Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

[Matt@5453]

I dropped into La Prova Wines / Scott Wines Cellar Door in the Adelaide Hills on the weekend.

I hate using the term ‘alternative’ varieties, but this is what Sam Scott specialises in. Interesting a number of punters came through the door, looked at the tasting list and left without trying. A shame, some very good wines to be had.

A tasting flight is offered with 5 wines and a small cheese plate, I think this was $10, but was not charged it. I went the flight option but as I was there towards the end of the day, I tasted a few more wines with the cellar door manager (who was very knowledgeable and passionate about the wines, winemaking techniques used, but without the ‘selling’ techniques).

I tried the following, with brief impressions:

2016 La Prova Pinot Grigio, Adelaide Hills – a good example, pears, great mouth feel, very good acidity

2016 La Prova Fiano, Adelaide Hills – delicate, racy acidity, nice finish

2016 La Prova Nero d’Avola, McLaren Vale – pepper / spice on the nose, juicy dark fruits and berries, good tannin and acidity. I’d try this again in another 6-12 months. Very good

2016 La Prova Nero d’Avola, Barossa Valley – very similar to the McLaren Vale wine, but the McLaren Vale wine has additional pepper notes. I really enjoyed the Barossa version for my taste buds.

2013 La Prova Nero d’Avola, Barossa Valley – nicely aged, with a touch of leather, the acid and tannins have resolved nicely. Great to try. I’d try this again in another 6-12 months. Very good.

2015 La Prova Montepulciano, Langhorne Creek – dark fruits, spices and good tannin

2016 La Prova Pinot Nero, Adelaide Hills – stunning aromatics on the nose, very pinot like. The palate was more like a Nero d’Avola, displaying very good tannin structure. Give this 1-2 years in bottle and should be delicious

2015 La Prova Sangiovese, Adelaide Hills – light/medium bodied, earthy, funky with a good tannin structure. This was my favourite on the day – bought a few bottles.

Overall the wines are very good expressions of the varieties, on the lighter end / spectrum of wines with focus on the fruit; I believe most of the wines are unfined and unfiltered. It was great to try the Nero’s side by side from two different regions and one with a touch of age on it. The best part is they are not overpriced, all retailing for about $25.

The cellar door is only open on the first weekend of every month – worth seeking out in my view.

I also dropped into Rockford on Sunday (briefly) as I was driving past the Barossa. A total waste of time to be honest. The tasting room was at least 3 people deep with even more people overflowing out into the court yard. There was an Air Show on in the Barossa that day, so I can only blame myself. But it was 'heaving' with people.

I managed to get to the counter to buy what I needed (Basket Press, Moppa Springs and Riesling). I hate large crowds in cellar doors - where the cellar door staff only just pour a wine and move onto the next person, but I did try the ’13 Basket Press whilst I had the chance. I thought it was very ‘closed’, it’s got good body and good line of acidity and tannin structure to carry it, the cellar door staff are saying to allow at least 15 years. The cellar door staff were spruiking that the winemakers are saying that the 2013 will cellar better than the 2012 due to the tannin structure. Time will tell. I did not try or buy the Rifle Range, as I was sick of rubbing shoulders with the punters next to me. May go back for look another day on a week day instead.

[Scotty vino]

I dropped into La Prova Wines / Scott Wines Cellar Door in the Adelaide Hills on the weekend.

I hate using the term ‘alternative’ varieties, but this is what Sam Scott specialises in. Interesting a number of punters came through the door, looked at the tasting list and left without trying. A shame, some very good wines to be had.

A tasting flight is offered with 5 wines and a small cheese plate, I think this was $10, but was not charged it. I went the flight option but as I was there towards the end of the day, I tasted a few more wines with the cellar door manager (who was very knowledgeable and passionate about the wines, winemaking techniques used, but without the ‘selling’ techniques).

I tried the following, with brief impressions:

2016 La Prova Pinot Grigio, Adelaide Hills – a good example, pears, great mouth feel, very good acidity

2016 La Prova Fiano, Adelaide Hills – delicate, racy acidity, nice finish

2016 La Prova Nero d’Avola, McLaren Vale – pepper / spice on the nose, juicy dark fruits and berries, good tannin and acidity. I’d try this again in another 6-12 months. Very good

2016 La Prova Nero d’Avola, Barossa Valley – very similar to the McLaren Vale wine, but the McLaren Vale wine has additional pepper notes. I really enjoyed the Barossa version for my taste buds.

2013 La Prova Nero d’Avola, Barossa Valley – nicely aged, with a touch of leather, the acid and tannins have resolved nicely. Great to try. I’d try this again in another 6-12 months. Very good.

2015 La Prova Montepulciano, Langhorne Creek – dark fruits, spices and good tannin

2016 La Prova Pinot Nero, Adelaide Hills – stunning aromatics on the nose, very pinot like. The palate was more like a Nero d’Avola, displaying very good tannin structure. Give this 1-2 years in bottle and should be delicious

2015 La Prova Sangiovese, Adelaide Hills – light/medium bodied, earthy, funky with a good tannin structure. This was my favourite on the day – bought a few bottles.

Overall the wines are very good expressions of the varieties, on the lighter end / spectrum of wines with focus on the fruit; I believe most of the wines are unfined and unfiltered. It was great to try the Nero’s side by side from two different regions and one with a touch of age on it. The best part is they are not overpriced, all retailing for about $25.

The cellar door is only open on the first weekend of every month – worth seeking out in my view.

I also dropped into Rockford on Sunday (briefly) as I was driving past the Barossa. A total waste of time to be honest. The tasting room was at least 3 people deep with even more people overflowing out into the court yard. There was an Air Show on in the Barossa that day, so I can only blame myself. But it was 'heaving' with people.

I managed to get to the counter to buy what I needed (Basket Press, Moppa Springs and Riesling). I hate large crowds in cellar doors - where the cellar door staff only just pour a wine and move onto the next person, but I did try the ’13 Basket Press whilst I had the chance. I thought it was very ‘closed’, it’s got good body and good line of acidity and tannin structure to carry it, the cellar door staff are saying to allow at least 15 years. The cellar door staff were spruiking that the winemakers are saying that the 2013 will cellar better than the 2012 due to the tannin structure. Time will tell. I did not try or buy the Rifle Range, as I was sick of rubbing shoulders with the punters next to me. May go back for look another day on a week day instead.

More first world problems, a crowded cellar door! I hear what you're saying though.
Although the sunday i attended it was fairly civil and i walked straight up to the counter and tasted the full list without any hassles.
it's all in the timing, I've been there when it's been total chaos and I've been there when it was the boss and I and one other couple.
The cellar door festival is the same. Some tasting tables are 10 deep. Come back in 5 mins and it's tumbleweeds.
Seeing some of the flood devastation on the east coast I'm ok rubbing shoulders with a few folk at a cellar door....

[Chuck]

Serafino 2007 McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. Found this buried in the cellar and likely the last. 2007 was a very tough vintage generally in SA (drought) with IMO wines generally "hard" and not pleasant texture with some burnt notes on the palate. However thought this bottle was pretty damn good with lovely powerful black fruits. McLaren Vale does some nice cabernet; more full bodied and richer in flavours than Coonawarra or Margaret River.

Carl

[mjs]

Among a number of other very enjoyable older burgs last night, this was an absolute stand out

2001 Jacques Frederic Mugnier Musigny Grand Cru
mid red garnet, dark fruit bouquet, powerful and elegant at the same time, tannins, structure, later floral notes, perfumed roses, gorgeous wine

[Matt@5453]

Still a bit warm in SA, a few Rieslings opened to compare styles and value, tasted over three days:

2016 O'Leary Walker Watervale Riesling RRP $25

Intense nose and palate of limes and citrus. Great line of acidity, giving a bit of 'cheek pluck'. Some hints of wet stone, very good lingering finish. I reckon this will cellar well given the driving acidity. A better wine than their '16 Polish Hill.

2016 Reg & Co Watervale Riesling RRP $25

Good purity of fruit, a softer wine than the O'Leary Walker. Hints of talc, minerals and hints of lemon pith. The acidity is less pronounced than other Rieslings, drinking bloody well now. Drink in the short term.

2016 Taylors Wines Riesling RRP $20

Nose displays a whiff of honey, honey dew melon and citrus. The palate is heavier than the other two wines, showing more palate weight. Again citrus and minerals. The finish is a tad short, but overall a good Riesling.

My favourite was the O'Leary Walker, I've tried the 2008 recently and that was drinking superb, I think the 2016 will age well.

[rens]

2009 Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva. Nice old world Sangiovese with savoury notes good fruit and slightly puckering tannins with a good finish. Whilst not spectacular, this is a nice wine to enjoy with a tomato based pasta dish. Eventhough 2009 was not the best vintage in Tuscany, I note the 2011 is floating around and is a much better vintage so at $30, I will get a few of the 2011s

[Con J]

Among a number of other very enjoyable older burgs last night, this was an absolute stand out

2001 Jacques Frederic Mugnier Musigny Grand Cru
mid red garnet, dark fruit bouquet, powerful and elegant at the same time, tannins, structure, later floral notes, perfumed roses, gorgeous wine

Agree Malcolm, great wine, I just couldn't stop smelling it.
probably wine of the year so far.

Cheers Con.

[Chuck]

Wynns 2006 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (screwcap). A pleasant but not great wine that leaves me thinking the accountants are pushing more of the better grapes into higher priced wines leaving lesser fruit for this once great label. One could argue the dramatic improvement in vineyard management justifies this. A more commercial wine with black fruits. Oak was shy. Tannins and acids are still in play so maybe more sleep time will help it develop. I hope so. The stelvin will slow development so perhaps a retry in a few years but something keeps telling me it will not improve much.

Carl

[michel]

Among a number of other very enjoyable older burgs last night, this was an absolute stand out

2001 Jacques Frederic Mugnier Musigny Grand Cru
mid red garnet, dark fruit bouquet, powerful and elegant at the same time, tannins, structure, later floral notes, perfumed roses, gorgeous wine

Agree Malcolm, great wine, I just couldn't stop smelling it.
probably wine of the year so far.

Cheers Con.

I agree one of life's truly great wines
Unfortunately I have none left
You are privileged

[Ian S]

This one bought from the UK, but I did pick up some older Portuguese wines from over there recently.

• 2000 Quinta das Bágeiras Bairrada Reserva - Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada (10/04/2017)
  Still good depth to the garnet/claret colour with just a fine band of bricking at the rim.
  The nose is definitely showing some age with black cherry, violet and orange vying with mushroom/caramel/coffee (EDIT and a little liqueur spiritedness emerges with time). Swirling brings a little more fruit out.
  Slightly sour edged acidity is a key element to the palate, not aggressive but neither is it purely supportive. The palate is noticeably less advanced than the nose, with not overly complex subtle but bright red/black fruit and relatively soft but surprisingly grippy tannins.
  
  The structure could certainly support/use a few more years, but I suspect the fruit will struggle to hold on. Interesting, though for most people a little unbalanced. One to drink up over the next 5 years IMO.
  

Postscript. I really like the Baga grape, but this shows why it's a difficult sell, with both acidity and tannins being typically firm, but even for a 'European' palate, the fruit is often light / tangy. Definitely NOT a Parker wine. FWIW I did enjoy the individuality, but also I found it a tasty wine once my palate adjusted to the different profile.

[Hacker]

2006 Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin VV. Night one, I am amazed the French can pack so much into pinot. Thick, rich, unctuous black fruits, more than a hint of barnyard. Not necessarily enjoyable. Night two, lost its mojo. Acid and harsh finish. All this from a producer I love and have a fair bit of. Hopefully just a bad bottle.

2010 Henri Boillot 1er Clos De La Mouchere. Sulphur sulphur sulphur. Hard to conjure up anything I like about this wine. Quite mineral saline as well. Give me a LEAS or Pierro any day or night of the week.

Not happy Jan.

[michel]

2006 Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin VV. Night one, I am amazed the French can pack so much into pinot. Thick, rich, unctuous black fruits, more than a hint of barnyard. Not necessarily enjoyable. Night two, lost its mojo. Acid and harsh finish. All this from a producer I love and have a fair bit of. Hopefully just a bad bottle.

2010 Henri Boillot 1er Clos De La Mouchere. Sulphur sulphur sulphur. Hard to conjure up anything I like about this wine. Quite mineral saline as well. Give me a LEAS or Pierro any day or night of the week.

Not happy Jan.

Fourrier are miss for me
Boillot -never had a dud red or white

[Ozzie W]

2014 Benanti Etna Rosso

A blend of 85% Nerello Mascalese and 15% Nerello Cappuccio.

Ruby red in colour. Red fruits and spices on the nose which are mirrored on the palate. Juicy acidity, mild but firm tannins, savoury finish. Archetypal Etna minerality.

[Ian S]

Almost the opposite end of the country to Ozzie's wine

• 2014 Foradori - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT (14/04/2017)
  Unsurprisingly youthful purple colour.
  The nose a mixture of brambly fruits, black olives, violets and a more earthy/volcanic aspect.
  The palate is lively with persistent & juicy acidity giving the fruit a lovely brightness. Only the faintest bitterness on the finish and light tannins sit in the background.
  
  Remarkably charming now, with no great rush to drink, other than it's rather appealing at the moment.
  

[Ian S]

p.s. that's the CT photo, not mine, though the unusual number of fingers does point to someone born and (in)bred locally

[mjs]

Interesting comparison between 2007 Romney Park Pinot Noir and 2009 Hospices de Beaune Pommard, remarkably similar. The Pommard slightly better tannin structure, the Romney fruit slightly sweeter, but very similar flavour profile.

[rens]

2004 Penfolds Bin 389 From a good vintage but I can not help thinking that all the good fruit got sent to other wines after the 1998. It's not bad and has plenty of legs to go for a long time yet but it has a bit of heat and slightly unbalanced.
2006 Wynns Black Label Another grad vintage with enough going on to maintain the interest. Starting to loose the fruit vs tannin balance a little. The tannins are chalky but just think the fruit is evolving away faster than the tannins. Only time will tell I guess.

[Phil H]

I have been enjoying some aged whites recently which has caused me to re evaluate my cellar, and start concentrating on age worthy whites:
Recently consumed and all drinking towards their peak (I think), but still no hurry
2005 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon Pure class and balance, delightful.
Two great value wines purchased for under $15
2009 St Helga Riesling
2009 Tahbilk Marsanne After trying this, seeking out and interested in trying the Tahbilk 1927 vines Marsanne.

2012 St Hugo GSM Fuller bodied than expected, very dark and concentrated, dark berry fruits with a bit of spice. Enjoyable.

[Matt@5453]

A weekend focused mainly on Riesling, a few ‘vibes’ below:

2016 Vickery Watervale Riesling – lovely wine, my favourite of the weekend. Very harmonious on the palate
2016 Reg & Co Watervale Riesling – crowd favourite, distinctly watervale, but lighter on the acid structure
2016 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling – in the same mould as the Vickery, drinking really well.

A few new and different wines were also consumed:

2016 Vanguardist Wines C'est Facile Sémillon, Adelaide Hills

Unfined, unfiltered and gravity bottled, the result is quite a cloudy wine. Citrus/lemon notes, crisp granny smith apple and fine acidity. Skin contact gives the palate a real textural feel. As the wine warmed up in the glass it had apple cider notes about it. Very different, not to everyone’s taste, but I liked it

2016 Vanguardist Wines C'est Facile Riesling, Clare Valley

Unfined, unfiltered and gravity bottled, very textural in the mouth. Light citrus, minerals and good balanced acidity. Very enjoyable

2016 Sanglier Grenache Shiraz Tannat

Great looking label (well I like it). A blend of grape varieties 45% McLaren Vale Grenache; 35% Clare Valley Shiraz; 20% Adelaide Hills Tannat. Medium bodied at best. It feels quite ‘light’ on the palate with good spice and length. The varieties are well blended and feels quite balanced. It finishes will a touch of grippy tannin. Overall an easy drinking style, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Was nice slightly chilled also.

Last but not least:

2008 Farnese Montepuliciano D'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Riserva

Cork in perfect condition. The nose starting to display some aged characteristics, a touch of leather, dried herbs and spice.
The palate was still showing some primary fruit flavours of dark fruits, spice, pepper and well supported oak with a good savoury finished.

[Bobthebuilder]

2010 Grosset Springvale Riesling - was hesitant to open it so soon but have couple of others so thought it would be good to see where it's at. The lime and lemon flavours have taken on a beautiful concentration with enough development to add some nice complexity. There's a touch of kero present that doesn't steal anything away from the fruit or overpower, and kind of enhances the flavours. Would imagine this will develop nicely over the next few years.

2013 Magella Cabernet Sauvignon - was even more hesitant to open this so young but its drinking beautifully now, benefitting from as much air as possible in the glass or decanter. Text book coona cab, fresh earthiness, blood plums and red berry fruit, the oak putting in some nice savouriness without ruining the freshness of the fruit. Velvet like tannins and good acidity. Looking forward to seeing where this goes tomorrow night for the other half of the bottle. am guessing this would improve over the next 10 years alteast

[gpk]

2004 Penfolds Bin 389 From a good vintage but I can not help thinking that all the good fruit got sent to other wines after the 1998. It's not bad and has plenty of legs to go for a long time yet but it has a bit of heat and slightly unbalanced.
2006 Wynns Black Label Another grad vintage with enough going on to maintain the interest. Starting to loose the fruit vs tannin balance a little. The tannins are chalky but just think the fruit is evolving away faster than the tannins. Only time will tell I guess.

Ren's, could not agree more with your observations on both these wines having tried them also in the last year or so. I still have faith in Wynns and think the 2006 will come around. When I first tried the 1996 10 years ago I was not impressed and also thought the tannin dominated (I actually opened up a 2nd as I thought the 1st was faulty), but it certainly had come together when tried at the last offline and still has years ahead. Like you say time will tell and hopefully Wynns will maintain the quality going into this wine as it is one of my very few regular yearly buys.

cheers Gerry

[rens]

2004 Penfolds Bin 389 From a good vintage but I can not help thinking that all the good fruit got sent to other wines after the 1998. It's not bad and has plenty of legs to go for a long time yet but it has a bit of heat and slightly unbalanced.
2006 Wynns Black Label Another grad vintage with enough going on to maintain the interest. Starting to loose the fruit vs tannin balance a little. The tannins are chalky but just think the fruit is evolving away faster than the tannins. Only time will tell I guess.

Ren's, could not agree more with your observations on both these wines having tried them also in the last year or so. I still have faith in Wynns and think the 2006 will come around. When I first tried the 1996 10 years ago I was not impressed and also thought the tannin dominated (I actually opened up a 2nd as I thought the 1st was faulty), but it certainly had come together when tried at the last offline and still has years ahead. Like you say time will tell and hopefully Wynns will maintain the quality going into this wine as it is one of my very few regular yearly buys.

cheers Gerry

I've been working my way through a dozen of these and have about 4 left. I will hold onto them for a few more years before I open another in the hope that it may come around. If it doesn't it will still be an Ok wine then anyway.

[JamieBahrain]

Had an Aussie BBQ with the beautiful HKG weather at the moment.

Wynn's Micahel shiraz magnum 1998 continues to impress with its soft Coonawarra style and a John Duval Entity 2012 was impressive in balance and texture but needs a decade to evolve.

[Phil H]

2004 Penfolds Bin 28 Decided to make this my mid week quaffer after losing interest in Barossa Shiraz. Dark berry fruits with liquorice, and oak in the background. Needs time to open up. Despite cellar tracker showing it is reaching its end of drinking window, I think there is still a few years left in it yet. Enjoyable.

[Bobthebuilder]

2010 Grosset Springvale Riesling - was hesitant to open it so soon but have couple of others so thought it would be good to see where it's at. The lime and lemon flavours have taken on a beautiful concentration with enough development to add some nice complexity. There's a touch of kero present that doesn't steal anything away from the fruit or overpower, and kind of enhances the flavours. Would imagine this will develop nicely over the next few years.

2013 Magella Cabernet Sauvignon - was even more hesitant to open this so young but its drinking beautifully now, benefitting from as much air as possible in the glass or decanter. Text book coona cab, fresh earthiness, blood plums and red berry fruit, the oak putting in some nice savouriness without ruining the freshness of the fruit. Velvet like tannins and good acidity. Looking forward to seeing where this goes tomorrow night for the other half of the bottle. am guessing this would improve over the next 10 years alteast

revisited both tonight
the grosset hadn't budged, and was still lovely
the majella had seen the acid and tannin subside slightly but noticably, and let the beautiful ripe dark fruits and berries take front stage.
Very impressed with both and glad I committed vinfanticide to be honest!

[rens]

2007 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. This bottle confirms for me that a long decant is warranted on this. By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old. It shows good fruit with cassis, smoked sausage and dusty old books with a long finish and lighter but still grippy tannins. Only just entering its window with another decade to 15 years of good solid drinking ahead of it. Looking forward to the 2008 which is in the 'to drink' wine fridge.

[Ian S]

2004 Penfolds Bin 28 Decided to make this my mid week quaffer after losing interest in Barossa Shiraz. Dark berry fruits with liquorice, and oak in the background. Needs time to open up. Despite cellar tracker showing it is reaching its end of drinking window, I think there is still a few years left in it yet. Enjoyable.

On the whole I find CT, and indeed most critics, overly cautious on drinking windows (excepting Geoff Kelly and occasional acts of macho stupidity from the Wine Advocate crew). I assume many CT windows are copy/paste or at least led by the windows published by critics.

[Rossco]

2011 PV contours riesling. Pretty flat and lifeless. I understand the vintage conditions, and im hoping its in its dumb phase, but on this showing it was uninspiring. Even the nose was mute. I have 2 left and will wait a few years.

[Hacker]

By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old.

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

[mjs]

By that I mean a double decant in the morning and come back in 12-24 hours. This method is becoming my choice for drinking these bigger wines when they are 10-15 years old.

I agree with this, in fact I would stress it. So many times I have done this and have been rewarded. Two examples recently have been 2005 Rockford BP and Woodlands 2004 Margaret. BTW the Margaret was exceptionally good, beating a 2001 Mosswood by a margin.

Same for me. A good decant and revisiting the next day is good way of assessing how a wine might mature and end up in some years' time.