Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[RooFlyer]

Vranec is a grape variety from Bosnia butis now mostly produced in Macedonia.

It's chief characteristic as far as I could tell is it's intense dark colour. It looked like black ink when poured.

We had a trasting at the Stobi winery in South eastern Macedonia, with a dinner there and most of the wines they served us were very young - as in 2027/18! The Vranec was 2014 and to me needed many more years in the bottle. Weak nose, very plummy but little finish.


Rkaciteli originating from Georgia was forgettable.



They also served us a Chardonnay and a Pinot noir, both far too young to appreciate.

They aren't a big producer at 4.5 mill litres pa ( not in top10 in Macedonia). 50 KL fermenting vessels for red, 80kl for whites



Some mixed oak barrel aging ( French or American or Slovakian or one other country.

 

[Dudditz]

Vranec is a grape variety from Bosnia butis now mostly produced in Macedonia.

It's chief characteristic as far as I could tell is it's intense dark colour. It looked like black ink when poured.

We had a trasting at the Stobi winery in South eastern Macedonia, with a dinner there and most of the wines they served us were very young - as in 2027/18! The Vranec was 2014 and to me needed many more years in the bottle. Weak nose, very plummy but little finish.

I've had some fantastic Vranac in Montenegro where it is the predominate red variety - was my go to and very much like a big brooding Barossa shiraz.

If you are in Bosnia or can find Bosnian wines Blatina and Zilavka are fantastic to try. Blatina is a medium bodied red that reminds me somewhat in between the pinot and pinotage but much more floral.

 

[RooFlyer]

Couple of us asked if there was some Vranek with some years on it that we could buy. No, oldest was the 2014 that we were served!

 

[juddles]

Just as I am trying to "downsize" in wine consumption to fit my new and poor writer's reality period, a friend dropped past and left me a couple of bottles. Now I am not sure what to do with them - do I pair them with an Aldi pie, or give them true justice with a snag from Bunnings??

 

[juddles]

.... Now I am not sure what to do with them......

Hmmmm, have decided on their fate. They are too much for me to drink in my usual solitude. They would be fun to share with someone who really puts passion into imbibing such. Especially on a birthday, even better if said birthday is a significant one. Problem is no-one invites me to birthdays.....

paging @JohnM

 

[Daver6]

I don't quite recall how I managed to pick this up at only $25/bottle, but happy stays. Stunning wine! Beautifully balanced in every way.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yep I know wrong thread coz I have not drunk it yet - and very reluctant to post cause likely to be told by those who have never seen or heard of this before that it is no good - still we soldier on.

Was in a small town 60km sth of Nanjing China yesterday and went to supermarket to get bottle of water- they had liquor / wine section - this there for RMB89 = A$18.68 - NFI about it but what does 18 clams buy you if not a bit of a giggle!

Prolly sat upright on shelf in Chinese heat for 12 years but who knows? We’ll take it home and let it sleep a month or so then wring it’s neck!

FTR - only bottle of non Chinese wine in store - clearly a must buy scenario

 

[Daver6]

Yep I know wrong thread coz I have not drunk it yet - and very reluctant to post cause likely to be told by those who have never seen or heard of this before that it is no good - still we soldier on.

Was in a small town 60km sth of Nanjing China yesterday and went to supermarket to get bottle of water- they had liquor / wine section - this there for RMB89 = A$18.68 - NFI about it but what does 18 clams buy you if not a bit of a giggle!

Prolly sat upright on shelf in Chinese heat for 12 years but who knows? We’ll take it home and let it sleep a month or so then wring it’s neck!
View attachment 176031
FTR - only bottle of non Chinese wine in store - clearly a must buy scenario

I suspect it is a Chinese wine actually. However, what it tastes like is the important back. Report back when you do crack it

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I suspect it is a Chinese wine actually.

Maybe but here is pic rear labels:

I might even email producer and see what I can find out - might be interesting

 

[afro]

Yep I know wrong thread coz I have not drunk it yet - and very reluctant to post cause likely to be told by those who have never seen or heard of this before that it is no good - still we soldier on.

Was in a small town 60km sth of Nanjing China yesterday and went to supermarket to get bottle of water- they had liquor / wine section - this there for RMB89 = A$18.68 - NFI about it but what does 18 clams buy you if not a bit of a giggle!

Prolly sat upright on shelf in Chinese heat for 12 years but who knows? We’ll take it home and let it sleep a month or so then wring it’s neck!
View attachment 176031
FTR - only bottle of non Chinese wine in store - clearly a must buy scenario

Looks French but the alcohol and the volume tag is in Chinese , very strange for a French wine.

 

[afro]

Maybe but here is pic rear labels:
View attachment 176141
I might even email producer and see what I can find out - might be interesting

There’s a wechat code on that label , it’s a Chinese product. How was the wine btw?

 

[MadMick10]

An interesting write up on the funny Chinese labels. Your label is one of those mentioned.

Moisten Your Lung! | Some classic wine labels from China – Grape Wall of China

 

[QF WP]

A little tipple this afternoon when our friends from Gold Coast got to our place for a long weekend together:



We had the Chateau Lamothe first with a cheese board. Perfect as we aerated and decanted it and it opened up nicely.

The Oreilllys was really intriguing. Never heard of the grape variety before. First tasted like sparkling Shiraz. Got to do some more research in this - but only available at the cellar door.

More later when we return from our viewing from Mt Cootha. Bring it on

 

[henleybeach]

2005 st Henri .
Not much fruit left . Smooth with a distinct oak, licorice taste
Enjoyed at Henry’s table restaurant in Adelaide. $25 corkage

 

[QF WP]

The last drink last night (well we did start at 3pm) was this Jimmy Watson winner. Yes, a great one to finish the night with a spaghetti bolognese.



Tonight’s (because we arrived back late) and in hindsight we should have taken this out this morning and had it at room temperature, instead of coming out of the wine fridge. Decanted for 2 hours and then we drank it over the next 90 mins with some home made pizzas. Was very closed at the beginning and slowly over time, it opened up. Fruit, particularly dark berries (cherries, mulberries) and chocolate. Very smooth and glad I still have 2 bottles left.

 

[QF WP]

After reading your review @henleybeach I checked my Penfolds collection to see if I have any 2005’s - sounds like I need to drink them



No 2005’s - phew ...

 

[Steady]

After reading your review @henleybeach I checked my Penfolds collection to see if I have any 2005’s - sounds like I need to drink them

View attachment 176555

No 2005’s - phew ...

Is that just your camera angle- or has the top shelf had too much to drink....

 

[henleybeach]

After reading your review @henleybeach I checked my Penfolds collection to see if I have any 2005’s - sounds like I need to drink them

View attachment 176555

No 2005’s - phew ...

I like the look of That fridge
Plenty of nice red caps

 

[QF WP]

19 St Henri’s plus a 389 (2010) and 707 (1996) are in the photo.

Then the top layer (not in picture) is Moss Woods (1999 and 2000) and a couple I can’t recall - a magnum of something.

@Steady just my angle of taking the photo from my chair.

 

[henleybeach]

19 St Henri’s plus a 389 (2010) and 707 (1996). Then the top layer is Moss Woods (1999 and 2000) and a couple I can’t recall - a magnum of something.

That 707 will be unreal