Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Steady]

I think the AP Cab Merlot 2013 was on last week - I order a dozen and I'm expecting delivery soon.
[EDIT - Delivery has been made!!!! Confirmed 2013 Cab Merlot!]

On the 2012 - I opened another bottle on Friday night, and enjoyed it, however I was really surprised that the glass and a half I had left in the decanter tasted even better on Sunday!

Bugger, I was looking out for it and still missed seeing it.

 

[JohnM]

Tasting night for Grand Cru (geddit? - aka Motley Cru - ) wine tasting group. Daver6 in command; I help make up numbers .

Theme: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Thought we'd tickle the palates with a Champagne (Prince Laurent) to start. Some liked it; I thought it was cough.

The wines:

Castelli (Frankland) 2013. 90% CS, 10% Malbec
Wynns (Coonawarra) 2012
Sandalford Estate Reserve (Margaret River) 2010
Woodlands Alana May 2009 (Margaret River) 94% CS, 4% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Whicher Ridge (Geographe) 2008
Domaine A (Coal River Valley, Tas) 2006 95% CS, 5% Petit Verdot
Howard Park Leston (Margaret River) 2004

All were very good. General view was that the Leston was past its best, the Woodlands was probably pre its best; similarly the Castelli and the Domaine A.

Overall, the consensus was that the Whicher Ridge hit the sweet spot on the night. Interestingly, it was the first production from 3 year old vines for this small producer. Pretty impressive entry statement.

 

[Rugby]

Last nights QF9 First wine list attached - unfortunately it was pretty much quaffer central. The food and service was top notch. The champagne was the Veuve La Grand Dame which I hadn't had before and I liked, but after a couple of glasses of fizz I'm ready to move on. When we got to the Emirates lounge in Dubai i had a quick shower and ordered a breakfast Moët while waiting for Mrs Rugby. After the Moët arrived I noticed a couple of bottles of wine out of the corner of my eye near the serving area. I went for a look and one of the bottles was a 2008 Penfolds 707.....game on! Mrs Rugby and I finished a bottle - best breakfast ever. The food was excellent too. I know the lounge is not to everyones taste but I've always had top food and beverage.

 

[amaroo]

Last nights QF9 First wine list attached - unfortunately it was pretty much quaffer central. The food and service was top notch. The champagne was the Veuve La Grand Dame which I hadn't had before and I liked, but after a couple of glasses of fizz I'm ready to move on. When we got to the Emirates lounge in Dubai i had a quick shower and ordered a breakfast Moët while waiting for Mrs Rugby. After the Moët arrived I noticed a couple of bottles of wine out of the corner of my eye near the serving area. I went for a look and one of the bottles was a 2008 Penfolds 707.....game on! Mrs Rugby and I finished a bottle - best breakfast ever. The food was excellent too. I know the lounge is not to everyones taste but I've always had top food and beverage.

Sad to see QF9 wine selection is as rubbish as QF1&2...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

If it's any consolation the Leeuwin Estate Arts Series Cab Sav offered on QF F is significantly superior to Teusner Albert Shiraz offered on SQ F recently - IMHO of course.

 

[boomy]

Sad to see QF9 wine selection is as rubbish as QF1&2...

So basically if someone wants to sample some of QF's premium wines they don't need to fly F, just purchase a cheap JQd fare and ask for the decanter special in the F lounge

 

[burmans]

If it's any consolation the Leeuwin Estate Arts Series Cab Sav offered on QF F is significantly superior to Teusner Albert Shiraz offered on SQ F recently - IMHO of course.

Methinks Ive heard you mention the Albert elsewhere, personally I like it but yes, maybe not an F grade wine.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Still compiling the pics and reports from fabulous 4 days tasting in the Willamette Valley and may require waiting till we get home to cull the hundreds of photos and notes. But just a few tasters ... Full reports in my TR.


Says it all


Most unusual US variety that I love after a week chasing wines in Collio in NE Italy.

White Rose Dundee hills


Cristom in Eola-Amity Hills


Fabulous J.Christopher wines.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Oh and just a couple more...



WillaKenzie tasting




Clones! Clones!



WillaKenzi Pinots excellent. Their Chardonnay was the best of the trip.

 

[Daver6]

Last nights QF9 First wine list attached - unfortunately it was pretty much quaffer central. The food and service was top notch. The champagne was the Veuve La Grand Dame which I hadn't had before and I liked, but after a couple of glasses of fizz I'm ready to move on. When we got to the Emirates lounge in Dubai i had a quick shower and ordered a breakfast Moët while waiting for Mrs Rugby. After the Moët arrived I noticed a couple of bottles of wine out of the corner of my eye near the serving area. I went for a look and one of the bottles was a 2008 Penfolds 707.....game on! Mrs Rugby and I finished a bottle - best breakfast ever. The food was excellent too. I know the lounge is not to everyones taste but I've always had top food and beverage.

If those are wines you consider "quaffer central" you must be drinking some seriously good wines on a regular basis then!

 

[TheRealTMA]

If those are wines you consider "quaffer central" you must be drinking some seriously good wines on a regular basis then!

We are! And, seriously, for F at nominally $12-25K per trip, it's reasonable to expect wines as good as but preferably much better than one drinks at home. On EK, they get close. On QF, frankly nowhere near.

 

[QF WP]

Over in NZ (AKL) with good friends

The red wine for tonight (for the men)



Bought for our friends to say thanks for having us tonight:



Paired with roast pork, cracking and vegetables

 

[Deleted member]

Mate. Great stuff. You realise the weather is not looking flash for this weekend

 

[QF WP]

Okay, this has just come out of the oven



Time to finish the bottle - by myself

 

[TomVexille]

Okay, this has just come out of the oven

View attachment 49444

Time to finish the bottle - by myself

Poor you

 

[Steady]

Time to finish the bottle - by myself

Is there another way?

 

[amaroo]

Okay, this has just come out of the oven

View attachment 49444

Time to finish the bottle - by myself

Was going to say - very early dinner :shock: Then worked out you're in NZ - enjoy.

 

[Daver6]

Is there another way?

He might have spectators

 

[QF WP]

Is there another way?

Yes, with a friend- but he's still in ADL, flies back tomorrow but the bottle is now empty

 

[QF WP]

This is above my bed tonight. We reminisced about our last trip here and visits to Delegates, Mission, Church Road, Te Mata and Esk Valley