The Auswine Forum

This night was a couple of months ago with some wonderful people. Theme was Bordeaux Varieties and as always, all wines served blind:

Wine #1 - 2006 Mount Mary Triolet (Dr John Middleton Tribute)
Some slight flint on the nose initially, dry...quite dry actually. Reductive and a little short initially. Probably
served a bit cold. Really nicely balanced and 'rounded wine. I think the barrel ferment has helped immensely
with the texture. Minerals, lavender, lemon with some other exotic fruits...lychees maybe?... and just a wonderful structure.
Belies it age, such a baby and just so fresh and vibrant. My second and last bottle and this was in much better shape.... which is good as I smashed my backup of this wine at work. (2014 Triolet)

Wine # 2 - 1984 Seville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Green leaf and Gravel dust on the nose....like when a car drives past and dust is kicked up. Just beautiful.
Bricking Red in colour, dried flowers, Rose petals... feels french but its not.
Lovely soft well integrated tannin, astonishing that its an 84. Feels mid 90's and clearly a well cellared example.

Wine # 3 - 1996 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
Smokey, meaty & Ribena type notes. Very rich and very fruity. Quite fruit forward actually, has to be new world.
Still a baby as acid feels young and not integrated as yet. Tannins are overpowering.....gee this
is a big wine, yet feels meduim weight. Still a bit of alcohol (estimated 14% or more). Purple/Red colour, still so VERY young
and I was shocked to find this was a 1996. Will live a very long time, what a wine!

Wine # 4 - 1990 Chateau Lagrange Grand Cru St. Julien
Initial Barnyard & Bandaid type notes but that blows off with some time/air.
Once that is gone, Just leaps out of the glass. Forest Floor funk, slightly oxidative and
very rich, but not sweet fruit richness. Feels old world, and that colour Dark Red...
That wet earth is enthralling, graphite type backbone, Provincial herbs, tobacco.

Wine # 5- 1990 Petaluma Coonawarra Merlot
Red rope liquorice, sweet roses on the nose. Very sweet nose, almost confectionery type.
Huge chewy tannin........ mouth coating actually. Chew your face off type stuff... Saw most people on the table experiencing the same
thing. Very plummy and some really soft elegant violet herbs. Pretty amazed this was 100% Merlot didnt pick it.
I missed a lot of the menthol/eucalypt characters, but this was an absolute experience. Never knew they started as early
a 1990, must have been one of the first vintages?

Wine # 6 - 1990 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
Very very young. Very underdeveloped. Again Sweet red primary fruits with a Cranberry tartness/acidity to balance it out.
LOTS of spice.... Cloves, Star Anise, fennel, sweet liqourice allsorts.
Length is just mind blowing, goes on and on. Truffles & mushrooms appear at the end of the glass, should have kept it aside to see how
it developed over the rest of the night. Still so young, vibrant purple/black in the glass. Wow.... just wow

Wine # 7 - 2000 Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (before renaming of Diana Madeline?)
Feels new world, lots of alcohol heat & acidity. Very Unbalanced, no real fruits left.
Length was short... almost non existent. Pretty sure this was a faulty bottle or its just well past it.
My search to have a decent aged Cullen continues and my opinion on them hasnt changed.

Wine # 8 - 2005 Chateau Lagrange Grand Cru St. Julien
LOL for a Bordeaux variety themed night we had two bottles from the same producer (different vintages)
Very dark red almost black in colour. Chocolate dust and black forest cake...never had black forest cake in a wine before!
Black Cherry, blueberry and again very young & primary fruits. Road Tar type notes
as well with stone and again that chocolate coming through. What a wine and will
only improve from here. Long life left.

Wine # 9- 2009 Te Mata Coleraine (Hawkes Bay)
Sweet fruit on the nose, very short length. Disjointed and leafy green on the palate.
Faulty? Either Brett or TCA / Stripped. No.
Shame as this is 'meant' to be rated one of NZ greatest Cab/Blends.

Wine # 10- 2006 Chateau Pontet Canet Grand Cru Pauillac
Iron Filings, iodine, graphite and tarry notes. This has a massive backbone of minerality.
Dark berries and blackcurrants once again really lifts the fruit profile. Slight smoky meat
charcuterie type notes, very weighty and inky wine. Again not even hitting its peak yet.
just amazing how some wines age.

Wine # 11- 1977 Dow's Silver Jubilee Vintage Port
Faulty - TCA i believe. Shame as it would have been my very first port from Portugal.
Will have to wait for another time to pop my portugal cherry.

Thanks for the notes Rossco, have a few of the Petaluma and 3-4 of the 707.

1979 was the first Petaluma, initially a Cabernet Shiraz blend, roughly 60/40. In 1982 it switched to a Cab/Merlot blend.
Earliest vintages I have had were 84s and 86s. I think its a very under rated wine and when found for $50 or less its a pretty good buy. The 99 that I had at last weeks Coonawarra Rd Show in Adelaide ( I will do a write up when I have time) looked very good. The 2014 also showed well.

Cheers craig

A few last week at the annual Coonawarra Rd. Show

Good venue at National Wine Centre with nice catering, again too many people, shoulder to shoulder for the most part.

Wynns, no new releases due to Wynnsday being pushed back to October. ’16 BL Shiraz starting to take shape. ‘16 BL cabernet an excellent wine, tannins beginning to settle ever so slightly, but will be very long lived. ’15 Michael, certainly has the fruit, but certainly has the oak, needs a decade before a proper assessment can be made. ’08 V&A shiraz/cab right in the slot, drinking really well so must open one of these.

Bowen, ’17 cab really fleshy and think will be very good, no notable acid which some have commented on in recent vintages, good wine and will be a purchase. ’17 shiraz quite muted and closed, will have another look at the CD in October.

Balnaves, a good range of wines, ’16 the blend a solid wine, ’16 shiraz, second time I have tried this, still green and short. ’16 cab/merlot well balanced, easy drinking. ’16 cab, pick of the range, great potential. ? 13 or 15 Tally, very good wine, lots to like here.

Orlando/JC/St Hugo, the most confused and poorly marketed wines in Australia and have been for 15 years. ‘09 Jacaranda Ridge (once a John Riddoch contender) is the current release! A good wine, but not sure of price. ’15 St Hugo, and there are actually multiple wines named St Hugo, so who would know, was a good wine, but wines like Wynns BL spank it. No Lawsons Padthaway Shiraz which again like JR is actually around and still being made, ??2012 is current release.

Katnook, after picking up some recent vintages of Odyssey and Prodigy, really like what these guys are doing. ’14 cab an excellent wine, ’15 Caledonian, a CD release also impressive ’14 Prodigy shiraz very good but shaded by ’14 Odyssey Cab…might have to get some. Museum wine ’04 cab was outstanding.

Majella, ’15 shiraz OK, nothing memorable, ’15 Cabernet better. ’14 Mallela was a beautiful wine 45/55 Shiraz/cab…might have to get some. GPKL ’14 a wine to honour the original Lynn and the John Riddoch successor/pretender?? A good wine, but not good enough to command a price of $145.

Petaluma, ’14 Coonawarra 60/40 C/M good wine, ’99 drinking beautifully

Hollick, change of ownership, winemaker, labels, wines’17 OV shiraz, solid, ’15 Ravenswood, again solid but does not befit the label, ’09 Ravenswood, drinking very nicely, Nectar sticky for a bit of fun is always a good drop.

Parker, ’17 Terra Rossa solid for the price, ?’15 95 block, very good wine, great mouth feel, really plush and dense. ’14 FG a good wine, ’09 really taking shape, great potential.

Brand and sons, confused here, because I was looking for Brands Laira, next stand up. ’15 silent partner and ’15 shiraz ok, nothing special.

Brands, ’16 Stentiford shiraz a big gutsy wine, ’16 171 Cabernet, very good

Redman, a good mix of wines, better than last year, ’16 cab lovely mouth feel, good drinking, ’14 shiraz, very nice, will get some, ’16 The Redman, cab/shiraz/merlot, nice wine, but at $70??

Digorgio, not really ever had any of their wines previously, ’16 cab solid, ’09 excellent and probably at its peak, fortified shiraz really interesting.

Zema Estate, can’t believe the price on these, almost gone backwards, $21 for current releases, I paid $16 for the ‘98s ’15 shiraz good but not great, ’15 cabernet much better wine, ?’16 Family Selection Cab solid

Yalumba, ’14 Menzies, really big wine and just picked up some of these for less than half for what was being asked, lots of fruit yes, but so much oak. Will look at in a decade, promising.

Patrick, again another winery that has never really captured me, although Luke’s late Dad, Pat made some amazing Tollana reds in the 80s (TR222 and TR16 Barossa Cab and shiraz). ’13 home block cab a solid wine, ’10 Grande reserve excellent, would like to have another look at this at the CD.

Bellwether, well what a surprise…knew Sue Bell was doing good things, ’15 Cab a beautiful wine, so rich and balanced, ?$70-80, ’08 was magnificent, probably WOTN

Cheers craig

phillisc wrote:Thanks for the notes Rossco, have a few of the Petaluma and 3-4 of the 707.

1979 was the first Petaluma, initially a Cabernet Shiraz blend, roughly 60/40. In 1982 it switched to a Cab/Merlot blend.
Earliest vintages I have had were 84s and 86s. I think its a very under rated wine and when found for $50 or less its a pretty good buy. The 99 that I had at last weeks Coonawarra Rd Show in Adelaide ( I will do a write up when I have time) looked very good. The 2014 also showed well.

Cheers craig

This was the Straight 100% Merlot, not the blend.

Agree about the blend though, for the money they age remarkably well and keep for a very long time.

Rossco wrote:

phillisc wrote:Thanks for the notes Rossco, have a few of the Petaluma and 3-4 of the 707.

1979 was the first Petaluma, initially a Cabernet Shiraz blend, roughly 60/40. In 1982 it switched to a Cab/Merlot blend.
Earliest vintages I have had were 84s and 86s. I think its a very under rated wine and when found for $50 or less its a pretty good buy. The 99 that I had at last weeks Coonawarra Rd Show in Adelaide ( I will do a write up when I have time) looked very good. The 2014 also showed well.

Cheers craig

This was the Straight 100% Merlot, not the blend.

Agree about the blend though, for the money they age remarkably well and keep for a very long time.

Rossco need to clean the shit out of my eyes...oops!
Soon as I see Coonawarra its full stream ahead on the Cabernet train. Is probably ignorance, but didn't even consider trying the Merlot when offered to me last week.

Cheers craig

Finally caught up on my notes. Theme was Open and as always, all wines served blind:


Wine # 1 - 2006 Bouchard Pere & Fils Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Initially very funky, cheesy & leesy that overpowered the nose. Thankfully that blew off with time in the glass and as the wine warmed up to reveal
lovely rich & peachy fruit. Freshly Churned butter and I initially thought there was some sherry / 'flor' type notes along with a touch of Oxidation lead me to thinking spain for a while....wrong.
Beautiful Apricot and stone fruit notes, length and texture was superb. That texture was very alluring actually.
Slight white flowers, minerals and some grilled cashews.


Wine # 2 - 2000 Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged
Doesnt this ALWAYS trick us. Such is the quality of this wine, not sure anyone picked it as new world.
Immediate whiff of wild honey, waxy and super rich. Colour, texture and richness had me thinking it was a blanc de noir.... wrong!
Again had some buttery and lemony notes, but the pallate had this real hit of freshly cracked black pepper. Strange, yet absolutely wonderful.
Long lenght, super fine and persistent mousse but the age had relaxed the acidity. It wasnt prominent at all, and I wonder if this was at its
peak now.


Wine 3 - 1964 Bodegas Berberana Rioja Cosecha Especial (Rioja)
Astonishing wine, initially thought it was an old barolo. Fully integrated tannin. Very savoury. Colour of a Coca Cola,
and indeed there were cola notes in the wine too. Sarsaparilla, Dr Pepper and some really lovely salty sea spray rounded
out the wine. Although it was a 64 vintage, it wasnt bottled till 72, so a full 8 years in barrel... amazing!
Ready to drink now for sure, just a lovely piece of liquid history and very memorable.


Wine # 4 - 2008 Domaine de L'Arlot Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots
Colour was translucent red and very light. Felt new world as quite fruit forward with cherry, raspberry and
Small amount of whole bunch funk in there. Not a green funk and wasnt a James Brown level of funk, but really interesting.
Very pretty florals and lovely perfume to the wine. Acid is quite high and needs time to settle, but this has a good life
left.


Wine # 5 - 1994 Sepplet Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz - Crown Seal
Grampians/Great Western fruit has such a distinct white pepper and blue fruit spectrum
such a lovely wine. So elegant, soft, full of fruit. Ribena spectrum of fruit. Liquorice & lots of
regional eucalypt. Again that white pepper is so distinctive, but this wine with all its elegance,
is very powerful; commanding almost. Beautiful soft and supple mousse, an absolute pleasure,
and oldest Show Reserve I have had I believe.


Wine # 6 - 2014 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley California
Bright Purple, new world on the nose such intense fruit. Very young... very big fruit here although
its not over extracted or overripe, just high quality. Possibly a warmer vintage? Palate has an old world
tannin/structure to it though, however cant be old world.... way to much fruit, lovely weight to this wine, is
this a grenache? ....... nope....
Lovely fruit sweetness as well, black cherry, blackberry and some savoury spices and oak. Still very young
My first US wine.... yay!


Wine # 7 - 2007 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
Really feels old world as its just got this X factor about it. Rich, riper fruits red fruit spectrum, not over ripe or porty, but could have been a warmer year?
Very very earthy, brown earth. Some herb notes with baking spices in the mix for complexity. Bit of a initial acid on the front, but that
soon gives way for some black tea notes & slight tannin. Length is very good, with some meaty/gamey notes at the end as well.
Im not a massive fan of CdP wines but this was ok.


Wine # 8 - 2004 Wolf Blass Black Label Cab/Shiraz/Malbec
Big, Rich & Ripe here. New world 'archetype' was the word around the table. Just lovely silky fruit profile.
Bursting with flavour too. I initially thought this was a straight cab as there was a slight dip in the mid palate
I often associate with Cabs, but this had some Shiraz and Malbec in there as well. Black as the night fruit,
blackberries, liquorice, blackcurrants, espresso coffee and very dark chocolate, the kind lindt make that 90%
cocoa from. Again has a presence about it, clearly new world and I do love langhorn creek fruit. A very underrated
(and probably underappreciated) region in Aust. Meaty and weighty all at the same time, saturates the tastebuds,
but has oak, tannin and acid profiles all in balance and handles that massive fruit with ease.


Wine # 9 - 2011 Chateau Pape Clement Grand Cru Graves
Bit of a surprise for me. Meant to be an early drinking wine, and I thought was still youthful, powerful and
quite tannic. That tannin structure was evident, but there was an initial hit of ripe and upfront
fruits I dont usually associate with the region (yes i have a lot to learn still). Sandalwood oak was quite
prominent, but again those richer & riper fruits were a surprise (to me anyway) everyone picked it
as old world and french pretty much immediately. Raspberry, blackberries, some slight plums as well.
Well made wine, not a show stopper but length was good, nice acid line throughout the whole wine
and then fruit profile to back it all up.


Wine # 10 - 1985 Gould Campbell Vintage Port
Bottle was in rude health. Almost looked like a new label. Cork was 'almost' pulled out in one
piece. Two lots of foil on the cap as well. Stood up for 5 days and double decanted the night before. Very clear and red translucent port,
not quite rose though.. Sort of reminded me a little of Wine # 4 Domaine de L'Arlot Les Suchots wine colour.
This was a delight, and quite intense. The colour was misleading and led to me initially thinking (before I tasted it) it was going to be a bit
watery or weak. Needn't have worried. Powerful nose, red cherry and raspberry cordials, some perfume of Turkish delights
and some candied orange rind or candied citrus peel. Didnt come across as super sweet or dense, just a lovely
spirit sitting on top complementing the fruit.
My first Portugese fortified. Two cherries popped in the one night!

2001 Bowen Estate Shiraz, black in colour, perfect cork, cool climate and very slippery silky in the mouth, black and blue berry, still has loads of fruit. Lovely palate weight and a delight to drink...very enjoyable
1997 Redbank Sallys Paddock. A very different wine, entering its secondary tertiary phase, soaked cork, still dark red, subtle nose, palate had a texture like water, very soft with the multi cab blend lingering, with ever so slightly furry tannin. A good bottle, but from memory think I have had better.

Cheers Craig

Rossco, have a sixer of the '94 SSRSS under crown seal. Was your bottle same?
Cheers Craig

phillisc wrote:Rossco, have a sixer of the '94 SSRSS under crown seal. Was your bottle same?
Cheers Craig

Not sure, will have to ask the provider. Will get back to you.

Either way...... WOW What a stunning wine. Probably my WOTN... with the Port a very close second.

phillisc wrote:Rossco, have a sixer of the '94 SSRSS under crown seal. Was your bottle same?
Cheers Craig

Updated review.

Crown seal !!

Wow way back in 1994. Astonished!

Rossco wrote:

phillisc wrote:Rossco, have a sixer of the '94 SSRSS under crown seal. Was your bottle same?
Cheers Craig

Updated review.

Crown seal !!

Wow way back in 1994. Astonished!

Yes indeed!
Was initially offered 6 under cork, but swapped them over for Crown Seal...$240 for a sixer.
Am going to finally have one at Christmas, the first born turns 25 the week before.
Cheers Craig

phillisc wrote:
Yes indeed!
Was initially offered 6 under cork, but swapped them over for Crown Seal...$240 for a sixer.
Am going to finally have one at Christmas, the first born turns 25 the week before.
Cheers Craig

Good choice, providing they have been stored well, these will be stunning wines and the kids (if they like
the style of sparkling reds) will love it.
These wines are not just for Christmas though, so dont be afraid to crack one on another special event/day.

Rossco wrote:

phillisc wrote:
Yes indeed!
Was initially offered 6 under cork, but swapped them over for Crown Seal...$240 for a sixer.
Am going to finally have one at Christmas, the first born turns 25 the week before.
Cheers Craig

Good choice, providing they have been stored well, these will be stunning wines and the kids (if they like
the style of sparkling reds) will love it.
These wines are not just for Christmas though, so dont be afraid to crack one on another special event/day.

Yes purchased on release, when they were about 8 years of age, direct from a TWE account holder ...stored in the bunker ever since.
Cheers Craig

I decided to try buying abroad a few months ago and the experience seemed to go ok. This is the first from a mixed case.

Boudignon, who lots of people are selling locally, and Menard are 2 of my favourite Loire producers. Boudignon wines seem more overtly oaked and Burgundian, while Menard i would describe and modern traditional. This is from a vineyard taken over in ‘16 and it’s sublime. Dry style, with structure and plenty of quince, cheese rind and some oatmeal. Lingering and long. Drinkable now, but wines like this need time to show off the terroir. Yum.4*

mychurch wrote: I decided to try buying abroad a few months ago and the experience seemed to go ok. This is the first from a mixed case.

Internet for delivery?

If so, I've had great experiences so far from Italian/Spanish/Portuguese online operations, so have no doubt the French and Germans also do it well. Assuming Brexit does happen ( ), this is one option that will disappear for us in the UK. I will miss it.

Indeed Ian.

While in Holland I would buy wine from Germany, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium and Australia, as well as locally.

The big problem with ordering between Europe and Auz is the cost of the freight (12 to 15 euro a bottle either way), the heat the wines are subject to in transport and of course the taxes at both ends. I got lucky this time and there was no bill to pay. Imagine next time I might not be so lucky.

Shame that this may all stop for UK wine drinkers, but I think we have covered that and many other points on the wine pages forum.

Some very enjoyable birthyear wines and others last night to celebrate with my son for his birthday (b1993) and his girlfriend (b1994)

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/QMfTNswc/6-ACC3103-9524 ... -D2-DB.jpg[/img]

2010 Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot
2010 Katnook Odyssey Cabernet
1994 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
1993 Penfolds Grange Shiraz
1993 Lindemans Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cabernet

All very enjoyable, the Limestone and the Grange in perfect nick, drinking superbly. Both 10’s very good, but years to go, particularly the Katnook. Predictably, the Limestone is a favourite label of mine and this bottle was a perfect example, just that slight sweetness from the Shiraz, beautiful.

(Not sure how that rogue Marg got in there )

A big screw you to Picardy wines. I attended a dinner of theirs a while back and bought about 8 bottles on the night. He made a big song and dance how they love corks and that won't be changing anytime soon. Of the 8, 3 of them have been corked. If you are going to bang on about using corks at least use ones that have got some guarantee on them like Rockford and Sami Odi are doing now if you must use them. Yeah they will probably replace them, but I am not even going to bother, I just won't buy their wines ever again. Sick of wasting my time cellaring for years, looking after them, carting them to a bbq/dinner only to end up drinking beer as it was corked. Just so some winemaker can be a traditionalist and then buy crap corks on top of it. Meh.

Rant over.

It was a 2012 Shiraz if you are wondering.

A big screw you to Picardy wines. I attended a dinner of theirs a while back and bought about 8 bottles on the night. He made a big song and dance how they love corks and that won't be changing anytime soon. Of the 8, 3 of them have been corked. If you are going to bang on about using corks at least use ones that have got some guarantee on them like Rockford and Sami Odi are doing now if you must use them. Yeah they will probably replace them, but I am not even going to bother, I just won't buy their wines ever again. Sick of wasting my time cellaring for years, looking after them, carting them to a bbq/dinner only to end up drinking beer as it was corked. Just so some winemaker can be a traditionalist and then buy crap corks on top of it. Meh

Yep , in this day and age i just dont get it, unless they are majorly exporting to Asian or US markets.But surely you would bottle a certain amount under screwcap to satisfy the local market.
But then again, if they believed their local market were all over 50 years of age??

"But then again, if they believed their local market were all over 50 years of age??"

They're the people who've been around long enough to know how bad wines under cork can be - and who have cellared a wine for a decade or two only to find it corked, oxidised or just plain awful.

dave vino wrote:A big screw you to Picardy wines. I attended a dinner of theirs a while back and bought about 8 bottles on the night. He made a big song and dance how they love corks and that won't be changing anytime soon. Of the 8, 3 of them have been corked. If you are going to bang on about using corks at least use ones that have got some guarantee on them like Rockford and Sami Odi are doing now if you must use them. Yeah they will probably replace them, but I am not even going to bother, I just won't buy their wines ever again.

Then why not email them saying just that, explicitly saying you don't want replacements, as you're fed up with dealing with companies who don't take cork taint seriously. Seems a waste to only tell us, when you can tell them direct. Doing so ought to give you full closure (unintentional pun - sorry).

Ian S wrote:

dave vino wrote:A big screw you to Picardy wines. I attended a dinner of theirs a while back and bought about 8 bottles on the night. He made a big song and dance how they love corks and that won't be changing anytime soon. Of the 8, 3 of them have been corked. If you are going to bang on about using corks at least use ones that have got some guarantee on them like Rockford and Sami Odi are doing now if you must use them. Yeah they will probably replace them, but I am not even going to bother, I just won't buy their wines ever again.

Then why not email them saying just that, explicitly saying you don't want replacements, as you're fed up with dealing with companies who don't take cork taint seriously. Seems a waste to only tell us, when you can tell them direct. Doing so ought to give you full closure (unintentional pun - sorry).

My last post on corked bottle number 2 of the pack 2 years ago, so it's actually 3 of the 6 that have been corked. Flogging a dead horse...way too many other wineries that can have my money.

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f ... 39#p145639

Mini rant, took some 2013 Picardy chardy up to qld for a visit. Lugged it up on carry-on, open it and corked. I bought a mixed 6-pack after a tasting with the winemaker in Sydney. (Where ironically one wine he brought was corked, after telling us why he still used them) and 2 of the 6 have been corked. So am I expected to lug it back and then see if I can get a replacement, or as will be the case just don't buy them anymore. So frustrating why they continue on with them.

I would tell them

Not for recompense, or to influence change - it's too far for you to care about either now.

It's about telling them that their pig-headedness has alienated a loyal customer to the point that you'll never buy any of their product again. They made a big song and dance about sticking with cork - well here is your reply to that spiel, to tell them they've fucked up the customer relationship through such arrogance.

At an Italian restaurant in Melbourne we had a 2017 Fattoria San Lorenzo Montepulciano. We were very impressed with the wine and flavour profile of this grape I have never experienced. Are there any OZ versions of this wine that are worth trying. I know many wineries in hotter areas are experimenting with Italian varieties so there should be some around?

Carl

Ian S wrote:I would tell them

Not for recompense, or to influence change - it's too far for you to care about either now.

It's about telling them that their pig-headedness has alienated a loyal customer to the point that you'll never buy any of their product again. They made a big song and dance about sticking with cork - well here is your reply to that spiel, to tell them they've fucked up the customer relationship through such arrogance.

I believe the consumer needs to be firm and command a refund. Anything less just perpetuates an acceptance of cork taint. This is what we see with Old World drinkers. And I belive this is part of the problem why cork taint ( and even prem-ox ) has been very tardily addressed ( if at all in some cases ).

I'm as guilty as Dave at times, couldn't be bothered chasing up a refund. Especially with producers I like and may even know personally. But I'm doing the industry an injustice. Producers may mistakingly believe their taint problem is quite rare.

Chuck wrote:At an Italian restaurant in Melbourne we had a 2017 Fattoria San Lorenzo Montepulciano. We were very impressed with the wine and flavour profile of this grape I have never experienced. Are there any OZ versions of this wine that are worth trying. I know many wineries in hotter areas are experimenting with Italian varieties so there should be some around?

Carl

A few that come to mind:
- Lino Ramble (McLaren Vale)
- Coriole (McLaren Vale)
- Head Wines (Barossa)

Thanks Ozzie. The Coriole looks interesting.

Carl

A mixed bag of summer drinking including a few Aussie wines from the cellar on a brief stop home during a work trip:

• 2018 Carrel François et Fils Roussette de Savoie La Marété Marestel - France, Savoie, Roussette de Savoie (8/30/2019)
  Purchased at a restaurant in La Feclaz in the Savoy region. Very crisp and fresh. Pleasant wine. (87 pts.)
• 2007 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile - France, Alsace (8/22/2019)
  Initially a whiff of petrol on the nose which blows off leaving sharp citrus and stone fruit. Some lemon sherbert. In the mouth this is quite angular with gobs of lemon and plenty of acid, finishing dry and very crisp. Still youthful, with a long future. (94 pts.)
• 2012 Bodegas Beronia Rioja III a.C. - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (8/22/2019)
  Only produced in the best years from 70yo vines, this sees about 13 months of French oak. 96pc Tempranillo.
  Mid red. Quite ripe on the nose. Stewed plums, vanillin oak. At this stage a little warm and a touch too much oak character for me to score higher although this may integrate with time. Ripe and full bodied in the mouth. Very drinkable, and holds up open for three days implying good aging potential. (93 pts.)
• 2016 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Beaune du Château Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru (8/22/2019)
  Pale yellow. Very classical nose, with ripe stone fruit, peach, melon, and cashew nut complexity. Nicely ripe and balanced in the mouth. Drinking very well now but I suspect no rush to drink up. (93 pts.)
• 2014 Terra D' Uro Toro Uro - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro (8/19/2019) 90 pts.
• 2008 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Footbolt - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (8/11/2019)
  Deep blood red. Surprisingly youthful nose, dense plums, yeasty “big” Shiraz notes. Ripe and lively in the mouth. Not the most complex wine but certainly pleasant and easy going. No rush to drink. (90 pts.)
• 2007 Rockford Moppa Springs - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (8/11/2019)
  Blood red. Sweet red sugar lollies, carried through on the palate. Quite juicy in the mouth- smells a bit sweet but more balanced on the palate. Nice enough drop, particularly for the age, but drink up. (87 pts.)
• 2006 Heritage Wines (Steve Hoff) Cabernet Malbec - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (8/10/2019)
  By day two this is fading but on opening this was a surprise - lovely dense sweet berry fruit, nice balance. Warm, plush mouth feel. Screw cap and good cellaring helping for sure. Lovely wine. (92 pts.)
• 2012 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 1er - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (8/10/2019)
  Good color. The nose is quite tart, bright citrus, not particularly expressive. Some quality French oak there as well. On the palate it’s better - nicely rounded with clean melon and cashew. Were they trying for too much “Chablis-esque” purity as was the trend, albeit with the oak (second and third fill apparently). It’s still very youthful so let’s see in three or five years with my last bottle. Either way still a nice wine, the only question is value for money. (92 pts.)
• 2018 Skillogalee Riesling - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley (8/10/2019)
  Lovely young Riesling. Bright color. Vibrant nose with citrus, talc, and a certain floral minerality. This carries through on the palate which almost has a touch of Turkish delight. Perhaps a little broad to score higher and maybe for earlier drinking but this is delicious. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Peter Lehmann Shiraz Southern Flinders Ranges - Australia, South Australia, Far North, Southern Flinders Ranges (8/10/2019)
  Pleasant, medium bodied red. Not profound but still surprisingly drinkable despite getting lost in the cellar for quite some time. I suspect over the top of its development but holding up well under screw cap. (90 pts.)
• 2011 Writer's Block Sémillon Old Vine Single Estate - Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley (8/10/2019)
  Very hard to rate right now. Despite being 8 years old this is almost unbearably youthful. Still very pale and flecked with green. Sure there is a touch of citrus and toast on the nose, but the palate still has lashings of searing acidity. Quite sharp and angular. I suspect this will outlive us all. If it comes together this will be a legend. (90 pts.)
• 2016 Bodegas Lanzaga (Telmo Rodriguez) Rioja El Velado - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (8/3/2019)
  Single vineyard straight Grenache. Intense and pure nose. Strawberry but serious. Quite firm structure on the palate but still very sweet fruited. Really want to see this in a few years. (94 pts.)
• 2018 Albamar Rías Baixas - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas (8/3/2019)
  Bright and expressive, good clarity, apricot and stone fruits, drink now, highly recommended. (90 pts.)
• 2014 La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (7/29/2019)
  Mid red, youthful purple flecks. Clean but traditional nose, gentle red fruit, some oak complexity, just a touch of rustic character. Smooth palate entry, nice medium bodied finish. Cracking value. (92 pts.)
• 2018 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Primer Rose Finca Ygay - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (7/27/2019)
  Made from 100pc Mavuelo (Carignan). Fancy bottle and packaging. Someone has put a lot of effort into creating a flagship rose for reasons I can only guess. Salmon pink. Concentrated nose- a hint of strawberry and cream. Quite austere and serious. Very dry on the palate, crisp fruit and almost a bit of tannic grip. Excellent stuff but I cannot get my head around the price (c€30). (93 pts.)
• 2018 Santiago Ruiz Albariño Rías Baixas - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas (7/24/2019)
  Terrifically fresh and vibrant. Always a favorite but this vintage seems particularly good. Super drinkable. (90 pts.)
• 2012 Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Il Bosco - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (7/23/2019)
  Classic for the style- rich, ripe fruit. Stewed plums not not over cooked. Alcohol obvious but not over bearing. Youthful for the age. (88 pts.)
• 2017 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu (7/21/2019)
  Mid yellow. Elegant and restrained nose with classic apricot character but also lighter stone fruit and a touch of citrus. Wonderful balance on the palate, no detracting phenolic grip. Lingering finish. Very good. (94 pts.)
• 2019 Barbadillo Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Manzanilla Solear en Rama Saca de Primavera - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry (7/21/2019)
  Mid yellow in the glass. Very fresh and classic nose with typical manzanilla character with a touch of salinity. Very clean on the palate, moreish and refreshing. (92 pts.)
• 2008 Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Sicilia Vigne Vecchie - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia (7/21/2019)
  Lots of barnyard and chicken poo on the nose, perhaps a touch of Brett. The palate opens cleaner. Some dark berries and nice complexity. Drink now. (88 pts.)

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

2015 Mount Mary pinot noir.
To quote BT "Boy oh boy wowee"
This stuff is the tits.
Fantastic dark cherry fruit and amazing smokey wood like nuaces that just drive so long. tannins fine and focused and super balance.
The complexity here. jeepers!
This has got to be one of the best Aussie pinots i've tried.
Another level.

Had a crack at some aged St Henri after this (94 and 96) and it was great but the Mount Mary made both of them look a little one dimensional.

This is my WOTY. Can't see much beating it from here.

A mini Etna horizontal.

2014 Le Vigne di Eli Etna Rosso Pignatuni and 2014 Le Vigne di Eli Etna Rosso San Lorenzo

[url=https://postimg.cc/qzprVRzV][img]https://i.postimg.cc/qzprVRzV/IMG-20190902-194233.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/1gbSLrNJ][img]https://i.postimg.cc/1gbSLrNJ/IMG-20190903-194244.jpg[/img][/url]

Both 98% Nerello Mascalese / 2% Nerello Cappuccio and 14.5% ABV. This winery is owned by Marco de Grazia, who also owns the nearby and much more well known Tenuta delle Terre Nere.

Pignatuni
Vines planted in 1950. 450m altitude.

Dark fruits, (sweet) ribena juice, cranberry, tar, earl grey tea, ash. Intense but not overpowering tannins, long finish with a wisp of tart fruit and then more ribena sweetness, and lots of that signature Etna volcanic minerality. A bit too sweet for me. On day 2, it had hardly budged an inch, which bodes well for further cellaring, cork permitting.

San Lorenzo
Vines planted in 1960. 750m altitude.

The foil was stuck to the bottle as if the cork had leaked, but the top and sides of the cork are clean. I've had a few bottles from this producer like this -- not sure if it's a bottling issue, cork issue, or storage issue prior to my purchase.

Burgundian like in body and texture. Red fruits, forest floor, earth, baking spices, ash. Firm but very approachable tannins, high acidity. Volcanic minerality. Long dry finish with a tad of heat. On day 2, the fruits have changed from red to black, the wine is more savoury, and the alcoholic heat is gone. The finish is shorter. The wine was better on day 1.

Conclusion: For my money, I much prefer Terre Nere over this producer.