Okay, since we're down to just five I don't think I'll take the magnum now - sorry Nayan, but it seems a bit of a waste.
With the reduced numbers I'd focus more on variety than quantity, so with rooview absent I'm thinking of taking a sparkling (red or white) and/or an aromatic new-release white to open with, and a classic Aussie red with a bit of bottle age.
Now I'm taking a new release aromatic white, a recent red and an older one too (one mid-weight, the other probably full-bodied). I figured the menu is tailored to suit more reds so I passed on the sparkling.
Not sure as whether to bag them up as options yet - maybe just the white.
rooview wrote:Since I piked I'm sure the wines will all be magnificent and free of taint from corks, poor storage or plain 'bad karma' tonight!!
Since I'm going that's no guarantee, although I'm not taking any 1998s to improve my chances.
rooview wrote:To makeup for my sins, perhaps I need to organise the next one? We could do a big one in December at Grange (if the budget stretches that far) with a theme of 'excellent wines from around the world' - yes that includes Aussie.
You've got the job - at least I know you'll show up to that one!
rooview wrote:Was impressed by 2006 S.C. Pannell Sauvignon Blanc and 2005 Marius Symposium Shiraz/Mataro at lunch. Nice oak influence (oh so subtle) on the sauv blanc! Marius a great wine for current consumption - no harsh acid spike, no raisined fruit, clean - complex and good length. A little warm (physical temperature on drinking) but still wonderful. A big salute to the little guys doing a great job!
If we do Grange will be happy to contribute Krug and some other deliciousness. Lets get Roger Pike, partner and some wine makers going out on a limb to this one! No more wine bitching but wine celebration!
I got a bottle of the Symposium at Mark's last charity auction and will pick it up tomorrow. I was lucky enough to try an advanced sample at the beginning of the year and was blown away at how approachable this rich, chocolaty wine was back then. I remember Roger saying he showed it to a couple of Americans who immediately wanted to buy the whole lot to ship overseas - you have to hand it to Roger for the way he looks after his local supporters (along with how good his wines are!).
