The Auswine Forum

Alright dlo,

Go nuts mate... Let it rip...

Cheers,

monghead...

He he he...

I was waiting for dlo to post on this, until I read his penfolds chardy TN.

Oh well, I guess I'll kick it off:

2001 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark and ink-like purple. Intensely perfumed with blackcurrants, lums, cassis, violets, cedar, and just the hints of tobacco, and black olives this wine is still a monster with predominantly primary characteristics. Well balanced, deep, full, lucious chewy tannins, this wine will be great, nay sensational in 10 years plus.

He he he...

I was waiting for dlo to post on this, until I read his penfolds chardy TN.

Oh well, I guess I'll kick it off:

2001 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark and ink-like purple. Intensely perfumed with blackcurrants, lums, cassis, violets, cedar, and just the hints of tobacco, and black olives this wine is still a monster with predominantly primary characteristics. Well balanced, deep, full, lucious chewy tannins, this wine will be great, nay sensational in 10 years plus.

2002 Robert Weil Riesling Kabinett
Opened a glowing yellow gold. Acacia flowers on the nose. Sweet yet light and ethereal. The palate was smooth with nice fruit sweetness without being cloying evoking orange citrus. Bergamot or bitter orange noted on the finish. Right in the groove with acidity just providing support without being discernible on the palate so drink soon. Very good wine.

cheers

Carl

Another almost cleanskin last night with the 05 Noon Twelve Bells 16% Not sure what the blend is for this but it's clearly got quite a bit of grenache in it. We'd just finished of the remains of the pinot from the night before so were on a plums, strawberry and raspberry high when we nosed this one. Ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!

Red purple colour with this massive cherry nose. Slightly confected with a bit of caramel and brown sugar even. You can smell the alcohol on the nose but it's not evident on the palate at all. More cherry on the palate and finishes with pepper and spice. Actually a very enjoyable wine. 89.

Birthday celebrations started last Wednesday for lunch when a friend took me down to Kingsleys on W Wharf for lunch. He was kind enough to order a Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2006. When he told me it was a RBP, I was initially concerned as the last RBP I had consumed was a 1998 and it was still years off being ready to drink. By comparison, the 2006 was an elegant wine with restained tannins. I was even more surprised to actually pick it as a Barossa Shiraz given I rarely drink the stuff and I have virtually none in the cellar bar the Blackwell 98 and some RBP 04. Deep garnet colour, mocha and chocolate red fruit. I would happily drink more of this on nice sunny winters day with a steak watching the boats on the harbour.

Thursday night, went to Tetsuya's last night for the actual big 50 birthday.

First wine was a Henri Billiot Brut Rosé NV: From the grand cru village of Ambonnay, the wine is made from a base of first pressings of 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay (04, 05, 06 vintages) with 4-8% of still pinot noir blended in. A pretty big wine for a rosé with a great depth of flavour and a good match for the first dish.

Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett 07: A little whiffy on the nose but this blew off very quickly. Refreshing peeled granny smith apples, with a touch of lemon and pear juice drizzled over it.

Jouard Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Les Fairendes 1er 01: More developed than I expected but nevertheless lovely, with honeysuckle and butterscotch.

Prieur Roch Vosne Romanee Haute Mazieres 99: This was a late ring in for reasons set out below. Pretty serious village wine. Produced by the former winemaker or vineyard manager for DRC (can't remember which one the shop told me but the name is on the label`) Lots of raspberries, mushroom and forest floor. Interesting to watch it open up as time progressed. Very very drinkable. Pity about the price.

Chateau Guiraud 05: Lovely, elegant sauternes, showing melon, lime and honey. Much more restarined than some of the very over the top sauterne I have been drinking from 03. Terrific elegance and length.

Seppelt Para Tawny Port '88: This was a real suprise, as a gift from the restaurant to go with the wonderful chocolate desert they deliver up to the birthday boy. A little spirity and volatile, but nice brown sugar, molasses and stewed raisins.

Overall first time at Tets and I can see why it is seen as a notch above the rest. I think WOTN was the Henri Billiot Brut Rosé NV followed by the Prieur Roch Vosne Romanee Haute Mazieres 99:. Sadly the Pichon Comtess de Lalande 1985 that we opened earlier in the day that was supposed to be the feature wine had lose its fruit and the decision was made not to take it along to dinner so we knocked the bottle off at home as an apertif before we departed.

Friday night, I cooked dinner at home for 5 friends who had flown in from Auckland. First up some duty free Verve Clicquot Rose NV. Normally one of my favour champagnes given my lack of experience in this area but sadly over shadowed by the Billiot from the night before. Next up McWilliams Elizabeth Semillion 2000 drinking well, the acid has softened up now and the lemon and lanolin flavours are coming through. With the duck ragu pasta a CJ Pask Gimlett Gravel Chardonnay 2007 a most enjoyable chard from Hawkes Bay. Earlier vintages tended to be a bit over the top, too much malo buttery stuff going on. Thankfully they have wound it all back and whilst it is still strong wine, it is much more elegant with good depth. Also with the pasta, a Savaterre Pinot Noir 2004. Better than a bottle from the same case earlier this month. Savory chewy fruit. Still think this wine might have been a bit overhyped at the time of its release. Also a St Hallet Blackwell 98 lovely chocolate mocca flavour and a Castagna Gensis 2002 I should have decanted this. It never really opened up into the same wine I had last year. Finished off with a Noble One 2002. Deep amber colour, good acidity and structure, rich and lush style without being excessively sweet

Messy dinner saturday at Table for 20 with 40 friends. A superb venue in an old Masonic Hall. Run by an Italian, for those who don't know the venue, it comprises two long table in a large hall. The meal is fixed menu. Grabbed about 3 cases of reds from the cellar of mixed odds and sods to go with a case of CJ Pask Gimlett Gravel Chardonnay 2007 (big thanks to the person who reminded me about this on greys) and a case of Schmitges Riesling 2007. Spent most of the evening drinking the riesling. The one red wine I do remember drinking was the Bannockburn Shiraz 2002. Glad I left a couple from the case behind in the cellar. More of a cool climate style shiraz with softer more restrainted and elegant approach.

Sunday night recovery session a Moulin Touchais 1959. Another really interesting chenin blanc from the Loire. Sweet in a slightly oxidative sherry style. It is more a sipping style almost in sherry glasse rather than a straight desert wine. We paired it up with a mountain gorgonzola and the two made a great match.

Finished off cooking again at home on Monday for some stray Melbourians who departed this morning. Started with 3 different types of Oyster, Bruny Is off Tasmania, Coffin Bay off SA and St Helens off Tassie. My vote went to the rather sweet St Helens. The oysters were then followed by a blue cod provencale with steamed mussels. As it was a seafood focused meal, we started with a Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Urgestein 2006. Starting to develop quite a golden hue and a floral white peach bouquet. I got a little honeysuckle on the nose, with a palate that an interesting richness and depth. Next up was a Jacobs Creek Steingarten Riesling 2006. Pale golden straw green color. Still extremely taunt with tightly coiled mineral streak over slate. I doubt I will bother opening another bottle inside 3-4 years. Finally a Grosset Polish Hill 2002 under screwcap. Similar golden hue to the Schloss Gobelsburg but in comparision, a bone dry style that is just starting to reveal some its potential and depth of flavour.

Rest of the month: nothing!

Happy birthday rooman. It shouldn't take 50 years to get to Tetsuyas though!

05 Greenoch creek Alices shirazFirst one i have tried and yes its as dark as Deep purple , Huge alc 17.5 % and does the fruit handle this with ease Rich Dark Plums,Black truffles,and a Jammy confection that really is to die for ,Tannin that sits well for along time . Alc for the long haul is my doubt on Balance and yes right now the fruit handles it spot on but long term i would say will take its toll..................Rich, yummy and if you love rich reds then get a bottle or 2


Regards Dazza

2007 Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz
The typical apricot and white flowers lift of viognier cofermentation. Some red fruit and raw meat as well. Elegant, fresh wine with acidity on the finish. Good for me but Very good from Rebecca.

cheers

Carl

The specially made wines from rk and clonakilla for vc seem to be doing quite well aren't they?

monghead wrote:The specially made wines from rk and clonakilla for vc seem to be doing quite well aren't they?

The O'Riada is the normal second label from Clonakilla. Worth trying it side by side with the Jack etc from VC perhaps? I wonder if there is much difference.

Tried the RK's a couple of weeks ago. Liked the Shiraz a lot but the Chardonnay was worked a little too far for the ability of the fruit weight to balance I think. I do like the worked styles though. At 30% off they are tempting both me...

cheers

Carl

Hi All,
Any Chance of changing the topic date Mongie??

Tonite,
Shaw And Smith Shiraz 2005 (cork)
When i first opened it, dark purple colour and this beautiful wine was nicely balanced with the fruit/oak and a great palate feel. Great wine ready now in the primary.

Jacobs Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2002 (cork)
By chance i noticed that the cork had a slight staining to it...
So i thought it a good excuse to crack it and see where its at. Dark black colour. Choc/mint, plum pudding cake on the nose, which is massive. the palate all class, a long satisfing finish. This is a class wine, still very dense in style and needing some years to come together .

oakboy wrote:Hi All,
Any Chance of changing the topic date Mongie??

Tonite,

Jacobs Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2002 (cork)
By chance i noticed that the cork had a slight staining to it...
So i thought it a good excuse to crack it and see where its at. Dark black colour. Choc/mint, plum pudding cake on the nose, which is massive. the palate all class, a long satisfing finish. This is a class wine, still very dense in style and needing some years to come together .

It's a huge wine! Had a bottle a couple of months ago. I won't go near the 2nd and last bottle won't before2014.

Cheers

daz

oakboy wrote:Hi All,
Any Chance of changing the topic date Mongie??

.

Ha!

Sorry, not only can't I spell, I obviously have problems with dates...

Thanks for pointing out...

Bit of $10 Ingolby action via 08 Shiraz. They chucked some Barbera in it and you could certainly notice the extra juiciness. Quite tasty indeed.

Probably should be asking myself if I should buy Ingolby, but it was snatch and grab affair and my mind was fried from an unpleasant day.

bacchaebabe wrote:Happy birthday rooman. It shouldn't take 50 years to get to Tetsuyas though!

I agree most remiss. But it was fun bar the faded Pichon.

Happy Birthday Rooman!

griff wrote:

monghead wrote:The specially made wines from rk and clonakilla for vc seem to be doing quite well aren't they?

The O'Riada is the normal second label from Clonakilla. Worth trying it side by side with the Jack etc from VC perhaps? I wonder if there is much difference.

Tried the RK's a couple of weeks ago. Liked the Shiraz a lot but the Chardonnay was worked a little too far for the ability of the fruit weight to balance I think. I do like the worked styles though. At 30% off they are tempting both me...

cheers

Carl

Yes, my mistake...

30% off hey? Perhaps a good time to back-fill...

Monghead.

Tonight,

2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir- Acceptable, but nothing special.

Daryl Douglas wrote:

oakboy wrote:Hi All,
Any Chance of changing the topic date Mongie??

Tonite,

Jacobs Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2002 (cork)
By chance i noticed that the cork had a slight staining to it...
So i thought it a good excuse to crack it and see where its at. Dark black colour. Choc/mint, plum pudding cake on the nose, which is massive. the palate all class, a long satisfing finish. This is a class wine, still very dense in style and needing some years to come together .

It's a huge wine! Had a bottle a couple of months ago. I won't go near the 2nd and last bottle won't before2014.

Cheers

daz

Hey Daz, am finishing off the bottle tonite(24 hrs later)
And while its settled nicely, it's still a huge monster!
Less choc, and more barossa style blackberry, still a little minty but now secondary. great nose on the wine still. The palate has still an amazing long finish. Great wine and as Daz says, my 1 bottle won't be touched till 2014.
Cheers all
Simmo

Takeaway kebabs tonight. Opened a 2006 Cigale GSM
A slightly murky red. Nose of earth and some musk with the raspberry. Light and slightly funky mataro dominant palate. Great mid-week wine! Unpretentious and Good/Very Good.


Oh and the dregs of the Clonakilla from last night really improved tonight. Very brambly and the black fruit had emerged to swallow the acid on the finish. Complex. Revised up to Very Good/Excellent with potential!

cheers

Carl

Hey Monghead,

I've noticed you have mentioned the RKs and Jack Reidys a few times.

I'm about to jump in and grab a few, and wondered if I could ask your opinion - or anyone else's - as to the cellaring potential of the shiraz' on sale at present?

I gather they're a drink now proposition, but how many years to optimal taste d'ya reckon?

Thanks in advance

RK Shiraz is a drink now product for sure.

via collins,

I haven't tried the Jack Reidy as yet.

But I think the rk shiraz is sensational and beautifully balanced. As such, I see no reason it couldn't last for another 5-7 years.

Cheers,

Monghead.

Many thanks Monghead.

Oh, and this week

2004 Seppelts Moyston cabernet/merlot - gorgeous rich earthy taste, fruit a little timid at first, but comes further forward as the hours pass by. Immensely satisfying

2008 Tahbilk Riesling - second bottle in a few weeks, and this one seemingly possessed by the spirit of gewurztraminer. "That's Turkish delight!" said the partner. No problem for me, but it lacked the flinty dry flavour she was after. It's odd, cause the earlier one had different character entirely.

rooman wrote:

bacchaebabe wrote:Happy birthday rooman. It shouldn't take 50 years to get to Tetsuyas though!

I agree most remiss. But it was fun bar the faded Pichon.

What's that you said Skippy? Oh yes, Happy birthday Mr.Rooman.
Mike.

(You are probably old enough to remember the show before re-runs. )

2006 Primo Estate Joseph Moda Cab/Merlot- I got sick of drinking cheap wine, even if cheap wine is not bad per se. This was so full of character and complexity. 3 glasses down, rest today. It's going to be tough to write up. I like that in a wine.

2007 Starvedog Lane SV- shouldn't have been served after Primo, my mistake. Still very good, but I just did not have the palate gymnastics required.

If I were a rich man, all my dosh would go to Primo over Starvedog ethically, but I'm not rich or righteous enough for that to happen. A potential failing (one of many) on my part. Plus the small amount of money I dribble into the wine economy probably doesn't count for much.

And late Birthday wishes to the esteemed Rooman!

Monthly tasting group get together in Greenock this month....a few people pulled out and that left 6 stoic souls to tackle a fortified wine evening.....all double blind with options.

Domaine Breton La Dileltante Vouvray 2007 - interesting style...kinda muscadet-like.

Domaine Leroy Creme de Cassis - I'd never seen this before...very cool...a bit full on though
-
Vinecrest White Port - nope

Argueso Las Medallas Manzanilla - lovely stuff, grilled nuts, briney and excellent.

Henrique & Henriques Madeira 5 y/o - very good

Quinta do Vallado 10 y/o Tawny - very good wine from one of the Douro boys...not a patch on the 20 y/o though

Fonseca 1977 - excellent....still looks very young and a lovely wine.

Willsford Liquor Shiraz Port - we think this was a Rick Burge port maybe bottled in the '80's.... it was very good

Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Muscat - excellent....we are lucky to have access to this sort of stock

La Sacrista de Romate Pedro Ximenez - excellent....super viscous and heady

Wild duck Creek Fortified 2005 - not my cup of tea

Quinta de Pago Vintage Port 2003 - excellent....hadn't seen anything from this Quinta before....very impressive

Beringer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Port 1978 - pretty average

Grahams Vintage Port 1966 - excellent

Kalleske Vintage Port 1978 - not sure if Troy will release this commercially or just keep for dinners and stuff....it's awesome

Pirramimma Vintage Port 1957 - very good....interesting old girl

Seppelts 100 y/o port ???? - unlabelled but an amazing old wine...super heady and intense.....not as volly as other ones I have tried.

Head is in remarkably good shape this morning after that little effort.

DaveB wrote

La Sacrista de Romate Pedro Ximenez - excellent....super viscous and heady

While I would have had a great time tasting everything else, my palate probably would've lapped up the Ximenez best

Remarkable to get thru that bunch with cigars & not feel like your head had been excavated! Noice.