Tasting Notes - Brisbane Offline 29 August

[Michael McNally]

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As others have commented, the food and hosting by Perry was top notch. The tajines were incredible and I have been inspired to make one myself later this week.

Six tasters, so good pours and plenty of re-visits at the end. The 'Outstanding' theme brought out some outstanding wines. Two Semillons to start with:

2012 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon
Great texture. Grassy lemon pith. Not too much development. Clean and long. Thanks Luke!
2008 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon
Slightly darker and a little more development, but only very mild kero. Good intensity and length, but lacked a little complexity (my wine).

Both really good wines, but either lacking a little in wow factor or my expectations were too high? The next wine didn’t lack for wow factor at all!

2007 Seppelt 'Show Sparkling Limited Release' Great Western Shiraz
Luke noted the strong floral notes, and I got lots of plum with truffle and mushroom. Voluptuous plum fruit on the palate and the bead is really fine. Nice grip. Excellent length. Under crown seal and I think will continue to improve for decades. Thanks Perry!

2013 By Farr 'Sangreal' Geelong Pinot Noir
The wine is decidedly murky. Really complex nose with bright red fruit and rhubarb. Gorgeous mouthfeel. Lovely balance. Nick commented on the aspirations of the winemaker for a ‘burgundy’ style. Nails it. Thanks Nick!

2010 Jaspers Hill ‘Georgia’s Paddock’ Heathcote Shiraz
First of the bigger wines. Ferrous, earthy, beautiful plum with brandy hints. Savoury. Long. Red fruits appear over black after a while. Not sure this has much room for improvement, but don’t have a lot of experience with the label. Excellent, thanks Luke!

2001 Yalumba 'Signature' Barossa Valley Cabernet/Shiraz
Perry noted the powerful fruit on the nose. Black berries and cherries. Really quite tannic. A hint of mint appears with breathing. The tannin has come of those classic cabernet characters. Length to burn and peak drinking now. Delightful, thanks Jarrod!

2008 Grant Burge ‘Meschach’ Barossa Valley Shiraz
Powerful nose tar, tobacco black plums (Nick said it was a “wall of black fruit”) some vanilla. Masses of tannin. Still balanced with acid clearing off the palate. Being picky (because it’s my wine) it possibly lacks a little complexity. Great length.

1999 D’arenberg ‘Dead Arm’ McLaren Vale Shiraz
This was popped through an aerator. Gorgeous nose. Delicious. Seamless palate. Cool red and black fruit. Raspberry appears after a while. Lovely balance. Excellent, thanks Clive!

It was really good having the four bigger wines open together and my favourite went from the Signature to the Jasper’s Hill to the Dead Arm and back to the Signature. As Luke said it was akin to choosing a favourite child and I would have been very happy to take any of the reds (including the Sangreal and the Seppelt) to an offline any time.

Great night and yes, let’s do another before the heat sets in or the Covid closes us down again!

Cheers

Michael