TN: 2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gewurztraminer

[n4sir]

2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gewurztraminer, Eden Valley (screwcap): Bright straw colour, showing some development. The nose is full of spice, detergent suds and flint, then some rose petal; the palate's still got that same wonderful balance of spice and zesty, clean acid, finishing long and rapier-like, cleaning the teeth. Not quite as impressive as its brash youth but not far off either, it's a little in between phases and will keep for some time - lord knows what it will be like with about 10+ years bottle age.

Cheers,
Ian

[Waiters Friend]

Hi Ian

I've never remotely considered Australian gewurztraminer as anything more than a 'drink now' proposition. How are you finding the difference between a 1 y.o and a 4 y.o.?

Cheers

Allan

[Dave Dewhurst]

Hi Ian

I've never remotely considered Australian gewurztraminer as anything more than a 'drink now' proposition. How are you finding the difference between a 1 y.o and a 4 y.o.?

Cheers

Allan

I have been drinking Chatsfield gewurtz from 2001 over the last couple of years, had one just last month, drinking beautifully, and am down to my last bottle. Lovely wine, very floral and tinned lychees, bone dry with good acidity. Not overly evolved seemingly. A little ripper for under $15.

Cheers

Dave

[n4sir]

Hi Ian

I've never remotely considered Australian gewurztraminer as anything more than a 'drink now' proposition. How are you finding the difference between a 1 y.o and a 4 y.o.?

Cheers

Allan

To be honest I never considered really cellaring gewurztraminer either until Gustav last year mentioned about how long lived some Alsace examples were. I'd tried some attractive spicy ones before (Grant Burge/Delatite) but never really considered the prospect of trying some with significant bottle age until this moment which coincided with the superb 2007 Penfolds and Leabrook Estate releases.

It's been three years since I last tried the 2005 and I bought these bottles, and I reckon on this form it's just starting to close down (that said, the 2007 over the last year has been a bit up & down so it could be just a flat spot). The colour change is the most noticeable difference, and it's a little sharper and less floral, but all up still very young with excellent balance and acid, and seemingly destined for a long future.

Cheers,
Ian

[JF]

2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gewurztraminer, Eden Valley (screwcap): Bright straw colour, showing some development. The nose is full of spice, detergent suds and flint, then some rose petal; the palate’s still got that same wonderful balance of spice and zesty, clean acid, finishing long and rapier-like, cleaning the teeth. Not quite as impressive as its brash youth but not far off either, it’s a little in between phases and will keep for some time - lord knows what it will be like with about 10+ years bottle age.

Cheers,
Ian

Ian (or anybody else for that mater),

I was wondering if you have had the chance to try the 08 version this and what you thought?

Cheers,

John

[Maroon&Blue]

Hi Ian

I've never remotely considered Australian gewurztraminer as anything more than a 'drink now' proposition. How are you finding the difference between a 1 y.o and a 4 y.o.?

Cheers

Allan

I have been drinking Chatsfield gewurtz from 2001 over the last couple of years, had one just last month, drinking beautifully, and am down to my last bottle. Lovely wine, very floral and tinned lychees, bone dry with good acidity. Not overly evolved seemingly. A little ripper for under $15.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Dave

Sorry .....a bit off topic BUT.....

The wife & I used to fancy Chatsfield as well, but am finding it hard to source in SE QLD.

We enjoyed its qualities as a summer quencher!!!

Any leads please?
Mr & Mrs Ronaldo

[Dave Dewhurst]

Hi Ian

I've never remotely considered Australian gewurztraminer as anything more than a 'drink now' proposition. How are you finding the difference between a 1 y.o and a 4 y.o.?

Cheers

Allan

I have been drinking Chatsfield gewurtz from 2001 over the last couple of years, had one just last month, drinking beautifully, and am down to my last bottle. Lovely wine, very floral and tinned lychees, bone dry with good acidity. Not overly evolved seemingly. A little ripper for under $15.

Cheers

Dave

Hi Dave

Sorry .....a bit off topic BUT.....

The wife & I used to fancy Chatsfield as well, but am finding it hard to source in SE QLD.

We enjoyed its qualities as a summer quencher!!!

Any leads please?
Mr & Mrs Ronaldo

Sorry Folks, I picked this up direct from the winery through the Perth food and wine fair about four years ago maybe. They have since been taken over so I believe and I was told last year at a Great Southern Expo by the new owners that the gewurtz vines had been pulled out because it was too hard a sell . Shame really as on the basis of this wine, the quality is excellent and QPR even higher!

Cheers

Dave

[Davo]

2005 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Gewurztraminer, Eden Valley (screwcap): Bright straw colour, showing some development. The nose is full of spice, detergent suds and flint, then some rose petal; the palate’s still got that same wonderful balance of spice and zesty, clean acid, finishing long and rapier-like, cleaning the teeth. Not quite as impressive as its brash youth but not far off either, it’s a little in between phases and will keep for some time - lord knows what it will be like with about 10+ years bottle age.

Cheers,
Ian

Ian (or anybody else for that mater),

I was wondering if you have had the chance to try the 08 version this and what you thought?

Cheers,

John

I tried the 08 last weekend, not that impressed.

[Wayno]

Gosh the time flies by (or the vintages do). I only bought a few bottles of the 05 new a bit over a year back I reckon. Have they done an Orlando and skipped vintages?

[n4sir]

Gosh the time flies by (or the vintages do). I only bought a few bottles of the 05 new a bit over a year back I reckon. Have they done an Orlando and skipped vintages?

I got the 05, 06 and 07 vintages - figured it could make for an interesting vertical.

The 06 was around for a while (wasn't as popular as the 05) but the 07 moved a bit quicker. I haven't seen the 08 anywhere and haven't tried it (yet).

Cheers,
Ian