A somewhat belated report on the great night we had with Michael and Craig at Giardinetto... I was prompted to reply by Gavin's latest email on 'Small Parcels of Premium Wine', in which the latest vintages of Leeuwin Estate Art Series C/S and Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre were both featured... coincidentally, the wines that Michael and Craig brought along for the offline.
We started with Michael's sparkling shiraz which (from a limited experience of sparkling shiraz), I seriously enjoyed. It was one of my favourite wines of the night.
Rowan's 05 Kooyong Massale Pinot was great after a little time in the glass and was a refreshing change from the usual confectionary/cordial qualitites of the kind of pinot I can afford.
Michael's 02 LEAS C/S was a little capsicum-ish (emphatically reinforced by the capsicum in our big bowl of veggies served with the awesome osso bucco) but a sound wine, and enjoyable.
The 2000 Bin 389 was pretty great on the nose, and tasted brilliant considering it's thought of as a lesser vintage of the wine. I'm really looking forward to trying a 'great' vintage now...
Craig's Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre was a favourite of many at the table (Rowan's WOTN), but I have to admit it was a little to sweet and 'indiscreet' for me. As M & C suggested, it was an interesting intellectual experience, with lots of fascinating smells and tastes to be had, but I was overwhelmed, even with a big osso bucco to accompany it.
Sadly we didn't get to the 2004 lazy ballerina or the 2003 tamburlaine members' syrah... but maybe next time

i certainly had a great time and enjoyed some more experienced opinions.
Till the next brissy offline!
Tim