The Auswine Forum

Hi Good Peoples,

Time to report in, what have you been drininking over the last week. I will put mine up later.

A good week for reds!

Impressions of two (re-)samplers over the first nights:

Bidgeebong Gundagai Shiraz 2003 - Another bottle, same result. See the previous note. Summary, Excellent with 4/5 for value, big fruit and good structure, let sleep. Better than the 2003? I think so.

The Willows Shiraz 2001 - Again, it's a repeat. Very interesting flavour profile, there's good red fruits and berries, though the (pleasant, make no mistake!) hints of cardamom, cinnamon and cough syrup aren't what I normally associate with Barossa Shiraz. Very Good and an interesting diversion.

To the midweek delights (imnotepressions):

Capel Vale Baudin Red 1986 - Opened as a curio. Medium ruby red with some tawny tones. Pencil shavings, dry crushed dark berry skins, just a hint of some cherry notes under it all. Medium weight and surprising length. Nothing happens, still stable with 24 hours of air. Past it, but by a few years only. Must have been a decent wine in its prime. Pampered bottles from very cool cellars may just be worth a look. Drinkable, and even enjoyable on some level.

Chateau Rausan-Segla 1985 - Vibrant, medium ruby red, some bricking. Fragrant, fresh, red fruits, some minerally and citrus notes. Lively palate, blue and black berries over the aromatic notes. Medium body, perfectly integrated fine silky tannins, good length with freshing acid on the finish. Now-2008(?). Very Good/Excellent.

Chateau Leoville-Poyferre 1983 - My first bottle from this Chateau. One word...WOW! Vibrant, deep ruby red with a solid purple heart. 'Bouquet' is the right term, and the palate matches; floral, violet and rose notes over creamy black and blueberry over cigarbox, sandalwood(?), velvety red berry and cherry notes. This oozes pure class. Medium to full-bodied, glyceriney, concentrated but not showy, voluptuous fleshy structure that Australian Bordeaux-blends just don't seem to replicate (think Pichon from a good year - it may be the high quality Merlot content?)...with those fine gravelly tannins and a very long finish with malty, chocolatey notes. Stunning now, though it doesn't need it, should see another 5-10 years without worry. Effortlessly Outstanding for this great bottle.

DeBortoli Noble One 2002 - This is always good value. A well balanced Noble One - honey, marmalade, citrus, good syrupy mouthfeel stops short of cloying, phew, and a good crisp, freshing finish. Rated as Super Yum

And a step down for Friday nibbles(just a bit):

Penfolds Rawsons Retreat Cabernet/Shiraz 2004 - My first 2004 red, and probably the last for a while. Quite drinkable and reasonable value at, what $8?, it's a good BBQ red for those non-wine drinkers that do anyway Certainly not the worst from this label, though again, that would be a big ask.

Wynns Michael Hermitage 1990 - A bad bottle perhaps, the fruit here was (cl)Oaked to Death. There's a a hint of a whisper of a touch of fruit flavour somewhere here though, and the structure is lovely, silky tannins with good length...it's just all a bit hard to get at for the coconut cream essence and vanilla shake. To put it into perspective, I can happily drink Wolf Blass Brown Label, so I'm not oak intolerant, promise! This bottle was never going to get better; still a fair way above the Rawsons, and I'll give it a Good with about 1 and 1 half/5 for value. Anybody else tried this recently?

And finish with a pair of 1998 Coonawarra Shiraz (impressions only):

Wynns Shiraz 1998 - No, this just hasn't improved in the last year. Deep red, pink at the edges. Medium bodied, red fruits, sour cherry and strawberry. Good length, but too much acid here for my liking. Not unpleasant, just not all that good either. Good? Well, where's the real fruit hiding? Gone I think!

Hollick Wilgha Shiraz 1998 - Similar colour to the Wynns, but that's where it ends...though to be fair, these weren't exactly released at the same price. Medium to full-bodied, excellent glyceriney mouthfeel, crisp, clean, big dark, red berries and fruits, some spicy peppery notes, a little tar on the back and just a (n unexpected) hint of dark chocolate. Perfectly integrated tannins. This bottle reminded me of a good Sally's Paddock. Ready now, will hold a while yet. Very Good.

Happy Wineing,

Jakob

Apart from a couple of sound Henschke's- 95 HofG & Mt Ed- also enjoyed 96 Dom Perignon and 2001 Clonakilla shiraz viognier.

The Clonakilla is going strong. I now have six left and will leave for a few years. I imagine this vintage is going strong at auction - last week a somebody cleaned out local stocks in Hong Kong completely.

I had the 2002 Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock aswell. Good regionality and more restrained than some previous vintages. Excellent.

Gosset Grand Reserve Champagne, France

I love this champagne. Rich, creamy and good balance with both fruit and acidity. Summer fruit and citurs with a hint of lemon zest on the palate. the bubble is fine, lively and creamy. can drink this all day

Penfolds Bin 407 1998

This is my first taste of this wine since its release. The colour is inky unpenetratable red. The tannins and fruits started to intergrate. The length is medium with dark berries, chocolate and hint of spices. It is certainly developing rather nicely. IMO it not yet reaches its plateau, given 2 to 3 years. The bottle was emptied within an hour of opening and luckly I still have plently in the cellar.

Rob
I'd echo your comments on the 407 (we cracked a bottle about a month ago). I'd be pretty confident on that tasting that it would hold up for quite a while.
Ian

Seville Estate 2000 Reserve Old Vine Shiraz

A recent auction purchase for $25 (all up). 14% A/V. Sourced from the original 1972 vines and best barrels from the vintage.

Deep red colour showing some age in the edges. Drizzling thick tears reflect the wine's viscosity. Impressive, deep, savoury nose of mocha, chocolate, cedar, bloodplum and black cherry with a spicy/peppery edge and hints of sweet earth and briar. Very,very good! The palate displays amazing richness of chocolatey berried fruit, a terrific creamy texture, medium body, low acid and soft, melting tannins. Predictably finishes with a satisfying alcoholic choco-berry richness of some cosiderable length. Ready to go to my taste. Drink now-2010. Rated Excellent and an absolute bargain. Can't believe anyone would let wine of this calibre go for the price. Thank you, whoever you may be!

Pike's 2003 Riesling

Stelvin-sealed, this lovely Riesling displays a brilliantly bright light straw colour, pristine nose of lime, orange blossom and slate followed by a similarly high-class, infantile palate of lemon, kaffir leaf, lime and zesty minerally acidity. Finishes with an impressive steely penetration that lingers for about half a minute. Rated as Excellent with, at least, another 5-8 years longevity guaranteed in a good cellar. 12.0% A/V

Francois Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre 1999

A great maker, a top Premier Cru vineyard and a "supposed" ordinary year for the appellation. 13% A/V

Still a youthful straw/green colour exhibiting a probing nose of complex regional mineral- and chalky-tinged meal, green melon, baked green apple and nectarine with just a touch of oyster shell. Almost Outstanding to my "untrained" proboscis. The palate falls down only for the fact this needs another five years to be fully appreciated. Still steely, tight, unforgiving and with a slight metallic edge, after four hours breathing, I firmly believe this Very Good/Excellent wine has the necessary underlying stuffing to make the top grade. Finishing ohso long with a lovely twang of minerally/chalky acidity, I particularly enjoyed/appreciated the marvellous terroir and skillful winemaking on show. My only concern is the slight lacking of 'upfront' fruit. Drink 2009- 2016.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac) 1982

Corked.

Wynns Coonawarra Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

A very impressive deep ruby colour. Classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose - weeds, blackcurrants, sweet corn and savoury oak with touches of cedar, mint and sandalwood. Almost reminiscent of a classified Bordeaux growth. In the mouth this Excellent wine displays a plummy, blackcurrant richness of fruit counterbalanced with an underlying herb/minty streak with a terrific acid cut, complimentary savoury oak and only a slight 'greenness' of tannin that provoked any concern. Finishes with plenty of sweet and sour fruit, mouth-coating tannins and a dry, balanced, satisfying, lengthy departure. Drink now-2011.

Rosemount Estate Balmoral Syrah 1994

A blast from the past.

Old vine Shiraz infested with copious quantities of coconut/dill-accentuated American oak ain't my favorite brew these days, yet there's many a Pennies (et al) with sufficient fruit and bottle age where everything seems to sit right and I gain much pleasure from the experience. So, with GW's "reef oil" comment firmly implanted into my brain, I decided to crack one these supposed "monsters" tonight with a gorgeous dry roasted marinated fillet steak, roast potatoes and lots of steamed greens.

Deep red core with lotsa brick and a little amber throughout. Predominantly regional and secondary bottle-developed bouquet of road tar, old leather and cedar coupled with strong coconut/vanillin/malty oak hovering over spicy- plum and blackberry fruit. There's a latent peppery edge to the fruit that adds appeal. The palate replicates the nose with the balance of fruit making something of a comeback against the strong oak-derived flavours. Decent acid levels provide crispness, body is about medium (surprising) and the tannins are soft, ripe and well-integrated. Finishes very long with a tarry edge to some nice blackberry fruit and, of course, plenty of oak as well! I rate this as Very Good with a 4-6 year drinking window. If you don't mind American oak and enjoy your Mclaren Vale's you'll probably enjoy/rate this more/higher than me.

13.5 % A/V

Seppelt DP63 Show Muscat

375 ml bottle. 17.5% A/V

Mahogany/brown with a khaki edge, reflecting the considerably aged material. Volatile, rancio lift to the bouquet brimming with spicy jumbo muscatels, toffee, old "rummy" Christmas cake, dusty oak and strong spiritous notes. Thick, sweet and unctuous mouth-coating palate holding bucketloads of raisans, spicy "plum pludding" fruit counterbalanced by a rivetting, powerful astringency and a massively long finish of immense complexity and compelling authority. Top shelf material for next to no hard-earned bucks! Rated as Outstanding. Drink anytime over the next decade, if well stored. Even better the next day with only the T-cork replugged and left in a cool fridge!

Paid $15 for this last month.

Moss Wood 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep ruby with a dark purple, almost black, core. Powerful and still primary nose of mocha oak over spicy roasted blackcurrants, sweet corn and notes of cedar and black olive. Quite silky medium-bodied palate, nicely textured with ripe but firm tannins and some heat from the 14.5% alcohol providing some disjointedness and too much bite at the back. There's plenty of fleshy curranty fruit swallowing up the oak at present, some decent acidty providing focus and apart from the noted deficiency with the finish, I would rate this as Excellent. Probably needs another 5 years to be ready. Not a great Moss Wood.

Jean-Marc Pavelot 1997 Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Narbanton

Gleaming ruby hue within a solid red brick core with lots of amber and brown throughout. Intriguing perfumed, sappy nose with an ever-improving plethora of nuance - violets, red cherry, raspberry, new leather, mace, fresh (unsmoked) bacon, turned sod of earth and a whiff of beetroot. Touchdown! Alluring, head-filling and of very high quality. The medium-bodied palate delivers a lovely assembly of floral, plum and sappy fruit with some assertive acid and tannin just a little angular and disjointed at first. This glitch resolved over an hour or so in the glass, eventually providing the desirable silky harmony, elegance and balance requisite for success with this fascinating fickle winestyle. Finishes with commendable length and with some mouthwatering crunchy fruit egging you to go back for more. Probably nearing its peak drinking window this Excellent wine can be enjoyed over the next several years with confidence. I'd recommended a half hour decant before serving.[/u]

Nugan Estate Manuka Grove Durif 2001 - No discernable tannins, no real complexity, but pleasant fruit and no flaws. A useful quaffer at under $5/bottle at auction.

Casella Yendah Vale Viognier 2003 - Fresh and fruity...I just managed a quick taste before the bottle vanished.

Katnook Chardonnay 1995 - Beautiful gold colour, not yet passed into orange. Still tastes fresh, although the flavour spectrum has moved into honey and fig. Excellent. Ridiculous value at auction.

Some Kiwi Sav Blanc which I didn't bother with.

Dutschke St Jakobi 2002: Decanted for a bit over an hour. Powerful nose, great fruit, oak is barely noticeable. Excellent. Just 11 to go.

Kemeny's Hidden Label Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2002 (almost certainly Chain of Ponds The Ledge): A little of a step down from the Dutschke, but a nice enough wine. Recommended.

West Cape Howe Shiraz 2002: Recommended. A bit subdued after the more powerful offerings before it. Pepper and Spice.

Vasse Felix Noble Riesling 2002: Fairly light, honeysuckle and quince flavours. None of the apricot that pervades Bot Sems. Highly Recommended.

Dutschke 22 year old tawny - A smooth, distinguished drink. Excellent.

Kieran

Hollicks Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Sometimes you just know it is a shame to open a wine too early. The 2000 Hollick Ravenswood is such a wine. I should be drinking this in 2010. A beautifully structured wine with everything indicating that this will be a great wine if you can leave it in the cellar long enough. An excellent example of coonawarra cabernet. 13.5%


Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2003

A very dark red wine with full ripe aromas on the nose. I tasted the2002 vintage of this wine a year ago in McLaren Vale. The 2003 is a more savoury and spicy style of wine than I remembered of the 2002. A reasonably simple style with great fruit intensity and spice. In the mouth, it almost felt as though a splash of viognier had fallen into the vat. Reasonably high in alcohol but not very evident. Good oak treatment and flavours lingered for a time on the pallet. Ben Riggs has made a number of wines in this style. I now need to retaste their 'Over the Top' Shiraz 03. Excellent VFM 15%


Half Mile Creek Cabernet Merlot 2003

This wine was left by a relative (not my side of the family, they donÂ’t bring anything and just drink) and I needed the space it was occupying. One of those inexpensive blends that sell so easily to the public. Inoffensive, flavoursome and washed down a late dinner. The next night it showed more cabernet on the nose and pallet and was quite pleasant. Not one I would buy but would drink again if it was this or chardonnay. Then again, I would drink water most times before chardonnay. 13.5%

Graham

Was feeling game, rocked up to the local bottlo and said something along the lines of "give me a nice pizza wine"

Terra Felix Mourvèdre 2004

Not a variety I have had a lot of experience with, and I have to admit I did not have particularly high expectations... but I found this wine rather compelling. Nose dominated by dusty and gamey characteristics with strong undercurrent of the sweet spices, and an undercurrent of what I could only describe as rose. Subdued fruit in the palate dominated by savoury flavours.

Anonymous wrote:Was feeling game, rocked up to the local bottlo and said something along the lines of "give me a nice pizza wine"

Terra Felix Mourvèdre 2004

Not a variety I have had a lot of experience with, and I have to admit I did not have particularly high expectations... but I found this wine rather compelling. Nose dominated by dusty and gamey characteristics with strong undercurrent of the sweet spices, and an undercurrent of what I could only describe as rose. Subdued fruit in the palate dominated by savoury flavours.

Generally, I like straight Mourvèdre/Mataro rather than straight Grenache, although they are usually blending partners. Mataro (easier to spell - this is the Spanish spelling BTW while the other is French) seems to have less overt jaminess when ripe and is more in the red berry spectrum than black, although it definitely can get over the top, but generally more complex.

I presume the wine is from Victoria - from memory, Terra Felix is Victoria. I had their 2000 or 2001 Shiraz last year and it was terrible, like burnt rubber. Happy to hear they did a better job with this wine.

Just thought I may as well blurt this out,
Adair

Odd. I thought "Mataro" was just an old-fashioned Australian error. Don't the Spanish call it Monastrell?

Kieran

Kieran wrote:Odd. I thought "Mataro" was just an old-fashioned Australian error. Don't the Spanish call it Monastrell?

Kieran

I believe they do.

Certainly Cascabel in Australia (Spanish Wine maker) call theirs Monastrell.

"Australia traditionally called its mourvèdre "mataro", the name of a coastal village above Barcelona that is thick in monastrell." - Gourmet Traveller

http://gourmet.ninemsn.com.au/gourmettraveller/features/features26.asp

Adair

I am sticking to Mataro - again, easier to spell.

1993 Rockford BP Shiraz - opened and decanted a good while before dinner - great nose, sweet, rich - dissapointed tho - was dried out and really hollow palate-wise - was one of four bottles i purchased on my first trip to the barossa in '96 i think it was... perhaps the other two that are left might be better ?

2004 Lehemann Eden Valley Riesling - yum-oh nice and zingy with some good thai fare.

2003 heathcote shiraz - think it was called something like "Three Corners"? Anyway I know it was about 15 bucks at the local barn. Stelvin... started with a nice rich nose, even a little bit of nutmeg, but unfortunately it faded on the palate and was a fairly simple red of medium light weight that didn't offend.

2004 St Huberts VinSanto (Rousanne) - interesting curio - not my cup of tea tho.

and the highlight....

1990 Yarra Yering Dry Red Number One - this was an incredible wine - just pure cabernet to me - everything in balance and probabaly the best cabernet that this humble imbiber has indulged in.... alas I bought just two bottles in my uni days of the early 90's... just when I first got into wine... (then again I do recall drinking octavius with party pies in the very early 90's, as it was quite a lot more affordable, so i did ok i guess)

Cheers - JB

1998 Kilikanoon Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon: Heavy crusting on the bottle; decanting essential. Incredible deep purple/red with a glowing purple hue, more like a current release than a seven year old. Beautiful, open nose of chalk, earth, violets and sweet cassis with a bare touch of mushroom. The palate is velvety, soft, sweet and long - a major surprise considering Winemaker Kevin Mitchell thought the wine was past it last year. On this form it’s got a long way to go.

Cheers
Ian

Kilikanoon Blocks Road Cabernet has been excellent in 2001 and 2002, a much under rated label and very affordable.

I haven't got any 98s left but if you have Ian, I'd appreciate the chance sometime?

Kieran wrote:
Dutschke St Jakobi 2002: Decanted for a bit over an hour. Powerful nose, great fruit, oak is barely noticeable. Excellent. Just 11 to go.

Kieran

Absolutely agree. And the '02 Oscar Semmler is even better. I just wish they would get these two 2002 wines over to the USA so I can get more than my share.

Mike

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 1994 Good wine from a good vintage I believe, colour red brick but clear, lovely secondary development and complexity, leather in particular, fruit still holding. Decanted this for half an hour after a further hour or so the remainder started to fall apart a bit. Acid took over fruit gone.

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2002no where near the 2000 or 2001, huge fruit but IMO stewed flavour profile, no real complexity and I find it difficult to imagine where it might develop this. A bit of a dissappointment hope it does develop.

Mitchell Pepper Tree Shiraz 2001 under screw cap. Typical clare fruit, red berries, rich and generous palate. Lacking any real structure to see it through extended development and a little too one dimensional to be really appealing. Good BBQ wine.

Jim Barry Riesling 2004 under screw cap. Great wine for $9 on special, strong and pristine Lime flavour profile. Should age well but not highly acidic, good drinking now with food (especially freshly caught Falthead fillets in bread and parmesan crumb)

Broughy wrote:Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2002no where near the 2000 or 2001, huge fruit but IMO stewed flavour profile, no real complexity and I find it difficult to imagine where it might develop this. A bit of a dissappointment hope it does develop.

Despite reviews to the contrary, I am with you on this wine. Definitely disappointing given the hype.

Adair

Adair wrote:

Broughy wrote:Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2002no where near the 2000 or 2001, huge fruit but IMO stewed flavour profile, no real complexity and I find it difficult to imagine where it might develop this. A bit of a dissappointment hope it does develop.

Despite reviews to the contrary, I am with you on this wine. Definitely disappointing given the hype.

Adair

Judging by the complete divide over this wine, I am seriously wondering if they made two batches because thats about the only logical explination for the divergent opinion.

I tasted the 2002 chalambar at wine oz - and didn't think much of it. Went back for a second pour to make sure of it - and still didn't like it. I then opened a bottle at home - at first I didn't think a great deal of it, but given a few hours in the glass it transformed into, for me, a beautiful little number. I've since repeated the dose on a second bottle and again, it transformed with extended air time into a beautiful wine. I wish I'd been able to snaffle some - I missed the boat. I would have loved to have a few bottles in the cellar.

The 2003 though, out next month, is a better wine straight out of the bottle - I doubt that there'll be the discrepancy of opinion on this one. Blinder of a wine in its style.

Doubt there would have been two bottlings of the 2002 - they only made 2000 cases of it. You wouldn't think that a 2000 case job would justify two runs, though I don't know much about that side of things.

The daily mystery of wine.

Campbell.

Campbell,

I have been belted round the ears twice in the last week with wine doing strange things as it opened up. Makes it damn hard to write consistent tasting notes and explains why there are sometimes a huge divide over a wine.

FWIW, my view of the wine is based on my conscientious tasting of the wine at Wine Australia. I was looking forward to tasting it and went back a few times as well, just to be sure that I was not missing out on something.

Adair

TORB wrote:Campbell,

I have been belted round the ears twice in the last week with wine doing strange things as it opened up. Makes it damn hard to write consistent tasting notes and explains why there are sometimes a huge divide over a wine.

Just had the same thing happen to me over Wynns Cab/Sh/Merlot. First bottle was fabbo, second not so (didn't let it breath).... must be something in the air... ing. Gave it very high points for what it is and am just not sure enough to drop them to a more realistic level as yet.

anyway will drop the notes into the weekly roports section.

sorry that was me, forgotten my password... Simm

Oh for gods sake... here they are then (thought I was still in the Kalina thread)

Wynns Coonawarra (red stripe) Cabernet S./Shiraz/Merlot 2002
Decanted for 2 hours and then chilled for 1/2hr

Promising colours of an inky blood-black to a deep crimson rim with purple hues that have me impatient to get to the bouquet. Immediately there's a dense yet strong and clean defining order from blackcurrant, blueberry, violets, plums to a sweet tail end fold of lady-finger vine leaves.
The palate is built on a generous texture, structured thoughtfully with interweaving flavours of blackcurrant, black olive, dark cherry, fennel, cedar, capsicum, and caried faithfully onto a long clean finish by youthfully astringent and fine tannins. Another of those wines where each varietal component can be clearly defined and yet maintain and integrity of balance. Can only get better with time and I will have to try another one just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. 92/100 and excellent value for money at $14

What year was that guest?

98 Wynns Shiraz Similar result to Jacob above. Last time I had this it was fantastic with lots of pepper but this time the primary fruit was hiding and the acid was a bit more prominant than I would have liked. I drank this in the courtyard of a cafe with very subdued lighting so quite difficult to see the colour although it seemed quite dark red. Not awful but I'd recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Just seemed a bit dull and flat more than anything. Shame as I have about 10 bottles of this left.

00 St Helga (Hilary?) Riesling Can't remember which saint it is but quite pleasant riesling developing nicely and getting those secondary riesling characteristics of honey and kero. Still plenty of body and nice length. I think this will continue to improve.

Doh! Logging on from new workplace. Last post was me.

Hello Kris,

FWIW, the Helga is the Riesling, Hillary is the Chardonnay, and Hugo is the Cabernet.

Adair