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

[Rossco]

This may be a useful reference if you've not seen it before Rossco.

[url]http://www.gdeschamps.net/wiki/doku.php?id= ... _affected2[/url]

I've never seen a premoxed Lafon, but I've never had one over 5 years old, so doesn't say much, I defer to michel's experience. Had endless premoxed Leflaives though! But when they are correct, they are almost always sublime experiences of truly great Chardonnay. And Lafon are also remarkable wines, but can be quite reductive young, so I'd open them at 4-6 years of age and give them an hour in the decanter (or much more for the younger GC's)

It's a sad state of affairs as aged white burg can be amazing, but I will always drink my white Burgundy at 6 or 7 years old maximum, and by that rule, so far so good.

Cheers
Tim

That is awesome, thanks Tim!

[JamieBahrain]

I found a case of 1999 Plantagenet cabernet sauvignon so I've been drinking a few and gifting a few. Leafy, dusty blackcurrant nose, medium bodied and fruit profile similar to the nose, nice length with grippy fruit-like tannins- a little eucalyptus throughout. Simple and pleasant and I can see why the wine hasn't appreciated and sits about $30- was $20 almost two decades ago!

90pts and holding.

[Chuck]

Had some good wines over the past few weeks. Nothing out of the box but had my first Krug NV. Stunning wine of great complexity. Amazing super fine bead. Mike Hawkins - I get it now.

Carl

[Willard]

Stoney Rise Pinot Noir, 2017. I usually buy some Holyman Chardonnay from the same producer, cellar those, and fill out a box with this Pinot or other tasting bottles. Got a bottle of their Gruner Veltliner this year which is yet to be tasted. Tamar Valley in Tasmania.

It’s a bright, fresh wine but still has a serious side. Firmly in red fruits, rasberries and cranberries, and the tanginess that comes along them. Spicy, edgy tannin, but the tang I’m finding a bit distracting. Rach enjoyed this one more than I did. We had a 2014 over the summer that I much preferred. Needs a bit of time for my taste, but the freshness here will be a draw for others.

Will

[Polymer]

Lafon used to have premox issues...but now they've gone diam so who knows..

Sauzet used to be really bad..but they've been very good lately...

Leflaive I believe has also gone Diam....so we will have to see...

I don't think there are any producers I'm avoiding..because frankly, they all have premox issues...I'm just not looking to age white burgundy...at least not until the issue gets better..

[Chuck]

A big night at the Star of Greece restaurant at Port Willunga last night friends. Wonderful food and sensational sea views at very reasonable prices. Great service too. They permit BYO at a reasonable $20. A stray bottle from the cellar really surprised - Howard Park 2011 Flint Rock Mount Barker Shiraz. Medium bodied and everything in balance. Great fruit and subtle oak. Velvety tannins. Probably right in a sweet spot although I have nothing to benchmark it with. Could have been the best shiraz from Mount Barker I've ever had. Everyone was fighting over it which was a good indicator.

If you are ever visiting McLaren Vale do yourself a favour and go to the Star and take a bottle or 2 with you. Again, the views are jaw dropping. Right on the edge of the Gulf wedged onto the cliff. Sunsets are stunning.

Carl

[Rossco]

2017 PV 1961 Block Riesling
Eden Valley but it's a bit mysterious. In a blind line up I would have mistaken it for a Clare. Salty sea air and some chalk, maybe even a bit of oyster shell. Smashability off the chart right now, but does need time to fill out. Beautifully balanced although not as 'rich' as other EV 17's I have had. Class all the way though. Drink now or hold for 10+ with ease.

Nicolas Maillart, Platine 1er Cru NV
Have held this for a year and last year it was quite thin and acidic. Wow what a difference a year makes. Has blossomed into a beautiful swan. Now it's rich and oaky with some wonderful nutty, red berry and yeasty characters. Not sure of the makeup if this wine, but wouldnt surprise me if it has seen some oak and has a bit of pinot in there.....im guessing 20-30%.
Fuller style now and one I really enjoy.

[Luke W]

2009 Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir - I imagine u would have to find something pretty special from Burgundy to top this. Beautiful purity and length, fruit spectrum moving from black to red, cola and vanilla, a texture of velvet and silk, the proverbial peacock's tail as the flavours lingered. Could only sip very slowly to avoid the inevitable sensory overload.

[Rossco]

2009 Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir - I imagine u would have to find something pretty special from Burgundy to top this.

100% agree. Had an 07 at an offline back in May, and it was ethereal....mindblowingly good. Also had a 08
by farr tout pres which the whole table thought to be a very good burg.

[Rossco]

On annual leave, so more tasting notes than usual.
2013 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Sem In a really good place right now. Lemongrass and some Lanolin/waxiness starting to sneak in. Colour has just started to turn a bright yellow, and some dry grassy notes. Slight florals of citrus flowers with really nice acid supporting the whole show. No rush to drink, and this may be my last bottle.....not sure I haven't kept my CT up-to date recently...really need to get back on that.

2017 Wirra Wirra 12th Man Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills) Immediate hit of really sexy new French oak. It just draws you in. Wild ferment, with a nutty, creamy texture. This is simply wonderful. Really good fruit, depending on your preference maybe a bit to much oak right now (not for me though), but I utterly adore this wine. Has a very slight hint of malo/butter. White peaches and a touch of banana. Everything I want in modern Australian chardonnay.

[Matt@5453]

2016 G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo

A very good wine. Medium bodied with very good depth of flavour. The finish was very good with good fruit weight and balance with the lighter tannin profile adding a nice layer of complexity and interest to the wine. I'll approach my next one in 1-2 years time.

2015 Achával-Ferrer Malbec, Mendoza

Medium bodied. Dark / savoury fruits. A touch tannic and finishes a bit short on the palate for my liking, but still an enjoyable wine with a degree of refinement and not being overly 'heavy' on the palate.

2013 Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Franc (Angélica Zapata Alta, Adrianna Vineyard), Lujan de Cuyo

Beautiful wine. Medium/full bodied, dark fruits with excellent length and fine tannin structure. Needs a bit of air time to show its best

[Alex F]

Wynns Coonawarra White Label Shiraz 2012 - One of the cheapies from the cellar. IIRC, bought for not more than $10. I am wondering whether it was a mistake to cellar these. A very perfumed and inviting nose, and the vanillin oak from a few years ago is still present and carries through to the palate. Unfortunately, it is a bit lightweight and simple in the mouth, seemingly, the vibrancy of its youth has faded. It does have decent length however.

[phillisc]

Wynns Coonawarra White Label Shiraz 2012 - One of the cheapies from the cellar. IIRC, bought for not more than $10. I am wondering whether it was a mistake to cellar these. A very perfumed and inviting nose, and the vanillin oak from a few years ago is still present and carries through to the palate. Unfortunately, it is a bit lightweight and simple in the mouth, seemingly, the vibrancy of its youth has faded. It does have decent length however.

Alex, I have heaps of this vintage and dozens of this label going over the years. Drank a 6 pack of the 08s last year, very enjoyable, at $8:50 a bottle...they certainly go the distance. With a recent cellar clean out and reorganisation almost finished, I checked a couple of mixed cases of 86/90 and 91s.
All still low neck and appear to have little if any ullage...corks have clearly done their job. When it cools off a bit (just hit 45 degrees in Adelaide today) I intend having a look at a few of them. At sub $2 on release there is really nothing to loose and i suspect that a great deal of them will be very good.

Cheers craig

[Alex F]

Good to hear! I tried the remaining half of the bottle from the fridge and I still have to say that it seems rather shut down to me. I hope it's a dumb phase and the remaining bottles will come good.

[Luke W]

Wynns Coonawarra White Label Shiraz 2012 - One of the cheapies from the cellar. IIRC, bought for not more than $10. I am wondering whether it was a mistake to cellar these. A very perfumed and inviting nose, and the vanillin oak from a few years ago is still present and carries through to the palate. Unfortunately, it is a bit lightweight and simple in the mouth, seemingly, the vibrancy of its youth has faded. It does have decent length however.

Alex, I have heaps of this vintage and dozens of this label going over the years. Drank a 6 pack of the 08s last year, very enjoyable, at $8:50 a bottle...they certainly go the distance. With a recent cellar clean out and reorganisation almost finished, I checked a couple of mixed cases of 86/90 and 91s.
All still low neck and appear to have little if any ullage...corks have clearly done their job. When it cools off a bit (just hit 45 degrees in Adelaide today) I intend having a look at a few of them. At sub $2 on release there is really nothing to loose and i suspect that a great deal of them will be very good.

Cheers craig

I agree, still drinking these at 20 odd years and they seem to be holding up.

[sjw_11]

Some tasting notes from the last two months:

• 2016 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1/24/2019)
  Very fragrant and juicy on the nose. Expressive Grenache fruit and perfumed floral notes. Slippery red fruits on entry, lovely purity. Gentle, gritty tannins. Long finish. Very drinkable now, but I am sure the balance of acid and fruit in this implies a long drinking future. (92 pts.)
• 2016 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (1/22/2019)
  This is 80% Grenache with 10% each Syrah and mouvedre. The back label recommends 8-10 years ageing so you know they take themselves seriously.
  
  Mid red in the glass. The nose is clearly Grenache led with sweet red berries and a hint of musk, but with some fleshy plum notes underneath. Very youthful in the mouth, somewhat inexpressive. Bright red fruit at the fore, but good structure and acid behind. Should drink better in 2-3 years and could evolve even further from there. (89 pts.)
• 2016 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Cuvée Tradition - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (1/22/2019)
  Corked. NR (flawed)
• 2015 Château Prieuré Blaignan Grand Vin de Bordeaux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc (1/21/2019)
  €15 from Monoprix. Solid mid bodied claret. Fresh red berries. Nice acidity. Soft, fleshy finish. Drink now. (86 pts.)
• 2013 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (1/20/2019)
  Bright mid red. Ripe nose of red berries, vanillin, dark plums and a touch of cinnamon. Smooth entry, limpid weight in the mouth, flavours of red fruit and vanilla. Modest tannin profile, medium length. Drinking well now, no rush to drink up but I don’t quite feel this will make very old bones. (91 pts.)
• 2016 Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc Métis - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia (1/19/2019)
  Acquired at the cellar door. This producer does a few interesting Sauvignon blancs with the grape seeming to do well in the Constantia region.
  
  Clear yellow green in the glass. Complex nose with flint, gun smoke, gooseberry and a touch of herbaceousness at the back. Juicy acidity on the palate with cut citrus and some more tropical fruit flavours. Decent length to the finish. No rush to drink under the screw cap, could be interesting in a couple of years. (92 pts.)
• 2008 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Blanc de Blancs Collection Brut - France, Champagne (1/19/2019)
  Complex nose, touch of aldehyde and biscuit. Balanced palate. Good mousse. Excellent value at sub €30 in Monoprix. Drink now. (87 pts.)
• 2014 Château Tour Prignac Grande Réserve - France, Bordeaux, Médoc (1/18/2019)
  Rich, robust expression of claret with quite ripe red/purple fruits and good depth of flavour. Quite sweet on the palate without a lot of tannin profile. Drinking well now but will hold for a few years at least. (87 pts.)
• 2014 Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (1/15/2019)
  Mid red, hint of brown at the edges. High boned red fruit, also a touch of heat and some earthy characters. In the mouth this is quite sweetly fruited, the finish perhaps a bit clipped. Drink now to 2 years. (87 pts.)
• 2016 Casa Castillo (Julia Roche E Hijos) Jumilla El Molar - Spain, Murcia, Jumilla (1/11/2019)
  Very fresh, albeit simple Grenache- lovely grippy strawberry fruit, some red lollies, musk. Pretty nose. Balanced in the mouth with a slight tannic grip and a hint of savouriness on the finish. Great value for everyday drinking. (86 pts.)
• 2015 Château Durfort-Vivens Relais de Durfort Vivens - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (12/19/2018)
  Good colour. Pleasant nose of crushed red berries, tobacco leaf, and cedar. Touch of vanilla as well, with a bit more on the palate. Good balance and decent length. Enjoyable now, I suspect it may gather a bit more weight and complexity with at least a couple of years in the cellar. (87 pts.)
• 2011 Parés Baltà Cava Brut Blanca Cusine - Spain, Cava (12/14/2018)
  Nice wine. Slightly golden colour and dense nose, probably from the age. Intriguing mix of Xarello and the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot varieties of champagne. Perhaps trying for more complexity than it can carry but this is pretty decent. (86 pts.)
• 2015 Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc Perdeblokke - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia (12/9/2018)
  Still good colour. Very pale. Intriguing nose- very complex. Hints of gun flint and citrus intermingle with more classic varietal gooseberry that emerges with air. Becomes much more expressive with air and a bit warmer than fridge cold. Broad but defined palate that brings a wash of very clean tropical fruit. Lovely lunch time drop on a Constantia deck. (88 pts.)
• 2014 Louis Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles En Paradis - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Vinzelles (12/7/2018)
  Well made, very fresh given it’s a 2014. Pleasant and unobjectionable- good balance.
  Drink now. (86 pts.)
• 2012 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (12/6/2018)
  Mid red. Classic medium bodied Rioja nose, very traditional but very clean. Lots of red berries- bright cherry especially. A bit of floral perfume underneath. A hint of what is likely to become a nice leather character with development. Great purity and balance; fantastic value. Long life ahead. (91 pts.)
• 2015 Baron de Ley Graciano Rioja Varietal - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (12/4/2018)
  Sweet simple red, good everyday drinking. Good clean definition of flavour. Nice value for €11.50 or thereabouts. (86 pts.)
• 2011 Terra D' Uro Toro Selección - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro (12/2/2018)
  Garnet red in the glass. Lifted nose with red berries and rich mahogany. Also some plum liqueur and a hint of spice. The palate is a bit clipped but shows gentle red fruit and a touch of furry tannin at the back. Perhaps getting a little tired, I would probably drink sooner than later. (87 pts.)
• 2015 Bodega Vinificate Mahara - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz (12/2/2018)
  Good red colour. A strange deposit on the inside of the bottle? Slightly funky nose, maybe a hint of Brett? Certainly there is a touch of undergrowth. Also some red fruit characters that grow with air. A little Musar-Esque. On the palate this is much fresher and sweeter - almost jubey in its presentation. Black currant lollies. Good balance and surprisingly good length. (87 pts.)
• 2016 Maquina & Tabla Toro Paramos de Nicasia - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro (12/2/2018)
  Pale salmon coloured, almost an orange hue. Slightly grippy nose with hints of strawberries and cream. Slightly acidic, boxy palate. Very dry. Quite pleasant. (86 pts.)
• 2011 Blason D'Issan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (11/19/2018)
  Gentle, medium bodied claret with a melange of red berries, spice and a slight herbal element. Ready to go now, hard to say if this is an earlier drinking proposition or maybe just in a little bit of a hole right now. (88 pts.)
• 2014 Gratavinum Priorat 2 Pi R - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat (11/17/2018)
  Good bright red colour. Fresh nose of lifted red fruit and spice, a touch of vanilla and underneath some ferrous notes and dark plums. Vibrant open in the mouth, but with good length and surprisingly firm tannins at the back. Will be even better in a couple of years. (88 pts.)
• 2009 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (11/14/2018)
  Purchased at cellar door in August and consumed over three nights. This is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano and it spends 4-years in 4yr old American oak.
  
  On first opening there is the unmistakable gluey scent of oak. With more air and over time, there are more ethereal notes of red fruits and spice, but the overwhelming sense of vanillin oak never goes away. I have another bottle which I suspect I will put away for at least 10-yrs before considering opening it. (88 pts.)
• NV Herbert Beaufort Champagne Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (11/10/2018)
  Bright glowing yellow, very lively bead. Sharp citrus nose, bracing acid driven palate. Nice for my taste, maybe too tart for some. (86 pts.)
• 2017 Soto y Manrique Viña y Olivo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León Naranjas Azules - Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León (11/9/2018)
  Pale, salmon pink. Quite a dry nose with hints of strawberry and light musk. Clean and balanced palate without much apparent sweetness. (85 pts.)
• 2016 René Bouvier Marsannay Clos du Roy Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay (1/14/2018)
  Bright cherry red. Very pure nose of fresh red berries/cherry supported by a sappy element. A hint of spice as well but no greenness. Fleshy, brilliantly clean and fresh on the palate. Balanced, long finish. Good acid balance. Drinking very well now. (92 pts.)

Posted from [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/]CellarTracker[/url]

[Alex F]

Highbank Cabernets 2001 - 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. 13% alcohol, pretty impressive for what I think was a warm vintage? Cigarbox, meat, inviting complex nose. On the palate, memories of blackcurrant and sour jujubes with some herbiness. This wine is mouthfilling and complete, and is still supported by good tannin structure, very long. Only criticism is that it is perhaps not the most complex. Delicious right now, drink up.

[Chuck]

Mildara 2008 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon - 2 bottles. I am very familiar with the standard white label version of this wine however I picked up a couple of bottles with a deep redish colour at an auction a number of years ago. Exactly the same label just different colours. The red label version was quite shy on opening but after a few hours breathing it was nice. Medium bodied with blueish fruits, soft tannins and oak developing with time. Nice but not great it is ready to drink now and should hold a few more years. The white label version last night was different - much fuller in body with plenty of black fruits and firmish tannins. Oak not noticeable. Typical of cabernet from a cooler climate in a warm year. A much bolder wine that I thought was still developing and should hold for at least 5 if not 10 years. One of the best white label Mildara we've had.

We thought the white label version was a step up from the other. Both under screw cap. Does anyone know about the red label version as I have never seen it before?

Carl

[phillisc]

1990 Wynns Ovens Valley Burgundy
Perfect cork, no ullage
Medium brick red hues a whiff of VA which blew off quickly, lovely nose, violets, earth, leather...soft on the palate with gently fading tannin...at its peak and should finally be! For $3:50 purchase price a glorious old red

2002 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling
Under screw cap this wine looks nowhere near its age, still has green hues, no bright yellow, like cork editions. Faintest hint of kero, but primary fruit characters dominating with some zingy acid to finish...IMHO still on the way up and a very good example of an aged Rizza!

Cheers
Craig

[phillisc]

2017 Rockford Frontignac
At 8.5% (only!) this wine is a treat and went so well with a prawn curry. Can see how its so smashed by the lunchtime bristo set.
Florals, sweet, but not cloying, in a Germanic style...light and delicate, very very nice
Might have to get more.

Cheers
Craig

[Hacker]

Two gems, a bit early to call WOTY but lovely:
2010 Fourrier VV, perfect mix of cherry fruit, secondary characteristics and acid, with a long finish. It probably will improve with time, especially if you like sous-bois development.
2012 Hoddles Creek 1er Chardonnay, can’t believe Chardy can get better than this!

[Rory]

2010 Haven Kooyong Pinot Noir

Id be the first the admit I'd rubbished the 2010 releases of Kooyong due to massive reductive notes, but i'd have also to admit, this is really lovely.
Who knows, time to come together?

Very good, first rate Peninsula Pinot.

[sjw_11]

2012 Hoddles Creek 1er Chardonnay, can’t believe Chardy can get better than this!

Hey Hacker, thanks for the note, it seems I have 2 bottles of this in the cellar. Thoughts for best time to drink / ageing from here?

[Hacker]

Hey Sam, it could be argued this has perhaps 5 years or so in the tank, but the lovely fruit profile may diminish with a few years waiting. I would certainly have one soon and make your own judgement re the second. There you go, a foot in both camps!

[phillisc]

2001 Vasse Felix Cabernet
Good cork, bright colour, violets black berry and spice.
Lovely palate with gentle tannin...think this one is at it peak...a really nice drink

Cheers Craig

[sjw_11]

Hey Sam, it could be argued this has perhaps 5 years or so in the tank, but the lovely fruit profile may diminish with a few years waiting. I would certainly have one soon and make your own judgement re the second. There you go, a foot in both camps!

Thanks! I will try and find one of them in the cellar to try when I am next back in Adelaide.

[Chuck]

Jamiesons Run 2000 Winemakers Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice secondary flavours and good oak. Everything in balance although I think lacking freshness. Tannins were lacking. Was probably better 5 years ago.

Carl

[phillisc]

Pinched the last red from a 6 pack that the wife won in a charity auction...a Chateau Yaldara 2014 Barossa Cab...not sure if it was from the winery direct or part of the portfolio of one of the large chains with the generic labels.
A real surprise, a lovely drinker, wife annoyed that it was her bottle, have offered the key to cellar for a replacement, but informed 'that's not the point '

Cheers craig

[felixp21]

Aussie wine highlight from a recent trip down under was definitely a bottle of:
2009 Two Hands Barney's Block Shiraz
... a spectacular Barossa shiraz in full flight, everything you would want in a high quality Australian Shiraz. 95 pts.

[felixp21]

2009 La Fleur Petrus
last of a six pack I got across from HK a couple of years ago. Oh my goodness, what an absolutely incredible wine. Just so ridiculously "lush" and full of everything I love about Pomerol. Sure, it will improve in many people's eye, but it is just so darn good right now, I'm not sure why I'd wait. I have another two six pack OWC's, one in HK and one down in Aus, whichever cellar I get to first, I'm going to drink me some more of this!!!!
98pts drink: now-2050.