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

[Matt@5453]

1998 Taylors Wines St Andrews Shiraz, Clare Valley

I opened a bottle from another source a couple of years ago, the cork was ruined and the wine undrinkable. I picked this up from Auction at a relativity low cost, it had good provenance, so I took a punt.

I stood the wine up for 5 days prior knowing it has a fair amount of sediment. Impeccable cork on pulling – I poured off ~100ml and left the bottle to breathe for ~4 hours. Initial taste was ‘musty’, hence left it. After 4 hours the wine had opened up nicely and the mustiness blew off.

Rich/sweet fruits, coffee/mocha, tobacco, dried fruits (raisins?) and a touch of spice. Lovely mouthfeel/ethereal. The tannins are fully resolved with a soft long finish. Probably past its prime, but drinking surprisingly very well. Very enjoyable with roast lamb.

20181216_161934.jpg

[Sean]

deleted

[Rossco]

Last friday's Christmas Dinner............. VERY SPECIAL event, with an equally generous bunch of people.

All wines tasted blind.

2004 Dom Perignon Rose
Smoked Salmon / Bruised Pink in Colour
Immediate hit of Vegemite type yeast.
Very Meaty with a beautiful creaminess. Chalky and wet slatey minerals quite dominant
Didnt get a lot of Strawberries or red fruits, and the reason was only 28% Pinot. Which really
shocked the table as the colour indicated the wine was majority Pinot. How wrong we all were!
Amazing 10 years on lees. Love the label, my first Dom Rose and was very elegant. Great start


2014 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Premier Cru Gouttes d'or
Golden/ Straw Yellow in colour, some banana and tropical fruits on the nose initially. Grilled nuts and a creamy nuttiness fills
the senses. Slate and Minerals with some flinty/Gunsmoke characters. Lemon curd adds to the complexity.
Very powerful, and a long length with a touch of spiciness at the end with the oak really rounding out and
complementing the acid. Long life ahead, no signs of premox and cork was Diam which was really interesting.
My first white burg that wasnt a chablis.... and down the rabbit hole I go... good bye bank balance, it was nice
to know you. White wine of the year for me


2004 DRC Richebourg
Browing / brick colour suggesting this was quite old. Felt like lots of whole bunches in there,
very stinky/barnyard nose initially, but that blew off with some time in the glass. Instant coffee notes with some
violet type florals and tea leaves as well. Length was astonishing... lasted a very long time.
No green characters at all and some dark cherry notes with spice and stem/sap characters, beautiful wine once it opened
up. Very complex structure that continued to unravel its secrets over the night.
There was an audible WOW and GASP from the attendees when the bottle was revealed, knowing we were in
the presence of greatness. My very first (and I thought) last DRC I would ever have.


2002 DRC Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru Cuvee Duvault-Blochet
Brighter dark red/dark purple in the glass than the previous wine, suggested it was a bit younger, but
again I was wrong. Lots of graphite, wet gravel and pebbles here, minerals and florals and spice.
Not as stemmy and didnt seem to have the same whole bunch characters as previous bottle either, but
unmistakable high quality burg. Some dry herbal characters as well, and there is real power to this wine
Again no greenness or under-ripeness, quite the opposite, sweet red fruits of cherries and some blueberries.
Slight mintiness at the end as well. Unicorn wine! Another DRC....None for nearly 40 years of my life, then two in one night.
How special is this!


1983 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
The colour is stunning, love it. Bright red/purple. Defies its age. Beautiful minty/menthol characters with
green capsicum. Clarity is amazing for the age. Pencil Shavings/Cedar and raspberry notes with some
tobacco there as well. Cork was fully soaked through, but still pristine bottle. Leather and earthy scents as
well. Just wonderful left bank enjoyment and an absolute stunner.


1990 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
Some thought there were elements of Viognier in here such was the nose of florals & perfume.
Tar and Roses, lots of Sultry Tannin, quite seductive tannin structure actually. Some VA but that
went away with time in the glass. I got some Sultana/Raisins as well in there. Hints of clove and some
leather and dried herbs and dried/cured meats. My first 'Ermitage' (in french voice) and quite impressed!


1989 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron
Initial heat on the nose, Alcohol? Touch of VA as well, but all blew off with air, and when that happened revealed an absolutely
stunning wine! Clearly aged/older as browning on the rim, but wow.... Forest Floor, Wet pine and creamy, well integrated oak.
Enoki mushroom and licorice.... so much going on here. Some fruit still there, blackcurrants and dark plums, and something else...
grilled figs or smokey berries or something like that . What a wonderful aged Bordeaux


2006 Bodegas Roda Rioja Cirsion
Wow this is a HUGE wine. Inky Black in the glass. Feels very young like a 2012 or something.
Again huge black fruits. Blackberries, blackcurrants, very concentrated and dense on the palate
Lashings of vanilla oak, Tar and earth and very dark chocolate. Hints of black licorice, charcoal as well
as black pudding. Unbelievable wine...this is a 50+ year wine. It will outlive me no problems.

Reminded me a lot of the 2005 Altos de Lanzaga Tempranillo that bought to an offline in September, so I headed
towards spain/rioja/temp in my guess of the wine.

1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
An aged/older wine, but still very bright in the glass. Leafy Cedar notes. This feels a little
dryer in the mouth texture wise. Quite delicate and feminine with some lovely musky/perfume florals on the nose. Lots of Graphite and lead/pencil, with quite
beautiful and chewy tannin in the mouth. Lots of minerality as well, some slight mocha/coffee and earthy/minty hints. What another sensational wine.
Structure still quite dominant however, acid and tannin backbone of the wine will ensure a LONG life.


1982 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Mr Brett showed up with all his other mates called Brett and ruined the party


1952 Saltram Pinnacle Selection Old Liqueur Muscat
The clarity of this wine defies its age. No signs of blurriness or haze in the glass at all.
Beautify mahogany brown colour of the wine. Burnt butter, very rich... lots of richness here.
Toffee and Caramel, Treacle and golden syrup. Dark Roast Coffee, Peanut Brittle, Raisins, Cloves,
Cinnamon and Vanilla Bean, Astonishing wine.... the length is mind blowing. It just doesnt stop.. in fact
it keep building and building in the mouth. The longer it lasts the more it reveals itself and the more complex
it becomes. Liquid gold & equal fortified of the year for me

[michel]

Last friday's Christmas Dinner............. VERY SPECIAL event, with an equally generous bunch of people.

All wines tasted blind.

2004 Dom Perignon Rose
Smoked Salmon / Bruised Pink in Colour
Immediate hit of Vegemite type yeast.
Very Meaty with a beautiful creaminess. Chalky and wet slatey minerals quite dominant
Didnt get a lot of Strawberries or red fruits, and the reason was only 28% Pinot. Which really
shocked the table as the colour indicated the wine was majority Pinot. How wrong we all were!
Amazing 10 years on lees. Love the label, my first Dom Rose and was very elegant. Great start


2014 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Premier Cru Gouttes d'or
Golden/ Straw Yellow in colour, some banana and tropical fruits on the nose initially. Grilled nuts and a creamy nuttiness fills
the senses. Slate and Minerals with some flinty/Gunsmoke characters. Lemon curd adds to the complexity.
Very powerful, and a long length with a touch of spiciness at the end with the oak really rounding out and
complementing the acid. Long life ahead, no signs of premox and cork was Diam which was really interesting.
My first white burg that wasnt a chablis.... and down the rabbit hole I go... good bye bank balance, it was nice
to know you. White wine of the year for me


2004 DRC Richebourg
Browing / brick colour suggesting this was quite old. Felt like lots of whole bunches in there,
very stinky/barnyard nose initially, but that blew off with some time in the glass. Instant coffee notes with some
violet type florals and tea leaves as well. Length was astonishing... lasted a very long time.
No green characters at all and some dark cherry notes with spice and stem/sap characters, beautiful wine once it opened
up. Very complex structure that continued to unravel its secrets over the night.
There was an audible WOW and GASP from the attendees when the bottle was revealed, knowing we were in
the presence of greatness. My very first (and I thought) last DRC I would ever have.


2002 DRC Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru Cuvee Duvault-Blochet
Brighter dark red/dark purple in the glass than the previous wine, suggested it was a bit younger, but
again I was wrong. Lots of graphite, wet gravel and pebbles here, minerals and florals and spice.
Not as stemmy and didnt seem to have the same whole bunch characters as previous bottle either, but
unmistakable high quality burg. Some dry herbal characters as well, and there is real power to this wine
Again no greenness or under-ripeness, quite the opposite, sweet red fruits of cherries and some blueberries.
Slight mintiness at the end as well. Unicorn wine! Another DRC....None for nearly 40 years of my life, then two in one night.
How special is this!


1983 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
The colour is stunning, love it. Bright red/purple. Defies its age. Beautiful minty/menthol characters with
green capsicum. Clarity is amazing for the age. Pencil Shavings/Cedar and raspberry notes with some
tobacco there as well. Cork was fully soaked through, but still pristine bottle. Leather and earthy scents as
well. Just wonderful left bank enjoyment and an absolute stunner.


1990 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
Some thought there were elements of Viognier in here such was the nose of florals & perfume.
Tar and Roses, lots of Sultry Tannin, quite seductive tannin structure actually. Some VA but that
went away with time in the glass. I got some Sultana/Raisins as well in there. Hints of clove and some
leather and dried herbs and dried/cured meats. My first 'Ermitage' (in french voice) and quite impressed!


1989 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron
Initial heat on the nose, Alcohol? Touch of VA as well, but all blew off with air, and when that happened revealed an absolutely
stunning wine! Clearly aged/older as browning on the rim, but wow.... Forest Floor, Wet pine and creamy, well integrated oak.
Enoki mushroom and licorice.... so much going on here. Some fruit still there, blackcurrants and dark plums, and something else...
grilled figs or smokey berries or something like that . What a wonderful aged Bordeaux


2006 Bodegas Roda Rioja Cirsion
Wow this is a HUGE wine. Inky Black in the glass. Feels very young like a 2012 or something.
Again huge black fruits. Blackberries, blackcurrants, very concentrated and dense on the palate
Lashings of vanilla oak, Tar and earth and very dark chocolate. Hints of black licorice, charcoal as well
as black pudding. Unbelievable wine...this is a 50+ year wine. It will outlive me no problems.

Reminded me a lot of the 2005 Altos de Lanzaga Tempranillo that bought to an offline in September, so I headed
towards spain/rioja/temp in my guess of the wine.

1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
An aged/older wine, but still very bright in the glass. Leafy Cedar notes. This feels a little
dryer in the mouth texture wise. Quite delicate and feminine with some lovely musky/perfume florals on the nose. Lots of Graphite and lead/pencil, with quite
beautiful and chewy tannin in the mouth. Lots of minerality as well, some slight mocha/coffee and earthy/minty hints. What another sensational wine.
Structure still quite dominant however, acid and tannin backbone of the wine will ensure a LONG life.


1982 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Mr Brett showed up with all his other mates called Brett and ruined the party


1952 Saltram Pinnacle Selection Old Liqueur Muscat
The clarity of this wine defies its age. No signs of blurriness or haze in the glass at all.
Beautify mahogany brown colour of the wine. Burnt butter, very rich... lots of richness here.
Toffee and Caramel, Treacle and golden syrup. Dark Roast Coffee, Peanut Brittle, Raisins, Cloves,
Cinnamon and Vanilla Bean, Astonishing wine.... the length is mind blowing. It just doesnt stop.. in fact
it keep building and building in the mouth. The longer it lasts the more it reveals itself and the more complex
it becomes. Liquid gold & equal fortified of the year for me

awesome list
I have a 2004 dom rose to open on christmas day for me daughter whom finished school
cant wait
is the rest chardonnay and meunier ?

[Rossco]

awesome list
I have a 2004 dom rose to open on christmas day for me daughter whom finished school
cant wait
is the rest chardonnay and meunier ?

Rest is Chardonnay i believe.

[michel]

awesome list
I have a 2004 dom rose to open on christmas day for me daughter whom finished school
cant wait
is the rest chardonnay and meunier ?

Rest is Chardonnay i believe.

bizarre
never heard of a majority chardonnay that is rose ...
cant wait

[Mike Hawkins]

awesome list
I have a 2004 dom rose to open on christmas day for me daughter whom finished school
cant wait
is the rest chardonnay and meunier ?

Rest is Chardonnay i believe.

bizarre
never heard of a majority chardonnay that is rose ...
cant wait

Dom Ruinart Rose sits at around 80% chardy most releases

[TiggerK]

What a great list Rossco! Lafon is indeed ruinous of bank balances. Had one last night actually!!

Lovely lineup last night at yet another Xmas party with a group of good friends...

Highlights were many, but in particular loved the Lafon, PYCM, DRC, Mazoyeres-C and the 62 Wynns.

Krug MV (Disg 2006)
2015 Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux Opallion
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaucoupins Stellaris
2013 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots
2016 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard
2015 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
2013 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
2015 Domaine de l'Anglore Tavel
1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru
2011 Domaine Dujac Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
2005 Frédéric Magnien Echezeaux Grand Cru
2007 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru
1962 Wynns Hermitage
1972 Wynns Hermitage

[Ozzie W]

1972 Wynns Hermitage

How was the 72? I've seen it come up at auction from time to time. Birth year wine for me.

[TiggerK]

1972 Wynns Hermitage

How was the 72? I've seen it come up at auction from time to time. Birth year wine for me.

It was interesting that's for sure. Had all the good components you want in an old wine, brett levels low, structure and fruit still good. Only negative was a slightly distracting and very unusual flavour on the palate that I struggled to put my finger on. Dave Vino may have a note on it....

Probably the best 72 wine I've had though. (But I've not had many!)

[Con J]

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.

Hi Felix.

What do you think about 1986 Bordeaux.
In the last couple of months I've had a Cos D Estournel and Ducru Beaucaillou and feel the tannins are overtaking the fruit.
For as long as I can remember we were always saying the 1986's need more time for the tannins to intergrade, I think they're running out of time.

Cheers Con.

[felixp21]

Yep, Con, with several notable and superb exceptions, 1986 is a vintage that has been long over-hyped and has long under-delivered.
I'm old enough to have been an experienced Bordeaux drinker at the en primeur showing of 86, and I was with the vast majority who thought they simply needed time, and that the vintage would be legendary. No internet back then, but the scribes superlatives for the vintage were consistent from British, to French, to American wine journalists.
Very few great 86 wines remain, Mouton and Lafite stand out like beacons, but the mid and lower tier stuff is long past it for my palate ( although if you have an English taste, these are all still fine and dandy)
I'm of the opinion 1986 Bordeaux is like 1996 Burgundy, "da lei, bu xia yu" as we would say up here. (All thunder, no rain) Both promised so much, but seemed to have delivered so little in the end.
Don't get me started on 2005

[Mike Hawkins]

1976 Wynn’s Black Label Cabernet.... this is why we cellar wines. Absolutely pristine bottle. A little shy on the nose, but eventually flooded the senses with notes of mulberry, violets and tobacco. The palate was verging on perfection, with the fruit and tannin integrated seamlessly. The velvety mouthfeel and fanastic length left all of us thinking this is a candidate for Australian WOTY. One of the rare JWTs that didn’t peak in primary school. The best of the first 9 bottles of 12...

1996 Laurent Perrier... last bottle was so so but this was singing. Smelled like a rose and had a great finish. No point leav ING this wine any longer.

2002Dom Perignon ... in a weird phase. Pleasant, but dealing with vinous acne and angst. Wait till it gets out of its teens and the hormones settle down... a supermodel awaits.

1997 Tignanello... bad bottle which is surprising given it has been treated perfectly since purchase.

2002 Paul Bara Spcecial Club. First 7 bottles were great, and the last 2 were train wrecks. Thankfully this was back in form. Lots of strawberries on the nose and palate. In a good spot, but no rush to drink.

[dave vino]

Annual BBQ Quaffer of the Year dinner...

Any notes, ask Tigger as he has a better organoleptic memory than me when it comes to BBQ Quaffers. I tend to get all muddled up after about the 15th one by the next morning unless I do notes. PS the La Tache was beyond good, haunting almost, my new Friday Night Footy wine for sure.

1998 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
2004 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

2009 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur
2013 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur
2011 Henri Germain et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières
2016 Bouchard Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières
2008 Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune
2014 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
2014 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
2013 Weingut Keller Riesling G-Max

2015 Jean-Marie Fourrier Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
2010 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru
1964 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo
1991 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
1975 Château d'Arcins Haut Medoc
1996 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
1996 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Beerenauslese
2006 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Beerenauslese Riesling

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122018/Sake1.jpg[/img]

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[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122018/Sake8.jpg[/img]

[michel]

How awesome was the Rousseau Beze 2010
was just pondering opening one tomorrow .....

[dave vino]

It was pretty good. Like just invite 2 of your closest wine drinking buddies over, dim the lights, put on some Coltrane and drink and ponder....and then discuss the various 'holy fscks' being uttered...

Still pretty young, still lots happening but has so much more potential for further development, had a lovely inherent softness to it that belied it's young age. @Red Smurf can probably chime in. As good as the Fourrier was this was in another class, albeit the Fourrier was younger again.

My honest opinion would be to hold for at least another 5-10 years but still eminently drinkable now.

[catchnrelease]

Xmas eve celebrations with the family and co. Highlight of the night was mum’s spectacular Vietnamese cooking.

Veuve Cliquot NV - This had been sitting in the cellar for years, probably >10 years realistically. Opened it because why not, had developed some of those dry sherry nutty notes and had plenty of acid and fizz left. Nice aged champagne although nothing extraordinary.

2013 Somerled Reserve Sparkling Shiraz - Very nice example of a style I find a bit hit and miss. Great balance between black currant sweetness and the savoury olive and tar notes. Received well by the whole crowd.

2012 Kooyong Farrago Chardonnay - Only got to try a little of this, very nice fruit forward style, not too much oak, stone fruits and good length. Plenty of gas in the tank and a nice crowd pleasing style of Chardonnay.

2013 Hoddles Creek 1er Pinot Noir - Very closed on opening, at this point dinner was on and wines were flying everywhere so struggled to pay super close attention to the wine while also making conversation and stuffing my face with delicious food. It was pretty good but I think needs more time.

2012 By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir - By far(r) the favourite wine of the night. Soft red fruits but plenty of presence and length, little bit of whole bunch going on. Did fall apart in the glass after 1hr so definitely in its drinking window. Pop and pour and you’re in for a treat.

2013 Ten Minutes by Tractor Estate Pinot Noir - A decent wine but it feels like it’s towards the back end of its drinking window. Had a hard time coming after the By Farr.

1984 Penfolds Grange Hermitage - Past its best, dusty nose and most of the fruit gone, some pepper and black currant on the palate with an unbalanced touch of nail polish remover. A shame, most of the bottle left alone.

2010 Best’s Great Western House Block Riesling - Very dry for an off dry riesling, kind of in a dumb phase being very closed, some kero and sweetness in amongst the faint citrus notes. I think it needs another 5 years minimum, it has the structure to get it there.

[phillisc]

2012 Katnook Odyssey
Opened with a lovely floral note blueberry and spice. Two years in French oak...but beautifully integrated.... delicate palate with typical coonawarra cabernet characters... velvet tannins... just a treat and so easy to drink now but will put the rest away.
Cheers
Craig

[michel]

It was pretty good. Like just invite 2 of your closest wine drinking buddies over, dim the lights, put on some Coltrane and drink and ponder....and then discuss the various 'holy fscks' being uttered...

Still pretty young, still lots happening but has so much more potential for further development, had a lovely inherent softness to it that belied it's young age. @Red Smurf can probably chime in. As good as the Fourrier was this was in another class, albeit the Fourrier was younger again.

My honest opinion would be to hold for at least another 5-10 years but still eminently drinkable now.

Thanks Dave!
Just listening to Giant Steps ...
Coltrane is the Man

[Dang]

I happened to open the 1998 Katnook Odyssey for Xmas dinner, then I saw the report of the 2012 Odyssey. What timing!
The '98 has time to age, so the cork crumbled at its end, fortunately. The nose showed lots of fruit, mostly blueberry surrounded by smoke meat, anise and the obvious eucalyptus. Chocolate appeared more on the palate, among cassis flavor and a soft tannin finish. A very well balanced drop, albeit with a mid length finish. Should hang on for another 5 to 10 yrs, but for the cork.
Cheers and merry Xmas...
Now what to drink for new year?

[Matt@5453]

A white wine fest given the heat here in SA:

2015 Claymore Wines Superstition Reserve Riesling

Pure clean expression of the Watervale sub region; limes, acidity softening, awesome length. Terrific Wine

2017 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling

Flinty, minerality, natural acidity. Probably lacking the intensity I was expecting. Overshadowed by the Claymore on this occasion.

2017 Taylors Wines Jaraman Chardonnay (Clare & Margaret River)

Stone fruit, flint with well judged oak with a touch of creaminess. Very smart wine.

2016 Eileen Hardy Chardonnay (Yarra Valley & Tasmania)

Youthful, noticeable acidity, stonefruit, lovely light mouthfeel, creamy/caramel oak. Still young and needs some time to come together

2017 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling

In a good drinking zone. Limes, balanced acidity. Drinking very well.

[Ozzie W]

2017 Domenica Nebbiolo Rosé
Strawberry, peaches n' cream, Granny Smith apple, with some pink grapefruit on the dry and powdery finish. Deliciously moreish!

[Rossco]

What a great list Rossco! Lafon is indeed ruinous of bank balances. Had one last night actually!!

Lovely lineup last night at yet another Xmas party with a group of good friends...

Highlights were many, but in particular loved the Lafon, PYCM, DRC, Mazoyeres-C and the 62 Wynns.

Krug MV (Disg 2006)
2015 Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux Opallion
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaucoupins Stellaris
2013 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots
2016 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard
2015 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
2013 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
2015 Domaine de l'Anglore Tavel
1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru
2011 Domaine Dujac Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
2005 Frédéric Magnien Echezeaux Grand Cru
2007 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru
1962 Wynns Hermitage
1972 Wynns Hermitage

WOW what a line up!

Does Lafon have the premox issues of other white burg producers? or are they 'relatively' ok?
Im just trying to compile a list of white burg producers susceptible to premox and keeping away from
them as much as possible.

[Rossco]

2010 Heemskerk Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Really clean Tassie sparkling. Chalky, Green Crunchy Apple, Orange Peel, white flowers and talk. Some colour starting to
sneak in, and some slight yeasty/bready notes. Doesnt feel like it has seen any barrel ferment or ageing, as was quite 'steely'.
Mousse was not as soft & elegant as I would have liked, but was still a really good starter.

NV Braydun Hill Crimson Silk Sparkling Red
Very low bubbles and fizz upon opening. Was a cork stopper and seemed thin on the bottom (compared to other sparklings
that have a wide/tapered bottom). Was still lacking some fizz on pouring into glass, but it was all forgotten when you took that first sip.
Lovely rich black fruits of blackberry, blackcurrants and plums. Coffee beans, old leather and dark chocolate with a touch of liquorice. Very silky
very smashable and perfect on a hot Christmas evening.

NV Flaxman Sparkling Shiraz
This was ok, and not as good as the Braydun, but better than the tahbilk (below). Soft black fruits, not as
prominent as the braydun. Good level of fizz too, not sharp bubbles mind you which is a good thing. Some oak,
some nice acid backing it up and some minty earthiness as well.

2013 Tahbilk 'Coueslant' Sparkling Shiraz
Didnt feel the love in this bottle. Seemed simple and 'by the numbers'. Could have been a sparkling red from
anywhere really. Not as varietal as i have enjoyed previously. This always needs a few years bottle age, but
will crack another in January and see if it was a bad bottle.


NV Primo Estate Sparkling Red (Disgorged July 2017)
Always my favourite sparkling red in Australia (Yes I know Ashton hills and seppelt show reserve
are good) but I just love everything about this. The packaging, the story behind it and yes the wine! Depth of
very high quality black and red fruits is astounding. Perfect mousse, with a real creaminess behind it. Oak isnt
as prominent in this version, but the older characters of coffee beans, black shoe polish and chesterfield leather
were all there. More please.

2017 Grosset Springvale Riesling
Probably still a bit young. Nice limey notes but the acid is very prominent. Good length and some chalky/minerally
talcy notes were there. Needs probably another year to fill out a bit.

[Stomper]

Hi Rossco

I'd recommend leaving the 2013 Tahbilk sparkling red to 2023 to 2025. It's way too young still.

Cheers
Paul

[michel]

What a great list Rossco! Lafon is indeed ruinous of bank balances. Had one last night actually!!

Lovely lineup last night at yet another Xmas party with a group of good friends...

Highlights were many, but in particular loved the Lafon, PYCM, DRC, Mazoyeres-C and the 62 Wynns.

Krug MV (Disg 2006)
2015 Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux Opallion
2015 L&C Poitout Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaucoupins Stellaris
2013 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots
2016 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard
2015 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
2013 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
2015 Domaine de l'Anglore Tavel
1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru
2011 Domaine Dujac Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
2005 Frédéric Magnien Echezeaux Grand Cru
2007 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru
1962 Wynns Hermitage
1972 Wynns Hermitage

WOW what a line up!

Does Lafon have the premox issues of other white burg producers? or are they 'relatively' ok?
Im just trying to compile a list of white burg producers susceptible to premox and keeping away from
them as much as possible.

For me
Lafon is one of the WORST offenders with premox
I will never purchase ever

[Rossco]

WOW what a line up!

Does Lafon have the premox issues of other white burg producers? or are they 'relatively' ok?
Im just trying to compile a list of white burg producers susceptible to premox and keeping away from
them as much as possible.

For me
Lafon is one of the WORST offenders with premox
I will never purchase ever

Thanks for that, i had no idea. I knew about the issues at Leflaive, but not Lafon. Will add that to my list.
Thanks michel

[Rossco]

Hi Rossco

I'd recommend leaving the 2013 Tahbilk sparkling red to 2023 to 2025. It's way too young still.

Cheers
Paul

LOL, im not sure I can wait that long

[TiggerK]

I'm just trying to compile a list of white burg producers susceptible to premox and keeping away from
them as much as possible.

This may be a useful reference if you've not seen it before Rossco.

[url]http://www.gdeschamps.net/wiki/doku.php?id= ... _affected2[/url]

I've never seen a premoxed Lafon, but I've never had one over 5 years old, so doesn't say much, I defer to michel's experience. Had endless premoxed Leflaives though! But when they are correct, they are almost always sublime experiences of truly great Chardonnay. And Lafon are also remarkable wines, but can be quite reductive young, so I'd open them at 4-6 years of age and give them an hour in the decanter (or much more for the younger GC's)

It's a sad state of affairs as aged white burg can be amazing, but I will always drink my white Burgundy at 6 or 7 years old maximum, and by that rule, so far so good.

Cheers
Tim

[Hacker]

I had a 2001 Robert Chevillon Roncieres for lunch the other day. Was probably my WOTY, powerful but velvety and silken. Each sip had me taking more and more notice. Soft cherries and fine resolved tannins, and beautiful length. So much to love. Perfect with baked salmon.