Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[beefarmer]

I know there are some big Pinot Noir fans on here, so you may appreciate my little note on the so well made:

Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2014

View attachment 67022

I have just posted the following tasting note on Vivino and Cellar Tracker:

2014 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 1er, Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/92041699

"Wow. A military precision 4.2 (C.T. 95) from me. 1er stands for Premier and denotes the reserve level of wines for this multi award winning Yarra Valley winery. Gary Walsh at Winefront gave this Pinot Noir a deserved 95. On the nose, intense cherries, mulberries and a touch of white pepper. The palate is super smooth and so well put together, as fine cherries, mulberries, earth and a touch of spice flow seamlessly through the mouth. Military precision here. It's well worth a try if you enjoy your Pinot Noir."

At $49 cellar door, it's about right for this excellent wine. Certainly well recommended by me if you haven't tried it.


Note: C.T. stands for Cellar Tracker score out of 100.

I have never tried this variant from them, but I do know their ten dollar 2015 yarra valley pinot is stunning. This, at five times the price would obviously reflect more complexity all round. Glad you liked it.

 

[JohnM]

No idea, but you will need to pay duty/tax on top of the delivery fee.

FWIW, when buying international wine it is usually best to go through an importer or retailer in Australia. Whilst you are obviously paying a margin to them, they take care of all the BS getting the product into the country and to you.

Alternatively visit the region and bring it in yourself and declare it. Most personal quantities of wine (e.g. lower alcohol than straight spirits) tend to get waved through upon declaration. e.g. Declare, "do the right thing". The duty would be a few bucks and generally more manpower is used calculating and collecting it, than the duty is worth, so they just wave you through. Worst case you pay your $10 in duty, but avoid being on TV as an evil drug importer.


Edit - Quick google indicates you may need to pay WET on imports, even if the wine is for your own private consumption.

WET is payable. On both of the two occasions I've had 4 bottles of wine (declared as 'more than 2250 mL of alcohol'), I have had to pay the duty/WET. It will slow you getting through Customs while they decide a value for the wine (that can be interesting in itself - eg. a bottle of Dom could be 'sparkling wine' - if the agent is not knowledgeable). If you are unable to give a value for each wine ("Because they were all gifts, sir/madam." ), they have a table of notional values (fairly low, I seem to recall ) for reds, whites etc. (Although you might be fairly ballsy to try that with the 1st Growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy .) Then you have to go through the tiered process of them calculating the duty/WET (there may even be a third tax in the tier.) It can become a bit of a PITA dithering around, so it's something I now avoid.

Note that as soon as you exceed the 3-bottle limit, duty/WET etc. is payable on ALL the wine, not just the bottle(s) in excess of the 'first' three.

If you are visiting somewhere like Central Otago, you can arrange to have wine shipped and all the add-on costs are worked out there. It's a seamless process.

 

[penegal]

Thanks John M.

WOW, that really is a case of YMMV. I have never had a problem when declaring wine (from NZ into AU). Admittedly I am talking maybe 5-6 bottles with a 3 bottle limit. I guess it just depends on the agent on the day. I do recall being asked the approximate value (which was not huge), then I was waved through.

Thanks - it is good to know that many NZ wineries will ship to AU direct now. I may send off a few emails. Perhaps we should split a few cases Steady?

 

[JohnM]

Thanks John M.

WOW, that really is a case of YMMV. I have never had a problem when declaring wine (from NZ into AU). Admittedly I am talking maybe 5-6 bottles with a 3 bottle limit. I guess it just depends on the agent on the day. I do recall being asked the approximate value (which was not huge), then I was waved through.

Thanks - it is good to know that many NZ wineries will ship to AU direct now. I may send off a few emails. Perhaps we should split a few cases Steady?

On the two occasions, one was PER coming in from Europe; the other was SYD coming in from Europe or LOTFAP.

Actually, you have just jogged my memory. One other time I came into SYD from NZ on a very quiet Sunday afternoon and declared 4 bottles. The gate agent looked around for the agent at the duty desk, but there was nobody there, so I got waved through.

 

[blackcat20]

After all the talk about the 14 Maverick Twins GSM I decided I should try one for myself.
View attachment 66988
I wish it was more like the 13 - I get white pepper and not enough fruit. While I don't find the White pepper too much I'm disappointed and it is not what I like from a GSM. I have lots of quaffers I love, while this is is ok I am leaning towards returning - I will try another in a few months and decide then

I wasnt that fussed by it either but hoping it improves with a year in the bottle...

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Thanks John M.

WOW, that really is a case of YMMV. I have never had a problem when declaring wine (from NZ into AU). Admittedly I am talking maybe 5-6 bottles with a 3 bottle limit. I guess it just depends on the agent on the day. I do recall being asked the approximate value (which was not huge), then I was waved through.

Thanks - it is good to know that many NZ wineries will ship to AU direct now. I may send off a few emails. Perhaps we should split a few cases Steady?

I think it depends a lot on who the agent is. I once brought in 12 bottles of wine, and was waved through. It was a busy period, and I said I was relocating countries. Another time, when it was quiet, I was assessed on 12 bottles, with me volunteering a value of $25/bottle, and the agent suggesting that perhaps $10 might be more accurate!

 

[Steady]

The Pisa Range 2012 Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir is available in Oz for $334-$340 / 6 delivered - CD NZ is about AUD$300 ++ so I was curious on what the ++'s may ad up to.

Sounds cheaper/easier to buy from an Oz retailer in this example?

 

[Steady]

I wasnt that fussed by it either but hoping it improves with a year in the bottle...

One of my staff liked it and will take the remaining 11 - not as good as getting a 100% refund but good it will go to someone who wants it.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I wasnt that fussed by it either but hoping it improves with a year in the bottle...

bc20 I foresee a number of regular MEL AFF mof_ 'quaffa-thons' going forward where we just get together to just pound a few of these suckers that we won't be buying again - I think they deserve that!

 

[penegal]

bc20 I foresee a number of AFF mof_ 'quaffa-thons'

Yeah - I have slowed VM buying significantly.

Trying to drink or give away a lot of quaffers and concentrate on drinking & enjoying the better stuff.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yeah - I have slowed VM buying significantly.

Trying to drink or give away a lot of quaffers and concentrate on drinking & enjoying the better stuff.

I am totally out of the game - I got caught up in the euphoria and bought too much cough - I even have a nephew working for the Fo now and he is forever on to me buy this / buy that - nope I only got 50yrs left on this planet so won't be buying from them again!

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Maybe on a different tact but I bought this from Aldi Liquor online (closing this week) as part of a double pack (with another red that I haven't tried yet) in a pretty wooden box for $30. Now this was very drinkable.. Was a bit disappointed that there was only one.. Yes there is Merlot in it but I like Merlot.. The label was in French (Bordeaux) so I'm not real sure but I think it was a Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sav blend (not sure of the ratios). Will certainly be heading to the Aldi store to see if I can grab some more before winter

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Maybe on a different tact but I bought this from Aldi Liquor online (closing this week) as part of a double pack (with another red that I haven't tried yet) in a pretty wooden box for $30. Now this was very drinkable.. Was a bit disappointed that there was only one.. Yes there is Merlot in it but I like Merlot.. The label was in French (Bordeaux) so I'm not real sure but I think it was a Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sav blend (not sure of the ratios). Will certainly be heading to the Aldi store to see if I can grab some more before winter
View attachment 67049

You really can't go wrong with any Saint Emilion Grand Crus, so I'd say that's a great buy.

 

[Wozza]

I've had the privilege of trying two relatively young Aussie icon Semillons over the last few days. And what a privilege it was. They were:

the Tyrrell's Wines Semillon Vat 1 2009; and

the Mount Pleasant Estate Lovedale Semillon 2010.

Such beautiful wines, and both quite different. But there was one standout for my tastes. And that was the Vat 1. Even now it's showing great age worthiness, but with lively acidity delivering a fairly sprightly experience.

On Vivino and Cellar Tracker I have posted the following tasting notes:

The Vat 1:



2009 Tyrrell's Sémillon Vat 1, Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/93451278

"A 4.5 (C.T. 97) buttery delight from me. What can you say about the Vat 1? Arguably one of the World's best Semillons. The 09 was one of Tyrrell's best seasons. So it's no surprise that this unoaked Semillon notched up a 99 from Hooke and 97 from Kyte-Powell. The nose is sweet and powerful as citrus fruits, Spring meadow flowers, cut grass, butter and a touch of white pepper fill the senses. The palate lifts into a smooth oily, melted butter, citrus, honey and white flower delight that lingers and lingers. Simply stunning. It has years of graceful ageing ahead of it."

The Lovedale:

2010 McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Wines Sémillon Single Vineyard Lovedale, Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/92138140

"A toasty 4.0 (C.T. 94) from me. This iconic Hunter Semillon has no less than 5 gold medals, a Halliday 96 and a Top 100 Wine (2015) award from Wine Companion. On the nose there's lemons, limes, biscuit cake and flowers. The palate is lively and toasty, with freshly baked lemon tart, lime and tropical fruits dancing through the palate, into a fine lingering finish. It felt very young to me, and no doubt will age gracefully with care."

The Vat 1 is one of my best buys of 2016 so far, having picked this up in BWS (Lindfield) for $30 a bottle, under their 25% off 6 Pack promotion. I wish I could get more, as I grabbed the last 3 bottles they had. [I also grabbed 3 Bin 128 13s for $30 a bottle to make up my 6 Pack, which wasn't that great a price, but was the only other wine that grabbed me in the store.] Now, if only I had listened to the chorus of WISH card people on the Dan's thread, I would have grabbed these for another 10% off (not forgetting the cunning Amex discount too).

Still. The price paid for a finely aged Vat 1 is immaterial in my books. Such a sublime tasting experience. If your local BWS has the Vat 1s, then grab them. I reckon even BC and Katy would enjoy them ...!!

 

[AnonymousCoward]

You really can't go wrong with any Saint Emilion Grand Crus, so I'd say that's a great buy.

From what I can tell, every second vineyard in Saint-Emilion is a Grand Cru, so either it's all sublimely good, or the barrier to entry isn't that high... But if tastes great, that's all that matters.

 

[TheRealTMA]

What is the going rate on wine deliveries into Oz from NZ?

AUD$80 for door to door and taxes for 12 or 15. I bought the 15 from Pisa Range direct from vineyard shipped through company based in in Marlborough. Can't remember the name ATM but can look it up if you wish?

Their deal is you pay numerical price per bottle as supplied by winery but in AUD not NZD plus AUD $80 shipping.

Others such as Gibbston valley and Akarua via their wine clubs one buys direct in NZD (less club discounts) plus NZD$100-120 shipping inc taxes.

update: We used these people

NZ Wine export
162 Battys Road
Blenheim
Ph/Fax 03 5789515
www.nzwineexport.com
[email protected]

 

[JohnM]

From what I can tell, every second vineyard in Saint-Emilion is a Grand Cru, so either it's all sublimely good, or the barrier to entry isn't that high... But if tastes great, that's all that matters.

Exactly.

St Emilion is very confusing with the 'Grand Cru' description. Generally, the vineyards are tiny (average 8 ha). They have two GC categories, one of which (Premier Grand Cru Classe) is broken into A and B. There are only four wineries in 'A', I believe (think Cheval Blanc) and about 13 in 'B'.

After that, it becomes a dogs' breakfast in Grand Cru Classe, with around 50 classified Grand Cru, including some cooperative wines. The French really are very strange...

Suffice to say that, by definition, St Emilion wines will be Merlot-dominant (ca. 60%), generally with some Cabernet Franc (ca. 20-30%) and possibly Cabernet Sauvignon (ca. 10-20%).

But, confusion and frog BS aside, it is an absolutely outstanding place to visit IMO .

 

[Steady]

AUD$80 for door to door and taxes for 12 or 15. I bought the 15 from Pisa Range direct from vineyard shipped through company based in in Marlborough. Can't remember the name ATM but can look it up if you wish?

Their deal is you pay numerical price per bottle as supplied by winery but in AUD not NZD plus AUD $80 shipping.

Others such as Gibbston valley and Akarua via their wine clubs one buys direct in NZD (less club discounts) plus NZD$100-120 shipping inc taxes.

Thankyou TheRealTMA, I will keep watching out for the NZ Pinots you recommended on this thread for the moment, then hunt single bottles down locally first to get an idea of my preferences, before committing to a case etc. In this case I can pick up a single of the Pisa Range 2012 Black Poplar Block (almost) locally - the retailer stocks a reasonable range of NZ Pinots, albeit at a premium.

 

[ste667]

Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 1999

Blackberries and spice, with a long finish. Label said to drink to 2012 so I'm guessing it was a bit past its best, but still very enjoyable.


Being quite inexperienced with older wines - what are the things that happen to a wine when it has outlived its use by date? Is a lot of sediment always a symptom of this?

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I've had the privilege of trying two relatively young Aussie icon Semillons over the last few days. And what a privilege it was. They were:

the Tyrrell's Wines Semillon Vat 1 2009; and

the Mount Pleasant Estate Lovedale Semillon 2010.

Such beautiful wines, and both quite different. But there was one standout for my tastes. And that was the Vat 1. Even now it's showing great age worthiness, but with lively acidity delivering a fairly sprightly experience.

Should have come on the Hunter Wine Tour Wozza... Tyrrell's gave us very generous pours in addition to comparisons of different years in each group.
We'll have to start bribing Jojen, Bindibuys and Princess Fiona to run another one