The Auswine Forum

in posting this topic.

Please let us know what you have been drinking over the last week.

Lots of old Piemontese wines ... notes to follow. For now, let's just say the star was slightly surprising.

TORB,
How's the staffing going? Hopefully getting to the point you can start catching up on the lost drinking days.

regards

Ian

2005 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir
For me, still pretty much as it was six months ago but perhaps a touch mellower. Light to medium bodied with flavour profile on the cherry tip, quite pleasant mouthfeel and drinking quite nicely with food, which I think it needs to help it along. Looking forward to this developing further with some earthier undertones because it has a lot of spring in it's step still. Good not great but a bargain considering.

Golding Pinot Noir 2002
Fuller bodied and plum soaked in comparison and with a vibrant nose of spices. Beautifully textured mouthfeel and much amped up in comparison to the Hoddles. Good stuff.

Paxton Grenache Shiraz Mourverdre 2005
Barnyardy nose - stinky and pooey but (of course) in a good way! Slightly meaty and rustic and very drinkable, lots of upright character whilst presenting soft and cuddly and lots of sweet fruit. Distinctive and memorable.

Stonehaven Rat and Bull 2002
Not as remarkable this time around but still a nice wine. Loads of Limestone coast character - the whole eucalypt and menthol package and a soft delivery. Nice length, plenty of fruit still. Quite medium bodied and soft and probably not a long term keeper but drinking well enough now.

Coriole Sangiovese 2005
Great wine, I love this and perfectly paired with a warm(ish) summer barbeque. Medium bodied, savoury but soft on the palate and floating along on a taut flavour bandwidth. Just about perfectly at home outside with the mosquito bug zapper on, the aromas of nicely chargrilled meats and very happy amongst the clatter and clink of bottles and glasses. Humble winner.

Wirra Wirra Church Block 2005
Never been a big fan of this wine but I rather enjoyed this, quite sweet and forward fruit with good tannins and length. Focussed and with plenty of room to move and time to go. Spot on and good value too I think.

Piper Heideseck NV
Largeish bead and not overly elegant in nose or palate but very flavoursome and moreish, with behaved yeast characters, lemony notes and good textural mouthfeel. Nicely balanced.

Penfolds Bin 28 1998 Shiraz
Just fantastic, medium bodied, rich, long and balancing very nicely on the seesaw of maturity - the right amount of primary and secondary characters of equal gravity in the mix. Still good colour, an absolute little ripper. It warms me to know there are some more bottles stashed away as I suspect this will continue on it's bold venture into old age with very few battle scars. Delicious.

Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2002
Massive, fruit heavy, rich and concentrated with clanking tannic structure bolted into place. Very flavoursome and impressive wine and will last a good time yet. I suspect opened a bit early. And late in the night too, which added to the folly.

Ashton Hills Pinot noir 2005
The standard (village) blend and a lovely wine, honest, plummy and lifted with a bit of roasted sunshine imparted through it's purple heart. Honest and addictive.

Campbells Auslese Riesling 'Aged Release' 1989

Stunning. I wasn't expecting much, boy was I wrong. Fresh as a daisy. Level was down a little but the cork was in perfect condition. Rich and honeyed with intense florals. No real kero to speak of, just rich honey and toast.

Clonakilla Ballinderry 2005

A blend of 35% Cab Sav, 35% Cab Franc, 30% Merlot.
Ripe sweet berries and plums drive the primary fruit character. A strong perfume of violets that I have come to expect from Clonakilla. Very fine tannins and a cedar/pencil shavings finish round this wine out really well.
I loved the 2004 of this wine, although the 2005 has much more merlot it still sings with Cabernet class. Great drink right now but I look forward to it gaining some complexity and developed characters with some age.

Guigal 'La Landonne' 1994

Not a great year in the northern Rhone, but a great vineyard and winemaker.
Intense, ripe, dark fruits. Buckets of spices. The oak used to make this wine is still not integrated. There is enough fruit to handle the oaking but it has not come together yet. Not sure how this wine will continue to develop but it does not look like being a classic. I would love to try one of the Guigal's other single vineyard wines from 1994 and see how the addition of viognier did in that year.

Pialligo Estate Sangiovese 2004

Nice. Fresh and ripe fruit flavours balanced with classic drying tannins. Perhaps a bit simple and fruity but still good mid week drinking. Might be one to watch in the future.


Billy B

I have been drinking a few more interesting wines lately, some worth talking about.

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated the birth of my sister's baby by cracking the Krug MV I picked up duty free a year ago.
Very impressive, and I can see what the fuss is all about. I was worried it would be over-the-top, but no. Full of flavour, but in no way assulting to the senses. I could (if given the budget) drink much more of this.
Also opened up a couple of whites from 1996: a Petaluma riesling that was just a bit over-developed, with pink grapefruit flavours(?), and an almost orange colour. This was blown away by a still crisp, but flavoursome and interesting Moss Brothers semillon. Yummo.

This weekend has seen several more bottles shared including a very nice Tahbilk "1927" marsanne 1998; a not nearly as good as previous bottles 1999 Pieropan La Rocca soave (oxidised?); a 2002 Elizabeth which shows that I should leave the rest of them alone for a while (unless used to wash down fish and chips ); and a rather tasty 2002 Tahbilk marsanne (standard bottling), more of which I can probably either drink soon or leave for 5 years +.

Wayno!

We had the '04 Coriole Sangiovese early last year and it was a knockout.

We tasted the '05 Sangiovese at the cellar door last November and it was bloody awful. Hot alcohol, too much spice and almost burning tannins.

I admit it would always be better with some nice food, but it just didn't cut it for me (us)~!

John, it sounds like you copped a dud bottle of the Coriole 2005 sangiovese. I've gotten through quite a few of these and consider it significantly better than the 2004. Yes, there are good sangiovese tannins and decent acid, but it is well integrated, and with no evident alcohol heat. I have noticed that the fruit fades a bit after the first day, and the tannins become more evident and drying, which may be part of what you copped. If you are interested in Australian sangiovese, I suggest trying another bottle.

Di Bortoli Windy Peak Victorian Riesling 2004

Screwcap sealed, it's straw-coloured with a green tinge. The nose definitely says riesling. On the palate there's no notable development. It's juicy lemon/lime with a touch of sweetness, soft acid and a short finish. Very quaffable and refreshing, it's a good summer white quaffer.


Amberley Chimney Brush Shiraz 2004

Give it the brush!

As promised...

Some notes from a dinner (with a Piemontese slant) at our place. The notes are slightly rushed in a couple of places, in particular where I was doing my headless chicken impression in the kitchen.

N.V. Conte Bernardi Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
Much better than expected, as we'd picked this up as a bin end for £5 and the seemingly low fill worried me that we'd have a flat oxidised wine (so much so that a reserve bottle of Lambrusco was waiting in the wings). I shouldn't have worried.

The colour was a straw/straw gold of bright appearance and the bubbles were not just there, but with a fine bead. Overall level of fizz was indeed more frizzante than sparkling. The nose had a good 'grapiness' about it with subtle complexity coming from woody/yeasty notes. On the palate it was relatively light, limey, and refreshing - essentially a perfect aperitif. A bargain at £5, it does demonstrate how Champagne pricing has lost the plot.

2004 Marcarini Dolcetto d'Alba Boschi di Berri - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba
Not too many notes on this as I was tasting it mostly in a 'kitchen frenzy'.
The colour was a striking rich, deep purple with no signs of age. The nose is big with good fruit and (not unpleasant) toffee-caramel. The palate was rich, but subtle and the acidity was adequate, but which would concern me for longer cellaring. Went down very well amongst the group and in the post meal sweep-up around the wines, this was a popular revisit for a couple of people. Worth getting again.

1979 Nervi Gattinara - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara
Well, this threw up some surprises!
The colour was surprisingly bold and young looking, albeit with some browning at the rim. The nose was a wonderfully rich mix of mushroom, coffee and hints of the fading fruit. Absolutely stunning and the sort of nose that you can spend quite some time over. On the palate the richness was replicated, with fine texture and acidity was spot-on. I couldn't fault this wine and showed much of what I seek in older wines. For me this is around it's peak, though others might prefer more than a distant shadow of faded primary fruit. Definitely wine of the night and at the price a crazy bargain, showing that it's not just the famous names in the famous regions who can make great wine.

1954 Antonio Vallana e Figlio Piemonte Nebbiolo Spanna Campi Raudii - Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte
Colour-wise, this was really showing it's age, with a mahogany colour and little hint of red left. However the colour was quite deep. Fill level was upper shoulder IIRC. The nose had a strong tertiary mushroom nose, with shades of licorice and medicinal sweetness. Certainly impressive and complex. On the palate the dominant mushroom aromas were replicated, together with the licorice. Initially it fell away quite quickly on the finish, though with a little air, it held up slightly better and some caramel notes appeared. Overall highly enjoyable, but definitely on the slide and you have to appreciate aged characters to get the same enjoyment I did.

1956 Fontanafredda Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Very pale orange / rose in colour, with a notable brown rim. Not surprising given the age.
It showed a mushroom and medicinal nose, which whilst strong, was less striking than the previous wine (a 1979 Nervi Gattinara). There was also more than a touch of 'farmyard' about it (which I find enjoyable at this sort of level). On the palate it was clear that the acidity was very strong - out of balance without food, which unfortunately we'd finished by the time we cracked this bottle. Overall very pleasant and interesting, albeit fading now.

1978 Giordano Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
A late sub-in and disappointing after the previous wines. On it's own this might have shone more, but would never be a star.
The colour was a relatively deep mahogany and the light subtle nose was mainly tertiary nebbiolo aromas. On the palate the acidity sticks out and there's not enough body to balance it out. Pleasant, but no more and fading.

2001 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Moscato d'Asti Vigneto Biancospino - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti
Our second bottle of this and the fizz was noticebly lighter on this one. Again however it showed how a good Moscato can not just keep, but hold well and even develop a touch of complexity.
The ccolour was a bright golden straw and there was little sign of any fizz left. A typical Moscato nose, but with additional hints of mint and grapefruit. On the palate there was a light petillance. The creamy texture was there again and whilst the sweetness just outweighed the acidity, this is a minor quibble to a very enjoyable wine.

N.V. Cocchi Barolo Chinato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo Chinato
A pungent nose of fruit & coca-cola showed a touch of spirit. The finish is the big thing in this liquer and it's dry coke/martini like finish is an acquired taste. As with the soft drink 'Chinotto' it's a taste I've certainly acquired.

1998 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Although used for cooking, the stove top Pigeon breasts cooked over 3 hours with a third of a bottle of this in the marinade was stunning. The first time I've seen how a good wine can make a difference in cooking.
Whilst the beef done in the oven also had this wine, I never got the sauce reduced enough, so the gravy was finished in a pan with some cornflour. It was still lovely, but the extra concentration in the other sauce showed the wine off much better. A cooking lesson learned!

For completeness, the rest of the food plans (from the earlier thread):
Mixed cold starters (prosciutto with Kiwi & chinese gooseberry; Salami (x2); eggplant with tuna, mixed veggies - the latter two from jars because I'm lazy!). Sensible light grazing didn't fill everyone up.

A mid course Pigeon breast in barbaresco + herbs etc (stove top cooked). This was done mostly as a comparison of methods (oven vs. stove top). It was stunning, from dense moist flavour-filled pigeon breast to an intense reduced sauce, this was a rare instance where I'm impressed by my own food. In a restaurant I'd have been singing the praises of the chef (normally I pick faults in what I make).

Topside of beef in Barbaresco (cooked on a very low heat in the oven), plus leek and potato mash (not very Italian I guess, but easier considering we only have 1 oven), plus mixed mushrooms (wild + shop bought) with tarragon and a dash of cream. The Beef needed the gravy (which I had to thicken in a pan) as it had become quite dry. Tasty gravy indeed, but blown away by the stove-top equivalents intensity. Also notes that slow roasting of parsnips is not as good as a shorter cook on a higher heat. The mushroom sauce was again great (the brains of the operation has this as a speciality). Even a non-mushroom eater had a bach at it.

Pudding of a chocolate cheesecake (the brains of the operation made this, so I don't have the precise details), was great and whilst a bit runnier than ideal, went down at a rate of knots.

With coffees / Barolo Chinato some light coconut biscuits

All in all a good evening, but quite a full-on day, which also included a number of phone bids at auction (just one 4 bottle lot for me, as prices were pretty un-enticing). I ended up with four 1995's: Mount Mary Quintet, Yarra Ridge Reserve Cab and 2 bottles of Jack Mann Cab/Malbec. Any opinions on the Yarra Ridge welcomed.

regards

Ian

Billy Bolonski wrote:

[b]Clonakilla Ballinderry 2005

A blend of 35% Cab Sav, 35% Cab Franc, 30% Merlot.
Ripe sweet berries and plums drive the primary fruit character. A strong perfume of violets that I have come to expect from Clonakilla. Very fine tannins and a cedar/pencil shavings finish round this wine out really well.
I loved the 2004 of this wine, although the 2005 has much more merlot it still sings with Cabernet class. Great drink right now but I look forward to it gaining some complexity and developed characters with some age.

Billy when was this released? I thought current vintage was 04 (albeit long sold out)

Interesting weekend of white wine only……

2002 Mt Pleasant ‘Early Release’ Elizabeth Semillon

Nice wine, showing good bottle aged characteristics at this stage, colour starting to turn. The acidity balance is good, with a zestly ‘zing’ to the palate, the wine has still some way to go in its development. In terms of value for money – I think this is a really good wine ,went very well with herbed roast chicken, drinking very well now.

2005 Mitchelton Preece Chardonnay

Not a real big chardonnay drinker myself, however thought I would give this a burl with a roast leg of lamb. For around $14 it represents good value. Ripe melon and stone fruit with an appropriate lick of oak. Acidity and fruit are well in balance perhaps a touch over oaked. This will hold up well for another 2-3 years.

2006 St Hallet Poachers Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

I did have high hopes for this wine after the previous 2, however it lacked anything to get me real excited. A fair whack of acidity, fruit characteristics were a little bland IMO. I have had a few 06 Sem Sauvs from WA recently in a similar price point and they were better wines. Perhaps the Poachers blend needs a bit more time to sort it self out, might be better in 6-12 months time?

2006 Wicks Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Adelaide Hills)

Lovely intoxicating tropical fruit nose, hints of pineapple, passionfruit, however the palate falls a bit short, hints of grassiness and does not live up to the nose. Not a bad wine, however no real ‘wow’ about it, perhaps this a trend of the 06 vintage in the Adel Hills, they seem a bit lack lustre.

2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc (Malborough, NZ)

Far contrast to the Adelaide Hills wine. Fully ripe Gooseberry and passionfruit, no grassiness. Very good mouthfeel and finishes well. Value for money quaffer.

2002 Tim Adams ‘Sheppards Vineyard’ Riesling (Stelvin)

Lucious lime and flint on the nose. Colour still light straw, no real signs of ageing. Palate was fantastic, lime and citrus, steely with good acidity and lingering finish. Drinking right in its window, still some years in it left yet.

1997 Petaluma Riesling

Last few bottles of this had faded, this was still holding up okay. Cork in great condition on opening - fully mature, gold in colour, acid still lingering. The palate was quite good with lemon, citrus and a hint of nuttiness, went really well with Chicken Korma. I had my last bottle of the 1996 vintage last year, the 1997 is only a shade of the 1996 vintage.

2000 Majella Sparkling Red - ordinary. Had a real chlorine note to the palate.

2001 Hares Chase Shiraz - this one had developed quite a bit since the last bottle. Not bad, just in an interesting phase.

Mike Hawkins wrote:2000 Majella Sparkling Red - ordinary. Had a real chlorine note to the palate.

Yeah, this vintage was a bit of a dud, the worst of their Sp Shiraz that I can remember, the 2004 seems to be back on track, but they aren't as rich and oaky as the 98 anymore.

Wizz wrote:

Billy Bolonski wrote:

[b]Clonakilla Ballinderry 2005

A blend of 35% Cab Sav, 35% Cab Franc, 30% Merlot.
Ripe sweet berries and plums drive the primary fruit character. A strong perfume of violets that I have come to expect from Clonakilla. Very fine tannins and a cedar/pencil shavings finish round this wine out really well.
I loved the 2004 of this wine, although the 2005 has much more merlot it still sings with Cabernet class. Great drink right now but I look forward to it gaining some complexity and developed characters with some age.

Billy when was this released? I thought current vintage was 04 (albeit long sold out)

Wizz

Not sure, I was heading down south and stopped in at the cellar door. Nice little detour off the highway.


Billy B

Only one wine at the weekend as Australia Day did me in from all that beer .. oh my head!

1990 Lindemans Limestone Ridge (Museum Release 2004) - This is the 3rd bottle in the last 3 months and certainly not the best. Colour pretty good, some slight bricking. Nose not bad either, the 1st one I tried 3+ months ago had a burnt/smokey smell, this one still showed plenty of fruit. But when I tasted it, it had a fairly strong sweetness and portiness taste to it. J Oliver states this is way past it, but the previous two bottles suggest not. Two bottle left and I think I'll be drinking them up soon as worried they are over their best.

Let's just hope the England cricket team can perform better today vs NZ than the wine

Longhop Old Vine Cab Shiraz 2004
Seriously good gear some wonderfull fruit with the oak lurking in the background.

Longhop Boomerang 2005
Reasonable quaffer but I didn't like the balance of this one all that much the acid making it a little harsh.

Glen