Dinner with TORB

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:01 pm

A quick run down the highway this afternoon found me dining at the table of TORB. Never one to be backward in coming forward, within an instant, a glass of Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Shiraz (original release) was in hand. This truly Outstanding wine ranks among the finest of this breed I've tasted. Still holding a deep ruby core with minuscule fine bead, the nose of "fruits of the forest" lept from the glass. As the wine warmed notes of truffles, leather and sweet earth provided extra dimension and mind-boggling complexity. Perfectly balanced and marvellous in the mouth, the ever-changing nuances provided perplexing twists and turns for over 90 minutes for both of us. Bravo Joe Grilli!

My contribution for the evening was a horribly flat, low level TCA affected/mercaptan bottle of 1994 Cape Mentelle Shiraz and the very good 1995 Seppelt Great Western Shiraz - a well-made wine with savoury/meaty/spicy notes over mainly black fruits and some minty/menthol sympathetically melded to fine French oak. Seemingly needing more time to reach its' apogee', by the end of the night we both agreed this will hold but probably won't get much better. Went much better with the tasty Porterhouse roast than by its' lonesome.

Next followed the Veritas Winery 1998 Hanisch Vineyard Shiraz (RPJ -99 points). Served blind (as were all wines to this point) my initial reaction in the glass was of abundant dark berry fruits. This opulence was quickly replaced with meaty/rubbery/oaky characters that were none too pleasant. The palate was relatively hard, ungenerous and tired; quite frankly, I did not like this much at all. TORB tells me this wine was worrying him and tonight's bottle was a further deterioration in quality to the what he tried in February last year. Recommended at best, for me.

To finish up, we cracked a bottle of the otherworldly Bullers Rare Tokay. A wine for slow sniffing and sipping and bordering on an Ultimate rating for me. This is "the nectar of the gods" delivering the most unctuous, decadent flavours of creme brulee, toffee, raisaned small berries, fruitcake, dusty oak amongst many other splendid things and balanced by scintillating cleansing acidity on a monumental finish.

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:40 am

David Lole wrote:To finish up, we cracked a bottle of the otherworldly Bullers Rare Tokay. A wine for slow sniffing and sipping and bordering on an Ultimate rating for me. This is "the nectar of the gods" delivering the most unctuous, decadent flavours of creme brulee, toffee, raisaned small berries, fruitcake, dusty oak amongst many other splendid things and balanced by scintillating cleansing acidity on a monumental finish.

Now listen up Mr Lole, that creme brulee was not in the glass, it was from the desert ramekin in front of you at the time. :roll:

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:10 am

David Lole wrote:My contribution for the evening was a horribly flat, low level TCA affected/mercaptan bottle of 1994 Cape Mentelle Shiraz and the very good 1995 Seppelt Great Western Shiraz - a well-made wine with savoury/meaty/spicy notes over mainly black fruits and some minty/menthol sympathetically melded to fine French oak. Seemingly needing more time to reach its' apogee', by the end of the night we both agreed this will hold but probably won't get much better. Went much better with the tasty Porterhouse roast than by its' lonesome.

And Ric was pretty worried you'd bring some dud old bordeaux or even try to slip a burgundy past his pursed lips. :twisted:

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:51 pm

Oops, and Ric, one helluva big thankyou for putting me up for the night and for your great hospitality. Hope you got a good dousing during the day. I have never seen the Highlands so parched.

Muscat Mike · Post by **Muscat Mike** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 8:22 pm

David did they have good size portions or did he have to stop for a burger on the way home? He likes his tucker as much as good reds.
MM. :roll:

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 8:30 pm

Muscat Mike wrote:David did they have good size portions or did he have to stop for a burger on the way home? He likes his tucker as much as good reds.
MM.

My head's still spinning from going around Eastern Creek 4,500 times today - so I don't quite get where you're coming from MM - but Ric cooked a terrific roast beef with dry baked veges followed by Nikki's stunning dessert.

And all this happened at his place. Hope this clarifies your concern?

Muscat Mike · Post by **Muscat Mike** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:34 pm

Got confused with the story about his birthday bash. Ze little grey cells are diminishing rapidly.
MM

radioactiveman · Post by **radioactiveman** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:25 pm

David Lole wrote:My head's still spinning from going around Eastern Creek 4,500 times today...

Oh yeh, thanks for the invite!! :cry:

Cheers

Jamie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 10:09 pm

are you sure it was the original joseph sparkling red? it was released in about 1993 for stock Joe owned (not bought in), he made stuff all and it was never commercially released but trcikled into a few trade hands.

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 1:06 am

Only going on the info on Ric supplied. Perhaps this was the firt 'commercial" release. Joe, if you're ever around these parts, may wish to clarify this.

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 5:51 am

Dunno, I think I bought it about it about 94. It may may been the first "commercial" release. But there certainly was not much of it and it was not easy to find.

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