S u n d a y again

[TORB]

Hi Good Peoples,

That time of the week again. Please let us all know what you have been drinking over the last week. Lists, vibes or impressions welcome.

[Wayno]

Spinifex Papillon 2006
Lovely wine, light to medium bodied, the grenache component just evident but I think from memory, it's also carignan and cinsault... Tasting like wine and it's requisite grapes, not oak, not alcohol (although it was 8.3 st/dnks), this is the perfect luncheon red. Shame it was my last.

[dlo]

Would love to Ric, but haven't had a drink all but 2 weeks due to an inner ear complication that's driving me insane. When will the spinning ever stop?

[Pelican]

1997 Hardy's Tintara McLaren Vale Shiraz : rather oaky and " murky " like a lot of 1997 SA reds. I think 1997 is a weak vintage but it does not come across in a " dilute " way - just a boring " murkiness " seems apparent to me. Perhaps the oak outliving the fruit I guess.

1994 Coriole Mary Kathleen McLaren Vale Merlot Cabernet : again oaky like the above but definitely better fruit. I christened my new hand blown Andrew Baldwin Sangiovese glasses with this even though they are desinged for Coriole Sangiovese - I must admit the last time I tried some Coriole Reds from recent vintages I thought they were lacking their usual standards - perhaps just me or the vintage(s) ?

2006 Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale Grenache : wow. Deep and meaningful Grenache here. Ultra fine tannins , rather chocolatey like Shiraz actually. This was so smooth I first thought that maybe it was polished and honed via some sort of technical trickery like reverse osmosis but the label on the bottle states traditional methods. Must just be good grapes from good vineyards.

[Gavin Trott]

[b]2006 Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale Grenache : wow. Deep and meaningful Grenache here. Ultra fine tannins , rather chocolatey like Shiraz actually. This was so smooth I first thought that maybe it was polished and honed via some sort of technical trickery like reverse osmosis but the label on the bottle states traditional methods. Must just be good grapes from good vineyards.

Good, isn't it!!??

The Shiraz is more than handy too!

[TORB]

I must admit the last time I tried some Coriole Reds from recent vintages I thought they were lacking their usual standards - perhaps just me or the vintage(s) ?

Not just you. On my last visit there about a year ago, the wines were well below what was expected. They recently changed winemakers so hopefully the problem is now fixed.

[Davo]

I must admit the last time I tried some Coriole Reds from recent vintages I thought they were lacking their usual standards - perhaps just me or the vintage(s) ?

You are not alone. I have been very disappointed with their reds (can't say I have tried the whites) at CD tasting for the last several years. Someone needs a kick up the clacker as they have access to excellent fruit.

[b]2006 Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale Grenache : wow.

Yep, excellent stuff. And the shiraz and tempranillo are equally as good.

[TORB]

Would love to Ric, but haven't had a drink all but 2 weeks due to an inner ear complication that's driving me insane. When will the spinning ever stop?

David,,

Sorry to hear that but if you put the wine in your mouth instead of your ear....

[Wayno]

[b]2006 Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale Grenache : wow. Deep and meaningful Grenache here. Ultra fine tannins , rather chocolatey like Shiraz actually. This was so smooth I first thought that maybe it was polished and honed via some sort of technical trickery like reverse osmosis but the label on the bottle states traditional methods. Must just be good grapes from good vineyards.

Good, isn't it!!??

The Shiraz is more than handy too!

One of the best Aussie grenaches I've tried - in fact, probaby the best all things considered.

On a similar track, to end the weekend, for tonight, with home made pizzas.

Turkey Flat 2005 SGM Butchers Block
Last time I had one of these, it was a 2004 compared against a 97 CdP and unfairly, perhaps, it presented mostly as just sweet and full blown in comparison. This, alone, gives a similar impression athough it's more complex and interesting than the last time, with intense, near-cloying fruit palate, an overriding nose of blackcurrant and freshly crushed grapes and a slightly zingy finish. I'm still battling to see much more than fruit here but it does well and no doubt will rise to the challenge against some salty pig.

[seddo]

The pinot quest continues and after some insipid strawberry like wines, a little faith is restored with the following wine:

Yering station Pinot Noir 06 - beautiful deep red colour - aroma of cherries, cherries strawberries and a pleasant gameyness on the palate - medium bodied - Yumo - 6 bottle purchase.

WOTW
Ravensworth Sangiovese 07 - What a wine beautiful bright red colour - aroma of black cherries and raspberries with a spicy palate to match - 6 bottle purchased again Mastercard getting a absolute flogging

cheers
Seddo

[Daryl Douglas]

Ingoldby Chardonnay 2006 Yep, it's big, full of ripe peachy fruit and enough oak to add some interest. It may be a bit blowsey for some, quite a mouthfilling chard, I like it and reckon Halliday's 92/100 is about right. A dead-set bargain <$10.

Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 This, for me, is probably the best of the wines I've had from Mike Press, including the Cab 05, Shiraz 05, Shiraz 06 and Shiraz 07. It's redolent of sweet vanillin oak and ripe black fruits. On the palate the oak perfectly compliments the luscious fruit. Tannins? What tannins? They are there but in a purely supportive role, soft and ripe. I've emailed Judy, asking her to send me another dozen - if there's any left. A stunner at $10-$12/btl including freight, CM nailed it - 92/100. I've another bottle cooling in the fridge..........

Teusner Riebke Shriaz 2006 As soon as I opened it I kicked meself. It's waaay too young. Very Barossan plummy shiraz, nice oak handling, has some length on the finish, enough tannin and acid to carry it until 2014, perhaps longer. It lasted well over 2-3 days in the fridge.

Cheers

daz

[pcjm]

Charles Sturt Uni 2007 Chardonnay
melon with some nice citrus notes, nice enough but think they have made better

d'Arenberg 2005 The Footbolt Shiraz
Deep purple, plenty of black berries and solid yet balanced tannins, was very good with a home made pizza after a hard day in the yard.

[Daryl Douglas]

Charles Sturt Uni 2007 Chardonnay
melon with some nice citrus notes, nice enough but think they have made better

d'Arenberg 2005 The Footbolt Shiraz
Deep purple, plenty of black berries and solid yet balanced tannins, was very good with a home made pizza after a hard day in the yard.

Haven't tried any CSU chards other than the 2007. As you say, nice enough now but I think it has the structure to develop and improve over the next 3-4 years.

daz

[John #11]

Spent the day in the Barossa (Barossa Gourmet event)

Started at Penfolds, nice lunch, pleasantly surprised by the Koonunga Hill "76" Shiraz-Cabernet (now under $18 at CD). 2005 Bin 389 is now looking even better than at release.

Next went to Peter Lehmann, specifically to try the 2006 "1885" Shiraz (just released), just as smooth as the 2005 vintage, but not quite as good... yet. 2002 Eight Songs has been re-released (museum release), 2004 Mentor is gorgeous, 2005 Futures is OK. 2002 Stonewell is just as overpowering as ever, chock full of oakiness. 2001 Black Queen sparkling shiraz has just been released, and is really quite delicious.

We took a little diversion to Rockford, tried almost everything on the tasting list, 2005 Basket Press is still available (3 bottle limit), Rod and Spur drinking beautifully, 2005 Rifle Range cab sav is just lovely. Riesling - average, Semillon is quite bold, and very young.

Next was St. Halletts, 2006 Blackwell is big and ultra-bold and ultra-oaky, and not really our style preference. 2005 Old Block is much more elegant. The NV Black Sparkling Shiraz was really quite simple, despite being disgorged in 2004, and did not rate in comparison to the Black Queen above.

[monghead]

2004 Swings and Roundabout Laneway the Latin
- Interesting and savoury. Very enjoyable.

2002 Lake's Folly Cabernets
- One word. Sensational.

2003 Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz
- Ripe fruit explosion.

2007 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc
- Vibrant and fruity. Very, very moorish.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[TORB]

The NV Black Sparkling Shiraz was really quite simple, despite being disgorged in 2004, and did not rate in comparison to the Black Queen above.

I just don't understand this wine. They say its the same base material as the Old Block and whilst this FRS is a nice wine, as you say, its always simple.

[winetastic]

d'Arenberg "Love Grass" Shiraz 2004 - Fruit driven and nicely balanced, I think this is one to drink young, very good.

Mount Pleasant Philip Shiraz 2006 - The 2005 vintage was a hard act to follow, however I really like the return to the more med-bodied food friendly style here. For mine this is still the best value for money red wine in Australia at around $10-12.

[Mattwine]

Dinner a few days ago.

Veuve Clicquot NV - to start. Admitting to not being a conosuier of sparklers, I generally find this stuff bready/yeasty and that's about it. The last couple I've had I have enjoyed more. This was nice.

Clonakilla Riesling 2006 - enjoyed this enough at the cellar door early in 2007 to buy a few bottles and really liked its freshness and fruit. Haven't had it since the end of 2007 but it still tasted as I remembered. Little bit of zing (acidity?) that went well after the Champagne and good fruit. The ladies (normally Sav Blanc drinkers) gave it two thumbs up.

Penfolds Grange 1995 - lovely. Great nose that kept me wanting to smell it, over and over and over. Lots of beautiful dark fruits on the palate. Had heard that this was an earlier drinking style (hence the reason we got into it) and a lesser vintage. I look forward to trying some of the better ones after this... Not over-oaked (less oak than I was expecting anyway) and tannins that were anything but offensive. Have only tried an '88 grange previously and this was far superior. In my top 3 or 4 wines.

[Luke W]

McWilliams OH &OP Shiraz 1994 - opened with a slight hunter sweaty saddle but after a couple of hours of decanting time turned into a classic with the sweetest fruit and a beautiful balance. I sipped it for 3 hours through the closing ceremony and then mourned both the Olympics and the wine finishing...

[Irregular]

Gidday Ric, saw your other note, thanks, here’s a starter.

A lovely ‘95 Shottesbrooke ‘Eliza’ Shiraz over the weekend, drinking beautifully now.

97 Majella Shiraz. Drinking well now and will hang in there for many years yet.

A couple of Dalwhinnies including 06 Shiraz, lovely stuff, 06 Cab a lighter cab than I’m accustomed to from Dalwhinnie, 05 Southwest Rocks, younger vines but this ‘rocked’, 04 Eagle, yep, brilliant.

Coonawarra roadshow. Lots to try, some good, some great, some ordinary and quite a lot of disappointments. A few highlights of those tried, which admittedly wasn’t everything on offer:
06 Balnaves Tally
05 Katnook Prodigy and Odyssey, great wines. The standard 05 Cab was also very good
06 Leconfield Cab, they’re finally back in the game.
The 05 Lindemans trio were all good, particularly the Limestone which was my preference of the three.
06 Majella duo were both good with the Shiraz just taking the points for me on the night over the Cab.
04 Parker 1st Growth. There was another called ‘Favorite Son’ – all I can say is he can’t be in the will because this wine was ordinary.
04 Zema Family Reserve Cab, great wine

Cheers
Ian

[Mike_A]

Tried the following

2002 Richmond Grove Shiraz. This bottle was a beauty. Dark rich luscious fruit, long palate. This bottle only had the one medal on it, the others I've bought have had two and I don't think they have been as good as this one. Perhpas an earlier bottling?

2004 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Shiraz. I've got to get some more of this wine. It was sensational. It reminded me of the Bethany GR6. Rich and fruit driven, but very well balanced. I think it's got a long future.

2002 Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz. I think this was showing some corked character, on the nose and palate. Funny it seemed to wax and wane. What showed through of the wine was generous McLaren vale fruit.

[Peter NZ]

A few decent wines:

2004 Dry River Lovatt Gewurtztraminer
1998 Te Mata Awatea
2002 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay
2000 Ngatarawa Alwyn Noble Riesling

The Moutere was somewhat disappointing -- 1st time I've drunk this wine & not found it stunning ... both the Dry River and the Alwyn looking fully developed -- latter not at all cloying but great fruit intensity.

Tonight 2007 Rockford Pinot Noir, which is surprisingly approachable for its age, but with the structure to age for a few years ... very pleasant.

Cheers
Peter

[Waiters Friend]

... some not.

2005 Donnelly River Chardonnay (Pemberton WA) - I usually don't mind this wine, but I suspect its over the hill - or else this bottle was oxidised (but not corked). I've had a couple of these recently that I mentally 'question-marked' (but drank anyway!), but I won't be getting any more.

2007 Swings and Roundabouts Chardonnay. Not sure about this one. It's got some 'Margaret River' elements to it, and some obvious winemaking inputs, but doesn't seem to distinguish itself. OK, but not as enjoyable as some other MR Chardonnays in a similar price range.

2004 Tucks Ridge Chardonnay (Mornington Peninsula VIC) - drinking it now. Much better than the two previous wines (no, I haven't drunk them today also). Golden, with no brown tinges, rich citrus and a touch of honey, and oak present but not dominant. Drink now, though (and I am!)

I was also at a wedding last night, at a Swan Valley location called Chapel Farm. They have their (labelled) house wines made two doors up the road at Garbin Estate, but apparently you can also get them at Garbin if you ask for the Chapel Farm blend.

Garbin Estate 'Chapel Farm' white: Miscellaneous white varieties (about 4 of them from memory), and possibly a 'tank ends' blend. Not my taste at all, nor my partner's.

Garbin Estate 'Chapel Farm' red: Much better than the white, has the common three red varieties in it (Cab, Shiraz, Merlot) but I'm not sure in what quantity. Moderately rich and mouthfilling for a youngish red, and has some supporting oak to fill it out further. OK, depending on price (and I wasn't paying).

I've also sampled some McHenry Hohnen wines, and was taken with the 3 Amigos 2005 white (Marsanne, Chardonnay, Roussanne). The 2006 has also just had a good write-up, and I found the wine mature (but will last another couple) and moderately complex, given the influences of the different grapes. I'm a fan of mature marsanne (a la Tahbilk) anyway, and there are some similarities. BTW, the Cab Merlot 2005 is good, too.

Cheers!~

[Maximus]

A few decent wines:

2004 Dry River Lovatt Gewurtztraminer
1998 Te Mata Awatea
2002 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay
2000 Ngatarawa Alwyn Noble Riesling

The Moutere was somewhat disappointing -- 1st time I've drunk this wine & not found it stunning ... both the Dry River and the Alwyn looking fully developed -- latter not at all cloying but great fruit intensity.

Tonight 2007 Rockford Pinot Noir, which is surprisingly approachable for its age, but with the structure to age for a few years ... very pleasant.

Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter,

Nice to see you posting. Interesting about the '02 Moutere Chard - that has to be up there with some of my best Chard experiences; what was it that you didn't enjoy about it?

And I presume you mean Rockburn, rather than Rockford, for the Pinot?

Let me know when you're heading down south next.

Cheers,

[Peter NZ]

Interesting about the '02 Moutere Chard - that has to be up there with some of my best Chard experiences; what was it that you didn't enjoy about it?

And I presume you mean Rockburn, rather than Rockford, for the Pinot?

You're right -- Rockburn, not Rockford.

On the Neudorf: it just didn't have anything like the intensity I normally associate with this wine -- actually seemed quite delicate. Not a bad wine, but just totally atypical.

Cheers
Peter