2005 Lakes Folly Cabernets
And what a wine! The 2005 is a lighter and elegant style, ultra smooth and full of cherry/rasberry fruit. Was told this vintage is especially fruity (and is the vintage of the decade
), and that the coming 2006 is more refined and elegant. It smells wonderfully like a cherry ripe! Was not overpowered by neither fruit, nor oak, nor alcohol, a very balanced and superbly subtle wine, with a finish that lasted hours.
Audrey Wilkinson
I didnt know Audrey was a man! Superb view. Anyway, the semillons are good, particularly the curiously labelled Museum Reserve and the 2002 Pioneer. Wasnt too keen on the Shiraz. Dessert Semillon was OK too.
2006 Allandale "Anna" Semillon Sav Blanc (Dessert)
"Freeze concentration technology" says the bottle. Pretend eis wien then. Apricot jam. Lots of it. Not overly sweet like De Bortoli Noble One, and sweeter than Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. Slight acid feel and finish. A very good dessert wine.
2006 Semillon
Still too young, lime, hint of lemon. Though if it ages like the 2002, it could be very special.
2002 Semillon
Starting to get the honey flavours coming through the citrus. Will be a real stunner in a few years.
As for food, Esca Bimbadgen confirms itself as what we think is the best in the Hunter. The seared scallops & potato gnocchi is out of this world. Great view too.
Other notables were Il Cacciatore for home style Italian, and Blaxlands for a steak.