Giant Steps Harry's Monster 2006

[Waiters Friend]

I've been sitting on a couple of vintages of this wine now, specifically 2001, 2005, and this one. I've tried a bottle of each so far this year, but neglected to post notes on the other two. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot.

Deep purple/red in the glass. A complex, well balanced nose of blackcurrant, plummy fruit (merlot?), violets (petit verdot?), and oak in the background. The components seem to meld very well together, and picking out the individual components is not easy (this is a good thing in this case). A hint of tobacco in there as well, and the 14% alcohol is just noticeable.

The palate is full. with acid on the tip of the tongue, and a fleshy middle palate, leading to quite a linear but long finish. It's almost the reverse of a 'doughnut' straight cabernet, with the typical hole in the middle palate being fuller than the remainder. Alcohol is more prominent on the palate, too.

I think I will hold onto my remaining 2006s for another couple of years yet. It shows all the signs of integrating into a very good wine indeed, and the 2001 tasted earlier this year will support this.

Cheers

Allan

[Michael McNally]

G'day Allan

Thanks for posting all these notes. I don't know these wines, nor am likely to source any of them, but the notes are excellent, thanks. If I was looking for a trip down memory lane, I would try that Swan Vally chardy!

Kind regards

Michael

[Waiters Friend]

A couple of years on from my last TN, and this has now achieved probably the best balance it is going to. My previous comments about the 'reverse doughnut' no longer apply, and there is harmony across the palate. Acid is still there, as are the fruits and tobacco characters. Violets have moderated. The palate is satisfying, but the nose is something to come back to again and again.

I still have a couple of these, and will leave it at least another year. It's interesting watching this wine grow up!

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Leading on from my last note "will leave it at least another year", er, done that, and this time tasted on Sunday and tonight (so open for 48 hours the second time, albeit in a very full half bottle).

Very similar notes to last year, although starting to fully mature; i.e. some of the fruit flavours indicate secondary development, with a little Christmas cake and brandied characters. The wine's body has diminished slightly as well, although the length is still medium to full. Still a very enjoyable wine, but perhaps just starting the downhill slide. One more to go.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

My last bottle (sob)

This is still medium to full bodied, with a rich nose of mocha, milk chocolate, developed blue ands red fruits, and savoury oak still evident. The palate is also full and rich, with a lovely flood of red fruits and chocolate across the palate.

The finish is long and still balanced. It's been fascinating to watch this wine develop over nearly a decade.

Cheers, or should I say R.I.P.

Allan

[Mahmoud Ali]

My last bottle (sob)

I know the "sob" refers to how good it is now, but having had one for the last three years, is there sorrow in not having more bottles for next year, and the years beyond?

Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

My last bottle (sob)

I know the "sob" refers to how good it is now, but having had one for the last three years, is there sorrow in not having more bottles for next year, and the years beyond?

Mahmoud.

Indeed, Mahmoud, while recognising even from my notes that the wine is not frozen in time. I've had good experiences with it, and it's possible that further experiences might prove disappointing the longer I leave them. So it's goodbye to this one.