The Auswine Forum

Hi Good Peoples,

Its that time of the week again. Please let us know what you have been inbibing over the last 7 days. All info welcome.

Had a Winter Creek Second Eleven '07? the other night. This is a very gluggable wine. A blend of Shiraz and Grenache it is excellent value at $15 by the dozen delivered to your door.
David tells his story that he made the blend and thought it was not the best. Left it for some time then bottled and left for a year? I think. It had made a change for the better and picked up some serious gongs in shows, as it should.
Very hard to find better value and I feel it has cellaring potential of a few years, if it lasts that long.
Mike.

Only a couple this week; very quiet (drinking-wise) in our household at the moment ... another quite outstanding example of bliss in a bottle, Kay's Amery 1971 Cabernet Shiraz (my guests were stupefied when shown the bottle) and, at the same sitting, a berried/tarry/minty/eucalypt, but quite excellent, 1991 Orlando Lawson's Shiraz.

Viña Doña Paula Estate Mendoza Malbec 2008 Picked up a couple of these at the Ultimo tasting yesterday and did my bit for keeping the average purchase to consumption time down by drinking one with dinner. Really happy with this - beautiful warm, fruity Malbec but good structural support too. Guzzled it before allowing the nose to open up alas. Overall quite reminiscent of a decent Jack Mann in my view, thus a bargain at $30. Will attempt to pick up some more for drinking over the next two or three years, which will certainly keep the wife happy as she loved it.

Vinea Marson Sangiovese 2007 - took awhile to come around but ended up pretty good if a touch austere and lacking just a bit of generosity.
Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - leafy but well furnished with fruit, quite balanced and good
Henschke Keyneton 2002 - in good shape, very solid with a few years in it yet.

Some wines I had over the last few months:

Capel Vale Whispering Hill Mount Barker Riesling 2008: Very good.
Briery Estate Dry Verdelho 2007: Pretty good.
Picardy Chardonnay 2007: together with the Shaw & Smith the best Chardonnay for me this year. I’m really excited about this wine. Excellent!

Barratt Piccadilly Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2006: Very good but not as stellar as other vintages. So la la.
Marri Wood Park Cellar Reserve Shiraz 2006: Margaret River winery. Interesting wine from a challenging year. More in a lighter, Pinot-like style. Not bad.

Cumulus Wines Climbing Shiraz 2006: Pretty good but nothing special for me here.
Whistler Barossa Shiraz 2004: Again a good wine but nothing exciting here. There are dozens of better Barossa Shirazes from the great 2004 vintage.
Millbrook Winery Estate Shiraz Viognier 2005: Hmmm, that’s not bad at all. Very very good Perth Hills wine.

Kalleske Greenock Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006
Schwartz Nitschke Block Shiraz 2005
John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz 2005
John Duval Wines Plexus Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004
These four wines are all utterly delicious!!!
But I have to mention the super dodgy corks of the Duval wines. The above two bottles had corks that were porous like sponges. Entity was leaking but no damage to wine at this stage, Plexus cork crumbled into several pieces. The worst corks I have ever seen in wine bottles. For God’s sake, John, put some decent corks in your wine bottles!!!

Longhop Shiraz 2006
Henry’s Drive Shiraz 2005
No, not the Barossa here. But again both utterly delicious!!!

Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz 2006: Definitely not as bad as its reputation. Actually quite enjoyable.
Epsilon Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006: Very good but less exciting than other Barossa Shirazes.

Wynns Michael Coonawarra Shiraz 1994: Unbelievable youthful. Could not really detect any mature characters. Very powerful and concentrated wine. Excellent. Might be even better in a couple of years time. No hurry to drink up.

Gotham Langhorn Creek Shiraz 2004: Has taken me by surprise. Was served by a friend in Kalgoorlie during a BBQ – I did not know anything about this wine. All I can say is that this wine is very appealing to me. Made in the dark-darker-darkest high alcohol powerhouse wine syrup style, prune and ripe blackcurrant perfumed, warmly embracing, opulent and voluptuous. Some may find this wine simple – I found it simply luscious.

Ok, some cabernet next time.
Cheers, Mario

PS: How do I revive my avatar?
Aha, first post in the "new" forum and Fozzie is back. Missed you, good ol' pal.

Tucker Wine Studios wrote:John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz 2005
John Duval Wines Plexus Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004
But I have to mention the super dodgy corks of the Duval wines. The above two bottles had corks that were porous like sponges. Entity was leaking but no damage to wine at this stage, Plexus cork crumbled into several pieces. The worst corks I have ever seen in wine bottles. For God’s sake, John, put some decent corks in your wine bottles!!!

Crikey that's a bit of a worry... you'd think Mr Duval would know a thing or two about corks... I wonder if this is the exception or typical. Got some myself, now wondering what the story is....

Cheers
TiggerK

Classic McLaren 2002 Cabernet. Nice but not a great bottle by comparison. Drank too soon I think as last glass after 2 hours was just the ticket... but still not the best.

Houghtons 2001 Margaret River Cabernet at an impromtu lunch Thursday. A bit tight on opening even after double decant but after 1.5 hours it was heaven. One left for a year or two.

Punters Corner 2003 Three Crowns. Good honest quaffer.

Stonehaven Rat and Bull 2005 Chardonnay Viognier. Good quaff with nice oily mouthfeel.

Noted on Get Wines Direct a Deaf Galah 2006 red blend. Unusual blend of shiraz, merlot, grenache and cabernet. Another export labeled wine. Noted because the winemaker is Andrew Braithwaite. Andrew made those great wines for Classic McLaren and he reckons this blend is a steal at $10.00. Keep following this guy as he makes good wines.

At lunch after golf today an O'Leary Walker 2007 Shiraz. Just the goods with the spicy wedges after a cleansing ale.

A lovely half bottle of the Seppeltsfield 1998 cleanskin VP. Just delishhhh.

Old old bottling of Yalumba Galway Pipe. Still if fluid ounces. Very slurpable.

Chuck

2007 Cherubino The Yard Cabernet Sauvignon-WA

This is good! Excellent concentration and sweet fruit. Really delicious now or over 5 years. Excellent Cabernet definition. Finally a good cab! 93 points $30

2004 Fermoy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- Just Good.

Monghead.

2005 Yalumba Barossa Valley Shiraz Viognier. SC. $17

Dark red, but quite pale/watery at the edge.Vibrant sweet dark cherry and floral nose. Oodles of dark berry fruit with some underlying slightly lime/citrus acid (tastes better than it sounds). Nice length with the flavours gathering strength and definition across the palate. Not too much tannin and may not age much more for mine. Almost full-bodied. Very, Very Good. Almost Excellent if you take QPR into account. Drink over the next couple of years with gusto and roast lamb with rosemary and garlic (as I did).

Cheers

Michael

Just enjoying a bottle of kiwi pinot:

2008 Felton Road Pinot Noir- Goody Good

Monghead.

Yep, love that Felton Pinot 2008! The 'Tetsuyas' version (as seen in many DM), is almost as good. I'm no expert, but it's not quite there, although well worth paying good money for nevertheless.

Tonight my guests and I enjoyed with some gourmet steak sandwiches...

Joseph Moda Cab Sav Merlot 2006
and for those still drinking....
Teusner Avatar 2006

Both just great wine. Esp Joseph..... yum. I'd love to have the patience to see what this is like in 5/10 years.. but I just don't, it's too nice now, esp with a little breathing time. Must try to buy one and NOT drink it.

Cheers
TiggerK

TiggerK wrote:Yep, love that Felton Pinot 2008! The 'Tetsuyas' version (as seen in many DM), is almost as good. I'm no expert, but it's not quite there, although well worth paying good money for nevertheless.

Tonight my guests and I enjoyed with some gourmet steak sandwiches...

Joseph Moda Cab Sav Merlot 2006
and for those still drinking....
Teusner Avatar 2006

Both just great wine. Esp Joseph..... yum. I'd love to have the patience to see what this is like in 5/10 years.. but I just don't, it's too nice now, esp with a little breathing time. Must try to buy one and NOT drink it.

Cheers
TiggerK

Only one way around this in my experience, TiggerK. Buy a case.

Monghead.

1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque - quite simply, a magnificent bottle of young champagne. Lovely floral and cirtusy nose with just a hint of bread. Palate had the trademark Dom creaminess with wave after wave of elegant, sweet fruit flavours that seemed to go on forever. This is without doubt one of the best young champagnes I've ever had (before I get flamed for that statement, please note I prefer my champers in the malo-ed style), and I for one can't wait till the 96 Oeno is released.

Cheers

Mike

2008 De Bortoli Sacred Hill Chardonnay
At well under $10 a bottle, this is a real crowd pleaser.
Crisp, lean and well fruited, and even a little nutty complexity and butteriness. Just the thing for these warm Adelaide days, and balmy spring nights that I hope we get soon!

My brother and I went out to Orange for the Cargo Road Zinfandel Long Lunch. We made a camping weekend of it, driving out at lunch time on Friday and pitching a tent in the vineyard.

Lunch started at 12 o’clock on Saturday. Coffee was served at about 7:30pm! There were a couple of breaks to take a walk in the vineyard. After coffee we tried various non-zinfandel wines – none of which I remember.

The wines were served in flights with each course of food. I have no notes at all as I was pouring wines and generally helping out. All of the wines were very good.

Antipasti - Italy
Fondata Vendimmia Primitivo 2003
Bizantino Pervini Primitivo 2005
I Pastini Arpago Primitivo 2005

Primo – USA
Ridge Geyersville Zinfandel 2005 (40th Vintage)
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Beeson Ranch Zinfandel 2006
Dry Creek Somer Ranch Zinfandel 2006

Secondi – Australia
Kangarilla Road Black St Peters Zinfandel 2005 (McLaren Vale)
Schulz Johann Zinfandel 2005 (Barossa Valley)
Cape Mentelle Zinfandel 2005 (Margaret River)

Formaggi – Australia (grapes from Cargo Road)
Cargo Road Zinfandel 2004
Piggs Peak Wolfie Zinfandel 2008
Cargo Road Zinfandel 2008

Dolce
Dry Creek Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006
Cargo Road Late Harvest Zinfandel 2008

There was also an options game wine in the middle which turned out to be a Cargo Road Barbera.

This was a sensational weekend which I will definitely be back for next year.

Mike Hawkins wrote:1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque - quite simply, a magnificent bottle of young champagne. Lovely floral and cirtusy nose with just a hint of bread. Palate had the trademark Dom creaminess with wave after wave of elegant, sweet fruit flavours that seemed to go on forever. This is without doubt one of the best young champagnes I've ever had (before I get flamed for that statement, please note I prefer my champers in the malo-ed style), and I for one can't wait till the 96 Oeno is released.

Cheers

Mike

Mike, just out of interest what is the price of this wine in the US ?

Cheers

Jester

Drank a bottle of 07 Maison Champy Bourgogne Pinot Noir (by myself - I have no shame) on Friday night. Opened a little light but gained complexity and weight in the glass as it opened up. In the end a very pleasant drink. Good pinosity and interesting cherries, raspberries with a good dose of savoury interest. Will probably get better with a couple of years in the dark. 92

TiggerK wrote:

Tucker Wine Studios wrote:John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz 2005
John Duval Wines Plexus Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004
But I have to mention the super dodgy corks of the Duval wines. The above two bottles had corks that were porous like sponges. Entity was leaking but no damage to wine at this stage, Plexus cork crumbled into several pieces. The worst corks I have ever seen in wine bottles. For God’s sake, John, put some decent corks in your wine bottles!!!

Crikey that's a bit of a worry... you'd think Mr Duval would know a thing or two about corks... I wonder if this is the exception or typical. Got some myself, now wondering what the story is....

Cheers
TiggerK

Just saw that the newer vintages (e.g. 2007) are under screwcap - from my experience I would say that's the right move.
Cheers, Mario

Mike Hawkins wrote:1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque - quite simply, a magnificent bottle of young champagne. Lovely floral and cirtusy nose with just a hint of bread. Palate had the trademark Dom creaminess with wave after wave of elegant, sweet fruit flavours that seemed to go on forever. This is without doubt one of the best young champagnes I've ever had (before I get flamed for that statement, please note I prefer my champers in the malo-ed style), and I for one can't wait till the 96 Oeno is released.

Cheers

Mike

You're making my mouth water...

When does the '96 hit the shelves?

2007 Craggy Range 'Quarry' Cab Merlot - young but very enjoyable, very good wine. Decant for a good 6 hours if you want to look at it now.

2005 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz - top Barossa Shiraz, drinking well young but years ahead of it.

2007 William Fevre Petit Chablis - decent chablis, minerally, good with prawns.

2005 Robert Johnson Eden Valley Shiraz - a winner, good weight of fruit with a touch of spice and fine tannins. Gluggable with style.

2006 Punch 'Close Planted' Pinot Noir - really tight, needs a few more years in the bottle before it reveals its charms.

Also popped into Rockford to try the current releases - 07s looked decent for a tough vintage.

bacchaebabe wrote:Drank a bottle of 07 Maison Champy Bourgogne Pinot Noir (by myself - I have no shame) on Friday night. Opened a little light but gained complexity and weight in the glass as it opened up. In the end a very pleasant drink. Good pinosity and interesting cherries, raspberries with a good dose of savoury interest. Will probably get better with a couple of years in the dark. 92

Yes I liked this one too. Under screwcap and so clean and fresh!

cheers

Carl

[quote="John #11"][b]2008 De Bortoli Sacred Hill Chardonnay[/b]
At well under $10 a bottle, this is a real crowd pleaser.
Crisp, lean and well fruited, and even a little nutty complexity and butteriness. Just the thing for these warm Adelaide days, and balmy spring nights that I hope we get soon![/quote]

This and Tahbilks dry white blend 2008 have been my house whites for some time. The Sacred Hill range is $5.49 at the barn - have also been drinking quite a bit of the shiraz cab 08.

jester wrote:

Mike Hawkins wrote:1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque - quite simply, a magnificent bottle of young champagne. Lovely floral and cirtusy nose with just a hint of bread. Palate had the trademark Dom creaminess with wave after wave of elegant, sweet fruit flavours that seemed to go on forever. This is without doubt one of the best young champagnes I've ever had (before I get flamed for that statement, please note I prefer my champers in the malo-ed style), and I for one can't wait till the 96 Oeno is released.

Cheers

Mike

Mike, just out of interest what is the price of this wine in the US ?

Cheers

Jester

I got this in London for approx AUD 275 per bottle. The UK seems to have more of it than anyone else. Here in the US its now extremely hard to find and quite expensive.

monghead wrote:

Mike Hawkins wrote:1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque - quite simply, a magnificent bottle of young champagne. Lovely floral and cirtusy nose with just a hint of bread. Palate had the trademark Dom creaminess with wave after wave of elegant, sweet fruit flavours that seemed to go on forever. This is without doubt one of the best young champagnes I've ever had (before I get flamed for that statement, please note I prefer my champers in the malo-ed style), and I for one can't wait till the 96 Oeno is released.

Cheers

Mike

You're making my mouth water...

When does the '96 hit the shelves?

Monghead,

I've been hassling LVMH to find out with no response. They can't / won't even give me a release date for the regular 02 DP which should be excellent based on the vintage.

Perhaps Gavin or someone in the industry knows ?

Cheers

Mike

Doing a bit of a cleanout of my sub floor cellar over the weekend and pulled out a bottle of Andrew Garrett 1996 Vintage Sparkling Burg. Oh dear.

Had pretty low expectations, but it was bloody marvellous. Still had plenty of life, delivering a full creamy mouth and some fabulous aged burg characters. Possibly not the recommended preparation for a 190 km bike ride the next day, but geez it went down well, as did the 2005 Seppelt fizzy red that preceeded it. Now I wish I had a few more left.