Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[unfunkable]

Forgot i Had these 2 to write about. Had them in March

The Blass Noir was a beauty for the $10 I paid for it. If I had know it would of been like that I would of got a few more cases to drink in 5 years or so. 8/10.

The Capel Vale I got for free with my Wine Companion subscription...I know why it's free now. Struggled to finish the bottle. 5/10

 

[blackcat20]

More delights from yesterday

 

[AdMEL]

View attachment 98379View attachment 98380
Forgot i Had these 2 to write about. Had them in March

The Blass Noir was a beauty for the $10 I paid for it. If I had know it would of been like that I would of got a few more cases to drink in 5 years or so. 8/10.

The Capel Vale I got for free with my Wine Companion subscription...I know why it's free now. Struggled to finish the bottle. 5/10

How did get the Blass for $10? Dan's price is $30!

 

[unfunkable]

How did get the Blass for $10? Dan's price is $30!

It was from cellardoor 25th Feb 2017. I posted here at the same time letting people know

 

[AdMEL]

It was from cellardoor 25th Feb 2017. I posted here at the same time letting people know

Damn, missed that!

 

[Deleted member]

Tasting group theme was the great Australian blend, Shiraz Cabernet. One smarty pants found one from Canada. Looking at you JohnM.

Wine of the night was the very expensive 2012 Metala Shiraz - Cabernet at $14 per bottle!

Edit: I should add, the tasting was blind.
View attachment 97778

Something tells me I might also like your taste in art

 

[TheRealTMA]

My very first (but not the last) ENGLISH Pinot Noir from Kent. Very very much like a nice Burgundy. Lovely nose, good balance, elevated berries and soft tannins. Finish is a little light since tannins don't follow it through but overall I'm very impressed.

 

[Sedimental]

Love to the hear the verdict on the Holyman PN

This was the 2009 vintage. Medium bodied, Burgundian in style. Not overly perfumed. Cherries and spice. Dry grippy tannins suggest will live for some time yet. Liked it a lot.

 

[Sedimental]

How was the '02 RWT?

Big and firm, but with ample fruit for the long haul. Will probably go another decade but enjoyable at 15 years. My notes included blueberries, liquorice, black olives and cedary French oak. Going to sit on my 2005 for a few more years.

 

[Sedimental]

Been doing my fair share of imbibing but not much posting! Here are a few of the more memorable recent casualties.

 

[Sedimental]

Recent Fraser Island trip was incredibly windy necessitating a journey across to the western side of the island to chase some flathead. Dinner of oxtail stew was accompanied by

 

[QF WP]

It's been a while since I visited this thread, so will have to dig out the photos from the last couple of weeks, including ones that Wozza will like.

 

[QF WP]

Wozza, in line with your recent review, by sheer coincidence I went to Tyrrells with a group of FF's last weekend

History of the Tyrrell family





Now I'd dive into these if they were full - love the dirt floor






Our selection to taste on the day - both my wife and I found suitable bottles





On entry, some of the old barrelling and vats





Tasting wines are ready



It's a must go see - my wife and I intend to head back to the Hunter Valley to spend much more time there. We even had Johnny Tyrrell (one of the 3 current descendants working there) turn up to our tasting - Jane is in Sydney doing their Marketing and Chris is the COO, if my memory is correct.

https://www.tyrrells.com.au/story

 

[ste667]

Thanks for the trip report QF. Mrs667 has a conference in the Hunter Valley in November, so I'll be tagging along to make use of my Private Bin membership. Can't wait!

 

[Sedimental]

Last Tuesday of the month's blind wine tasting. Bracket 1, 3 x 2005 Rieslings

The Pfalz had a mere 9% alc and high residual sugar.

 

[Sedimental]

Bracket 2. Shiraz from the excellent 1996 vintage in South Australia.
Wine 1 was Penfolds St Henri (which I omitted to photogragh), a multi-regional shiraz blend and excellent drinking now!
Cork issues with one of the Balmorals

Couldn't detect any mint in the Leasingham which I often associate with Clare Valley shiraz.

 

[blackcat20]

Kicked off our holiday with this gem from the Barossa. Cork broke (probably my fault) but wine was perfect.

 

[Steady]

I like this Shiraz, balanced and easy drinking

 

[Wozza]

Am I one of the only AFF Wine Lovers who's Wine Thread looks regularly like this:


I've stopped being called by my lovely mof_ broker. The daily emails dried up long ago.

It's heading towards 2 years - yes, 2 years - since I last purchased from the enigmatic, Gen Y wine mob, that is The Fo. Its stratospheric success appears to be its Achilles Heel. Once the market-stealing, groundbreaking new kid on the retail wine block. Now, seemingly just another almost-has-been 2.0 sensation that's struggling to replicate the short lived halcyon days. Especially after the established players licked their wounds and began to plagiarise the Fo's secret weapons - the discounted mystery wine and the slick, easy online wine purchase experience.

I'm genuinely disappointed.

It was the Fo that helped shape my early exploration of decent well known and boutique wines. It was the Fo that helped me build the beginnings of my now ever-growing wine collection. A wine collection I hope to enjoy over many years, God willing.

That included the Devils Lair Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012


It was a nice wine to return to. A trip down nostalgia lane:

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/69804076

2012 Devil's Lair Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River - CellarTracker

"What a difference a year makes. Not for the wine. But my ever-developing palate!

This VinoMofo 1/2 price bargain from 2015 was too good to resist. Two 97s, a 95, and some gold medals, including the Sydney Wine Show. And 2012 was a decent Margaret River vintage too.

So why a point deduction from my initial 2015 tasting note? It's elegant and detailed, with regional flavour goodness. But there's too much alcohol warmth. It's not a complete spoiler. But it's noticeable to warrant a deduction.

A fine, dusty nose hints at the blackberry, blackcurrant, mint, bay leaf, graphite, rosemary & spice on the med-bodied palate. There's dusty, smooth dark chocolate tannins, with a touch of sea wash. And a fine elegant finish.

For the $25 paid, it's a great wine that will continue to improve. But there's not enough balance for this to be a true bargain buy. But 2011 and 2013 are reputedly better. A (revised down) Wozza 92/100 (3.6/5.0) from me."

It's a wine I hope will improve with age. It's a reminder of an online retailer who I hope will improve too.

Here's hoping ...

 

[Whining&dining]

Just a quick report on a recent Margaret River Cab Merlot generously gifted by Rug (not for the first time) a practice that is increasing my acquaintanceship with many fine drops. The Cape Mentelle 2009 Trinders certainly has "class" written all over it, I jotted down a couple of quick impressions after opening it the other night aided by a decent aeration provided by a new toy, a vinOair also a present from Rug. The immediate sensation is of being bathed in cassis, Creme de Cassis in fact, gorgeous black berries, very smooth, perfumed without being floral (think Opium not Miss Dior) finishing with great length, the flavours lingering like a lover's kiss, another cracker! I'm looking forward to sharing some future tasting notes as I work my way through the Margaret River and Barossa (metaphorically speaking!)