Sunday 10 May......

[rednut]

2005 Greenock Creek Alices Shiraz

High in alcohol, 17.5 % and this showed to start with.
After being open for an hour or so got better. Lovely aroma, deep crimson in colour and true Barossa taste.

2004 Heritage Barossa Shiraz

Deep rich purple colour, full flavour yet lacking that finishing quality. Still and enjoyabl red either way.

[bacchaebabe]

Just a listing as I'll post separate tasting notes.

08 Kalleske Florentine Chenin Blanc
08 Kalleske Clarrys Grenache Mataro
07 Kalleske Pirathon
07 Kalleske Moppa Springs Shiraz
07 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache
04 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
05 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
07 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
07 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache
07 Kalleske Johann Georg
07 Kalleske JMK shiraz Vintage Port
98 Penfolds Koonunga Hill (corked)
86 Phelps Insignia Cabernets
00 Kondrad and Konrad Botrytis Riesling
08 Carmen Valle Central Savignon Blanc
08 Urban Uco Torrantes
06 Mount MaryChardonnay
06 Mount Mary Pinot
06 Mount Mary Quintets
06 Goats do Roam Pinotage

[dazza1968]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Yes that makes complete sense , Now its 2 out of 3 bottles Maybe auction time

Have you asked the winery for replacements of the corked wines? If not, why not?

Have contacted Katnook and awaiting a reply
Regards Dazza

[John #11]

2007 Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz
Lovely crimson
Fruity nose, plenty of liqueur cherries, plums, cedary oak.
Very tannic, lots of pepper, plums and cherries, but very angular, totally out of balance, acid, oak, tannins fighting each other, even a little VA on the finish.
Hard to like this, and not real easy to drink either.
Not rated. Thankfully I didn't buy any more.

[n4sir]

Caught up with Duane Coates last Saturday night, and a few old friends made an appearance (all bottled naturally under cork, and all were served blind):

1997 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling: Deep yellow colour. Lemon pith, a hint of kerosene and toast, then sweet biscuity/gingerbread characters and a little floral bathroom scents. Mineraly and slightly oily palate with a lovely, fine, long finish - Duane chose this because of a leaky cork, yet it was in very fine form.

1970 Saltram Bin 55 'Claret' (sic): A murky, brick red colour and a stronger showing than my last bottle, with the herbal and slightly more vegetal Cabernet component more obvious; very fine, silky palate where the acid and tannins have disappeared, but there’s still some fruit and a little smoky chocolate with breathing. This one kept on kicking and wasn’t overwhelmed by the wines that followed.

1993 Orlando St. Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark to inky red crimson colour. More reminiscent of a Wynns Michael on the nose and palate, with heavy vanilla/banana oak and ripe blackberry/blackcurrant fruit with hints of coal and mint/herbs. The palate’s medium-weight but seamless, but that oak’s back for the finish. Good wine, but I’m not sure it will ever be great.

1975 Yalumba Walter's Blend, Signature Series 'Claret' (sic): A bottle with VHS; the cork broke three quarters out, but amazingly I got the last bit out without any hitting the wine. Still a very strong colour, a very dark to inky crimson. The nose and palate are just as strong, with toasty/dark earthy berries, meaty nuances and a long, smoky finish. Still has some rough edges and amazingly needs still time to soften out.

Cheers,
Ian

[monghead]

2007 Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz
Lovely crimson
Fruity nose, plenty of liqueur cherries, plums, cedary oak.
Very tannic, lots of pepper, plums and cherries, but very angular, totally out of balance, acid, oak, tannins fighting each other, even a little VA on the finish.
Hard to like this, and not real easy to drink either.
Not rated. Thankfully I didn't buy any more.

Sounds like a pub red to me. A big steak sandwich, and lashings of greasy fries to help wash it down.

[platinum]

Just a listing as I'll post separate tasting notes.


06 Mount MaryChardonnay
06 Mount Mary Pinot
06 Mount Mary Quintets

Cant wait too see your thoughts on these. Usually super wines IMO

[jeremy]

monghead wrote

John #11 wrote:
2007 Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz
Lovely crimson
Fruity nose, plenty of liqueur cherries, plums, cedary oak.
Very tannic, lots of pepper, plums and cherries, but very angular, totally out of balance, acid, oak, tannins fighting each other, even a little VA on the finish.
Hard to like this, and not real easy to drink either.
Not rated. Thankfully I didn't buy any more.


Sounds like a pub red to me. A big steak sandwich, and lashings of greasy fries to help wash it down.

Not how I see it at all. I enjoyed tannins and structure and thought it had a "euro" aspect. But that's another part of the fun of wine. Drinker-response theory in the form of reading others impressions

[JJap]

Jeir Creek Riesling '08 - Really nice Canberra Reisling. Different from the Clare and Eden Valley versions that I usually drink and was probably better the second night.
Verse 1 Cab/Merlot '07 - Nice enough without generating too much excitement. Bottle vanished amongst 3 of us pretty quickly so we could get to...
Wirra Wirra Church Block '02 - This was written up here fairly recently as being at its peak and drinking nicely. Certainly agree and will enjoy the remaining 4 over the next few months.
Mount Pleasant Chardonnay '02 - I think I picked these up for about $9 and of the 3 I've had so far this has been the best. It's aged really well and could probably go further but I've been caught out too many times leaving wines that are drinking well now only to be disappointed in the future.
Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz '98 - Don't know if I left this too long or not long enough. I remember being very impressed at the CD when I brought it. Nice enough and very much a Hunter shiraz with leather & tar but not amazing. Probably should have been drunk earlier.

[JG]

Salmon Billecart Rose NV
Great bottle of this, at least as good as last one which was 2 years ago purchased HK duty free. This one purchased from DMs - they supposedly kept it air conditioned out the back away from the neon lights.
Even though circumstances meant it had to be drank from a foam cup.... intense generous palate, but definitely super refined. My wife's favourite semi affordable champers.

D'arenberg High Trellis Cab Sauv 2001
Drinking well now, well matured notes of leather and tobacco. Decent length. Was a gift, not a bad cellaring style. I had consumed some of the 2004s as a quaffer, not sure if any in cellar.

Mr Riggs Shiraz 2005
Another generous gift. Drinking well now but prob do well with another year. Not a style I would risk longer cellaring. Rype rich fruit. Not jammy or sweet. Good finish. Very popular easy pleasing style amongst couple friends.

Pol Roger 1998
Dry and austere, very diff style to the salmon billecart rose. Fruit bouquet opened as the wine warmed in the glass. Reminder not to drink good whites too cold.

Penfolds Bin 407 2006
Thought had better give it a test run prior to any cellar buy. Gave couple hour decant. Young wine, nose reasonably closed. Intense palate that hits the tongue then powers along the back of the mouth. Great length. Mouth filling tannins. Think might grab 6 pack for cellar if see any on special.

[Daryl Douglas]

monghead wrote

John #11 wrote:
2007 Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz
Lovely crimson
Fruity nose, plenty of liqueur cherries, plums, cedary oak.
Very tannic, lots of pepper, plums and cherries, but very angular, totally out of balance, acid, oak, tannins fighting each other, even a little VA on the finish.
Hard to like this, and not real easy to drink either.
Not rated. Thankfully I didn't buy any more.


Sounds like a pub red to me. A big steak sandwich, and lashings of greasy fries to help wash it down.

Not how I see it at all. I enjoyed tannins and structure and thought it had a "euro" aspect. But that's another part of the fun of wine. Drinker-response theory in the form of reading others impressions

I've 1 of 6 left to try in couple of years or so. Even after 5 bottles, I'm still ambivalent about this wine but I could see what Mattinson and Walsh liked about it - mind you I did like it once I "got it" after a couple of bottles. It's certainly not the style expected from this region. I reckon it tends towards medium-bodied, has a touch of elegance even though it cost <$14. The winemakers' experience in the Spanish industry seems to show in it's savouriness, not that I have any knowledge of Spanish wines other than what I've read.

Cheers

daz

[jeremy]

Daz wrote

jeremy wrote:
monghead wrote
Quote:
John #11 wrote:
2007 Tar & Roses Heathcote Shiraz
Lovely crimson
Fruity nose, plenty of liqueur cherries, plums, cedary oak.
Very tannic, lots of pepper, plums and cherries, but very angular, totally out of balance, acid, oak, tannins fighting each other, even a little VA on the finish.
Hard to like this, and not real easy to drink either.
Not rated. Thankfully I didn't buy any more.


Sounds like a pub red to me. A big steak sandwich, and lashings of greasy fries to help wash it down.


Not how I see it at all. I enjoyed tannins and structure and thought it had a "euro" aspect. But that's another part of the fun of wine. Drinker-response theory in the form of reading others impressions


I've 1 of 6 left to try in couple of years or so. Even after 5 bottles, I'm still ambivalent about this wine but I could see what Mattinson and Walsh liked about it - mind you I did like it once I "got it" after a couple of bottles. It's certainly not the style expected from this region. I reckon it tends towards medium-bodied, has a touch of elegance even though it cost <$14. The winemakers' experience in the Spanish industry seems to show in it's savouriness, not that I have any knowledge of Spanish wines other than what I've read.

Cheers

daz

Well, you;re doing better than me, I've drunk mine up till I spot some more. Thanks for the feedback!

[Daryl Douglas]

I've seen a number of positive comments on the T&R tempranillo 07 too but haven't tried it. FWIW

Cheers

daz

[jeremy]

Oh, in my books it is the equal best OZ Tempranillo around(Blue Poles 2007 the other). I'd defintely have a punt on it, it's about $22. Give it some air. All just IMHO of course.

[RedVelvet]

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay What can i say, an amazing aged chardonnay, golden yellow, a big big nose leapt from the glass couldnt help but notice a palate dominated by wonderful sweet glace pineapple and cashew, creamy, oily and silky in texture this is wonderful stuff.

2001 Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Opened for about 30 minutes before pouring from the bottle nice smokey almost earthy savoury characters that turned more green capsicum over the hour or so we consumed it. Not really my type of Cab.

1999 Torbreck The Factor Decanted for 2-3 hours prior to pouring. Big and all class, abundant blackberries, smoke, coffee, chocolate, smooth, silky, chewy and oh sooooooo long. This wine has incredible balance and still rates as one of my all time favourite if not number 1 Shiraz's. This is what Barossa Shiraz is all about.

2008 Moore's Hill Riesling Light straw, fresh lime with spritzy, racey acidity all nicely balanced into an elegant cool climate style riesling. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

1998 Penfold's St Henri Decanted and poured almost instantly this wine was closed and tight as can be. It really needed time to open and i would suggest it is still quite closed and in need of time in the cellar. Never the less it appears on the elegant side and typical St Henri characters of a good vintage in my opinion.

[Partagas]

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay What can i say, an amazing aged chardonnay, golden yellow, a big big nose leapt from the glass couldnt help but notice a palate dominated by wonderful sweet glace pineapple and cashew, creamy, oily and silky in texture this is wonderful stuff.

2001 Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Opened for about 30 minutes before pouring from the bottle nice smokey almost earthy savoury characters that turned more green capsicum over the hour or so we consumed it. Not really my type of Cab.

1999 Torbreck The Factor Decanted for 2-3 hours prior to pouring. Big and all class, abundant blackberries, smoke, coffee, chocolate, smooth, silky, chewy and oh sooooooo long. This wine has incredible balance and still rates as one of my all time favourite if not number 1 Shiraz's. This is what Barossa Shiraz is all about.

2008 Moore's Hill Riesling Light straw, fresh lime with spritzy, racey acidity all nicely balanced into an elegant cool climate style riesling. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

1998 Penfold's St Henri Decanted and poured almost instantly this wine was closed and tight as can be. It really needed time to open and i would suggest it is still quite closed and in need of time in the cellar. Never the less it appears on the elegant side and typical St Henri characters of a good vintage in my opinion.

Good drinking.

I found the 2001 LEAS similar experience though very oaky for some reason this time round. First bottle was more fruit driven and better.
The 98 St Henri from my last experience was also reasonably closed but showing something great in the background. We decanted for a couple of hours and the last glass or so were starting to sing.

[RedVelvet]

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay What can i say, an amazing aged chardonnay, golden yellow, a big big nose leapt from the glass couldnt help but notice a palate dominated by wonderful sweet glace pineapple and cashew, creamy, oily and silky in texture this is wonderful stuff.

2001 Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Opened for about 30 minutes before pouring from the bottle nice smokey almost earthy savoury characters that turned more green capsicum over the hour or so we consumed it. Not really my type of Cab.

1999 Torbreck The Factor Decanted for 2-3 hours prior to pouring. Big and all class, abundant blackberries, smoke, coffee, chocolate, smooth, silky, chewy and oh sooooooo long. This wine has incredible balance and still rates as one of my all time favourite if not number 1 Shiraz's. This is what Barossa Shiraz is all about.

2008 Moore's Hill Riesling Light straw, fresh lime with spritzy, racey acidity all nicely balanced into an elegant cool climate style riesling. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

1998 Penfold's St Henri Decanted and poured almost instantly this wine was closed and tight as can be. It really needed time to open and i would suggest it is still quite closed and in need of time in the cellar. Never the less it appears on the elegant side and typical St Henri characters of a good vintage in my opinion.

Good drinking.

I found the 2001 LEAS similar experience though very oaky for some reason this time round. First bottle was more fruit driven and better.
The 98 St Henri from my last experience was also reasonably closed but showing something great in the background. We decanted for a couple of hours and the last glass or so were starting to sing.

I would agree the oak was certainly quite dominant at first in 2001 Leas however the wine did show some class but progressed into that green capsicum profile of which i am not a fan.

Unfortunately due to the number of people drinking the 98 St Henri on this occassion there was only one glass each to be had. Fortunately i was one of the lucky ones who didnt get one of the Penfolds Riedels to try this wine out of (the riedels turned out to have a large amount of detergent residue in them that turned the wine into a bubble bath leaving it undrinkable). I would agree that this wine is going to evolve into something very special. It is so tight and young in the glass and like you mentioned there seems to be something very special going on in the background.

[griff]

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay What can i say, an amazing aged chardonnay, golden yellow, a big big nose leapt from the glass couldnt help but notice a palate dominated by wonderful sweet glace pineapple and cashew, creamy, oily and silky in texture this is wonderful stuff.

2001 Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Opened for about 30 minutes before pouring from the bottle nice smokey almost earthy savoury characters that turned more green capsicum over the hour or so we consumed it. Not really my type of Cab.

1999 Torbreck The Factor Decanted for 2-3 hours prior to pouring. Big and all class, abundant blackberries, smoke, coffee, chocolate, smooth, silky, chewy and oh sooooooo long. This wine has incredible balance and still rates as one of my all time favourite if not number 1 Shiraz's. This is what Barossa Shiraz is all about.

2008 Moore's Hill Riesling Light straw, fresh lime with spritzy, racey acidity all nicely balanced into an elegant cool climate style riesling. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

1998 Penfold's St Henri Decanted and poured almost instantly this wine was closed and tight as can be. It really needed time to open and i would suggest it is still quite closed and in need of time in the cellar. Never the less it appears on the elegant side and typical St Henri characters of a good vintage in my opinion.

Good drinking.

I found the 2001 LEAS similar experience though very oaky for some reason this time round. First bottle was more fruit driven and better.
The 98 St Henri from my last experience was also reasonably closed but showing something great in the background. We decanted for a couple of hours and the last glass or so were starting to sing.

I would agree the oak was certainly quite dominant at first in 2001 Leas however the wine did show some class but progressed into that green capsicum profile of which i am not a fan.

Unfortunately due to the number of people drinking the 98 St Henri on this occassion there was only one glass each to be had. Fortunately i was one of the lucky ones who didnt get one of the Penfolds Riedels to try this wine out of (the riedels turned out to have a large amount of detergent residue in them that turned the wine into a bubble bath leaving it undrinkable). I would agree that this wine is going to evolve into something very special. It is so tight and young in the glass and like you mentioned there seems to be something very special going on in the background.

Yes the LEAS Cabernet always was a lot sterner than its Northern neighbors and even next door at Voyager. I believe there has been a style change with the 2004 vintage however.

cheers

Carl