Hi Good Peoples,
I am in Coonawarra and have been drinking far to much with Red Bigot and the Pie King. All will be revealed in the next segments of the Tour Diary but what have you guys been drinking over the last week?
TN, vibes or impressions welcome.
Sunday weekly drinking reports due
Crittenden at Dromana Melon 2004
Melon de bourgogne is the Thomson's Seedless of the lower Loire, much maligned and cheap. The funny thing is that it makes very good wine, known as Muscadet sur Lie. About 93.74% of winedrinkers see 'Mus' and think that it is sweet. The rest of us know better.
Crittenden at Dromana has released, in small quantities, the first wine of this variety, given the full Sur lie treatment.
I tried a bottle this week. The wine was dry and flinty, the back label said drink it with Oysters, but I had only olives and cheddar. For once the back label outtsmarted me. There is enough in the wine to suggest that it would benefit from a year or two in the bottle. The bottom half of the bottle, with Friday night's fish and chips showed that some air helped to bring out quite a range of flavours.
Looks like an interesting experiment.
Crittenden at Dromana has released, in small quantities, the first wine of this variety, given the full Sur lie treatment.
I tried a bottle this week. The wine was dry and flinty, the back label said drink it with Oysters, but I had only olives and cheddar. For once the back label outtsmarted me. There is enough in the wine to suggest that it would benefit from a year or two in the bottle. The bottom half of the bottle, with Friday night's fish and chips showed that some air helped to bring out quite a range of flavours.
Looks like an interesting experiment.
Darby Higgs
http://www.vinodiversity.com
http://www.vinodiversity.com
Hi all,
Paul Osicka Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Tried this wine for a second time on 1/5/05 after a two week break, having some very big fruit driven reds in the intervening period. My first notes on this wine were: “Freaking stunning! This wine fairly sparkled. It had everything, balanced tannin that tingled on the tongue, black cherrys in abundance and chocolate. Will be getting a case or two when the mastercard is up to it. Thoroughly enjoyed this wine. What a way to end the weekend.Ââ€Â
An hour after decanting and I was less convinced this time around. This wine is clear rich dark plum colour. Nose is all leaf and cedar, some dark chocolate, and later green (olive perhaps??) and meaty. It is a medium bodied wine. Initially sweet on the palate, tannins tingle the tongue, there is smoky wood but a little sourness on the finish. Ann thought it reminded her a little of cough mixture. It was a little tight, tannin and leafy and cedar tones dominating, not a lot of fruit (more perhaps on the nose than the palate. After two hours, however, and chocolate and cherries came through with liquorice and a sweetness that carried through the finish. Maybe the first bottle had been decanted longer - I can’t recall. Either way, this was a much better wine after two hours than after one. Will have to remember that in future – I have another 17 bottles stashed away.
Tahbilk 2001 Shiraz 4/5/05
Rich, clear ruby red with chocolate and eucalyptus nose (maybe I was channelling cabernet??), seemed ‘greener' than some of the wines we have been drinking lately. It was a touch sharpish on the palate, a little acidic, very light on the fruit and a little sour. Cherries turned up after about 2 hours in a decanter. Bit tight for my taste.
The Willows 2001 Shiraz 7/5/05
Red/purple, nose full of black cherries and blackberries, chocolate and cinnamon, spicy with a soft mouthfeel. Tingly tannin with light acidity. Cherries and chocolate carred through to the palate with tinge of greener flavours and some sweetness on the finish – seemed sweet and tart at the same time. Meaty flavours emerged later. This wine is very good drinking for us right now. (TORB, RB and other RBs might enjoy this wine – wouldn’t mind your views some time)
The Willows 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon 7/5/05
Leafy, aniseed, peppery and eucalypts. A bit tight, needs some time.
Tamar Ridge 2004 Riesling 6/5/05
Remains more sauvignon blanc than riesling. Pears, pears, pears........oh, and pears.
Warrabilla 2004 ParolaÂ’s Cabernet 6/5/05
This is a fabulously huge wine. Rich dark purple colour. Leafy and a little charcoal on the nose, very light acidity and soft tannins. Black berries and currants carry through to the palate – fruit is very strong – initially difficult to detect more subtle nuances. An hour later some very subtle oak and chocolate. Lovely, velvet textured wine. I need to take a little more care with this wine. It runs at almost 17% and after the reisling, which went down a little too fast on Friday night after a long, hard week, this cabernet knocked our socks off. By the time we hit our mains at Atelier’s we were pretty sozzled and had move to H2O for a while – something I never enjoy. What a beast!
Regards,
Allan
Paul Osicka Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Tried this wine for a second time on 1/5/05 after a two week break, having some very big fruit driven reds in the intervening period. My first notes on this wine were: “Freaking stunning! This wine fairly sparkled. It had everything, balanced tannin that tingled on the tongue, black cherrys in abundance and chocolate. Will be getting a case or two when the mastercard is up to it. Thoroughly enjoyed this wine. What a way to end the weekend.Ââ€Â
An hour after decanting and I was less convinced this time around. This wine is clear rich dark plum colour. Nose is all leaf and cedar, some dark chocolate, and later green (olive perhaps??) and meaty. It is a medium bodied wine. Initially sweet on the palate, tannins tingle the tongue, there is smoky wood but a little sourness on the finish. Ann thought it reminded her a little of cough mixture. It was a little tight, tannin and leafy and cedar tones dominating, not a lot of fruit (more perhaps on the nose than the palate. After two hours, however, and chocolate and cherries came through with liquorice and a sweetness that carried through the finish. Maybe the first bottle had been decanted longer - I can’t recall. Either way, this was a much better wine after two hours than after one. Will have to remember that in future – I have another 17 bottles stashed away.
Tahbilk 2001 Shiraz 4/5/05
Rich, clear ruby red with chocolate and eucalyptus nose (maybe I was channelling cabernet??), seemed ‘greener' than some of the wines we have been drinking lately. It was a touch sharpish on the palate, a little acidic, very light on the fruit and a little sour. Cherries turned up after about 2 hours in a decanter. Bit tight for my taste.
The Willows 2001 Shiraz 7/5/05
Red/purple, nose full of black cherries and blackberries, chocolate and cinnamon, spicy with a soft mouthfeel. Tingly tannin with light acidity. Cherries and chocolate carred through to the palate with tinge of greener flavours and some sweetness on the finish – seemed sweet and tart at the same time. Meaty flavours emerged later. This wine is very good drinking for us right now. (TORB, RB and other RBs might enjoy this wine – wouldn’t mind your views some time)
The Willows 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon 7/5/05
Leafy, aniseed, peppery and eucalypts. A bit tight, needs some time.
Tamar Ridge 2004 Riesling 6/5/05
Remains more sauvignon blanc than riesling. Pears, pears, pears........oh, and pears.
Warrabilla 2004 ParolaÂ’s Cabernet 6/5/05
This is a fabulously huge wine. Rich dark purple colour. Leafy and a little charcoal on the nose, very light acidity and soft tannins. Black berries and currants carry through to the palate – fruit is very strong – initially difficult to detect more subtle nuances. An hour later some very subtle oak and chocolate. Lovely, velvet textured wine. I need to take a little more care with this wine. It runs at almost 17% and after the reisling, which went down a little too fast on Friday night after a long, hard week, this cabernet knocked our socks off. By the time we hit our mains at Atelier’s we were pretty sozzled and had move to H2O for a while – something I never enjoy. What a beast!
Regards,
Allan
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Blue Pyrenees Reserve Estate Red 1999- Thick, ripe nose. Blueberries, dark violets, smoke & spice. Oak sits well in support. Full bodied, dark fruit flavours and forceful tannins build the finish which has some spicey, eucalyptus notes which will be more pleasant when the tannins soften.
Sells for about $30 Aussie here in HK which is very good value.
Sells for about $30 Aussie here in HK which is very good value.
-
action2096
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:00 am
- Location: Sydney - Australia
Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz 2002
You can pick this up for about $12 a bottle and as a midweek quaffer i think it's pretty good value. Dark crimosn in colour with plenty of plummy fruits and pepper spice on the nose. Tannins & oak are present but fairly well integrated. Nothing overly complex but for $12 what do ya expect
Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Was looking forward to this one as i had read good things about Zema with one but have to say i was a little dissapointed. Plenty of black fruit with a fair whack of oak on initial opening the bottle. Started to soften after an hour or so in the decanter and i did start to pick up a hint of chocolate on the nose but didn't really develop much from there. Came back to it the following day after leaving it decant overnight and still not bowled over.. Anyone else tried one of these recently
Mcwilliams Rosehill Shiraz 2000
If you don't like Hunter Shiraz then stop reading now. If you do then i would strongly reccomend giving this one a go. This wine some from 40 year old vines and is in my opinon classic hunter shiraz. Earthy cedar charecteristics give way to black cherry with the slightest hint of spice. Tannins are grippy and in my opinion it probably needs another couple of years to settle down. Left some overnight in a decanter and seemed to have opened up a little overnight. Very different from in my opinion a dissapointing 99 i think the 00 is a cracker which should be even better in another 5 years or so
You can pick this up for about $12 a bottle and as a midweek quaffer i think it's pretty good value. Dark crimosn in colour with plenty of plummy fruits and pepper spice on the nose. Tannins & oak are present but fairly well integrated. Nothing overly complex but for $12 what do ya expect
Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Was looking forward to this one as i had read good things about Zema with one but have to say i was a little dissapointed. Plenty of black fruit with a fair whack of oak on initial opening the bottle. Started to soften after an hour or so in the decanter and i did start to pick up a hint of chocolate on the nose but didn't really develop much from there. Came back to it the following day after leaving it decant overnight and still not bowled over.. Anyone else tried one of these recently
Mcwilliams Rosehill Shiraz 2000
If you don't like Hunter Shiraz then stop reading now. If you do then i would strongly reccomend giving this one a go. This wine some from 40 year old vines and is in my opinon classic hunter shiraz. Earthy cedar charecteristics give way to black cherry with the slightest hint of spice. Tannins are grippy and in my opinion it probably needs another couple of years to settle down. Left some overnight in a decanter and seemed to have opened up a little overnight. Very different from in my opinion a dissapointing 99 i think the 00 is a cracker which should be even better in another 5 years or so
2001 Coriole Lalla Rookh Grenache Shiraz: Dark, clear red/purple colour. Sweet, dusty, lightly perfumed nose at first, with milled white pepper, raspberry and licorice with air. The palate has a soft, sweet entry, featuring ripe raspberry fruit with bright cherry highlights; those pepper characters appear mid-palate, carrying through to the soft finish with an equal dose of raspberry/cherry fruit and some licorice. This is a gorgeous Rhone style that’s mercifully devoid of any Viognier to screw it up.
2002 Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky red/purple with a glowing purple hue; there’s already some minor crusting so decanting is recommended. A beautiful, complex nose from the very first glass, featuring dark chocolate, lifted sweet cassis, some dried herbs and earth, capsicum, roast coffee, and iodine/pen ink. The palate is equally as tempting, with sweet and soft cassis/blueberry opening to a wonderful mix of ripe/sweet cassis fruit and pixel fine tannins mid-palate, which flow through to a long, soft finish. With breathing it becomes more complex, with roast coffee, lemon sherbet, black olives, and that typically regional chalk that should be there with great wines from Coonawarra. It’s easy to see how this was judged the best Cabrenet in the Limestone Coast, and how it also took out a gold in the 2004 Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Brilliant stuff.
On Friday night before the API options night I also tried some of Jenneret's latest releases, the 2003 Grenache Shiraz and the 2003 Shiraz, both under screwcap. The blend was a fairly nice combination of flavours, but that 15.5% alcohol (it tastes more like 16%) really wrecks the experience. The Shiraz was plain and boring, with a shocking dull red/brick colour, simple muted raspberry and pepper characters, and hot (14.5%) alcohol. We were visiting Clare during the picking of the 2003 vintage and heard of some problems at that stage, but these were still a major disappointment.
Cheers
Ian
2002 Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky red/purple with a glowing purple hue; there’s already some minor crusting so decanting is recommended. A beautiful, complex nose from the very first glass, featuring dark chocolate, lifted sweet cassis, some dried herbs and earth, capsicum, roast coffee, and iodine/pen ink. The palate is equally as tempting, with sweet and soft cassis/blueberry opening to a wonderful mix of ripe/sweet cassis fruit and pixel fine tannins mid-palate, which flow through to a long, soft finish. With breathing it becomes more complex, with roast coffee, lemon sherbet, black olives, and that typically regional chalk that should be there with great wines from Coonawarra. It’s easy to see how this was judged the best Cabrenet in the Limestone Coast, and how it also took out a gold in the 2004 Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Brilliant stuff.
On Friday night before the API options night I also tried some of Jenneret's latest releases, the 2003 Grenache Shiraz and the 2003 Shiraz, both under screwcap. The blend was a fairly nice combination of flavours, but that 15.5% alcohol (it tastes more like 16%) really wrecks the experience. The Shiraz was plain and boring, with a shocking dull red/brick colour, simple muted raspberry and pepper characters, and hot (14.5%) alcohol. We were visiting Clare during the picking of the 2003 vintage and heard of some problems at that stage, but these were still a major disappointment.
Cheers
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
-
London Correspondent
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:45 am
'89 Ducru....OK'ish, still quite tannic. Not sure the friut will hold up until the tanins recede. Quite a muted palate. One of the average years. Not so highly recommended.
'90 Beaucastel...slight cork taint. Very flat a muted with green vegetal notes. Yuk, sent back after it continued to degrade.
'01 de Malle...nice and full, far too young, almost syrupy botrytis mouthfeel, very viscous. Needs time but has the acid to really turn into something good. Give it 10 years.
63 Dows...ah yes, that's better. Almost flawless to my mind. Wonderfully integrated notes of ripe fig, rancio, brooding dark fruits etc. First class.
That's it!
JM
'90 Beaucastel...slight cork taint. Very flat a muted with green vegetal notes. Yuk, sent back after it continued to degrade.
'01 de Malle...nice and full, far too young, almost syrupy botrytis mouthfeel, very viscous. Needs time but has the acid to really turn into something good. Give it 10 years.
63 Dows...ah yes, that's better. Almost flawless to my mind. Wonderfully integrated notes of ripe fig, rancio, brooding dark fruits etc. First class.
That's it!
JM
1995 Goundrey Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (WA)
Looking older, with some bricking and onion skin colours. Very cedary on the nose, with soft oak, leather polish and raisined fruit aromas. The palate is quite soft, very much alive, still fresh. No tannins left, but plenty of that stewed undergrowth texture that's not unpleasant in this case. Not hugely intense or sophisticated, it's still an attractive drink. Medium weight finish of respectable length.
Following that was
1992 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon
Some bricking at the rim, this bottle was quite reticent after the Goundrey. More house style than cabernet-specific, it still managed a streak of decent herbaceousness beneath the sweet oak. Not particularly intense. Structural elements have softened out considerably, and people who dislike powerful tannic wines will have no problem here! Not very dramatic though. Best drunk soon.
Both wines have suffered indifferent cellaring, so on those grounds alone they were pleasant surprises. Best of all was
1996 Chambers Rosewood Botrytis Tokay
Weighing in at all of 9.0% alcohol, this displayed the classic apricot and marmalade characters, but still smelt very fresh, with no sign of the brassiness that marrs many Riverina wines of this age. The palate is light and fresh, and although the acid isn't prominent in any way, the low alcohol seems to be a critical structural element here, serving to keep the wine from becoming cloying. Moderate length finish, this is very good indeed. Pity there was nothing quite like this on tasting when I was at the CD some weeks ago!
cheers,
Graeme
Looking older, with some bricking and onion skin colours. Very cedary on the nose, with soft oak, leather polish and raisined fruit aromas. The palate is quite soft, very much alive, still fresh. No tannins left, but plenty of that stewed undergrowth texture that's not unpleasant in this case. Not hugely intense or sophisticated, it's still an attractive drink. Medium weight finish of respectable length.
Following that was
1992 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon
Some bricking at the rim, this bottle was quite reticent after the Goundrey. More house style than cabernet-specific, it still managed a streak of decent herbaceousness beneath the sweet oak. Not particularly intense. Structural elements have softened out considerably, and people who dislike powerful tannic wines will have no problem here! Not very dramatic though. Best drunk soon.
Both wines have suffered indifferent cellaring, so on those grounds alone they were pleasant surprises. Best of all was
1996 Chambers Rosewood Botrytis Tokay
Weighing in at all of 9.0% alcohol, this displayed the classic apricot and marmalade characters, but still smelt very fresh, with no sign of the brassiness that marrs many Riverina wines of this age. The palate is light and fresh, and although the acid isn't prominent in any way, the low alcohol seems to be a critical structural element here, serving to keep the wine from becoming cloying. Moderate length finish, this is very good indeed. Pity there was nothing quite like this on tasting when I was at the CD some weeks ago!
cheers,
Graeme
Birthday dinner wines
89 Grange Hermitage.
82 Henschke Hill of Grace.
Both bottles opened, decanted and put back in their bottles before the trip to the restaurant.
The verdict:
The Grange developed into a soft luscious deep red wine with a good nose and huge structure that I wished didnÂ’t have to end.
The HoG tasted a lot like a $30 Pinot Noir. This could not be what I have heard so much about.
Graham
89 Grange Hermitage.
82 Henschke Hill of Grace.
Both bottles opened, decanted and put back in their bottles before the trip to the restaurant.
The verdict:
The Grange developed into a soft luscious deep red wine with a good nose and huge structure that I wished didnÂ’t have to end.
The HoG tasted a lot like a $30 Pinot Noir. This could not be what I have heard so much about.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Quite a number of wines this week after a drought for several weeks due to poor health and intense studies. Had the opportunity to attend a tasting on Thursday night with 300+ wines here in Christchurch, although heavily dominated by kiwi labels and nothing over a retail of $25 really. I've included a couple below that I enjoyed (very brief impressions).
2004 Shingle Peak Sauv Blanc
Creamy greens on the nose with a well rounded, pleasant mouthfeel. Finish lingers with a refreshingly small amount of residual sugar sweetness. A welcome change from a Marlborough stereotype. Great value.
2004 Millton Gewurztraminer
Take a snort of turkish delight, holy moly! I do enjoy my Gewurz and this nose was bold and buoyant. Spicy on the palate with a slight acid finish. Nice style and not all bad.
2003 Canterbury House Pinot Noir
I'm a little apprehensive posting this note (given the label's apparent poor reputation and my zero tolerance policy on rubbish Pinot), but I'd just taken a mouthful of the Saddleback Pinot Noir which would make cat piss taste like an aged, blossoming sauterne. The nose was less sweet, varietal with cherries, vanilla, game overtones and forest floor. Consistent retronasal and maybe a tad heavy in the mouth. I thought at a retail of $15-$20, this was exceptional value for money, especially when you consider how many poor $40 Pinots there are on the market.
2000 Heartland Wirrega Shiraz
Take a sniff of liquorice bullets - this was overwhelming with milk chocolate and liquorice on the nose; perhaps some fruit there that's a tad green. These characters transform to a mint/currant combo on the palate with integrated tannins and a rounded finish. Delicious. Top stuff from a seeminly poor vintage, this was my wine of the night.
2001 Brokenwood "Harlequin" Shiraz/Merlot/Cab Franc/Cab Merlot
Complex nose, hard to pick any real dominant characters. Perfumed with mocha, aniseed and other unidentifiables. I spent a while just sniffing this, it kind of consumed me. Very, very silky smooth in the mouth with a velvet finish to complement. Tannins indicate this is a drink now style. I get the impression the wine was out of balance on release, but the four grapes seem to have come together as one and work well. First time I'd heard of the wine and pretty good for $20 (especially considering it probably sells for 2/3 this price in Oz).
2002 Mitchelton "Parish" Shiraz Viognier
The viognier is conspicuous, but in a floral from rather than overpowering apricots. Spicy on the palate with more of the shiraz showing. Vanilla is noticeable on the nose and palate. Mouth coating, delicate tannins and a pleasant finish. Good one.
I also tried the Rutherglen Estate Durif which will serve as a nice comparison to Smithy's Parola Durif when I eventually clasp my hands around a bottle. I also had an '01 Chateau Reynella Basket Press Shiraz during the week over two nights and can't express how impressed I am with this wine (second bottle in the last couple of months). There is heavy sediment buildup, so ensure the bottle is given a good decant and a couple hours of breathing space will only improve the wine. As always, blueberries and vanilla in all the right places and such a gorgeous, mellow finish. Excellent wine at $30 here in NZ and even better qpr at the un-inflated retail prices in Oz.
Cheers,
2004 Shingle Peak Sauv Blanc
Creamy greens on the nose with a well rounded, pleasant mouthfeel. Finish lingers with a refreshingly small amount of residual sugar sweetness. A welcome change from a Marlborough stereotype. Great value.
2004 Millton Gewurztraminer
Take a snort of turkish delight, holy moly! I do enjoy my Gewurz and this nose was bold and buoyant. Spicy on the palate with a slight acid finish. Nice style and not all bad.
2003 Canterbury House Pinot Noir
I'm a little apprehensive posting this note (given the label's apparent poor reputation and my zero tolerance policy on rubbish Pinot), but I'd just taken a mouthful of the Saddleback Pinot Noir which would make cat piss taste like an aged, blossoming sauterne. The nose was less sweet, varietal with cherries, vanilla, game overtones and forest floor. Consistent retronasal and maybe a tad heavy in the mouth. I thought at a retail of $15-$20, this was exceptional value for money, especially when you consider how many poor $40 Pinots there are on the market.
2000 Heartland Wirrega Shiraz
Take a sniff of liquorice bullets - this was overwhelming with milk chocolate and liquorice on the nose; perhaps some fruit there that's a tad green. These characters transform to a mint/currant combo on the palate with integrated tannins and a rounded finish. Delicious. Top stuff from a seeminly poor vintage, this was my wine of the night.
2001 Brokenwood "Harlequin" Shiraz/Merlot/Cab Franc/Cab Merlot
Complex nose, hard to pick any real dominant characters. Perfumed with mocha, aniseed and other unidentifiables. I spent a while just sniffing this, it kind of consumed me. Very, very silky smooth in the mouth with a velvet finish to complement. Tannins indicate this is a drink now style. I get the impression the wine was out of balance on release, but the four grapes seem to have come together as one and work well. First time I'd heard of the wine and pretty good for $20 (especially considering it probably sells for 2/3 this price in Oz).
2002 Mitchelton "Parish" Shiraz Viognier
The viognier is conspicuous, but in a floral from rather than overpowering apricots. Spicy on the palate with more of the shiraz showing. Vanilla is noticeable on the nose and palate. Mouth coating, delicate tannins and a pleasant finish. Good one.
I also tried the Rutherglen Estate Durif which will serve as a nice comparison to Smithy's Parola Durif when I eventually clasp my hands around a bottle. I also had an '01 Chateau Reynella Basket Press Shiraz during the week over two nights and can't express how impressed I am with this wine (second bottle in the last couple of months). There is heavy sediment buildup, so ensure the bottle is given a good decant and a couple hours of breathing space will only improve the wine. As always, blueberries and vanilla in all the right places and such a gorgeous, mellow finish. Excellent wine at $30 here in NZ and even better qpr at the un-inflated retail prices in Oz.
Cheers,
Max
-----
Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
-----
Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
My TN on the Zema
Zema Estate 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon PlonkOz04
I have been a fan of this label for many years and it is one of the standout values in Coonawarra, year in and year out. Dusty, sweet and off-sweet notes with subtle cigar box aromas lurking in the background; the attractive palate is off-sweet on the uptake, sweet in the middle and finishes with chocolate and tomato leaf. A solid, firm wine, of ample-weight, it is well balanced with pure, obvious fruit and drying tannins. A good wine for the price, it is rated as Recommended with **** for value and the rating should improve as the wine matures around 2009.
The Willows 2001 Shiraz SA2004 sells for $23 at CD. Very sensible oak treatment, using tight grained oak has resulted in fine grained tannins and an attractive mouth feel. The fruit, which is distinct, pure and strong has been allowed to express itself showing black flavours. Intense, spicy pepper, dark black fruit, and dark chocolate with some (not unattractive) charry oak producing a well-developed complexity in this muscular wine. It is well crafted and ready to drink now and is rated as Recommended with **** for value.
Zema Estate 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon PlonkOz04
I have been a fan of this label for many years and it is one of the standout values in Coonawarra, year in and year out. Dusty, sweet and off-sweet notes with subtle cigar box aromas lurking in the background; the attractive palate is off-sweet on the uptake, sweet in the middle and finishes with chocolate and tomato leaf. A solid, firm wine, of ample-weight, it is well balanced with pure, obvious fruit and drying tannins. A good wine for the price, it is rated as Recommended with **** for value and the rating should improve as the wine matures around 2009.
The Willows 2001 Shiraz SA2004 sells for $23 at CD. Very sensible oak treatment, using tight grained oak has resulted in fine grained tannins and an attractive mouth feel. The fruit, which is distinct, pure and strong has been allowed to express itself showing black flavours. Intense, spicy pepper, dark black fruit, and dark chocolate with some (not unattractive) charry oak producing a well-developed complexity in this muscular wine. It is well crafted and ready to drink now and is rated as Recommended with **** for value.
Went over to a friend's house to celebrate his 25th Wedding Aniversary.
He opened his wine fridge and told me, "Ask and ye shall be given..."
Oyster Bay SB 2004 - Nice wine. Good penetration, full of vigour.
Oyster Bay Chard 2004 - Sharp and tarty, brought up fr the Steel Tank? I prefered my Chard with some malo.
Pavie 1995 - Diluted, tannic, fruits diminishing.
Clos Les Lunelles 2002 - Fantastic wine fr Pearse otherwise known as the poor man Pavie. Black as ink. Layers of flavours and finish very long.
W.Blass Platinun Cab 2000 - the worst Platinum I had. Sweet and syrupy, no real structure. $30 perhaps a fairer price...
W.Blass Black Label 1998 - Thousand times better, tons of fruits, tannins, timber in abundant. Lucious and decantly rich.
Penfolds 707 1996 - This is the real Cab after the 2 imposter. Excellent typicity, Cassis, minty with a whiff of leafiness. Still tight and tannic and will benefit fr time in the cellar.
Elderton Command 99 - Slightly off bt. Heat affected. Judgement reserved.
Arakoon Doyen 2001 - Big strong and gutsy. This ain't iron fist in a velvet glove. It's a slugfest with bare knuckles...
Antinori Brunello Pian delle Vigne 1999 - Not too bad for an Italian to stand up against some OZ bruisers. Elegant but intense.
Pavie 2001 - A revelation after the earlier lucklustre 1995 vintage. Concentrated, ripe, lush and the satinny texture was heavenly.
Noon Eclipse 2002 - My 1st tasting of the 2002 Eclipse. Darker than squid ink, once swallowed I'm speechless. Everything is there, aromatics, palate and lenght. It's the best Eclipse I ever had and simply the most enjoyable wine for the entire evening.
There were more wines flowing but unfortunately my treshold has been breached.....
He opened his wine fridge and told me, "Ask and ye shall be given..."
Oyster Bay SB 2004 - Nice wine. Good penetration, full of vigour.
Oyster Bay Chard 2004 - Sharp and tarty, brought up fr the Steel Tank? I prefered my Chard with some malo.
Pavie 1995 - Diluted, tannic, fruits diminishing.
Clos Les Lunelles 2002 - Fantastic wine fr Pearse otherwise known as the poor man Pavie. Black as ink. Layers of flavours and finish very long.
W.Blass Platinun Cab 2000 - the worst Platinum I had. Sweet and syrupy, no real structure. $30 perhaps a fairer price...
W.Blass Black Label 1998 - Thousand times better, tons of fruits, tannins, timber in abundant. Lucious and decantly rich.
Penfolds 707 1996 - This is the real Cab after the 2 imposter. Excellent typicity, Cassis, minty with a whiff of leafiness. Still tight and tannic and will benefit fr time in the cellar.
Elderton Command 99 - Slightly off bt. Heat affected. Judgement reserved.
Arakoon Doyen 2001 - Big strong and gutsy. This ain't iron fist in a velvet glove. It's a slugfest with bare knuckles...
Antinori Brunello Pian delle Vigne 1999 - Not too bad for an Italian to stand up against some OZ bruisers. Elegant but intense.
Pavie 2001 - A revelation after the earlier lucklustre 1995 vintage. Concentrated, ripe, lush and the satinny texture was heavenly.
Noon Eclipse 2002 - My 1st tasting of the 2002 Eclipse. Darker than squid ink, once swallowed I'm speechless. Everything is there, aromatics, palate and lenght. It's the best Eclipse I ever had and simply the most enjoyable wine for the entire evening.
There were more wines flowing but unfortunately my treshold has been breached.....
Purple Tongue
-
Bobsi
Hi Chow Chow....Some big wines tasted there. How would you say the Wolf Blass Black is doing for time? Would you say its in its peak? Most notes I read dont give any Black labels a big time frame.
Would you say theres room for improvement in the Eclipse given its only 02? Have some of these but have not tried any yet.
Would you say theres room for improvement in the Eclipse given its only 02? Have some of these but have not tried any yet.
-
Guest
Hi Bobsi,
The Black Label is drinking well now, why wait?... but it can last. How long I don't know. Structurally it's still firm and intact.
The NOON Eclipse is amazingly lush, it has got better stuffings than the 2001 which I adored. The trouble with wines like this is I love the attack of the primary fruits when young. No doubt u will get better texture, integration, 2ndary nuances with extended cellaring but the earlier virtues might have been subdue.
The Black Label is drinking well now, why wait?... but it can last. How long I don't know. Structurally it's still firm and intact.
The NOON Eclipse is amazingly lush, it has got better stuffings than the 2001 which I adored. The trouble with wines like this is I love the attack of the primary fruits when young. No doubt u will get better texture, integration, 2ndary nuances with extended cellaring but the earlier virtues might have been subdue.
Just impressions from the last fortnight or so...
1991 Wynns John Riddoch - Quite a bit lighter in colour than recent 1994s. Good structure with very deep seated fruit. A little dumb on the nose, the flavour profile is pure John Riddoch, but this lacks the length, weight and complexity (concentration!) of the truly great vintages. More breathing may have helped a little; this was consumed over two hours, and the last glass was the best...the very fine gravelly tannins just starting to show. Very Good/Excellent, nonetheless. The 1994 remains my favourite JR. Will this one get any better? Hard to say, though it's certainly not going down hill.
2001 The Willows Shiraz - Good weight, length and structure begging to be cellared...alas, this is my last of a half dozen. As usual, it shows it's atypical flavour profile for a Barossan; nutmeg, cinnamom, cardamom, dry chocolately vanilla and some pine needle, all under dark cherry and deep red fruits. Very enjoyable and highly interesting. Very Good, will settle down but I can't see much in the way of further complexity, it's already there.
1999 Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz - Over two days. Very much McLaren Vale. Big, but not huge. Has the fruit weight to wrestle with Dead Arm (worst pun of the week!), but not the structure. I think I'm going to leave the rest of these alone for a while, this bottle still seemed incoherent, elemental. Dark purple heart and a nice puddle of fine sediment together with good improvement with 24 hours of air suggests that this is a medium to long termer. Don't drink yet, I think. Very Good.
2000 Greenock Creek Alice's Shiraz - A shadow of the 2001. A shame, as the 2000 Apricot Block is a very good effort. Elegant and silky, but not quite enough substance to really hit the spot. Very Noice, Pretty Good.
2001 Kay Brothers Amery Shiraz - Corked...you bastard. My last bottle and the first corked one. Doh! More like a very ordinary Cabernet than a good Shiraz, we have green pepper/capsicum notes and biting acid. Drinkable for a corked wine, though. Hmmm. Not Rated.
2001 Haselgrove H Shiraz - Mmmm...what a mouthful. Big, rich, plush, concentrated, 'fluffy' tannins, great length...slutty!
...just lets it all hang out. Dark, creamy predominantly blue but also red fruits, mocha, chocolate and a big dollop of vanilla icecream. More than Very Good, this will benefit from a little time, may even channel some class from somewhere. Sad to see the marque leave.
1994 Wynns Cabernet Saugvignon (Black Label) - Two bottles on different nights, both showing much better than the last few. Strawberry, cherry, raspberry (deep and subtle, definitely not sickly sweet!) very good length, and the tannins are starting to integrate nicely. This may be Excellent in time, but for now it's a Very Good.
A few other bottles, some forgotten, some not; 2001 Alice's was itself, hasn't moved. A planned 1970 Mouton wasn't opened cause we were too pissed by that time
but thankfully not enough to just have at it, phew! 1996 Leasingham Bin 61 had lovely balance and is ready right now. 2000 Privelli Merlot was Excellent, with great structure after a good bit of air, nice length too, a top Australian merlot; would love to try another vintage, and am happy to have more of it. 2002 Sherwood Estate Reserve Chambourcin was surpringly pleasant, with some 
wait for it, Pomerol-ey! characteristics. Will trick somebody with it if ever I get to an offline 2003 Kalleske Greenock Creek (in the name of science) was just like a better Turkey Flat, wow! 2002 Journey's End The Beginning Shiraz is testiment to the fact that even Halliday can have a bad day...and should be shot 
Happy Drinking,
Jakob
1991 Wynns John Riddoch - Quite a bit lighter in colour than recent 1994s. Good structure with very deep seated fruit. A little dumb on the nose, the flavour profile is pure John Riddoch, but this lacks the length, weight and complexity (concentration!) of the truly great vintages. More breathing may have helped a little; this was consumed over two hours, and the last glass was the best...the very fine gravelly tannins just starting to show. Very Good/Excellent, nonetheless. The 1994 remains my favourite JR. Will this one get any better? Hard to say, though it's certainly not going down hill.
2001 The Willows Shiraz - Good weight, length and structure begging to be cellared...alas, this is my last of a half dozen. As usual, it shows it's atypical flavour profile for a Barossan; nutmeg, cinnamom, cardamom, dry chocolately vanilla and some pine needle, all under dark cherry and deep red fruits. Very enjoyable and highly interesting. Very Good, will settle down but I can't see much in the way of further complexity, it's already there.
1999 Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz - Over two days. Very much McLaren Vale. Big, but not huge. Has the fruit weight to wrestle with Dead Arm (worst pun of the week!), but not the structure. I think I'm going to leave the rest of these alone for a while, this bottle still seemed incoherent, elemental. Dark purple heart and a nice puddle of fine sediment together with good improvement with 24 hours of air suggests that this is a medium to long termer. Don't drink yet, I think. Very Good.
2000 Greenock Creek Alice's Shiraz - A shadow of the 2001. A shame, as the 2000 Apricot Block is a very good effort. Elegant and silky, but not quite enough substance to really hit the spot. Very Noice, Pretty Good.
2001 Kay Brothers Amery Shiraz - Corked...you bastard. My last bottle and the first corked one. Doh! More like a very ordinary Cabernet than a good Shiraz, we have green pepper/capsicum notes and biting acid. Drinkable for a corked wine, though. Hmmm. Not Rated.
2001 Haselgrove H Shiraz - Mmmm...what a mouthful. Big, rich, plush, concentrated, 'fluffy' tannins, great length...slutty!
...just lets it all hang out. Dark, creamy predominantly blue but also red fruits, mocha, chocolate and a big dollop of vanilla icecream. More than Very Good, this will benefit from a little time, may even channel some class from somewhere. Sad to see the marque leave.
1994 Wynns Cabernet Saugvignon (Black Label) - Two bottles on different nights, both showing much better than the last few. Strawberry, cherry, raspberry (deep and subtle, definitely not sickly sweet!) very good length, and the tannins are starting to integrate nicely. This may be Excellent in time, but for now it's a Very Good.
A few other bottles, some forgotten, some not; 2001 Alice's was itself, hasn't moved. A planned 1970 Mouton wasn't opened cause we were too pissed by that time
but thankfully not enough to just have at it, phew! 1996 Leasingham Bin 61 had lovely balance and is ready right now. 2000 Privelli Merlot was Excellent, with great structure after a good bit of air, nice length too, a top Australian merlot; would love to try another vintage, and am happy to have more of it. 2002 Sherwood Estate Reserve Chambourcin was surpringly pleasant, with some wait for it, Pomerol-ey! characteristics. Will trick somebody with it if ever I get to an offline 2003 Kalleske Greenock Creek (in the name of science) was just like a better Turkey Flat, wow! 2002 Journey's End The Beginning Shiraz is testiment to the fact that even Halliday can have a bad day...and should be shot
Happy Drinking,
Jakob
-
Guest
Anonymous wrote:Hi Bobsi,
The Black Label is drinking well now, why wait?... but it can last. How long I don't know. Structurally it's still firm and intact.
The NOON Eclipse is amazingly lush, it has got better stuffings than the 2001 which I adored. The trouble with wines like this is I love the attack of the primary fruits when young. No doubt u will get better texture, integration, 2ndary nuances with extended cellaring but the earlier virtues might have been subdue.
Tried a Black about a year ago and it was great but not in its peak yet {IMO}. I will wait mainly because I dont drink wines like this every day and will need to have the right occasion.
Seems like getting the Eclipse in the middle might be the ultimate time for it. Hope I can get some 04's when the time comes should be a cracker? I loved the 01 but only had 1 bottle.
Smidge Wines “Le Grenouille†Merlot 2003 - Ruby red in colour. Aromas of peppers, plum and berries with a hint of supporting oak in the background. The palate is strongly fruit driven with more berry flavours and spice. Excellent complexity and balance between fruit, oak and tannin throughout the length of the wine. Very good and a superb match for food.
On Saturday the following were the pick of the bunch at a tasting at First Estate in Lane Cove focusing on the Barossa and Adelaide Hills.
Henschke Lenswood Abbots Prayer Merlot 2001 - A blend of 86% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Wonderfully structured and a long, smooth, satisfying length through to the finish. Set to develop very nicely over the next 4-5 years.
Saltram No. 1 Shiraz 2001 - Quite soft and smooth, with well integrated tannin structure. It delivers good length and a balance that allows this to be approachable at an early stage of development.
Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2004 - This wine is immaculately sculpted and exhibits lemon and lime characteristics over a well formed mineral backing. This is only going to get better over the next 10 years.
Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2001 - I was surprised to find this here, since they wouldnÂ’t let me try it at the cellar door last year. Obvious American oak treatment, but not overpowering. Quite a strong, complex aroma and palate of cassis and berries, with a hint of smoky pepper. DoesnÂ’t disappoint on the finish with a persistent length.
Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Very good balance between fruit and oak. A wine that will pair well with food. Excellent value for money.
On Saturday the following were the pick of the bunch at a tasting at First Estate in Lane Cove focusing on the Barossa and Adelaide Hills.
Henschke Lenswood Abbots Prayer Merlot 2001 - A blend of 86% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Wonderfully structured and a long, smooth, satisfying length through to the finish. Set to develop very nicely over the next 4-5 years.
Saltram No. 1 Shiraz 2001 - Quite soft and smooth, with well integrated tannin structure. It delivers good length and a balance that allows this to be approachable at an early stage of development.
Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2004 - This wine is immaculately sculpted and exhibits lemon and lime characteristics over a well formed mineral backing. This is only going to get better over the next 10 years.
Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2001 - I was surprised to find this here, since they wouldnÂ’t let me try it at the cellar door last year. Obvious American oak treatment, but not overpowering. Quite a strong, complex aroma and palate of cassis and berries, with a hint of smoky pepper. DoesnÂ’t disappoint on the finish with a persistent length.
Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Very good balance between fruit and oak. A wine that will pair well with food. Excellent value for money.