Hi Good Peoples,
Its that time of the week once again. Please let us know what you have been drinking. Vibes, impressions, lists and tasting notes all welcome.
Sunday....... second last for May
This week saw very little vino pass my lips as the Lole Family Jazz Band prepares for its debut at the Merimbula Jazz Convention over the June Long Weekend.
Apart from polishing off a half bottle of the decadently rich and moorish Seppelt Show Muscat DP 63, the incredible mesh 2005 riesling made an incredible dent on my Wine of the Year awards. My tasting note can be found in the School Day Delights thread here or on my website.
Apart from polishing off a half bottle of the decadently rich and moorish Seppelt Show Muscat DP 63, the incredible mesh 2005 riesling made an incredible dent on my Wine of the Year awards. My tasting note can be found in the School Day Delights thread here or on my website.
Last edited by dlo on Sun May 24, 2009 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers,
David
David
Had an unexpectedly excellent food day yesterday - all produce picked up not from the Adelaide Central market but from ugly , polluted and busy South Road which I happened to be walking along ! Great bread from the Lawash Afghanistan bakery , modestly priced beef from a Hallal butcher - cooked over charcoal at home and LIVE coffin bay oysters from some chap parked in his ute in the old vacated Pizza Hut block on cnr Port and South Rd. Fantastic they were too , the brine within makes all the difference - although took me ages to prise open !
Had with these wines :
2005 Red Hill Estate Mornington Penninsula Blanc de Blanc ( $21 ) : very dry and chalky but suited the oysters. Have the Blanc de Noir to try tonight.
2006 Carpineto Chianti Classico ( $21 ) : nice and dry. yes a food wine , which is what I wanted. Slow cooked over charcoal beef went well with it along with some mushrooms.
Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay Rutherglen ( $33 ) : yes as back label claims : "caramel , honey and rich toffee". Needs fruit and nuts but no one on South Rd was selling them ! On my list later this year is to try the really old ones of these Rutherglen Tokays.
Had with these wines :
2005 Red Hill Estate Mornington Penninsula Blanc de Blanc ( $21 ) : very dry and chalky but suited the oysters. Have the Blanc de Noir to try tonight.
2006 Carpineto Chianti Classico ( $21 ) : nice and dry. yes a food wine , which is what I wanted. Slow cooked over charcoal beef went well with it along with some mushrooms.
Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay Rutherglen ( $33 ) : yes as back label claims : "caramel , honey and rich toffee". Needs fruit and nuts but no one on South Rd was selling them ! On my list later this year is to try the really old ones of these Rutherglen Tokays.
A few wines last night but I didn't take notes. One wine makes me want to write something down though.
2001 Hirtzberger Hochrain Smaragd Riesling
Tasted blind. I'll have to ask the person who brought this what the name was as it was. Sightly musky on the nose and a ripe palate of mangoes. Others said passionfruit. Was thinking a German Trocken from a warmer area. Very Good wine.
1999 Yalumba Virgilus Viognier
Browning and caramel notes. Past it unfortunately
1996 Cepparello
Paling red with rusty rim. Smokey notes with cherries on the nose. Rich classy cherries and leather on the mid-weight palate with a long finish. Slightly rustic. Excellent wine but I wouldn't cellar too much longer.
1999 Barone Ricasoli Casalferro
Again I can't remember the name. This wine I think had some merlot with the Sangiovese if I heard correctly. Looked a lot younger than the last wine. The palate was a lot richer and riper but the finish was short. A person commented that it loses focus. Good wine.
1989 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet
Tasted blind. Deep red. Jasmine tea, licorice and graphite on the nose. Lean elegant entry onto palate. Tobacco, earth, graphite noted in the firm cassis palate. A hint of barnyard/leather if one was looking but merely added to this wine. Copious fine, ripe, tannins present on the lengthy finish. Was thinking this was a left bank wine and maybe Paulliac? Outstanding. WOTN (Rebecca's WOTY to date). Thank you Michael for this beguiling wine.
1988 Cape Mentelle Cabernet
Herbal nose with some grass notes. A soft palate that was mid weight. Elegant and complete. Olives and leafy flavours. No tomato or capsicum that I can sometimes get in underripe cabernet. This was an Excellent wine.
2001 Le Corte Negroamaro
Still a tannic wine. Can't remember what else I thought other than big palate, a little tarry, and slightly hot finish. Tastes New World. Good.
1997 Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva
Popped and poured. Shouldn't have opened this as the desserts arrived just after. Youngish and cherries. Between the Cepparello and the IGT in style. Will look at the rest tonight.
Valdespino Solera 1842 Oloroso Dulce VOS
From a half bottle. Between 20 to 30 years of age according to the label. Deep brown with a lifted nose of dried fruit and almonds. Intense palate with the sweet PX just balancing the acidity. Long rancio finish. Excellent/Outstanding.
Great night. The food was good but overpriced I think in the Perth market. Glad that we could BYO on a Saturday which is rare in Perth however.
cheers
Carl
EDIT: added the names of the rest of the wines
2001 Hirtzberger Hochrain Smaragd Riesling
Tasted blind. I'll have to ask the person who brought this what the name was as it was. Sightly musky on the nose and a ripe palate of mangoes. Others said passionfruit. Was thinking a German Trocken from a warmer area. Very Good wine.
1999 Yalumba Virgilus Viognier
Browning and caramel notes. Past it unfortunately
1996 Cepparello
Paling red with rusty rim. Smokey notes with cherries on the nose. Rich classy cherries and leather on the mid-weight palate with a long finish. Slightly rustic. Excellent wine but I wouldn't cellar too much longer.
1999 Barone Ricasoli Casalferro
Again I can't remember the name. This wine I think had some merlot with the Sangiovese if I heard correctly. Looked a lot younger than the last wine. The palate was a lot richer and riper but the finish was short. A person commented that it loses focus. Good wine.
1989 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet
Tasted blind. Deep red. Jasmine tea, licorice and graphite on the nose. Lean elegant entry onto palate. Tobacco, earth, graphite noted in the firm cassis palate. A hint of barnyard/leather if one was looking but merely added to this wine. Copious fine, ripe, tannins present on the lengthy finish. Was thinking this was a left bank wine and maybe Paulliac? Outstanding. WOTN (Rebecca's WOTY to date). Thank you Michael for this beguiling wine.
1988 Cape Mentelle Cabernet
Herbal nose with some grass notes. A soft palate that was mid weight. Elegant and complete. Olives and leafy flavours. No tomato or capsicum that I can sometimes get in underripe cabernet. This was an Excellent wine.
2001 Le Corte Negroamaro
Still a tannic wine. Can't remember what else I thought other than big palate, a little tarry, and slightly hot finish. Tastes New World. Good.
1997 Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva
Popped and poured. Shouldn't have opened this as the desserts arrived just after. Youngish and cherries. Between the Cepparello and the IGT in style. Will look at the rest tonight.
Valdespino Solera 1842 Oloroso Dulce VOS
From a half bottle. Between 20 to 30 years of age according to the label. Deep brown with a lifted nose of dried fruit and almonds. Intense palate with the sweet PX just balancing the acidity. Long rancio finish. Excellent/Outstanding.
Great night. The food was good but overpriced I think in the Perth market. Glad that we could BYO on a Saturday which is rare in Perth however.
cheers
Carl
EDIT: added the names of the rest of the wines
Last edited by griff on Sun May 24, 2009 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
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Dave Dewhurst
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:03 pm
- Location: Perth, WA
Chateau Lauriol, 2005, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, very young still, nose of coffee and mocha; palate massive with great depth of blackberry fruit and masses of dusty chocolate and mocha going on. Reasonable acidity though and good length. Quite mouth-coating. Seems well balanced but need a few years just to slim down a bit and let the fruit shine a bit more. Nice wine with all the parts in the right place for the medium to long haul but a bit of a bruiser right now.
Chateau Duhart-Milon, 1996, I don't often get the classic cedar box on BDX but this one was right on the money. The nose was so lovely that I immediately thought I was on to a winner and I was not wrong. Elegant, feminine wine with savoury black-and redcurrant fruits accompanied by a lovely leatheriness, soft velvety tannins and great length. Fruit came up a little sweeter on pairing with duck. Awesome wine!
Jingalla Riesling, 1998, deep orange-gold colour with initial whiff of kero which blew off to reveal blossom and honey. Although the wine itself is bone dry, touches of lemon, lots of orange and honey fruit sweetness zip across the palate, sealed up with zingy acidity and great length. Better than the last bottle I had (although that was pretty good), probably through the vagaries of cork seal. Lovely wine.
Tahbilk Shiraz, 1991, a real chameleon this wine, constantly changing through out the night from good to better! Quite earthy and smoky on the nose to start which eveolved to more dark fruit and chocolate later on consistent with the palate evolution. Started off with leathery redcurrants with just a touch of chocolate with light to medium body and integrated tannins. The redcurrant fruit seemed to oscillate between sweet and savoury. With time, the fruit became more blackberry, dark chocolate increased in power and the body just seemed to swell and swell with soft, juicy tannins rose a little. I just wanted more and more of this but alas the bottle was empty and I only had the one. Still can go plenty this one I think, no sign of being a pensioner, let alone near the end of its life! Just yummy.
Cheers
Dave
Chateau Duhart-Milon, 1996, I don't often get the classic cedar box on BDX but this one was right on the money. The nose was so lovely that I immediately thought I was on to a winner and I was not wrong. Elegant, feminine wine with savoury black-and redcurrant fruits accompanied by a lovely leatheriness, soft velvety tannins and great length. Fruit came up a little sweeter on pairing with duck. Awesome wine!
Jingalla Riesling, 1998, deep orange-gold colour with initial whiff of kero which blew off to reveal blossom and honey. Although the wine itself is bone dry, touches of lemon, lots of orange and honey fruit sweetness zip across the palate, sealed up with zingy acidity and great length. Better than the last bottle I had (although that was pretty good), probably through the vagaries of cork seal. Lovely wine.
Tahbilk Shiraz, 1991, a real chameleon this wine, constantly changing through out the night from good to better! Quite earthy and smoky on the nose to start which eveolved to more dark fruit and chocolate later on consistent with the palate evolution. Started off with leathery redcurrants with just a touch of chocolate with light to medium body and integrated tannins. The redcurrant fruit seemed to oscillate between sweet and savoury. With time, the fruit became more blackberry, dark chocolate increased in power and the body just seemed to swell and swell with soft, juicy tannins rose a little. I just wanted more and more of this but alas the bottle was empty and I only had the one. Still can go plenty this one I think, no sign of being a pensioner, let alone near the end of its life! Just yummy.
Cheers
Dave
2002 Glaetzer Nefertiti Shiraz
Decantered for a few hrs prior to drinking. Smooth rich flavour, no tannins and still a lovely drop
2006 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz
Smooth and delicious from the first drop. Left about a third of the bottle for a few day and wow did it open up. I wanted to eat the bottle.
Fox Creek Vixen Sparkling Shiraz
A lovely rich deep purple drop with the desired kick.
Decantered for a few hrs prior to drinking. Smooth rich flavour, no tannins and still a lovely drop
2006 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz
Smooth and delicious from the first drop. Left about a third of the bottle for a few day and wow did it open up. I wanted to eat the bottle.
Fox Creek Vixen Sparkling Shiraz
A lovely rich deep purple drop with the desired kick.
"A woman drove me to drink, and I'll be a son of a gun but I never even wrote to thank her" WC Fields
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Tucker Wine Studios
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 1:05 pm
- Location: Back in Adelaide
Didn't post for a long time - work kept me so busy. But finally here a few notes for a couple of white wines I had over the last...errr...months 
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Craggy Range – Amery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Another very good NZ SB, not as fragrant (or even pungent) as some others but that’s not necessarily a downside. Highly recommended.
Voyager Estate – Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008
Great crisp, zesty and aromatic white wine. Margaret River whites rule.
Trafford Hill – Master Liam Premium Riesling 2006
Deep golden colour, already some sherry notes, so some oxidation noticeable but no real odd flavours and therefore highly enjoyable, glad I drank it now and not later.
Pewsey Vale – Eden Valley Riesling 2008
Actually one of my favourite SA Rieslings (but I love even more the superb Prima Riesling with a touch of sweetness).
Salitage – Pemberton Chardonnay 2006
Light straw yellow, good mix of citrus, melon and oat flavours. Liked it very much.
Old Kent River – Frankland River Chardonnay 2003
Pleasant surprise of my Denmark trip earlier this year as this is an excellent wine (and try their Diamondtina Sparkling and the Burls Pinot Noir – both super good wines).
Shaw & Smith – M3 Chardonnay 2007
Oh my goodness, this wine is so gorgeous!!! Best white wine OTY so far and by far the best Chardonnay for a long time. Super creamy but also super fresh citrusy acidity. Miss this wine and be a total loser.
Stringybark – Verdelho 2007
Stringybark – Chardonnay 2006
Chittering Valley winery north of Perth. Both pretty good wines but not super special. Good restaurant and friendly people. Ideal for a day escape from Perth.
Briery Estate – First Furmint 2004
Ok, Briery Estate, near Bindoon, Darling Ranges, north of Perth. Are they the only winery that grows Furmint in Australia? Maybe. This wine is probably not available anymore but younger vintages are. It’s a dry wine, very developed nose, pungent aromas of fresh plastic and …hmm???...petroleum??. Similar to old Rieslings but..no…different. Anyway, these somewhat offensive aromas blew off after a while and the palate is flooded with very attractive honey, malt, butterscotch, biscuit flavours. This wine is not about freshness and primary fruity flavours, it’s a developed white wine and if you don’t like it I can’t blame you. But if you are also driven – like me – to taste from time to time something off the mainstream then pay Ron & Chris a visit and ask for their Furmint (they do also a sweet wine from this grape).
Briery Estate – Summer White 2008
An off-dry quaffer…did enjoy it in the summer heat.
Cheers,
Mario
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Craggy Range – Amery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Another very good NZ SB, not as fragrant (or even pungent) as some others but that’s not necessarily a downside. Highly recommended.
Voyager Estate – Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008
Great crisp, zesty and aromatic white wine. Margaret River whites rule.
Trafford Hill – Master Liam Premium Riesling 2006
Deep golden colour, already some sherry notes, so some oxidation noticeable but no real odd flavours and therefore highly enjoyable, glad I drank it now and not later.
Pewsey Vale – Eden Valley Riesling 2008
Actually one of my favourite SA Rieslings (but I love even more the superb Prima Riesling with a touch of sweetness).
Salitage – Pemberton Chardonnay 2006
Light straw yellow, good mix of citrus, melon and oat flavours. Liked it very much.
Old Kent River – Frankland River Chardonnay 2003
Pleasant surprise of my Denmark trip earlier this year as this is an excellent wine (and try their Diamondtina Sparkling and the Burls Pinot Noir – both super good wines).
Shaw & Smith – M3 Chardonnay 2007
Oh my goodness, this wine is so gorgeous!!! Best white wine OTY so far and by far the best Chardonnay for a long time. Super creamy but also super fresh citrusy acidity. Miss this wine and be a total loser.
Stringybark – Verdelho 2007
Stringybark – Chardonnay 2006
Chittering Valley winery north of Perth. Both pretty good wines but not super special. Good restaurant and friendly people. Ideal for a day escape from Perth.
Briery Estate – First Furmint 2004
Ok, Briery Estate, near Bindoon, Darling Ranges, north of Perth. Are they the only winery that grows Furmint in Australia? Maybe. This wine is probably not available anymore but younger vintages are. It’s a dry wine, very developed nose, pungent aromas of fresh plastic and …hmm???...petroleum??. Similar to old Rieslings but..no…different. Anyway, these somewhat offensive aromas blew off after a while and the palate is flooded with very attractive honey, malt, butterscotch, biscuit flavours. This wine is not about freshness and primary fruity flavours, it’s a developed white wine and if you don’t like it I can’t blame you. But if you are also driven – like me – to taste from time to time something off the mainstream then pay Ron & Chris a visit and ask for their Furmint (they do also a sweet wine from this grape).
Briery Estate – Summer White 2008
An off-dry quaffer…did enjoy it in the summer heat.
Cheers,
Mario
Friday w/ friends
90 Penfolds St Henri - superb, black berries, excellent structure.
94 Xanadu Res CS - good, but was in the shadow of the St Henri
Sat w/ friends
96 Elderton Shiraz (not Command) - very good, big rich fruits, good tannins, a good mid-priced wine well cellared, but at the end of its window?
96 Penfolds Bin 407 - very good, drinking well, years left.
[In terms of PQ ratio, the St Henri and the Bin 28 (also 1990) are probably the best wines I've had these last few months. Wynns CS 1991 also close.
John
90 Penfolds St Henri - superb, black berries, excellent structure.
94 Xanadu Res CS - good, but was in the shadow of the St Henri
Sat w/ friends
96 Elderton Shiraz (not Command) - very good, big rich fruits, good tannins, a good mid-priced wine well cellared, but at the end of its window?
96 Penfolds Bin 407 - very good, drinking well, years left.
[In terms of PQ ratio, the St Henri and the Bin 28 (also 1990) are probably the best wines I've had these last few months. Wynns CS 1991 also close.
John
2004 Hardys Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz (Clare Valley)
A modest price, but surprisingly nice, with just a little complexity, immediately recognisable as a Clare Valley Shiraz, lots of pepper, plums, mulberries, licorice and truffles, and just a little leatheriness and earthiness. Supple tannins, nice medium finish.
Bit of a bargain really. 89+/100
A modest price, but surprisingly nice, with just a little complexity, immediately recognisable as a Clare Valley Shiraz, lots of pepper, plums, mulberries, licorice and truffles, and just a little leatheriness and earthiness. Supple tannins, nice medium finish.
Bit of a bargain really. 89+/100
Two Hunters from last night:
2003 McGuigan Personal Reserve Shiraz: I'm the kind of contrary bastard who likes Hunter Shiraz, but this reminded me why some people don't. Opened up on the nose after four hours decanting but never did much on the palate. Nothing overtly wrong with it, just a bit thin and uninspiring.
2007 Piggs Peake Wolfie Zinfandel: This doesn't sound like a compliment but it really is meant to be - I can't think of a better way of describing this than to call it a faintly ludicrous wine. A cool 16.5% alcohol, jammy fruitiness and generally massive. Kind of like the bloke who's always the life and soul of a party - a great laugh and certainly makes the evening go with a swing, but best in small doses and probably not going to be such fun in a few years' time.
2003 McGuigan Personal Reserve Shiraz: I'm the kind of contrary bastard who likes Hunter Shiraz, but this reminded me why some people don't. Opened up on the nose after four hours decanting but never did much on the palate. Nothing overtly wrong with it, just a bit thin and uninspiring.
2007 Piggs Peake Wolfie Zinfandel: This doesn't sound like a compliment but it really is meant to be - I can't think of a better way of describing this than to call it a faintly ludicrous wine. A cool 16.5% alcohol, jammy fruitiness and generally massive. Kind of like the bloke who's always the life and soul of a party - a great laugh and certainly makes the evening go with a swing, but best in small doses and probably not going to be such fun in a few years' time.
3, 65, 7, 50
2007 Devils Lair Chardonnay Approachable and drinking very nicely indeed. Melon, nectarine, silky, slightly oily texture nice oak and so easy to drink. Lovely Chardonnay.
2004 The Balthazar, Grant Burge Shiraz Viogner Medium bodied, Garnet color and very floral on the nose. The palate showed raspberry and medium weight. I must admit i was not a big fan of this wine.
2006 The Plexus, John Duval Lovely Barossa wine, deep purple powerful and rich, blackberry, jubes, chocolate and chewy. Enjoyed this wine very much.
1977 Pieroth Beeranauslese Golden Amber in color, like drinking liquid dried apricots that went so perfectly well with the Baked Blueberry cheese cake an amazing match and an ohhh so moreish wine. So glad i have 2 more bottles of this wine.
2004 The Balthazar, Grant Burge Shiraz Viogner Medium bodied, Garnet color and very floral on the nose. The palate showed raspberry and medium weight. I must admit i was not a big fan of this wine.
2006 The Plexus, John Duval Lovely Barossa wine, deep purple powerful and rich, blackberry, jubes, chocolate and chewy. Enjoyed this wine very much.
1977 Pieroth Beeranauslese Golden Amber in color, like drinking liquid dried apricots that went so perfectly well with the Baked Blueberry cheese cake an amazing match and an ohhh so moreish wine. So glad i have 2 more bottles of this wine.
RedVelvet wrote:
[b]2004 The Balthazar, Grant Burge Shiraz Viogner Medium bodied, Garnet color and very floral on the nose. The palate showed raspberry and medium weight. I must admit i was not a big fan of this wine.
I agree. Classic example of truckloads of viognier to sweeten a shiraz which was jammy to begin with. Not my cup of tea either.
RedVelvet wrote:1977 Pieroth Beeranauslese Golden Amber in color, like drinking liquid dried apricots that went so perfectly well with the Baked Blueberry cheese cake an amazing match and an ohhh so moreish wine. So glad i have 2 more bottles of this wine.
RedVelvet, what kind of wine is this? German riesling?
Cheers,
Monghead.
Hardys Oomoo GSM 2006
Nice easy drinking. Prefer the shiraz.
Ingoldby Chardonnay 2006
Very good now.
Rymill Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Nicely developed, typical. Drink now. Good.
Zema Estate Shiraz 2004
Good solid wine and very approachable now.
Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Tasted very Coonawarra to me. Very good now but will get better.
Barons of Barossa Shiraz 2006
Very typical - rich, ripe berries, chocolatey and soft. Very good and will develop well.
Nice easy drinking. Prefer the shiraz.
Ingoldby Chardonnay 2006
Very good now.
Rymill Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Nicely developed, typical. Drink now. Good.
Zema Estate Shiraz 2004
Good solid wine and very approachable now.
Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Tasted very Coonawarra to me. Very good now but will get better.
Barons of Barossa Shiraz 2006
Very typical - rich, ripe berries, chocolatey and soft. Very good and will develop well.
"It is very hard to make predictions, especially about the future." Samuel Goldwyn
(Mum and sister over since Friday - to meet my 7 week old daughter).
N.V. Peter Rumball Wines Shiraz Sparkling (Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra)
A pretty nose, slightly too sweet, but nice complexity. (SB18)
2004 Wirra Wirra Shiraz RSW (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Not enough time left, nice, but can be had for less than half price elsewhere.
2006 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône)
Food friendly, forgettable wine. But with some really really nice pruschitto was super tasty. Went to the Fyshwick markets and got a heap of cheeses, and meats matched really well to the occasion. Not too alcoholic, tasty enough. I actually like it for the food friendliness of it all.
2002 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri (Australia, South Australia)
Drank to verify/prove how dodgy my cellaring conditions are, the conditions are good, this one needs 5 more years sleeping while left alone, lets just hope to hell all the dodgy corks have done their dodgyness and they'll last.
2001 Chapel Hill The Vicar (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Im not sure if this was opened in time or if it had a few more years. There is still a little bit of fruit going on and nicely balanced dusty tannins offsetting it well. Rather tasty.
N.V. Chapel Hill The Devil (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Take it or leave it.
N.V. d'Arenberg Nostalgia Rare Tawny (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Complexity was disappointing, nose was by far the best bit of this. Toasted almonds are dominated by orange jaffa's not cloying, extremely clean tasting. I can't help but wish it had more on the palate, it was fantastic tasting, smooth, balanced and integrated, lasted a while after swallowing, but it was just there, nothing deep and meaningful to be pulled out of it.
N.V. Peter Rumball Wines Shiraz Sparkling (Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra)
A pretty nose, slightly too sweet, but nice complexity. (SB18)
2004 Wirra Wirra Shiraz RSW (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Not enough time left, nice, but can be had for less than half price elsewhere.
2006 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône)
Food friendly, forgettable wine. But with some really really nice pruschitto was super tasty. Went to the Fyshwick markets and got a heap of cheeses, and meats matched really well to the occasion. Not too alcoholic, tasty enough. I actually like it for the food friendliness of it all.
2002 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri (Australia, South Australia)
Drank to verify/prove how dodgy my cellaring conditions are, the conditions are good, this one needs 5 more years sleeping while left alone, lets just hope to hell all the dodgy corks have done their dodgyness and they'll last.
2001 Chapel Hill The Vicar (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Im not sure if this was opened in time or if it had a few more years. There is still a little bit of fruit going on and nicely balanced dusty tannins offsetting it well. Rather tasty.
N.V. Chapel Hill The Devil (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Take it or leave it.
N.V. d'Arenberg Nostalgia Rare Tawny (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Complexity was disappointing, nose was by far the best bit of this. Toasted almonds are dominated by orange jaffa's not cloying, extremely clean tasting. I can't help but wish it had more on the palate, it was fantastic tasting, smooth, balanced and integrated, lasted a while after swallowing, but it was just there, nothing deep and meaningful to be pulled out of it.
You sound a bit underwhelmed by this lot.
Would have hoped for more from the 2001 Vicar, I was impressed enough with the 2006 to buy about 2 dozen.
Would have hoped for more from the 2001 Vicar, I was impressed enough with the 2006 to buy about 2 dozen.
malliemcg wrote:(Mum and sister over since Friday - to meet my 7 week old daughter).
N.V. Peter Rumball Wines Shiraz Sparkling (Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra)
A pretty nose, slightly too sweet, but nice complexity. (SB18)
2004 Wirra Wirra Shiraz RSW (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Not enough time left, nice, but can be had for less than half price elsewhere.
2006 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône)
Food friendly, forgettable wine. But with some really really nice pruschitto was super tasty. Went to the Fyshwick markets and got a heap of cheeses, and meats matched really well to the occasion. Not too alcoholic, tasty enough. I actually like it for the food friendliness of it all.
2002 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri (Australia, South Australia)
Drank to verify/prove how dodgy my cellaring conditions are, the conditions are good, this one needs 5 more years sleeping while left alone, lets just hope to hell all the dodgy corks have done their dodgyness and they'll last.
2001 Chapel Hill The Vicar (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Im not sure if this was opened in time or if it had a few more years. There is still a little bit of fruit going on and nicely balanced dusty tannins offsetting it well. Rather tasty.
N.V. Chapel Hill The Devil (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)
Take it or leave it.
N.V. d'Arenberg Nostalgia Rare Tawny (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Complexity was disappointing, nose was by far the best bit of this. Toasted almonds are dominated by orange jaffa's not cloying, extremely clean tasting. I can't help but wish it had more on the palate, it was fantastic tasting, smooth, balanced and integrated, lasted a while after swallowing, but it was just there, nothing deep and meaningful to be pulled out of it.
Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock 2004
Vinicide to open this so young, perhaps. Nonetheless, a very elegant, yet powerful wine, with great structure, and silty tannins, particularly on the back palate. Brambly fruit.
Also, went to a Roederer tasting, tasting the full line-up, including the Cristal (whatever the current vintage is) and the vintage Roederer.
Perhaps I am asking for a fight, but I did not enjoy any of these wines, with the qualified exception of the vintage. I felt that they were lean, lacking in acid (except for the vintage, which was about 2006, and a bit young, but the best of the lot), and simply not that enjoyable. It was said that they spend a very long time on lees. This was not evident.
Particularly, I have to assume that I just didn't understand the Cristal style. It was subtle, delicate, floral and apricoty, but incredibly lacking in acid, and if there was structure, I didn't understand it.
What am I missing?[/b]
Vinicide to open this so young, perhaps. Nonetheless, a very elegant, yet powerful wine, with great structure, and silty tannins, particularly on the back palate. Brambly fruit.
Also, went to a Roederer tasting, tasting the full line-up, including the Cristal (whatever the current vintage is) and the vintage Roederer.
Perhaps I am asking for a fight, but I did not enjoy any of these wines, with the qualified exception of the vintage. I felt that they were lean, lacking in acid (except for the vintage, which was about 2006, and a bit young, but the best of the lot), and simply not that enjoyable. It was said that they spend a very long time on lees. This was not evident.
Particularly, I have to assume that I just didn't understand the Cristal style. It was subtle, delicate, floral and apricoty, but incredibly lacking in acid, and if there was structure, I didn't understand it.
What am I missing?[/b]
Ashton Hills Chardonnay 2007
An underrated Hills chardonnay, IMO, this was excellent, with loads of generous varietal character, lemons, stonefruit and texture and a characteristically zingy end note.
Williams Crossing Pinot Noir 2007
Perhaps not as genuinely excellent as the 06, although it is early and time may help, this is still a very good example of $20ish pinot noir, with loads of plum, cherry and earth streaked through it and a solid, refreshingly zingy palate with a polished and polite finish. Stands with only a few others as a leading example of budget pinot, as far as I see it.
An underrated Hills chardonnay, IMO, this was excellent, with loads of generous varietal character, lemons, stonefruit and texture and a characteristically zingy end note.
Williams Crossing Pinot Noir 2007
Perhaps not as genuinely excellent as the 06, although it is early and time may help, this is still a very good example of $20ish pinot noir, with loads of plum, cherry and earth streaked through it and a solid, refreshingly zingy palate with a polished and polite finish. Stands with only a few others as a leading example of budget pinot, as far as I see it.
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.
Drank too much last week (irresponsible reaction to stress), but a couple of quickies-
Starvedog Lane Shiraz Viognier 2007- this is really bang on. Needs a decant. Lots of tasty white pepper, structure, lovely fruit, great level of interest and complexity, makes you think, makes you drink. Buy some I says.
Windy Peak Sangiovese 2006- nearing the end of its years. Still a nifty little sangi at its price. Cherries, almond skins an all that jazz with furry tannins. Fine by me.
Knappstein Cab/Merlot 2006- oh well, this is just gorgeous stuff. Very Clare, very good. A little birdy told me grapes from the single vineyard Enterprise Cabernet made their way into this. I could well believe the birdy was not fibbing.
Starvedog Lane Shiraz Viognier 2007- this is really bang on. Needs a decant. Lots of tasty white pepper, structure, lovely fruit, great level of interest and complexity, makes you think, makes you drink. Buy some I says.
Windy Peak Sangiovese 2006- nearing the end of its years. Still a nifty little sangi at its price. Cherries, almond skins an all that jazz with furry tannins. Fine by me.
Knappstein Cab/Merlot 2006- oh well, this is just gorgeous stuff. Very Clare, very good. A little birdy told me grapes from the single vineyard Enterprise Cabernet made their way into this. I could well believe the birdy was not fibbing.
As always, IMVHO. And Cheers
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
orpheus wrote:Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock 2004
Vinicide to open this so young, perhaps. Nonetheless, a very elegant, yet powerful wine, with great structure, and silty tannins, particularly on the back palate. Brambly fruit.
Also, went to a Roederer tasting, tasting the full line-up, including the Cristal (whatever the current vintage is) and the vintage Roederer.
Perhaps I am asking for a fight, but I did not enjoy any of these wines, with the qualified exception of the vintage. I felt that they were lean, lacking in acid (except for the vintage, which was about 2006, and a bit young, but the best of the lot), and simply not that enjoyable. It was said that they spend a very long time on lees. This was not evident.
Particularly, I have to assume that I just didn't understand the Cristal style. It was subtle, delicate, floral and apricoty, but incredibly lacking in acid, and if there was structure, I didn't understand it.
What am I missing?[/b]
Was this the United Cellars tasting? I went to their Kalleske tasting which was great but they started with a NV Roederer and I wasn't particularly impressed either. I was expecting an invitation to this event if it was the same one as I was keen to try the Cristal, which I never have. Doesn't sound like I missed much though.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re the weekend wines, a couple that other forumites also had, but different vintages. Funny how that happens.
1999 Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva Started off a bit thin and weedy and I was thinking it was a bit past it. Ended up with a bit more body and structure after some time in the glass. A bit of cherry fruit, a bit of a licorice finish, a smidge of spice. OK but not fantastic. 87
1996 Pelorus Another wine I'd forgotten about and left to languish in the cellar and I had serious reservations about opening. All was good however. Very good in fact. Still a touch of lemon with mild and tasty yeast flavours that did not dominate in any way. Still plenty of small bubbles and very enjoyable in the end. 89
1995 Dalwhinnie Shiraz Nice deep red colour. Possibly a bit more developed that what I had hoped. Mushroomy notes with slightly tired berry flavours. A little thinner than what I might have liked probably indicative of the vintage more than anything. Still had a certain elegance though and was a good match for the italian food we were eating. 88
And a quaffer last night in the form of 1997 St Hallets Gamekeepers Reserve. Fairly simple style with the grenache sticking out a little with confected cherry and raspberry but the core of more spicy shiraz keeping it all on track. A good match for a bean and veggie dish with a touch of chilli. 88
1999 Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva Started off a bit thin and weedy and I was thinking it was a bit past it. Ended up with a bit more body and structure after some time in the glass. A bit of cherry fruit, a bit of a licorice finish, a smidge of spice. OK but not fantastic. 87
1996 Pelorus Another wine I'd forgotten about and left to languish in the cellar and I had serious reservations about opening. All was good however. Very good in fact. Still a touch of lemon with mild and tasty yeast flavours that did not dominate in any way. Still plenty of small bubbles and very enjoyable in the end. 89
1995 Dalwhinnie Shiraz Nice deep red colour. Possibly a bit more developed that what I had hoped. Mushroomy notes with slightly tired berry flavours. A little thinner than what I might have liked probably indicative of the vintage more than anything. Still had a certain elegance though and was a good match for the italian food we were eating. 88
And a quaffer last night in the form of 1997 St Hallets Gamekeepers Reserve. Fairly simple style with the grenache sticking out a little with confected cherry and raspberry but the core of more spicy shiraz keeping it all on track. A good match for a bean and veggie dish with a touch of chilli. 88
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Hi, Chris, it was at the Oak Barrel.
I don't know whether I'm right about the Roederer. It is well regarded by people who are very well respected, particularly the Cristal.
I don't know whether I'm right about the Roederer. It is well regarded by people who are very well respected, particularly the Cristal.
bacchaebabe wrote:orpheus wrote:Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock 2004
Vinicide to open this so young, perhaps. Nonetheless, a very elegant, yet powerful wine, with great structure, and silty tannins, particularly on the back palate. Brambly fruit.
Also, went to a Roederer tasting, tasting the full line-up, including the Cristal (whatever the current vintage is) and the vintage Roederer.
Perhaps I am asking for a fight, but I did not enjoy any of these wines, with the qualified exception of the vintage. I felt that they were lean, lacking in acid (except for the vintage, which was about 2006, and a bit young, but the best of the lot), and simply not that enjoyable. It was said that they spend a very long time on lees. This was not evident.
Particularly, I have to assume that I just didn't understand the Cristal style. It was subtle, delicate, floral and apricoty, but incredibly lacking in acid, and if there was structure, I didn't understand it.
What am I missing?[/b]
Was this the United Cellars tasting? I went to their Kalleske tasting which was great but they started with a NV Roederer and I wasn't particularly impressed either. I was expecting an invitation to this event if it was the same one as I was keen to try the Cristal, which I never have. Doesn't sound like I missed much though.
Loztralia wrote:Two Hunters from last night:
2003 McGuigan Personal Reserve Shiraz: I'm the kind of contrary bastard who likes Hunter Shiraz, but this reminded me why some people don't. Opened up on the nose after four hours decanting but never did much on the palate. Nothing overtly wrong with it, just a bit thin and uninspiring.
2007 Piggs Peake Wolfie Zinfandel: This doesn't sound like a compliment but it really is meant to be - I can't think of a better way of describing this than to call it a faintly ludicrous wine. A cool 16.5% alcohol, jammy fruitiness and generally massive. Kind of like the bloke who's always the life and soul of a party - a great laugh and certainly makes the evening go with a swing, but best in small doses and probably not going to be such fun in a few years' time.
Have 10 or so of the Wolfie in my Cellar at the moment
I also tried their top end Shiraz (Big Pig) and its the goods....
2006 Sine Qua Non Raven Syrah
Not as impressive as the 2005 AtlantisFe2O3 but a stellar drink nonetheless!
Lovely aromas of small flowers in a forest after the rain, blueberries with an undertone of darker fruit. Rich, intense fruit structure and the tannins aren't too noticeable for this young wine. This is an elegant drink, classy.
2006 Sine Qua Non Raven Grenache
The winner of the 2006 releases for me. Wafts of freshly crushed blackcurrant and cherry on a cold morning, with perhaps a hint of dark chocolate lingering on the back. Silky sleek, this is a well-oiled grenache machine. Seemless drinking, the tannins are much softer and well-integrated than the syrah. The flavours are darker and more savoury, smoke meaty brown sauce with licorice. A thoroughly enjoyable drink.
Not as impressive as the 2005 AtlantisFe2O3 but a stellar drink nonetheless!
Lovely aromas of small flowers in a forest after the rain, blueberries with an undertone of darker fruit. Rich, intense fruit structure and the tannins aren't too noticeable for this young wine. This is an elegant drink, classy.
2006 Sine Qua Non Raven Grenache
The winner of the 2006 releases for me. Wafts of freshly crushed blackcurrant and cherry on a cold morning, with perhaps a hint of dark chocolate lingering on the back. Silky sleek, this is a well-oiled grenache machine. Seemless drinking, the tannins are much softer and well-integrated than the syrah. The flavours are darker and more savoury, smoke meaty brown sauce with licorice. A thoroughly enjoyable drink.
Zinisking wrote:Loztralia wrote:Two Hunters from last night:
2003 McGuigan Personal Reserve Shiraz: I'm the kind of contrary bastard who likes Hunter Shiraz, but this reminded me why some people don't. Opened up on the nose after four hours decanting but never did much on the palate. Nothing overtly wrong with it, just a bit thin and uninspiring.
2007 Piggs Peake Wolfie Zinfandel: This doesn't sound like a compliment but it really is meant to be - I can't think of a better way of describing this than to call it a faintly ludicrous wine. A cool 16.5% alcohol, jammy fruitiness and generally massive. Kind of like the bloke who's always the life and soul of a party - a great laugh and certainly makes the evening go with a swing, but best in small doses and probably not going to be such fun in a few years' time.
Have 10 or so of the Wolfie in my Cellar at the moment
I also tried their top end Shiraz (Big Pig) and its the goods....
I picked up a single Big Pig last time I was up there - if the Wolfie is ludicrous the Big Pig is not far from insane, if memory serves (and tasting back to back 16.5% and 17% wines means it may well not). Looking forward to springing that one on an unsuspecting guest.
3, 65, 7, 50