This really belongs on WLDG (where it's posted) but I thought it'd be useful here as well...
Just for the record, here are some notes from the offline dinner held recently in celebration of Robin Garr’s short sojourn in Sydney; at the home of Kris ‘Bacchaebabe’, whose birthday it was, thus providing a joint reason for celebration. Keen to stem the tide of opinion that all wine flowing from Australian vineyards is in the form of oaky alcoholic stewed raspberry smoothies, and to give Robin some more exposure to local treasures (other than those already presented by his fellow judges at the Sydney Top 100 competition), all stops were pulled out by forum regulars & partners Kris & Lisa, PLCB & Pete, fred & Suzie, Muscat Mike, Junior, and Judith & me. We began with a foreigner, however, as the local industry makes nothing like
<b>1990 Bollinger Grand Annee (Champagne)</b>
Certainly yeasty, but not stale in any way, with a creamy fine mousse, and a long warm finish. A big wine, but not clumsy or gauche in any way.
On the other hand, thereÂ’s very little coming from France that resembles
<b>1990 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz (Great Western)</b>
A generally earthy & spicy nose – the generous might perhaps allow a smidgin of bitter chocolate. Some slightly aged leathery notes on the palate, but still quite rich with fine bead, and attractive weight & balance. A few more years won’t hurt…
<b>1986 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Lovedale Semillon (Hunter)</b>
A light golden colour, this does have a little note of oxidation about it, but mostly shows smoked honey aromas with a pleasant oiliness on the palate. Wonderfully persistent and very drinkable. I wouldnÂ’t expect any further positive development, thoughÂ…
<b>1970 Lindemans Bin 4110 ‘Burgundy’ [Shiraz] (Hunter)</b>
Glowing light brick-red. Soft leathery nose. Classic Hunter, but in a good wayÂ…! Earthy characters are not over the top, although I donÂ’t find much overt fruit character remaining. Satin-smooth on the palate, itÂ’s very even across the tongue, warm and gentle, with a finish of medium length. Not in any obvious danger of falling over, either, even after some time in the glass.
<b>1983 Lindemans Bin 6600 ‘Burgundy’ [Shiraz] (Hunter)</b>
Not the ‘Classic Release’, as the previous wine was, but a magnum stored from new by fred. Still a very deep red colour, it showed rich spice and red earth notes – some development, but absurdly young for 20 years old. Not massively ‘sweaty’ at all, but a bold medium/large-bodied wine singing at its peak. There’s fresh acid, little obvious tannin, but many hard-to-pin-down nuances of development. Many years left in this bottle.
<b>2000 Mitchelton ‘Airstirp’ Marsanne (Goulburn Valley)</b>
A solid yellow, this presents a caramel & almond nose with almost a hint of botrytis and woody spice. Expecting sugar on the palate, the surprise comes when this wine finishes startlingly dry, with an acidic, yet thick-textured wooliness. Very unusual indeed, heightened by some 16%abv. Almost like a bastard cross between a fino sherry and a Muscat-de-Baume-de-Venise, itÂ’s most unusual, and an apt palate-cleanser or aperitif.
<b>2003 [Grosset-Yalumba] Mesh Eden Valley Riesling</b>
Pale straw, this wine (under screwcap, of course) is all powerful lime & lemon on the nose. The acid positively dances on the palate, with spritzig freshness and a wonderfully persistent finish. Super wine.
<b>1997 TyrrellÂ’s Belford Semillon (Hunter)</b>
Labelled ‘Trade Sample OnlyÂ’ and apparently about to be released at retail; I donÂ’t know how this differs, if at all, from the wine TyrrellÂ’s released to their Private Bin mail list back in 1997 as “Vat 18Ââ€Â. Anyway, this wine is carried by what almost seems to me a touch of residual sugar, some hight honey aromas, and soft clean acid. ItÂ’s fresh and clean, eminently drinkable, and probably less than 11% alcohol.
<b>1997 Wendouree Cabernet-Malbec (Clare)</b>
Very dark wine, ridiculously young after the previous offerings of the evening, this wine has strong eucalypt (maybe even menthol) aromas. The palate is dominated by fine yet powerful, persistent tannins. It is quite mouth-filling, large and long, but thankfully not hot on the finish. Needs time.
<b>1963 DowÂ’s VP</b>
Lifted alcoholic nose with liquorice and chocolate notes follow through on the palate with a pleasing warmth and long rich finish. What a young, attractive wine!
<b>1963 Sandeman VP</b>
Much lighter and less forward than Dow’s, this has choco-strawberry aromas, and warm alcoholic palate which lacks the sophistication of the other wine. Attractive in a lighter vein, it’s not falling over yet by any means, as opposed to some of the guests at the dinner , no, no, I’m just joking. A wonderful time was had by all – maybe we’re setting a precedent for offlines away from restaurants. It’s hard to beat a home BBQ, glasses and decanters all lined up, cellar near to hand in case the TCA demon strikes. Thanks to all concerned, and we look forward to next time.
Cheers,
Graeme
TN: Sydney offline - old Hunter & Robin Garr
Wow Graeme, nice lineup and nice notes!
We had the 1970 Lindemans last week at a dinner, and it also showed quite well, I was amazed how well it was holding and the siky smoothness stood out for me too. This was my TN for it (it was served blind):
And on to the first dry red. A dense colour, but very brick red and orange rimmed. On the palate this is a rich, soy master stock, savoury mouthful with a "pastry" like note in the taste. Amazingly silky, supple palate structure, and firm tannic finish. I thought Barossa shiraz with age, but no, its the 1970 Lindemans Hunter River Burgundy (Classic Release).
cheers
Andrew
We had the 1970 Lindemans last week at a dinner, and it also showed quite well, I was amazed how well it was holding and the siky smoothness stood out for me too. This was my TN for it (it was served blind):
And on to the first dry red. A dense colour, but very brick red and orange rimmed. On the palate this is a rich, soy master stock, savoury mouthful with a "pastry" like note in the taste. Amazingly silky, supple palate structure, and firm tannic finish. I thought Barossa shiraz with age, but no, its the 1970 Lindemans Hunter River Burgundy (Classic Release).
cheers
Andrew
Andrew,
The 'oil' from Celia was that the Wine Society bought up enormous (all?) quantities of the 1970 Classic release, so presumably they've spent most of their life cellared at Lindemans. Certainly the label on my bottle was in extremely good condition - I would guess it was applied in the late eighties sometime, perhaps?
This 1970 was considerably better to drink than the HRB from 1973 (forget Bin no) that I had in 2002. I guess some years got, and some years don't!
cheers,
Graeme
The 'oil' from Celia was that the Wine Society bought up enormous (all?) quantities of the 1970 Classic release, so presumably they've spent most of their life cellared at Lindemans. Certainly the label on my bottle was in extremely good condition - I would guess it was applied in the late eighties sometime, perhaps?
This 1970 was considerably better to drink than the HRB from 1973 (forget Bin no) that I had in 2002. I guess some years got, and some years don't!
cheers,
Graeme
-
PLCB
The good oil
...might have been rancid. Sorry 'bout that, but I actually think the wine we bought was the 1970 00 Reserve, not the Classic Release. Apologies for the confusion, but it *was* a long time ago !!
Cheers, Celia
Cheers, Celia
Murray wrote:Typically the Lindemans classic releases have special labelling; lately it's been a gold overembossing, but has also taken other forms as well.
I can confirm that the last two releases I have had of the Classic release are wrapped in tissue paper and have gold writing diagonally across the label.
Anyone know when the next Classic Release is? I havent seen one for two or three years.
michel
International Chambertin Day 16th May