but that does not stop you telling us all what you have been drinking.
TN's vibes or impressions welcome.
Its Sunday and I have to bloody well work AGAIN.....
Balnaves Shiraz 2004
Had heard lots of good things about this and I can see why. Lovely depth of fruit with just a hint of pepper reflecting its origins. Subtle oak finishes the deal. Good gear and I think I will track this down for the cellar.
Fox Creek Reserve Cab Sav 1999
Nice enough wine that appears to have everthing in place just nothing spectacular about it a bit boring really.
Glen
Had heard lots of good things about this and I can see why. Lovely depth of fruit with just a hint of pepper reflecting its origins. Subtle oak finishes the deal. Good gear and I think I will track this down for the cellar.
Fox Creek Reserve Cab Sav 1999
Nice enough wine that appears to have everthing in place just nothing spectacular about it a bit boring really.
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
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Billy Bolonski
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:39 pm
- Location: Sydney
I tried Mitchell's of Clare range at an instore Thursday night - pretty impressive, but there's a lot of other impressive stuff around too right now:
The 2006 Riesling was a bit of a surprise - still excellent but quite steely/lemony compared to the lime/passionfruit/mineral characters of the previous vintage. This one tries to win you over with brute force rather than seduction, so it's not surprising I like the 2005 better.
The 2003 Semillon & GSM were solid. So were the 2002 Cabernet & 2004 Peppertree, featuring good depth of sweet fruit without any hints of stink/reduction that have tagged the last couple of vintages - I think they've finally nailed the bottling process of reds under screwcap.
The 1998 McNikol was almost literally walking out the shop - beautiful spicy cedar/leathery Shiraz, although I have my doubts it will last another 10 years as Andrew claims.
The latest Peppertree Sparkling Shiraz NV has had an extra year on lees (totalling four) and looks exceptionally smart - great Xmas day material.
Finally the 2005 Noble Semillon 375ml which was still young and waxy/lemony and rather slender, not showing an awful lot of rich botrytis but had a quite stunning fine finish. This could be interesting if it fills out.
Yesterday afternoon I was at the second Norwood Hotel Small Winemaker's exhibition of the year, this time featuring a range from around the country and some Kiwis too. There weren't a lot of real standouts unfortunately:
Kalleske's 2005 Clarry's Red & Greenock Shiraz were suffering bottle shock and looked a little vegetal as a result - don't touch until at least Autumn next year.
Of the Pinots I enjoyed the 2004 Piper's Brook, 2004 Kumeu River Village, 2004 Stefano Lubiano Estate, and the Kooyong 2004 Estate & 2004 Meres - and I bought the latter as it was worth the extra cost.
Of the rest I thought the 2004 Cullen Mangan looked pretty smart, and the 2006 Mt Horrocks Cordon Cut 375ml was brilliant, already showing a stunning level of botryitis (then I guess 2006 was certainly the year for it!)
Cheers,
Ian
The 2006 Riesling was a bit of a surprise - still excellent but quite steely/lemony compared to the lime/passionfruit/mineral characters of the previous vintage. This one tries to win you over with brute force rather than seduction, so it's not surprising I like the 2005 better.
The 2003 Semillon & GSM were solid. So were the 2002 Cabernet & 2004 Peppertree, featuring good depth of sweet fruit without any hints of stink/reduction that have tagged the last couple of vintages - I think they've finally nailed the bottling process of reds under screwcap.
The 1998 McNikol was almost literally walking out the shop - beautiful spicy cedar/leathery Shiraz, although I have my doubts it will last another 10 years as Andrew claims.
The latest Peppertree Sparkling Shiraz NV has had an extra year on lees (totalling four) and looks exceptionally smart - great Xmas day material.
Finally the 2005 Noble Semillon 375ml which was still young and waxy/lemony and rather slender, not showing an awful lot of rich botrytis but had a quite stunning fine finish. This could be interesting if it fills out.
Yesterday afternoon I was at the second Norwood Hotel Small Winemaker's exhibition of the year, this time featuring a range from around the country and some Kiwis too. There weren't a lot of real standouts unfortunately:
Kalleske's 2005 Clarry's Red & Greenock Shiraz were suffering bottle shock and looked a little vegetal as a result - don't touch until at least Autumn next year.
Of the Pinots I enjoyed the 2004 Piper's Brook, 2004 Kumeu River Village, 2004 Stefano Lubiano Estate, and the Kooyong 2004 Estate & 2004 Meres - and I bought the latter as it was worth the extra cost.
Of the rest I thought the 2004 Cullen Mangan looked pretty smart, and the 2006 Mt Horrocks Cordon Cut 375ml was brilliant, already showing a stunning level of botryitis (then I guess 2006 was certainly the year for it!)
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
n4sir wrote:Kalleske's 2005 Clarry's Red & Greenock Shiraz were suffering bottle shock and looked a little vegetal as a result - don't touch until at least Autumn next year.
Hi Ian,
We've been drinking the '04 and '05 Kalleske Clarry's Red for our office Friday drinks, the '05 for the last few months. Whilst I preferred the '04, the '05 has been very popular too !
Cheers, Mark
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Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1861
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Noon Reserve Shiraz 1997 - a day after driving from CBR/SYD and flying from SYD to BKK, this opened up nicely from the wine fridge and decanting to avoid the substantial sediment, soft and approachable, no heat from the 15.8%, a reasonable effort from a tough vintage, but finishes quite short. It faded a little in the glass and went better with Thai-flavours than the rich tomato-ey Lasagne that Andrea made for our Thai friends.
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! :-)
Gavin Trott wrote:Ian
The 2005 Kalleske Clarrys has been bottled and available since May??
No bottle shock there.
Yeah. I agree. Very good wine. Ready now.
Went to a very good winebar called Aperitif (Kellet St , Kings X) and had lots of tapas and too much wine.
05 Telmo Bas Rueda Verdejo - green herbs, fresh. Prerry good.
05 Telmo LZ - Meaty, berry flavours. Not so much of a fan of this.
01 Something Something Negroamaro (Puglia) - Very well priced. Smooth delicious dark fruits. I'll think of the name. Bargain.
02 Roda - Two bottles of this. Lovely wine. Rich berry and silky smooth tannins. Magic. I am going to buy.
GW
Pinot Tasting night at our place, complete with a few extras. Themed as Australia VS NZ, the outcomes were quite interesting...
Pegasus Bay 2002
A favourite of mine - big, upfront and slightly viscous texture, even a fraction jammy. Overall a class act but not overly complex or elegant.
Ashton Hills 04 Estate
Peppery nose, plums, strong menthol character detected all round. Very easy to drink, not overly tannic or structured, very lazy and free flowing. Not sure how long this will last but drinking nicely.
Gibbston Valley Central Otago 03
Again, a punchy NZ wine, big and overt. Not as elegant as the Ashton. Plum, spice and cinnamon although lacking in some character. Quite long.
Bannockburn Stuart 01
Funky, bretty, strong and unpleasant French Oak. Mushroom and forest floor, pepper. I thought this a bit too savoury and characterful but certainly distinctive. Won some appreciators for it's individuality.
Geoff Weaver 03 Adelaide Hills
Understated, slightly muted. Light oak nose and palate, some complexity but a bit thin and short.
Villa Maria 04 Private Bin
Very competent, velvety and plummy. Nice texture. Good balance, good colour. Hard to fault it but hard to be overly enthused.
Golding 02 Pinot Adelaide Hills
Asparagus notes, quite green. Herbal with strong spicy plum notes. A tad short. Very full-mouthed and distinctive. Canned beetroot and forest floor. Individual.
Beechtree Reserve 03 Macedon Ranges
Muted nose but friendly and drinkable palate. Cheerful but simple.
Two Paddocks Picnic 04
Nice, rounded wine, reminiscent of the Ashton Hills in some ways, until directly compared. Same approachable, textural mouthfeel. Easy drinking with full plummy, cherry and red fruits flavours.
Overall consensus, unsurprisingly was that the NZ wines demonstrated more distinctive, upfront characters whereas the Australian models tended to be more subtle and perhaps not as immediately appealling. Overall, a pretty decent line up that made it hard to single out an overall best or worst wine. For mine, the Peg Bay was a favourite and was highly regarded but the Ashton Hills and the 2 Paddocks were enjoyed also. The Bannockburn stood out for it's funkiness and had some admirers also (just not me!)
Then some more, non-related...
Penfolds St Henri 2001 Shiraz
A bit late in the night to be enjoying this at it's fullest but very balanced, concentrated in a medium bodied way - so not completely at odds with the Pinots prior. Developed some slight secondary characters but I think this would have been best left for another couple of years at least.
Clairault Claireau 2001
Gone. Spirity and fruit dropped off completely. Surprisingly bad and not at all the wine I remembered only a couple of years ago.
De Bortoli Noble One 2003
Luscious, immediately enjoyable. Not cloying at all, sweet but fresh on the palate. Good stuff.
Seppelt Vintage Fortified 1997
Smooth, licorice characters. Went down well but too difficult to remember much by this stage.
Pegasus Bay 2002
A favourite of mine - big, upfront and slightly viscous texture, even a fraction jammy. Overall a class act but not overly complex or elegant.
Ashton Hills 04 Estate
Peppery nose, plums, strong menthol character detected all round. Very easy to drink, not overly tannic or structured, very lazy and free flowing. Not sure how long this will last but drinking nicely.
Gibbston Valley Central Otago 03
Again, a punchy NZ wine, big and overt. Not as elegant as the Ashton. Plum, spice and cinnamon although lacking in some character. Quite long.
Bannockburn Stuart 01
Funky, bretty, strong and unpleasant French Oak. Mushroom and forest floor, pepper. I thought this a bit too savoury and characterful but certainly distinctive. Won some appreciators for it's individuality.
Geoff Weaver 03 Adelaide Hills
Understated, slightly muted. Light oak nose and palate, some complexity but a bit thin and short.
Villa Maria 04 Private Bin
Very competent, velvety and plummy. Nice texture. Good balance, good colour. Hard to fault it but hard to be overly enthused.
Golding 02 Pinot Adelaide Hills
Asparagus notes, quite green. Herbal with strong spicy plum notes. A tad short. Very full-mouthed and distinctive. Canned beetroot and forest floor. Individual.
Beechtree Reserve 03 Macedon Ranges
Muted nose but friendly and drinkable palate. Cheerful but simple.
Two Paddocks Picnic 04
Nice, rounded wine, reminiscent of the Ashton Hills in some ways, until directly compared. Same approachable, textural mouthfeel. Easy drinking with full plummy, cherry and red fruits flavours.
Overall consensus, unsurprisingly was that the NZ wines demonstrated more distinctive, upfront characters whereas the Australian models tended to be more subtle and perhaps not as immediately appealling. Overall, a pretty decent line up that made it hard to single out an overall best or worst wine. For mine, the Peg Bay was a favourite and was highly regarded but the Ashton Hills and the 2 Paddocks were enjoyed also. The Bannockburn stood out for it's funkiness and had some admirers also (just not me!)
Then some more, non-related...
Penfolds St Henri 2001 Shiraz
A bit late in the night to be enjoying this at it's fullest but very balanced, concentrated in a medium bodied way - so not completely at odds with the Pinots prior. Developed some slight secondary characters but I think this would have been best left for another couple of years at least.
Clairault Claireau 2001
Gone. Spirity and fruit dropped off completely. Surprisingly bad and not at all the wine I remembered only a couple of years ago.
De Bortoli Noble One 2003
Luscious, immediately enjoyable. Not cloying at all, sweet but fresh on the palate. Good stuff.
Seppelt Vintage Fortified 1997
Smooth, licorice characters. Went down well but too difficult to remember much by this stage.
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Tahbilk 1994 Marsanne
Medium gold in colour, complex nose with hints of marmalade, apricot, honeysuckle.
Tahbilk 2005 Marsanne
Pale, blossom fragrances, honeysuckle perhaps a hint of passionfruit in the background.
Medium gold in colour, complex nose with hints of marmalade, apricot, honeysuckle.
Tahbilk 2005 Marsanne
Pale, blossom fragrances, honeysuckle perhaps a hint of passionfruit in the background.
David G
"I'm going to die with a twinkle in my eye cause I sung songs, spun stories, loved, laughed and drank wine"
"I'm going to die with a twinkle in my eye cause I sung songs, spun stories, loved, laughed and drank wine"
A brief note on a wine, I have been very slack recently and can't remember anything else I have drunk. Perhaps I have not drunk anything... oh... the pain...
hmm.
Enzo Boglietti Vigna dei Romani Barbera d'alba:
First I read that Cam + others have maybe found this wine to be bretty. I don't know whether the wine they tried was the Vigna dei Romani and I am semi sure that Enzo makes two barberas.
Anyway, this had very little in terms of sediment, in the end it reminded me of a pinot somewhat. On opening a very very beautiful nose, sort of like the kind you find on aged cabernet and shiraz, cedar... that beautiful beautiful bouquet... On airing it seemed to grow a bit broader, I would suggest feral, but then it didn't smell like 1) barnyard, nor could I discern much 2) Bandaids or metallic character. The colour was red with browning at the ages, I would certainly suggest that it is starting to go downhill, but except over the course of dinner it evolved from being really sweet fruited to displaying savoury, herbaceous characters. Most interesting wine. I would actually be happy to share a bottle with you guys just to find out some comments.
Felline Alberello 1998:
Random Italian wine. To my nose past it. DNPIM.
Argh... I don't know whether to mourn my short term memory loss or my lack of drinking. Which is it!?!?!?
hmm.
Enzo Boglietti Vigna dei Romani Barbera d'alba:
First I read that Cam + others have maybe found this wine to be bretty. I don't know whether the wine they tried was the Vigna dei Romani and I am semi sure that Enzo makes two barberas.
Anyway, this had very little in terms of sediment, in the end it reminded me of a pinot somewhat. On opening a very very beautiful nose, sort of like the kind you find on aged cabernet and shiraz, cedar... that beautiful beautiful bouquet... On airing it seemed to grow a bit broader, I would suggest feral, but then it didn't smell like 1) barnyard, nor could I discern much 2) Bandaids or metallic character. The colour was red with browning at the ages, I would certainly suggest that it is starting to go downhill, but except over the course of dinner it evolved from being really sweet fruited to displaying savoury, herbaceous characters. Most interesting wine. I would actually be happy to share a bottle with you guys just to find out some comments.
Felline Alberello 1998:
Random Italian wine. To my nose past it. DNPIM.
Argh... I don't know whether to mourn my short term memory loss or my lack of drinking. Which is it!?!?!?
1998 Passing Clouds Graeme's Blend (Cabernet/Shiraz): First impression is that this wine still has plenty of years ahead of it. For an eight year old wine that was decanted (to get rid of that moster sediment) prior to serving, it was still a big wine with much oak and fruit showing through.
While the fruit and oak were both still very obvious individual characteristics, this made for an interesting drink and from my experience with this particular wine (this and other vintages), this is not out of the ordinary. However, this is probably the oldest I have tasted one of these wines. I look forward to my others in years to come.
While the fruit and oak were both still very obvious individual characteristics, this made for an interesting drink and from my experience with this particular wine (this and other vintages), this is not out of the ordinary. However, this is probably the oldest I have tasted one of these wines. I look forward to my others in years to come.
Ciao,
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Langi Shiraz 94 & d'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings 95. A friend opened these and my only comment is you are a fool not to cellar wines in a controlled environment if you live in a sub-tropical climate!
Also, had the Bannockburn shiraz 99 & Cayron Gigondas 2000 which both matched very well with spicey Sichuan. The Bannockburn in particular, was spectacular!
Also, had the Bannockburn shiraz 99 & Cayron Gigondas 2000 which both matched very well with spicey Sichuan. The Bannockburn in particular, was spectacular!
Last edited by JamieBahrain on Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
2004 O’Leary Walker Shiraz (Clare/McLaren Vale) - Screwcap
On opening the wine was a bit closed and restrained. I Poured 2 glasses and let the wine breathe for an about an hour. The wine opened up with ripe dark fruits aromas, hints of menthol and spices, a lot going on. The palate was a pleaser, it seemed at first the ripe fruit would dominate, but there were savoury undertones, nice tannin and acid structure, with french oak balancing out the wine nicely. Nice complexity to the wine, and an enjoyable wine to the last drop. At $14.99 this is a steal and great quaffing value. I’d like to see how this wine develops in the short to medium term.
2003 Knappstein Riesling (Clare)
Starting to turn a golden colour. Quite florally on the nose with hints of citrus. Nice bottle age characters starting to emerge, the acid profile is starting to mellow, floral, minerally and slight citrus flavours with a nice lingering finish. Great mouthfeel as well. Should continue to develop further.
On opening the wine was a bit closed and restrained. I Poured 2 glasses and let the wine breathe for an about an hour. The wine opened up with ripe dark fruits aromas, hints of menthol and spices, a lot going on. The palate was a pleaser, it seemed at first the ripe fruit would dominate, but there were savoury undertones, nice tannin and acid structure, with french oak balancing out the wine nicely. Nice complexity to the wine, and an enjoyable wine to the last drop. At $14.99 this is a steal and great quaffing value. I’d like to see how this wine develops in the short to medium term.
2003 Knappstein Riesling (Clare)
Starting to turn a golden colour. Quite florally on the nose with hints of citrus. Nice bottle age characters starting to emerge, the acid profile is starting to mellow, floral, minerally and slight citrus flavours with a nice lingering finish. Great mouthfeel as well. Should continue to develop further.
99 St Halletts Barossa Cab Sav.
Reasonbly new to wine, Need help with this one.
Found this while out of town, Had $7.00 off down to $19.95 nzd. Thought it would be worth a go. This wine had never been laid down as the cork was very dry and broke in half on the way out but got it all out Sucessfully in the end.
Purple to Dark red in colour ,Did'nt seem to show any Bricking? had blackfruit on the nose but on the palate it lacked in fruit and still had some quite a bit of Tannin, Proberly just past it
Heavy layer of Sediment and not Decantered, Sould I have given it time to show it self?
Does anyone know about this one.
Have had a look at the St Hallets Website and can't find any info on the wine. Maybe they have discontinued making this one?
Reasonbly new to wine, Need help with this one.
Found this while out of town, Had $7.00 off down to $19.95 nzd. Thought it would be worth a go. This wine had never been laid down as the cork was very dry and broke in half on the way out but got it all out Sucessfully in the end.
Purple to Dark red in colour ,Did'nt seem to show any Bricking? had blackfruit on the nose but on the palate it lacked in fruit and still had some quite a bit of Tannin, Proberly just past it
Heavy layer of Sediment and not Decantered, Sould I have given it time to show it self?
Does anyone know about this one.
Have had a look at the St Hallets Website and can't find any info on the wine. Maybe they have discontinued making this one?
Last edited by JONZIE on Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
[/b]Dinner with Jamie Bahrain at Yellow Door in Hong Kong with 3 nice reds
Domaine Du Cayron Gigondas 2000
Drinking well, lovely bright blueberry Grenache fruit underpinned by gamey notes and a certain steeliness perhaps provided by Mouvedre? This has a way to go but handled the mildly spicy food well
Bannackburn Shiraz 1999
The wine of the night for me. Very reminiscent of Graillot's La Guirade Crozes Hermitage. Lovely violets and dark fruits on the nose, only medium weight but very long. A pinot lovers shiraz.
Coldstream Hills Briarston 2000
This was slightly overshadowed but does show that Bordeaux blends and the Yarra are a nice fit. Why did they take this brand off the market??
Domaine Du Cayron Gigondas 2000
Drinking well, lovely bright blueberry Grenache fruit underpinned by gamey notes and a certain steeliness perhaps provided by Mouvedre? This has a way to go but handled the mildly spicy food well
Bannackburn Shiraz 1999
The wine of the night for me. Very reminiscent of Graillot's La Guirade Crozes Hermitage. Lovely violets and dark fruits on the nose, only medium weight but very long. A pinot lovers shiraz.
Coldstream Hills Briarston 2000
This was slightly overshadowed but does show that Bordeaux blends and the Yarra are a nice fit. Why did they take this brand off the market??
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JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
andyc wrote: but handled the mildly spicy food well
I was surprised how well the Gigondas & Bannockburn presented aswell.
My last exposure to Sichuan was with a single vineyard Chapoutier- 300 bucks down the drain frankly! An absolute gamble is wine and Asian food matching. The Bannockburn pricing as an entry point is about the level I'm happy to punt with.
1996 Lanson Gold Label
I don't get the chance to drink much Champagne and always look forward to it - I perhaps then expect too much. May be started too cold, lots of lemon in the mouth but a bit muted on the nose - warmed up to show yeast on nose. The reviews suggest high distinction but I would only score distinction.
1998 Noon Reserve Cabernet
I just wish these were a bit lower in alcohol - the alcohol was showing which distrcted from an otherwise rich enjoyable wine. Credit+
Miranda The Pioneers Raisoned Muscat
Forget the vintage but reasonably recent. This is really interesting wine, about 11% sticky. The muscat provides a lift in the nose, not cloying and no obvious botrytis - was bought on a whim as it was stacked at the counter when I was wine buying a couple of weeks ago, would buy again. Distinction.
2005 Doff au Moulin Riesling
I'm really enjoying this range - having Alsatians for under $20 makes a great variation to Aussie stuff. This was a bit closed on first openning but openned up to promise as much as the previous vintages. The acid has a gentleness you don't see in the Australians. Must buy more and actually see how they cellar. Distinction.
I don't get the chance to drink much Champagne and always look forward to it - I perhaps then expect too much. May be started too cold, lots of lemon in the mouth but a bit muted on the nose - warmed up to show yeast on nose. The reviews suggest high distinction but I would only score distinction.
1998 Noon Reserve Cabernet
I just wish these were a bit lower in alcohol - the alcohol was showing which distrcted from an otherwise rich enjoyable wine. Credit+
Miranda The Pioneers Raisoned Muscat
Forget the vintage but reasonably recent. This is really interesting wine, about 11% sticky. The muscat provides a lift in the nose, not cloying and no obvious botrytis - was bought on a whim as it was stacked at the counter when I was wine buying a couple of weeks ago, would buy again. Distinction.
2005 Doff au Moulin Riesling
I'm really enjoying this range - having Alsatians for under $20 makes a great variation to Aussie stuff. This was a bit closed on first openning but openned up to promise as much as the previous vintages. The acid has a gentleness you don't see in the Australians. Must buy more and actually see how they cellar. Distinction.
David J
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Rudy wrote:n4sir wrote:Kalleske's 2005 Clarry's Red & Greenock Shiraz were suffering bottle shock and looked a little vegetal as a result - don't touch until at least Autumn next year.
Hi Ian,
We've been drinking the '04 and '05 Kalleske Clarry's Red for our office Friday drinks, the '05 for the last few months. Whilst I preferred the '04, the '05 has been very popular too !
Cheers, Mark
Gavin Trott wrote:Ian
The 2005 Kalleske Clarrys has been bottled and available since May??
No bottle shock there.
Maybe it's a case of me being a little too diplomatic - to be honest the 2005 Clarry's was surprisingly very ordinary (vegetal and lacking palate weight); likewise the 2005 Greenock Shiraz was also a little vegetal at first, so I mentioned it to Troy (and also Tony).
Troy noticed it too and thought (in the case of the Clarry's at least) that the cause was some sulphur showing and it would settle down. The Greenock only started opening up with a hell of a lot of work, but it was still rather moody and a bit of a disappointment for those less patient than me. I think Troy would admit that both didn't look their best on the day, and that was in a room full of unimpressive reds that didn't show them up.
I suggested bottle shock may have been a factor and they seemed to agree - whether there's a new batch of Clarry's out or they were being polite to me giving them the benefit of the doubt, only they can answer.
Cheers,
Ian
Last edited by n4sir on Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
bacchaebabe wrote:Ian, you didn't taste their sticky, the Lorraine Semillon, did you? Thinking of getting a case of this.
Yeah I did very late in the day, and had a chat to Troy about it. He's such an incredibly relaxed and down to earth person despite all the success with the reds, and this pet project ('something fun to do') seems to reflect that pretty well.
It's a very clean, crisp, almost fruity Barossa Semillon style (a definite hint of green apple there) with a medium level of botrytis and quite a racy, long, almost chalky finish. Structure-wise it's a bit like the Mitchell Noble Semillon: it's very young and looks to have the framework to age, and it will be interesting to see how it fills out.
In contrast the 2006 Mt. Horricks Cordon Cut is absolutely oozing stickyness out of every pore: unbelievable weight and viscosity for such a young wine. Trying another sticky anywhere near this one is a tough ask.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Lindemans Pyrus 1997 Magnum (museum release, bought from CD Feb 06)
This is the 2nd bottle I have had of this in the last month. First one was really enjoyable, good mouthfeel, medium bodied and smooth as you like. Unfortunately this one wasn't all the great. Okay but nothing more than that, quite thin. I get the feeling that this has gone past it's peak a little. The 2001 Pyrus I drank 2 weeks ago was a more enjoyable drink.
This is the 2nd bottle I have had of this in the last month. First one was really enjoyable, good mouthfeel, medium bodied and smooth as you like. Unfortunately this one wasn't all the great. Okay but nothing more than that, quite thin. I get the feeling that this has gone past it's peak a little. The 2001 Pyrus I drank 2 weeks ago was a more enjoyable drink.
"Seek to understand, before being understood" Stephen Covey
Dinner at Assaggio on Saturday night:
Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV: Bright, vibrant lighter gold with a steady, fine bead. Crisp acid with a little citrus and green apple. A little warmth showed more yeasty, bread flavours and increased richness. Great mouthfeel. Very good length and flavour for the price. A very good NV.
Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2004: One of my favourite recent release Aus chards. Fresh acidity with clean flavours of apple, melon, grapefruit and a little mealy complexity. Very enjoyable
Moss Wood Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2001: I thought this to be one of the best Aussie Cab Savs that I have had the pleasure of drinking. Great nose of dark berries, cedar, tomato leaf and dusty earth with a touch of mocha. The palate exhibited great depth and balance with deep dark berries, high quality cedary oak, a little forrest floor and super-fine tannins. Great length and balance - should be a classic with time.
Charles Melton Sotto di Ferro 2001: Very good sticky. Toasted nuts, apricot and dried fruit. Sweet but not cloying with excellent balance and length. Quite complex.
The food and service at Assaggio was brilliant making for a great night.
Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV: Bright, vibrant lighter gold with a steady, fine bead. Crisp acid with a little citrus and green apple. A little warmth showed more yeasty, bread flavours and increased richness. Great mouthfeel. Very good length and flavour for the price. A very good NV.
Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay 2004: One of my favourite recent release Aus chards. Fresh acidity with clean flavours of apple, melon, grapefruit and a little mealy complexity. Very enjoyable
Moss Wood Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2001: I thought this to be one of the best Aussie Cab Savs that I have had the pleasure of drinking. Great nose of dark berries, cedar, tomato leaf and dusty earth with a touch of mocha. The palate exhibited great depth and balance with deep dark berries, high quality cedary oak, a little forrest floor and super-fine tannins. Great length and balance - should be a classic with time.
Charles Melton Sotto di Ferro 2001: Very good sticky. Toasted nuts, apricot and dried fruit. Sweet but not cloying with excellent balance and length. Quite complex.
The food and service at Assaggio was brilliant making for a great night.
Premierships and great wine... that is what life is all about
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Serge Birbrair
I was drinking real sh-t!
we are in Utah, exploring the canyons and curiosity took the best of me, I tried Utah Pinot Noir.
How the hell they grow PN in Moab is beyond me. The wine didn't have a single charecter on PN!
Castle Creek Winery,
NV, American Pinot Noir is real dreck every non conventional wines lover should try at least once in their life times to appreciate more the "conventional" ones.
we are in Utah, exploring the canyons and curiosity took the best of me, I tried Utah Pinot Noir.
How the hell they grow PN in Moab is beyond me. The wine didn't have a single charecter on PN!
Castle Creek Winery,
NV, American Pinot Noir is real dreck every non conventional wines lover should try at least once in their life times to appreciate more the "conventional" ones.
A couple of weeks here:
2006 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling – Not as powerful and much more approachable than the 2005 Polish Hill but lovely texture with heaps of bath salts and other complexities. 93/100 (18.2/20)
2006 Grosset Watervale Riesling – Ripe, smooth sweet lime “baby fat†middle palate with nearly as much complexity as the 2006 Polish Hill but not as obvious due to the ripeness. 92/100 (17.7/20)
2002 Tyrrell’s Vat 15 Semillon (the Tyrrell’s Semillon Quaffer) – Very, very respectable and has taken the age in bottle to great benefit. Full and toasty. Wonderfully varietal. 89/100 (16.8/20)
2006 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon – The “Taittinger of the Hunter Valleyâ€Â. Not as powerful as the 2004 but so elegant, complex, fine, long and feminine. 96/100 (18.9/2). Drinks great now, I am not sure if it can get any better although it should fill out with age.
2005 Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling - $12 – Very good and another PL bargain. 88/100 (16.5/20)
2002 Rockford “Local Growers†Semillon – 11.5% - Light gold. Lemonade, lime, lemon and cream on a smooth deep palate controlled by soft, integrated acid of good power. Beautifully balanced, this will improve over the next 5 years. A step above the 2003, especially in terms of aging potential. 90/200 (17/20).
2003 Climbing Merlot – Orange, NSW – Medium bodied. Ripe cherries, mulberries, plums, dark earth and sarsaparilla with wheatgrass, caramel and coffee oak with hints of pencil shaving. Free flowing and mouthfilling but controlled well by powdery tannins that carry the fruit to a dry, elegant finish. Drink straight after opening from the bottle. 87/100 (16/20)
2004 Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne - Fruit salad underpinned by lime and nutty kernel complexity on a round generous palate kept tight with excellent integrated acidity. The palate is quite textured aided by barrel fermentation and a little phenolic grip, combining with the acid to provide a satisfying, long finish. Excellent made wine with ability to age but a wonderful drink now. 92/100 (17.8/20)
2005 Grosset Watervale Riesling – 13% - Although a wine with aging potential, an absolutely lovely drink now. Not profound but pure, smooth and long with juicy acidity. 93/100 (18/20).
2004 Tahbilk Cabernet Franc – Sumptuous and quite creamy with breathing, medium bodied, sweet musk, ripe mulberry, plums and black fruits with tobacco, savoury yeastiness and caramel of very good depth, on a well-defined structure of very fine but abundant tannin and fine and integrated acid that finishes long, very dry and with hint of satisfying bitterness. 93/100 (18/20). Amazing buy for $12. Reports seems to indicate that the 2005 is not as good.
2005 Knappstein Ackland Vineyard Riesling - Spectacular wine. Amazing complexity with serious power on the back palate and serious palate weigh without losing any refinement or finesse. The best 2005 Clare Riesling that I have tasted - 94/100 (18.5/20). My only reason for not giving this more is than there is an overripe, nearly decaying, lemon rind nuance that I suspect is not going to age well, although at the moment it adds to the harmonious complexity of the wine. The same character dominated the 2005 Cardinham Estate Riesling, which was absolutely panned at the Riesling Challenge.
2004 Tarrington Pinot Noir – This would have to be the best wine I have been served at a non-wine related or influenced lunch. Big, powerful and long but avoids overripeness or monotony. Thank you Dimitri. 93/100 (18.2/20) for sheer intensity.
2004 Deisen Mataro - 14.8% - Nice enough with savoury and licorice complexities on the plum and cherry jam but it is the alcohol that loses its interest for me as it thins the palate. Comprehensively overshadowed by the Tarrington Pinot Noir on the day. 88/100 (16.5/20)
2003 Wynns Johnston’s Block Shiraz Cabernet – 13% - Unbalanced in a really weird, oaky sort of way. I have no idea where it will go with age but I definitely can’t drink it now. Close to Undrinkable.
2003 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec – Clare Valley - 13.2%: Violets, small black berries, fine wheatmeal oak and ripe red berries. Wonderful ripeness and intensity without heaviness. The latent power is obvious on the sensationally tight yet still enjoyable palate. Power with elegance. Classy, finely powerful, very slightly chalky tannins carry the wine superbly. Not as fruit laden as the Shiraz Mataro but still wonderful drinking now despite its obvious long-term abilities. No mint. 95/100 (18.7/20).
1996 Lanson Gold Label – Champagne - 12.5%: Had a number of bottles with similar notes. Textbook Champagne without the prestige cuvee class or fineness. One of the top Champagne buys for less than $100. Ripe smooth base on the front with good autolysis and excellent, fresh powerful acidity keeping excellent line. 93/100 (18/20), maybe a little more.
Kind regards,
Adair
2006 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling – Not as powerful and much more approachable than the 2005 Polish Hill but lovely texture with heaps of bath salts and other complexities. 93/100 (18.2/20)
2006 Grosset Watervale Riesling – Ripe, smooth sweet lime “baby fat†middle palate with nearly as much complexity as the 2006 Polish Hill but not as obvious due to the ripeness. 92/100 (17.7/20)
2002 Tyrrell’s Vat 15 Semillon (the Tyrrell’s Semillon Quaffer) – Very, very respectable and has taken the age in bottle to great benefit. Full and toasty. Wonderfully varietal. 89/100 (16.8/20)
2006 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon – The “Taittinger of the Hunter Valleyâ€Â. Not as powerful as the 2004 but so elegant, complex, fine, long and feminine. 96/100 (18.9/2). Drinks great now, I am not sure if it can get any better although it should fill out with age.
2005 Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling - $12 – Very good and another PL bargain. 88/100 (16.5/20)
2002 Rockford “Local Growers†Semillon – 11.5% - Light gold. Lemonade, lime, lemon and cream on a smooth deep palate controlled by soft, integrated acid of good power. Beautifully balanced, this will improve over the next 5 years. A step above the 2003, especially in terms of aging potential. 90/200 (17/20).
2003 Climbing Merlot – Orange, NSW – Medium bodied. Ripe cherries, mulberries, plums, dark earth and sarsaparilla with wheatgrass, caramel and coffee oak with hints of pencil shaving. Free flowing and mouthfilling but controlled well by powdery tannins that carry the fruit to a dry, elegant finish. Drink straight after opening from the bottle. 87/100 (16/20)
2004 Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne - Fruit salad underpinned by lime and nutty kernel complexity on a round generous palate kept tight with excellent integrated acidity. The palate is quite textured aided by barrel fermentation and a little phenolic grip, combining with the acid to provide a satisfying, long finish. Excellent made wine with ability to age but a wonderful drink now. 92/100 (17.8/20)
2005 Grosset Watervale Riesling – 13% - Although a wine with aging potential, an absolutely lovely drink now. Not profound but pure, smooth and long with juicy acidity. 93/100 (18/20).
2004 Tahbilk Cabernet Franc – Sumptuous and quite creamy with breathing, medium bodied, sweet musk, ripe mulberry, plums and black fruits with tobacco, savoury yeastiness and caramel of very good depth, on a well-defined structure of very fine but abundant tannin and fine and integrated acid that finishes long, very dry and with hint of satisfying bitterness. 93/100 (18/20). Amazing buy for $12. Reports seems to indicate that the 2005 is not as good.
2005 Knappstein Ackland Vineyard Riesling - Spectacular wine. Amazing complexity with serious power on the back palate and serious palate weigh without losing any refinement or finesse. The best 2005 Clare Riesling that I have tasted - 94/100 (18.5/20). My only reason for not giving this more is than there is an overripe, nearly decaying, lemon rind nuance that I suspect is not going to age well, although at the moment it adds to the harmonious complexity of the wine. The same character dominated the 2005 Cardinham Estate Riesling, which was absolutely panned at the Riesling Challenge.
2004 Tarrington Pinot Noir – This would have to be the best wine I have been served at a non-wine related or influenced lunch. Big, powerful and long but avoids overripeness or monotony. Thank you Dimitri. 93/100 (18.2/20) for sheer intensity.
2004 Deisen Mataro - 14.8% - Nice enough with savoury and licorice complexities on the plum and cherry jam but it is the alcohol that loses its interest for me as it thins the palate. Comprehensively overshadowed by the Tarrington Pinot Noir on the day. 88/100 (16.5/20)
2003 Wynns Johnston’s Block Shiraz Cabernet – 13% - Unbalanced in a really weird, oaky sort of way. I have no idea where it will go with age but I definitely can’t drink it now. Close to Undrinkable.
2003 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec – Clare Valley - 13.2%: Violets, small black berries, fine wheatmeal oak and ripe red berries. Wonderful ripeness and intensity without heaviness. The latent power is obvious on the sensationally tight yet still enjoyable palate. Power with elegance. Classy, finely powerful, very slightly chalky tannins carry the wine superbly. Not as fruit laden as the Shiraz Mataro but still wonderful drinking now despite its obvious long-term abilities. No mint. 95/100 (18.7/20).
1996 Lanson Gold Label – Champagne - 12.5%: Had a number of bottles with similar notes. Textbook Champagne without the prestige cuvee class or fineness. One of the top Champagne buys for less than $100. Ripe smooth base on the front with good autolysis and excellent, fresh powerful acidity keeping excellent line. 93/100 (18/20), maybe a little more.
Kind regards,
Adair
Wine is bottled poetry.
Adair wrote:A couple of weeks here:
2004 Tahbilk Cabernet Franc – Sumptuous and quite creamy with breathing, medium bodied, sweet musk, ripe mulberry, plums and black fruits with tobacco, savoury yeastiness and caramel of very good depth, on a well-defined structure of very fine but abundant tannin and fine and integrated acid that finishes long, very dry and with hint of satisfying bitterness. 93/100 (18/20). Amazing buy for $12. Reports seems to indicate that the 2005 is not as good.
I recall having the 2005 at the cellar door a little while back and if my memory serves me correctly, It didn't stand out as noteworthy.
David G
"I'm going to die with a twinkle in my eye cause I sung songs, spun stories, loved, laughed and drank wine"
"I'm going to die with a twinkle in my eye cause I sung songs, spun stories, loved, laughed and drank wine"
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George Krashos
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:26 pm
rooview wrote:2004 Dönnhoff 'Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle' Riesling Spätlese (Nahe, Ge) - a name longer than an elephants trunk but a finish to match. This Spätlese really shows why Dönnhoff is so well love. Impecabble acid/sweet balance, floral, mineral, almost overwhelming flavours and such a wonderful mouthfeel. This will be truly outstanding in time.
Given that 2004 is my son's birth year, and knowing the longevity of these types of wine, I'm wondering where you picked this one up, Rooview? Was it in Adelaide?
-- George Krashos