Its that time of week again - weekly reports due...

[TORB]

Hi Good Peoples,

Time flys, it seems like only seven days ago I posted this question. ....its that time of the week again, time to tell us what you have been drinking. In my case, a heap of samples and I am still to type up the notes so unfortunatly I wont have much to contribute this week but please feel free to tell us what you have been drinking.

Lurkers and newbie posters especially welcome.

[Attila]

I opened my latest Victorian discovery from the Pyrenees, the 2001 SALLY'S HILL Cabernet from REDBANK.
Awesome little drop (AU $26+) that was just delicious. Pure Cabernet fruit with superbly crisp tannins and excellent oak.
I will most certainly write more about this soon.
Cheers,
Attila

[Ian S]

Woody Nook "Gallaghers Choice" Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Margaret River, WA 13.6% Alcohol

Still quite opaque, rich purple, little or no browning at the rim. Noticeable sediment caking the bottle (note to self - should have stood it up for more than an hour before opening!).
Nose is (for me) typical cabernet, in a quite earthy, very faintly smoky style. Definitely more savoury than fruity.
Quite austere (which I really like in Cabernet - just a personal taste), blackcurrant fruit is a little locked up, though with time in the glass it's opening up, revealing a hint of violets. Tannins are still noticeable (not strong though, just faintly drying), but well integrated. Quite fresh tasting acidity (might be too much so for some people) easing off into a long balanced finish.

Overall, very impressed (as I was when we tasted it at cellar door 3-4 years ago). Plenty of life left in this & would have been interesting to wait for a few more years before pulling the cork. Might try & source some more (there was a UK importer for this vintage). I think it sells for about $35 in Aus.

Sorry for all the words! Just happened to like this a lot.

Ian

[Red Bigot]

I opened my latest Victorian discovery from the Pyrenees, the 2001 SALLY'S HILL Cabernet from REDBANK.

Sally's Paddock, Sally's Hill, sounds like a good way to confuse the punters.

I tried 5 of the 6 Warrabilla 2004 Reds over Monday-Wednesday, they were opened at my Monday tasting group and the remnants consumed over the next two nights as well, just left on the bench in re-corked bottles, there was little sign of fading by the third night.

My favourites (and group favourites) were the brooding and intensely black/purple coloured Parola's Durif and Reserve Durif, 17.5% and 16.5%, but not at all hot, nose initially restrained (they were bottled mere weeks ago) they opened up over the hour and more the next night, revealing liquorice and wonderful rich dark durif fruit flavours in a juicy viscous package complete with soft tannins and hints of oak (only 10 months in cask). The balance of these big, young, alcoholic reds has to be felt to be believed.

The two Shiraz ranked next, with not a lot between the Parola's and Reserve on the tasting night, the Parola's showing a bit more fruit intensity and oak the next night.

The Parola's cabernet ranked last on the tasting night, slightly overhadowed by the Durif and Shiraz, but it's just a slow bloomer, over the next two nights it blossomed to show intense ripe black currant cabernet fruit, in a nicely-judged (french) oak package, again so nicely balanced it's hard to believe it's 16.1% a/v.

If you like big rich reds, get in before the end of March for a $25 bargain on the 2004 Parola's reds, Smithy, my order is on the way.

I also tried a couple of the Jamiesons Run reds that are on discount at present. The McShanes Shiraz 2002 is down as low as $17 presently, it's got good colour and density and a fair hit of mocha oak on the nose, fruit is fairly subdued, can't get much of the "cool-climate pepper" mentioned the back label, nor much of the spice sometimes in Coonawarra shiraz. Mid-palate is ok, reasonable mouth-feel and tannins, but fruit still subdued beneath the oak/tannins and it finishes sl. short with a v. slight hard edge. It should fill out and soften a bit over a couple of years.

The JR Winemakers Reserve Cabernet-Shiraz 2001 has a fair hit of oak and the fruit is a little subdued on the nose, there is none of the trademark classic Coonawarra tomato leaf, but the palate has quite good berry fruit and balanced structure. It's a lot riper than the leaner and more classical 2000 vintage (straight cabernet I think), good value at $20 and under, but not a great classic Coonawarra style. It's sporting a few gold medals, mostly from Perth and Hobart.

I wasn't really tempted to buy any more of either Jamieson Run wines, even at the reduced prices.

Last night we drank a bottle of "The Beast" - Mudgee Sparkling Shiraz 2001 cleanskin from Andrew Harris, supposedly the $40 + Double Vision, selling for $16.95 as a cleanskin. It has the premium bottle shape, very effervescent mousse, good crimson colour, pleasant dark cherry-spectrum shiraz fruit, medium-bodied and not too sweet, fruit-sweet rather than sugar-sweet, finishes clean but a little short, should fill out with a year or two in bottle. Good value.

[Red Bigot]

Woody Nook "Gallaghers Choice" Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Margaret River, WA 13.6% Alcohol

Overall, very impressed (as I was when we tasted it at cellar door 3-4 years ago). Plenty of life left in this & would have been interesting to wait for a few more years before pulling the cork. Might try & source some more (there was a UK importer for this vintage). I think it sells for about $35 in Aus.

Sorry for all the words! Just happened to like this a lot.

Ian

Ian, thanks for the report on the 99, this is a quiet little achiever off the radar for most people. I found them on a MR visit in 1994, finished my last 92 Gallagher's Choice at it's peak in late 2003, I have bought a few vintages since and have 95, 96, 97, 99 and 2001 in the cellar. The 2001 is $30 on their web site, 10% discount for internet orders and they have a UK delivery facility as well:
http://www.woodynook.com.au/

[Ian S]

Brian
Thanks for this - last stock of the 99 in UK I notice.... Any view on the 2001 Gallaghers? I remember having a look at Church House Vintners (the importers) list & being quite underwhelmed by a very short list. Might try them again to see if it's improved (We don't drink enough to justify buying a dozen of the same wine - though I sneaked a dozen Best's FHT under the radar a while ago )
ta
Ian

[Muscat Mike]

Had dinner in Orange last weekend. Great food and a couple of excellent wines.
1998 Yattarna - I am not a big Chardy drinker but this was in excellent form. Have tried only a few Y's but this was by far the best by several miles. I think there is quite a few years left in this.

2002 Warrabilla Parolas Durif. There were other reds on the table and I had this decanted and brooding on the table for about 90 minutes.(I kept giving the decanter a good swishing every now and then.)
The other reds were paled into insignificance by this huge but eminently drinkable wine. Which is why I left it till last. As I swished my glass the sides of the glass became stained by the wine for a while. The aromas were wafting into the air and assailing the senses, but pleasantly so. I wanted to put off drinking and just sniff the wine, but knew I would miss out as the others would quickly swallow it and leave me with too little to enjoy. One of the most enjoyable wines I have ever had.
The wife of one of the others said he had to get some as she absolutely loved it.
Smithy, another convert. He should have already ordered from you as I gave him the details. (My spotters fee , bottles of Parolas, is in the mail already???)
MM.
PS - I also opened a bottle of All Saints Muscat. Quite an old bottle I got from Langtons. It was in superb form.

[JamieBahrain]

Charles Melton 9 Popes 1997- This went from the winery on release straight into climate controlled storage. The cork did it's thing and when you get consistant results like this ( perfect cork, no seepage and sublime fruit freshness ) it is hard to begrudge the expense of professional storage.

Clean cherry-lolly and vanilla bean nose initially. Air time deepens the fruit bringing on a rich depth of blackfruits on a bed of background oak. Medium to full bodied, the palate has pristine fruit definition- those soft shiraz fruit flavours noted around the Krondorf Rd area shine, a touch of complementing vanillan oak and the grenache/mouvedre nuances add supple complexity on the back of the mouth- gamey earthiness. A hint of grenache raspiness builds quite powerful, fine tannins and the finish includes some pleasant mature, fruit persistance.

91pts. Great for the vintage and room to do better on a not so hot outdoor session.

Mt Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2002- Another hot day and this wine probably did not meet it's potential. This is my third shiraz from this vintage in Heathcote - Georgia's Paddock & Rufus Stone previous. It continues the excellent run!

Opaque purple with lively violet hue.

Screwcapped which is great. No heart skipping a beat worried about taint on first sniff- Rich blue & blackberries dominate, with plenty of new oak nuances aswell - vanilla, marsmallow & cinnamon. There is good regionality in evidence too- Georgia's Paddock like rich tar, licorice and a whiff of pepper. Full bodied shiraz. Powerful black cherry, raspberry & licorice fruit. There is a minerally/ talc texture on the palate and the tannins are milky and long. Superb length.

Mt Ida is back in town! 93pts.

Rockford 1999 Vine Vale Riesling- A way to go yet. Old fashioned Barossa style of riesling. Big and broad on the palate, phenolic like with a good cut of acid. I am going to see how the rest of these are a few years down the track. 89pts with more likely with a further sleep.

[Davo]

2002 Warrabilla Parolas Durif. There were other reds on the table and I had this decanted and brooding on the table for about 90 minutes.(I kept giving the decanter a good swishing every now and then.)
The other reds were paled into insignificance by this huge but eminently drinkable wine.

Rats, I only have 6 of these left, magnums that is.

[Davo]

Quite a week, 30 winerys for 300 odd wines tasted in 4 days.

So a quick summary only rather than a totally mind numbing tastelogue.

Standouts were Rockfords entire range of reds, Veritas the same, Saltrams Mamre Brook 2002s, Leasingham cheaper range 2002s were excellent for their price range and fighting well above it, Clos Clare Shiraz was a stunner and excellent value, Kilikanoon Covenant and Oracle, Torbreck's reds but very pricey, Heritage reds for great VFM reds, and Seppelts, the treasure trove of the valley with their range of fortifieds. The Rare Tokay and Muscat just stunning value and the 100YO Para while very pricey, an absolute killer.

Absolute disappointments were Two Hands for their yuppified thin acidic swill, and Henschke, where the wines were absolutely technically perfect but totally boring and now priced way above their value.

[GrahamB]

Working 5 - 6 nights a week certainly keeps the cellar full.

This week was the Rockford vertical here in Brisbane but I'm sure all the eloquent scribes will do better than I can on this one.

Wines tasted were:

1999 disgourge Black Shiraz on arrival

94 to 02 Basket Press all opened and served at the same time

?? Moorooroo SVS Shiraz

Three small production run wines

99 Para Creek Shiraz/Cab 60/40
99 Silesian Shiraz/Cab 60/40
99 Diggers Bluff Cab/Shiraz 60/40

Marian Port to end a great Friday night.


Saturday lunch and a little left for dinner:
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 02

Not as 'in your face' as it was 18 months ago. A very black glass stainer that is developing into a beautiful barossa shiraz. I just love it.

Glad I have more of this one.

Graham

[Chuck]

Leasingham cheaper range 2002s were excellent for their price range and fighting well above it

.

Hi all,

Cannot agree more re Leasingham '02 Bastion range. Straight cabernet has great fruit and winemaking skills. Leightweight in the ring with Mike Tyson.

I continue to be astounded by the Gramps ’02 Barossa Shiraz. 4th in Winestate annual best of review. 5 stars and the blurb starts “Deserving of its stars”. Whilst 15% it is a well balanced wine that with breathing drinks above its weight despite a closed nose that should develop with age. Acid and tannins will assist this over 5-10 years. At below $20 it’s a steal. ***** for value. Should be $35+ but brand needs to be developed as per Seppelts recently. Another case slipped into the cellar today. I believe Auswine has some left. You will not be disappointed

Chuck
[/b]

[Maximus]

This week has been a little quieter for me, somewhat of a detox after the festivities of the previous fortnight. However, apart from the '03 Noon Reserve Cabernet and '02 Penfolds Bin 28, I did drink an '02 d'Arenberg High Trellis Cab Sauv over two nights. For a sub $20 wine, this has fantastic fruit concentration combining with slight floral aromas to ensure a very pleasant nose. On first tasting, I thought there was a hole mid-palate and the finish was a little short, but tried again the following night and everything had integrated with no holes and a long, enjoyable finish. This was a different wine to the Bin 28 I had the night before, but just as enjoyable. Given the performance with 24 hours of air, I'd say that like the Kalimna, this will improve with age and benefit with at least five years of cellaring, up to ten.

This coming week will prove a little more adventurous with my wine tasting, comprising the Amon Ra, Glaetzer Shiraz, Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz, Greenock Alice, Shirvington Shiraz or Cabernet, Wynns BL Coonawarra Cab Sauv (current '01) and perhaps the '02 Struie if there's time. Given the status of some of those wines (I haven't tried any of the above bar alternative vintage Wynns), it will be a much hyped week, perhaps with disappointments, perhaps with a lighter wallet...

Stay tuned!

[Maximus]

94 to 02 Basket Press all opened and served at the same time

Graham,

Your thoughts on the Rockford BP's? I'm not after full blown tasting notes, I just have a few pennies is all...

(for your thoughts, not wine!)

[GrahamB]

94 to 02 Basket Press all opened and served at the same time

Graham,

Your thoughts on the Rockford BP's? I'm not after full blown tasting notes, I just have a few pennies is all...

(for your thoughts, not wine!)

Max

The 99 disgourge red bubbles were nice but I really loved the 2004 disgourge we digested at xmas.

The BP 96 & 99 were my favourites. Absolute stunners with balance, fruit and length. Built to last for some time.

The 98, 00 & 01 young with some time needed. The 98 has a great fruit parcel waiting to open. 00 is great for a not so good year. 01 elegant. 02 is quite closed and yet to show it's straps.

94 is a little tired tasting or it could have been the bottle.

95 & 97 were good wines from a not so good vintage but I have had better.

Had a lovely 99 Tintara shiraz tonight while C was working. Just had to ring and say how good it was. The little b opened the exact bottle last night and didn't invite me.

We have a big food & wine night at the pub next Wednesday. 12 distributers with 7 exact varieties each with food to match. I'm hoping it will be a good night as I have to work and taste as well with the customers. Someone has to do it even if the pay is low.

Graham

[DaveL]

My partner cracked the 1983 Bin 6600 Lindemans Hunter Shiraz I gave her a couple of years ago. It took a couple of hours to open up, but when it did it was amazing. The primary fruit had mostly gone, but left in its place was leather and spice with just a little mint underneath. The finish was the realy highlight of the wine with savoury coffee and spices that just went on and on. Unfortunately I found myself a little distracted, I'm very familliar with younger wines but I just don't have the experience to totally appreciate them in their fully matured state. I'm left convinced I've just drunk something special but without the context to appreciate it fully. My vinous Benjamin Braddock is just illequiped to deal with the nuances of this Mrs Robinson.

Making it all easier was the food. We had roast pheasant that just blew me away with its flavours. Stuffed with orange wedges and whole cloves of garlic. God it was good.

Then a 1982 de Bortoli Noble One: treacle, maple syrup, and marmalade, made even more delicious with a King Island Blue.

And then a bottle of 95 Seppelt Show Reserve Touriga with a Cuban Cigar on the balcony watching the stars over the city skyline. One of those moments that makes you notice how very very lucky you really are.

[Glen G]

Then a 1982 de Bortoli Noble One: treacle, maple syrup, and marmalade, made even more delicious with a King Island Blue.

Thanks Dave. I have a 750ml in the cellar that I bought from DJ's about three years ago for $92 (hoping that it will reach some giddy heights in a few years like the first vintage of Grange )

However the last time I tried this wine it was starting to look a little thinned out. Anybody else have any tasting notes on the '82?

Regards
Glen

[Guest]

...very effervescent mouse...

Too much information there

[Red Bigot]

...very effervescent mouse...

Too much information there

Maybe that's why it's called The Beast, it wasn't at all bretty though

[JDSJDS]

I've been lurking for a while, but thought I'd add a tasting note this week. I'm a frequent poster from a BC (Canada) site. Just finished a Chateau de Pesquie 'La Quintessence' 2000 ($34 CAD). It's the top wine from this excellent QPR producer in the Cotes de Ventoux.

Deep purple in color, with redfruits, herbs, mint and - rather unfortunately - a tincture of vomit on the nose. Go figure! Thankfully, the latter note did not carry through to the palate, which was a medium-full bodied blend of blackberries, cherries, minerals, iodine, tar and pepper. A very slight metallic note at the end detracted a bit. But overall, despite the vomit, an interesting and tasty wine at its peak now. Highly recommended with ***1/2 stars for value (when in Rome...).

BTW, thanks for all your notes and comments on this site, they're very interesting, informative and helpful!

[Sean]

deleted

[markg]

Saturday lunch and a little left for dinner:
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 02

Not as 'in your face' as it was 18 months ago. A very black glass stainer that is developing into a beautiful barossa shiraz. I just love it.

Glad I have more of this one.

Graham

Graham, agree on the 02 Shotfire, I have a couple of cases of this left, great value for money when it was released and a very nice wine..

[707]

Auswine 2003 Barossa Shiraz is the pick of the last week. Just posted a note under it's own heading.

Blacktongues tomorrow night are doing 90 & 91 Cabernet which I'm really looking forward to. How much oak will there be?

[Rory]

Over the week & weekend:

'99 Dromana Estate Reserve Pinot.
A good example of why I don't buy this anymore. Simple fruit, no wow and too sour on the finish.
'94 Rockford BB Shiraz.
Outstanding bottle. This is the third one of this vintage I've had over the past year (none of them mine), and this was evidently from a better cellar or a lucky bottle. Way fresh still, good acid on the palate backing up good fruit with good length. Got better over the hour in the glass, will take another three to five years to hit it's straps in the bottle.
'97 Crabtree Cab/Sauv.
Don't know why I let the rep talk me into this re-release. Just on the brink of falling over. Over oxidised at birth or badly cellared.
'95 Crabtree Watervale Riesling.
But I'm glad he talked me into this one. A beauty! Rich, smooth lanolin, with honeyed tones that I could just sniff & sip all night. Great stuff at it's peak.
'99 Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling.
In stelvin, and still as fresh as a daisy, how long this will take to fully mature is anyone's guess! Drinking well with a fine cut of acid over good intense lemon/lime. Not the power of a Grosset but no less intense.
'03 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay.
Please, please, please Prebble, can I have some more?
'04 Dog Point Section '94 Sauv/Blanc.
Great fruit, very intense, oak deftly handled, but needs some time to really strut it's stuff. Look forward to tasting it again in three years.

Rory

[Ratcatcher]

I'm a shocking taster. I can't describe the flavours but can give an overall impression. And I'll use Serge's scale. I like it.

1995 Lindemans Hunter Valley Semillon Museum Release Bin 8645. $16.99.
Nice lemony golden colour. I thought it was pleasant drinking but just a little bland. Maybe I over chilled? Some lemony flavours but none of the toasty, honey, creamy flavours I anticipated. I actually enjoyed the last glass 24 hours after opening the best. Could it use even more time?

In your mouth 3- good enough / Bang for a buck 3- worth it!
Emotional review 3- good enough for my sibling Total 9/15

1995 Tollana Show Reserve Shiraz $18.95 in 1998

I should preface this by saying Tollana reds were one of the 3 or 4 wines that got me drinking red wine so I have a strong bias. Still lots of good red / black fruit flavours. Lovely smooth texture. Very enjoyable drinking. Hell of a lot of sediment.
In your mouth 4- smooth and balanced / Bang for a buck 3- worth it!
Emotional review 4- Thank you, Sir, may I have another? Total 11/15

2001 Devil's Lair Margaret River $X

Just a tasting at a local wine store with the staff member hanging over me so I didn't get a chance to savour but my impression was it was dee-licious. Lots of friendly ripe fruit and smooth as a baby's bum. They are selling this and the 2002 Chardonnay in a twin pack for $49.95 which I believe is about half what they retail for separately.
In your mouth 4- smooth and balanced / Bang for a buck 4- Good Vibrations Emotional review 4- Thank you, Sir, may I have another? Total 12/15

This is my first tasting note. Please be kind.

R

[Mike Hawkins]

GrahamB,

I'm interested to get your thoughts on the 99 Diggers Bluff (I was unaware it had been released). I bought a dozen of the 98 and thought it was a really good wine - not at all in the fruit bomb mode of other Barossa wines from the vintage.


Mike

[GrahamB]

GrahamB,

I'm interested to get your thoughts on the 99 Diggers Bluff (I was unaware it had been released). I bought a dozen of the 98 and thought it was a really good wine - not at all in the fruit bomb mode of other Barossa wines from the vintage.


Mike

Mike

I did try the Diggers Bluff but it was after:
Black Shiraz
94 to 02 Basket Press
Moorooroo
Para Creek
Silesian

Diggers Bluff

Then the Port

and there was no way I was spitting any of those.

I thought it was great and we are talking to the distributers this week about putting them in the store.

Graham

[Chuck]

For some inexplicable reason there's heavy discounting on the Jamiesons Runs.

Wine fashions come and go and Shiraz is it and a bit these days. Cabernets are hard to sell so the QPR is currently very high in comparison. Countercyclical investment is a smart idea when Cabernet can age so well.

Chuck