The great Epiqure quaffer clean out

[Rugby]

A great late autumn day here is SYD, cool in the shade and nice in the sun out of the wind. A 2012 Fifth Leg Whippersnapper Shiraz is in the decanter today. No Dan's pricing, Epiqure has it for $20. The match programme says "Ripe medium bodied. A core of fleshy red cherry and dark liquorice fruit are wrapped in chewey ripe tannins bringing fullness, texture and great flavour."

Red fruit on the nose and savoury meaty notes are present as per the aroma notes on Epiqure. Tasting plenty of cherry and it's improved after quite a few hours in the decanter, on initial tasting it didn't have much going on. Not a great tasting wine - $12 for me.

 

[Rugby]

I think QF currently serve the 2013 vintage in the J lounge. Didn't like it very much, maybe 2012 is better.

Boomy - it's not much better

 

[tommyp]

Hey Rugby,

When you are drinking these wines are you drinking the whole bottle in one night without Mrs Rugby to help you out? What about the times you have two wines in the one night?

In your pictures most of the bottles are empty, that's why I'm wondering

 

[Rugby]

Hey Rugby,

When you are drinking these wines are you drinking the whole bottle in one night without Mrs Rugby to help you out? What about the times you have two wines in the one night?

In your pictures most of the bottles are empty, that's why I'm wondering

I decant all the bottles. One bottle on a Friday and one on a Saturday. Mrs Rugby is in training and off the booze. Lately I've been taking the photo after decanting the wine. Sometimes I'll get through the bottle, if not I just biff the leftovers. It can make for a relaxing Saturday, spread over 8 hrs it's not hard to finish a nice bottle - don't tell my GP After the project I'll return to my normal consumption pattern, which is generally less total volume, or check into a clinic

 

[Rugby]

The second last quaffer of the project has been decanted. It's a Xanadu Exmoor Drive 2010 Cab Sav from Margaret River. The tasting notes on Epiqure advise "The generous palate is packed full of juicy fruits of the forest, cassis and chocolate characters. Full bodied the attractive fleshy fruits fit into a structure supported by supple tannins, a solid acid backbone and a persistent berry fruit finish."

Apparently an Epiqure exclusive for $23. Dan's has a Xanadu Cab Sav 2012 for $28.

 

[Rugby]

A preview of Sunday's celebratory 'quaffers'

 

[amaroo]

The second last quaffer of the project has been decanted. It's a Xanadu Exmoor Drive 2010 Cab Sav from Margaret River. The tasting notes on Epiqure advise "The generous palate is packed full of juicy fruits of the forest, cassis and chocolate characters. Full bodied the attractive fleshy fruits fit into a structure supported by supple tannins, a solid acid backbone and a persistent berry fruit finish."

Apparently an Epiqure exclusive for $23. Dan's has a Xanadu Cab Sav 2012 for $28.

Nice one this is.

 

[amaroo]

A preview of Sunday's celebratory 'quaffers'

Marathon day? Best of luck MrsRugby!

 

[Rugby]

Marathon day? Best of luck MrsRugby!

Cheers amaroo! Yes the SMH half marathon. She'll appreciate the support. New avatar?

 

[amaroo]

Cheers amaroo! Yes the SMH half marathon. She'll appreciate the support. New avatar?

Yes, like the look of that (Harem) window feature

 

[Rugby]

The second last quaffer of the project has been decanted. It's a Xanadu Exmoor Drive 2010 Cab Sav from Margaret River. The tasting notes on Epiqure advise "The generous palate is packed full of juicy fruits of the forest, cassis and chocolate characters. Full bodied the attractive fleshy fruits fit into a structure supported by supple tannins, a solid acid backbone and a persistent berry fruit finish."

Apparently an Epiqure exclusive for $23. Dan's has a Xanadu Cab Sav 2012 for $28.

A very smooth medium to full bodied red with great flavour. Nice fruit, well balanced and the description of the tannins and finish is bang on. Well worth it's $23. One of the better quaffers of the project. If you've got this one in your cellar enjoy it this winter. Cheers.

 

[Rugby]

Well today is the last day of the project. It's been a good way to count down to Mrs Rugby's run tomorrow and our FASA in a few days time. I think I'll still write about Epiqure quaffers and add to the thread from time to time.

I've only done bits and pieces of wine appreciation in the past, so I've enjoyed following a structured process, every week, of comparing a wine against some tasting notes and using them as a guide to the wine and then noting down my own thoughts. I'm still from the 'don't know much about it, but I'll taste it for you' school, but have matriculated to the university of 'oh yeah I've tried that wine before and I gave it two thumbs up/down, I wrote something on the internet about it'.

There has been 17 wines over the two months, and four were a cut above IMO. In no particular order - the Katnook Founders Block Cab Sav 2012, the Wirra Wirra 2012 Church Block Cab Sav Shiraz Merlot, the Xanadu Exmoor Drive Cab Sav 2010 and Best's Western Bin No.1 Shiraz 2012. The rest of the wines were at the very least decent quaffers, except for the 2012 Madfish Sideways Shiraz and the 2012 Fifth Leg Whippersnapper Shiraz neither of which I liked. It might just be that I don't like WA shiraz.

For today's quaffer I've gone for a recent addition that a few of us will have picked up - a 2012 McLaren Vale Monastrell Esperanza. A Spanish style wine from the folk at Wirra Wirra. A bit of info around on the 2010, but not the 2012. It should be a nice dry, medium bodied red with a bit of spice - 'pass the chorizo'. Priced around $30.

 

[Rugby]

The Esperanza is doing the job nicely. Medium bodied, fruit and cloves on the palate, its been a perfect match with our homemade chorizo pizzas - that's its real value. It's been good to finish the project with something a little different. If you've got this one match it with the right food and you're set. Cheers.

 

[Rugby]

All done and dusted! Mrs Rugby beat her target time and raised coin for charity into the bargain, so well done her. I spotted quite a few Qantas J pyjama tops before the race that will have been collected for charity after the race start The Taittinger is excellent.

 

[amaroo]

The Esperanza is doing the job nicely. Medium bodied, fruit and cloves on the palate, its been a perfect match with our homemade chorizo pizzas - that's its real value. It's been good to finish the project with something a little different. If you've got this one match it with the right food and you're set. Cheers.

hmm, thinking about cracking this one tonight ... SWMBO is thinking linguini with garlic and chilli prawns.

All done and dusted! Mrs Rugby beat her target time and raised coin for charity into the bargain, so well done her. I spotted quite a few Qantas J pyjama tops before the race that will have been collected for charity after the race start  The Taittinger is excellent.

Congratulations and enjoy celebrating flying F to London :mrgreen:

 

[Rugby]

Thanks amaroo. I think that linguini recipe will match up really well with the Esperanza.

 

[Rugby]

The 2004 St Henri Shiraz. It's just great. The depth of flavour and the long finish. Cherry fruit and liquorice.

 

[boomy]

The 2004 St Henri Shiraz. It's just great. The depth of flavour and the long finish. Cherry fruit and liquorice.

You're a lucky man to include the St Henry as one of your quaffers

 

[amaroo]

I'm more a visual person similar label but completely different wine!

Still a very nice drop!

 

[Rugby]

I'm more a visual person similar label but completely different wine!

Still a very nice drop!

View attachment 49124

There's a green one too!

Esperanza Touriga Nacional 2014 | Wirra Wirra