Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Steady]

This was ok with the slow cooked roast beef I had for dinner.

 

[JessicaTam]

View attachment 37547

This was ok with the slow cooked roast beef I had for dinner.

Just "ok"? :shock:

 

[Captain Halliday]

Steady, I don't think they serve that at The Ducks Nuts.

Want to know what The Ducks Nuts is? Ask Steady or check here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ts/drw-dinner-drinks-27th-november-63944.html

fine print: shameless attempt to drive traffic to the DRW drinks and dinner thread.

 

[burmans]

Last night I pulled this out of one of the wine cabinets where it's been slumbering for a while. 'Twas very good.

View attachment 37148

Good taste. My wife is from Central Otago and in my opinion Mt Difficulty is one of the best, also a great view as a place to have lunch.

 

[JohnM]

Tonight's scraps:

 

[Steady]

Just "ok"? :shock:

Maybe "ok" was a little conservative

 

[QF WP]

two glasses JohnM - one for each hand or is there something we don't know

 

[Daver6]

Probably too technical - good, b.. good and f.. awesome should be adequate :mrgreen:.

2007 Dry River (Martinborough NZ). This was divisive among the group. The nose showed apple wax (now that’s a descriptor I have never used before!) raisins, tomato leaf, white pepper and some meatiness. The palate appears to show over-ripe fruit, more meaty notes – like the after taste of a juicy steak, and prominent acid.

 

[JohnM]

two glasses JohnM - one for each hand or is there something we don't know

Haha, Sherlock QF WP . Never been any secret - I've periodically referred to PartnerJohnM in posts. But we are LATs: Living-apart-together (LAT) relationships in Australia - Family Matters No 87, 2011 - AIFS journal - Publications - Australian Institute of Family Studies.

A challenge is ensuring I get half the wine I drag out .

 

[JohnM]

2007 Dry River (Martinborough NZ). This was divisive among the group. The nose showed apple wax (now that’s a descriptor I have never used before!) raisins, tomato leaf, white pepper and some meatiness. The palate appears to show over-ripe fruit, more meaty notes – like the after taste of a juicy steak, and prominent acid.

Whoa, not technical enough - back to the phrasebook . Where would it sit on my highly technical 3-step scale :mrgreen:.

 

[Daver6]

Whoa, not technical enough - back to the phrasebook . Where would it sit on my highly technical 3-step scale :mrgreen:.

Hehe. Did you ever watch Oz and James wine adventures? If so, you will understand when I say you should have blown the ponce whistle in my direction

It was a good wine. Very different to any of the other wines on the night. In short, I enjoyed it and would happily drink more. Worth the money? Probably. My suggestion, crack on the oldest one of yours and see what you think though. Everyone likes different things in wine

 

[JohnM]

Here's one from left field:



For those unfamiliar with S America, Concha Y Toro is a Chilean company that is the third largest wine company in the world.

For those unfamiliar with carmenere, it is regarded as Chile's 'own' red wine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carm%C3%A9n%C3%A8re.)

Anyone who has travelled on LAN, in J at least, would know that there is always one carmenere on the list of usually three reds.

Casillero del Diablo (Cave of the Devil) is a mass-produced commercial label of good quality (think Jacob's Creek, Penfolds Koonunga Hill) for several varieties of which the carmenere and sauvignon blanc (and probably cabernet sauvignon) are readily available in Australia at quite reasonable prices ($20 range).

The winery HQ, outside Santiago, is worth (an albeit touristy) visit. Plenty of day trips are available from Santiago.

I don't have daver6's touch for simple tasting notes hyperbole () but carmenere is a rich red in the way of cabernet sauvignon or merlot but, to me, is more juicy - yet still with good acid. I think it goes particularly nicely with lamb chops on the BBQ or something like a meaty pizza. On the JohnM Highly Technical Wine Evaluation Scale[SUP]TM[/SUP], I rate it b.. good - particularly when price is put into the multivariate equation. It got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from PartnerJohnM who had never tried carmenere before.

On LAN, I often have it with the cheese. The higher-level examples they list in J are usually a lot more grippy than the Casillero.

The sauvignon blanc I think is also worth a try. It has neither the overt tropical fruit/gooseberry/cat pee flavours that put me, at least, off many except the best NZ sauvys, nor does it have the steeliness of the best Adelaide Hills examples (think Shaw & Smith). Rather, there's a sort of musty in-between flavour that I think offers an good counterpoint to the Aus & NZ styles.

Give 'em a crack - I don't think you'll be too disappointed, especially if, like me, you like to try something a bit different. I got mine at Vintage Cellars.

 

[RooFlyer]

Warning - this post may be rated 'M' :shock:

Now I have your undivided attention - some favourites of mine from Canada from a small pre-departure soiree.


First - the Dirty Laundry 'kitchen sink' - sav blanc, pinot blanc, viognier and gewürztraminer. Now, purists might sniff that with that lot, who could tell what in the wine. And they'd be right. This is one of the best 'ice breaker' wines I've ever had.

The front of the bottle features a keyhole:



If you look through the keyhole ...ahem ...



The origin of the name of the winery is worth a browse of their web site. (The wine is actually OK, once you get your mind off the bottle.)


Entrée (or starters as they say here) were just some chorizo sausages & bits on the BBQ and Burrowing Owl is one of my favourite 'in between' reds - better than quaffing, but not 'show off' standard. Daver6 already knows that's about the limit of my technical-speak. Lovely berries and a wine you can enjoy from the get-go without having to think about it too much. Its about $28 locally but hard to get anywhere but BC.




Main course (or Entrée as they say here ) was some wild goose in a very light Thai green curry. Those with great memories may recall that I'm a fan of Zinfandel, but I usually don't want to shell out the +$50/bottle for the best stuff from Russian River, CA. I found this 2009 Hartford for about $55+tax and it was simply perfect with the tucker.



I can't recommend a good Russian River Zin highly enough.

 

[AdMEL]

Hehe. Did you ever watch Oz and James wine adventures? If so, you will understand when I say you should have blown the ponce whistle in my direction

It was a good wine. Very different to any of the other wines on the night. In short, I enjoyed it and would happily drink more. Worth the money? Probably. My suggestion, crack on the oldest one of yours and see what you think though. Everyone likes different things in wine

Oz (Clarke) and James (May) wine adventures was a great show! For those that haven't seen it, All the episodes can be found on YouTube.

Here's one from left field:

View attachment 37818

For those unfamiliar with S America, Concha Y Toro is a Chilean company that is the third largest wine company in the world.

For those unfamiliar with carmenere, it is regarded as Chile's 'own' red wine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carm%C3%A9n%C3%A8re.)

Anyone who has travelled on LAN, in J at least, would know that there is always one carmenere on the list of usually three reds.

Casillero del Diablo (Cave of the Devil) is a mass-produced commercial label of good quality (think Jacob's Creek, Penfolds Koonunga Hill) for several varieties of which the carmenere and sauvignon blanc (and probably cabernet sauvignon) are readily available in Australia at quite reasonable prices ($20 range).

The winery HQ, outside Santiago, is worth (an albeit touristy) visit. Plenty of day trips are available from Santiago.

I don't have daver6's touch for simple tasting notes hyperbole () but carmenere is a rich red in the way of cabernet sauvignon or merlot but, to me, is more juicy - yet still with good acid. I think it goes particularly nicely with lamb chops on the BBQ or something like a meaty pizza. On the JohnM Highly Technical Wine Evaluation Scale[SUP]TM[/SUP], I rate it b.. good - particularly when price is put into the multivariate equation. It got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from PartnerJohnM who had never tried carmenere before.

On LAN, I often have it with the cheese. The higher-level examples they list in J are usually a lot more grippy than the Casillero.

The sauvignon blanc I think is also worth a try. It has neither the overt tropical fruit/gooseberry/cat pee flavours that put me, at least, off many except the best NZ sauvys, nor does it have the steeliness of the best Adelaide Hills examples (think Shaw & Smith). Rather, there's a sort of musty in-between flavour that I think offers an good counterpoint to the Aus & NZ styles.

Give 'em a crack - I don't think you'll be too disappointed, especially if, like me, you like to try something a bit different. I got mine at Vintage Cellars.

I recognised that label instantly - it's been in the Vintage Cellars Cellar Press a couple of times. I haven't tried it, but may do so now.

I can't stand kiwi Sauv Blanc, but don't mind some of the French style ones made here, e.g. Bannockburn.

 

[drross]

Here's one from left field:

View attachment 37818

For those unfamiliar with S America, Concha Y Toro is a Chilean company that is the third largest wine company in the world.

For those unfamiliar with carmenere, it is regarded as Chile's 'own' red wine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carm%C3%A9n%C3%A8re.)

Anyone who has travelled on LAN, in J at least, would know that there is always one carmenere on the list of usually three reds.

Casillero del Diablo (Cave of the Devil) is a mass-produced commercial label of good quality (think Jacob's Creek, Penfolds Koonunga Hill) for several varieties of which the carmenere and sauvignon blanc (and probably cabernet sauvignon) are readily available in Australia at quite reasonable prices ($20 range).

The winery HQ, outside Santiago, is worth (an albeit touristy) visit. Plenty of day trips are available from Santiago.

I don't have daver6's touch for simple tasting notes hyperbole () but carmenere is a rich red in the way of cabernet sauvignon or merlot but, to me, is more juicy - yet still with good acid. I think it goes particularly nicely with lamb chops on the BBQ or something like a meaty pizza. On the JohnM Highly Technical Wine Evaluation Scale[SUP]TM[/SUP], I rate it b.. good - particularly when price is put into the multivariate equation. It got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from PartnerJohnM who had never tried carmenere before.

On LAN, I often have it with the cheese. The higher-level examples they list in J are usually a lot more grippy than the Casillero.

The sauvignon blanc I think is also worth a try. It has neither the overt tropical fruit/gooseberry/cat pee flavours that put me, at least, off many except the best NZ sauvys, nor does it have the steeliness of the best Adelaide Hills examples (think Shaw & Smith). Rather, there's a sort of musty in-between flavour that I think offers an good counterpoint to the Aus & NZ styles.

Give 'em a crack - I don't think you'll be too disappointed, especially if, like me, you like to try something a bit different. I got mine at Vintage Cellars.

easily found for well under $20 a bottle. I think we got some from Vintage Cellars for $12-13

 

[JohnM]

I found this 2009 Hartford .

View attachment 37831

Hartford (a very pretty winery to visit BTW) also makes excellent pinot noir and chardonnay.

On zins, if you ever see any by Turley, I recommend them. They are zin specialists with vineyards in several CA appellations.

 

[markis10]

I am not a sticky fan but very much enjoyed this

 

[carwashhair]

Here's one from left field:

View attachment 37818

For those unfamiliar with S America, Concha Y Toro is a Chilean company that is the third largest wine company in the world.

For those unfamiliar with carmenere, it is regarded as Chile's 'own' red wine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carm%C3%A9n%C3%A8re.)

Anyone who has travelled on LAN, in J at least, would know that there is always one carmenere on the list of usually three reds.

Casillero del Diablo (Cave of the Devil) is a mass-produced commercial label of good quality (think Jacob's Creek, Penfolds Koonunga Hill) for several varieties of which the carmenere and sauvignon blanc (and probably cabernet sauvignon) are readily available in Australia at quite reasonable prices ($20 range).

The winery HQ, outside Santiago, is worth (an albeit touristy) visit. Plenty of day trips are available from Santiago.

I don't have daver6's touch for simple tasting notes hyperbole () but carmenere is a rich red in the way of cabernet sauvignon or merlot but, to me, is more juicy - yet still with good acid. I think it goes particularly nicely with lamb chops on the BBQ or something like a meaty pizza. On the JohnM Highly Technical Wine Evaluation Scale[SUP]TM[/SUP], I rate it b.. good - particularly when price is put into the multivariate equation. It got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from PartnerJohnM who had never tried carmenere before.

Give 'em a crack - I don't think you'll be too disappointed, especially if, like me, you like to try something a bit different. I got mine at Vintage Cellars.

I can absolutely vouch for the Cabernet/Syrah reserva privada from these guys (also at VC). Usually around $20, it's fantastic quaffer quality/value when it drops down to $15. I need to give the Carmenere a try by the sound of it!

 

[JohnM]

Had lunch today at Trustee in PER (location of a couple of AFF gatherings) with my elder son. A reasonable albarino with the starters and this with the chateaubriand for two as the main was very nice:



Followed by a couple of beers at Bob's (after Bob Hawke) Bar above Print Hall in the same precinct:



Hey, PF, what do you think of no. 1 son ?!

OMG, retirement is nice when your kids who work away hit town! .

 

[penegal]

OMG, retirement is nice when your kids who work away hit town! .

haha, I am at that awkward age where my parents cost me money, and my kids also cost me money... Therefore I am broke, but my family is happy