Hi Good Peoples,
Time flies when you having fun, and also when you have been working, which unfortunately I have to do during school holidays. That really messes up the drinking schedule, although I have three open bottles on the tasting bench this morning to make up for it.
Chalice Bridge 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Jan 05
I first tasted this wine in a tutored tasting at Wine Australia. In all honesty, I thought it was pretty rank but as Huon Hooke and other notable winemakers did not declared it faulty, I assumed that was the way it was meant to be. Someone from the winery was at the back of the tasting and could not believe what was being said about the wine. When they saw my review, they sent me another bottle for comparative analysis.
Sealed in Stelvin, whilst there was a touch of sulphur on the nose which masked the fruit below, this second bottle was obviously far better. Although the bouquet was tight and unyielding, hints of cedar, chocolate and clean berry fruit were detectable. The palate was a bit of surprise. Fine-grained powdery tannins, and lots of them are well matched to the weight and intensity of the fruit but the acid is noticeable. Mouth feel is a definite plus. The flavour profile is certainly not sweet, very dark berry fruit and both milk and dark chocolate are pushed aside by a whack of green bean flavours. Muscular-weight, the length and persistent are good and hopefully, with time the components will mesh, the acid will soften and the fruit will surface from under the tannins. Rated as Recommended with *** for value.
Now what have you guys been drinking?
Come in red rover - weekly consumption reports due...
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Muscat Mike
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:05 pm
- Location: Sydney - North West.
Tintara '96 Shiraz.
Have seen some unfavourable comments on this lately, Ric has some of his up for sale on his website, and having quite a few left thought I should try one.
Took a while for the air to clear, a bit of bottle stink, but when it did and the wine had time to breathe, there it was. The lovely smell and taste of a very mature M.V. Shiraz in all its glory.
There has been a pure melding of fruit, acid and oak to make an extremely enjoyable Shiraz which went so well with an excellent piece of porterhouse.
I feel this has reached its peak and will remain there for several years to come.
MM.
PS - Ric has his for sale at $27. If I didn't have about 8 left I would snap them up. A bargain.
Took a while for the air to clear, a bit of bottle stink, but when it did and the wine had time to breathe, there it was. The lovely smell and taste of a very mature M.V. Shiraz in all its glory.
There has been a pure melding of fruit, acid and oak to make an extremely enjoyable Shiraz which went so well with an excellent piece of porterhouse.
I feel this has reached its peak and will remain there for several years to come.
MM.
PS - Ric has his for sale at $27. If I didn't have about 8 left I would snap them up. A bargain.
Have seen some unfavourable comments on this lately, Ric has some of his up for sale on his website, and having quite a few left thought I should try one.
I thought it was the 1998 Tintara Ric wasn't keen on?
Apart from the offline at Cos (separate post) nothing else to report yet.
Cheers
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
uite a rich palate with really fine balance
Lovely balmy night in Sydney last night so popped down to Garfish at Milson's Point for some fish and byo with a couple who are staying with us and who are not wine geeks. Fish was excellent as usual - quite understated in that they let the delicate flavours do the talking and beautifully cooked . I find the Milsons Point Garfish far superior to the Crows Nest sister bistro.
Domaine Chandon Brut Rose 1999 This is seriously good - in fact I would say there is not much difference between this wine and some of the top french rose champagne. A big call but I was really impressed. Sexy, salmon pink; nice fine mousse, complex spicy/strawberry/nutty/hint of mushrooms bouquet, then a rich mid-palate, long, dry finish with some tannins still to resolve but also gave the wine some added structure. Exceptional.
1998 Leo Burings Special Release Eden Valley Riesling Excellent green/ pale yellow colour, quite a rich nose and palate. I actually think this has reached its peak drinkability and while it will probably stay on this plateau for another 5 years - can't really see the point keeping it though. Very good.
2000 Home Hill Pinot Noir (Sthn Tasmania) This bottle was far better than one I has about 6 months ago that was awkward and unbalanced. This bottle has dark plums and oriental spices on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate but in no way extracted, Lovely silky texture and soft fine tannins. Drinking superbly and went a treat with some maui Maui.
Cheers
Paul
Domaine Chandon Brut Rose 1999 This is seriously good - in fact I would say there is not much difference between this wine and some of the top french rose champagne. A big call but I was really impressed. Sexy, salmon pink; nice fine mousse, complex spicy/strawberry/nutty/hint of mushrooms bouquet, then a rich mid-palate, long, dry finish with some tannins still to resolve but also gave the wine some added structure. Exceptional.
1998 Leo Burings Special Release Eden Valley Riesling Excellent green/ pale yellow colour, quite a rich nose and palate. I actually think this has reached its peak drinkability and while it will probably stay on this plateau for another 5 years - can't really see the point keeping it though. Very good.
2000 Home Hill Pinot Noir (Sthn Tasmania) This bottle was far better than one I has about 6 months ago that was awkward and unbalanced. This bottle has dark plums and oriental spices on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate but in no way extracted, Lovely silky texture and soft fine tannins. Drinking superbly and went a treat with some maui Maui.
Cheers
Paul
Re: Tintara '96 Shiraz.
Mike,
I concur 100% with your findings on the 1996 Tintara, I have thoroughly enjoyed this wine. However, I got a little carried away on release and bought three dozen of them so selling a dozen (they have now gone) was no great hardship. To me, once you had given the wine and opportunity to breathe, it comes a pretty well. There is a fair amount of eucalypt character to the wine and I think that's what may be turning people off.
I concur 100% with your findings on the 1996 Tintara, I have thoroughly enjoyed this wine. However, I got a little carried away on release and bought three dozen of them so selling a dozen (they have now gone) was no great hardship. To me, once you had given the wine and opportunity to breathe, it comes a pretty well. There is a fair amount of eucalypt character to the wine and I think that's what may be turning people off.
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David Lole
Montgomery's Hill 2003 Shiraz
I was suitably impressed last weekend with the 2002 Chardonnay, and the subsequent reco from gamma GT on the 2003 Shiraz prompted me to crack one.
Deep blood red colour. Attractive savoury nose of spice box, black cherry, new saddle leather and perplexing traces of sweet earth, road tar and dusty oak. Very much my kinda style. The palate sings a similar song revealing a pleasing, integrated medium-bodied mouthful of mostly secondary, savoury flavour with nicely framed drying tannins, reasonable acidity and a very decent finish. Perhaps lacking the requisite fruit to attain an excellent rating, but certainly Very Good. Drink now-2008.
13.0% A/V Bottled under screwcap. From 6 year old vines.
Leo Buring Watervale "Leonay" Riesling 1994 - orphan loitering in my cellar. Thought I got rid of these some time ago. Obviously, not. Having bought terrific examples from this maker from the 60's, 70's, then after a hiatus, the 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1992, I thought this would be a shoo-in at release. All my bottles developed far too quickly to my liking - drinkable, but not that good. Still perplexed as to why? Cooked during transport? Anyone else got/tried any? This bottle was very, very ordinary - burnt orange, tired, flabby, oxidised, full of burnt pineapple and bitter apricot kernel - wallaby-ted.
Billecart-Salmon N/V - Awful new label. Halliday reckons what's inside the bottle is as good as ever. Beg to differ on this particular bottle, James. Nothing like last case I purchased under the old label (and that case held beautifully over a 12 month period). Down on complexity, structure and calibre. Simple appley fruit with a little yeasty character. Lacks spark in the mouth and definitely low on acid and length. Errant bottle? Rated as Good or 80 points or 16 if you need a handle.
Devil's Lair 2002 Chardonnay - Rated as Very Good with a subtle mix of fruit, oak and worked characters in the bouquet followed by a similarly easy drinking, nicely weighted flavoursome, Chardy with an ok, if somewhat spikey, finish. Very gluggable, but lacking anything special to take it above the (enormous) pack of competition. At over $30, too pricey for me FWII.
Rockford 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon - Rated as Good but suffers from slightly dirty 'old barrel' character on the nose and the palate, a distinct lack of (ripe) fruit with a green streak from the mid-palate back. Strangely, the "Roc" writes on the back label the fruit was fully ripened and an enigmatic reference to this wine being a "statement" about winemaking philosophy and regionality.
Morris Old Premium Tokay - Under the offputting TCA was a mountain of volatile toffee, raisan and all sorts of other (good) gear crying out for your attention. Back to retailer for a replacement.
Morris Old Premium Muscat - extraordinary powerful jumbo raisans, volatile acidity, rancio mixture in a lavish, powerful bouquet and luscious sweet palate that finished astringent and long. Terrific.
I was suitably impressed last weekend with the 2002 Chardonnay, and the subsequent reco from gamma GT on the 2003 Shiraz prompted me to crack one.
Deep blood red colour. Attractive savoury nose of spice box, black cherry, new saddle leather and perplexing traces of sweet earth, road tar and dusty oak. Very much my kinda style. The palate sings a similar song revealing a pleasing, integrated medium-bodied mouthful of mostly secondary, savoury flavour with nicely framed drying tannins, reasonable acidity and a very decent finish. Perhaps lacking the requisite fruit to attain an excellent rating, but certainly Very Good. Drink now-2008.
13.0% A/V Bottled under screwcap. From 6 year old vines.
Leo Buring Watervale "Leonay" Riesling 1994 - orphan loitering in my cellar. Thought I got rid of these some time ago. Obviously, not. Having bought terrific examples from this maker from the 60's, 70's, then after a hiatus, the 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1992, I thought this would be a shoo-in at release. All my bottles developed far too quickly to my liking - drinkable, but not that good. Still perplexed as to why? Cooked during transport? Anyone else got/tried any? This bottle was very, very ordinary - burnt orange, tired, flabby, oxidised, full of burnt pineapple and bitter apricot kernel - wallaby-ted.
Billecart-Salmon N/V - Awful new label. Halliday reckons what's inside the bottle is as good as ever. Beg to differ on this particular bottle, James. Nothing like last case I purchased under the old label (and that case held beautifully over a 12 month period). Down on complexity, structure and calibre. Simple appley fruit with a little yeasty character. Lacks spark in the mouth and definitely low on acid and length. Errant bottle? Rated as Good or 80 points or 16 if you need a handle.
Devil's Lair 2002 Chardonnay - Rated as Very Good with a subtle mix of fruit, oak and worked characters in the bouquet followed by a similarly easy drinking, nicely weighted flavoursome, Chardy with an ok, if somewhat spikey, finish. Very gluggable, but lacking anything special to take it above the (enormous) pack of competition. At over $30, too pricey for me FWII.
Rockford 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon - Rated as Good but suffers from slightly dirty 'old barrel' character on the nose and the palate, a distinct lack of (ripe) fruit with a green streak from the mid-palate back. Strangely, the "Roc" writes on the back label the fruit was fully ripened and an enigmatic reference to this wine being a "statement" about winemaking philosophy and regionality.
Morris Old Premium Tokay - Under the offputting TCA was a mountain of volatile toffee, raisan and all sorts of other (good) gear crying out for your attention. Back to retailer for a replacement.
Morris Old Premium Muscat - extraordinary powerful jumbo raisans, volatile acidity, rancio mixture in a lavish, powerful bouquet and luscious sweet palate that finished astringent and long. Terrific.
Last edited by David Lole on Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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London Correspondent
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:45 am
Was in Atlanta last week. Interesting stay, met Shekeil O'Neil (spelling) at the hotel.......very, very big lad. Also, it must be said, very gracious to the Americans in the party who showed great interest.
Was offered some Napa cult Cab. Sipped at is suspicuously and was confronted with muted fruit, massive tannins and was too much acidity. Balance got worse as I sniffed at it during the evening. Can't remember the name of the thing, but it was a '98. Perhaps it just needed time to integrate.
Then a bottle of '83 d'Yquem. Good overall, and blossomed with air time. Not as good as the bottle on NYE, it missed the cinamon mid-palate and "three dimensional" complexity. Nevertheless, very smooth and enjoyable. Notes of lychee, creme brulee, honey and the usual suspects. Not as evolved as the previous bottle, but somehow it tasted older. Strange, the other bottle was more integrated but I also think it would have lasted longer too.
Anyway, there you have it. Today will be a '75 Rieussec and a '97 Seven Acre. I'd be interested to hear people's views on the Greenock. For my money, it's an underrated vintage for THIS producer. I have preferred it to the '98. Don't have any of the '99 but, given the generally great Barossa results, I'd like to know how this wine came out too. Any opinions out there?
Best to all,
John
Was offered some Napa cult Cab. Sipped at is suspicuously and was confronted with muted fruit, massive tannins and was too much acidity. Balance got worse as I sniffed at it during the evening. Can't remember the name of the thing, but it was a '98. Perhaps it just needed time to integrate.
Then a bottle of '83 d'Yquem. Good overall, and blossomed with air time. Not as good as the bottle on NYE, it missed the cinamon mid-palate and "three dimensional" complexity. Nevertheless, very smooth and enjoyable. Notes of lychee, creme brulee, honey and the usual suspects. Not as evolved as the previous bottle, but somehow it tasted older. Strange, the other bottle was more integrated but I also think it would have lasted longer too.
Anyway, there you have it. Today will be a '75 Rieussec and a '97 Seven Acre. I'd be interested to hear people's views on the Greenock. For my money, it's an underrated vintage for THIS producer. I have preferred it to the '98. Don't have any of the '99 but, given the generally great Barossa results, I'd like to know how this wine came out too. Any opinions out there?
Best to all,
John
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London Correspondent
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:45 am
Was in Atlanta last week. Interesting stay, met Shekeil O'Neil (spelling) at the hotel.......very, very big lad. Also, it must be said, very gracious to the Americans in the party who showed great interest.
Was offered some Napa cult Cab. Sipped at is suspicuously and was confronted with muted fruit, massive tannins and was too much acidity. Balance got worse as I sniffed at it during the evening. Can't remember the name of the thing, but it was a '98. Perhaps it just needed time to integrate.
Then a bottle of '83 d'Yquem. Good overall, and blossomed with air time. Not as good as the bottle on NYE, it missed the cinamon mid-palate and "three dimensional" complexity. Nevertheless, very smooth and enjoyable. Notes of lychee, creme brulee, honey and the usual suspects. Not as evolved as the previous bottle, but somehow it tasted older.
Was offered some Napa cult Cab. Sipped at is suspicuously and was confronted with muted fruit, massive tannins and was too much acidity. Balance got worse as I sniffed at it during the evening. Can't remember the name of the thing, but it was a '98. Perhaps it just needed time to integrate.
Then a bottle of '83 d'Yquem. Good overall, and blossomed with air time. Not as good as the bottle on NYE, it missed the cinamon mid-palate and "three dimensional" complexity. Nevertheless, very smooth and enjoyable. Notes of lychee, creme brulee, honey and the usual suspects. Not as evolved as the previous bottle, but somehow it tasted older.
London Correspondent wrote:... and a '97 Seven Acre. I'd be interested to hear people's views on the Greenock. For my money, it's an underrated vintage for THIS producer. I have preferred it to the '98. Don't have any of the '99 but, given the generally great Barossa results, I'd like to know how this wine came out too. Any opinions out there?
Best to all,
John
Had the 97 Greenock Creek Roendfeldt Rd Shiraz mid last year and it was superb. Had the 99 as well about a month ago and it was also fantastic but not as much complexity as the 1997.
Cheers
-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
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-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
[quote="London Correspondent"]Was in Atlanta last week. Interesting stay, met Shekeil O'Neil (spelling) at the hotel.......very, very big lad. Also, it must be said, very gracious to the Americans in the party who showed great interest.
quote]
Shaquille O'Neill if I remember correctly. If I recall his first contract was for $13m a year - not bad straight out of college!
Ian
quote]
Shaquille O'Neill if I remember correctly. If I recall his first contract was for $13m a year - not bad straight out of college!
Ian
2001 Best's GW Riesling
Drunk over 3 nights (Tue, Wed & Sat). 1st two nights this wine was really disappointing & if anything tasting a bit nondescript. Oliver has this down for a short drinking window & assumed it was just a poor bottle or on it's way out already. On the saturday though it had really opened out to a lovely mature riesling, with restrained petrol notes.
I'll leave the other two bottles for a year or two yet.
Ian
Drunk over 3 nights (Tue, Wed & Sat). 1st two nights this wine was really disappointing & if anything tasting a bit nondescript. Oliver has this down for a short drinking window & assumed it was just a poor bottle or on it's way out already. On the saturday though it had really opened out to a lovely mature riesling, with restrained petrol notes.
I'll leave the other two bottles for a year or two yet.
Ian
Last night :
2002 Devils lair Chardonnay After David Lole's comments thought I better pull one out to check. Nice pale lemony , pale yellow colour. Some minerals, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nuts. Very nice quite burgundian. Unfortunately the palate doesn't follow the nose. Lacks intensity - as if off over-cropped fruit. Also lacking any great structure and the minerals on the nose really didn't follow with tat acid cut and structure on the palate. Disappointing
1996 Katnook Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Now this is excellent. Much more the classic coonawarra/medoc style. Heaps of pencil shavings/ cigar box, some mint and berry fruit. Lovely meduim bodied palate with black berry and asian spicees and a whiff of tobacco. Tannins fairly weell resolved and oak beautifully integrated. Drinking superbly but it is so well balanced and the fruit is so good that it will be a lovely drink for another 5 years. If you have some try one now.
1995 Marsh estate Botytis semillon. ovely wine. Deep burnt sugar/molasses colour . Lovely apricot and citrus nose. Lots of fruit depth on the palate and no viscious VA on either the nose or palate to detract from the fruit. ready to go. Excellent
We also had another very nice 2001 Hunter chardonnay - not in the peaches and cream style thankfully , but can't remember the maker. maybe keith will add it for us.
Cheers
Paul
2002 Devils lair Chardonnay After David Lole's comments thought I better pull one out to check. Nice pale lemony , pale yellow colour. Some minerals, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nuts. Very nice quite burgundian. Unfortunately the palate doesn't follow the nose. Lacks intensity - as if off over-cropped fruit. Also lacking any great structure and the minerals on the nose really didn't follow with tat acid cut and structure on the palate. Disappointing
1996 Katnook Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Now this is excellent. Much more the classic coonawarra/medoc style. Heaps of pencil shavings/ cigar box, some mint and berry fruit. Lovely meduim bodied palate with black berry and asian spicees and a whiff of tobacco. Tannins fairly weell resolved and oak beautifully integrated. Drinking superbly but it is so well balanced and the fruit is so good that it will be a lovely drink for another 5 years. If you have some try one now.
1995 Marsh estate Botytis semillon. ovely wine. Deep burnt sugar/molasses colour . Lovely apricot and citrus nose. Lots of fruit depth on the palate and no viscious VA on either the nose or palate to detract from the fruit. ready to go. Excellent
We also had another very nice 2001 Hunter chardonnay - not in the peaches and cream style thankfully , but can't remember the maker. maybe keith will add it for us.
Cheers
Paul
Last night :
2002 Devils lair Chardonnay After David Lole's comments thought I better pull one out to check. Nice pale lemony , pale yellow colour. Some minerals, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nuts. Very nice quite burgundian. Unfortunately the palate doesn't follow the nose. Lacks intensity - as if off over-cropped fruit. Also lacking any great structure and the minerals on the nose really didn't follow with tat acid cut and structure on the palate. Disappointing
1996 Katnook Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Now this is excellent. Much more the classic coonawarra/medoc style. Heaps of pencil shavings/ cigar box, some mint and berry fruit. Lovely meduim bodied palate with black berry and asian spicees and a whiff of tobacco. Tannins fairly well resolved and oak beautifully integrated. Drinking superbly but it is so well balanced and the fruit is so good that it will be a lovely drink for another 5 years. If you have some try one now.
1995 Marsh estate Botytis semillon. Lovely wine. Deep burnt sugar/molasses colour . Lovely apricot and citrus nose. Lots of fruit depth on the palate and no viscious VA on either the nose or palate to detract from the fruit. ready to go. Excellent
We also had another very nice 2001 Hunter chardonnay - not in the peaches and cream style thankfully , but can't remember the maker. maybe keith will add it for us.
Cheers
Paul
2002 Devils lair Chardonnay After David Lole's comments thought I better pull one out to check. Nice pale lemony , pale yellow colour. Some minerals, grapefruit and a hint of macadamia nuts. Very nice quite burgundian. Unfortunately the palate doesn't follow the nose. Lacks intensity - as if off over-cropped fruit. Also lacking any great structure and the minerals on the nose really didn't follow with tat acid cut and structure on the palate. Disappointing
1996 Katnook Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Now this is excellent. Much more the classic coonawarra/medoc style. Heaps of pencil shavings/ cigar box, some mint and berry fruit. Lovely meduim bodied palate with black berry and asian spicees and a whiff of tobacco. Tannins fairly well resolved and oak beautifully integrated. Drinking superbly but it is so well balanced and the fruit is so good that it will be a lovely drink for another 5 years. If you have some try one now.
1995 Marsh estate Botytis semillon. Lovely wine. Deep burnt sugar/molasses colour . Lovely apricot and citrus nose. Lots of fruit depth on the palate and no viscious VA on either the nose or palate to detract from the fruit. ready to go. Excellent
We also had another very nice 2001 Hunter chardonnay - not in the peaches and cream style thankfully , but can't remember the maker. maybe keith will add it for us.
Cheers
Paul
David Lole wrote:
[b]Leo Buring Watervale "Leonay" Riesling 1994 - orphan loitering in my cellar. Thought I got rid of these some time ago. Obviously, not. Having bought terrific examples from this maker from the 60's, 70's, then after a hiatus, the 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1992, I thought this would be a shoo-in at release. All my bottles developed far too quickly to my liking - drinkable, but not that good. Still perplexed as to why? Cooked during transport? Anyone else got/tried any? This bottle was very, very ordinary - burnt orange, tired, flabby, oxidised, full of burnt pineapple and bitter apricot kernel - wallaby-ted.
[.
David,
I think you may have had a dud bottle.
the last one I tried last year was still very young and i marked it as needing another few years. Hence, suggest poor provenance or just bad bottle both from the differences in colour and development on palate.
if we ever meet we can swap a few bottles as I agree on the 1983 Ch margaux which is not that far off the 82s at a hugely discounted price (albeit in 15-20 years the 82s will still be going strong but the 83 will have declined by more!). It is interesting tat since parker downgraded the 83s they have been panned - but the good wines are great with less power than the 82s which is what RP seems to seek.
fred
A aunt-in-law comes to visit, and likes a fine wine, so a chance to drink some interesting wines...
1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese (Mosel)
A saturated-looking cork and some evidence of leaking earlier in life but very little ullage suggests any leakage was a fill issue. Still pale straw, with a hint of green. The nose is of apple fruit - almost with a hint of candy sweetness - and faint rosewater. Wonderful prickly acid follows on the palate, along with aromatically-consistent flavours. There is plenty of sweetness, but it's fresh and lively. An intense experience, remarkable in light of the 7.5% alcohol, with a lovely lingering finish. Not hugely complex, perhaps, but promising of further rewards to come with a few more years cellaring.
1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon (Hunter)
Pristine cork, but the level was slightly lower than I'd expect. After the Loosen (drunk as an aperitif) it simply smelled oxidized, but with a little time the subtlety of the honeyed, quasi-oaked aromas emerged. Good mouthfeel and moderate-length finish, although I would have expected this wine to taste a little fresher. With alcohol at 10.5% it's no blockbuster either, but did open up somewhat in the glass. Only a mediocre example of this wine, I suspect.
1994 Pichon Longueville Baron (Paulliac)
Mid brick red. The nose shows lots of developed secondary notes - smoke, tobacco, cedar, pencil shavings - which dominate the remnants of some slightly weedy blackcurrant fruit. The tannins have softened out on the palate, which has good flavour coverage, and a moderate length finish. It's a pleasant medium-weight wine, dry and dusty, although at this age it's beginning to look perhaps a bit skeletal. May hold, but don't expect any further improvement.
cheers,
Graeme
1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese (Mosel)
A saturated-looking cork and some evidence of leaking earlier in life but very little ullage suggests any leakage was a fill issue. Still pale straw, with a hint of green. The nose is of apple fruit - almost with a hint of candy sweetness - and faint rosewater. Wonderful prickly acid follows on the palate, along with aromatically-consistent flavours. There is plenty of sweetness, but it's fresh and lively. An intense experience, remarkable in light of the 7.5% alcohol, with a lovely lingering finish. Not hugely complex, perhaps, but promising of further rewards to come with a few more years cellaring.
1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon (Hunter)
Pristine cork, but the level was slightly lower than I'd expect. After the Loosen (drunk as an aperitif) it simply smelled oxidized, but with a little time the subtlety of the honeyed, quasi-oaked aromas emerged. Good mouthfeel and moderate-length finish, although I would have expected this wine to taste a little fresher. With alcohol at 10.5% it's no blockbuster either, but did open up somewhat in the glass. Only a mediocre example of this wine, I suspect.
1994 Pichon Longueville Baron (Paulliac)
Mid brick red. The nose shows lots of developed secondary notes - smoke, tobacco, cedar, pencil shavings - which dominate the remnants of some slightly weedy blackcurrant fruit. The tannins have softened out on the palate, which has good flavour coverage, and a moderate length finish. It's a pleasant medium-weight wine, dry and dusty, although at this age it's beginning to look perhaps a bit skeletal. May hold, but don't expect any further improvement.
cheers,
Graeme
Ok, went for something different on Saturday night, an Argentinian Cab Sav for $12.
Santa Julia Reserve 2002 Cab Sav
Quite green and stalky aromas, in the mouth it was still the same with herbaceous leafy flavours as well, tannins were dominent and mouth puckeringg. Maybe it needed some beauty sleep in a decanter but for mind it was too green. Rating: Recommended
Colin
Santa Julia Reserve 2002 Cab Sav
Quite green and stalky aromas, in the mouth it was still the same with herbaceous leafy flavours as well, tannins were dominent and mouth puckeringg. Maybe it needed some beauty sleep in a decanter but for mind it was too green. Rating: Recommended
Colin
Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter. Sermons and soda water the day after.
Unfortunately I didn't get to taste the Noon or Struie this week. That time of month when all the bills arrive and funds are a little tight. Nevertheless, I was able to taste some wines:
2004 Margrain Gewurztraminer (New Zealand)
This had a nice, fruity nose - just the way I like them. Plenty of typical rose petals and lychees, very much a varietal sniff. Palate was low in acid and actually a little sweet, but the wine had been made this way and certainly didn't put me off. A lingering finish and one of the better Gewurz's I've tried, although I'd buy a Johanneshof for the same money.
2004 Margrain Pinot Gris (New Zealand)
Again, a wine that had a fruity nose and this was very welcoming considering the previous New Zealand Pinot Gris wines I'd tried were closed and lacking impact. A very strong, acid backbone to support this wine and I would think five years in the cellar would benefit and produce an outstanding wine. Very happy with both Margrain whites.
2003 Margrain Pinot Noir (New Zealand)
This was rubbish. The more I had, the more I wished I hadn't. Not an inexpensive wine and initially (very early that is) the nose displays some promise, but oxidation quickly turns the wine into an iodine and earthy bomb. Palate was unsatisfying, almost 'watered down' and was done in a bid to "make a Burgundian style wine", says my colleague. Either way, I wouldn't recommend.
2003 Millton Gewurztraminer (New Zealand)
Was served too cold initially and I waited for it to warm up. On doing so, the wine slowly opened up to reveal a more refined nose, with turkish delight but no explosive fruit - quite different to the Margrain. Palate had everything balanced and reminded me of the cohesion found in the Johanneshof. A lingering, yummy finish and a high ranked Gewurz in my book - great value at $20.
And finally... an Aussie red!
2002 Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet (McLaren Vale)
Well, I'm currently drinking the last glass of this red and thought I'd include it in last week's plonk report. I opened it last night and was wacked in the face with minty aromas. Not like the Allens Mintie lolly, more like mint leaf or menthol cigarette (I've only ever smelt these). I poured my second glass and let it sit for a while, whereby the mint nose dissipated somewhat to reveal gorgeous dark chocolate, both on nose and palate. The wine is sex in the mouth - very, very seductive and a smooth finish with delicate tannins. Out of the bottle, the mint is still present and a little too much for my usual liking. Upon checking Halliday's review of the wine, very interesting that he made no mention of the mint/menthol (unlike RPJ). Anyone else's thoughts on this wine?
Cheers,
2004 Margrain Gewurztraminer (New Zealand)
This had a nice, fruity nose - just the way I like them. Plenty of typical rose petals and lychees, very much a varietal sniff. Palate was low in acid and actually a little sweet, but the wine had been made this way and certainly didn't put me off. A lingering finish and one of the better Gewurz's I've tried, although I'd buy a Johanneshof for the same money.
2004 Margrain Pinot Gris (New Zealand)
Again, a wine that had a fruity nose and this was very welcoming considering the previous New Zealand Pinot Gris wines I'd tried were closed and lacking impact. A very strong, acid backbone to support this wine and I would think five years in the cellar would benefit and produce an outstanding wine. Very happy with both Margrain whites.
2003 Margrain Pinot Noir (New Zealand)
This was rubbish. The more I had, the more I wished I hadn't. Not an inexpensive wine and initially (very early that is) the nose displays some promise, but oxidation quickly turns the wine into an iodine and earthy bomb. Palate was unsatisfying, almost 'watered down' and was done in a bid to "make a Burgundian style wine", says my colleague. Either way, I wouldn't recommend.
2003 Millton Gewurztraminer (New Zealand)
Was served too cold initially and I waited for it to warm up. On doing so, the wine slowly opened up to reveal a more refined nose, with turkish delight but no explosive fruit - quite different to the Margrain. Palate had everything balanced and reminded me of the cohesion found in the Johanneshof. A lingering, yummy finish and a high ranked Gewurz in my book - great value at $20.
And finally... an Aussie red!
2002 Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet (McLaren Vale)
Well, I'm currently drinking the last glass of this red and thought I'd include it in last week's plonk report. I opened it last night and was wacked in the face with minty aromas. Not like the Allens Mintie lolly, more like mint leaf or menthol cigarette (I've only ever smelt these). I poured my second glass and let it sit for a while, whereby the mint nose dissipated somewhat to reveal gorgeous dark chocolate, both on nose and palate. The wine is sex in the mouth - very, very seductive and a smooth finish with delicate tannins. Out of the bottle, the mint is still present and a little too much for my usual liking. Upon checking Halliday's review of the wine, very interesting that he made no mention of the mint/menthol (unlike RPJ). Anyone else's thoughts on this wine?
Cheers,
Max
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
1998 Brown Bros Patricia ($29) : Very good. Rich but also had finesse.
Billecart-Salmon NV ($50) : Agree with Mr Lole above - rather disappointing BUT maybe a year or two in bottle may see it improve.
1996 Veuve Cliquot Reserve Brut ($92) : Excellent and would cellar for 5 years to its further benefit I reckon. Only trouble was I served this up on a hot day prior to a BBQ which was not really the best way to appreciate this wine.
2001 Jenke Barossa Semillon ($14) : I genuinely love these lemon butter Barossa Semillons - really distinctive. This was in stelvin too. Great match with Roast Chook. High QPR if you like this style. Real wine.
2002 Henschke " Loius " Eden Valley Semillon ($24) : Good - reminds me of Mitchell Semillon - nice lemony semillon with good oak. Of course has the Henschke 20% price uplift factor !
2003 Dr Loosen Riesling ( $23 ) : Impressively varietal. Sweet racy palate but a definitely NOT cloying finish. Lovely.
2002 Coriole Nebbiolo McLaren Vale ( $23 ) : Very interesting. I like that contrast between the see thru colour and the serious palate of the wine. Promising.
2002 Turkey Flat " The Turk " ( $21 ) : nice good value Barossa red wine. Pleasantly sweet palate that matched BBQ lamb well.
2002 d'Arenberg " The Derelict Vineyard " Grenache Mclaren Vale ($25) : Bloody excellent Grenache. Rich blackberry fruit. Almost as good as the Penfold's Cellar Reserve Grenache of the same vintage. I'm as guilty as the next person who cares about wine in sometimes dissing Grenache as cough medicine but this was really enjoyable and went down a treat.
Billecart-Salmon NV ($50) : Agree with Mr Lole above - rather disappointing BUT maybe a year or two in bottle may see it improve.
1996 Veuve Cliquot Reserve Brut ($92) : Excellent and would cellar for 5 years to its further benefit I reckon. Only trouble was I served this up on a hot day prior to a BBQ which was not really the best way to appreciate this wine.
2001 Jenke Barossa Semillon ($14) : I genuinely love these lemon butter Barossa Semillons - really distinctive. This was in stelvin too. Great match with Roast Chook. High QPR if you like this style. Real wine.
2002 Henschke " Loius " Eden Valley Semillon ($24) : Good - reminds me of Mitchell Semillon - nice lemony semillon with good oak. Of course has the Henschke 20% price uplift factor !
2003 Dr Loosen Riesling ( $23 ) : Impressively varietal. Sweet racy palate but a definitely NOT cloying finish. Lovely.
2002 Coriole Nebbiolo McLaren Vale ( $23 ) : Very interesting. I like that contrast between the see thru colour and the serious palate of the wine. Promising.
2002 Turkey Flat " The Turk " ( $21 ) : nice good value Barossa red wine. Pleasantly sweet palate that matched BBQ lamb well.
2002 d'Arenberg " The Derelict Vineyard " Grenache Mclaren Vale ($25) : Bloody excellent Grenache. Rich blackberry fruit. Almost as good as the Penfold's Cellar Reserve Grenache of the same vintage. I'm as guilty as the next person who cares about wine in sometimes dissing Grenache as cough medicine but this was really enjoyable and went down a treat.
Hey all,
A few to report,
2002 Mitchelton Parish Shiraz Viogner:
Medium to dark purple, quite perfumed on the nose although i didn't find it as obviously floral as some S/V blends, on the palate dry and dusty, yet reasonable amount of fruit coming through. I was expecting it to be a bigger wine given that its 02 and from a warm climate, but overall i enjoyed.
1999 Yering Station Reserve Chardonnay:
Gold-green, Complex nutty nose, still with melon and a hint of fig present too. Rich on the palate with nutty, creamy oak characters but not overpowering, and a clean finish with some mineral touches. I'd say if you have any drink it now, i had meant to drink it last year but was overseas for 6 months and only got around to it last week.
1995 Museum Release Houghton White Burgundy:
Glowing mid yellow/green, and thats about the most detail i can remember other than that this was a great wine! Consumed on Oz day early on, at the start of a serious drinking session. Picked it up a few weeks ago for about $25 as was an absolute stunner, get some, if you drink white that is
2002 Carlei Green Vineyards Pinot Noir:
light purple, very fragrant nose, berries etc, palate smooth continuing with the berry fruit flavours, a bit of spice and great length. Much better than i anticipated and would definitely by again
Thats it i think...Oh yeah,Little Creature Pilsner was the cause of my Oz Day memory loss and was throughly enjoyed, give it a go.
Cheers
Cheyne
A few to report,
2002 Mitchelton Parish Shiraz Viogner:
Medium to dark purple, quite perfumed on the nose although i didn't find it as obviously floral as some S/V blends, on the palate dry and dusty, yet reasonable amount of fruit coming through. I was expecting it to be a bigger wine given that its 02 and from a warm climate, but overall i enjoyed.
1999 Yering Station Reserve Chardonnay:
Gold-green, Complex nutty nose, still with melon and a hint of fig present too. Rich on the palate with nutty, creamy oak characters but not overpowering, and a clean finish with some mineral touches. I'd say if you have any drink it now, i had meant to drink it last year but was overseas for 6 months and only got around to it last week.
1995 Museum Release Houghton White Burgundy:
Glowing mid yellow/green, and thats about the most detail i can remember other than that this was a great wine! Consumed on Oz day early on, at the start of a serious drinking session. Picked it up a few weeks ago for about $25 as was an absolute stunner, get some, if you drink white that is
2002 Carlei Green Vineyards Pinot Noir:
light purple, very fragrant nose, berries etc, palate smooth continuing with the berry fruit flavours, a bit of spice and great length. Much better than i anticipated and would definitely by again
Thats it i think...Oh yeah,Little Creature Pilsner was the cause of my Oz Day memory loss and was throughly enjoyed, give it a go.
Cheers
Cheyne
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MartinJohnC
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2003 1:52 pm
- Location: Adelaide
I am not a white drinker, but.
96 Wilson Polish Hill Riesling had this a couple of weeks ago,
lovely wine starting to show some age but still crisp and clean citris
flavours.
98 Wilson Polish Hill I took this to a blind tasting of any whites
99 or older and it came first in front of very good chardonnays and
a French
92 Wilson Polish Hill showing some good signs of bottle age and
beat the likes of Petaluma Ries and St Helga
Im must be losing it, enjoying all these whites?
96 Wilson Polish Hill Riesling had this a couple of weeks ago,
lovely wine starting to show some age but still crisp and clean citris
flavours.
98 Wilson Polish Hill I took this to a blind tasting of any whites
99 or older and it came first in front of very good chardonnays and
a French
92 Wilson Polish Hill showing some good signs of bottle age and
beat the likes of Petaluma Ries and St Helga
Im must be losing it, enjoying all these whites?
-
Guest
Yalumba "The Octavius" 1998 - Very complex American Oak nuances- reads like a cooperage aroma wheel. Underlying concentraded stream of dark shiraz fruit. I have been away from Australia too long to enjoy this style.
Palliser Estate 2002 Pinot Noir- Worst Palliser pinot I have tried. Light and thin and pervaded by weedy spice.
Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Better bottle last weak ( stelvin? ) where the wine showed good palate muscle of tropical fruits.
Bouchard Perrier and Fils Volnay Caillerets Burgundy 1999 - More old French Oak than fruit showing through. Good framework but probably robbed of a $100. Brett too! Very good but this Burgundy thing is expensive and frustrating!!!
Rupert & Rothschild 2001 Baron Edmond - Classy Bordeaux blend from Fredericksburg in South Africa. Cassis and berries, classy new French Oak. Concentrated and closed, ripe grippy finish.
Palliser Estate 2002 Pinot Noir- Worst Palliser pinot I have tried. Light and thin and pervaded by weedy spice.
Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Better bottle last weak ( stelvin? ) where the wine showed good palate muscle of tropical fruits.
Bouchard Perrier and Fils Volnay Caillerets Burgundy 1999 - More old French Oak than fruit showing through. Good framework but probably robbed of a $100. Brett too! Very good but this Burgundy thing is expensive and frustrating!!!
Rupert & Rothschild 2001 Baron Edmond - Classy Bordeaux blend from Fredericksburg in South Africa. Cassis and berries, classy new French Oak. Concentrated and closed, ripe grippy finish.
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
2002 Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet (McLaren Vale)
Well, I'm currently drinking the last glass of this red and thought I'd include it in last week's plonk report. I opened it last night and was wacked in the face with minty aromas. Not like the Allens Mintie lolly, more like mint leaf or menthol cigarette (I've only ever smelt these). I poured my second glass and let it sit for a while, whereby the mint nose dissipated somewhat to reveal gorgeous dark chocolate, both on nose and palate. The wine is sex in the mouth - very, very seductive and a smooth finish with delicate tannins. Out of the bottle, the mint is still present and a little too much for my usual liking. Upon checking Halliday's review of the wine, very interesting that he made no mention of the mint/menthol (unlike RPJ). Anyone else's thoughts on this wine?
Cheers,
I tried a bottle of this last week. I thought it was very rich and needed at least another year before I tried another one. However, I did not notice mint and I usually can detect it (and usually enjoy a little of it).
Brian