Hoy u- this is important - drinkin' reports due...

[RedVelvet]

Last weeks efforts.

1990 Elderton Neil Ashmead Cabernet Merlot

Unfortunately this wine had an unusual nose of rubber, tar and the palate had long since lost its fruit leaving only spearmint and alcohol. Very disappointing.

1998 Basedows Barossa Chardonnay

Unfortunately this wine I think had suffered Heat Stroke at some stage. A little tart on the palate when first poured and deteriated very quickly. One for the sink in this instance.

1976 Tyrells Vat 11 Dry Red

The label on this bottle stated: “will require long term cellaring” unfortunately when opened and decanted the wine appeared very cloudy and earth in color, the nose stank of band aid. We were very excited about tasting this wine but sadly it was another one for the sink.

1995 Mitchellton Print Shiraz

Juicy berry purple/crimson in color, very aromatic with violets, cedar and rose petal emerging from the bottle. The palate was smooth and concentrated with black currant, a touch of spice and mulberry finishing firm and persistent. Graceful wine and very enjoyable.

1996 Wolf Blass Brown Label Classic Shiraz

Ruby red in color, a nose of spice, blackberry and plums. The palate smooth and long with black pepper, stewed plums, blackberry and lovely peppery medium to long finish. I really enjoyed this wine as I have done a number of times in the past. One of my favourite mid range wines that I would recommend to anyone.

1998 Taltarni Cabernet

Still very youthful, purple crimson in color. Very blackcurrant on the nose and palate, cassis and a touch of vanilla. Quite enjoyable and easily quaffable.

2000 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz

Dark Crimson in color, floral and ripe berry aromas emerging from the bottle, this was an elegant and well structured wine, white pepper, green leaf and blackberry with fine grainy tannin structure. Very approachable right now and one of the best shiraz I have tasted from the 2000 vintage.

An interesting week of wines even if a few did go down the sink!

[Craig(NZ)]

1998 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge

Seems a few people have been popping off various vintages of this.

I really enjoyed this wine deep blackcurrent with a lacing of mintiness, big fragrant, and quite restrained and defined.

Early days but still very enjoyable

[Jordan]

1998 Tatachilla Foundation:

Have a feeling this may have been at its peak about 2 years ago. Did not drink like a $50 bottle

Had my last one in June 2004 and paid $35 a bottle. But yours does sound like a non representative bottle.

Happy to say my Father paid for it (joy of still living at home ) and may have to doubt his cellaring conditions (and hence mine!) He still has a couple of bottles left and hope this was just bottle variation!

[Hypnotoad]

This is my first post (been lurking for a while but have heeded the call to arms)- I usually drink wines in the $8 - $15 range due to financial constraints and wines don't usually last long enough around my place to be cellared due to my lack of patience more than anything

I am not very technical when it comes to tastings so expect anything too much from my posts

This week I have had:

2003 Seppelt Victorian Shiraz - I really like this wine. I think that it is great value for the money - especially when it was available for $10 a bottle a few weeks ago.

2003 Glaetzner (sp?) Wallace Shiraz Grenache - Got given this bottle and didn't like it much. Had a strange greeny minty taste in it which put me right off it.

2003 Rochford Victorian Shiraz - at $10 from getwinesdirect this is great drinking for the price. Very easy drinking and nicely balanced.

[Maximus]

1998 Tatachilla Foundation:

Have a feeling this may have been at its peak about 2 years ago. Did not drink like a $50 bottle

Had my last one in June 2004 and paid $35 a bottle. But yours does sound like a non representative bottle.

Guys,

Have you tried the '01 yet? I tried this a fortnight ago and thought it was sensational. Initially closed on the nose, but rich, tasty and a super treat in the mouth with great texture too. Finish was long and the nose was just starting to blossom as I devoured my last drop from the bottle... shows lots of promise and given it's a $40 wine, I'll give it another try and if it shows as well, I'll be buying a six pack to put down.

Consequently, I tried the '99 which I can still source over here and it wasn't in the same league at the '01. However, it was opened, vacuumed, stoppered, double decanted, then stoppered and vacuumed again over the course of 3-4 days and, surprisingly, it drank best on the final night.

Cheers,

[Maximus]

2003 Seppelt Victorian Shiraz - I really like this wine. I think that it is great value for the money - especially when it was available for $10 a bottle a few weeks ago.

Ht,

I'm in full agreement with you there. Easily my best sub $15 wine to date, either the '02 or the '03, and would give a lot of shiraz at $20+ a run for their money. If I was living in Oz, I'd have a couple of cases on hand and make this my quaffer.

By the way, welcome to the forum. Look forward to your continued input.

Cheers,

[Adair]

NV Bollinger (Special Cuvee) - 12%
Great bead. Creamy. Harmonious, complex and very pretty. Nothing sharp. Yeast, esters, dough, white flowers, lime, all balanced and very fine. A wonderful little Champagne. Young but ready to go. 18.5/20, 94/100.

2002 Ashbrook Estate Chardonnay – 15%
A bit too much unbridled power for my liking, but has some excellent facets. 17/20, 90/100.

2002 Wendouree Muscat of Alexandria - 14.5%
A little bigger than the 2000/2001 version and better for this given the good structure of these wines. Similar interesting flavours, pineapple and apricot, and interplay with the fine spirit that many do not appreciate, but that does not matter as I do. Depth, length and unique character. I might buy some more. 17.8/20, 92/100.

Adair