Some of the more interesting wines consumed over the Christmas break:
Moondah Brook Shiraz 1998
Deep, dark red to purple. Intense dark plum and white pepper with sweet oak. Similar flavours on palate with some cloves. A touch warm in the mouth, with grainy tannins settling down. Not a lot of development since tasted 1 1/2 years ago. I remember getting more enjoyment (thought it was spectacular value for money) out of it then than now. Probably at its peak time-wise.
Petaluma Riesling 2002
Bottled under stelvin. Pale straw in colour. Bright fruit aromas of lime, green apples and lychees with that distinctive petaluma 'mineraliness'. Searing acidity on the palate with complex fruit flavours that really linger. Forget secondary aged characters, this one hasn't developed at all, and is even strugling to define its Primary fruit flavour profile. Long life ahead. Brilliant wine.
Brown Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Not quite sure what to expect with this one. Deep red. Cassis and raspberry dominating the nose with some developed olive and earthy aromas. Similar flavours carried through onto palate with pronounced tannin impact. Alcohol and acidity a touch too high, although the only real problem (putting the wine out of balance) was the tannin. I dont think they are going to soften enough before the fruit dies. If you can handle them, you will enjoy the wine.
Tyrrells Stevens Semillon 1997
Pale-medium yellow. A lovely mix of lemon and lime fruits and sweet toasty aromas. fruit holding up well with honey and buttered toast notes integrating beautifully. Impressive length and a pleasure to drink. Much better value for money than the vat 1.
Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1994
Pale yellow. Less secondary aromas compared with the Stevens, although still showing lovely sweet honey and ripe strawberry notes. Retaining impressive acidity and lime fruit flavour, I believe this will hold for a while longer.
Miranda Golden Botrytis 2002
Bright yellow gold. Sweet mandarin and peach, with dollops of honey. Perhaps not as much acidity as some would like in order to keep the sweetness in check, but honestly, I can't get enough of this stuff when young. Sweet nectar.
Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 1997
Didn't take down notes this time. Similar experience to when I last tried it three months ago. I'm glad I bought a bit of this wine. At its peak now, this is a lovely affordable aged red. My patience is definitely being rewarded.
Odds and Ends
Re: Odds and Ends
mphatic wrote:Some of the more interesting wines consumed over the Christmas break:
Moondah Brook Shiraz 1998
Deep, dark red to purple. Intense dark plum and white pepper with sweet oak. Similar flavours on palate with some cloves. A touch warm in the mouth, with grainy tannins settling down. Not a lot of development since tasted 1 1/2 years ago. I remember getting more enjoyment (thought it was spectacular value for money) out of it then than now. Probably at its peak time-wise.
This has been one of my favourite quaffers over the last few years. Great VFM but sadly reaching the end of it's drinking period. But I only have one left.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Re: Odds and Ends
mphatic wrote:
Tyrrells Stevens Semillon 1997
Pale-medium yellow. A lovely mix of lemon and lime fruits and sweet toasty aromas. fruit holding up well with honey and buttered toast notes integrating beautifully. Impressive length and a pleasure to drink. Much better value for money than the vat 1.
Had a bottle of this less than a year ago & vowed to put the remaining bottle away for at least a couple of years. Pretty stunning & had the acidic fizz of a sherbet fountain! Impressive indeed.