The Auswine Forum

Last nite I invited Dave "Duck" Anderson for a dinner. I asked what would he like and he reply..."a good Cabernet"

We started off with Giaconda Nantua 2002 - This bt. was bought over by his agent Greg. I found the light golden color a little advance for such a young white. Tangy with spicy, lime, pears flavours. Good intensity that persist to a lingering finish.

I responded with Duck's request and brought my favourite Cab. Mosswood 1995 The last time I'd it was 2 years ago which was still tight . Yesterday it opened up beautifully, entering in its drinking window. Rich, blackcurranty, tobacco, well integrated, tannins were silky smooth. Excellent concentration, balance and seamless.

Duck took out his WDC Birdie 13 1999, a wine made by his 13th years old violinist daughter. Ripe, round and plush with explosive blackfruits, liquer cherries, spices that soared across my palate. Fine tannins and finished with tremendous lenght.

I asked Duck, which winery does he like and his reply "Wendouree". I opened a O'Leary Walker Reserve Claire 2002 for his view. Tremendous wine and worth every penny was his reply. Despite of the size and weight it has excellent aciditty. Very impressive depth and finishes long.

Duck took out a "Son of Duck Muck 2001"(375ml) I asked why no Duck Muck was made in 2001. He told me the fruits were very scarce fr 18 rows where the "Muck" were sourced from. This "Son" was fr rejected grapes that didnt make it into the "WDC Original Vinyard" Drinking this will give u a glimmer of what to expect fr the Original Vinyard @ tomorow dinner. Inky black in color, I can write my will with it. Everything here is compressed, like stuffing a 1500ml and being reduced to a 375ml. bt!! I've never tasted anything like this before. Sniffing it is so additive, I realised why some ppl. sniff glue to get high. The palate is explosive and the flavours just refuse to quit. Duck told me, this wine together with Birdie 13 was not meant for commercial released, only for friends.

Still not enuf, btwn 4 of us, we opened a Wolf Blass Platinum Shiraz 2001 to make up the numbers but sadly after the Son of Duck Muck, the Platinum was pale in comparison.

This is just the foreplay as I look forward to my WDC dinner tomorow.....

Stay tune!

Obviously all top wines there. Now for what might be a really hard question {or maybe easy} if you could choose only two of those wines to drink regularly which ones?

Also I have a feeling the Platinum might have showed a bit better if it were drunk first of the bunch as its Forte is its flavour but not power.

Anonymous wrote:Obviously all top wines there. Now for what might be a really hard question {or maybe easy} if you could choose only two of those wines to drink regularly which ones?

Also I have a feeling the Platinum might have showed a bit better if it were drunk first of the bunch as its Forte is its flavour but not power.

I would certainly choose Mosswood '95, entering into it's drinking window now. I've gone thru 6 and this is the best showing. It's harder to get a good Cab fr OZ than Shiraz. Would be interesting to taste the O'Leary Claire when it's 10yrs young.
Agreed the Plat was wasted. This bt. was a spare and never know we finish the rest so quickly and we crave for more...
The Son of Duck Muck was a freak of wine fr a one off vintage.