The Auswine Forum

Felix. Thanks for the story, but only one example?

2016: Value wines that are sure to impress (IMO:) )

Puy Arnaud
Les Troix Croix (as usual)
Grand Ormeau
Fontenil
de Reignac
Taillefer (as usual)
La Commanderie
Roc de Cambes (getting up there in price, though)... his Tertre Roteboeuf is the right bank wine of the vintage for me
Siaurac
Villemaurine
Coufran
Puygeuraud
Cantemerle
Bellefont Belcier.

I am sure there are hundreds more, but the above really impressed me. Have no idea what will be available for retail down there.

2009 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28
Screwcap. Decanted for an hour and removed a fair bit of sediment. Wine otherwise was clear but dark purple with only the slightest signs of aging.
Initial nose was of stewed strawberries, some cigar box and vanilla and dark chocolate. After time in the decanter and swirling, came more darker fruits like blackcurrants with menthol and eucalyptus, a bit like a packet of blackcurrant soothers lozenges.
The taste didn't change much over the course of 2 hours and had some mostly resolved fine tannins but with some alcohol heat and definite American oak.
Finish was medium plus length and I kind of wished I had this with some lamb chops or a juicy steak instead of having it on its own as it was a bit monodimensional. Wasn't too bad but nothing special. I think it is at its drinking peak and can hold for a few more years but not getting any better. 88pts

Thanks Felix. Cantemerle is a classified growth, but still good value.

Matt@5453 wrote:2016 Unico Zelo Cherry Fields Dolcetto, Polish Hill River, Clare Valley

A light and ‘bright’ wine. Cherry driven, good acidity with some dusty tannins. I’d describe as savoury. Good wine, but I'd recommend to consume with food

Agree, Bright wine with a lot of morello cherry and bright acidity, but with food (preferably tomato-based) - very nice, Savoury and light but not too light!

Cheers

Michael

deejay81 wrote:2009 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28
Screwcap. Decanted for an hour and removed a fair bit of sediment. Wine otherwise was clear but dark purple with only the slightest signs of aging.
Initial nose was of stewed strawberries, some cigar box and vanilla and dark chocolate. After time in the decanter and swirling, came more darker fruits like blackcurrants with menthol and eucalyptus, a bit like a packet of blackcurrant soothers lozenges.
The taste didn't change much over the course of 2 hours and had some mostly resolved fine tannins but with some alcohol heat and definite American oak.
Finish was medium plus length and I kind of wished I had this with some lamb chops or a juicy steak instead of having it on its own as it was a bit monodimensional. Wasn't too bad but nothing special. I think it is at its drinking peak and can hold for a few more years but not getting any better. 88pts

Sad where this label floundered. I hope it is picking up, but will take a lot more time to get back to where it was.

Apparently I only have one of the 2009 in the cellar so clearly wasn't impressed as I still buy when I am (or when it's okay - sentimental wine).

Cheers

Michael

2014 Head Wines "The Brunette"
very good wine
still very young, deep, dark impenetrable colour, big auusie shiraz
but really nice and spicey, great dark concentrated fruit, perfect for the lamb roast it went with on a cold rainy wintery night.
I've only had the entry label heads up until now, and glad I tried their next level up.
this should cellar very well but not disappoint if you open it sooner
just let it breathe a bit first

Couple of recent wines...

• 2015 Sebastien David Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil l'Hurluberlu - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil (6/4/2017) 86 pts.
  
• 2013 Fotsch Chardonnay Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/4/2017)
  This wine is made with a mix of fermentation in stainless steel and fermentation in French oak. Bottled under cork at 14% abv.
  
  Burnished yellow, not quite trending to gold but the oak and the age are clearly apparent. This is definitely in the richer, riper end of the spectrum. Rich apricots, cream, good acid. Perhaps a bit one dimensional, lacking real finesse on the finish. Drink up. (85 pts.)
• 2016 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (5/13/2017)
  No formal notes, but this is wonderful for the price. Incredible fruit purity. The sweetness is very balanced with the acid, and the palate is pleasantly intense, with a long finish. Will be very long lived. Now to 2030 at least. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Some wines over the past four months

1986 Kaiser Stuhl Red Ribbon Shiraz - best showing yet. In superb nick and could have passed for a 1996 or 1998 release. Tons of vibrant fruit and really good length.

1986 Penfolds Bin 389 - a tad dried out and austere

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardy - a fantastic bottle. Lot of toast and nuts and a long, long finish.

2004 Taittinger CdC BdB x 4 - I know all the other forums rave about the 2006, but I prefer this release. Its still really young, but balances power, elegance and complexity beautifully. I love it.

1995 Heidseick Blanc des Millenaires x 4 - each bottle was great, and they came from 3 different cases in 3 different countries. Lots of toast and honey on the nose and a chalky, minerally finish.

1986 Wynns John Riddoch x 3 - just a whisker behind the 1982. This is a fantastic aged cabernet, and what modern releases should aspire to.

1991 Penfolds St Henri - a little one dimensional, but some nice fruit.

1996 Penfolds St Henri - boring. So much so, a case just went to Langtons.

1990 Penfolds St Henri - really, really good. It been a while since I've had the 1990 Grange, but I can only imagine it is superb if the fruit in it is better than the St Henri.

2003 Chateau Rieussec - in a weird phase. Will revisit in a couple of years.

2001 Trimbach Freddy Emile - awesome wine from one of my favourite producers.

2005 Grosset Polish Hill - developing some secondary characters. Interesting.

2002 Grosset Polish Hill - this lives up to the vintage hype. Perhaps my favourite vintage of this benchmark Aussie rizza.

1990 Henschke Mt Edelstone x 5 - save for one bottle that was a bit tired, the rest were sensational. Complexity, length, balance with trademark malty oak finish. I could happily drink it every day.

1991 St Hallett Old Block x 3 - a decent whack of oak wraps itself around some pristine shiraz fruit. Really enjoyable.

2001 Moss Wood cabernet - loved it. Just a bit too young.

1983 Chateau Mouton - an austere and tannic vintage, but there is some good fruit hiding in there. Enjoyable.

2006 Dom Perignon x 5 - I'm not sure what to make of this, much like the 2005. Ok, but for the money, the Comtes is clearly superior. Interesting to read, following the example of Cristal, that they will be releasing the 2009 later this year and holding back the 2008 for 18 months (unfortunately).

Mike,
86 Red Ribbon, wow...my 24 gone years ago...must be amazing to have a sub $5 red that drinks so well 30 years latter...makes an absolute mockery of the overblown overpriced Barossa Shiraz that is so common place these days.
Have a few of the 90 St Henri and thankfully a dozen of the 86 JR.
Thanks for the notes.
Cheers
Craig

Mike Hawkins wrote:2002 Grosset Polish Hill - this lives up to the vintage hype. Perhaps my favourite vintage of this benchmark Aussie rizza.

2006 Dom Perignon x 5 - I'm not sure what to make of this, much like the 2005. Ok, but for the money, the Comtes is clearly superior. Interesting to read, following the example of Cristal, that they will be releasing the 2009 later this year and holding back the 2008 for 18 months (unfortunately).

Was the Grosset screwcapped or cork? still fresh? how is it travelling?

As for the Dom, I found it to be very very young but also very different to the 05 Dom. much more/better acid than 05 and def less ripe. But I agree I don't know what to really make of the 06 overall, hopefully it's just too young?

felixp21 wrote:
What you say is entirely correct Ian, although the Fleur de Bouard 2009 is/was not an over-blown wine (unlike the subsequent vintages where most have traits of over-extraction). It has settled into a marvellous claret, albeit in the right bank style. Sadly, I have less than a dozen left, which is stupid, as the wine seems to be continuously improving and has not yet reached it's apogee. For $45, it might well be my greatest ever "value" purchase. Wish I had got more!!
Intersestingly, a lot of the 2010 cheapies have either really fallen apart, or are in a dumb stage, the tannins have turned to fierce and green in many examples, a worrying progression. Many do not seem to have developed in the same way as their 2009 siblings (Fleur de Bouard being one of many examples)

I definitely agree with your distinction between the 2009s and 2010. For me, the non-classified 2009 are flush, rich and totally enjoyable at present. I have cracked the odd Ch Potensac and Ch Poujeaux in the past six months and each has been a joy to drink.

In terms of 2010, I have opened both Ch Chasse-Spleen and Cantemerle 2010 (which I saw Gary had rated at 95) this year from the cellar. My take is both are tannic beasts and definitely shut down. Whilst I don't doubt they will both be superb one day, the 2010 are at least 5-10 years off being ready to drink. Opening any of these now seems just a complete waste of money and potential.

As for the classified growths I haven't tried any from either vintage based on the progress the non-classified are making.

2004 Taylors Wines Jaraman Riesling, Clare Valley

A honeyed nose with a hint of toast. The colour is only slightly golden, holding on much better than one would think for its age. The palate is all brown lime cordial, with the acidity all but completely resolved leading to a delicate finish. A surprise and very enjoyable!

A great way to kick into a long weekend.

rooman wrote:As for the classified growths I haven't tried any from either vintage based on the progress the non-classified are making.

....erm, apart from Cantemerle

Mike Hawkins wrote:Some wines over the past four months

1986 Kaiser Stuhl Red Ribbon Shiraz - best showing yet. In superb nick and could have passed for a 1996 or 1998 release. Tons of vibrant fruit and really good length.

1986 Penfolds Bin 389 - a tad dried out and austere

1995 Leeuwin Art Series Chardy - a fantastic bottle. Lot of toast and nuts and a long, long finish.

2004 Taittinger CdC BdB x 4 - I know all the other forums rave about the 2006, but I prefer this release. Its still really young, but balances power, elegance and complexity beautifully. I love it.

1995 Heidseick Blanc des Millenaires x 4 - each bottle was great, and they came from 3 different cases in 3 different countries. Lots of toast and honey on the nose and a chalky, minerally finish.

1986 Wynns John Riddoch x 3 - just a whisker behind the 1982. This is a fantastic aged cabernet, and what modern releases should aspire to.

1991 Penfolds St Henri - a little one dimensional, but some nice fruit.

1996 Penfolds St Henri - boring. So much so, a case just went to Langtons.

1990 Penfolds St Henri - really, really good. It been a while since I've had the 1990 Grange, but I can only imagine it is superb if the fruit in it is better than the St Henri.

2003 Chateau Rieussec - in a weird phase. Will revisit in a couple of years.

2001 Trimbach Freddy Emile - awesome wine from one of my favourite producers.

2005 Grosset Polish Hill - developing some secondary characters. Interesting.

2002 Grosset Polish Hill - this lives up to the vintage hype. Perhaps my favourite vintage of this benchmark Aussie rizza.

1990 Henschke Mt Edelstone x 5 - save for one bottle that was a bit tired, the rest were sensational. Complexity, length, balance with trademark malty oak finish. I could happily drink it every day.

1991 St Hallett Old Block x 3 - a decent whack of oak wraps itself around some pristine shiraz fruit. Really enjoyable.

2001 Moss Wood cabernet - loved it. Just a bit too young.

1983 Chateau Mouton - an austere and tannic vintage, but there is some good fruit hiding in there. Enjoyable.

2006 Dom Perignon x 5 - I'm not sure what to make of this, much like the 2005. Ok, but for the money, the Comtes is clearly superior. Interesting to read, following the example of Cristal, that they will be releasing the 2009 later this year and holding back the 2008 for 18 months (unfortunately).

couldn't agree more
MW 2001 is a young bruiser

i too recall kaiser stuhl red and green with great memories...

deejay81 wrote:

Mike Hawkins wrote:2002 Grosset Polish Hill - this lives up to the vintage hype. Perhaps my favourite vintage of this benchmark Aussie rizza.

2006 Dom Perignon x 5 - I'm not sure what to make of this, much like the 2005. Ok, but for the money, the Comtes is clearly superior. Interesting to read, following the example of Cristal, that they will be releasing the 2009 later this year and holding back the 2008 for 18 months (unfortunately).

Was the Grosset screwcapped or cork? still fresh? how is it travelling?

As for the Dom, I found it to be very very young but also very different to the 05 Dom. much more/better acid than 05 and def less ripe. But I agree I don't know what to really make of the 06 overall, hopefully it's just too young?

IIRC, it was screwcap, and very fresh and youthful. Really really good wine for the money.

As for DP, I normally buy a couple of cases of most vintages, but will skip 05 and 06

A customer brought in a j.l chave white hermitage tonight, 2008. He had worked 3 vintages for Jean..
Sent in a glass for the boys in the kitchen. Corked ... pretty dissapointing. Geez, hope i never come across this in the reds of his i have.

michel wrote:

Mike Hawkins wrote:2001 Moss Wood cabernet - loved it. Just a bit too young.

couldn't agree more
MW 2001 is a young bruiser

I recently had one of these, and it was a little underwhelming. Certainly still too young, maybe time will lift it. It was drunk in the company of a Woodlands 2004 Margaret, which was way better on the night.

swirler wrote:

rooman wrote:As for the classified growths I haven't tried any from either vintage based on the progress the non-classified are making.

....erm, apart from Cantemerle

Apologies. At the time I purchased it, it was so cheap compared to other "names" I forgot it was classified.

2005 La Clemence, Pomerol, Bordeaux
fantastic quaffer, I have zipped thru half a case in the past month. Another wonderful 05 right bank, and 12 years down the track this is drinking very well, probably just entering it's plateau.
round and plummy, superb length and complexity, it surely bats well above it's station.
the lower-tier right bank 05's are really starting to shine, and represent amazing value.

2005 Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz What more do you need on a cold winter night - Fantastic full bodied Barossa Shiraz, drinking really well, hardly showing its age. Oak/fruit in balance, may tastes have changed to lighter bodied reds, however this one does not disappoint revitalising my interest in big bold Shiraz's - plenty of life left in it.

2007 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz Opened after the Filsell (I know in the wrong order) - sadly could not compete. Very one dimensional. Decided to give it a second chance - tasting it on the next night with little changing. Dark fruits and liquorice.Still have 6 left in the cellar - not certain if they will improve any more.

Thought I'd have a nice rainy day, big shiraz in the 2012 Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger. It had a suspended sediment all through it as if I'd done a Mollydooker shake.

Amazing how much difference it makes to the wine once filtered.

2009 Castagna Genesis Syrah
Such a lovely wine especially on a cold rainy wintery night
great dark fleshy fruit, beautiful savouriness, juicy gamey red meat, good acid, very soft silky tannins
what more could you ask for at the start of winter in Oz

2014 St John's Road Line and Length Cab Sav.

Looking at this wine in the glass it presents a dark crimson, semi opaque look.
On the nose I'm getting chocolate, dark cherries and a little vanilla bean.
There's a slight greeness/green capsicum note that seems to run in the background adding a nice level of complexity.
On the palate the oak is definitely presenting itself but not overwhelming.
There's a nice little line of acidity running thru in the background giving way to some chalky/powdery tannins.
The finish falls away pretty quickly but all in all this is a nice little drop.
At 16 beans pretty good value I'd say.

Phil H wrote:2005 Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz What more do you need on a cold winter night - Fantastic full bodied Barossa Shiraz, drinking really well, hardly showing its age. Oak/fruit in balance, may tastes have changed to lighter bodied reds, however this one does not disappoint revitalising my interest in big bold Shiraz's - plenty of life left in it.

2007 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz Opened after the Filsell (I know in the wrong order) - sadly could not compete. Very one dimensional. Decided to give it a second chance - tasting it on the next night with little changing. Dark fruits and liquorice.Still have 6 left in the cellar - not certain if they will improve any more.

Don't be fooled by the Chalambar. They can really come around. Worth holding in my opinion.

First bottle of an auction punt - Morgan Simpson 2010 Basket Pressed McLaren Vale Shiraz. Bid on this by accident when looking at the 2012 model. Eye watering 15.9% alcohol but I must say the wine was quite balanced. Not for the faint hearted it's a real fruit bomb but quite pleasant. Not at all as sweet as I thought it might be. Nice black fruit flavours from a great vintage. Great QPR and may look out for more of it.

Carl

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I have notes
Seriously very special wines for my mates birthday
Any questions just ask
The sauterne was served last

Superb line up Michel.... were the Perrin Brett-monsters?

You can come to my birthday party