Brisbane wine dinner

[rens]

Thanks Michael.
Confirm 2 seats for me. The baby sitter has come through.
I'll bring a 1999 dead arm, a bottle of the 375ml sepeltfield 1998 vintage port (clean skin)and a 375ml 16 yo ch Reynella Twany.

[Rednick]

Thanks Michael, I can confirm for two -

Thinking of bringing - an 05 By Farr Sangreal & an 05 Petaluma Chardy, or if we are going for the 90s theme I'm happy to pull out a 99 Bin 707 - I've got a feeling it's probably on the downward slope but don't mind giving it a whirl.

Cheers

Nick

[gpk]

Count me in. How about I bring along a Rockford Sparkling Shiraz (disgorged 96) and 94 Seppelts show reseve to help get things kicked off.

cheers

Gerry

[Michael McNally]

Great to hear you are coming Gerry and the wines sound great. I love a sparkling red!

However, we have a problem.....Brents is closed until Friday.

I have provisionally booked Giardinetto in the valley, but can anyone suggest another venue. The food at Giardinetto is fine, and the price is reasonable as is corkage, but it is definitely a BYOG (BYO Glasses) affair. I am happy to do this, and can bring a few spares, but I am also happy to go somewhere else.

Any thoughts? If you know somewhere good (preferably with public transport options), perhaps give them a call and see if they have a table, book it and suggest it on this thread?

Cheers

Michael

[chillwrx]

Great to hear you are coming Gerry and the wines sound great. I love a sparkling red!

However, we have a problem.....Brents is closed until Friday.

I have provisionally booked Giardinetto in the valley, but can anyone suggest another venue. The food at Giardinetto is fine, and the price is reasonable as is corkage, but it is definitely a BYOG (BYO Glasses) affair. I am happy to do this, and can bring a few spares, but I am also happy to go somewhere else.

Any thoughts? If you know somewhere good (preferably with public transport options), perhaps give them a call and see if they have a table, book it and suggest it on this thread?

Cheers

Michael

Scratch.

[Rednick]

Sorry - not keen on Giardinetto, I'll see if Two Small Rooms available.

[Rednick]

Two small rooms are open and can host us - I'm happy to book if people are keen - how many of us are there?

[Luke W]

Thanks Rednick

I'll be there - just let me know the address and the time. I have a 1997 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec that should be OK to knock off.

cheers

Luke

[rens]

Happy with two small rooms.

[Rednick]

Ok I'll book for roughly 8 people this Thursday 14th - 7:30pm,

Corkage is $15 per person

Address - 517 Milton Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066
Telephone: 07 3371 5251.

Website - http://www.twosmallrooms.com/

Chillwrx are you ok with Two Small Rooms?

Rens are you still +1?

Michael are you +1?

Be good to give final numbers to the restaurant tomorrow if we can, Cheers - Nick

[Rednick]

Table is booked under the name of Ashby.

Looking forward to meeting everyone and to my first offline.

Cheers - Nick

[chillwrx]

Ok I'll book for roughly 8 people this Thursday 14th - 7:30pm,

Corkage is $15 per person

Address - 517 Milton Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066
Telephone: 07 3371 5251.

Website - http://www.twosmallrooms.com/

Chillwrx are you ok with Two Small Rooms?

Rens are you still +1?

Michael are you +1?

Be good to give final numbers to the restaurant tomorrow if we can, Cheers - Nick

Always happy with two small rooms - food is great, parking is good, public transport is close and the last offline we had the staff set up an impromptu free options game for us that the only non wino in the group got right .

Thanks Michael for setting the wheels in motion and rednick for adding another option.

Look forward to catching up with everybody.

[monghead]

Thanks Michael, I can confirm for two -

Thinking of bringing - an 05 By Farr Sangreal & an 05 Petaluma Chardy, or if we are going for the 90s theme I'm happy to pull out a 99 Bin 707 - I've got a feeling it's probably on the downward slope but don't mind giving it a whirl.

Cheers

Nick

Surely a 99 707 should be drinking fine, if not still quite primary...

[Rednick]

Mainly going on JO's notes, he seemed to think it was an earlier drinking style than normal - one way to find out

[gpk]

restaurant looks, good. Looking forward to meeting everyone, see you Thursday.

cheers

Gerry

[Michael McNally]

Thanks for that Nick. Two Small Rooms is fine with me. I must admit I wasn't keen on Giardinetto again, but I wanted to at least ensure we had somewhere booked - I'll cancel.

My +1 is confirmed (a friend Tony as we couldn't get a sitter).

I haven't been to Two Small Rooms for more than a decade. Is the glassware adequate? I don't need riedels, but like a decent glass.

Looks like some great wines coming. Summarising, we have confirmed:
Michael - 1999 Mitchell Riesling + 1991 Redman "Claret"
Tony - TBC
Nick + 1 - 1999 Bin 707 + 2005 Petaluma Chardonnay
Gerry - 1996 Disgorge Rockford Sparkling Shiraz + 1994 Seppelts Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
Luke - 1997 Wendouree Shiraz/Malbec
Rens + 1 - 1999 Dead Arm + 1998 Seppeltsfield Vintage Port + Cahteau Reynella 16yo Tawny
Craig - TBC

Sorry about the list of wines, but I'm Big Kev excited by some of these!

Cheers

Michael

[Rednick]

My pleasure Michael, thanks for getting this up and running

Glassware is of a similar standard to Brent's from memory, e.g. good quality "goblet" style glasses.

Looks like we are pretty firm at 8, I'll confirm numbers with the restaurant late tomorrow in case we get any late entrants.

Definitely a Big Kev moment!

[rens]

Ok I'll book for roughly 8 people this Thursday 14th - 7:30pm,

Corkage is $15 per person

Address - 517 Milton Road, Toowong, Queensland 4066
Telephone: 07 3371 5251.

Website - http://www.twosmallrooms.com/

Chillwrx are you ok with Two Small Rooms?

Rens are you still +1?

Michael are you +1?

Be good to give final numbers to the restaurant tomorrow if we can, Cheers - Nick

Yes I'm still +1
The wine list is starting to look good. A few there I've wanted to try for a while.

[chillwrx]

Lanson champers, 2000 Joseph moda cabernet, 06 reserve tarrawarra pinot and an 05 sauturnes if we have room.

[Michael McNally]

Craig are you singlehandedly trying to obliterate us?

Just confirmed with my friend Tony what he is bringing. It is a Bests 'Bin 0' Shiraz. He thinks it is the 2000, but it might be the 2003 (he is at work and couldn't check).

I am thinking of bringing a different wine. I had forgotten that I had some 1999 Balnaves Cabernet. I think it had slipped my mind as the first two bottles I tried were singularly unremarkable (I posted about it on here somewhere). Anyway, I came across them while I was looking in my cellar last night (as you do) and thought "I must send these off to auction" but I still had 10 so I thought I'd give it another whirl. Well, third time lucky! It was singing. So I'll open one or two tomorrow afternoon and if I strike a good 'un I'll bring it instead of the Redman Shiraz. Unless folks would prefer to try the Redman?

That makes us 9 by my count. Can you finalise the booking please Nick?

And can someone tell me about the glassware there? Do I need to bring glasses?

Cheers

Michael

Attendees/Wines
Michael - 1999 Mitchell Riesling + 1999 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet
Tony – 2000/03(?) Bests Bin 0 Shiraz
Nick + 1 - 1999 Bin 707 + 2005 Petaluma Chardonnay
Gerry - 1996 Disgorge Rockford Sparkling Shiraz + 1994 Seppelts Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
Luke - 1997 Wendouree Shiraz/Malbec
Rens + 1 - 1999 Dead Arm + 1998 Seppeltsfield Vintage Port + Cahteau Reynella 16yo Tawny
Craig - Lanson champers + 2000 Joseph Moda cabernet + 2006 Tarrawarra Reserve Pinot + 2005 Sauternes

[Rednick]

I'll give them a bell now and fianlise the booking for 9 people.

Looking forward to meeting everyone and trying some great wines.

Nick

[chillwrx]

Craig are you singlehandedly trying to obliterate us?

Just confirmed with my friend Tony what he is bringing. It is a Bests 'Bin 0' Shiraz. He thinks it is the 2000, but it might be the 2003 (he is at work and couldn't check).

I am thinking of bringing a different wine. I had forgotten that I had some 1999 Balnaves Cabernet. I think it had slipped my mind as the first two bottles I tried were singularly unremarkable (I posted about it on here somewhere). Anyway, I came across them while I was looking in my cellar last night (as you do) and thought "I must send these off to auction" but I still had 10 so I thought I'd give it another whirl. Well, third time lucky! It was singing. So I'll open one or two tomorrow afternoon and if I strike a good 'un I'll bring it instead of the Redman Shiraz. Unless folks would prefer to try the Redman?

That makes us 9 by my count. Can you finalise the booking please Nick?

And can someone tell me about the glassware there? Do I need to bring glasses?

Cheers

Michael

Attendees/Wines
Michael - 1999 Mitchell Riesling + 1999 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet
Tony – 2000/03(?) Bests Bin 0 Shiraz
Nick + 1 - 1999 Bin 707 + 2005 Petaluma Chardonnay
Gerry - 1996 Disgorge Rockford Sparkling Shiraz + 1994 Seppelts Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
Luke - 1997 Wendouree Shiraz/Malbec
Rens + 1 - 1999 Dead Arm + 1998 Seppeltsfield Vintage Port + Cahteau Reynella 16yo Tawny
Craig - Lanson champers + 2000 Joseph Moda cabernet + 2006 Tarrawarra Reserve Pinot + 2005 Sauternes

I might swap the cabernet for a mystery 99 white - I will see how I feel. We need the pinot for balance and the frog wine because it is very nice (but I forgot the name?) And Michael the suggestion that I am singlehandedly trying to obliterate people is out of line. I was hoping that you might give me a hand ensuring that responsible drinking takes place..................................... Do you have to work Friday?

[Rednick]

I know I won't be!

[Michael McNally]

I believe the term "sickie" was created for just such occasions.

[rens]

Cough, cough.
Both My wife and I are feeling unwell...

[rens]

Well my cough from 2 days ago has evolved into a full blowen hangover.
Thanks to all the guys for a great night. Kellee and I had a fabulous time loosing our offline virginity.
The supurb company was matched by the standard of the wines. Thank you everyone for your generosity in that department.
No one took formal notes but I believe we all voted Michael as the person who would remember all the wines tasted in great detail so he could post them today (thanks Michael).
My picks for the night were the hourtons for the white and a tie between the bin 0, 707 and the dead arm for the red. They were sensational.
My introduction to the sparkling shiraz was fantastic. It was a great little wine. We can't wait to do it again (after this headache goes away though).

[Rednick]

Great to meet everyone and couldn't have had a better first offline. I hope this is the first of many, thanks to everyone for bringing some wonderful wines. I'll have to buy some rockfords now, stunning wine and so fresh for something 15 years hold. Oh - and I seem to have caught your cough Rens

[Michael McNally]

They came from far and wide to suburban Brisbane for a great time, and a great time (and some great wine) was had by all. Folks travelled from Redland Bay, Landsborough and Yeppoon for this one. A very convivial atmosphere and a lot of fun.

No notes were taken so this is general impression meets fuzzy recollection – can attendees please correct where necessary and add your opinions please!

We started with the Lanson NV Black Label Champagne. Our first toast was to Daniel for starting the thread, even though he didn't end up coming. This Champagne was a lovely way to start, bright fresh and clean. Perfect for warming up the palate. Very, Very Good.

Next we had two older whites while we perused the menu.

The Houghtons Museum Release 1999 White Burgundy (apologies to the appellation fanatics!) was great. Very youthful, the colour only slightly developed. Great fruit, great finish. Very, Very Good.

The 1999 Mitchell Watervale Clare Valley Riesling was a touch disappointing. The bouquet (lemon) was fine and the flavours were fine, but (as Luke pointed out) it lacked the acid backbone to finish properly. Not Rated.

With the Entrees (7 went for pork belly, 2 the blinis and caviar) we had the last of the whites, a pinot and a sparkling shiraz.

The 2005 Petaluma Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was to my mind somewhere between the “old” and the “new” style of Australian Chardonnay. Very nutty/waxy on the nose, but light and verging on racy on the palate. Very, Very Good.

The 2005 Tarrawarra ‘Reserve’ Yarra Valley Pinot Noir smelt candied and sweet, but had some real depth on the palate. I don’t know enough about Pinot to rate this fairly (I would put in V,VG) and to be honest my attention was foucused on…

The 1996 Disgorge Rockford ‘Sparkling Black’ Barossa Shiraz. Fabulous stuff. Brandied plums, chocolate, black berries. This was delicious to smell and beautiful to have in your mouth. Somewhere between Excellent and Brilliant.

Between courses we had two cabernets. We were still going on these when the mains arrived.

The 1999 Penfolds ‘Bin 707’ Cabernet was first. Textbook cabernet with blackberry and cassis. The word stylish and finesse were at the forefront of my mind when I was tasting it. Beautiful fine tannin. Lovely mouthfeel. Somewhere between Excellent and Brilliant.

The 1999 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet was next. Big mistake having this second as to my mind it paled in comparison (Craig had the generosity of spirit to disagree). Less developed/more primary than the 707. Probably needed to be decanted as well. Very Good, possibly VVG, but struggled in the company and frankly the bottle I had on Tuesday was far superior.

The next wine was examined on its own.

The 2003 Bests ‘Bin 0’ Great Western Shiraz was the youngest of the big reds on the night but did not suffer as a result. Great fruit, soft tannin. Very much in the plum and black pepper spectrum. A number of forumites who hadn’t tried this before resolved there and then to go and get some! Excellent.

The next two were had as we finished and after the meal.

The 1997 Wendouree Clare Valley Shiraz/Malbec was unlike anything I have tasted before. My first reaction to the nose was “wow, that’s different” (in a good way). Gerry said he would have picked it as French, but to be honest I wouldn’t have had a clue as to where it was from or what it was, but I loved what I smelt. Earth, aniseed, plum, milk chocolate. The palate followed through, with the aniseed very strong (again, in a good way). Youthful and developed at the same time this will do another decade at a canter. Brilliant.

The 1999 D’Arenberg Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz was pitted against a great wine and stood up to the test. Classic McLaren Shiraz with a range of black fruits, some dark chocolate, to my mind almost fully resolved tannin and some serious length. Right in my sweet spot. Brilliant.

About now the proprietor of Two Small Rooms, Peter, brought out a bottle of his own and put us through some options. We all demonstrated our consummate inability at this sport and the wine was revealed as the 1999 Houghtons Margaret River Cabernet. Impossible to pick this as 10 years old. Very youthful cassis and blackberry. Very, Very Good.

With the desserts and a selection of cheeses (I wasn’t really paying enough attention to the wines at this point….)

The 2005 Chateau Filhot Sauternes (375ml) was pale gold in the glass and had great fruit and beautiful acidity. There was a discussion about the merits of this versus the undoubtedly heavier Noble Ones and a consensus (I think) that the lighter and brighter style of the sauternes was preferable. Great length. Excellent.

The 1998 Seppeltlsfield Barossa Vintage Port (cleanskin 375ml) went well with the cheeses. Nice rancio/sultanas. Not too long, but most drinkable. Very, Very Good.

The Chateau Reynella ’16 Y.O.’ McLaren Vale Tawny Port (375ml) was a better example than the two I have had previously. Nice spirit. Very Good.

After 12 bottles and 3 half bottles amongst the nine of us it was time to call it a night. Gerry, who missed the last train back to Landsborough (in the Glasshouse Mountains about an hour's drive north of Brisbane) may now hold the record for the most expensive cab ride home from an offline anywhere, ever (depite a number of offers of a couch/bed).

I would like to echo the thanks to everyone for digging deep into their cellars and bringing such a great selection of wines for the group to share. Let’s do it all again soon.

In terms of WOTN, I think “wine was the winner out there tonight” would be an appropriate cliche. If I were forced to choose a WOTN it would have to be the Dead Arm as it was an excellent example of my favourite style of wine, just piping the Wendouree, with the Rockford an honourable third. I'd like to hear what everyone else thought.

Cheers

Michael

PS I could write about the service (very good) and the food (very good) and another 500 words on the proprietor (who was also generous friend/connoisseur/lecturer) but I have been at work for well over an hour now and really should do some.

[rens]

Considering you didn't have pen and paper that's a great summation of the night and the wines

[Luke W]

Top effort Michael

A great night in a wonderful venue apart from the occasional comment by the proprietor who disparaged several of the wines that no-one else agreed upon and then had the cheek to give us a very average mystery wine.....

My favourite wine of the night was the Rockford Sparkling - so many wonderful and subtle flavours and so fresh for a wine that was disgorged in 1996. The main reds were sensational and I couldn't find a clear set of place getters - I would have had a great night just drinking any one of them.

The 2005 Petaluma chardy gave me back some hope that one day I'll like this varietal again and it was great to drink wine like the aged Houghton WB and the beautiful young and fresh Filhout.

The best thing about the night though was the company - what a bunch of great lovers of wine indulging in their passion.

Thanks for everything guys

Luke