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

[Ozzie W]

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.

I had a 2008 Tout Pres at an offline a couple weeks ago. The entire group of 9 people thought it came from Burgundy when tasted blind. We were all dumbfounded!

[Ozzie W]

2005 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
A disappointing bottle. Nose acceptable, but palate doesn't deliver the goods. Very tannic. Graphite, earth, some spices, but fruit is barely perceptible. Not sure the fruit will ever come to the fore with those dominating tannins. A bad bottle or in a dumb phase?

[brodie]

2011 F Mugnier Chambolle Musigny (villages):
pale red, delicate perfumed nose, medium to light bodied with crunchy red fruits (cranberry) and a touch of white pepper. Elegant, delicate and fine boned. Definitely a light touch from the wine maker in a year where fruit ripeness was a challenge for many. Lovely for current drinking. I do not mind the light bodied delicate character in this as it is clear reflection of the vintage but done well.

Brodie

[Con J]

2005 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
A disappointing bottle. Nose acceptable, but palate doesn't deliver the goods. Very tannic. Graphite, earth, some spices, but fruit is barely perceptible. Not sure the fruit will ever come to the fore with those dominating tannins. A bad bottle or in a dumb phase?

Hi Ozzie.

The 2005 should should still have plenty of fruit.
We had one of these in Aug at the MBSC, I think the only problem then was a bit too much oak.

Not a producer I purchase anymore, been drinking all mine, only got one 2009 left.

Cheers Con.

[Rossco]

I had a 2008 Tout Pres at an offline a couple weeks ago. The entire group of 9 people thought it came from Burgundy when tasted blind. We were all dumbfounded!

How good was it!!!

I clearly remember my comment (as it was served blind) of 'who the hell in Australia could make something like this!!??"
Turns out Nick & Gary Farr........ thats who.

[Ozzie W]

2005 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
A disappointing bottle. Nose acceptable, but palate doesn't deliver the goods. Very tannic. Graphite, earth, some spices, but fruit is barely perceptible. Not sure the fruit will ever come to the fore with those dominating tannins. A bad bottle or in a dumb phase?

Hi Ozzie.

The 2005 should should still have plenty of fruit.
We had one of these in Aug at the MBSC, I think the only problem then was a bit too much oak.

Not a producer I purchase anymore, been drinking all mine, only got one 2009 left.

Cheers Con.

The more I think about it, there was definitely something wrong with this bottle.

[felixp21]

2005 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots
A disappointing bottle. Nose acceptable, but palate doesn't deliver the goods. Very tannic. Graphite, earth, some spices, but fruit is barely perceptible. Not sure the fruit will ever come to the fore with those dominating tannins. A bad bottle or in a dumb phase?

Hi Ozzie.

The 2005 should should still have plenty of fruit.
We had one of these in Aug at the MBSC, I think the only problem then was a bit too much oak.

Not a producer I purchase anymore, been drinking all mine, only got one 2009 left.

Cheers Con.

The more I think about it, there was definitely something wrong with this bottle.

probably heat affected, by your description.
OTOH, beware of opening 2005's, still not in a good place in most cases. A lot of head-scratching going on with the 05 vintage in both Burgundy and Bordeaux. I've always been a doubter, and the numbers seem to be growing. In both regions, it's pretty clear now that although there are undoubtedly going to be legendary wines from the vintage, there are also going to be a significant number where the tannins will outlive the fruit.

[Sean]

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[Mike Hawkins]

2009 Dom Perignon... I’ve had the opportunity to drink from 14 different bottles in 7 countries, including at the CD, and it is amazing how consistent this release is. It’s probably my favourite of the ‘riper’ vintages, with tons of fruit salad notes. Really enjoyable straight off the bat, and will peak for my tastes in 10 years.

2008 Dom Perignon Legacy. Richard has been talking this up for the past 8 years, and it really delivers. Super young, the Chardonnay fruit dominates the blend now. Citrus and floral notes abound, and the racy acidity gives it a long lemony finish. Don’t drink it too cold as the acid will overwhelm. Drink in 15plus years when the stash of 09 is done. Superb wine in the making and unlike any young DP I can recall.

2006 Dom Perignon. 2003 aside, this is my least favourite DP since 1992/3. A bit boring, although there’s nothing distinctly wrong with it.

[TiggerK]

2008 Dom Perignon Legacy. Richard has been talking this up for the past 8 years, and it really delivers. Super young, the Chardonnay fruit dominates the blend now. Citrus and floral notes abound, and the racy acidity gives it a long lemony finish. Don’t drink it too cold as the acid will overwhelm. Drink in 15plus years when the stash of 09 is done. Superb wine in the making and unlike any young DP I can recall.

Thanks for this note Mike, I'm taking one to a tasting soon ('8' theme, alongside Dom P2 98 and Winnie Churchill 88).

Quite like acid, but good point on the temperature. Do you have an opinion on decanting champagne?? Wondering if it would help the Dom 08 when served so young.

Cheers
Tim

[TiggerK]

Really nice tasting with our regular OMB crew on Monday night, back at the tried and true Sydney BYO stalwart, Golden Century.

Gardet Brut 1er Cru (Blanc de Noirs) Champagne NV

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2018
J. Moureau Aligote de St Bris 1976
Tappanappa Piccadilly Chardonnay 2016
Bouchard Meursault-Genevrieres 1er Cru 2016
Moutard-Diligent Chablis Grand Cru 'Valmur' 2014

Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir 2017
Camille Giroud Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru 2006
Croix de Beaucaillou St Julien 2004
Colome Lote Especial Bonarda 2013


Gardet was solid, Vat 1 an early drinker for me. Tappanappa had nice balance, bit young. The 76 Aligote was tired and a bit too sherry-like, but still had acid and interest was there for some.

The Bouchard needed an hour to get going, oak receded and acid became more prominent, thankfully. 2016 is a mixed bag in Burgundy, but this was pretty good. The Chablis was bigger than Moutard-D's other cru's from the same vintage, more fruit forward, acid slightly lower. Still popular and a very nice wine, happy to drink 14 Chablis any day.

Giant Steps was a good style of Pinot for me, not too fruit focused, quite dry with good extract, oak there but not poking out, even so young. Good.

The Giroud 06 was begging for more cellar time but was a proper old school structured, earthy, yet still rather pretty Burgundy. Every sip offered more character and interest. I love these wines that evolve and change so confidently in the glass.

The Beaucaillou 04 delivered great classic Bordeaux characters, very impressive second label starting to drink well, but decades in the tank too.

And last but definitely not least, the Bonarda, from Cafayate Valley, Salta in Argentina. Serious altitude vineyards here, at 1700m (and we noted they have another wine, highest vineyard in the world, grapes grown at 3100m!!!). Structured, dark cherry and black fruits, well balanced, oak nicely in the background, interesting grape! I've not had many wines from South America, too much oak and overripeness is the cliche that keeps being reinforced with each one I try, but this one is really impressive.

Great start to what should be a decadent December!! Cheers all
Tim

[Sean]

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[Mike Hawkins]

2008 Dom Perignon Legacy. Richard has been talking this up for the past 8 years, and it really delivers. Super young, the Chardonnay fruit dominates the blend now. Citrus and floral notes abound, and the racy acidity gives it a long lemony finish. Don’t drink it too cold as the acid will overwhelm. Drink in 15plus years when the stash of 09 is done. Superb wine in the making and unlike any young DP I can recall.

Thanks for this note Mike, I'm taking one to a tasting soon ('8' theme, alongside Dom P2 98 and Winnie Churchill 88).

Quite like acid, but good point on the temperature. Do you have an opinion on decanting champagne?? Wondering if it would help the Dom 08 when served so young.

Cheers
Tim

I’ve never decanted a DP, but after thinking about your post, I think it’s a great idea. I’m looking fwd to your notes - some really nice bottles!

[Con J]

Went to my first Christmas function last night and what a night it was.
All wines were amazing in their own styles, we were all amazed at how young the Cheval Blanc and Guigal looked.

Not sure how I’d pick a wine of the year.

2002 Salon
2010 Bouchard Chevalier Montrachet.
1999 Rousseau Clos du Ruchottes
2008 Soldera.
1982 Cheval Blanc.
1989 Guigal La Mouline.
1989 D’Yquem.
1977 Niepoort Vintage Port.

Cheers Con.

[Sean]

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[TiggerK]

Nice high quality tour of some Old World legends there Con! Will 82's ever age I wonder? How was the Bouchard? Thankfully no premox I assume.

[Sigmamupi]

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First pre-Christmas lunch yesterday at Canberra restaurant Courgette (byo $25 per bottle). Not sure how clear the photo is but:

2002 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

2010 DRC Echezeaux

2006 Ornellaia Masseto

2011 Chateau Climens.

All wines in excellent condition and all outstanding but the Masseto was my top and rated as my wine of the year. It is labelled as 15 per cent alcohol and with half a degree less would be a genuine 100 point wine. My 3 dining companions rated the 2002 Comtes the best. Worth noting that I tried this about 4 years ago and it was very acidic and primary at that time but this bottle was brilliant with toasted brioche development and still plenty of acid refreshment.

[Michael R]

Happy Christmas Tony, good to see you are drinking well.
We've got our end of year event in a couple of weeks and hoping for similar results.

Reminds me to organise another Coche event in 2019....will keep you posted

Mick

[Ozzie W]

2016 Famiglia Statella Etna Pettinociarelle

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A new Etna producer. Made by Calogero Statella who was the oenologist at Tenuta delle Terre Nere. From Pettinociarelle on the northern slopes of Mt Etna at 765m, next to Passopisciaro. Vinified in the cellars at Terre Nere. A blend of 90% Nerello Mascalese 10% Nerello Cappuccio. 13.5% ABV.

A wonderful Burgundian perfume. Dark fruits, red cherry, spices, forest floor, just a tiny hint of oak, velvety tannins, and a jolt of Etna minerality. Outstanding now but will also improve with further cellaring.

What a debut! If you love the wines of Etna, seek this one out.

[Mike Hawkins]

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First pre-Christmas lunch yesterday at Canberra restaurant Courgette (byo $25 per bottle). Not sure how clear the photo is but:

2002 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

2010 DRC Echezeaux

2006 Ornellaia Masseto

2011 Chateau Climens.

All wines in excellent condition and all outstanding but the Masseto was my top and rated as my wine of the year. It is labelled as 15 per cent alcohol and with half a degree less would be a genuine 100 point wine. My 3 dining companions rated the 2002 Comtes the best. Worth noting that I tried this about 4 years ago and it was very acidic and primary at that time but this bottle was brilliant with toasted brioche development and still plenty of acid refreshment.

The 02 Comtes is superb, and will get better.

I was at the winery last month and was told the 08 will be out either end of 2019 or more likely, early 2020. Having had it before, it’s even better than the 02. I can’t wait to try both alongside the 96..

[Sean]

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[Con J]

Nice high quality tour of some Old World legends there Con! Will 82's ever age I wonder? How was the Bouchard? Thankfully no premox I assume.

Hi Tim.

The Bouchard under Diam was fresh and lovely, I loved the acid profile on this.
I think I preferred this to the couple of Montrachet's I've had before.

Cheers Con.

[TiggerK]

Nice high quality tour of some Old World legends there Con! Will 82's ever age I wonder? How was the Bouchard? Thankfully no premox I assume.

Hi Tim.

The Bouchard under Diam was fresh and lovely, I loved the acid profile on this.
I think I preferred this to the couple of Montrachet's I've had before.

Cheers Con.

Agree, the acid on Chevalier is so often thrilling for me too. Add 2010 into the mix, winner!

[Sigmamupi]

The 02 Comtes is superb, and will get better.

I was at the winery last month and was told the 08 will be out either end of 2019 or more likely, early 2020. Having had it before, it’s even better than the 02. I can’t wait to try both alongside the 96..

Thanks Mike. I am not a big champagne drinker, but plan to put aside the odd bottle of mainstream 2008s for use in future lunches with other good stuff from the cellar. Cristal put away so far; Dom, Taittinger Comtes and Pol Roger WC is the short list to come.

Can you advise if the "Legacy" 2008 Dom with the signatures that has already been released is the same wine in the bottle as the normal label 2008 Dom yet to be released? Or is the Legacy edition different and worth buying in its own right?

[Mike Hawkins]

The 02 Comtes is superb, and will get better.

I was at the winery last month and was told the 08 will be out either end of 2019 or more likely, early 2020. Having had it before, it’s even better than the 02. I can’t wait to try both alongside the 96..

Thanks Mike. I am not a big champagne drinker, but plan to put aside the odd bottle of mainstream 2008s for use in future lunches with other good stuff from the cellar. Cristal put away so far; Dom, Taittinger Comtes and Pol Roger WC is the short list to come.

Can you advise if the "Legacy" 2008 Dom with the signatures that has already been released is the same wine in the bottle as the normal label 2008 Dom yet to be released? Or is the Legacy edition different and worth buying in its own right?

According to the winery, the contents are exactly the same. Much like the limited release labels in previous vintages. LVMH Australia indicated the regular label 08 will be out on 1/3/19.

[Sean]

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[Chuck]

Marjico 2016 The Harvester Barossa Cabernet Franc.
There are not many straight CFs around in OZ. Small planting are usually used in cabernet blends. This is made by Jim Irvine after he sold his Irvine Wines business (great merlots) a few years ago. Lovely perfumed nose with good sweet red and black fruits on the palate. The usual CF tannins are there alongside some good acid. It needs a bit of time to soften the tannins and acids but the fruit should not diminish. A good effort. Grapes from warmer Barossa are well ripened. Jim thought he could retire at around 80 after selling Irvine Wines but couldn't stay that way for long.

We tasted some CFs in Virginia USA a few years ago. The area laid claim to being the epicentre of CF in American. More like the epicentre of an earthquake IMO. Under ripe fruit and harsh tannins and acid. Even one attendant at a tasting admitted they were uninspiring.

Carl

[Matt@5453]

2017 Eperosa Grenache Mataro, Barossa Valley

60% Grenache, 40% Mataro. As soon as I pulled the cork the aroma and initial taste was screaming immediate drinking appeal. Vibrant raspberry/wild strawberry fruit, earthiness & minerality. A touch under medium bodied, but very good palate weight. Excellent balance of fruit, supple tannins and bright acidity with musk and spice developing on the long lingering finish. Well played.

[Ian S]

2004 Penfolds St Henri. Almost certainly this will be a case of damning with faint praise, but despite being somewhat true to the house style, it isn't the full cliche, has enough velvety tannins still and just enough acidity. Enjoyable as a winter warmer, and a wine that is easy to enjoy. Early to my tastes, but I could see it having appeal at this point for many people.

[Sigmamupi]

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Another Pre-Christmas lunch, this time at XO a very good modern Asian restaurant in the inner South of Canberra. All wines in good condition and very enjoyable, with the 2013 Giaconda chardonnay my favourite. The 2010 Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin was my contribution and was showing forest floor/mushroom development ie ready to drink. I was pleasantly surprised by the 2003 Lamarche Echezeaux as it was ripe, robust and full of fruit but with no hotness as you might expect from that vintage.