The Auswine Forum

Thursday saw the latest visit of our good mate Jonathan out from the US. Had a really fun night with some cracking wines, some really generous and thoughtful contributions, I loved the variety of it all, also everyone just let their hair down and had fun which made it all the more special..

1972 Seppelt Sparkling Burgundy
2000 Best’s Great Western Riesling
2005 Seppelt Drumborg Riesling
2005 Crawford River Reserve Riesling
1991 Leo Buring Leonay Eden Valley Riesling
2001 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
2005 Giaconda Estate Chardonnay
1981 Tyrrells Hunter River Pinot Noir
2011 Alte Reben Spatburgunder Bernhard Huber
1996 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Chambolle-Musigny
1991 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec
1994 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec
1996 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Levy & McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard
1999 Clarendon Hills Astralis en Magnum
2010 Castagna Genesis Syrah
1983 Arthur Fischer ''Briedeler Herzchen'' Auslese Riesling, MSR
1996 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux 1ère Trie Le Mont

12 of us dined at Cirrus Dining (old Noma location) in Barangaroo http://www.cirrusdining.com.au/ Went for the tasting menu which was a combination of individual and shared plates, which were thoughtfully done. The service was friendly and laid back, yet professional, they were happy to leave us to it for the wines and just keep us fed and watered. The location is wonderful. Food-wise the Trout Parfait was so good, slathering it over the bread was heaven. The lamb, crispy, salty and full of flavour. Not sure where they get their mussels from but they were superb. Everyone was very impressed with the space/layout and most importantly the food.

The 1981 Tyrrells Pinot was the oldest Aussie Pinot I’ve had, I was gobsmacked, we were discussing it had to have some shiraz in it or something such was the richness and power of it. This was served blind which made it even more amazing in hindsight.
The 1991 Leo Buring was in a great place, soft and supple with the honey/lemon characteristics. The Crawford River was all class, supple and a ‘big’ Aussie Riesling, first I’ve had of it and it shows a great pedigree. The Best was showing well considering it was 17 years old, no signs of aging, great colour.

The two LEAS were all old school class, nicely balanced for me, and aging well. The Giaconda was classic struck match, flint at first but soon blossomed to reveal more power and length. Great contrast.

The 1991 Wendouree was fantastic as was the 94 although they were very different wines, which had a lot of debate over which one people preferred, very interesting. The Riddoch was drinking wonderfully and we are slowly bringing Jonathan around to the classic characteristics of menthol and eucalypt you find in the Coonawarra Cabs.

The Astralis was all big, bold and balanced, a massive wine which was a treat to drink. The Levy likewise was a big bruiser of a wine, yet it had a big structure to go with the fruit, way too young but it is destined for great things. The Kapcsandy maybe by that time of the night came across a bit too rich and jammy for me, probably needed a good 6 hour decant. (and another 10 years).

Wonderful night of wine and food.

Hi Dave, great write up, some fantastic wines. Do you have any notes or general impressions on the Giaconda and the Drumborg (or Drumbork ). I have a couple of later vintages but have not tried them.

How was 1996 Vogue village traveling?

Thanks for sharing. Some serious food and wine there.

Carl

Drumborg 2005 was still youthful with that trademark bright acid, yet enjoyable. Will go for decades. While good, the Giaconda 05 felt like it might be starting a downslope (this bottle anyway), I picked up some caramel notes which I could have done without but they were minor and it was a powerful in your face wine with classic Gia spicy oak still prominent. Gia 02, 05 and 08 I think drink now, beyond that I've not had enough recent experience other than 13 and 14 which def need time. I commented on the LEAS 05 vs the Gia 05 that they were two great examples of very different styles.

The Vogue Chambolle 96 was very enjoyable, not too much perfume (which I know you look for michel) but still some florals can be coaxed out. Still quite primary I thought although tannins were resolved and lovely. Drink now to 10 years+, better with more time as seems to be the case with 96 Burg.

With all the wines so consistently good it was really hard to pick favourites, but if pressed I thought the Crawford Reserve 05, Leo Buring 91, LEAS 05, Vogue 96, Spatburgunder 11, Wendouree 91, Levy & McClellan 08 and the Huet Trie Le Mont 96 all showed particularly well, but my favourite by a nose was the Tyrrell's Pinot Noir 1981, good length, full of interest and just in wonderful condition at 36 years old. I sent a tweet to Chris Tyrrell who replied he 'hadn't seen one for a long time, but the 81 Pinot has always been a good wine'. Obviously had been stored well and thanks to the cork gods who were kind the whole night.

Note that Cirrus doesn't normally allow BYO, we had a contact on the inside. But no harm in asking them if people want to organise a special BYO dinner, the food and staff were excellent. Highly recommended, even without BYO.

Cheers
Tim

Trout parfait looks great..! Given me some ideas.
Thanks Dave.

Thanks for the notes Tim,

Hunter wrote:Trout parfait looks great..! Given me some ideas.
Thanks Dave.

It was fab, also had some kind of herb cream on the side, but the bread just made the dish complete, thin, crunchy and plenty of it!

Was an excellent night with great wines and company.

For me the 91 Leo Buring was absolutely singing, perfectly in the zone - best aged Aussie Riesling I've had since trying the '86 and '90 Petalumas cuttlefish brought along to one of the Grape Mates earliedst events back in 2011 (?)

The 05 LEAS had such an incredible depth and class to it that for me outshone the Giaconda and its older brother 01.

And the 08 Levy & Mclellan was just lovely, judiciously fruited, complex and rich but well restrained with the finest of tannins. Always a privilege to try a great Napa once in a blue moon - the greats are always stunning in their balance and I really enjoy seeing them shatter New World stereotypes.

Tim, looks like a great night have some 96 and 97 Leonay's and great to see the Wendouree's and JR showing well. The rib eye looks magnificent.
Have to laugh at the chap at the back with the wallet...caption of either shit that was cheap...or shit, better start running

Cheers
Craig

theres a similar wallet photo of mark as which is even funnier. The look on his face is priceless and reminds me of when I look in my wallet after my missus has clearly snuck a few notes out thinking I wouldn't notice.

*cough*

thats a brilliant photo
you can almost hear him thinking

phillisc wrote:Tim, looks like a great night have some 96 and 97 Leonay's and great to see the Wendouree's and JR showing well. The rib eye looks magnificent.
Have to laugh at the chap at the back with the wallet...caption of either shit that was cheap...or shit, better start running

Cheers
Craig

I had a gentle word to the dude and reminded him it was bad form not to cover the Priests dinner when we invited him to a fancy restaurant.

Good food and photos, especially the in situ payment ones!!!!! I personally loved the scallop and the lamb.