The Auswine Forum

Sam

I presume they were trying to follow the Lindemans /Rosemount template and were trying to create a premium range. Only seems to have been 2 vintages and I will look out for any in future auctions - finished the bottl tonight and it was even better than yesterday.

So the cork broke and when I got the bottle open there was hardly a pop. Flat, with a dark colour, this looked to be dead, but actually it’s great. The nose is full of bread and brioche, has hints of Sherry and a lovely cream and honey mid palate. Sure, it misses bubbles, but there is a hint of effervescent and I have tried a few bottles of old Champers that were similarly bubble challanged. I have no idea how old this bottle is - it came with a 79 Petaluma in a mixed lot - but I would guess age rather than bad storage is the reason for the current condition. I really like this and it’s a lot more fun than the 03 Penfolds GSM that was opened earlier on the evening. Happy New Year to one and all

2021 Bowen Estate Cabernet.... wonderful wine great mouth feel...rich plush good depth of flavour. If this is representative of 2021, then another great vintage beckons
Cheers Craig

A few from over the last few weeks. Highlights the 2008 and 2011 Leeuwin Art Series, both in a terrific place and very different to each other. The Elderton took a while to come good, but ended up brilliantly with plenty of coffee notes, fruit still present and smooth tannin. The St Hugo was classic Cabernet, tannins still strong and fruit had softened nicely.

The Vasse Dry Red was another that was quite porty to begin but came to life with some air and was an enjoyable blend. Plenty of smoke on the finish once it had got itself to a good place.

Cheers Ed

Wow - wouldn't the Vasse Felix have been their entry level red, as with many MR producers having an entry level classic dry red & classic dry white (both typically a Bdx blend). I'd say that's quite a result making it to 24 years in decent shape!

Agree Ian - when the cork came out in such good condition I was quietly confident, then I absolutely thought it was cooked on first sip before it came good. I’m not experienced enough to do more than speculate, but assume the older vintages more resilient perhaps than the newer…

Cheers Ed

Oops. out of synch post in response to VinoEd.

Mahmoud Ali wrote: ↑Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:42 am Oops. out of synch post in response to VinoEd.

I’m not sure your response made it through - interested to hear what you had to say. Cheers Ed

Enjoyed these last night. The No. 2 is a very enjoyable wine, think it has a great future and is also very pleasant drinking right now. Zesty, fresh, mineral and lime… the Woodlands needs more time, but it’s certainly got a great future. Plenty of tannin, the fruit is very prominent, give it another 10 years.

Cheers Ed

My all Time Favourite

2009 Basket Press, opens with the usual BV characteristics, but quite warm on the palate, reflection of a warmer vintage, almost a fortified note, but not overly alcoholic in anyway. Firm tannins to a long finish. Despite winery staff suggesting this is right in the zone, I disagree. Its still very primary, very dark in colour, cork stained 1 mm. Bottle variation perhaps, but I won't be looking at another for 5-7 years. Still think it will flesh out and be better. Solid now, but much potential to improve.

2022 Vine Vale Riesling, lovely fruit salad, limes, with a bit of spritz and crisp acid...will develop well, very good!

cheers Craig

2004 Seppelts Victorian Shiraz.
There was a run of these 2001-2005 I think, sealed under screwcap in a partnership with Vintage Cellars. Feels like an old Moyston or GW to me.

This is fabulous, dark purple on the rim, lovely vibrant colour and nose of bright florals. Palate depth medium bodied, savoury, earthy and lovely sweetness, with drying tannins. Surprisingly good and $5 on release.
Really enjoy finding these old curios.
cheers Craig

Dinner with a few mates…

2006 Lenoble Gentilhomme ….. typical of the vintage. Lots of tropical fruit salad characters. Bit too ripe for my tastes (even though this was my bottle)

The rest were blind… theme was either Cabernet or Shiraz dominant wines from Australia

2008 Yalumba Octavius… typically Barossa Shiraz off the bat. I was leaning to 2009 Kalleske Johann George but was surprised as it wasn’t really an Oaktavius. Pretty good wine albeit young. Lots of primary characters still.

2008 Jim Barry Armagh… once again, some high quality Shiraz fruit was immediately discernible. Reminded me of Cadbury dark chocolate on the nose. Excellent tannin profile and oak integration. I couldn’t pinpoint the region so plumped for 2008 RWT. Another one drunk too soon, but also an excellent wine in the making.

1998 Henschke Mt Edelstone… the immediate reaction was ….. a bit of brett. Medium to full body with a really long finish. Notes of violets with malty oak. This has to be Henschke. I guessed 2002 MT Ed. Fantastic wine, notwithstanding the Brett notes, but I’d take 3 bottles of ME over HoG every day.

1986 Henschke Mt Edelstone….. as soon as I saw the colour and took one whiff I knew this was my contribution to the night. This is a stupendous wine.., even more so looking at the $10.99 sticker on it. Had a few Cabernet characters that I get from some older Shiraz. Well cellared bottles have years of life. Consensus wine of the night.

2004 Cullen Dianne Madeleine….. this was a hot stewy mess. Real alcohol burn…None of us could even ascertain the primary grape variety. I assumed it was a Parkerised monstrosity…. Instead it was a bad representation of a highly over rated wine.

2017 Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz…. First thought… this is young and ripe. As such I went for McLaren Vale, a region I’m not enamoured with. When push come to shove I went for 2014 Dead Arm. I can see why people like this style, and at the core there was some pristine fruit, but it was a bit much for me.

2006 Taittinger Comtes… this remains way closer to its apogee than the 02 and 04. Given I didn’t have time to let it breathe, I gave it a quick double decant, which really softened the acid. On the nose this was like the custard tarts my grandmother made in the 70s. While it has ripeness to it, and some citrusy notes, it’s way more restrained than most from this vintage. Excellent as ever.

2012 Penna Lane Watervale Riesling…. This remains the perfect summer arvo drink when a beer isn’t in order. In a really nice spot.

2013 Penna Lane Watervale Riesling… good wine, but has a metallic note to it. I prefer the 12.

2002 Vilmart Couper de cuvée… drinking this as I type. Cracking wine which seems to alternate between Pinot and Chardonnay dominance over the past hour. Strawberry and cream meets lemon and lime. Great Granny Smith apple acidity on the finish. Just entering its prime.

Mike Hawkins wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:09 pm 2002 Vilmart Couper de cuvée… drinking this as I type. Cracking wine which seems to alternate between Pinot and Chardonnay dominance over the past hour. Strawberry and cream meets lemon and lime. Great Granny Smith apple acidity on the finish. Just entering its prime.

Mate haven't had the Couper ... sounds quite farmyard in flavour ... did you mean the Coueur De Cuvee? The 2002 is an excellent wine ... still have a couple and will keep based on your note!

Mike, 86 Edelstone was released when I was 22-23 years old. Didn't know much about Henschke back then and brought a dozen and drank them like BBQ reds...all gone in less than 5 years
Great that you have the 35 year journey to reflect upon.
Cheers Craig

Fantastic 96 Grange and a meat pie from Perryman’s Bakery in North Adelaide. Happy Australia Day! Always pleased we didn’t go the ways of Argentina. That’s worth celebrating for me anyways.

Drinking a lot of 15 to 20 year old Aussie whites under screwcap which have been good. Notables Tahbilk’s Marsannes from 04 to 06. Bargains!

Mike Hawkins wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:02 pm

2004 Cullen Dianne Madeleine….. this was a hot stewy mess. Real alcohol burn…None of us could even ascertain the primary grape variety. I assumed it was a Parkerised monstrosity…. Instead it was a bad representation of a highly over rated wine.

Im glad im not the only one thinking its over rated. I have never had a good aged Cullen.

Opened a couple of auction bottles that came free at the latest MW (free being they came in a lot with some other bottles I actually wanted). The 93 Elizabeth Semillon has a deep colour and the full was min 4. It’s old, but it’s lovely. Lots of apricots and cream as well as a refreshing acidity. Not a wine for lover of clean pure white wine, but I like mine with some personality.

As a foil for tonight’s pasta, 2015 Boomtown Nr 3 Red. No sulphur, so this was either going to be dead or singing, and it’s the latter. Lots of tart cherry, charcoals and a Pinot like finish’s. Good tennis wine.

Rossco wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 2:22 pm

Mike Hawkins wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:02 pm

2004 Cullen Dianne Madeleine….. this was a hot stewy mess. Real alcohol burn…None of us could even ascertain the primary grape variety. I assumed it was a Parkerised monstrosity…. Instead it was a bad representation of a highly over rated wine.

Im glad im not the only one thinking its over rated. I have never had a good aged Cullen.

I am continually bemused by the commentary on here and other wine forums that I engage in, that Cullen is consistently rated as poor.
Not disagreeing with anyone here, but surprised that a family winery with a fair level of pedigree seems to have a good number of wines/vintages that don't rate, cash aside the punters clearly expect more. They should know what they are doing and obviously have good grapes and good winemakers.
Cullen aren't alone though in this regard, there are a few wineries that tread a similar path... should do better for what they charge, one I can think of in the BV, another in the HV and another in the YV.

Moss Wood and Vasse Felix seem to get much more kudos...it's very much subjective of course, suspect there's plenty here who are happy to fly the Cullen flag.
Cheers Craig

So after a couple of glasses of the Elizabeth and the Boomtown I thought I’d try another auction purchase - 1995 Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling. It’s on the right hand side of the photo and as you can see the 2 wines are of similar colour. I remember having a bottle of the Wolf Blass at a curry house in Dundee, Scotland in the early 90’s and I was vet impressed. Could never find it in the UK at the time, and while this 95 is probably a bit younger, it was worth a go at $1.15 a bottle.

Lots of honey in the Riesling. With a cork, the level was high and the alcohol a modest 11%. Honey, apricots, some glycerin, low acid. Not a bad wine for the age and money, but as with the Elizabeth, you need to appreciate older white wine.

Update;

Just finish the last half glass of the Wolf Blass tonight and it blossomed into a great Riesling. Amazing how drinkable it is now 48hrs later.

The Elizabeth unfortunately was effeceted by a decant and while it had a great nose after 24 hours, the taste was wierd and effected by the vessel it was pores into.

2015 Redman Shiraz, first from a couple of dozen, can't remember the deal, but came in at $11-12 a bottle. Lovely dark fruits savoury smoky core with a big whack of tannin. Nice contrast to typical Cabernet fare... another 5-10 easily.
Cheers Craig

2002 Seppelts Victorian Shiraz, this is very good. A step up from the 2004 a couple of weeks back. Very full bodied, rich fruits, savoury peppery palate and tannins to burn. I wonder under screw cap and yes agree a cork version to compare would be beneficial if this has 5 years to go, or another 20 in the tank.
Remarkable drinking
Cheers Craig

A couple from last week. First time trying a Mount Edelstone and it was sensational - plenty of pepper, fruit, layers of stuff going on, absolutely lovely.

The Katnook I’ve had before and while it wasn’t in the class of the Henschke it is certainly holding together well for a now 22 year old wine and has all the hallmarks you expect from Coonawarra.

Cheers Ed

Good colour on the Katnook
Cheers Craig

Mt Ed’s from good vintages are truly superb wines, albeit getting exxy

Mike Hawkins wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:02 pm Mt Ed’s from good vintages are truly superb wines, albeit getting exxy

Yes Mike, you need to hope and pray that there are some 'relative bargains' in the second hand market. Retail/RRP is just stupid now, certainly as a more than favourable comparison, not worth 2 Standish Lamella's. At my stage of wine buying, apart from a Bests Thompson's perhaps, there is no wine on my radar at $200+ that I would consider.

Lucky for those who picked up a string of Mt Eds years ago, when they were well south of $100
Cheers Craig

2019 Yalumba The Cigar
Lovely dark fruits, savoury tones, plate is rich, oak is there but fruit already popping through. Tannins melt away and come back again. This for the money is excellent, balanced and approachable now, with a long life ahead. Roll on 2019 Coonawarra's!!
Cheers Craig

phillisc wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:20 am 2019 Yalumba The Cigar
Lovely dark fruits, savoury tones, plate is rich, oak is there but fruit already popping through. Tannins melt away and come back again. This for the money is excellent, balanced and approachable now, with a long life ahead. Roll on 2019 Coonawarra's!!
Cheers Craig

Coincidentally, just order a doz of this Cigar over the weekend, but Craig, 2019, surely vinfanticide?!

mjs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:50 pm

phillisc wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:20 am 2019 Yalumba The Cigar
Lovely dark fruits, savoury tones, plate is rich, oak is there but fruit already popping through. Tannins melt away and come back again. This for the money is excellent, balanced and approachable now, with a long life ahead. Roll on 2019 Coonawarra's!!
Cheers Craig

Coincidentally, just order a doz of this Cigar over the weekend, but Craig, 2019, surely vinfanticide?!

Malcolm, I somewhat agree, but picked up a half dozen and as part of the festival of birthday, popped the screw cap. Its a cracker and I will get a few more. I remember one of the robust discussions that I had with Nat Cleghorn, (ex Yalumba, ex Katnook and now at Mitchelton...I'll have to dig out some of those old Print Shiraz's), that 2019 Coonawarra will certainly be one out of the box. Nat said wait for the Menzies, the 2019 won best cab in some national competition, beating all comers from WA, YV. If the Cigar is anything to go by, she's on the money.
I agree too young, label indicates 15 years, it will do that easily, but as I'm getting a bit older, I am actually trying some newer stuff. Think the Cigar is a much more fleshier wine than the '19 sanctum that we both tried at the 5 x 5 dinner last October. Certainly better than the '17 Menzies too!

Cheers Craig