The Auswine Forum

09' Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon - No decanting done, just unscrew the top and poured slowly into wine glass, swirled and sniffed for 3 minutes, all the basic blackberry, cassis and plum were evident, along with a hint of cedar, not too minty, quite warm and fruit forward with generous amount of sweetness (by no means jammy nor Ribena like). The aromas and flavours were harmonised quite well, its was really easy drinking and the nuance of chocolatey oak was quite tantalising. At $28/btl price point, this really shone from waves of WA Cabernet producers.

Fortunate enough to have a couple come for dinner that inherited some 1997 Grange so a bottle of that and I provided

1998 Torbreck Steading- a superbly balanced wine with great integration. I should buy some of these each year and drink them after 10 or so. They turn into something I could drink every night of the week.

1996 Penfolds 407 - my last bottle that I have kept since purchase and well worth the wait. Right time to drink it as well.

Finally the Grange - my first time ever really having a good glass of the stuff. While the others were very good and hold their own if being drunk by themselves the power and persistence of the grange made me understand what the fuss is all about. This was still very youthful but a pleasure to drink.

Teisto wrote:1998 Torbreck Steading- a superbly balanced wine with great integration. I should buy some of these each year and drink them after 10 or so. They turn into something I could drink every night of the week.

I find this problem with many, many wines I buy..........

Haven't had the 98 but the early 2000s were excellent with 10+ years on them.

Cheers

Michael

Michael McNally wrote:

Teisto wrote:1998 Torbreck Steading- a superbly balanced wine with great integration. I should buy some of these each year and drink them after 10 or so. They turn into something I could drink every night of the week.

I find this problem with many, many wines I buy..........

Haven't had the 98 but the early 2000s were excellent with 10+ years on them.

Cheers

Michael

It's a nice problem to have I guess

Michael - I bought these from Torbreck late last year and I am sure they probably still have some along with quite a fair bit of back vintage stuff that isn't as expensive as you would think

Are they (Torbreck wines) wines that age well? I'd have thought they would mature rather quickly given the pH and alcohol levels.

I've had a couple of 2002 steadings this year and they were great
Corks were perfect too, they appear to put a bit of effort into the seal, atleast well above the average

perfectly cellared since release Run Rig 99's are on their last legs from my cellar. Took one to a birthday in Shanghai late last year and it was DOA, I thought maybe the trip up from Oz killed it...but had another one whilst in Melbourne last weekend, and we didn't even finish the bottle. The pain was relieved some-what as we were watching the Hawks dismantle Freo at the time
98 Factor and Descendant were dead within a decade, again perfectly cellared from release.
It is quite possible I was unlucky, but I have heard similar stories about the upper-echelon Torbreck's from the late 90's from quite a few different sources.

2009 mt horrocks shiraz.
bit of a let down.
the nose was confusing from the get go. A weird bretty/funk smell that just wouldn't abate. Some oak and sour cherries?
Wimpy/flimsy tannins and it had a strange tart like sour finish.
More structure and integrity in a bamboo scaffold.
Im not sure whether the 1 hour decant was needed.
Maybe should've popped and poured. Didn't change much after 20-30 mins in the glass.
It had some CV like cool climate characters but yeah....ho hum.

We had a '99 The Factor by Torbreck about 2 months ago... and it was stunning. Great condition and beautifully balanced. Delicate, complex, intriguing and delicious. I was pleasantly surprised.

Cheers, Travis.

Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 -
Soon as I pour that into the glass, I noticed aromas of leather, old wood cupboard, weak hint of dark chocolate, menthol and cassis. After a few swirls and left aside for 30 minutes, it had the swampy and Vegemite smell. Almost impenetrable dark red hue and garnet on the rim, rigid and dry on the palate, like a broth made of beef stock cube. The winemaker's note on the back label suggested this wine was meant for mid to long term cellaring; must be the haphazard generic labeling used year in, year out, which disregarded the poor 97' vintage condition. This was a birthday gift from my high school friend about 12 years ago when he paid the premium price of $30+ during Dan Murphy's rip-off cellar release.

Went out for Malaysian with some mates last night.... A couple of nice wines to match

2015 Rockford White Frontignac
Clean and Sweet... A great match for the spicy food!

2009 Best's Old Clone Pinot Noir
Slightly muted, dusty tannins.. Earthy and spicy but probably a little past its peak...

MSE wrote:

Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 -
Soon as I pour that into the glass, I noticed aromas of leather, old wood cupboard, weak hint of dark chocolate, menthol and cassis. After a few swirls and left aside for 30 minutes, it had the swampy and Vegemite smell. Almost impenetrable dark red hue and garnet on the rim, rigid and dry on the palate, like a broth made of beef stock cube. The winemaker's note on the back label suggested this wine was meant for mid to long term cellaring; must be the haphazard generic labeling used year in, year out, which disregarded the poor 97' vintage condition. This was a birthday gift from my high school friend about 12 years ago when he paid the premium price of $30+ during Dan Murphy's rip-off cellar release.

'97 wasn't that bad, it was just bookend by two hyped vintages. A wine like St Hugo should have been better than that.
Storage or bottle issues me thinx.

A curious old one that Mr Halliday recommended many moons ago.... 1998 Andraos Bros Grandfathers Reserve Shiraz.

From Sunbury (VIC) and very old vines (may well have been the first in the area) from the Olde Winilba vineyard. It was aged in French oak.
Has actually aged well considering perhaps a lack of pedigree. Tobacco, pepper and spice on the nose, a rich fruited wine beginning to show some varnish on the finish, with spice and pepper. Long finish.

Hunter wrote:Off too windy point for my 26th bday tonight, taking a 1990 HofG, looking forward too it.
Cheers ..

Happy birthday Hunter!

oh to be in my twenties again, or even in my thirties.
Come to think of it, even in my fourties.

Rory wrote:MSE wrote:

Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 -
Soon as I pour that into the glass, I noticed aromas of leather, old wood cupboard, weak hint of dark chocolate, menthol and cassis. After a few swirls and left aside for 30 minutes, it had the swampy and Vegemite smell. Almost impenetrable dark red hue and garnet on the rim, rigid and dry on the palate, like a broth made of beef stock cube. The winemaker's note on the back label suggested this wine was meant for mid to long term cellaring; must be the haphazard generic labeling used year in, year out, which disregarded the poor 97' vintage condition. This was a birthday gift from my high school friend about 12 years ago when he paid the premium price of $30+ during Dan Murphy's rip-off cellar release.

'97 wasn't that bad, it was just bookend by two hyped vintages. A wine like St Hugo should have been better than that.
Storage or bottle issues me thinx.

Hi Rory,

You were quite right, the 1997 Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon wasn't that bad. As I gave it a brief breathing in the decanter for 2 hour this morning. Hint of Cedar and Cassis note on the nose and early palate of sour cherry and plum. Mid to mid-late palate dropped like a stone and was hollow (just dry with the taste of oak), I felt like falling into pit trap (Me:"Hello?! Anyone out there?! Somebody help!!! Please!!!"). The aftertaste was pleasant with hints of Hawthorn and Blackberry, the tannin was quite grainy and the length was short (far cry from the term lingering).
I must admit I had prejudice against 97' vintages, but this 97' St Hugo is nowhere near the league of 1998 Pepper Tree Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, 1998 Katnook Odyssey , 1998 Wynns John Riddoch and 1998 Balnaves The Tally. All of those Coonawarra big guns smashed the St Hugo big time when I recently enjoyed them at home.
I got a friend who drank mostly St Hugo in his life (his parents were vertical buyers including the hyped 98' vintage). Nine years ago I brought a 98' Wynns John Riddoch and shared with him. He had no idea about Wynns wines (prices and range) except the Black Label, he immediately noted the difference in terms of quality and taste, he told me that the John Riddoch had more depth than the St Hugo he used to drink.

Hacker wrote:

Hunter wrote:Off too windy point for my 26th bday tonight, taking a 1990 HofG, looking forward too it.
Cheers ..

Happy birthday Hunter!

oh to be in my twenties again, or even in my thirties.
Come to think of it, even in my fourties.

Happy Birthday Hunter! X 2

Was the 90' HofG from your parents' cellar or did you just bought from 2nd hand market? Man! When I was 26 I only drank wines at the caliber of Mt Edelstone and Cyril, you are years in advance!

Rory wrote:MSE wrote:

Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 -
Soon as I pour that into the glass, I noticed aromas of leather, old wood cupboard, weak hint of dark chocolate, menthol and cassis. After a few swirls and left aside for 30 minutes, it had the swampy and Vegemite smell. Almost impenetrable dark red hue and garnet on the rim, rigid and dry on the palate, like a broth made of beef stock cube. The winemaker's note on the back label suggested this wine was meant for mid to long term cellaring; must be the haphazard generic labeling used year in, year out, which disregarded the poor 97' vintage condition. This was a birthday gift from my high school friend about 12 years ago when he paid the premium price of $30+ during Dan Murphy's rip-off cellar release.

'97 wasn't that bad, it was just bookend by two hyped vintages. A wine like St Hugo should have been better than that.
Storage or bottle issues me thinx.

I have a bottle of this (a Christmas gift circa 2000) and also agree that it should have been better. The notes of Vegemite and beef stock seems to suggest that something is off as one doesn't usually get those in an old Cabernet.

Mahmoud.

Teisto wrote: Fortunate enough to have a couple come for dinner that inherited some 1997 Grange so a bottle of that and I provided..........
Finally the Grange - my first time ever really having a good glass of the stuff. While the others were very good and hold their own if being drunk by themselves the power and persistence of the grange made me understand what the fuss is all about. This was still very youthful but a pleasure to drink.

This brings to mind a story. Some years ago my partner's brother won a bottle of '97 Grange. He and a mate of his had it with Thai food and, contrary to your experience, couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. I wonder why.

Mahmoud.

Rippon Riesling 2010 just a delightful wine, easy to see why there are so many riesling lovers out there with this one. 94pts
Perfect for a hot summer's night with some Sichuan stuff

I've been drinking quite a bit of Pinot of late. It's the boss's tipple of choice at the moment. So I went on a bit of a quest to find some good drinking, well priced gear to stock up on for our regular drinking.

To start with tonight:
2014 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir - Roses, cherry, a whiff of alcohol, minty, stemmy mulchy goodness. Nice balance between sweet and savoury, slippery fine tannins. Superb value. 92

2014 Stoney Rise Pinot Noir - cherry kirsch, cinnamon spice, dried herbs, drying tannin which was a little more clunky than the hoddles. Deeper and a little more body though. Interesting. 91

Different beasts. Both great

2006 meerea park hell hole shiraz, screw cap
Decanted an hour or so before fist taste
Still closed and sharp initially, but opened up in the glass 15-20 mins later
Bursting with red fruit and lots of oak, good acidity if not a touch high
I really enjoyed this with the winter comfort food it went with

2001 Domaine A cab Sav - corked

2009 Pierro Cab Merlot Reserve - nice, too young. Popped and poured after above corked issue. Started to open up towards the end of the bottle. Good but at present not value.

2004 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz - auction buy, such good value. Good cool climate Shiraz. Easy drinking but a touch of class about it. Told my guest how much I paid for it ($26) he nearly fell off his chair.

2012 Mt Horrocks Semillon.
Barrel fermented. Nice balance of oak and lemon/apple.
always been a fan of this over the journey.

2013 Wilson Vineyard Watervale Riesling.
Nice zingy drop.
lime/citrus thing going on CV style.
Acidity just right for me.
Love Daniel Wilson's wines. Next to Crabtree (KT) and KT probably my fave CV Rieslings.

mse wrote:

Hacker wrote:

Hunter wrote:Off too windy point for my 26th bday tonight, taking a 1990 HofG, looking forward too it.
Cheers ..

Happy birthday Hunter!

oh to be in my twenties again, or even in my thirties.
Come to think of it, even in my fourties.

Happy Birthday Hunter! X 2

Was the 90' HofG from your parents' cellar or did you just bought from 2nd hand market? Man! When I was 26 I only drank wines at the caliber of Mt Edelstone and Cyril, you are years in advance!

Thanks for the wish's
From a friends cellar.. felt astho was in perfect condition, still had lots of fruit.. although I still prefer the 96 edelstone. More layered and complex..

maybs wrote:2001 Domaine A cab Sav - corked

2009 Pierro Cab Merlot Reserve - nice, too young. Popped and poured after above corked issue. Started to open up towards the end of the bottle. Good but at present not value.

2004 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz - auction buy, such good value. Good cool climate Shiraz. Easy drinking but a touch of class about it. Told my guest how much I paid for it ($26) he nearly fell off his chair.

Love the Chalambar - have several vintages stored away, DM sells for as low as $18, can't understand it!

Have you tried the Seppelt St Peters? Very nice drop, a few cuts above the Chalambar.

Michael McNally wrote:

WAwineguy wrote:2012 Turkey Flat shiraz (last night)

Very nice, but too young of course.

Have you had many Turkey Flat Shiraz before? I am asking not in a challenging way, but to see how you think it compares to previous vintages. If you are a TF regular I would be interested in you opinion of the 2012.

Cheers

Michael

Not really. We visited the Barossa in March 2014 and went to the TF cellar door to buy some wines - I'd read some good reviews about them but they are fairly hard to find in Perth wine stores. Bought some of the straight shiraz but also the boxed single vineyard shiraz for long term cellaring. We also visited Rockford (great) and Barossa Valley Estate, whose wines I love but sadly they seem to have subsequently lost the plot by rebranding with a horrible label and all new (limited) products. I think they were bought out of receivership in late 2013, so not sure whether the new owners know what they are doing! Another of my favourite quirky wineries we visited was Two Hands, and we also did Torbreck.

pc79 wrote:2014 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir - Roses, cherry, a whiff of alcohol, minty, stemmy mulchy goodness. Nice balance between sweet and savoury, slippery fine tannins. Superb value. 92

Back to this tonight. The initial sweetness has blown away to reveal more savoury characteristics tonight. The cherry and rose remains, but there's more forest floor, savoury cinnamon and a bit of barnyard funk coming through on the nose tonight. 92-93 now. This could be chateau de pc's house Pinot. A few more to get through before making that decision though.

2012 Lindemans Pyrus Cabernet blend - surprisingly smooth.

2012 Giaconda Cabernet - gorgeous!

Drank a 2001 Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz last night.

Cork was beautiful. Only minimal staining on bottom and was well in tact. No leakage there.
Upon pouring into decanter, lovely vibrant fruit on the nose got me very excited to drink this.

Recently I have been drinking the 01, 05, 06 and 08 bottles with the 05 in my opinion being the best of the bunch drinking absolutely beautiful at the moment.
After decanting for hour/hour and a half it was drinking very well, not great, and certainly not up to the 05. The fruit seemed to fade slightly as did the length.

In saying that I enjoyed drinking it, but if I had any more bottles I'd be drinking them up ASAP I think. Got a few more of the 05, 06 and 08 left.