The Auswine Forum

By some legislative quirk related to an obscure religion-based regulation involving Sunday, we in Qld get a holiday on Monday. Didn't have one last year when 25/04/2009 fell on a Saturday but hey, it is Qld. Anzac Day has put me in mind of Uncle (by marriage) Ron. I was just a kid, don't remember him ever talking about his war experiences as a sniper in Nuigini. He was granted a small farm block at Millaroo near Clare in the lower Burdekin Valley. But even then tobacco was a marginal crop. He ended up working as a psych nurse at the same institution as my older bro, the latter for about 38 years - I sometimes wonder about the bro . In the early/mid 60s I remember Uncle Ron kept a few nanny goats he used to milk to help sustain his family. He passed away some years ago but he provided well for my aunt who is now in care at a good private home for the aged after having lived for some years in a detached villa there. I also remember my maternal Nanna talking about one of her near family having been gassed in WW1, afterward never being the man he was before that conflict.

Lest we forget.

It's been a Tahbilk week. TheThe riesling 09 was just like a comfortable pair of old slippers, the viognier 09 didn't have the viscous mouthfeel of the earlier vintages I've had, a little disappointing as a varietal but perhaps the 2nd bottle will be more expressive next year. Shiraz 06 is very good and so is the cab 06, both with healthy tannins that augur well for a minimum five more years in the cooler, the cab perhaps with longer term cellaring potential. They're both still very young and primary with typical Tahbilk varietal characters, the shiraz showing nice black fruits, some licorice, the cab savoury cassis with some mintiness. Both show good quality cedary oak not often found in <$20 reds. 2006 seems to have been a good red vintage at Tahbilk.

Remembrance is undeniably a part of being human.

daz

Steingarten Riesling 2007 - good although a little flat
Steingarten Riesling 2005 - fresher and more lemony than the 07. Excellent.
Seppelt Victoria Pinot 2005 - workmanlike Pinot. Solid and varietal but on the heavy side. OK

04 Villa Maria Reserve Merlot. This was a stunner on release. Yes it was a show pony but it had masses of dense black fruit which i thought would see it well in the cellar. I opened it last night after falling upon it in the cellar and realising it is now 6 years old. Although I know others have had luck, I have never found Villa Maria a great winery to cellar.

Last night I felt the 04 Res Merlot had got worse. it was rather angular and I have the feeling it was acified in the winemaking process and is now showing it (just my wine wank thoughts here). Did not say to me that it is a $40 wine.

Today suprisingly it tastes a lot better with a soft rounded palate with the very dark plum fruit it had on release. Ripe silky tannins and enjoyable. Perhaps not quite as good as i remember it but not a complete failure

This is one of the few NZ reds of quality outside Pinot noir, which I have kept for a reasonable period of time (6 years) which is under screw cap. I am wondering if my day 1 experience would have been the same had it been under cork?

Last night at an Italian restaurant (Ambrosini on Magill Rd) here in Adelaide that allowed BYO (not advertised). Food was good Northern Itialian. $15 corkage that was entirely reasonable:

Longview Block 11 Adelaide Hills 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Winery was the next booze venture for McGilvray of (why do you ask?) 2 Dogs Lemonade fame. Believe he sold out before the glut. His timing has been impeccable. Huge chunky bottle was unnecessary. Wine was good without being great. Good varietal cabernet characteristics.

Yalumba Galway Shiraz. Current vintage straight from the booze shop brought by our friends. Surprisingly good for an industrial wine and confirms recent comments that this once good wine is undergoing renovations. Well made from good fruit.

During the week we enjoyed a Leabrook Estate Adelaide Hills 2003 Cabernet Merlot. A lovely wine that always impresses.

Also a Hardy's 2006 Padthaway Riesling cleanskin. Good plonk.

Chuck

Craig(NZ) wrote:04 Villa Maria Reserve Merlot. ... I am wondering if my day 1 experience would have been the same had it been under cork?

Hmm, interesting. You have to wonder - sounds like it might be in a hole?

I had a nice white yesterday, one I've had before, again very enjoyable: Millton Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2007 - lovely pear and honey-lemon flavours. Quality cork.

Jerome Prevost La Closiere - 100% Pinot Meunier...excellent stuff!!

Domaine Guffens Macon Pierreclos en Crazy 2007 - very good

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnes Sancerre 2007 - excellent stuff....one of the guru's of Sancerre along with Cotat, Thomas-Labaille and Vetan...worth seeking out.

Brocard Petit Chablis 2008 - very good....everything it should be....sapid, clean, citrussy, malic and gouleyant

David Leclapart L'Apotre - BdB....very good....in a bit of a hole I reckon...nice concentration and depth of fruit but lacks complexity....nice lemon curd, white chocolate, pastry with some light sherry notes.

Domaine de Chassorney Savigny-les-Beaune Les Gollades 2007 - lovely stuff

Laurent Tribut Chablis 1er Beauroy 2007 - slightly corkerised

Laurent Tribut Chablis AC 2007 - very noice

Jean Baptiste Senat Ornicar 2008 - cracking stuff from Minervois...rising star of the Languedoc....pure, natural, expressive wine.

Domaine Gramenon La Laurentides Cotes du Rhone 2008 - lovely gear....juicy as bro

Domaine Ferrand Cuvee Antique VV Cotes du Rhone 2007 - Poohy as bro....down the sink

Chandon de Brailles Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Les Lavières 2002 - lovely....linear, quite light on its feet but with good presence and tension....certainly not a wine for fruit sluts.

Dawn service in Tanunda was hard work after all that....

And today some Francois Chidaine Montlouis, German rizza and a 2000 A. Rousseau CdB

Evans and Tate - Reserve Shiraz 2005
Simply the best WA shiraz ive ever had. Deeply concentrated, inky, stewed plums and dark berries with a slightly dusty, dark chocolate finish. Superb. Drinking exceptionally well now.
Good luck if you can find any (the winery has sold out). Its a cracker, highly recommended.

Tahbilk marsanne 2009

That a wine that's going to get a whole lot better tastes this exciting in its youth is pretty darned exciting. I'd love to know if anyone can recommend a wine to compare it to, as really I've not tasted anything in the mode of this wine, and I love it to bits. Chiefly lemon notes, with hints of others floating throughout, a deliciously full body, and a very long clean finish. Very good.

Mt Langhi Cliff's Edge 2005

Densely concentrated dark fruits that pierce the thick body of this wine have just the right side of sweetness to offer - molasses and licorice hints add to the enjoyment. Good.

Lobethal Road Bacchant Shiraz 2007 - a bit too muscular for me but after a couple of hours, a delicious full flavoured Shiraz with just a hint of alcohol heat.

Henschke Muscat of Tappa Pass 2008 - very light for a dessert wine - quite like a still prosecco. Grapey. Very nice.

G'day Daz

It's been a big weekend in WA:

Friday night at home with family included Mt Horrocks 2009 Riesling, and their Cordon Cut Riesling, Picardy Chardonnay 2004, Ashley Estate (Perh Hills) Pinot 2004, 1984 Grange (outstanding), and Jane Brook 2007 Back Block Shiraz (Swan Valley).

Saturday night at Da Bruno restaurant in Inglewood was superb, and included Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne 1995, Petaluma and Howard Park 2009 rieslings, Cullen Chardonnay 2007, Frogmore Creek Chardonnay 2006, Bass Phillip Estate Pinot 2003 (brilliant), Cullen Cabernet Merlot 2000 (the last vintage before the name change to Diana Madelaine), Wynns John Riddoch 1998, and Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2001.

Sunday was a quiet one, with Voyager Chardonnay 2007, and a Heafod Glen (Swan Valley) Shiraz Cabernet 2005.

Lest we forget, indeed.

Cheers

Allan

2005 Huntington Estate Reserve Cab Sav - a lovely medium bodied Cabernet that strikes a nice balance between the sweeter, fruitier elements and the savoury, earthy characteristics that are typical of Mudgee reds.

2008 Moordooduc Devil Bend Creek Pinot Noir - Had this for lunch at a restaurant and it was very good lunch-style pinot. Varietal nose of cherry and strawberries and spice. Nice fruit on the palate, with some savoury, stalky flavours. Reasonably full-bodied for a Pinot.

Waiters Friend wrote:G'day Daz

It's been a big weekend in WA:

Friday night at home with family included Mt Horrocks 2009 Riesling, and their Cordon Cut Riesling, Picardy Chardonnay 2004, Ashley Estate (Perh Hills) Pinot 2004, 1984 Grange (outstanding), and Jane Brook 2007 Back Block Shiraz (Swan Valley).

Saturday night at Da Bruno restaurant in Inglewood was superb, and included Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne 1995, Petaluma and Howard Park 2009 rieslings, Cullen Chardonnay 2007, Frogmore Creek Chardonnay 2006, Bass Phillip Estate Pinot 2003 (brilliant), Cullen Cabernet Merlot 2000 (the last vintage before the name change to Diana Madelaine), Wynns John Riddoch 1998, and Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2001.

Sunday was a quiet one, with Voyager Chardonnay 2007, and a Heafod Glen (Swan Valley) Shiraz Cabernet 2005.

Lest we forget, indeed.

Cheers
Allan

hey even your quiet day seemed good now what was the 00 cullens like now to drink or do u think more time is needed


regards Dazza

Waiters Friend wrote:G'day Daz

It's been a big weekend in WA:

Friday night at home with family included Mt Horrocks 2009 Riesling, and their Cordon Cut Riesling, Picardy Chardonnay 2004, Ashley Estate (Perh Hills) Pinot 2004, 1984 Grange (outstanding), and Jane Brook 2007 Back Block Shiraz (Swan Valley).

Saturday night at Da Bruno restaurant in Inglewood was superb, and included Yeringberg Marsanne Roussanne 1995, Petaluma and Howard Park 2009 rieslings, Cullen Chardonnay 2007, Frogmore Creek Chardonnay 2006, Bass Phillip Estate Pinot 2003 (brilliant), Cullen Cabernet Merlot 2000 (the last vintage before the name change to Diana Madelaine), Wynns John Riddoch 1998, and Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2001.

Sunday was a quiet one, with Voyager Chardonnay 2007, and a Heafod Glen (Swan Valley) Shiraz Cabernet 2005.

Lest we forget, indeed.

Cheers

Allan

Hi Allan, sounds like a fine weekend with family, hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as you seem to have.

How did you find the Cullen 2000? I had one at about 5-6yo, was more impressed by it than I had been by the 99 I'd tried when it was somewhat younger. Also curious to know what you thought of the JR 98. I've a bottle but haven't really considered opening it for at least several years yet.

Hope you get some wine tasting opportunities during your upcoming trip. Sue will have some interesting shopping opportunities I'm sure My recent PSA test was within the acceptable limit so it's so far so good.

Cheers

daz

G'day Daz,and glad to hear the PSA tests are in the right direction.

There've been questions about the 2000 Cullen CM, and NONE about the 1984 Grange. To an extent I can understand why, as the Cullen is definitely more affected by vintage variation. Grange is a complex blend and the amount of Grange released each year exceeds Cullen's total wine output generally.

Toi be honest, and having poured a couple of late 1990s Cullen CMs down the sink (in the company of their vineyard manager at the time, I might add) I included the 2000 Cullen 2000 in the lineup almost as as a 'f*ck it, if it is OK it will be great'. Fortunately, it was, and as the remainder of the Cullen DMs in my cellar are screwcapped, I will leave them lying in state with confidence. One of the 2004s nearly met an early demise over the same weekend, but a little restraint (and alcohol poisoning already) put that in place. If they were under cork, I would have opened them already - from what I hear (including from Cullen themselves) there is a lot of cork variation.

Cheers

Allan

Sorry Daz,

The question about the John Riddoch 1998, well, it suffered in the company it kept that night. It was two dimensional compared to the Bass Phillip Pinot and the Cullen CM. I tasted it while decanting a few hours earlier (as I did for most of the reds) and was impressed but not blown away.

Maybe a little disappointed, but a good (not great) wine nevertheless. It would knock the socks off a Jacobs Creek Shiraz Cabernet, however, or even a Tahbilk Cab 2006 (one of your recent tasting, I believe).

Cheers

Allan

2008 Clonakilla O'Riada and 2008 Clonakilla Hilltops

Both tasted at the same restaurant, with the same dish but on different nights

Both very good - ran out and bought more of both the next day