I might be late but its still Sunday......
I might be late but its still Sunday......
So what have you all been drinking? I have just got back from Rutherglen and the Yarra so there will be lots to rport in thecoming weeks, buy in the meantime, tell us what you have all been drinking.
Various wines during the week, mostly whites and pinots but also a '99 Wyndham Show Reserve Shiraz that wasn't all bad.
Travelled out to Wanaka yesterday with two mates and popped into Rippon cellar door while we were there. As far as I know, they are the only biodynamically certified vineyards in Central Otago, and their vineyard is meant to be the most photographed in the southern hemisphere, the lake and mountains backdrop truly spectacular.
It was only a very brief visit, so no tasting notes unfortunately. The riesling was quite average; more a flat mineral water that lacked any flavour or aromatic appeal. The chardonnay (2001 vintage and their last - vines have since been pulled out) had a very pongy nose and for a minute there I thought it could have been corked (yes, it was sealed under cork back then). The gewurz had an inherent muskiness on the nose and wasn't terribly fruit driven, although still the better of the tasted whites.
I didn't get the chance to try their young vines pinot, but I did try the '03 and '01 pinots which were nice. I didn't get chills and constricted capillaries, but they were just enjoyable wines with the older one displaying more depth and varietal character. Finished off with a treat that Jim, the cellar door man, pulled from the fridge given I was last person at cellar door for the day.
The 2000 La Nina, a late harvest botrytis riesling, is made only when ideal climatic conditions enable the noble rot to form ('99 and '00 were such years). This was truly fantastic stuff, a nose that demands respect and requires an intimate and extended session of appreciation, which I couldn't provide in entirety on the day. Mango, kiwifruit, honeysuckle and passionfruit were quickly recognised in our brief union, along with a tiny hint of kero that doesn't belie the identity of the grape. It's complex and distinctive, with more hidden within its depths. The supreme texture sees a fluid mat form inside the mouth that the tongue sets about excavating, with treacle similarities and a delicious finish. Super stuff, it's up there with some of the Sauternes' I've tried. Comes in a 500ml bottle and will set you back $80.
Cheers,
Travelled out to Wanaka yesterday with two mates and popped into Rippon cellar door while we were there. As far as I know, they are the only biodynamically certified vineyards in Central Otago, and their vineyard is meant to be the most photographed in the southern hemisphere, the lake and mountains backdrop truly spectacular.
It was only a very brief visit, so no tasting notes unfortunately. The riesling was quite average; more a flat mineral water that lacked any flavour or aromatic appeal. The chardonnay (2001 vintage and their last - vines have since been pulled out) had a very pongy nose and for a minute there I thought it could have been corked (yes, it was sealed under cork back then). The gewurz had an inherent muskiness on the nose and wasn't terribly fruit driven, although still the better of the tasted whites.
I didn't get the chance to try their young vines pinot, but I did try the '03 and '01 pinots which were nice. I didn't get chills and constricted capillaries, but they were just enjoyable wines with the older one displaying more depth and varietal character. Finished off with a treat that Jim, the cellar door man, pulled from the fridge given I was last person at cellar door for the day.
The 2000 La Nina, a late harvest botrytis riesling, is made only when ideal climatic conditions enable the noble rot to form ('99 and '00 were such years). This was truly fantastic stuff, a nose that demands respect and requires an intimate and extended session of appreciation, which I couldn't provide in entirety on the day. Mango, kiwifruit, honeysuckle and passionfruit were quickly recognised in our brief union, along with a tiny hint of kero that doesn't belie the identity of the grape. It's complex and distinctive, with more hidden within its depths. The supreme texture sees a fluid mat form inside the mouth that the tongue sets about excavating, with treacle similarities and a delicious finish. Super stuff, it's up there with some of the Sauternes' I've tried. Comes in a 500ml bottle and will set you back $80.
Cheers,
Max
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
Jacobs Creek Limited Shiraz Cab 2001 - Nice mint fruit and very good length.
Wolf Blass Presidents shiraz 2002 - Too much oak, fruit sitting way back. Just OK.
Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2002 - Much more balance than presidents, very nice but needs a few years down I think
Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2002 - Good but tasted straight away after opening the screwcap, needed air time to settle and soften. Good fruit.
BB Patricia Noble Reisling 2002 - Very nice, delishious infact.
Taylors St Andrews Riesling 1996 - Wow never been into whites much at all but this was a great experience. Sweet floral complex nose and palate with no sweetness but great depth of flavour and complex lime / butter / honey. I now understand the fuss about good Clare riesling with a bit of bottle age, this was great.
Bin 28 1998 - A very good wine had on many occasions but feel it is maybe going through a shut down phase and will not open another for a few years yet. Will be very good in time I feel / hope as it's all there.
Wolf Blass Presidents shiraz 2002 - Too much oak, fruit sitting way back. Just OK.
Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2002 - Much more balance than presidents, very nice but needs a few years down I think
Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2002 - Good but tasted straight away after opening the screwcap, needed air time to settle and soften. Good fruit.
BB Patricia Noble Reisling 2002 - Very nice, delishious infact.
Taylors St Andrews Riesling 1996 - Wow never been into whites much at all but this was a great experience. Sweet floral complex nose and palate with no sweetness but great depth of flavour and complex lime / butter / honey. I now understand the fuss about good Clare riesling with a bit of bottle age, this was great.
Bin 28 1998 - A very good wine had on many occasions but feel it is maybe going through a shut down phase and will not open another for a few years yet. Will be very good in time I feel / hope as it's all there.
A rare sociable weekend, out friday & entertaining saturday - this is my 1st quiet point of the weekend.
Friday (with South African friends)
Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc (S. Africa)
Pleasant quaffer
KWV 1980 Port (S. Africa)
Now tawny in colour, and I'm told just a tad beyond peak. Spirit poked out a bit but stunning value for the SA price paid (c. AU$12-15)
Allesveloren Port (S. Africa)
Younger wine, but again great value at slightly cheaper price
Masi Passo Doble 2003 Argentina
Didn't get to try this, but the "brains of the operation" thought it was a bit young & not showing as good as the previous 99 & 00 vintages had been. We'll hold the remaining 2-3 bottles for a year more before trying again.
Saturday (Wine tasting circle, tasting eclectic wines from a merchant who occasionally joins us)
I'll write up leter the
Sandemans Oloroso
Ladoix 1er Cru
Cabades
Rully
St Emilion Grand Cru
Sauternes
Port
Digestive
+ Cloudy Bay Noble Riesling
Ian
Friday (with South African friends)
Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc (S. Africa)
Pleasant quaffer
KWV 1980 Port (S. Africa)
Now tawny in colour, and I'm told just a tad beyond peak. Spirit poked out a bit but stunning value for the SA price paid (c. AU$12-15)
Allesveloren Port (S. Africa)
Younger wine, but again great value at slightly cheaper price
Masi Passo Doble 2003 Argentina
Didn't get to try this, but the "brains of the operation" thought it was a bit young & not showing as good as the previous 99 & 00 vintages had been. We'll hold the remaining 2-3 bottles for a year more before trying again.
Saturday (Wine tasting circle, tasting eclectic wines from a merchant who occasionally joins us)
I'll write up leter the
Sandemans Oloroso
Ladoix 1er Cru
Cabades
Rully
St Emilion Grand Cru
Sauternes
Port
Digestive
+ Cloudy Bay Noble Riesling
Ian
1999 Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir (Otago)
Lugged back home from a trip to the Cloudy Isle in 2001. A distinct flash of onion skin was a worrying sign in the colour, and although the 'correct' aromas were in evidence; cherries, a little game, minimal stalkiness - it was hardly the 'big' wine that the back label promised. Seemed quite well structured, although the tannins are very soft now, but the finish faded away disappointingly quickly. It shouldn't have to be big to be persistent. Had there been some more complexity or interest about any secondary development I would be more positive. As it was, I'd say a well made pinot of reasonable ripeness, indistinct personality, and no great persistence. If the '15-20 year' life claim of the back label is to be believed, I'm clearly missing something here!
cheers,
Graeme
Lugged back home from a trip to the Cloudy Isle in 2001. A distinct flash of onion skin was a worrying sign in the colour, and although the 'correct' aromas were in evidence; cherries, a little game, minimal stalkiness - it was hardly the 'big' wine that the back label promised. Seemed quite well structured, although the tannins are very soft now, but the finish faded away disappointingly quickly. It shouldn't have to be big to be persistent. Had there been some more complexity or interest about any secondary development I would be more positive. As it was, I'd say a well made pinot of reasonable ripeness, indistinct personality, and no great persistence. If the '15-20 year' life claim of the back label is to be believed, I'm clearly missing something here!
cheers,
Graeme
GrahamB wrote:Metala Original (Black label) 1998
First one of these for about two years. Just beautiful. I could drink a lot more of this.
Graham, I agree, the Black labels are just wonderful and they become incredibly delicious with some age on them.
Cheers
-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
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-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
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Baby Chickpea
- Posts: 582
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:17 pm
Passing Clouds Reserve Shiraz 2000. Beautiful wine. All berries, coffee, cloves. Smooth and long. Lovely wine. Had it with lamb souvlakia.
Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 1998. Delicious wine. Strong, earthy tones. Cherries and earth. Could almost taste the terroir. Certainly no wimp in the pinot stakes, but a moreish wine which was gone not long after it was opened. Had it with a home made spaghetti meatballs.
Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 1998. Delicious wine. Strong, earthy tones. Cherries and earth. Could almost taste the terroir. Certainly no wimp in the pinot stakes, but a moreish wine which was gone not long after it was opened. Had it with a home made spaghetti meatballs.
Let the kids out!
Not just the last week, but a few had recently.
98 Orlando LawsonÂ’s Shiraz.
Great wine, explosive fruit, big and concentrated. Excellent. I loved it.
96 Bannockburn Chardonnay (Magnum)
A recent auction purchase, and I doubt it had been cellared well. Nonetheless it was a good wine but from a good cellar would be a lot better. This bottle was moving to that golden colour indicating it was ready to be drunk now,
03 Red Hill Pinot
This is nearly as good a bargain as was the 2002 Coldstream Hills Pinot. Lovely drink now wine, good aromas and fruit, I liked it a lot.
Bindi range
How good is the Bindi Pinot! Excellent wines, just need a bit of time to reach their best. Older wines are drinking superbly now.
01 Ingoldby Shiraz
Cheap and delivers way above its price, very good wine, drinking well now but will cellar foe a few more years yet.
01 Diamond Valley Blue Label Pinot
Getting to the end of these and they are much better now then when released. Very good mid range Pinot but I donÂ’t think the price is justifiable for these now.
01 Gembrook Hill Pinot
A Shiraz drinkerÂ’s pinot, very big. I liked it, albeit in a different style.
04 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay
Great value Chardonnay, lovely crisp, clean wine, perfect for that warm summer day.
03 Katnook Estate Chardonnay
Very good wine, a tad better than the Hoddles.
03 Liebich Leverett Shiraz – again
Love this wine, drinking so well now, should cellar it but just keep pulling the corks! Big, concentrated, juicy, flavoursome, canÂ’t go wrong here.
98 Richard Hamilton Centurion Shiraz
It surprised me with its spicy complexity. I wasnÂ’t expecting too much from this, but it was fantastic. Good length and finish, this will also cellar for many years, but given its quality, I donÂ’t know if mine will last.
97 Orlando Centenary Hills Shiraz
Had a shocker recently, so to give it the benefit of the doubt had another and it was very good, but not a wine those averse to oak will like, because itÂ’s still showing plenty of timber. Like music, I enjoy variety in wine, including at times oak. I donÂ’t like un-oaked chardonnay for example. This wine still has good fruit concentration and is easily recognisable as Barossan, I really liked it.
96 Goundry Reserve Cabernet
The only vintage I ever purchased and IÂ’m very glad I did. Great wine and incredibly youthful, itÂ’s defying ageing. Ever so slight capsicum traces but nothing to detract from the excellent fruit here. Very enjoyable.
03 Richard Hamilton Hut Block Cabernet
Bought as a tester – and great value for money Cab. Loads of ripe, flavoursome fruit, no greenness about it at all, give it a couple of years in the cellar and enjoy the rewards, nothing overly complex but for the price, excellent. I’m buying.
01 Richmond Grove Barossa Shiraz
I think it’s got ‘Limited Release’ on the label? Another in your face Barossa Shiraz. Plenty of oak influence here, real or a few added chips? It not a complex, refined or in any way elegant Shiraz and it could still benefit from another couple of years in the cellar, but it was good, I enjoyed it in the ‘quaffing’ category.
98 Shottesbrook Eliza Shiraz
Deliberately opened this last night remembering Ric and BrianÂ’s poor reviews recently. My take isnÂ’t as harsh as you two guys. Perhaps I was expecting a shocker, but it wasnÂ’t, it drank OK. Nothing spectacular about this wine, but by the same token, there was absolutely nothing terribly wrong with it, in fact it was enjoyable. Though considering it was $30 on release, perhaps it should deliver a bit more.
98 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz
I donÂ’t think IÂ’m ever going to be a Seppelt Shiraz fan! I just canÂ’t get into them as others do. This was nice but given the option I would drink similar priced SA Shiraz any day. I liked the Eliza more.
98 Orlando LawsonÂ’s Shiraz.
Great wine, explosive fruit, big and concentrated. Excellent. I loved it.
96 Bannockburn Chardonnay (Magnum)
A recent auction purchase, and I doubt it had been cellared well. Nonetheless it was a good wine but from a good cellar would be a lot better. This bottle was moving to that golden colour indicating it was ready to be drunk now,
03 Red Hill Pinot
This is nearly as good a bargain as was the 2002 Coldstream Hills Pinot. Lovely drink now wine, good aromas and fruit, I liked it a lot.
Bindi range
How good is the Bindi Pinot! Excellent wines, just need a bit of time to reach their best. Older wines are drinking superbly now.
01 Ingoldby Shiraz
Cheap and delivers way above its price, very good wine, drinking well now but will cellar foe a few more years yet.
01 Diamond Valley Blue Label Pinot
Getting to the end of these and they are much better now then when released. Very good mid range Pinot but I donÂ’t think the price is justifiable for these now.
01 Gembrook Hill Pinot
A Shiraz drinkerÂ’s pinot, very big. I liked it, albeit in a different style.
04 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay
Great value Chardonnay, lovely crisp, clean wine, perfect for that warm summer day.
03 Katnook Estate Chardonnay
Very good wine, a tad better than the Hoddles.
03 Liebich Leverett Shiraz – again
Love this wine, drinking so well now, should cellar it but just keep pulling the corks! Big, concentrated, juicy, flavoursome, canÂ’t go wrong here.
98 Richard Hamilton Centurion Shiraz
It surprised me with its spicy complexity. I wasnÂ’t expecting too much from this, but it was fantastic. Good length and finish, this will also cellar for many years, but given its quality, I donÂ’t know if mine will last.
97 Orlando Centenary Hills Shiraz
Had a shocker recently, so to give it the benefit of the doubt had another and it was very good, but not a wine those averse to oak will like, because itÂ’s still showing plenty of timber. Like music, I enjoy variety in wine, including at times oak. I donÂ’t like un-oaked chardonnay for example. This wine still has good fruit concentration and is easily recognisable as Barossan, I really liked it.
96 Goundry Reserve Cabernet
The only vintage I ever purchased and IÂ’m very glad I did. Great wine and incredibly youthful, itÂ’s defying ageing. Ever so slight capsicum traces but nothing to detract from the excellent fruit here. Very enjoyable.
03 Richard Hamilton Hut Block Cabernet
Bought as a tester – and great value for money Cab. Loads of ripe, flavoursome fruit, no greenness about it at all, give it a couple of years in the cellar and enjoy the rewards, nothing overly complex but for the price, excellent. I’m buying.
01 Richmond Grove Barossa Shiraz
I think it’s got ‘Limited Release’ on the label? Another in your face Barossa Shiraz. Plenty of oak influence here, real or a few added chips? It not a complex, refined or in any way elegant Shiraz and it could still benefit from another couple of years in the cellar, but it was good, I enjoyed it in the ‘quaffing’ category.
98 Shottesbrook Eliza Shiraz
Deliberately opened this last night remembering Ric and BrianÂ’s poor reviews recently. My take isnÂ’t as harsh as you two guys. Perhaps I was expecting a shocker, but it wasnÂ’t, it drank OK. Nothing spectacular about this wine, but by the same token, there was absolutely nothing terribly wrong with it, in fact it was enjoyable. Though considering it was $30 on release, perhaps it should deliver a bit more.
98 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz
I donÂ’t think IÂ’m ever going to be a Seppelt Shiraz fan! I just canÂ’t get into them as others do. This was nice but given the option I would drink similar priced SA Shiraz any day. I liked the Eliza more.
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Andrew Jordan
- Posts: 792
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 11:53 am
- Location: Sydney
GrahamB wrote:
Metala Original (Black label) 1998
First one of these for about two years. Just beautiful. I could drink a lot more of this.
Graham, I agree, the Black labels are just wonderful and they become incredibly delicious with some age on them.
Mark/Graham,
Great to hear this one is drinking nicely. Have a few in the cellar and this note has reminded me to try one soon.
Graham, any ideas if this has peaked yet??
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
AJ
Cabernet is ... and will always be ... KING!
AJ
Cabernet is ... and will always be ... KING!
Rockford Riesling 2003 - a nice effort. rec/good
Rockford Alicante Bouchet 2005 - very enjoyable on a hot brisvegas day. A little sweet at first, but enough savoury and interesting aftertastes to really enjoy it. H.rec/v.g
Penfolds Bin389 1995 - needed a little time to air. Still a little fruit there, but drying out. Great balance. Went well with BBQ steak. Won't get any better & the last of a 6pack. What a great wine this is/was when it was affordable. H.rec/v.g
Cheers,
Parb
Rockford Alicante Bouchet 2005 - very enjoyable on a hot brisvegas day. A little sweet at first, but enough savoury and interesting aftertastes to really enjoy it. H.rec/v.g
Penfolds Bin389 1995 - needed a little time to air. Still a little fruit there, but drying out. Great balance. Went well with BBQ steak. Won't get any better & the last of a 6pack. What a great wine this is/was when it was affordable. H.rec/v.g
Cheers,
Parb
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bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Well, I'm on the antibiotics again which has once more resulted in my tastebuds going haywire and all wine (and coffee) tasting metallic and bitter. Thus no notes, just what was drunk and comments by others. Last time this happened I went to Claude's for dinner and couldn't enjoy about $700 worth of my own wine. This time I went to Tetsuya's but the wine cost wasn't quite so damaging. Food is fine - it's just the wine - has anyoen else had this experience?
Anyway, at a friend's on Wednesday, a 99 Greenock Creek Cab Sav. This tasted particularly hideous to me as I really couldn't drink it but around the table everybody was commenting on how good it was and 3 days later my girlfriend commented once more how good it was with lots of blackcurrent.
At Tets on Thursday NV Lanson Rose Champagne Corked
Would you believe it? Embarrassed myself in front of the sommelier by insisting it was fine as it was fresh as, when she asked if we'd like to taste it. Once tasted though, it was clearly corked. Clearly corked on the nose, not so bad on the palate but very corked on the aftertaste. Funny thing is that this was the only wine that didn't taste bitter and metallic to me. 
99 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling Really awful and bitter to me - don't know why I bothered really. Everyone else was loving it and a good match for the abundant courses of seafood.
03 Noble One How can something be sweet and bitter at the same time? Well, Lisa loved this and couldn't get enough. Quite a golden colour now but by all accounts drinking quite well right now.
Anyway, at a friend's on Wednesday, a 99 Greenock Creek Cab Sav. This tasted particularly hideous to me as I really couldn't drink it but around the table everybody was commenting on how good it was and 3 days later my girlfriend commented once more how good it was with lots of blackcurrent.
At Tets on Thursday NV Lanson Rose Champagne Corked
Would you believe it? Embarrassed myself in front of the sommelier by insisting it was fine as it was fresh as, when she asked if we'd like to taste it. Once tasted though, it was clearly corked. Clearly corked on the nose, not so bad on the palate but very corked on the aftertaste. Funny thing is that this was the only wine that didn't taste bitter and metallic to me.
99 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling Really awful and bitter to me - don't know why I bothered really. Everyone else was loving it and a good match for the abundant courses of seafood.
03 Noble One How can something be sweet and bitter at the same time? Well, Lisa loved this and couldn't get enough. Quite a golden colour now but by all accounts drinking quite well right now.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Had a few bits and pieces but most notable was a bottle of 1979 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon a friend took out of his dad's cellar - I was pretty sure it would have well past its prime, the nose was all alcoholic and scotchy and not my cup of tea... still always interesting tasting aged bottles..
www.yum.org.au
food, drink and life in western australia
food, drink and life in western australia
Some nice gear over the week-end:
1994 Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon Mid yellow. Nice rich straw nose but not nuts or lime etc. Quite a rich palate and just tending to broadness. if you have some I would drink over the next couple of years. Very nice for a hottish year hunter.
1998 Franco Martinetti Minaia, Gavi [Piedmonte] Superb green/pale gold colour. Lifted french oak nose with some fruit hints (cross between chardonnay and semillon - although the actual grape is cortese). Fresh fairly full palate with very good length and richness. Nice acid. needs a couple of years for the oak to fully integrate. Very good today, possibly excellent in future.
1996 Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep rich red colour. Big wine and for the first hour lacked both variety and any regionality. Just a big oz red. The fruit richness seemd to have smothered any typicity. Thankfully with more airing some cassis and blaclberry fruits. Lacked though any Coonawarra minitness or minerality. For my palate too big for a Coonawarra. Nice as an oz red. Disappointing for a Coonawarra.
1998 Felton Road Pinot Noir Very lifted nose. Lots of crushed geranium leaves and red berries. Some foresty noted but no earth. Palate not the fireworks of the nose. A bit short intially, but lengthened somewhat with air. Fruit was waning and just lacked a bit of silkiness and complexity. Excellent for nose but justgood for palate. proabably atits peak a couple of years ago. Oh well.
1997 Produttori Del Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo, Barbaresco [Piedmont] My first from a recent auction buy. Mid red . Much more ethereal nose than the Felton Road. Lots of soft rose perfume with hints of black cherry. Lovely just mid weight palate. Very linear palate with great length and persistence. Still some tannins and nice fruit to ensure it will be hitting its straps in 2007 and beyond. Lovely with a mushroom rissotto. Excellent.
2003 Nugan Estate KLN Vineyard Botrytis Semillon [Riverina] Palish to mid yellow. Heaps of apricot on the nose and palate. Lots oflength and thankfully no VA burn on either the nose ofr palate. Yummy now and for a couple of years -- but drink before the fruit flattens. Not thatcomplex but lots of fun. Very good to excellent.
Cheers
Paul
.
1994 Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon Mid yellow. Nice rich straw nose but not nuts or lime etc. Quite a rich palate and just tending to broadness. if you have some I would drink over the next couple of years. Very nice for a hottish year hunter.
1998 Franco Martinetti Minaia, Gavi [Piedmonte] Superb green/pale gold colour. Lifted french oak nose with some fruit hints (cross between chardonnay and semillon - although the actual grape is cortese). Fresh fairly full palate with very good length and richness. Nice acid. needs a couple of years for the oak to fully integrate. Very good today, possibly excellent in future.
1996 Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep rich red colour. Big wine and for the first hour lacked both variety and any regionality. Just a big oz red. The fruit richness seemd to have smothered any typicity. Thankfully with more airing some cassis and blaclberry fruits. Lacked though any Coonawarra minitness or minerality. For my palate too big for a Coonawarra. Nice as an oz red. Disappointing for a Coonawarra.
1998 Felton Road Pinot Noir Very lifted nose. Lots of crushed geranium leaves and red berries. Some foresty noted but no earth. Palate not the fireworks of the nose. A bit short intially, but lengthened somewhat with air. Fruit was waning and just lacked a bit of silkiness and complexity. Excellent for nose but justgood for palate. proabably atits peak a couple of years ago. Oh well.
1997 Produttori Del Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo, Barbaresco [Piedmont] My first from a recent auction buy. Mid red . Much more ethereal nose than the Felton Road. Lots of soft rose perfume with hints of black cherry. Lovely just mid weight palate. Very linear palate with great length and persistence. Still some tannins and nice fruit to ensure it will be hitting its straps in 2007 and beyond. Lovely with a mushroom rissotto. Excellent.
2003 Nugan Estate KLN Vineyard Botrytis Semillon [Riverina] Palish to mid yellow. Heaps of apricot on the nose and palate. Lots oflength and thankfully no VA burn on either the nose ofr palate. Yummy now and for a couple of years -- but drink before the fruit flattens. Not thatcomplex but lots of fun. Very good to excellent.
Cheers
Paul
.
bacchaebabe wrote:Well, I'm on the antibiotics again... Food is fine - it's just the wine - has anyoen else had this experience?
Yes, absolutely. I go so far as to stop drinking altogether during colds, flus and medicinal courses, I have found that eveything tastes crap, odd or just plain different and I can't appreciate it.
Cheers
-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
Still recovery from a minor nose operation from the week before last so my impressions may be a bit out of wack.
Peterson Armidale Shiraz 2000 Ruby red, nose of white pepper spice and plums, light to medium body with good balance. Pepper, plums and spice on the palate, this wine is nicley integrated and drinking well. Don't think it would last at all but makes a pleasant quaffer. Might be one to watch as the vines gain some age. Typical Petersons fineses in wine making.
Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 2002 Picked up a dozen for xmas bubbles can't see it lasting past new year. Fantastic QPR.
Wynns Shiraz 2000, Wynns Cab Shiraz Merlot 2002, Jamiesons Run Cab Sav 2002 All consumed at Saturdays BBQ and all lived up to the task well, nothing outstanding though.
Peterson Armidale Shiraz 2000 Ruby red, nose of white pepper spice and plums, light to medium body with good balance. Pepper, plums and spice on the palate, this wine is nicley integrated and drinking well. Don't think it would last at all but makes a pleasant quaffer. Might be one to watch as the vines gain some age. Typical Petersons fineses in wine making.
Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 2002 Picked up a dozen for xmas bubbles can't see it lasting past new year. Fantastic QPR.
Wynns Shiraz 2000, Wynns Cab Shiraz Merlot 2002, Jamiesons Run Cab Sav 2002 All consumed at Saturdays BBQ and all lived up to the task well, nothing outstanding though.
Winner of the inaugural RB cork-count competition
Runner up RB-NTDIR competition
Runner up TORB TN competition
Leave of absence second RB c-c competition
Runner up RB-NTDIR competition
Runner up TORB TN competition
Leave of absence second RB c-c competition
. If the '15-20 year' life claim of the back label is to be believed, I'm clearly missing something here
Seems to have a reputation as one of the most overpriced pinots in the country. I bought a couple of the 96 on what must have been a pricing mistake ($24). The first bottle was very simple. The second was excellent.
But really its a label that is hardly even considered by most kiwi wine fans I know - so so overpriced $100+
As fo me, recovering from xmas parties all I had was a glass of 2000 Firstland Cabernet Merlot. Hardly a great label, but this wine certainly displayed some of the charm of the vintage, integrating well, ripe and warm. Shows good complexity and for a NZ quaffer its pretty damn good.
C.
Craig(NZ) wrote:. If the '15-20 year' life claim of the back label is to be believed, I'm clearly missing something here
Seems to have a reputation as one of the most overpriced pinots in the country. I bought a couple of the 96 on what must have been a pricing mistake ($24). The first bottle was very simple. The second was excellent.
But really its a label that is hardly even considered by most kiwi wine fans I know - so so overpriced $100+
C.
Hi Craig,
I gather from a recent Iverson trip report of WLDG that they quickly baulked at the current NZ$150 asking price for this wine! My bottle cost NZ$65, and was actually purchased from a restaurant in Fox who let me take it away unopened! We matched it with the purchase of a 2000 Reserve PN at CD - just weeks after it (the '00) won some grand London trophy. Still got the 2000 - might give it a few more years out of interest. I agree that many better pinots are available elsewhere for much less $$.
cheers,
Graeme
Andrew Jordan wrote:GrahamB wrote:
Metala Original (Black label) 1998
First one of these for about two years. Just beautiful. I could drink a lot more of this.
Graham, I agree, the Black labels are just wonderful and they become incredibly delicious with some age on them.
Mark/Graham,
Great to hear this one is drinking nicely. Have a few in the cellar and this note has reminded me to try one soon.
Graham, any ideas if this has peaked yet??
Thanks in advance.
I am not good at picking when a wine will peak but there is still primary fruit and it probably has a couple of years left before it hits it peak. Probably in the 4 - 5 year peak before it drops off.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Chapel Hill Vicar 1998- Backfruits subdued somewhat by spicey, menthol oak. Sound length. It's all about the new oak!
Craiglee Shiraz 2000- Voluptuous, gamey spicey, tell tale black pepper. A well filled out vintage of Craiglee.
Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Sauvugnon 2001- Again, all about the oak with a single dimension of blackfruits. Somewhat hearty.
Hardy's Tintara Shiraz 1999- Licorice, plums and earth. Lick of blackpepper on the palate with no doubting it's big corporate driven personality. Enjoyed.
Paringa Estate Shiraz 01- Cool climate classic. If you don't like Craiglee you'll hate this! Savoury, alluring spices, pepper, roast beetroot and red fruits. Supple fruit flavours of red fruits and spice, good length with acids carrying a piquant finish.
Rockford Basket Press 1997- Going good guns for a tough vintage. Enjoyed the wine without thinking about it. Professionally stored bottle which showed beautifully preserved nuances of it's youth. Evolved over a few evenings with classic soft BP flavours. Bought my full allocation of 03 after the experience of this lesser vintage!
Henschke 97 Keyneton- Charry, mature blackfruits. Honest structure, complexity etc. From a 375ml bottle and peaking.
Craiglee Shiraz 2000- Voluptuous, gamey spicey, tell tale black pepper. A well filled out vintage of Craiglee.
Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Sauvugnon 2001- Again, all about the oak with a single dimension of blackfruits. Somewhat hearty.
Hardy's Tintara Shiraz 1999- Licorice, plums and earth. Lick of blackpepper on the palate with no doubting it's big corporate driven personality. Enjoyed.
Paringa Estate Shiraz 01- Cool climate classic. If you don't like Craiglee you'll hate this! Savoury, alluring spices, pepper, roast beetroot and red fruits. Supple fruit flavours of red fruits and spice, good length with acids carrying a piquant finish.
Rockford Basket Press 1997- Going good guns for a tough vintage. Enjoyed the wine without thinking about it. Professionally stored bottle which showed beautifully preserved nuances of it's youth. Evolved over a few evenings with classic soft BP flavours. Bought my full allocation of 03 after the experience of this lesser vintage!
Henschke 97 Keyneton- Charry, mature blackfruits. Honest structure, complexity etc. From a 375ml bottle and peaking.
Last edited by JamieBahrain on Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2798
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
Bests Thompson Family Shiraz 2001
Upon opening the aroma's of cherries, Raspberries, mocha, roasted coffee and chocolate oozed from the bottle. Rich red/purple in colour and slightly oily texture in the glass. This monster seemed on the elegant side, perfectly balanced with a complex array of cherries, coffee, tobacco, currants, a dash of aniseed and smokey oak, chalky tannins, slippery and mouth coating this is truely a classy wine. The long linguering finish lasted 30+ seconds and i would go as far as suggesting that this wine is still asleep and yet to shows its prime. WOW!
Highly recommended if you can find it.
Upon opening the aroma's of cherries, Raspberries, mocha, roasted coffee and chocolate oozed from the bottle. Rich red/purple in colour and slightly oily texture in the glass. This monster seemed on the elegant side, perfectly balanced with a complex array of cherries, coffee, tobacco, currants, a dash of aniseed and smokey oak, chalky tannins, slippery and mouth coating this is truely a classy wine. The long linguering finish lasted 30+ seconds and i would go as far as suggesting that this wine is still asleep and yet to shows its prime. WOW!
Highly recommended if you can find it.
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Phil Wilkins
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 7:25 am
- Location: Cambridge, UK.
Mount Mary Quintet 1996
Mount Mary Quintet 1996, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and today I couldn’t give a rats arse if this wine didn’t have the requisite stuffing often associated with Oz reds; and it didn’t thankfully. Actually, not too bad for a Bordeaux blend from Oz either – I wish there were more like this sometimes.
Medium plum to the eye. Lovely savory notes rather than being a fruit bomb and scented with mainly small red berries along with some lovely secondary notes of violet, tobacco and undergrowth. The palate is medium bodied was and surprisingly complex with stunning fruit purity, elegant savory notes & a good length. Exemplary oak handling. Finishes long. A very good wine but not for the bucks asked for these days – I think I paid around 20 quid which was a good price 5 years ago. 12.5%vol. 92/100
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and today I couldn’t give a rats arse if this wine didn’t have the requisite stuffing often associated with Oz reds; and it didn’t thankfully. Actually, not too bad for a Bordeaux blend from Oz either – I wish there were more like this sometimes.
Medium plum to the eye. Lovely savory notes rather than being a fruit bomb and scented with mainly small red berries along with some lovely secondary notes of violet, tobacco and undergrowth. The palate is medium bodied was and surprisingly complex with stunning fruit purity, elegant savory notes & a good length. Exemplary oak handling. Finishes long. A very good wine but not for the bucks asked for these days – I think I paid around 20 quid which was a good price 5 years ago. 12.5%vol. 92/100