Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Steady]

I had this 05 Rioja last night with roast Venison haunch I harvested free range earlier in the year. It is the first Rioja I have had, very light bodied, lively bouquet and long finish. It didn't taste like any other wine I have had and quite enjoyable. A friend brought it back from Spain as a gift.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

We popped out to Domaine Chandon over the long weekend (like everyone else in Melbourne ) and although the location is still gorgeous I was disappointed with the sparklings... Their latest vintage (2012) was not spectacular IMO... I think they are leaning away from the oaky, yeasty, flavours and more towards the lighter, crisper, and more acidic flavours.. which are not to my taste. When we went to the sparkling wine tasting a few weeks ago I remember that one of the servers had a word to describe what I like but do you think I can remember it now Closest thing to what I would drink was the Blanc de Noirs but at a list price of $55 a bottle I would stick with Bollinger. The sparkling red was too sweet for my liking.

We also popped into St Huberts... Bought a few bottles of the Rousanne.. easy drinking and I wanted to say thank you for not charging us for the tasting. The reds were probably good for cellaring and the red wine drinkers will probably be horrified that I found them to have too much tannin not enough fruit.. But by now you all know that I am after instant gratification By the way the Henschke Keyneton Euphonium that I opened a few weeks ago was quickly demolished by Mr Up when he got home and he loved it! Shows that my red wine tasting ability is.. well quite frankly.. garbage!

When we got home I cracked a bottle of the A by Arras and enjoyed it more than the sparklings at Chandon. Brown Brothers is still my favourite Australian sparkling though.
A lovely drive in the country but found better wine at home.

 

[ste667]

Bags (and wine) packed for our NYE in the Gold Coast..

 

[Katy]

I think they are leaning away from the oaky, yeasty, flavours and more towards the lighter, crisper, and more acidic flavours.. which are not to my taste. When we went to the sparkling wine tasting a few weeks ago I remember that one of the servers had a word to describe what I like but do you think I can remember it now

I'd love to know it if you can remember because it would be the perfect word to describe the Tomich Blanc de Blanc we had at lunch today We got a couple of bottles as a free gift-with-purchase and I'm now looking to offload the second bottle as it's overly acidic to my palate.

To get back on theme, our Christmas wines were Gosset Grande Reserve, 2015 Rockford Alicante Bouchet, the 2010 Penley Estate cab sauv that was a VM buy a while ago, the Joseph sparkling red and Rockford PS Marion port. No pics, alas, and I promise there was a large crowd to assist in the drinking! There was also a white of some sort but I neither contributed it nor partook so am clueless as to what it was.

On holidays down the coast atm and brought a nice bottle along with the quaffers so I'll try to make my first image post once we crack it!

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I'd love to know it if you can remember because it would be the perfect word to describe the Tomich Blanc de Blanc we had at lunch today We got a couple of bottles as a free gift-with-purchase and I'm now looking to offload the second bottle as it's overly acidic to my palate.

I'll consult with my cousin (the notetaker of the evening).. as it is really annoying not being able to remember it The funny thing was the server mentioned "the word" and then said that the people that like that style like Bollinger lol even without any Bollinger in sight! So it is a great word and I will make it my mission to find out what it was for the wine experts amongst us

By the way... I am not a fan of Blanc de Blancs either...

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I'll consult with my cousin (the notetaker of the evening).. as it is really annoying not being able to remember it The funny thing was the server mentioned "the word" and then said that the people that like that style like Bollinger lol even without any Bollinger in sight! So it is a great word and I will make it my mission to find out what it was for the wine experts amongst us

By the way... I am not a fan of Blanc de Blancs either...

My gorgeous cousin has consulted her notes and it's called "autolytic character".. Feel free to use amongst friends (or at your wine tasting in Sydney for maximum impact)

 

[beefarmer]

Did anyone comment about the 2010 penley reserve cabernet, a six pack purchase with a cork andprobably an export UK order? Any memories from all and sundry?

 

[Wozza]

Last night, we entertained two families at home, meaning we had 6 adults and a gazillion children to feed, water and keep entertained. Luckily we only had one broken nose, a couple of grazed knees, and a few bruised egos amongst the kids! I am feeling slightly guilty as a poor 3 year old will be waking up this morning with a few black eyes from his [rather fast] Eskimo kiss with the post at the end of the flying fox we have in the garden.

The adults all faired better, thankfully as we tucked into lots of amazing food - thanks to Mrs Wozza - and some lovely wine. The highlight on the wine front was undoubtedly:

the Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz 2013



I have been eyeing this up for some time after it came out on Vino mof_ with all those 98 and 97 scores, but I didn't take the plunge because of the $58 price. When I had the opportunity to purchase a 6 Pack of these direct from Treasury Wines for $40 a bottle it was the first item in the shopping basket.

On Vivino I commented as follows:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/43975541

"A promising and elegant 4.1+++ from me. This Cool Climate Shiraz from the Grampians has already notched up a 98 and three 97s from Australia's leading wine critics. It's very reserved at this young age. But it's very classy and beautifully balanced. The nose is shy, the palate medium bodied, and the colour deep and inviting. The nose and palate reveal dark fruits, sweet liquorice, a touch of spice, and burnt flavours. It is silky smooth, and has huge potential in an understated regal kind of way."

I do love my Cool Climate Shiraz's, and this is up there with the best of them that I have tried this year. I must admit, I was expecting a little bit more from this wine with all the amazing scores it has. But I did conclude this wine is all about the craftsmanship. It is exquisitely made - not a hair out of place - as Halliday would say. I can't wait to try this in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 years time. And hopefully, by then, that poor 3 year old will not be sporting a permanent [and slightly wonky] reminder of that night we first tried the St Peters 2013!

Here's hoping ...


See my new [WIP] blog: https://2blokesintrouble.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/one-broken-nose/

 

[Sedimental]

'Twas the night before the night before New Year
A 3.5kg long nosed emperor Kerala style and succulent lamb chops to follow.

 

[Deleted member]

Bought this wee while ago from Bardwell Park Cellars in SYD. Very nice. Opened for NYE.

 

[Wozza]

As 2016 was drawing in, our family were doing what we love best - sharing a great meal and some laughs, and letting the kids run riot with our nearest and dearest friends. And of course, we shared that wonderful experience with a nice bottle of wine. And the special wine for this special time of year was the:

Wynns Coonawarra Limited Release John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Yes - that is a magnum! I picked this absolute classic up from a Grays auction for a complete steal, paying $135 plus buyers premium. That's not much over the price of a single bottle and this was one of the reverred vintages too.

The bottle and cork were in perfect condition - which I have come to expect from Grays Fine Wine auctions. And after a bit of air time, I took my first sniff to see if I had got lucky. I had. There was that distinctive old school lawyers office - filled with leather clad mahogany table and leather chairs - kind of smell. The sort of smell you only get from top quality, aged fine wines.

On Vivino I commented as follows:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/9235185

"A legendary 4.1 from me. This Wynns flagship wine is only made in exceptional years from the top 1% of Wynns Cab Sauv vines. It's one of the best Coonawarra Cabs I have tried. Surprisingly, it still packs a punch after 16+ years. The colour - dark burgundy. The nose and palate reveal rich, dark cherries and blackberries, old leather, and a touch of white pepper and violets from the oak. The tannins are still tight and concentrated, and as expected, a little powdery. In magnum form this was 5 yrs past its best for me. But I prefer my wines in that 6-9 year pocket. Glad we opened it on this fitting NYE night. Happy New Year all."

Now just like our friendships that have blossomed over time, so too has this Coonawarra classic. It is always a blessing sharing life's great moments with your nearest and dearest, and it is always that little bit better when you do so with a wonderful bottle of wine.

Happy New Year one and all ...


See blog: https://2blokesintrouble.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/happy-new-year/

 

[beefarmer]

Wozza, I have to say that your strike rate of vino excellance is approaching that of the second most important man in our magnificent country. Perhaps it's a little better from recent knocks you have written about. Next Wednesday should continue this form and hopefully deliver a few boundaries and one or two over the ropers !

 

[Wozza]

Funny you should mention the cricket, Beefarmer. If our team don't whitewash the Windies, I should be there on Day 3 this Sunday. Looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I have just had an excellent wine tonight - the Michael Hall Eden Valley Flaxman's Valley Syrah 2013.

I picked up two of these from MyCellars for just over $40 a bottle, with a 98 score from Nick Stock:

2013 Michael Hall Flaxman's Valley Syrah, Eden Valley - myCellars.com.au

On Vivino I posted the following tasting note:

http://www.vivino.com/wines/4722608

"An elegant and sweet 4.1 from me. This Syrah hails from Flaxman's Valley, 520m up in the Eden Valley, on sandy loam, gravel, and quartz on clay. This setting results in a long, slow ripening season that produces an aromatic, floral and slightly spiced Syrah. It's medium bodied, with ripe cherries, mulberries, blackberries and plums. There's a hint of flint and orange peel. And the 19 months in old and new French Oak adds a sweet vanilla and slightly spiced overtone. It's silky smooth, and well worth a buy."

It's drinking beautifully now, but will no doubt get better with age. Early next week, I will be ordering some more of this wine. If any of my usual Sydney CBD sharing cohort (or others that can pick up in the Sydney CBD) want to buy and try this wine, just PM me with the number you want.


I have also just blogged on this wine - titled: Lazy Summer Days at: https://2blokesintrouble.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/lazy-summer-days/

 

[Sedimental]

New Years Eve 2015. '98 Chateaux Margaux. Decanted for an hour before initial tasting. Luscious nose of blackberries and cherry. Surprisingly mid weight body. Floral and black tea finish. Fine and persistent tannins. Three hours and a few bottles later, a more floral nose and grippier tannins. Not a lot of length but great balance. A tremendous First Growth wine but wished the palate had more of what the nose promised.

 

[Sedimental]

New Year's Eve. Amazing how many bottles ....cough....six people can consume:shock:Wishing all AFFers a happy, healthy and vinous 2016!

 

[amaroo]

New Year's Eve. Amazing how many bottles ....cough....six people can consume:shock:View attachment 61582Wishing all AFFers a happy, healthy and vinous 2016!

Best photo of the year!

 

[Captain Halliday]

New Year's Eve. Amazing how many bottles ....cough....six people can consume:shock:View attachment 61582Wishing all AFFers a happy, healthy and vinous 2016!

13 bottles between six? No wonder it took you almost until Jan 3 to post!

My NYE was the second of two bottles of 1995 Wirra Wirra RSW. I posted on the first earlier in the thread, noting it was a bit past its best. This one held up a treat. Delicious.

 

[TheRealTMA]

BA LGW VCE


With a quite pleasant warm smoked salmon pasta.


And for for dinner tonight at Westin Europa in Venice a nice Pio Cesere.

 

[Deleted member]

Golly. That brings back memories.
We stayed there back in 2003.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Did you run into Amaroo? I think the Amaroo-pack are in Venice...