TNs: Nine Popes 95, Rockford BP 96, Lindemans Steven 91

[Martin Phillipson]

Hi All

Friend from Canberra came through here last week (which doesn't happen very often) so thought we should try some decent wines, some absolute belters in my opinion:

Charles Melton Nine Popes 1995

Absolutely outstanding wine. One of the best reds I have had in ages. Just seamless. Lovely nose of fruit and spice and just gorgeous in the mouth lovely texture, supple tannins and fruit. A truly outstanding wine. Not sure if it's going to get any better than this, but there was no hint of browning so it may improve! I'm going to find my remaining 3 bottles v hard to resist!

Rockford Basket Press SHiraz 1996

Another belter. Much more youthful than the Nine Popes and just starting to open up methinks. Great structure, plenty of lovely Barossa fruit and a long finish. This will become an outstanding Barossa shiraz given some more time in the cellar to open up. Again another outstanding wine but absolutely no rush.

Lindemans HR Steven Shiraz 1991

When Hunter Shiraz is this good I can see what all the fuss is about. What a wine! Lovely nose of black pepper with hints of eucalypt and some earhy notes. Lovely mouthfilling fruit with more of that eucalypt and still plenty of length on the finish. Sadly my last bottle, definitely ready to drink (and a delight to do so) but will probably hold on for a few more years. I really really enjoyed this.

The beauty of the above wines was that they were all about fruit. Sure there was oak involved and plenty of tannins to provide structure but they were just so joyously easy to drink. Didn't have to chew your way through them (if that makes sense).


Others consumed:

Pegasus Bay Sauv Blanc 2002 (NZ) Brilliant Sauv/Sem blend. Pricy at $30 but well worth it.

Caymus Conundrum 2001 (California). A real fruit salad of a wine with 5 diff white grape varieties. Agree with Tim in Toronto, much better than previous vintages and great with food. Only $27 where I live!

Sanford Chardonnay Barrel Select 1999 (Santa Barbara) Picked this up as a bin end for only $19 (usually $43). One of the best Californian Chardonnays I have tasted. Sure it's plenty big but enough quality Chardonnay fruit to tackle the oak. Was great with food!

Cheers

MP