The Auswine Forum

Nayan and i finished the weekend with 4 hours at Puriri Hills today. I didnt go set up to write notes and didnt expect more than a quick visit but Judy's hospitality is overwhelming at times. Tasted 04,06 estate. 04 06 reserve and 05 pope from bottle as well as various elements of 07,08,09 from barrel. really good wines and interesting to see the two winemakers discussing the more technical aspects of winemaking!! I did get a bit lost!

Great weekend. i look forward to a week with no wine consumption and back on the bike with trying to get the fitness up!!

Complete Auckland wine sluts this weekend. I feel ill from the hedonism.

C

Big up to Craig for exemplary vinous hospitality this weekend. Puriri rocked today. Great to meet someone as inspirational as Judith.

My notes now posted (mistakes will be corrected eventually).
http://www.wineoftheweek.com/archives/wine090531.html
A couple of photos too and in the one with the people, Bick is second from the left and next to him is Craig pouring (and obscuring Mel).

Cheers,
Sue

Great write ups on your respective websites, Craig and Sue - very impressive. For those who haven't read them, I recommend you take a look. I cannot do the same justice to the wines so I have little to add regarding notes - indeed, I found it very difficult to find clear descriptors to match my experience of the wines. The older ones, especially. The 1989 was ethereal and beautiful, but quite unlike anything I've tasted before in a bordeaux blend - truely aged and secondary. I found my usual descriptors came up short!

I'll make a few general observations of the tasting though:

The overall quality was exceptional. I have never had a wine tasting of such quality. The longevity of the wines stood out; the youth of the 1994 (and 1999) was extraordinary. Interestingly to me, the earliest three vintages were clearly in the "old" category, while those from 1994 onwards were no more than middle aged. This difference was very marked, and the earliest wines probably want drinking up over the next few years. As Sue has said in her write up, the 94 could go for another 10 to 15 years easily, judging from our bottle at the weekend.

Another observation that may not have come as a suprise to more experience tasters at the function, but which really struck me, was how much the wines changed in the glass over an hour or so. Of course, I've had wines open up over time, but not like this. The 1989 is a great example - what started as a little reticent and (for me) very hard to describe, ended up incredibly rich, full of smokey caramel and toast - extraordinary.

The last observation from the tasting, is how long the impression of the wines' aromas and tastes stayed with me. Back home in the evening I felt I could still taste and smell them. I think the character of these wines is probably etched into my memory now, which is a good thing, because a tasting like this doesn't come around often!

Last night I fancied a glass of something red, but I couldn't bring myself to be disappointed with a Bordeaux blend of lessor quality just yet, so I popped open a little Nero d'Avola and avoided any comparisons.

Now, how am I going to get hold of some of that 1999 Larose for the cellar... ?

Now, how am I going to get hold of some of that 1999 Larose for the cellar... ?

will pm you

Bick wrote:
Another observation that may not have come as a suprise to more experience tasters at the function, but which really struck me, was how much the wines changed in the glass over an hour or so. Of course, I've had wines open up over time, but not like this. The 1989 is a great example - what started as a little reticent and (for me) very hard to describe, ended up incredibly rich, full of smokey caramel and toast - extraordinary.

Mike

Over recent years, I have noticed a significant difference between wines that I bring up from the cellar the day before I wish to drink them and then open in the morning and wines I bring up during the day they are drunk and pop the cork an hour or so before drinking. The improvement is most noticable where the wines came from the same case.

Mark

Hi Team,

I thought I would register to pass on my thank you's for the effort you have made putting together the tasting on Saturday. (Nayan....I registered on Saturday Night!!)

The afternoon was fantastic and it was amazing to be in a room surrounded by people who are so passionate about our wines.

Again, please come and visit Stonyridge sometime in August/September and enjoy a barrel tasting with our winemaker Summer Bell. I very much look forward to showing our appreciation of your stellar efforts.

Craig & Sue, thank you for your amazingly articulate reviews of the afternoon!!

Once again thank you all and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.

David

Stonyridge Vineyard

Bick wrote:The 1989 was ethereal and beautiful, but quite unlike anything I've tasted before in a bordeaux blend - truely aged and secondary ....
Another observation that may not have come as a suprise to more experience tasters at the function, but which really struck me, was how much the wines changed in the glass over an hour or so. Of course, I've had wines open up over time, but not like this. The 1989 is a great example - what started as a little reticent and (for me) very hard to describe, ended up incredibly rich, full of smokey caramel and toast - extraordinary.

Mike, Thanks for the gladwrap to cover our glasses with the portion of wine we had not finished. I was too tired to taste the wines again on Saturday, so it was about 31 hours after the bottles had been opened that we approached them again. I was worried that the wines might have fallen over - particulary the older wine set - but no - and the 1989 - OMG -what a profoundly sensual experience. Obviously this had an excellent cork and had been very well cellared. I'd love to procure a bottle - but it could be a disappointment if the cellaring provenance is not known.

2005 outstanding - on retasting last night - this is nearing perfection. I was tempted to up my score to 20/20. I wonder, however, if it will be as good as the 1989 is now, in 2025.

Cheers,
Sue

SueNZ wrote:2005 outstanding - on retasting last night - this is nearing perfection. I was tempted to up my score to 20/20. I wonder, however, if it will be as good as the 1989 is now, in 2025.

Cheers,
Sue

I expect it will come down to the individual bottle, Sue, but it would be fascinating to see. I guess you can never be sure - the 96 was lauded for years as the best ever Larose, but its not showing best in 09 (though it is excellent to be fair). If we're all around in 2025, we'll have to test the theory on the 05.

Bick wrote:Great write ups on your respective websites, Craig and Sue - very impressive. For those who haven't read them, I recommend you take a look.

Many thanks Bick. David has sent me the assemblages, so I've now added those to my reviews.

Just wanted to say thank you to Sue for inviting me and it was a pleasure to meet everyone. My only regret is that I had to spit every drop and then dash off to work.

If anyone can say more about how the leftovers evolved when they were drunk up, it would be nice to hear.

I'd very much look forward to more things like these, if you all are of a mind. And next time, I'm swallowing!

Cheers,
Russell

And thanks for coming Russell - it was good to meet you. By the way, I'd like to thank you for the comparative Chateau Montelena 95. You were on a hiding to nothing in a sense opening that up at a big Larose tasting, but it was a pretty nice wine, drinking well, and generous of you to offer it up in such circumstances. Stick around on the forum!

so now is coleraine or SRL better?

now ive tasted most vintages of both wines my impressions are from 1990 on. Judged where ive tried both (had to think and dredge up old notes - a few ive tried only once) and where both produced of course (92 and 93 out). Of course we no the limitations of this method but fun anyway

Vintage/ Winner

1990 Close but Coleraine
1991 easily Coleraine
1994 easily SRL
1995 easily Coleraine
1996 easily SRL
1997 SRL
1998 easily Coleraine
1999 easily SRL
2000 Coleraine
2001 n/a Not tried Coleraine
2002 Coleraine
2003 SRL
2004 SRL
2005 Close! but SRL
2006 n/a Not tried SRL
2007 Close! but Coleraine

Hmmm 7-7 but SRL would win 1989 if we went back one year and you would think it would be odds on for 2008 too

russell wrote:Just wanted to say thank you to Sue for inviting me and it was a pleasure to meet everyone. My only regret is that I had to spit every drop and then dash off to work.

If anyone can say more about how the leftovers evolved when they were drunk up, it would be nice to hear.

I'd very much look forward to more things like these, if you all are of a mind. And next time, I'm swallowing!

Cheers,
Russell

Hi Russell - sorry, too, that you had to rush off to work. Will you be posting your notes here as well on on e-bob? Looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Cheers,
Sue

Sounds like a great tasting guys.

I must say, I've enjoyed this thread and watching all the effort that went into the organisation of it. I was a little surprised when you went away from the usual offline format of dnner to a more formal tasting. I suppose it's better for the wine in some ways but I also think it's nice to taste with food and is possibly more social. I was also very surprised to see the SRL folks not being any extra vintages. If anyone could source the missing vintages, you'd think it would be them. Oh well.

So from this tasting and other notes posted about NZ wines, can I safely assume 2005 is a stellar vintage for Nth Island reds?

So from this tasting and other notes posted about NZ wines, can I safely assume 2005 is a stellar vintage for Nth Island reds?

No. Stellar in Auckland. Variable in Hawkes Bay.

In fact 05 in Hawkes Bay I feel is over rated. Coleraine was excellent but many were a bit wishy washy and spirity. 07 is far superior in the Bay. In fact 07 is a stellar Hawkes Bay vintage.

08 looks the next stunning auckland vintage and prob not bad in Hawkes Bay either

Kris,

Still in the process of finishing my notes, but I wasn't as wowed by the 2005 as the others were. I can see its charms, but they were far too obvious for me. Given a choice between the 04 and 05, I would heartily plump for the former. For me it has structure the 05 lacks, and will reward patient cellaring for 20 years plus.

Kris,

Still in the process of finishing my notes, but I wasn't as wowed by the 2005 as the others were. I can see its charms, but they were far too obvious for me. Given a choice between the 04 and 05, I would heartily plump for the former. For me it has structure the 05 lacks, and will reward patient cellaring for 20 years plus.

Both 04 and 05 srl will do 20 years

Craig(NZ) wrote:08 looks the next stunning auckland vintage and prob not bad in Hawkes Bay either

From my taste of the 08 Larose yesterday, I concur...

08 was the hottest year i ever remember in Auckland. There was a bit of rain right at the end but wont have affected Cabernets

Hot weather does not necessarily make for great vintages.

Hot weather does not necessarily make for great vintages.

certainly not, but with cabernet Sauv in a marginal climate like nz it helps cab dominant wines. remember. hot in nz is just an avg day in south aussie!! in auckland we call high 20's hot

Craig(NZ) wrote:in auckland we call high 20's hot

And anything around 10, cold

Nayan wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:08 looks the next stunning auckland vintage and prob not bad in Hawkes Bay either

From my taste of the 08 Larose yesterday, I concur...

Very good to hear! [Rubs hands in glee] The cost of my en premeur purchase already forgotten, I now just have to wait for the case to appear on my doorstep in October!

Btw Craig - interested to hear the Puriri Hills 06's were available for tasting... does that reflect general release or special treatment for you from Judy?

Btw Craig - interested to hear the Puriri Hills 06's were available for tasting... does that reflect general release or special treatment for you from Judy?

Yip available if you ask for them. big vintage quantitywise, not really ready to drink yet. No rush. I havent bought any yet. 06 estate not as good as the 05. The 06 reserve is very good but needs some time - not as forward as the 05's. No pope from 06 or 07. Possibly no reserve from 07 although id suggest there will be based on what i tasted

the 07 we tasted from tank was very exciting for me. I loved it. Judy had talked the vintage down in the past but its a dark horse wine. 08's and 09 components looking very good. Not locked down, but current thinking the 07s and 08s will be released together but things change - take with grain of salt.

Nayan wrote:Kris,

Still in the process of finishing my notes, but I wasn't as wowed by the 2005 as the others were. I can see its charms, but they were far too obvious for me. Given a choice between the 04 and 05, I would heartily plump for the former. For me it has structure the 05 lacks, and will reward patient cellaring for 20 years plus.

Nayan, you are young enough to wait the 20 years plus
I wrote in my notes that I though the tannins in the 2004 were initially quite distracting to the point of being unapproachable. Sure they dissolved as they flavours lingered in the mouth - but even revisiting the wine the next the day I couldn't handle the upfront 'structure' of the 2004.
Cheers,
Sue

Nayan, you are young enough to wait the 20 years plus
I wrote in my notes that I though the tannins in the 2004 were initially quite distracting to the point of being unapproachable. Sure they dissolved as they flavours lingered in the mouth - but even revisiting the wine the next the day I couldn't handle the upfront 'structure' of the 2004.
Cheers,
Sue

Yip, it isnt a wine designed to throw back 5 years from vintage. No one would comment if it was Wendouree or Latour. Buy a Cabernet from a prestige producer and you have to expect to wait. You have to expect it has some structure.

If that isn't a game you want to play, you have to buy something softer - some pinot or merlot

Craig(NZ) wrote:Buy a Cabernet from a prestige producer and you have to expect to wait. You have to expect it has some structure.
If that isn't a game you want to play, you have to buy something softer - some pinot or merlot

Or perhaps the 2005 Stonyridge Larose, which I note that, like me, you voted your favourite.
Cheers,
Sue

Or perhaps the 2005 Stonyridge Larose, which I note that, like me, you voted your favourite.
Cheers,

I cant! you drank my last bottle Oh well, im really glad I opened it. I was right, it was a 'must have' vintage.

Best price im aware of for the 05 is $160. I am thinking 3 bottles of 07 Sophia for $160 may win the day in that buying decision though!

Craig(NZ) wrote:

Or perhaps the 2005 Stonyridge Larose, which I note that, like me, you voted your favourite.
Cheers,

I cant! you drank my last bottle Oh well, im really glad I opened it. I was right, it was a 'must have' vintage.

Best price im aware of for the 05 is $160. I am thinking 3 bottles of 07 Sophia for $160 may win the day in that buying decision though!

Wine Searcher shows two stores selling the 2005 for under $130 - both in Welly.