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...