Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Bill Bosworth]

Savoury, spicy, smoky and still so structured


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Wonderful! I still have a bottle of that lying around from the noughties and thought it may well be off...

 

[Bill Bosworth]

K
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Can someone explain to me why Cruiser's bin is full of this?

Post automatically merged: Aug 31, 2020

Tonight’s treat.

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The only single vineyard in Penfolds family if I’m not mistaken. Supposed to be great vintage, can’t wait

... and?

 

[Bill Bosworth]

When Jeremy Oliver scores 99 points I pay attention. Initially I was going to cellar all my bottles but a good friend who recently had it said I should open one to taste the magic, so I did (doesn’t take much to convince me to open a bottle of windWhat can I say, this is possibly the best cool climate Shiraz I’ve ever had. To drink so well so young is incredible. I’m not good in describing flavours but the red fruit and smoky aromas reminded me of an aged Pinot.

I was so impressed that I’ve decided to stop drinking half way and keep the rest for next day (and opened another of something else, can’t really stop at half bottle ). Had a feeling it will be even better the next day. Well, it was just as good so I still see it as win win

I should mention the story behind Paradise IV wines. The owner decided to retire and 2018 vintage is sadly the very last one before pulling out the vines. I guess there’s no better way to retire than after presenting the best vintage ever.

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I grabbed some of that guy - how long would you give it before it's prime? I was thinking quite a long time - like 2025!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

How was the 16 St Peter's Drinking?

Drinking perfectly IMHO - but don’t trust my judgement as I may well be worlds worst judge* - ie am I the only person in Australia who finds Cullen DM grossly overhyped?

*Told ya

 

[billbro]

am I the only person in Australia who finds Cullen DM grossly overhyped?

Why am I reading this now after ordering my first bottle over the weekend Ah well, need to try it to know whether I like it!

 

[HokitikaGold]

To counter the opulence of certain members here ( I will not name names of those that quaff Meshach ), I will share another evening tipple - a cheapie that I aquired:

Tread Softly grenache, 2019.



I was given it by work a few months ago - at Dans they like to get staff to try things, and sometimes do this sort of thing. (Today I held a 2015 Hill of Grace in my hands, but to sell )

Anyway, I needed a day off shiraz or cabernet, felt like something young and fresh, so thought grenache. And discovered to my dismay that I am totally out of said varietal, except for this lingering item.

Tread Softly is well received by a certain bracket of customers. Those that are not real wine aficionados, but want something that is somewhat "good for the environment" and associated themes (eco-friendly, etc) And the labelling is perfectly designed to reel in those customers - the front is a rather drab, minimalist thing. Subliminally suggests restraint and humble thrift. And tiny words. To such an extent that it really stands out in a crowded shelf amongst the complex and sometimes gaudy competition. The rear label though, goes the other way - it is covered with flowers and a collection of slogans that draw in further: "sustainably grown", "minimal preservatives", "delicate aromas", "naturally lighter in alcohol". All absolutely perfect to those who gain as much satisfaction about feeling good about themselves and their choices as they do in actually drinking the fluid.

Fairly lightweight burgundy-style bottle, of humble punt. Actually a true eco-friendly thing, but this would be lost on the buyers... They would probably be gaining more satisfaction from the claim on the rear label that "To tread softly we plant a native tree every time we sell twelve bottles". They truly have the art of pulling at heart strings maxxed out. I salute their commercial prowess.

Poured into my new tasting glass ( have gone back to small tasting glasses as am sick of delicately cleaning my maxi new ones) it looked, in a word, great. Fresh and bright, clear, a young medium ruby. On the nose, reflecting the sight, fresh and soft, red fruits.

On the palate, sweet light red berries, medium body, long finish of lingering sweet fruit. Low tannin..

Overall, quite a tasty, fresh, light, almost cordial-like wine. Sweet, but in a soft pleasant fashion. Absolutely nothing spectacular about it. But I feel that matched with a certain setting and/or food, would be a value tipple. I just cannot, despite pondering this over the last hour, think of such a setting for me.

Perhaps it would be perfect for sharing with vegetarian friends over a plate of hummus whilst trying to outdo each other with your exploits in saving the planet....

 

[boomy]

... and?

Drinking very well right now. Far more ready than MW but I’m sure it will reward further cellaring. Glad I have more in stock

I grabbed some of that guy - how long would you give it before it's prime? I was thinking quite a long time - like 2025!

Yes at least 5 more years but I will give you the same advice I received, if you have few bottles open one early. It may already become your favourite cool climate Shiraz.

 

[Bill Bosworth]

Drinking very well right now. Far more ready than MW but I’m sure it will reward further cellaring. Glad I have more in stock



Yes at least 5 more years but I will give you the same advice I received, if you have few bottles open one early. It may already become your favourite cool climate Shiraz.

Would be a shame if it became my favourite given it was the last ever ever ever from there!!

 

[boomy]

Would be a shame if it became my favourite given it was the last ever ever ever from there!!

Can still find it reasonably priced atm, as well as some back vintages if you really like it and decide to stock up.

 

[Bill Bosworth]

Can still find it reasonably priced atm, as well as some back vintages if you really like it and decide to stock up.

Cheapest I can find is $78. I rarely pay that much for wine. Call me cheap!

 

[boomy]

Cheapest I can find is $78. I rarely pay that much for wine. Call me cheap!

The price on release was around $70 IIRC and you grabbed some so you’re not that cheap Paying few $$ more after it scored 99pts is reasonable IMO

 

[Bill Bosworth]

The price on release was around $70 IIRC and you grabbed some so you’re not that cheap Paying few $$ more after it scored 99pts is reasonable IMO

You sort of got me... I did say I 'rarely' pay that much, which is true!

 

[qaz]

I spent last weekend in the Pipers River regio, I was fortunate to be able to visit Apogee and spend time with Andrew Pirie. I don’t often drink new release Pinot, but thought I would try this and decide if I will start buying to put away. (Along with his sparkling). No doubt I will.....
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nice, wish i could travel - closer to Max or Angus?

The winemakers who refuse to stay in their lane

Wine is meant to be the same year in, year out, but some vintners can't help but reinvent the wheel – with surprising and delicious results.

www.afr.com

Apogee Alto Pinot Noir 2019

Andrew Pirie of Apogee has a long and distinguished history in Tasmania as the man behind Pipers Brook. These days his focus is much tighter on Apogee,

winepilot.com

 

[Steady]

nice, wish i could travel - closer to Max or Angus?

The winemakers who refuse to stay in their lane

Wine is meant to be the same year in, year out, but some vintners can't help but reinvent the wheel – with surprising and delicious results.

www.afr.com

Apogee Alto Pinot Noir 2019

Andrew Pirie of Apogee has a long and distinguished history in Tasmania as the man behind Pipers Brook. These days his focus is much tighter on Apogee,

winepilot.com

I cannot read the top one to compare but I would not disagree with Angus's description - cannot see when he tasted? I am sure it will improve with bottle age but I find it so good now....

 

[HokitikaGold]

Hmmmmm.....

A night on the whites. Riesling to be specific.

Yet another educational experience for me. In a nutshell, I think classic Riesling has an effect on me similar to what Bundy rum has on bogans, feeling combatative.

Very unexpected.... sorry...

 

[Daver6]

Pretty happy with this recent purchase. Only $70 and recently recorked at the Chateau

 

[HokitikaGold]

Pretty happy with this recent purchase. Only $70 and recently recorked at the Chateau
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Very nice photo.
Truly so.
My only beef is that it does not highlight the colour of the wine ....

 

[Jczer000]

I sometimes wonder if it is worth paying the huge import duties for classic French varietals when we have such wonderful domestic examples.

But when they sing like this, doubts fade:

 

[Dr Ralph]

It's easy to forget how well know commercially available wines can still delight. Enjoyed this with some pizza tonight. Still had at least 5 more years on it.

 

[Bill Bosworth]

It's easy to forget how well know commercially available wines can still delight. Enjoyed this with some pizza tonight. Still had at least 5 more years on it.

Nice! But damn, I have a bunch of the 2017 and I don't really want to wait til 2030!!