Last night I had dinner with Red Bigot, Smithy and partners. I will leave it to him to tell you want we drank..... assuming he can remember.
.... thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!
Now what have you guys all been drinking?
I am in Corowa but its still Sunday
I am in Corowa but its still Sunday
and I have not forgotten that weekly drinking reports are due.
Last night I had dinner with Red Bigot, Smithy and partners. I will leave it to him to tell you want we drank..... assuming he can remember.
.... thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!
Now what have you guys all been drinking?
Last night I had dinner with Red Bigot, Smithy and partners. I will leave it to him to tell you want we drank..... assuming he can remember.
.... thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!
Now what have you guys all been drinking?
Had a look at a few the new PENFOLDS releases at a wine retailer. Brief impressions:
2002 BIN 128- Superb little wine, very concentrated and quite powerful. Extremely closed and not ready for any sort of drinking. Needs cellaring at least for 3 years but will last possibly beyond even 15 years. Impressive effort for AU $20.
2002 BIN 28- Unfortunately corked. The salesperson in the liquor store couldn't comment as he had chewing gum in his mouth and shrugging his shoulder he would not replace the bottle. There you go.
2002 BIN 389- Ahh, this is very good at AU $37, I highly recommend it. Beautifully structured, packed with juicy fruit, it is (and will be) an outstanding Bin 389 vintage.
2002 Bin 407- I haven't had an impressive 407 in my life, tried them young and old they failed to impress. This one has a hole in the middle palate, lacking character proper concentration and structure, an every day wine really, that is only an average drop in the Cabernet ocean.
Cheers,
Attila
2002 BIN 128- Superb little wine, very concentrated and quite powerful. Extremely closed and not ready for any sort of drinking. Needs cellaring at least for 3 years but will last possibly beyond even 15 years. Impressive effort for AU $20.
2002 BIN 28- Unfortunately corked. The salesperson in the liquor store couldn't comment as he had chewing gum in his mouth and shrugging his shoulder he would not replace the bottle. There you go.
2002 BIN 389- Ahh, this is very good at AU $37, I highly recommend it. Beautifully structured, packed with juicy fruit, it is (and will be) an outstanding Bin 389 vintage.
2002 Bin 407- I haven't had an impressive 407 in my life, tried them young and old they failed to impress. This one has a hole in the middle palate, lacking character proper concentration and structure, an every day wine really, that is only an average drop in the Cabernet ocean.
Cheers,
Attila
Agree Attila about the Bin 389 , actually think it is the only 2002 Penfolds other than the Bin 138 which is a must buy - the Bin 28 was ok but nothing earth shathering - there are other shiraz around the same price that have more complexity and interest.
Cheers
Paul
Cheers
Paul
Last edited by PaulV on Sun Feb 27, 2005 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: I am in Corowa but its still Sunday
TORB wrote:Last night I had dinner with Red Bigot, Smithy and partners. I will leave it to him to tell you want we drank..... assuming he can remember.
Well, here is what I remember:
Cofield Sparkling Shiraz T XIII, new release, now NV rather than vintage, it must be a good drop, Ric and I bought 6 each, just over $25 pb case price.
Noons Reserve Cabernet 1998 about a half bottle left over from the night before, nice wine with great slightly minty cabernet fruit just surfacing over fierce tannins, it could go either way from here, either the tannins will soften before the fruit dries out and it will be superb, or the fruit won't make it and it will turn hard. Come back in a few years to find out.
Kays Amery Cabernet 2001 - menthol city on opening, nice firm structure and varietal but warmer-climate cabernet fruit, a baby yet.
Classic Mclaren La Test Shiraz 1997 - all cedary oak and subdued fruit, recognised as low-level cork taint.
Noon Reserve Shiraz 1997 - much more forward than the 98 Cabernet and softened enough that it's a good drink right now, or at least it went well with my pan-fried giant veal rib, that must have been the calf of an elephant to be a vealer.
Did I miss anything Ric?
The main reason we were in Rutherglen was to participate in a blind tasting of Durif at Warrabilla, I'll start a separate thread and briefly list the 37 wines we tasted in my preference order.
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
This week I revisited 3 wines that I first tried a year ago to see how they were doing under my very poor storage conditions. All 3 were decanted for 2-3 hours.
2000 Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz: A bit of a disappointment. Thick and chewy, jammy. Lots of fruit and some tannins, but disjointed. I wonder if it will ever become integrated.
2000 Summerfield Reserve Shiraz: Smooth and elegant, but still powerful. Really came together since the last time I tasted in a year ago.
1999 Mitchelton Print Series Shiraz: This was a real pleasure, both to sniff and to drink, as it was last year, and as was the 98. I consider it evidence that Vic can produce big reds to rival those of SA.
2000 Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz: A bit of a disappointment. Thick and chewy, jammy. Lots of fruit and some tannins, but disjointed. I wonder if it will ever become integrated.
2000 Summerfield Reserve Shiraz: Smooth and elegant, but still powerful. Really came together since the last time I tasted in a year ago.
1999 Mitchelton Print Series Shiraz: This was a real pleasure, both to sniff and to drink, as it was last year, and as was the 98. I consider it evidence that Vic can produce big reds to rival those of SA.
Cheers,
Bob
The best opinions, like the best wines, are well balanced.
Bob
The best opinions, like the best wines, are well balanced.
Bob wrote:1999 Mitchelton Print Series Shiraz: This was a real pleasure, both to sniff and to drink, as it was last year, and as was the 98. I consider it evidence that Vic can produce big reds to rival those of SA.
Bob, I agree on this one, a really lovely wine and one of quite a few Victorian reds of various styles (not all big) that are in my cellar and rate highly with me.
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
-
Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Hello
Don't have all the notes and details, but had some friends over last night. Lots of good wines that hopefully Mark Wickman will post on when he has time, but included 2004 Clarrys Grenache Shiraz, the new entry level Kalleske red, which was really quite delicious.
Apparently also some 1994 Seppelt Show Reserve Sparking Shiraz that was empty by the time they arrived at my house, thanks guys!
1996 Rosemount Mountain Blue also a tasty wine travelling quite well.
Also enjoyed, 2000 and 1996 Dalwhinnie Shiraz, both quite delicious.
On the night, Wynns 1996 Coonawarra Barrel auction Cabernet, 1991 Grant Burge Meshach and 2001 Pennys Hill Fortified Shiraz ... all corked!
hate those bits of tree bark!
Don't have all the notes and details, but had some friends over last night. Lots of good wines that hopefully Mark Wickman will post on when he has time, but included 2004 Clarrys Grenache Shiraz, the new entry level Kalleske red, which was really quite delicious.
Apparently also some 1994 Seppelt Show Reserve Sparking Shiraz that was empty by the time they arrived at my house, thanks guys!
1996 Rosemount Mountain Blue also a tasty wine travelling quite well.
Also enjoyed, 2000 and 1996 Dalwhinnie Shiraz, both quite delicious.
On the night, Wynns 1996 Coonawarra Barrel auction Cabernet, 1991 Grant Burge Meshach and 2001 Pennys Hill Fortified Shiraz ... all corked!
hate those bits of tree bark!regards
Gavin Trott
Gavin Trott
Alrighty,
Had plenty to drink during the week given the Kiwi show and a need to push through a mountain of samples. I've only included the 'stand-outs' below......
StoneCroft Old Vine Gewurztraminer 2004 (Hawkes Bay) $38
Good weight, finishes with a bitter note but still very good. Quite serious and excellent drinking.
Kumeu Village Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $25
Fresh, racy, good penetration. Not a fruity style, instead very classy chalk and mineral notes.
Kumeu Chardonnay 2003 (Auckland) $42
Stinky, funky, mealy nose; challenging. Good palate, shows class and balance, just lacking a fruity punch but still very good.
Hunters Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $23
Classic regional style that few have been able to achieve at this showing. Shows nice balance and appropriate levels of ripe varietal fruit.
Huia Gewurztraminer 2004 (Marlborough) $22
Nice broad mouthfeel, very filling. Low acid drink now style.
Gravitas Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $27
Long palate, heaps of balance, very even flavour profile and has a robust structure. Lives up to the hype.
Carrick Chardonnay 2003 (Central Otago) $29
Lucious, high worked, oaky ripe style. Fairly full on but has some obvious appeal. Good value if it indeed retails in the high $20's (ie $5 lower than the 2002).
Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Martinborough) $29
Good, classy style. Served too cold but has that underlying stamp of quality that impacts most Craggy Range wines.
Craggy Range Old Renwick Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $29
Classy, long palate style. Excellent winemaking at work.
Wild Rock Chardonnay 2004 (Hawkes Bay) $19
Nice worked notes and appropriate ripe fruit levels. Shows good complexity at the price.
Voss Chardonnay 2003 (Martinborough) $35
White wine of the night. Shy nose but palate opens up superbly. Great balance of ripe fruit and structure. Finishes long.
Francis Cole Gewurztraminer 2004 (Marlborough) $24
Bag in line with other GW's tasted (all excellent). Big musky, immediate appeal style.
2 laps of the whites took its toll but reds that impressed included:
Craggy Range Gimbletts Gravel Merlot 2002 (Hawkes Bay)(Red Wine of the night)
Muddy Water Pinotage 2002 (Waipara)
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2002 (Waipara)
Vynfields Pinot Noir 2003 (Martinborough)
Voss Estate Pinot Noir2003 (Martinborough)
Obsidian Merlot Cabernet 2002 (Waiheke Island)
Obsidian Weeping Sands Cabernet 2003 (Waiheke Island)
Te Mata Woodthorpe Cabernet Merlot 2003 (Hawkes Bay)
Stonecroft Syrah 2003 (Hawkes Bay)
Had plenty to drink during the week given the Kiwi show and a need to push through a mountain of samples. I've only included the 'stand-outs' below......
StoneCroft Old Vine Gewurztraminer 2004 (Hawkes Bay) $38
Good weight, finishes with a bitter note but still very good. Quite serious and excellent drinking.
Kumeu Village Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $25
Fresh, racy, good penetration. Not a fruity style, instead very classy chalk and mineral notes.
Kumeu Chardonnay 2003 (Auckland) $42
Stinky, funky, mealy nose; challenging. Good palate, shows class and balance, just lacking a fruity punch but still very good.
Hunters Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $23
Classic regional style that few have been able to achieve at this showing. Shows nice balance and appropriate levels of ripe varietal fruit.
Huia Gewurztraminer 2004 (Marlborough) $22
Nice broad mouthfeel, very filling. Low acid drink now style.
Gravitas Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $27
Long palate, heaps of balance, very even flavour profile and has a robust structure. Lives up to the hype.
Carrick Chardonnay 2003 (Central Otago) $29
Lucious, high worked, oaky ripe style. Fairly full on but has some obvious appeal. Good value if it indeed retails in the high $20's (ie $5 lower than the 2002).
Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Martinborough) $29
Good, classy style. Served too cold but has that underlying stamp of quality that impacts most Craggy Range wines.
Craggy Range Old Renwick Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Marlborough) $29
Classy, long palate style. Excellent winemaking at work.
Wild Rock Chardonnay 2004 (Hawkes Bay) $19
Nice worked notes and appropriate ripe fruit levels. Shows good complexity at the price.
Voss Chardonnay 2003 (Martinborough) $35
White wine of the night. Shy nose but palate opens up superbly. Great balance of ripe fruit and structure. Finishes long.
Francis Cole Gewurztraminer 2004 (Marlborough) $24
Bag in line with other GW's tasted (all excellent). Big musky, immediate appeal style.
2 laps of the whites took its toll but reds that impressed included:
Craggy Range Gimbletts Gravel Merlot 2002 (Hawkes Bay)(Red Wine of the night)
Muddy Water Pinotage 2002 (Waipara)
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2002 (Waipara)
Vynfields Pinot Noir 2003 (Martinborough)
Voss Estate Pinot Noir2003 (Martinborough)
Obsidian Merlot Cabernet 2002 (Waiheke Island)
Obsidian Weeping Sands Cabernet 2003 (Waiheke Island)
Te Mata Woodthorpe Cabernet Merlot 2003 (Hawkes Bay)
Stonecroft Syrah 2003 (Hawkes Bay)
Found a great bottle shop in Tucson Arizona called Beverage House. Had an Amazing range of Aussies including Mount Mary Quintets 1998 ($US170), Torbreck, The Factor, Juveniles, Descendent, Kaesler Old Bastard and The Bogan to name a few.
I picked out a Torbreck Cabernet Sauvignon2002 ($US23) Which was really closed initially but opened up over the next 24 hours. Didn't seem to have too much oak which was a nice change.
Cheers
Elvis
I picked out a Torbreck Cabernet Sauvignon2002 ($US23) Which was really closed initially but opened up over the next 24 hours. Didn't seem to have too much oak which was a nice change.
Cheers
Elvis
Went to Marque with a few good friends celebrating my birthday. It was a great night of good wine and a feast of fine dinning experience. Thanks to the chef, Mark Best, for a specially created menu just for the occasion.
Larmandier Bernier Blanc de Blanc 1er Cru N/V
This wine looks and smells like any other champagne until you tasted it. The super dryness of the wine is a shock to the palate and person who is used to a softer, fruitier champagne. The bubble is consistant and fine grained. On the palate the dryness grips your tongue instantly followed by a slow release of critus, granny-smith apple and a hint of pineapple. I love this champagne for its uniqueness.
Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone 1995
a bright golden colour that appeared rather mature for its age, but as they said the look is deceving. The wine was vibrant with a hint of honey on the nose. The acidity is still noticable, but with the support of the primary fruit the balance was excellent. Medium finish
Domaine Gerard Chavy & Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru 1999
A very young and vibrant Montrachet that carried the hall mark and destined to be a great wine. The wine is big on everything, the acidity, the fruit and the finish. The 3 maskteers have joined to produce this wine. Critus, honey dew and apple are what I can taste, but this is such a complex wine and for an amature like me it is a rather difficult task to accurate describe the wine. You know what I mean.
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 1995
This is one of the great burgundy wine I have tried to date. The richness of the fruit, the finess of the tannins and combined with clever use of oak resulted in this outstanding wine. This is a serious wine that has just begun to evlove. Althought it is not yet reached its peak, but the mouthfeel is already amazing. I wonder what will this wine taste like in another 5 years. Sadly this is my one and only bottle.
Chateau La Lagune 3mere Ludon Haut Medoc 2000
This inky black brodeaux baby may be easily mistaken for an Australian warm climate Cabernet. It showed a lot of dark fruit and some stewed fruit. The nose is powerful and ample in weight on the palate. This wine does not change much in the glass. It maintain its power and weight. An unusual Brodeaux. Perhaps I was just too inpatient waking this young baby.
Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauterns 2001
Asfter tasing another sautern from the same region but with a different producer late last year. I was very egar to find out how this wine compares. When I first opened it, the aroma of honey, botrytis fruit instantly fill the nostral. The palate is clean and very refreshing, with honey comb and ripe peach. This wine is at its youth and will grow up to be a very fine old man no doubt. Everyone on the table truly enjoy this wine and wish I brought the second bottle.
Larmandier Bernier Blanc de Blanc 1er Cru N/V
This wine looks and smells like any other champagne until you tasted it. The super dryness of the wine is a shock to the palate and person who is used to a softer, fruitier champagne. The bubble is consistant and fine grained. On the palate the dryness grips your tongue instantly followed by a slow release of critus, granny-smith apple and a hint of pineapple. I love this champagne for its uniqueness.
Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone 1995
a bright golden colour that appeared rather mature for its age, but as they said the look is deceving. The wine was vibrant with a hint of honey on the nose. The acidity is still noticable, but with the support of the primary fruit the balance was excellent. Medium finish
Domaine Gerard Chavy & Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru 1999
A very young and vibrant Montrachet that carried the hall mark and destined to be a great wine. The wine is big on everything, the acidity, the fruit and the finish. The 3 maskteers have joined to produce this wine. Critus, honey dew and apple are what I can taste, but this is such a complex wine and for an amature like me it is a rather difficult task to accurate describe the wine. You know what I mean.
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru 1995
This is one of the great burgundy wine I have tried to date. The richness of the fruit, the finess of the tannins and combined with clever use of oak resulted in this outstanding wine. This is a serious wine that has just begun to evlove. Althought it is not yet reached its peak, but the mouthfeel is already amazing. I wonder what will this wine taste like in another 5 years. Sadly this is my one and only bottle.
Chateau La Lagune 3mere Ludon Haut Medoc 2000
This inky black brodeaux baby may be easily mistaken for an Australian warm climate Cabernet. It showed a lot of dark fruit and some stewed fruit. The nose is powerful and ample in weight on the palate. This wine does not change much in the glass. It maintain its power and weight. An unusual Brodeaux. Perhaps I was just too inpatient waking this young baby.
Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauterns 2001
Asfter tasing another sautern from the same region but with a different producer late last year. I was very egar to find out how this wine compares. When I first opened it, the aroma of honey, botrytis fruit instantly fill the nostral. The palate is clean and very refreshing, with honey comb and ripe peach. This wine is at its youth and will grow up to be a very fine old man no doubt. Everyone on the table truly enjoy this wine and wish I brought the second bottle.
Cheers
Rob
"The red liquid circulating in my body is actually red wine, not blood."
Rob
"The red liquid circulating in my body is actually red wine, not blood."