Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Wozza]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

So I poured the remaining half a bottle of Parous Barossa Valley Shiraz 12 down the sink - it was just too oaky for my tastes. And so it's destined for some poor bugger's Salvation Case. After the Parous went in to the recycling bin, out popped it's savour for the next two nights:

the Willoughby Park Kalgan Ironrock Shiraz 2012



This was a lovely, well-balanced wine. It's only negative - the dominant oak! How ironic after what I had just poured down the sink! But the fruit was from select parcels, and had the small batch, hand plunged, blardy-blar-blar treatment. On Vivino I reported:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/26124879

"It's got a Halliday 96, and I want to give it 4 stars to match. But the American Oak is just a tiny bit dominant. So it's 3.8 from me. There are mainly blueberries on the nose, with the American Oak notes coming through. The palate is oh so smooth and vibrant, as the blueberries, cherries and blackberries work seamlessly with the French and American Oak to produce a fine tasting wine. There's a lovely sweet mouthfeel to this wine, that ends with a light peppery finish. It's very moorish and a fine wine."

3.8 stars out of 5 from me.

It's sweet and nicely layered, but I can't help but think the amazing fruit has been over cooked with the 18 month French and American Oak treatment. It's just trying a little too hard. At $55 RRP it's a bit over the mark. But I am happy with the Vino mof_ price paid.

 

[beefarmer]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

So I poured the remaining half a bottle of Parous Barossa Valley Shiraz 12 down the sink - it was just too oaky for my tastes. And so it's destined for some poor bugger's Salvation Case. After the Parous went in to the recycling bin, out popped it's savour for the next two nights:

the Willoughby Park Kalgan Ironrock Shiraz 2012

View attachment 59818

This was a lovely, well-balanced wine. It's only negative - the dominant oak! How ironic after what I had just poured down the sink! But the fruit was from select parcels, and had the small batch, hand plunged, blardy-blar-blar treatment. On Vivino I reported:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/26124879

"It's got a Halliday 96, and I want to give it 4 stars to match. But the American Oak is just a tiny bit dominant. So it's 3.8 from me. There are mainly blueberries on the nose, with the American Oak notes coming through. The palate is oh so smooth and vibrant, as the blueberries, cherries and blackberries work seamlessly with the French and American Oak to produce a fine tasting wine. There's a lovely sweet mouthfeel to this wine, that ends with a light peppery finish. It's very moorish and a fine wine."

3.8 stars out of 5 from me.

It's sweet and nicely layered, but I can't help but think the amazing fruit has been over cooked with the 18 month French and American Oak treatment. It's just trying a little too hard. At $55 RRP it's a bit over the mark. But I am happy with the Vino mof_ price paid.

Nice review Wozza, one that puts quality and value back into a vinomofo purchase. Willoughby Park I think is another of those wineries that we used to say about Brown Brothers decades ago, - "You never get a bad wine from Browns" .
That over oaked wine used to be a very popular thing to produce a while ago. Sure there are fans of it, but less as times go on. Same thing happened with Chardy. Synerjism is what all of us love, when fruit moulds with oak and an explosion occurs. There has to be a historical reference point for the over use of oak going back many years. We know Robert Parker loved higher alcohol wines and caused a sensation with that premise. But like all things, changes occur and the truth is in the final tasting. Problem is, there's only one vintage annually so if you stuff up, down goes your credo.

From my experience, leaving a wine like this for a long time only mellows the oak treatment a little. This is not a Tahbilk Marsanne. This is seriously good fruit and great cooperage, overdone a bit.

 

[Delectable Blue]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

That over oaked wine used to be a very popular thing to produce a while ago. Sure there are fans of it, but less as times go on. Same thing happened with Chardy.

I may be showing my age, but for what it's worth, I didn't find the Willoughby Park Ironrock terribly over oaked. It's certainly not what I would put into the oak-monster category (like some older Penfolds *cough*). I don't mind a bit of oak coming through in a shiraz, there is definitely room for that variant in the market.

 

[TomVexille]

2010 Bulls Blood tonight

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

I promised to give my review of the Parous Barossa Valley Shiraz 2012.

Unfortunately for me, this is a work in progress that I am not willing to be patient over.

I concur. Some people might like this, but it's not my cup of tea. Unrefined, and will take years of cellaring to get to an enjoyable state (if at all). I left it for a day, and it was even worse (if that's possible) on day 2. Poured it down the sink.

Turned to something else from Barossa, which I can report is in excellent drinking condition. Fruity, with a hint of that aged-wine mustiness. Big, bold, quintessential Barossa Shiraz!

 

[Wozza]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

I concur. Some people might like this, but it's not my cup of tea. Unrefined, and will take years of cellaring to get to an enjoyable state (if at all). I left it for a day, and it was even worse (if that's possible) on day 2. Poured it down the sink.

Turned to something else from Barossa, which I can report is in excellent drinking condition. Fruity, with a hint of that aged-wine mustiness. Big, bold, quintessential Barossa Shiraz!

View attachment 59832

It did get worse didn't it - the fruit disappearing into new oak heaven. So many raved about the Parous 10 on here I pressed the instant BOOM button thinking it would be something similar. What a shame.

So I pull out the Ironrock Shiraz 12 and you up the stakes with a Command 06! Just look at the colour coming off that cork - amazing...

Remind me never to accept a game of poker with you, AC!! I need to jump back on Langtons to pick up some of these Commands. You make them sound irresistible. When's next pay day ...!

 

[Wozza]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

I may be showing my age, but for what it's worth, I didn't find the Willoughby Park Ironrock terribly over oaked. It's certainly not what I would put into the oak-monster category (like some older Penfolds *cough*). I don't mind a bit of oak coming through in a shiraz, there is definitely room for that variant in the market.

Good to hear, DB. It's a lovely wine, isn't it? The oak notes I am picking are not the horrible woody ones - Don't mention Parous 12! - but the sweet blueberries on the nose and palate and the light pepper finish, presumably coming from the 18 months in French and American Oak. It was just a touch overdone / trying a bit too hard, and not nailing it for my tastes. Which was a shame, as I could taste the quality fruit. It's like watching a re-run of David Beckham's greatest goals and then following it up with Posh Spice's greatest hits!! - time for some age-showing of my own! - together they make a great couple and lovely family, but that oak taking centre stage, trying a bit too hard, and trying to outshine that fruit ...!! It's just a bit wrong!

 

[Sedimental]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

A 2002 experience that won't be soon forgotten!
~
Not a bad wine here! The standouts in this stellar field were the Leonay, Centenary Hill and Old Block.

 

[Wozza]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

Nice review Wozza, one that puts quality and value back into a vinomofo purchase. Willoughby Park I think is another of those wineries that we used to say about Brown Brothers decades ago, - "You never get a bad wine from Browns" .
That over oaked wine used to be a very popular thing to produce a while ago. Sure there are fans of it, but less as times go on. Same thing happened with Chardy. Synerjism is what all of us love, when fruit moulds with oak and an explosion occurs. There has to be a historical reference point for the over use of oak going back many years. We know Robert Parker loved higher alcohol wines and caused a sensation with that premise. But like all things, changes occur and the truth is in the final tasting. Problem is, there's only one vintage annually so if you stuff up, down goes your credo.

From my experience, leaving a wine like this for a long time only mellows the oak treatment a little. This is not a Tahbilk Marsanne. This is seriously good fruit and great cooperage, overdone a bit.

Loving the synojism and cooperage uses, BF! I thought we had moved on from the big oak blockbusters, but it's still pretty prevalent, especially at the cheaper end of town. I must admit, I prefer my reds in the French Oak, rather than the American Oak or a mixture that favours the French Oak. Just a bit more subtle. I am thinking Amelia Park - such refined, beautiful wines.

 

[Wozza]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

A 2002 experience that won't be soon forgotten!
View attachment 59835~
Not a bad wine here! The standouts in this stellar field were the Leonay, Centenary Hill and Old Block.

Wow. You lucky thing, Sedimental.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

So I pull out the Ironrock Shiraz 12

The Ironrock is a keeper IMHO - opened a bottle soon after they arrived at a dinner party, and a second disappeared before I even noticed. Have put the remainder away where they won't be so easily opened

I need to jump back on Langtons to pick up some of these Commands. You make them sound irresistible. When's next pay day ...!

Big barossa shiraz isn't for everyone either. I think there's a bottle in the 6-pack you got, so maybe try that before committing to buying more.

 

[sietes]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

Had a very exciting/interesting wine dinner at cutler & co last night. Apologies if the photos don't come out that well. The 1953 Chateau Talbot was particularly exciting. Once the dust had blown off it was all about sweet fruit. Barely showing as older than a Bordeaux from a good 80's vintage (think 1982)

 

[Sedimental]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

sdevans11, what a line-up! Was this a privately organised function?

 

[sietes]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

Yes, a very carefully curated line-up for a private christmas dinner. Quite the night.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

Yes, a very carefully curated line-up for a private christmas dinner. Quite the night.

Given the wines, I agree!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Very nice aged NZ SV fron Kevin Judd's Greywacke vineyard. Wild yeasts and oak I believe. Cellared at 14C for 4 years. Lovely drinking, more like a soft aged Chardonnay than SV, lemon, lime, lycheefruits but integrated and refined, not in your face, nice finish with tannins on the back palate.



Gratuitous pic of flower vase included from MrsTMA's birthday!

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Good to know you liked the Greywacke - have a random Greywacke 2011(?) Pinot Gris I got gifted a few years ago that I'm thinking should probably be drunk this summer. Never heard of them before I got the bottle - expecting good things

Tonight's drop with wood-fired pizza. Tannins have softened greatly - very restrained and smooth IMHO

 

[JohnM]

Good to know you liked the Greywacke - have a random Greywacke 2011(?) Pinot Gris I got gifted a few years ago that I'm thinking should probably be drunk this summer. Never heard of them before I got the bottle - expecting good things

Tonight's drop with wood-fired pizza. Tannins have softened greatly - very restrained and smooth IMHO

View attachment 59863

2012 reviewed by Halliday in yesterday's Australian Magazine, and with general comments about Balnaves and their wines.

 

[Wozza]

My hate affair with over-doing the oak and really poor bricks-and-mortar retail wines continued over the weekend, as I got to attend a very fun 70s and 80s themed birthday party. Being the corporate city slave that I am, I duly went as an 80s yuppie, complete with my new found 80s phone:


Luckily for me, I came armed with my second bottle of the Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth 2008 which I had picked up - thanks to the Dan Murphys and Other thread - for a relative bargain. I must admit I was a little underwhelmed by my first bottle of the 08, having had it over the same weekend I opened my first KUPE Escarpment 2013 Pinot Noir. The KUPE made the First Growth seem pretty nice but not super special, as I was hoping.

It's amazing what context does. I shared this second First Growth 08 bottle with a few wine loving friends and we duly despatched it in no time. On Vivino I posted a revised review:

http://vivino.com/wines/2699916

"My second bottle of this Aussie Cab Sauv legend. Woolworths Wine Group have been shifting these 08s for between $38 and $55 a bottle, depending on the deal and outlet. Which is great for the everyday man wanting to spend a bit more to try such a wine. I see from the reviews below many of those people are happy, as am I. It's aged so well, right in my personal sweet spot of 5-8 years. The classy fruit dominates the nose and palate. I'd liken it to James Bond: ageing, but athletic and alluring, with a bit of an edge. For me, the 08s are drinking so well now. Balancing the black fruits with the secondary ageing characters from the French Oak. But maybe 2018 is the year to really enjoy these great WineMarket bargains. Enjoy if you got these too."

It's a solid 4.2 stars out of 5 from me.

So I stand humbly corrected from my initial review. Now having polished these off, I had two choices, both from Dan Murphys:

the Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz 2014

http://vivino.com/wines/6383666

and the Concha y Toro Frontera Pinot Noir 2014

http://vivino.com/wines/4528754

The Wynns had so much oak that all I could taste was this sickly sweet vanilla. The Frontera didn't make it past my tonsils. It was like drinking 80s cordial, which was very apt given the context! And so I was spared the ill effects of a boozy night and drank no more apart from water. It meant I woke up feeling nice and fresh the next morning duly staring at that crazy big phone!

 

[QF WP]

Found this one and intrigued to try it (but after dinner which actually would have been a decent pairing as it was an enchilada.



Was a bit concerned as there was questionable provenance, but upon opening I was pleasantly exposed to a decent bouquet, rather than the acidic one I was expecting. Should have decanted it, but I was in a hurry to try so poured and let it sit for 10 minutes. Was not disappointed. A bit of an oaky nose and cleared my nasal passages.

Almost nothing on the tongue yet a bit of astringency in the throat. Then I tried it with some cheese - swiss and cheddar and biscuits. Very nice...

Damn, I have to do some work now so I'd better not pour myself a second glass - still, something to look forward to tomorrow might.