Sunday and its March already.....

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:28 pm

Had it once a few years back. Loved it. But, again, never bothered there again for whatever reason.

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:48 pm

06 Walcliffe a ripper, better than the 05 IMO which was too heavily loaded with vanilla oak.
GW

griff · Post by **griff** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:25 pm

Gary W wrote:06 Walcliffe a ripper, better than the 05 IMO which was too heavily loaded with vanilla oak.
GW

Ah yes. The 06 would appeal to those who prefer unripe cabernets

I thought they were very similar actually when trying them side by side.

cheers

Carl

Dave Dewhurst · Post by **Dave Dewhurst** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:48 pm

griff wrote:Cullen's aren't too shabby either but the range is a little confusing for me and not quite as worked as those above.

For me, the Cullen's is better, more focused and crisper. The Wallcliffe was not bad but I would not buy it again, whereas the Cullen's I did!

Cheers

Dave

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:07 am

ufo wrote:
Sharkey wrote:This week was my father's 70th birthday, so we had a dinner on Saturday night.

2003 Oakvale Gold Rock Verdelho - This bottle had escaped my attention in the cellar and I was expecting it to be past it's best. Surpisingly it was sensational. One of the best whites I have had for a while. Very complex wine with great mouthfeel and a long finish. Sort of like drinking liquid marmalade with a bit of musk and rose-hip in the mix. Wish I had a couple more bottles of this.

1990 Orlando Lawsons Shiraz - Had a slightly musty smell when first opened but that blew after after half an hour. This was nowwhere near as good as I was expecting it to be so I suspect it was mild cork taint.

2002 Bullers Colliope Durif - Loads of tannin that covers the 16% alcohol. Not a bad wine but I suspect it is in an awkward stage of development.

2002 Peter Leahman Clancys blend - Clancy's is a regular in my cellar and every now and then I let a bottle or two age beyond the normal drinking time for them. This one at 7 years old was really good. A $10 bottle of wine that has been well cellared and it stood up to the previous, more fancied bottles.

1939 Seppelts Para Port - The highlight of the night. Smoooth and lingering with no sign of hitting the age limit. I have another bottle that I was going to open for my Dad's 75th but this will last a lot longer than that for sure. Sensational stuff.

What do you think the drinking window for Bullers Durif is ?

The short answer is I don't really know.

I bought this bottle and a magnum at the cellar door a few years ago. The idea was to try the bottle at about 8 years (I think they recommended 8 - 10 years) to give an indication of when the magnum should be opened. I hope it is just in an awkward phase. Either that or it was just a bad bottle. So I think I will leave it a few more years.

rooman · Post by **rooman** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:06 pm

Dave Dewhurst wrote:
griff wrote:Cullen's aren't too shabby either but the range is a little confusing for me and not quite as worked as those above.

For me, the Cullen's is better, more focused and crisper. The Wallcliffe was not bad but I would not buy it again, whereas the Cullen's I did!

Cheers

Dave

Dave

As I have tried neither the Cullen nor the Mangan, which one is your preference? I am having a crack at SSB blends this month and am keen to try a few others.

Mark

rooman · Post by **rooman** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:24 pm

Gary W wrote:06 Walcliffe a ripper, better than the 05 IMO which was too heavily loaded with vanilla oak.
GW

Yeah I was amazed at how good it was. I am curious to know what you think the 06 drinking window is given its current structure. My initial impression is that it won't actual enter its ideal window for another 3-4 years and then will probably go out to 2016. The question is more of an eductional nature as I am trying to get a better feel for wines will evolve over a period of time nowdays.

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:00 pm

Yes.
GW

rooman · Post by **rooman** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:57 pm

Gary W wrote:Yes.
GW

Oh ha ha. Us amateurs really look up to you professionals for guidance you know from time to time. Words of wisdom and all that. :cry:

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:21 pm

rooman wrote:
Gary W wrote:06 Walcliffe a ripper, better than the 05 IMO which was too heavily loaded with vanilla oak.
GW
Yeah I was amazed at how good it was. I am curious to know what you think the 06 drinking window is given its current structure. My initial impression is that it won't actual enter its ideal window for another 3-4 years and then will probably go out to 2016. The question is more of an eductional nature as I am trying to get a better feel for wines will evolve over a period of time nowdays.

Yes, I think you have it exactly right - although I'm happy to drink them now.
GW

Loztralia · Post by **Loztralia** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:45 pm

As I have tried neither the Cullen nor the Mangan, which one is your preference? I am having a crack at SSB blends this month and am keen to try a few others.

Mark

FWIW, I had the 2007 Cullen Mangan vineyard SSB a month or so back and thought it was absolutely rocking. Super crisp and fresh and lively - one of the best of the breed I've ever had.

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:12 pm

2 glorious wines this week (must be feeling a bit mortal and not wanting to die with good wine still in the cellar!)

1998 Penfolds 407 - haven't been a big fan of this blend until now - beautiful live clear and purple, with great berry flavours and nice length - smooth as a baby's bum and went down a treat - still probably got a few years in it.

1996 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz - God's gift to wine lovers, elegant, alive, beautiful black berries and anise with a touch of distilled mercedes benz leather seats. So smooth it was like chocolate coating the tongue but not just any chocolate - more like the best Lindt. Shame I've only got 1 left....

ufo · Post by **ufo** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:38 am

Luke W wrote:2 glorious wines this week (must be feeling a bit mortal and not wanting to die with good wine still in the cellar!)

1998 Penfolds 407 - haven't been a big fan of this blend until now - beautiful live clear and purple, with great berry flavours and nice length - smooth as a baby's bum and went down a treat - still probably got a few years in it.

1996 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz - God's gift to wine lovers, elegant, alive, beautiful black berries and anise with a touch of distilled mercedes benz leather seats. So smooth it was like chocolate coating the tongue but not just any chocolate - more like the best Lindt. Shame I've only got 1 left....

407 Blend ?!?!? As far as I know that's always been a straight Cab. Sav.

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:52 am

It is a blend of grapes I suppose.