It's Sunday! Time to tell us what you have been guzzling for the past week.
Tasting Notes, vibes or lists welcome.
Guess what time of the week it is? ......
Every year a few of us at work have a "big red wine night". its not realy anything to do with wine, but heres what we drank (no notes taken at the time). These are wine styles I dont drink a lot these days, but there were two gems in among them, I think...:
92 Lindemans Limestone Ridge: Nose was lovely, soy sauce, leathery aged shiraz but palate a little flat. This might have ahd a touch of TCA about it, and i suspect this was a better drink a few years ago.
96 Eileen Hardy Shiraz: Got a tiny mouthfull of this.
Tasted very primary and fruit laden, balanced, and with years of life ahead of it. Ooh I wish I got a good sized glass of this! Could have been a top wine.
05 Teusner Avatar: Fresh, lively crunchy, blackberry, redcurrants. Nice wine. Might get some.
04 Kalleske Grenache: Again only a tiny mouthful! but this was ripe blackberries and smoke, I think. held its 15.5% very well and was excellent with a huge Black Angas steak. Again, could have been a top wine,wish I got a longer look at this.
99 Kays Block 6: My wine. Chocolate vanilla oakshake, coffee and maybe some plum. Maybe. I'd prefer to see some more recognisable fruit. Not happy, Jan.
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat needed sometihng sweet with a sticky date pudding, so I picked this up on the way. Man this is dear at bottleshop prices! In any case, silky smooth but ultra intense raisiny toffee, and long long, long. It coped with the caramel sauce beautifully.
And then cos we were still thirsty:
02 Coriole Redstone: Acidic and slightly harsh. Should have been drunk earlier in its life or not at all. Might have been cellared poorly.
02 Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise: Acidic and harsh. Unpleasant. Same cellaring conditions as the Coriole, whatever that was.
and last night with some beautiful Red Emperor, an equally beautiful 98 Orlando Steingarten which I'll TN separately,
AB
92 Lindemans Limestone Ridge: Nose was lovely, soy sauce, leathery aged shiraz but palate a little flat. This might have ahd a touch of TCA about it, and i suspect this was a better drink a few years ago.
96 Eileen Hardy Shiraz: Got a tiny mouthfull of this.
Tasted very primary and fruit laden, balanced, and with years of life ahead of it. Ooh I wish I got a good sized glass of this! Could have been a top wine.
05 Teusner Avatar: Fresh, lively crunchy, blackberry, redcurrants. Nice wine. Might get some.
04 Kalleske Grenache: Again only a tiny mouthful!
but this was ripe blackberries and smoke, I think. held its 15.5% very well and was excellent with a huge Black Angas steak. Again, could have been a top wine,wish I got a longer look at this.
99 Kays Block 6: My wine. Chocolate vanilla oakshake, coffee and maybe some plum. Maybe. I'd prefer to see some more recognisable fruit. Not happy, Jan.
Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat needed sometihng sweet with a sticky date pudding, so I picked this up on the way. Man this is dear at bottleshop prices! In any case, silky smooth but ultra intense raisiny toffee, and long long, long. It coped with the caramel sauce beautifully.
And then cos we were still thirsty:
02 Coriole Redstone: Acidic and slightly harsh. Should have been drunk earlier in its life or not at all. Might have been cellared poorly.
02 Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise: Acidic and harsh. Unpleasant. Same cellaring conditions as the Coriole, whatever that was.
and last night with some beautiful Red Emperor, an equally beautiful 98 Orlando Steingarten which I'll TN separately,
AB
Hi, I'm new to the board, but these are the wines I thought stood out to me this week.
'03 Domaine De Villeneuve chateauneuf-de-pape Great complex nose of dried cranberries with hints of raisin and spice; had some serious acid that slowly integrated with the fruit during its 3-4hrs in the decanter, having said that though, the most approachable chateauneuf i've had from the '03 vintage.
'04 William Fevre Domaine Chablis (375ml) Typical nose of wet / green walnuts. Palate was disapointing, opened a second bottle to confirm if cork taint was present, exactly the same. Lacked any frontal acid and fruit. Perhaps it's in a down cycle?
I tasted a dozens of other wines during the week, if I can think of any interesting ones i'll post some more later on. Tonight however I'll be looking at three '04 William Fevre chablis, petit (750ml), domaine (375ml) and forchaume prem cru (375ml), should be good!
'03 Domaine De Villeneuve chateauneuf-de-pape Great complex nose of dried cranberries with hints of raisin and spice; had some serious acid that slowly integrated with the fruit during its 3-4hrs in the decanter, having said that though, the most approachable chateauneuf i've had from the '03 vintage.
'04 William Fevre Domaine Chablis (375ml) Typical nose of wet / green walnuts. Palate was disapointing, opened a second bottle to confirm if cork taint was present, exactly the same. Lacked any frontal acid and fruit. Perhaps it's in a down cycle?
I tasted a dozens of other wines during the week, if I can think of any interesting ones i'll post some more later on. Tonight however I'll be looking at three '04 William Fevre chablis, petit (750ml), domaine (375ml) and forchaume prem cru (375ml), should be good!
Couple of quaffers during the week.
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2001
Nice gear and much better than most wines at the price point from 01. Still hanging in there as quite well.
Wynns Cab Shiraz Merlot (Red Stripe) 2002
Bit green for me but Yvette like it, OK if you like some salad with your red wine there is enough other stuff going on to hold the interest.
Then on to a couple of instore tastings the first with a spanish theme.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “LZ†Rioja 2005
Lighter style wine with some nice fruit in the mix more meatier and austere than the average OZ wine but would be good with food.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “Al Muvedre†monastrell 2005
Some nice fruit and a lovely supple mouth feel on this wine. One of the others that tasted with me picked this as their favourate out of the 4 and I can see why.
Dehesa Gago “g†2005
More body to this one earthy and meaty, nice gear.
Fontana “Misterio de…tempranillo Robles†2005
Again a step up in palate weight and all the better for it. This one was the pick for our Friday afternoon drinks in the office and was well accepted all round, if you want something different from the standard Oz fair this is sharply priced and worth a try.
Then on to Sat Yvette and I managed to keep the kids happy sitting in the corner long enough to get through this lot. No time for notes so just some impressions from memory.
Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2004
I have tried this before but I think it showed better this time around (not in a cramped stinking hot shop) Nice depth of fruit and complexity but pushing the boundries for price.
Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2003
A significant step up in complexity and truly a stunning wine. The price just puts it out of my reach
Schubert Estate Gooseyard Block Shiraz 2004
Wow slightly more savoury than the Torbrecks and all the better for it. Lovely balance and complexity and would have bought a dozen if I could afford it. Had to settle for a single bottle and now have to ponder for a few years as to when to attack it
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2004
Already have a good stock of this one tucked in the cellar but it was nice to try it against this company and I was very pleased it showed well. Probably the best value in the lineup as the quality of fruit and level of complexity was up there with the best of them. Drinks pretty well now but I think it will continue to evolve for a long while yet.
Mitolo GAM Shiraz 2004
This wine has a big reputation and I was not dissapointed it has Ben Glaetzer's mark all over it. If you like his wines give this a try it is seriously good gear. I like and bought a couple.
Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2004
A producer I have not had much experience with previously but this wine was amazing. Not for the oakaphobe but it has some lovely fruit to go in with it, awesome wine that I think will be truly special in 10 years or so. Bought this as well
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz
Showed its Eden Valley roots in that it was slightly more in the spicey relm and what a lovely contrast. Had heard great things about this wine and it lived up to it's rep. Bought a 6 pack. Would be good value at $50 but is a steal at around $35 or less.
De Lisio Krystina Shiraz
More subtle than the previous wines and quite closed at this point in time come back it a few years. Bit of an ask at this price compared to the others as well.
De Lisio Shiraz
Another classy wine with some seriously good fruit at play but again out of my price range
Marquis Philips Shiraz 9
A bit outclassed in the field but had some nice fruit in the game just lacked a little balance compared to all the others. Good qpr though and grabbed a couple as it will be a nice high end quaffer for the next 5 years or so.
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2003
Completely different in style to the previous wines more black olives and iodine over laying the fruit than the spice shown in the previous wines. Almost lashed out for a bottle but the credit card was already in serious mealt down mode.
Yes it was a very impressive line up with not a bad wine to be found, in the value stakes the Frost Dodger and the Kalleske win hands down.
Then for dinner last night I had to find something to follow that lineup.
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1997
Not a favoured vintage by any means but I stole this off Langton's for $20 a bottle. Lovely wine starting to show some aged characters nice depth great balance and medium length. Evolved over the evening with olive, cedar, sour cherries some choc tobacco and a few other things. Ran out all to quickly.
Glen
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2001
Nice gear and much better than most wines at the price point from 01. Still hanging in there as quite well.
Wynns Cab Shiraz Merlot (Red Stripe) 2002
Bit green for me but Yvette like it, OK if you like some salad with your red wine there is enough other stuff going on to hold the interest.
Then on to a couple of instore tastings the first with a spanish theme.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “LZ†Rioja 2005
Lighter style wine with some nice fruit in the mix more meatier and austere than the average OZ wine but would be good with food.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “Al Muvedre†monastrell 2005
Some nice fruit and a lovely supple mouth feel on this wine. One of the others that tasted with me picked this as their favourate out of the 4 and I can see why.
Dehesa Gago “g†2005
More body to this one earthy and meaty, nice gear.
Fontana “Misterio de…tempranillo Robles†2005
Again a step up in palate weight and all the better for it. This one was the pick for our Friday afternoon drinks in the office and was well accepted all round, if you want something different from the standard Oz fair this is sharply priced and worth a try.
Then on to Sat Yvette and I managed to keep the kids happy sitting in the corner long enough to get through this lot. No time for notes so just some impressions from memory.
Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2004
I have tried this before but I think it showed better this time around (not in a cramped stinking hot shop) Nice depth of fruit and complexity but pushing the boundries for price.
Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2003
A significant step up in complexity and truly a stunning wine. The price just puts it out of my reach
Schubert Estate Gooseyard Block Shiraz 2004
Wow slightly more savoury than the Torbrecks and all the better for it. Lovely balance and complexity and would have bought a dozen if I could afford it. Had to settle for a single bottle and now have to ponder for a few years as to when to attack it
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2004
Already have a good stock of this one tucked in the cellar but it was nice to try it against this company and I was very pleased it showed well. Probably the best value in the lineup as the quality of fruit and level of complexity was up there with the best of them. Drinks pretty well now but I think it will continue to evolve for a long while yet.
Mitolo GAM Shiraz 2004
This wine has a big reputation and I was not dissapointed it has Ben Glaetzer's mark all over it. If you like his wines give this a try it is seriously good gear. I like and bought a couple.
Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2004
A producer I have not had much experience with previously but this wine was amazing. Not for the oakaphobe but it has some lovely fruit to go in with it, awesome wine that I think will be truly special in 10 years or so. Bought this as well
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz
Showed its Eden Valley roots in that it was slightly more in the spicey relm and what a lovely contrast. Had heard great things about this wine and it lived up to it's rep. Bought a 6 pack. Would be good value at $50 but is a steal at around $35 or less.
De Lisio Krystina Shiraz
More subtle than the previous wines and quite closed at this point in time come back it a few years. Bit of an ask at this price compared to the others as well.
De Lisio Shiraz
Another classy wine with some seriously good fruit at play but again out of my price range
Marquis Philips Shiraz 9
A bit outclassed in the field but had some nice fruit in the game just lacked a little balance compared to all the others. Good qpr though and grabbed a couple as it will be a nice high end quaffer for the next 5 years or so.
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2003
Completely different in style to the previous wines more black olives and iodine over laying the fruit than the spice shown in the previous wines. Almost lashed out for a bottle but the credit card was already in serious mealt down mode.
Yes it was a very impressive line up with not a bad wine to be found, in the value stakes the Frost Dodger and the Kalleske win hands down.
Then for dinner last night I had to find something to follow that lineup.
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1997
Not a favoured vintage by any means but I stole this off Langton's for $20 a bottle. Lovely wine starting to show some aged characters nice depth great balance and medium length. Evolved over the evening with olive, cedar, sour cherries some choc tobacco and a few other things. Ran out all to quickly.
Glen
Last edited by GRB on Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2002- Cork and perhaps even, the export vesion. Can't see how this wine got high marks. Hard drinking, hard oak. Blackcurrants, herbs, olives as advertised- but the oak and agressive, ripe tannins. Needs time to settle down on this showing.
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gwtz 2005- Best expression I've had out of Oz. A touch of heat my onl criticism.
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2000- Very atypical Bannockburn. Needs more time.
Burge Family Draycott Reserve Shiraz 2001- Great wine. Clean, polished fruit and reserved oak handling.
Cyril Henschke 2002- Served too cold in a warm environment! The bracken & faint menthol/euculypt notes too dominant. Crafted length etc
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gwtz 2005- Best expression I've had out of Oz. A touch of heat my onl criticism.
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2000- Very atypical Bannockburn. Needs more time.
Burge Family Draycott Reserve Shiraz 2001- Great wine. Clean, polished fruit and reserved oak handling.
Cyril Henschke 2002- Served too cold in a warm environment! The bracken & faint menthol/euculypt notes too dominant. Crafted length etc
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2002- Cork and perhaps even, the export vesion. Can't see how this wine got high marks. Hard drinking, hard oak. Blackcurrants, herbs, olives as advertised- but the oak and agressive, ripe tannins. Needs time to settle down on this showing.
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gwtz 2005- Best expression I've had out of Oz. A touch of heat my onl criticism.
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2000- Very atypical Bannockburn. Needs more time.
Burge Family Draycott Reserve Shiraz 2001- Great wine. Clean, polished fruit and reserved oak handling.
Cyril Henschke 2002- Served too cold in a warm environment! The bracken & faint menthol/euculypt notes too dominant. Crafted length etc
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gwtz 2005- Best expression I've had out of Oz. A touch of heat my onl criticism.
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2000- Very atypical Bannockburn. Needs more time.
Burge Family Draycott Reserve Shiraz 2001- Great wine. Clean, polished fruit and reserved oak handling.
Cyril Henschke 2002- Served too cold in a warm environment! The bracken & faint menthol/euculypt notes too dominant. Crafted length etc
2003 Olssens Jackson Barry Pinot Noir. Horribly over oaked and over spirited, showng little varietal character. Dark fruits just showing on palate, nothing showing on the nose. Overpriced dry red. 90 points
2005 Main Divide Riesling. Half the price, twice as good, full of flavour and zing. rampant citrus - mandarin, sweet lemon and ripe limes, grapefruit - you name it. hint of clover honey. Lovely stuff 98 points
2004 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Late Harvest Riesling. restrained and smooth, slips down real nice, not overly sweet but a texture more akin to a full noble wine than a late harvest. Good value for money, showing some of the same stylish handling that the reserve is famous for 97 points
2005 Main Divide Riesling. Half the price, twice as good, full of flavour and zing. rampant citrus - mandarin, sweet lemon and ripe limes, grapefruit - you name it. hint of clover honey. Lovely stuff 98 points
2004 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Late Harvest Riesling. restrained and smooth, slips down real nice, not overly sweet but a texture more akin to a full noble wine than a late harvest. Good value for money, showing some of the same stylish handling that the reserve is famous for 97 points
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
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Shiraz_Freak
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:10 pm
- Location: Victoria
2000 Pettavel Emigree shiraz What a lovely little wine lots of berries on the nose. Chocolate, menthol, spice and american oak on the palate. Bloody beautiful wine, not a huge shiraz but very very tasty and hid its 14.5 % very well
Blackjack Block 6 shiraz Mouthful of pleasure spicy leathery and licorice great wine from the bendigo region
2005 Charles Cimicky shiraz i love this wine full of berries, licorice, leather and spice just a tad sharp but awsome value
Blackjack Block 6 shiraz Mouthful of pleasure spicy leathery and licorice great wine from the bendigo region
2005 Charles Cimicky shiraz i love this wine full of berries, licorice, leather and spice just a tad sharp but awsome value
Had a great Club dinner last night where the 1996 Dom, 1982 Leoville-Las-Cases and 1978 Dom Rose took the honours for me. I also liked the 1995 Sir Winston Churchill and 1999 Lindemens Reserve!!! Full notes will follow... from others mostly.
I am currently drinking a 2004 Henri BADOUX Les Murailles - Aigle AOC in Switzerland - made from 100% Chasselas, which is texturally pleasant but lacks flavour definition and is ridiculously priced in the US at $30, and I am finishing off my 1998 Isole e Olena Cepparello (100% Sangiovese) from last night, which is a reasonable for its price, although would be better priced at $40-$50.
Adair
I am currently drinking a 2004 Henri BADOUX Les Murailles - Aigle AOC in Switzerland - made from 100% Chasselas, which is texturally pleasant but lacks flavour definition and is ridiculously priced in the US at $30, and I am finishing off my 1998 Isole e Olena Cepparello (100% Sangiovese) from last night, which is a reasonable for its price, although would be better priced at $40-$50.
Adair
Wine is bottled poetry.
very drunken 2nd half of the week
Ingoldby Shiraz 03 - very boring bland 83/100
Pikes Premio sangiovese 02 - savoury ,earthy - unfortunatly the last 89/100
Annies Lane Cab/Merlot 00 - past it thin and weedy 84/100
Tyrrells Heathcote Siraz 03 - rich , ripe , slurpable but now understand the concept of dead fruit 88/100
regards to all
Ingoldby Shiraz 03 - very boring bland 83/100
Pikes Premio sangiovese 02 - savoury ,earthy - unfortunatly the last 89/100
Annies Lane Cab/Merlot 00 - past it thin and weedy 84/100
Tyrrells Heathcote Siraz 03 - rich , ripe , slurpable but now understand the concept of dead fruit 88/100
regards to all
Adair wrote:Had a great Club dinner last night where the 1996 Dom, 1982 Leoville-Las-Cases and 1978 Dom Rose took the honours for me. I also liked the 1995 Sir Winston Churchill and 1999 Lindemens Reserve!!! Full notes will follow... from others mostly.
The Lindemans was quite excellent for what it was. People were making plenty of complaints about it when they thought it was Grand Marque Champagne (too acidic, too alcoholic, no depth etc) but when a $10-$15 wine follows a $250 wine and doesn't get completely rubbished it must be good.
The '82 LLC, the '96 Dom and the '96 Dampierre were my top three.
Richmond Grove Barossa Shiraz 2002
Very good. Typical. Try again in 2yrs. Excellent qpr. Could well show up much more expensive Barossa shiraz in a blind tasting.
Hardy's Oomoo 2005
Good. Not as good as the 04, but a good quaff.
Vasse Felix Chardonnay 1999
Not from my cellar. Well past its best.
Very good. Typical. Try again in 2yrs. Excellent qpr. Could well show up much more expensive Barossa shiraz in a blind tasting.
Hardy's Oomoo 2005
Good. Not as good as the 04, but a good quaff.
Vasse Felix Chardonnay 1999
Not from my cellar. Well past its best.
"It is very hard to make predictions, especially about the future." Samuel Goldwyn
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Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
Katnook Founders Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Couldn't find any TNs here before trying this entry level Katnook cab. Not bad, a bit simple with blackberry/blueberry fruit, restrained oak on the palate, dips a bit before the medium finish with licorice and a touch of mint. Fine, chalky tannins. Another well-made, good value >$20 quaff. $14.95 on discount. Agreeable, **** value.
Cheers
daz
Cheers
daz
GRB wrote:Couple of quaffers during the week.
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2001
Nice gear and much better than most wines at the price point from 01. Still hanging in there as quite well.
Wynns Cab Shiraz Merlot (Red Stripe) 2002
Bit green for me but Yvette like it, OK if you like some salad with your red wine there is enough other stuff going on to hold the interest.
Then on to a couple of instore tastings the first with a spanish theme.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “LZ†Rioja 2005
Lighter style wine with some nice fruit in the mix more meatier and austere than the average OZ wine but would be good with food.
Telmo RodrÃÂguez “Al Muvedre†monastrell 2005
Some nice fruit and a lovely supple mouth feel on this wine. One of the others that tasted with me picked this as their favourate out of the 4 and I can see why.
Dehesa Gago “g†2005
More body to this one earthy and meaty, nice gear.
Fontana “Misterio de…tempranillo Robles†2005
Again a step up in palate weight and all the better for it. This one was the pick for our Friday afternoon drinks in the office and was well accepted all round, if you want something different from the standard Oz fair this is sharply priced and worth a try.
Then on to Sat Yvette and I managed to keep the kids happy sitting in the corner long enough to get through this lot. No time for notes so just some impressions from memory.
Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2004
I have tried this before but I think it showed better this time around (not in a cramped stinking hot shop) Nice depth of fruit and complexity but pushing the boundries for price.
Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2003
A significant step up in complexity and truly a stunning wine. The price just puts it out of my reach
Schubert Estate Gooseyard Block Shiraz 2004
Wow slightly more savoury than the Torbrecks and all the better for it. Lovely balance and complexity and would have bought a dozen if I could afford it. Had to settle for a single bottle and now have to ponder for a few years as to when to attack it
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2004
Already have a good stock of this one tucked in the cellar but it was nice to try it against this company and I was very pleased it showed well. Probably the best value in the lineup as the quality of fruit and level of complexity was up there with the best of them. Drinks pretty well now but I think it will continue to evolve for a long while yet.
Mitolo GAM Shiraz 2004
This wine has a big reputation and I was not dissapointed it has Ben Glaetzer's mark all over it. If you like his wines give this a try it is seriously good gear. I like and bought a couple.
Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2004
A producer I have not had much experience with previously but this wine was amazing. Not for the oakaphobe but it has some lovely fruit to go in with it, awesome wine that I think will be truly special in 10 years or so. Bought this as well
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz
Showed its Eden Valley roots in that it was slightly more in the spicey relm and what a lovely contrast. Had heard great things about this wine and it lived up to it's rep. Bought a 6 pack. Would be good value at $50 but is a steal at around $35 or less.
De Lisio Krystina Shiraz
More subtle than the previous wines and quite closed at this point in time come back it a few years. Bit of an ask at this price compared to the others as well.
De Lisio Shiraz
Another classy wine with some seriously good fruit at play but again out of my price range
Marquis Philips Shiraz 9
A bit outclassed in the field but had some nice fruit in the game just lacked a little balance compared to all the others. Good qpr though and grabbed a couple as it will be a nice high end quaffer for the next 5 years or so.
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2003
Completely different in style to the previous wines more black olives and iodine over laying the fruit than the spice shown in the previous wines. Almost lashed out for a bottle but the credit card was already in serious mealt down mode.
Yes it was a very impressive line up with not a bad wine to be found, in the value stakes the Frost Dodger and the Kalleske win hands down.
Then for dinner last night I had to find something to follow that lineup.
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1997
Not a favoured vintage by any means but I stole this off Langton's for $20 a bottle. Lovely wine starting to show some aged characters nice depth great balance and medium length. Evolved over the evening with olive, cedar, sour cherries some choc tobacco and a few other things. Ran out all to quickly.
Glen
Glen
Good to see you getting the Telmo Rodriguez range which really is pretty good QPR over here. Amazingly they also do a very good Sauvignon Blanc for just short of £5 over here, often discounted to £4. The whites have been a revelation at the quaffing level.
Ta also for the note on the GAM and will be intrigued as to whether this label is going to cellar well, or at least hold well.
regards
Ian
A rare heavy night for us and I suspect all will be a little delicate this morning, we certainly were. No notes taken, just vibes & chat from my morning after recollections.
Prickly Pear liquer with unknown chardonnay - Interesting in a way, only a small drop of the liquer has quite a strong impact on the wine and you could see this being popular with girls having a pre night out bottle or two, or even in one of the trendy bars. Blind I reckoned it was melon flavour (I've tasted prickly pear once, so not a bad guess).
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin NV
I've had this a couple of times before and always found it a bit plain. It did develop a little in the glass (I went back to it after a couple of hours or more). However still would go for Roederer of the big houses at this price and Krug if price no object. Need to try a few growers champagnes though.
With Samphire, a local salt-marsh delicacy, which looks a little like seaweed. The host knew how to cook this (we'd cooked it ourselves before and it was too salty - the trick is to rinse it and then soak for half an hour to remove the very high salt level). Moreish.
Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles 1994 Still quite young in colour, not too complex initially, though it did open up over an hour or two, but then seemed to start declining.
With Coq-au-vin
Lynch-Bages 1980 and 1982
A great comparison of two very different vintages with very different price tags. Much discussion over Broadbent and Parker tasting notes, which as expected approach the same wines from different directions. The 1980 was lean with still a lick of tannin (but softer than previous notes by MB would suggest, but for me this is just what I seek in Bordeaux, with lovely secondary/tertiary characters, elegance and balance. The 1982 was much fuller, with much more primary fruit and as Michelle said, the wine was balanced across low/med/high notes. Maybe this wine in 10 years time would light my fire more, but perhaps makes a good point to me about palate preference. I know I SHOULD prefer the 1982, but if you offered me a glass of either now, I'd take the 1980. Interestingly neither were overtly minty.
With tart citron and chocolate orange sponge
Mas Amiel Vin Doux Naturel
Interesting, if not particularly complex
On it's own and then with some cheese
Unknown 1922 Port (suspected Croft).
No label and no mark on cork (except vintage) and what looked like a hand-blown bottle. Could have been a single quinta, but I guess we'll never know. Anyway the wine was a very pale but youthful pale pink colour, with surprisingly little age showing at the rim. The spirit may have been sticking out a little, but I wasn't in the mood to be picky, this was a real pleasure from a minor vintage.
After a brief taste of some liquer miniatures (moving quickly along)
Benedictine liquer - unknown age (the remants of tissue wrapping suggest something pre 1970's). After a previous experience with very old date liquer, another classic demonstration that some liquers soften beautifully with age, losing the initial harshness. Loved this.
A slow start this morning, but a bolied egg and bread always helps
regards
Ian
Prickly Pear liquer with unknown chardonnay - Interesting in a way, only a small drop of the liquer has quite a strong impact on the wine and you could see this being popular with girls having a pre night out bottle or two, or even in one of the trendy bars. Blind I reckoned it was melon flavour (I've tasted prickly pear once, so not a bad guess).
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin NV
I've had this a couple of times before and always found it a bit plain. It did develop a little in the glass (I went back to it after a couple of hours or more). However still would go for Roederer of the big houses at this price and Krug if price no object. Need to try a few growers champagnes though.
With Samphire, a local salt-marsh delicacy, which looks a little like seaweed. The host knew how to cook this (we'd cooked it ourselves before and it was too salty - the trick is to rinse it and then soak for half an hour to remove the very high salt level). Moreish.
Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles 1994 Still quite young in colour, not too complex initially, though it did open up over an hour or two, but then seemed to start declining.
With Coq-au-vin
Lynch-Bages 1980 and 1982
A great comparison of two very different vintages with very different price tags. Much discussion over Broadbent and Parker tasting notes, which as expected approach the same wines from different directions. The 1980 was lean with still a lick of tannin (but softer than previous notes by MB would suggest, but for me this is just what I seek in Bordeaux, with lovely secondary/tertiary characters, elegance and balance. The 1982 was much fuller, with much more primary fruit and as Michelle said, the wine was balanced across low/med/high notes. Maybe this wine in 10 years time would light my fire more, but perhaps makes a good point to me about palate preference. I know I SHOULD prefer the 1982, but if you offered me a glass of either now, I'd take the 1980. Interestingly neither were overtly minty.
With tart citron and chocolate orange sponge
Mas Amiel Vin Doux Naturel
Interesting, if not particularly complex
On it's own and then with some cheese
Unknown 1922 Port (suspected Croft).
No label and no mark on cork (except vintage) and what looked like a hand-blown bottle. Could have been a single quinta, but I guess we'll never know. Anyway the wine was a very pale but youthful pale pink colour, with surprisingly little age showing at the rim. The spirit may have been sticking out a little, but I wasn't in the mood to be picky, this was a real pleasure from a minor vintage.
After a brief taste of some liquer miniatures (moving quickly along)
Benedictine liquer - unknown age (the remants of tissue wrapping suggest something pre 1970's). After a previous experience with very old date liquer, another classic demonstration that some liquers soften beautifully with age, losing the initial harshness. Loved this.
A slow start this morning, but a bolied egg and bread always helps
regards
Ian
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Nice dinner on Friday. Started with 01 Dalwhinnie Chardonnay Nice but I was expecting a lot more with this one. Quite dry and subdued. Not a heap of fruit on it really. It clashed a bit with my salt and pepper prawns too. Bad match.
96 Te Mata Coleraine The nose on this was divine. Very earthy, foresty, bordeaux styled nose. Unfortunately the palate was just really flat and subdued. It was pleasant enough but just did not live up to the nose and was a bit short too. Strange. Maybe there was a fault.
96 Veritas Hanisch was the next in line. Unfortunately this did not get decanted as the restaurant only had one decanter which we used for the Coleraine. We brought glasses but didn't think of bringing a decanter. Anyhoo, this too was a bit dumb initially but eventually opened up a bit. Lots of licorice, chocolate, and reportedly, benedral expectorant! I didn't get that myself but there was a little alcoholic heat (14.5%). A nice wine but not the blockbuster I was expecting. Needed more air time really.
96 Chateau du Moulin Loupiac Botrytis Wine I bought this some time ago and it wasn't very expensive. It was quite a strange wine for a dessert wine. Quite bitter with a cocaine nose (not that I've had it - I just smelt it once). More to the grapefruit spectrum in flavour. I wasn't so keen on this but then I like my stickies sweet. Maybe with the right dessert it would cut through and complement it well. Not for me though.
So what I was hoping to be a night of great wine turned out to be somewhat disappointing. But we had great food and were with great friends and did indeed have a great night anyway.
Tonight after catching Hedwig and the Angry Inch (great show), we popped in for some thai at our local and I ran home and grabbed two bottles of 02 Roberts Estate Shiraz Bought a case of this a while ago ofter hearing some good reports and thought it would be a good quaffer. Didn't think too much of most of the case and of the two bottles, the first was corked (after carefully pouring the whole bottle out between six before checking it -don't you hate that!). Anyway, this finally was a good quaffer. Good colour, pleasant fruit and decent body. Enough spice to carry off thai well. Last two bottles, of course!
96 Te Mata Coleraine The nose on this was divine. Very earthy, foresty, bordeaux styled nose. Unfortunately the palate was just really flat and subdued. It was pleasant enough but just did not live up to the nose and was a bit short too. Strange. Maybe there was a fault.
96 Veritas Hanisch was the next in line. Unfortunately this did not get decanted as the restaurant only had one decanter which we used for the Coleraine. We brought glasses but didn't think of bringing a decanter. Anyhoo, this too was a bit dumb initially but eventually opened up a bit. Lots of licorice, chocolate, and reportedly, benedral expectorant! I didn't get that myself but there was a little alcoholic heat (14.5%). A nice wine but not the blockbuster I was expecting. Needed more air time really.
96 Chateau du Moulin Loupiac Botrytis Wine I bought this some time ago and it wasn't very expensive. It was quite a strange wine for a dessert wine. Quite bitter with a cocaine nose (not that I've had it - I just smelt it once). More to the grapefruit spectrum in flavour. I wasn't so keen on this but then I like my stickies sweet. Maybe with the right dessert it would cut through and complement it well. Not for me though.
So what I was hoping to be a night of great wine turned out to be somewhat disappointing. But we had great food and were with great friends and did indeed have a great night anyway.
Tonight after catching Hedwig and the Angry Inch (great show), we popped in for some thai at our local and I ran home and grabbed two bottles of 02 Roberts Estate Shiraz Bought a case of this a while ago ofter hearing some good reports and thought it would be a good quaffer. Didn't think too much of most of the case and of the two bottles, the first was corked (after carefully pouring the whole bottle out between six before checking it -don't you hate that!). Anyway, this finally was a good quaffer. Good colour, pleasant fruit and decent body. Enough spice to carry off thai well. Last two bottles, of course!
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)
bacchaebabe wrote:Tonight after catching Hedwig and the Angry Inch (great show), we popped in for some thai at our local and I ran home and grabbed two bottles of 02 Roberts Estate Shiraz Bought a case of this a while ago ofter hearing some good reports and thought it would be a good quaffer. Didn't think too much of most of the case and of the two bottles, the first was corked (after carefully pouring the whole bottle out between six before checking it -don't you hate that!). Anyway, this finally was a good quaffer. Good colour, pleasant fruit and decent body. Enough spice to carry off thai well. Last two bottles, of course!
Good to see you drinking shiraz with Thai food!
I'm getting quite adept at pouring corked wine back into the bottle (too much practice
), there are some wines when you (wishfully) think it's just the oak character or bottle stink when you sniff the first pour and it only really shows the taint after a few minutes in the glass. At a tasting a few weeks ago, 5 bottles under screwcap, one under cork, no prizes for guessing which one was tainted with TCA.Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
96 Te Mata Coleraine The nose on this was divine. Very earthy, foresty, bordeaux styled nose. Unfortunately the palate was just really flat and subdued. It was pleasant enough but just did not live up to the nose and was a bit short too. Strange. Maybe there was a fault.
96 Coleraine is a very elegant tight subdued vintage. To me quite sexy but certainly not the stuffing of a 91,95,98 or 00. I dont get all the blaming around here on faults and bad bottles, sometimes for whatever reason some wines show better or worse on various occassions. The 96 though to me is a real 'dinner' wine, built to be drunk with fine food - lamb rack comes to mind!!
I remember the only 94 coleraine I owned I drunk and it was aweful. Then later at a 10 year vertical I attended it really shone. I really think there was something 'wrong' with my bottle but not completely sure.
Ive drunk 98 coleraine twice. Once with Adair when it really sang, and once with Rawnsley and Ross where it refused to give an inch. Why? Who knows?? countless reasons could be put forward! Welcome to wine. No such thing as great wines, just great bottles
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Oh dear ... hnagover ruled on Sunday and the reason, apart from the beers watching the Wallabies lose 
(I'm a Brit, so can't support the country that wins everything!, when we seem to lose .. well everything!)
1997 Lindemans Pyrus - Although 4 of us at dinner, only two drank the magnum ... shame. First thing was what a great nose, singing with plenty of fruit, and then the palate, yum, yum. Medium bodied, smooth as you like, plum as well as a slight nutty flavour. I see that this is past what Jeremy Oliver puts as the drining window, however got as museum release from cellar door, and should be good for the next year.
Lindemans 10 year old Tawny Port - Again only 2 of us drining this, and am I pleased about that. Nothing to say other than bleedin lovely. Went down far to easily
(I'm a Brit, so can't support the country that wins everything!, when we seem to lose .. well everything!)
1997 Lindemans Pyrus - Although 4 of us at dinner, only two drank the magnum ... shame
. First thing was what a great nose, singing with plenty of fruit, and then the palate, yum, yum. Medium bodied, smooth as you like, plum as well as a slight nutty flavour. I see that this is past what Jeremy Oliver puts as the drining window, however got as museum release from cellar door, and should be good for the next year.
Lindemans 10 year old Tawny Port - Again only 2 of us drining this, and am I pleased about that. Nothing to say other than bleedin lovely. Went down far to easily
"Seek to understand, before being understood" Stephen Covey
mkcoleman wrote:Oh dear ... hnagover ruled on Sunday and the reason, apart from the beers watching the Wallabies lose
Well we ended up winning the last test match because of an over-officious Aussie
England, Pakistan and the ICC were happy to play on after Pakistans (hot-headed) demo, but Hair's gone and written his name into the history books (and I strongly suspect, finished his career).
Blimey .. I didn't know that .. I better get that Foxtel satellite thing.
I did read on Cricinfo that "It was the first such forfeiture in 129 years of Test cricket" Blimey, Hair has definitely written himself into those history books and quite possibly out as well ... oh dear.
I did read on Cricinfo that "It was the first such forfeiture in 129 years of Test cricket" Blimey, Hair has definitely written himself into those history books and quite possibly out as well ... oh dear.
"Seek to understand, before being understood" Stephen Covey
-
winetastic
- Posts: 889
- Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:51 pm
- Location: Sydney
Hunter Shiraz Fest
Saturday night saw a small birthday celebration for Gemma at a local restaraunt Rocksalt with our closest friends. As always the food and service were excellent and in an effort to ensure the evening was entirely memorable, we were drinking 100% Hunter Valley Shiraz. I have some brief notes of the wines below as the nights focus was obviously not on wine analysis.
Meerea Park ‘The Aunts’ Shiraz 2003
The bottle had been open for two hours, after pouring the first glass the open aromas of this wine had snaked their way to the other end of our table. Full flavoured, featuring silky smooth tannins, restrained red fruits and some earthy complexity. I am very glad we have another 5 bottles to go, good value for money.
Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz 2000
I challenge anyone to find a better match of a tender eye fillet steak. Dark and red fruits, pepper, spices and some underlying earthy characters, a Shiraz full in flavour and body with sound tannin structure.
Irongate Estate Sweet Shiraz 2004
A wine which is the ideal match for dark and rich chocolate treats. The red berry fruit flavours of the Shiraz formed an excellent combination with chocolate mud cake. Not overly sweet and actually makes a pretty good pre-dinner drink when slightly chilled.
Mount Pleasant Phillip Shiraz 2002
One of the best value for money reds on the market right now, especially when you can find it on special for only $12.
I cannot get enough Hunter Shiraz right now
Meerea Park ‘The Aunts’ Shiraz 2003
The bottle had been open for two hours, after pouring the first glass the open aromas of this wine had snaked their way to the other end of our table. Full flavoured, featuring silky smooth tannins, restrained red fruits and some earthy complexity. I am very glad we have another 5 bottles to go, good value for money.
Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz 2000
I challenge anyone to find a better match of a tender eye fillet steak. Dark and red fruits, pepper, spices and some underlying earthy characters, a Shiraz full in flavour and body with sound tannin structure.
Irongate Estate Sweet Shiraz 2004
A wine which is the ideal match for dark and rich chocolate treats. The red berry fruit flavours of the Shiraz formed an excellent combination with chocolate mud cake. Not overly sweet and actually makes a pretty good pre-dinner drink when slightly chilled.
Mount Pleasant Phillip Shiraz 2002
One of the best value for money reds on the market right now, especially when you can find it on special for only $12.
I cannot get enough Hunter Shiraz right now
Don't know the full story but it appears that the umpires and English batsmen waited 15 mins in the middle for the Pakistanis to walk on to the field before giving up on them.
It also appears that a deal was eventually brokered for the Pakistanis to continue without involving the umpires!
I think that blaming Darrell Hair for all this is a little simplistic.
It also appears that a deal was eventually brokered for the Pakistanis to continue without involving the umpires!
I think that blaming Darrell Hair for all this is a little simplistic.
"It is very hard to make predictions, especially about the future." Samuel Goldwyn
Ian S wrote:Glen
Good to see you getting the Telmo Rodriguez range which really is pretty good QPR over here. Amazingly they also do a very good Sauvignon Blanc for just short of £5 over here, often discounted to £4. The whites have been a revelation at the quaffing level.
Ta also for the note on the GAM and will be intrigued as to whether this label is going to cellar well, or at least hold well.
regards
Ian
I only have a couple of bottles of the GAM
so I can't do the try it every couple of years trick. I will be keeping an eye on notes from others to some extent but expect to crack the first one in about 3 years. It is pretty good drinking even now but I think a couple of years would settle it down. Don't know if I would save it much past 10. Others on the list would be better to judge this though.
Glen
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
Roscoe wrote:Don't know the full story but it appears that the umpires and English batsmen waited 15 mins in the middle for the Pakistanis to walk on to the field before giving up on them.
It also appears that a deal was eventually brokered for the Pakistanis to continue without involving the umpires!
I think that blaming Darrell Hair for all this is a little simplistic.
I still don't forgive Darrell Hair for giving Craig McDermott out to Courtney Walsh on 26th January 1993 at the Adelaide Oval in our 1 run loss to the West Indies!
... or John Buchanan for Australia's lack of fielding training in the last Ashes tour
... or the selectors of Australia's last Ashes tour for not selecting Mike Hussey, and not dropping Jason Gillespie earlier
... and while I am at it, or the English rugby team in 2003 putting 20 points on us in the 2003 World Cup final with 20 minutes to go
... or Jonny Wilkinson for being a bloody brilliant rugby player!
... or that bloke from Wesley College (Perth, WA) who ran me out with a direct hit from fine leg in the Gillette Cup in 1994.
Okay, that is it. I think I digressed.
Adair
Wine is bottled poetry.
-
Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Adair wrote:Roscoe wrote:Don't know the full story but it appears that the umpires and English batsmen waited 15 mins in the middle for the Pakistanis to walk on to the field before giving up on them.
It also appears that a deal was eventually brokered for the Pakistanis to continue without involving the umpires!
I think that blaming Darrell Hair for all this is a little simplistic.
I still don't forgive Darrell Hair for giving Craig McDermott out to Courtney Walsh on 26th January 1993 at the Adelaide Oval in our 1 run loss to the West Indies!
... or John Buchanan for Australia's lack of fielding training in the last Ashes tour
... or the selectors of Australia's last Ashes tour for not selecting Mike Hussey, and not dropping Jason Gillespie earlier
... and while I am at it, or the English rugby team in 2003 putting 20 points on us in the 2003 World Cup final with 20 minutes to go
... or Jonny Wilkinson for being a bloody brilliant rugby player!
... or that bloke from Wesley College (Perth, WA) who ran me out with a direct hit from fine leg in the Gillette Cup in 1994.
Okay, that is it. I think I digressed.
Adair
Geez Adair
Lucky you don't hold a grudge mate!
regards
Gavin Trott
Gavin Trott
A week ago, almost certainly Australia's only bottle of 2004 Weingut Spiess Krönungswein Johannes I Weißer Burgunder Spätlese (Rheinhessen QmP AP 27 05, 13%, glass stopper) bit the dust! A gift to a colleague while visiting Ingelheim, this modern looking affair offered a honeysuckle-sweet nose, a lowish-acid palate of some sweetness, medium weight body and respectable length finish. It's a slightly sweet Pinot Blanc, if that helps the context, obviously picked quite ripe, fermented to 13%, yet still with enough residual sugar to make a decent aperitif wine or perhaps a match for something asian on the plate. For some it would be veering towards lollywater, but I found enough interest here. Good to try something different!
cheers,
Graeme
cheers,
Graeme
Visited friends in Melbourne on the weekend and took some bottles from my cellar over to enjoy over the weekend. Instead, they were enjoyed in one night with a fantastic roast dinner.
Rockford Black Shiraz (disg 2004): very enjoyable. Very fresh with sweet ripe blackberry, coffee and leathery earth.. I like these with more age, but all the same still very good.
2003 Wynns Black Label Cab Sav: this wine is the business. Plenty of cassis, a little earthy tobacco, black olive and fine, firm tannins. Not overdone. Good stuff.
2003 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz: Very young to be drinking this wine, but I think this is a younger drinking style of BP. Good wine considering the vintage, one of the better 2003 Barossa Shiraz I have had. Not as restrained as other BPs with generous raspberry, licorice, blackberry. Not as complex as BP from a good vintage but very enjoyable with the roast.
2002 Torbreck Steading: GSM blend with a good level of complexity. Vibrant fruit flavours of plum, raspberry and blackberry but with underlying hints of spice and meatiness. Great balance is what made this WOTN. Very Rhone-ish and up there with Charles Melton Nine Popes as my favourite Barossa GSM.
2001 Seppelts Chalambar Shiraz: Starting to hit its straps with a little bit of bottle age. Spice, pepper, fruit flavours in the plum and blackberry spectrum with fine tannins and well integrated vanilla oak. Becoming more savoury and complex with age.
And because we were still thirsty latter in the evening we quaffed:
2003 Mamre Brook Cab Sav - not bad
2004 Victorian Shiraz Cleanskin - too late to know
Rockford Black Shiraz (disg 2004): very enjoyable. Very fresh with sweet ripe blackberry, coffee and leathery earth.. I like these with more age, but all the same still very good.
2003 Wynns Black Label Cab Sav: this wine is the business. Plenty of cassis, a little earthy tobacco, black olive and fine, firm tannins. Not overdone. Good stuff.
2003 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz: Very young to be drinking this wine, but I think this is a younger drinking style of BP. Good wine considering the vintage, one of the better 2003 Barossa Shiraz I have had. Not as restrained as other BPs with generous raspberry, licorice, blackberry. Not as complex as BP from a good vintage but very enjoyable with the roast.
2002 Torbreck Steading: GSM blend with a good level of complexity. Vibrant fruit flavours of plum, raspberry and blackberry but with underlying hints of spice and meatiness. Great balance is what made this WOTN. Very Rhone-ish and up there with Charles Melton Nine Popes as my favourite Barossa GSM.
2001 Seppelts Chalambar Shiraz: Starting to hit its straps with a little bit of bottle age. Spice, pepper, fruit flavours in the plum and blackberry spectrum with fine tannins and well integrated vanilla oak. Becoming more savoury and complex with age.
And because we were still thirsty latter in the evening we quaffed:
2003 Mamre Brook Cab Sav - not bad
2004 Victorian Shiraz Cleanskin - too late to know
Premierships and great wine... that is what life is all about
