1983 Grange, 1986 HOG + others

[Gianna]

A slightly over the top lunch last week and the comments below are in order of my ranking with minimal notes, only from memory. (which faded rapidly)

An 8 course degestation menu ( fantastic modern italian food ) at
il Bacaro in Melb accompanied these wines. Normally no BYO, but with early pleading and an exxy corkage, the following wines were had. And not one bad bottle in the whole showing. Woohooo....

WOTN
1983 Grange
I must say, I don't drink alot of Grange, but this is what I have expected a true classic to be like. A deep, dark black/red color with a little bricking only. Subtle nose of cassis and vanilla and cinamon. Mocha, chocolate and plum flavours flowed as this complex wine continued to develop in the glass. Superb. Easily another 5-8 years to go.
95 pts

1986 HOG
An awesome wine. Far greater fruit influences on the nose and palate. A long aftertaste of ripe blackberries. Excellent. 94 pts

1986 John Riddoch
I have spoken about this wine before and still believe this is one of Australias best long living cabernets. Earthy and wood / cedar flavours. Will live for years and I think is drinking at its peak. 94 pts

1986 Bin 707
Equal to the JR and perhaps even more complex. A tribute as to how this wine has matured and held up. Pure cabernet fruit with less oak or cedar influences than the JR. Many times I recalled myself swooning over this wine and wishing I had brought one more. 94 pts

1990 Cyril Henschke
WOW. All the smells of the forest floor. A beautifully structured wine that has aged perfectly. Still tight and refined with a wonderful oak presence integrated into this wine. Top Stuff 92 pts

1983 St Henri
Not quite in the same league as the wines above and perhaps just getting past its best. Nevertheless, a seamless, lush shiraz that oozed class. An elegant wine but not quite as complex or breathtaking as the others.
90 pts

1994 CH de PEZ Cru Bourgeois Superieur St Estephe
At first, a lot of bottle stink and I nearly thought it was gone. After about 2 hours this wine was stunning. Spicy with white pepper and vanilla sticks. My first bottle of this wine and it was great. 90 pts

1997 RWT
Strong mocha and plum flavours. A little bit tannic and acidic but still a very pleasant wine with an elegant finish. 89 pts

2000 Gaja Barolo
A great wine but after this line up, the fruit bomb youth of this wine was not enjoyable. One its own I think it would score a fair bit higher. It reminded me of the Godolphin power and upfront flavours. 89 pts

This weekend I have slated a 1994 Basket Press Shiraz and the 1990 Cyril was so good that I am having another.

[Ian S]

A slightly over the top lunch last week and the comments below are in order of my ranking with minimal notes, only from memory. (which faded rapidly)

An 8 course degestation menu ( fantastic modern italian food ) at
il Bacaro in Melb accompanied these wines. Normally no BYO, but with early pleading and an exxy corkage, the following wines were had. And not one bad bottle in the whole showing. Woohooo....

WOTN
1983 Grange
I must say, I don't drink alot of Grange, but this is what I have expected a true classic to be like. A deep, dark black/red color with a little bricking only. Subtle nose of cassis and vanilla and cinamon. Mocha, chocolate and plum flavours flowed as this complex wine continued to develop in the glass. Superb. Easily another 5-8 years to go.
95 pts

1986 HOG
An awesome wine. Far greater fruit influences on the nose and palate. A long aftertaste of ripe blackberries. Excellent. 94 pts

1986 John Riddoch
I have spoken about this wine before and still believe this is one of Australias best long living cabernets. Earthy and wood / cedar flavours. Will live for years and I think is drinking at its peak. 94 pts

1986 Bin 707
Equal to the JR and perhaps even more complex. A tribute as to how this wine has matured and held up. Pure cabernet fruit with less oak or cedar influences than the JR. Many times I recalled myself swooning over this wine and wishing I had brought one more. 94 pts

1990 Cyril Henschke
WOW. All the smells of the forest floor. A beautifully structured wine that has aged perfectly. Still tight and refined with a wonderful oak presence integrated into this wine. Top Stuff 92 pts

1983 St Henri
Not quite in the same league as the wines above and perhaps just getting past its best. Nevertheless, a seamless, lush shiraz that oozed class. An elegant wine but not quite as complex or breathtaking as the others.
90 pts

1994 CH de PEZ Cru Bourgeois Superieur St Estephe
At first, a lot of bottle stink and I nearly thought it was gone. After about 2 hours this wine was stunning. Spicy with white pepper and vanilla sticks. My first bottle of this wine and it was great. 90 pts

1997 RWT
Strong mocha and plum flavours. A little bit tannic and acidic but still a very pleasant wine with an elegant finish. 89 pts

2000 Gaja Barolo
A great wine but after this line up, the fruit bomb youth of this wine was not enjoyable. One its own I think it would score a fair bit higher. It reminded me of the Godolphin power and upfront flavours. 89 pts

This weekend I have slated a 1994 Basket Press Shiraz and the 1990 Cyril was so good that I am having another.

<doffs cap in respect>

sounds great - respectful hedonism!

[Von Ridler]

I had a 1986 John Riddoch a few months back after I saw it at $50.00 at a local bottle shop. I agree with your TN I am only sorry I did not buy the other two remaining John Riddoch 86.
When I went back the next day they were gone.
I have some 86 707 but am yet to try.

Regards,
Ron.

[Adair]

A slightly over the top lunch last week

Really!

Great to see another member inducted into the 1983 Grange Lovers Society.

Adair

[Gianna]

Adair Wrote:

Great to see another member inducted into the 1983 Grange Lovers Society.

Adair,

This wine was simply class personified. Elegant, lush, rich, dark, brooding, complex, multi-layered flavours, silky texture and tight.

I am not an expert on Grange or wine in general for that matter, but over the years I think that the few dozen bottles that I have drunk give me enough knowledge to say that the 83 Grange is a standout amongst any vintage.

I wish I had more

[bacchaebabe]

I had the opportunityt to speak with Don Ditter once and he rated the '83 as the best wine of his tenure there.

[Jordan]

These kind reviews of the 1983 Grange have made a 23 year old very happy!!!

Now to procure a well cellared bottle at a reasonable price....