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

[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.

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.

Con,

interesting to see the different fill levels in these old Moss Woods

[mychurch]

1333CED8-35BC-4D06-8718-7103F4CCCC2A.jpeg

Available per glass here in Fairfield ($37). I have some of this somewhere, but this saves opening a bottle. It’s rather lovely. It very lush with a lovely mouth feel and texture. Tannins are hidden, but pop out every now and again. Really great to drink now, but I can see this closing down and needing some time in the cellar. It’s also missing some personality. Nothing wrong with opening a bottle now though. Yum, but last night Coleraine is a classier wine.

[JamieAdelaide]

Amazing that you get the Wendouree by the glass!

Coleraine in both it’s style and blend will always be a classier wine in youth. I’ve been drinking both for 30 years and I recall when I had a small wine business having pretty much unlimited Coleraine allocation and the hard sell it is was. $50 for the 98 I recall. Only my most passionate customers interested- I presented it as Kiwi Grange for the $50.

I had a 98 Coleraine last week which was lovely. I don’t get it’s legendary status. However a great wine . Could pop it versus a 98 Wendouree Cab Malbec. One needing rare steak the other mild slow food.

[phillisc]

Interesting, current release Wendouree at $37 a glass ( presumably a 150 ml pour) is $185 a bottle or 300% mark up on trade account price...umm.
Cheers Craig

[Con J]

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.

Con,

interesting to see the different fill levels in these old Moss Woods

Hi Malcolm.

These are all auction buys. I think they’re in pretty good condition for the age, fingers crossed when I open them.

Cheers Con.

[mychurch]

Interesting, current release Wendouree at $37 a glass ( presumably a 150 ml pour) is $185 a bottle or 300% mark up on trade account price...umm.
Cheers Craig

New place and I imagine they are testing the waters. Is the standard markup not 1 glass = cost price of bottle ?

[phillisc]

Sure and a number of places go to 5-600%, mark up, so per glass could be closer to $60.
Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

Over the last week or so have been working my way through a dozen bottles of 2008 Wynns Shiraz. At 14 years this is stonkingly good, still quite primary, dark colour nice fruit profile, plenty going on, very cool climate, twinge of sweetness, finishes really strong. Ridiculous value at $90-96 a dozen, and not going to fall over any time soon. Went long on this and the 08 BL Cab.
Cheers Craig

[I Love Shiraz]

Over the last week or so have been working my way through a dozen bottles of 2008 Wynns Shiraz. At 14 years this is stonkingly good, still quite primary, dark colour nice fruit profile, plenty going on, very cool climate, twinge of sweetness, finishes really strong. Ridiculous value at $90-96 a dozen, and not going to fall over any time soon. Went long on this and the 08 BL Cab.
Cheers Craig

I had a six pack of this wine (sadly all gone), but have to agree it is a superb wine. I probably drank mine too early at 9-11 years old.

[Matt@5453]

A sensational 2014 Eperosa Elevation Shiraz, Eden Valley

Layers of black fruits, white pepper, spice. Lovely body and palate weight. Just enough development to soften and round it out. Length to burn. Top stuff.

[Dragzworthy]

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.

Con,

interesting to see the different fill levels in these old Moss Woods

Hi Malcolm.

These are all auction buys. I think they’re in pretty good condition for the age, fingers crossed when I open them.

Cheers Con.

They look in excellent condition . Mine was also an auction purchase and I was pleasantly surprised to see it in good looking condition. I'd compare the fill level on it to the 1986 in your picture.
No doubt robust wines, I found the best glass was the last glass and this means a airing it would have been more than worthwhile.

[mjs]

I found the best glass was the last glass and this means a airing it would have been more than worthwhile.

Isn't this so often the case, never happy to let it sit there too long, but having started early, always longing for more of that last glass, the bouquet, opening up of the wine, intoxicating!

[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.

So you managed to double the price of Knight Riesling in a month? I got mine last auction for $15 and last night I saw a couple of bottles had you top bidder at $30. I bailed out and went west along the Ocean Road to Drumborg and got about eight to add to my other stash.

Shhhhh ….

Back vintages used to be aplenty at Knights. But if a raffle with their storage and cork. Thirty years ago this was.

[mychurch]

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.

So you managed to double the price of Knight Riesling in a month? I got mine last auction for $15 and last night I saw a couple of bottles had you top bidder at $30. I bailed out and went west along the Ocean Road to Drumborg and got about eight to add to my other stash.

Shhhhh ….

Back vintages used to be aplenty at Knights. But if a raffle with their storage and cork. Thirty years ago this was.

I did see that there was a Jamie bidding - wondered if it was you.

I missed out on a few things recently at auction, as I got distracted at the last minute with work, so I put in some commission bids early in the week and just forgot about them. Would have been happier if everyone else stopped bidding at 15, but obviously they pushed them up. I will try to keep my mouth shut about how good they are.

Very interested to see how the Drumborg wines taste in comparison.

[JamieAdelaide]

Yes I agree. I think I try the 2000 Drumborg but leave the others. I already had the 2005’s. For my palate I like them old and developed.

Yes I was taken back how good those K’s were! Love to hear a about the ones you picked up. I checked CD and back vintages from not long ago $40!

[phillisc]

Could go in the Old Australian thread I suppose.
1986 John Riddoch. I have had a few single bottles of this, but this was from an original dozen. Low neck fill, perfect cork stained about 2mm. Browning on the edges but purple dark hues throughout. Nose of the faintest blue and blackberry, palate showing plenty of fruit with firm lingering tannins and that hint of sweetness that all good Cabernet should have. Finally a great bottle, one of the best I've had, perhaps 36 years is the sweet spot. More time here, I'd say 5-7 years.
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

Must have been a Riddoch theme in the air in Adelaide? Same night had the 1990,1993,1996 and 1998. Plus newbies under screw cap. A joy to see the 1990 from a professional cellar.

The old Aussie thread’s only exclusion was professional cellaring, so one of so many variables under cork, can be taken out of the equation.

[phillisc]

Must have been a Riddoch theme in the air in Adelaide? Same night had the 1990,1993,1996 and 1998. Plus newbies under screw cap. A joy to see the 1990 from a professional cellar.

The old Aussie thread’s only exclusion was professional cellaring, so one of so many variables under cork, can be taken out of the equation.

Any of those ready to drink...impressions?
Fortunate to have a dozen of the 1990 and sixers of the rest.
Cheers Craig

[Rossco]

My notes from an interesting evening at the end of May 2022

Theme was 'French Open' (basically anything from France) and as always
all wines served blind

Wine # 1 (Starting White) – 2013 Domaine Latour-Giraud Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru
Very flinty, stone minerals on the nose. Yellow gold in colour, may have a little age on it
Touch of Kero on it as well, kind of like some old Rieslings can have, but this isn’t a Riesling.
More struck match in the mouth as well, backing up the nose flint I was getting. Pretty round wine as well. Nice texture, slightly silky. Not getting the oyster shell or brine of Chablis. Nice acid, but not intense or intrusive, just sits in the background. Some old oak but there is a hint of fennel in there. When I get fennel I’m either in Meursault or Corton… hmmm 50/50 coin toss

Some hazelnut / nutty type characters as well. I really like this structure. Nothing dominant and everything in its place working together. Fruit profile is wonderful, slight white peach, lemon curd
Gives that roundness I was seeing. Good start


Wine # 2 – 1996 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Premiere Trie Clos du Bourg
Wow look at this colour! Its orange, but more of an light amber/orange, larger type colour.
Very old nose, so many things going on here. Gingerbread, apricots, and big hit of cumquat.
Some slight oxidation due to age, but its very minor and actually complements the wine somewhat.
Love this texture as well, silky and briny slight hint of salty minerals. Acid is the real hero here, it’s the backbone of the whole wine and runs right through the palate from front to back. Although well integrated, its just dry enough to hold the sweetness in check. And there is a honeyed sweetness here, but not dessert wine sweetness.… possibly riper berry sweetness, where they kept it on the vine just that little bit longer? Not sure

Again, some more of that ginger / biscuit and a baked apple pie type thing – clove or cinnamon spices too. Remarkable white (orange) wine that is still holding together – Drink up though as its not getting any better – Not that many people would have a 20+ year old Chenin Blanc in their cellar from the Loire!

Wine # 3 – 2010 Hugel Pinot Gris Grossi Laue
Another interesting wine, confusing all at the same time. Has a completely different viscosity and texture to the previous wine, its not a Chardonnay either OR if it is it’s a very worked style… but I’m leaning to Rhone blend. Youthful colour, bright yellow with some of green edges
Oily wine type texture, past briny more light vegetable oil.
Nice nose of lychee and white peach but has some chalky minerals in there too. Strange mix, but here we are.
Feels like a Younger wine, bit too much acid at the moment, dominates and needs more time to settle. Thinking 2015 or 2016?

Tinge of green nettles and green herbs, but it’s a very fruit rich wine. Not sure if it ripe type rich or concentrated richness… and its dry. Lots going on here, still struggling to pick variety so may be a Rhone blend?
Some nice oak characters in there, adds to the complexity, without distracting you.
Length is ok, drops off slightly at the end. Very surprised to see its 12 years old!

It’s an ok wine, good experience and now I can say I have tried a proper French Pinot Gris… another cherry popped, but not a standout.


Wine # 4 - 2010 Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin a Vent VV
Dark cherry colour, cranberry notes on the nose too
This is another dry wine, similar to the last quite acidic too…. Yes overpowers
It at the moment at this stage. Age would be interesting, looks and feels young again circa 2010?
Lovely tannin here, just beautiful fine and dusty
Bright red berry fruit profile, more cranberry and first season’s cherries.
Love the herb notes in here to. Sage with some other dried alpine herbs going on.
The nose tells me burgundy, but the palate is not quite there. I feel it should be more powerful fruit for a burg. Hmmmmm not getting that wet earth / mushroom character either. Im confused.
Some nice older oak characters, doesn’t feel like new oak and its definitely not over oaked


Wine # 5 - 2005 Bruno Desaunay-Bissey Echezeaux VV
Nose is pure Burgundy here. That damp forest floor, green ferns, mushrooms
and some truffle.
Definitely some whole bunches in here, adds to the complexity, has some stalky
notes as well (again from the whole bunch) and a touch of tomato leaf.
Fruit is a bit darker, kind of like a Cherry Ripe, with a touch of purple berry.
Gravelly tannins, this is so perfumed it’s a delight to smell.
Palate is a bit clipped, doesn’t deliver what the nose promises. Some slight TCA
Is my guess. A bit disappointing given the stellar vintage and of course its my wine.
Cork and fill level were perfect. Tiny round purple disk at the end, no seepage what so ever, so storage not the issue.
Some Iron type minerals in there too round out what could have been wine of the night if not for
That bloody bark!!!


Wine # 6 - 2010 Domaine Bruno Clair Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos St. Jacques
Get a load of this nose! Beautiful purple florals, violets, lavender, some musk and spice.
Unfortunately thats where the fun ended. Like my wine the Palate is clipped and length is shorter that I would want. Again I think tree bark is the problem here…. Or its me.
It could be a hang-up of being upset from my wine, and criticising it more than it deserves or is required? Not sure. Very acidic again, maybe im a bit sensitive today with acid….maybe it’s the wines…..maybe its Maybelline!
Some blood-iron minerals in there, this nose is so nice… but in the mouth…its just a big no from me.
Vogne Romanee is my guess based on the florals and tannin structure. Not sure of age, these wines could be 10 or 20 years old and not moved a muscle in that time (cellar / storage depending)


Wine # 7 - 2005 Château Beychevelle (St Julien)
Immediate nose of crushed black ants and salty minerals. This is a very different
Wine on the nose from the last few. Intriguing and a different type of complexity.
Meaty and gamey notes in here as well.
Dark purple in colour, blackberry type thing. Still has a youthful vibrancy to it though.
This is a very tannic wine, mouth coating, but not harsh it’s a soft tannin .
Blackberry in colour with the fruit profile being the same. Touch of plum and more blackberry
In the mouth too, sweet fruit is noticeable That tannin is so nice,
More florals, damp earth and we are in burgundy again.
Length is super, concentration needed here, complexity and lovely oak. Not sure if oak tannin or grape tannin…. Why not both!
More dark berries, more beautiful perfume with those crushed ants still there. Viking Boat on the label is tops! So classic


Wine # 8 - 1998 Chateau Rauzan-Segla (Margaux)
Huge Pencil shavings on the nose. Very woody wine and some graphite mixed in. Surely this is bdx territory? Very, very fruity wine too, Dark black fruits here, blackberry, plum, boysenberry.
Black as night in the glass but doesn’t have the fruit sweetness of the previous wine. This is dryer, more tannic however but a bit rounder in the mouth as well.
More graphite on the palate, has a black coal mineral edge there as well, some
Chocolate with a touch of espresso/coffee bean…not quite mocha though.
Feels 20 years old, could be younger… French wines always fool me as to their age.
Lovely length.

Wine # 9 - (Curio/Ring-in) – 2012 Domaine Arretxea Irouleguy
Char Grilled meats, Smokey bacon and a pork sausage nose. All these flow into the palate as well,
Which isn’t ideal or my style of wine.
Again crushed ants, an a bit of apricot and orange rind. Strange one this one!
Well it is a curio so I am curious as to what it is, cant put my finger on the variety.
Some sock sweat on the nose too, thankfully not in the mouth, but very tannic. Again mouth coating tannins, and they are Probably a little rough at the moment. Not sure of age, I wonder if this is more advanced than it should be? Good curio from something I would never buy or drink, but one glass was enough.


Wine # 10 – 1971 Metala Langhorn Creek Vintage Port
Well isn’t this an absolute delight! This is SUPER perfumed, I could sniff this all night.
My colleague next to me was in the same boat. His nose was so entrenched deep in the glass, I was worried he would inhale it!
Super fragrant blackberries, this seems to belie its age. Tested, recorked and certified by the winery in 2015, this is still so young and fresh. I hazard a guess the winery may have topped it up with some newer material, doesn’t look, smell or taste 51 years old.
The spirit is fully integrated, its not a hot or alcoholic wine, this is soft, supple and absolutely delicious. Contender for wine of the night its that good.
Milk chocolate, more purple florals, some mint/spearmint in there and some aniseed/liquorice.
The texture and mouthfeel of this wine is outstanding. Its luscious, silky and soft, cuddles you and
tells you everything will be ok. I think my wife would have been jealous had she been here, sorry my love Im choosing the wine tonight…… don’t tell her that

Sweet black fruits again, toasted and grilled nuts, some fruitcake type stuff, red rope liquorice and raspberry lollies. Touch of candied orange peel to finish. Not sure of the grape variety, but could be shiraz, although the creek has Cabernet and Touriga and Malbec there, so who knows!
Long, long finish…. Bottle was gone very quickly. Loved by all and most definitely Australian Vintage Port of the year! Stunning wine, have one more (72 though) and will crack this soon as well.
Now Metala is back in the original family owners hands, I wonder if they will revive this product… we can only Hope!

[sjw_11]

Wine # 9 - (Curio/Ring-in) – 2012 Domaine Arretxea Irouleguy
Char Grilled meats, Smokey bacon and a pork sausage nose. All these flow into the palate as well,
Which isn’t ideal or my style of wine.
Again crushed ants, an a bit of apricot and orange rind. Strange one this one!
Well it is a curio so I am curious as to what it is, cant put my finger on the variety.
Some sock sweat on the nose too, thankfully not in the mouth, but very tannic. Again mouth coating tannins, and they are Probably a little rough at the moment. Not sure of age, I wonder if this is more advanced than it should be? Good curio from something I would never buy or drink, but one glass was enough.

I never heard of this producer before (or the appellation!) so I looked them up. Over here this is €14.50 direct from the producer. They also make a rose and three other named Cuvee reds (I assume the one you had was just the standard label?)... for a moment I was curious to order a mixed pack and then I noticed delivery within France is €43 for 1-12 bottles so bollocks to that.

[Rossco]

Wine # 9 - (Curio/Ring-in) – 2012 Domaine Arretxea Irouleguy
Char Grilled meats, Smokey bacon and a pork sausage nose. All these flow into the palate as well,
Which isn’t ideal or my style of wine.
Again crushed ants, an a bit of apricot and orange rind. Strange one this one!
Well it is a curio so I am curious as to what it is, cant put my finger on the variety.
Some sock sweat on the nose too, thankfully not in the mouth, but very tannic. Again mouth coating tannins, and they are Probably a little rough at the moment. Not sure of age, I wonder if this is more advanced than it should be? Good curio from something I would never buy or drink, but one glass was enough.

I never heard of this producer before (or the appellation!) so I looked them up. Over here this is €14.50 direct from the producer. They also make a rose and three other named Cuvee reds (I assume the one you had was just the standard label?)... for a moment I was curious to order a mixed pack and then I noticed delivery within France is €43 for 1-12 bottles so bollocks to that.

Lol well they are coming from around the Basque country, (French side) so there must be some danger money
For the delivery driver

[mychurch]

Arrertxia are the most famous House in the South West of France. I have been trying to get some bottles of their Hegoxuri (white) for a while, but it’s difficult to find at a price I want to pay. Bordaxuria are the house I have managed to buy instead - interesting, but it seems to need a few years to come together.

[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

Reckon you should crack one Craig. Getting similar feedback, 2017 may be a drink now proposition for Marius (unfortunately), just not stacking up.

[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

Reckon you should crack one Craig. Getting similar feedback, 2017 may be a drink now proposition for Marius (unfortunately), just not stacking up.

I will see if I can find one.
There were two releases from 2017?
Cheers Craig

[Matt@5453]

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

Reckon you should crack one Craig. Getting similar feedback, 2017 may be a drink now proposition for Marius (unfortunately), just not stacking up.

I will see if I can find one.
There were two releases from 2017?
Cheers Craig

Not sure on two releases, what difference would it make?

[phillisc]

Just asking the question, were there 2 or more wines from the '17 release? Are they all falling to bits? Been a very long day over a very long dinner.
Cheers Craig

[ticklenow1]

Just asking the question, were there 2 or more wines from the '17 release? Are they all falling to bits? Been a very long day over a very long dinner.
Cheers Craig

There were 4 wines from ‘17. Symphony, Simpatico, Matarius and End Play.

Symphony and Simpatico are Shiraz from Roger’s Vineyard.
Matarius is Mataro and End Play is ????

Cheers,
Ian

[phillisc]

Thanks Ian remember now. I have a sixer of each...better get stuck in then.
Cheers Craig

[felixp21]

First look at the 2021 Sorrenberg Gamay. It's the last wine that I buy from mailing list. In the 90's, I was on about 25 Aussie mailing list, and this is all that remains (although I do purchase Leeuwin Art Series Chard in the majority of vintages.)

As usual, for me the most interesting red wine made in Australia. Its easily the one wine each year I look forward to trying the most.

The 2021 looks like a belter, although they are all at least "very good", again an amazingly floral nose introduces a palate of red fruits, particularly cherries and pomegranate, with stunning length.
Now that the word is out and this is limited even to mailing listers, I will only try the one bottle, and finish up to the remnants of the 16 and 17 vintages I still have in the cellar. Thankfully, I have near full supply of 2018 and 2019 to follow. The 2021 will be in prime time around 2026 or thereabouts.

I'll admit to being a staunch Francophile when it comes to wine, but I still haven't seen anything out of Beaujolais that is as good as this stuff.
94 points. drink: 2024-2030.

[Sean]

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