What are you drinking for Christmas?

[ChrisV]

thanks Chris- I might sneak one into a tasting group and see how it looks- what was the alcohol level on it ???

Pretty heavy - 14.9%.

[Duncan]

The only significant wine of Christmas was the 2003 LEAS, superb as expected. Had several tries at procuring Black Shiraz in the last two months including visiting Rockford, trying to sweet-talk a bottle from a case of six being picked up at Pemberton GPO and bidding at an internet auction. In the end has Vixen and consoled myself with the fact that the company was good and food was excellent.

[KMP]

Started the celebrations with a bottle of 2004 Majella Sparkling Shiraz, then went to open a bottle of 1991 Mount Eden Pinot Noir and the Screwpull pushed the cork into the bottle; it must have been sitting there by a thread even though the ullage level was very good. Decanted, it was (as expected) a classic example of oxidized wine. Subbed a bottle of the 2003. Passed around a glass of both just so that everyone could get the experience of past versus too early. Finished up with dessert and Dutschke's Sun-Dried Shiraz (bottled May 2005).

Mike

[GRB]

Mostly from a very blurry memory

FRS
d"Arenberg Peppermint Paddock Chambourcin
Anderson Sparkling Shiraz 1998 both good gear

A few whites that I don't really recall

Reds
Several bottles of Warrabilla 05 Clean skin Durif
Warrabilla Parola Durif 2004
Penfold St Henri 1978 (maybe, label long gone) fantastic gear though
Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock 1990 at it's peak and drinking nicley
Grant Burge Shadrach 1996 In the zone
Wynns Shiraz 1990 (missed this one)
Wynns Cab Sav 1990 Singing as it should be
Noon's Shiraz 1989 (maybe again no label) Wow
Barrosa Valley Estate E&E 1994 Big Oak Big fruit and all meshed in nicely outstanding wine
Greenock Creek Alice's 2004 Nice fruit
Greenock Creek Apricot 2004 Even Better must chase down some of the higher end stuff
Plenty of others as well but for some reason my memory is fading

Stickies
1997 Anderson Nice
1961 Angoves Vintage Port Awesome

[Red Bigot]

Mostly from a very blurry memory

FRS
d"Arenberg Peppermint Paddock Chambourcin

I had a glass of this at a friends place on Boxing day, which surprised me as we'd had one together a year or so ago and hated it, yet he had bought it again. Well, he didn't mind the batch, but nothing had changed for me, too sweet and a weird unbalanced palate, I was polite enough to finish one glass, but couldn't cope with a second one.

James Halliday had a litttle speil about sparkling reds at the NWS in November, he said that only one maker was really paying serious attention to sparkling reds (Leasingham), most of the others were turning out ordinary wines made from the dregs and weird varieties - "even Chambourcin, for God's sake".

[GRB]

Mostly from a very blurry memory

FRS
d"Arenberg Peppermint Paddock Chambourcin

I had a glass of this at a friends place on Boxing day, which surprised me as we'd had one together a year or so ago and hated it, yet he had bought it again. Well, he didn't mind the batch, but nothing had changed for me, too sweet and a weird unbalanced palate, I was polite enough to finish one glass, but couldn't cope with a second one.

James Halliday had a litttle speil about sparkling reds at the NWS in November, he said that only one maker was really paying serious attention to sparkling reds (Leasingham), most of the others were turning out ordinary wines made from the dregs and weird varieties - "even Chambourcin, for God's sake".

I have had it a few times and quite like it. It is certainly different but is the only chambourcin I have ever even remotely liked. You have to love Halliday, I wonder what the folks at Seppelt, Joseph, Rockford, Majella, Peter Lehmann, ..... would have to say about it . Have a try of the Anderson next time you are down Rutherglen way it was pretty good.

Merry Xmas

Glen

[n4sir]

Christmas Day is usually a difficult affair to pick wines for - I usually prefer aged Cabernets, Dad likes young Shiraz, the girls like sweet whites, and my brother the cheapest crap in a cask known to mankind.

Not surprisingly what we had was pretty unremarkable. Probably the most memorable one was a 2002 Wolf Blass Grey label Cabernet which was truly ordinary for the price. Heavily toasted/charred and later coffee oak, mid-weight earthy/eucalyptus fruit and very dry tannins - the whole thing looked manufactured and tarted up in the worst possible way. Then again it is Wolf Blass...

Cheers,
Ian

[GrahamB]

We did start the day with:

Rockford Black 2006 disgourge. I think this is better than the 2005 bottles I have tried, but I really loved the 2004.

The Willows "The Doctor", good at the time and some was held over for the evening and it did not stand the test of time.

Mr Riggs Adelaide Hills Riesling (with the prawns) was great.

Some Seppelt DP63 with the Xmas pudding and custard

A Kiwi Sauv Blanc (can't remember the name tonight) but better than the next one.

Then another kiwi sb (Oyster Bay) well you know what you are getting with this one.

2004 Wolf Blass Shiraz/Viognier drinking quite well.

2002 Gevrey Chamberttin Clos Prieur - Doesn't float my boat but has improved over the night.

Graham

[michaelw]

Over the break managed to share a Rockford Black, Sparkling Duck 4 and a 2003 Jasper Hill Riesling with friends at various catch ups. I always wonder what to bring for the trek up the Hume from Melbourne to Sydney since my wifes family don't drink wine.

All of the above 3 wines were great, with the Sparkling Duck being a little more restrained than the last disgorgement I tried (Sparkling Duck 3). It was my first foray with the Rockfords Black and it wont be my last.

As for Jasper Hill, I have not purchased anything for the past 2 years as I can't see the value any more. However, this riesling was lovely and crisp with a mailing list price tag I can't face again (like it's red wine cousins)