It's Sunday again.....
It's Sunday again.....
time for your weekly drinking reports. You know the drill.
Last night, no notes but a good Sancerre, ok Savigny-les-Beaune and a good Monbazillac (well the 2nd bottle was good - even I could detect the taint on the 1st bottle 
) were drunk in good company.
Tonight
1995 Yarra Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (6/2/2007)
Bought from auction (to be honest mostly for the other 3 bottles in the lot - a Mount Mary Quintet and 2 Jack Manns, all from 95 vintage).
Still strong depth to the colour which still has a remarkably youthful purple hue, albeit with bricking at the rim. Nose is pretty typical Cabernet with pleasant mintiness/leafiness, still quite rich blackcurrant and oak in the background. It hangs together in a classy manner.
On the palate it's medium bodied, with good length and really well judged acidity giving refreshment. The mintiness is perhaps more noticeable on the palate than the nose. I like it, but if you don't like this facet in a wine, then this would be one to skip. Nothing much in the way of tannins now.
All in all a very enjoyable and restrained wine. It should drink well for a good few years yet, though for some it would be fully mature already.
) were drunk in good company.
Tonight
1995 Yarra Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (6/2/2007)
Bought from auction (to be honest mostly for the other 3 bottles in the lot - a Mount Mary Quintet and 2 Jack Manns, all from 95 vintage).
Still strong depth to the colour which still has a remarkably youthful purple hue, albeit with bricking at the rim. Nose is pretty typical Cabernet with pleasant mintiness/leafiness, still quite rich blackcurrant and oak in the background. It hangs together in a classy manner.
On the palate it's medium bodied, with good length and really well judged acidity giving refreshment. The mintiness is perhaps more noticeable on the palate than the nose. I like it, but if you don't like this facet in a wine, then this would be one to skip. Nothing much in the way of tannins now.
All in all a very enjoyable and restrained wine. It should drink well for a good few years yet, though for some it would be fully mature already.
Plantagenet Mt Barker Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Opened Friday night. Straight from cold storage and not decanted. Opened a little bretty but still flavoursome once it warmed up a bit. Not outstanding although I enjoyed it. I felt there was quality underneath but there were too many angles - particularly a hot alcoholic streak. My guess was that it had reached the mid-life crisis that cabernets have. One third of the bottle gone and stoppered the rest for last night.
Last night it was a different beast. Smooth, integrated, the hot alcohol had settled into a light sweetness and it was just lovely and no sign of brett!.
I think this wine still has a great life ahead of it. Glad I have nine left.
Opened Friday night. Straight from cold storage and not decanted. Opened a little bretty but still flavoursome once it warmed up a bit. Not outstanding although I enjoyed it. I felt there was quality underneath but there were too many angles - particularly a hot alcoholic streak. My guess was that it had reached the mid-life crisis that cabernets have. One third of the bottle gone and stoppered the rest for last night.
Last night it was a different beast. Smooth, integrated, the hot alcohol had settled into a light sweetness and it was just lovely and no sign of brett!.
I think this wine still has a great life ahead of it. Glad I have nine left. This has been a huge week. I am needing some serious alcohol free time. Don't think I will have a drink today.
Some of the wines were just a taste, others I seriously helped to consume.
I took no notes and these are just some observations of the wines as I remember them.
98 Meshach shiraz – excellent, but needed hours open
02 Metala original plantings shiraz – not an excellent bottle but did improve overnight
03 Noon reserve Shiraz – excellent but ballsy
05 Kabminye Grenache Carignan – good drink
04 Noon Eclipse Grenache Shiraz - Excellent
99 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz - Good
00 Te Mata Coleraine Cabernet Merlot - excellent
97 Seppelt Great Western Shiraz – Improved over the evening
02 Kabminye Schliebs Block Blend magnum - Nice
04 Kabminye Schliebs Block Blend - Nice
03 Kabminye Irma Adeline blend - Excellent
05 Mr Riggs Watervale Riesling - Good
04 Kabminye Shiraz Cabernet - OK
05 Kabminye Muscadelle – Good sweetie
05 Kalleske Clarrys White - Good
06 Kabminye VLH Muscat Blanc - Interesting
05 Kabminye Vintage Port – Nice style
00 Hardys Tintara Cellars Shiraz – Good quaffer still holding up
Morris Sparkling Shiraz Durif – Good VFM
06 Rockford Sparkling Shiraz – v good
03 Brown Bros Sparkling Shiraz – v good
02 Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier - excellent
98 Normans Chaise Clarendon Cabernet – Almost past it
01 Moorilla Vintage Brut - I opened this for the plebs
85 Mount Avoca Vintage Port – still drinking well
02 O’Leary/Walker ‘The Claire’ Shiraz – excellent but needed hours open
04 Talijancich Graciano – I was past it by the time I got to this. I really liked this when I purchased this in Feb.
03 Kabminye Gold – I have tasted several of these. All have been excellent.
47 Para Liqueur Port – Just sensational !!! Yes I did get lucky Wizz
Graham
Some of the wines were just a taste, others I seriously helped to consume.
I took no notes and these are just some observations of the wines as I remember them.
98 Meshach shiraz – excellent, but needed hours open
02 Metala original plantings shiraz – not an excellent bottle but did improve overnight
03 Noon reserve Shiraz – excellent but ballsy
05 Kabminye Grenache Carignan – good drink
04 Noon Eclipse Grenache Shiraz - Excellent
99 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz - Good
00 Te Mata Coleraine Cabernet Merlot - excellent
97 Seppelt Great Western Shiraz – Improved over the evening
02 Kabminye Schliebs Block Blend magnum - Nice
04 Kabminye Schliebs Block Blend - Nice
03 Kabminye Irma Adeline blend - Excellent
05 Mr Riggs Watervale Riesling - Good
04 Kabminye Shiraz Cabernet - OK
05 Kabminye Muscadelle – Good sweetie
05 Kalleske Clarrys White - Good
06 Kabminye VLH Muscat Blanc - Interesting
05 Kabminye Vintage Port – Nice style
00 Hardys Tintara Cellars Shiraz – Good quaffer still holding up
Morris Sparkling Shiraz Durif – Good VFM
06 Rockford Sparkling Shiraz – v good
03 Brown Bros Sparkling Shiraz – v good
02 Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier - excellent
98 Normans Chaise Clarendon Cabernet – Almost past it
01 Moorilla Vintage Brut - I opened this for the plebs
85 Mount Avoca Vintage Port – still drinking well
02 O’Leary/Walker ‘The Claire’ Shiraz – excellent but needed hours open
04 Talijancich Graciano – I was past it by the time I got to this. I really liked this when I purchased this in Feb.
03 Kabminye Gold – I have tasted several of these. All have been excellent.
47 Para Liqueur Port – Just sensational !!! Yes I did get lucky Wizz
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2005 (Mornington Peninsula, 14%)
- I got a couple of these off the back of some good reviews, and after this first bottle was glad I had done so. This is good pinot, and good value. Some nice sour notes, quite fragrant with a decant, and decent length. Went very well with farfalle in a sauce of sorrel, ham, mint and fetta cheese.
Glaetzer Bishop shiraz 2005 (Barossa, 14.5%)
- Cracking good wine this. Hard not to get straight into it before dinner after the first taste at decanting. This does a good line in mixing red and purple fruits, without anything in the blackberry jam spectrum. The alcohol is well integrated, the tannins soft and subtle, the oak visible in a hint of coffee or mocha. The mixing of American and French oak here is excellent. I'm sure this will cellar well, but I don't think my remaining couple of bottles will last out the year. This went very well with Armando Perucco's osso bucco recipe and soft polenta.
Pindarie Bar Rossa tempranillo, sangiovese, shiraz 2006 (Barossa, 14.5%)
- This was much better (more open, deeper fruited) on the second day open. I'm not completely convinced about pairing tempranillo and sangiovese. I get the point of sangiovese bringing in acid and a tannic spine that warmer climate tempranillo can lack, but I wonder if the aromatics in these two varieties don't get a bit confused. Anyway, at 70% tempranillo, 25% sangiovese and 5% shiraz, this tastes like tempranillo. It went well with food (pork ragu and pasta), picked up a 2006 gold at the Mildura Alternative Varieties wine show, and is worth a look. Personally, I'd prefer to see graciano, grenache, shiraz or mataro in these blends rather than sangiovese.
Fefinanes albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas, 12.5%)
- One of the best albarino wines I have ever had. Gorgeously aromatic, in that zone between riesling and viognier profiles (especially citrus blossom) that good albarino can manage. Quite deep yellow to look at, with excellent texture and some chalky/talc characters through the palate. Finishes long, very easy to keep coming back to, and an excellent wine by itself pre-dinner or with fish & chips.
Brown Brothers cellar door release tempranillo 2003 (Victoria, 14%)
- Not sure what was going on with this bottle. Started off very stinky, which then subsided, so I tasted to check it but copped a full-tilt DNPIM jumble of unattractive tastes (sulfur mainly). Left alone for an hour, this improved, but started to show some pretty tired fruit characters. I'll be drinking up the remaining couple of these I have pretty quickly.
Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards shiraz 2004 (McLaren Vale, 14%)
- Lovely McLaren Vale shiraz in a traditional vein. A good profile of purple fruit, plums and berry characters, well-handled American oak, bright acid that integrates well, OK length and sensible alochol. Not too much of the chocolate characters. All in all, just what I like in McLaren Vale shiraz, and excellent value.
Coldstream Hills cabernet sauvignon 2005 (Yarra Valley, 14%)
- This was a taster bottle, consumed with food in one sitting, and was so tasty I ordered a six pack the next day. They've got this fruit good and ripe, but nothing comes across as stewed or flabby. Identifiably cooler climate cabernet, this shows mainly in some intense violets and red to purple fruits, with nothing green or capsicum to worry about. Good weight all through the palate, with no dip or doughnut hole in the middle. Has the legs to go on for quite a while in the cellar, but very good drinking now. Stunning value cabernet.
Eldridge Estate gamay 2005 (Red Hill, 14.3%)
- Asked to bring a light red to go with a Moroccan fish stew, I brought this along. Served perhaps a bit too cold to really bring out the nose, this complemented the food well (including the chilli in the blended spice). Good gamay.
Meerea Park shiraz viognier 2003 (Hunter Valley, 14%)
- Again, possibly a little too cold at serving, the nose on this was a little muted (screwcap) with less of the 8% viognier coming through than I expected. A decent SV at a good price, but fell over into an oxidised heap the next day, so for me this is a drink up proposition.
Valminor albarino 2003 (Rias Baixas, 12.5%)
- I bought a few 2003 albarno bottles at auction to track how they age, and this one is doing very well. The fruit is looking a little more mellow than the 2005, as you'd expect, but is still bright and showing no signs of tiring. A good albarino at the weightier, textured end of the spectrum.
Glaymond Wines el abuelo tempranillo grenache 2002 (Barossa Valley, 14.9%)
- This tastes like young vines to me. There's good fruit here (60%/40%), but it just doesn't quite have the length and depth I'm looking for in these kinds of tempranillo blends, though it was better on the second day. It spent 20 months in French oak. I'll drink my remaining bottles of this into next year.
The Pawn (previously "Pawn Star", I believe) En Passant tempranillo 2005 (Adelaide Hills, 14%)
- Another bottle from a taster case of different Australian tempranillo I got in last year. This is a wine that really needed another year or so in bottle to settle and integrate. The good mulberried fruit and the slightly prickly acid need a bit more time to come together. Tempranillo in the Adelaide Hills makes good sense, I reckon.
- I got a couple of these off the back of some good reviews, and after this first bottle was glad I had done so. This is good pinot, and good value. Some nice sour notes, quite fragrant with a decant, and decent length. Went very well with farfalle in a sauce of sorrel, ham, mint and fetta cheese.
Glaetzer Bishop shiraz 2005 (Barossa, 14.5%)
- Cracking good wine this. Hard not to get straight into it before dinner after the first taste at decanting. This does a good line in mixing red and purple fruits, without anything in the blackberry jam spectrum. The alcohol is well integrated, the tannins soft and subtle, the oak visible in a hint of coffee or mocha. The mixing of American and French oak here is excellent. I'm sure this will cellar well, but I don't think my remaining couple of bottles will last out the year. This went very well with Armando Perucco's osso bucco recipe and soft polenta.
Pindarie Bar Rossa tempranillo, sangiovese, shiraz 2006 (Barossa, 14.5%)
- This was much better (more open, deeper fruited) on the second day open. I'm not completely convinced about pairing tempranillo and sangiovese. I get the point of sangiovese bringing in acid and a tannic spine that warmer climate tempranillo can lack, but I wonder if the aromatics in these two varieties don't get a bit confused. Anyway, at 70% tempranillo, 25% sangiovese and 5% shiraz, this tastes like tempranillo. It went well with food (pork ragu and pasta), picked up a 2006 gold at the Mildura Alternative Varieties wine show, and is worth a look. Personally, I'd prefer to see graciano, grenache, shiraz or mataro in these blends rather than sangiovese.
Fefinanes albarino 2005 (Rias Baixas, 12.5%)
- One of the best albarino wines I have ever had. Gorgeously aromatic, in that zone between riesling and viognier profiles (especially citrus blossom) that good albarino can manage. Quite deep yellow to look at, with excellent texture and some chalky/talc characters through the palate. Finishes long, very easy to keep coming back to, and an excellent wine by itself pre-dinner or with fish & chips.
Brown Brothers cellar door release tempranillo 2003 (Victoria, 14%)
- Not sure what was going on with this bottle. Started off very stinky, which then subsided, so I tasted to check it but copped a full-tilt DNPIM jumble of unattractive tastes (sulfur mainly). Left alone for an hour, this improved, but started to show some pretty tired fruit characters. I'll be drinking up the remaining couple of these I have pretty quickly.
Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards shiraz 2004 (McLaren Vale, 14%)
- Lovely McLaren Vale shiraz in a traditional vein. A good profile of purple fruit, plums and berry characters, well-handled American oak, bright acid that integrates well, OK length and sensible alochol. Not too much of the chocolate characters. All in all, just what I like in McLaren Vale shiraz, and excellent value.
Coldstream Hills cabernet sauvignon 2005 (Yarra Valley, 14%)
- This was a taster bottle, consumed with food in one sitting, and was so tasty I ordered a six pack the next day. They've got this fruit good and ripe, but nothing comes across as stewed or flabby. Identifiably cooler climate cabernet, this shows mainly in some intense violets and red to purple fruits, with nothing green or capsicum to worry about. Good weight all through the palate, with no dip or doughnut hole in the middle. Has the legs to go on for quite a while in the cellar, but very good drinking now. Stunning value cabernet.
Eldridge Estate gamay 2005 (Red Hill, 14.3%)
- Asked to bring a light red to go with a Moroccan fish stew, I brought this along. Served perhaps a bit too cold to really bring out the nose, this complemented the food well (including the chilli in the blended spice). Good gamay.
Meerea Park shiraz viognier 2003 (Hunter Valley, 14%)
- Again, possibly a little too cold at serving, the nose on this was a little muted (screwcap) with less of the 8% viognier coming through than I expected. A decent SV at a good price, but fell over into an oxidised heap the next day, so for me this is a drink up proposition.
Valminor albarino 2003 (Rias Baixas, 12.5%)
- I bought a few 2003 albarno bottles at auction to track how they age, and this one is doing very well. The fruit is looking a little more mellow than the 2005, as you'd expect, but is still bright and showing no signs of tiring. A good albarino at the weightier, textured end of the spectrum.
Glaymond Wines el abuelo tempranillo grenache 2002 (Barossa Valley, 14.9%)
- This tastes like young vines to me. There's good fruit here (60%/40%), but it just doesn't quite have the length and depth I'm looking for in these kinds of tempranillo blends, though it was better on the second day. It spent 20 months in French oak. I'll drink my remaining bottles of this into next year.
The Pawn (previously "Pawn Star", I believe) En Passant tempranillo 2005 (Adelaide Hills, 14%)
- Another bottle from a taster case of different Australian tempranillo I got in last year. This is a wine that really needed another year or so in bottle to settle and integrate. The good mulberried fruit and the slightly prickly acid need a bit more time to come together. Tempranillo in the Adelaide Hills makes good sense, I reckon.
Paul.
03 Brands Laira Cab Sauv
Nice enough but not particularly exciting
03 Shakey Tables Semillon
not bad probably a bit of a middle phase but a good very day semillon
94 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
Last time I had this it was a bit boring - it had lost inital freshness and appeared to be going no where. This is more like it Now showing development good length and some of the fruit has reappeared. It should now be pretty good for a few more years.
91 Wynns John Riddoch
Only had about an hour in the decanter before dinner - could have done with alot more. Smooth easy drinking intially but beginning to show a bit more with some air. No rush to drink.
97 Chateau Pato Shiraz
Wow - lifted floral nose - the sort of wine which always makes me think old world in a blind tasting. It made me wonder if that's a wine made by O'Shea would have been like. Great length and balance. Very unusual but tremendous - different style to the 98 which is even better.
Meanwhile Miss 2 was on my lap while I started typing this. She was very impressed by the bank of Emoticons 
Nice enough but not particularly exciting
03 Shakey Tables Semillon
not bad probably a bit of a middle phase but a good very day semillon
94 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
Last time I had this it was a bit boring - it had lost inital freshness and appeared to be going no where. This is more like it
Now showing development good length and some of the fruit has reappeared. It should now be pretty good for a few more years.
91 Wynns John Riddoch
Only had about an hour in the decanter before dinner - could have done with alot more. Smooth easy drinking intially but beginning to show a bit more with some air. No rush to drink.
97 Chateau Pato Shiraz
Wow - lifted floral nose - the sort of wine which always makes me think old world in a blind tasting. It made me wonder if that's a wine made by O'Shea would have been like. Great length and balance. Very unusual but tremendous - different style to the 98 which is even better.
Meanwhile Miss 2 was on my lap while I started typing this. She was very impressed by the bank of Emoticons 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
A few wines with some people in Perth at dinner on Friday
Joseph Sparkling Red (2006 disgorgement):
Slightly pale red with bricking. Gentle bubbles. Pepper and plum on the nose. Very much in the house style but to be hypercritical a touch short on the finish and slightly drier than usual. Should build in time however. Very nice. Equal WOTN.
Marc Bredif Vouvray 2004:
Pale and transparent with just a touch of colour. Closed nose. Strong granny smith apple palate with good weight. Finishing almost phenolic and raw. I'm pretty sure this will be nice in a decade or two.
Wynn's Hermitage 1986:
Similar colour to the Joseph with browning at the rim. Funky nose (animale) which was also sweet and earthy. As this isn't from the Hunter I suspect a helping hand from our good friend Brett. Slightly hard palate and finishing slightly short. Started to open over the night but never really blossomed. Reminded me of an old-style Rhone red. What was this like the next day Trouble?
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet 1993:
Didn't write down the colour but was a deep red with pale red rim from memory. Distinct cabernet nose. The fruit on the palate was quite primary and was just starting to gain secondary savoury character. Very fine tannin and good acid but the fruit won't allow it to age any further I suspect as it was dropping out and there was a green streak noted. Drink up for me but a polarising wine. Nice.
Charles Melton Nine Popes 1996:
Strong medium red with a tinge of brown at the rim. Varnish on the nose but just in check. Savoury red but my feeling is that this wine starts out pretty savoury and doesn't require a great deal of age to gain complexity. Sweeter than its old world counterpart and alcohol noted on the finish. Again, drink up for me. Nice.
Mystery Wine #1 - Murdock Cabernet 2000
Medium-dark red colour with clear rim. Distinct Coonawarra Cabernet nose (but not as good as the oxidised Wynns 1996 cabernet that I was going to bring instead of the Deisen Evil or Very Mad ) This surprised me with the vintage as I was caught between 1998 for flavour and 2002 for colour. The wine drank beautifully on the night for me. Straddling primary fruit and secondary flavours with ease. Too much poise and subtlety for a great offline wine; I would be very happy if I were to have this in my cellar. Shame I don't Smile Very nice.
Mystery Wine #2 - Deisen Shiraz Cabernet 2004
Woof! Inky purple impenetrable colour. Strong Barossa regionality on the nose with chocolate and tar but it is the fruit that grabs you most. Opened somewhat to when I first decanted it a few hours prior. Big and powerful. Rich and very chewy. Not hiding the 15% alcohol but it balances. I'm sure this was oaked but totally swallowed up by the fruit. This is definitely the fruit doing the talking instead of any winemaking act. Nice.
Mystery Wine #3 - Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz Cabernet 2004
Strong magenta with a clear rim. Again a Barossa nose but the fruit is slightly more subdued and more chocolate than tar. Well done to Trouble to pick the cabernet component in this. I suspect that the percentage is somewhat less than the 35% above but who knows. Much more polished than the Deisen with great mouthfeel and almost creamy. Alcohol present only as a touch of heat on the finish and hides its 15% very well. Very polished. Very nice. Equal WOTN.
There was a bit of discussion over how these two wines will age and I'm curious myself. These are newer style big wines and I have little experience with them. I think both will improve for a few years but will require continual checking. What a chore! Wink
Mystery Wine #4 - Rockford White Frontignac 2006
Like an uncarbonated moscato for me. Grape sherbet on the nose with a touch of spice. Sweet on the palate again with sherbet. Quite viscous. As one of the others said this is a "breakfast wine". Nice and a refreshing way to finish.
cheers
Carl
Joseph Sparkling Red (2006 disgorgement):
Slightly pale red with bricking. Gentle bubbles. Pepper and plum on the nose. Very much in the house style but to be hypercritical a touch short on the finish and slightly drier than usual. Should build in time however. Very nice. Equal WOTN.
Marc Bredif Vouvray 2004:
Pale and transparent with just a touch of colour. Closed nose. Strong granny smith apple palate with good weight. Finishing almost phenolic and raw. I'm pretty sure this will be nice in a decade or two.
Wynn's Hermitage 1986:
Similar colour to the Joseph with browning at the rim. Funky nose (animale) which was also sweet and earthy. As this isn't from the Hunter I suspect a helping hand from our good friend Brett. Slightly hard palate and finishing slightly short. Started to open over the night but never really blossomed. Reminded me of an old-style Rhone red. What was this like the next day Trouble?
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet 1993:
Didn't write down the colour but was a deep red with pale red rim from memory. Distinct cabernet nose. The fruit on the palate was quite primary and was just starting to gain secondary savoury character. Very fine tannin and good acid but the fruit won't allow it to age any further I suspect as it was dropping out and there was a green streak noted. Drink up for me but a polarising wine. Nice.
Charles Melton Nine Popes 1996:
Strong medium red with a tinge of brown at the rim. Varnish on the nose but just in check. Savoury red but my feeling is that this wine starts out pretty savoury and doesn't require a great deal of age to gain complexity. Sweeter than its old world counterpart and alcohol noted on the finish. Again, drink up for me. Nice.
Mystery Wine #1 - Murdock Cabernet 2000
Medium-dark red colour with clear rim. Distinct Coonawarra Cabernet nose (but not as good as the oxidised Wynns 1996 cabernet that I was going to bring instead of the Deisen Evil or Very Mad ) This surprised me with the vintage as I was caught between 1998 for flavour and 2002 for colour. The wine drank beautifully on the night for me. Straddling primary fruit and secondary flavours with ease. Too much poise and subtlety for a great offline wine; I would be very happy if I were to have this in my cellar. Shame I don't Smile Very nice.
Mystery Wine #2 - Deisen Shiraz Cabernet 2004
Woof! Inky purple impenetrable colour. Strong Barossa regionality on the nose with chocolate and tar but it is the fruit that grabs you most. Opened somewhat to when I first decanted it a few hours prior. Big and powerful. Rich and very chewy. Not hiding the 15% alcohol but it balances. I'm sure this was oaked but totally swallowed up by the fruit. This is definitely the fruit doing the talking instead of any winemaking act. Nice.
Mystery Wine #3 - Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz Cabernet 2004
Strong magenta with a clear rim. Again a Barossa nose but the fruit is slightly more subdued and more chocolate than tar. Well done to Trouble to pick the cabernet component in this. I suspect that the percentage is somewhat less than the 35% above but who knows. Much more polished than the Deisen with great mouthfeel and almost creamy. Alcohol present only as a touch of heat on the finish and hides its 15% very well. Very polished. Very nice. Equal WOTN.
There was a bit of discussion over how these two wines will age and I'm curious myself. These are newer style big wines and I have little experience with them. I think both will improve for a few years but will require continual checking. What a chore! Wink
Mystery Wine #4 - Rockford White Frontignac 2006
Like an uncarbonated moscato for me. Grape sherbet on the nose with a touch of spice. Sweet on the palate again with sherbet. Quite viscous. As one of the others said this is a "breakfast wine". Nice and a refreshing way to finish.
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
1999 Clover Hill Pipers River Tasmania Sparkling Brut : a rich quality sparkling wine. Good depth , rich but clean. Also I'm impressed that this is a single vineyard wine partially aged in oak and given 3 years on lees. It shows. As good as some Champagnes proper.
2006 Arrivo Rosa di Nebbiolo Aldgate Adelaide Hills : lGood dry rose. I enjoyed , silently , the people at a Sunday lunch not really liking this - they would have much preferred , as I overheard one say . the lovely Turkey Flat Rose ( and I like the TF - but enjoy the diversity Baby ! ).
2006 Spinifex Rose Barossa Valley : yes the Barossa can make a nice dry rose too !
2005 ZISOLA Sicilia Nero d'Avola : lovely rich but not cloying dry red. To anyone out there newish to wine - it is worth trying most Italian jobs at around $20 or more - they are generally a lovely contrast to our great local wines.
2006 Arrivo Rosa di Nebbiolo Aldgate Adelaide Hills : lGood dry rose. I enjoyed , silently , the people at a Sunday lunch not really liking this - they would have much preferred , as I overheard one say . the lovely Turkey Flat Rose ( and I like the TF - but enjoy the diversity Baby ! ).
2006 Spinifex Rose Barossa Valley : yes the Barossa can make a nice dry rose too !
2005 ZISOLA Sicilia Nero d'Avola : lovely rich but not cloying dry red. To anyone out there newish to wine - it is worth trying most Italian jobs at around $20 or more - they are generally a lovely contrast to our great local wines.
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2002, Cork, Not the best bottle Ive had, but not the worst either, Full style, Blackberry, Tarr and Plums, Drinking nice but still some improvement over the next 2 or 3 years. Drank much better with steak & mushroom than on its own.
Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz 2004, Cork, Good wine for the price, just a bit too much heat on the finish to be anything seriously drinkable. Must try another in 6 months before I reach a final verdict.
Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 2005, SC, Absoloutley lovely Pinot for the asking price. Still too tight and in need of another 12 - 24 months before it will be at its best but you already know it punches well above its weight. A combination of well made and a great vintage I think. Why isnt there more Pinots of this quility at this price?
Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz 2004, Cork, Good wine for the price, just a bit too much heat on the finish to be anything seriously drinkable. Must try another in 6 months before I reach a final verdict.
Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 2005, SC, Absoloutley lovely Pinot for the asking price. Still too tight and in need of another 12 - 24 months before it will be at its best but you already know it punches well above its weight. A combination of well made and a great vintage I think. Why isnt there more Pinots of this quility at this price?
Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 1994
Drinking pretty well with strong notes of ribena blackcurrent and spice, mostly cinnamon. Certainly quite fresh for it's age although not in the same league as either the 96 or 98. With life to go, though.
Penley Estate Shiraz Cabernet 2001
Drinking really well, some ferally undertones but still lots of sweet fruit and a velvety, full finish.
Stonehaven Rat and Bull 2002
Showing a fair amount of green-ness, really pretty subdued as a wine, flavours a touch muted and short although quite classic in some ways. Took a bit of time to open up but only really a smidge.
Samuels Gorge Tempranillo 2006
Only tried on the second day (apparently very tight and huge on the first). Full flavoured, notes of vanilla and spice and dense, dark deep purple. Over time in glass, opened up and softened back to a more medium bodied wine, truer to it's varietal character. Ultimately delicious.
Drinking pretty well with strong notes of ribena blackcurrent and spice, mostly cinnamon. Certainly quite fresh for it's age although not in the same league as either the 96 or 98. With life to go, though.
Penley Estate Shiraz Cabernet 2001
Drinking really well, some ferally undertones but still lots of sweet fruit and a velvety, full finish.
Stonehaven Rat and Bull 2002
Showing a fair amount of green-ness, really pretty subdued as a wine, flavours a touch muted and short although quite classic in some ways. Took a bit of time to open up but only really a smidge.
Samuels Gorge Tempranillo 2006
Only tried on the second day (apparently very tight and huge on the first). Full flavoured, notes of vanilla and spice and dense, dark deep purple. Over time in glass, opened up and softened back to a more medium bodied wine, truer to it's varietal character. Ultimately delicious.
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.
Spent the last three days at the Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show, unfortunately most of it working. Without any detailed notes the highlights from memory were...
Balnaves 04 Cabernet Sauvignon and 05 Tally. The 04 is great drinking now. I am sure it will do a bit in bottle, but hard to resist now. The 05 Tally is impressive, but a little disjointed at this stage. A blanket of ever so fine grippy tannins masking the fruit, but great depth and intensity.
The Hentley Farm offerings are certainly pretty dense. The Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel blend had some nice depth. The Zin shows on the nose with an inky, violet lift, but the palate is all fleshy strawberry Grenache fruit. I liked 'The Beauty' Shiraz Viognier (05), a dense, chewy, ripe fragrant style. Far less impressed with 'The Beast' (straight up rocket fuelled Shiraz) which I found pretty simple, and showing excess everything.
The 04 Majella Shiraz was disappointing, I do enjoy their Cabernet, but the Shiraz has always fell short of the mark in my opinion. The Sparkling Shiraz was pleasant, but a pretty simple, straight up and down style.
The Gibson stand was a pretty happy hunting ground. The 2004 Isabelle blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot was a very pretty little thing. Fragrant blackberry and cherry fruit on the nose, with subtle cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate showed some plump, chewy fruit, all coiled around a firm tannin structure. Great stuff.
The 05 Wilfreda blend (SMG) was equally impressive. A juicier, plumper, richer fruited wine, certainly some CdP stylings, but best to forget the Rhone comparisons, and simply appreciate the concentrated fruit on display in this wine.
The 04 Barossa Vale Shiraz was unquestionably excellent, once again showing great fruit intensity (a bit of a theme here) and judicious use of oak. A subtle, structured style which I am sure is bound for great things, although at this stage of development was probably the least interesting of the BarossaVale wines.
Much to my delight two reserve wines were plucked from below the counter. The 2004 Old Vine Collection Shiraz is a triumph. Quite dark and brooding on the nose, with sweet earth, soy, and a whole lot of other things going on. The palate is bursting at the seams with delicious shiraz fruit essence, but somehow maintains a tough of elegance, structure and finesse, all supported by savoury understated oak.
Another wine I had not seen or heard of previously was the 2005 Eden Valley Shiraz. Probably the highlight of the show...a nose of blueberry, a whisp of smoky raspberry, crushed rock, a hint of cracked black pepper. In the mouth it was all sinewy, tarry, earthy, meaty shiraz fruit, with some richer hints of liqorice and aniseed. An exciting wine, as good as any young red I have had this year.
More good things to be had at the Burge Family stand. The vintages escape me here, but safe to assume current. The straight Grenache was good, savoury and understated. The Olive Hill SGM was great...a good blend of sweet and savoury fruit, and nice chewy tannins, although I would still drop my money on the Wilfreda from Gibson. The Draycott Shiraz was excellent as expected.
I must comment that Rob Gibson and Rick Burge really seem to have their priorities sorted out...the emphasis at both producers is seemingly on quality fruit and structure, and not trying to score cheap points with sweet fruit and heavy handed oak like a lot of Barossa contemporaries.
Schubert disappointed, the red's all seemed a bit loose knit, and a touch hard fruited.
Beyond that the Murdock offerings were pretty smart value. I would agree with just about everything written about The 05 Merger. The 02 Cabernet on offer was probably as good as any 02 Coonawarra Cab I have tried, but with a number of 04's and 05's on offer elsewhere it was probably shown up a little.
The only other standout that springs to mind was the 04 Ode to Lorraine from Elderton which is simply a lesson in generosity.
Cheers,
LL
Balnaves 04 Cabernet Sauvignon and 05 Tally. The 04 is great drinking now. I am sure it will do a bit in bottle, but hard to resist now. The 05 Tally is impressive, but a little disjointed at this stage. A blanket of ever so fine grippy tannins masking the fruit, but great depth and intensity.
The Hentley Farm offerings are certainly pretty dense. The Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel blend had some nice depth. The Zin shows on the nose with an inky, violet lift, but the palate is all fleshy strawberry Grenache fruit. I liked 'The Beauty' Shiraz Viognier (05), a dense, chewy, ripe fragrant style. Far less impressed with 'The Beast' (straight up rocket fuelled Shiraz) which I found pretty simple, and showing excess everything.
The 04 Majella Shiraz was disappointing, I do enjoy their Cabernet, but the Shiraz has always fell short of the mark in my opinion. The Sparkling Shiraz was pleasant, but a pretty simple, straight up and down style.
The Gibson stand was a pretty happy hunting ground. The 2004 Isabelle blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot was a very pretty little thing. Fragrant blackberry and cherry fruit on the nose, with subtle cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate showed some plump, chewy fruit, all coiled around a firm tannin structure. Great stuff.
The 05 Wilfreda blend (SMG) was equally impressive. A juicier, plumper, richer fruited wine, certainly some CdP stylings, but best to forget the Rhone comparisons, and simply appreciate the concentrated fruit on display in this wine.
The 04 Barossa Vale Shiraz was unquestionably excellent, once again showing great fruit intensity (a bit of a theme here) and judicious use of oak. A subtle, structured style which I am sure is bound for great things, although at this stage of development was probably the least interesting of the BarossaVale wines.
Much to my delight two reserve wines were plucked from below the counter. The 2004 Old Vine Collection Shiraz is a triumph. Quite dark and brooding on the nose, with sweet earth, soy, and a whole lot of other things going on. The palate is bursting at the seams with delicious shiraz fruit essence, but somehow maintains a tough of elegance, structure and finesse, all supported by savoury understated oak.
Another wine I had not seen or heard of previously was the 2005 Eden Valley Shiraz. Probably the highlight of the show...a nose of blueberry, a whisp of smoky raspberry, crushed rock, a hint of cracked black pepper. In the mouth it was all sinewy, tarry, earthy, meaty shiraz fruit, with some richer hints of liqorice and aniseed. An exciting wine, as good as any young red I have had this year.
More good things to be had at the Burge Family stand. The vintages escape me here, but safe to assume current. The straight Grenache was good, savoury and understated. The Olive Hill SGM was great...a good blend of sweet and savoury fruit, and nice chewy tannins, although I would still drop my money on the Wilfreda from Gibson. The Draycott Shiraz was excellent as expected.
I must comment that Rob Gibson and Rick Burge really seem to have their priorities sorted out...the emphasis at both producers is seemingly on quality fruit and structure, and not trying to score cheap points with sweet fruit and heavy handed oak like a lot of Barossa contemporaries.
Schubert disappointed, the red's all seemed a bit loose knit, and a touch hard fruited.
Beyond that the Murdock offerings were pretty smart value. I would agree with just about everything written about The 05 Merger. The 02 Cabernet on offer was probably as good as any 02 Coonawarra Cab I have tried, but with a number of 04's and 05's on offer elsewhere it was probably shown up a little.
The only other standout that springs to mind was the 04 Ode to Lorraine from Elderton which is simply a lesson in generosity.
Cheers,
LL
Tried some O'Leary Walker stuff at an instore Saturday arvo, and had these brief impressions:
2007 Polish Hill Riesling - rather tropical at the moment with a lot of banana and some pineapple, the juicyfruit/blossom only just starting to appear after a lot of work. The guys said it needs a bit more time to blow these ester characters off and settle down.
2007 Watervale Riesling - relatively closed at first, but with work there's already that trademark fennel and mineral that's usually the stamp of this wine. Very smart although like the PH it still really needs time to open up.
2004 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay - this was the shock of the bunch for the right reasons. There's lots of heavily spicy/nutty oak and creamy/buttery malo characters, but also very strong citrus/stone fruit with crisp acidity and stunning length, the smoky, crushed seashell/oyster characters like the 1983 Puigny Montrachet we had at Soho last month! I heard most people didn't even bother to try this and they sold virtually none - for under $20, it's a steal.
2004 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir - Simple cherry with some rhubarb & stalks, very clean but the finish is quite short right now.
2005 Polish Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - Very impressive, slightly leafy/stinky at first, then good mid-weight blackcurrant fruit and a gravelly texture, the oak kicking in a nutty rebound on the finish.
2005 Clare/McLaren Vale Shiraz - Stinky/rubbery with some plummy/peppery fruit underneath, the freshly opened bottle didn't get anywhere near enough time to blow this off.
Cheers,
Ian
Ps. I also opened a 1998 Metala Original Plantings Shiraz I got recently at auction - great fill level, excellent cork, spinning capsule, and oxidised. My dreadful run with 1998s continue...
2007 Polish Hill Riesling - rather tropical at the moment with a lot of banana and some pineapple, the juicyfruit/blossom only just starting to appear after a lot of work. The guys said it needs a bit more time to blow these ester characters off and settle down.
2007 Watervale Riesling - relatively closed at first, but with work there's already that trademark fennel and mineral that's usually the stamp of this wine. Very smart although like the PH it still really needs time to open up.
2004 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay - this was the shock of the bunch for the right reasons. There's lots of heavily spicy/nutty oak and creamy/buttery malo characters, but also very strong citrus/stone fruit with crisp acidity and stunning length, the smoky, crushed seashell/oyster characters like the 1983 Puigny Montrachet we had at Soho last month! I heard most people didn't even bother to try this and they sold virtually none - for under $20, it's a steal.
2004 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir - Simple cherry with some rhubarb & stalks, very clean but the finish is quite short right now.
2005 Polish Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - Very impressive, slightly leafy/stinky at first, then good mid-weight blackcurrant fruit and a gravelly texture, the oak kicking in a nutty rebound on the finish.
2005 Clare/McLaren Vale Shiraz - Stinky/rubbery with some plummy/peppery fruit underneath, the freshly opened bottle didn't get anywhere near enough time to blow this off.
Cheers,
Ian
Ps. I also opened a 1998 Metala Original Plantings Shiraz I got recently at auction - great fill level, excellent cork, spinning capsule, and oxidised. My dreadful run with 1998s continue...
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2005
Lovley fruit, nice drink for the price.
O'leary Walker Shiraz 2005
Like Ian this was pretty tough going to start but after an hour or so in the decanter the fruit emerged. Dark, meaty raisiny taste like it had a bit of Malbec in it. OK but not as good as the Burge at the same price.
Tempus Two Zinfandel 2005
Good gear I think I am becoming a fan of Zin must track down to others to try.
Wynns BL 2004
Still to young, sacrificed by a friend who brought if over.
Classic McLaren La Testa 1999
Hello this is the business, deep rich balanced and long Excellent stuff.
Glen
Lovley fruit, nice drink for the price.
O'leary Walker Shiraz 2005
Like Ian this was pretty tough going to start but after an hour or so in the decanter the fruit emerged. Dark, meaty raisiny taste like it had a bit of Malbec in it. OK but not as good as the Burge at the same price.
Tempus Two Zinfandel 2005
Good gear I think I am becoming a fan of Zin must track down to others to try.
Wynns BL 2004
Still to young, sacrificed by a friend who brought if over.
Classic McLaren La Testa 1999
Hello this is the business, deep rich balanced and long Excellent stuff.
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
2004 Tarrawarra Tin Cows Pinot Noir
Off strawberries and rhubarb on the nose, very bitter finish on the palate. Not a particularly pleasant wine
2004 Thomas Vineyard Estate Shiraz
Took a punt on this one based on a review James Hook wrote on this site. Not much on opening, but given half an hour in a decanter this sung. I don't like over-ripe jammy Shirazes, and this is not one of them. Beautiful nose, great texture and good finish. Can't wait to try the Reserve on the back of this wine.
Off strawberries and rhubarb on the nose, very bitter finish on the palate. Not a particularly pleasant wine
2004 Thomas Vineyard Estate Shiraz
Took a punt on this one based on a review James Hook wrote on this site. Not much on opening, but given half an hour in a decanter this sung. I don't like over-ripe jammy Shirazes, and this is not one of them. Beautiful nose, great texture and good finish. Can't wait to try the Reserve on the back of this wine.
Dinner party tonite with some friends
Started with
Te Kairanga John Martin Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
What a great wine, such a 'dark' color for a pinot, great nose of pepper and light berry's, this little baby needs a little time in the cellar, but is so hard to resist now,
then while the nz pinot needed some air onto a
Orlando St Hugo's Cab Sav 2000
I think the last of the good st hugo's, rich coonawarra nose needed a little air to open, then as the fruit came throu the choc oak, the wine came nicely into balance, ripe blue plums, softening tannins, a great contrast to the nz pinot, both excellent wines
But the next wine blew us away....
Brokenwood Mistress Block Hunter shiraz 1996
this opened up a little stinky, but after we finished the first 2 wines, the stink blew off to reveal a magnificent hunter shiraz, still so young, nose still showing primary red plums, raspberry's, choc oak and slightly layered earthy hunter style, the palate was soft, heavier than the NZ pinot, lighter than the St hugo's but longer in the finish than both, it was a great wine and i'm glad to have both 03's and 05's missy's in the cellar, a must for any hunter fan!
Cheers All
Simmo
Started with
Te Kairanga John Martin Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
What a great wine, such a 'dark' color for a pinot, great nose of pepper and light berry's, this little baby needs a little time in the cellar, but is so hard to resist now,
then while the nz pinot needed some air onto a
Orlando St Hugo's Cab Sav 2000
I think the last of the good st hugo's, rich coonawarra nose needed a little air to open, then as the fruit came throu the choc oak, the wine came nicely into balance, ripe blue plums, softening tannins, a great contrast to the nz pinot, both excellent wines
But the next wine blew us away....
Brokenwood Mistress Block Hunter shiraz 1996
this opened up a little stinky, but after we finished the first 2 wines, the stink blew off to reveal a magnificent hunter shiraz, still so young, nose still showing primary red plums, raspberry's, choc oak and slightly layered earthy hunter style, the palate was soft, heavier than the NZ pinot, lighter than the St hugo's but longer in the finish than both, it was a great wine and i'm glad to have both 03's and 05's missy's in the cellar, a must for any hunter fan!
Cheers All
Simmo
Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1987 – My brother-in-law purchased this for us on release and paid $100. It spent some time in Qld then in my previous house, then at a friends while we built our new house with the cellar. Rewards of Patience says it should last to 2025 but with the history of this bottle I think 20 years is old enough. It was sensational. The cork looked good under the capsule but came out in about 100 pieces. The wine smelt fine as soon as it was opened and was a bright ruby red as it was poured into the decanter. Left it there for about an hour and put it back in the bottle until dinner. Dinner guests commented that Grange lived up to the hype. I think it is a bit of a special event whenever you open a bottle like this. Confirmed that there are no great wines, only great bottles.
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1990 – follow up to the Grange with the same dinner. This wine still seemed very young and probably should have spent more than an hour in the decanter. Much darker than the grange and less vanilla. A great follow up to the Grange.
Wyndham Estate Show Reserve Cabernet Merlot 1998 – I usually don’t like anything from Wyndham but this was pretty good. Could have probably used a few more years.
Blue Pyrenees Estate 1995 – not sure of the variety of this but it was very stinky at first. The stink blew off after a while and the flavour and mouthfeel was sensational.
Craneford ‘John Ziln’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – looking for a late night bottle after the above four and didn’t want to pull out another oldy. This really hit the spot. Even after the wines above my guests commented how the nose and flavour jumped out at them and that it was obviously a young wine but it was still soft and smooth on the palate. I love this wine. A shame I only have a couple left – it would have been good to sit a few away for a while.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 – Great Friday night wine with my home made pasta. Probably better than the ’98 at the moment but I think this is as good as it’s going to get.
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1990 – follow up to the Grange with the same dinner. This wine still seemed very young and probably should have spent more than an hour in the decanter. Much darker than the grange and less vanilla. A great follow up to the Grange.
Wyndham Estate Show Reserve Cabernet Merlot 1998 – I usually don’t like anything from Wyndham but this was pretty good. Could have probably used a few more years.
Blue Pyrenees Estate 1995 – not sure of the variety of this but it was very stinky at first. The stink blew off after a while and the flavour and mouthfeel was sensational.
Craneford ‘John Ziln’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – looking for a late night bottle after the above four and didn’t want to pull out another oldy. This really hit the spot. Even after the wines above my guests commented how the nose and flavour jumped out at them and that it was obviously a young wine but it was still soft and smooth on the palate. I love this wine. A shame I only have a couple left – it would have been good to sit a few away for a while.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 – Great Friday night wine with my home made pasta. Probably better than the ’98 at the moment but I think this is as good as it’s going to get.
Sharkey
I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
2006 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz.
This is my first post, but much wine has passed under the bridge!
I like this wine - lovely firm palate with rich black fruit, dark chocolate and firm but not agressive tannins. May not set the world on fire as a monster wine, but I like this style - well done Tim - love your work!
This is my first post, but much wine has passed under the bridge!
I like this wine - lovely firm palate with rich black fruit, dark chocolate and firm but not agressive tannins. May not set the world on fire as a monster wine, but I like this style - well done Tim - love your work!
oakboy wrote:Te Kairanga John Martin Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
What a great wine, such a 'dark' color for a pinot, great nose of pepper and light berry's, this little baby needs a little time in the cellar, but is so hard to resist now,
Cheers All
Simmo
Simmo,
Great to hear that you guys get the TK wines, and esp John Martin Reserve over there. I tasted this wine about nine months ago and was very impressed by it. There's an understated core of fruit nicely confined by the angular structure and grippy, dusty tannins that reminded me of a young Burg. This was nine months ago, so perhaps it's opened up somewhat from release, but a highly cellar worthy wine nonetheless. Kudos.
Max
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai