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

[sjw_11]

I think for legal reasons I need to be clear- this forum and no one in it endorses the actual removal of testicles to gain entry to a wine tasting and anyone advertising a tasting requiring such will be barred.

Lolz. You guys are hilarious.

[mychurch]

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Mic apparently sold a bottle of 75 Grange at his restaurant last week in Leiden for a cool €1000 (cheapest wine bought by a party of 2). This cost under 20 and i cant believe the Grange is much better. There is some age in the colour, but it’s a lot less than recent oldies. Fill was top shoulder and the nose is immediately filled with berryfruit and eucalyptus. In the mouth it takes me back to the great Auz wines available at Oddbins in the UK at the start of the 90’s. More eucalyptus, spice, fully resolved and moorish to drink. Great surprise and the first time I have started giggling with joy since a 1990 Prum Auslesse in 2018.

[Con J]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Cheers Con.

[Matt@5453]

2017 Marius Wines Simpatico Shiraz, McLaren Vale

I bought six on release, tried one (it looked average), sold 4, keeping one in the hope it would get better, but afraid not. On opening seemed far more developed than you would expect for a touted wine.

Exhibiting the wet year. The wine is thin and hollow. Fair bit of oak dominating the nose and palate. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, black fruits, but with a slight sourness, lacking any fruit drive. Nothing like the 2015 or 2016 vintages of the same wine.
Really disappointing wine.

[phillisc]

2017 Marius Wines Simpatico Shiraz, McLaren Vale

I bought six on release, tried one (it looked average), sold 4, keeping one in the hope it would get better, but afraid not. On opening seemed far more developed than you would expect for a touted wine.

Exhibiting the wet year. The wine is thin and hollow. Fair bit of oak dominating the nose and palate. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, black fruits, but with a slight sourness, lacking any fruit drive. Nothing like the 2015 or 2016 vintages of the same wine.
Really disappointing wine.

I intend to look at Marius with a decade on them, but based on your note, might look at a 17.
Cheers Craig

[Matt@5453]

2017 Marius Wines Simpatico Shiraz, McLaren Vale

I bought six on release, tried one (it looked average), sold 4, keeping one in the hope it would get better, but afraid not. On opening seemed far more developed than you would expect for a touted wine.

Exhibiting the wet year. The wine is thin and hollow. Fair bit of oak dominating the nose and palate. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, black fruits, but with a slight sourness, lacking any fruit drive. Nothing like the 2015 or 2016 vintages of the same wine.
Really disappointing wine.

I intend to look at Marius with a decade on them, but based on your note, might look at a 17.
Cheers Craig

I thought the same.
Other people have similar thoughts on this vintage.
2017 is generally an avoid vintage, I thought this would be better, but it isn't. I sold all my Symphony too.
I have one sole End Play left.

[mjs]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Cheers Con.

Con,
You know I couldn't agree more
cheers, Malcolm

[sjw_11]

2017 Marius Wines Simpatico Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Really disappointing wine.

This really concerned me for a minute, until I realised that I actually did not buy Marius in 2017 (having bought 2011-16) ... guess I had a lucky break, but still sad to hear- in 2011 Roger was the only person in SA just about who actually made a decent wine.

[JamieAdelaide]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Cheers Con.

In my experience these old Aussie wines without provenance, are a bit hit and miss. My experience different or the strike rate not at acceptable levels of success. They were so cheap at auction yet such a tiresome gamble. I did find many that remain forever forged in my palate memory- 1969 Lake’s Folly Cabernet the most dramatic! And this way back in the 90’s.

I’m very careful now. I still source some of the secondary market however they are of a certain style and region that is classified. Lol.

When overseas in Hong Kong I was connected with many in the fine wine industry. They started sourcing old Aussies from UK cellars and what treats. World class wines! My wine group in Hong Kong also had a lot of old Aussies bequeathed by members. They were eclectic in choice and difficult to present in structure tastings. My task was to rationalise the Aussie section of our cellar and sell what wasn’t needed to members in mixed cases. Folks who bought the old 70’s Aussies were beaming after drinking these wines. Couldn’t believe the quality- this from folks accustomed to the Old World fine wine market.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Couldn't agree more. I have never understood the idea that only old world wines can age. For my own part I have never hesitated from putting away new world wines in the cellar, and not only Australian wines, but also from Chile, Lebanon, South Africa, and California. I have had numerous successes with Australian wines and I have to say that on the few occasions that I bought an old bottle, either in store or auction, I have had the good fortune to have had no regrets.

[kenzo]

One has to remember that reliable offsite storage (at least in BNE where I was at the time - late 90s/very early 2000s) was still only a fledgling industry. I am client #86 at my storage facility, and I note that auction wines I had bought at that time were hit and miss. Who knows where the things had been up until then. Now there's a bit more confidence - I have bought cross-storage wines sold from someone else's bin to mine where it's only moved a few metres. I've had mixed luck with wine I bought from auction in the early 2000s.
I did collect several wines such as 82 JR, 72 Penfolds including Grange and also Henschke from the same birth year, 91 Wynns Centenary all from multiple sources, and all with mixed results. Ex-winery or clinic worth the premium methinks if serous about the buy - otherwise I bought for cheaper prices that somewhat offset the gamble. Most recently for the Langtons Metala sale I was quite confident of the providence, as other buyers noted clinic type treatment. I'm supremely confident of all of the wines bought winery-direct and perhaps retail and stored in the facility used since - the only variable being cork. My CEO at the time was also a wine fan so I had special permission to store in the server room - whilst good for temp, not so for humidity but all on their side so no drying of corks and let's not get into the vibration bit. Then all handled in to the storage facilty when it opened. Provenance is king, no good old wine but good old bottles et al, but sometimes we get lucky...still willing to gamble on occasion for fortifieds or unicorns if price is okay.

[mychurch]

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This seems to be a lucky weekend

I’m not generally a fan of Auz Riesling, as they tend to be very tight and austere when compared to my favourite Germans, but this is lovely. Colour is still quite pale given that it’s an 04, but that is stelvin for you. The nose has a heady mix of citrus, stone fruit and petrol, there is wonderful tension in the mouth, with plenty of slightly creamy Stone fruit and some lemon. Finish is refreshing and rather joyous. Can’t think of a better Auz version I have drunk.

[Ian S]

2001 Cullen Diana Madelaine Cab/Merlot. I rather lost faith in this label and indeed the winery around the late 1990s vintages, but by then had already bought 4 bottles of the 2001 vintage. Whilst the critically lauded late 1990s bottles I bought had been distinctly underwhelming, the 2001s have turned out very nicely indeed, and this has the good solid tannic backbone that I'd sought when originally buying the wines. Fruit, tannins and acidity in place to suggest a long life, and at least another decade, maybe 2

[Ian S]

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

That can be rectified. To all the old Aussies on the forum

WE SALUTE YOU

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[VinoEd]

2001 Cullen Diana Madelaine Cab/Merlot. I rather lost faith in this label and indeed the winery around the late 1990s vintages, but by then had already bought 4 bottles of the 2001 vintage. Whilst the critically lauded late 1990s bottles I bought had been distinctly underwhelming, the 2001s have turned out very nicely indeed, and this has the good solid tannic backbone that I'd sought when originally buying the wines. Fruit, tannins and acidity in place to suggest a long life, and at least another decade, maybe 2

Thanks for the note Ian. I haven’t had any Cullen DM of that age, but have a few more recent vintages and did a tasting there when travelling to MR last year. The recent vintages are wound so tight and will need at least 20 years I suspect - dare I chance some older vintages via auction in light of the conversation above??!!

Cheers Ed

[JamieAdelaide]

E3C06546-6F5E-4D2F-A4E3-95D1E3DEAB1B.jpeg

This seems to be a lucky weekend

I’m not generally a fan of Auz Riesling, as they tend to be very tight and austere when compared to my favourite Germans, but this is lovely. Colour is still quite pale given that it’s an 04, but that is stelvin for you. The nose has a heady mix of citrus, stone fruit and petrol, there is wonderful tension in the mouth, with plenty of slightly creamy Stone fruit and some lemon. Finish is refreshing and rather joyous. Can’t think of a better Auz version I have drunk.

Had a Knight’s GH Riesling 2015 last night and it was excellent. What I liked most was the steely-granite acid bone with a completely different fruit profile to SA. It’s ripe-Alsatian like.

I actually have some of their reds and whites in the cellar from the 90’s. Will revisit soon. No lack of confidence they will be doing fine. Another underrated, cellarable Victorian!

[Rossco]

My Notes from another fabulous wine evening from May

Sangiovese vs Nebbiolo was the theme
and as always all wines served blind


Wine # 1 (Starter) – 2020 Nervi Conterno Il Rosato
Love this colour, pale copper/ peach type of hue
Dry with some acidity, although I was expecting more. Some tannin in, but
again soft tannin and very fine. Smells like a neb, but there is a lightness to this wine as well, the
type I usually get from wines higher up In altitude, so I’m thinking Alto Piedmont
There is a lick of cherry and other lighter red fruits, aniseed, and some alpine herb notes as well.
Nice summer drinking, not a serious Rose, it's lacking the fruit power and acidity for me, but a very good drink.


Wine # 2- 2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia
This is very dark in the glass, a dark almost black cherry type colour, some very slight browning starting to appear.
Oak on the nose, not overwhelming, but its there.
In the mouth the tannin hits you first. Its huge, all-encompassing, and powerful.
Masculine tannin are my notes. That masculinity is in the fruit as well, taking it right up to the oak and tannin. Ripe red fruits,
tar, a touch of cola, and again some herbs. Lick of spice too, and I think it’s a neb. Gee those fruits are big, I’m in Serralunga territory.
This feels a bit older, I think an 01: I love this structure, its so complete, it’s a whole wine that just doesn’t miss a beat. Ultra high producer Wow


Wine # 3 – 2005 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano
Very, very floral nose. This is a complete opposite of the Conterno. This is feminine, delicate and pretty.
Has a purity about it. Lighter red than the Conterno, this is still a neb, but different commune and producer.
Colour is a bit brighter as well, this looks younger. I’m thinking 2008 – 2010.
Again this has huge tannin, but they are furry. Covers your tongue and back teeth.
Some very subtle and quality old oak. As it was in appearance, the wine has roses, red liquorice,
some tar, but its very, very dry. The acid and tannin has me in either Barbaresco or alto, but definitely neb.
This is a wonderful wine.


Wine # 4 – 1999 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille
Darker colour more dark red with a hint of purple, interesting nose of freshly cut tobacco. Some aniseed as well. Tannin profile is different here,
it sits on the front of the tongue, that’s new. Again wonderful perfume on the nose and a small bit of leather too, I wonder if this is our first sangiovese?
Dark red fruits, dark cherry, love the tannin, feels like 2005 – 2008 (lol wow I wasn’t even in the right decade!)


Wine # 5 - 2015 Schiavenza Barolo Cerretta
Maybe contender for nose of the night! Wonderful aromas and perfume here, cherry, tar, roses,
Dark in the glass again, I think we are back to neb territory again.
In the mouth this is where it gets interesting. High acid, high tannin, fruit sitting in the background a little, but wow how’s that nose leaping out of the glass.
Alpine herbs but feels young, too wound up and too tight. Needs more time. Im thinking 2013 – 2015


Wine # 6 – 2004 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
Dark cherry, but translucent red, oak on the nose, this smells oaky/woody.
Try tannins, that is all front and mid palate, I’m guessing Sangiovese
Purple flowers, violets, purple fruits too, touch of chocolate with some dark earthy minerals as well.
Feels 15-ish years old, so think 2005.


Wine # 7 – 2006 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino
Corked


Wine # 8 – 2013 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
First trick wine of the night. First wine where everyone guessed completely wrong. Even though I have never had this before, I chose it because of the neb like descriptors on the reviews I was reading. Pure translucent red, neb like tannin, cherry, tar and a hint of herbs.
There was a stunned silence across the room when revealed as Sangiovese. Most still didn’t believe the answer.
Has cherry and blackberry fruit in here, wow this is a pleasure to drink. Lovely red earth, rose, more herbs and a touch of balsamic.
Opened way to young, but better than over the hill or relying on the cork gods. Just needs time.


Wine # 9 - 2010 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione
This is atypical Barolo. Pure neb fruits here, no mistaking it, but in the feminine spectrum again. Has a delicacy about it, this isn’t big and ballsy, this is in need of thoughtful discussion and evaluation.
I thought this may be our first Verduno or somewhere high up again. Has that higher altitude feel again.


Wine # 10 (Backup of #7) – 2008 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sorì Ginestra
Very red fruited wine here. Nose leaps out of the glass of this pure fruit. Lots of bright red cherries, some blackberry, and oh here comes the tannin train (toot toot)
Large mouthcoating tannin here, but it does feel young (10 years or less). 15% is a huge wine, but doesn’t feel like it, handles everything nicely. Nice oak just needs time.


Wine # 11 – Left Glass - 2010 Dessert Wines from SA
2010 Wendouree Muscat of Alexandria
Something NQR about this wine, was a bit dull and musty. Some cumquat and
Preserved limes, clove and star anise, but really its disappointing.
Some members thought this is how it should be, but I didn’t, and poured mine out.


Wine # 12 – Right Glass – 2010 Petaluma Botrytis Essence
A blend of Sav Blanc (55%) and Semillon (45%) – who knew Coonawarra had Sem growing there!
The vast majority thought this was French, particularly Barsac, but I didn’t think it had enough
of those barley sugar notes I get in Barsac, but did have that beautiful acid balance.
Not sickly or cloying, just beautiful fruit. Has a fruit purity about it, perfectly judged. Beautiful yellow gold colour, but still bright. Not dulling even after 12 years – Thank you screw cap!
Marmalade, preserved lime, apricot, wild honey, orange rind, clove, cinnamon and cardamom spices.
Again it’s the balance that is the star here. Perfectly judged acid, perfect fruit sweetness without being over sweet like most Aust. dessert wines.
Available cellar door only, and only in certain years… high botrytis years I’m guessing. This will go another 10 years easily, hasn’t even started to peak or turn.


Wine # 13 – 1980 Taminick Cellars Vintage Port
Coffee and hazelnuts on the nose as soon as it was poured.
Dirty spirit, kinds of Portuguese like, but it is well integrated. Not hot or pokey either which is nice.
Fruit is sweet and black, so I’m a bit confused. Usually when I get a dirty spirit, I’m in Portugal, but the fruit is all wrong here for that. This is Australian fruit, so I guess Aust.
Well I got that right, but my next guess was SA as I thought it more McLaren Vale than Barossa or VIC….. but wrong state.
Liquorice and spearmint, more blackberries, blackcurrants, and some wet earth as well.
Wonderful end to the night

[JamieAdelaide]

It’s not always Schiavenza the nose of the night. I’ve had a lot of issues with their wines being prematurely aged or oxidised. Envious of such a great showing! Think they’ve cleaned up a bit of late.

Some great wines in there. The Fantino a bruiser without prep’. The Wendouree Muscat has always been even more polarising than the early reds!

[ticklenow1]

At a luncheon after golf:

2012 Wendouree Cabernet. Clare Valley. 13.2% This was surprisingly (well to me anyway) approachable. I'm told it had been open about 8 hours. This wine is all about the chewy tannins. Loads of fruit and a wonderful nose. I won't be touching my stash for 10 years minimum. 4/5

2016 Clarendon Hills Brookman Syrah. McLaren Vale. 14.5% This was also very approachable for a young wine. It had also been open for about 8 hours. Great balance and should age very well. Silken tannins and a certain sort of oily viscosity as you drink it. Really enjoyable. 4/5

2019 Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache. McLaren Vale. 14.3% Gee this is good. Only medium bodied at best. Red fruits, spice and quite a long finish. This is what Grenache should be like. I couldn't put the glass down. Should be incredible in 5 years time. 4.5/5

Cheers
Ian

[A_Steady]

2019 Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache. McLaren Vale. 14.3% Gee this is good. Only medium bodied at best. Red fruits, spice and quite a long finish. This is what Grenache should be like. I couldn't put the glass down. Should be incredible in 5 years time. 4.5/5

Cheers
Ian

Wes makes some great juice. “Gee this is good” I resemble that remark

[Dragzworthy]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Cheers Con.

Boom. Agree. Moss Wood 1985 on Friday outshone a Biondi Santi.

[Rossco]

It’s not always Schiavenza the nose of the night. I’ve had a lot of issues with their wines being prematurely aged or oxidised. Envious of such a great showing! Think they’ve cleaned up a bit of late.

Some great wines in there. The Fantino a bruiser without prep’. The Wendouree Muscat has always been even more polarising than the early reds!

It was my first Schiavenza, and I have never even heard of them before. Looks like we got lucky!
Yes Fanitno needed a lot more time but i was expecting more oak as well, so that was a nice surprise
Canalicchio di Sopra was stunning - will have to grab more of them and it reminded me of the 2013 Sassetti Livio Pertimali
(which i loved)

[JamieAdelaide]

Yes I think that’s the secret to BdM. Find what you like and load up. It is such a diverse style and region. I loaded up on Riservas decades ago yet in my tastings the fruit purity was at the next level down and half the price- with better results in the cellar.

[phillisc]

Rossco, thanks for the note on the Petaluma, their stickies are just yummo. I like the cane cut too. Think I have a few of the wine you tasted and 2010/12 cane cuts.

Ian, sounds like the 2012 Wendouree cab will out live us all....leave mine to the kids!
Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

2012 Dom Perignon…. Despite the fact LVMH do lots to help global inflation, this is a really good release. On the nose it reminded me of the strawberry and cream lollies we ate as kids, and these notes were reflected on the palate too, along with some vanilla and nuttiness. Decent length with acidity that is just where it should be. Probably a tad more approachable at a similar age to the 08, and qualitatively getting close, albeit different styles.

[Rossco]

Rossco, thanks for the note on the Petaluma, their stickies are just yummo. I like the cane cut too. Think I have a few of the wine you tasted and 2010/12 cane cuts.

Cheers Craig

Its was a genuinely stunning wine, cannot believe it came out of Coonawarra and more so there is Sem growing there! Matched the French
at their own game I think...... and so did the others based on their pick of 'French' during the questions.
Shame they haven't produced this label since (that i can see).

[phillisc]

2001 Wynns BL. Perfect cork, in a lovely place, purple hues still quite primary on the palate with dark fruits. Finish is long with fine tannins. No JR in 01 and that might contribute to a fabbo bottle here...long long life ahead
2014 Clos Clare Cemetery Shiraz...good work by the Barry boys here. Lots of fleshy fruits great depth. Just a pup and very enjoyable.
2018 Pikes EWP. Brought by a mate, I have some earlier vintages. This is fantastic so rich, full bodied glass staining, layers of bright fruits, spice and fine tannins. Drinking so well now, but under stelvin will take years to blossom. Must seek some out.
Cheers Craig

[Mahmoud Ali]

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

That can be rectified. To all the old Aussies on the forum

WE SALUTE YOU

acdc.jpg

"Like"

[Con J]

I absolutely love seeing these old Aussie wines.

I honestly don’t think we give old Aussie’s the respect they deserve.

Cheers Con.

Boom. Agree. Moss Wood 1985 on Friday outshone a Biondi Santi.

Good to see the Moss Wood showing well. I opened one a few years ago and was a bit bretty.

Still have a few old Moss Wood in the cellar.

Cheers Con.

[VinoEd]

Got a 6 of these via the recent sale. The cork gave me a bit of grief, so did a little decant and surprised by the amount of sediment - heaps.

This is overall in very good condition and can’t fault what you get for the price. Colour is good. Musty nose, old library feel to it. Balance not bad. Tertiary characteristics. It’s not a powerhouse anymore, it’s mellowed. There’s some fruit lurking in here trying to make it’s way forward. Not far to compare it to the 94 Henschke and 94 Bin 407 I have had recently, different ball park, but liking it.