The Auswine Forum

Since they are probably stuck is some outback motel without internet, I am sure they won't mind me starting the weekly thread.

2 of interest this week for me.

2001 Wynns Cab Sav
Just entering it's drinking window but I think with plenty of life ahead. Probably won't be the best BL ever but a nice varietal cab sav none the less.

2003 Serafino Shiraz
Just starting to take on some secondary character. If you like the primary fruit still showing get into them now. If you are after an aged shiraz I would leave it for another 2 years or so. Plenty of potential here for an off year wine.

of interest
Champagne Henriot NV - Excellent. One of my favourite NV's
2003 Muga Reserva - Very good.
2007 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay - Awesom-o. Best yet. Due June or July.
3 top end Hunters
2006 Brokenwood Graveyard - Fabulous.
2006 Meerea Hell Hole -long term. Medium bodied and ultra-stylish.
2006 Thomas Kiss - Rich and earthy.

GW

Mount Majura Shiraz 06 - not bad, better wine 2nd night - peppery and dark fruits medium bodied good change from barossan shiraz - may get more.

Yalumba Signature 98 - WOTW - decanted for 1 hr and still huge after 2.5 hrs total breathing time developed into a seamless dark fruited beauty - could easily go another 3-4yrs - thank god I have another 2 left woohoo

Marius Simpatico 04 - great wine easy to consume - a bargain, lots of chocolate characteristics great wine.

Pikes Shiraz 02 - beautiful wine, great example of clare shiraz - nearly up there with the 02 Aberfeldy I consumed a month ago

cheers
Seddo

Way too much wine including....

05 Te Mata Elston Chardonnay
05 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay
06 Sacred Hill Riflemans Chardonnay
06 Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay
06 Kumeu River Mates Chardonnay

04 Giaconda Chardonnay
04 Cullen Chardonnay
05 Pierro Chardonnay
05 Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay
05 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay

Write up, rankings, ratings and notes http://www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz/

Some stuff at a mid-week tasting group

J. Hofstatter Kolbenhof Gewurtz 2004
Erben Friedr Kirch Brauneberger Juffer Auslese 1961
Tower Estate Semillon 1999
Soloman Gruner Veltliner Wachtberg 2006
M. Mugneret Grand Echezeaux 1984
Penfolds Grange 197-something
Penfolds Grange 1986
Jaboulet La Chapelle 1997
Rusden Chookshed Zinfandel 2004
Roda Reserve 2004
Giaconda Warners Shiraz 2005
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Promis 2005
Domaine de Coulet Les Terrasses du Serre Cornas 2005
John Duval Eligio 2005

Mugneret Grand Echezeaux and Grange '86 the highlights for me but no stinkers in there.....all (except the last two) served double-blind in those wacky-arsed Riedel black glasses.....they make it hard work.

I caught up with he bigots at the Greenock Hotel on Thursday for a few beers and a get together last night to see off a crazy American cellar-hand with a lamb on the spit.

Teusner Moppa Grenache 2005
Teusner Moppa Mataro 2005
Teusner Avatar 2006
Tesner Joshua 2007
Teusner Albert 2006 (gets bottled next Wednesday)
Kaesler Reids Rasp 2006
Hatton Estate"The Doctor" Syrah 2004

Having a glass of Stonyrise Holyman Pinot Noir 06. For me this would
have to be the best Tassie pinot tasted so far. It has great complexity, depth and also elegance. The palate is also fine and straight.

Also had a half bottle of Elk Cove 2006 Willamette Pinot Noir from USA. Really liked it, maybe a touch too ripe but who cares.

Friday night had a bottle of Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005. Had a glass the first night and couldn't drink it, too tight and also bitter. Looked at it again last night and much of the same. Very average.

Franco

DaveB wrote:Giaconda Warners Shiraz 2005

John Duval Eligio 2005

How were these 2 Dave?

GRB wrote:Since they are probably stuck is some outback motel without internet, I am sure they won't mind me starting the weekly thread.

We are in Tanunda, heading to Coonawara tomorrow morning. Ric has wireless broadband, he just forget as he was distracted by some other technology issues after his digital voice recorder died and he had to get another lesser model.

I'm stuck with dial-up.

Over the last 4 days I think I've tried more very good wines than on any past trip to SA. The range of good wines from 2004, 2005 and 2006 is just amazing and there are some very smart 2007 reds coming too. The 2008 shiraz barrel samples Wayne Dutschke showed us this morning were just the most amazing colours and had aromas, flavours and stucture to match. If he can get these into bottle with his usual skill they should be quite amazing wines. Shiraz picked before the record heat wave should be stunning.

From what we've seen the silky mouth feel and ripe fine tannins of the 2006 reds are a standout at many makers. I think I'll be buying so many of these I won't notice if there is a bit of a gap in releases as the tiny 2007 vintage comes and goes. The range of mostly 2006 reds at Kaesler would have to be as good a line-up as you could find anywhare in Australia, some are sold out already. Even the $120 CD-only Patel and Alte Reben Shiraz pair look like good value, they are that good.

If their has to be a highlight, it would be the generous serve of 1908 Para Tawny at Seppeltsfield on Friday, I think I can still taste it.

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Rose 07
This one was missed over summer after finding its way to a box in the back of the cellar. Full flavoured with a hint of fruit sweetness finishing nice and dry, one of the best Rose wines around right now - just in time for winter

It was an excellent match for a creamy pasta dish.

2005 Darren Lehmann Shiraz (By Grant Burge)

A salute to the great man! Like the man himself I was expecting a big robust Barossa Shiraz, however it is more elegant in style. A very reasonable wine and at reasonable price too. Good fruit and structure, it finishes a touch short and bitter on the palate; however will be good mid winter quaffer for the next 3-5 years.

2002 Woodstock Shiraz Cabernet

This has been drinking very well since release, its perhaps got another 2 years left in it. The fruit is starting to fade, however there is still good balance between the fruit and oak and has developed nicely into a wine that I love mid week with some lamb chops and 4 veg!

2004 Schild Estate Cabernet

I did not consider this real 'varietal' per se (against some of the recent Coonawarra Cabernets I've had); however I still enjoyed it. Deep rich, ripe fruits and well structured oak, it got better and better by each glass. Not a long term keeper, but for less than $20 represents good value.

2000 Dalwhinnie Cabernet (Pyrenees)
Dry, dusty and a little cedary. Medium bodied & persistent, decent balance. Good example of middling cabernet which avoids extremes.

2001 Torbreck Factor Shiraz (Barossa)
Still a deep colour. Soft and cuddly. All fruit and soft tannins, warm Barossa red fruits, gentle acid. Nicely mouthfilling without being oversized, good length of structure along the palate.

cheers,
Graeme

2005 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
Tried one of these after some good reviews.
Strong Cigar and loads of sweet dark fruit, cassis. A little too much for me, strong and a bit sickly. Can see the similarity to Voyager in the cigar and cassis, but more iron fist and less velvet glove. Still considering others opinions this might soften to be something great. Will put away a couple and try again in 5 years.

A quick run through of Wynns
07 Chardonnay - peachy, creamy, easy going - Good
08 Riesling - flowery, spicy with some chalkiness and bath powder flavours - Good
07 Shiraz - Nap. - Average
06 CSM - Pretty, fragrant and attractive. Bit dilute but pleasant drinking - Good
05 Michael - Dark, peppery and concentrated. - Excellent
05 Messenger Vineyard Cabernet - Dusty, red and black fruits. Tannic. Biscuity - Excellent
05 John Riddoch Cabernet - Dark fruits, mint and chocolate. A tight tannic beast but what masterfully restrained power. Will be great. - Outstanding
76 Black Label Cab - dusty, cigar box, still vibrant. Like an old Bordeaux. Rich and ripe. Outstanding.
86 Black Label Cab - Red capsicum, mulberry, blackcurrant, mint and licorice. Sweetly fruited, harmonious with flow and balance. - Outstanding
96 Black Label Cab - Quite closed - licorice, mint, chocolate, classic blackcurrenty goodness. Tight and tannic. Excellent now..will be outstanding given another 10 years.
06 Black Label Cab - Young, raw and violetty. Dense with good ripe tannins. Choc/mint richer style. Should be very good. Excellent.

GW

Gary, I assume this was a tasting event (or you really like trying alot at once). There is a similar (Wynns) event happening in Perth soon and was wondering if it were the same line up. I know 86 and 96 BL is on the cards. Hope so

Henry Holmes 2005 Shiraz
Softy sweet berry flavours with nice intergrated oak, very easy drinking at the moment.

Caladonia Australis Reserve Chardonnay 2001
First bottle had mild oxidation even with a quality cork, second bottle was excellent with melon, toast and honey, still plenty of acid, holding well at the moment.

Partagas wrote:Gary, I assume this was a tasting event (or you really like trying alot at once). There is a similar (Wynns) event happening in Perth soon and was wondering if it were the same line up. I know 86 and 96 BL is on the cards. Hope so

Yes..it was just a media day thing.
GW

Had a couple of nice reds last weekend.
1) Tyrrells 2002 Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz.
Excellent now and will stay that way for several years. Had a slight Pinot taste as well as the Shiraz. Seemed to add to the enjoyment.

2) 1994 St. Henri.
Hard to believe this is 14 years old. So fresh and vibrant. Went well with pasta and then a fillet steak. Plenty of drinking time left in these.
Mike.