Sunday Muddy Sunday....

[daz]

with thoughts of commiseration and care for those throughout this land of drought and flooding rains who have been adversely affected by both in recent times. I'll be doing my very best over the next few weeks to provide as many as possible, as quickly as I can, with the limited financial assistance available to help in the short-term of the aftermath.

With those thoughts in mind, the only wine of any note I've had recently is a Rosabrook Cabernet Merlot 2008. A short-term cellaring proposition, it's sweetly-fruited but has some underlying complexity that makes it worthwhile as a drink-within 5-6 years wine. I think it has more persistance than CM at TWF. He doesn't mention tannins or oak but they are there, subtley lurking under the fruit with spices to add interest. Not as good value as the cabernet 07 I bought 12 of from The Wine Society for $14 + freight (the first of three 6pks was about $17/btl I think) but this cab/merl 08 is a very quaffable and affordable Margaret River red from a very good vintage. I like it.

To those volunteers who have selflessly given of their time and effort to help total strangers in need of assistance after the flood/s, you are absolutely awesome individuals whose sense of community is the stuff of legend.

daz

PS The call for help by the Mayor of Brisbane and the coordination, including the transportation, of the volunteers is most highly commendable. Pity about the bloody sighteseers adding to traffic congestion. Why FFS couldn't they just stay home and watch the TV? FN ghouls if you ask me!

[AndrewCowley]

2009 Pepper Tree Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon
A surprise packet. The Coonawarra influence is obvious. Simple and upfront, but very nice. Dominated by eucalypt and menthol but with enough dark fruit peeking through to make it worthwhile. Hides its alcohol well.

[Waiters Friend]

In keeping with the Pepper Tree above, by sheer coincidence I had a cabernet this weekend which fits squarely into the menthol and eucalypt mould -

Reilly's Dry Land 2004 (Clare Valley). A reasonably ripe and mouthfilling wine, and with a very dominant eucalyptus minty character, both on the nose and palate. Had I had a choice, I would have toned it down a little, as there is some lovely varietal Cabernet lurking underneath. It didn't stop me enjoying it for what it is , however, and I still have a couple of bottles in the cellar (and the following vintage). One of those very enjoyable but not sublime wines.

Cheers

Allan

[griff]

2001 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Les Tessons
Deep yellow. Nice aged chardonnay nose of butter and hazelnuts with hay. The palate is still tight. Long and mineral citrus flavours with an intense finish. With time a beeswax and pollen note emerges in the bouquet to create more complexity. Evolved nicely over the night. Excellent. NB: The remains the next day were completely oxidised. I suspect that other bottles need to be drunk pronto!

2008 Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Pale off white. White flowers and a little spice on the nose. Racy and bright palate of crystal clear tangy grapes. A wine in which it joy was its simplicity. Very Good and very moreish. I like the lithesome style of 2008 Kabinetts more than 2007. Need to check out some 2009's.

cheers

Carl

[Peter NZ]

2008 Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Pale off white. White flowers and a little spice on the nose. Racy and bright palate of crystal clear tangy grapes. A wine in which it joy was its simplicity. Very Good and very moreish. I like the lithesome style of 2008 Kabinetts more than 2007. Need to check out some 2009's.

Tried the 2009 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett on the weekend, but was a little disappointed -- good sugar / acid balance (though possibly closer to Spatlese than Kabinett?) but just seemed to be missing something. However looking forward to trying more of the '09s given the excellent reviews.

2010 Astrolabe Awatere Sauvignon Blanc is pretty smart -- class Marlborough style but with excellent intensity & balance.

Cheers
Peter

[Jordan]

2006 Rockford 'Local Growers' Semillon: excellent summer drinking. Lemony, grilled nuts, a little grassy herbaceousness. Good length and intensity. I love that it's released with 4 years bottle age. Great value at $18 per bottle.

2005 Hillcrest Premium Yarra Valley Pinot Noir: I was starting to think thay 2005 YV pinots weren't any good after two average William Downie's from that vintage and the first impressions of this bottle. It opened quite flat and a bit reductive and funky. Getting through the bottle, it started improving, and by the last glass was quite good. Bright sour cherry and a hint of raspberry, with a lovely earthy stalkiness and a shake of spice. Must decant the next bottle.

[Michael R]

Must decant the next bottle.

Thanks Jordan, i recently bought the 05 (and the 04) and am thinking of opening it quite soon. Will decant and post a TN.

Cheers
Michael

[ticklenow1]

2002 Virgin Hills - Absolutely stunning wine. Didn't have a lot of length (reminded me of the Mount Mary we had at the last Brisbane offline), but was a pleasure to drink. Silky smooth tannins and nice fruit joining seamlessly with the oak. I must say this is the best bottle of this I have had. Sadly it was my last one. I didn't think it had the back bone to go much longer but maybe I was wrong. It is drinking perfectly now though. It would be interesting to open one in a couple of years time. This wine has had it's knockers, but I really wish I had a couple more bottles. I haven't been overly impressed in the past but this was a real surprise.

[griff]

2008 Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Pale off white. White flowers and a little spice on the nose. Racy and bright palate of crystal clear tangy grapes. A wine in which it joy was its simplicity. Very Good and very moreish. I like the lithesome style of 2008 Kabinetts more than 2007. Need to check out some 2009's.

Tried the 2009 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett on the weekend, but was a little disappointed -- good sugar / acid balance (though possibly closer to Spatlese than Kabinett?) but just seemed to be missing something. However looking forward to trying more of the '09s given the excellent reviews.

2010 Astrolabe Awatere Sauvignon Blanc is pretty smart -- class Marlborough style but with excellent intensity & balance.

Cheers
Peter

Yes the 07's had great review as well but I found that I prefer 08 for how racy it is. It isn't easy to go for riesling when it is so cold here but I shall endeavour to do my bit

cheers

Carl

[phillisc]

2002 Virgin Hills - Absolutely stunning wine. Didn't have a lot of length (reminded me of the Mount Mary we had at the last Brisbane offline), but was a pleasure to drink. Silky smooth tannins and nice fruit joining seamlessly with the oak. I must say this is the best bottle of this I have had. Sadly it was my last one. I didn't think it had the back bone to go much longer but maybe I was wrong. It is drinking perfectly now though. It would be interesting to open one in a couple of years time. This wine has had it's knockers, but I really wish I had a couple more bottles. I haven't been overly impressed in the past but this was a real surprise.

Hi Ticklenow1,
Virgin Hills is one of my all time faves and is almost unknown here in Adelaide. I purchased a dozen of the 01 and 02 last year from another online etailer ( sorry Gavin), with the rider of dubious "failed export order". I was worried about the authenticity of the wine but it was the real deal. I thought that the 01 was beautifully balanced, and would describe it as you have pretty well have in your 02 tasting note.
My impressions of the bottle of 02 that i have had, was that it was clumbsy, with oak dominating the fruit and quite harsh tannins. I think it will settle down. i am into the last of my 90 VH's and at 20 years of age, absolutely magnificent.

Cheers Craig.

[monghead]

Been awhile since I have posted... Those which I could remember...

2005 Hillcrest Premium Pinot Noir- Very Good
2008 Savaterre Pinot Noir- Very Good
2010 KT Peglidis Riesling- Very Good
2010 KT Melva Riesling- Extremely Good
2004 Golden Ball Gallice Cabernet Merlot Malbec- Good

There were several more, but I can't remember, will be taking the recycling out soon though...

Cheers,

Monghead.