TN: 1987 Lindemans Pyrus

[n4sir]

1987 Lindemans Pyrus, Coonawarra (cork): Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (23%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Malbec (9%). Light to medium red/brick. Very green, full-on herbal/medicinal/meaty DMS characters like the Limestone Ridge of the same year, with earthy/green pea and meat pie, cherry/mulberry, molasses and meaty/vegetal notes. The palate’s pushing medium-weight, with a very tangy/acidic mid-palate and dry finish with slightly bitter tannins on the very end. I get the feeling what's left of the fruit’s starting to shrink away from the structure; perhaps not a great bottle, but even the good ones must be nearing the end of their road.



Cheers,
Ian

[Chuck]

Not a great vintage and I believe the earlier Pyrus were not made for the long haul.

Carl

[Mike Hawkins]

I had my last one 10 years ago and thought it was past it's best back then.

[n4sir]

The bottle wasn't in great condition (high shoulder from memory) but the provenance was good. Had a 1988 Pyrus a couple of months ago that was holding up very well - this wasn't in the same class but it wasn't dead either, a bit of a surprise with the 1987 vintage reputation. Really started to lose its way towards the end though, the acidity and bitterness becoming more prominent, especially compared to the 1989 Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz.

Hoping to have a look at the JWT winning 1985 vintage sometime before the end of the year, fingers crossed.



Cheers,
Ian

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Ian. I bought and drank lots of the 85 Pyrus (got sucked in to the JWT hype) but haven't had it for almost 15 years. It was pretty good for a lousy vintage. Looking forward to your thoughts on its progression.

Mike

[Mahmoud Ali]

The '85 and '87 may be weaker vintages but the '86 Pyrus was a lovely wine the few times I've had it, the last time being 2004. It was good enough for me to think about hanging on to my last bottle for a while longer to see how it goes.

A little side story about the '85 Pyrus and the Jimmy Watson Trophy. As most people know the Jimmy Watson Trophy is awarded to a year-old, unfinished wine and despite the controversy it is a prestigious award. Well anyway, from what I understand Lindeman's, being a large company, in the usual manner submitted a number of wines. To their surprise the wine that won the Trophy was a blend that wasn't a part of any of their usual wines. Now, having won the Jimmy Watson Trophy they felt compelled to market a wine and thus the Pyrus Coonawarra blend was born. I think it's a great story and I hope I'm not wrong about it.

Cheers........................Mahmoud.

[phillisc]

The '85 and '87 may be weaker vintages but the '86 Pyrus was a lovely wine the few times I've had it, the last time being 2004. It was good enough for me to think about hanging on to my last bottle for a while longer to see how it goes.

A little side story about the '85 Pyrus and the Jimmy Watson Trophy. As most people know the Jimmy Watson Trophy is awarded to a year-old, unfinished wine and despite the controversy it is a prestigious award. Well anyway, from what I understand Lindeman's, being a large company, in the usual manner submitted a number of wines. To their surprise the wine that won the Trophy was a blend that wasn't a part of any of their usual wines. Now, having won the Jimmy Watson Trophy they felt compelled to market a wine and thus the Pyrus Coonawarra blend was born. I think it's a great story and I hope I'm not wrong about it.

Cheers........................Mahmoud.

Mahmoud, think you are on the money here, but if not Ian will correct us.
Was down in the cellar the other day, "found" a box with some 86, 87, 88 and 90 St George.
Did not realise that I split the orginal purchase into a couple of cartons....JOY!!

Cheers Craig.

[Sharkey]

Arrr Pyrus

I've still got a couple of '86 Pyrus from a Museum Release 6 pack - released in '96 I think. I last tried one about 2 years ago and it was still really good. I also have some '86 Limestone - also Museum Release. I was married in '86 so my wife and I usually open one of these on our anniversary. We were away last year (in the Barossa) so that is why it has been about 2 years since I tried one. On the other hand, my anniversary is in a couple of weeks so I will get to open one soon.

[Mike Hawkins]

Nice year to have been married Sharkey. Many of the better SA reds from 1986 are still drinking magnificently.

[Chuck]

On the subject of 86. We moved to Adelaide in 1990 and friends introduced us to the 86 Bin 389. It was one of those moments and I was hooked. Bought a huge amount (at the time) of 6 bottles and proceeded to demolish them over a year. Went back for more but strangely there was none left. That's when I realise good wines must be bought in large quantities for ron.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Was down in the cellar the other day, "found" a box with some 86, 87, 88 and 90 St George.
Did not realise that I split the orginal purchase into a couple of cartons....JOY!!

Lucky man, the '86, '88, and '90 should be grand. I'd be opening the '87 first. Don't forget to post tasting notes.