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

[Sean]

Golding Pinot Noir 23 - A family owned winery in Adelaide Hills. Ruby coloured. Cherry, rhubarb and spice. The alcohol is low, just 12.5% a/v. But some nice intensity on the palate and clean fruit character. A little earthy, which is probably some whole bunch influence. Feels medium-bodied with fresh acidity and moderate tannin. - 18/8/25

Port Phillip Estate Red Hill Chardonnay 24 - Single vineyard est in 1987 on volcanic soil. Whole bunch, wild yeast, barrel fermented and 11 months in French oak. Light gold colour and gunflint. Noticed the oak and leesy influences too. Citrus, stonefruit, grilled nuts and oak spice. Some phenolic texture and a slightly sweet honeyed finish. - 19/8/25

Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Same, but different to the 16 if you know what I mean. Both are very structured, but this is still plush and shiny new. Lots of primary fruit and demanding a few years in the cellar to get more interesting. Strong red-purple colour. Blackcurrant, cherry, dried herbs and mint. Got 14 months in French oak (21% new), but that has settled in. Nicely balanced really. A little earthy on the finish with slightly grippy tannin. - 20/8/25

Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz 19 - Best blocks and you can see this has some terrific fruit. Small batch in open fermenters. Got 14 months in small and large French oak. A luxuriant red-purple colour and slow evolving aromatics. It is definitely full-bodied, but nothing in excess. So polished and elegant. Blackberry, plums, mocha, spice and the subtle earth/iron often noted in this wine. Smooth and long with deep running tannin. - 21/8/25

Pfeiffer Winemakers Selection Rutherglen Shiraz 17 - Released to wine club members. If this is in the drinking window, it will be a long one. The fruit comes from their Carlyle vineyard. A deep crimson red colour. Plums, red berries, earth and spice. Also a distinct dried herb character. Feels like a bit more oak and extract than usual. Much better if you give it lots of air time. Noticed the legs in the glass too. This is 14.9% a/v. Full-bodied and warm on the palate with some pretty obvious tannin. - 22/8/25

Sidewood Shiraz 22 - The usual stickers on the bottle. This time featuring wine scores from the critics rather than show medals. Regular drinker of it anyway, moving on from the 21 to 22 (the current release) now. A blend of small batches. Wild yeast and 15 months in French oak barrels. A cool-climate feel to this, also some richness and intensity. Tends to be a bigger style of Adelaide Hills shiraz. Pepper, plums, cherry, chocolate and spice with velvety soft tannins. - 23/8/25

[Chuck]

Lindeman's 2012 St George Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. 2nd last of a 6-pack bought when the conglomerate owner was considering the future of the Lindeman's trio. Each time I'm hoping for more however it seems to be flatlining with nice enough fruit from a good vintage and some good oak but it seems a bit one dimensional. Fruits more on the red and blue spectrum. Good structure. It has Coonawarra written all over it but. Much prefer the Limestone Ridge and Pyrus. JH gave it a great rap. Maybe it's me.

[phillisc]

Had a glass of 2023 Wynns Shiraz...first impressions look promising.
Cheers Craig

[Sean]

Mid-week drinking.

Sidewood Pinot Gris 25 - Won a trophy for best Pinot Gris at the Sydney Wine Show this year. Handpicked, whole bunch, wild yeast, mostly barrel-fermented and 5 months maturation in French oak. Large format oak, because this still has strong fruit character. A pale gold colour and florals. Pear, nectarine, spice with some leesy influences. Nice texture as well as a dry finish. - 26/8/25

Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 24 - Clare Valley. This label is sold through BWS and Dan Murphy’s. A regular buy. An extra year or two in the bottle is the go. Light straw colour. Clean and fresh with loads of fruit. Citrus, apple, talcum, bath salts and minerally acidity. Bang on varietal character and a dry finish. - 27/8/25

Wynns Shiraz 16 - Picked up this as a back vintage for $20. That’s fair enough, because I didn’t have to cellar it. Good colour, gee these develop slowly under SC. Got a mix of primary fruit and tannin. Sweet fruited and softening up nicely. Blackberry, plums, earth and spice. Feels medium-bodied with powdery tannins. Easy drinking, but obviously has some ageing potential. - 28/8/25

[Ian S]

2007 Rivera Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva Puer Apuliae. I really like their standard bearer 'Il Falcone' Riserva, so was intrigued to try this fancier bottling. It has a suitably heavy bottle. For me, a case of bigger is not better, but it still has merit. Very firm tannins have to a large part dropped out in the very heavy sediment, but there's still grip. Acidity in earlier bottles felt a little on the light side, but given it shows on the finish now, perhaps it was appropriate. Still a fair bit of primary fruit (blackcurrant leading the way, but without any leafiness), and what aromatically comes across as TCA (cardboard), isn't reflected on the palate, so I think it's just a varietal / barrel influence. Some tertiary development, but not much and hence not much complexity. Overall feeling is that they were trying too hard to make a prestige wine... when they already have a wonderfully well regarded wine in their Il Falcone. last of 3 bottles

[Chuck]

Lindeman's 2012 St George Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. 2nd last of a 6-pack bought when the conglomerate owner was considering the future of the Lindeman's trio. Each time I'm hoping for more however it seems to be flatlining with nice enough fruit from a good vintage and some good oak but it seems a bit one dimensional. Fruits more on the red and blue spectrum. Good structure. It has Coonawarra written all over it but. Much prefer the Limestone Ridge and Pyrus. JH gave it a great rap. Maybe it's me.

After mild disappointment with the St George one of the sister wines, Lindemans 2012 Limestone Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz, was opened, decanted and left for a couple of hours. Wow!! What a different wine!! Blue and black fruits (blackberry, mulberry) and a fair slab of US oak. Fuller bodied and great mouthfeel. Just a pup this will last at least another 5-10 years.

Went a treat with my Frankenstein steak - 2 grade 8/9 Wagyu Chuck Eye Roll steaks stuck together with meat glue (transglutaminase). Stunning marbling. Cooked medium rare to rare. Not for those with heart issues. After years looking for the perfect steak I think I've found my nirvana. For those interested the scotch fillet comes of ribs 6-12 and the chuck eye roll off ribs 1-5. Same muscle group but further into the chuck section (shoulder). Intramuscular fat has to be seen to be believe. Grade 9 is just 1 step off the maximum Australia produces - 10.

[Chuck]

Corryton Burge 2018 The Brigadier Cabernet Sauvignon. This is run by Grant Burge's son Trent after Grant sold his wine business. Under Grant Burge Wines the Corryton Park Cabernet was a staple in our household with the grapes coming from Eden Valley where the Corryton Park homestead is situated. Not sure if the cabernet fruit comes from there as the website suggested grapes were sourced from growers. A lovely expression of a warmer climate cabernet. Plenty of dark fruits with blackcurrent, coffee and dark chocolate. A nice lick of oak but well integrated. Generous is flavour. Good balance and structure. This is the best bottle out of a case so far and it is only going to get better from here. Drink over the next 5-10 years depending on your storage quality.

[Chuck]

Corryton Burge 2018 The Brigadier Cabernet Sauvignon. This is run by Grant Burge's son Trent after Grant sold his wine business. Under Grant Burge Wines the Corryton Park Cabernet was a staple in our household with the grapes coming from Eden Valley where the Corryton Park homestead is situated. Not sure if the cabernet fruit comes from there as the website suggested grapes were sourced from growers. A lovely expression of a warmer climate cabernet. Plenty of dark fruits with blackcurrent, coffee and dark chocolate. A nice lick of oak but well integrated. Generous is flavour. Good balance and structure. This is the best bottle out of a case so far and it is only going to get better from here. Drink over the next 5-10 years depending on your storage quality.

The JH website says the grapes came from the Corryton Park vineyard in Eden Valley so I guess the Burge family kept this when Grant sold out to Accolade Wines. Like what so often happens when big business buys smaller family wineries the Grant Burge label has been trashed with many lesser quality cheaper wines being added to the offering. I'll stick with Corryton Burge.

[phillisc]

2022 Passing Clouds Graeme's Blend
60/40 Shiraz/Cabernet split.

Wonderful wine, black fruits, plush, rich, so well rounded, dark chocolate note, firm finish with smooth tannins.
For the cash an absolute bargain, drink over the next 10+ years.

Cheers Craig

[WAwineguy]

Ordered and drank a 2014 Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz at Settlers Tavern down at Margaret River - for about the same price as buying it from a shop. To say it was superb is an understatement. One of the best bottles of Shiraz I have tasted, Grampians shiraz being so much more subtle and refined than the fruit bombs from the Barossa!

[phillisc]

Whilst I don't mind the odd fruit bomb from BV, there are simply so many fantastic wines that come from the Grampians.
Bests, Seppelts, Langhi, Lane/Story, Fallen Giants and probably others that I've forgotten, are absolute crackers.
Cheers Craig

[Ian S]

For my palate, big agreement. Grampians my first choice for Aussie shiraz, with Hunter Valley 2nd. Availability over here something of a challenge sadly.

[Sean]

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 24 - The fruit picked over a couple of weeks in February. A bit earlier than usual. Whole bunch pressed and tank fermented. Green straw colour and fragrant. Citrus, peach, herbs with pithy texture and fresh minerally acidity. Feels tight, it needs another year or two. Typically got some fruit sweetness, but this vintage is noticeably dry. - 30/8/25

Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 18 - Strong red-purple colour and really nice aromatics. Got 12 months maturation in American oak. Defines this wine, but it is not overt now. Maybe adding to the sweet fruited feel of it. Blackberry, plums, aniseed and spice. Smooth on the palate with robust acidity and powdery tannins. Lots of sediment in the bottle. Much too easy to drink, but will go the usual 10+ years. - 2/9/25

Chalmers Nero d’Avola 22 - The vines were imported by them in 2000 and they made their first wine in 2009. Heathcote fruit, whole berry and wild ferment. A lighter, tank fermented style of red. Ruby coloured and very fruit driven. Just 12.4% a/v. Lots of aromatics. Mixed berries, cherry and herbs. Still fresh in the glass with a nice balance of fruit and savoury tannin. - 5/9/25

Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 23 - McLaren Vale. Got 15 months in French and American oak barrels. Drinking this over a couple of nights. It hasn’t missed a beat. Old style SA bruiser, but it’s a goodie. Deeply coloured. Blackberry, mulberry, aniseed, spice and dark chocolate. Oak matches and caresses the fruit intensity rather than simply adding dumb flavour. Feels full-bodied with lush, sweet fruit and big tannins. - 7/9/25

d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab 23 - A 55/45 Viognier Marsanne blend. Nice with an extra year or two in the bottle, try it before you get the current 24. Basket pressed and some of it has been matured in older French oak for 8 months. Feels cleaner and fresher these days. Some gold colour in this and florals. A little honeysuckle. Apricot, peach, citrus and oak spice with moderate acidity. - 8/9/25

Petaluma White Label Sauvignon Blanc 24 - Tank fermented. Light straw colour. Ultra clean fruit character and a little pungent. Tropical fruit, cut grass, nettles, subtle herbs with fresh acidity ripping through the palate. A weirdly chalky, but faintly sweet finish. Comes up best when you let it warm up in the glass. - 9/9/25

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 22 - A multi-regional Cab with a lot of Limestone Coast fruit in it. Some vintages are better than others. Not made up my mind about this one yet. Matured for the usual 12 months in both French and American oak. Deep purple colour. Black fruits, cherry, mint, mocha and chocolate. Feels rich and full-bodied, and the oak extract is noticeable. Drinking this over a couple of nights, it needs time to open up. A bit of tannin as expected and will likely be much better with 10 years age on it. - 11/9/25

[phillisc]

2004 Zema Estate Cabernet
Still purple on the rim, wonderful black blue fruits, plush core leading to a firm finish. Quite primary and a delight to see wines like this develop over a couple of decades. Great drinking.
Cheers Craig

[Sean]

Rockford Frugal Farmer 23 - Long time Rockford drinkers will know this wine far better than me. It is a lighter, lower alcohol red compared to others in the lineup. Also a little unusual. A Grenache and Mataro blend that has been fermented on Alicante skins. Garnet red colour and very aromatic. Musky and floral. Red fruits, cherry, earth, spice and feels punchy with soft, savoury tannins. - 14/9/25

Rockford Eden Valley Riesling 24 - Got 3 bottles of this and racing through them. Happy to see SC on this wine ensuring no issues with it. The fruit seems wound up an extra notch in this vintage. Light straw colour and lovely fresh aromatics. Florals, lime, pear and bath salts. This is very fruit driven with subtle texture. Clean minerally acidity and a slightly chalky dry finish. - 15/9/25

Rockford Moppa Springs GMS 22 - Another goodie in the wine order we did this year. Open fermenter, basket pressed and matured in large vats and used hogsheads. Ruby red colour. Really like the aromatics. Good fruit intensity and a velvety soft feel to it. Red fruits, cherry, spice and dried herbs with gentle tannins. Much too easy to drink, I probably should get some more of this. - 16/9/25

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Pinot Gris 25 - Sourced from 3 vineyards and picked over a week in late March this year. Wild yeast fermented. A mix of tank, concrete and old oak barrels used for the blend. Light straw colour. Musky aromas. Pear, citrus and spice with some phenolic grip giving this a bit more body and texture. - 17/9/25

Phaedrus Pinot Gris 25 - A simpler style in some ways, which is all about the vineyard and fruit in that vintage. Picked for flavour and pushing the Gris style to the max. Wild yeast and no oak. Gets skin contact however and the blush of colour is pretty obvious. Jumping out of the glass. Florals, pear and honeysuckle. Lush fruits and mouthfeel with a strong rip of acidity. - 17/9/25

Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 21 - Clearly in this wine, they must have brought in some terrific fruit in the 2021 vintage. A 59/41 blend and aged in a mix of barrels and large vats. Strong red-purple colour. Red and dark fruits, plum, cherry and spice. Enticing rather than intense. This is 13.9% a/v and feels medium-bodied. Nicely balanced and smooth with dusty tannins. - 18/9/25

[Chuck]

Byron & Harold 2017 Gravity Margaret River Cabernet. JH site says it has 15% Great Southern fruit. Last bottle recently was decanted for a few hours and it was thin and insipid. Bottle last night was popped and poured and it was a completely different wine. Lots of black current that is a hallmark of MR cabs. Dark chocolate, blackberry. mulberry. Tannins and acids well integrated. Very nice. One bottle left although there are some 21s still to go. Drink now as it will not get much better.

[Matt@5453]

One of my favourite times of year in the Clare Valley is the Annual Wine Show which was held on Friday.

The presentation lunch is a highlight. This year catered for by Slate Restaurant, the food was excellent.

Nick Stock has been the Chair of Judges for quite a few years now, it will be his last year with Sarah Crowe taking over from 2026

At the lunch all gold medal and trophy winners are available for consumption, so pretty much guaranteed some excellent wines.
I was on my best behaviour this year, as I had to drive, so kept wine to the minimum.

2025 was a tough year in the Valley, with some parts getting a decent frost early in the growing season, and overall was a very dry year.

The 3 x stand out Rieslings for me were all made by the same winemaker:

2025 Naked Run Wines Time in Place
2025 Naked Run Wines The First
2025 Pikes The Merle

Steve has done a amazing job preserving the pure Riesling flavours in these wines, and all three were 'exceptional'.

Pauletts 2024 Clare Valley Riesling was wine of show, after a year in bottle its drinking bloody well

Also tried a 2017 Jim Barry Florita, still very fresh, but moving nicely. Perhaps a touch of marmalade coming through.

Only tried a few reds, the most outstanding I tried was a 2022 Kilikanoon “The Duke” Grenache, and a 2021 Jim Barry Spring Farm Block 74 Cabernet Sauvignon, an absolute belter, for me it is a benchmark for cabernet.

A small taste of a 1975 Jim Barry Tawny was the last drop for me – sublime, you could smell it in the glass from a meter away.

[Mike Hawkins]

1999 Ornellaia (magnum)… a touch disappointing to be Frank. Average length and a tad mono dimensional with characters bordering on vegetal.

2009 Pontet Canet…lost the vibrancy of youth but not quite what I’d describe as secondary characteristics. I can see why the critics love it, but it was a mistake opening it now.

2001 Jim Barry Armagh… best from this label for awhile. In a fantastic place with some chocolate and hint of eucalyptus. Massive finish and quite well balanced for the vintage.

2021 Eisenstone Ebeneezer… love this producer. The fact this is an entry level wine shows how good they are. Needs time but will be really good.

[Ian S]

Ouch on the Ornellaia. From memory a decent vintage in Tuscany. It used to be something of a guilty pleasure for us, a rich, almost plump wine whose pleasure was more immediate and obvious compared to most Italian wines we liked. I don't ever recall *great* complexity, but this does sound like a poor showing, and especially with the vegetal aspect.

[phillisc]

Pikes club event at the Adelaide wine centre last night. Very well attended, 250-300 punters.
Steve Baraglia, chief winemaker very skilled at his craft, new releases very fruit forward but balanced structure for the long haul. 2025 yields down, quality up, significant frost in some vineyards. All wines under screwcap.

2025 Traditionale Riesling almost water like, lovely fruit, gentle acid, so drinkable, very good....a few on the way
2020 Traditionale Riesling in a really good place, lemons and limes firm acid profile, delicious.
2025 Merle, to be released in November, zingy racy acidity, texture almost water like, will be great with some age, will get a few.
2020 Merle, at 5 years in what I would call in a bit of a dumb phase, has gone to sleep, although the winemaker said he likes Riesling like this...needs time I reckon.
2024 Olga Emmie, off dry Riesling, delicious and at about 8-9% could smash this with a Pad Thai
2023 First Cut botrytis Riesling, apricots, fruit salad, bight and breezy, no cloying, clean finish.
2024 Rising Ground Cabernet Franc, very peppery nose and palate, fruit coming through a bit, nicely made, I would like to see this in 3-5 years, quite rich and plush.
2022 Dog Walk Cabernet, solid nice firm structure, bright fruit finishing with dry chalky tannins, good at $21.
2022 homage Cabernet Malbec, a blend that the CV does so well, would like to line this up against a Wendouree. Excellent wine, will get a few.
2022 Hill Block Cabernet, this is a thumper, big big wine, lashings of fruit, oak, tannins, acid, but very balanced and approachable, needs a decade.
2023 East Side Shiraz, the entry level Shiraz, a little bit of a fruit bomb, lots of black blue fruits, not a lot of oak, firm finish. Well structured and balanced.
2022 EWP Shiraz, the flagship. Wonderful mouthfeel, rich, plush, leading through to long dry tannins, really good.
2015 EWP Shiraz, at 10 years in a nice spot, moving into a secondary phase, very well integrated, dry chalky tannins, has another 10 to go I think.
2021 The Vanguard Cabernet...first release of this wine, tried on the June long weekend and thought it was fantastic. Earthy, rich, dark fruits, not typical of Coonawarra/Yarra valley profiles, but just as good. Brooding in the glass, but very full bodied. Oak in support, finishing with firm chalky tannins, needs 10 years and another 10-20 after that. Only 75 dozen made, at $120 not cheap, but not over the top, club price brings it down a bit. A few bottles on order.

Finished with a few of their beers, and the newly released hard lemonade. For those who may remember, it took me my back to my childhood, Woodroofe's or Woodies lemonade, made in the 1970s in Adelaide. The team said its made with real lemons, not the junk syrupy stuff mass produced in other hard products. At 5.1% you can hardly taste the alcohol. Might get a few, $80 for a slab?
Very good evening, great range of wines, I didn't look at any of the others, stuck to Riesling, Cabernet/Blends and Shiraz.

Cheers Craig

Matt, had a very good chat with Steve B. The 2025 Merle will be something else. i have 2022 Naked Run, the first and place in time, but not much else.
Might have to get a few.

[JamieAdelaide]

2025 Merle, to be released in November, zingy racy acidity, texture almost water like, will be great with some age, will get a few.
2020 Merle, at 5 years in what I would call in a bit of a dumb phase, has gone to sleep, although the winemaker said he likes Riesling like this...needs time I reckon.

We are old fashioned Riesling drinkers? I recall buying a case of Merle in Hong Kong and drinking at 5 and thinking it may be best affected. Just a dumb phase I gather now !

The mysteries of stelvin and white wine back then. Now I’m a convert. Buy up Aussie stelvin at auction with a bit of age. Glorious stuff.

[Sean]

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Chardonnay 24 - Sourced from a number of vineyards. Barrel-fermented, with 11% new French oak and 5 months maturation. Some of this malo. Straw coloured. Citrus, stonefruit, spice and leesy barrel influences softening it and adding texture. The oak feels pretty obvious, but not out of place. Nice length and acidity on the palate. - 19/9/25

Point Leo Estate Pinot Noir 22 - Current release. Got this in a 2 pack (paired with the Chardonnay) at the cellar door. It is an impressive winery with a stunning cellar door, sculpture park and 50 acre vineyard running down to Western Port. The Chardonnay is OK, but this is the pick of the two. Ruby red colour and a lighter style. Cherry, red fruits, rhubarb, spice and earth. Supple and slightly savoury with vibrant acidity. - 21/9/25

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Rose 25 - Handpicked, wild ferment, Pinot Noir. A mix of tank and older French barriques. A little reddish colour in this. Fresh and fragrant. Red fruits, cherry and peach. Vintage showing, it is not delicate or savoury. Loads of fruit character, not quite sweet. - 25/9/25

Canard-Duchene Champagne Brut NV - This Champagne house is located in Ludes among the Montagne de Reims vineyards. A blend of 60 different Cru parcels with at least 20% Reserve wines. Made from 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. Light gold colour and a slow, fine bead. Feels like a pinot dominant Champers. Nice intensity and breadth of fruit as well as typical brioche and a dry finish. - 26/9/25

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Field Blend 25 - First time release. A blend of Riesling, Fiano, Friulano and Gewurztraminer. The latter adding the X factor in this. Wild ferment and some nice leesy influences. Straw colour and musky/flowery aromatics. Let it warm up in the glass. Citrus, gooseberry, orchard fruits and spice. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with a moderately dry finish. - 27/9/25

[JamieAdelaide]

Mid-weekers.

2002 Mt Ed and HofG. Lovely wines HofG more concentrated than the herbally Mt Ed.

1994 Mt Ed. Magnificent

1996 Penfolds 389. Poised and balanced. Easy drinking.

Ata Rangi 2012 Pinot. With aircrew discount $35 at AKL Duty Free on release. Fine at that price!

Bunch of Barolo over the weekend. Bartolo Mascarello 2008. Vajra Bricco delle Violle 2008. Elio Sandri Riserva 2010. Corino Vigna Giachini Barolo 1997 outstanding and an underrated producer.

[Ian S]

Good to see the Corino doing well in a warm year. We enjoyed visiting them in c. 2012, the wines good, though fair to say they were leaning modernist, as many in Annunziata were doing at the time.

[JamieAdelaide]

Corino has split off with a brother so not sure of quality ramifications ( either ways ) these days.

As far as modernist La Morra goes, I’ve been suitably impressed with Corino and Voerzio with age. Looking at CT I have 3 x 1997 Barolo VV as well! Must hook into them.

Truly outstanding region. Glorious drinking this week. Vajra BDV is a poor man’s Bartolo Mascarello. This based on secondary pricing as direct ( mailing list only ) probably on par. Mascarello just has a level more intensity aromatically and a Burgundian grace.

Giacosa Barbaresco Aslili Riserva 2004 reminds me of a Bruno’s many comments on Asili and its special qualities. Probably Grange pricing now. I have a lot of red labels and it’s a little exquisite for a Netflix wine. But oh well!

[phillisc]

2025 Merle, to be released in November, zingy racy acidity, texture almost water like, will be great with some age, will get a few.
2020 Merle, at 5 years in what I would call in a bit of a dumb phase, has gone to sleep, although the winemaker said he likes Riesling like this...needs time I reckon.

We are old fashioned Riesling drinkers? I recall buying a case of Merle in Hong Kong and drinking at 5 and thinking it may be best affected. Just a dumb phase I gather now !

The mysteries of stelvin and white wine back then. Now I’m a convert. Buy up Aussie stelvin at auction with a bit of age. Glorious stuff.

It wasn't what i would describe as unpleasant, more a fraction disappointing.
A little closed and short on the palate. I'm confident that it will evolve with time. Probably more so than a lot of 2020 reds.

Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

Mid-weekers.

2002 Mt Ed and HofG. Lovely wines HofG more concentrated than the herbally Mt Ed.

1994 Mt Ed. Magnificent

1996 Penfolds 389. Poised and balanced. Easy drinking.

Ata Rangi 2012 Pinot. With aircrew discount $35 at AKL Duty Free on release. Fine at that price!

Bunch of Barolo over the weekend. Bartolo Mascarello 2008. Vajra Bricco delle Violle 2008. Elio Sandri Riserva 2010. Corino Vigna Giachini Barolo 1997 outstanding and an underrated producer.

The last few times I had the 02 Mt Ed I found it a bit hot finished (like lots from 01 and 02 from SA). I vaguely recall the 02 ME was the one that got all the overseas awards… Might be time to revisit.

[Matt@5453]

Matt, had a very good chat with Steve B. The 2025 Merle will be something else. i have 2022 Naked Run, the first and place in time, but not much else.
Might have to get a few.

The 2025 Merle is something else now, let alone in 10-15 years. His 2025 wines from his own vineyard are worth exploring. As you might have picked up, he knows how to handle good parcels of fruit.

I didn't see the Reserve Sangiovese on the wine list you tasted, I really rate that wine.

[Andrew Jordan]

Pikes club event at the Adelaide wine centre last night. Very well attended, 250-300 punters.
Steve Baraglia, chief winemaker very skilled at his craft, new releases very fruit forward but balanced structure for the long haul. 2025 yields down, quality up, significant frost in some vineyards. All wines under screwcap.

2025 Traditionale Riesling almost water like, lovely fruit, gentle acid, so drinkable, very good....a few on the way
2020 Traditionale Riesling in a really good place, lemons and limes firm acid profile, delicious.
2025 Merle, to be released in November, zingy racy acidity, texture almost water like, will be great with some age, will get a few.
2020 Merle, at 5 years in what I would call in a bit of a dumb phase, has gone to sleep, although the winemaker said he likes Riesling like this...needs time I reckon.
2024 Olga Emmie, off dry Riesling, delicious and at about 8-9% could smash this with a Pad Thai
2023 First Cut botrytis Riesling, apricots, fruit salad, bight and breezy, no cloying, clean finish.
2024 Rising Ground Cabernet Franc, very peppery nose and palate, fruit coming through a bit, nicely made, I would like to see this in 3-5 years, quite rich and plush.
2022 Dog Walk Cabernet, solid nice firm structure, bright fruit finishing with dry chalky tannins, good at $21.
2022 homage Cabernet Malbec, a blend that the CV does so well, would like to line this up against a Wendouree. Excellent wine, will get a few.
2022 Hill Block Cabernet, this is a thumper, big big wine, lashings of fruit, oak, tannins, acid, but very balanced and approachable, needs a decade.
2023 East Side Shiraz, the entry level Shiraz, a little bit of a fruit bomb, lots of black blue fruits, not a lot of oak, firm finish. Well structured and balanced.
2022 EWP Shiraz, the flagship. Wonderful mouthfeel, rich, plush, leading through to long dry tannins, really good.
2015 EWP Shiraz, at 10 years in a nice spot, moving into a secondary phase, very well integrated, dry chalky tannins, has another 10 to go I think.
2021 The Vanguard Cabernet...first release of this wine, tried on the June long weekend and thought it was fantastic. Earthy, rich, dark fruits, not typical of Coonawarra/Yarra valley profiles, but just as good. Brooding in the glass, but very full bodied. Oak in support, finishing with firm chalky tannins, needs 10 years and another 10-20 after that. Only 75 dozen made, at $120 not cheap, but not over the top, club price brings it down a bit. A few bottles on order.

Finished with a few of their beers, and the newly released hard lemonade. For those who may remember, it took me my back to my childhood, Woodroofe's or Woodies lemonade, made in the 1970s in Adelaide. The team said its made with real lemons, not the junk syrupy stuff mass produced in other hard products. At 5.1% you can hardly taste the alcohol. Might get a few, $80 for a slab?
Very good evening, great range of wines, I didn't look at any of the others, stuck to Riesling, Cabernet/Blends and Shiraz.

Cheers Craig

Matt, had a very good chat with Steve B. The 2025 Merle will be something else. i have 2022 Naked Run, the first and place in time, but not much else.
Might have to get a few.

Craig,

Booked in for the Sydney Members tasting in a few weeks' time. Reading your notes above ... cannot wait! Thanks for building up the hype!

[phillisc]

AJ it probably costs Pike's a bit to put these tastings on...but from what I observed many many orders began with a dozen Riesling and finished with a whole range of wines. I'm very impressed with the Vanguard. It was a very good night.

Matt thanks for the endorsement of Steve B. Absolutely clear he knows how to make Riesling. Old hand's would suggest, if a winemaker can't make a Riesling then get out of the game. Apart from getting a few Merle, I will get some of the 2025 Naked Run. As if I need any more Riesling though
By the way, there were 24 wines on offer, I didn't taste any of the others...bit of a bore I know but Riesling, Cabernet and Shiraz when it comes to Pikes.
Cheers Craig