Weekly reports please, what have you been drinking?...

[markg]

My uncle mentioned how much he liked this new wine that his local wine store recommended to him and he thought it was fantastic for the price.
2003 Yellowtail at $9.99

Hearing how much it has taken the USA by storm, I thought I would give it a go out of curiosity

The 2003 Chardonnay was quite sweet and syrupy, but certainly not unpleasant.

The 2003 Merlot. Pleaseant, quite sweet but certainly nice. Not something I would personnaly drink very often but its drinkable and I can see why it appeals to the masses.

I will try the 2003 Shiraz perhaps tonight.

[Steve]

Mark,

Sweet? Eh? Typical low cost production whereby sugar is added to the fermenting must.

Yuck! No wonder Amercian can be sucker for cheap Aussie wines.

Cheers,
Steve

[GraemeG]

At one of my wine group dinners some years ago we had a first class chardonnay flight to begin. Bannockburn, Petaluma and 96 Leeuwin (the other two wines were 99, I think). I don't have any notes to hand but I distinctly remember the Leeuwin. It was

dark gold, oxidised and maderised. Cellared perfectly from purchase at release.

In fact, this was at release! No I can't help, except to say even when new, I experienced exactly the same thing! Never tasted the wine since...

cheers,
Graeme

[Katarina]

2003 Capertree "Nile Droughtbuster" White (Mudgee): The wine is light yellow, darker and with more depth than expected from a 2003. It has a nose of melon, fruit salad, tropicals, soft vanilla from oak and sweet limey citrus fruit. The wine greets the palate with a smooth, slightly glycerine, mouthfeel thanks to well judged oak use. The flavours evident on the nose are the feature on the front palate. Apricot kernel oil and green beans reveal themselves after the initial fruit platter subsides. The wineÂ’s zest ensures its broad flavours and smooth mouthfeel do not cloy, and makes the second glass as easy to pour as the first. Drink this wine over the next 12 months and serve chilled. This wine serves its purpose as an attractive, well-made, easy drinking wine with an above average level of interest and is rated Recommended. (I just love using the TORB scale to rate white wines !)

Although the wineÂ’s components are not detailed on the bottle, I presume it is a Verdelho/Semillon blend probably with a splash of Chardonnay.

Adair - sounds like a great one for summer ?

[markg]

Mark,

Sweet? Eh? Typical low cost production whereby sugar is added to the fermenting must.

Yuck! No wonder Amercian can be sucker for cheap Aussie wines.

Cheers,
Steve

Now correct me if I am wrong but isn't that illegal here in Australia ?

Actually I have tasted a few cheap wines in my chequered past and find that I really can't stand the sweet, cheap ones, they usually have a bitter component that makes them (IMO) undrinkable. However, I must say that the Yellow Tails actually have somewhat of a balance (so to speak) in that (though the sweetness is cloying) it is still pleasant to drink.

[Adair]

2003 Capertree "Nile Droughtbuster" White (Mudgee): The wine is light yellow, darker and with more depth than expected from a 2003. It has a nose of melon, fruit salad, tropicals, soft vanilla from oak and sweet limey citrus fruit. The wine greets the palate with a smooth, slightly glycerine, mouthfeel thanks to well judged oak use. The flavours evident on the nose are the feature on the front palate. Apricot kernel oil and green beans reveal themselves after the initial fruit platter subsides. The wineÂ’s zest ensures its broad flavours and smooth mouthfeel do not cloy, and makes the second glass as easy to pour as the first. Drink this wine over the next 12 months and serve chilled. This wine serves its purpose as an attractive, well-made, easy drinking wine with an above average level of interest and is rated Recommended. (I just love using the TORB scale to rate white wines !)

Although the wineÂ’s components are not detailed on the bottle, I presume it is a Verdelho/Semillon blend probably with a splash of Chardonnay.

Adair - sounds like a great one for summer ?

Absolutely perfect for the job - but you have to enjoy the Verdelho flavours. I know a few people who do not.

Adair

[simm]

Mark G,

Actually I have tasted a few cheap wines in my chequered past and find that I really can't stand the sweet, cheap ones, they usually have a bitter component that makes them (IMO) undrinkable. However, I must say that the Yellow Tails actually have somewhat of a balance (so to speak) in that (though the sweetness is cloying) it is still pleasant to drink.

I have tried the reds in this range and just can't do it. The residual sugars and the simplicity of the wine is, to me, unbearable. And I too can see why they are doing so well in Americium. My local sold out of the range in a few short days... well, good luck to them.

All the best[/quote]

[David Bryant]

Hi folks - been busy so haven't been posting much. An interesting week:

Hugel Jubilee 1996 Riesling - Sensational, wonderful, what more can I say. Red Bigots are sooooo missing out. Still pale colour, complex nose, long and balanced, reminscient of white flowers and tropical fruits. Rated as Exceptional+ at 97 pts. Drink Now - 2015.

Cave de Turckheim 2000 riesling - Nice, balanced, and good value. Somewhat straight forward, hint of sweetness, and a reasonable finish. Rated as Very Good. Drink 2-3 years.

Orlando Steingarten 1998 Riesling - Yellow/green colour and a typical diesel like nose. Good body and length, reasonable complexity. Rated as Very Good. Drink 3-5 years.

Metier 2000 Schoolhouse Rd Pinot Noir - Colour fading slightly (or always has been that way?), too much oak for the vintage, and a touch short and astringent. Rated as Good but not good value. Drink soon.

Palliser Estate 2000 Pinot Noir - Medium purple/red colour and a good nose of dark fruits and earth. Palate a bit short. Generally well made but again a touch too much oak. Rated as very good. Drink now-2006.

Plantagenet 2000 Shiraz - Nice aromatic nose of plums and a heap of white pepper (reminded me of 'Ermitage). Medium bodied with a long finish, and everything in balance. Rated as excellent. Drink now-2010.

Yarra Yering 1999 Pinot Noir - One of the best yet. Showed a great balance of red and black fruits. Aromatic, rich and long, perfectly made and oaked. Haven;t had better from YY and impressed it is drinking well so relatively young. note the colour at the rim was light/orange and not sure about how long term this one will be. Rated as excellent+. Drink 3-5 years? but may hold for longer, hard to judge.

Domain Chandon 1996 Blanc de Blanc - Showed darkish yellow and past its use by date. Still retained some freshness and a good bead but its getting ready to depart this earth. Rated as Good. Drink up - really quick.

Cheers
David

[Paul T]

Salitage Pinot Noir 2001 - Better than the 2000..everything in nice balance..a little lean on the fruit but excellent wine that leaves a big smile on the face with a long silky finish.Even TORB liked this pinot according to his website...its certainly a quality drink and better than most aussie pinots at it's price around $35.

Settlement Sparkling Shiraz (nor sure if this was N/V or vintage) dodgy label..great stuff..nice and smooth..obviously some aged material in the base..great summer drinking..and better value than the standard Seppelts or Rumball at $23..ignore the label..the wine is superb.

Wilson Cellar Reserve Polish Hill Riesling - Great wine beginning to show aged complexities..but with heaps of fruit and still a long life ahead of it..Decent value at $33

Houghtons Jack Mann Cabernet 1994 - 3rd try at this wine..first was corked..second i loved and this one confirms that. A supreme wine that all should try.A full bodied palate with intense blackcurrant fruit , a long finish with fine tannins.Absolutely superb. Highly recommended and great value at $40.

Cheers

Paul

[JamieBahrain]

Paul concur with the Salitage 2001 Pinot and the gentleman who posted positive notes on the 95 Keyneton Estate thanks. A relief. Have a little bit and some negative impressions a week ago.

[graham]

I had a Penfolds "97 407. The wine was very smooth but I felt it had yet to achieve its full potential....oh well 11 to go.