The Auswine Forum

Starting this one a day early, apologies fellas, but I was able to try a few blasts from the Shiraz past tonight. Wasn't really taking too many notes or anything, but here's the general gist. Wine pairing was more wine and the odd bit of cheese and crackers.

1992 Wendouree Shiraz

Velvety maroon in colour, some bricking but not too much. Cork in good condition. Very approachable on the nose and palate when opened, tannins and acidity pretty much non-existent with a smooth classic Wendouree fruit profile remaining. Was decanted, but unfortunately after an hour or so the fruit started to fade and the finish became shorter and shorter. First glass was the best, and was damn good at that, but this one's at the end of its life so drink before it dies.

2002 Barwang Shiraz

Dark red, very much a 'black' colour to it. Cork was impeccable. Incredibly earthy on the nose, in fact I wasn't a massive fan of it. However the palate was a different story with a deep, older style of Shiraz fruit flavour to it. Continued to improve in the glass and in the bottle (not decanted) over time, became a very very tasty drop. May have a few years left in it. One of Australia's best value reds at only $15 a pop?

1995 Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz

Ruby red, minimal bricking. Cork was meh, half way up but no effect on the wine. This wine (or at least this vintage of this wine) is a true example of how great Penfolds used to be. Still had a strong acidic backbone at 19 years of age. Honestly tasted like a wine a third of its age. Was not decanted, and was a bit restrained and sharp at the beginning but smoothed and softened up to show a fantastic example of what Kalimna vines can produce. Plenty of fruit, good length - everyone was astounded. If it was under screw cap it'd have loads of time in it, but be wary of those corks.

Marc Bredif Vouvray 1985 - fresh as a daisy, especially in light of its age. Fruit sweetness but not at all cloying. Excellent.

2007 Curly Flat pinot noir

very nice. Incredibly moreish on the nose with good fruit and earthiness, following through the same way on the palate. Lovely full and smooth mouthfeel. Really nice. We enjoyed this a lot and good to see some aged aussie pinot on a restaurant wine list (by the glass no less)

2009 Mt Langi Ghiran Shiraz

wonderful dark fruit and soft oak. Almost dusty fine tannins. A very enjoyable drink but too young by far.

Only two riesling's in the last week.

Kilakanoon's 2003 Blackett's Riesling is an excellent/oustanding wine nearing its peak drinking window. Sealed under screwcap, the wine displays a light gold colour with impressive brightness, a full and enticing nose of toast and honey wrapped in a shroud of lovely citrus and minerals. The palate shares a similar profile with superior delineation and crisp, lively acidity keeping everything in equilibrium. With extremely good length and a crunchy finish this wine could well go another five years at this level, with some hope of holding until it's twentieth anniversary. 91 points.

I have just opened a bottle of Seppelt's 2005 Drumborg Riesling and my initial reaction is this is the real deal. It is still in nappies with an incredible indelibility from go to woe. The steeliness on both nose and palate pays testimony to the Seppelt winemakers' intention of making something special for the long haul. I could quite easily award it 95 points and a drinking window of 2015 - 2030+ but will give it a chance to unfold in the glass over the course of the next 24 hours and report back tomorrow with a more informed opinion.

Edit - The Seppelt is now finished and perhaps I overestimated it. It is an outstanding Riesling with a good future. I loved the pithy grapefruit and bucketloads of minerality, schist and wet river pebbles. The acidity is well integrated and the wine's mouthfeel is top class. 93 points and drink now - 2025.

Couple of young quaffers over the past week...

Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2011 - Their entry level wine, the 2010 is stunning, so this disappointed me upon first opening, plenty of tinned pineapple! Seemed oddly disjointed, what's up Kumeu? (I thought at the time). So I double decanted it, topped up my glass a bit, left it on the table and put the bottle back in the fridge overnight. Hours later, the glass had improved markedly, showing more classic Kumeu characters of balance and texture. Next day from the fridge, having warmed up a touch, the wine was transformed and most enjoyable. Not as good as the 2010, but I think more elegant than the 2009 although not quite the fruit power.

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes GSM 2012 - Similar story here, very reductive and VA'ish upon opening, my wife had a glass or two, then the next day (overnight in the fridge again), I waited for it to come up to temp and I found it also transformed and nicely settled.

John Duval Entity Shiraz 2010 - Noticed the screwcap was quite damaged, so decided to open it, aware that it deserved more time in the cellar. Quite an impressive wine, nicely structured and massive fruited yet never appearing overblown. Will enjoy the rest of the bottle over the next two nights, it'll certainly last!

And a shout out to Anchor Steam Beer from San Francisco. What a fantastic beer, so well balanced.

A few over the weekend

2006 Devils Lair Fifth leg - Pretty good drinking, plenty of capsicum on the palate. Would probably consume soon if you had any
2005 Briar Ridge Vignerons Selection Orange Cab Sauv - Has hardly budged fruit dominant and not in a hurry anytime soon. Tasted half the age of the Devils Lair. Funny that the recommendation is only 4-7 years. This has a way to go yet.
2003 Torbreck Steading- Very very good. Could have sniffed it for hours

Pikes 2013 Riesling...after swearing on a stack of bibles that I was to buy no more reisling period this is a ripper.
Got it for a song and drinks so beatifully.

2008 Lake breeze Benoota...nice wine, well balanced good in the mouth rich and moorish
2010 Knappstein Cabernet...this was really good might have to see if i can get some more...easy 10+ years
1993 Rockford BP, perfect cork, deep red in colour, nose of crushed berries, flowers, some slighty savoury tones but more sweetness.
Great on the palate, really good length, tannins and acid with power and grace, no real evidence of oak, all fruit ...easy 3-5 years to go.
Have not had this for a very long time....in Mong speak spank me down good.


Cheers
Craig

A quiet week...

Unison Sauvignon Blanc 2011: A touch grassy. Muted passionfruit and maybe some grapefruit? Better with food. Wife enjoyed this one (wife's wine ).

A J Adam Hofberg Kabinet 2011: WARNING: if you like acid in your rieslings then this is a wine for you. Night one and my teeth hurt White peach, alkaline and salt notes. Much more settled on night two. Will it age? At least for the medium term I think. For the record I loved this wine.

Looking forward to getting back to some reds with the arrival of cooler weather.

Cheers
Matt

2011 Mount Langi Cliff Edge Shiraz
Peppery. Definitely the product of a wet season. I liked the previous 2 vintages and have a few of the 2009 stashed away. I will not be doing the same with this vintage.

2010 Willunga 100 Grenache
Plummy with some spice. A good but simple wine.

2010 Samuels Gorge Cadenza Grenache
I enjoyed this a lot more that the wine above. Berry fruit but not as plummy. More complex in texture, fine tannins and a much more balanced wine. I believe this would cellar better than the Willunga.

1996 Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnet in colour, fruit interwined wine cedar box. Medium palate with fine tannins and little sediment. As expected, the Reserve showed more complexity and depth.

Driftwood 2008 Shiraz
I wasn't expecting much from this one however, it's a cracker!
Dominant mulberry and blueberry notes with gentle dark chocolate and vanillin oak. Even a touch of old leather/books, but does dissipate in the glass over time. No real earthiness, it's more plush and sweet, and medium to full bodied. Under cork, matured beautifully, it's probably at its peak now.

Collector "Tiger Tiger" Chardonnay 2012

Well, as David said at the Canberra offline when tasting this Chard, "He's (Alex McKay) a bloody genius!". And who am I to argue? A beautiful Chardonnay which lets the pristine fruit do the talking. Not overworked nor underdone, this was a singular Chard: Built to express the fruit and to last. Canberra's very own Grand Cru Chablis.

So good at the offline we bought three more and cracked one of them on Sat night at the folks place. Delicious. And they don't even like Chardonnay!

Cheers, Travis.

TravisW wrote:Collector "Tiger Tiger" Chardonnay 2012

...So good at the offline we bought three more and cracked one of them on Sat night at the folks place. Delicious. And they don't even like Chardonnay!

Cheers, Travis.

Snap! How good was it! I grabbed 3 bottles probably from the same source. Thinking of slipping it into a blind chablis tasting with some mates in Sydney at the end of March.

Cheers
Matt

The fish wrote:

TravisW wrote:Collector "Tiger Tiger" Chardonnay 2012
Cheers, Travis.

Thinking of slipping it into a blind chablis tasting with some mates in Sydney at the end of March.
Cheers
Matt

Please report back if you do.

Thanks
Michael

Campbell's Muscat ($18)
Fresh honey, caramel and hints of burnt toffee. One glass is never enough...

Collector Reserve Shiraz 2011

Decanted for 1/2 hour and then drunk over the next three. Served it blind to my wife and she picked it as a Clonakilla SV. High praise indeed.

What a beautifully balanced, med bodied, cool climate Shiraz. Perfumed nose but if there is any Viognier in there then it is subtle. It whets your appetite. The palate is elegant, lifted and long. The only detractor for me was the fine acid was sticking out a smidge, but my wife didn't think so. But for me the best part of drinking this Shiraz was the flavours you got when breathing out through your nose and mouth after swallowing. Stunning flavours. I was pulling faces like I was smoking a Cuban cigar.

It started to fade after 2 hours in the decanter, so maybe one for short-med term in the cellar? A wonderful achievement in a difficult Canberra vintage.

Cheers, Travis.