Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Daver6]

A friend put on a Howard Park Abercombie vertical last night. That's their top of the wozza Cabernet. It truly is an outstanding and elegant wine. We're lucky enough that one of the members of my group works for Howard Park too. So his insights were fantastic. I also love their old label.

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Group tasting notes are up on auswine Howard Park “Abercrombie” Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting - The Auswine Forum

 

[Steady]

Group tasting notes are up on auswine Howard Park “Abercrombie” Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting - The Auswine Forum

Thanks - I do keep an eye on that forum - seems '12 was good but the odd one out

 

[Daver6]

Decanted for 3 hours

Thoughts on the wine?

 

[boomy]

Thoughts on the wine?

We loved it! I remember reading mixed reviews so wasn’t sure what to expect. It was smooth and balanced with soft tannins, aged well. Both +1 and I agreed it’s one of the best Shiraz we had this year.

Judging by the taste and cork condition it can be safely stored for longer. Will keep the second bottle few more years (maybe 2023).

Now, does it worth $250? No but it does compare with some $150ish reds I had so overall very happy with the WS deal

 

[Bill Bosworth]

Can't wait to taste this one to start a week off at the coast... It's not the reserve but an old favourite from back when my wine tastes were more modest. Colour and a sniff suggest it's not off!

 

[Buzzard]

Today's Merimbula wine is this lip smackin' cool climate Shiraz from Orange. Soft and elegant with a hint of pepper. The finish is long and I want to just keep licking my lips. Definitely not a tanic wine.

 

[Bill Bosworth]

Can't wait to taste this one to start a week off at the coast... It's not the reserve but an old favourite from back when my wine tastes were more modest. Colour and a sniff suggest it's not off!

Definitely hasn't lost anything from the time lying around. Still deep and smooth, no holes in the profile and still a bit of sugar left in it. Possible that the viognier has receded a bit now. Really happy with this wine. Yay for wine!

 

[Buzzard]

Meanwhile in Merimbula, if you're going to have 2 dozen oysters straight from the farm (there are 3 of us) and some Blue Grenadier for lunch, what better than a bottle of this to wash it down with?
Nice fruit and a decent palate length, it's a perfect accompaniment.

 

[qaz]

a few first and final bottles of chardonnay: Pipers Brook > Willow Bridge > Arlewood > Brian Croser (though my wife perhaps thinks the reverse)

If you're into good Pinot then you should get onto this guy... Josh Cooper. Trying a 2019 tonight for research purposes.

i'm looking forward to tasting the 2018 tomorrow

Opened a 2018 Bindi Dixon last night:

Night 1: Wine was sublime. Structured and precise yet approachable and relatively opulent in fruit.

Chucked a stopper in it and put the rest away in the bar fridge.

Night 2: Nose was muted, wine looked cloudy, fruit was stewy. Even the structure seemed to be not quite there.

It was as if it had oxidized overnight.

A bit perplexed on why it deteriorated so rapidly?

certainly seems strange - (un)fortunately, the only bottle that i've had so far lasted just a few hours

Can someone pls tell that smart rrse qaz there ain’t a straw in sight?

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were you ok/well that day, because i would've thought that the only reason for you to have a piccolo instead of a proper bottle, would be precisely that you could only drink with a straw rather than straight from a glass?

It was my third of 6, they are delicious and I see no need to cellar for a long time. The last 3 will have 12 months between them though.

third of 6? nice - i was lucky enough to find myself just a 3rd #8 recently

Weekly Tasting Report (Sep 14-20, 2020): Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Hungary, Italy, South Africa, Spain, US - JamesSuckling.com

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www.jamessuckling.com

Visited Home Hill and Elsewhere cellar doors yesterday along with 2 cider houses. The HH Kelly’s reserve Chardonnay and Pinot were probably the picks but the HH Estate PN was also very good and probably better value if drinking immediately through to 4-5 years.

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I also enjoyed a Penfolds Chardonnay and a Delamere Pinot over the last 2 days
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wow, that's a special rare bottle of Delamere - how was it?

2017 Home Hill Kelly's Reserve Chardonnay - JH96 - $34.99 @ The Wine Collective (plus $9.95 delivery, less 8.8% Cashrewards and $20 voucher)

Don’t like the weather in MEL? Just wait 5 mins - enough to drive a man to drink:

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And drink:

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that's better

A friend put on a Howard Park Abercombie vertical last night. That's their top of the wozza Cabernet. It truly is an outstanding and elegant wine. We're lucky enough that one of the members of my group works for Howard Park too. So his insights were fantastic. I also love their old label.

View attachment 229132View attachment 229133View attachment 229134

Group tasting notes are up on auswine Howard Park “Abercrombie” Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting - The Auswine Forum

the 1994 is one of my fondest cabernets, though the last bottle was more than a decade ago

ps if not too difficult, then i'd be interested to know more about the Marchand & Burch burgundies that you posted previously

We loved it! I remember reading mixed reviews so wasn’t sure what to expect. It was smooth and balanced with soft tannins, aged well. Both +1 and I agreed it’s one of the best Shiraz we had this year.

Judging by the taste and cork condition it can be safely stored for longer. Will keep the second bottle few more years (maybe 2023).

Now, does it worth $250? No but it does compare with some $150ish reds I had so overall very happy with the WS deal

which $150ish reds?

 

[Steady]

third of 6? nice - i was lucky enough to find myself just a 3rd #8 recently

wow, that's a special rare bottle of Delamere - how was it?

2017 Home Hill Kelly's Reserve Chardonnay - JH96 - $34.99 @ The Wine Collective (plus $9.95 delivery, less 8.8% Cashrewards and $20 voucher)

After trying the #8 I decided to join the mailing list and buy direct, for me Sami Odi, like Standish, are worth buying direct rather than hunting around hoping to pick some up for a few $ less. I also think It’s worth being on the mailing list now as there is limited supply and demand is growing- the list may close or be allocated etc. If I’m wrong I’ve not really lost anything as I want the wines anyway

The Delamere Block wine was bordering on ethereal, a lovely Pinot. I have another that I will hold for another 2-3 years. I purchased them from the CD on release.

The Kelly’s Reserve Chardonnay was nice, a good honest example of tassie Chardonnay. Priced a bit high, and not at the level of Holyman or Pooley.

My friend I was vis CD’s with bought it, and I was very happy to share it with him, as he was to share the Delamere

 

[boomy]

which $150ish reds?

Wild Duck Creek Reserve
Mount Langi Ghiran
Langmeil 1843
Magill Estate

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Twernt that nice neither - luckily was heavily discounted at VC - won't be tearing back for more.

 

[Daver6]

the 1994 is one of my fondest cabernets, though the last bottle was more than a decade ago

ps if not too difficult, then i'd be interested to know more about the Marchand & Burch burgundies that you posted previously

Ummm...to be honest, they were consumed at the end of the tasting and after dinner. Memory is pretty hazy

 

[kevviek]

After struggling with a 2013 Coppermine Road last night I opened up my last bottle of Angels Peak. Was a bargain for $11, it was drinking very nicely. Also fascinating the difference between two wines from the same vintage: colour, bouquet and flavour. It was like chalk and berries ...

 

[JohnM]

Ummm...to be honest, they were consumed at the end of the tasting and after dinner. Memory is pretty hazy

Errr, me too... But, broadly they were good but not outstanding IMO.

 

[Katie]

We enjoyed these beverages for Mr Katie's 50th birthday dinner ... hic!

 

[Buzzard]

Today celebrating Moist Merimbula, we are drinking this nice Savignan from the Clare Valley. I thought it had a touch of oiliness with a nice citrus finish. A delightful wine.

Having finished the Pikes we have moved on to a Viognier from the Mornington Peninsula. I seem to detect stone fruit, apricot maybe and perhaps just a touch of oak.
Now that the wine has warmed it's an absolute cracker of a drop. Not a simple mass produced Viognier.

 

[JohnM]

Today celebrating Moist Merimbula, we are drinking this nice Savignan from the Clare Valley. I thought it had a touch of oiliness with a nice citrus finish. A delightful wine.
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Having finished the Pikes we have moved on to a Viognier from the Mornington Peninsula. I seem to detect stone fruit, apricot maybe and perhaps just a touch of oak.
Now that the wine has warmed it's an absolute cracker of a drop. Not a simple mass produced Viognier.
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Haha -'Impostores' (plural of 'imposter' in Spanish) indeed. They are making a virtue out of a right-royal stuff-up about 20 years ago,

What was supposedly Albarino brought into Australia turned out to be Savagnin (Australian growers in shock over Albariño identity crisis - Tyson Stelzer).

They have further played on it by mis-spelling it Savignan.

Credit for cool marketing for getting out of a bit of a pickle that those who planted the variety suddenly found themselves in.

 

[qaz]

i'm looking forward to tasting the 2018 tomorrow

sensational session last night with every winemaker/owner of each wine participating, such as Michael Dhillon (Bindi), Pat Carmody (Craiglee), Josh Cooper (GTW Young Winemaker Of The Year 2020)

all awesome, even the oaked savignon blanc, though probably the wooded riesling was my least liked due to being too young, the two pinots were distinctly different but delicious, the syrah a marvellous mystery wine that many, including winemakers and myself, guessed wrongly

highly recommend to consider joining future National Wine Centre masterclasses

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We enjoyed these beverages for Mr Katie's 50th birthday dinner ... hic!

how was the Grandfather? been meaning/wanting to buy, can't remember if i've tried it yet - how does it compare with other vintage/tawny ports?

 

[burmans]

Today's Merimbula wine is this lip smackin' cool climate Shiraz from Orange. Soft and elegant with a hint of pepper. The finish is long and I want to just keep licking my lips. Definitely not a tanic wine.
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My daughter spent a year in Orange last year (med student) and introduced me to Montoro, they have some very nice wines including a sparkling Shiraz. Recommended!