Sunday 10 May......

[TORB]

Hi Good Peoples,

Its that time of the week again, please let us know what you have been drinking, what's good, drinking windows etc. Lurkers welcome, all you have to do is list the wine and a brief impression, it wont hurt a bit.

[dlo]

Three bottles opened in the last week.

The St. Huberts Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon from 1991 was utterly stupendous - crammed with the most amazingly opulent blakcurrant and blackberry fruit with ample backing from cedary, savoury French oak amongst a zillion other good things going on including awesome structure and a wonderful departure. Brilliant wine that will keep for some years yet. 95 points.

Almost as good and equally impressively "sweet-fruited" was the magnificent 1994 Jim Barry The Armagh. Colour advancing but the wine is right in the groove with the finest, laciest but still reasonably powerful, tannin structure needig a few more years to fully resolve. Otherwise the US oak was not exactly to my taste, but objectively, the wine was outstanding with a haunting chocolatey character augmenting the sensational berried fruit and worthy of 93+ points. Drink now-2019.

Lastly, Dominique Laurent's 1996 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes was full of earthy pinot sap, cranberry, red currant, bing cherry and bitter plums as well as plenty of savoury oak, has plenty of time to go, although drinking extremely well today. The acidity was a little spikey at first but after a half hour or so, dissipated sufficiently and melded nicely with the excellent fine but persistent tannins. Exemplary line and length here. 90 points. Drink now-2016.

[Phil Wilkins]

Klein Constantia Riesling 2006
Drunk with a simple lunch and only bought to try as it was cheap, just £6.25 cheap! In fact, I didn’t know Klein Constantia made a Riesling. In screw cap.

Petrol, yellow citrus and Granny Smith Klein apple on the nose with lightly floral aspects, added spice notes and undertones of mineral. Follows to a medium bodied palate that is very taut with a salivating Juicy Fruit quality, steely acidity & a long lemony thirst quenching finish. The best Riesling I’ve had at this price point for a long, long time. My budget white of the year so far and I’m off to buy more! 13%vol. 91pts

[Wayno]

Ashton Hills Piccadilly Pinot Noir 2007
As always, good drinking - sappy, plucky, stemmy and lip smacking. Flourishes of earth, plum and musk, with good pinosity.

Williams Crossing Pinot Noir 2006
As always, good drinking also. Fresher and more lifted than the Ashton Hills, with a touch of spritz. Drinkable +

[cuttlefish]

Three bottles opened in the last week.

The St. Huberts Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon from 1991 was utterly stupendous - crammed with the most amazingly opulent blakcurrant and blackberry fruit with ample backing from cedary, savoury French oak amongst a zillion other good things going on including awesome structure and a wonderful departure. Brilliant wine that will keep for some years yet. 95 points.

Almost as good and equally impressively "sweet-fruited" was the magnificent 1994 Jim Barry The Armagh. Colour advancing but the wine is right in the groove with the finest, laciest but still reasonably powerful, tannin structure needig a few more years to fully resolve. Otherwise the US oak was not exactly to my taste, but objectively, the wine was outstanding with a haunting chocolatey character augmenting the sensational berried fruit and worthy of 93+ points. Drink now-2019.

Lastly, Dominique Laurent's 1996 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes was full of earthy pinot sap, cranberry, red currant, bing cherry and bitter plums as well as plenty of savoury oak, has plenty of time to go, although drinking extremely well today. The acidity was a little spikey at first but after a half hour or so, dissipated sufficiently and melded nicely with the excellent fine but persistent tannins. Exemplary line and length here. 90 points. Drink now-2016.

Interesting notes about the 1994 Armagh, DLo. I tried this wine in the past six months, and I'd have to say I agree with your views almost entirely.

[Luke W]

[quote="dlo"]Three bottles opened in the last week.

The St. Huberts Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon from 1991 was utterly stupendous - crammed with the most amazingly opulent blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with ample backing from cedary, savoury French oak amongst a zillion other good things going on including awesome structure and a wonderful departure. Brilliant wine that will keep for some years yet. 95 points.

St Huberts or St Juberts (as my grandmother in-law used to call it - as she played in the vineyard about 100 years ago) has made some wonderful cabernets over the years - if you get a chance the 1990 and 1996 and 2001 were all quite stunning.

This week (only Friday and Saturday so far I've knocked off a few reds and whites with friends including:

1999 La Testa shiraz in response to RB's comment earlier in the week that it has reached it's peak - I agree and even think that it may have gone a fraction past although still pretty incredible - beautifully balanced - lots of fruit and anise and a bit of pepper, rolls around your gob like melting chocolate.

2004 Jimbour Reserve Merlot - quite a reasonable wine from Ballandean - lots of merlot fruit and good mouthfeel- just needs a bit more acid or astringency or something to balance it out.

2006 Maglieri Shiraz - some inconsistency with this wine - I've had some very good bottles and some a bit thin (it may have something to do with what I'm drinking around it) - if this is the case I'd advise drinking it first as it was pretty average after the La testa.

2002 Salitage Chardonnay - dreadful - way past its use by date - that'll teach me to buy $5 specials at the local pub!

2007 Montana Cat's Piss - can see why I only drink this every couple of months although for some strange reason my wife likes it and eventually your mouth does get used to it.

1998 East Arm Riesling - all toast and honey and just improved every minute in the glass.

1980 Yalumba Kingston Town Vintage Port - I've drunk a lot of the Yalumba Series (good VP's at almost no cost on the 2ndary market) - this one had a little less fruit than some of the one's I've drunk before but still impressed those around me. Was still pretty nice the following night but seemed to evaporate quickly....

Cheers

Luk

[dazza1968]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

[Craig(NZ)]

2004 Grange
2006 Craggy Range Block 14 Syrah
2007 Millton Clos St Anne Crucible Syrah
2006 Amisfield Pinot Noir
2007 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir
2007 Esk Valley Merlot
2002 Dry River Gewurztraminer
2007 Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc
1998 Church Rd Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Arahura Malbec

[seddo]

Warrabilla 05 Reserve Durif - matched this sucker with some roo fillet steaks marinated in olive oil and pepper. The wine still a very deep almost black colour, decanted for an hour and a bit, still very closed. After 3 hrs the fruit came "out of hiding" and it was magnifico. Even though the wine was closed with the main meal - for me it was a good match with the skippy steaks.


cheers
Seddo

[griff]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

[Adair]

Many, but I thought worth mentioning this one given I remember someone doubting this wine... 2003 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon - gorgeous now with years ahead of it as well. 93/100.

Adair

[dazza1968]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Yes that makes complete sense , Now its 2 out of 3 bottles Maybe auction time

[Daryl Douglas]

Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 05 - pretty heavily oaked with strong char, compromised the fruit I thought. Preferred the St Hallett Faith 06 had earlier last week but preferred more than both was the Mitolo Jester Shiraz 05 had before the Faith. But that may be a personal preference thing, McLaren Vale over Barossa? Before taking a more active interest in wine, Seaview reds were among my favourite cheapish red wines, before the label was deleted by Southmount.

Tonight, Wynns BL CS 03. Oak treatment much more agreeable than the Filsell 05, more structural than a feature. WOTW for me, nice balance with savoury, slightly sour, blackcurrant/red cherry fruit in a more medium than full-bodied wine. Bit of a dip on the back palate before the finish arrives with fine tannins, regional mint and some acid to indicate further cellaring potential. I think this was my last bottle (thought it was an 05 then found after extracting the cork that it was an 03 - graduated spectacle lenses aren't all they're cracked up to be....). But I still have a couple of 04s, 05s, a solitary 06.

Cheers

daz

[monghead]

2004 Wynns Johnson's Block Cabernet Sauvignon- Elegant, well balanced. Very good.
1997 Maison Champy Savigny-les-Beaune- Vibrant, earthy, supple tannins. Good.

[Partagas]

Leeuwin Estate art Cab 2001 – Very oaky to start with (quality though). Not a bad drop but a bit disappointing compared to first try.

Wolf Blass Grey Shiraz 2004 – another bottle another gem. Had two cases now all gone (I think). A brilliant wine still yet to peak but can still perform very well now.

Woodlands Margaret cab/merl 2004 – lots of talk about a weird faze for cabernets after about 2-5 years or so, this is a wine that has never lived up to anything for me yet. From start till now I have had about 5 bottles and none overly impressed me up to the hype (very very closed). That said will definitely not touch my remaining stock for many years as it has been a waist of time until now to test.

Langmeil Forest Floor Shiraz 2007 – wow what a beauty. Never tried this brand before but am looking now. What a great varietal long finish Shiraz for the price.

Langmeil Freedom Shiraz 2001 – corked but would have been nice.

Langmeil Freedom Shiraz 2000 – not a bad drop but can tell not so good year. Good structure and reasonable all round but not great. Needs a couple more years too.

Evans and Tate baroque 21 cab/merl 1997 (Magnum) – real surprise package. Rich, deep fine finish. Great effort in bad year.

Penfold’s 389 2005 – still up there with my favourite released wines in the last six months. Fine structure all round with a luscious cabernet lift leaving the Shiraz to add complexity and substance. Lots of mouth coating tannins that are soft, drying and classy. That’s it for now, drank a few bottles from my stock but better leave the rest. Think this will be an outstanding classic in time that has all the signs now to say it should get there.

Seppelt Great Western Shiraz 1991 – second bottle. Wow wow. Cannot believe this wine. Great nose of liquorice, spice and all things nice. Palette much the same with a very rich flavour profile that has an elegance (class) factor. Still so many years this baby can travel, don’t know that it has even reached its peak status. A classy wine that I will talk about for ages. Spewing I don’t have any left.

[griff]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Yes that makes complete sense , Now its 2 out of 3 bottles Maybe auction time

Or better yet, ask the winery for replacement for the duds? They should stand by them.

cheers

Carl

[Waiters Friend]

Amongst other things......

Woodlands (MR) Chardonnay 2007. Fruit and oak in approximate balance, but not as intense as I expected.

Seppelts Chalambar Shiraz 2006: Fruit dominant but good supporting structure.

Feet First (Great Southern, allegedly) Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV: Ordinary bubbles.

Clairault 2007 Chardonnay: Beware of winelists in restaurants! Mothers Day lunch saw me ordering a bottle of the 'Reserve' to find that what arrived was the standard label. Standard MR chardonnay without standing out at all. Fortunately, the restaurant made a compensatory error on the bill so we ended up even.

Stella Bella SSB 2008. Quality was obvious, but a fraction too tart and sharp for my ('big chardonnay') palate. Good wine, nevertheless.

Robert Channon 2008 Pinot Gris: As per previous tasting notes, delicious, with up-front guava and a touch of kiwi-fruit in amongst the other tropical fruits. Well balanced, and clean finish. Must buy more.


Robert Channon Chardonnay 2007. As per previous tasting notes, delicious, and the lower alcohol sits really well with the fruit and acid balance. Must buy more.

Cheers

Allan

[Daryl Douglas]

Many, but I thought worth mentioning this one given I remember someone doubting this wine... 2003 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon - gorgeous now with years ahead of it as well. 93/100.

Adair

Not really sure Adair but it is well-structured with still-lively acid that I think should see it develop to 2011-2013 then hold for at least five years thence. Unfortunately I think the bottle I'm drinking now is my last so would appreciate future updates. It's a been a bit of a relief, a touch of elegance, after a few bigger Barossa and McLaren Vale shiraz last week. The WBL 03 has gained some flesh over the last several hours but is still lighter than the bigger shiraz'. Definitely a quality wine, wish I had more, but I mostly just drink 'em when they cost less than $10-$30, with a few exceptions of course.

Having a few bottles left of Voyager cab merl 04, my curiosity and poor memory got the better of me, thought it time to refresh. A quick sniff after opening (ya just gotta luv dem screwcaps) immediately made me think mulberry, then the slightly stinky cedary oak took over. Without much breathing, the fruit seems a bit confected at first but there is significant palate depth/length, some cigar box. Tannins? Drying but integrated. They're subsumed by the fruit that with breathing, increasingly becomes it's focus along with the soft but obvious acid. 91pts

The VE cab merl 04 is a very good wine but for me it just lacks something, seems a bit generic. So I thought I'd open one of my two bottles of Cullen Diana cab merl 04 (screwcapped thankfully) to compare. I shouldn't have bothered, the only comparison is price, the Cullen cab merl 04 is awesome, the palate length as long as the piece of string you care to compare it to, just keeps coming back in waves of flavour. The oak still needs more time to fully integrate but it's bloody good oak, adds structure to the cassis/mulberry/blackberry/dark plum fruit.

Don't think I'll have a better wine this year.

daz

[Waiters Friend]

Many, but I thought worth mentioning this one given I remember someone doubting this wine... 2003 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon - gorgeous now with years ahead of it as well. 93/100.

Adair

Not really sure Adair but it is well-structured with still-lively acid that I think should see it develop to 2011-2013 then hold for at least five years thence. Unfortunately I think the bottle I'm drinking now is my last so would appreciate future updates. It's a been a bit of a relief, a touch of elegance, after a few bigger Barossa and McLaren Vale shiraz last week. The WBL 03 has gained some flesh over the last several hours but is still lighter than the bigger shiraz'. Definitely a quality wine, wish I had more, but I mostly just drink 'em when they cost less than $10-$30, with a few exceptions of course.

Having a few bottles left of Voyager cab merl 04, my curiosity and poor memory got the better of me, thought it time to refresh. A quick sniff after opening (ya just gotta luv dem screwcaps) immediately made me think mulberry, then the slightly stinky cedary oak took over. Without much breathing, the fruit seems a bit confected at first but there is significant palate depth/length, some cigar box. Tannins? Drying but integrated. They're subsumed by the fruit that with breathing, increasingly becomes it's focus along with the soft but obvious acid. 91pts

The VE cab merl 04 is a very good wine but for me it just lacks something, seems a bit generic. So I thought I'd open one of my two bottles of Cullen Diana cab merl 04 (screwcapped thankfully) to compare. I shouldn't have bothered, the only comparison is price, the Cullen cab merl 04 is awesome, the palate length as long as the piece of string you care to compare it to, just keeps coming back in waves of flavour. The oak still needs more time to fully integrate but it's bloody good oak, adds structure to the cassis/mulberry/blackberry/dark plum fruit.

Don't think I'll have a better wine this year.

daz

G'day Daz

I've deliberately, seriously and with malice aforethought avoided letting my curiosity kill the vinous cat to that extent. I'd suggest both of the MR 04s you've opened (especially through the medium of screwcap) are being tasted before their time, and it might be too late to put the caps back on

Also, I think your call of 'drink soon' on the 2003 WBL is a good one. I will drink my 2003s well before my 2001s, 2002s, and 2004s.

Cheers

Allan

[Jay60A]

Seppelt Great Western Shiraz 1991 – second bottle. Wow wow. Cannot believe this wine. Great nose of liquorice, spice and all things nice. Palette much the same with a very rich flavour profile that has an elegance (class) factor. Still so many years this baby can travel, don’t know that it has even reached its peak status. A classy wine that I will talk about for ages. Spewing I don’t have any left.

I drank all my four a couple of years ago. Long, lovely, had real wow-factor. If you don't have any then I'd say Seppelt St. Peters 2004 will be similar in 15 years ...

[jeremy]

Waiters friend wrote

Robert Channon 2008 Pinot Gris: As per previous tasting notes, delicious, with up-front guava and a touch of kiwi-fruit in amongst the other tropical fruits. Well balanced, and clean finish. Must buy more.


Robert Channon Chardonnay 2007. As per previous tasting notes, delicious, and the lower alcohol sits really well with the fruit and acid balance. Must buy more.

Cheers

Allan

Really happy to see someone getting into these wines. Channon is a class act on the Granite Belt, Mark Ravenscroft (wine maker) will hopefully play a large part in the future of the region. Top blokes, both of them, to boot. Thanks for the notes Allan.

[jeremy]

Not much from me, most of the week flu ridden.

Yalumba FDW(7c) Chardonnay 2007- I like. Starting to shake off youthful banana, wonderful balance of creaminess and acid structure. Up my chardonnay alley.

Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2008- my oh my, even with a screwed palate I'm marking this down as the best Riebke yet. Plum and spice and plenty more. All for $18 = happy punter.

And, really from last week but I lost my TN card

Blue Poles Reserve Merlot 2007- so good I had to include it this week. It tastes great, drank well for three days, didn't tire and will get even better. $35- you have to be kidding

[jeremy]

Griff wrote

dazza1968 wrote:
98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza


TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Cheers Dazza and Carl. This really helped clear up a question about a certain wine I had last week. That is, is my palate beyond screwed, or did this wine just up & die in the 5 seconds between my first couple of sips and the next. Free education on Auswine Forum again. It's great

[Loztralia]

2000 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon: Quite subdued tannins and all round a lot less full-bodied than I expected. Not a patch on the 98 and probably more or less ready to drink now, but still very pleasant.

[Sean]

deleted

[Roscoe]

Yalumba The Scribbler 2007
This is excellent vfm. Ripe, round and with a lot of the best characteristics of Barossa shiraz and cab. Good now and will cellar at least 5 years. Bought a half doz.

[Red Bigot]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Yes that makes complete sense , Now its 2 out of 3 bottles Maybe auction time

Have you asked the winery for replacements of the corked wines? If not, why not?

[Wayno]

98 Katnook Prodigy ShirazDeep red brick colour,mind you not inky. Upon opening the nose had cedar, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice Oak has integrated well and is drinking well My only disturbing factor was after an hour or so the fruit on the nose disappated and a hessian nose came in I suppose i am not sure what to think Handled Alc well and tannin has become silky and fine grained also the mid palate gave an impression of becoming watery I am a bit bothered as out of 6 bottles 1 great (Early on) the next was corked so badly it was undrinkable and this one was Just ok

Regards Dazza

TCA can become more apparent with air. Low-level taint may be the culprit here.

cheers

Carl

Yes that makes complete sense , Now its 2 out of 3 bottles Maybe auction time

As someone who buys semi-regularly at auction, I don't like hearing/reading this, to be honest. I prefer RB's suggestion which is much more ethical to boot.

[malliemcg]

2005 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Langhe Nebbiolo (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC)

Suspect oxidation based on the state of the cork (don't know the style could be a red herring) - a line up the length of it, slightly wet top under the capsule. Very sour, not massively pleasing flavours. Drank it anyway. Realised that even though I got it for $19 a few weeks ago current retail is $35 or so - should probably have recorked and tried to get it swapped over.

2004 Hugh Hamilton Cabernet Sauvignon The Villain (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)

Varnishy.

2005 Borgo Salcetino Chianti Classico

Super food friendly. Easy drinker. Father in law loves this style.

[Partagas]

Seppelt Great Western Shiraz 1991 – second bottle. Wow wow. Cannot believe this wine. Great nose of liquorice, spice and all things nice. Palette much the same with a very rich flavour profile that has an elegance (class) factor. Still so many years this baby can travel, don’t know that it has even reached its peak status. A classy wine that I will talk about for ages. Spewing I don’t have any left.

I drank all my four a couple of years ago. Long, lovely, had real wow-factor. If you don't have any then I'd say Seppelt St. Peters 2004 will be similar in 15 years ...

Yes a big wow factor. Great to hear, I already have 2004 6 pack at home. Have tried two and both were not ready yet. Seems like a huge sleeper.