1985 Taltarni Cabernet
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Jenise
1985 Taltarni Cabernet
Decent drop now, or long since dead? Some has been offered to me fairly cheaply, but don't want to spend my pesos on a corpse, so....
Jenise, I'd like to try it before buying much. Also depends on how it's been cellared. Some of the 80 Taltarni cabs had a heap of tannin and sometimes enough fruit to go with it, I have tasted some of the 70's Cabs at about 20 yo and some of them were in good shape.
FWIW here is Jeremy Olivers note from October 1998:
More of a powerful, harder-edged claret, with a pungent, cedary, nose of leather and tar, lightly scented with mint, eucalypt and cigarboxes. Massively structured, this sumptuous red is firm and stony, deeply flavoured and still needs to soften. Not as sophisticated as recent wines. (17.4, Drink 2005+)
FWIW here is Jeremy Olivers note from October 1998:
More of a powerful, harder-edged claret, with a pungent, cedary, nose of leather and tar, lightly scented with mint, eucalypt and cigarboxes. Massively structured, this sumptuous red is firm and stony, deeply flavoured and still needs to soften. Not as sophisticated as recent wines. (17.4, Drink 2005+)
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Taltarni ex-winemaker was Dominique Portet whose grandfather was working for Chateau Lafite. He has since started his own outfit in Heathcote making elegant and stylish wines. Dominique first came to Australia to work with Domaine Chandon. His aspiration is to make "French(style) wines in Australia.
I found the Taltarni too astringent, harsh in it's youth. Can't comment on the older btls. since I haven't tasted any. Proveneance is an issue here, some of the '70s are still drinking in it's prime.
Do check the ullage level to determine the condition of the bt.
I found the Taltarni too astringent, harsh in it's youth. Can't comment on the older btls. since I haven't tasted any. Proveneance is an issue here, some of the '70s are still drinking in it's prime.
Do check the ullage level to determine the condition of the bt.
Purple Tongue
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Baby Chickpea
- Posts: 582
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:17 pm
The early Taltarni's were superb and over the past 3 years I have drunk the 1977, 1979 (excellent), 1981, and Special Reserve 1984. If well cellared, I suspect the 1985 should be very good. let us know ...
Danny
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes but in having new eyes. We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond - Marcel Proust
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes but in having new eyes. We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond - Marcel Proust
Baby Chickpea wrote:The early Taltarni's were superb and over the past 3 years I have drunk the 1977, 1979 (excellent), 1981, and Special Reserve 1984. If well cellared, I suspect the 1985 should be very good. let us know ...
I had the 1979 this year and it was marvellous, my WOTY probably, with plenty of life left yet. Also had the 1988 soon after which while good, was a little hard edged for mine. It also had much life left. 1985 will be just fine, probably just entering its peak to be honest if the 1988 (still needed time to soften) is any gauge.