Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[QF WP]

I took this photo on the weekend, whilst having a wedding anniversary lunch with my wife at a restaurant on the Esplanade, Surfers Paradise - wishing I could drink most (if not all) of them:



Damn those upside down photos...

Needless to say it was a long leisurely lunch with a view like this:



We both had a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir (can't remember the name, but it went well with my Blue Swimmer Crab lasagna and my wife's Atlantic Salmon with salad)

 

[beefarmer]

To some extent, JH is to wine what Sam Kekovich is to Aussie lamb. Both are doyens, yet do you really believe them totally?

Maybe at a 97 score we put out undivided trust in James, but between 92 and 96, there will always be conjecture, some winners and some losers. Just look at our VM returns.

 

[Whining&dining]

I think JH must adjust for price (despite the fact that his scale doesn't say it caters for it). There are other, higher quality, 96 pointers, but they tend to come at a more expensive price-point. The Chalambar isn't amazing, but the QPR is consistently good.

I guess AC that I was deluded into thinking that price wasn't a consideration in his tallying of the points but it would appear otherwise, it's not that I think that the Chalambar is a poor quality wine by any means, I just found it hard to swallow that it could garner such a high mark when pitched against other contenders 4 or 5 times it's price and produced by boutique vintners...

To some extent, JH is to wine what Sam Kekovich is to Aussie lamb. Both are doyens, yet do you really believe them totally?

Maybe at a 97 score we put out undivided trust in James, but between 92 and 96, there will always be conjecture, some winners and some losers. Just look at our VM returns.

Too true BF too true. I must say it's somewhat uncommon to get a bunch of my fellow wine-imbibers together in one room and unanimously agree on the merits of one particular wine over another and therein lies the issue, personal bias, taste, preconceptions all come to the fore, having said that, if a 97 pointer doesn't bring down the house then what will!?! I'm still smarting from an email exchange with Winestar's head honcho whereby he couldn't agree to disagree over the return of a case, "I must have sold blah blah blah pallets of the stuff so it's obviously your inability to taste quality" (sic). Consensus, that's what we're looking for, bring on the good stuff! Must say I'm looking forward to a healthy dose of Haselgrove when it hits town...

 

[jasonking]

Chateau Chateau Island Grenache
From the Chris Ringland's stables comes this 18.5%alc grenache. Taking a poke at the French.
No alcohol heat, very rich leaning towards fortified wine.

 

[carwashhair]

Only six at our tasting group last night for 'non mainstream reds'. What a cracker lineup!

View attachment 78537

L-R:

The principal variety in the 'Torrette' (a DOC) from Vallee d'Aosta in far NW Italy is Petit Rouge.

Mandalay Road (Geographe WA) was straight Durif. Must be one of the few produced in WA (by a former work colleague of mine).

Faber Petit Verdot (Swan Valley and wine of the night).

Pinotage from S Africa.

Very interesting Montepulciano from NZ.

A big boy - Touriga-based wine from Portugal.

JohnM, what was your assessment on that Quinta do Vallado? Have seen it for sale and often flirted with buying it.

 

[JohnM]

JohnM, what was your assessment on that Quinta do Vallado? Have seen it for sale and often flirted with buying it.

It was my least favoured wine but, that said, still intriguing and enjoyable. One of the others just raved over it - he could get the 'porty' nuances which really appealed to him. It was certainly dark and viscous (14.5% ABV, IIRC). I found it a bit 'tarry' tasting. While tasting it, I was struggling to think what I would eat with it - the thought was it seemed a little too 'rich' for grilled meat. The other guy was thinking of it almost as a port substitute, but I just couldn't go that far.

I'm not a port drinker as I find port generally too 'rich' for my taste (eg. with cheese I much prefer a decent cab sav). If you're a port lover then it may, like it did for David, really appeal.

I believe it's stocked by Dan's and IIRC, about $60.

Hope that helps.

 

[AdMEL]

I took this photo on the weekend, whilst having a wedding anniversary lunch with my wife at a restaurant on the Esplanade, Surfers Paradise - wishing I could drink most (if not all) of them:

View attachment 78548

Damn those upside down photos...

Needless to say it was a long leisurely lunch with a view like this:

View attachment 78549

We both had a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir (can't remember the name, but it went well with my Blue Swimmer Crab lasagna and my wife's Atlantic Salmon with salad)

Were you at Seascape?

 

[QF WP]

Correct. Went there at 11am to be told its a bistro and no bookings necessary. So I said we'd be back at 1pm for a wedding anniversary celebration lunch. Back on time and he had saved a 2 seat table at the front and out of the wind. He also checked on us during the service. One female server was great, made appropriate suggestions and was rewarded for her good work - as was the maître d'.

Thanks, you made me go back to the Wine Menu and look at the Pinot. Wild Rock it was.

 

[AdMEL]

Correct. Went there at 11am to be told its a bistro and no bookings necessary. So I said we'd be back at 1pm for a wedding anniversary celebration lunch. Back on time and he had saved a 2 seat table at the front and out of the wind. He also checked on us during the service. One female server was great, made appropriate suggestions and was rewarded for her good work - as was the maître d'.

Thanks, you made me go back to the Wine Menu and look at the Pinot. Wild Rock it was.

I'll be staying at Soul in early December and was researching restaurants, so recognised the view!

Sounds like it's worth a visit.

 

[Whining&dining]

It was my least favoured wine but, that said, still intriguing and enjoyable. One of the others just raved over it - he could get the 'porty' nuances which really appealed to him. It was certainly dark and viscous (14.5% ABV, IIRC). I found it a bit 'tarry' tasting. While tasting it, I was struggling to think what I would eat with it - the thought was it seemed a little too 'rich' for grilled meat. The other guy was thinking of it almost as a port substitute, but I just couldn't go that far.


Hope that helps.

Also curious to hear about the Pinotage, I've never tried one and am intrigued by previous comments I've heard, both good and bad!

 

[Caversham04]

Rusticana 2007 Zinfandel from Langhorne Creek. Picked up a couple of bottles a week or two ago at the region's Cellar Treasures weekend. Sour cherries on the nose (in a nice way!) and medium-bodied with hints of plums / cherry / dark stone fruit on the palate

 

[Steady]

Had a glass of this in an empty J cabin between ADL and MEL today and was then given the rest by the CSM.

An ok quaffer onboard but a little acidic on the ground tonight- Hopefully it mellows by tomorrow night

this has improved a fair bit on the second night, the acidity has softened making it far more balanced. I still wouldn't go out and buy any though.....

 

[Whodoesthat]

A couple of interesting wines to see Dad off....

Winner of the most unusual label...came recommended and very good at the price point

Hey Malbec - Matias Riccitteli 2015- Mendoza Argentina - Full bodied but youthful ..all plums with smooth slightly spicy finish




Masi Costasera Amerone Classico 2011 - At 15% this is a big wine, stewed cherries and prunes - chocolate notes. I did detect slight Brett which was the only downside.



Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux second 2006 - A nice surprise - Opened up well after an hour - tobacco nose with berry fruit and integrated soft tannin - Very enjoyable.





It must be said though, I am missing my Aussie reds be home next week

 

[Sedimental]

I'm pulling your chain....:shock:

I'm "pitching" for ripe tomatoes.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Majella Malleea 2009 (Cab/Shiraz):
Purple in colour. Floral notes. Layers of fruit still - blackcurrants, blackberries, plums. Silky smooth tannins, with a lingering, fruit finish. Some subtle spice. Not much oak in evidence. I would give this more time. CT91.

 

[Steady]

Enjoyed my second '04 Grand Merlot tonight- as good as the last a few months ago

 

[beefarmer]

Also curious to hear about the Pinotage, I've never tried one and am intrigued by previous comments I've heard, both good and bad!

Go and find a good one - previously mentioned and recommended - and 'I'll av 'arf ! " . Eddie Booth Lives again !

 

[beefarmer]

Majella Malleea 2009 (Cab/Shiraz):
Purple in colour. Floral notes. Layers of fruit still - blackcurrants, blackberries, plums. Silky smooth tannins, with a lingering, fruit finish. Some subtle spice. Not much oak in evidence. I would give this more time. CT91.

View attachment 78678

The better quality wines out there, this being a prime example. are just simply not made to be consumed so early. I am getting the lack of complexity issue from you Wozza in your notes. Fair call?

 

[Daver6]

My contribution to lunch today. The theme is truffles. Yum!

 

[Wozza]

My contribution to lunch today. The theme is truffles. Yum!
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We seriously need to do lunch, Daver6!! That Grand Cru is older than me! Guessing it's a 40th. Can't wait to see your notes on it.