The Auswine Forum

WAwineguy wrote:2006 James Irvine Grand Merlot

This was like syrup, treacle. Very thick, and at 15% alcohol quite potent. I think I need to drink the rest of these.

Sounds like the last thing you should be doing with it , but I get what you're saying .

I'm surprised others on here like it.

WAwineguy wrote:2006 James Irvine Grand Merlot

This was like syrup, treacle. Very thick, and at 15% alcohol quite potent. I think I need to drink the rest of these.

We had the 06 at an offline recently and it didn't seem like that (to my recollection)
Maybe others at the offline can shed some more light or tasting notes.

Leoville Barton 1996

Ponet Canet 1996

Rockford Riesling 2005

Trimbach Pinot Blanc Riserva 1996 en magnum. Stealing the show.

Was at a Bordeaux Masterclass & Tasting last night - sadly no classified growths on offer, but some nice wines nonetheless. The 'top' wines on tasting were recent vintages of Segla & Goulee de Cos d'Estournel, but the best were a 2009 Chateau Tour Sieujean, and a 2010 Chateau Lespault Martillac.

I'm not familiar with either of these chateau, but I was really taken aback by the price - around $70 & $85 respectively. Being a few years old probably added to the price, but that seems VERY high for a pair of unclassified Bordeaux wines, even factoring Aussie inflation. Maybe I should post this in the egregious pricing thread...

Not much at all...

Doing dry July...its fu*king killing me...have been to a number of events, drinking mineral water

Cheers Craig

Rossco wrote:

WAwineguy wrote:2006 James Irvine Grand Merlot

This was like syrup, treacle. Very thick, and at 15% alcohol quite potent. I think I need to drink the rest of these.

We had the 06 at an offline recently and it didn't seem like that (to my recollection)
Maybe others at the offline can shed some more light or tasting notes.

I've had the 2006 James Irvine Grand Merlot three times now, and 2004/2005 vintages several times as well. I find quite a bit of bottle variation with these wines (storage? cork?). The one we had at the offline recently was a good bottle, but not a great one. It certainly wasn't syrupy from what I recall.

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phillisc wrote:Not much at all...

Doing dry July...its fu*king killing me...have been to a number of events, drinking mineral water

Cheers Craig

Good job Craig, your almost at the finish line!

Looks like 1996 Henschke Cyril tonight

Over the past week I have had an interesting comparative tasting between the Wynns Black Label 1998 and the Wynns John Riddock 1998.. The former is now drinking beautifully, soft velvety tannins, cedar, leather, tobacco box secondary flavours on full display. By way of contrast, the Wynns JR is still very much closed down, dormant fruit, larger robust tannins. IMO still a waste of money drinking the JR at present. I will try and leave the remaining bottles for another 5-10 years in the belief that eventually it will emerge from its slumber and produce a spectacular wine.

rooman wrote:Over the past week I have had an interesting comparative tasting between the Wynns Black Label 1998 and the Wynns John Riddock 1998.. The former is now drinking beautifully, soft velvety tannins, cedar, leather, tobacco box secondary flavours on full display. By way of contrast, the Wynns JR is still very much closed down, dormant fruit, larger robust tannins. IMO still a waste of money drinking the JR at present. I will try and leave the remaining bottles for another 5-10 years in the belief that eventually it will emerge from its slumber and produce a spectacular wine.

Thanks for this great note and comparison Mark...have approx a dozen of each of these. When I looked at 82, 86, 90 and 91 of these wines side by side, about 5 years ago, I was of the exact impression. 82 BL is an absolute star and expect that John Wade made an assessment that it was time for a top marque. 82 JR beautiful, but pipped by the BL. I found 86 BL to be streets ahead of the 86 JR (IMHO not yet ready) and that 90 and 91 were closer together.
I was lucky to get a couple of magnums of the 82 BL ex winery in the days before corporate bean counters had everything under lock and key, in a mixed 6 magnum pack, 72, 78 thrown in as well, for about $50 per magnum each. I think 2022 will be a good time to open another one.

Cheers
Craig

we had the 91 Black Label the other night... fantastic, and as good as the 90.

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Craig(NZ) wrote:Looks like 1996 Henschke Cyril tonight

How was cyril ?

phillisc wrote:

rooman wrote:Over the past week I have had an interesting comparative tasting between the Wynns Black Label 1998 and the Wynns John Riddock 1998.. The former is now drinking beautifully, soft velvety tannins, cedar, leather, tobacco box secondary flavours on full display. By way of contrast, the Wynns JR is still very much closed down, dormant fruit, larger robust tannins. IMO still a waste of money drinking the JR at present. I will try and leave the remaining bottles for another 5-10 years in the belief that eventually it will emerge from its slumber and produce a spectacular wine.

Thanks for this great note and comparison Mark...have approx a dozen of each of these. When I looked at 82, 86, 90 and 91 of these wines side by side, about 5 years ago, I was of the exact impression. 82 BL is an absolute star and expect that John Wade made an assessment that it was time for a top marque. 82 JR beautiful, but pipped by the BL. I found 86 BL to be streets ahead of the 86 JR (IMHO not yet ready) and that 90 and 91 were closer together.
I was lucky to get a couple of magnums of the 82 BL ex winery in the days before corporate bean counters had everything under lock and key, in a mixed 6 magnum pack, 72, 78 thrown in as well, for about $50 per magnum each. I think 2022 will be a good time to open another one.

Cheers
Craig

My pleasure. I think the JRs make excellent birth year wines. They are really made for the very long haul ie once one's children have come of drinking age.

Mark

phillisc wrote:
Thanks for this great note and comparison Mark...have approx a dozen of each of these. When I looked at 82, 86, 90 and 91 of these wines side by side, about 5 years ago, I was of the exact impression. 82 BL is an absolute star and expect that John Wade made an assessment that it was time for a top marque. 82 JR beautiful, but pipped by the BL. I found 86 BL to be streets ahead of the 86 JR (IMHO not yet ready) and that 90 and 91 were closer together.
I was lucky to get a couple of magnums of the 82 BL ex winery in the days before corporate bean counters had everything under lock and key, in a mixed 6 magnum pack, 72, 78 thrown in as well, for about $50 per magnum each. I think 2022 will be a good time to open another one.

Cheers
Craig

PS I may be in SA for business in the next month or so. For me its the first time in decades. It would be great to catch up for a mini offline. I will be with two red drinking nuts.

We were treated to a bottle of the 82 John Riddoch at an offline last night. Tasted blind in a line-up of other Aussie, NZ and Bordeaux Cabs. A pristine bottle and it was unbelievably magnificent! WOTN for me. Thanks Con!

rooman wrote:Over the past week I have had an interesting comparative tasting between the Wynns Black Label 1998 and the Wynns John Riddock 1998.. The former is now drinking beautifully, soft velvety tannins, cedar, leather, tobacco box secondary flavours on full display. By way of contrast, the Wynns JR is still very much closed down, dormant fruit, larger robust tannins. IMO still a waste of money drinking the JR at present. I will try and leave the remaining bottles for another 5-10 years in the belief that eventually it will emerge from its slumber and produce a spectacular wine.

I tasted the 1998 John Riddoch at cellar door back in 2001. I asked that it be poured in a glass first while I tasted through their other wines. I took my time there, writing notes and conversing with the staff, and kept nosing the Riddoch. It was wound tight, dark and brooding. When I finally got to the wine I was impressed with it's depth and structure. I thought at the time that it was a wine that would last decades. I'm not surprised that it is still needs time. Wish I had some, but instead will have to make do with the 1994 Riddoch.

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

Anyone else excited about the upcoming 2015 John Riddoch? The 2015 BL was so so good. Surely the JR will be the goods.

Ozzie W wrote:We were treated to a bottle of the 82 John Riddoch at an offline last night. Tasted blind in a line-up of other Aussie, NZ and Bordeaux Cabs. A pristine bottle and it was unbelievably magnificent! WOTN for me. Thanks Con!

Well done Ozzie...always a treat...JR my desert island wine.
Cheers
Craig

Cactus wrote:Anyone else excited about the upcoming 2015 John Riddoch? The 2015 BL was so so good. Surely the JR will be the goods.

Yes like a diabetic at Cadbury's
Here I was on this forum saying 2012 would be my last ever Wynn's purchases...in the ensuing 3 vintages have brought more than ever!
Will get 6 next week and perhaps another 6 later in the year. Hope I can source under a $100... dearest wine that I buy!!
Cheers
Craig

Last night with good friends with scotch fillet steaks done medium/rare with bearnaise sauce, smashed potatoes and broccolini we enjoyed:

Better Half Yarra Valley NV Pinot Chardonnay. A nice drier style bubbles that all enjoyed.

McGuigan 2006 Shortlist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Screwcap. Deep purple colour almost black. US oak noticeable on the nose but fruit was good enough to balance it out. More generously flavoured cabernet from this area it was sweeter with the US oak there again but close to being in balance. Black fruits in abundance. A pleasure to drink it went well with the meal. Just about at its peak but should hold for another 5 years or so.

Lake Breeze 2009 Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. Screwcap. Still just a pup but starting to show well. Still tight and unyielding compared to the Shortlist. Should have had it before the Shortlist. Needs another 5 years before we try it again. Great potential

Then made the mistake of opening the malt whisky cabinet while watching the last of the Crows going down to the Demons. Bummer but it's great to see the Demons going well after a few tough years. Number 17 was a guest's nephew apparently.

Oban 14 YO My wife's favourite
Macallan 12 YO. This is now my go to malt. Awesome stuff that ticks every box.
Highland Park 12 YO. For those who like a bit of peat.
Glenmorangie LaSanta. Really nice juice.

And some Clyde Mays Straight Bourbon Whisky. This is an example of a dryer less sweet style that can mix it with the malts. At 46% it's not for the faint hearted. I just love the burn.

A bit shabby this morning but it was a great night.

Carl

07 glaetzer Amon ra
Just beautiful
Massive fruit but no fruit bomb, spicey and meaty but great balance of fruit, acid, tannin
Great complexity, so good, such a perfect winter wine to enjoy by the fireplace

Been a bit too hot here to drink much ( yes I know). However after 53 days without rain, we finally got some over the weekend and although not a huge amount, it's freshened things up nicely. So rather than the more usual cold water, chinotto or beer, it's nice to look forward to a wine.

2010 chateau peby faugeres
oh mama this is good juice.
spicey/choc/cherry notes with some nice oak coming thru .
The bouquet on this just unfurled and swirled out of the glass.
Simply Stunning.
Pin point, focussed super fine tannins and a finish that just went on and on and on......and on.
The first decent right bank vino I've tried and it just knocked me for six.

Followed it up with a 2010 Zema fam select Shiraz.
Really held it's own against the above wine with alot of similar characteristics.
A lot more tannin grip here and it showed nice structure and acidity.
A lot less oak which i've noticed in the past with Zema.
Not quite the wow factor of the old world Merlot but a pretty darn solid support act.

Ozzie W wrote:We were treated to a bottle of the 82 John Riddoch at an offline last night. Tasted blind in a line-up of other Aussie, NZ and Bordeaux Cabs. A pristine bottle and it was unbelievably magnificent! WOTN for me. Thanks Con!

Thanks Ozzie, I was sweating pulling the cork out on this and was glad it came out in one piece, first whiff smelt a bit green and leafy and was a bit worried but there was no need to be in the end.

The full line up is below.

For me the highlights were 1995 Pontet Canet, 1982 Riddoch, 2004 Stonyridge and the 1939 Para was up there with one of the best Tawny’s I’ve had. The other wine that impressed but is still a bit young was the 00 Pichon Baron, this will be magnificent in 10 or 15 years.

Disappointments were the 2000 Beychevelle, just a NQR bottle I think and 1999 Cullen which is worrying because I have 9 bottles of this.

Overall it was a pretty good lineup.

2008 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rose.
NV Moet and Chandon Rose Imperial.
2001 Domaine A Cabernet.
1995 Chateau Pontet Canet.
1982 Wynns John Riddoch.
2005 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet.
2000 Chateau Beychevelle.
2004 Stonyridge Larose Waiheke Island Cabernet.
1999 Cullen Cabernet-Merlot.
2007 Chateau Pontet Canet.
2000 Chateau Pichon Baron.
1939 Seppelt Para Liqueur Vintage Tawny Port.

Cheers Con.

deejay81 wrote:

TiggerK wrote: What restaurant is that? Good?

Tetsuya's

$30 corkage for 1st bottle, $45 pb after that.

Overall was a really good experience, Seafood based dishes were excellent, Duck dish was good, Wagyu dish was OK.

They gave us a tour of the kitchen and cellars, had a chat with the head chef and one of the somms who turned out to be a high school alumni which was kind of cool.

Dinner at tets this coming Saturday night - a few great bottles planned & sourced over the past month or so.

Just called to confirm - THEY NO LONGER DO BYO!

18 years & now the policy has changed, no mention at the time of booking either - asked to make an exception just for one bottle of Cristal - refused!

rooman wrote:Over the past week I have had an interesting comparative tasting between the Wynns Black Label 1998 and the Wynns John Riddock 1998.. The former is now drinking beautifully, soft velvety tannins, cedar, leather, tobacco box secondary flavours on full display. By way of contrast, the Wynns JR is still very much closed down, dormant fruit, larger robust tannins. IMO still a waste of money drinking the JR at present. I will try and leave the remaining bottles for another 5-10 years in the belief that eventually it will emerge from its slumber and produce a spectacular wine.

We've had two of '98 John Riddochs in recent times, and whilst my tasting notes have been glowing, the wine remains somewhat less than memorable. It may well become a star in future years, but for me other wines have out-shone it (the 2004 Seppelt St. Peters Shiraz, although hardly a fair comparison, was the star of the night at the last tasting)... and the relatively humble black label cabernet remains, for me, far, far better value.

shauno wrote:Dinner at tets this coming Saturday night - a few great bottles planned & sourced over the past month or so.

Just called to confirm - THEY NO LONGER DO BYO!

18 years & now the policy has changed, no mention at the time of booking either - asked to make an exception just for one bottle of Cristal - refused!

Well I hope you cancelled the booking and went elsewhere. I think their food is overrated anyway these days, especially for the price. Seems stuck in time, yeah it's good, but the wow factor just not quite there for me the last few times, and when cost is 300+ p.p I'm over it. And now no BYO, completely!!

Higher end Sydney dining with BYO is tricky though, est are very good with it, Sake at the Rocks or Double Bay is good (prefer to Tets but many will disagree).

Have a great night either way!!!