Sunday

[I Love Shiraz]

You know the drill. What have you been drinking this past week?

[seddo]

Started off with a :Deisen Sweetheart Shiraz 06 night 1 - super super sweet , offputting but excellant mouthfeel and crammed with black fruits, JH gave it a 95 - more like a 90 after night 1, night 2 - the sweetness had toned down considerably and a spicyness came to the fore still with the beautifull mouth feel - increase my points to 92.

Pirramimma Tannat 04 boring and one dimensional even over 2 nights, will wait to see what it is like blended.

Kabminye Zinfandel 06 this is their first vintage - wow what an unusual wine - pink marshmellows and nougat on the palate the colour was a bit faded and it maintained it's intensity on night two, a sweet but not OTT wine very nice - did try a Cape Mentelle many years ago did not like it and thought it was a rip off am in two minds with this wine - it retails for $39

cheers
Seddo

[daz]

Brothers In Arms No 6 Shiraz Cabernet 2004 Very regional Langhorne Creek characters with eucalypt/spearmint supporting plummy dark berry fruits and well-integrated cedary oak. At $18-$20 it offers some complexity.

daz

[Chuck]

A shiraz BBQ night at home with some good friends

Metala 1998 Black Label Original Plantings Shiraz. Mildly corked but fruit shone thru. Nothing out of the box.

Majella 2002 Shiraz. Very nice indeed. More fruity than I was expecting.

Gramps 2004 Shiraz. Good as always.

A Grant Burge cleanskin fizz that was similar to their always reliable NV fizz.

Someone brought a shiraz/riesling blend. Most unusual blend and will try soon.

Seppeltsfield 1998 VP. By now its was all a blur. SWMBO said we drank 7 bottles but I only remember these. Golf today was pretty ordinary. I wonder why?

Friday night was a Punters Corner 2003 Three Crowns Cabernet blend cleanskin. Just starting to hit its straps. Not a great wine but well made and complex.

Chuck

[AndrewCowley]

In order over a few hours on Saturday afternoon:

2007 Penfolds Bin 389: Was so tight I'm not sure what to say. Couldn't really taste any fruit. Time will tell.

2005 Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz: Luxurious. Glad I've got another 10 of these under lock and key. Still needs time but definately getting there. Starting to get really smooth and velvety.

1999 Lindemans Steven Vineyard Bin 9825 Shiraz: Definately nearing the end of its life. Unmistakenly Hunter. Had this after the two above so this was very different and took a little while to get used to. Was 99 a good year for Hunter shiraz? This seemed pretty good to me. The fruit was singing, perhaps a bit watery though. Dunno if I'll get any more, but for only $30 per bottle perhaps I will.

1999 Seppelt Dorrien Vineyard Cab Sauv: Wow, this was really good. So so drinkable. One of the best cabs I've ever had. Would go for a few years yet I reckon. I have access to more of this at $45 per bottle and will definately buy up as many as I can.

[monghead]

In order over a few hours on Saturday afternoon:

2007 Penfolds Bin 389: Was so tight I'm not sure what to say. Couldn't really taste any fruit. Time will tell.

2005 Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz: Luxurious. Glad I've got another 10 of these under lock and key. Still needs time but definately getting there. Starting to get really smooth and velvety.

1999 Lindemans Steven Vineyard Bin 9825 Shiraz: Definately nearing the end of its life. Unmistakenly Hunter. Had this after the two above so this was very different and took a little while to get used to. Was 99 a good year for Hunter shiraz? This seemed pretty good to me. The fruit was singing, perhaps a bit watery though. Dunno if I'll get any more, but for only $30 per bottle perhaps I will.

1999 Seppelt Dorrien Vineyard Cab Sauv: Wow, this was really good. So so drinkable. One of the best cabs I've ever had. Would go for a few years yet I reckon. I have access to more of this at $45 per bottle and will definately buy up as many as I can.

That Dorrien sounds like a treat, and a steal for $45.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

2004 Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- Blackcurrants, licorice, and tobacco leaf. Rich and graceful. Good Good.
1996 Domaine Dujac Clos St Denis Grand Cru- Out of Control Good.

Monghead.

[Jay60A]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

Has anyone tried the 2004? I think Campbell annointed it with a very high score indeed ...

[griff]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

Has anyone tried the 2004? I think Campbell annointed it with a very high score indeed ...

Yes I have. I rate it highly but don't think it similar to the 1994. Didn't try the 1994 on release but I would say that it was a lot leaner at the time. While it isn't rich per say, the 2004 definitely has a lot of effortless power but built for the long haul. I also liked the Leeuwin Estate 2004 Art Series Cabernet. On the other hand I think Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood and Cullen did better with their 2005 Cabernet's over their 2004's.

cheers

Carl

[monghead]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

Has anyone tried the 2004? I think Campbell annointed it with a very high score indeed ...

Hmmm,

This intrigues me. I thought the '96 HP was well written up, but when I tried it x2, I was very underwhelmed. As a consequence, I have steered away from them. Perhaps I need to seek out the '94.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[via collins]

Curly Flat chardonnay 2007 - the colour! In the fading summer sunshine, this looked like a gold from the Wizard of Oz! Butterscotch on the nose, lovely oily mouthfeel, and lots stonefruits. The fruits showed further the next day, but balanced by a beautiful buttery base on the palate. Very, very good.

Cortes Vistalba b 2005 70% merlot/30% cabernet from Mendoza. Spooky dark purple colour, and a fairly closed nose at the opening, but beautiful plums on palate, a touch of pencil shavings and a very long and balanced finish. In the context of a table of fairly fruity local reds, this brooding beast showed really well. I'm no big fan of malbec, but in a blend like this, it's superb.

[Jay60A]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

Has anyone tried the 2004? I think Campbell annointed it with a very high score indeed ...

Hmmm,

This intrigues me. I thought the '96 HP was well written up, but when I tried it x2, I was very underwhelmed. As a consequence, I have steered away from them. Perhaps I need to seek out the '94.

Cheers,

Monghead.

Monghead,

Worth to seek out imo, great stuff. Points to note, if you find some decent bottles -
- Still needed at least two hours to open up.
- Decant, it had a massive crust.
- It's not a blockbuster ...
- Provenance (well cellaring) will count. The ones I obtained seem to have had a pampered existance at Bibendum here in the UK. I suspect they were Bibendum museum stock as they have a label "TOPPED AND RECORKED FEB 08". I thought only Penfolds did that but apparently not ... and I am not complaining or sending them back, judging by the result!

I will probably pick up a case of the 2004s as it works out here at about $30aud a bottle.

Cheers - Jay

[jeremy]

Curly Flat chardonnay 2007 - the colour! In the fading summer sunshine, this looked like a gold from the Wizard of Oz! Butterscotch on the nose, lovely oily mouthfeel, and lots stonefruits. The fruits showed further the next day, but balanced by a beautiful buttery base on the palate. Very, very good.

Cortes Vistalba b 2005 70% merlot/30% cabernet from Mendoza. Spooky dark purple colour, and a fairly closed nose at the opening, but beautiful plums on palate, a touch of pencil shavings and a very long and balanced finish. In the context of a table of fairly fruity local reds, this brooding beast showed really well. I'm no big fan of malbec, but in a blend like this, it's superb.

07 CF Chards sounds very different to the 2006 (limes, minerals, grapefruit etc) I had at xmas. Must get my cellar order in asap ( and get some of the 06 Pinot while there is some left). Reminds me I have a 2008 CF William's Crossing Pinot in my flat. Will have a look at it this week.

[Loztralia]

Had a 2001 Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. Seemed to be holding up alright but had turned distinctly dull by the second night. As my collection is pretty new it was nice to have a decent nearly 10-year old cabernet for about $20 at auction but I think this is in drink up territory now.

More impressive - unsurprisingly - was the 2007 Shaw & Smith Shiraz some friends and I shared in a wine bar after Mardi Gras (it was a long night). It's a big old wine for a cool climate shiraz but with lots of complexity. Lovely stuff, even after spending the preceding two hours or so swigging a noxious combination of Irish whisky, Bacardi Oro and dry ginger out of a bottle on the parade route.

[Broughy]

The 94 Howard Park was one out of the box, think there was a lot of debate at the time of issue as to the quality of the wine. this was one that certainly needed time to reveal quality

[Gary W]

IMO best vintages of HP cabernet 94,01,04,08. Have/will buy all of those.
GW

[Craig(NZ)]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

save a bottle for "next" time I am over your way hehe. A wine I have always wanted to try but never had the chance. I dont think Howard Park came into NZ before about the 96 vintage

[fatdoi]

2008 T'Gallant Juliet pinot noir
tasted it @ company lunch, colour is similar to medium diluted ribina, nose has some kind of sweet fruits, violet but the wine itself is disjointed, no flavour, heat with absolutely zero finish.... please stay away even the bottle looks quite attractive

[monghead]

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1994 No notes taken but it lived up to it's reputation as one of the very greatest of the Australian cabernets of the 90s.
13.5% alcohol and proudly announces John Wade as the winemaker on the back. I obtained the last four bottles from the importer, Bibendum, here in the UK and they have obviously been very well cellared, with original paper wrapping. Now 15 years old, and drinking superbly, but I reckon it will develop more complexity over the next five years and last - at least - for ten beyond that. I may be being conservative here since it was drinking better on the second day.

Has anyone tried the 2004? I think Campbell annointed it with a very high score indeed ...

Hmmm,

This intrigues me. I thought the '96 HP was well written up, but when I tried it x2, I was very underwhelmed. As a consequence, I have steered away from them. Perhaps I need to seek out the '94.

Cheers,

Monghead.

Monghead,

Worth to seek out imo, great stuff. Points to note, if you find some decent bottles -
- Still needed at least two hours to open up.
- Decant, it had a massive crust.
- It's not a blockbuster ...
- Provenance (well cellaring) will count. The ones I obtained seem to have had a pampered existance at Bibendum here in the UK. I suspect they were Bibendum museum stock as they have a label "TOPPED AND RECORKED FEB 08". I thought only Penfolds did that but apparently not ... and I am not complaining or sending them back, judging by the result!

I will probably pick up a case of the 2004s as it works out here at about $30aud a bottle.

Cheers - Jay

Thanks Jay,

Definitely on my hit list now.

Monghead.

[Jay60A]

save a bottle for "next" time I am over your way hehe. A wine I have always wanted to try but never had the chance. I dont think Howard Park came into NZ before about the 96 vintage

There's a bottle reserved with your name on it ... and an open invite for Mel and the kids to occupy a spare room and a loft for a few days. Bring a spare liver ... and enjoy Kew Gardens, the Thames, the pubs, Richmond Park and central london 15 minutes by fast train.

[Wayno]

Lots lately but very few write ups:

Some recollections:

Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - a genuine slut of a wine - silky, rich and fruit-full with solid buckling tannins to keep it all in place. Crowd pleaser - not terribly varietal but who's to care?

Tim Adams the Fergus Grenache (et al) 2001 - a bit past it - raisiny and a touch dried out, but distinctly Grenache in character

Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - varietally true wine, quite composed, typical Coonawarra mint/menthol characters and an honest, long finish. Ages to go.

Massena The Surly Muse Viognier 2007 - slightly too sweet for me (a touch cloying) but mercifully not full of apricot - spice, pear and peach, with a vaguely Gris-like character. Quite good.

Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2006 - awesome, balanced - a cracker of a wine.

[odyssey]

1999 Lindemans Steven Vineyard Bin 9825 Shiraz: Definately nearing the end of its life. Unmistakenly Hunter. Had this after the two above so this was very different and took a little while to get used to. Was 99 a good year for Hunter shiraz?

No not really, although I do enjoy that particular wine at last year's cellar door price ($19/btl in mixed dozen).

Hunter often bucks the trend and thus years like 2000 and 2007 were spectacular vintages, although 98 was quite good too. It's nigh impossible to find 2000 Hunters.

I noticed that the 2007 Tyrrell's Vat 9s entirely disappeared from stores and cellar door almost as soon as it was released. I think they are saving it for a museum release at double or more the price, much like the 98 Vat 9 recently retailing in stores for $100+. Should have bought more at $32 at cellar door... *sigh* shoulda woulda coulda...

[Gary W]

07 Vat 9 just commercially released now - $55. Would not have been in any stores until now - Private Bin and CD only before.
GW

[odyssey]

07 Vat 9 just commercially released now - $55. Would not have been in any stores until now - Private Bin and CD only before.
GW

There you go, been hunting for it for 12 months (even emailed the cellar door and they didn't know where it went).

Thanks for the update Gary, time to stock up... or more accurately, bargain-hunt... $55 hurts when compared to $32.

[AndrewCowley]

Hunter often bucks the trend and thus years like 2000 and 2007 were spectacular vintages, although 98 was quite good too. It's nigh impossible to find 2000 Hunters.

Thanks for that. I can get some 2000 Maurice O'Shea for a half decent price ($58 btl). Sounds like I should jump all over it.

[Alex F]

Glenpara Pump House Block Shiraz 2007

Made by Seppeltsfield, but interestingly no mention of the name on the front label. Charry, chocolate notes on the nose complementing the dark sweet fruit. Some spice. I taste almost stewed fruits, mixed with some savoury, bitter elements. Overall a nice wine, slightly let down by the palate which finishes in a bit of a disjoint way, with the acid poking out, chewy tannins and creamy oak not combining as they should.

[odyssey]

No schoolday drinks post, and it's Friday?... I guess it's too late to start one now... I guess this is the place to post.

2004 Brown Brothers Shiraz - Very berry. Simple but actually quite likeable. Acids and tannins have gone to sulk in the corner whilst the pretty, if ditzy, berries socialise. Drink now.

2004 Calais Estate Chardonnay - Holy mother of wine. Somebody whacked me over the head with a 2-by-4 which gave me a headache after half a glass. And I have a high oak tolerance so that's saying something. Drink never.