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

[rooman]

Hi Mark.

Yes this was very enjoyable, Just starting in it's drinking window for my taste.

I've been guilty of of doing what you done, drinking a wine just for the sake of drinking it. A long time ago I've actually used a few bottles of 2000 and 2001 Bin 389 for cooking because I wasn't enjoying them. A couple years ago someone put on a 2001 Bin 389 at an offline and was nearly the WOTN for me.

I think now I'll be taking Mahmoud's suggestion that's in another thread, which is if your not enjoying a wine forget about it for a while and see what happens to it.

Cheers Con.

We spend a lot of time slagging off Pennies but one of the 2002 389s I had out of the cellar earlier this year was also superb. Great depth of flavour, long long finish. I have a few vintages tucked away but they really need 15/16 years to come on. By way of comparison, the 2004 is still too young and tannic.

Sadly it is true all too often only the smallest percentage of most wines reach their optimal state.

Mark

[Rossco]

2010 Wynns Black Label Cab Sav

Gee this is good. Loaded with blackberry pastilles there is such a drinkability about this wine right now, I was very surprised.
Tannins have settled down and the fruit has really come out on top. Wonderful balance, well handled oak with a pencil type notes, eucalyptus,and
some more of those dark fruits. Fruit does seem sweet though, not overdone or over-ripe, but there is a sweetness there, probably why its so drinkable.

Not sure how im going to leave the others alone now.

[Willard]

2004 Hillcrest Estate Cabernet. Yarra Valley.

A nice claret from the cellar to have with the Sunday roast. Blade of Beef, and it was pretty tasty.

Bottle age and complexity to the fore, in a gentle and charming package. Red and blackcurrant holding on, coal, then earth and truffle secondary flavours take over. Tannin almost completely resolved, leaving a creamy texture in the light/medium bodied wine, soft acidity controlling now. It's calm and poised, but time to drink now if you have some, on a gentle decline. I have a couple of bottles of 2005 in the cellar, will pull one of those shortly, think the 05 is the superior wine.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Perhaps some fava beans and a nice Chianti ...

I'm reminded of being in a wine store with a staff member who looked not to be a typical wine clerk. When a customer appraoched the till and asked about the Chianti he had in his hand the clerk said it was a nice wine and would go particularly well with liver and same fava beans. He did it so casually that the customer didn't even realize the referece.

Never saw that clerk again .......

[Manno]

2010 Wynns Black Label Cab Sav

Gee this is good. Loaded with blackberry pastilles there is such a drinkability about this wine right now, I was very surprised.
Tannins have settled down and the fruit has really come out on top. Wonderful balance, well handled oak with a pencil type notes, eucalyptus,and
some more of those dark fruits. Fruit does seem sweet though, not overdone or over-ripe, but there is a sweetness there, probably why its so drinkable.

Not sure how im going to leave the others alone now.

Rossco, an ever so slight bitter edge to yours? Grapefruit pith. Or something?

[Rossco]

2010 Wynns Black Label Cab Sav

Gee this is good. Loaded with blackberry pastilles there is such a drinkability about this wine right now, I was very surprised.
Tannins have settled down and the fruit has really come out on top. Wonderful balance, well handled oak with a pencil type notes, eucalyptus,and
some more of those dark fruits. Fruit does seem sweet though, not overdone or over-ripe, but there is a sweetness there, probably why its so drinkable.

Not sure how im going to leave the others alone now.

Rossco, an ever so slight bitter edge to yours? Grapefruit pith. Or something?

Hi Manno, i didnt get any bitterness or pithy notes, however my understanding is they make BL in batches, so im sure there is going to be some
variation between batches/bottles. It was drinking so well right now, i did wonder how long it will age for. Dont think this is a 20+ year wine, but
I hope im wrong.

[Manno]

I hope your wrong too. Of the couple ive tried, one had that slight edge. The other didnt. Still enjoyed both though and couldn't refuse the recent special on them at $25.

[Chuck]

Mount Avoca 2007 Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon (cork). Not sure where this lone bottle came from I wasn't expecting too much based on reviews. However it was really nice with good black fruits and a touch of oak in the background. Everything in place and just wish I had a lot more.

Carl

[Rossco]

I hope your wrong too. Of the couple ive tried, one had that slight edge. The other didnt. Still enjoyed both though and couldn't refuse the recent special on them at $25.

100% which is why I bought a dozen!

[Hacker]

Having a farewell dinner tonight for our eldest daughter, off to London with her work. We are having:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/avmDLLP.jpg[/img]
The Wendouree is a birth year wine.
Will report in later.

[Hacker]

Selosse Initial: this bottle underwhelmed in that there was a slight metallic taste to the wine, and its length was clipped. There was the typical reduced oxidative style and broad palate profile but as a champagne of this quality it was a letdown. I understand there is quite a bit of bottle variation with this producer.

We didn't have the rose, but moved on to the 1991 Wendouree Malbec from magnum. This was released about 10 years or so ago after 15 years bottle aging at Wendouree. If I recall, the Bradys checked each bottle and recorked them prior to sale. This cork was perfect and the wine was singing! Abundant sweet fruit, dark berries, a hint of something- maybe tobacco but very well balanced. More sweet than savoury, but I think with a few more years the savoury aspect will become more obvious. Tannins are in perfect balance and the perfect accompaniment to rare fillet steak with red wine jus.

We finished with the 2004 Voyager Cab Merlot. Yum! Blackcurrant, dark plum, cigar box, length to burn. An absolute joy to drink, and transcends the previous two wines we had. This is close to the best cab I have had this year. Unanimous wine of the night.

[Con J]

Selosse Initial: this bottle underwhelmed in that there was a slight metallic taste to the wine, and its length was clipped. There was the typical reduced oxidative style and broad palate profile but as a champagne of this quality it was a letdown. I understand there is quite a bit of bottle variation with this producer.

We didn't have the rose, but moved on to the 1991 Wendouree Malbec from magnum. This was released about 10 years or so ago after 15 years bottle aging at Wendouree. If I recall, the Bradys checked each bottle and recorked them prior to sale. This cork was perfect and the wine was singing! Abundant sweet fruit, dark berries, a hint of something- maybe tobacco but very well balanced. More sweet than savoury, but I think with a few more years the savoury aspect will become more obvious. Tannins are in perfect balance and the perfect accompaniment to rare fillet steak with red wine jus.

We finished with the 2004 Voyager Cab Merlot. Yum! Blackcurrant, dark plum, cigar box, length to burn. An absolute joy to drink, and transcends the previous two wines we had. This is close to the best cab I have had this year. Unanimous wine of the night.

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.

Cheers Con.

[Hacker]

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.
Cheers Con.

Hi Con,
I have a number of Selosse, and on the whole I love his style, so distinct to the other producers, and a good bottle is outstanding. But there are a few that leave me scratching your head wondering why I bother.

I must remember to top up with Voyager when the next vintage is available. Where are we up to with vintages, 2013??

[rooman]

We finished with the 2004 Voyager Cab Merlot. Yum! Blackcurrant, dark plum, cigar box, length to burn. An absolute joy to drink, and transcends the previous two wines we had. This is close to the best cab I have had this year. Unanimous wine of the night.

I think the Voyager Cab Merlots are seriously underrated at present. The 1999 was one of my wines of the year last year and I am pleased to see you had a similar experience with the 2004 (which I also have tucked away). It definitely does need time however to show its best.

[JamieBahrain]

I'm enjoying Hacker's notes with a glass of 2014 Clonakilla Riesling. Not a style I'm familiar with- lemons and lime , slatey sweet fruited palate and gentle phenolic grip. Nice change.

[Mike Hawkins]

Selosse Initial: this bottle underwhelmed in that there was a slight metallic taste to the wine, and its length was clipped. There was the typical reduced oxidative style and broad palate profile but as a champagne of this quality it was a letdown. I understand there is quite a bit of bottle variation with this producer.

We didn't have the rose, but moved on to the 1991 Wendouree Malbec from magnum. This was released about 10 years or so ago after 15 years bottle aging at Wendouree. If I recall, the Bradys checked each bottle and recorked them prior to sale. This cork was perfect and the wine was singing! Abundant sweet fruit, dark berries, a hint of something- maybe tobacco but very well balanced. More sweet than savoury, but I think with a few more years the savoury aspect will become more obvious. Tannins are in perfect balance and the perfect accompaniment to rare fillet steak with red wine jus.

We finished with the 2004 Voyager Cab Merlot. Yum! Blackcurrant, dark plum, cigar box, length to burn. An absolute joy to drink, and transcends the previous two wines we had. This is close to the best cab I have had this year. Unanimous wine of the night.

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.

Cheers Con.

For me, Selosse is the Wendouree of Champagne. I just don’t get the fuss. That said, oxidative styles are not my cup of tea, so personal preferences obviously influence my comments

[Con J]

Selosse Initial: this bottle underwhelmed in that there was a slight metallic taste to the wine, and its length was clipped. There was the typical reduced oxidative style and broad palate profile but as a champagne of this quality it was a letdown. I understand there is quite a bit of bottle variation with this producer.

We didn't have the rose, but moved on to the 1991 Wendouree Malbec from magnum. This was released about 10 years or so ago after 15 years bottle aging at Wendouree. If I recall, the Bradys checked each bottle and recorked them prior to sale. This cork was perfect and the wine was singing! Abundant sweet fruit, dark berries, a hint of something- maybe tobacco but very well balanced. More sweet than savoury, but I think with a few more years the savoury aspect will become more obvious. Tannins are in perfect balance and the perfect accompaniment to rare fillet steak with red wine jus.

We finished with the 2004 Voyager Cab Merlot. Yum! Blackcurrant, dark plum, cigar box, length to burn. An absolute joy to drink, and transcends the previous two wines we had. This is close to the best cab I have had this year. Unanimous wine of the night.

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.

Cheers Con.

For me, Selosse is the Wendouree of Champagne. I just don’t get the fuss. That said, oxidative styles are not my cup of tea, so personal preferences obviously influence my comments

I agree it's a good Champagne just not a style I like.

Cheers Con.

[Bobthebuilder]

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.
Cheers Con.

Hi Con,
I have a number of Selosse, and on the whole I love his style, so distinct to the other producers, and a good bottle is outstanding. But there are a few that leave me scratching your head wondering why I bother.

I must remember to top up with Voyager when the next vintage is available. Where are we up to with vintages, 2013??

Get your hands on some 2011’s, they are really really good

[felixp21]

Boys golf long weekend, Royal Mansfield a picture as usual
Highlights:

2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Pucelles
wow!!! a unicorn, Leflaive actually not premoxed. Beautiful white flowers, river pebbles and peach. Wonderful length. 94pts. Excellent wine, but given you need to open 4 to get 1 healthy bottle, not for me anymore.

1958 Damilano Barolo
the only place in the World with a decent 1958 vintage, this was still (just) alive and kicking. All tertiary vinous flavours, decent length and certainly an interesting wine. 92pts

1996 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon
bottles of this wine vary from good to outstanding, fortunately for us this was in the latter category. Gorgeous violets, cassis, mint, anise and earth all supported by a beautiful mineral spine and incredible length. Wine of the weekend for me. 96pts

1996 Penfolds 707
in the flight with the Jacaranda, this was certainly bettered. Nice polished wine, but too oaky for my palate, and a little clipped at the finish. No better than good to very good. 90pts

1996 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste
the third in the 96 cabernet flight, this was still achingly young, and whilst it will improve, I doubt it will ever reach great heights, and nowhere near the Jacaranda. Give it another 5 years. 92+pts

1996 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
another ripping Aussie Cab, drinking right at it's peak. Lovely mature, leafy cabernet that retains richness and vibrant fruit. Not the "washed out" leafiness so often seen in older Cab-based wines. Close second to the Jacaranda. 95pts

1996 Sassicaia
cellared since release, this was simply boring, one-dimensional and probably a tad past peak (if there ever was one). This label has dined out far too long on the 1985, it took them a further 20 years to make a decent wine. Wouldn't pay $20 for this, sadly I paid a lot more for a dozen back in the day!!! 85pts

1971 Penfolds Grange
probably not an entirely sound bottle, fill to mid-shoulder, but still a wonderful old shiraz. That chewy liquorice evident, hints of earth and mint, still has some dark berries and a little unresolved oak. Plenty of time in front of it. 93pts

1986 Penfolds Grange
yea, lots of floor varnish, blackberries, coconut and liquorice. Broad and long, but it is shiraz, and therefore has limited complexity. Good, not great, and a disappointment to me, I was expecting to like this more, ahhh, I'm getting an old man's palate 90pts

1990 Penfolds Grange
WS wine of the year, which sent Grange pricing into an upwards spiral. Over-oaked and unimpressive, as it has been throughout it's journey, in my opinion. Certainly not my style. Tellingly, this bottle was not finished, looks like the lads preferred the vast array of old Bailey's Hermitage on offer. 89pts

Heaps of other stuff: Baileys, All Saints, Mount Mary, Morris, Henschke, Domaine A, Mount Pleasant, Seaview etc etc. Too many to write up, but amongst more then 40 bottles, only one was corked!!!

[rooman]

1996 Penfolds 707
in the flight with the Jacaranda, this was certainly bettered. Nice polished wine, but too oaky for my palate, and a little clipped at the finish. No better than good to very good. 90pts

1996 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
another ripping Aussie Cab, drinking right at it's peak. Lovely mature, leafy cabernet that retains richness and vibrant fruit. Not the "washed out" leafiness so often seen in older Cab-based wines. Close second to the Jacaranda. 95pts

I had the 707 '96 a few years back as part of mini '96 comparative and I agree with your comments - oaky tannic and overall boring. By way of contrast I had the '96 Moss Wood a couple of years later and it was one of the main wines that got be interested in MR - just superb rich fruit, long long finish. Sadly I have never tried the '96 Jacaranda but do know where a few are cellared

[phillisc]

Interesting, taking a few 86 and 90 Grange and 90 and 96 707 to the re-corking clinic this week
cheers
Craig

[Con J]

Interesting, taking a few 86 and 90 Grange and 90 and 96 707 to the re-corking clinic this week
cheers
Craig

I've been contemplating for a while now taking my Grange, 707, 2004 BIN60A and BLOCK 42 to auction.
Except the 1976 Grange which might opened at one of the Christmas functions next month.

Reinvest the money in Burgundy and Piedmont.

Cheers Con.

[rooman]

Got say that the couple of times I've Selosse it's been just ok, it's not style I like.

Good to hear the Voyager's traveling well, got a couple of these in the cellar somewhere.

Cheers Con.

For me, Selosse is the Wendouree of Champagne. I just don’t get the fuss. That said, oxidative styles are not my cup of tea, so personal preferences obviously influence my comments

And just like that, we were back down the rabbit hole of Wendouree wines

[felixp21]

I had the 707 '96 a few years back as part of mini '96 comparative and I agree with your comments - oaky tannic and overall boring. By way of contrast I had the '96 Moss Wood a couple of years later and it was one of the main wines that got be interested in MR - just superb rich fruit, long long finish. Sadly I have never tried the '96 Jacaranda but do know where a few are cellared


The Jacaranda is a ripper, but sadly there is considerable bottle variation with the wine. Hope you get to taste a good one.

[Cactus]

Re 1996 Penfolds 707, colleague had one the other day. He described it as oaky and tannic and not a pleasant experience.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Wouldn't the '96 Bin 707 be one of the most backward of all cabernets or blends from that vintage? I know that my '96 Koonunga Hills are only just maturing (two down and four to go) and I haven't yet touched the '96 Bin 389. I should expect the Bin 707 to still be tannic and relatively youthful.

[rooman]

I opened one of the Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Riesling 2005 on Sunday to go chicken because it was sitting in the fridge. Probably the best riesling I have had all year Just superb, sunflower yellow hue, fresh crisp bouquet like walking through an apple orchard on a spring day, the wine on the palate refreshing, limes and apples deep through the mid section with superb acid giving a long linger finish. I was happy just taking a small sip and swirling it around to unlock the depth that 13 years in the bottle had developed. I defy anyone to say they don't like Australian riesling after trying one of these beauties.

[Dragzworthy]

Opened a bottle of Chateau Suduiraut 2004 last night - was in a very good spot after the initial 'funk' smell dissipated. Gorgeous orange color and has the typical nice characteristics of a well aged Sauternes - apricot, marmalade, saffron, dash of cloves. There's a decent amount of acidity to cut through the sweetness though two glasses was a struggle albeit balanced with salty cheese.

[Matt@5453]

Glass pours of a couple of wines from Umbria imported directly by a local restaurant:

2017 Tenuta Cavalier Mazzocchi Raggio Vermentino

Textural, taste akin to ripening fresh pineapple, wet stone with pleasant lingering acidity. Nice start to a meal.

2015 Tenuta Cavalier Mazzocchi Spiffero Ciliegiolo di Narni

I have never heard of Ciliegiolo, apparently it usually gets blended into Chianti. Medium bodied, cherry / red type fruits, rustic with an earthiness, silky smooth tannins, older oak maturation gives its wonderful 'smooth' texture. Very good length. Delicious.

20181130_093700.jpg

[JamieBahrain]

Last night felt like a Cote Rotie but stumbled upon a By Farr Shiraz 2004 which delivered similar- a bit of a heat spike and Australian nuances betraying its origins when presented blind to company.