Best NZ/AUS Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Offline - Fri 13 Oct

[rooman]

We had the standard 'Estate' Chardonnay, is around $38 or so. Other than a weird and wrong 2014 Chardonnay, I've not had anything from them that wasn't good. Pinot Noir is well worth a look and they did a straight Pinot Meunier in 2014 that I really enjoyed too. Not been to their CD, but I definitely would if down that way. Note I had both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir down as one of my favourites in that list too, think it was Polymer & dingozegan that put me onto them, very good producer and fairly priced.

If that was their standard one then I’m definitely going to try and get there next month when I’m down In Victoria. The good thing is they are also over on the side of the airport so it’s close by.

[catchnrelease]

Great night, the Ten Minutes by Tractor was great, should be noted it was the 10X as well, not the estate. Such a nicely composed wine for <$30. I loved both the By Farr's, especially the chard which had a sake like characteristic that I loved.

[Polymer]

We had the standard 'Estate' Chardonnay, is around $38 or so. Other than a weird and wrong 2014 Chardonnay, I've not had anything from them that wasn't good. Pinot Noir is well worth a look and they did a straight Pinot Meunier in 2014 that I really enjoyed too. Not been to their CD, but I definitely would if down that way. Note I had both their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir down as one of my favourites in that list too, think it was Polymer & dingozegan that put me onto them, very good producer and fairly priced.

If that was their standard one then I’m definitely going to try and get there next month when I’m down In Victoria. The good thing is they are also over on the side of the airport so it’s close by.

I think Geelong as a region (and extended out to places like Ballarat) have the right climate when it comes to producing Pinot and Chardonnay..I think if you look at some of the producers there, Bannockburn, By Farr, Lethbridge....their Pinots have a Pinot Noir texture and weight to them...Their Chardonnay also has good texture...they don't go overboard with oak (not generally) and still have their Chards go through Malo...

[Croquet King]

Great night everyone and well organised and run Tim. I loved the format. Food was great and would def go there again for another offline.

Kumeu Rivere was the standout chard for me followed by the Letherbridge, By Farr and Eileen Hardy.
Apart from the 10X Ten minutes by tractor I didn't find a pinot that jumped out at me.
I would buy 10X but it was a 2008 and I wonder if they have moved the fruit up into the more expensive ranges.

Has anyone tried the latest vintage?
I might go and grab a bottle and try it.

Who's ready for the sparkling shiraz offline?

[deejay81]

Great night!

Thanks to Tim and anyone else who helped out and Nic for doing the food!

Was fun and a really good experience overall and was completely stuffed foodwise at the end of it all.

Have to agree with Cam that the Chardonnay's out performed the Pinot's.

Was disappointed with the Grand Cru (Corton) ring in being very new world and quite boring for my tastes...

In case anyone wanted to know, I voted the Grosset Chardonnay and Mt Difficulty Pinot for my overall winners.
Kinda wish Grosset's non Riesling wines were cheaper (HIs Chardy and Pinot is pretty good, and generally the Gaia is quite nice too when it isn't green).

[TiggerK]

Hoping deejay or someone can get some pics up!

No Brett, I'm not ready for a Sparkling Shiraz offline. OK, how about we compromise and do a Champagne and Sparkling Shiraz theme closer to Xmas? Sounds like a plan to me.

[dingozegan]

One of the most interesting aspects of the tasting was learning about a new label I’d never heard of before - Lethbridge. {...}
I’m also curious have people tried any of their other wines.

I've had the Allegra Chardonnay numerous times (usually blind) - it's different to the estate cuvee (I love the estate, but I don't like the Allegra).

The estate cuvée and the Menage a Tois cuvée Pinot Noir are good for the style (slightly stemmy for me).

I've enjoyed their Riesling too (those I've had have had a touch of r.s.).

Polymer (who got me on to Lethbridge years ago) has tried a wider range and may be able to comment further.

Brett, I am ready for a sparkling Shiraz (followed by other wines) tasting!

[Bobthebuilder]

A very enjoyable night, thanks Tim for organising and somelliering and Nic for waitering!

Who do I owe for dinner?

PM sent!

Sorry I haven't had time to comment yet

Glad everyone had a good time, I was a bit nervous that something would go belly up but it all came through in end.

Will try to be more specific later when I get a minute, but generally, quite a few of the wines I had previously tasted and thought would be my winners ended up coming second in the flights, but those same wines were winners by mandate. Strange, the daily moods of a personal palate maybe? Or the reality of not being able to see the label of what your drinking?

Quite a few wines I never heard of or never tasted I really liked and were my winners, but this was generally not wines that were winners by consensus.

The wonderful diverse world of wine tasting!

And a big thanks to Tim for being a star organiser once again

[odyssey]

Sorted, thanks again Nic.

I agree that as an overall average the Chardonnays were better, despite that, for me there were 3 particularly good Pinot highlights that I will actively go looking to buy more (10 mins, By Farr and Schubert) whereas in the Chardonnay category the only one that made me think "I must buy some of that" was that amazing Kumeu.