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.