Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[MadMick10]

Can anyone give me their thoughts if they have had a HOG and perhaps a Mt Edelstone or Keyneton lately in comparison to each other. I mention this because I had a Mamre Brook shiraz 2003 and a mamre cabernet 2004 on grand final day and having the shiraz first found it a stunner. the cab second as youd expect and it was allright, but didn't go anywhere close to the shiraz. Cab scored from me about a 7.0, but the shiraz was middle eights.

The Hill of Grace and Keyneton are both fantastic wines. I've had 3 of my 6 bottles of HOG 1997 and a few bottles of the 2008 Keyneton and 2009 Keyneton. The HOG as you can imagine is a wonderful wine but due to it's price I've only opened them on special occasions (birth of my sons, milestone birthday). The Keyneton is a also a great wine but you can tell the difference in structure and complexity between the HOG and the Keyneton and I'd score the HOG a 9 and the Keyneton a 7.5. When comparing the prices ($600-$700 vs $50) it all comes down to affordability as well.

 

[Whodoesthat]

Blackwell 2004 - as previously mentioned..... one of my go to's...full throttle ,big mouthfeel certainly showing it's age but delish. Nice spicy oak on the finish.

Wynn's Johnsons Block Shiraz Cabernet 2003 - not really a wise choice to follow the above. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a lighter style with more finesse. Oddly the cabernet was at the forefront....mulberries, light menthol and tannins softening nicely.

 

[Simsy85]

I love that Durifs will just last and last and last! Had a 1992 from Warrabilla last month - incredible!

 

[burmans]

I love that Durifs will just last and last and last! Had a 1992 from Warrabilla last month - incredible!

That would have been very nice, agree that those Warrabilla reds are big, big wines that last and last, particularly the durif.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Other random reviews - some good, some indifferent. Bad ones filtered out:
2010 Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock
Not sure what to make of this. It's in the first pantheon of Australian wine, but it doesn't taste like the label. The Cabernet is dominant with cassis and tobacco on the nose. The taste is likewise of blackcurrants and dark fruit though somewhat lacking in the mid palate. Tannins are still quite grippy. Will leave the other bottle for a while to see what happens. CT87

2011 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Margaret River
Cassis, blackberry, plums and vanillin oak on the nose. The palate is smooth like all flagship Voyager Cab Merlots though there is probably a touch too much oak at this young age. The intensity is there but it just seems a bit unbalanced. Try again in 12 months. CT90

2013 Giovanni Manzone Langhe Nebbiolo Il Crutin Langhe DOC
Has taken overnight to get to a good spot. This is ruby red in the glass with a light-med body. Cherries and floral notes. Tannins are still chalky and grippy and more time is going to be required to tame them. Structure looks good though, so it'll be interesting to see how these develop. CT87

2012 Houghton C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec Great Southern
Blackberries, cherries and savoury spice on the nose - quite aromatic. The palate is medium/full with more fruit (slightly tart) with smooth tannins and a medium+ finish. I think this will benefit from more time to bring it into balance. CT90

2012 Elio Grasso Barbera d'Alba Vigna Martina
Tart cherry dominant nose, with tobacco hints. The palate is also cherry with hints of other red fruits, tobacco and some spice. Tannins are light. Nice and refreshing. CT90

2010 Sensi Brunello di Montalcino Boscoselvo Sangiovese
Dark cherries, smokey oak on the nose. Velvety smooth tannins, red fruits, hint of oak. Nice. CT89

2012 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz V & A Lane
From parcels alongside V&A Lane in Coonawarra - Halliday gave this 96. The aromas are there: blackcurrants, berries and mint. But the taste is somewhat tart, and the tannins chalky and drying. It's not great at the moment - I guess it's still a baby and needs more time, as it seems really unbalanced at the moment. CT87

2011 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Montmains Chardonnay
Straw coloured. Citrus and minerality on the nose and palate, with floral hints. Great Chardonnay. CT91

2013 Jeanneret Wines Westward we went Clare Valley
Another great VM deal from 2015 that punches well above the $8 asking price. Cassis, berries and a hint of spice on the nose. The palate has dark fruit. The Malbec contributes to the full body and grippy tannins. This isn't a superstar but it's a great midweek quaffer. QPR is amazing. CT88

2012 Laurance of Margaret River Chardonnay
Interesting bottle shape but impractical for storage. Peach and vanilla on the nose, with a palate of citrus, lemon meringue and slight nutty aftertaste. Above average midweek quaffer. CT87

2013 Oakridge Shiraz Local Vineyard Series Whitsend & Oakridge Vineyards Yarra Valley
Dark cherries, smokey and meaty notes on the nose. The palate has rich dark fruits, vanillin oak and firm tannins from the whole bunch treatment. Still a little rough around the edges at this young stage - probably better in another 12-24 months. CT88

 

[Kohen]

Thousand Candles 12

Is it a $100 wine...NA...

Interesting...YEAH...

Buy it again...NO...

A fruit salad wine to me, took a while to open up, funk early on and confused balance...nose interesting, aged wine colour...developed over 4 hours...but...not for me, didn't seem an expression of place, of variety, of time...tasty wine but...

Similar to Radiohead "Moon Shaped Pool"...the elements are there but it's no IN RAINBOWS

 

[beefarmer]

2012 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz V & A Lane
From parcels alongside V&A Lane in Coonawarra - Halliday gave this 96. The aromas are there: blackcurrants, berries and mint. But the taste is somewhat tart, and the tannins chalky and drying. It's not great at the moment - I guess it's still a baby and needs more time, as it seems really unbalanced at the moment. CT87

Everyone knows that JH has issues to do with his eye brows, but not many know that his assessment of a wine has a lot to do with those antennae.

Call it what you may but an AC score of 87 and a JH score of 96 is tantamount about taking Cinderalla out and ending up with a wicked witch.

Not even close here, but who ya gonna call ghostbusters?

My money is on AC hitting this wine at the stage it is at now. So how does anyone explain this?

 

[Wozza]

2012 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz V & A Lane
From parcels alongside V&A Lane in Coonawarra - Halliday gave this 96. The aromas are there: blackcurrants, berries and mint. But the taste is somewhat tart, and the tannins chalky and drying. It's not great at the moment - I guess it's still a baby and needs more time, as it seems really unbalanced at the moment. CT87

Everyone knows that JH has issues to do with his eye brows, but not many know that his assessment of a wine has a lot to do with those antennae.

Call it what you may but an AC score of 87 and a JH score of 96 is tantamount about taking Cinderalla out and ending up with a wicked witch.

Not even close here, but who ya gonna call ghostbusters?

My money is on AC hitting this wine at the stage it is at now. So how does anyone explain this?

Making me chuckle as I head back in a taxi from another 20 hour day at the office (only to do it again tomorrow from 5am)!

I gave it a recent Wozza 95, but I score on a different basis to AC who uses the Cellar Tracker guide as his base (I think). That's much more in line with the European scoring, which is tougher. One of the big Vivino raters (top 5) also gave the 12 a lukewarm score saying it was way too young. I should try to get more sleep, drink more, work less and bring my heady Wozza scores in line with decent reviewers like AC.

 

[vedder50]

Making me chuckle as I head back in a taxi from another 20 hour day at the office (only to do it again tomorrow from 5am)!

I gave it a recent Wozza 95, but I score on a different basis to AC who uses the Cellar Tracker guide as his base (I think). That's much more in line with the European scoring, which is tougher. One of the big Vivino raters (top 5) also gave the 12 a lukewarm score saying it was way too young. I should try to get more sleep, drink more, work less and bring my heady Wozza scores in line with decent reviewers like AC.

There's no value if you simply match your reviews to others. That's the beauty of reviews - a difference of opinion. Clearly you rated it well based on your comments alone, and did not agree with AC's assessment. Changing your review to match someone else's is a disservice to yourself and everyone reading it.

Now, the fact that everyone has their own interpretation of a rating scale does make scores a bit of a joke. Having a 100 point scale where no one has the gumption to rate outside of a 10 point mini-scale, may as well not even bother including a score.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I gave it a recent Wozza 95

Did you have the Cab Shiraz or the straight Shiraz? I thought it was the latter? If the former, then I think I need to pay more attention next bottle

Found the review: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....wines-i-have-drunk-53868-652.html#post1525378 - it's the straight Shiraz, not the Cab/Shiraz blend. Looks like we were drinking different wines

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Now, the fact that everyone has their own interpretation of a rating scale does make scores a bit of a joke. Having a 100 point scale where no one has the gumption to rate outside of a 10 point mini-scale, may as well not even bother including a score.

Well this guys actually tried using all five stars in a 5 star scale, and it didn't work out well: d r i n k s t e r: HANDING OUT THE STARS

Reality seems to be no one wants to read about wine that scores 60 or similar. Time to move on.

 

[Whodoesthat]

A quick stop at ol'mates and had a couple of glasses of The McLeans Farm 2012 Master Shiraz. This is a CM made for wine (which are hit and miss as a rule) and we recollected meeting the gregerious Bob McLean at a barrel tasting a number of years back. A massive wow from me...silky, layered...oozes quality, absolutely delicious. How did I miss this in the CM splurge of late.....would have been an absolute belter at $25...

 

[Whodoesthat]

Just been to the Brissy wine and food show and apologise for being pic heavy.....dayum how good was this! well beyond expectations. Some fabulous people, Dave O'leary amongst others,wine makers who just love what they do....some cracking wines to be had...and tasted.. standouts for us..in sorta order
Torbreck The celts 2007
Elderton Command 2008...
and a plethora of others....the Murray St, Serafino, was first class as was the Dogridge.... great Friday....even had Miguel Meastra cooking (who I can't even understand when I'm sober )... great day out! and "No" I don't work for them.

 

[Dudditz]

Dumplings and duck called for some red this fine evening with the last Kooyong 2011 Pinot from last BWS discount round in 2015. Perfectly drinkable but it's clear it was making the most of what was a difficult vintage.

Moving from a difficult vintage into what is clearly a cracker time to open a 2015 Giant Steps Syrah, first time I have tasted since tasting the range a couple of months ago at the cellar door. Wow incredible plum, spice, pine and other black fruits on the nose, just the slightest hint of vanilla from the oak. This is rich, medium to full bodied and powerful I like it already. Rich plum, herbs followed by an ease of tannins, spice and pepper with eucalypt on the finish it's simply delightful and I may need to add to the other three I currently have in the cellar. Would love to taste this as those tannins soften even more and see what else reveals itself about this mysterious beauty.



If you're a fan of Rhone style cool climate Shiraz then it's well worth a punt. I've got a bottle of the Tarraford 15 Syrah also tucked away which from memory was just that more refined perhaps from being stomped by foot by one of the GS crew or so I was told.

 

[Kohen]

Bushing King Luncheon yesterday at McLaren Vale, some of the highlight trophy wines

Back to Back winner of trophy was SC Pannell, this year for the Touriga Cabernet Mataro - a beautiful wine in the usual Pannell style

Highlight for me was the Willunga 100 Single Vineyard - Clarendon Grenache - soft and supple wine, will be purchased RR $30, McLaren Vale is the king of Grenache IMHO

 

[Sedimental]

View attachment 82499

Thousand Candles 12

Is it a $100 wine...NA...

Interesting...YEAH...

Buy it again...NO...

A fruit salad wine to me, took a while to open up, funk early on and confused balance...nose interesting, aged wine colour...developed over 4 hours...but...not for me, didn't seem an expression of place, of variety, of time...tasty wine but...

Similar to Radiohead "Moon Shaped Pool"...the elements are there but it's no IN RAINBOWS

Thanks for the review Kohen. I too liked that it was different but didn't like it enough to buy again. The RRP is laughable IMHO.

 

[blackcat20]

Dumplings and duck called for some red this fine evening with the last Kooyong 2011 Pinot from last BWS discount round in 2015. Perfectly drinkable but it's clear it was making the most of what was a difficult vintage.

Moving from a difficult vintage into what is clearly a cracker time to open a 2015 Giant Steps Syrah, first time I have tasted since tasting the range a couple of months ago at the cellar door. Wow incredible plum, spice, pine and other black fruits on the nose, just the slightest hint of vanilla from the oak. This is rich, medium to full bodied and powerful I like it already. Rich plum, herbs followed by an ease of tannins, spice and pepper with eucalypt on the finish it's simply delightful and I may need to add to the other three I currently have in the cellar. Would love to taste this as those tannins soften even more and see what else reveals itself about this mysterious beauty.

View attachment 82555

If you're a fan of Rhone style cool climate Shiraz then it's well worth a punt. I've got a bottle of the Tarraford 15 Syrah also tucked away which from memory was just that more refined perhaps from being stomped by foot by one of the GS crew or so I was told.

I really want to add some of that Syrah to the cellar now that the Mea Culpa seems to have vanished in the Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander split.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Chateau Chasse-Spleen 2005
Chasse-Spleen is one of the Crus Exceptionnels of the 1932 "classification" (since annulled). It's generally considered a Cru classe wine and the leading producer in the Moulis appelation. Had a bottle of this years ago in SG (vintage forgotten) and have been on the lookout ever since.

Dominant cassis, earth and a hint of mint on the nose. Dark fruit and cherries on the palate, with medium/soft tannins, and a lingering finish of subtle spice and oak under the fruit. Classic left-bank Bordeaux. Not as good as I remember but still really nice. CT91

 

[beefarmer]

View attachment 82559

View attachment 82561


Bushing King Luncheon yesterday at McLaren Vale, some of the highlight trophy wines

Back to Back winner of trophy was SC Pannell, this year for the Touriga Cabernet Mataro - a beautiful wine in the usual Pannell style

Highlight for me was the Willunga 100 Single Vineyard - Clarendon Grenache - soft and supple wine, will be purchased RR $30, McLaren Vale is the king of Grenache IMHO

Do not forget the Fo's sellig of an eleven bucker Grenache that is the Willunga 100 2014 I believe.
now that is a good deal.
as I mentioned, the 2010 was supurb.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Quiet night at home with the Ette watching B grade movies borrowed from the cloud - 1st cab off the rank:



Followed by this 18 bucker from GWD:



And it is surprisingly good - had never heard of it til I bought last 9 bots Solway and we needed 3 more bots to make doz for free shipping - this drop allegedly a favourite of one of the principles of GWD.