Mac Forbes Gruyere Syrah

Date: 22 October, 2011
What: 2009 Mac Forbes Gruyere Syrah, Yarra Valley
Purchased: cellar door, $36
Food: Welsh rarebit
Comments: bought this one this arvo at Mac Forbe's "urban cellar door" in Collingwood.  Good not to have to travel far for cellar door-style tastings!  The syrah struck me as a bit fleshier then compared to now.  Why is it that tastings are always different to the bottle at home?  It has a really funky, earthy, rustic nose.  Gets a touch of spice as it opens up, but still more of a (bullish) pinot stink rather than what I might expect from syrah.  Bit of a linear mouthfeel.  Has some damp wood, forest floor gear in the mouth with a hint of chocolate to go with some more spices (think cloves etc) but interestingly for a cool climate shiraz/syrah there is no pepper to speak of.  Finishes with some length although still in the linear mould - not a fleshy finish.  These wines are not quaffers in my world.  This is one the wine wank, thought provoking end of the spectrum.  Provoked thoughts might include "what food would I have with this next time"?  And answers might be lamb (roasted), or perhaps an aged cheddar.

Foster e Rocco Rose

Date: 24 September, 2011

What: 2011 Foster e Rocco Rose (Sangiovese), Heathcote, Victoria

Purchased: website, $25

Food: bbq fish, blood orange and asparagus salad, roast potatoes

Comments: roses rank alongside sparkling reds as things I like but without taking seriously - fun quaffers and nothing more.  Time to get a bit more thoughtful.  Have had the previous two vintages of this one, oddly enough on the same night at MsG's in Sydney.  Quite different with the '10 being the more linear and acidic, the '09 being slightly sweeter.  This takes it a step further than the '10 -  but does it have enough flesh?  Was better with food rather than now, post food.  What is that on the nose?  Can't place it but perhaps is the start of the rasberry background that appears on the palette.  Have picked up a case for summer and will be interested to see my thoughts evolve as the wine gets a few more months into it and I try it with different food.  Definitely a food wine.

Domaine Taupenot - Merme Morey Saint Denis

Date: 23 September, 2011
What: 2006 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Morey Saint Denis, Cote de Nuits, Burgundy
Purchased: Dan's, $100
Food: pizza
Comments: so, a bit of a challenge - a type of wine I've not had a lot of and outside my usual ones.  Lighter colour - clearly pinot.  Had to wait for it to open up to give something interesting on the nose.  Bit of a damp, forest floor thing, perhaps a touch of pine forest and wood.  A bit of chocolate (milk) somewhere.  In the mouth has a sort of bouncy, green vibrancy that settles a bit in second glass after some time. Flavours?  Hmmmm.  There is a sort of dark fruits thing but it is in the background if that makes sense.  Background spices - cloves.  This is interesting in a wine wank way.  Good structure - you can almost feel and taste four walls.  Tannins are fine but certainly make themselves known - grippy after the fact but very much part of the structure on the way through.  You sort of start to understand where the bullshit about Burgundy comes from.  There's a lot to wank on about!  More enjoyable if you want to spend some time thinking about it rather than quaffing down a couple of glasses whilst your head is elsewhere.

Best's Pinot Noir

Date: 27 August, 2011

What: 2009 Bes'ts Great Western Pinot Noir, Great Western, Victoria

Purchased: Dan's (I think), low $20's

Food: duck breast

Comments: it's a really robust, almost aggressive pinot this one - in the right way.  Barry Hall on a good day.  Anyone who is a francophile, Burgundy/old world-is-the-only-pinot wanker type will hate this!  I had a French (Alsace, not Burgundy) pinot at a restaurant last weekend and this couldn't be a bigger contrast.  Big, full mouthfeel - announces itself early doors.  Nice touch of earth/dirty pinot thing on the nose initially which firmly says "pinot" but then the mouth is bouncy and a bit chunky rather compared to Frenchy light and ephemeral.  Distance is not the only thing that separates it from Mornington Peninsula.  None of that cherry/red fruits bizzo - real earthy, dark fruits pinot.  Interesting to consider on the pinot spectrum - not often you get a pinot that in the mouth might give you pause to think it was something other than a pinot. 

Craiglee Shiraz

Date: 12 August, 2011

What: 2008 Craiglee Shiraz, Sunbury, Victoria

Purchased: Cellar door, $45 

Food: pizza

Comments: Craiglee shiraz is a wine of different personalities and I think that is part of the appeal.  I am hooking into my second glass and swapping between enjoying some nice linear, peppery, sort of blueberry and background dark choc flavours in a sort of wine wanker mode, and then having a couple of big slurps because it's juicy and yummy and you can drink it now quite easily.  It works on both levels.  I love the vintage variations.  This wine is a great example of the fun of letting terroir and vintage find expression in the wine.  The 08 is in the middle of the Craiglee range power-wise, with a bigger body than its predecessor but with the classic white pepper lurking, and beautiful forest fruits - so typical and individual at the same time.  A bit of a grippy tannic thing at the end (which I have a soft spot for).  It would be remiss not to mention a really bright, bouncy colour that gives the same feeling as when you see a beautifully plated dish at a restaurant and your eyes have already decided you like it.

Bress Gold Chook Shiraz

Date: 21 July, 2011

What: 2006 Bress Gold Chook Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria

Purchased: Wine Bank on View, around $35 (three years ago) 

Food: moussaka

Comments: hhhhmmmm.  Has a couple of layers.  Goes in a bit closed but opens up at the end.  Perhaps atypical for Heathcote - none of the big mouthfeel and no chocolate (more's the pity!) and low in alcohol.  It is good fun gear for now but not really for the long haul.  Got a bit of a plum thing and some background spice and then opens into more of a forest fruits thing (kind of sweet) that reminds me of a grenache more than a shiraz.  This one is more about a juicy, fruity shiraz than a tannic, age for twenty years thing.  Time to rip into the rest of the bottles and enjoy over the next year or so.

William Downie Gippsland Pinot Noir

Date: 15 July, 2011

What: 2010 William Downie Pinot Noir, Gippsland, Victoria

Purchased: City Wine Shop, around $65 

Food: home made pizza

Comments: so, really tough one to review.  Initial thoughts - closed, green/stemmy.  Not my bag really!  Quite a nice colour - vibrant light red.  Just felt hard to get into.  Nice mouth feel with fine tannins.  As it opens up, start to get a bit of rasberry on the nose and replace the green taste with some forest fruits and maybe plum as well as becoming a bit chewy.  I suggested it was a bit esoteric, but Ness responded that I was a bit of a wanker.  So I will settle on complex (the wine, that is).  I have kept some for tomorrow to see if it opens further.  The winemaker has a reputation as one of the young guns of pinot and is a real pinot specialist.  I am clearly not at that level yet!  Have got one of the stablemates lying down and will be interested to follow; time could be the key here.  For both me and the booze.

Craiglee Pinot Noir (different vintage)

Date: 9 July, 2011

What: 2008 Craiglee Pinot Noir, Sunbury, Victoria

Purchased: cellar door, around $30 (purchased last year on the back of excitement about the 06)

Food: roast pork belly

Comments: clearly younger.  Leans towards Mornington Peninsula (based on the last post's spectrum) with more red fruits (cherry especially).  Still some of the savouriness (more on the nose than the palette) but not nearly as much as the 06.  Light in colour, and not super bright.  I wonder if, in reviewing this one following hot on the heels of the 06 last night which I really enjoyed, if I am judging harshly?  To be honest, it is probably something I would have said is good without being great but just seems a touch disappointing in comparison.  I think that is indeed harsh.  It does reinforce how lucky we are with the number of quality pinots that dont cost a bomb.  Basically a solid pinot, good (red) fruits.  Quite drinkable.  Interested to watch development over the next few years - see if, in two years' time, it develops more of the savoury characters or if it is just a vintage thing.

Craiglee Pinot Noir

Date: 8 July, 2011

What: 2006 Craiglee Pinot Noir, Sunbury, Victoria

Purchased: cellar door, around $30 (purchased a couple of years ago: I recall tasting and it really grabbing me)

Food: deli food (chorizo, ham, cheeses, dips)

Comments: quite a light colour with some browns that you associate with ageing.  Had decanted.  First mouthful a bit flat, but that was atypical and have enjoyed this one.  Earthiness on bouquet - that classic "pinot stink" as my mate H likes to call it.  Lightness continues in the mouth but breaks out with a real savouriness.  Some background cherry fruits (and is there a touch of vanilla perhaps??) but this is all about the savoury side of pinot.  Finishes with good length.  Enjoying contemplating where this sits between say Mornington Peninsula and Central Otago; you can see the neighbourly links to Curly Flat down the road but less fruit driven.  Might have to do a side by side at some point. 

Fromm La Strada Syrah

Date: 15 June, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2008 Fromm La Strada Syrah, Marlborough (NZ)

Purchased: cellar door, around NZ$30 I think (purchased Jan 2010)

Food: bouef bourgignon (leftovers!)

Comments: what a great colour!  Really deep, intense purple, and then a quite spicy and vaguely floral nose hit me shortly thereafter (label tells me there is a viognier co-ferment - 'nuff said).  Pepper is the dominant flavour, along with dark fruits.  Tannins are quite powdery - broad mouthfeel for something so peppery and spicy.  I bought this one on a holiday to NZ where I wanted to find "good" NZ shiraz/syrah i.e., different to what I usually see as typical Kiwi shiraz, which for mine lacks definition.  The ones I found that fitted the bill were either made by Europeans or styled on European (predominantly French) wines.  This was in the former bracket and is quite good.  Sort of like a Craiglee made in NZ.

Mount Mary Quintet

Date: 14 June, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2004 Mount Mary Quintet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Yarra Valley

Purchased: cellar door, $80

Food: bouef bourgignon

Comments: ok, so this is way too early to be drinking 04 Quintet (JH says 2024!) but why not.  Decanted first but later than what I should have, so it was only after a second (slow) glass that it had time to open up.  However, first reactions are always interesting - soft tannins was key (clearly a few tannins, but soft soft soft), and then there was a lot of action at the finish.  Sort of stuck around and had layers.  With time, more classic cabernet arrived - cassis, but clearly not Coonawarra.  Nose not big/touch closed.  So, we enjoy now but wait for a few more years with quite some anticipation - you can see where it might be going, and it's a destination to look forward to.

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz

Date: 6 June, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2006 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz, Grampians

Purchased: Dan's, $23

Food: a sort of lamb shank and mushroom shephard's pie (own recipe; actually worked!)

Comments: bought half dozen to put some bottles in cellar but also to see what it was like now.  It is enjoyable, but without blowing me away.  A bit spicy on the nose without being crazy.  Has opened up a bit since first glass and mellowing.  Early doors it was a touch tannic but softening.  Could happily drink another bottle now (and have saved one so that will be hooked into in a few months) but really looking forward to having a bottle in 2-3 years.  Actually, as it opens up, I could rephrase my earlier statement about not being blown away - still not there, but it is a bit better than what that statement implies.  Decant first?

Dal Zotto Sangiovese

Date: 11 May, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2009 Dal Zotto Sangiovese, King Valley

Purchased: Cellar door, $25

Food: home made boeuf bourguignon and rice

Comments: The first word that popped into my head was bouncy.  This is a fun quaffer.  Really easy to drink but in a fun way, if that makes sense.  Jam the discussion about fruits, palettes, tannins, length etc.  There is a bit of an Italian varietal thing on the palette (tobacco is what I associate with Italy) if you stop to consider it.  But then you'd be missing the point here.  In the mouth, enjoy, down the hatch, pour another.  Enjoy, and save the thinking for another day - unless that day involves pizza and you don't have to work the next one, in which case you could consider another bottle of this gear.

Charles Melton Nine Popes

Date: 4 June 2011
Who: Chambo

What: 2003 Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Purchased: Probably at Dan's for $55-$60 (has been in my cellar)

Food: lamb shanks in a caramelised onion and PX braise (thanks, Ness!)

Comments: This is serious booze.  Gave it two hours in the decanter first.  Big bouquet - could smell it in the glass just after pouring while the glass was still on its way to my honker.  Really fills the mouth and makes the head tingle - forehead, ears, base of skull all the richer for the experience.  Then it tells a story of the Barossa the world needs to know.  Not stupid big jammy stuff - just solid flavours (dark fruits etc) that have mellowed nicely and created a balanced wine to make you smile.  Just the ticket for a cold winter night.  As it opens up more it almost gets a hint of nebbiolo going on, with tobacco and leather as well. 

Henschke Kyneton Euphonium

Date: 24 May, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2007 Henschke Kyneton Euphonium Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Barossa Valley

Purchased: GIft

Food: home made boeuf bourguignon and rice

Comments: Initial reaction from Ness: "that's nice".  She meant it in a good way!  All about the palette for mine.  Nice colour and nose etc, but really interesting in the mouth with a lot going on.  Enjoying more as it opens up.  Dark chocolate, dark fruits...but not "brooding" dark overall.  Less intense than that.  Good tannins - quite fine.  Bit of cassis from the cab sav.  One of those where you could sit there and each new mouthful seems to provide something different. 

John Denton Vineyard DM Shiraz

Date: 28 April, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2008 John Denton Vineyard DM Shiraz, Yarra Valley

Purchased: Blackhearts and Sparrows, $40

Food: deli foods - cheeses, dips, ham, salami etc (yep, left over from last night)

Comments: So, a second new style YV shiraz, sort of.  I am assuming new style given the winemakers are the guys behind Allies and Garagiste and part of the South Pack.  Poor website doesnt help!  Same savoury nose with dark fruits.  Mouth is filling but longer - doesnt finish so linear...fullness continues.  Perhaps the most interesting thing was a quite distinct licorice flavour, along with the dark fruits.  Quite happy with it.  Perhaps a touch more enjoyable than the Luke Lambert but I suspect more interesting changes ahead for that one.

Luke Lambert Syrah

Date: 27 April, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2009 Luke Lambert Syrah, Yarra Valley

Purchased: Blackhearts and Sparrows, $48

Food: deli foods - cheeses, dips, ham, salami etc

Comments: I am intrigued.  Nice big dark colour.  It has a quite savoury nose but with some dark fruits.  Mouth is filling but linear.  Big black fruits, licorice, tobacco on the palette - but with some spices too.  There are two intriguing things - firstly, that the initial flavours I would associate more with Great Western than Yarra Valley, and second, it finishes more restrained that it is in the mouth.  Just an interesting mix of different things going on.  I think I would like to try some other newer style YV syrahs as comparisons.

Sanguine Estate Classic Quattro

Date: 22 April, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2005 Sanguine Estate Classic Quattro Cabernets, Heathcote

Purchased: around $25-30, I think (purchased mid 2008)

Food: an attempt at Welsh rarebit (grilled chese on toast - sort of)

Comments: it's not bad.  Pretty clearly a cab blend - usual cassis on nose and palette.  Medium bodied.  Tannins are quite powdery.  Alcohol a touch high and perhaps dominates?  Length not bad.  It is starting to open up as I get to the bottom of the first glass.  Let's wait while I start the second...yep, opening up nicely.  I would suggest it still has a few years to go so will drink with interest over the next little while.  But yeah, look, there's enough there now as well, so happy days.

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz

Date: 2 April, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2004 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz, Grampians

Purchased: cellar door, around $25-30, I think (purchased mid 2008)

Food: none yet; drinking while cooking French onion soup!

Comments: I bought this alongside their top label, the Langi Shiraz, and put both away in the cellar although had a couple of bottles of this one early doors as mid week types.  To be honest, I thought it was ok but didnt knock my socks off.  Now, I'm really pleased with it and it is one of the wines that has tought me that you dont need to pay top dollar on bottles to cellar.  It has grown massively.  Really savoury nose, white pepper etc.  Big-ish in the mouth with nice dark fruits but the thing here is the finish.  Great length and sort of sticks around with a fine, supple (?!) mouthfeel. I had decanted for an hour before I had the first glass.  It is now 2 hours later...

Box Stallion Shiraz

Date: 28th March, 2011

Who: Chambo

What: 2006 Box Stallion Shiraz, Mornington Peninsula

Purchased: cellar door, $30

Food: home made souva, Monday night

Comments: Quite enjoyed it, particularly after it opened up a bit. Both fruity and savoury on the nose.  Lots of pepper and forest fruits and good length.  Does it get a touch sweet?  Maybe, but enough savoury to keep it in check.  Good stuff - kind of a high end quaffer, if that makes any sense.  Bought enough to put in the cellar so will be interested to see the next couple of years.

Cave de Beblenheim Gewurztraminer

Date: 19th March, 2011

Who: Lina

What: 09, Cave de Beblenheim 'Reserve Particuliere' Gewurztraminer,Alsace France

Purchased: at glass at Matteo's $10

Food: the seafood part of the Matteo's degustation menu, included kingfish, scallop, tuna

Comments: The wine was a lot sweeter than I expected, more like a Riesling and almost a sticky. I think that might say more about how little I know about Gewurztraminers. But, I have a sweet tooth so I was quite happy by the sweet surprise.

Pyrette Shiraz

Date: 12 March 2011
Who: Chambo
What: 2009 Pyrette Shiraz, Heathcote
Purchased: Blackhearts and Sparrows a few weeks ago; $45 (I think)
Food: gnocchi with sundried tomato and meat ragu
Comments: Not really what I was expecting.  Nice purpley colour but not opaque at all and bouquet likewise not big.  For a Heathcote shiraz (even if a relatively low 13.5%) it was very tame - but not in a good ooh-they're-doing-the-refined-syrah-rhone-thing kind of way. Even the chocolate thing I love in Heathcote shiraz only turned up after a long wait. A long way from the worst thing I've drunk but not $45 worth.