Went to Dan's on Sunday to a tasting of around 40 1998 Aussie reds including the following:
Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock
Henschke Mt Edelstone
Penfolds St Henri, Bin 389, Bin 407, Bin 28
Wynns J.R., Michael, Black Label
Voyager Estate Cab Sav Merlot
Leasingham Classic Clare
Hardy's Eileen Hardy
Orlando St Hugo
Lindemans St George, Pyrus, Limestone Ridge
Katnook Estate Cab Sav
A great afternoon tasting such luminaries with some outstanding wines.
Some appealed more than others, best three were:
Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock - what a stunner, loads of ripe, very ripe fruit, silky tannins, sweetness that lingered a long time in the mouth, plum and chocolate wofted around in the mouth, a bit of ageing to do yet, but stood out as distinctive and unique compared to the rest.
Voyager Estate Cab Sav Merlot - again had something different and unique about it, more of a Bourdeaux style than JH, lovely CS berry fruit and leaf flavours, dry tannins, merlot provided mellow fruity taste that rounded it out beautifully.
Wynns Michael Shiraz - the oak was not overdone, well integrated layers of savoury tastes and dry spices, firm tannins in a big tasting Shiraz out of a great year.
Those that disappointed, some surprises here:
Hardy's Eileen Hardy Shiraz - way too much tannin, the mouth was covered in it and could not taste anything else. The oak gave me splinters and it was nearly undrinkable, way too early to open. Probably will mature into a formidable wine in the future but not sure if the fruit will hold out that long.
Leasingham Classic Clare - similar problem, too tannic, no structure in this one though, fruit was dull and boring.
Best Value
Bailey's 1920 Block Shiraz - plenty of juicy fruit with nice firm tannins, rounded out nicely in the mouth with dryness and savoury tastes.
Mithchelton Print Shiraz - a big wine with a fair smattering of oak but backed up with spicy fruit, leafy, briary tastes.
cheers
Colin