Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Sedimental]

Okay - cancel my AFF membership, remove my posts, they must be tainted! You thought you knew him, but he turned out to be one of those Sauv Blanc New Zealand lovers!! What's happened to him? I hear you cry!

Well. I have just given 4 stars to the:

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Awatere Valley Marlborough - Sauvignon Blanc 2015

[insert picture]

Not only that. Apparently the winemaker is convinced the vines should have opera billowed out to them 24hrs a day! They actually do it - 24/7!! I have totally lost it! For some context, my Vivino tasting note said:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/113615826

"A highly aromatic and nuanced 4.0 from me. The wife said get me a nice SB, I don't like that Chardonnay and Riesling rubbish you keep bringing back! [insert Hunter Semillon in that camp too!] Then Kemneys came to the rescue selling 'the best SB in the world' and countless other accolades. I had to get it, especially at $19 a bottle. The nose is magnificent, as huge plumes of tropical fruits fill the room - yes the room! The palate is mouth filling, and lifts as the fruit and acid deliver a fine tropical fruit and minerally finish that lasts an age."

In the more detailed notes, I mentioned it was closed on the first night and quite minerally. On the third night of being in the fridge and letting it warm up, it was quite a magnificent wine [I can't believe I am saying that!] In terms of the nose: along with citrus fruits and minerals, there's a distinct smell of something I couldn't quite pick (the bottle said herbs). In terms of flavour: citrus fruits, orange, apple, pink grapefruit and slate. In terms of the finish: it was sharp and dry, but lingered long.

And the Million Dollar question - did Mrs Wozza approve?

No..!!

Oh well. At least I tried!

Wozza, that'll learn Ya! Stick to your guns my friend!

 

[Sedimental]

View attachment 65255
View attachment 65257
Sampling one of my 2013 Tassie Pinots tonight - strawberries and cream come to mind, light body and long finish - similarities to a rose. I've not had a Pinot that tastes like this before, very nice

In deed a very good wine. Owned by Shaw & Smith these days. Tasted this against some esteemed company in a structured event a while back. At this price point the Ata Rangi from Central Otago had my attention, but variety is the spice of life.

 

[Sedimental]

Sunday night Pinots: fabulous COs

View attachment 65164
Akarua loverly.
Chard Farm excellent.
Pisa Range brilliant, what Central Otago Pinots were and should be. Forest floor, cassis, depth, wonderful tannins, long finish. Simply marvellous especially for a 10 yo! Much more life in it yet.

Ah, the Pisa Range you have recommended before which I've neglected to follow up. Can these be sourced locally or only via cellar door?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Ah, the Pisa Range you have recommended before which I've neglected to follow up. Can these be sourced locally or only via cellar door?

Dunno! We buy direct. Sell your children for a few bottles! Simply fabulous.

maybe try http://www.pinotnow.com.au/Wineries/New-Zealand/Pisa-Range-Estate.asp

 

[beefarmer]

Okay - cancel my AFF membership, remove my posts, they must be tainted! You thought you knew him, but he turned out to be one of those Sauv Blanc New Zealand lovers!! What's happened to him? I hear you cry!

Well. I have just given 4 stars to the:

Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Awatere Valley Marlborough - Sauvignon Blanc 2015

[insert picture]

Not only that. Apparently the winemaker is convinced the vines should have opera billowed out to them 24hrs a day! They actually do it - 24/7!! I have totally lost it! For some context, my Vivino tasting note said:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/113615826

"A highly aromatic and nuanced 4.0 from me. The wife said get me a nice SB, I don't like that Chardonnay and Riesling rubbish you keep bringing back! [insert Hunter Semillon in that camp too!] Then Kemneys came to the rescue selling 'the best SB in the world' and countless other accolades. I had to get it, especially at $19 a bottle. The nose is magnificent, as huge plumes of tropical fruits fill the room - yes the room! The palate is mouth filling, and lifts as the fruit and acid deliver a fine tropical fruit and minerally finish that lasts an age."

In the more detailed notes, I mentioned it was closed on the first night and quite minerally. On the third night of being in the fridge and letting it warm up, it was quite a magnificent wine [I can't believe I am saying that!] In terms of the nose: along with citrus fruits and minerals, there's a distinct smell of something I couldn't quite pick (the bottle said herbs). In terms of flavour: citrus fruits, orange, apple, pink grapefruit and slate. In terms of the finish: it was sharp and dry, but lingered long.

And the Million Dollar question - did Mrs Wozza approve?

No..!!

Oh well. At least I tried!

At least your Valentines day was better than mine Woz. I have a serious question for you, and others who could shed a light.

In this example of your sauv blanc, (by coincidence Saturday nights third wine was a Chinook Savvy that wasn't too bad, not too harsh but certainly a bit bitey at the end. Lower end of the scale that wine I think as I didnt bring it, but it was quite nice on the night. Wozza, you mentioned tasting yours over three nights. Most of us do not do this SO if one has a wine like that and it drinks the best on day 3, does that mean you open it up likewise and just keep it like that till the third day. Some wines really evolve over a day or two, but I probably don't have the liberty to exercise restrainment due to working the odd night. Mostly my bott is 80 per cent empty because its good to start.

If I haven't expressed the conundrum adequately enough, I am sure you will get my train of thinking. If you had 3,4,5,6 or whatever of this variant, would you simply think that with the acidity evident makes this wine a keeper and then just rest away the remaining bottles for a period of time say 2 years. In the case of some reds, many , many years hibernation can be standard. It is why we see great pictures of older vintages on this forum.

Back to steadys Tolpuddle pinot, again the background of this wine with international accolades is amazing. As he said, a very unusual style but a fantastic pinot. I finished my sunday dinner with the one I took, Byron and Harold rose and thorns pinot 2014. I thought it was supurb. that was on the table as the Taylors 2014 shirazs dinner partner and definitely did not become a shrinking violet. great body, cherries and red berries, not too sweet. first ever, really loved it. Then again, Valentines day ended very well.

 

[Wozza]

At least your Valentines day was better than mine Woz. I have a serious question for you, and others who could shed a light.

In this example of your sauv blanc, (by coincidence Saturday nights third wine was a Chinook Savvy that wasn't too bad, not too harsh but certainly a bit bitey at the end. Lower end of the scale that wine I think as I didnt bring it, but it was quite nice on the night. Wozza, you mentioned tasting yours over three nights. Most of us do not do this SO if one has a wine like that and it drinks the best on day 3, does that mean you open it up likewise and just keep it like that till the third day. Some wines really evolve over a day or two, but I probably don't have the liberty to exercise restrainment due to working the odd night. Mostly my bott is 80 per cent empty because its good to start.

If I haven't expressed the conundrum adequately enough, I am sure you will get my train of thinking. If you had 3,4,5,6 or whatever of this variant, would you simply think that with the acidity evident makes this wine a keeper and then just rest away the remaining bottles for a period of time say 2 years. In the case of some reds, many , many years hibernation can be standard. It is why we see great pictures of older vintages on this forum.

Back to steadys Tolpuddle pinot, again the background of this wine with international accolades is amazing. As he said, a very unusual style but a fantastic pinot. I finished my sunday dinner with the one I took, Byron and Harold rose and thorns pinot 2014. I thought it was supurb. that was on the table as the Taylors 2014 shirazs dinner partner and definitely did not become a shrinking violet. great body, cherries and red berries, not too sweet. first ever, really loved it. Then again, Valentines day ended very well.

No science behind Day 3 on this one, Beefarmer. Just circumstance. The wife insisted on a Sauv B before a great night out. It was pretty tight, not much nose or palate. She complained. And I tipped mine down the sink. That night was so good, we both paid for it the next day. You know the ones, when you have had one too many, roll in at 12:30, and the kids come bounding in just before 6 am the next morning?! So I didn't touch it again over the weekend. I was pretty confident it would hold up though. I knew it was closed, and I know Whites seem to last longer than Reds once opened. Especially the fruity, acidic ones. Also, it doesn't win best Sauv B in the world at one of the international awards and best wine of NZ, get a 96, and score countless other accolades, on what I experienced that first night.

Shame you didn't get on with the Think Outdise The Circle - I had a sixth sense it wasn't going to be for me. I had the same with the St George 12, but still got a 6 pack purely because it was going so cheaply at $25 a bottle. It wasn't for me, so I have now agreed to swap all but one which I'll open in 10 yrs to come. I am sure I'll regret the swap, but life's too short to wait on a wine for 10 yrs that you may or may not still like.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Wozza, you mentioned tasting yours over three nights. Most of us do not do this SO if one has a wine like that and it drinks the best on day 3, does that mean you open it up likewise and just keep it like that till the third day. Some wines really evolve over a day or two, but I probably don't have the liberty to exercise restrainment due to working the odd night. Mostly my bott is 80 per cent empty because its good to start.

I can't speak for Wozza, but most of our whites are drunk over 3-4 nights - usually have a smallish glass of something as an aperitiff whilst preparing or before dinner, and then move onto something dedicated for dinner (whether a red or another white). I find that decent quality whites will survive quite well in the fridge for up to 5 or even 6 days. Just let it warm up a little in your glass after pouring.

 

[Steady]

This has opened up nicely a few hours in. While I'm sure it has many years left it, it is very smooth and balanced now

 

[Buzzard]

Valentines day ended very well.

Ahhh, Happy Ending, I like that.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

This has opened up nicely a few hours in. While I'm sure it has many years left it, it is very smooth and balanced now

Good to know. Seen a couple of places pushing this. Halliday gave it a 90 from memory and other critics were mixed. I guess it's not as easy to move with the reviews. How does it compare to other shiraz mourvedre blends?

 

[Buzzard]

The one I'm drinking has some age, A bit spicey with a slightly floral touch. The one +1 is drinking is, well, ......
Guess which one I'm drinking

 

[Steady]

Good to know. Seen a couple of places pushing this. Halliday gave it a 90 from memory and other critics were mixed. I guess it's not as easy to move with the reviews. How does it compare to other shiraz mourvedre blends?

I haven't had any other straight Shiraz/Mourvede blends so I cannot compare it to anything. (I like GSM blends with Mourvede though)

I can say I look forward to trying more in the future.

 

[drross]

In deed a very good wine. Owned by Shaw & Smith these days. Tasted this against some esteemed company in a structured event a while back. At this price point the Ata Rangi from Central Otago had my attention, but variety is the spice of life.

great night, great wines

 

[beefarmer]

View attachment 65354
This has opened up nicely a few hours in. While I'm sure it has many years left it, it is very smooth and balanced now

Didn't know you liked SM better than a GSM...would never have picked it.

 

[blackcat20]

Some rather lovely wine was had at our house last night, in company of another AFFer.

 

[penegal]

Some rather lovely wine was had at our house last night, in company of another AFFer.

And you didn't invite me, or do you mean TV?

 

[blackcat20]

And you didn't invite me, or do you mean TV?

We're still waiting for an invite from you! And no, I dont mean TV, though he was obviously there.

 

[Steady]

Started early today with a '12 Bin 9. This is a wine I think will age beautifully but it is also drinking nicely now. Reasonably long finish with a balance between tannin, acid and fruit that I like.

While P wines are overpriced I find them to be reliable and consistent (It's a shame QF couldn't do the same, it does the over priced bit without too much effort - gee it would be nice if they managed the second bit.)

 

[penegal]

We're still waiting for an invite from you! And no, I dont mean TV, though he was obviously there.

Must be someone controversial given you haven't said who...


Yeah - I'll set something up soon. Time to return the favour, etc... I am trying to learn to cook vegetarian so our "other friend who isn't on AFF" has something to eat.

You're welcome to be like CE and show up at my place when I'm not there, but I don't imagine it would be very fun.

 

[drross]

View attachment 65377
Started early today with a '12 Bin 9. This is a wine I think will age beautifully but it is also drinking nicely now. Reasonably long finish with a balance between tannin, acid and fruit that I like.

While P wines are overpriced I find them to be reliable and consistent (It's a shame QF couldn't do the same, it does the over priced bit without too much effort - gee it would be nice if they managed the second bit.)

how early???