The Auswine Forum

WAwineguy wrote:Just a couple of little bottles of Bouchard burgundy, with a friend (or two)....

Opened up nicely after an hour of decanting - drinking deliciously even though still young. Honestly, once you start drinking these burgundies, it becomes pretty hard to stomach Aussie pinot!!

True. Of course sadly you can also purchase a six pack of Australian pinot for the price of either of these wines.

2013 Milton Gewurtzraminer. Turkish delight in a glass. Went well with Indian food.

2012 Two Hands, Angels Share Shiraz, McLaren Vale

A little more modest than the other night's burgundies, but more personal since we bought these from the winery when we visited the Barossa last year. I love this place - small, friendly young hipster kind of staff, they seem to make wine just more fun!

Very modestly priced at just a little over $20, but still a bit young and tannic. Have a couple more which I will hold for a few more years. I probably prefer the Gnarly Dudes, which is their similar priced but I suggest more popular Barossa offering. Bought a few of their premium priced shiraz', but they'll be sitting in the cellar for a number of years.

2012 S.C. Pannell Old vine Granacha Blend Tinto

Blend of Grenacha, Tinto and Touringa Nacional, no doubt at home anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula, it has raspberry and cherries in spades with slightly puckering tannins. Although the back of the palate drops off a bit quicker than I'd like, it has enough interest to make me want another glass. Be interesting to see how it goes with Tacos. I suspect it will go OK.

2015 Unico Zelo Jade & Jasper
This is the stock Fiano from UZ for 2015. I had several bottles of the 2014 Fiano which was a superb, complex wine. This vintage they have three or four Fiano's, but while the J&J is fairly quaffable it is one dimensional and the fruit sweetness isn't balanced like last vintage.

2009 Meerea Park Aunt's Shiraz
After being open for a couple of hours this is really good. Blueberry, cassis, tobacco, background tannin mmmmm. After 24 hrs it's still drinking well but I reckon the next 18 months is peak window, although if one favours secondary flavours I reckon it's good for a decade.

2000 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - As per my previous note over 9 years ago, this still has plenty of black fruit, coffee and mint on the nose. Palate is a heavier than I remember dominated by rich fruit of plum and blackberry. Has really soften out with the tannins fading into the background making it a very smooth, easy drinking wine. Based on this bottle, this wine has plenty of life in it so no need to rush drinking this vintage. Might give it a couple of years before I try another one but should see 2020 with ease.

2013 10 Mins by tractor, judd, Chardonnay
2014 Sorrenberg Gamay

How was the Sorrenberg Gamay Mick? Was thinking about grabbing a bottle or two.

Hi mate

Was very fruit forward, lots of red berries, little bit of spice. Definitely other elements supporting, stopping it from being too one dimensional. Confident it will improve with a few years, and kept half the bottle for tonight to hopefully get a glimpse of that future. Only detractor was a faint element of spritz, however Im hoping that's due to popping and pouring such a young wine, and not something more constant.
I'd say decant for a couple of hours if you buy one to try.

Needs no introduction eh?

Nose: Blackcurrant, Blackberry and Blueberry, Licorice, Vanilla, Sweet Spices, Caramel like sweetness, some earthiness and hint of leather.

Palate: Nice moderate Tannin, Plum and Cherry, bit of Blood Orange like acidity and Dark Chocolate and Mocha, Blueberry like finish.

Verdict: If stored properly without dud cork, at least 10-15 years before this beauty reach its peak drinking window.

2015 Unico Zelo 'Panda Panda' Fiano

Glorious. Spicy and rich. Grand Marnier, ginger and lemon zest, with some grapefruit pith in the finish. Only $4 more than the UZ Jade & Jasper Fiano from the same vintage, but a big leap in complexity and quality.

BK Wines Skin n Bones Pinot 2013
Name sums it up. Good though

A 2008 Leconfield Cabernet for me tonight. It is in a pretty good place right now.

91 Mt Edelstone, first one of these for a long while. Very nice drop

2004 Glaetzer The Bishop Shiraz

Opened last night, half a bottle left for tonight
Cork was in great condition
Stained to buggery on the bottom but literally just on the surface
Loads of sediment
Nice to see a decent length cork too, packed in rather tightly
Still bursting with ripe dark fruit, dark chocolate and some pepper
Tonight it's almost the same just smoother, ever so slightly however.
Really lovely wine, great winter red to ge with a warm hearty dinner, and great VFM considering its price point to my much loved other glaetzer, Amon ra.
I have one bottle left of this and a bottle of the Amon ra from the same vintage, so will compare these side by side in the near future.

2009 Fleur de Bouard
gotta stop banging about this wine, but it is just so so good. Incredible bargain. Must try to find more. 96pts
2010 Fleur de Bouard
beautiful wine, without the excitement factor of the 09. Still, an incredible bargain. Needs another 3-4 years. 90pts.

Bobthebuilder wrote:2004 Glaetzer The Bishop Shiraz

Opened last night, half a bottle left for tonight
Cork was in great condition
Stained to buggery on the bottom but literally just on the surface
Loads of sediment
Nice to see a decent length cork too, packed in rather tightly
Still bursting with ripe dark fruit, dark chocolate and some pepper
Tonight it's almost the same just smoother, ever so slightly however.
Really lovely wine, great winter red to ge with a warm hearty dinner, and great VFM considering its price point to my much loved other glaetzer, Amon ra.
I have one bottle left of this and a bottle of the Amon ra from the same vintage, so will compare these side by side in the near future.

Bob, the Amon Ra is a wonderful wine, and I think will smash it's pants. However, I am looking forward to you posting notes of the comparison.

2005 Frogmore creek reserve Pinot noir - Great big voluminous nose on this with some smoke, cola and typical cherry nose. Persistent mouth filling taste and drive through the whole mouthful with a great finish. To date one of the best Aussie pinots I have had

MV Clouet 1911 - first of this release for me. Wasn't able to tell what blend it was, but it wasn't the 95/96/97 that has been drinking so well lately. Came off a littled sherried at first.. but did much better with air.

2003 Leoville Poyferre - Parker cops lots of heat for his views, but I really think he nailed this one. Fantastic wine from an atypical year in Bordeaux

1998 Tyrrells Vat 1 - drinking perfectly right now. Love good aged Hunter Semillon

1996 Veuve Cliquot Grande Dame - good champers, but not in the class of the big boys from this vintage

1990 Penfolds Bin 389 - nice wine, but finished a bit shorter than the best examples.

1990 Penfolds Bin 920 - no matter one's views on Penfolds, there is no denying that some of their Special Bins are truly....... special. While I prefer the 90a, this is a youngish wine that should go on to greatness.

Hi Mike, Gathered from your note, you thinks there's still some good to arise from the 920 ?
Is there much fruit left at this age ?

Work-related dinner last night - we had:

2004 and 2008 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay - lovely

1998 Cape Mentelle Cabernet - superbly smooth

Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz - didn't catch the year, but it was nice

2001 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro - big, bold, rich and thick, gorgeous. So good we had another one after the disappointing Clonakilla!

2002 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier - might have just been that particular bottle, but surprisingly disappointing (especially after the Wendouree)

A great evening was had by all!

2015 Hentley Farm Riesling - zing and a big lemon hit, floral, the acid is friendly, a lemon sherbert character, clean and mouthwatering. My perception of this "softer" acid profile makes Eden Valley my preferred Aus region for young Rieslings, but very much based on a limited sample size. Not one for the great Riesling thread but a refreshing fun wine.

Hunter wrote:Hi Mike, Gathered from your note, you thinks there's still some good to arise from the 920 ?
Is there much fruit left at this age ?

For my tastes its not yet at its peak. Tons of fruit still there

2013 Brokenwood indigo vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth

Followed by 2010 Bests Thompson family Shiraz (decanting sine 10am this morning)

Tonight its:

2014 Turkey Flat Butchers Block SGM - medium-bodied jubey fruit. Lovely balance and the tiniest hint of tannin grip. Savoury and sweet on the palate. Good gear.

2013 Woods Crampton 'The Big Show' Monastrell Bonvedro Graciano. This is beautiful. Black fruits, jam, earth, wood (old), black pepper, spice. Great acid on the finish. Second (and last!) night this is open. Real interest and character. Yum.

Last night had the 2013 Woods Crampton Barossa Shiraz. Not as good as the Big Show, but excellent quaffing Barossa goodness. At $20 VFM verging on the crazy.

Must explore more of these Woods Crampton wines as I have had three now and all three have been belters!

Cheers

Michael

1996 penfolds bin 28
Past it's prime, sour prunes, currents dried tea leaves, tabaco balsamic. Drink up

Hunter wrote:1996 penfolds bin 28
Past it's prime, sour prunes, currents dried tea leaves, tabaco balsamic. Drink up

What, past it's prime - from the '96 vintage - might it be an off bottle? I've had the '94, about a couple of years ago, it was old but I didn't think it was past it and am holding out for more.

Mahmoud.

Hunter wrote:1996 penfolds bin 28
Past it's prime, sour prunes, currents dried tea leaves, tabaco balsamic. Drink up

No way.... I have had a few bottles lately

2000 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
Cracked a bottle of this last night. Honey yellow. Slightly corked but did not take away from the enjoyment. Salted caramel on the back palate. Thank goodness they now make with screwcap.

Hunter wrote:1996 penfolds bin 28
Past it's prime, sour prunes, currents dried tea leaves, tabaco balsamic. Drink up

sounds cooked
where was the cork sitting in relation to the rim?
ullage?