The Auswine Forum

Tasting Note No.8

I tasted this wine earlier this year so I knew what to expect. A lovely blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend made by Andrew Fleming. Both he and James Halliday claim that this is the best Briarston produced to date. I can only support that view, having drunk a few back vintages. The most remarkable thing about this AU $17 super bargain, that this little wine tastes like a mini Margaux right out of the Médoc.
The colour is bright cherry red. Beautiful aromas of cherry, game, forrest floor and raspberry. The palate is very elegant, medium bodied, full of smooth rich fruit and savoury characters. Excellent balance and a long finish. A joy to drink now and it should be as I believe that the Briarston does NOT age well beyond 4-5 years. The wine spent 14 months in french oak (some of it new), oak that support the wine perfectly. My wife was most impressed with this red at the dinner table. Very delightful!

also tasted

KNAPPSTEIN Clare Valley Chardonnay 2002

Very Burgundian. The grapes are from five separate vineyards. Aged in 1 year old French and American oak. Some of it underwent malolactic fermentation. A very smooth and polished wine with good balance. Better than some others at AU $19.

KNAPPSTEIN Clare Valley Shiraz 2001

Dark red colour. Powerful earthy flavours, strong extract, the 20 months oak treatment made this medium bodied red a little too powerful. Warm alcoholic finish. Need 3 more years desperately. Good at AU $22 but not in the same class as the absolutely lovely and outstanding 2000 vintage.

KNAPPSTEIN Clare Valley Cabernet Merlot 2000

Misjudged oak made this medium bodied red an average effort. The 18 months in those French barrels, swallowed up the delicate fruit and thrown this wine out of balance. I don't believe that this wine will ever come around. Cost AU $22.

KNAPPSTEIN Hand Picked Riesling 2002

A pretty average effort made this neutral wine a run of the mill riesling. One dimensional and unexciting, pairing it with some seafood dish may help. There is obvious tannin bitterness in the finish. Not a bargain at AU $19.

Tasted:October 2003

Attila,

Thanks for the notes on the Briarston!
However, I am suprised about your views on the Knappstein Hand Picked Reisling. I have heard many positive reviews on this wine with some putting it up with some of the best of the vintage.
Would appreciate the thoughts of others on this wine.
Cheers
Popov

Hello Attila,

I opened a bottle of the 2000 Briarston, as well as the 1997, last night. Wow, both are indeed Excellent wines.

The 2000 had more power than what I think you indicate - power, elegance and perfume - and I think in need of 3 years to show its best - like 1997 which was showing its best - although the 2000 was more elemental at this stage, it will be the better wine. I still have a glass left of the 2000 for tonight.

Also opended a 1991 Tyrrells Vat 9 - needs more time - probably another 5 years at least. Have a glass of this left over as well. To be honest, both Briarstons overshadowed the Vat 9. (As a Hunter lover, this is hard for me to admit but I still have 2 bottles in the cellar that will not be opened until at least 2008)

Adair

Attila

The Coldstream Hills 2000 Reserve Cabernet $42, is also a treat.
Very dark, great perfume and intensity.
I rate it as my favourite 2000 Cabernet to date, and thats agianst some excellent 2000 Coonawarra's in, Katnook, Majella, Zema and Petaluma.

Pana wrote:Attila

The Coldstream Hills 2000 Reserve Cabernet $42, is also a treat.
Very dark, great perfume and intensity.
I rate it as my favourite 2000 Cabernet to date, and thats agianst some excellent 2000 Coonawarra's in, Katnook, Majella, Zema and Petaluma.

Big call but I don't doubt you.

Had the 1991 Cabernet a few months ago (there was no Reserve back in those days) and it was mind-blowingly good.

However, I am learning more and more that great wine is about drinking a particular wine at its right time, with the right food and in the right atmosphere. Hence, I am thinking less and less of people who follow points. (A bit of the topic! )

Kind regards,
Adair

Adair wrote:Hello Attila,

Also opended a 1991 Tyrrells Vat 9 - needs more time - probably another 5 years at least. Have a glass of this left over as well. To be honest, both Briarstons overshadowed the Vat 9. (As a Hunter lover, this is hard for me to admit but I still have 2 bottles in the cellar that will not be opened until at least 2008)

Adair

Adair

I originally had a case of this wine but sent the last 3-4 off to auction. From a great year and off one of the oldest vineyards in oz this wine has never reached the heights expected of it. The last couple of bottles had one of the shortest finishes of a red I have ever had. - one great disappointment . Nothing like the 1975's, 1979's whichj always had and still have wonderful velvety balance.

My advice is to sell the rest.

Cheers

paul V

PaulV wrote:

Adair wrote:Hello Attila,

Also opended a 1991 Tyrrells Vat 9 - needs more time - probably another 5 years at least. Have a glass of this left over as well. To be honest, both Briarstons overshadowed the Vat 9. (As a Hunter lover, this is hard for me to admit but I still have 2 bottles in the cellar that will not be opened until at least 2008)

Adair

Adair

I originally had a case of this wine but sent the last 3-4 off to auction. From a great year and off one of the oldest vineyards in oz this wine has never reached the heights expected of it. The last couple of bottles had one of the shortest finishes of a red I have ever had. - one great disappointment . Nothing like the 1975's, 1979's whichj always had and still have wonderful velvety balance.

My advice is to sell the rest.

Cheers

paul V

I guess I am an optimist and I will give it more chance - just another 5 more years. It seemed a bit disjoined and I think/hope bottle age will help... maybe! Also hope it fills out a bit. Intensity was there but I agree that length was an issue. I am an optimist. There was silkiness.

Adair

Adair wrote:I opened a bottle of the 2000 Briarston, as well as the 1997, last night. Wow, both are indeed Excellent wines.

The 2000 had more power than what I think you indicate - power, elegance and perfume - and I think in need of 3 years to show its best - like 1997 which was showing its best - although the 2000 was more elemental at this stage, it will be the better wine. I still have a glass left of the 2000 for tonight.

Hello Attila,

As stated above, I opened the 2000 Briarston on Wednesday night. However, I did not come back to it until Saturday night (72 hours)... and it was gorgeous!

The front palate had filled out with ripe red plums, as had the full length and breadth of the wine, with tobacco, which I associate with Yarra Valley Cabernet, and tomato bush with a hint of mint. The wine had pleasant soft acid giving good length while the tannins had softened beautifully but were undoubtedly the weakest link indicating, as you mentioned above, that this was not a long living wine. However, this wine does not need long aging and I think the tannins are excellently judged for the wine. I think it will be at its peak in 2005-6. I will buy more if I can still find it.

Amazing wine and one of my nominations in MartinC’s “Wines that OUTPERFORMED” poll.

PaulV wrote:as above

Well Paul,

Unfortunately I also did not drink the rest of the 1991 Vat 9 until 72 hours later. Although the palate of this wine also had filled out, it was dominated by iodine-like flavours which were a bit unpleasant. I only have two bottles left and I am sure at least GaryW will enjoy tasting one at an offline in a few years!

Kind regards
Adair