Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

The place on the web to chat about wine, Australian wines, or any other wines for that matter
Post Reply
TORB
Posts: 2493
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 3:42 pm
Location: Bowral NSW
Contact:

Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

Post by TORB »

Happy 4th July long weekend to our US brethren who will no doubt be celebrating with some overpriced Septic Plonk when they can be drinking some superior Oz Wine like Chateau Hill Run River Bay Platypus, Penguin, Roo, Tail, Gum, Koala. :) Pity they don't make a Sparkling Yella Tail Shitraz; that would be an indescribable way to celebrate.

I have had a quiet wine week, the best of the lot was last night with a Leasingham 1996 Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon. Heaps of furry tannins, still very firm, doubt there is enough fruit for the long haul. Fruit still sweet so drink up over the next couple of years before it starts to fall over. Dissapointing as I was expecting more, but then it only cost $25 way back when. It was vastly improved by a lamb fillet with a spicy (not hot) sauce. Not the slightest interest in drinking more than a few sips after dinner and the balance of the bottle made good drain cleaner.

If you have any drink with food and it will be enyoable, without it, it's hard work.

Now what have you guys been drinking this week?
Cheers
Ric
TORBWine

User avatar
n4sir
Posts: 4020
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2003 10:53 pm
Location: Adelaide

Re: Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

Post by n4sir »

TORB wrote:Leasingham 1996 Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon. Heaps of furry tannins, still very firm, doubt there is enough fruit for the long haul. Fruit still sweet so drink up over the next couple of years before it starts to fall over. Dissapointing as I was expecting more, but then it only cost $25 way back when. It was vastly improved by a lamb fillet with a spicy (not hot) sauce. Not the slightest interest in drinking more than a few sips after dinner and the balance of the bottle made good drain cleaner.


This was a bit of a surprise to read Ric, as the sister wine topped a classy field in last month's Blacktongues mature shiraz tasting.

Some C-thrus from me this week:

1994 Penfolds Reserve Bin 94A Chardonnay: Bright golden yellow colour. The heavy injection of French oak and malolactic fermentation dominated the nose, with grilled nuts/cashews taking centre stage with hints of pithy citrus fruit and a touch of honey well in the background. The palate featured a remarkable amount of acid bite which is really out of balance with the green-apple fruit, finishing with lingering smoky/grilled nut and orange peel characters but also very course, raw tannin. On this disappointing form I’d agree with the Rewards of Patience 5 assessment that the wine has seen better times, although it’s still drinkable now with food.

1995 Shaw & Smith Reserve Chardonnay (Magnum): Bright golden yellow colour. A very spicy nose with vanilla, nutmeg, and mixed spices and dried herbs over a base of fig/lemon fruit and a touch of kerosene. The palate opened like the nose with a slice of vanilla, followed by spicy grapefruit/citrus fruit with finely balanced acid and tannins, finishing long, warm and buttery with grilled nut nuances. With breathing it gained more weight and complexity, with dried herbs, fennel and a hint of tobacco, and even some bacon in the aftertaste. This went perfectly with Smoked Chicken Gratin Dauphinois, and reflects what I think a good South Australian Chardonnay can possibly achieve - one that could actually lure people away from the ABC club.

2002 Miranda Golden Botrytis (375ml): Amazing, thick, glass hugging, golden amber colour with a hint of olive on the rim. A very lifted nose featuring scents of citrus, dried apricots and oregano, and a touch of kerosene. The rich palate opens with sweet marmalade/honey and a hint of dried herbs, followed by lemon/citrus perfectly balanced by a clean cut of acid mid-palate, finishing extremely long, plush and creamy with mango brulee, caramel and tea leaves on the finish. This was fantastic – I hope they come in 750ml bottles too!


Cheers
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.

User avatar
bigkid
Posts: 175
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:06 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by bigkid »

Hi all,

Big night at Tetsuyas for my wife Ann's birthday on Friday night. Fabulous meal, great wine:

Menu:

Snow Egg and Caviar Sandwich
Coffin Bay Oysters with Ginger & Rice Wine
Tartare of Tuna on Sushi Rice with Avocado
Tuna Marinated in Soy & Mirin
Spring Bay Scallop with Wakame & Lemon
Cold Corn Soup with Basil Ice Cream
Marinated NZ Scampi with Foie Gras & Walnut
Confit of Petuna Tasmanian Ocean Trout with Konbu, Daikon & Fennel
Seasonal Green Salad
Gazpacho with Spiced Tomato Sorbet
Ravioli of Queensland Spanner Crab with Tomato & Basil Vinaigrette
Twice Cooked De-Boned Spatchcock with Braised Daikon and Bread Sauce
Grilled Wagyu Beef with Asian Mushrooms & Lime Jus
Lime Sorbet with Feijoa
Strawberry Shortcake
Blue Cheese Ice Cream with Pear & Sauterne Jelly
Floating Island with Praline & Vanilla Bean Anglaise
Coffee & Petit Four

Wines:

Pol Roger 1996 Champagne

Something quite different to the Krug or Dom which would normally mark our very special occasions. We were looking for something a little lighter flavoured that would not overwhelm the first couple of courses. We got it. This is a lovely delicate champagne with a nose rich in hay, fresh grass and citrus. These carry through to the palate with limes, smoky oak and a peachy/apricot finish. So light it just disappeared on the tongue. Thoroughly enjoyable and matched well with the oysters and tuna

Zind Humbrecht 1993 Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl

This wine has a staggering nose which could be detected two tables away. Rich, creamy honey, hay, light wood, lychees and apricots, all of which followed through to the palate with the addition of lemon grass. velvet texture, a sweet rich finish which just goes on and on and on. Again, a good match for the tastier seafood dishes we enjoyed on the evening. Would have again at the drop of a hat, unfortunately at $180 a bottle the hat wonÂ’t be dropping again this year! Thanks for the recommendation Martin.

Penfolds 1997 St Henri Shiraz

Yeah, I know 1997 isnÂ’t supposed to have been a grand year, and the black berries and plums did need to be coaxed out of the glass, but an enjoyable drop nonetheless which didnÂ’t overwhelm the spatchcock and wagyu. Soft tannins, a little smoky oak and some hints of liquorice.

Henschke Kyneton Estate 1996

The Kyneton was a better drop, quite green with a little VA, mossy, earthy tones, truffles, some oak, raspberries, red cherries and marmalade. A smooth, long finish.

Chateau Suduirant 1998 Sauternes

GeeÂ… I was getting a bit tired and emotional about this time. I remember a lighter textured sauterne, flavours a lot like the ZH before it, lychees, a little citrus.

Very memorable evening.

Regards,

Allan

TORB
Posts: 2493
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 3:42 pm
Location: Bowral NSW
Contact:

Re: Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

Post by TORB »

n4sir wrote:This was a bit of a surprise to read Ric, as the sister wine topped a classy field in last month's Blacktongues mature shiraz tasting.


Ian,

I read your excellent Black Tongues notes first and wondered if you would comment on this one. FWIW, I think the 96 Shiraz leaves the Cabernet for dead too and the same thing has happened in other CC vintages.
Cheers
Ric
TORBWine

User avatar
Attila
Posts: 707
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:50 am
Location: Maroubra-Sydney
Contact:

Post by Attila »

A sensational bottle of Tokaji at my farewell dinner in Hungary last night. A simple bottle of 1999 OREMUS Szamorodni Sweet for about AUD $15 locally, was beautifully fresh and sweet that I really enjoyed.
Right now in the Star Alliance Business Lounge in Vienna, I tried a 2002 Reserve Pinot Noir from Austria that was pretty average and a 2002 Welschriesling that was also pretty run off the mill.
I`ll board my plane now to Sydney and no doubt will enjoy some Piper Heidsieck NV on the way.
Cheers,
Attila

TORB
Posts: 2493
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 3:42 pm
Location: Bowral NSW
Contact:

Post by TORB »

Attila wrote:Right now in the Star Alliance Business Lounge in Vienna, ....
I`ll board my plane now to Sydney and no doubt will enjoy some Piper Heidsieck NV on the way.


Sky- te :P :lol:
Cheers
Ric
TORBWine

GrahamB
Posts: 601
Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 8:54 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by GrahamB »

Peterson's Old Block Shiraz 01 (Mudgee)

This was one of the samples that Petersons send to their "Big Red" club members. I got this one almost two years ago. It is from their Glenesk vineyard.

Absolutely beautiful. On the nose it is one of those wines you can just smell forever without drinking. Chocolatety, spicy with full ripe fruit. On the palate was complexity, great fruit, cedary oak, length and great texture.

We were going to save some for tomorrow night ... but there are some others I could open I suppose tomorrow. I bet this one is sold out. Need to check first thing tomorrow.

I am really loving this wine.

Graham

Edit - Made a blue, it was an 01
Last edited by GrahamB on Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted

TORB
Posts: 2493
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 3:42 pm
Location: Bowral NSW
Contact:

Post by TORB »

Graham,

Agree totally, I have had a number of vinatges of this wine (going back for some time) and they never fail to please.
Cheers
Ric
TORBWine

Gianna..

Post by Gianna.. »

A few lovelies over the last two weeks.

1995 Mount Mary Cabernet:
Decanted for 2hrs. Great bouquet of cassis and red berries. An elegant, smooth and silky texture. It delivered complex flavours with layers of vibrant fruit that lingered. A fabulous wine and enjoyed by all over a fillet of beef lunch.

1996 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz:
Was always going to struggle after the MM. To me the tannins and oak have still not integrated yet and it seemed a bit closed. The oak dominated the nose. Will definetely improve over the next 3 years.

2000 Cristom Reserve Pinot Noir - Oregon:
It is wines like these that make me think there really is more to Pinot than is given credit. Huge bouquet of roses and strawberries. Silky mouthfeel and a tight, robust burst of redcurrant flavours. Good Stuff.

I've got a 1999 Bannockburn Serre' that I'm trying this week and at about the same price as the Cristom, I will be interested to see the comparison.

2001 Brothers In Arms Shiraz:
A very good quaffer. An easy drinking shiraz that has plenty of fruits to smell and a complex palate to enjoy.

Billecart Salmon NV:
I'm not a big Champagne drinker, but for $50 I thought this was excellent. Crisp and sweet on the palate with a lingering lipsmacking aftertaste. I am starting to get itchy fingers now about buying some really good champers like the many mentioned here. The 96 Pol Roger and Dom are in my sights........ :D

2004 Warrabilla Durif:
Yep, I now agree with the other forumites. This is a great vineyard that produces excellent quality wines at very reasonable prices. Big and brooding that did not give in for more 24 hrs when I finished the rest of the bottle.

2001 Majella Shiraz:
I know a few have rated this highly, but I think it is just ok. and I found it a bit one dimensional. I suppose it is reasonable value overall.

1998 Wynns John Riddoch:
I do like the JR's. and I am not convinced these shouldn't be drunk for another 5-10 years as some have mentioned. I found this bottle relatively approachable after a few hrs. The palate was cedar and plums with an earthy eucalyptus finish. No doubt it will be better in a year or two.

2002 Torbreck The Struie:
Might have been a bad bottle, but the nose just never gave much and the palate had a "tanginess" that I just didn't quite like. I've had better bottles before.

2002 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz:
Very drinkable and plenty of fruit to savor. At $38, excellent buying.

A 2000 Xanadu Cabernet, a 1998 Rockford Cab also late one night when no sense could be made and who knows what they tasted like....:wink:

User avatar
Adair
Posts: 1534
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2003 9:01 am
Location: North Sydney
Contact:

Post by Adair »

Some excellent wines this week/weekend:

2002 Torbreck “The Struie” Shiraz – A marvellous wine (sorry about your bottle Gianna). Long, dark and deep with cooler pepper and spices. A fair whack of brett as well which is concerning for aging. Nonetheless, 18.6/20, 95/100.

1999 Burra Burra “Lone Star” Shiraz – Front palate only opened up after 4 hours in a decanter. Once it did, the massive amounts of fine tannins were matched with deep red fruits and mint. Very long. Needs another 5 years minimum. A mini-Wendouree! 17.8/20, 92/100.

2000 Arakoon “Doyen” Shiraz – Heaps of dark flavour and sweet spices with too much flabbiness and prune for my palate but I opened it because I knew Jono would love it and I was spot on. 17/20, 90/100.

2002 Pierre Andre “Les Vieilles Pierres” Pouilly-Fuisse (No. 02433) (Chardonnay) – A very tight and highly structured wine with abundant acidity yet so smooth and rounded without a glycerine mouthfeel, something that I don’t believe any Australian producer can achieve. Needs time for the flavours to reveal themselves but greatly enjoyable for what it is now. I did not think it White Burgundy, looking more to a Marsanne/Roussanne blend from the Rhone. 18.1/20, 93/100.

1997 Temple Bruer Cabernet Merlot - Langhorne Creek, SA - 14%: Bright crimson. Blackcurrant, red plums, wet stones, dried green herbs, some porty characters, spearmint and fruitcake spices. Medium/full bodied. Lacks depth on the front but opens very well on the palate. Abundant, reasonably powerful, fine, chalky tannins that turn powdery after a few hours. Tannins carry flavours well. Very good length. Harmonious wine that screams for steak or cheese. At its peak but will hold for a few years yet. A nice surprise. 17.2/20, 90/100.

2003 Pizzini Sangiovese – King Valley, Victoria – 13.8%:
Smooth ripe red berries. Savoury. Ripe tannins. Nothing harsh. Very enjoyable. 17/20, 90/100.

2002 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling - I raved about this wine a few weeks ago. This time I just want to pleased that they put their whites under screwcap. This was not a bad bottle, just not as good as a good bottle.

Kind regards,
Adair

User avatar
Adair
Posts: 1534
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2003 9:01 am
Location: North Sydney
Contact:

Post by Adair »

The previous weekend:

Gosset Grande Reserve NV - Champagne: I enjoy the style and this wine but I did not feel this bottle was a good as previous bottles I have had. The underlying base of sweet citrus fruit seemed to not as controlled or focussed as I would have liked. Still very enjoyable though. 17.3/20, 90/100.

1996 McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon - Hunter Valley: Very complex and drinking very well but does not have the back palate power of a great Hunter Semillon that a great, say, Vat 1 would have. 17.3/20, 90/100.

1998 Te Kairanga Cabernet Sauvignon - Martinborough: Deep with controlled power but a greenness throughout the wine put me off, even though the powerful fruit seemed to take it over as the night continued. 16.6/20, 88/100 but maybe more after longer time in a decanter.

1993 Noel Verset Cornas: I did not think it as outright bretty as others. I found it very complex and obviously savoury but still some light red berries and length-giving, very fine tannins. However, its lack of depth and intensity made it hard to appreciate with other wines open on the table. Would have been better if enjoyed over an hour or two. 16.9/20, 89/100.

1985 Chateau Lascombes - Margaux: Absolute classic left-bank aroma and flavour profile. Exceptionally complex. However, probably a little past its peak as its structure was a little bony and its body was fading. 17.3/20, 90/100.

1999 Grosset Pinot Noir - Adeldaide Hills: I was most impressed with this wine. At 6 years old, it is still a babe. Full of deep, sweet rhubarb, strawberries and plums. Powerful structure of fine and ripely stalky tannins aided undoubtedly by whole bunch pressing, but in harmony with the ripe fruit. Needs more time to build complexity and it will do so. 18/20, 93/100.

2002 Smidge “The Tardy” Zinfandel: I rarely enjoy Zins, and at this alcohol level the only one I have enjoyed was the 1997 Cape Mentelle. To cloyingly sweet for me. 15.4/20, 84/100.

2001 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec - Clare: I was very concerned about this wine upon opening and even after an hour or two. It did not seem to have the structural power of the 2001 Shiraz Mataro opened last year. However, after 5 hours I was most pleased. The wineÂ’s back palate had opened up very impressively with a huge amount of tannin carrying the wineÂ’s ripe, dry, rich red berry flavours, although the tannin was much less fierce than the Shiraz Mataro and one might even call this wine approachable. Despite the wine having great depth, the front palate was not giving much and, as expected, really needs a fair bit of time in the cellar. One thing some might find of interest is that there was no mint. An intellectual vinous experience at the moment and hence hard to rate. 17.3-18.3/20, 90-94/100.

1990 Rockford Cabernet Sauvignon - Barossa Valley: Long. Ripe but controlled dark fruits. A little spearmint. Oak well into the background. Excellent depth. Reasonable complexity. Still powerful but harmonious and fine structure contrasting the smooth yet controlled mouthfeel wonderfully. No holes. Beautiful Cabernet. I picked it as Coonawarra. Splendid, and surprising when the label was revealed. 18.4/20, 94/100.

Kind regards,
Adair

Davidc

Weekend spurge

Post by Davidc »

BVE Ebenezer Shiraz 1996
Some firm tannins with lovely fruit starting to show some maturation. This should continue on for a fair few years, althought excellent now.

BVE Ebenezer Cab Merlot 1998
Not as exciting as the 96 Shiraz

Henshcke Mount Edelstone 1992
A bit closed, as it only got decantered for a short while. Typical Henshcke with good complexity and tannin structure. Showing licorice, plum and vanillin oak in good balance. Maybe left this one a bit too long (this may be unfair given the lack of decantering)


Seppelt Show Sparkling 1986

Starting to lose its bead, however still showing some amazing complexity. Lots of black fruit, forrest floor, truffle flavours happening.

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2003
This hass been described to death in the forum. A great wine for $18.50.

Giaconda Chardonnay 2000
Wow - such a great wine with amazing complexity. Its a pity we only had one bottle.

Giaconda Pinot Noit 2000
I prefered the Chardonnay.

Nepenthe Zinefandel
An interesting wine. Very much in your face fruit. Good structure but lacking complexity for the price ($55 in a restaurant).

lantana

Post by lantana »

Just a couple of interest:

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001: Dinner with the neighbours on Saturday night & decided to pull this one from the cellar, last tried over 18 months ago & it had completely shut down, so was interested to see if it had awoken yet. The answer is sort of, showing much more of the typical Coonawarra flavour profile that one would expect, blackcurrant, dark red fruits with nicely fine grained tannins & tight structure that made me regret opening this one so soon. I have a few more of this & don't think I'll try it again for a few years.

Domaine Leroy Bourgone Rouge 1997 Hmmm :? , bought at auction cheaply & last tried this about 2 years ago, at which time the bottle I opened was brown, tired & OTH, so after nearly abandoning my attempt to "secure some cheap Leroy" as a bad joke, I decided to crack my last bottle with Sunday night pasta. After almost waiting for the food to be placed on the table, before opening it (as I thought we may've possibly been looking at a 5 minute drinking window, before it collapsed!), we were pleasantly surprised. Some bright red fruits & forest floor type aromas which is one of the characteristics that makes me keep drinking & searching for good pinot noir. The palate was very supple & luscious for about 20 minutes & then began to become quite astringent, with a harsh texture, which became unpleasant, so I drank the rest very quickly trying to hang onto the memory of the earlier lovely wine. :?

There are only great (half)bottles? :roll:
lantana

Guest

Post by Guest »

Ric, thanks so much for the kind wishes (?? :lol:). It's still the 3rd here, but I have an 02 Clarendon Kangarilla, and 95 E&E Black Pepper on deck for the grill and fireworks tomorrow.

Long live the Queen! (here in San Francisco, that actually means something else) :wink:

Cheers,
Alan

User avatar
KMP
Posts: 1246
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:02 am
Location: Expat, now in San Diego, California
Contact:

Re: Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

Post by KMP »

TORB wrote:Happy 4th July long weekend to our US brethren who will no doubt be celebrating with some overpriced Septic Plonk when they can be drinking some superior Oz Wine like Chateau Hill Run River Bay Platypus, Penguin, Roo, Tail, Gum, Koala. :) Pity they don't make a Sparkling Yella Tail Shitraz; that would be an indescribable way to celebrate.

Now what have you guys been drinking this week?


Overpriced is correct! Just returned from a July 4th family reunion (wife's side of the family). They do this every year with this year being a 4 day cruise out of Miami Florida (just missed Dennis the Menace). Ship did not allow you to take any alcohol on board, and then charged like wounded bulls for what they offered. Rosemount Black (Diamond) Label Shiraz was $36USD/btl, I can get it for much less than $10. PenfoldÂ’s St Henri was $125USD/btl, usually goes for about $30! No Yellowtail on the listing.

Mike

707
Posts: 1173
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 1:24 pm
Location: Adelaide, centre of the wine universe

Re: Sunday - Happy 4th July - reports due

Post by 707 »

[/quote] Ian, I read your excellent Black Tongues notes first and wondered if you would comment on this one. FWIW, I think the 96 Shiraz leaves the Cabernet for dead too and the same thing has happened in other CC vintages.[/quote]

Ric, I have to agree that the Cabernet rarely rates as highly as the Shiraz but 1999 may be the exception. As far as the 1996 Shiraz goes, it's a classic!
Cheers - Steve
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!

Post Reply