A fairly AFW, the highlight was a 98 Jasper Georgia's Paddock perfumed nose,nice expression of fruit all in all a good wine.
Also drank/shared a 97 Belgraves haut-Medoc ok but not a good as the Jasper,02 Daniel Shuster(sic) pinot ok but didnt ring any bells, a Celtic farm Muscat ok to quaff and not think about, a Cambells Merchant Prince very nice. A 77 Dows which was a good port.
Of concern was a 97 Armagh big full red/purple in colour,the nose seemed to close if anything after a hour in the decanter(I used a breath-easy),blackfruits,a fair whack of oak,some savoury tomatoe bush like nuances,soft powdery tannins longish finish a ok to good wine poor VFM and I doubt it will get anybetter. Also opened a 98 a little later, similar discriptors riper fruit, and a better wine but again I doubt its ability to cellar for the long haul. Any notes comments appreciated.
Cheers
Peter
Wines this week.?
Re: Wines this week.?
peterk wrote: A 77 Dows which was a good port. Cheers Peter
Hey, 1977 Dows should have been better than just good, the 77s I've had have been excellent. Was this a well cellared bottle?
Cheers - Steve
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!
Max,
As this post has been started, we may as well use it now. One wine that I had that impressed me was the Eden Springs 2000 Shiraz. The impressive thing about this wine is that it was clean as a whistle, pure fruit was the dominant feature and gun barrel straight on the palate. It is a refined, mid-weight wine and everyting it should be with nothing there that shouldn't be. A joy to drink. Pristine blackberry, dominates the earthy mushroom and milk chocolate flavours that are supported by tannins that have softened nicley; a good food wine, it is rated as Highly Recommended.
As this post has been started, we may as well use it now. One wine that I had that impressed me was the Eden Springs 2000 Shiraz. The impressive thing about this wine is that it was clean as a whistle, pure fruit was the dominant feature and gun barrel straight on the palate. It is a refined, mid-weight wine and everyting it should be with nothing there that shouldn't be. A joy to drink. Pristine blackberry, dominates the earthy mushroom and milk chocolate flavours that are supported by tannins that have softened nicley; a good food wine, it is rated as Highly Recommended.
Last edited by TORB on Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
1999 Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet/Merlot
A bit of a blot on a normally reliable copybook. The Elspeth range normally offers good value, but this year the Cab/Merlot was clearly under-ripe. Very Herbal with pepper & peppers, tannins still present but fruit is disappearing out of sight (if it was ever there).
so instead of finishing this, we opened a:
1993 Ornellaia, DOCG Bolgheri (I think), Tuscany by way of celebration of being able to escape the clutches of British Telecom and take the land-line to a proper provider (rather than a privitised dinosaur).
Claret in hue, with some fading at the edge (not quite orange/brown, but heading that way). Some herbal, green pepper & woody notes, though less pronounced in the herbaceousness than the MR Elspeth. Quite a complex savoury palate in keeping with the nose, this time with supporting fruit (hurrah!). A good length, complex finish, with acidity just about right & softened tannins. Opened up a little over an hour or so, so initial reaction improved
Overall a good wine, but maybe not the best vintage. Paid £35-£40 in Amsterdam (much cheaper than UK for some reason).
Ian
A bit of a blot on a normally reliable copybook. The Elspeth range normally offers good value, but this year the Cab/Merlot was clearly under-ripe. Very Herbal with pepper & peppers, tannins still present but fruit is disappearing out of sight (if it was ever there).
so instead of finishing this, we opened a:
1993 Ornellaia, DOCG Bolgheri (I think), Tuscany by way of celebration of being able to escape the clutches of British Telecom and take the land-line to a proper provider (rather than a privitised dinosaur).
Claret in hue, with some fading at the edge (not quite orange/brown, but heading that way). Some herbal, green pepper & woody notes, though less pronounced in the herbaceousness than the MR Elspeth. Quite a complex savoury palate in keeping with the nose, this time with supporting fruit (hurrah!). A good length, complex finish, with acidity just about right & softened tannins. Opened up a little over an hour or so, so initial reaction improved
Overall a good wine, but maybe not the best vintage. Paid £35-£40 in Amsterdam (much cheaper than UK for some reason).
Ian
Odds and sods from the week:
Tahbilk Rousanne 04: This has moved along nicely in 8 months. Now lemon butter palate, with some of the banana and fruit salad notes from before. The acid now plays a neat role making this crisp and bracing without being too zingy. There is also a coffee/citrus note on the finish, that reminds me of some dark belgian beers. A very nice drink now, 87/100
Arakoon JJ's Shiraz 02: Clarendon, 15.0% Alcohol. From a single barrel, only 10 dozen released. Just as well. Dark purple red colour. Nose is red fruits surprisingly and a sherbetty tingle, but then a tsunami of chocolate and coffee, and some lift abiut it as well. The thick legs in the glass give away the 15% alcohol. The palate? Chocolate, oak, alcohol. Some confectionary and plum in the background Tannins fine but persistent. This has seen some good oak, but not enough fruit to support it and the alcohol heat is intrusive. I dont tip too many down the sink but this was very hard to drink. 70-74/100.
Woodstock VP 94: 375ml bottls. Had two of these this week. In hindsight one might have been slightly corked. The other was very sweet, icing sugar like palate, Brandy spirit, double sars. Pleasant enough. 85/100
Coriole Sangiovese 04: At a restaurant. Very much a new world sangiovese. Lovely purple colour, varietal sour cherry, and also some plum and oak char, with a sweetness on the palate that Coriole seem to get. best example of this line I've seen, but the italians still do it better, without the plump palate and the sweetness (try the Peppoli, chianti classico i tinhk, for below $20). 87/100
Tatachilla Cabernet 98: This is a bit of orright! Decanted 1 hour. Nose is slightly volatile, EA like. The palate is a whole different story. Juicy blackberry, licorice, just a tiny streak of leaf, cedar, and some forest floor and a touch of menthol. Tannins start at the front of the mouth - clearly Cabernet - and continue on through the palate and express as chewy. Clearly warm climate. Reasonable length, medium intensity. Not a classic style, but lovely balance and a top drinking right now. 90/100
Also some 03 Wirra Wirra Church Block which was hot on the palate and hard to drink (not up to the 02), and also some local muck from the Burnett region while I was visiting Kingaroy through the week. Hideous.
cheers
Andrew
Tahbilk Rousanne 04: This has moved along nicely in 8 months. Now lemon butter palate, with some of the banana and fruit salad notes from before. The acid now plays a neat role making this crisp and bracing without being too zingy. There is also a coffee/citrus note on the finish, that reminds me of some dark belgian beers. A very nice drink now, 87/100
Arakoon JJ's Shiraz 02: Clarendon, 15.0% Alcohol. From a single barrel, only 10 dozen released. Just as well. Dark purple red colour. Nose is red fruits surprisingly and a sherbetty tingle, but then a tsunami of chocolate and coffee, and some lift abiut it as well. The thick legs in the glass give away the 15% alcohol. The palate? Chocolate, oak, alcohol. Some confectionary and plum in the background Tannins fine but persistent. This has seen some good oak, but not enough fruit to support it and the alcohol heat is intrusive. I dont tip too many down the sink but this was very hard to drink. 70-74/100.
Woodstock VP 94: 375ml bottls. Had two of these this week. In hindsight one might have been slightly corked. The other was very sweet, icing sugar like palate, Brandy spirit, double sars. Pleasant enough. 85/100
Coriole Sangiovese 04: At a restaurant. Very much a new world sangiovese. Lovely purple colour, varietal sour cherry, and also some plum and oak char, with a sweetness on the palate that Coriole seem to get. best example of this line I've seen, but the italians still do it better, without the plump palate and the sweetness (try the Peppoli, chianti classico i tinhk, for below $20). 87/100
Tatachilla Cabernet 98: This is a bit of orright! Decanted 1 hour. Nose is slightly volatile, EA like. The palate is a whole different story. Juicy blackberry, licorice, just a tiny streak of leaf, cedar, and some forest floor and a touch of menthol. Tannins start at the front of the mouth - clearly Cabernet - and continue on through the palate and express as chewy. Clearly warm climate. Reasonable length, medium intensity. Not a classic style, but lovely balance and a top drinking right now. 90/100
Also some 03 Wirra Wirra Church Block which was hot on the palate and hard to drink (not up to the 02), and also some local muck from the Burnett region while I was visiting Kingaroy through the week. Hideous.
cheers
Andrew
Not much going on.
2000 MOUNT PLEASANT Elizabeth Semillon-Hunter Valley
I'm a collector and a fan. Golden hay colour. Lovely white fruits on the nose, quite fragrant. Loosely knit palate, a little unfocused. Not as concentrated as the excellent 1999 and the acid profile nowhere near as good as the 1997. A good little wine for AU$13 but not outstanding.
2003 ZILZIE Merlot
The colour is bright ruby. Too light for a serious red wine. The nose has excellent fragrant Merlot notes. Raspberry with a hint of black cherries. Definitely authentic and quite good merlot for AU $16. A tasty, medium bodied wine with good fruit definition. A little short on the finish. As a bistro wine, drink it now or over the next 2-3 years.
Cheers,
Attila
2000 MOUNT PLEASANT Elizabeth Semillon-Hunter Valley
I'm a collector and a fan. Golden hay colour. Lovely white fruits on the nose, quite fragrant. Loosely knit palate, a little unfocused. Not as concentrated as the excellent 1999 and the acid profile nowhere near as good as the 1997. A good little wine for AU$13 but not outstanding.
2003 ZILZIE Merlot
The colour is bright ruby. Too light for a serious red wine. The nose has excellent fragrant Merlot notes. Raspberry with a hint of black cherries. Definitely authentic and quite good merlot for AU $16. A tasty, medium bodied wine with good fruit definition. A little short on the finish. As a bistro wine, drink it now or over the next 2-3 years.
Cheers,
Attila
Got to look at some great Spanish wines:
Roda 2 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha from '96, '99' '00 and '01 with '01 the obvious standout great vintage.
Roda 1 a straight Tempranillo from '95, '99, '00 and '01 again the 2001 is a belter but the '95 just pipped it....a lovely wine.
Roda Cirsion from '01 and '03 were both fantastic....the '01 justifies its heafty pricetag and has power and depth with an amazing ripe tannin structure. The '03 is, as you would expect from this hot vintage...bloody ripe and in the vein of a Northern Rhone or Barbaresco.
Also St Henri 1999 on Friday night.....lovely drinking
Domaine Sauveroy Rose de Loire 2003 - very good with redcurrants, strawberries and herbs....great food wine.
Cave de Truckheim Riesling Reserve 2003 - very good, ripe with some botrytis characters evident and nice mineral notes.
Some Syrah's from the Languedoc which were very good also and a Domaine de la Janesse Terre de Bussiere Vdp de la Principaute D'Orange which was a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache and is super value for under $20.
Cheers
Dave
Roda 2 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha from '96, '99' '00 and '01 with '01 the obvious standout great vintage.
Roda 1 a straight Tempranillo from '95, '99, '00 and '01 again the 2001 is a belter but the '95 just pipped it....a lovely wine.
Roda Cirsion from '01 and '03 were both fantastic....the '01 justifies its heafty pricetag and has power and depth with an amazing ripe tannin structure. The '03 is, as you would expect from this hot vintage...bloody ripe and in the vein of a Northern Rhone or Barbaresco.
Also St Henri 1999 on Friday night.....lovely drinking
Domaine Sauveroy Rose de Loire 2003 - very good with redcurrants, strawberries and herbs....great food wine.
Cave de Truckheim Riesling Reserve 2003 - very good, ripe with some botrytis characters evident and nice mineral notes.
Some Syrah's from the Languedoc which were very good also and a Domaine de la Janesse Terre de Bussiere Vdp de la Principaute D'Orange which was a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache and is super value for under $20.
Cheers
Dave
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Hi all,
2 wines of note:
Browns of Padthaway 2001 Ernest Shiraz
Previous few bottles were showing old and tired fruit and balance was almost sent to auction. Friday's bottle was just beautiful with lovely fresh fruit and other components in balance. I hope stelvin and other non cork seals will reduce or eliminate bottle variation.
Wendouree 1992 Shiraz.
A surprise at a friend's place last night for a "simple" kitchen table dinner. Whilst it was a good wine I think it reflects the general quality of this vintage in SA. You could tell that with good fruit it would be great. Still a pleasure to experience a well cellared bottle.
Chuck.
2 wines of note:
Browns of Padthaway 2001 Ernest Shiraz
Previous few bottles were showing old and tired fruit and balance was almost sent to auction. Friday's bottle was just beautiful with lovely fresh fruit and other components in balance. I hope stelvin and other non cork seals will reduce or eliminate bottle variation.
Wendouree 1992 Shiraz.
A surprise at a friend's place last night for a "simple" kitchen table dinner. Whilst it was a good wine I think it reflects the general quality of this vintage in SA. You could tell that with good fruit it would be great. Still a pleasure to experience a well cellared bottle.
Chuck.
Last edited by Chuck on Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
TORB wrote:Hi Andrew,
I agree with you about the 98 Tatachilla Cabernet and only have a few of my six pack left, having drunk the balance over the last nine months or so. The 98 Shiraz is also just as good, but as I bought a dozen of those, there are plenty left.
Bloody good everyday drinking wine!
Yes, the Cab is coming on better than I expected, I'm down to my last couple.
The Shiraz showed very nicely in a lineup of 98 Shiraz we did last year. I also took one to dinner on Friday night and we didn't open it: straight to the hosts cupboard.
2002 Murray Street Vineyards Barossa Valley CSM Cinsaut Shiraz Marsanne: Dark to inky red/purple colour. A floral and yet meaty/funky nose that with breathing becomes sweeter, developing those rich classic Barossa chocolate characters. The mid-weight palate features slender, briary/tangy red fruits, some chocolate with breathing, and quite noticeable tannins on the finish. This is definitely a food orientated wine, and somewhat reflects the exciting enthusiasm and experimental nature of the crew of Murray Street Vineyards at Greenock in their first year of existence.
2005 Kabminye Barossa Valley White Frontignac (Screwcap): Very pale straw/green colour, almost colourless. A beautiful, floral and spicy nose that falls somewhere in between a Riesling and Gewurztraminer; slightly yeasty, with bubblegum, lime blossom, lychees, and touches of dry herbs, mineral, and green apples. Likewise the palate opens with a sweet burst of fruit, with lychees, lime, bubblegum and green apple, and a fine tannin structure and lingering sweet fruit that cries out for a Thai Green Curry or Pesto to match.
1997 De Bortoli Vat 5 Deen Botrytis Semillon (375ml): Viscous, dark amber colour with an olive hue. A deep, complex, nutty bouquet of figs, dried flowers and herbs, butter, some toast and lemon marmalade. The palate is almost a mirror image of the bouquet, opening with sweet apricots followed by nutty/butter with a touch of fig/herbs mid-palate, finishing very long and nutty with traces of toast and marmalade. This little gem is only made when there’s sufficient quality fruit left over from the Noble One (the next vintage is 2002), and at about half the price the QPR is fantastic.
Cheers
Ian
2005 Kabminye Barossa Valley White Frontignac (Screwcap): Very pale straw/green colour, almost colourless. A beautiful, floral and spicy nose that falls somewhere in between a Riesling and Gewurztraminer; slightly yeasty, with bubblegum, lime blossom, lychees, and touches of dry herbs, mineral, and green apples. Likewise the palate opens with a sweet burst of fruit, with lychees, lime, bubblegum and green apple, and a fine tannin structure and lingering sweet fruit that cries out for a Thai Green Curry or Pesto to match.
1997 De Bortoli Vat 5 Deen Botrytis Semillon (375ml): Viscous, dark amber colour with an olive hue. A deep, complex, nutty bouquet of figs, dried flowers and herbs, butter, some toast and lemon marmalade. The palate is almost a mirror image of the bouquet, opening with sweet apricots followed by nutty/butter with a touch of fig/herbs mid-palate, finishing very long and nutty with traces of toast and marmalade. This little gem is only made when there’s sufficient quality fruit left over from the Noble One (the next vintage is 2002), and at about half the price the QPR is fantastic.
Cheers
Ian
Last edited by n4sir on Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
My last 1998 Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa) was very fruity, a kind of blueberry & soy milkshake. Still dark in colour, it has a big soft velvety palate, not especially complex. Ripe, warm but not hot, I guess it has a few years to go, but I find the acid very soft. Was a lousy match with a pasta dish, would have been way better with barbequed fillet.
2001 Tahbilk Marsanne (Nagambie)
Still pale, but presenting some lemon/wax aromas. Just past the first flush of youth - acid has softened a little, the palate has picked up some honey. Delicate but persistent, wants another 3-4 years for a little more personality.
cheers,
Graeme
2001 Tahbilk Marsanne (Nagambie)
Still pale, but presenting some lemon/wax aromas. Just past the first flush of youth - acid has softened a little, the palate has picked up some honey. Delicate but persistent, wants another 3-4 years for a little more personality.
cheers,
Graeme
Majella 2000 Cabernet: This wine impressed with the way the tannins had mellowed and the whole wine has now come together.
Of the wines I've had recently from 2000, this is one of the better ones. On the whole I find 2000 to be a fair vintage (so far) in my limited experience. And with a bit of bottle age, my wife occasionally has a glass of red.
Of the wines I've had recently from 2000, this is one of the better ones. On the whole I find 2000 to be a fair vintage (so far) in my limited experience. And with a bit of bottle age, my wife occasionally has a glass of red.
Ciao,
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
Re: Wines this week.?
707 wrote:peterk wrote: A 77 Dows which was a good port. Cheers Peter
Hey, 1977 Dows should have been better than just good, the 77s I've had have been excellent. Was this a well cellared bottle?
Hi Steve
Good port means bloody good port,It came from your neck of the woods Tanunda Cellars.
Cheers
peter