The Auswine Forum

Ozzie W wrote:Etna offer. Resistance is futile!

4 x 2014 Graci Etna Arcuria

All for the cellar or going to pop one now?

winetastic wrote:

Ozzie W wrote:Etna offer. Resistance is futile!

4 x 2014 Graci Etna Arcuria

All for the cellar or going to pop one now?

I've not had a Contrada from Graci before so I might pop a bottle to try and cellar the rest.

With the warmer weather coming a case of Coopers Sparkling, Mild Ale and Extra Stout. The Extra Stout is a great drop IMO.

Carl

Whilst technically not a new purchase whilst moving cases in the cellar today I found a six pack of 2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese which I didn’t know I had nor have any memory of buying so it feels like a new purchase.

4 x 2017 Jim Barry Assyrtiko
3 x 2016 William Downie Mornington Pinot
3 x 2016 Yalumba Virgilius Viognier

Went back to the trough for another 12 x 2008 Philipponnat Clos de Goisses. Time to stop buying....

Just returned from an enjoyable weekend in the Clare, bringing back some easy drinking quaffers, beautiful rieslings from the newly released 2017 vintage and a few cabernet stunners from 2014:
2 x Grosset 2017 Polish Hill riesling
2 x Grosset 2017 Watervale riesling
2 x Grosset 2014 Gaia
1 x Grosset 2015 Nereus
1 x Grosset 2016 pinot noir
3 x Wines by KT 2016 Mulga riesling
3 x Wines by KT Watervale riesling
3 x Wines by KT Churinga Cabernet 2014
3 x Mt Horrocks 2016 semillon
3 x Mt Horrocks 2017 rose
2 x Good Catholic Girl Teresa 2015 riesling
2 x Good Catholic Girl Hail Mary 2014 cabernet
1 x Sevenhill classic Topaque

trufflequeen wrote:Just returned from an enjoyable weekend in the Clare, bringing back some easy drinking quaffers, beautiful rieslings from the newly released 2017 vintage and a few cabernet stunners from 2014:
2 x Grosset 2017 Polish Hill riesling
2 x Grosset 2017 Watervale riesling

I was reading on the Grosset website yesterday they reckon they have had three excellent riesling vintages in a row. What was your overall impression of the 2017 in Clare Valley for whites?

Mark

My tasting of the '17 whites was limited to Grosset, KT and Mt Horrocks - so limited exposure. However, I gather the quality and yields were considered very good. The Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale were both stunning and I am sad I missed out on the magnums (which I gather sold out in the first week). I sometimes wince at Grosset pricing, however, $49 for the Polish Hill is probably quite reasonable when you consider that it is one of the best (if not the best) examples of Australian riesling. I was also quite impressed with the 17 off dry (the Alea). In years gone by it has been too sweet for me, but is nicely balanced this year. Mt Horrocks and KT '17 Watervales also very drinkable.

trufflequeen wrote:My tasting of the '17 whites was limited to Grosset, KT and Mt Horrocks - so limited exposure. However, I gather the quality and yields were considered very good. The Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale were both stunning and I am sad I missed out on the magnums (which I gather sold out in the first week). I sometimes wince at Grosset pricing, however, $49 for the Polish Hill is probably quite reasonable when you consider that it is one of the best (if not the best) examples of Australian riesling. I was also quite impressed with the 17 off dry (the Alea). In years gone by it has been too sweet for me, but is nicely balanced this year. Mt Horrocks and KT '17 Watervales also very drinkable.

+1

17 Grosset PH Riesling smacks it out the park for me.

Woodlands
6 x 2015 (St) Cab S flagship
1 x 2015 (Mag) Cab S flagship

Scotty vino wrote:

trufflequeen wrote:My tasting of the '17 whites was limited to Grosset, KT and Mt Horrocks - so limited exposure. However, I gather the quality and yields were considered very good. The Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale were both stunning and I am sad I missed out on the magnums (which I gather sold out in the first week). I sometimes wince at Grosset pricing, however, $49 for the Polish Hill is probably quite reasonable when you consider that it is one of the best (if not the best) examples of Australian riesling. I was also quite impressed with the 17 off dry (the Alea). In years gone by it has been too sweet for me, but is nicely balanced this year. Mt Horrocks and KT '17 Watervales also very drinkable.

+1

17 Grosset PH Riesling smacks it out the park for me.

How do you think the Polish Hill compares to the Springvale. I normally prefer the latter because I find it more delicate and better balanced.

1 x Faiveley : Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Les Marchais" Domaine 2006
1 x Château Rieussec 2002
1 x Château Lafon-Rochet 2006
1 x Castellare di Castellina : Coniale 2010
1 x Domaine des Perdrix : Vosne-Romanée Village 2007
1 x Il Borro : Il Borro 2007

Yeringberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Elderton 'Ashmead' Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Tim Adams 'Protégé' Shiraz 2011
Green Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Haan 'Prestige' Merlot 2001
Kilikanoon 'Secret Places' Shiraz 2003
Cape d'Estaing 'Kangaroo Island' Shiraz 2001
RedHeads Studio 'Whip-Hand' Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Dragzworthy wrote:Cape d'Estaing 'Kangaroo Island' Shiraz 2001

Not sure the Kangaroo Island should be in inverted commas there Dragz. That's the GI.

Bought 6 of the 2000 at auction and seems to be a very good wine. Took one to the Melbourne Offline recently to play options bastardry. Hope the 2001s are as good.

Good luck

Michael

Ozzie W wrote:

winetastic wrote:

Ozzie W wrote:Etna offer. Resistance is futile!

4 x 2014 Graci Etna Arcuria

All for the cellar or going to pop one now?

I've not had a Contrada from Graci before so I might pop a bottle to try and cellar the rest.

Just on this topic. Have bought my first Etnas (thanks Gavin!). Are they wines that have to be stored to be drunk (as I understand something like Barolo requires) or will I have an enjoyable wine experience if I crack one now?

I bought:
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rivaggi
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosso
2 x 2014 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passorosso

Will it be vinfanticide if I try one? And if so which one? Interested to see what the fuss is about, but impatient!

Cheers

Michael

Scotty vino wrote:

trufflequeen wrote:My tasting of the '17 whites was limited to Grosset, KT and Mt Horrocks - so limited exposure. However, I gather the quality and yields were considered very good. The Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale were both stunning and I am sad I missed out on the magnums (which I gather sold out in the first week). I sometimes wince at Grosset pricing, however, $49 for the Polish Hill is probably quite reasonable when you consider that it is one of the best (if not the best) examples of Australian riesling. I was also quite impressed with the 17 off dry (the Alea). In years gone by it has been too sweet for me, but is nicely balanced this year. Mt Horrocks and KT '17 Watervales also very drinkable.

+1

17 Grosset PH Riesling smacks it out the park for me.

If your in the industry make sure you are to mention it at Grosset. They will give a very genrous discount

Michael McNally wrote:
Just on this topic. Have bought my first Etnas (thanks Gavin!). Are they wines that have to be stored to be drunk (as I understand something like Barolo requires) or will I have an enjoyable wine experience if I crack one now?

I bought:
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rivaggi
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosso
2 x 2014 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passorosso

Will it be vinfanticide if I try one? And if so which one? Interested to see what the fuss is about, but impatient!

Cheers

Michael

Michael

If you only purchased two of passorosso do not open one now. I opened one recently and they are way too young to drink now. Give it a min 5 or 7 years before you try you first one.

Mark

Michael McNally wrote:

Ozzie W wrote:

winetastic wrote:
All for the cellar or going to pop one now?

I've not had a Contrada from Graci before so I might pop a bottle to try and cellar the rest.

Just on this topic. Have bought my first Etnas (thanks Gavin!). Are they wines that have to be stored to be drunk (as I understand something like Barolo requires) or will I have an enjoyable wine experience if I crack one now?

I bought:
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rivaggi
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosso
2 x 2014 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passorosso

Will it be vinfanticide if I try one? And if so which one? Interested to see what the fuss is about, but impatient!

Cheers

Michael

These are all designed to age. They will be much better in 5 years time. The Passopisciaro has a track record and will age for 10+ years and be all the better for it. The SRC Rivaggi should also go 10 years.

As to which bottle to sacrifice, they are all very different expressions of Mt Etna. Passopisciaro is 100% Nerello Mascalese. The SRC Rosso is blended with some white grapes and the SRC Rivaggi has some Grenache. Which ever one you decide to vinfanticide, just give it a long decant (few hours) beforehand.

The other option is to just buy one more bottle to act as your taster - that's what I'd do

rooman wrote:

Scotty vino wrote:

trufflequeen wrote:My tasting of the '17 whites was limited to Grosset, KT and Mt Horrocks - so limited exposure. However, I gather the quality and yields were considered very good. The Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale were both stunning and I am sad I missed out on the magnums (which I gather sold out in the first week). I sometimes wince at Grosset pricing, however, $49 for the Polish Hill is probably quite reasonable when you consider that it is one of the best (if not the best) examples of Australian riesling. I was also quite impressed with the 17 off dry (the Alea). In years gone by it has been too sweet for me, but is nicely balanced this year. Mt Horrocks and KT '17 Watervales also very drinkable.

+1

17 Grosset PH Riesling smacks it out the park for me.

How do you think the Polish Hill compares to the Springvale. I normally prefer the latter because I find it more delicate and better balanced.

I thought it had a bigger bouquet/nose and the finish was longer for me. Palate was delicate and light and amazingly focused. Springvale very good but the PH was just that bit better. I tried the PH first in the line up. I got a refill as I went down the line and went back to it during the white flight. The first impression remained.

Scotty vino wrote:

rooman wrote:

Scotty vino wrote:
+1

17 Grosset PH Riesling smacks it out the park for me.

How do you think the Polish Hill compares to the Springvale. I normally prefer the latter because I find it more delicate and better balanced.

I thought it had a bigger bouquet/nose and the finish was longer for me. Palate was delicate and light and amazingly focused. Springvale very good but the PH was just that bit better. I tried the PH first in the line up. I got a refill as I went down the line and went back to it during the white flight. The first impression remained.

Thanks for the feedback. I picked up 6 of the 2016 Springvale last month. Looks like the 2017 PH will also be on the shopping list.

Michael McNally wrote:

Dragzworthy wrote:Cape d'Estaing 'Kangaroo Island' Shiraz 2001

Not sure the Kangaroo Island should be in inverted commas there Dragz. That's the GI.

Bought 6 of the 2000 at auction and seems to be a very good wine. Took one to the Melbourne Offline recently to play options bastardry. Hope the 2001s are as good.

Good luck

Michael

Ah my bad, I took the lazy option and just copied off the email receipt
Hoping it's in a good spot to drink now as the Kilikanoon was pretty shot and it went straight down the drain

Ozzie W wrote:These are all designed to age. They will be much better in 5 years time. The Passopisciaro has a track record and will age for 10+ years and be all the better for it. The SRC Rivaggi should also go 10 years.

As to which bottle to sacrifice, they are all very different expressions of Mt Etna. Passopisciaro is 100% Nerello Mascalese. The SRC Rosso is blended with some white grapes and the SRC Rivaggi has some Grenache. Which ever one you decide to vinfanticide, just give it a long decant (few hours) beforehand.

The other option is to just buy one more bottle to act as your taster - that's what I'd do

Thanks Ozzie (and Mark)

This is the problem. While I am waiting for these to come into their drinking window, do I keep purchasing? What if I get to 5-7 years and decide that they aren't really my cup of tea and I have 4 dozen wines at various levels of maturity?

I guess I could try the auction market, but you never know whether what you get is representative.

First world dilemmas....

Cheers

Michael

Michael McNally wrote:

Ozzie W wrote:

winetastic wrote:
All for the cellar or going to pop one now?

I've not had a Contrada from Graci before so I might pop a bottle to try and cellar the rest.

Just on this topic. Have bought my first Etnas (thanks Gavin!). Are they wines that have to be stored to be drunk (as I understand something like Barolo requires) or will I have an enjoyable wine experience if I crack one now?

I bought:
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rivaggi
2 x 2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosso
2 x 2014 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passorosso

Will it be vinfanticide if I try one? And if so which one? Interested to see what the fuss is about, but impatient!

Cheers

Michael

The SRC Rivaggi is the most interesting wine (and one of the best) I have had this year, it is one you can decant for 15min then enjoy over many hours and watch it constantly shift in the glass. I would recommend trying one now - it would be a great introduction into the wild world of Mt Etna.

I would cellar the 2014 Passopisciaros for 5+ years, big bruising wines (by Etna standards) from a hot year.

Michael McNally wrote: This is the problem. While I am waiting for these to come into their drinking window, do I keep purchasing? What if I get to 5-7 years and decide that they aren't really my cup of tea and I have 4 dozen wines at various levels of maturity?

I guess I could try the auction market, but you never know whether what you get is representative.

If I were in your shoes, I would hunt down a single bottle of Passopisciaro Etna Rosso 2013 to try (available relatively widely). I think it is very representative of the lighter end of the Mt Etna spectrum and isn't massive like the 2014. Between that and maybe trying one of the SRC wines (which is stylistically richer), you will get a good snapshot of what its all about.

The secondary market for Etna wines is very small, I have seen perhaps 6 bottles in total show up at auction this year.

rooman wrote:

Scotty vino wrote:

rooman wrote:
How do you think the Polish Hill compares to the Springvale. I normally prefer the latter because I find it more delicate and better balanced.

I thought it had a bigger bouquet/nose and the finish was longer for me. Palate was delicate and light and amazingly focused. Springvale very good but the PH was just that bit better. I tried the PH first in the line up. I got a refill as I went down the line and went back to it during the white flight. The first impression remained.

Thanks for the feedback. I picked up 6 of the 2016 Springvale last month. Looks like the 2017 PH will also be on the shopping list.

I've generally found Grosset wines to be very consistent across the board in a tasting (red and whites).
In the past it's been hard to pick a winner.
Probably the first time in an initial tasting that the PH has delivered in terms of it's langtons classification.
Not that it hasn't deserved to be there, the fact that the other gear been right there with it in the past.
First time for me it had its nose in front of the rest
As much as I'm a fan of aged Rieslings I would have no problem cracking the PH 2017 tomorrow.

Scotty vino wrote:

rooman wrote:

Scotty vino wrote:

I thought it had a bigger bouquet/nose and the finish was longer for me. Palate was delicate and light and amazingly focused. Springvale very good but the PH was just that bit better. I tried the PH first in the line up. I got a refill as I went down the line and went back to it during the white flight. The first impression remained.

Thanks for the feedback. I picked up 6 of the 2016 Springvale last month. Looks like the 2017 PH will also be on the shopping list.

I've generally found Grosset wines to be very consistent across the board in a tasting (red and whites).
In the past it's been hard to pick a winner.
Probably the first time in an initial tasting that the PH has delivered in terms of it's langtons classification.
Not that it hasn't deserved to be there, the fact that the other gear been right there with it in the past.
First time for me it had its nose in front of the rest
As much as I'm a fan of aged Rieslings I would have no problem cracking the PH 2017 tomorrow.

Interesting. I recently pulled a couple of the 2009 PH out of the cellar but found the first one I opened so primary and acidic that I put the other one back into the cellar for another 5 years or so. By way of contrast someone brought a 2001 PH to a tasting earlier this year and it was superb - golden hue, excellent depth of flavour through the mid section and much softer acid levels. After that experience I sort of figured I should try and leave the PH alone if possible until they have around 15 years in the bottle. The Springvale on the other hand just seems more approachable earlier on with less acid levels.

I have found the same with Seppelts Drumbourg and the Crawford River rieslings, they all seem to need more than a decade before they open up and begin to show their potential.

rooman wrote:

Scotty vino wrote:

rooman wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. I picked up 6 of the 2016 Springvale last month. Looks like the 2017 PH will also be on the shopping list.

I've generally found Grosset wines to be very consistent across the board in a tasting (red and whites).
In the past it's been hard to pick a winner.
Probably the first time in an initial tasting that the PH has delivered in terms of it's langtons classification.
Not that it hasn't deserved to be there, the fact that the other gear been right there with it in the past.
First time for me it had its nose in front of the rest
As much as I'm a fan of aged Rieslings I would have no problem cracking the PH 2017 tomorrow.

Interesting. I recently pulled a couple of the 2009 PH out of the cellar but found the first one I opened so primary and acidic that I put the other one back into the cellar for another 5 years or so. By way of contrast someone brought a 2001 PH to a tasting earlier this year and it was superb - golden hue, excellent depth of flavour through the mid section and much softer acid levels. After that experience I sort of figured I should try and leave the PH alone if possible until they have around 15 years in the bottle. The Springvale on the other hand just seems more approachable earlier on with less acid levels.

I have found the same with Seppelts Drumbourg and the Crawford River rieslings, they all seem to need more than a decade before they open up and begin to show their potential.

I noted Mike B from the wine front suggests a window from now to 20 years. I've had some PH in the past that seemed quite tight and wound up on first tastings but not this one. I would usually hide this deep in the cellar never to be seen for some time. But for once I agreed with the boss (who's drinking windows are usually drink now and drink now) and crack one of these over the coming summer. Throw in a dozen Coffin bay oysters... Welcome to heaven.

Scotty vino wrote:

I noted Mike B from the wine front suggests a window from now to 20 years. I've had some PH in the past that seemed quite tight and wound up on first tastings but not this one. I would usually hide this deep in the cellar never to be seen for some time. But for once I agreed with the boss (who's drinking windows are usually drink now and drink now) and crack one of these over the coming summer. Throw in a dozen Coffin bay oysters... Welcome to heaven.

Ah Coffin Bay Oyster, the BEST oysters!! Friday photo from Date Night at home.

6 x Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2013

1 x Bartolo Mascarello Magnum 2012

6 x Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva 2010

6 x Elio Sandri Nebbiolo 2015

6 x Vajra BdV 2013 ( 48 euro at shops in Alba 68 euro CD )

( 42 euro at shops Alba 58 euro CD )

6 x G Mascarello Monprivato 2013

12 x Olek Bondonio Starderi Barbaresco 2014

24 x Olek Bondonio Roncagliette 2014 ( gifted a few magnums and bottles of 2013 )

36 x Olek Bondonio Dolcetto 2016

A few loose odds and ends

rooman wrote:Ah Coffin Bay Oyster, the BEST oysters!! Friday photo from Date Night at home.

Hmmm Coffin Bay is very general these days. I can't find the article I read a few years ago that explains things. I lived in Port Lincoln for a year and I recall Coffin Bay, Streaky Bay, Venus Bay, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay oysters.