Midweek Madness

[monghead]

Hi all,

I have been "away" for the last couple of months having our first baby and all...

I thought I might start this up again...

Will think back of the highlights over the last few months and try to post them here soon, as well as our '96s (Wynns black label, l'enfant jesus, Vogue chambolle-musigny les amoureuses, pichon lalande).

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

To celebrate our baby girl's vintage, we have been guzzling a few 2010 rieslings, and I must say, it seems to be a great vintage for the Clare.

2010 Clos Clare riesling- Delectable tropical fruits (lychees), and tingling lime acidity. Very Good.
2010 Grosset Polish Hill riesling- Spine-chilling linear citrus acidity, with grapefruits, and sophisticated gravelly minerality. Very Very Good.
2010 Grosset Watervale riesling- More approachable, softer, but with that characteristic acidity that cleanses the palate, whilst tantalises the tastebuds. Very Good.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Michael R]

To celebrate our baby girl's vintage

Congratulations Monghead!
Judging by your posts....the new arrival doesn't seemed to have distracted you too much from your love of fine wine!
Btw; I think Daniel is planning an offline in November (possibly John Riddochs) so keep an eye out, if around.

Cheers
Michael

ps. i've heard 2010 was a pretty fair vintage in Bordeaux too

[Teisto]

Congrats Monghead. In the same boat as you with having our first 3 and a bit weeks ago. Have been trying to get some wine in but have been too tired.

I will certainly be looking for some 2010 to lay down for some time and will be putting an order in shortly! Will certainly be looking for some good recommendations.

[Stavros]

Did the Margaret River In perth gig on Tuesday at Fraser's..........

Heaps of wineries exhibiting. Here's what stood out for me on the day, oh and 2008 and 2009 both
look like being stellar vintages....


Chardonnay:

Arlewood 2006
Brookland valley verse 1 2009, Estate 2009 and Reserve 2009
Cape Mentelle "Brooks" 2010 and Chardonnay 2009 ( one of my best along with the Voyager 07)
Clairault 2009 and Estate 2008
Fraser Gallop 2009
Juniper Estate 2008 (another 5 star Chardy)
Lenton Brae Southside 2009 ( preferred it over the Willyabrup)
Streicker Wines Ironstone block Old vine 2008
Voyager 2007
Woodland's Chloe 2009
Xanadu 2008 and Next Of Kin 2009

Reds, Cabernets unless otherwise stated:

Brookland Valley Est 2008 and Reserve 2004 ( Awesome gear, along with the Woodland's Shelley Anne 2008 were my fave reds on the day).
Cape Mentelle all were good, Trinders2008, Shiraz 2008 and C/S 2007.
Capel Vale 2008 and The Scholar 2008
Fraser Gallop 2008 ( didn't care much for the Cab Merlot 2009 )
Hay Shed Hill Block 2 2008, the std-white label C/S 2008 and Shiraz Tempranillo 2008 both great QPR.
Juniper Est Shiraz 2005
Lenton Brae 2008 Cab merlot and Wilyabrup C/S 2008
Stella Bella 2007 and Shiraz 2007
Streicker Ironstone block Old Vine 2007
Voyager Shiraz 2008, Cab Merlot 2005 and Girt By Sea 2008
Woodland's Cab Franc Merlot 2009 (drink Now), Margaret reserve 2008, Nicolas 2007 and Shelley Anne 2008, their reds have such a lovely balance and finesse about them.

I'm sure therewas plenty there i missed or forgot about.

...and the Sydney version of this is on tonight..........


Cheers

[monghead]

To celebrate our baby girl's vintage

Congratulations Monghead!
Judging by your posts....the new arrival doesn't seemed to have distracted you too much from your love of fine wine!
Btw; I think Daniel is planning an offline in November (possibly John Riddochs) so keep an eye out, if around.

Cheers
Michael

ps. i've heard 2010 was a pretty fair vintage in Bordeaux too

Thanks Michael. I must try my darnest to get to the next tasting. Seems like the group is picking up great momentum, and I fear being left behind...

As to the 2010 Bordeaux, I was hoping for that good news.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

Congrats Monghead. In the same boat as you with having our first 3 and a bit weeks ago. Have been trying to get some wine in but have been too tired.

I will certainly be looking for some 2010 to lay down for some time and will be putting an order in shortly! Will certainly be looking for some good recommendations.

Thanks Teisto, and congrats to you too mate. Mine is 6 days old now, and since the birth, it has been the case of 1 glass of wine for wifey and I after baby has been fed, before we go to bed.

As to 2010, as I have said, I am liking the Clare rieslings at present, and I have heard good things about the Yarra for pinot...

Cheers,

Monghead.

[TiggerK]

Congratulations Mong and Mrs Mong!

6 days old already, wow don't they grow old so fast

Great news, so happy for you both and we look forward to seeing you again sometime.

Cheers
Tim & Michelle

[monghead]

Thanks tim and michelle.

Those that I can remember.....

2008 MacForbes Gruyere Pinot Noir- Lovely crunchy vibrant new world pinot. Very Good.
2004 Killikanoon Oracle Shiraz- Big, bruising, more-or-less one-dimensional and a little hot on the finish. Not for me. Just Good.
1999 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz- Powerful, mouth-filling, elegant and complex. Now we're cooking with gas... Very Very Good.
2002 Rosemount Balmoral Shiraz- Dark fruits on the front and practically nothing else, just falls away into an abyss. Not Good.
2006 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz- Deliciously spicy, smoky, meaty. Must get me some. Very Very Good.
2001 Majella Malleea Cabernet Shiraz- Solid enough blend that is at its peak. Savoury, well integrated, slightly sour finish though. Solid Good.
2007 Mount Horrocks Semillon- Light, fresh melons and lemon zest. Good Good.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Wayno]

Congrats, Mong. We're onto our second little tacker now - 8 months old with the other two years on her. Time certainly flies... a lot more time spent at home, that's for sure.

A few interesting ones for me this week:

Clonakilla Riesling 2009 - chalky, a touch bitter - not sure I really enjoyed this - a bad bottle perhaps?
Pegasus Bay Sem Sauv Blanc 2008 - saw a good review of this here recently and thought I'd open my only bottle. OK - again, some bitterness and very, very stinky on night 2. Disappointing.
Wynns Late Harvest Riesling (cellar door) 2009 - sweet, balanced... charming wine
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2008 - quite sweet for what I assume is intended to be an apertif style... otherwise good
TK Wines Palatine 2002 - not bad, a little on the tired side but otherwise rather drinkable

[monghead]

Thanks Wayno.

Just enjoying a glass of pinot now after the 4th load of laundry today.

2008 Bindi Composition Pinot Noir- Loads of cherries, slightly candied, touch of brandy, smoky meats. Seemingly warm on the finish... Good Good.

Monghead.

[xsorxpire]

Woodlands 2001 Cab Sav. Decanted and tried it straight away. Not a lot of flavour up front, but lovely after taste. Half hour later it was more tannins than anything else. At the hour mark the tanins had dropped off, the flavour was tight, but the after taste was still lovely. Poured half of it back into the bottle to try today. Nothing like the 04 i had a couple weeks ago. It may have been stored badly in its youth or it is still too young. Wish i could tell.
Guess i'll try one again in a couple years and find out.