It really is Sunday.....
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:26 am
Hi Good Peoples,
You know the drill.... Tasting notes, vibes, list or impressions all welcome.
You know the drill.... Tasting notes, vibes, list or impressions all welcome.
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It really is Sunday.....
Page 1 of 1
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:32 am
Had a 1985 Geoff Merill Coonawarra Cab Sauv on Fri night. No big shakes but very much still alive.
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:12 am
Was a nice warm day in Adelaide so in the evening got out the charcoal and BBQ'd some meats.....3 wines
2005 Turkey Flat Barossa Rose : holding up fine under screwcap - perhaps even a touch of aged complexity !? Good with chicken shashlicks basted with some leftover PX I have hanging around.
1971 METALA Langhornes Creek Cabernet Shiraz : great old wine - bit like St Henri. A pleasing auction purchase for $18.20. With lamb cutlets basted with the last glass or so of the Turkey Flat Rose.
2004 OLIVER's TARANGA HJ Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale : nice plush McLaren Vale Red Wine.
2005 Turkey Flat Barossa Rose : holding up fine under screwcap - perhaps even a touch of aged complexity !? Good with chicken shashlicks basted with some leftover PX I have hanging around.
1971 METALA Langhornes Creek Cabernet Shiraz : great old wine - bit like St Henri. A pleasing auction purchase for $18.20. With lamb cutlets basted with the last glass or so of the Turkey Flat Rose.
2004 OLIVER's TARANGA HJ Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale : nice plush McLaren Vale Red Wine.
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:07 am
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger 05 - have already posted some notes
Leasingham Bin 61 02 - better the second night easy drinking but was missing the X factor
cheers
Seddo
Leasingham Bin 61 02 - better the second night easy drinking but was missing the X factor
cheers
Seddo
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:28 am
2007 Saint Claire Pioneer Block Number 3 Sauvignon Blanc
A nose of intense paw paw! Weighty yet mineral on the palate. I am really getting into premium SBs. So much boring stuff around that makes gems like these the more interesting. Excellent.
2006 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir
Starting to gain some of its own character now. A lick of caramel and cherry on top of the standard unforced young pinot juice. Too easy to drink now but must wait until it develops further. Very good with potential.
1979 Yalumba 'Dulcify' vintage port
Opened to celebrate the last night the doona needed to be on the bed. Its summertime! This was a good bottle. Still a shade of red in the dark brown colour. Brandy, licorice and prunes. Typical dense and sweet aussie VP style. No great shakes but cheap as chips. Very good but obviously drink up.
cheers
Carl
A nose of intense paw paw! Weighty yet mineral on the palate. I am really getting into premium SBs. So much boring stuff around that makes gems like these the more interesting. Excellent.
2006 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir
Starting to gain some of its own character now. A lick of caramel and cherry on top of the standard unforced young pinot juice. Too easy to drink now but must wait until it develops further. Very good with potential.
1979 Yalumba 'Dulcify' vintage port
Opened to celebrate the last night the doona needed to be on the bed. Its summertime! This was a good bottle. Still a shade of red in the dark brown colour. Brandy, licorice and prunes. Typical dense and sweet aussie VP style. No great shakes but cheap as chips. Very good but obviously drink up.
cheers
Carl
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:24 pm
1999 Yalumba Signature
I have'nt really had much experience with the whole shiraz/cab thing. This was a beauty, not much anise at all but some good spicy chocolate and dark berries/plums. The best thing was how it changed over the few glasses that I was allowed, not opening up or closing down, just a little different each time.
2005 Virgilus Viognier
Nope, not my thing. A little too peachy and in my opinion out of whack with all the spice and acidity.
2004 Lowe Zinfandel
Wow! This bottle had not been stored in perfect conditions (upright above my computer for over a year) so I was a little concerned. However, opened it up and let it hang around for a while, it almost filled the room with this caramel aroma. Once poured, it lost the caramel-ness and just drank superbly like a good amarone. Quite spirity but still lots of berries in all forms and just the right amount of fudge like sweetness.
This would be up in my top 5 so far this year.
I have'nt really had much experience with the whole shiraz/cab thing. This was a beauty, not much anise at all but some good spicy chocolate and dark berries/plums. The best thing was how it changed over the few glasses that I was allowed, not opening up or closing down, just a little different each time.
2005 Virgilus Viognier
Nope, not my thing. A little too peachy and in my opinion out of whack with all the spice and acidity.
2004 Lowe Zinfandel
Wow! This bottle had not been stored in perfect conditions (upright above my computer for over a year) so I was a little concerned. However, opened it up and let it hang around for a while, it almost filled the room with this caramel aroma. Once poured, it lost the caramel-ness and just drank superbly like a good amarone. Quite spirity but still lots of berries in all forms and just the right amount of fudge like sweetness.
This would be up in my top 5 so far this year.
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:49 pm
Tried the whole range from:
Blowfly Wines in NSW
and
Backpocket Wines in QLD.
What stood out:
2004 Blowfly Shiraz, 2004 Blowfly Maelstrom (100% merlot)
and
2007 Backpocket Arabia Shiraz
2006 Backpocket Ricochet Rose (100% shiraz).
These were all very well made wines which will be great to cellar (except the rose which is read now!).
Blowfly Wines in NSW
and
Backpocket Wines in QLD.
What stood out:
2004 Blowfly Shiraz, 2004 Blowfly Maelstrom (100% merlot)
and
2007 Backpocket Arabia Shiraz
2006 Backpocket Ricochet Rose (100% shiraz).
These were all very well made wines which will be great to cellar (except the rose which is read now!).
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:06 pm
a couple of benchmarks to finish off the weekend. 02 Te Mata Elston Chardonnay and 05 Unison Selection
Both way better than expected and exciting wines. Selection is still ascending and better than on release. The elston was very youthful surprisingly and the best elston ive had for quite a while.
yummo
Both way better than expected and exciting wines. Selection is still ascending and better than on release. The elston was very youthful surprisingly and the best elston ive had for quite a while.
yummo
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:20 pm
Ten Minutes By Tractor Allis Sparkling Pinot/Chardonnay, 2001, Pale golden colour, with fine and vigorous bead. Mainly lemons on the nose with a touch of yeast. Yeast, lemon and bread in the mouth with a long finish drifting into hints of licorice of all things. Really gorgeous creamy mouthfeel. Yum!
Paringa Riesling, 2004, very pale, almost translucent; lemons, good acidity and a touch of kero. Quite liked this but not a touch on a beautifully honeyed and toasty 2006 that I had at the winery a few weeks back.
Cheers
Dave
Paringa Riesling, 2004, very pale, almost translucent; lemons, good acidity and a touch of kero. Quite liked this but not a touch on a beautifully honeyed and toasty 2006 that I had at the winery a few weeks back.
Cheers
Dave
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:33 pm
Petaluma Riesling 2007
Cold, mineral and austere at first but with time and warmth, quite pretty, floral, fruit and fairly upfront. Not sure this is a long term thing but pretty tasty for the moment.
Bowen Estate Chardonnay 2007
Terrific, fruit rich battler wine with peach, honey, vanilla stewed pears and toasty oak. Again, upfront and unashamedly tasty.
Cold, mineral and austere at first but with time and warmth, quite pretty, floral, fruit and fairly upfront. Not sure this is a long term thing but pretty tasty for the moment.
Bowen Estate Chardonnay 2007
Terrific, fruit rich battler wine with peach, honey, vanilla stewed pears and toasty oak. Again, upfront and unashamedly tasty.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:09 am
Pegasus Bay Encore Riesling 2007 - very enjoyable sticky, sumptious but bright and not at all cloying. They should make it in a full size btl, it disappeared too quickly.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:00 am
Three in the mid teens price point, all under screwcap.
Majella Musician 2007
A good solid ripe wine, lacking somewhat in Coonawarra Cab character for me. A little heat on the finish to show for its 14.5%.
Brookland Valley Verse 1 Shiraz 2007
Not as good as the 06 for mine. Plummy but lacking spice. OK.
Thorn Clarke Sandpiper Shiraz 2007
I thought this was the pick of the trio- authentic rich Barossa Shiraz at a ridiculous price. Drink now but will improve at least for a few years. The Shotfire Shiraz 07 should be good if this is any indication.
And a highlight from a week back....
Penfolds Bin 28 1990
Has lived in my cellar since release. Drinking beautifully now but would hold. This was drunk at a BYO with lowish lighting, but the colour looked like a five year old wine. Cork can produce the goods, sometimes. This was a great accompaniment to the lamb shanks.
Majella Musician 2007
A good solid ripe wine, lacking somewhat in Coonawarra Cab character for me. A little heat on the finish to show for its 14.5%.
Brookland Valley Verse 1 Shiraz 2007
Not as good as the 06 for mine. Plummy but lacking spice. OK.
Thorn Clarke Sandpiper Shiraz 2007
I thought this was the pick of the trio- authentic rich Barossa Shiraz at a ridiculous price. Drink now but will improve at least for a few years. The Shotfire Shiraz 07 should be good if this is any indication.
And a highlight from a week back....
Penfolds Bin 28 1990
Has lived in my cellar since release. Drinking beautifully now but would hold. This was drunk at a BYO with lowish lighting, but the colour looked like a five year old wine. Cork can produce the goods, sometimes. This was a great accompaniment to the lamb shanks.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:55 am
Taswegian wrote:2004 Lowe Zinfandel
Wow! This bottle had not been stored in perfect conditions (upright above my computer for over a year) so I was a little concerned. However, opened it up and let it hang around for a while, it almost filled the room with this caramel aroma. Once poured, it lost the caramel-ness and just drank superbly like a good amarone. Quite spirity but still lots of berries in all forms and just the right amount of fudge like sweetness.
This would be up in my top 5 so far this year.
I would have to agree. This is one of my favourite wines and one of only a few wines that I automatically buy some of every year. I first tried it at a Lowe degustation dinner in 2006 at my local restaurant and it was the mystery wine. David Lowe is again the winemaker at next month's dinner so I am hoping for a pre-release taste of the 2006 Zin.
There were a couple of wine highlights for me in the last week.
Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Shiraz 2004 Magnum, screw cap
I know this wine has got years left in it but it was the perfect wine for the occassion and I have got some more of this for later. Very drinkable now. A lot less tannin than the straight cab.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Suvignon 1990 I finished the last of mine a year or two ago. This bottle was generously opened by my brother. 1990 Wynns is one of my all-time favourite wines and i think it is still getting better. This bottle would pass for a wine half it's age. Still plenty of time left for the couple of remaining bottles my brother has - and the '90 Riddochs in the cellar could last another 20 years.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:53 am
Went to a couple of local wine shop tastings on Saturday, which can be a financial hazard. On offer were Kooyong (Farrago and Faultline Chardonnays, Meres, Ferrous and Haven Pinots); Yering Station – Single Vineyard Series wines (Willow Lake and Combe Farm Chardonnays, Inverness Ridge Pinot, Carr C Block and Smedley Lane Shiraz Viogniers, and Yarra Edge Cabernet); Bass Phillip (‘07 Crown Prince, Estate, Premium, ‘06 21)
The respective lineups were impressive, standout for me was the stunning Yering Station Smedley Lane. I’d not previously heard of the Single Vineyard wines and this particular one blew me away, incredibly powerful, rich, ripe wine, drinking so well now but with the structure to age and improve – I bought some. The YS chardonnays didn’t do it for me at all, they were to astringent seeing no barrel age – I prefer wooded chardonnay. The other stunning wine here was the Yarra Edge cab, although I was taken aback by the price, it’s obviously been a while since my last purchase!
I liked all the Kooyong wines with the Ferrous impressing most.
The Bass Phillip new releases are likewise great – ended up being a financial hazard as I bought a couple of each. Comparing to the 06 21 was interesting, itself a great wine, but I thought the 07’s were better across the range.
cheers
Ian
The respective lineups were impressive, standout for me was the stunning Yering Station Smedley Lane. I’d not previously heard of the Single Vineyard wines and this particular one blew me away, incredibly powerful, rich, ripe wine, drinking so well now but with the structure to age and improve – I bought some. The YS chardonnays didn’t do it for me at all, they were to astringent seeing no barrel age – I prefer wooded chardonnay. The other stunning wine here was the Yarra Edge cab, although I was taken aback by the price, it’s obviously been a while since my last purchase!
I liked all the Kooyong wines with the Ferrous impressing most.
The Bass Phillip new releases are likewise great – ended up being a financial hazard as I bought a couple of each. Comparing to the 06 21 was interesting, itself a great wine, but I thought the 07’s were better across the range.
cheers
Ian
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:56 pm
Turkey Flat Rose 2008
Crisp and refreshing with some strawberry and raspberry fruit up front, a drying acid backbone and some nice minerality on the finish.
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Fleshy dark berries, menthol and herbs, chewy tannins, a bit of warmth there but surprising length for a $15 wine.
Crisp and refreshing with some strawberry and raspberry fruit up front, a drying acid backbone and some nice minerality on the finish.
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Fleshy dark berries, menthol and herbs, chewy tannins, a bit of warmth there but surprising length for a $15 wine.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:22 pm
Went to visit a tasting of the latest wines from Rusden in the Barossa Valley. Their wines are not generally available in retail outlets, and they told me that their major clients were restaurants. I was there primarily to try out their grenache for my upcoming Grenache Challenge.
Driftsand GMS - This was appealing young wine with lots of fruit intensity. Dark berry flavours dominate a balanced profile with light tannins. Very good
Ripper Creek Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz - This was a 60/40 blend, very similar to a favourite of mine, Yalumba Signature. And in fact it was quite reminiscent of this wine. When I mentioned this to winemaker, Chris, he commented that he was also a Signature fan and also had some in his cellar. This one has a slightly more developed Cabernet with the Shiraz spiciness showing through in the finish. Very good+. May be better in a few years.
Christine's Vineyard Grenache - This is what I came for and I wasn't disappointed. A delightfully spicy grenache with body that belies its pale colour. Some sweetness but always in the background with the savoury elements dominating. Very good to excellent.
Full Circle Mataro - This was the surprise package of the bunch - a straight Mataro. It has a distinctive character that is quite full bodied but not nearly as tannic as one might have imagined. The mid-palate dominates here. Quite a distinct taste category that would be a real puzzler in a blind tasting. Very good to excellent.
Boundaries Cabernet Sauvignon - I'm a fan of Barossa cabernet so the ripe profile is right up my alley. Not sure if this is one for the long haul, but exhibits lots of plummy flavours and fine tannins. Very good.
Chookshed Zinfandel - I'm a bit wary of zinfandel because it tends to be a bit too sweet and one dimensional. This one tended more toward the savoury end of the spectrum and held quite a bit of interest. Still rather one dimensional but an interesting dimesion to be in. Very good.
Black Guts Shiraz - This was a very attractive shiraz. I tend to prefer shiraz from Eden Valley (I was a big fan of the Tollana TR16 back when) and this version was reminiscent of that sort of coiled restraint that can be found there. Despite the blockbuster name, it is not really an "in your face" Barossa shiraz. My only question here is value for money - for a touch under $80 one would expect something pretty special. I'd be tempted to go for Torbreck's "The Gask" if I was spending this much. Very good- excellent.
Sandscrub Shiraz - Well it's not everyday that one runs into a $380 wine at a tasting. To be honest this is so far out of my price range that I felt a bit guilty even trying it - but only for a moment. It really was the whole ballgame in a bottle. Depth, balance, intensity, length. Clearly a top rank wine. I was in awe. Excellent.
Chris, the winemaker, was very generous with his time. He clearly enjoys talking about wine and we had a great chat about wine and winemaking. Learned quite a bit about the effect of soil types in the Barossa. And Chris was kind enough to dig out a bottle of his 2004 grenache from his cellar for my Grenache Challenge.
One of the best tastings at any winery in many a year.
Tristram Shandy
Driftsand GMS - This was appealing young wine with lots of fruit intensity. Dark berry flavours dominate a balanced profile with light tannins. Very good
Ripper Creek Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz - This was a 60/40 blend, very similar to a favourite of mine, Yalumba Signature. And in fact it was quite reminiscent of this wine. When I mentioned this to winemaker, Chris, he commented that he was also a Signature fan and also had some in his cellar. This one has a slightly more developed Cabernet with the Shiraz spiciness showing through in the finish. Very good+. May be better in a few years.
Christine's Vineyard Grenache - This is what I came for and I wasn't disappointed. A delightfully spicy grenache with body that belies its pale colour. Some sweetness but always in the background with the savoury elements dominating. Very good to excellent.
Full Circle Mataro - This was the surprise package of the bunch - a straight Mataro. It has a distinctive character that is quite full bodied but not nearly as tannic as one might have imagined. The mid-palate dominates here. Quite a distinct taste category that would be a real puzzler in a blind tasting. Very good to excellent.
Boundaries Cabernet Sauvignon - I'm a fan of Barossa cabernet so the ripe profile is right up my alley. Not sure if this is one for the long haul, but exhibits lots of plummy flavours and fine tannins. Very good.
Chookshed Zinfandel - I'm a bit wary of zinfandel because it tends to be a bit too sweet and one dimensional. This one tended more toward the savoury end of the spectrum and held quite a bit of interest. Still rather one dimensional but an interesting dimesion to be in. Very good.
Black Guts Shiraz - This was a very attractive shiraz. I tend to prefer shiraz from Eden Valley (I was a big fan of the Tollana TR16 back when) and this version was reminiscent of that sort of coiled restraint that can be found there. Despite the blockbuster name, it is not really an "in your face" Barossa shiraz. My only question here is value for money - for a touch under $80 one would expect something pretty special. I'd be tempted to go for Torbreck's "The Gask" if I was spending this much. Very good- excellent.
Sandscrub Shiraz - Well it's not everyday that one runs into a $380 wine at a tasting. To be honest this is so far out of my price range that I felt a bit guilty even trying it - but only for a moment. It really was the whole ballgame in a bottle. Depth, balance, intensity, length. Clearly a top rank wine. I was in awe. Excellent.
Chris, the winemaker, was very generous with his time. He clearly enjoys talking about wine and we had a great chat about wine and winemaking. Learned quite a bit about the effect of soil types in the Barossa. And Chris was kind enough to dig out a bottle of his 2004 grenache from his cellar for my Grenache Challenge.
One of the best tastings at any winery in many a year.
Tristram Shandy
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:29 pm
Passage Rock Reserve Syrah 2006 A local store is specialling this (at $35), & I've never tried it, so ... decanted a couple of hours before drinking, but still too young for my taste, though it was coming right to the end of the evening. That aside, it's great -- rich but not confected, & varietal.
Te Mata Elston 2001 and Pegasus Bay Riesling 2000 Not a lot to say about either -- both good, but neither were standout examples of what are typically excellent wines ...
Cheers
Peter
Te Mata Elston 2001 and Pegasus Bay Riesling 2000 Not a lot to say about either -- both good, but neither were standout examples of what are typically excellent wines ...
Cheers
Peter
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:16 pm
Sharkey wrote:Wynns Black Label Cabernet Suvignon 1990 I finished the last of mine a year or two ago. This bottle was generously opened by my brother. 1990 Wynns is one of my all-time favourite wines and i think it is still getting better. This bottle would pass for a wine half it's age. Still plenty of time left for the couple of remaining bottles my brother has - and the '90 Riddochs in the cellar could last another 20 years.
I bought a case of the 1990 BL for $9.99 a bottle. Should have bought a truckload! It will never win medals for elegance but it's a great australian wine. I have four still left and yup, no hurry.
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:41 am
Petaluma Riesling 2002 Screwcap This is such a great mid week wine. Under screwcap the wine is much fresher than the previous case I had which was under cork. Moving out of the pale yellow hue into a richer golden colour (just), green apples and lime flavoured fruit. Good structure and length with crisp finish. Along as people felt the need to sell the stuff online, I'll keep buying it.
Sorrenberg Chardonnay 2005. Not as good as the previous bottle I had of this. There were decidedly funky flavours rocking around the palate. In a restaurant I might have asked to change the bottle.
Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire 2006 Indice 2 Now this was yummy. It was the second bottle I have picked up recently and a winner at the last dinner party at chez moi. Deep golden hue which was more than I exepcted for its age with red apples and white peach flavours finishing with gloves and spices.
Sorrenberg Chardonnay 2005. Not as good as the previous bottle I had of this. There were decidedly funky flavours rocking around the palate. In a restaurant I might have asked to change the bottle.
Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire 2006 Indice 2 Now this was yummy. It was the second bottle I have picked up recently and a winner at the last dinner party at chez moi. Deep golden hue which was more than I exepcted for its age with red apples and white peach flavours finishing with gloves and spices.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:47 pm
1971 Bin 389 - at first whiff and taste I thought this was tired. After an hour of air (by which time we'd drunk most of the bottle), this got fatter and sweeter and more complex. What a superb wine. Notes of coffee, leather, earth, dark chocolate and peaches (I know - an odd descriptor for red wine). While I don't think this will get better, its certainly not over the hill. One of the top 10 of 2008 for me.
1990 Bin 389 - good wine with the potential to become great with greater complexity over the next 10+ years.
1986 Bin 389 - ditto.
1986 Wynns John Riddoch - 2nd bottle corked in a week. Not happy.
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
1982 Mt Edelstone - my favourite wine from this vintage in SA (including Grange). This was singing and right at its peak.
1998 Jacobs Creek Limited Release cab / shiraz - superb wine in the making. Perfumed and elegant but didn't lack fruit intensity. Long finish. Drink remainders circa 2013.
1996 Peter Lehmann Balck (Sparkling) Shiraz - pleasant enough but lacks the wow factor.
2001 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet x 2 (375ml). Didn't enjoy this as much as I did at release. Overpowering coffee nose and a bit too syrupy for mine.
2006 Brokenwood Graveyard - had been opened 24+ hours and so was a little tired.
2006 Brokenwood Rayner shiraz - the best Brokenwood I've tried since the 2000 Graveyard. Top wine in the making.
1990 Bin 389 - good wine with the potential to become great with greater complexity over the next 10+ years.
1986 Bin 389 - ditto.
1986 Wynns John Riddoch - 2nd bottle corked in a week. Not happy.
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
1982 Mt Edelstone - my favourite wine from this vintage in SA (including Grange). This was singing and right at its peak.
1998 Jacobs Creek Limited Release cab / shiraz - superb wine in the making. Perfumed and elegant but didn't lack fruit intensity. Long finish. Drink remainders circa 2013.
1996 Peter Lehmann Balck (Sparkling) Shiraz - pleasant enough but lacks the wow factor.
2001 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet x 2 (375ml). Didn't enjoy this as much as I did at release. Overpowering coffee nose and a bit too syrupy for mine.
2006 Brokenwood Graveyard - had been opened 24+ hours and so was a little tired.
2006 Brokenwood Rayner shiraz - the best Brokenwood I've tried since the 2000 Graveyard. Top wine in the making.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:46 pm
Mike Hawkins wrote:1971 Bin 389 - at first whiff and taste I thought this was tired. After an hour of air (by which time we'd drunk most of the bottle), this got fatter and sweeter and more complex. What a superb wine. Notes of coffee, leather, earth, dark chocolate and peaches (I know - an odd descriptor for red wine). While I don't think this will get better, its certainly not over the hill. One of the top 10 of 2008 for me.
1990 Bin 389 - good wine with the potential to become great with greater complexity over the next 10+ years.
1986 Bin 389 - ditto.
1986 Wynns John Riddoch - 2nd bottle corked in a week. Not happy.
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
1982 Mt Edelstone - my favourite wine from this vintage in SA (including Grange). This was singing and right at its peak.
1998 Jacobs Creek Limited Release cab / shiraz - superb wine in the making. Perfumed and elegant but didn't lack fruit intensity. Long finish. Drink remainders circa 2013.
1996 Peter Lehmann Balck (Sparkling) Shiraz - pleasant enough but lacks the wow factor.
2001 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet x 2 (375ml). Didn't enjoy this as much as I did at release. Overpowering coffee nose and a bit too syrupy for mine.
2006 Brokenwood Graveyard - had been opened 24+ hours and so was a little tired.
2006 Brokenwood Rayner shiraz - the best Brokenwood I've tried since the 2000 Graveyard. Top wine in the making.
not surprised the Black Queen looked a little pedestrian in that line-up! On a school night it is fine drinking for mine
cheers
Carl
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:51 pm
Mike Hawkins wrote:
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner later this year, looking forward to it already!
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:39 pm
Gavin Trott wrote:Mike Hawkins wrote:
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner later this year, looking forward to it already!
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner next year. Let us know how your magnum goes later this year.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:41 pm
Sharkey wrote:Gavin Trott wrote:Mike Hawkins wrote:
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner later this year, looking forward to it already!
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner next year. Let us know how your magnum goes later this year.
be my pleasure!
Just before Chistmas it should be!
BTW do you have the 1992 vintage? Its fantastic currently, drinks well above its vintage, so as to speak!
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:33 pm
Gavin Trott wrote:Sharkey wrote:Gavin Trott wrote:Mike Hawkins wrote:
1988 Wynns John Riddoch - my 2nd last bottle and it didn't disappoint. I love the 88 vintage in SA. Textbook Coonawarra cabernet.
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner later this year, looking forward to it already!
Great to hear.
I have a magnum of this for a dinner next year. Let us know how your magnum goes later this year.
be my pleasure!
Just before Chistmas it should be!
BTW do you have the 1992 vintage? Its fantastic currently, drinks well above its vintage, so as to speak!
No '92s. I do have a '90 magnum that I plan to open for a special occassion in 2014.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:49 pm
After a 10 yr football reunion on Saturday, at a place where Lindemans Bin series was the highlight, but which had plenty of Little Creatures Pale Ale if memory serves, Sunday was a bit of a write off.
I barely managed two glasses of the Burgans Albarino (2006), which is rapidly becoming my stand by white.
Better luck next weekend, in more ways than one.
I barely managed two glasses of the Burgans Albarino (2006), which is rapidly becoming my stand by white.
Better luck next weekend, in more ways than one.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:12 am
Roscoe wrote:Brookland Valley Verse 1 Shiraz 2007
Not as good as the 06 for mine. Plummy but lacking spice. OK.
Had another look at this last night. It had been decanted into a 375ml bottle (good fill) and refrigerated since Sunday night.
It showed a lot better. The fruit had opened up further, and there was some spiciness. I still don't see it as good as the 06, and I don't rate it as a buy, but I would now class it as good rather than ok.