2001 Heritage Rossco's Shiraz - almost overripe, good length. Not a bad wine at all.
1998 McWilliams Ltd Release Botrytis Semillon. A beauty. Honey and marmalade. Tasted all the sweeter given the Roosters lost.
It's Sunday and this is my weekly report-apologies to Ric...
1993 Penfolds Bin 407 Fruit character still fresh as a daisy. Good varietal character and holding up well for a product of an undistinguished vintage.
1996 Wynns Shiraz Interesting hint of elderberry on finish. Again still going strong (even though it was my last bottle).
2002 Yalumba MGS Barossa sourced Mourvèdre dominant Mourvèdre Grenache Shiraz blend. Wonderful spicy complexity (particularly for such a young wine), eminently drinkable already but with the tannin/acid structure to improve in the cellar for quite a while. Bodes well for future 2002 releases.
1999 Tahbilk Marsanne Starting to develop deep yellow colour and honeysuckle character on nose and palate. Enough lemony acidity to suggest some further improvement with more bottle age.
Matthew
1996 Wynns Shiraz Interesting hint of elderberry on finish. Again still going strong (even though it was my last bottle).
2002 Yalumba MGS Barossa sourced Mourvèdre dominant Mourvèdre Grenache Shiraz blend. Wonderful spicy complexity (particularly for such a young wine), eminently drinkable already but with the tannin/acid structure to improve in the cellar for quite a while. Bodes well for future 2002 releases.
1999 Tahbilk Marsanne Starting to develop deep yellow colour and honeysuckle character on nose and palate. Enough lemony acidity to suggest some further improvement with more bottle age.
Matthew
Brian wrote:Saturday - Atlantic
Hello Red Bigot,
What are you thoughts on Atlantic? I went there twice earlier in the year and was disappointed. Now I see that they have lost both of their 2 hats. Looks like the SMH agrees with me.
However, after our experience at Anise, I can't understand why they did not get a hat. Excellent place.
Adair
Hi Adair,
Atlantic was Ok, but a rung or more below Dijon, Anise and Aubergine at around the same prices. Won't rush back, but wouldn't especially avoid it either.
Now that I've found the way to do byo at Dijon on Fri/Sat I'll be back more often, hadn't been for a year after they changed to no byo at w/e.
Atlantic was Ok, but a rung or more below Dijon, Anise and Aubergine at around the same prices. Won't rush back, but wouldn't especially avoid it either.
Now that I've found the way to do byo at Dijon on Fri/Sat I'll be back more often, hadn't been for a year after they changed to no byo at w/e.
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! :-)
Anonymous wrote:SueNZ wrote:
Mt Difficulty 02 from Central Otago. There is so much colour extract and flavour in these wines and with their alcohols hovering around 14%, sometimes more, it seems that the 2002 Marlborough and Central Otago pinots might possibly even convert self-confessed 'red bigots' to the variety.
Cheers,
Sue
Hi Sue,
I have tried the 1999 Mt Difficulty Pinot which we though was great and the 2000 which we disappointed it just didn't have the same weight or power. Is the 2002 similar to the the 1999 or better and/or different?
Have you tried the Rippon 2002 Pinot? I tried it a couple of weeks ago and found to be beautifully balanced silky point with lovely pure cherry fruit. If you have tried the Rippon how does it compare with the Mt Difficulty?
Not tried the Rippon 02 - next week probably.
As for the Mt Difficulty - I just loved that 1999 and like you was just a little disappointed at the next two vintages. This is back to the best. Rich and powerful, lots of flavour. I'd say more powerful and opulent that the 1999. Tasting it again tonight so will write some sensible tasting notes. These 2002 wines further prove you can't pick (or eliminate) a variety by its colour.
Cheers,
Sue
Thanks Sue
Has the 2002 Mt Difficulty actually been released as yet? I did a search using wine-searcher.com and could only find the 2001, then checked mtdifficulty.co.nz and they only had the 2001 for sale.
Do you know if they have an Australian distributor.......the website doesn't list any?
Michel.......the only place in Australia that the search turned up was Hyde Park Cellars in SYD and they had the 2001 Pinot at $65 a bottle
Has the 2002 Mt Difficulty actually been released as yet? I did a search using wine-searcher.com and could only find the 2001, then checked mtdifficulty.co.nz and they only had the 2001 for sale.
Do you know if they have an Australian distributor.......the website doesn't list any?
Michel.......the only place in Australia that the search turned up was Hyde Park Cellars in SYD and they had the 2001 Pinot at $65 a bottle
Ben wrote:Thanks Sue
Has the 2002 Mt Difficulty actually been released as yet? I did a search using wine-searcher.com and could only find the 2001, then checked mtdifficulty.co.nz and they only had the 2001 for sale.
Do you know if they have an Australian distributor.......the website doesn't list any?
Ben,
It has just won the trophy for Champion Pinot Noir at the Liquorland Top 100 so yes, it is released here in NZ. Liquorland stores in NZ will have it. Mt Difficulty had to send 60 cases to them as part of the comeptition entry condiditions and the wines went on sale from last Saturday. No doubt other stores are clamouring for it too.
Unfortunately it did not arrive in time for the tasting last night (at a non-Liquorland store) and I think they are tasting it next week but I will be in Hawkes Bay - hopefully I will taste the leftovers on Thursday morning.
Last night we tasted the Akarua instead, No. 1 in Cuisine magazine's Pinot Noir tasting, a big black monster I can't quite get to grips with as Pinot, it has 14.5% alcohol and quite seductive as to its drinkability - so if you like this red bigot style of pinot and a huge whack of alcohol, then go for it.
As for availability of the Mt Difficulty in Aus, I suggest you click on the e-mail on the website and ask them. Here in NZ it is distributed by NZ Wines and Spirits, owned by Lion Nathan (who distribute Petaluma, Knappstein, Mitchelton etc.) but don't know if they take the brand to Aus.
Alternatively check out the Central Otago Wine Cellar - they will ship to Australia.
Michel wrote:Are Mt Difficulty still persisting with their individual vineyard pinots?
thanks
michel
Tasted a fantastically delicious barrel sample of the 2002 'Pipeclay Terrace' in Feb. Not sure if it will result in a single wine. let's hope so.
They have also produced a wine call 'Elevage' from the 2001 vintage. It seemed more oaky to me when tasted alongside the mainstream 2001.
Cheers,
Sue
Chapel Hill, McLaren Vale Shiraz, '98
Chapel Hill, McLaren Vale Shiraz, 98
Alc 13.5
I do like McLaren Vale, they seem to have a more elegant style (I think), more structure and complexity in their better offerings (Reynella, Clarendon, D'Arenberg) due to the climate of warm days and cool nights.
Now here's an excellent QPR tip from me to you, gift wrapped in fancy brown bags at 26C$ per. It's almost a surprise to see any Aussie wines before '99 on the BCLB (our local Gov't run system) shelves at this point, but there on the bottom shelf in the Alberni shop it was
.
The colour - well it is bloody black mate , with a ruby rim.
Nose - cocoa, bing cherry, raspberry, milk chocolate vanilla oak aromas - 9 months in French oak.
Palate - bursting with ripe, jammy black cherry and juicy currant, spice of soft white pepper, velvety tannins.
Finish - soft and gentle, yet long and flavourful with deep-dark evolving fruit. Everything is in perfect balance, and I like the new French oak seduction opulently structured, but with fruit that still rose very much above it. This wine can age, 3-5 years maybe ! ?
Another best buy, 90+ pnts !!!
For me personally, it's an absolutely fantastic everyday drinker, at a price point I can swallow on any given Sunday.
Love it mucho !
Cheers,
Mishy
Alc 13.5
I do like McLaren Vale, they seem to have a more elegant style (I think), more structure and complexity in their better offerings (Reynella, Clarendon, D'Arenberg) due to the climate of warm days and cool nights.
Now here's an excellent QPR tip from me to you, gift wrapped in fancy brown bags at 26C$ per. It's almost a surprise to see any Aussie wines before '99 on the BCLB (our local Gov't run system) shelves at this point, but there on the bottom shelf in the Alberni shop it was
.
The colour - well it is bloody black mate , with a ruby rim.
Nose - cocoa, bing cherry, raspberry, milk chocolate vanilla oak aromas - 9 months in French oak.
Palate - bursting with ripe, jammy black cherry and juicy currant, spice of soft white pepper, velvety tannins.
Finish - soft and gentle, yet long and flavourful with deep-dark evolving fruit. Everything is in perfect balance, and I like the new French oak seduction opulently structured, but with fruit that still rose very much above it. This wine can age, 3-5 years maybe ! ?
Another best buy, 90+ pnts !!!
For me personally, it's an absolutely fantastic everyday drinker, at a price point I can swallow on any given Sunday.
Love it mucho !
Cheers,
Mishy