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Its Sunday again ... time for your weekly drinkin' reports

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 8:39 am
by TORB
Hi Good Peoples,

My highlight of the week was a Rolf Binder (Veritas) 2001 Hanisch Shiraz The first from a six pack, I was anxious to see how this wine was coming along, as the 98 did not develop particularly well. The bouquet is attractive and leads one to believe this will be a high quality drop. It's coming together very well with unobtrusive, very-fine tannins which Brian said “produces a silky, marshmallow texture.” Together with the unobtrusive acid and classy fruit, it’s a muscular weight, reasonably classy drop that is eminently drinkable.

The palate shows abundant complexity with blackberry/currant, loads of rich milk chocolate, a touch of menthol, hints of dried oregano, plus coffee oak. It finishes long and completely fills the mouth with intense flavour. A very enjoyable drop where nothing sticks out, its the best Hanisch I have tasted at this age, especially so considering it was from such a hot year. Rated as Excellent. Five more to enjoy!!

Now what have you guys been drinking? Lists, vibes, impressions or notes welcome.

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 11:39 am
by Wayno
Some good stuff this weekend.

Curly Flat Pinot Noir 2002
Very mellow, earthy and relaxed style. Lots of cherry and strawberry fruit. Unusual herbal marijuana overtone and oily texture to match but not at all detracting. Picked by more than a couple of people. Very nice wine but the tannin structure was not in a good shape and probably needed drinking within the next year or so.

Felton Road Pinot Noir 2006
In sharp contrast to the Curly, this was hugely angular and coiled, full of acid and repressed red fruits. With time, softened and relaxed in the glass and became a lot more approachable but overall, too young to be at its best now. Quality wine.

Glaetzer Godolphin 2005
Again, very tight and unforgiving at first but with time, showed a lovely balanced assortment of sweet oak and fruit with fantastic, lingering palate and appealling nose. Very New World in style, upfront fruit with approachable tannins. Delicious now but a year or two wouldn't hurt it.

Rimu Grove Pinot Noir 2002?
Bigger plummy style and lovely length with savoury edges. Delicious, can't remember much more but I know I liked it.

Ninth Island 2005 Pinot Gris
Fairly flat, soft wine. Not much in the way of backbone. Not terribly appealling, don't recall much more.

Orlando Lawsons Padthaway Shiraz 1999
A classic, big style with years to go. Deep colour, notes of licorice, mint, menthol and cedary oak. Quite regionally varietal and powerful but approachable. Mouth staining, flavoursome.[/b]

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 12:50 pm
by Steve
Here's a few I've had this week:

2005 Adelina Shiraz. This was interesting. It's from the Clare Valley - the 100 year old vines are located somewhere along Wendouree Road, but aren't Wendouree... I think I know where they are but can't be certain. Anyway, I thought this was great. It's a very typical Clare shiraz, beautifully structured and balanced with loads of fruit, present but inoffensive French oak, just the right amount of acidity and tannins. Very nice, and well worth the $30 it cost.

2003 Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz. Bloody good, just like the first few times. I think there's a large amount of bottle variation, but this was a cracker. Looking forward to trying the 2004!

2006 Pewsy Vale Riesling. Can't remember this very well, but I thought it was "pretty good stuff."

2002 Tim Adams Riesling. Yum! Loads of acid and fruit still, but developing nicely... pity I only have another 6 left! :(

2004(?) Coriole Shiraz. I don't remember much about it, other than I liked it...

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 8:47 pm
by Gianna
In order of preference:

1990 Wynns John Riddoch

The second bottle of a half case. I opened the first bottle last year and was duly impressed, but this bottle was even better. A truly classy cabernet. Soft, burgundy red color. Nose was tight at first but eventually opened up to yield aromas of leather, tobacco, coffee and red currants. A very smooth texture and complex flavours balanced between the woody tastes of cedar, licorice and sweet oak and dark plum and berry. Tannins had softened providing a deep concentrated aftertaste. I struggle to find a better value, longer living cabernet than JR. 94 Pts

1992 Grant Burge Mesach

This took a long time to open up. Very tight at the beginning, but 3 hrs later is was awesome. Mild sweet vanillan oak dominated the nose, classic Barrossa. Spicy, peppery, hints of cloves and black fruits. Just as good on the second day. 93 Pts

1996 Penfolds Magill Estate

A little disappointed at first as I thought this wine was a bit one dimensional and lacked complexity. But it was an elegant shiraz that displayed finely tuned but subtle flavours. Cassis, strawberries and blackberries. Well integrated oak and a long aftertaste. Good Wine 90 Pts

1999 Mt Edelstone

Classic Mt Ed. Spicy, floral earthy undertones, vanillan oak, chocolatey, licorice and minty flavours. Softened after a while and became a very easy drinking wine. Classy. 90 Pts

2000 Lakes Folly Cabernet

A great food wine. Soft, mellow and luscious texture. Soft, dusty tannins. Violets, cassis and plums. Beautifully structured for the long haul. 90 Pts

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 9:21 pm
by Jordan
Had a look at a couple of SA 2002 reds on Saturday night. Both of different styles but high quality.

Torbreck 'The Steading' GSM 2002: with a few years in the cellar, this was looking very good. Aromas of salami, cloves, stewed plums and blackberry jam smelled fantastic in the glass. Full bodied with that Torbreck slickness and depth of flavour the palate revealed raspberry licorice, plums, blackberries, dried herbs, a little dark chocolate and espresso. Good length finishing with an earthy, stone-like savoury quality. Great Barossa GSM.

Petaluma Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2002: a spicy, peppery Shiraz reflecting its Adelaide Hills growing conditions. Plummy, cherry fruit with touches of cedar, pepper and a minty, dried herb influence. Fine-grained tannins. Will drink well for another 5-8 years. Good wine that improved with time in the glass.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:53 am
by Ian S
Another 1998 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco (Ovello vineyard) and another fine bottle which improved with air. Picked up 23 bottles at auction for ~ £5 a bottle and now down to 14 remaining (having also gifted a couple).

I'm contemplating a pop at some 1998 Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz at an upcoming auction, figuring they should go for around £6-7 a bottle all in. I presume from notes around these parts that it's still drinking well?

regards

Ian

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 10:14 am
by griff
Ian S wrote:Another 1998 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco (Ovello vineyard) and another fine bottle which improved with air. Picked up 23 bottles at auction for ~ £5 a bottle and now down to 14 remaining (having also gifted a couple).

I'm contemplating a pop at some 1998 Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz at an upcoming auction, figuring they should go for around £6-7 a bottle all in. I presume from notes around these parts that it's still drinking well?

regards

Ian


Last I had was a year ago and my bottle was in a bit of a dumb period (or it was very mildly stripped). Should come out the other end without problems as it had great weight and I think the acid balance was good from what I can recall. Good value at the auction price!

cheers

Carl

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:00 pm
by PeterC
2005 Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough
Clear, dark ruby-garnet. Drunk over several days. On day 1 this is a wine of phases on the nose and palate with oak and confected candy-apple fruit fighting for domination. On day 2 the wine had developed a sharp and slightly medicinal edge. On day 3 however, it had made a complete turn-around, presenting a good concentration of red cherry and cranberry fruit with a mild acidity, fine-grained tannin; and an impressively structured back palate with subtle oak spice nuances that unfold in long, incremental layers. A good wine that has the potential to be a very good wine at this price level. Best served slightly chilled.

2002 Yarra Burn Cabernet Sauvignon
Popped and poured. Dark ruby with muted red fruit aromas. Initially soft and sweet on the palate, time and air gives the wine a more savoury and sharper fruit profile with slightly more complexity. Never more than an easy to drink quaffer of mild acidity, round tannin, and a short-medium finish.

Edit: Re-evaluation of Delta Vineyard.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 2:21 pm
by Sean
deleted

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:35 pm
by GRB
Bridgewater Mill Cab Sav 1999
Unknown provenance but it was thin hard and pretty unpleasant.

SOSS 2004
As usual great stuff

Tim Adams The Aberfeldy Shiraz 1995
Top shelf aged shiraz resolved tanins, fruit has mostly faded but aged characters are there in spades.

Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1998
Followed the Aberfeldy and what a lovely contrast. Still plenty of fruit with the aged characters only just starting to show through. Still a big wine, very youthful in colour. I have 1 more bottle and I think I will give it a couple of years to see where it goes.

Kay Brothers 1890-1990 Centenary Port
This was the biz, rich long and smooth as a baby's bum. I could sniff on this stuff for hours.

Glen

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:16 am
by Mike Hawkins
2004 Amon Ra Shiraz - day one this was (for my tastes) a near undrinkable fruit bomb. Saved one glass for day two and it was far tamer, until I dropped the glass and it smashed everywhere !

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:11 am
by Ian S
GRB wrote:Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1998
Followed the Aberfeldy and what a lovely contrast. Still plenty of fruit with the aged characters only just starting to show through. Still a big wine, very youthful in colour. I have 1 more bottle and I think I will give it a couple of years to see where it goes.
Glen


Glen
Nice to hear this is ok as there were some suggestions it was falling over.
regards
Ian

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:44 pm
by Maximus
2005 Orlando Steingarten Riesling
Apologies Mark S - corrected to actual vintage drunk. As mentioned, not an evening for tasting notes, but I'd enjoyed this a lot. Lovely acidity and core of fruit that will allow this wine to live.
2003 La Strada Riesling
8% and 4.5 standard drinks. Gorgeous. Impeccable balance between the sweet, spatlese style residual sugar and natural acidity. Very long finish.
2004 Red Hill Chardonnay
Tad on the oak side, but kept in check. Lovely fruit emerged with time. Drinkable indeed.
1997 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
Top drop from a mere year. Tannins starting to resolve and secondary fruit character adding to the wine's charm.
2004 Wild Duck Creek "Duck Muck"
Alcoholic and over the top. A wine style, for the Smithy's out there.
1996 La Strada Reserve MalbecRarely could you follow up after the muck and still have your tastebuds in tact, but this Malbec strode out from the blocks proudly. As Dad reiterated, it really needed a rich, tomato based pasta to match. Very dry tannins - a little firm (classic Fromm) - with blackness all over; liquorice, tar, asphalt and maybe one blackberry. Had a floral aspect (black rose?) that locked in some elegance. Great now, with food, and will live.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:53 pm
by GrahamB
Maximus wrote:2006 Orlando Steingarten Riesling
2003 La Strada Riesling
2004 Red Hill Chardonnay
1997 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
2004 Wild Duck Creek "Duck Muck"
1996 La Strada Reserve Malbec

Anyone wanting to know more, reply below or PM.


Welcome back - glad to see you did not grow another head whilst in Tasmania.

You obviously continued on after the Duck Muck to open the Malbec and still made the plane to NZ. Well done.

I passed on a brief note about the Duck Muck and received a civil reply.

Graham

Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 7:44 am
by Ian S
Maximus wrote:2006 Orlando Steingarten Riesling
2003 La Strada Riesling
2004 Red Hill Chardonnay
1997 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
2004 Wild Duck Creek "Duck Muck"
1996 La Strada Reserve Malbec

Anyone wanting to know more, reply below or PM.

Max
Certainly interested in the La Strada Malbec. I got 3 bottles of the 98 and both were decidly unready. Last one has been ferreted away to sleep.
regards
Ian

Re: Its Sunday again ... time for your weekly drinkin' repor

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 12:43 pm
by MartinE
TORB wrote:Hi Good Peoples,

My highlight of the week was a Rolf Binder (Veritas) 2001 Hanisch Shiraz The first from a six pack, I was anxious to see how this wine was coming along, as the 98 did not develop particularly well. The bouquet is attractive and leads one to believe this will be a high quality drop. It's coming together very well with unobtrusive, very-fine tannins which Brian said “produces a silky, marshmallow texture.” Together with the unobtrusive acid and classy fruit, it’s a muscular weight, reasonably classy drop that is eminently drinkable.

The palate shows abundant complexity with blackberry/currant, loads of rich milk chocolate, a touch of menthol, hints of dried oregano, plus coffee oak. It finishes long and completely fills the mouth with intense flavour. A very enjoyable drop where nothing sticks out, its the best Hanisch I have tasted at this age, especially so considering it was from such a hot year. Rated as Excellent. Five more to enjoy!!

Now what have you guys been drinking? Lists, vibes, impressions or notes welcome.


Thx for that ...3 in the cellar until 08-10 sounds about right.

M.