Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2004:
This was disgusting. To my tastes a very ripe fruit bomb, with not much tannin structure whatsoever. Under screwcap, I passed.
Basedow Oscar's Heritage Shiraz Cabernet 2003:
Anyone else had this? I only got a sniff of it and there was some attractive sourness lurking. I think it would have been another fruit bomb but unfortunately everyone else drank it before I got to it.
Kaiser Stuhl Red Ribbon Shiraz 1986:
This was actually the first wine I opened, 6-7 people were there, they got it and immediately drank it all. A pity. browning on the edges, starting to creep into the middle of the wine as well. It sat in my glass and developed over the next half an hour, a well balanced wine, slight greeness (12.5% alcohol), medium length if not a bit thin. Perhaps would be better with food or with more time? I am going to try the Audoze method with my other bottle and drink it ALL BY MYSELF.
Oh and the level on this wine was just below the neck. Good?
Richmond Grove Cellar Reserve Shiraz 1991
This was nice
Still strong colour in the middle, a bit of brown on edges. I thought it was going to be past it (when I bought it I think it was a mistake thinking it was a cellar release), but holding up very well, medium bodied, everything in balance, tremendous intensity on the finish. Was very good with meatballs and roasted chicken wings. Developed in the glass for an hour, at which point it all got drunk. No regrets. Very good.
And then I gave my friend an option to pick between a few, I was hoping we could get started into another Thalgara Estate Show Reserve Shiraz 1994, or some other good wine, but she chose the following:
Mt Hurtle Grenache Shiraz Mouverdre 2001:
Gah I am beginning to worry that this wine is just falling apart. When I first bought it it was excellent VFM, had nice structure and savouriness. Now it seems more and more like a fruit bomb, but not as bad as the Penfolds though. Seems to be some bottle variation between screwcap. Acceptable+.
Then yesterday I went to a tasting at First Estate. Lots of pretty good wines...
Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2004:
I didn't like this, a bit alcoholic, but there was plenty of fruit. I guess you can't really complain for the price. Acceptable.
Taylors St Andrews Cabernet:
To me seemed to be too rich for a cabernet, again alcohol (14.5%?) seemed to stick out a bit, the fruit was nice but I guess I would have preferred a bit more structure. Good+
Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2004:
Bleh have I got the vintage right here? Something in my mind tells me 2005. Hmmm. Anyway, very juicy, seems quite apricotty, this has viognier in it right? I wouldn't mind drinking this for 18$ though... Good.
I didn't try any of the other wines from Torbreck since I tried them at Wine Oz (and didn't find any too inspiring for the price, I think my pick was the Factor).
Kilikanoon Shiraz 2003/2004:
They had two vintages on comparison. The guy behind the counter said motor oil for the 2003, to me it was certainly quite big, grippy, filling your mouth chock full of flavour. The 2004 in comparison seems very lush, a much more elegant wine. He said that the structure on the 2004 was probably better for cellaring, but he would drink the 2003 now. I certainly would agree (with the drinking bit anyway). 2003: Very good, 2004: Good+.
Kilikanoon Greens Shiraz 2003:
Like its name this seems a bit green, restrained, almost powdery. Didn't really capture my imagination but the more I think of it would probably make a good food wine, so I will give it a good rating. Very good+. Heh I just looked at the price and I am glad that I at least have something good to say about it. ($70 on my sheet).
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2004:
Hey this is a pretty smart wine (maybe not at $23 though). I can't remember anything else but that, but Mitolo made a very very good impression on me.
Mitolo Jester Cabernet 2005:
Again remembering that this is pretty smart, but again maybe a bit pricey. Good.
Mitolo Serpico Cabernet 2004:
Mmm now we are talking. Grapes semidried on racks for 8 weeks. A really really attractive sourness on the nose, leading on to a wine with impeccable balance and nice mouthfeel. Certainly I would think this would compare with Joseph's Moda Amarone, in fact I would rate it even higher. It's pretty steep in price though. Excellent.
Mitolo GAM shiraz 2004:
Had the most intriguing nose. This and the old block and the Octavius shared a rather similar nose of engine fumes. Absolutely delightful. Drinking this wine was like drinking concentrated layers of fruit, spice, oak. Excellent. My pick of the two premium Mitolo's.
Yalumba Barossa Series shiraz viognier 2004:
Hand picked grapes, nice modern label. Tinny bit apricotty, but this is very much like the big brother version of the woodcutters. Lovely weight, not over the top fruit, some savouriness on the back palate, lovely smoothness and suppleness. One of the few SV blends I have liked. Very Good.
Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 2004:
Annika (I think I've got her name right...:S) Lehmann has moved to Sydney and was behind the counter. Lovely to see her. This wine was elegant and I liked it. Very Good+
Peter Lehmann Stonewall Shiraz 2001:
Big and in your face. Much preferred the Eight Songs, but this is not a bad wine, I am just moving away from the big styles that are not balanced... Very Good.
Yalumba Octavius Shiraz 2002:
Probably one of my favourites of the day. Very powerful, the little bit I got coated my entire mouth with flavour. I perceived quite a bit of oak, but it seemed like there was enough fruit to balance it out. Great wine. Excellent+.
Yalumba The Signature Shiraz Cabernet 2002:
Maybe I enjoyed the Octavius, but this is the wine I will actually buy. Come to think of it perhaps a little less powerful than the Octavius, but certainly a lot more interesting. I really really liked this wine, did I already mention that I must get some? Excellent+, and excellent value as well.
Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet 2002:
mmm the sort of cabernet flavour that I like, not too ripe, some pleasant cedar, pencil shavings, unfortunately the finish fell away a bit too quickly. Perhaps wait? Very good.
St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2002:
Seriously nice as well, but 15$ more expensive than the GAM. Excellent.
Petaluma Merlot 1999:
My discovery of that day. Perhaps a bit underripe, but still impressive weight in the mouth, lovely flavours, seriously non fruity style. Very Good+. The store has 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 all at the same price... vertical anyone?
There were some other wines, the Henschke wines generally did not impress, except maybe the Abbots Prayer (Vintage?), but certainly not exciting for me at that price. The GSM blends I tried were also not impressive (one was from Killikoonan, the other was the juveniles I think).
Anyway after the tasting I watched some guys play soccer while waiting for any alcohol to wear off... How I wish I have not already spent so much money on wine this year (but will have to get some signature!!!). How I also wish I was off my P-plates so I can swallow. And I better get better soon, but when I do I think I deserve to treat myself to one nice wine...