Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[TheRealTMA]

Aussie can be a harsh place to cellar, even if you buy ageworthy bottles. If you havent got a cellar then its either drink now or pre aged a la dan murphy cellar release.

Well, yes and no. The introduction of screw caps has made an enormous difference. Medium cellaring in dark place, undisturbed, at not extreme temperatures is all that's required. Wine fridges and underground cellars are overrated. The science does not support it.

 

[Buzzard]

Seem quite a few drinking Coonawarra Cab recently.
We enjoyed this one yesterday with a nice curry. OK so a blend but still very nice.

 

[sigmadelta]

W

Well, yes and no. The introduction of screw caps has made an enormous difference. Medium cellaring in dark place, undisturbed, at not extreme temperatures is all that's required. Wine fridges and underground cellars are overrated. The science does not support it.

I prefer not to expose mine to the victorian summer which gets to 40C and above, even in the shade. From experience i have had friend bring out a 1998 heathcote shiraz which was undrinkable, a tahbilk 2004 magnum also stored in the home and also well past its best. Check the winestar forum for many accounts of aged wines often not more tha 10 years from vintage where the wine was past its best, even though it should have been ok. Its enough to make a person wary, and yes it is probably the cork.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

W
From experience i have had friend bring out a 1998 heathcote shiraz which was undrinkable, a tahbilk 2004 magnum also stored in the home and also well past its best. Check the winestar forum for many accounts of aged wines often not more tha 10 years from vintage where the wine was past its best, even though it should have been ok. Its enough to make a person wary, and yes it is probably the cork.

Heathcote Estate? Or just a wine from Heathcote?
Tahbilk 1860 vines? or just a Tahbilk wine?

It does depend on the specific wine, whether it's worth keeping for 10+ years. And it depends on /how/ you keep the wine as well. Cork suffers from a certain % of taint and failure due to the variable nature of cork. Additionally, the wine needs to have the quality structure that enables it to be kept (even in ideal conditions).

I strongly dispute that wine's only worth keeping for a few years - I think I get through 2 bottles a week that are ~10 years old, and a couple a month that are up to 20 years old. Definitely there are benefits to hanging on to good quality wine.

 

[sigmadelta]

I think the '98 Heathcote was made by Leigh Hunt, though there are many great producers there, and some better IMO than Heathcote Estate, e.g. Jasper Hill, Sanguine Estate, Tatiarra.
The Tahbilk magnum was not their ordinary shiraz and I understand was a gift in a wooden box. This latter case is perhaps a more pointed example of the two, of the fact that storing wine and expecting it to be great after let's say a decade, is technical: you need to have some clue about storage conditions, and you need to know whether the particular wine is built for cellaring, and even then there still seems to be a lot of bottle variation. It's heartening to hear that you're getting a good strike rate after a couple of decades, I started my collection about 9 years ago, started off buying some mid-range shiraz and cabernet (as one does). I kept them under the stairs in sealed boxes to start with, and now have a Kitchener 430 which is great. But I still get surprises with some of the older bottles that I think really should have been longer lived. My rieslings are faring a lot better than the reds.

 

[qaz]

Forgot to mention that for those of you interested in cabernet, I bought the following from WineStar the other day (besides some [post=1508127]Little Yarra Pinot Noir 2015[/post] and [post=1503919]Benevelli Piero Langhe Nebbiolo 2015[/post]):

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Singlefile Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Vasse Felix Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2014
Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013

Anyone had Singlefile or Juniper before?

The 2014 Singlefile Cabernet Sauvignon I had on the weekend was probably one of the best young cabernets I've had in a while - which might not mean much considering I don't drink cabernet often, let alone any red wine that young

Had it with a 2005 Drappier Grande Sendree (better and cheaper than Bollinger Special Cuvee) and 2006 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling (still fresh with only a little age, years left)

what is the name of that cork puller outerer that is favoured by doctors and delectable blue?

[post=1490601]Ah-So[/post]

 

[Wozza]

I've just started to run back through my 2015 purchases, and am trying my second of a dozen:

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012


On Cellar Tracker and Vivino I commented as follows:

2012 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label, Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/52639739

"For those wishing to explore why Aussie's extol the Coonawarra Cab Sauv and are looking for a consistent entry level example, then Wynns Black Label would be a great starting point. And specifically, as would this 2012 and 57th vintage from this iconic Terra Rossa patch of red Aussie dirt. And for those that follow the ratings, Halliday gave this '12 an impressive 96.

Trying this 14 months on, the nose is still deeply scented and the palate rich, balanced and medium-bodied, as intense blackberries, dark cherries, slightly salted black olives, plummed spices and mint flow seamlessly to a delicate but lingering finish. Still years ahead of it.

Given the price (around $22 a bottle from Wine Market with an online discount code and cash back) and its corresponding age worthiness, it gets a Wozza 93.5/100 (3.9) from me - with surely more to come ..."

 

[AnonymousCoward]

It's heartening to hear that you're getting a good strike rate after a couple of decades, I started my collection about 9 years ago, started off buying some mid-range shiraz and cabernet (as one does). I kept them under the stairs in sealed boxes to start with, and now have a Kitchener 430 which is great. But I still get surprises with some of the older bottles that I think really should have been longer lived.

Probably depends on what you're storing. Had this tonight, and it's pretty good:



Dark fruits, cherries and mint on the nose. Palate is much of the same, with some oak thrown in. Aniseed on the finish. Supple tannins. This is big, bold Barossa, without being overwhelming. Bottle had loads of sediment though. CT91

FWIW, I'd also had
2000 Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Elderton Command Shiraz
2008 Mount Mary Quintet
2009 Majella The Malleea
2004 Shirvington Shiraz
in the past few weeks, and all have been in good drinking form. I think quality "made for lasting" wine will certainly evolve over more than just a few years - 10 at least, provided you can keep them in a decent place. Even mid-level like Bin 28 etc. should give you 5-10 years, unless it's a bad vintage.

 

[bad]

Probably depends on what you're storing. Had this tonight, and it's pretty good:

View attachment 79363

Dark fruits, cherries and mint on the nose. Palate is much of the same, with some oak thrown in. Aniseed on the finish. Supple tannins. This is big, bold Barossa, without being overwhelming. Bottle had loads of sediment though. CT91

FWIW, I'd also had
2000 Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Elderton Command Shiraz
2008 Mount Mary Quintet
2009 Majella The Malleea
2004 Shirvington Shiraz
in the past few weeks, and all have been in good drinking form. I think quality "made for lasting" wine will certainly evolve over more than just a few years - 10 at least, provided you can keep them in a decent place. Even mid-level like Bin 28 etc. should give you 5-10 years, unless it's a bad vintage.

i had this same bottle not long ago and it was corked .... Down the drain

 

[Wozza]

i had this same bottle not long ago and it was corked .... Down the drain

Bad luck, my AFF friend. I've had two Command 06s in the last 6 months, one from Langtons and one from a bottle shop, and both were good (still very young) Barossa beasts. Gutted you didn't get to taste it in its current lovely form. I reckon it's at least 5 years from its optimum drinking window, so don't be put off by your corked bottle. There are some decent ones out there. Cheers, Wozza.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

i had this same bottle not long ago and it was corked .... Down the drain

I'd try getting in contact with Grant Burge - they might replace it.

 

[QF WP]

Has been an emotional long week / 10 days for me so the red wine rack was depleted:



My last bottle of Chapel Hill and was pretty happy with it - after all, what 2010 is a bad bottle. The second night was a little longer in the finish (as I decanted the remainder of the bottle) and better than the first night.

Then my next two nights needed a bottle every night, as Mrs QF WP joined me in a toast for my uncle as I was putting down my thoughts for my speech at his wake.



My father gave me one of these in memory of his twin (we didn't get to drink all of the half dozen he took up with him but we gave it a decent nudge), so I've put it in the wine fridge for a bit of a slumber:



This week has been a better week but already 2 bottles down and my wife joining in last night to finish one bottle and crack another. One last stressful event still to happen and we can see daylight again

 

[beefarmer]

It's easy to hit the booze when you are seeking a little inspiration for a speech. I too knocked back plenty in the last three weeks knowing the inevitable was coming. It came BUT time heals all remember.
So does spending money.

 

[carwashhair]

Hi thread, just wanted to wish you a happy third birthday! You've been witness to some stunning wines that have been opened, many of which are much older than you. Long may this thread, fuelled by the consumption of great wine in the company of great people, continue!

 

[beefarmer]

Hi thread, just wanted to wish you a happy third birthday! You've been witness to some stunning wines that have been opened, many of which are much older than you. Long may this thread, fuelled by the consumption of great wine in the company of great people, continue!

And here's a cheer for Dr Sammy Lee who we had the great pleasure of meeting in January this year. We all will keep an eye out for you Sammy !!!
That is after we've left terra firma !! I hope folks understand the cryptic nature of this one, but for those that don't, the old boy works on donated retinas for research purposes.
Crikes, I think I'd need a drink after that one. By the way Sammy, any eyes at the bottom of the Tequila bottle?

 

[vinscent]

Bad luck, my AFF friend. I've had two Command 06s in the last 6 months, one from Langtons and one from a bottle shop, and both were good (still very young) Barossa beasts. Gutted you didn't get to taste it in its current lovely form. I reckon it's at least 5 years from its optimum drinking window, so don't be put off by your corked bottle. There are some decent ones out there. Cheers, Wozza.

Wozza, I just received a couple of 09 Command. Do you reckon I need to leave them for at least another 7-10 years?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Wozza, I just received a couple of 09 Command. Do you reckon I need to leave them for at least another 7-10 years?

You can probably keep them that long (was '09 under screwcap?) but you don't have to. They should still be good now, just more refined and balanced if you give them a bit more time. Around the 10-15 year mark (so 2019-2024) they're usually drinking well.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Thanks to fellow AFFer Alzoam, we were treated to the 1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon today at lunch. Cellared since release. Cork in great condition.

Raisins, blackcurrants and leather on the nose. More dark fruits on the palate, various savoury spices, leather, earth, tar, with medium tannins. Not for everyone, but I like it - who says you can't cellar wine?

Great company provided by fellow AFFers Wozza, Katy, Viridianne and supplier Alzoam.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

And something a bit different tonight: Chateau Montus Madiran AOC La Tyre 2003. Made from 100% tannat grapes. Similar flavour profile to cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrant, blackberries and graphite. Palate has plums, blackberries, a bunch of spice, with some sweetness at the end. 15% alcohol - a bit of heat is evident, but the body is quite full so it's mostly covered. Tannins still firm. Interesting bottle - only my second tannat ever.

 

[Wozza]

Nice, easy drinking Barossa Shiraz from one of my favourite producers:

the Torbreck Barossa Valley The Sporran Shiraz 2013



Tasting note:

2013 Torbreck Shiraz The Sporran, Australia, South Australia, Barossa - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/52761652

"This multi-vineyard Torbreck Barossa Shiraz has got serious quality written all over it. Not only that, it's seriously drinkable.

The nose is glorious as blueberries, dark cherries, tar, liquorice, sage, rosemary, vanilla, oak and baking spice delight and waft from the glass. The palate is so smooth, concentrated, chocolately, bold and nicely balanced, as those sweet and savoury flavours lead into a fine lingering finish.

It's my only bottle, but I am clambering for more as this has huge potential for 5 or so years time. A Wozza 94.5/100 (4.1) from me."