The Auswine Forum

Some Friday work drinks...

Wynns BL 2002
A bit hard to appreciate at this point in time... Ever...? Very austere nose of violets and a weedy, green edge. Angular, hard, cool palate, certainly not easy and luscious like many of the 04s and some of the 03s from Coonawarra. Might improve in time although not sure how/where this will come from. Not easy enough for me, I'm afraid. Think I liked the 02 Bowen Shiraz better even, in the battle for green red supremacy.

Leo Buring Eden Valley 2005 Riesling
Not giving away much - another austere and closed palate but this time with the suggestion of more to come, probably. Elegant, hints of muted lemon and lime and some vague florals but really closed - perhaps not enough time after opening the screwcap? Quite nice but again not an all-out pleasing drink. Yet.

We're holding an 8 bottle pinot tasting tomorrow night - NZ vs Australia as a broad theme so looking forward to that - will post notes and outcomes later.

Interesting note on the 02 BL. The only time I tasted this was at a carpet destroying wine event held at the Sydney Hilton hotel not long after it reopened. Tasted it alongside the 01 BL and the 03 (I think) Johnsons Block. On the night the 02 BL was the standout. Chocolate and anise, very full bodied and no green flavours at all unlike the 01 BL which I found almost dirty in comparision.

Since then, the reviews on the 02 have been very varied and I've not even seen one bottle on a shelf anywhere and seemed to miss the boat on buying any. When I tasted it though, it was a barrel sample, as was the Johnsons, so maybe something happened between the barrel and bottling.

Strange really.

The 02 came and went quickly I recall - a Southcorp vintage bolter to catch up with the 03s/04s of competitors already on the shelves?

I think this is probably quite a well styled wine, in a way but just too far along the spectrum for me. I've had it a couple of times now and neither time has it struck me as terribly approachable. There are a few of them in a box downstairs that I will revisit in a few years but don't know where it'll be at...

Definitely agree with Wayno on the 02 Wynns Cabernet. Too austere/herbaceous on the palate even for me given that I am usually a fan of wines in the savory spectrum.
I thought the 01 a much better drop and although I wouldn't call it dirty, dusty does come to mind, and I am a big fan of earthiness in wines. A very well balanced wine in my opinion.
I've said it here before - Halliday stuffed up that 02 vintage rating for Coonawarra.

I have tried this three times and found it very ripe, rich and balanced showing anything but green. Couldn’t put it away for another day all times. Very focussed. The 03 I found more like original comment (still enjoyed though) but even then still believe it will grow well. Strange how this happens.