Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

Tonight's drop, to go with the violent thunderstorms. I've only ever had one bottle of this ever before, and it was a much younger wine, so probably not comparable.

This had a non-offensive nose, colour a darkish red. But taste wise - a bit thin and lacking the complexity that I'd expect from a top-end Shiraz - could be past its best. That said, maybe I'm just ignorant of the style, and it should be a simple, straight-forward, no-nonsense drink.

I have some more of these, as well as a few 2005s stashed away, so I might do a comparison when the weather gets a bit cooler.

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A 2010 Penfolds Merlot at SYD Flounge last Thursday. Nice and smooth.

I have one of these hidden away that I picked up on a visit to Penfolds cellar door and have been kicking myself I didn't get more. (I paid $35-)
 
Can't remember why I bought this one.. maybe some DM special.. anyway..
Just to show that I do drink something other than champagne...
Gave this one a try :)
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First sip not spectacular but with the Uppy patented spag bol (that's me scrounging for the left overs that have been sitting in the fridge for a few days.. think I have added the aged component to Jamie Oliver's original recipe :) ) it was ok.. I'm no Wozza or JohnM but I think I prefer something more "fruity"..

Edit: Oops.. just read the last line of the label.. breathing is recommended... blah.. all this work.. no wonder I normally drink champagne :)
 
Tried this tonight - a speculative purchase, as I'm not normally a straight merlot drinker:

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As an intermission, can I say that I heartily endorse the Monopol Ah-so. For many years I've been using a Trudeau Trulever, which is a great implement for younger corks - haven't seen anything else like it around, and it's still going strong after nearly 20 years of service. I love how you can fit the device with one hand, and then by just repeating the one action, pull the cork, and then have it discharge the cork from the screw. But like most (all?) corkscrews, it doesn't handle the brittle older corks well. I've had no issues with the Monopol for the past 6+ months I've had it, and for the price, you can't go wrong IMHO.

Trulever:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=trudeau+corkscrew+trulever&tbm=isch
Trulever Corkscrew - Trudeau Corporation - Kitchen and Table Products, Bar and Wine Accessories

Monopol:
Monopol - Ah-So Cork Puller | Peter's of Kensington

Anyway, back to the wine before this turns into a Beefarmer(c) epic :) Cork didn't look good. Nose - plum I would say, and old wine mustiness. Palate - after the first glass, I was thinking it was past it's best. But given another couple of hours, it's starting to taste smoother, fruitier, though still with a bit of a bitter aftertaste. Not being a merlot drinker, I don't really know how to rate this, but it is definitely drinking much better now than it was two hours ago. I will seal the rest for tomorrow and see if I can better define what this taste like. It went from something I was going to pour down the sink, to something I actually like drinking, so might just have to investigate the merlot scene. :)
 
Nah. That was an injoke because RC told them to bugger off. Plus, in the film context, that also was a problem with Cabernet Franc, as well. :)

I am aware of that - we have discussed (or should that be: we had a 'conversation' :rolleyes::rolleyes: about) this waaay upthread. I also probably mentioned at that time another in-joke in the film: where they named Fess Parker Winery (worth a visit BTW - as is doing the whole Sideways Wine Trail - and where Miles tips the spittoon over himself) 'Frass Valley'. Frass is insect cough...

You actually spoilt it for me revealing the DRC knock-back; till that point, I was crediting the directors with an excellent, albeit extraordinary for Americans, originality of irony.
 
Happy champagne Friday!
We are taking advantage of the empty house to make a start on the Christmas present wrapping.. With a glass (or two) of Bollinger :)
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Like Beefarmer, I am on the white tonight having had some great (WineMarket bargain) reds over the course of this week. I'll report separately on those. But for now, I am (slightly tipsily) revealing my best white under $50 for 2015. Admittedly, I have steered clear of the Rieslings this year, so I suspect there are plenty of better Aussie whites in the under $50 category. But here it is:

the PHI Lusatia Park Single Vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2012

It's got a 96 from both Halliday and Stelzer, some Gold and a few 95s. John - the main Fo buyer - said it was his best Chardonnay of 2015. I agree.

{insert picture when at a desktop}

On Vivino I have just reported:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/9857022

"My best (under $50) white of 2015 and a humble 4.3 from me. The nose is shy, but the fruit and acid combine to produce this powerful journey through the palate. Its immediately mouth filling, with a warm, creamy, minerally start. It leads into a sharp stone and citrus fruits finish that goes on for more than 1 minute. This is a great single vineyard collaboration between two Aussie greats: De Bortoli and Shelmerdine. If you like lively, fruit and acid driven Chardonnay's, then you won't be disappointed."

It's a powerful white that I think will get better with some bottle age. In fact, I may even keep one back for 10 years if I have the will power (and Mrs Wozza doesn't put another one in the kids pasta)!! Just serve it a touch below room temperature for its best results.

It's a stunning white and 4.3 stars out of 5 from me.
 
I paid $70 for this "Petaluma" wine tonight. I NEEDED to try it.., while Mrs D is at the Elton John concert.
I don't rate it above Rymill or Majella.........
 

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