Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[burmans]

Sideways, and not a merlot in sight!

I have this on the bench ready to drink, so what's it like (I..e. Should I really crack that bottle).

 

[TheRealTMA]

Sunday Night Pinots: Extraordinary Pinot from Akarua. This was bottle 1023 of 2187 produced. Just forest floor nose, exceptional fruit, depth, loverly velvet tannins. Fabulous. Pity I don't have bottle 1022, 1021 and 1025!

 

[tehuringa]

A couple over the weekend:

2014 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud - delicious Côtes du Rhône, juicy, crunchy fruit and energetic palate. Lovely Stuff

2010 Katnook Estate Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon - looking really good but could do with a few years rest in the cellar

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Sat: 2003 Petaluma Coonawarra paired with Spag Bol - still going strong. Good with the robust spag bol. Nice hearty food after visiting the snow up in the Blue Mountains.
Sun: 2011 Penfolds Bin 150 with Shephard's pie. Another big red. Whilst supposedly not a great vintage, it tasted just fine to me.

 

[Sedimental]

Girlfriend's 50th. Something to ease the pain of washing up!

Just don't tell MrsSed

 

[penegal]

Girlfriend's 50th. Something to ease the pain of washing up!

Just don't tell MrsSed

Thoughts? I am probably going to crack one of them in the next few weeks when I visit my house.

 

[Sedimental]

Thoughts? I am probably going to crack one of them in the next few weeks when I visit my house.

Surprisingly lean, almost cool climate style. French oak. Focused palate. Good varietal expression. I don't have anotherbut wouldn't be in a hurry to open the next. Suggest lay down for a few more years.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Some of what I've sampled while travelling in LOTFAP. I highly recommend the Bucklin Zin. I had it with pork belly, followed by NY steak.

 

[Buzzard]

The thing I like about my new Antler Carry On ($89 delivered!) is that you can fit in 3 bottles and there is still plenty of space for clothing.

 

[Steady]

The packaging is interesting, is it recycled from wine you purchased or have you purchased it new?

 

[penegal]

A few of us went to the Inaugural Cullen Family and Friends lunch in Melbourne on Sunday.

The lunch showcased current release Cullen wines including the new 2013 Kevin John Chardonnay and the 2013 Diana Madeline (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc). The 2013 vintage in Margaret River was a tough one with some unseasonal weather reducing yields substantially. A tribute to the quality of the Cullen vines, and Vanya's amazing ability as a winemaker both of these wines hold their own. This year both wines can easily be enjoyed young or with a couple of years cellaring, but I doubt they will last as long as other years.

For me the real surprise of the tasting was the 2014 Amber White. A Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend made with skin contact, giving the wine it's Amber hue and name. The food at the lunch was excellent, and well paired to the wine, as I have come to expect from the European.

Overall an excellent long lunch, and a quiet glass of Champagne afterwards.

 

[Steady]

A few of us went to the Inaugural Cullen Family and Friends lunch in Melbourne on Sunday.

The lunch showcased current release Cullen wines including the new 2013 Kevin John Chardonnay and the 2013 Diana Madeline (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc). The 2013 vintage in Margaret River was a tough one with some unseasonal weather reducing yields substantially. A tribute to the quality of the Cullen vines, and Vanya's amazing ability as a winemaker both of these wines hold their own. This year both wines can easily be enjoyed young or with a couple of years cellaring, but I doubt they will last as long as other years.

Thanks for this report penegal, how long would the Diana Madeline normally cellar for?

 

[OATEK]

Nice little drop with bolognese tonight.

 

[Buzzard]

The packaging is interesting, is it recycled from wine you purchased or have you purchased it new?

For the Rockford & Penfolds I used the inner from an Australia Post wine pack, the Hallet came in the wooden package.

 

[JohnM]

Our tasting tonight had the theme of Cabernet Sauvignon blends - ie. had to have a significant other variety or varieties present sufficient to meet the labelling laws for >15% non-cab sav. Nine folks in attendance, so nine wines.

Eclectic selection ranging from 1998 to 2012, small and large producers, all Australian and several regions. All good wines.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Thanks for this report penegal, how long would the Diana Madeline normally cellar for?

Diana Madeline is one of Australia's top cabernets, so think the 10+ year bracket, similar to Bin 707/Mount Mary Quintet/Tally Reserve etc.

That said, I'm surprised that they describe the 2013 as a difficult year - Langtons seems to think 2013 was a pretty good year for WA shiraz and cabernet: https://www.langtons.com.au/Content/pdf/VintageChart.pdf

 

[MadMick10]

I cracked open a few of my Dan's purchases the other night. The first one was the 2009 Leconfield Cab Sav, which was a nice wine. Plenty of fruit and body.




Then last night, the wife and I opened the 2008 Wynns Cab Sav, and I must say I was disappointed with it. It had a nice aroma and was easy drinking, but it just was a bit ... meh ... for me. Mrs MadMick liked it but her taste buds a different to mine. I've got some 2012's of this wine, which in my opinion has a lot more character than the 2008.

 

[Steady]

Diana Madeline is one of Australia's top cabernets, so think the 10+ year bracket, similar to Bin 707/Mount Mary Quintet/Tally Reserve etc.

That said, I'm surprised that they describe the 2013 as a difficult year - Langtons seems to think 2013 was a pretty good year for WA shiraz and cabernet: https://www.langtons.com.au/Content/pdf/VintageChart.pdf

I thought the same and purchased a few '13 to be bedded down for the long term - they can stay there for the moment

 

[penegal]

Thanks for this report penegal, how long would the Diana Madeline normally cellar for?

Certainly 10+ years. Halliday usually says 25, but I think 15-20 is more realistic depending on vintage.

For the 2013 I will probably consume in the next 7, with a taste bottle in a year or two.

 

[penegal]

Diana Madeline is one of Australia's top cabernets, so think the 10+ year bracket, similar to Bin 707/Mount Mary Quintet/Tally Reserve etc.

That said, I'm surprised that they describe the 2013 as a difficult year - Langtons seems to think 2013 was a pretty good year for WA shiraz and cabernet: https://www.langtons.com.au/Content/pdf/VintageChart.pdf

I thought the same and purchased a few '13 to be bedded down for the long term - they can stay there for the moment

The fruit is of excellent quality, just there was a lot less of it than previous vintages. I believe it rained at vintage which can be very difficult for a winemaker. Both are excellent wines, but they won't enjoy the longevity of previous vintages.

Having tasted it, a good way to describe it is "Good, but less 'knock your socks off' than previous vintages".