Leonay Riesling - really good, nice aged characteristics with great fruit intensity and minerality. Powerful wine. More time left to improve.

2004 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon - still remarkably young compared to the 2005 and 2006 that I have had in the last few years. A bit closed and slightly disjointed upon opening, with an hour or two of air it all comes together beautifully, silky smooth tannins and great complexity of flavours - blood plums, tobacco, licorice, tar, dried herbs and game meats. Decent lingering finish. Should last for many more years and improve over the next 5 - 10 atleast.


2007 Farrside by Farr Pinot Noir - In a good spot and probably at its peak but not fading anytime soon. Great nose of roses and perfume. Glazed cherry, boysenberry, forest floor on the palate, tannins and acid have faded but are still nicely present and the wines goes down with a beautiful smoothness that makes it extremely easy to drink, very moorish. Drink up now and enjoy it while its drinking so well.

[JamieBahrain]

Really enjoyed an 06 Kay Brother's Hillside shiraz on day two.

[Bobthebuilder]

Really enjoyed an 06 Kay Brother's Hillside shiraz on day two.

Great time of the year here in Sydney for some aged Kay hillside, unfortunately got none left!
In recent years there was usually an abundance of them floating around various auctioneers, but haven't seen much lately

[Phil H]

2011 Chateau Boissel - Le Bouissell 50%Negrette, 25% Syrah, 25%Malbec. From the appellation of Fronton. The Apellation & Negrette - both of which I had never heard of. Medium bodied, red to dark berry fruits with an earthiness and touch of liquorice and supporting dusty tannins, more savoury rather than fruity. Very enjoyable but not too serious. A perfect accompaniment to my reheated "luv a duck" honey soy duck legs. Priced around $45, reasonable value.

[phillisc]

1998 Greenock Creek Creek Block Shiraz...could be a contender for a future classic
Cork stained 0.5mm Beautiful wine, opened with wave after wave of plush fruits, depth and richness on the palate have a wonderful core of primary fruit, tannin and oak beautifully integrated, so smooth and lingered for ages, not at its peak and another 10 years easily...brilliant
1999 Wynns Shiraz, the docket in the box said $3: 99 a bottle, and at 18 years this was fantastic, still some purple tones and a lovely delicate palate with a twinge of fruit sweetness...yum!
2014 St Hallett Blackwell has all the hallmarks to be a very good wine, huge amounts of fruit, tannin, oak and a a bit of acid...reminded me of an old block from years gone by...needs 15 years at least, particularly with a stelvin.

Cheers
Craig

[Scotty vino]

2013 Sons of Eden Kennedy GSM.
No notes really. from memory a bit yeah nah yeah.

2011 Oliver's Taranga Sagrantino.
Some gamey meat on the nose here. A savoury number with some funk that blew off after some time in the conical.
Some bitey tannins. A bit of oak here but not too much. Some toasty vanilla elements tucked in there.
Grabbed outta the wine fridge at 13 so was closed up a bit. Had some thirsty guests waiting.
After 20-30 mins it softened nicely. This has future, not a long one but a few more years. A chewy wine? I like chewy.

2014 Crabtree Watervale Wines Shiraz
Again, grabbed outta the wine fridge. A bit cold to start with. Given some time it was drinking well.
This wine is well made IMO. Great dark berry/olive on the nose. Some nice muted menthol characteristics
which can be fairly indicative of Clare Valley reds. Great acidity with dart like tannins. In terms of oak it seems very restrained.
Having said all that, this wine feels a bit disjointed.
Not in a bad way, just needs a long sleep to organise itself and get the ducks in a row.

2015 Hahndorf hill Blueblood Blaufrankisch
Lovely drop. Some berry (blue?)/rose petal notes with a soft finish.
For me the floral notes were just the ticket for this wine. Delicate and pretty.
Very very fine/light tannins that seemed to tip toe across the tongue.
A cool climate style where the softness just shines.
It's wines like this that remind me I probably have/drink too many heavy clunky wines.

[Matt@5453]

2016 Unico Zelo The Truffle Hound Nebbiolo, Polish Hill River, Clare Valley

Light to medium weight. Juicy and fleshy on the palate. The wine displays some savoury tones with cherry tartness and a bergamot citrus type zing about it that gives this wine a lot of interest. Supple tannins. Overall a lot to like about this wine.

2014 Taylors Wines Jaraman Chardonnay, Clare Valley & Margaret River

Light gold in colour. Supple melons, a touch of "peachiness" about it, with some lemon butter and flint. For me this wine is in a perfect place; the fruit, resolved acidity and french oak are all so balanced, the finish is long and lush. I thought this was a very good wine drinking beautifully now.

2005 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro, Clare Valley

An auction purchase a number of years ago from excellent provenance, has since been stored in a wine fridge.

Cork came out perfectly, hardly stained at all. I decanted at about 3pm, the bottle had a light crust. Initially the wine was closed and had an acetone aroma about it. I left it until dinner time. I revisited it at about 7.30 pm and it was looking good. The colour still looking quite youthful, no real signs of bricking. On the palate it was medium weight showing primary fruits; mulberry, dark cherries, with an earthiness about it. Still a reasonable tannin profile akin to black tea. Overall, soft and smooth, and drinking very well now, but felt its about to start its secondary phase soon.

[Matt@5453]

Not sure if this counts as a tasting note...I drank the whole bottle by myself. I really enjoyed it, not overbearing or too Coonawarray, subtle hints of it's origins in all the right measures. I like. I think Mick McNally or Rens put me on to it to try.

an excellent wine

[deejay81]

2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett
Clear, very pale almost water like. Some effervescence immediately in the glass. Strong scent of candied lemon and lime with some tropical fruits nearing pineapple. Some gunpowder and wet rocks. Fairly light bodied, sweetened lemon and lime. Granny smith apples too. The acid coming on strong to balance the sweetness. Finish was medium plus with the acid leaving me wanting more sweetness, then sweetness wanting more acid. This Riesling delivers and finished the bottle way too quickly. Can't wait to see this evolve. 92pts

2001 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
Cork in pristine condition. Had bottle upright for 24 hours, and decanted through a strainer to catch sediment. Slow o'd for 6 hours before drinking.

Wine was clear, dark, purple with no visible signs of aging. Great nose of dark chocolate, black berries, cigar box, the nose lasted for the entire evening. Taste had plenty of fruit but with some oak poking through and tannins had resolved and was only playing a supporting role. Finish was long. Very much in balance and I would say into the start of its peak drinking window. Should stay here for a number of years to come. 92pts

[rooman]

Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Spatlese 2007 drinking beautifully. The wine has developed a sunshine golden hue and appears to be emerging from its dormant period when I last tried a bottle a year ago. It has taken on additional depth and whilst there is still residual sugar on the palate, the acid offsets this perfectly to give a refreshing but interesting wine. Paired with pork chop topped with mushroom sauce.