Dopff au Moulin Brand Grand Cru Gewurtztraminer 1999 13%
Medium straw yellow, quite bright. I can almost smell the sugar on the nose with oily lychee and a little spice in support. Thick, unctious, cloying palate - almost chewy. Some varietal fruit but virtually no acid and a curt finish. Barely drinkable. Avoid if possible.
Kyeema Cabernet Merlot 1994 (Canberra region) 13%
Andrew McEwin - winemaker and proprietor.
Kyeema may not be well known to many on the board, but this wine (served blind) impressed greatly for its youthfulness and excellent structure. My first Kyeema was the '92 Shiraz that pipped the '91 Michael at the '93 Cowra Wine Show for a major trophy. It still drinks very well today!
Still a healthy deep ruby colour holding all the way to the edge. Complex earth and mushroomy nose backed by toasty, well seasoned oak, effusive blackcurrant and a lovely plumminess from the Merlot. The palate excels with fresh, invigorating blackcurrant and black plums, marvellously integrated fine-grained tannins, and a long, powerful finish. Suprisingly good acidity enhances this medium to full bodied wine. A tribute to the efforts of this small, independent winemaker. Rated Excellent. Drink over the next 5 years.
Lindeman's Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cabernet 1991 (Museum Release) 13%
A very bright medium garnet, no aging in the edge. With some breathing this wine revealed the perfume we all seek, but rarely find. Fantastic, multidimensional, vibrant, vitality are words that are scribbled on the back of my business card. Descriptors of violets, mint, plums, cherries, cigarbox, exotic spices, a touch of DMS (positive vibe - read cassis), cedar, touch of leafy greens, sandalwood follow soon after. Wow! There's nothing intrusive here, everything's in place - we have symmetry and harmony. Like all great wines - the more you look for, the more you'll find! Pretty well faultless palate - seamless, harmonious, sleek, sexy, yet still vibrant and with many years of enjoyment to come. The amalgamation of perfectly-judged American oak and leafy, blackcurrant and plummy fruit are braced by excellent acidity and furry tannins that all linger with great aplomb and considerable length on the back palate. A sheer delight to drink. If you force me to score this bottle - 19.0 points or absolutely Outstanding on my verbal rating system. (great value at $60, too)
TN: An Aussie Classic, a revelation and Alsace swill.
Kyeema is one of my favourite vineyards from ACT-NSW, the Chardonnay have been very good and I showed the 1999 Merlot last year in my European tasting session as well. I rarely see Andrew's wines in Sydney nowadays but I always buy them when I do. I think his wines have unique character and class.
Cheers,
Attila
Cheers,
Attila