Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[AnonymousCoward]

I don't know the winery, but tonight was my first experience with South African Pinotage. A local grape of South Africa, is a hybrid of Pinot and Cinsaut, and it creates a very interesting wine.

Again I don't know the winery, there seemed to be a lot of cases (well maybe 20) in the shop, and I will be going back for a few bottles. Highly recommended to pop in for a glass but also recommend a visit for a few bottles, not cheap, but the guy runs one hell of a ship with some fantastic wine.

Pinotage can be great - Kanonkop is one of my favourites. Would be very interested to know which one you had, as I'm on the lookout for decent pinotage. It's far more affordable than the other thing I've started buying, which is Barolo :shock:

 

[georgehall]

Pinotage can be great - Kanonkop is one of my favourites. Would be very interested to know which one you had, as I'm on the lookout for decent pinotage. It's far more affordable than the other thing I've started buying, which is Barolo :shock:

As I sit here watching the qualifying for the Hungarian F1 I am kicking myself for not at least taking a photo of the bottle. It was a fantastic wine.

I'll report back tomorrow when I pick up a few bottles, this variety seems to hit the sweet spot that I am looking for at the moment, and am very interested to find more.

Mrs Hall enjoyed the Rose of the same grape from the same vineyard tonight, and they have both available by the case, so I'll probably grab one of each.

 

[Steady]

Tried a Fo purchase last night - first one and more than happy with it.

 

[beefarmer]

Tried a Fo purchase last night - first one and more than happy with it.
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That was around the twenty dollar mark, like all their others. I returned the sangiovese, took two weeks for it to be picked up, but 5 minutes for them to credit my mastercard. No worries there.

I really liked the Star Lane shiraz and passed on this one as I have quite a lot of merlot at home.

Lastly, a recent Fo purchase went under the microscope last night. Seven of us lads having a great time at a local Indian where we enjoyed good wine, better food and even better company.I will post in the Nice Wines thread the full list. One of them was the last fo purchase, a Yarra Valley Shirax, the Red Hill Mosolini. I reckon I have got the Woz. The remaining five are going back. What's wrong with it you ask. Let me summarize as this probably affects many.

Firstly, the expectations of a fifty bucker down to twenty are higher than a thirty five bucker down to thirteen. You expect the wine to deliver after the Fo's descriptions of it and the no doubt JH 95er. Nice red berry nose, hints of pepper and spice, an open invitation to enjoy. Initial mouthfeel very nice, nothing bad, nicely rounded. Then the wine becomes totally linear. You are waiting for a little bit of kick, a fuller mid palate, a little at the end and all you get is nuffin but the same, slightly hollow continuance. How very disappointing, and the boys with a better palate all thought the same. There is nothing redeeming about the Mosolini, in fact I could not recommend it at thirteen bucks. It's going back. I am sure Wozza would have felt a little odd returning a few cases in a short space of time. You don't do this for the hell of it, but unlike the Star lane Shiraz and Steady's Merlot, this Red Hill shiraz simply is not good enough.

 

[penegal]

Hey beefarmer (and other Melbs people)- did you make it Boccaccio today? I was going to go for the tasting, but got waylaid doing something else. Should I ring up and buy?

 

[penegal]

After the Dusty Wine Delivery (Link - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er-wine-lovers/dusty-wine-delivery-77010.html), I thought I had better so some preliminary QA of the wines delivered... You know, just in case.



Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
This is the first year a "Cab" has been released under the Filius label. It's actually a Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Malbec (13%), Petit Verdot (2%). At $28 (Club price - $22.40), it's a great deal. Medium bodied, but very "fruit forward" given it's youth. Not as easy to drink right now as the Cab Merlot, but this is a great little wine and will be much better after a few years of cellaring.

It will never be as big or sophisticated as the Heytesbury, or their premium Cab Sauv, but this is a very solid mid range wine.






Food match was a steak. Don't let looks deceive you, it is still rare on the inside, but I cooked it in a flat pan as I was baching. Unfortunately the chips were reheated from an overzealous order of fish n chips the night before, and the veg are from the freezer.

I will try better when I am home in a fortnight (or maybe tonight).

 

[beefarmer]

Hey beefarmer (and other Melbs people)- did you make it Boccaccio today? I was going to go for the tasting, but got waylaid doing something else. Should I ring up and buy?

Didn't know what was going on there to be honest, plus was over in Maribyrnong for a time visiting Knifepoint shopping centre.

Scotch or porterhouse?

 

[penegal]

Didn't know what was going on there to be honest, plus was over in Maribyrnong for a time visiting Knifepoint shopping centre.

Some kind of Pinot Tasting... Ah, knifepoint. Australia's finest shopping centre.

Scotch or porterhouse?

porterhouse, but trimmed the fat prior to cooking - butcher was a bit too generous for my liking (and I have been told to cut down on fat).

 

[The Warlock]

Tried a Fo purchase last night - first one and more than happy with it.
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I got one of the 2010 vintage of this in a mixed 6 from the Fo and I was very impressed with it.

 

[blackcat20]

After the Dusty Wine Delivery (Link - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er-wine-lovers/dusty-wine-delivery-77010.html), I thought I had better so some preliminary QA of the wines delivered... You know, just in case.



Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
This is the first year a "Cab" has been released under the Filius label. It's actually a Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Malbec (13%), Petit Verdot (2%). At $28 (Club price - $22.40), it's a great deal. Medium bodied, but very "fruit forward" given it's youth. Not as easy to drink right now as the Cab Merlot, but this is a great little wine and will be much better after a few years of cellaring.

It will never be as big or sophisticated as the Heytesbury, or their premium Cab Sauv, but this is a very solid mid range wine.

View attachment 75654


View attachment 75655

Food match was a steak. Don't let looks deceive you, it is still rare on the inside, but I cooked it in a flat pan as I was baching. Unfortunately the chips were reheated from an overzealous order of fish n chips the night before, and the veg are from the freezer.

I will try better when I am home in a fortnight (or maybe tonight).

Any thoughts on when one should drink the 2011 Cab Sav?

 

[Glider_]

Opened a 2012 Penfolds Bin 389 to other night, and it was lovely. I know, I know, it would be better sitting in the cellar for another 5-10 years, but sometimes celebrations can't wait (see shiny ring in the pic background).

Even so young, I (and the rest of the table) agreed it has great future potential but even at this early age was enjoyable and we'd all happily drink again. I found it to have a good balance of full bodied but approachable fruit and earthy tones with smoother than expected tannins on the finish. Lovely with a fillet steak & anchovy butter.

 

[Steady]

Opened a 2012 Penfolds Bin 389 to other night, and it was lovely. I know, I know, it would be better sitting in the cellar for another 5-10 years, but sometimes celebrations can't wait (see shiny ring in the pic background).

Even so young, I (and the rest of the table) agreed it has great future potential but even at this early age was enjoyable and we'd all happily drink again. I found it to have a good balance of full bodied but approachable fruit and earthy tones with smoother than expected tannins on the finish. Lovely with a fillet steak & anchovy butter.

Congratulations Glider

 

[penegal]

Any thoughts on when one should drink the 2011 Cab Sav?

Wait a few years if you can... Put it in the back of your wine fridge

 

[penegal]

Congratulations Glider

+1

Well done

 

[Steady]

A favourite Tassie Pinot tonight

(I have a lot of favourites...)

 

[Glider_]

Congratulations Glider

Thanks all

Also thanks to the AFF wine guru's who've helped me win over the future FIL

 

[blackcat20]

Wait a few years if you can... Put it in the back of your wine fridge

Which is exactly where it is. Plenty to drink in the meantime.

 

[kermatu]

Opened up a 2008 Heathcote Estate Shiraz tonight. No food pairing - just the wine. Rather nice drop!

 

[Sedimental]

Opened a 2012 Penfolds Bin 389 to other night, and it was lovely. I know, I know, it would be better sitting in the cellar for another 5-10 years, but sometimes celebrations can't wait (see shiny ring in the pic background).

Even so young, I (and the rest of the table) agreed it has great future potential but even at this early age was enjoyable and we'd all happily drink again. I found it to have a good balance of full bodied but approachable fruit and earthy tones with smoother than expected tannins on the finish. Lovely with a fillet steak & anchovy butter.


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Congrats to you and the future Mrs Glider_. The 389 might have to become your wedding/anniversary wine!

 

[JohnM]

On the SAA Airlink RJ85 TNR-JNB this afternoon in 1F.

Ostrich (served cold, as it happens) with a red blend that I, with my very limited experience of wine , have never seen before. IMHO, it worked very nicely at altitude with the ostrich and also the cheese & crackers. The merlot gave a much drier finish than is the case with a cab sav/shiraz blend.

Hey, Steady, you need to get out a little more .

Daver6: I'll see if I can get hold of a bottle or two to bring along to a tasting.

Their SBS was pretty reasonable, too.