Christmas Wines

[AndrewCowley]

Starting to think about what wines to pull out of my cellar for christmas. I'll be attending a family gathering with one serious wine drinker (who would know all the wines I bring and their value) and 3 other ring ins who'll drink anything but nonetheless still appreciate good wines. I don't want it to be a big fuss with regard to value. I've noticed that in my family they hold back if they know the wines cost serious coin. I would rather people enjoy the day without worrying.

Here's my list of candidates -

1996 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge
1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve
2001 Mt Mary Quintet
2003 Voyager Estate Cab Merlot
2004 Voyager Estate Cab Merlot
2004 Penfolds St Henri
2004 Penfolds Bin 389
2005 Hewitson Mad Hatter

I need to narrow it down to a short list of 4 or 5. Any thoughts?

I reckon the Jacaranda Ridge should be a shoe-in. A wonderful way to start things off. A beautifully balanced wine.

Not sure about the Mt Mary. It is a bit over the top in terms of value (= big fuss) and perhaps I don't need 2 cabernets.

Wonder if either of the Voyager Estates are in their drinking window yet?

Old shiraz (Seppelt) or young shiraz (St Henri, Mad Hatter)?

Does the Bin 389 fit in anywhere?

I have struggled in the past with creating a sensible combination of wines. I think I've got the right ingredients. Just too inexperienced to know how to assemble them together.

[Partagas]

Hi Andrew,

I know that the 04 389 and the 03 Voyager would be a winner in anybodies mind whether they be experienced or not. Both have such awesome characteristics but really show true fruit value at a young age. The 04 St Henri would also be similar though a bit more of a waist to drink now. The 04 Voyager is a great wine but needs more age in my opinion. These are all from my own experience from drinking these wines but others may think differently. I have had the 96 Jacaranda but really can’t remember too much (think it was a big night). If the 98 Seppelt is anything like the incredible 91 great western I had a few years back please don’t touch yet. It was an unbelievable traveller where I thought due to the very pale colour it may have done its dash but found it had only touched the surface of its peaking. A very memorable wine for me and the second bottle was the same.

So personally without doubt I would bring
03 Voyager
04 389
96 Jacaranda

Sam

[Craig(NZ)]

I need to narrow it down to a short list of 4 or 5. Any thoughts?

my thoughts are where are the whites? how you aussies drink big full bodied reds over the summer in the heat you have to endure I will never know

As for me Dry River Gewurztraminer has been a Xmas Eve tradition for over a decade. Vintage, I dunno can' remember what i have! My brother will no doubt supply 2010 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc as well.

[Loztralia]

The last 04 Voyager I had, earlier this year, still had a loooooong way to run. I'd hold on to those.

[Gary W]

1996 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge ** Last one I had a couple of years ago was ripping. Should be superb now. Yes
1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve ** Oak fest. More wood than your XMAS tree. Fruit not up to it.
2001 Mt Mary Quintet ** last one I had was bretty as hell (Dec09). Tipped it down the sink. Hope it was an errant bottle.
2003 Voyager Estate Cab Merlot ** Lovely. Now or later. Yes.
2004 Voyager Estate Cab Merlot ** Needs some time but interesting to see the difference a vintage makes. Even non winey types would see strong difference. On this basis Yes.
2004 Penfolds St Henri ** Best days before it but always lovely..but it's christmas...so be a devil. Yes.
2004 Penfolds Bin 389 ** As above.
2005 Hewitson Mad Hatter ** Enjoy the fruit. Yes.

[AndrewCowley]

Great responses, thanks to all. This will help me a lot.

On the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve, I am concerned with the 'fruit not up to it' tasting note. Does this mean it is past it and will never come good?

[Gary W]

Well I sold mine a few years ago...

[sparky]

That can't possibly be a complete Christmas drinking list - there is no FRS on it..

I'm increasingly finding that a good Moscato or similar with a touch of residual and lower alc is also quite useful for the older generation who tend to throw discretion to the wind after the first glass of decent Chardonnay and neck anything is sight (my mum). Leaves the good stuff for the rest of us!

[graham]

I'm with the oulaws this year so anything that dulls the sense ina short time.................
The followind day:
1999 Vat 1
1996 St Henri
Rockford Black shiraz
1998 Noble One
(with my family )

Graham

[jester]

Drank my only bottle of the Seppelt Reserve 1998 earlier this week. Cracking wine, dense, dark, savory goodness that went on and on. Great drinking now but on this bottle would leave for another 5 - 10 years as still seemed to have plenty more to come. You can only judge the bottle in front of you and on this tasting wish I had bought at least half a dozen of these when I purchased this particular bottle in the low thirties about five years ago. Also as a side note I think best not to let a xmas go by without some quality sparkling shiraz and some nice muscat with xmas pudding.

[pstarr]

That can't possibly be a complete Christmas drinking list - there is no FRS on it..

I'm increasingly finding that a good Moscato or similar with a touch of residual and lower alc is also quite useful for the older generation who tend to throw discretion to the wind after the first glass of decent Chardonnay and neck anything is sight (my mum). Leaves the good stuff for the rest of us!

I'll be in Adelaide this year for Christmas, and probably some ungodly temperatures, so not much red wine on the agenda. Second the moscato tip, Sparky. Plus sparkling reds, riesling, semillon, chardonnay and some reds that can take a chill. And beer. And a bit of a lie down near an airconditioner.

[phillisc]

Far for me to dispute what GW says, (as i find he is usually on the money), but I am in agreement with Jester, the 98 Seppelts GWR is a cracking wine.
i have a half dozen left and will look forward to them over the next 5-10 years.

The Jacaranda R is a shoe in, had one last month, beatiful sweet cabernet character. Drink most of this yourself.

i think the rest of the wines are a bit young, but for a bit of variety got for one of the WA wines.
Cheers
phillisc

[Partagas]

I'm with the oulaws this year so anything that dulls the sense ina short time.................
The followind day:
1999 Vat 1
1996 St Henri
Rockford Black shiraz
1998 Noble One
(with my family )

Graham

Nice Graham. Ah yes, the first and last time I tried to impress the outlaw I went out and bought a bottle of 98 Yatarna chardonnay to impress the as I knew she liked chardy and was fairly well to do. After opening, tasting and drooling all over myself I asked her how it was to a return of “yeah it’s not bad, tastes like its oaked but it’s ok” . Last time that happens.

In regards to your line up I had a 99 Vat a couple of months back and though it was not too bad but it still had a little too much acid and not all its secondary character showing as yet. Worth the try but for my fairly inexperienced Semillon palate thought it should wait a lot longer.

And my favourite of all, 96 St Henri. Had this quite a few times and are still up there my all timers. Enjoy with the “family”.

Sam

[AndrewCowley]

Far for me to dispute what GW says, (as i find he is usually on the money), but I am in agreement with Jester, the 98 Seppelts GWR is a cracking wine.
i have a half dozen left and will look forward to them over the next 5-10 years.

The Jacaranda R is a shoe in, had one last month, beatiful sweet cabernet character. Drink most of this yourself.

i think the rest of the wines are a bit young, but for a bit of variety got for one of the WA wines.
Cheers
phillisc

I cracked open one of my 98 GWR's a few months back and also thought it was fantastic, which is why I had it on my Christmas list. Good to hear others liked it too.

Yeah, the others are young however that's what I have unless I go out and splurge $$$. Figure I should start using what I've bought over the past few years instead of using every occasion like this to always buy. I reckon some of my younger wines are good enough to pull out.

Based on the wonderful feedback so far, here's my short(er) list -

96 Jacaranda Ridge
03 Voyager Estate
98 Great Western Reserve

With perhaps a Bin 389 and a St Henri slotted in somewhere too.

Not sure about whether to provide multiple bottles of the same thing or go for max variety. There's only 4 of us drinking these wines. Could double up on one of them or add in the Bin 389 or St Henri.

Decisions decisions.

[steve.mcgrath]

Hi...
As per my thought, Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Poor Man's Grange' or 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. This was the wine that helped to build Penfold's solid reputation with red wine drinkers. Bin 389 also exemplifies Penfolds' skill in balancing fruit and oak. A classic Australian style with a clear Penfold's identity.Now, as compared with your list, it is not a suitable for your list.

[AndrewCowley]

Hi...
As per my thought, Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Poor Man's Grange' or 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. This was the wine that helped to build Penfold's solid reputation with red wine drinkers. Bin 389 also exemplifies Penfolds' skill in balancing fruit and oak. A classic Australian style with a clear Penfold's identity.Now, as compared with your list, it is not a suitable for your list.

Interesting... not sure I follow though. My list is diverse both in terms of grape variety, region or style. I'm not trying to provide an experience based around a particular variety, region or style (perhaps should be though; more coherant that way?). Appreciate your views though, perhaps expand on it...

[Partagas]

Have to agree Andrew me too a bit confused.

As mentioned that 389 will show and drink very well now and in the future. Have had many 04's and they are scrumptious.

[steve.mcgrath]

Appreciate your views though, perhaps expand on it...

OK Andrew, I got you. You asked to shorten down the list to 4 or 5 and not concerned on a particular one. I told you about 389 because I only use to drink that one and also De Bortoli brands. So If I said anything wrong then I Please don't take it wrong. I am searching about the other brands and also started taking some more brands. Soon, I will be able to tell you that which should be in your list and which not.

[AndrewCowley]

No worries Steve. Thanks for contributing. Keep up your search... it is never ending!

[pc79]

Hi...
As per my thought, Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Poor Man's Grange' or 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. This was the wine that helped to build Penfold's solid reputation with red wine drinkers. Bin 389 also exemplifies Penfolds' skill in balancing fruit and oak. A classic Australian style with a clear Penfold's identity.Now, as compared with your list, it is not a suitable for your list.

Hmm - a cut and paste directly forom the penfolds website - bot steve.mcgrath from Adelaide?? highly dubious.

I had a bottle of the 2005 recently at a dinner and after a little time in the decanter and glass was drinking beautifully. I'm sure the '04 will also be exceptional.

If it were me:
Jacaranda Ridge, '03 Voyager & '04 389

Great selection though, crack them all!!