Plenty of wine to cover but I'll try to stick w/ the Aussies plus a few others...and for the first time I'll include scores!!
2011 Giaconda Chardonnay - I was a real fan of this when I first tried it..today it seemed a bit out of place...really quite awkward at first...really opening up with some air. Acidity seemed really flat but it definitely started to show a bit more as it opened up. Of the four or so times I've had this though, this was my least favorite time....Just seems to have shut down a tad and not showing as nicely....A lot of people actually don't prefer this vintage over other Giacondas but I definitely do... 89 points.
1986 Mount Mary Chardonnay - Didn't strike me as a nearly 30 year old Chardonnay...Good acidity, oak seems to have fully integrated..a bit of peach, lemon pith....An interesting find if you can get it... 90 points
1981 Henschke Hill of Grace - I had really high expectations of this..not sure they were met...Mint and earth on the nose...dark and red fruits...felt like it had more acid than younger HoGs but that is to be expected IMO...Tannins were fully integrated...Not quite the complexity I'm expecting though..something is missing for me...Good wine though.. 90 points
1991 Wynns John Riddoch - Coonawarra on the nose...Green Bell Peppers for days. Dark fruits, pretty good acidity too which is probably the most surprising and most impressive thing here. Tannins were there but integrated nicely into the wine. This is actually drinking quite nicely...I actually had higher expectations for this wine complexity wise..but was pleased with the overall mouthfeel and texture.. 91 points
1996 Seppelts Great Western Shiraz - This is the wine that is now called St. Peters...Showing a lot younger than I would have thought for a 1996 St. Peters...Bright red fruit, herbs, some earthiness....Good acidity...Oak present but not overpowering..tannins there but well integrated. My understanding is bottle variation on these is quite high but this one was a stunner and could easily go another 10 years... 92 points
1996 Peter Lehmann Stonewell - This was a bit on the ripe side..even seems to have some residual sugar as well..drinking nicely overall with well integrated tannins and oak...acidity is a bit on the low side....87 points
1992 Jim Barry Armagh - These seem to be in very high demand..but really not the style I like. Big brash shiraz..Big dark fruits, felt rather viscous to me...I'm feeling a bit of heat but that said, overall the wine integrated quite nicely together...hard to believe this is a 92 and this will easily go another 10-15+ years...87 points
1996 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec - I had high expectations of this but had a feeling it would be too young..and it was. Great texture and mouthfeel..the structure is there..the fruit will integrate nicely later on and the wine should be great..in another 10 years... I actually enjoyed this because of the texture but definitely felt this was missing something..more so than other younger Wendourees I felt this needed a lot more time..but I think it'll be quite good...91 points
Others:
2003 Armand Rousseau CSJ - I really like Rousseau...I think the wines are fantastically balanced and always have that great power + finesse...This one was..well, not something I expected. On the very overripe side for a red Burgundy...I would have guessed New World...a lot of graphite...felt really quite overworked. Some people really love this but I don't. It could be this will end up being fantastic in 10+ years....Acidity is there but there is something just not right with this....If someone told me it was an Aussie or CA Pinot, I would have believed them..89 points
2010 Foillard Cote du Py 3.14. This might have been my favorite wine of the night..great mouthfeel and texture...like red fruits. At first sip I thought this was Beaujolais (it was served blind) then I felt the tannins and thought, maybe Jura? Once I found out it was Beaujolais I knew it was Morgon but the tannin structure really threw me off...A bit stalky (which I like), good acidity, lighter spicy red fruits...I really like this a lot...Might've been my favorite of the night...92 points
1999 Shafer Hillside Select - Creamy Dark Fruit...Definitely on the fruit bomb side of things...low acidity..big fruit..vanilla oak...It is very much a steak house wine...Was it enjoyable? Yeah...but could I drink this often? No...it wasn't a big brash red...but yeah...for me these feel flat but I can see why a lot of people like them..88 points
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Cellar Favorites with Friends
I met up with some friends for a wonderful evening of food and wine....
2003 Keith Tulloch Semillon - Just starting to develop some toasty notes. Good acid, good depth...This looks like it'll go quite awhile longer and I'd love to see this in five more years.
2006 De Iuliis Semillon - The acid is fading away on this...not a lot of development going on either...Maybe this will turn a bit but it isn't what I'm looking for in Semillon..
2012 Lethbridge Dr. Nadeson Riesling - I'm a big fan of these and still a big fan. 10g/L of RS and 13g/L of TA....Served a little cool which made the sugar stand out a bit more but once it got going the acidity and depth really showed..the sugar offset some of the searing acidity..I really enjoy this style...I wish more places made Riesling like this.
1996 Lakes Folly Chardonnay - I wasn't expecting much here because of the age but this had a wonderful nose and equally wonderful palate. Reminded me a lot of an aged Champagne with some yeasty notes, lemon pith, nutty notes as well. Acid still going strong. Quite a revelation for everyone at the table as I think everyone expected this to be past it.
1991 Orlando Lawsons Padthaway Shiraz (Magnum) - Deep dark fruited Shiraz, big fruit, mocha notes, some secondary minty and herby characters as well...In quite a nice spot really. Not quite the style I like but drinking fantastically well. Really no complaints here, I'd be perfectly happy drinking this.
1998 Penfolds St. Henri - Some felt this was in a good spot, to me it was way too young. Great structure, tannins were firm but not too aggressive but definitely there in force...Good acidity, fruit was still very young...some development but this will probably not be its best for 10+ years..at least...
1990 Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Black) - A bit of funk on the nose but that blew off...Acidity was quite good, redder fruits but definitely a Coonawarra feel to it. Tannins were fully resolved....Was probably a bit past it but still a very nice drop. Considering this was probably 5 dollars on release and was probably near the bottom of their releases, this is looking very good.
2009 Yarra Yering Dry Red No 3 - A mix of different Tourigas...I've never been a fan of this...still not much of a fan of this. Really young bright fruit....feels a bit awkward to me...
1996 Sallys Paddock - Nice mouthfeel to this...great little bordeaux blend. Darker fruits with some herby characters to it...Good overall structure and mouthfeel. I haven't had a Sallys Paddock and been blown away by it..but they're always consistently pretty good...
2013 Yellow Tail Merlot (this was a bit of a joke wine) - Most people have the same response...Yellow Tail? And a MERLOT at that? Haha. To me, a lot of cheap wine or a lot of wine that the winemaker is new to making have this manufactured fake red candy smell to it...as well as on the palate. I tend to see it in wines that are 5-15 dollars. Not everyone seems to pick this up though as I've seen plenty of wines that have this and people don't sense that. For me, even blind I'm picking this up. I'm not sure what it is and obviously there are tons of cheap wines I DON'T pick this up in..but a lot of them I do. I suspect some sort of winemaking flaw but I don't know what it is. Either way, this has it in spades. Palate is relatively sweet too so I suspect a good amount of residual sugar...If you don't mind the fake candy, I can see why people would drink this..easy to drink, a bit sweet (even though they don't know it is)...
2006 Glen Eldon Twisted Trunk Reserve Shiraz - A big bruising Shiraz...Huge oak on the nose and palate...This probably needs more time for the oak to integrate..not sure if that'll happen but it needs more time...I'm sure this is a crowd pleaser though...
1999 Yalumba Signature - Still a young pup...Big dark fruit, very viscous on the palate. A lot of oak but it has integrated relatively well. Tannins are there but not overpowering....This is in a pretty good spot right now if you like them a bit young but I can see this going another 5-10 years. Again, not the style I prefer but this was still quite nice.
2005 Rockford Cabernet Sauvignon - This fell a bit flat for me..probably needed to be served earlier in the evening. Light for a Cabernet...this seemed to be in a bit of an awkward spot...
2004 Buller Calliope Durif - VERY viscous...Almost port like in thickness...very dark dark fruit, big big fruit on the palate...To me this seems almost sweet...I'm not sure how much residual sugar is here but I've seen stuff that suggests it is relatively high for a red...and this is also labeled 16% alcohol but it is probably closer to 17%. That said, I wouldn't guess 17% as it isn't finishing very hot..but definitely finishes a bit hot to my palate. This would definitely be a crowd pleaser..I can see a lot of people loving this. For me, just too big..
2004 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz - I've not always been happy with their Hilltops..I think they tend to be a bit awkward...but this has integrated nicely...it has a dash of Viognier and the Shiraz has really started to develop some secondary characteristics. Very Hilltops region on the nose and exhibits some of that on the palate. Overall a pretty good wine.
2003 Keith Tulloch Semillon - Just starting to develop some toasty notes. Good acid, good depth...This looks like it'll go quite awhile longer and I'd love to see this in five more years.
2006 De Iuliis Semillon - The acid is fading away on this...not a lot of development going on either...Maybe this will turn a bit but it isn't what I'm looking for in Semillon..
2012 Lethbridge Dr. Nadeson Riesling - I'm a big fan of these and still a big fan. 10g/L of RS and 13g/L of TA....Served a little cool which made the sugar stand out a bit more but once it got going the acidity and depth really showed..the sugar offset some of the searing acidity..I really enjoy this style...I wish more places made Riesling like this.
1996 Lakes Folly Chardonnay - I wasn't expecting much here because of the age but this had a wonderful nose and equally wonderful palate. Reminded me a lot of an aged Champagne with some yeasty notes, lemon pith, nutty notes as well. Acid still going strong. Quite a revelation for everyone at the table as I think everyone expected this to be past it.
1991 Orlando Lawsons Padthaway Shiraz (Magnum) - Deep dark fruited Shiraz, big fruit, mocha notes, some secondary minty and herby characters as well...In quite a nice spot really. Not quite the style I like but drinking fantastically well. Really no complaints here, I'd be perfectly happy drinking this.
1998 Penfolds St. Henri - Some felt this was in a good spot, to me it was way too young. Great structure, tannins were firm but not too aggressive but definitely there in force...Good acidity, fruit was still very young...some development but this will probably not be its best for 10+ years..at least...
1990 Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Black) - A bit of funk on the nose but that blew off...Acidity was quite good, redder fruits but definitely a Coonawarra feel to it. Tannins were fully resolved....Was probably a bit past it but still a very nice drop. Considering this was probably 5 dollars on release and was probably near the bottom of their releases, this is looking very good.
2009 Yarra Yering Dry Red No 3 - A mix of different Tourigas...I've never been a fan of this...still not much of a fan of this. Really young bright fruit....feels a bit awkward to me...
1996 Sallys Paddock - Nice mouthfeel to this...great little bordeaux blend. Darker fruits with some herby characters to it...Good overall structure and mouthfeel. I haven't had a Sallys Paddock and been blown away by it..but they're always consistently pretty good...
2013 Yellow Tail Merlot (this was a bit of a joke wine) - Most people have the same response...Yellow Tail? And a MERLOT at that? Haha. To me, a lot of cheap wine or a lot of wine that the winemaker is new to making have this manufactured fake red candy smell to it...as well as on the palate. I tend to see it in wines that are 5-15 dollars. Not everyone seems to pick this up though as I've seen plenty of wines that have this and people don't sense that. For me, even blind I'm picking this up. I'm not sure what it is and obviously there are tons of cheap wines I DON'T pick this up in..but a lot of them I do. I suspect some sort of winemaking flaw but I don't know what it is. Either way, this has it in spades. Palate is relatively sweet too so I suspect a good amount of residual sugar...If you don't mind the fake candy, I can see why people would drink this..easy to drink, a bit sweet (even though they don't know it is)...
2006 Glen Eldon Twisted Trunk Reserve Shiraz - A big bruising Shiraz...Huge oak on the nose and palate...This probably needs more time for the oak to integrate..not sure if that'll happen but it needs more time...I'm sure this is a crowd pleaser though...
1999 Yalumba Signature - Still a young pup...Big dark fruit, very viscous on the palate. A lot of oak but it has integrated relatively well. Tannins are there but not overpowering....This is in a pretty good spot right now if you like them a bit young but I can see this going another 5-10 years. Again, not the style I prefer but this was still quite nice.
2005 Rockford Cabernet Sauvignon - This fell a bit flat for me..probably needed to be served earlier in the evening. Light for a Cabernet...this seemed to be in a bit of an awkward spot...
2004 Buller Calliope Durif - VERY viscous...Almost port like in thickness...very dark dark fruit, big big fruit on the palate...To me this seems almost sweet...I'm not sure how much residual sugar is here but I've seen stuff that suggests it is relatively high for a red...and this is also labeled 16% alcohol but it is probably closer to 17%. That said, I wouldn't guess 17% as it isn't finishing very hot..but definitely finishes a bit hot to my palate. This would definitely be a crowd pleaser..I can see a lot of people loving this. For me, just too big..
2004 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz - I've not always been happy with their Hilltops..I think they tend to be a bit awkward...but this has integrated nicely...it has a dash of Viognier and the Shiraz has really started to develop some secondary characteristics. Very Hilltops region on the nose and exhibits some of that on the palate. Overall a pretty good wine.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Rockford in 2014
Had a gathering with some friends for a Rockford BP dinner...a lot of great fun but a lot of very good wine as well..
Now, to start off, I do enjoy Rockford Basket Press. I do NOT enjoy it as much as most though. They are consistently very good..very clean...always good fruit, solid structure...Overall a very good wine...I'm not sure I consider them very exciting though. Again, don't get me wrong, I enjoy drinking them..I think the wines are very good...I just think they're very safe.
We had:
1996 Rockford Basket Press
1997 Rockford Basket Press
2004 Rockford Basket Press
2006 Rockford Basket Press
2008 Rockford Basket Press
2009 Rockford Basket Press
2010 Rockford Basket Press
1997 Rockford Cabernet Sauvignon
Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz from 2001.
There were a few other wines that even but sticking with the Rockford theme...
1996 Rockford Basket Press - This has always been one of my favorite BPs and today was no different. Redder fruits, solid structure, good acidity, great complexity to the wine.
1997 Rockford Basket Press - I've had this several times and they're always just...well..*shrug*. I'm not even a fan of selling wine but I had several of these and I just ended up selling them because while they were good, they weren't worth what they were selling for. I picked up quite a bit of oak from this...fruit was decent, not great..overall structure was decent but I didn't really pick up much from this. This will sound bad but the wine was very non-offensive in the best possible way. Solid wine but forgettable.
2004 Rockford Basket Press - Picking up a bit of sweetness on this. I'm not sure what the residual sugar is on this but I'd imagine it is in the 3g+ range. Nice bright fruit, probably one of the freshest of the night...Overall structure is good...solid tannins but nothing overly grippy..decent acidity...a combination of red and dark fruits, a hint of mint and herbs...Some earthy tones but what is really standing out is the fruit and solid structure. A very enjoyable Basket Press and one of my favorites of the night...I think this one will age quite well...
2006 Rockford Basket Press. I think this really suffered next to the 2004 which had been decanted. Really quite tight..and very aggressive tannins. Fruit was there but hiding a bit in the background. Not sure what to think of this...I tried it several times over the evening and it was just too tight to really judge.
2008 Rockford Basket Press. A lot of people liked this one...for me it was very ok. Really soft, too soft really. Low acidity, soft tannins...up front fruit..a very enjoyable drink for now and maybe a few more years. Structure was not there to go the long haul. I'd drink these now or very soon in the future.
2009 Rockford Basket Press. Dark fruits, decent acid, but getting a lot of heat from this as well. Not sure why but the alcohol is really noticeable. Given this was the later part of the evening I didn't really nurse this one the way I should've but it was just showing ok.
2010 Rockford Basket Press. Still one of the best young BP's I've tried...Great fruit, great overall structure. Tannins are there but not aggressive...good acidity (although added I'm sure)...Good complexity..a bit tight but showing nicely for such a young BP. I think this will end up being one of the better BPs.....
1997 Rockford Cabernet - I actually enjoyed this a LOT more than the 97 BP. Reddish fruits, good acid....The Barossa produces rather atypical Cabernet and this is no different...lighter than its Shiraz brother...still very lively and looking quite good.
Rockford Black Shiraz NV (2001 Disgorgement). These are always fun wines..I'm not quite sure I get them like a lot of my Australian friends...The dosage tends to be from a fortified which lends this some extra residual sugar...For a fun sparkling this quite complex and has some nice savory aspects but still, there is something lacking. I look at it as it tastes nice, is a bit of fun but still has some geeky things about it too...
Now, to start off, I do enjoy Rockford Basket Press. I do NOT enjoy it as much as most though. They are consistently very good..very clean...always good fruit, solid structure...Overall a very good wine...I'm not sure I consider them very exciting though. Again, don't get me wrong, I enjoy drinking them..I think the wines are very good...I just think they're very safe.
We had:
1996 Rockford Basket Press
1997 Rockford Basket Press
2004 Rockford Basket Press
2006 Rockford Basket Press
2008 Rockford Basket Press
2009 Rockford Basket Press
2010 Rockford Basket Press
1997 Rockford Cabernet Sauvignon
Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz from 2001.
There were a few other wines that even but sticking with the Rockford theme...
1996 Rockford Basket Press - This has always been one of my favorite BPs and today was no different. Redder fruits, solid structure, good acidity, great complexity to the wine.
1997 Rockford Basket Press - I've had this several times and they're always just...well..*shrug*. I'm not even a fan of selling wine but I had several of these and I just ended up selling them because while they were good, they weren't worth what they were selling for. I picked up quite a bit of oak from this...fruit was decent, not great..overall structure was decent but I didn't really pick up much from this. This will sound bad but the wine was very non-offensive in the best possible way. Solid wine but forgettable.
2004 Rockford Basket Press - Picking up a bit of sweetness on this. I'm not sure what the residual sugar is on this but I'd imagine it is in the 3g+ range. Nice bright fruit, probably one of the freshest of the night...Overall structure is good...solid tannins but nothing overly grippy..decent acidity...a combination of red and dark fruits, a hint of mint and herbs...Some earthy tones but what is really standing out is the fruit and solid structure. A very enjoyable Basket Press and one of my favorites of the night...I think this one will age quite well...
2006 Rockford Basket Press. I think this really suffered next to the 2004 which had been decanted. Really quite tight..and very aggressive tannins. Fruit was there but hiding a bit in the background. Not sure what to think of this...I tried it several times over the evening and it was just too tight to really judge.
2008 Rockford Basket Press. A lot of people liked this one...for me it was very ok. Really soft, too soft really. Low acidity, soft tannins...up front fruit..a very enjoyable drink for now and maybe a few more years. Structure was not there to go the long haul. I'd drink these now or very soon in the future.
2009 Rockford Basket Press. Dark fruits, decent acid, but getting a lot of heat from this as well. Not sure why but the alcohol is really noticeable. Given this was the later part of the evening I didn't really nurse this one the way I should've but it was just showing ok.
2010 Rockford Basket Press. Still one of the best young BP's I've tried...Great fruit, great overall structure. Tannins are there but not aggressive...good acidity (although added I'm sure)...Good complexity..a bit tight but showing nicely for such a young BP. I think this will end up being one of the better BPs.....
1997 Rockford Cabernet - I actually enjoyed this a LOT more than the 97 BP. Reddish fruits, good acid....The Barossa produces rather atypical Cabernet and this is no different...lighter than its Shiraz brother...still very lively and looking quite good.
Rockford Black Shiraz NV (2001 Disgorgement). These are always fun wines..I'm not quite sure I get them like a lot of my Australian friends...The dosage tends to be from a fortified which lends this some extra residual sugar...For a fun sparkling this quite complex and has some nice savory aspects but still, there is something lacking. I look at it as it tastes nice, is a bit of fun but still has some geeky things about it too...
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Petaluma Shiraz 2008
In general I'm pretty unhappy with how most Australian Shiraz Viognier tastes when young..there are some exceptions but I often find them very awkward and the viognier sticks out as very bitter...
Petaluma Shiraz 2008. Their Shiraz has had a bit of Viognier for quite awhile...I'm not sure what possessed me to try this when I know it needed more time but I did...
Normal savory but awkward nose...not picking up any florals but getting some umami...Dark red fruits..a little bit of coffee..Palate is really awkward. I'm not liking this but not because it isn't well made or the style...I just don't think the Viognier is working well...By the end of day 1 this is waking up a bit..getting nicer umami that is harmonizing with the red fruits...less awkward bitterness.
Day 2. The nose is fresher, some floral notes but more importantly, it is smelling like a better shiraz viognier..one that is starting to come together.....Palate is MUCH MUCH better...the viognier is adding complexity and deep savory notes, still getting coffee, red fruits, good acid, fine tannins..the wine is really starting to come together. I'm not going to say it is great..but it has turned into a wine I'd drink whereas Day 1 I wasn't interested at all...
Still not convinced this is the right blend for Australia...there are a few good examples like Clonakilla...and I've seen some good examples when they've aged for 10+ years...but earlier than that and most of them just aren't great...I'm going to guess the quality of their Viognier is just not there and that is doing it...
Petaluma Shiraz 2008. Their Shiraz has had a bit of Viognier for quite awhile...I'm not sure what possessed me to try this when I know it needed more time but I did...
Normal savory but awkward nose...not picking up any florals but getting some umami...Dark red fruits..a little bit of coffee..Palate is really awkward. I'm not liking this but not because it isn't well made or the style...I just don't think the Viognier is working well...By the end of day 1 this is waking up a bit..getting nicer umami that is harmonizing with the red fruits...less awkward bitterness.
Day 2. The nose is fresher, some floral notes but more importantly, it is smelling like a better shiraz viognier..one that is starting to come together.....Palate is MUCH MUCH better...the viognier is adding complexity and deep savory notes, still getting coffee, red fruits, good acid, fine tannins..the wine is really starting to come together. I'm not going to say it is great..but it has turned into a wine I'd drink whereas Day 1 I wasn't interested at all...
Still not convinced this is the right blend for Australia...there are a few good examples like Clonakilla...and I've seen some good examples when they've aged for 10+ years...but earlier than that and most of them just aren't great...I'm going to guess the quality of their Viognier is just not there and that is doing it...
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