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

[Mike Hawkins]

2008 Tattinger Artist Collection Sebastio Selgado
wowser!!! I am not usually a big fan of what I consider the gimmicky Champagne releases, but this is a truly stunning wine. Awesome mouth-feel, length and complexity, this needs another 3-5 years in a cool cellar by which time this will be monumental. I am a huge fan of the 2006 Comtes, but I think this just shades it. Amazing.
drink: 2020-2030 95 pts

Wait till you try the 08 Comtes Felix. It destroys anything I’ve had from Taittinger ...... and Comtes is probably my favourite wine on the planet.

What’s the 06 Comtes like?
Pretty sure i see one at my local....

It’s definitely one of the best champagnes from 2006. I think it’s currently a tad more approachable than the 02 and 04 at present. It has a nice balance between the ripeness of the vintage and typical Comtes minerality.

[michel]

Wait till you try the 08 Comtes Felix. It destroys anything I’ve had from Taittinger ...... and Comtes is probably my favourite wine on the planet.

What’s the 06 Comtes like?
Pretty sure i see one at my local....

It’s definitely one of the best champagnes from 2006. I think it’s currently a tad more approachable than the 02 and 04 at present. It has a nice balance between the ripeness of the vintage and typical Comtes minerality.

Thanks Mike

[Dragzworthy]

Moet et Chandon NV Rose
sitting in the Cathay first lounge in HK awaiting flight home to Melb for Xmas, thought i would have a look at this again, given the recent chatter here. Not bad, miles better than the NV, drinkable with good strawberry and chalk. Decent length. 88pts.

Probably the best airline lounge in the world - well at least the business class level is.

So how’s the NV Rose stand up to other growers?

[JamieBahrain]

Needs to be the best lounge in the world due all the delays! Drives me nuts.

Had a Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 which had a pleasant, plummy ripe nose with baking spice. Sweet and full, fast finishing due lack of acidity before a left hook of heat burn. Suitable quaffing - I once thought wine's of this alcohol level were cuddly !

[Mahmoud Ali]

Last night we had most of a 2005 Katnook Estate Riesling, a 2009 Delatite 'Dead Mans Hill' Gewürztraminer, a 2012 Lindeman's St George Cabernet, and a 2009 Quinta do Vallado Touriga National. The Katnook was still youthful, more lime and talc and plenty of acidity. The Delatite had lost it's youthful fruit, showing a drier side with hints of rose and excellent length. The St George, despite it's youth, was drinking very nicely, the tannins were moderate and ripe, the fruit elegant and restrained. The Touriga National has transitioned from it's youthful energy five years ago to a dry, somewhat awkward stage, a bit hard and very much in need of more time to develop.

Cheers .............. Mahmoud.

[sjw_11]

a 2012 Lindeman's St George Cabernet,
Cheers .............. Mahmoud.

I am shocked Mahmoud- you, drinking a red wine of only 5 years age!?!?

[Mahmoud Ali]

What to do, what to do, it was the host's wine and he opened it before I could stop him. I had a 2002 Baileys Shiraz on hand ready to open and decant. Now usually I would say that the wines were the highlight of the evening, and they were, but on this occasion I'm tempted to say that our two girls skinny-dipping in the pool outside was the highlight.

Cheers .............Mahmoud.

[felixp21]

Needs to be the best lounge in the world due all the delays! Drives me nuts.

Had a Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 which had a pleasant, plummy ripe nose with baking spice. Sweet and full, fast finishing due lack of acidity before a left hook of heat burn. Suitable quaffing - I once thought wine's of this alcohol level were cuddly !

yea, the First is awesome, best food going in all HK airport. Sadly, the restaurant is hidden behind the sitting areas/Champagne bar, and has no view.
I use the Cathay lounge when flying QF, simply because there is no QF First in HK. But I still think the Qanti First lounge in Melb is the best in the World, although it has rubbish wines. The view is perfect, food is very good and the massage always a nice treat.

[felixp21]

Wait till you try the 08 Comtes Felix. It destroys anything I’ve had from Taittinger ...... and Comtes is probably my favourite wine on the planet.

What’s the 06 Comtes like?
Pretty sure i see one at my local....

It’s definitely one of the best champagnes from 2006. I think it’s currently a tad more approachable than the 02 and 04 at present. It has a nice balance between the ripeness of the vintage and typical Comtes minerality.

thanks for the tip, Mike, I'll get a case when it comes in up here in HK.

[felixp21]

Moet et Chandon NV Rose
sitting in the Cathay first lounge in HK awaiting flight home to Melb for Xmas, thought i would have a look at this again, given the recent chatter here. Not bad, miles better than the NV, drinkable with good strawberry and chalk. Decent length. 88pts.

Probably the best airline lounge in the world - well at least the business class level is.

So how’s the NV Rose stand up to other growers?

I just love Rose Champagne... the most versatile wine on the planet. This was OK, nothing special. Of the big fellas, I really like the Pol Roger standard Rose offering. But I much prefer the small houses, usually from down in the Aube. They are really starting to make ridiculously good Rose's down there.

[felixp21]

... and indeed, a little tip: with Global warming, the old Bouzy Rouge are starting to come into their own... well worth a look!!!

[Hacker]

Moet et Chandon NV Rose
sitting in the Cathay first lounge in HK awaiting flight home to Melb for Xmas, thought i would have a look at this again, given the recent chatter here. Not bad, miles better than the NV, drinkable with good strawberry and chalk. Decent length. 88pts.

Probably the best airline lounge in the world - well at least the business class level is.

So how’s the NV Rose stand up to other growers?

I just love Rose Champagne... the most versatile wine on the planet. This was OK, nothing special. Of the big fellas, I really like the Pol Roger standard Rose offering. But I much prefer the small houses, usually from down in the Aube. They are really starting to make ridiculously good Rose's down there.

The best rose champers comes from Selosse for my tastes. Don't get to try it much, but usually worth it. Slight bottle variation can make it a lottery.

[mjs]

At Paris Go last night with grb2001 and better halves

1998 Katnook Odyssey (magnum)
1990 Lindemans St George
1990 Lindemans Limestone Ridge

All really enjoyable older wines in superb nick, the Katnook will go for yonks, both Lindies at their peak, I was in a happy place

Best wishes to all forumites for a happy and safe festive season!

[Mahmoud Ali]

Had a 2011 Paxton Shiraz Rose, Mclaren Vale, last night, from a six-pack that had been ordered and ignored by the in-laws for a number of years. Thinking it might be a simple aperitif early on a warm summers day I was pleasantly surprised by the earthy, savoury character that had developed with six years in bottle. There was a faint remnant of sweet shiraz but it was the fresh savouriness that dominated. The colour had lost it's rosiness and had taken on a browning dark orange hue.

The rose was much better than another older wine that I found and opened, the 2012 Soumah 'Skye Blox' Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. I had never heard of Soumah but was hopeful since it was a Yarra wine. Although it was serviceable with the salmon steaks it was a bit stodgy, clumsy dry oak and dull, broad profile. My impression of the name was that it was an entry-level wine not suited to any aging.

Mahmoud.

[mjs]

Needs to be the best lounge in the world due all the delays! Drives me nuts.

Had a Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 which had a pleasant, plummy ripe nose with baking spice. Sweet and full, fast finishing due lack of acidity before a left hook of heat burn. Suitable quaffing - I once thought wine's of this alcohol level were cuddly !

yea, the First is awesome, best food going in all HK airport. Sadly, the restaurant is hidden behind the sitting areas/Champagne bar, and has no view.
I use the Cathay lounge when flying QF, simply because there is no QF First in HK. But I still think the Qanti First lounge in Melb is the best in the World, although it has rubbish wines. The view is perfect, food is very good and the massage always a nice treat.

Agree, CX First Class lounge at Chep Lap Kok is very good, but it was bloody cold in there when we there in July. QF First lounge in Melb is excellent as you say, much better than the bun fight in Sydney. But for the sheer excess, its hard to beat the Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai, wine, food, other facilities and amenities. Its massive and has exits that lead directly to every gate.

[Chuck]

Santarossa Vineyards Better Half NV Yarra Valley Pinot Chardonnay. Nice pleasant style of bubbles. Some apple. In the dryer style we prefer.

Di Giorgio Family 2008 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Under cork and the cork gods were kind. Good example of the vintage being fully ripe with no hints of greenery. Medium to full body. Black fruits. Plenty of gas in the tank.

Leconfield 2015 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Not like the last bottle and a little disappointing. A bit thin and lacking primary fruit flavours. Bad bottle or was because it from a different batch and perhaps different barrel blends? The 2 bottles were purchased about 9 months apart.

Carl

[George Krashos]

Rockford BP Shiraz 2012, thanks to a generous restaurant host. More advanced than I would have expected, soft tannins, round mouthfeel and not much of an acid bite. In a bit of a flat spot?

-- George Krashos

[TiggerK]

Annual (Try to beat your) 'Wine of the Year' tasting with some Grape Mates at Bentley on Fri night.

If Dave vino doesn't beat me to it, will try to get a write up done over Xmas.

Krug was 96,98,00, PYCM M-P 11,14, DRC Monty was 2010, Richebourg was 96, Musigny was 95. Gaja SSL were 90 and 04. LaLa's both 07, Armagh 92, Riddoch 88, Vouvray 95. All showed well, cork gods were very kind. What a night! Merry Christmas Everyone.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/Untitled-3.jpg[/img]

[felixp21]

Needs to be the best lounge in the world due all the delays! Drives me nuts.

Had a Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 which had a pleasant, plummy ripe nose with baking spice. Sweet and full, fast finishing due lack of acidity before a left hook of heat burn. Suitable quaffing - I once thought wine's of this alcohol level were cuddly !

yea, the First is awesome, best food going in all HK airport. Sadly, the restaurant is hidden behind the sitting areas/Champagne bar, and has no view.
I use the Cathay lounge when flying QF, simply because there is no QF First in HK. But I still think the Qanti First lounge in Melb is the best in the World, although it has rubbish wines. The view is perfect, food is very good and the massage always a nice treat.

Agree, CX First Class lounge at Chep Lap Kok is very good, but it was bloody cold in there when we there in July. QF First lounge in Melb is excellent as you say, much better than the bun fight in Sydney. But for the sheer excess, its hard to beat the Emirates First Class lounge in Dubai, wine, food, other facilities and amenities. Its massive and has exits that lead directly to every gate.

oh, gosh, I forgot!!!
yea, the wine list is ridiculously good!! Top PC white Burgundy, super Second Bordeaux, and the food is three hat stuff!!!

[felixp21]

Annual (Try to beat your) 'Wine of the Year' tasting with some Grape Mates at Bentley on Fri night.

If Dave vino doesn't beat me to it, will try to get a write up done over Xmas.

Krug was 96,98,00, PYCM M-P 11,14, DRC Monty was 2010, Richebourg was 96, Musigny was 95. Gaja SSL were 90 and 04. LaLa's both 07, Armagh 92, Riddoch 88, Vouvray 95. All showed well, cork gods were very kind. What a night! Merry Christmas Everyone.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/Untitled-3.jpg[/img]

who won out of the Wynns JR and the DRC Monty??

[catchnrelease]

Annual (Try to beat your) 'Wine of the Year' tasting with some Grape Mates at Bentley on Fri night.

If Dave vino doesn't beat me to it, will try to get a write up done over Xmas.

Krug was 96,98,00, PYCM M-P 11,14, DRC Monty was 2010, Richebourg was 96, Musigny was 95. Gaja SSL were 90 and 04. LaLa's both 07, Armagh 92, Riddoch 88, Vouvray 95. All showed well, cork gods were very kind. What a night! Merry Christmas Everyone.

Holy F....

How were the DRCs?

[michel]

Annual (Try to beat your) 'Wine of the Year' tasting with some Grape Mates at Bentley on Fri night.

If Dave vino doesn't beat me to it, will try to get a write up done over Xmas.

Krug was 96,98,00, PYCM M-P 11,14, DRC Monty was 2010, Richebourg was 96, Musigny was 95. Gaja SSL were 90 and 04. LaLa's both 07, Armagh 92, Riddoch 88, Vouvray 95. All showed well, cork gods were very kind. What a night! Merry Christmas Everyone.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/Untitled-3.jpg[/img]

who won out of the Wynns JR and the DRC Monty??

1996 DRC Richebourg two weeks ago was haunting with typical 96 tannins
How was yours?
Oh and the 2010 Monty?

[dave vino]

Annual (Try to beat your) 'Wine of the Year' tasting with some Grape Mates at Bentley on Fri night.

If Dave vino doesn't beat me to it, will try to get a write up done over Xmas.

Krug was 96,98,00, PYCM M-P 11,14, DRC Monty was 2010, Richebourg was 96, Musigny was 95. Gaja SSL were 90 and 04. LaLa's both 07, Armagh 92, Riddoch 88, Vouvray 95. All showed well, cork gods were very kind. What a night! Merry Christmas Everyone.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/Untitled-3.jpg[/img]

All yours Timbo. I still haven't managed to get out of bed with the flu since Saturday, really fun Xmas so far.

Rest of the photos if anyone is interested.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/Bent1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/bent2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/122017/bent3.jpg[/img]

[Con J]

Very nice line up and the food looks awesome.

Cheers Con.

[Chuck]

Wolf Blass 2005 Grey Label Cabernet Sauvignon. Not sure where the fruit is from but it was clearly from a warm area. Barossa? Either that or it was left to hang on the vine past normal picking time. Soft and round in the WB style as was the heavy use of oak. Soft tannins and low acid. Medium to full bodied. Not my style but OK with BBQ food.

A couple of bottles of Moet NV. OK without being good French.

A recent Duck Creek Shiraz. Forgot the name but Blahh.

Carl

[Ian S]

A wonderfully eclectic mix of wines for lunch today:
2005 Azienda Agricola Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva Villa Bucci Still in very fine shape, with youthful mint/fennel/fruit still just edging the honey of maturity. All with a faint touch of bitterness that added a little additional definition.
2010 Foradori Fontanasanta Nosiola Initially richer, with a hint of Timorasso-like density, but with time in the glass it opened out into a very complex white, with no hint of showing its age. I've just picked up a 2016, so this may have to wait a decade.
1999 Chianti (forget the producer/exact wine) again at a lovely point in its evolution, with good fruit and some tannin still there, but with some lovely barnyardy richness. Chianti - the cellaring wine that rarely gets cellared.
1966 Pichon-Lalande. Very true to the region, and in remarkably fine shape for a half bottle (fill was still in the neck, despite a very crumbly cork which thankfully came out fine with a butler's thief). Still quite strikingly youthful blackcurrant, leafiness and a little tobacco, but with air the complexity came through well, all in a pleasingly (but not excessively) lean structure.
2001?Felsina vin Santo I prefer this style where the oxidation plays second fiddle to the dried fruit. Now I still prefer what Avignonesi produce, but the price difference is significant.

[Sean]

deleted

[Hacker]

Daughters 21st, all 1996 vintage.
1996 Dom, wow, in such a good place at present.
1996 Krug, I'm sorry, I just don't get this. Way too acidic to be enjoyed. But I must be missing the point as so many love it.
1996 Rockford BP, amazing, the BEST bottle of Barossa shiraz I have tasted. Just gorgeous.
Also a 2014 Voyager chardonnay, great Margaret River juice.

[Chuck]

Daughters 21st, all 1996 vintage.
1996 Dom, wow, in such a good place at present.
1996 Krug, I'm sorry, I just don't get this. Way too acidic to be enjoyed. But I must be missing the point as so many love it.
1996 Rockford BP, amazing, the BEST bottle of Barossa shiraz I have tasted. Just gorgeous.
Also a 2014 Voyager chardonnay, great Margaret River juice.

Any chance you can adopt me.

[Hacker]

Daughters 21st, all 1996 vintage.
1996 Dom, wow, in such a good place at present.
1996 Krug, I'm sorry, I just don't get this. Way too acidic to be enjoyed. But I must be missing the point as so many love it.
1996 Rockford BP, amazing, the BEST bottle of Barossa shiraz I have tasted. Just gorgeous.
Also a 2014 Voyager chardonnay, great Margaret River juice.

Any chance you can adopt me.

It was just a family do luckily. Otherwise it would have been Grandin and 'The Big Bold Shiraz' that scored good points a year ago.
Mind you, the fam roll their eyes at my 'eccentricity', but I didn't see them refusing the wine.