The Auswine Forum

Wynns Black Label 2007 - Spotted one for less that $20 at one the mega retailers, and popped it open last night, gave couple hours in the decanter. Smelled inviting from the get go, and was a lovely smooth balanced wine with good length without any warmth or jerkyness issues, even as a young wine. Could taste some oak but sat nicely with the soft furry tannins (not good at describing those). Now if I could have any confidence that I could find a six pack of the same quality, then I would have no hesitation in putting 6 away. I find it really annoying the inconsistency in these big batch wines! You never know what you're going to get.

Also

Another Scribbler 2007 - just a great wine, regardless of the price. Getting a dozen for the cellar. Was wine of night over a Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz 2005 which was too oaky, even after a long time in the decanter. Needs a time in the cellar, and even then..
MP Philip Shiraz 2007 - another great everyday wine especially for the price. Is my regular house wine but just gotten back onto it. The acid has settled down in this wine and it has really come together. I really think the wine has a bit of complexity, and i get a bit of chocolate. A style that I really enjoy. Bought 6 for quaffing, and dozen gone to the cellar.
Mumm NV - Very good, especially when warmed up, but not amazing, More of a rounded style than some the austere small make NVs I've tried lately.
Tyrells Stevens Semillon 2007 - Great wine, subtle, and great change to the rieslings and chards. Think i got it for $20. Will be back for more.

Went out for the anniversary dinner last night. Didn’t take any notes. The wife would have killed me I think. But could get a nice selection by the glass. Here are my impressions:

Moet & Chandon Vintage 2000. Thought this was stuffed with the first sip. Nothing. Just fizzy water wine. Waited 2 minutes and had another go. Don’t know if it needed time to breathe or come up in temperature but this was real good (monghead scale). Lovely fruit with caramel undertones that lingered long on the back of the palate.

2006 Nazaaray Reserve (Mornington Peninsula). If I didn’t know that this was a Pinot Noir I’d have called it a Grenache. Sweet and somewhat candy like with fantastic strawberry, cherry fruits with subtle oak char and a long finish-also real good (monghead scale). Drank this with a Wild rabbit ragu, porcini, Ligurian olives, pappardelle pasta, and parmesan whilst the wife had a pan seared spiced quail with plum chutney. The wine lacked the oomph to go with either dish so we drank it after finishing the entrees. Nice wine.

Main was a Wagyu sirloin, potato beaucaire, sauté of mushroom and shallots with red wine jus. So we went for the 2004 Leeuwin “Art Series”. A real nice Cabernet. First time trying this and was very impressed. A real multi layered wine with great balance. Only criticism would have to be a slight thinning out on the back palate but that could have also been related to the Wagyu.

All these wines have a way to go.

So much good wine so little money!