Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

[TheRealTMA]

Watched Somm tonight : a documentary about 3 friends taking the incredibly difficult Master Sommelier exam in the USA. Very enjoyable, and recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in wine.

Finally got around to watching Somm tonight. Excellent film for wine tragics like us. Must be a very life changing experience to compete for the Master Sommelier award. Very enjoyable film. Bit surprised that some in final tasting couldn't differentiate between Albariño and Sancerre, but wasn't there. Barolo vs Brunello is more complicated, but...

Recommended.

 

[Steady]

Watched Somm tonight : a documentary about 3 friends taking the incredibly difficult Master Sommelier exam in the USA. Very enjoyable, and recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in wine.

Finally got around to watching Somm tonight. Excellent film for wine tragics like us. Must be a very life changing experience to compete for the Master Sommelier award. Very enjoyable film. Bit surprised that some in final tasting couldn't differentiate between Albariño and Sancerre, but wasn't there. Barolo vs Brunello is more complicated, but...

Recommended.

Sounds interesting, where is it to be found?

 

[ste667]

Sounds interesting, where is it to be found?

It's on Netflix.

There is a sequel which is more of a general look at the wine industry.

 

[Steady]

Thanks ste667

 

[Steady]

I came across this site recently - it offers 10-15% discounts at some Tassie cellar doors as well as food producers like Ashgrove Cheese etc.

RACT members (and some auto clubs with AAA) can take advantage, keep it in mind if you are visiting Tassie

 

[Whining&dining]

I just got an invite to the Hobart Cellardoor.co wine fair, $20 to taste over 70 wines inc '12 Grange, '06, '09 & '13 WB Black label and '13 Wynns Michael.

I think I will go, I can buy up to 4 tickets - any other Tassie AFFers going or interested in attending?

Monday March 20th 5.30-7.30 pm

EDIT: I'm looking at you W&D......

It was a bummer but I've had to decline (family commitments) looking forward to hearing Steady dig the dirt and do a full and frank breakdown of what was on offer though!

 

[Steady]

looking forward to hearing Steady dig the dirt and do a full and frank breakdown of what was on offer though!

70+ wines in 2 hours- may not be a full breakdown

 

[Whining&dining]

Sounds like speed-drinking, just remember to spit!

 

[Steady]

It was a bummer but I've had to decline (family commitments) looking forward to hearing Steady dig the dirt and do a full and frank breakdown of what was on offer though!

70+ wines in 2 hours- may not be a full breakdown

Sounds like speed-drinking, just remember to spit!

Having a quick breeze through the CD site I have narrowed it down to 31 - realistically there may only be half of the ones that interest me available for tasting - dropping it to 15... being tasting pours, I wont need to spit

Annie'sLane - Riesling

ColdstreamHills - Reserve Pinot
- Amphitheatre Pinot

Heemskerk- TasmanianPinot
- GeorgeJensen Cuvée

LeoBuring - Clare Valley Riesling
- Eden Valley Riesling
- Leonay Riesling
- LeopoldRiesling

Linderman's- Pyrus Cab blend
- StGeorge Cab
-Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cab

Penfold's- GrangeShiraz
- StHenri Shiraz
- Bin 28Kalimna Shiraz

Saltram- No.1 Shiraz
- MamreBrook Eden Valley Riesling
- JournalShiraz

Seppelt- Drumborg Pinot
-Drumborg Riesling
- StPeters Shiraz
- ShowSparkling Shiraz

WolfBlass - Gold LabelMalbec
- Gold LabelEden Valley Riesling
- White LabelRiesling
- Estatesof Barossa St John Shiraz
-Platinum Label Shiraz

Wynns- Riesling
- MichaelShiraz
- JohnRiddoch Shiraz

Yellowglen - Perle Rose

 

[Whining&dining]

The Lindemans alone would drag me in let alone the other goodies, Wolfblass Malbec wow!

 

[Steady]

The Lindemans alone would drag me in let alone the other goodies, Wolfblass Malbec wow!

Yes, lots of good stuff.

 

[Wozza]

I haven't been this excited to open a box of wine in ages!



On Wine Front the following note is said of the flagship wine:

"A composition of our most poignant and superlative casks and a celebration of the birth of our cheeky and joyous twin boys Mahé & Ribo. Procured from our two oldest sections within the Hoffmann families ‘Dallwitz’ vineyard. Both planted on their own roots in 1927 (0.435 Hectare) & the oldest vines between 1888 & 1912 (0.775 Hectare). These 15 Burgundian Pièces were carefully assembled and bottled amidst the spring of 2016 after enduring their 79 week elevage. Bottles were filled without filtration, fining or sparging (the removal of naturally occurring oxygen & C02) and all transfer’s were completed via gravity prior to bottling. Yields were 26 & 28 hectolitres per hectare. 4398 bottles were filled. $70 a bottle in a 3 pack or $85RRP.
It’s as expressive and charismatic as always, from winemaker Fraser McKinley. It seems the 2015 season was generous in fruit for McKinley, so there’s a bit more to go around too. It really stood out in a recent tasting; I drained my glass, sat back, thought about it, repeated the process over an hour or so, and said to myself, ‘probably my Barossa red of the year’… (2016)

Tasting Notes

Red currants and ginger/clove spice. Fragrant, almost floral perfume, beguiling, incense like fog from the glass. Has a soft flow to the wine but cinched in a feathery web of tannins. Slow flow in medium weight, sweet fruits and spice. Warm glow to finish. Brilliant expression. Loaded and stacked with flavour and interest, but enough architecture to take the wine to decades of ageing."

Having read the note, my heart sank when I quickly scrambled to find out how I get some, only to read Sami & Odi was a closed members only list. But undeterred, I emailed the winemaker a lovely note, and I was very fortunate to be put on the list.

I have no idea what wine is what as they have very funky labels. I love the bottle shape and the cool wax sealing.

GW, I'll be trying one of these and the entry level wine in the coming weeks. I can't wait ...

Oh the worldly joys of being a Wine Lover!

 

[ste667]

Love the bottle design. Hope the insides are just as impressive Wozza!

 

[Steady]

Tasting Australia looks like it is going to have some interesting wine events (East End Cellars Master classes) in SA from 30th April - 7th May, tickets go on sale tonight. (not showing atm)

"The festival, which begins at the end of April, will also include events on craft beer, an entire day dedicated to artisanal gin, “Sunday Cider Sessions”, free tastings, bars and a bottleshop in the Victoria Square hub devised by the East End Cellars team."

EAST END CELLARS MASTERCLASSES

Sunday, April 30
Steve Flamsteed (Giant Steps) and Michael Downer (Murdoch Hill Wines)showcase their current releases.
Monday, May 1
10 Years of Wendouree withStephen George (Ashton Hills) and Colin McBryde (Adelina), hosted by NickStock.
The Surprise Session – for bold wine drinkers. With Taras Ochota(Ochota Barrels) and Rajat Parr (Sandhi Wines, Domaine de la Côte, US).
Tuesday, May 2
Australian Grenache showdown with Robert Hill Smith (Yalumba, Barossa)versus Stephen Pannell (S.C. Pannell) and Chester Osborn (D’Arenberg) ofMcLaren Vale, hosted by Nick Ryan.
‘Skinny-Dip’ Wines made on skins: Lucy Margaux Vineyards, ShobbrookWines and Brash Higgins.
Wednesday, May 3
10 vintages of Rockford BasketPress Shiraz with winemaker Robert O’Callaghan, John Harms (writer) andNick Ryan (journalist).
10 vintages of Penfolds St HenriShiraz, sourced direct from the cellars of Magill Estate.
Thursday, May 4
Examination of Australian Pinot Noir featuring 12 wineries from acrossthe country, with Mac Forbes (Mac Forbes wines) and Peter Dredge ( Dr Edge andBay of Fires).
Pet Nat wines on show – for the progressive wine drinker, with BrendonKeys (BK Wines) Wines and James Erskine (Jauma Wines).
Friday, May 5
Seriously Sparkling: a journey through all things sparkling with KateLaurie (Deviation Road) and Simon Greenleaf (Simon Greenleaf wines), hosted byMike Bennie.
Naturally Good: a tasting of natural wines with two McLaren Valeheavyweights, Jock Bosworth (Battle of Bosworth) and Peter Fraser (YangarraEstate).
Saturday, May 6
The King and Queen of Riesling: an in-depth tasting with Egon Müller(Weingut Egon Müller, Germany), Kerri Thompson (Wines by KT) and Tim Adams (TimAdams Wines).
Grange Experience: anopportunity to taste six different vintages of Grange from six differentdecades.

 

[OrangeRoughie]

Thanks for alerting me to these events Steady. Was yet to look at the Tasting Australia schedule, but can say the events associated with it that I have been to previously have been quite enjoyable. I have also been to some quality EEC wine dinners/masterclasses before so will have high expectations for these.

 

[Sedimental]

A heads up on Open That Bottle Night
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-that-bottle-night/

 

[Kohen]

I haven't been this excited to open a box of wine in ages!

GW, I'll be trying one of these and the entry level wine in the coming weeks. I can't wait ...

Oh the worldly joys of being a Wine Lover!

Will indeed be a JOY - I leave it for 6 months, give it some air - then smash the Little Wine # bottle after bottle with mates - universally applauded - a highlight of each buying year...

& you would be hard pressed to meet a nicer winemaker in the industry

 

[Kohen]

Tasting Australia looks like it is going to have some interesting wine events (East End Cellars Master classes) in Vic from 30th April - 7th May, tickets go on sale tonight. (not showing atm)

"The festival, which begins at the end of April, will also include events on craft beer, an entire day dedicated to artisanal gin, “Sunday Cider Sessions”, free tastings, bars and a bottleshop in the Victoria Square hub devised by the East End Cellars team."

Was keen on the Wendouree...but $200 ea ouch!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Was keen on the Wendouree...but $200 ea ouch!

Always surprises me how much of a mark up there is on Wendouree. I realise its a subscription only wine, but it isn't hard to get on the list and start putting some away every year. From memory the current price is around $60 a bottle. But if it can command much high prices I should probably look at letting some of mine go.

 

[Kohen]

Always surprises me how much of a mark up there is on Wendouree. I realise its a subscription only wine, but it isn't hard to get on the list and start putting some away every year. From memory the current price is around $60 a bottle. But if it can command much high prices I should probably look at letting some of mine go.

Yeah $60 for the Shiraz & Cabernet - 10 vintages to taste for $200 is a little exy - was keen as only have the last four

As an aside Wendouree are raving about the 16s - must load up on them at release then consider slowing down - a friend called them recently and got straight on to the list - great marketing case study!