The Auswine Forum

Out last night at Matteo's with grb2001 and wives, celebrating their 30th anniversary, so had to have some significant wines. Couple of miscellaneous non-reds (2000 Dom P and 2012 Romney Park Chardonnay, both excellent), but absolutely enjoyed three reds with the food, all excellent bottles. No, detailed notes, just some general impressions as we were enjoying it all too much . Have to say that Matteo's is one of the best places in Melbourne to byo. They take great care with the wine, good glassware as well.

Also have to say that the Japanese seafood platter at Matteo's is an entree to die for.



Then on to the reds

2004 Balnaves The Tally Cabernet Sauvignon
dense in both colour and texture, great structure, beautiful mouth feel, cassis, some black fruit, beautiful tannins, decades to go perhaps



1990 Penfolds Bin90A Coonawarra Cabernet Barossa Shiraz
Last bottle I had of this about 13 months ago was slightly disappointing. This bottle was absolutely singing, beautiful garnet red purple, medium weight, just beautiful structure, elegant, still many years to live, superb



1982 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
Level down just below neck, this bottle was one of a couple of dozen I purchased at release and cellared since then, sadly not many more left
Cork was extricated in one piece but was stained for the full length. This bottle was in superb nick, just a pleasure to drink, deep red, still a powerful wine, complexity, good fruit still and beautiful tertiary characters developing, plenty of years left.

Definitely need to do a cellar stocktake



We did have a half bottle of 1984 Noble One but decided to keep this for another occasion, having been blown away by these reds! All three bottles were in such great condition and the wines showed as much.

Brilliant
Matteo's has always been polite to me as well

Geez I knew the JR was a long term proposition but great to see it travelling well after 133 years!
That Japanese entree looks divine

Superb line up.....

My experience with these 3 has been first class. Well done!

Bobthebuilder wrote:Geez I knew the JR was a long term proposition but great to see it travelling well after 133 years!
That Japanese entree looks divine

Good pickup Haha ... my bad

(now corrected)

Mike Hawkins wrote:Superb line up.....

My experience with these 3 has been first class. Well done!

Thanks Mike,
I did have the 90A as my avatar for some years, it was my go to special wine (and probably still is, although I may be leaning to the 96 Block42). I am just a huge fan of JR and Wynns in general, just don't have enough of the '82 anymore. And The Tally is an emerging favourite, having had some now with some bottle age on them. An absolute pleasure to share with friends over very good food.
Now in Beijing and few other places in China for a couple of weeks' work, so I don't think I'll get anything like those wines here. Might see if I can rustle up some "Benfolds" haha
cheers, Malcolm

Yeah - awesome selection. Amazed how youthful they all were!

Had to go out again tonight because today is actually the anniversary.
Made do with a 1983 Pichon Lalande at Paris Go.

It's been in the cellar since 1992 and was in great shape - long and elegant, with chocolate and sweet fruit characters, and dare I say it, a bit of cigar-box.

Noice .... Gee, some of us have it tough
Any steak tartare had??

Any steak tartare had??

Just a little!

grb2001 wrote:

Any steak tartare had??

Just a little!

Nice avatar!

mjs wrote:

Mike Hawkins wrote:Superb line up.....

My experience with these 3 has been first class. Well done!

Thanks Mike,
I did have the 90A as my avatar for some years, it was my go to special wine (and probably still is, although I may be leaning to the 96 Block42). I am just a huge fan of JR and Wynns in general, just don't have enough of the '82 anymore. And The Tally is an emerging favourite, having had some now with some bottle age on them. An absolute pleasure to share with friends over very good food.
Now in Beijing and few other places in China for a couple of weeks' work, so I don't think I'll get anything like those wines here. Might see if I can rustle up some "Benfolds" haha
cheers, Malcolm

Thanks Malcolm... I'm a bit like you. The 90a is my current favourite Aussie wine now that I have no 71s and only a few 86 Grange left (and don't want to open them for some years). And the 82 Wynns JR are long gone (unfortunately). I tend to agree with your sentiments.. some Tally's are superb - especially the 04 and 10.

JarrodB wrote:

grb2001 wrote:

Any steak tartare had??

Just a little!

Nice avatar!

Weirdo!

Mike

I've all those three wines and agree they are excellent and all long living

I think the Tally has at least 5-10 yrs before hitting it's straps. I'm about to try a 2001 soon and will post my thoughts.
The 82 JR is a pleasant surprise that it lasted so long and so well. I've had most vintages including the 86 which i believe is one of Australia's unsung cabernet heros.
When they are good, they can be great. Unfortunately, the last bottle I had was gone.
Had the Bin 90A at Tets whilst up in Sydney a few years ago and it was outstanding and the WOTN for me by far. I would be drinking it up now though if you have any extra bottles.

Haven't tried Matteos, but will certainly do so now. You should also try Scopri in carlton, great food and genuine wine people - byo any night.

Hi Gianna,

I like my wines a bit older than most people. For me, the 90a has a decade plus of great drinking (cork permitting). I'll be focussing on the rest of my 80a first.

Cheers

Mike

Gianna wrote:Mike

I've all those three wines and agree they are excellent and all long living

I think the Tally has at least 5-10 yrs before hitting it's straps. I'm about to try a 2001 soon and will post my thoughts.
The 82 JR is a pleasant surprise that it lasted so long and so well. I've had most vintages including the 86 which i believe is one of Australia's unsung cabernet heros.
When they are good, they can be great. Unfortunately, the last bottle I had was gone.
Had the Bin 90A at Tets whilst up in Sydney a few years ago and it was outstanding and the WOTN for me by far. I would be drinking it up now though if you have any extra bottles.

Haven't tried Matteos, but will certainly do so now. You should also try Scopri in carlton, great food and genuine wine people - byo any night.

Gianna,
Yes, been to as Scopri as well as Matteo's on several occasions. Both v good for byo and great food. Just happened to choose Matteo's on that night
Cheers, Malcolm