Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[a330j]

Was still a very nice drop. I find it hard to describe wine, I just know I like wines which are lighter on the fruity flavours and more on the oak and body. This was probably a bit past its best but still had body in spades, despite a hard life. The old style Penfolds.

 

[Steady]

I really like it as a lighter cool climate, quaffing syrah. It's a really good food wine, especially with pizza. But stand up on its own if need be.

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

Is it similar to other cold climate Shiraz such as the Glenlofty?

 

[TomVexille]

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

Is it similar to other cold climate Shiraz such as the Glenlofty?

I don't actually know. It's the same grape, and I'm guessing that IB call theirs Syrah as it may be closer to the European style then the BIG Australian Shiraz.

 

[Austman]

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

I think Shiraz is Australian for Syrah? I've always thought it's the same but a different name. Several airline FAs have told me otherwise!

 

[blackcat20]

I think Shiraz is Australian for Syrah? I've always thought it's the same but a different name. Several airline FAs have told me otherwise!

Same grape, different style?

 

[coriander]

Is that my name being used in vain Beefarmour (at least it's not beef curtains!) I mean Beefarmer?

I've always though 'Beefarmer" indicated his profession as a chemist.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

Tom-ar-to / Tom-ay-to - Syrah / Shiraz

 

[AnonymousCoward]

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

Is it similar to other cold climate Shiraz such as the Glenlofty?

It's the same grape. For Aus and NZ producers, it comes down mostly to indicating the style of wine that they are producing - big Barossa/McLaren Vale shiraz, similar to what you get in Spain, or a more Rhone-like refined style.

Mount Langi Ghiran, Castagna, Clonakilla SV vs. Penfolds, Grant Burge, Torbrek.

Drinking a NZ Te Mata Bullnose tonight, and it's definitely more Cote Rotie (nothern Rhone) than Barossa. Almost Pinot-like in some respects.

Edit: I'm not sure that Glenlofty is the greatest exponent of cool climate Shiraz/Syrah - it's a funny kind of blend of the two IMHO.

 

[TheRealTMA]

What makes a Syrah instead of a Shiraz?

Is it similar to other cold climate Shiraz such as the Glenlofty?

Same grape, different name in different countries but also different styles.
McWilliams notes sum it up well wrt to Australian wines. Not sure I completely agree but...

Shiraz v Syrah | McWilliam's Wines

"Differences:McWilliam’s Wine Educator Michael Quirk says that the difference is clear in the Appellation Range:
“The typical old-world Syrah is lighter and leaner than the intense Shiraz wines of Australia, which tend to be richer intensity, fruit forward and more full-bodied with tannin. The difference between the Appellation Canberra Syrah and Hilltops Shiraz exhibits this difference very clearly.”
He also says that as more Syrah wines come on to the market, it will be important to know the difference when choosing a wine.
“If you like bold, fruit forward wines with tannin, stick with Shiraz. If you’re looking for something a little more elegant and complex, the Syrah could be a good option.”

Syrah Flavours: The (slightly)leaner than the Australian style, yet more complex (spice, cherry, tar, smoke, cassis, plum, etc), earthy, lively (more acidity),softer tannins, and typically capable of short to long term bottle aging.

Shiraz Flavours: Shiraz wines that are full bodied and encouraged to produce rich, ripe, and intense fruit flavours (plum, blackberry, cherry, etc), as well as hints of black spice. They can also have a higher alcohol content due to longer ripening on the vine before picking. These fruit driven wines are usually made in an easy drinking style and are good everyday wines but are able to age for many years."

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Great, thanks for the feedback guys. Think I'm talking myself into yet another purchase!

the IB Syrah is a good value proposition, but I wouldn't be rushing out to buy it at full price. Vinomofo price is great value, but ultimately it's a good-quality quaffer, not an extended keeper. If you're looking for somewhere to start, it's not a bad place - far worse options out there.

 

[ste667]

the IB Syrah is a good value proposition, but I wouldn't be rushing out to buy it at full price. Vinomofo price is great value, but ultimately it's a good-quality quaffer, not an extended keeper. If you're looking for somewhere to start, it's not a bad place - far worse options out there.

Amex deal on cracka, with a referral bonus. If the cashback comes in it'll be $15pb delivered in a 6 pack which I'm happy enough with. Will be nice to try my first Syrah!

How much was it on VM?

 

[qaz]

So for a long weekend in Armidale it was again a vintage port-

Not nearly as good as the morris or seppelts product but easy drinking.

When did you have the Morris and Seppelt? Were they also 1974?

Welcome back Wozza, we missed you.

It might be time to invest in an Ah-So cork puller. They are absolutely brilliant with dodgy corks. I rarely even look at my regular corkscrews anymore. If the wine has a cork I just grab the Ah-So and the cork is out. Quick easy and no more broken corks. I'd rate it as the best wine gadget I've ever purchased.

+1 - for both Wozza and Ah-so

It's the same grape. For Aus and NZ producers, it comes down mostly to indicating the style of wine that they are producing - big Barossa/McLaren Vale shiraz, similar to what you get in Spain, or a more Rhone-like refined style.

Mount Langi Ghiran, Castagna, Clonakilla SV vs. Penfolds, Grant Burge, Torbrek.

Drinking a NZ Te Mata Bullnose tonight, and it's definitely more Cote Rotie (nothern Rhone) than Barossa. Almost Pinot-like in some respects.

Edit: I'm not sure that Glenlofty is the greatest exponent of cool climate Shiraz/Syrah - it's a funny kind of blend of the two IMHO.

Bullnose is good value, almost an annual buy - Grays had the 2014 for ~$36 during the recent 20% off tech sale - had my penultimate Castagna Genesis 2002/2004 a few months ago (still wanting to try the sparkling version), just ordered my first Clonakilla Murrumbateman Syrah (2013) from Langton's to compared with the SV (Ravensworth is a good cheaper alternative), haven't had/bought Langi for a while as it now seems overpriced

 

[Happy Trails]

Had this 'red Indian' in London last week.
I was hesitant to say the least, but it turned out to be drinkable.
Wouldn't go out of my way for it though.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Bullnose is good value, almost an annual buy - Grays had the 2014 for ~$36 during the recent 20% off tech sale

That's when I swooped on the 2014

haven't had/bought Langi for a while as it now seems overpriced

Managed to get a mix of '05/'06/'07 in the DM cellar sales over the last two years at an average price of $51 (and some change), which I think is decent value - have only tapped the '05s so far, but they are good drinking.

 

[Wozza]

Loved reading this thread this fine, Sunday morning.

Here's my contribution from an incredible night catching up with two long lost friends:

the Wynns John Riddoch Limited Release Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009


2009 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch, Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/50598977

"Stelzer said of this iconic Coonawarra Cab Sauv: "This is, unreservedly, one of the great Riddochs of all time" when bestowing 98 pts.

The nose was spellbinding as deep, rich opulent flavours of blackberries, cassis, blackcurrant, a touch of leather saddle, mint, dark chocolate & spice wafted from the glass. This only hinted at how good the palate turned out to be. As a wave of some of the roundest and most velvety mouth feels I have experienced played out with these flavours.

It was absolutely stunning even at this relatively early point in its life (Stelzer said not to open it for at least 20 years). It didn't feel as big as Stelzer had described it. But you could tell it would continue to develop for many years to come. The $112 paid from a Sydney bottle shop felt about right. A killer 97/100 (4.6/5.0) from me."

 

[blackcat20]

Amex deal on cracka, with a referral bonus. If the cashback comes in it'll be $15pb delivered in a 6 pack which I'm happy enough with. Will be nice to try my first Syrah!

How much was it on VM?

We picked it up for approx $12/bottle from the winery at one of their sales. Unbeatable value.

 

[Whining&dining]

I've always though 'Beefarmer" indicated his profession as a chemist.

Ahh, I see him as the supreme alchemist, a wizard with wine and words!

 

[RooFlyer]

Haven't posted here for a while - some nice wines, but not much to brag about.

Last night was different ; best friends over for a mid winter meat-fest. I had hoped to go three consecutive years on the Mt Edelstone, but the 2000 had somehow escaped. The Greenock Creek stepped forward.

The '98 ME was possibly fractionally past its best - most likely the fault of imperfect cellaring rather than the tenacity of the wine. The '99 was superb -everything you'd expect in a ME of this vintage; even the non red drinkers demanded some once they heard the rest of us cooing. But to our surprise, (as it would have had the same sub-optimal cellaring as the ME and I don't think its as cellar-worthy as the ME), the Greenock Creek was sublime - the best of the lot. Unfortunately the last as well.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Nice pick up Captain. I purposely made no mention of these two BUT since you asked, I found one to be a clear winner. That's all I wish to say about them. One to me was a just alright shall I say without being too strong in my assessment. Then again, it is an honest appraisal not judged with food. That can really make a diference. Let's just leave it at that and make your own assessments.

Ha. That doesn't inspire much confidence. I'm going with the 14 'Cab. Please PM me if I'm wrong.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Haven't posted here for a while - some nice wines, but not much to brag about.

Thread title is 'Nice wines I have drunk recently' isn't it? I'd hate to think primary objective of posters in this thread was to 'brag' about what they drank.