Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[TheRealTMA]

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.

For reference, direct from the winery the prices were

6 x 2012 'Black Poplar Block' Pinot Noir $56.00
3 x 2014'RUN 245' Pinot Noir $32.00
4 x 2006 LIBRARY 'Black Poplar Block' Pinot Noir $95.00
2 x 2014 Riesling $28.00

Total $728.00 plus $80 freight

 

[JohnM]

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.

I know which retailer you are talking about. My Pinot-pusher for a long time. A very good way to get across a wide range of Pinots. Get on the mailing list to have a chance of capturing rarities.

 

[JohnM]

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?

Sediment often occurs in older wines, particularly those of a 'big' style. That's why it's a good idea to decant them. It doesn't necessarily mean it's past its use-by date, although they can feel stripped out of texture and hollow in flavour if it's gone too far.

 

[Steady]

For reference, direct from the winery the prices were

6 x 2012 'Black Poplar Block' Pinot Noir $56.00

Thankyou for the info.

The single bottle price for this is $59.00 AUD - less inflated than I assumed. I will grab one to sample next time I am over that way

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thankyou for the info.

The single bottle price for this is $59.00 AUD - less inflated than I assumed. I will grab one to sample next time I am over that way

Colleague of mine told me today that he has just ordered these from a Pinot Now in Melbourne

Pisa Range Estate 2011 Run 245 Pinot Noir $38.00
Pisa Range Estate 2012 Black Poplar Block Pinot Noir $58.00

The 2006 is only available direct from winery AFAIK.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

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?

IME It'll start to taste flat and/or thin, with little fruit or earthy flavours. The acid will start to come to the fore, and then eventually it'll just start tasting bad.

 

[Wozza]

My journey into Aussie Icon Whites continues. This time, it's the sensational:

Tahbilk 1927 Vines Marsanne 2007



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

2007 Tahbilk Marsanne 1927 Vines, Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Nagambie Lakes - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/93589454

"A fine and creamy 4.1 (C.T. 94) from me. This Marsanne comes from a single vineyard, where Tahbilk's 1927 vines are almost the oldest Marsanne in the world. The 07 notched up a whooping 97 from Halliday, a Top 100 Wines 2015 from Wine Companion, and a trophy and gold at the Sydney Wine Show 2014. The breezy nose has sweet honeysuckle, noughart, lime juice, honey, lanolin and a lick of white pepper at the end. The palate is light and sprightly, as the 10.5% ABV and acid carry those flavours through a fine, creamy, dry and satisfying finish. Years ahead of it. Very nice."

It's been great to deliberately branch out from my usual staple of Red Wines. I have a few more Whites to get through, so looking forward to trying those over the coming weeks. Watch this space ...

 

[MRNARRA]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

I enjoyed a 2006 Grey Label Shiraz last weekend ,well worth the wait..so smooth........Over Easter I'm planning on opening Another bottle of Oliver's Taranga vineyards 2013 Shiraz purchased from Epiqure,along with the 5000 bonus ff points.

 

[Whodoesthat]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

After a six week abstinence away (work) and watching you all guzzle away, home in time for Easter, a couple of mates lined up for a blindy tasting over the holiday period, sent the youngest to the cellar to grab a bottle....lucky dip time...2006 Kilikanoon Parable..
Still big and fruit forward, cloudy (not filtered) black pepper, better than a number of the later vintages I've tried, tannins have softened, still a bit of heat on the finish....well it was 15%...nice drinking, takes a week or so to get my buds in order....peaking and won't improve any..

 

[Steady]

Re: Nice Wines I have DranK Recently - Red or White

An unlabelled 2012 Maverick Twins GSM for me tonight - it is very nice but I think it let down a little from being 2-3 degrees warmer than I prefer

 

[Kohen]

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.

So WOZZA

I was in with the glowing review

Received the case with excitement - Was it to be a Bittersweet Symphony or a Champagne Supernova ???

Nose - plum sauce, cinnamon, not a hint of fruit or oak

Colour - deep and impenetrable

Decanted and swirled like a dervish

First impressions - SAVOURY - not an atypical barossa shiraz, no bold fruit or wood - unique

Be interesting to see how this develops over the next few days - will it evolve into a sublime REM classic or sit in the middle ground of Travis

 

[beefarmer]

So WOZZA

I was in with the glowing review

Received the case with excitement - Was it to be a Bittersweet Symphony or a Champagne Supernova ???

Nose - plum sauce, cinnamon, not a hint of fruit or oak

Colour - deep and impenetrable

Decanted and swirled like a dervish

First impressions - SAVOURY - not an atypical barossa shiraz, no bold fruit or wood - unique

Be interesting to see how this develops over the next few days - will it evolve into a sublime REM classic or sit in the middle ground of Travis

I have to say, those few descriptions have me wanting to hear your review of how this ironscraper really measures up after a day, then after another day.

We have discussed on this forum wine lovers who like to drink their bottle over a few nights. I am not one of those, but I respect those who enjoy this sort of imbibement, namely I hope to determine the secondary oxidation properties of a fine wine. Opened wines do alter somewhat and so long as they remain palatable, does it really matter what you do? I don't think so. So looking forward to a few comments.

We know Wozza gave this wine a fine score, not quite liquid cough, but certainly something that was not going to get his shoes wet. It will be interesting to compare other reviews of this one, and I have one marked for Saturday night, a cool night that is a winner for good red drinking.

Now back to the wines we like to drink.

Opened up this long weekend with a VM Pinot, the Marlborough Stopbanks 2013. Very very average are the words that sum this one up for me. The lamb roast did nothing for it either so it probably struggles to get over a 6 outta 10. A bit too bitey, a bit too harsh, very average.

Then the challenger. The Yarra valley Pinot Top Paddock from Boccaccios. I have had three of these recently and most of all know that if you've had three of anything lately - wives, husbands, first class dinners, cigars, champagnes and pinots, well they are certainly going to be good. This ten bucker is once again, a stunner.

Enjoy the fruits of your labour folks and do make a review.....there should be many.

Nearly forgot the musical references here Kohen and they deserve a special mention..........could wozza become' the man who' cried 'why does it always rain on me', or for my orange crush, follow me don't follow me into 'nightswimming'. Buck and Stipe are my absolute idols into how something so simple can become so memorable. Talk about the passion.....stop !

 

[Wozza]

So WOZZA

I was in with the glowing review

Received the case with excitement - Was it to be a Bittersweet Symphony or a Champagne Supernova ???

Nose - plum sauce, cinnamon, not a hint of fruit or oak

Colour - deep and impenetrable

Decanted and swirled like a dervish

First impressions - SAVOURY - not an atypical barossa shiraz, no bold fruit or wood - unique

Be interesting to see how this develops over the next few days - will it evolve into a sublime REM classic or sit in the middle ground of Travis

Thanks for the feedback and cool music metaphors, Kohen (Very Beefarmer!).

I drank my first and only bottle over three nights (my lovely wife doesn't drink alcohol). I loved it from the first sip, and immediately Googled through to Ironscraper's website. I came across that quote I added above about elegant not overt, Cote-Rotie inspired, food friendly, and depth and complexity and not syrupy or heavy. It was so different to the many, many Barossa Shiraz's I had tried previously. That's why it stood out for me, and why I was happy to give it such high praise.

I am a big fan of Barossa Shiraz, but rarely at an early stage. They tend to be very fruit and/or oak dominant. But after 5-15 years, the good ones are so wonderful to drink. For instance, I had a Two Hands Coach House Block Shiraz 2008 (from that massive 6 litre bottle the Fo were selling last year). And it was, for me, the best of some amazing icon wines on the night.

My apologies if I was not clear enough on the savoury elegant thing. That's exactly what it is. I totally agree with you.

You may find it gets better tonight with a good slab of meat. I enjoyed my final glasses on day three with some lamb cutlets that paired well with the wine.

A few Red wines have improved with oxidisation. But they tend to be the exception for me. I'm happy if they hold up and still drink nicely. I tend to find the best drinking is on the first night of opening after a few hours and a long, lazy meal. Food helps keep my taste buds in check.

I hope you do like it a little more, as I sense some disappointment for you. Hopefully our exchange on the Ironscraper will set the expectations of others that have yet to try it.

A happy Good Friday from me to you, and all our fellow AFF Wine Lovers. Enjoy the long weekend.

 

[Kohen]

The only disappointment to be had last evening was Matthew Leckie's continual wayward shooting for the Socceroos!

Savoury is a trait I have come to enjoy in wine, since visiting Northern Italy, was surprising to find it in a 13 Barossa Shiraz...

Will savour it with some slow cooked pork shoulder this evening - perhaps with Nick Cave's most recent opus as the soundtrack

A Great Easter to ALL

 

[Delectable Blue]

Opened up this long weekend with a VM Pinot, the Marlborough Stopbanks 2013. Very very average are the words that sum this one up for me. The lamb roast did nothing for it either so it probably struggles to get over a 6 outta 10. A bit too bitey, a bit too harsh, very average.

Beefarmer, I found the Marlborough Stopbanks to be something of a chameleon. On the night I opened it I found it almost undrinkable. Very thin and acidic and with no appreciable qualities. Like you I would have rated it very poorly. I set it aside to finish up, or poor down the sink, the following night. I was amazed the following day when the wine had completely transformed. A complex savour core had developed, and the acidity had abated, leaving a beautifully balanced wine. It was the most stunning metamorphosis I have ever experienced in a wine. I ended up rating it a 4.0 in Vivino.

 

[beefarmer]

Beefarmer, I found the Marlborough Stopbanks to be something of a chameleon. On the night I opened it I found it almost undrinkable. Very thin and acidic and with no appreciable qualities. Like you I would have rated it very poorly. I set it aside to finish up, or poor down the sink, the following night. I was amazed the following day when the wine had completely transformed. A complex savour core had developed, and the acidity had abated, leaving a beautifully balanced wine. It was the most stunning metamorphosis I have ever experienced in a wine. I ended up rating it a 4.0 in Vivino.

How intriguing of this wine DB.....unfortunately it lasted just the one night, but unlike the saying 'you never get a second chance at a first impression', I would like to add 'you can get a second chance on a second impression'. Maybe our Wozza has the answers here, and would probably create a third saying.

 

[Buzzard]

Saw the neighbours under the pergola so though we might walk along the creek and through their back gate to join them. Nothing like inviting yourself I say. Thankfully one of the wines they offered was this baby. I would have thought that something with 82% Shiraz would be darker and more full bodied but the 18% Sangiovese turned it the colour of +1, Ruby.
I can't describe the nose but it was brilliant, I thought there was quite a bit going on at the front of the palate. Sweet, savoury, refreshing, light, and the finish whilst not long was definitely Shiraz. A fabulous lighter style of wine to drink on a sunny Autumn afternoon. So after drinking 2 bottles of the magistrates wine (the other a not so nice French Rose) and some free legal advice, it was time to walk back down stream along the creek and come home.

 

[Buzzard]

For some unknown reason I couldn't upload photos of the wine and the creek to the original post

 

[Steady]

Saw the neighbours under the pergola so though we might walk along the creek and through their back gate to join them. Nothing like inviting yourself I say. Thankfully one of the wines they offered was this baby. I would have thought that something with 82% Shiraz would be darker and more full bodied but the 18% Sangiovese turned it the colour of +1, Ruby.
I can't describe the nose but it was brilliant, I thought there was quite a bit going on at the front of the palate. Sweet, savoury, refreshing, light, and the finish whilst not long was definitely Shiraz. A fabulous lighter style of wine to drink on a sunny Autumn afternoon. So after drinking 2 bottles of the magistrates wine (the other a not so nice French Rose) and some free legal advice, it was time to walk back down stream along the creek and come home.

Buzz, what was the wine?

 

[Buzzard]

Buzz, what was the wine?

d'Arenberg Stephanie the Gnome Shiraz Sangiovese