Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

Delectable Blue said:
Lindemans 1996 Bin 8850 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)

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I love Hunter Valley semillon, and I really love aged Hunter Valley semillon, especially after they reach that magical 20 year mark. I was lucky enough to pick up a handful of these babies at a Grays auction. Unfortunately they delivered them in 40 degree heat yesterday and by the time I got into air-conditioned comfort, three of the bottles had started leaking wine due to heat expansion. Thankfully after removing the capsules, all the corks appear to be in excellent condition. So it was just the transient delivery heat that caused the leaks. Oh well, I’ll just have to drink them before they spoil.

So to the spoils. Bottle 1 - All the elements are there, they are just taking some time to coax out of the wine - aged wine can be so contrary. I don’t like decanting aged wines as they can turn so quickly. After 15-20 minutes in the glass the wine really opened up beautifully. The nose is a delight, the lemon and herb aromas of youth are giving over to those aged toasty honeyed flavours so typical of the region. The palate follows suit, there are still mouthfuls of zesty lemon along with a vein of minerality, and a hint of beeswax. Those complex aged flavours keep pushing on long after the finish. Exquisite!

The good news is the wine still has great structure and acid balance and would probably last another decade if that last cork holds out.
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Another supurb review DB.....you haven't bin mucking around with your recent purchases just as I have bin with some Belgravia guwertzers. It seems you picked up the older brother with less of a tan and 405 less canisters. Great pickup.
 
Delectable Blue said:
Lindemans 1996 Bin 8850 Reserve Semillon (Hunter Valley)







The good news is the wine still has great structure and acid balance and would probably last another decade if that last cork holds out.
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I have constant problems with the corks of older Tyrell's white wine (even Vat 1 and Vat 47), to the point I cannot trust the quality of the wine anymore.
 
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I though I'd share with you the bill from the Oyster Bar and fish restaurant opposite the Noel Coward theatre in London.

The price for three glasses of mediocre whites was enlightening. Then they add service charge to the total. :)

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As I transition this weekend from the mad two-faced fun of Club Med, Bali to the 'normal' life I lead back in Sydney, it was nice to kick back with family tonight with the very nice:

Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005


On Vivino, I have just posted the following tasting note:

Vivino - Balnaves The Tally 2005

"A fine and balanced 4.2 from me. The nose is alluring with rich, sweet black fruits and vanillin oak. The palate is beautifully balanced, with tightly framed tannins, showcasing the hard work of Pete Bissell and the finest parcels of the Dead Morris and Walker Vineyards of this Coonawarra legendary winery. There's blackberries, dark cherries and charry-like cedar oak notes on the palate, and a touch of bay leaf and spice to finish. Halliday gave it 96 and Langtons classify it as Outstanding. Totally agree."

​

Why was Club Med two-faced? And why was I glad to be back drinking The Tally?

Well. One minute you were lapping up the infinity pool / butler service treatment of the adults-only Zen Pool. And next there would be staff riding on Bali scooters tooting horns in front of 200 kids club - enthusiasm crazed - children as they set up a slip and slide party! It sounds horrendous, I know. But, it was quite telling that Club Med was completely full of happy holiday makers (well, except for those quieter, introverted types who didn't read Trip Advisor). And, many of the fancy-smancy 5 stars resorts nearby that were full of bored staff with not many guests to look after. Also, the adults stuff was largely kept very separate from the frolics of the family stuff. I was dreading it, as I had a good idea of what to expect, but glad I was pleasantly surprised.




On the wine front, I didn't fair so well. When I got excited at a nice wine on the wine menu (at Club Med and the nearby fancy 5 star resorts), I would then feel immediate disappointment at the 5 star ++ prices. Most of it was pretty ordinary Southern French fare, with fancy names and Left and Right Bank blar, blar, blar. But it was often tainted - no doubt because it must be bloody hard to store wine in tropical Bali - or was pretty ordinary compared to the great stuff I drink in the 95 + range in Australia.

I also had my first Balinese wines from Hatten Wines. If you must, the Rose (their flagship wine) was undrinkable for me, the red was right up Dan's alley and lacking in many ways without being offensive in the slightest, and the white was actually quite nice. Especially when paired with their amazing spicy Balinese food.

And so it was great to kick back with the outlaws tonight, with The Tally 05, to share all the wonderful memories we had from a great trip to Bali. And it was great to get back to drinking some nice Aussie wine again.
 
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MAAAATE, Bali bagus, that's what they all say, but give me a cold beer anytime of the day. A thousand tampons washed up on a beach, club med is to relax and not to impeach.

What do you expect in that sort of weather, not great for shiraz you can stroke me with a feather.

You mentioned 'Hatten wines's Rose was undrinkable to me", you should have grabbed the porcelain bowl and drank your own pee.

It couldn't have been that bad as the white was quite drinkable, all those clammy days and nights and you start to think of the unthinkablbe.

How long to go and where does it all end,

Till a waiter comes along, buys you a drink and becomes a new friend.

Bali bagus !
 
2008 Penfolds Chardonnay Reserve Bin 08A Light gold. Medium intensity nose of white peach, cashews, white grapefruit and hints of oak. The palate is where the party's at here. White grapefruit, peach, nuttiness and spiciness (oak?). Incredibly long finish.

This is a fantastic wine, but I'm starting to think I prefer this a little younger. Either way, the Reserve Bin is one of my favourite Australian Chardonnays and for me much more interesting than the Yattarna.

92 points
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Pinot Night!
Helen and Joey "Layla" the standout and still available from the ‘Fo. Get some. But if you dislike pinot, but love Penfolds shiraz, then the Penfolds Bin 23 Adelaide Hills Pinot should tickle you. But then you’d have to ask, why bother??
 
My first bot of Layla in November's pinot six was sublime and prompted me to buy a case. The first bot from the new straight case strangely did not 'seem' to taste the same. I did mention this to a big Layla fan in Delectable Blue in the Sydney meeting, but seeing many speak so impressively about it ensures I should retest soon.Damn odd thing this wine isn't it....anyone else with such a paradox out there in Fo world...or other.
 
Not that one but I did get a Margaret River red that was gritty and it was just one out of six. To their credit it was replaced. These things do happen and it can be just one out of a 6 case or a dozen of a winemakers best.
When you get one with a tart taste is the most likely cause that there were grapes used that were not ripe?
 

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