Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[TomVexille]

my oh my, the food looks very intricate.and tasty..

Lamb was the best I've had. Just needed about 4 more pieces.

 

[Steady]

Thanks Wozza Reeled me in too. $15 delivery:shock:almost deterred me.

I almost jumped - got as far as the payment page and controlled myself (trying to save the wine budget for Buzzs tour).

the delivery to Tas would have been $10

 

[Alzoam]

Wozza.......there is no better thing than a recommendation from a mate......just ask Billy Brownless. Oh what, everyone lost their sense of humour all of a sudden ?? Touchy...sure !! Wozza, being from rugby land New South Wales would have no idea, but Alzoam, being a Sydney supporter understands. Back to the wine.

HARES CHASE Ironscraper Shiraz, Barossa Valley 20136 X $25.00
$150.00............................................. Wozza,
I am a bit disappointed as when I paid for the wines, I did not get that boom. Nil desperandum Woz, I am looking forward to the six pack.
So let me get out of this heavy font that I find hard to alter and discuss my imbibing tonight.

It certainly has a temperature theme to it.

just checked the inbox.....150 net by the looks
[TABLE="class: table table-condensed invoice-table"]
[TR]
[TD]HARES CHASE Ironscraper Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2013 [/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD="class: nowrap"]$25.00[/TD]
[TD="class: nowrap"]$13.64[/TD]
[TD="class: nowrap"]$150.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: payment-summary pull-right"]
[TR]
[TH]Sub-Total (excluding GST)[/TH]
[TD]$136.36[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]TOTAL GST[/TH]
[TD]$13.64[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Total (including GST)[/TH]
[TH]$150.00[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"]Payment Details[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Paid[/TH]
[TD]$150.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: due"]
[TH]Balance Owing[/TH]
[TH]$0.00[/TH]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Pretty sure wozza's recommendation is safer than Billy's old mate......
Anyone know if langtons offer a referral or first time order discount, would obviously help to sweeten the deal on this.

 

[QF WP]

Who'd have thought that some FF's could post 5,000 messages about wine Congrats to blackcat20 for the major post.

Now a night without my daughter (sleepover at grandparents) and my son will be in bed early because of all that energy expended at Auskick and swimming. Now to think about what wine I need to decant this afternoon for drinking tonight.

 

[Wozza]

Feeling like I've just got a steal of a new wine!

Currently, Hare's Chase is a side project for Peter Taylor. He's the current production manager at TWE. If he keeps producing wines like this, then TWE better get the Seek advert out!

What's the wine I am waxing lyrical about? Answer: the Hare's Chase Ironscraper Shiraz 2013.

View attachment 66641

Langtons sent out a pretty compelling email about this wine. They were clearly excited by it, using marketing puff (they are normally a bit more reserved) like:

"Ironscraper is a masterful expression of Barossa Shiraz - just what you would expect from a Penfolds Senior Red Winemaker." And: "This is a true insider's wine. Hare's Chase flagship Shiraz, Lepus, is $130 a bottle. Ironscraper is phenomenal value at $25." And: "Here's your chance to get in at the source. But there's not all that much of the 2013 Ironscraper, and insiders will be quick to grab their share. Be among them."

On Vivino, I have just posted the following (and first) tasting note:

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/90083650

"Wow. Sometimes you just know when a future star has just tickled your senses! So much so, this brand new Barossa Shiraz (with a dash of Cab Sauv) gets a rugged but elegant 4.2 from me.

It's the first wine released from the Hare's Chase Marananga Vineyard after the vines have come of age.

The bottle label describes a tough place, with ironstone bedrock, little rain and hares living amongst the vines. And at the winemaking helm is Peter Taylor (production manager for TWE!).

Langtons said $25 was 'phenomenal value' for this 'exceptional Shiraz'. Totally agree. Colour: impenetrable dark garnet. Nose: mulberries, white pepper and cedar oak. Palate: warm, elegant (meaty) mulberries and cranberries, peaking with a long soft spice and black pepper finish."

[For those on Cellar Tracker please click: 2013 Hare's Chase Shiraz Ironscraper, Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley - CellarTracker]

Interstingly, on their website they describe their differentiator as follows:

"What makes them different when there are so many great Barossa wines? In simple terms, we make wines which are elegant not overt. We have fine-tuned a style which is less upfront than some other Barossa wines - more subtle and food friendly but still authentic Barossa with deep colour and concentration, richness and length. We are inspired by the wines of the Côte-Rôtie in France which have depth and complexity but are not syrupy or heavy."

Looks like I wasn't the only one to jump for the Langtons hyperbole, as their allocation quickly sold out. But don't fret, you can buy a six pack at $35 a bottle with free delivery direct from the Hare's Chase winery:

Shop | Hares Chase, Barossa Valley

I would not feel hard done by paying $35 delivered. It drinks so well, even at this early age. But surely its going to be such an excellent wine in the future. It's so seamless, with a powerful elegance. Highly recommended from me.

Pretty sure wozza's recommendation is safer than Billy's old mate......
Anyone know if langtons offer a referral or first time order discount, would obviously help to sweeten the deal on this.

Afternoon, Alzoam. There's no referral / first time sign up bonus from what I understand. But I can recommend you to my Langtons broker. He's excellent value, and was introduced to me by the formidable, AnonymousCoward. There's so much stuff they don't advertise or auction that I'm sure there's a wine or three to your tastes and budget. Just PM me if you want an introduction.

 

[penegal]

Last night at the Citibank Drink Tank we had:

Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz 2008 - Barossa Valley, SA
Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Shiraz 2009 - Barossa Valley, SA
Brown Brothers Cellar Release Shiraz 2010 - King Valley, VIC*** I think - Duffa can you confirm?

All 3 were drinking very well.


After these 3 bottles it was a bit disappointing to step back to the house listed Cab Sauv.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Anyone know if langtons offer a referral or first time order discount, would obviously help to sweeten the deal on this.

I'm not aware of any except if you register for the Vintec club, they have a $50/$100 off subject to minimum spend on your first order. Amex Platinum charge card used to have something similar: not sure if they still do. I think it was $500 to get $100 off and $250 for $50 off.

 

[Steady]

Opened this '02 Grenache tonight - I'm not appreciating aged Grenache as much as the aged Shiraz and Shiraz blends I've been trying. It is ok and was cheap - it has 2 brothers so I will get to see if there is any bottle variance and maybe change my mind. Beautiful nose, reasonable fruit but a very slight fizz sensation that is putting me off (no bubbles)

 

[blackcat20]

Brown Brothers Cellar Release Shiraz 2010 - King Valley, VIC*** I think - Duffa can you confirm?

Your stash of this is waiting for you at mine...

This is our tipple of choice tonight with caprese salad from homegrown tomatoes and basil. Perfect.

 

[Wozza]

Thanks Wozza Reeled me in too. $15 delivery:shock:almost deterred me.

Hi Sedimental. I am guessing the $15 is for a regional purchase or a second case. I have just finished the last two glasses, day 3, with some lamb cutlets. It's still holding up so well, with just the screw cap back on and surviving in the cabinet with the heat we have been having in Sydney. The meaty mulberries went so well with the lamb. I'll be surprised if you feel hard done by with your purchase. But do let us know ...

 

[TheRealTMA]

View attachment 66677

Opened this '02 Grenache tonight - I'm not appreciating aged Grenache as much as the aged Shiraz and Shiraz blends I've been trying. It is ok and was cheap - it has 2 brothers so I will get to see if there is any bottle variance and maybe change my mind. Beautiful nose, reasonable fruit but a very slight fizz sensation that is putting me off (no bubbles)

Thanks for the report. I'm not surprised that (cheap) Australian Grenache doesn't last the distance. 14 years is a long time for a generally weak tannin and low acid grape I would have thought without the structure behind it? Comments?

 

[Steady]

I'm unsure if it was a cheap Grenache when it was released - Clarendon Hills had the standard Grenache and the Old Vines Grenache that this is. I got it cheap from Langton's

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Standish "the Relic" Shiraz Viognier 2007, paired with eye fillet steaks and home grown vegies



A 96%/4% blend, the voignier is definitely noticeable, contributing a sweetness that mellows brash Barossa shiraz. Colour is still dark red/purple. Taste of berries and chocolate. Velvet smooth IMHO - no harsh tannins, and a longish finish. Nice drinking. Some have described it as over-oaked, so perhaps bit more time to help wind that back. Have a couple more bottles to try next year and after, to see how this changes.

 

[donovan301]

View attachment 66677

Opened this '02 Grenache tonight - I'm not appreciating aged Grenache as much as the aged Shiraz and Shiraz blends I've been trying. It is ok and was cheap - it has 2 brothers so I will get to see if there is any bottle variance and maybe change my mind. Beautiful nose, reasonable fruit but a very slight fizz sensation that is putting me off (no bubbles)

Not entirely sure about the fizz with no bubble, but it reminds me of the occasional sherbert fizz type feeling, cant really speculate further...
Possible re-ferment in the bottle, wont kill you though ;-)

,...but more amusingly, much can be learned upon reflection,
... especially upon reflection in ones bottle

;-)

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm unsure if it was a cheap Grenache when it was released - Clarendon Hills had the standard Grenache and the Old Vines Grenache that this is. I got it cheap from Langton's

Probably there's a reason for that then?

Have friends who buy cheap auction wines but never really been attracted unless a special vintage. They then keep them for more years and trot them out at Xmas parties. Most I pour away, to the consternation of the buyer. While the buyer drinks on, and on, even when it's pointed out to him that the wine is cr*p. But since he bought it he feels obliged to drink it it till the cows come home. I remember well the words of Len Evans - one of my life's guiding principles.

 

[Steady]

Probably there's a reason for that then?

Yes, no one else wanted or bid on them.

I've been very lucky with the first three - this was the 4th of 24 - and I am expecting to tip some or even many down the sink. Hopefully when I finish I will have a better idea if I like old wine and what variety's - then I won't mind spending the $'s on better quality.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Yes, no one else wanted or bid on them.

I've been very lucky with the first three - this was the 4th of 24 - and I am expecting to tip some or even many down the sink. Hopefully when I finish I will have a better idea if I like old wine and what variety's - then I won't mind spending the $'s on better quality.

Don't let 'bad' or 'poor' old wine put you off good 'aged' wine. Well stored aged wine is fabulous. I drink it all the time.

Put down some quality brands made for cellering, Penfolds for example, but there are many others, and you'll be well rewarded.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Put down some quality brands made for cellering, Penfolds for example, but there are many others, and you'll be well rewarded.

Well Clarendon Hills would normally be in the same bucket as Penfolds - Astralis will age just as well as Grange.

Just not sure about the 2002 Grenache - Jeremy Oliver gave it a 2004-2007 drinking window: Scores & History: 2002 Clarendon Hills 'Kangarilla' Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia though people are still reporting decent drinking up to 2014 on CT: https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=4659

That said, buying stuff now to keep for 10 years means waiting for 10 years to drink something aged. That's a lot of waiting time. In the interim, I think it's a good idea to buy some pre-aged stuff to see what style(s) you like, so you're not wasting time laying down the wrong stuff now.

 

[TomVexille]

Opened a Rockford Alicante Bouchet to go with tonight's pad thai

 

[Buzzard]

View attachment 66697

Opened a Rockford Alicante Bouchet to go with tonight's pad thai

I drank a bottle of the 2014 last night whilst +1 had a bottle of "that" Rose.
You know what I mean TV