It's been a while

[dlo]

Having not had more than cursory access to a computer for well over a month now, I bit the bullet yesterday and, with the help of a good friend, bought one. Since last month's Merimbula Jazz Festival, I've been working through a number of my cellar's forgotten heroes, along with some recent purchases and, to date, not one dud has passed my lips. Probably the worst rated wine was a 2000 Denis Mortet Lavaux-St-Jacques (85), a wine only marred by chronic overoaking.

Some of the highlights to date have been -

Henschke Mt Edelstone 1995
Wynn's John Riddoch 1984
Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrieres 1997
Kay's Amery McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz 1971
Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 1984
Ch. Langoa-Barton 1985
Lindeman's Coonawarra Nursery Vineyard Riesling 1985
Hugel Gewurtztraminer VT 1989
Deletang Montlouis Grande Reserve Tris Les Batisses 1990
Mount Horrocks Riesling 2002
Trimbach Clos St. Hune Riesling 1992

The Henschke's were both stunning - the '95 Mt Ed. (93) utterly beguiling, revealing an uncanny balance between youthful vibrancy and sublime maturity. The '84 Cyril (96) akin to an angel weeping on your tongue, brimming with a silky elegance and profound complexity. I almost shed tears when we cracked this blinder. The Lindy's 85 Nursery Riesling (95) is an utter freak of nature. At age 25 it's only reached it's zenith. Similarly-stored and preserved bottles should last at least another 5 years. This was a minimally-ullaged Lindeman's Classic release that went straight into Anders Josephson's storage facility for many years thereafter. What can you say about Trimbach's super-premium Clos-St.-Hune? Utterly beguiling and elegant with such brilliant delineation, freshness of fruit and mouth-watering minerality. 94 points. The Hugel 1989 late-picked Gewurtz is no slouch either and, to my taste, only a meagre point below the CSH. I've drunk close to a dozen of the phenomenal Kay's 1971 Cabernet-Shiraz and not opened a bad bottle. Freakish wine, and in much better shape (bottle to bottle) than Grange of the same vintage! The Wynn's blew me away - still marvellously intact and drinking magnificently ... about 92 points and, yes, before I forget I must give the Mount Horrocks a huge rap. This is Clare at its finest and having drunk this over 72 hours with no degradation, I would give this another 10 years in the cellar before it peaks.

There are quite a few others I've opened that have impressed greatly, but alas, I'm out of time just now to report on them, and, no doubt, too many that have just blended into the fog of the recent past. Look forward to being online again to report on and discuss the sometimes wacky but mostly wonderful world of wine.

[Mike Hawkins]

Nice line up David - and welcome back !

I had a handful of bottles of the 84 Riddoch over the past 18 months, and all have looked pretty tired. Glad to see yours was good. The 82 and the 86 on the other hand have been drinking superbly.

I've never had anything less than stellar bottles of CSH (and for that matter Frederic Emile), irrespective of the vintage. Possibly my favourite white wine, though its getting exxy.

And the 95 Mt Ed is an anomaly (in a good way). Most of the SA reds from that vintage that I've had have fallen over, or are about to, but the Mt Ed continues to impress.

Cheers

Mike

[GraemeG]

Lindeman's Coonawarra Nursery Vineyard Riesling 1985
The Lindy's 85 Nursery Riesling (95) is an utter freak of nature. At age 25 it's only reached it's zenith. Similarly-stored and preserved bottles should last at least another 5 years. This was a minimally-ullaged Lindeman's Classic release that went straight into Anders Josephson's storage facility for many years thereafter.

Yes, a freak indeed. I drank a few bottles of this - most great, one a bit faded - in the late 90s. What a wine. Where was the vineyard? What happened to the grapes before and after 1985? At the Ben Ean CD about 8 years ago they sold a 1999 Coonawarra Riesling for $10, which I'd hoped might be a descendant, but which never showed the same quality.
Just one of those mysteries - never seen this wine in any other vintage.
cheers,
G

[quip]

I was at Henchke cellar door last weekend, they currently have the 95 Mt Edelstone on offer as a museum release for $113.
Passed on it based on price and what I thought was a poor vintage, may have been worth a punt......

Rgds
Andrew

[Gavin Trott]

Nice line up David - and welcome back !

I had a handful of bottles of the 84 Riddoch over the past 18 months, and all have looked pretty tired. Glad to see yours was good. The 82 and the 86 on the other hand have been drinking superbly.

I've never had anything less than stellar bottles of CSH (and for that matter Frederic Emile), irrespective of the vintage. Possibly my favourite white wine, though its getting exxy.

And the 95 Mt Ed is an anomaly (in a good way). Most of the SA reds from that vintage that I've had have fallen over, or are about to, but the Mt Ed continues to impress.

Cheers

Mike

I too have had recently, and have more of, the 1982 John Riddoch, and it is an absolute beauty! Drinking wonderfully, and no sign of tiring!

.

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Wasn't 1982 the first John Riddoch? And made by John Wade, who went on to found Howard Park in WA?

Isn't it strange that a less than stellar vintage like 1982 should still be wonderful, when many more recent vintages of JR are past it? 1986 I can understand.

For the vast majority of Aussie wines, the only 1982s I'd look at with any degree of optimism would be vintage ports

Cheers

Allan