Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Steady]

Good wine or good price?

IMO the wine is good, DM sells it without the box and glasses in single bottle buy for $71.95. They sell the set at $150 but it is on sale now for $120

 

[afro]

Good reporting!

And, just because it's Xmas, I hope QF WP has taken notice of the excellent glasses ( even if they are Pinot and not Shiraz ) used by afro!

Thanks! once you've touched a zalto, you can never go back. i drink all red's in this glasses.

 

[afro]

Grosset Polish Hill 2015:
AFF Sydney offline lunchtime meetup: arguably Australia's greatest Riesling. Took a little while to open up. From a difficult vintage, from my understanding. Quite a delicate nose of floral notes and lime. The palate was nicely balanced with citrus fruits dominant and plenty of minerality. Fairly restrained, not hugely zesty. Probably needs more time. CT91

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was looking forward for 2015 wendouree release, was it only difficult for whites?i've heard good things about shiraz and cab.

 

[Whining&dining]

A very enjoyable night being our 21st continuos Christmas dinner since our first sprogs could walk. For the first time, having dinner is now a bit daggy for all the kids so us parents all had a great time in great company in magnificent Warrandyte.
C'est la vie.

Some great reviews there BF, makes me feel like I was there in the room!

I am going to take on online drubbing from some for this review - as some know I have a fairly formed and straightforward view on the bold and brash - Barossa Shiraz!!

But it was a very generous Christmas gift from CJEMNMAC, who was keen for me and AnonymousCoward to try this hidden gem from MyWineGuy:

the Landhaus Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015

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It was a very kind gift indeed, as you will see from my note below:

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/58675090

"Let me coin a new phrase: this is Nouveau Barossa. It's part of a recent trend to refashion the Barossa Fruit Bomb into a more silky, elegant Shiraz, complete with the signature Barossa flavours the warm climate, South Australian region is famous for. It's my kind of wine, even at this early stage.

Think single vineyard, 19 mths in exp. French oak, & cellaring potential of 12-15 yrs. The nose is enticing, the med. bodied palate sublime, and the finish enduring & memorable, seducing you in for more. As blackberry, plum, mulberry & liquorice glide effortlessly, lifting to a sweet berry fruit, vanilla & spice finish that lingers and lingers. Huge oak, but silky, silky smooth palate. Given the oak, I'd suggest you consume it with food at this early point. It's approachable now. But with bags of potential. A Wozza 93/100 (3.8/5.0) from me."

Thank you mate. I'll enjoy this over the coming days.

Sounds like a bobby dazzler indeed Wozza! (bit of unintentional alliteration there). Still enjoying the last couple of bottles of Landhaus 'The Sinner' unoaked blend that I bought a while back, great expression of fruit and supremely elegant!

 

[Sedimental]

1993 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

Cork in good nick, still waxy. Cassis, red capsicum and whiff of eucalyptus on opening. Dark ruby colour. Blueberries and chocolate on the mid palate. Tannins still surprisingly grippy. Long finish. Must be at its peak.

 

[Whining&dining]

Hell yes!!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Euro in Auckland. Friday night Chardonnay. Haven't had one of these for some years. Very nice Chardonnay better with a few years. Nice rich palate, slight sweetness (as many nz wines), malo is still quite buttery. Good with food.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I was thinking about it ($120 for Dan's members), but the early reviews of the 2012 aren't looking too hot. If you really want the glasses though, I guess it can't be too bad!

Stonewell can normally be had for ~$70-80/bottle (in a nice wooden box), so I guess you're paying $40-50 for the glasses (or at least a nice presentation case if it's a present).

Where are you seeing bad reviews? Halliday gave the 2012 a 97...

 

[Sedimental]

1999 Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Ruby colour. Herbaceous nose. Some menthol and liquorice on opening. Spicy French oak. Redcurrants and cherries balanced by fine grain tannins. Full bodied and good!

 

[ste667]

Where are you seeing bad reviews? Halliday gave the 2012 a 97...

winefront. Was a 92 from MB, 94 from CM, and 90 from GW. Actually better than I had remembered, although my tastes seem to be more aligned to GW from what I've worked out so far.

 

[baiden]

Coincidence... My cork snapped two thirds down but no big deal.
C'est la vie.

My last three have also snapped at about 2/3rds down. They seem "saturated"? but as I said, fortunately have not disintegrated.


Now onto one of my favourite types of wine. The bubbly nature adds a whole other dimension which I am yet to conquer in the art of describing but certainly no issues with imbibing.
Medium purple, black fruits and perhaps sour cherry/raspberry. I think the bubbles adds a soft layer to an impressive, well-structured and intense wine which is in one word, very moreish.
Comparable to Ashton Hills - just going to have to try the Seppelt Show and the Primo Estate Joseph when I can convince myself to part with a few extra dollars.

 

[Whodoesthat]

A couple to start the festivities..
Thorn Clarke William Randell Shiraz 2010 - Drinking very nicely.Deep garnet hue, rich velvety full bodied Barossan. Nice American finish with well integrated tannins. VG



Wendouree Cabernet Malbec 2005 - Well....had reasonably high expectations here, not the best of vintages, but...I struggled. Opened up with a heady note of ??? blackcurrent and "New car floor matts / first aid box at Grans???", told you I struggled. It remained for the bottle and I took to old mates for second opinion....neither of us could put a finger on it..Iodine?... beyond that the Cabernet was predominant and tannins still need time... time.... time....might open another to see if there is bottle variation.....disappointing.
Old Mate opened a Cullen Mangan 2006 which whilst Merlot predominant was really well balanced....still plenty of elegant plum and cherry fruit. VG

 

[afro]

another 98 hunter,the cork scare me a little, a red column runs down half way of the cork ,this bottle is definitely better than the rosehill, although still have a little bit of sour nose,smoother and not as dry.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Tahbilk Reserve Shiraz 1996:
Brick red colour. A nose of barnyard funk, leather, tar and rain on a hot tin roof - all in an interesting way. The palate is light-medium bodied, of strawberries and raspberries, with fine tannins. The length is medium at best, with some very light peppery spice. I'd say this is past it's best, though it's still good drinking today. 13% ABV only. CT90

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Langmeil "The Freedom" 1843 shiraz 2006:
Made from a single plot planted in 1843 (>160 years old), matured for 24 months in new and old French oak, from a good year in Barossa. This is still immensely powerful, with big plums and ripe blackcurrants and other dark fruits. The palate is velvety, soft well integrated tannins. There is a very long finish, with plenty of cedar spice. Wears its 15.5% ABV lightly with little alcohol heat. Nice, big Barossa Shiraz that has 10+ years in it. CT92

 

[TheRealTMA]

Clooney Auckland. Excellent food and service (much much better than The Grove!)


Nice uncomplicated Chardonnay, fresh, lime, lemon. No or low oak, malo.


Classic Greywacke Pinot, brilliant nose.


Lovely. Not too sweet, rich.

 

[cove]

We went the Veuve with Christmas turkey dinner and then Billecart with the pizza and fish and chips birthday lunch. The ladies enjoyed both champagnes. Our 18 year old niece thought both champagnes were better than the passion pop she had been drinking last week.

 

[QF WP]

Time fora 2 day trip to friends on the Gold Coast. I always bring the Champagne and Red (plus a dessert wine this year).



Reserves are okay for tonight. There's a couple of rippers in there



Now it's time to decant the Grey Label - a couple of hours should do it. Very closed and cherries on the first sample.

 

[amaroo]

Clooney Auckland. Excellent food and service (much much better than The Grove!)

Very nice restaurant. Just wish they budget more for electricity and turn some bloody lights on.

 

[QF WP]

End of the second bottle - suppose we should see how the Grey Label is decanting