TN: The Melbourne Group Bring Out Their Dead

[mychurch]

Great tasting yesterday at Tom’s new abode in Ascot Vale. I doubt we will ever hit the highs again like we did at Bar Romanee a few weeks ago, but this was just as enjoyable and the quality of some of the wines was astounding given their age and reputation

Flight 1
1981 Old Castle Riesling, Hardys 4*
1984 Breidecker, Hunters, NZ 3.5*

Not your normal start. Oldest Auz Riesling I have had and it was still fresh and in a great condition - screw caps rule. Petrol, pineapple and citrus nose. Lots of honey and stone fruit. Touch of acidity to keep it fresh. Great drinking wine and the one I would have taken to dinner.
Nobody had tried, or even heard of Breidecker. It was great - fill was only a couple of cm under the cork and while the colour was darker than the Riesling, it was still alive. Only 9.5% this was off dry with lots of apricot and tangerine. Still with a silky texture and a streak of vanilla. Really nice. Initially served in the first pairing, this went fine when it was brought out with the sweet wines at the end of the day.

Flight 2
2006 Melrose Chardonnay, Spring Vale, Tas 3*
2002 Quintaine Vire-Clisse, Domaine Ellian Gillet 3*

Blind I would have had these the other way around. Apparently the Melrose was undrinkable in its youth, but today it’s a high class lean Chardonnay, with good integration and balance. Good food wine. The Vire sores from the glass with almost overripe fruit. From a difficult era for White Burgs, this is in a good place, with bags of fruit and a slight fluffiness. Not my style of Burg, although I think it was the group favourite.

1971 Red Ribbon Shiraz, Kaiser Stuhl 3*
1967 Reserve Bin Claret, Kaiser Stuhl 3.5*
Both these we presumed were Shiraz based. The 71 is the older tasting of the 2. It has bright red berry fruit and a silky texture upon pouring, with some tomato and savoury notes. It falls away a bit though and some decaying leaves start to come through - Con reckons it’s Brett. The 67 is darker in colour and is the more complete wine. Again it’s savoury and red fruited, but it has complexity and a spiciness on the finish and does not fall away. Very good given the age - I have 2 left of these and there is no rush to drink up

1979 Red Blend, Lakes Folly 3*
1979 Petaluma - corked
1971 Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon, Hardy’s 3.5*

Shame about the Petaluma - it was the first vintage and is a Shiraz dominated bled. The Lakes Folly looked like a very old Red Burg, with an almost transparant red colour. Very much in the light red category this had strawberry in amongst the red fruit - Pinot Shiraz Blend maybe ? Easy drinking, but missses complexity. Not like the Hardy’s, which was much darker. I thought it was a bit cloudy upon pouring but it opens up well. Crunchy, cinnamon stick, coffee, red fruits. In a very good place. Yum.

1978 Bundarra Vineyard Hermitage, Baileys of Glenrowan 4*
1980 Claret, Redmans 4*
2 slightly younger reds and they both had more life than the previous wines. The Baileys had a saturated purple colour and a level of fruit that was missing from the previous wines. Amazing weight and intensity , with purple and dark fruits. It just missses a touch of acidity in order to take it into the greatness category. Best wine label in Auz. A treat. The Redman was probably the best red of the day. Can’t really call it young, but it still had a lot of primary fruit and even a touch of vanilla oak upon opening. We marked it down initially as it was missing the classic cab leafyiness and bell pepper, but the red fruits should have been a give away - it’s actually a Shiraz wine ( as a lot of these old Clarets are). The finish was long and this was very enjoyable.

1999 Shiraz, Mount Ida 2.5 *
From Heathcote. On another day this would have been rated higher, but we were tuned into drinking old wine and this was young and quite simple in comparison. Plenty of earth and blackberry, but needed a different occasion.

1982 Noble Riesling, Brown Brothers 4*
1970 Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2.5 *

It took a while for us all to agree, but the Coutet was slightly corked. It’s so intense through with lots of sweet marmalade fruit, that it was still enjoyable to drink - the nose though had that wet cardboard on the end. Shame for Micheal as this was the first time he got to try a birth years wine. 2nd time I have had an old Brown Brothers Riesling and I would content that it’s the best desert wine in Auz. This was Tokaj in style and colour, with crunch acidity and a grainy sweet core. Really good. Yum.

Morris Port - unknown Vintage 3.5*
Last one of the day. Vintage is unknown - I’d guess early 80’s - but it does not matter as it’s in great condition. Tres VP, with the spirit integrated, the fruit dark and raisin tinged , with a long warm finish. After a long afternoon of careful drinking I topped my glass up for this one, which is either an indication of the quality or amount consumed. Or both.

What a lovely afternoon. Thanks to Tom for hosting and I’m looking forward to the next get together in Sept when we try Piedmont.

[mychurch]

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[Ian S]

There were (and possibly still are) a few playing with richer / riper styles in Vire-Clessé /that part of Macon. I recall a Rene Michel bottle that came in at 16% alc, that was a bit of a shock.

Many thanks for posting these notes - I love old, even on the downslope wines, and it's a sensible way to encourage people to take a chance on their old oddities.

[WineRick]

Great tasting yesterday at Tom’s new abode in Ascot Vale. I doubt we will ever hit the highs again like we did at Bar Romanee a few weeks ago, but this was just as enjoyable and the quality of some of the wines was astounding given their age and reputation

Flight 1
1981 Old Castle Riesling, Hardys 4*
1984 Breidecker, Hunters, NZ 3.5*

Not your normal start. Oldest Auz Riesling I have had and it was still fresh and in a great condition - screw caps rule. Petrol, pineapple and citrus nose. Lots of honey and stone fruit. Touch of acidity to keep it fresh. Great drinking wine and the one I would have taken to dinner.
Nobody had tried, or even heard of Breidecker. It was great - fill was only a couple of cm under the cork and while the colour was darker than the Riesling, it was still alive. Only 9.5% this was off dry with lots of apricot and tangerine. Still with a silky texture and a streak of vanilla. Really nice. Initially served in the first pairing, this went fine when it was brought out with the sweet wines at the end of the day.

Flight 2
2006 Melrose Chardonnay, Spring Vale, Tas 3*
2002 Quintaine Vire-Clisse, Domaine Ellian Gillet 3*

Blind I would have had these the other way around. Apparently the Melrose was undrinkable in its youth, but today it’s a high class lean Chardonnay, with good integration and balance. Good food wine. The Vire sores from the glass with almost overripe fruit. From a difficult era for White Burgs, this is in a good place, with bags of fruit and a slight fluffiness. Not my style of Burg, although I think it was the group favourite.

1971 Red Ribbon Shiraz, Kaiser Stuhl 3*
1967 Reserve Bin Claret, Kaiser Stuhl 3.5*
Both these we presumed were Shiraz based. The 71 is the older tasting of the 2. It has bright red berry fruit and a silky texture upon pouring, with some tomato and savoury notes. It falls away a bit though and some decaying leaves start to come through - Con reckons it’s Brett. The 67 is darker in colour and is the more complete wine. Again it’s savoury and red fruited, but it has complexity and a spiciness on the finish and does not fall away. Very good given the age - I have 2 left of these and there is no rush to drink up

1979 Red Blend, Lakes Folly 3*
1979 Petaluma - corked
1971 Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon, Hardy’s 3.5*

Shame about the Petaluma - it was the first vintage and is a Shiraz dominated bled. The Lakes Folly looked like a very old Red Burg, with an almost transparant red colour. Very much in the light red category this had strawberry in amongst the red fruit - Pinot Shiraz Blend maybe ? Easy drinking, but missses complexity. Not like the Hardy’s, which was much darker. I thought it was a bit cloudy upon pouring but it opens up well. Crunchy, cinnamon stick, coffee, red fruits. In a very good place. Yum.

1978 Bundarra Vineyard Hermitage, Baileys of Glenrowan 4*
1980 Claret, Redmans 4*
2 slightly younger reds and they both had more life than the previous wines. The Baileys had a saturated purple colour and a level of fruit that was missing from the previous wines. Amazing weight and intensity , with purple and dark fruits. It just missses a touch of acidity in order to take it into the greatness category. Best wine label in Auz. A treat. The Redman was probably the best red of the day. Can’t really call it young, but it still had a lot of primary fruit and even a touch of vanilla oak upon opening. We marked it down initially as it was missing the classic cab leafyiness and bell pepper, but the red fruits should have been a give away - it’s actually a Shiraz wine ( as a lot of these old Clarets are). The finish was long and this was very enjoyable.

1999 Shiraz, Mount Ida 2.5 *
From Heathcote. On another day this would have been rated higher, but we were tuned into drinking old wine and this was young and quite simple in comparison. Plenty of earth and blackberry, but needed a different occasion.

1982 Noble Riesling, Brown Brothers 4*
1970 Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2.5 *

It took a while for us all to agree, but the Coutet was slightly corked. It’s so intense through with lots of sweet marmalade fruit, that it was still enjoyable to drink - the nose though had that wet cardboard on the end. Shame for Micheal as this was the first time he got to try a birth years wine. 2nd time I have had an old Brown Brothers Riesling and I would content that it’s the best desert wine in Auz. This was Tokaj in style and colour, with crunch acidity and a grainy sweet core. Really good. Yum.

Morris Port - unknown Vintage 3.5*
Last one of the day. Vintage is unknown - I’d guess early 80’s - but it does not matter as it’s in great condition. Tres VP, with the spirit integrated, the fruit dark and raisin tinged , with a long warm finish. After a long afternoon of careful drinking I topped my glass up for this one, which is either an indication of the quality or amount consumed. Or both.

What a lovely afternoon. Thanks to Tom for hosting and I’m looking forward to the next get together in Sept when we try Piedmont.

The vintage on the Morris' VP has been very hard to read on early vintages. It's usually in gold ink which oxidises easily and virtually disappears! On my bottles it's either just under 'Morris' or just above 'Vintage Port'. My guess is between 1968 and 1975.

[cuttlefish]

Great tasting yesterday at Tom’s new abode in Ascot Vale. I doubt we will ever hit the highs again like we did at Bar Romanee a few weeks ago, but this was just as enjoyable and the quality of some of the wines was astounding given their age and reputation

Flight 1
1981 Old Castle Riesling, Hardys 4*
1984 Breidecker, Hunters, NZ 3.5*

Not your normal start. Oldest Auz Riesling I have had and it was still fresh and in a great condition - screw caps rule. Petrol, pineapple and citrus nose. Lots of honey and stone fruit. Touch of acidity to keep it fresh. Great drinking wine and the one I would have taken to dinner.
Nobody had tried, or even heard of Breidecker. It was great - fill was only a couple of cm under the cork and while the colour was darker than the Riesling, it was still alive. Only 9.5% this was off dry with lots of apricot and tangerine. Still with a silky texture and a streak of vanilla. Really nice. Initially served in the first pairing, this went fine when it was brought out with the sweet wines at the end of the day.

Flight 2
2006 Melrose Chardonnay, Spring Vale, Tas 3*
2002 Quintaine Vire-Clisse, Domaine Ellian Gillet 3*

Blind I would have had these the other way around. Apparently the Melrose was undrinkable in its youth, but today it’s a high class lean Chardonnay, with good integration and balance. Good food wine. The Vire sores from the glass with almost overripe fruit. From a difficult era for White Burgs, this is in a good place, with bags of fruit and a slight fluffiness. Not my style of Burg, although I think it was the group favourite.

1971 Red Ribbon Shiraz, Kaiser Stuhl 3*
1967 Reserve Bin Claret, Kaiser Stuhl 3.5*
Both these we presumed were Shiraz based. The 71 is the older tasting of the 2. It has bright red berry fruit and a silky texture upon pouring, with some tomato and savoury notes. It falls away a bit though and some decaying leaves start to come through - Con reckons it’s Brett. The 67 is darker in colour and is the more complete wine. Again it’s savoury and red fruited, but it has complexity and a spiciness on the finish and does not fall away. Very good given the age - I have 2 left of these and there is no rush to drink up

1979 Red Blend, Lakes Folly 3*
1979 Petaluma - corked
1971 Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon, Hardy’s 3.5*

Shame about the Petaluma - it was the first vintage and is a Shiraz dominated bled. The Lakes Folly looked like a very old Red Burg, with an almost transparant red colour. Very much in the light red category this had strawberry in amongst the red fruit - Pinot Shiraz Blend maybe ? Easy drinking, but missses complexity. Not like the Hardy’s, which was much darker. I thought it was a bit cloudy upon pouring but it opens up well. Crunchy, cinnamon stick, coffee, red fruits. In a very good place. Yum.

1978 Bundarra Vineyard Hermitage, Baileys of Glenrowan 4*
1980 Claret, Redmans 4*
2 slightly younger reds and they both had more life than the previous wines. The Baileys had a saturated purple colour and a level of fruit that was missing from the previous wines. Amazing weight and intensity , with purple and dark fruits. It just missses a touch of acidity in order to take it into the greatness category. Best wine label in Auz. A treat. The Redman was probably the best red of the day. Can’t really call it young, but it still had a lot of primary fruit and even a touch of vanilla oak upon opening. We marked it down initially as it was missing the classic cab leafyiness and bell pepper, but the red fruits should have been a give away - it’s actually a Shiraz wine ( as a lot of these old Clarets are). The finish was long and this was very enjoyable.

1999 Shiraz, Mount Ida 2.5 *
From Heathcote. On another day this would have been rated higher, but we were tuned into drinking old wine and this was young and quite simple in comparison. Plenty of earth and blackberry, but needed a different occasion.

1982 Noble Riesling, Brown Brothers 4*
1970 Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2.5 *

It took a while for us all to agree, but the Coutet was slightly corked. It’s so intense through with lots of sweet marmalade fruit, that it was still enjoyable to drink - the nose though had that wet cardboard on the end. Shame for Micheal as this was the first time he got to try a birth years wine. 2nd time I have had an old Brown Brothers Riesling and I would content that it’s the best desert wine in Auz. This was Tokaj in style and colour, with crunch acidity and a grainy sweet core. Really good. Yum.

Morris Port - unknown Vintage 3.5*
Last one of the day. Vintage is unknown - I’d guess early 80’s - but it does not matter as it’s in great condition. Tres VP, with the spirit integrated, the fruit dark and raisin tinged , with a long warm finish. After a long afternoon of careful drinking I topped my glass up for this one, which is either an indication of the quality or amount consumed. Or both.

What a lovely afternoon. Thanks to Tom for hosting and I’m looking forward to the next get together in Sept when we try Piedmont.

The vintage on the Morris' VP has been very hard to read on early vintages. It's usually in gold ink which oxidises easily and virtually disappears! On my bottles it's either just under 'Morris' or just above 'Vintage Port'. My guess is between 1968 and 1975.

I took some close up photos of the Morris so I could have a good hard look for the vintage, but I wasn't able to find anything.
I thought late 60's-early 70's too, based on the cellar it came from.
Good wine, I'm drinking the last of it tonight. Very concentrated!

[JamieAdelaide]

Got a smart Piedmont line-up come Sept? Aged or youthful?

[mychurch]

Got a smart Piedmont line-up come Sept? Aged or youthful?

The centre piece will probably be all the 2014 Produttori Riserva and Barabaresco in a horizontal, along with some 2007 to compare. Wont know until nearer the time though - one of the group likes to bring a big vertical or a horizontal and so it’s up to him. The rest of us don’t have a lot of Italian reds (I own none) so it’s going to be a hunt via the action scene and local importers. You are more than welcome (Sat Sept 3)

Do you know where I can source Borgogne Timorasso locally ? It’s been recommended as a classic “White Barolo” from friends in Europe.

[JamieAdelaide]

I can’t help you locally however I’ve been in the U.S. and have seen a fair bit of it. Eataly in Chicago and a few smaller places. Would have grabbed a bottle for you but I’m at the airport now and have three or four months off.

I love PdB horizontals. Not as distinct variations as Burgundy say, but plenty of terroir interest.

[Ian S]

Got a smart Piedmont line-up come Sept? Aged or youthful?

The centre piece will probably be all the 2014 Produttori Riserva and Barabaresco in a horizontal, along with some 2007 to compare. Wont know until nearer the time though - one of the group likes to bring a big vertical or a horizontal and so it’s up to him. The rest of us don’t have a lot of Italian reds (I own none) so it’s going to be a hunt via the action scene and local importers. You are more than welcome (Sat Sept 3)

Do you know where I can source Borgogne Timorasso locally ? It’s been recommended as a classic “White Barolo” from friends in Europe.

I've not had Borgogno's version, but yes I think it's a superb grape and only recently rescued from oblivion. Production is from near Tortona in eastern Piemonte. Other excellent producers include (Walter) Massa - the rescuer of the grape, Claudio Mariotto, La Colombera, plus plenty others emerging in the region, plus more and more Barolo/Barbaresco producers who are looking to this region for a white grape to get enthused about.

[Waiters Friend]

Do you know where I can source Borgogne Timorasso locally ? It’s been recommended as a classic “White Barolo” from friends in Europe.
[/quote]

I've not had Borgogno's version, but yes I think it's a superb grape and only recently rescued from oblivion. Production is from near Tortona in eastern Piemonte. Other excellent producers include (Walter) Massa - the rescuer of the grape, Claudio Mariotto, La Colombera, plus plenty others emerging in the region, plus more and more Barolo/Barbaresco producers who are looking to this region for a white grape to get enthused about.
[/quote]

Our tasting group in Perth voted a Timorasso as Wine of the Night back in February. This was the tasting note:

La Spinetta Colli Tortonesi Timorasso Derthona 2021 (Piemonte, Italy): Pale yellow in colour. The nose is complex, and shows buttermilk, pear, honey and flinty characters. The palate is equally complex, with apricot, honey, lemon, tinned pineapple and some lees texture offset by cleansing acid. Very slightly astringent on the finish, and needs food. Highly regarded by the group.

[Con J]

Wine Decoded has got a few bottles of this variety.

Thanks for the notes Cameron, fantastic as usual.

I’ve always wanted to do a bring out your dead theme and what a lot of fun it was, I had a ball.

Well past their best for most but like Cameron and Ian I love them on the downside.

Shame about the Petaluma, this is a bottle I really want to drink and I missed one last auction.

Cheers Con.

[mjs]

Wine Decoded has got a few bottles of this variety.

Thanks for the notes Cameron, fantastic as usual.

I’ve always wanted to do a bring out your dead theme and what a lot of fun it was, I had a ball.

Well past their best for most but like Cameron and Ian I love them on the downside.

Shame about the Petaluma, this is a bottle I really want to drink and I missed one last auction.

Cheers Con.

Con, I have similar views re the "dead", love the theme. Drinking history, which can't be replaced. I'll have to hop over the Melb soon!
cheers, Malcolm

[JamieAdelaide]

Tortona worth a visit. If not for the Timorasso and Barbera then the wedding cake shaped cheese. I got into Timorrasso when it was still cheap and started buying them to age. Alas, had to drink the collection before repatriating due to the global panic.

[Con J]

Wine Decoded has got a few bottles of this variety.

Thanks for the notes Cameron, fantastic as usual.

I’ve always wanted to do a bring out your dead theme and what a lot of fun it was, I had a ball.

Well past their best for most but like Cameron and Ian I love them on the downside.

Shame about the Petaluma, this is a bottle I really want to drink and I missed one last auction.

Cheers Con.

Con, I have similar views re the "dead", love the theme. Drinking history, which can't be replaced. I'll have to hop over the Melb soon!
cheers, Malcolm

Hi Mate.

Let us know when you’re in Melbourne next, got a few bottles with your name on them.

[Ian S]

Tortona worth a visit. If not for the Timorasso and Barbera then the wedding cake shaped cheese. I got into Timorrasso when it was still cheap and started buying them to age. Alas, had to drink the collection before repatriating due to the global panic.

Pre-Covid, Tortona was the most likely destination for the next holiday for us, as we still love exploring the region, and the views from the Giro d'Italia looked appealing... and of course the opportunity to taste more Timorasso. It was going to form a 3 pronged trip taking in Ghemme (nothing to look at, but we've felt very much at home there) and the area around Ivrea. I'm sure there would have been a day trip into Torino somewhere along the way, to 'fare la spesa'

[phillisc]

Wine Decoded has got a few bottles of this variety.

Thanks for the notes Cameron, fantastic as usual.

I’ve always wanted to do a bring out your dead theme and what a lot of fun it was, I had a ball.

Well past their best for most but like Cameron and Ian I love them on the downside.

Shame about the Petaluma, this is a bottle I really want to drink and I missed one last auction.

Cheers Con.

Con, I have similar views re the "dead", love the theme. Drinking history, which can't be replaced. I'll have to hop over the Melb soon!
cheers, Malcolm

Hi Mate.

Let us know when you’re in Melbourne next, got a few bottles with your name on them.

Please Con, please sir, may I come too
Cheers Craig

[Con J]

Con, I have similar views re the "dead", love the theme. Drinking history, which can't be replaced. I'll have to hop over the Melb soon!
cheers, Malcolm

Hi Mate.

Let us know when you’re in Melbourne next, got a few bottles with your name on them.

Please Con, please sir, may I come too
Cheers Craig

Of course mate I’d love to catch up. I’ll add your name to the bottles

Cheers Con.

[Con J]

Got a smart Piedmont line-up come Sept? Aged or youthful?

The centre piece will probably be all the 2014 Produttori Riserva and Barabaresco in a horizontal, along with some 2007 to compare. Wont know until nearer the time though - one of the group likes to bring a big vertical or a horizontal and so it’s up to him. The rest of us don’t have a lot of Italian reds (I own none) so it’s going to be a hunt via the action scene and local importers. You are more than welcome (Sat Sept 3)

Do you know where I can source Borgogne Timorasso locally ? It’s been recommended as a classic “White Barolo” from friends in Europe.

Hi Guys.

I’ve been in Sydney since Friday and tonight we went to Rockpool Bar and Grill, I had a 9+ wagyu fillet steak simply delicious. I also ordered a 2014 PdB Asili Riserva of the wine list, lovely perfume, spiced strawberries, a bit of tar and roses, lots of tannins but very fine, Lovely.

Cheers Con.