New Cabs and Shiraz on the Great Barrier Reef

[Ardeis]

Just returned from a 10 day fishing adventure out of Cairns on the GBR.
Loaded up a half case of reds to test out. All wines tasted under highly regulated standards: plastic charterboat wine glasses and paired with whatever the cook had decided to put together each evening.



2002 Mitolo "Serpico" Cabernet (McLaren Vale): Produced in the amarone tradition of racking. Inky octopus color. Plums and raisins dominate but don't overwhelm. Some beets (why do Aussies like beets on their hamburgers, anyway?) then a hefty dose of new oak, and phenols (this baby clocks in at 15% Etoh). Far from integrated. Needs heaps of time but with lots of potential to become quite interesting. B+

2000 Zema "Family Estate" Cabernet: Very faint nose. Dark purple, almost the color of night. A lighter weight style compared to the majority of Australian cabs I encounter. Sweet boysenberries, black cherries and celery on Day 2. B+

2001 Majella Coonwarra Cabernet: Nicely intertwined blend of red berries and black cherries with a sprinkle of cinnamon and anise. A bit more intergrated than the two previous, but still some disconnect with the tannins. Surprisingly moderately balanced at this point. Day 2 showing a thick core of dusty currants and tannins more integrated. B++

2000 Katnook Coonwarra Cabernet: Fruitful jammy nose. Rich deep flavors of currants, plus semi-sweet chocoalte. Fairly well balanced. None remained to try on Day 2. A-

2001 Ulithorn Shiraz <sp>: Big red label with an "X" on it. Highly recommended by a wineshop in Sydney. Brutal amounts of cedar and pepper. Like having the waiter tending the peppermill crank it several times right on your tongue! No different Day 2. Not my style. C-

2001 Kaesler Barossa "Old Vines" Shiraz: From 1961 plantings. Dusty mature grapes much like one finds from Rutherford often. Picking up notes of clay and bayleaves. Then gradually gaining weight with plums and seasalt. A mocha finish. Two bottles tasted with consistent notes each time. A-

2001 Miranda Reisling "High Country": Lemon grass and celery with a bit of tartness. C

2001 Two Hands Shiraz "Lily's Garden": Lush brandied plums (is there such a thing?) deep in the middle with nicely rounded edges on both front and back. Soft black pepper and vanilla finish. A

Until next year's fishing trip, your humble wine servant.....

Ardeis in Tampa
And the fishing was not bad....8 marlin raised, all released in good shape. A few medium wahoo and several oceanic tuna made for excellent sashimi.

[Gavin Trott]

Just returned from a 10 day fishing adventure out of Cairns on the GBR.
Loaded up a half case of reds to test out. All wines tasted under highly regulated standards: plastic charterboat wine glasses and paired with whatever the cook had decided to put together each evening.



2002 Mitolo "Serpico" Cabernet (McLaren Vale): Produced in the amarone tradition of racking. Inky octopus color. Plums and raisins dominate but don't overwhelm. Some beets (why do Aussies like beets on their hamburgers, anyway?) then a hefty dose of new oak, and phenols (this baby clocks in at 15% Etoh). Far from integrated. Needs heaps of time but with lots of potential to become quite interesting. B+

2000 Zema "Family Estate" Cabernet: Very faint nose. Dark purple, almost the color of night. A lighter weight style compared to the majority of Australian cabs I encounter. Sweet boysenberries, black cherries and celery on Day 2. B+

2001 Majella Coonwarra Cabernet: Nicely intertwined blend of red berries and black cherries with a sprinkle of cinnamon and anise. A bit more intergrated than the two previous, but still some disconnect with the tannins. Surprisingly moderately balanced at this point. Day 2 showing a thick core of dusty currants and tannins more integrated. B++

2000 Katnook Coonwarra Cabernet: Fruitful jammy nose. Rich deep flavors of currants, plus semi-sweet chocoalte. Fairly well balanced. None remained to try on Day 2. A-

2001 Ulithorn Shiraz <sp>: Big red label with an "X" on it. Highly recommended by a wineshop in Sydney. Brutal amounts of cedar and pepper. Like having the waiter tending the peppermill crank it several times right on your tongue! No different Day 2. Not my style. C-

2001 Kaesler Barossa "Old Vines" Shiraz: From 1961 plantings. Dusty mature grapes much like one finds from Rutherford often. Picking up notes of clay and bayleaves. Then gradually gaining weight with plums and seasalt. A mocha finish. Two bottles tasted with consistent notes each time. A-

2001 Miranda Reisling "High Country": Lemon grass and celery with a bit of tartness. C

2001 Two Hands Shiraz "Lily's Garden": Lush brandied plums (is there such a thing?) deep in the middle with nicely rounded edges on both front and back. Soft black pepper and vanilla finish. A

Until next year's fishing trip, your humble wine servant.....

Ardeis in Tampa
And the fishing was not bad....8 marlin raised, all released in good shape. A few medium wahoo and several oceanic tuna made for excellent sashimi.

Hello Ardeis

Glad you enjoyed both, the wines and the fishing trip, sounds like it was great fun.

[Tom A]

Like your style Ardeis,

Who said you can't enjoy a decent size red with seafood???


TA

[Davo]

Mmmmmmmm!

Fresh sashimi, Wahoo steaks and a bottle of plonk. Paradise.

Sounds like a great trip.

[TORB]

I saw the comment

"Fresh sashimi, Wahoo steaks and a bottle of plonk. Paradise.

Sounds like a great trip"

and knew who it would be from without even seeing who had posted it.

[Guest]

[

b]2001 Ulithorn Shiraz <sp>:[/b] Big red label with an "X" on it. Highly recommended by a wineshop in Sydney. Brutal amounts of cedar and pepper. Like having the waiter tending the peppermill crank it several times right on your tongue! No different Day 2. Not my style. C-

Disappointed to hear this as I bought a couple also on the high recommendation of a wine vendor I thoroughly respect. Has anyone else tried it? Suggested drinking window?

Cheers

Andy

[Gavin Trott]

[

b]2001 Ulithorn Shiraz <sp>:[/b] Big red label with an "X" on it. Highly recommended by a wineshop in Sydney. Brutal amounts of cedar and pepper. Like having the waiter tending the peppermill crank it several times right on your tongue! No different Day 2. Not my style. C-

Disappointed to hear this as I bought a couple also on the high recommendation of a wine vendor I thoroughly respect. Has anyone else tried it? Suggested drinking window?

Cheers

Andy

Hello

I may be the vendor

or not.

Either way, I really like the wine and did not find huge pepper at all, sophisticated and well made McLaren Vale Shiraz.

[Guest]

Hello

I may be the vendor

or not.

Either way, I really like the wine and did not find huge pepper at all, sophisticated and well made McLaren Vale Shiraz.

[/quote][/quote]

Thanks Gavin,

I guess I will have to crack one and make my own mind up.

Cheers

Andy