Its Sunday and just because I am away is no excuse...

[TORB]

not tgo post your weekly drinking reports.

Last night, The Meat Pie King opened a 1998 Craiglee Shiraz, terific stuff. Aniseed, a touch of pepper and loads of chocolatewith nutmeg wrapped up in ripe, integrated smooth tannis and supported by French oak. Classy mid weigh wine that was most enjoyable and rated as Excellent.

Now what have you guys been drinking? Notes vibes or impressions welcome.

[Red Bigot]

Friday night at Sage, all wines from my Cellar, most reds double-decanted prior to the dinner, corks and wines all in great condition, my luck must run out soon.

Joseph NV Sparkling Red Sept 2003 disgorgement, this is a great sparkling red, much better than the prior 2001 disgorgement, rich, complex, great mousse and mouthfeel, sweetness just right.

Leeuwin Estate MR Cabernet 1991 - this vintage never seemed to have as much of the fierce tannins MR Cabs are famous for, it's getting itno it's peak drinking window now, nice fore-mid-palate, but finishes quite short, will hold for years, may pick a bit more length.

Petaluma Coonawarra 1991 - at a similar development stage as the Leeuwin, but a much more complex, spicy palate, lovely long finish, great wine with years ahead of it.

Wynns Michael Shiraz 1991 - the oak is still there, but starting to integrate as the tannins soften and the fruit re-emerges, lovely wine and about half the group preferred it to the Dalwhinnie 94.

Dalwhinnie Shiraz 1994 - this is at peak drinking for my tastes, lovely smooth spicy wine, it's all about balance, no hard edges anywhere, long finish, will hold a few years, but why wait.

Wynns John Riddoch 1990 - I know it's a bit too young yet, but this one was showing well, a bit firmer than the 86 from a friends cellar a week or so ago, but again seamless Coonawarra Cabernet that is drinking well now and will improve for a few years yet and hold for 10 or more.

Greenock Ck VII-Acre Shiraz 1994 - an interesting contrast to the Dalwhinnie, a richer, fuller style, great structure and that silky mouthfeel of the best Barossa shiraz. Great stuff and years ahead of it yet.

[Ian S]

De Forville Barbaresco 1998, Piemonte, Italy
Possiblly drunk a little too young, as the tannins were still very drying. Showing some lovely Nebbiolo aged characters, although they seemed a little elusive.

Rene Michel Vire-Clesse Vendage Levroutee 2002 (Chardonnay)
Definitely Late Harvest, but I suspect some botrytis (apparently not usual for this label). A style I've never tasted before, but would definitely seek out again. Peach, Apricot, sweetness/acidity/alcohol in balance are the overriding memories.
Shows that sometimes a gamble on an unknown wine can end with a great discovery.

Ian

[Attila]

Friday night at Sage, all wines from my Cellar, most reds double-decanted prior to the dinner, corks and wines all in great condition, my luck must run out soon.


Greenock Ck VII-Acre Shiraz 1994 - an interesting contrast to the Dalwhinnie, a richer, fuller style, great structure and that silky mouthfeel of the best Barossa shiraz. Great stuff and years ahead of it yet.

Drunk the 2000 Greenock Seven Acre Shiraz Saturday night. Very vibrant and interesting wine. The oak had amazing coconut flavours. More on this tasting event later.
Cheers,
Attila

[Maximus]

Wynns John Riddoch 1990 - I know it's a bit too young yet, but this one was showing well, a bit firmer than the 86 from a friends cellar a week or so ago, but again seamless Coonawarra Cabernet that is drinking well now and will improve for a few years yet and hold for 10 or more.

Brian,

Like you, I opened this wine prematurely with some friends about six months ago. We had to give it a necessary decant after some cork problems and it hit the straps after about three hours. However, the 'awesome drinking window' was quite narrow and after 45 minutes of great drinking, we found the wine starting to deteriorate and move downhill. Bad bottle, influenced by cork problems, or could it be something else? Did you notice anything remotely similar?

Cheers,

[n4sir]

2002 Chapel Hill Unwooded Chardonnay: Light to medium yellow colour. An amazingly fresh nose considering it’s under cork; tropical hints of pineapple and passionfruit, and some stewed apple. The palate is fruity and unpretentious, with green apple, passionfruit and pineapple, still fresh and young.

2004 Delatite Victoria Dead Man’s Hill Gewurztraminer (Screwcap): Pale straw yellow colour. Gorgeous Alsace-like nose of rose petals, lychees, green curry paste, fresh basil, and a hint of white peach. The palate is slender and spicy with great length. This is the most convincing Australian Gewurztraminer I’ve tried; a fantastic match for Thai food at a fraction of the cost of an Alsace.

1998 Orlando Trilogy (Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot): No crusting. Dark to inky red colour with a hint of purple on the rim. Sweet nose with a touch of earth; mint cassis, menthol, and some iodine. The palate is soft and spicy, with fine tannins and surprisingly good sustain and complexity; blackberry/cassis and hints of oyster, with black olive on the finish. This was a fantastic first release for this cheapy, with quite a few years left in the tank; pity this was my last bottle.

1999 Mitchell Sevenhill Cabernet Sauvignon: Bought recently at auction. No crusting. Dark to inky red colour, with a bare hint of purple on the rim. A savoury and sweet nose of camphor, cedar, cassis and banana/grainy French oak, then constantly evolving over an undercurrent of earth with perfume, vegemite, mulberry, mint and a touch of sweat. The palate is just as elegant with slightly green cassis fruit and tightly grained oak, finishing with fine sustaining tannins and a touch of licorice.


Cheers
Ian

[Red Bigot]

Wynns John Riddoch 1990 - I know it's a bit too young yet, but this one was showing well, a bit firmer than the 86 from a friends cellar a week or so ago, but again seamless Coonawarra Cabernet that is drinking well now and will improve for a few years yet and hold for 10 or more.

Brian,

Like you, I opened this wine prematurely with some friends about six months ago. We had to give it a necessary decant after some cork problems and it hit the straps after about three hours. However, the 'awesome drinking window' was quite narrow and after 45 minutes of great drinking, we found the wine starting to deteriorate and move downhill. Bad bottle, influenced by cork problems, or could it be something else? Did you notice anything remotely similar?

Cheers,

Hi Max,

This bottle was double-decanted about 2.5 hrs before drinking, with 8 people scoffing it down there wasn't much time for it to fade in the glass. I have noticed that JR can sometimes turn a bit minty and one-dimensional in the glass when it is at the in-between 8-10 yo stage (ie far too young to drink), but this one didn't do that. Incidently the dregs of all the decanted wines were left sitting in ISO glasses on the bench until I poured them out nearly 24 hours later. They were all still sound, the best and most consistent flight of 10-15 yo Oz reds I've had in quite a while, the joy of cellaring!

The worst recent experience of the type of thing you describe was a Wendouree Cab-Malbec 90, glorious when opened, absolutely fell apart in the glass over 45 minutes leaving a thin mint concoction at the end, luckily only a small amount left in the glass at that stage.

I can still remember my first taste of Wynns Coonawarra reds way back in the very early 70's, at a Dan Murphy tasting in the original Prahan store, I kept wondering whether the cleaners had just been through with a peppermint-smelling disinfectant, took me quite a while to get used to the Wynns style at that stage of my drinking career.

[Sean]

deleted

[Guest]

2004 Delatite Victoria Dead ManÂ’s Hill Gewurztraminer (Screwcap): Pale straw yellow colour. Gorgeous Alsace-like nose of rose petals, lychees, green curry paste, fresh basil, and a hint of white peach. The palate is slender and spicy with great length. This is the most convincing Australian Gewurztraminer IÂ’ve tried; a fantastic match for Thai food at a fraction of the cost of an Alsace.

Cheers
Ian

n4sir,

What sort of cellaring potential is there with gewurztramier, or is a drink now proposition only? I've tried this grape variety on a few occasions and absolutely love it.

Cheers,
Alex

[n4sir]

n4sir,

What sort of cellaring potential is there with gewurztramier, or is a drink now proposition only? I've tried this grape variety on a few occasions and absolutely love it.

Cheers,
Alex

To be perfectly honest Alex I'm not sure!

I really looked at the wine as a drink-now prospect (with food), although I think the screwcap should keep it fresh for a while. I've heard the 2003 is even better with more substance, and should cellar better.

Cheers
Ian

[Deano]

02 Rockford Rifle Range Cab Sav
Very different than what i'm use to. Not terribly excited with it. I hope it improves or my palate moves in a better zone to appreciate...since i have 5 bottles to go.
02 Kilikanoon Block Rd Cab Sav
Fantastic. Lovely. Full with body and flavour...unfortunately only one remaining.

[Elvispga]

The regular friday night tasting at my local wine shop, The Wine Vault in Columbus Ohio. (It's regular whenever I can make it back to Columbus.)

1978 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Napa Brought in by the owner and for some reason wasn't decanted? Amazing colour for an older wine with only slight brick colour developing on the hue. Great mouth feel and beautiful finish. I haven't had many wine with this much age and was surprised at how fresh the fruit flavours were. I guess this is also a product of the Magnum slowing the aging? Needless to say it wasn't around for long.

1989 Chateau Lynch Bages Pauliac. This was the wine of the night for me. Once again looking like a much younger wine with a very deep crimson colour without any burnt orange on the hue. An amazing rush of berry flavours with a long finish. This had been decanted for about an hour and a half before I got to it. Managed to get a secong glass as well.

2002 Deen Shiraz de Bortoli $US14. Not a bad quaffer at a reasonable price.

1999 Chateau D'Aigailhe Cote de Castillon $US18 nice fruit but a short finish. I haven't got much experience with the french stuff but there is so much availability here in the US. I'll have to taste as much as I can before moving back to Aus next year.

2000 Coriole Mary Kathleen Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) Merlot (10%) $US37. I saw this in the shop an decided I needed to try it. I'm a big fan of this style and can't wait to try the Voyager 2001. This seemed
very good from not the greatest of vintages. Is this American oak?

1991 Diamond Creek Gravely Meadow Lake Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (big breath). Didn't think this was overly special, perhaps past it's prime.

[Quizmaster]

82 Zema Shiraz
Purchased from cellar door all those years ago. WasnÂ’t sure what to expect. Level was perfect, no ullage at all, cork was still solid with only the bottom half moist. From the moment the cork came out, it was obvious the wine was sound, with a comforting aroma in the air. Excellent colour for its age, still quite dark with slight browning around the edge. Obviously no primary fruit flavours remaining, it drank beautifully. By no means a classic, but every bit a lovely wine much enjoyed by all.
17.5

93 Yarra Yering No1
Another fine wine, YY remains one of my favourite wines. Not the finest vintage of YY IÂ’ve had, with slight capsicum traits on the palate, it nonetheless went down well.
17.0

97 Diamond Valley Estate Pinot
In a word, glorious. An excellent example from this very consistent maker. I loved it, full of luscious, rich, ripe, pinot. The nose was awesome which only made the palate quiver in anticipation of what was about to come, and it didnÂ’t disappoint. A great wine.
18.5

97 Majella Shiraz
These just continue to impress me, full on, thick ‘n’ juicy, loved it.
17.5

98 Greenock Creek Apricot Block Shiraz
First bottle corked. Second bottle was very good but too youthful. A typically rich Barossa Shiraz, with lots going for it. Just needs a few more years to settle down. If you have any, my advice would be to wait a couple more years yet.
17.0

99 Houghton Frankland River Shiraz
ItÂ’s been about 2 years or more since IÂ’d opened one of these and I had high expectations given I loved the several opened in the year or so after release, all being big, fruit packed wines. Alas, this one disappointed somewhat, it just didnÂ’t live up to my expectations. There was nothing wrong with it, just nothing special as I was hoping. In fact IÂ’d bought a lot of these in anticipation they would cellar well, IÂ’m now having second thoughts. Anyone else had any recent experience with this wine?
16.0

I keep thinking of others IÂ’ve had.

2002 Thomas Hyland Cabernet
Had this at a tasting with a couple of mates. I didnÂ’t realise both a Cabernet and a Shiraz was produced, only ever seen and had the Shiraz, hence thatÂ’s what I thought I was drinking, it was paired with a 2004 Barossa Shiraz, one IÂ’d not heard of before and whose name escapes me, never mind, it wasnÂ’t anything spectacular. The Thomas though was very good at its price point. I suspect it may even get discounted which makes it an even better proposition, and capable of cellaring for a few years to soften it out more.
16.0

[Guest]

[quote="Quizmaster"]82 Zema Shiraz
Purchased from cellar door all those years ago. WasnÂ’t sure what to expect. Level was perfect, no ullage at all, cork was still solid with only the bottom half moist. From the moment the cork came out, it was obvious the wine was sound, with a comforting aroma in the air. Excellent colour for its age, still quite dark with slight browning around the edge. Obviously no primary fruit flavours remaining, it drank beautifully. By no means a classic, but every bit a lovely wine much enjoyed by all.
17.5

93 Yarra Yering No1
Another fine wine, YY remains one of my favourite wines. Not the finest vintage of YY IÂ’ve had, with slight capsicum traits on the palate, it nonetheless went down well.
17.0

97 Diamond Valley Estate Pinot
In a word, glorious. An excellent example from this very consistent maker. I loved it, full of luscious, rich, ripe, pinot. The nose was awesome which only made the palate quiver in anticipation of what was about to come, and it didnÂ’t disappoint. A great wine.
18.5

97 Majella Shiraz
These just continue to impress me, full on, thick ‘n’ juicy, loved it.
17.5

98 Greenock Creek Apricot Block Shiraz
First bottle corked. Second bottle was very good but too youthful. A typically rich Barossa Shiraz, with lots going for it. Just needs a few more years to settle down. If you have any, my advice would be to wait a couple more years yet.
17.0

99 Houghton Frankland River Shiraz
ItÂ’s been about 2 years or more since IÂ’d opened one of these and I had high expectations given I loved the several opened in the year or so after release, all being big, fruit packed wines. Alas, this one disappointed somewhat, it just didnÂ’t live up to my expectations. There was nothing wrong with it, just nothing special as I was hoping. In fact IÂ’d bought a lot of these in anticipation they would cellar well, IÂ’m now having second thoughts. Anyone else had any recent experience with this wine?
16.0

I keep thinking of others IÂ’ve had.

2002 Thomas Hyland Cabernet
Had this at a tasting with a couple of mates. I didnÂ’t realise both a Cabernet and a Shiraz was produced, only ever seen and had the Shiraz, hence thatÂ’s what I thought I was drinking, it was paired with a 2004 Barossa Shiraz, one IÂ’d not heard of before and whose name escapes me, never mind, it wasnÂ’t anything spectacular, have now discovered it was the 2004 Langmeil Earthworks Shiraz - 15. The Thomas though was very good at its price point. I suspect it may even get discounted which makes it an even better proposition, and capable of cellaring for a few years to soften it out more.
16.0

The wine

[Quizmaster]

opps, sorry, thought I was editing my original message - way too hard for me!

[Brucer]

There has been a fair few wines drunk since reporting last, so here goes.
All these comments are from memory, and I do not try to explain how the wine tastes, because I feel its way difficult to express, and I find it impossible to know how a wine will taste by a tasting note. Except the obvious stuff like.....too much oak etc.

98 Ebenezer Shiraz.
Looking rather good at this time. Everything is about right, and will hold for a few years.

96 Grant Burge Filsell
Rather good.

97 and 98 Turkey Flat Shiraz.
Both drinking well, with the 98 preferred.

98 Willows Shiraz
Bit of bottle variation with this wine. Fantastic if you get a good one.

82 Wolf Blass Yellow Label.
About 10 years too late!

89 Penfolds St Henri
WOW. I remembered this was a good wine all those years ago, and this bottle was simple sensational.

96 Rockford Black Shiraz.
Fantastic wine.

98 Farms Shiraz.
Great wine, lots of mint, but a big wine in balance. Almost need a knife and fork!

98 Tempest 2 Shiraz.
Barossa fruit, and is drinking supurb now. Will hold for a few more years.

99 Steve Maglieri Shiraz.
Better than expected. Oak a little top heavy, but still a good drink.

02 Rosemount Traditional.
Tasted at Rosemount in the Hunter on the weekend, along with all the rest. This is a standout wine. Got to buy some.

99 Balmoral
Same place......boring and overrated.

96 Rosemount Traditional
Great wine, at its peak.

97 Tattachilla Cabernet.
Won best wine at McLaren Vale show on release. Can see why. Drinking beautifully now.

97 and 98 Haselgrove H Shiraz.
98 has more fruit, 97 needs drinking in the next year. 98 the better wine.

95 Mountain Blue.
Next!

94 Mountain Blue.
Far superior to the 95.

98 Bleasdale Malbec.
Didnt expect much, but was surprised. Not a bad drink.

99 Veritas Bulls Blood.
Not much oak. Fantastic fruit, really rich and concentrated. Very good wine.

90 Jasper Hill Georges
Not as good as the 91, but still a very good wine.

91 Henschke Mt Edelstone
Good wine, but I found it rather boring.

96 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
Fruit is a bit tart, but its still a damn good wine

98 Bleasdale Generations Shiraz
Drinking well at the moment. Good fruit.

[Brucer]

There has been a fair few wines drunk since reporting last, so here goes.
All these comments are from memory, and I do not try to explain how the wine tastes, because I feel its way difficult to express, and I find it impossible to know how a wine will taste by a tasting note. Except the obvious stuff like.....too much oak etc.

98 Ebenezer Shiraz.
Looking rather good at this time. Everything is about right, and will hold for a few years.

96 Grant Burge Filsell
Rather good.

97 and 98 Turkey Flat Shiraz.
Both drinking well, with the 98 preferred.

98 Willows Shiraz
Bit of bottle variation with this wine. Fantastic if you get a good one.

82 Wolf Blass Yellow Label.
About 10 years too late!

89 Penfolds St Henri
WOW. I remembered this was a good wine all those years ago, and this bottle was simple sensational.

96 Rockford Black Shiraz.
Fantastic wine.

98 Farms Shiraz.
Great wine, lots of mint, but a big wine in balance. Almost need a knife and fork!

98 Tempest 2 Shiraz.
Barossa fruit, and is drinking supurb now. Will hold for a few more years.

99 Steve Maglieri Shiraz.
Better than expected. Oak a little top heavy, but still a good drink.

02 Rosemount Traditional.
Tasted at Rosemount in the Hunter on the weekend, along with all the rest. This is a standout wine. Got to buy some.

99 Balmoral
Same place......boring and overrated.

96 Rosemount Traditional
Great wine, at its peak.

97 Tattachilla Cabernet.
Won best wine at McLaren Vale show on release. Can see why. Drinking beautifully now.

97 and 98 Haselgrove H Shiraz.
98 has more fruit, 97 needs drinking in the next year. 98 the better wine.

95 Mountain Blue.
Next!

94 Mountain Blue.
Far superior to the 95.

98 Bleasdale Malbec.
Didnt expect much, but was surprised. Not a bad drink.

99 Veritas Bulls Blood.
Not much oak. Fantastic fruit, really rich and concentrated. Very good wine.

90 Jasper Hill Georges
Not as good as the 91, but still a very good wine.

91 Henschke Mt Edelstone
Good wine, but I found it rather boring.

96 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
Fruit is a bit tart, but its still a damn good wine

98 Bleasdale Generations Shiraz
Drinking well at the moment. Good fruit.

[Brucer]

There has been a fair few wines drunk since reporting last, so here goes.
All these comments are from memory, and I do not try to explain how the wine tastes, because I feel its way difficult to express, and I find it impossible to know how a wine will taste by a tasting note. Except the obvious stuff like.....too much oak etc.

98 Ebenezer Shiraz.
Looking rather good at this time. Everything is about right, and will hold for a few years.

96 Grant Burge Filsell
Rather good.

97 and 98 Turkey Flat Shiraz.
Both drinking well, with the 98 preferred.

98 Willows Shiraz
Bit of bottle variation with this wine. Fantastic if you get a good one.

82 Wolf Blass Yellow Label.
About 10 years too late!

89 Penfolds St Henri
WOW. I remembered this was a good wine all those years ago, and this bottle was simple sensational.

96 Rockford Black Shiraz.
Fantastic wine.

98 Farms Shiraz.
Great wine, lots of mint, but a big wine in balance. Almost need a knife and fork!

98 Tempest 2 Shiraz.
Barossa fruit, and is drinking supurb now. Will hold for a few more years.

99 Steve Maglieri Shiraz.
Better than expected. Oak a little top heavy, but still a good drink.

02 Rosemount Traditional.
Tasted at Rosemount in the Hunter on the weekend, along with all the rest. This is a standout wine. Got to buy some.

99 Balmoral
Same place......boring and overrated.

96 Rosemount Traditional
Great wine, at its peak.

97 Tattachilla Cabernet.
Won best wine at McLaren Vale show on release. Can see why. Drinking beautifully now.

97 and 98 Haselgrove H Shiraz.
98 has more fruit, 97 needs drinking in the next year. 98 the better wine.

95 Mountain Blue.
Next!

94 Mountain Blue.
Far superior to the 95.

98 Bleasdale Malbec.
Didnt expect much, but was surprised. Not a bad drink.

99 Veritas Bulls Blood.
Not much oak. Fantastic fruit, really rich and concentrated. Very good wine.

90 Jasper Hill Georges
Not as good as the 91, but still a very good wine.

91 Henschke Mt Edelstone
Good wine, but I found it rather boring.

96 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
Fruit is a bit tart, but its still a damn good wine

98 Bleasdale Generations Shiraz
Drinking well at the moment. Good fruit.