Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[AnonymousCoward]

Tonight's drop - Shirvington Shiraz 2003: In a good shape now. Dark fruits balanced with chocolate, mocha and a little bit of spice. Lingering rich/plush finish. Velvety smooth tannins. 92 on CT




Other random stuff drunk over the past week:

2011 Twelftree Wines Shiraz White Hut
JH says Hand-picked; destemmed, not crushed; wild yeast open-fermented, 10 days on skins; 22 months in French puncheons. For me it's big and bold, with dark jam-like fruits that linger, with ripe, smooth tannins. A hint of bitter chocolate. This is still a baby, and a great SA shiraz from an otherwise bad vintage. 90 on CT

2007 Clarendon Hills Syrah Hickinbotham
Popped and poured. Impenetrable purple. Crazy bouquet - meaty, floral and berry notes. Dark fruits on the palate, with savoury spices. Smooth tannins. Would benefit from decanting. 90 on CT

2013 Spinifex Shiraz Bete Noir
Dense purple colour. Fruity nose. Dark fruits on the palate, with a slightly bitter herbal note to finish. Medium tannins. Still early, and wil benefit from aging. Nice, but not amazing at this stage. 88 on CT

2009 Zalinga Estate Shiraz Chairman's Reserve
Red and blue fruits on the nose. Palate doesn't quite seem to agree, with green herbaceous notes, some fruit, and a medium finish. Mild tannins. 88 on CT

 

[Daver6]

Ah - I included Giuseppe in the search, which only matched the 2000.

How did you rate it? Worth ~$300? Or better value elsewhere?

I haven't consumed it yet (sorry for the confusion). I've not had this vintage before but have had older ones and loved them. I do like the Amarone style in general.

My rationale for purchasing was its something I'll share at a wine dinner with friends at some point in the future. I think its a super interesting wine and a little bit different. Is it value for money...probably not, but I think that will hold true for most wines over $150/bottle, regardless of what they are.

In general, for $300 and looking at Italians, you could land up with 3 very decent bottles of Barolo.

 

[qaz]

I haven't consumed it yet (sorry for the confusion). I've not had this vintage before but have had older ones and loved them.

Yes, you definitely don't drink Amarone young and they seem to live almost forever

I do like the Amarone style in general.

Any in particular? I've always been partial towards Allegrini - their 1997 was the first Amarone I tried, a good introduction to them

Different but similar, I've enjoyed Joseph Moda since the great 1994 vintage, though have bought more of their sparkling red in recent years

My rationale for purchasing was its something I'll share at a wine dinner with friends at some point in the future. I think its a super interesting wine and a little bit different. Is it value for money...probably not, but I think that will hold true for most wines over $150/bottle, regardless of what they are.

+1 I find it hard to justify drinking relatively expensive wine alone - unless someone else is paying

In general, for $300 and looking at Italians, you could land up with 3 very decent bottles of Barolo.

Such as? I'm yet to have much Barolo or Barbaresco...

 

[Daver6]

Yes, you definitely don't drink Amarone young and they seem to live almost forever



Any in particular? I've always been partial towards Allegrini - their 1997 was the first Amarone I tried, a good introduction to them

Different but similar, I've enjoyed Joseph Moda since the great 1994 vintage, though have bought more of their sparkling red in recent years



+1 I find it hard to justify drinking relatively expensive wine alone - unless someone else is paying



Such as? I'm yet to have much Barolo or Barbaresco...

Well, I was spoilt with my introduction to Amrone being an old Quintarelli. I agree, the Joseph Moda is also a great wine and have some in the cellar too.

As for Barolo. A couple that come to mind are the Luigi Pira Serralung and Marrenca. Also quite like Brovia and Giacomo Brezza (especially the Sarmassa). Barolo really is a food wine.

One thing I love about aged Barolo is how similar it becomes to aged Burgundy. Its not even 9am and I'm thirsty just thinking about it

 

[qaz]

Well, I was spoilt with my introduction to Amrone being an old Quintarelli.

Indeed

I agree, the Joseph Moda is also a great wine and have some in the cellar too.

[post=1497497]Joseph / Primo Estate are having pop-up cellar doors in BNE/MEL/SYD during October[/post]

also Gourmet Traveller Wine: Top Tuscan Reds

 

[blackcat20]

Because Friday arvo

 

[Tannin]

For those who have had a Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2012, drinkable now or ultimately a major waste? Got some for special occasions and one came sooner than expected! Thanks.

 

[Viridianne]

Nice and crisp

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Nice and crisp

Crisp? Looks a bit blurry to me...

 

[AnonymousCoward]

AFF lunch meetup. Fontanafredda Seralunga d'Alba Barolo DOCG 2008. Took a little while to open up, but a nice mid-weight wine. Hopefully Wozza will have detailed notes:




Tonight's drop. Katnook Prodigy 2002 (bottle 4046). Still very big. Plums, raspberries and oak. Some savoury spice. Smooth tannins. Probably needs more time.

 

[Viridianne]

Looks a bit blurry to me...

Colleagues got thirsty

For those who have had a Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2012, drinkable now or ultimately a major waste? Got some for special occasions and one came sooner than expected! Thanks.

I'd also like to know as I got some bottles

 

[beefarmer]

AFF lunch meetup. Fontanafredda Seralunga d'Alba Barolo DOCG 2008. Took a little while to open up, but a nice mid-weight wine. Hopefully Wozza will have detailed notes:


View attachment 77241

Tonight's drop. Katnook Prodigy 2002 (bottle 4046). Still very big. Plums, raspberries and oak. Some savoury spice. Smooth tannins. Probably needs more time.

View attachment 77240

Fontanafredda Seralunga d'Alba Barolo DOCG 2008

Look I couldn't have said it better myself. Makes my fat cough chardonnay sound like a deros wine no better than chateau cardboard. I look forward to our learned friend describing this one as I have never had a Barolo, and would like to try.

 

[Whining&dining]

Fontanafredda Seralunga d'Alba Barolo DOCG 2008

Look I couldn't have said it better myself. Makes my fat cough chardonnay sound like a deros wine no better than chateau cardboard. I look forward to our learned friend describing this one as I have never had a Barolo, and would like to try.

Mind you I like them built big so maybe the Katnook would be my would-be port in the storm (Barolo has also piqued my interest I'd have to say )

Can it ever be too big though? (said the actress to the bishop)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Such as? I'm yet to have much Barolo or Barbaresco...

There are just so many brilliant wines from the Langhe and the area has much to offer but good ones are not cheap in Australia. Barolos need 6-8 years. Try an Elio Altare Barolo (had a bottle of the 1999 for my birthday in Rome this year and it was extraordinary) , or wines from vineyards of Serralunga, or my general favourites, most wines from Bussia. Gaia Barbarescos are fabulous on the palate and wallet but there are quite a few others from the town that are worth looking up for the example Pio Cesare. Something more reasonable in price, a Giacomo Conterno Barbara d'alba.

Differences: http://winefolly.com/review/difference-barolo-vs-barbaresco/

Ref: Elio Altare

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barolo

Serralunga Barolos: Mellowing with age - Decanter

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giacomo_Conterno

http://www.vinopedia.com/wine/Giacomo+Conterno+Barbera+d'Alba+Cascina+Francia

http://morrellwinebar.com/can-barbera-be-world-class-giacomo-conterno-retrospective/

Great book on the area: http://www.bookdepository.com/Barolo-and-Barbaresco-Kerin-OKeefe/

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I'd also like to know as I got some bottles

It'll be drinkable now - heck lots of people drinking them now at restaurants etc.

I had a bottle a couple of months ago. The profile is obviously still young, and it will get better over time but it's fine right now

 

[Rug]

Colleagues got thirsty



I'd also like to know as I got some bottles

View attachment 77246

I have mine sleeping in the cellar but Huon Hooke says the 2012 St Henri oozes drinkability. Most 2012 wines seem to drink well early (up to 2 years) then need to sleep for the next five years for quality wines. Cheers

 

[Daver6]

For those who have had a Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2012, drinkable now or ultimately a major waste? Got some for special occasions and one came sooner than expected! Thanks.

Unless you really dislike young Shiraz, you won't be disappointed. This is a classy, elegant wine that will develop nicely over time. Having tasted it on release, it was certainly approachable. It sounds like you have more than one bottle, so I'd say don't hesitate.

 

[Wozza]

A lovely lunch yesterday with a few fellow AFFers and this fine wine:

Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba 2008


2008 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba, Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/51339771

"Barolo: the wine of kings, the king of wines. So the saying goes. And it's apt for this 2008 Barolo (Nebbiolo) from Fontanafredda and the Serralunga d'Alba vineyard that was established by the first king of Italy in 1858. Dr Google says this is a well priced Barolo, particularly given the respectable scores, including a WS91 and RP90.

Classic in style, it's medium-bodied, with a floral nose, and a strong but well integrated and smooth acid line that drives to a slightly dry cedar finish. There's dark cherries, violets, sage and expresso up front, with cedar, some strawberries, vanilla and baking spice to finish. Give it another 3 /4 yrs, and also a good decant. A Wozza 93.5/100 (3.9/5.0) from me."

 

[beefarmer]

A lovely lunch yesterday with a few fellow AFFers and this fine wine:

Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba 2008
View attachment 77308View attachment 77307

2008 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba, Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/51339771

"Barolo: the wine of kings, the king of wines. So the saying goes. And it's apt for this 2008 Barolo (Nebbiolo) from Fontanafredda and the Serralunga d'Alba vineyard that was established by the first king of Italy in 1858. Dr Google says this is a well priced Barolo, particularly given the respectable scores, including a WS91 and RP90.

Classic in style, it's medium-bodied, with a floral nose, and a strong but well integrated and smooth acid line that drives to a slightly dry cedar finish. There's dark cherries, violets, sage and expresso up front, with cedar, some strawberries and baking spice to finish. Give it another 3 /4 yrs, and also a good decant. A Wozza 93.5/100 (3.9/5.0) from me."

introductions please wozza, how rude of you.

 

[Steady]

Did the Serrat get opened?