Aussie Chateauneuf
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:27 am
She says: Is this is a Chateauneuf?
Me: What makes you say that?
She: Because it tastes like it - dry, earthy, black cherry.
Me: Good guess, though there is no Mourvedre in the blend, just Shiraz and Grenache.
She: Okay, so it's new world then. Victoria?
Me: Clare Valley.
She, looking at the colour: 2002?
Me: 1999.
She: What is it?
1999 Lengs & Cooter 'The Victor', Shiraz 55%, Grenache 45%, Clare Valley(13.2%)
This was by no means a remarkable wine, but it was eminently drinkable, mature, leafy, savoury, and dry. I have no idea what it was like when young (I bought a pair of them and put them away) but his had no hint of it ever being sweet or big in the Aussie style that was fashionable at one time. I have to say that I was hoping for more, in that I would have preferred a bigger, more fragrant bouquet and expansive palate, but in every other sense it was a very nice drop, matching quite well with the lamb shoulder steaks. Made from dry grown, hand-picked fruit and only 13.2% alcohol, I can't help but think this had a hand in its old world elegance. I'm not sure this wine will go much further because after the one hour decant and following our meal it started to go downhill. Note that the cork was, as is quite common in older Australian wine, nondescript with only "A.S.A" on it but in pristine shape with barely any staining.
The 1999 Sandeman 'Vau Vintage' Port (20%) was popped and poured to satisfy an itch for something sweet. The Vau Vintage is made in an early drinking style so I had no qualms about not giving it much air apart from the decanting. With hardly any tannin remaining this was so gluggable, sliding down like silk.
Cheers ............................... Mahmoud.
Me: What makes you say that?
She: Because it tastes like it - dry, earthy, black cherry.
Me: Good guess, though there is no Mourvedre in the blend, just Shiraz and Grenache.
She: Okay, so it's new world then. Victoria?
Me: Clare Valley.
She, looking at the colour: 2002?
Me: 1999.
She: What is it?
1999 Lengs & Cooter 'The Victor', Shiraz 55%, Grenache 45%, Clare Valley(13.2%)
This was by no means a remarkable wine, but it was eminently drinkable, mature, leafy, savoury, and dry. I have no idea what it was like when young (I bought a pair of them and put them away) but his had no hint of it ever being sweet or big in the Aussie style that was fashionable at one time. I have to say that I was hoping for more, in that I would have preferred a bigger, more fragrant bouquet and expansive palate, but in every other sense it was a very nice drop, matching quite well with the lamb shoulder steaks. Made from dry grown, hand-picked fruit and only 13.2% alcohol, I can't help but think this had a hand in its old world elegance. I'm not sure this wine will go much further because after the one hour decant and following our meal it started to go downhill. Note that the cork was, as is quite common in older Australian wine, nondescript with only "A.S.A" on it but in pristine shape with barely any staining.
The 1999 Sandeman 'Vau Vintage' Port (20%) was popped and poured to satisfy an itch for something sweet. The Vau Vintage is made in an early drinking style so I had no qualms about not giving it much air apart from the decanting. With hardly any tannin remaining this was so gluggable, sliding down like silk.
Cheers ............................... Mahmoud.