Best of 2008

seddo · Post by **seddo** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:47 am

# Best red : Yalumba Signature 98
# Best white :
# Best value wine : Charles Cimicy Trumps shiraz05/06, Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz 07
# Honourable mention :Teusner Avatar06, Voyager Estate CM 02, Sandalford estate CM 02
# Biggest disappointment : Shaw and Smith 06 shiraz
# Worst wine without a technical fault:Torbreck Steading 06
# Most memorable thread: always enjoy posts by N4sir

enjoyable & safe Christmas to all

cheers Seddo

Minotaur · Post by **Minotaur** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:23 am

# Best red: Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot Noir 1999 (a spectacular match with sashimi at Azuma's)
# Best white: Main Ridge Estate Chardonnay 1998 (who says Aussie chardonnay doesn't age?)
# Best value wine: Borgogno Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2001 (<$20 at Langtons)
# Honourable mention: Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin VV 2000, Bannockburn Shiraz 1998, Diamond Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2002, Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2001, Rust & Vrede Cab Sauv Stellenbosch 2001, Keuntz-Bas Cuvee Jeremy Tokay Pinot Gris SGN 1989, Querciabella Chianti Classico Ris. 1997, Martinborough Vineyard Res Pinot Noir 1998, Kooyong Haven Pinot Noir 2001, Penfolds Cellar Res Grenache 2002.
# Biggest disappointment: Georges Mugneret Chambolle-Musigny 1er Les Feusselottes 1996, Vieux Chateau Certan Pomerol 1989
# Worst wine without a technical fault: Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2005, Lindemans Bin 8200 Res Shiraz 1991
# Most memorable thread

Attila · Post by **Attila** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:56 pm

Best Red: 2007 Amon Ra by Ben Glaetzer
Best White: 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Best value: 2006 RICHARD HAMILTON Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon
Honourable mentions: 2004 K 1 Merlot
Biggest disappointments: Bottle variations of 2007 Herzog Chardonnay
Worst wine without a technical fault: 2006 Magpie estate Ã¢â‚¬ËœThe SchnellÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Grenache-Shiraz
Most memorable thread: I always read Craig NZ

Cheers,
Attila

crackers · Post by **crackers** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:40 pm

Best Red: 2004 Balnaves The Tally cab sav
Best White: 2005 Voyager Estate chard
Best value: 2007 Tar & Roses Shiraz & The Story Grampians Shiraz 2006
Honourable mentions: 2005 Punch Close Planted Pinot (best Aus pinot ever tasted)
Biggest disappointments: 2002 Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Worst wine without a technical fault: Ferngrove Cossak 2008 Riesling
Most memorable thread: Lordson for sure

pizzler · Post by **pizzler** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:13 am

# Best red: 2001 Greenock Creek Shiraz Alice's. This will only get better.
# Best white: N.V. Chambers Muscat Rare Rosewood Vineyards. Monumental stickie that is practically a meal by itself.
# Best value wine: 2001 Grans-Fassian Piesporter GoldtrÃƒÂ¶pfchen Riesling. World class wine for $15US at auction. I shake my head every time I think about it. The 2000 was $10US at auction and nearly as good.
# Honourable mention: Red: 1984 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. Fabulous, particularly considering it was dismissed as over the hill; White: 1983 ChÃƒÂ¢teau Rieussec. It's showing perfectly now.
# Biggest disappointment: 2004 Mitolo Cabernet Sauvignon Jester. I'm a big fan of Mitolo Shiraz wines but there was something off-putting in the mid-palate.
# Worst wine without a technical fault: 2005 Virely-Rougeot Bourgogne. Vin ordinaire. I couldn't even like it at $14US.
# Most memorable thread: How can you top Lordson?

A Merry Christmas to all and thank you for making my Aussie palate sharper!

platinum · Post by **platinum** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:57 pm

crackers wrote:Best Red: 2004 Balnaves The Tally cab sav
Best White: 2005 Voyager Estate chard
Best value: 2007 Tar & Roses Shiraz & The Story Grampians Shiraz 2006
Honourable mentions: 2005 Punch Close Planted Pinot (best Aus pinot ever tasted)
Biggest disappointments: 2002 Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Worst wine without a technical fault: Ferngrove Cossak 2008 Riesling
Most memorable thread: Lordson for sure

We must have a simmilar palate, As in my thread above I love the 2004 The Tally (only just beaten by the legend 02 HOG for top spot) and also forgot to put in the 2005 Punch Close Planted which you reminded me of, and its also the best Aus Pinot Ive had too.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:17 pm

# Best red : Current Release: 2004 Penfolds St. Henri. Vintage: 1985 Chateau Decru Beauchamp Saint Julien 1985

# Best white : Current Release: 2005 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay. Vintage: 2001+2002 Trimbach Cuvee Frederich Emilie (both were stunning)

# Best value wine : Pirathon by Kalleske Shiraz 2006

# Honourable mention : Red: Morris's as-yet-unreleased Anniversary Muscat & All Saint's Museum Muscat. White: 2001 Wolf Blass White Label Riesling. Value: 2007 Wirra Wirra Church Block
# Biggest disappointment : Won't say, as it would be unfair on the winemaker as I haven't spoken to him about the wine since it was sent to me. And I can't talk around it without giving away which wine it was.
# Worst wine without a technical fault: A wine from a well known producer, who is very good with whites. But obviously someone in marketing told them that adding Sauv Blanc = sales, and they put together a horrible, horrible wine that could have been a half decent single varietal - instead the good component has been masked with Sauv Blanc that doesn't suit it at all.

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:03 pm

# Biggest disappointment : Won't say, as it would be unfair on the winemaker as I haven't spoken to him about the wine since it was sent to me. And I can't talk around it without giving away which wine it was.

You wont tell us which movie disappointed you most this year until you talk to the movies Director either??

Gotta laugh at PC wine reviewers. Spill the beans or skip the question

Most memorable thread: I always read Craig NZ

Mum always asks me who besides her reads my stuff. Now I can tell her :lol:

griff · Post by **griff** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:43 pm

Craig(NZ) wrote:
# Biggest disappointment : Won't say, as it would be unfair on the winemaker as I haven't spoken to him about the wine since it was sent to me. And I can't talk around it without giving away which wine it was.

You wont tell us which movie disappointed you most this year until you talk to the movies Director either??

Gotta laugh at PC wine reviewers. Spill the beans or skip the question

A pertinent comment for all wine reviewers who accept free samples I think. Very few willing to tell how good the gravy on the gravy train is.

cheers

Carl

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:40 pm

Danny,

For "Best Red: Current Release: 2004 Penfolds St. Henri. Vintage: 1985 Chateau Decru Beauchamp Saint Julien."

I think you meant to say Chateau Ducru Beaucailleau?

Cheers..............Mahmoud

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:59 am

griff wrote:
A pertinent comment for all wine reviewers who accept free samples I think. Very few willing to tell how good the gravy on the gravy train is.

cheers

Carl

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:51 am

Best Red: Current Release: 2004 Hill of Grace. Vintage: 1970 WynnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Black Label Magnum

Best White: Current Release: 2008 Chrismont Albarino. Vintage: 1996 Penfolds Trial Bin Chardonnay

Wine Of The Year: 1978 Brown Brothers Noble Riesling

Best Value Wine: 1978 Brown Brothers Noble Riesling - it was a freebie with a wine purchase years ago.

Biggest Disappointment: 1986 Lindemans Pyrus - my first of these that has been corked.

Worst wine without a technical fault: McGuigan Black Label Red

Most memorable thread: Bring back the Wednesday value drinking thread

Waiters Friend · Post by **Waiters Friend** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:34 am

Hi Sharkey

We haven't seen enough of you recently, and I agree about the 'Wednesday Value' thread. It needs to make a return.

Chees

Allan

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:33 am

Danny wrote:# Best red : Current Release: 2004 Penfolds St. Henri. Vintage: 1985 Chateau Decru Beauchamp Saint Julien 1985

# Best white : Current Release: 2005 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay. Vintage: 2001+2002 Trimbach Cuvee Frederich Emilie (both were stunning)

# Best value wine : Pirathon by Kalleske Shiraz 2006

# Honourable mention : Red: Morris's as-yet-unreleased Anniversary Muscat & All Saint's Museum Muscat. White: 2001 Wolf Blass White Label Riesling. Value: 2007 Wirra Wirra Church Block
# Biggest disappointment : Won't say, as it would be unfair on the winemaker as I haven't spoken to him about the wine since it was sent to me. And I can't talk around it without giving away which wine it was.
# Worst wine without a technical fault: A wine from a well known producer, who is very good with whites. But obviously someone in marketing told them that adding Sauv Blanc = sales, and they put together a horrible, horrible wine that could have been a half decent single varietal - instead the good component has been masked with Sauv Blanc that doesn't suit it at all.

Good call on the Trimbach 2001. I've had about 5 bottles of this in the past month. Its good juice.

dlo · Post by **dlo** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:15 am

These are my best scoring "Wine's of the Year" for 2008.

97 Points -
Penfolds Bin 7 Cabernet Shiraz 1967

96 Points -
Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon 1996
Fritz Haag Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling Gold Capsule 1983
Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling Vendanges Tardives 1990
Lindemans Vintage Port Bin 3642 Classic Release 1967

95 points -
Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1962
Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Champagne 1996
S.A.Prum Wehlener-Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese 1976 Gold Capsule
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 1980
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2005 (Subsequent to the first bottle the wine has shut down)
Louis Roederer Vintage Brut 1996

94 points -
Seppelt Dorrien Cabernet Sauvignon 1991
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling 1983 (white capsule)
Morris Very Old Liquer Muscat
Kooyong Estate Chardonnay 2005 (mind-blowing for the price - $35)
Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 1989
Paul Jaboulet Hermitage Ã¢â‚¬Å“La ChapelleÃ¢â‚¬Â 1983

93 points -
Mount Mary Chardonnay 2000
Ch. Leoville Las Cases 1978
Petaluma Hanlin's Hill Riesling 2002
Maximin Gruhauser Abtsberg Riesling Spatlese 1998
Chateau Figeac 1982
Mount Mary Chardonnay 2004
Furst von Metternichscher Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Auslese 1971 (Blue Capsule)
Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 1984
Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2006
Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Ã¢â‚¬Å“Les CombettesÃ¢â‚¬Â 2000
Christophe Vaudoisey Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Chenes" 1993
S.A. Prum M-S-R Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 1983
Bonneau du Mattray Corton Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne 1989
Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Ã¢â‚¬Å“Les PerrieresÃ¢â‚¬Â 1997
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
TyrrellÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Hunter Valley Vat 1 Semillon 1999
Seabrook Special Bottling Vintage Port 1971
Peter Lehmann The Mentor 1992 (a revelation)
Georges Mugneret Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru Ruchottes-Chambertin 1996
Orlando St. Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1988 (another surprise packet)
Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2005
Laurent-Perrier Vintage Brut 1996 (averaged over three bottles)

redwine · Post by **redwine** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:44 pm

Best Red: Rockford Hoffmann Shiraz 1996, Chateau Lafite 1961
Best White: DRC Montrachet 2005 (unfortunately only in a tasting)
Best value: Riesling Schloss Saarstein SpÃƒÂ¤tlese 2007
Honourable mentions: Amarone Montecariano 2001 (can easily compete with Quintarelli and Dal Forno), Barolo Luigi Bosca e Figli spa 1978
Biggest disappointments: Clarendon Hills Astralis 1995
Worst wine without a technical fault: all were reasonable otherwise there was a technical fault
Most memorable thread: Torbs Sunday thread

Cheers and happy New Year.

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:19 am

BEST RED: Chateau Musar, a 1980 in Magnum and a 1970, served separately and at birthday parties. Both were rich, lush, complex, and long, the 1970 from a mid-shoulder level bottle. These Musars are almost ageless--amazing.

BEST WHITE: 1991 Houghton White Burgundy, Museum Release (bottled in 1998), a revelation.

BEST VALUE WINE: Any Portuguese red wine, Jose de Sousa (Alentejano), Domini, Quinta da Garide (Dao), etc. etc.

HONOURABLE MENTION: 1976 Leoville Poyferre. Supposedly from a weak vintage and an underperforming estate. This bottle was found only a month ago in a small dusty old shop, standing upright, and for C$15--surpassed all expectations. 2005 Domaine Weinbach Tokay Pinot Gris Ã¢â‚¬ËœCuvee Ste CatheriineÃ¢â‚¬â„¢, elegant and refined.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Hmm, nothing really comes to mind. Oh yes, drinking beer with a running group in the afternoon, then falling asleep in the evening after the fifth wine and missing out on the Ramos Pintos 10 y.o. Tawny. Oh, its coming back to me now, the corked 1975 Chateau Calon (Montagne Ste-Emillion) that same evening.

WORST WINE WITHOUT A TECHNICAL FAULT: Industrial bulk wine swill from Blass, Rosemount, etc.that one finds at most parties and gatherings. Characterless.

MOST MEMORABLE THREAD: Well, lets just say I wonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be posting bargain finds anymore.

All the best in the New Year everyone,

Cheers..............Mahmoud.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:01 pm

Mahmoud Ali wrote:Danny,

For "Best Red: Current Release: 2004 Penfolds St. Henri. Vintage: 1985 Chateau Decru Beauchamp Saint Julien."

I think you meant to say Chateau Ducru Beaucailleau?

Cheers..............Mahmoud

Indeed you are right...

I did take a photo of the bottle for the wineweek twitter account
http://twitpic.com/kskv

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:17 pm

dlo wrote:
Bick wrote:
Wayno wrote:Most memorable thread: anything by Lordson or with Lordson's name in it somewhere

Bless him! where's he gone?

I don't know and don't care.

I found him on a photography forum I go on whilst digging through old threads... must be a troll for sure. Only going by the small post count and content that it may be the same person.

Best Red : Torzi Matthew's Frost Dodger 05

Best White : Pikes Riesling 02

Best Value : Meerea Park Shiraz Voignier 05

Honourable Mention : Elderton Shiraz 02

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:24 am

Best Red: Brewery Hill Shiraz 1998 (no longer made unfortunately)
Best White: East Arm Riesling 1999
Best value: Saltrams Mamre Brook 2004 Cabernet
Honourable mentions: Cathcart Ridge 2000 Shiraz, Yalumba Without Fear Vintage Port, Wynns JR 1986 magnum, Pierro Chardy 1994
Biggest disappointments: Penfolds 389 1996, Penfolds St Henri 1990
Worst wine without a technical fault: Lehmann Stonewell 1997
Most memorable thread: Reading Ian's incredible tasting notes on wines that I could only ever dream of tasting, also watching Lordson take the mickey out of everyone who reacted (and wondered at times who was being the biggest jerk) - certainly livened up the show

I support the call for thanks particularly for RB for his unfailing feedback and good sense and for Torb for running the show - well done guys!