27-5-09

Bannockburn Cabernet Merlot 2001. Drink NOW! Bargain at $15.50

12-05-09 to 14-05-09

Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling 1998
Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 1994
Leconfield Coonawarra NV Brut
Hennessy XO Cognac

Latest Drinkies

09/05/05 - Rockford Alicante Bouchet 2008
10/05/09 - Rockford Basket press 2006
10/05/09 - Piper Heidsieck NV

St Hallet Old Block Shiraz 2002 Opened 8/11/06

A giant Barossa masterpiece with massive but integrated oak with lucious fruit - juicy black currents and strawberries. Perhaps better value around $40
$60

Rating 8.5/10
Value 3/5

Bell Hill Chardonnay 2004 Opened 04/11/06

When we visited Bell Hill (situated at a 1920's lime quarry in the Weka Pass, North Canterbury, New Zealand) in Nov 2005 we picked up a bottle of the 2004 Chardonnay and lugged it back to Brisbane. Today we opened it with a Creamy Beef Stroganoff (pg 31 ABC Delicious Issue 51 July 2006) and was a great match. Big Creamy oak with viscous fruit that made us salivate with a nice long crisp finish. Something similar to Petaluma Chardonnay but a whole lot more elegant.
$60 NZ
Rating 9/10
Value 4/5

Penfolds RWT 2002 Shiraz Opened 3/11/06

Explosion of fruit with mega blackcurrents and massive fine oak. A massive wine very overwhelming right now. Not worth the money though.
$100

Rating 9/10
Value 2 /5

Jacaranda Ridge 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon Opened 01/11/06

3rd wine of the night with crepes. Not the perfect match but had to stick with the older stuff. The last bottle in the 6 pack and like the others all in perfect condition from the Langtons exchange (~$50). Lots of retired fruit and balanced oak with a boquet of horseshed and barnyard overtones. Aside from the bullshit it's pretty good stuff.

 

Rating 8/10

Value 3.5/10

Penfolds bin 707 1990 Opened 01/11/06

Initial Strong DMS on the nose that blew off after decanting. Then big Mocha chocolate and well balanced oak. Still some slightly green characteristics but overall a damn awesome wine which should last many years.

 

Rating 8.5/10

Penfolds St Henri 1986 Opened 01/11/06

Still plenty of juicy fruit in this beast with silky chocolate tannins and long delicious finish. Slightly ethanolic. Thanks Kirsten and Gordon for cellaring this for the last 2 decades!

 

Rating 9/10

Siphoning of Redman Coonawarra 1978. Opened 28/10/06

Antimony and the Redman Imperial (6L of 1978 Coonawarra Cab Sauv)

James Irvine Grand Merlot 1991 Opened 21-10-06

Price: $54.00 from Langtons before commission.
Excellent wine in perfect condition.
Rating 9/10
Value 5/5

Heathcote Winery Mailcoach Shiraz 2004 Opened 08/09/06

Under screwcap.

Beautiful fresh juicy and jammy plums and fruit on the palate however loads of ethanol on the nose. Awesome value for money at $20
Rating 7/10
Value 4/5

Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Opened 30/08/06

Instantly after opening (15 celcius) very closed on the nose and then dry dry oak and pepper on the palate. Even after 5 minutes in the glass strawberries are starting to poke through and the fruit is showing much more in the mouth but still very dry and loads of unbalanced oak to finish, turning the mouth into an old boot. I think this wine needs at least a year.
With Rare rib-eye fillet.
$16 (staff club)
rating 7/10
value 3/5

Orlando St. Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Opened 27/08/06

Earthy slightly sweet plums and prunes with undergrowth. An enjoyable wine which went well with the Duck!
Recipe

$28.50
Rating 8/10
Value 4/5

Yalumba D Cuvee 1993 (93/95) Late Disgorged Sparkling (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier Opened 26/08/05 (Dinner)

Very yeasty and creamy initially (in between a veuve clicqout NV and vintage) followed with nice acid. A very overwhelming wine with a long finish.
Purchased at the Grape (Old Stock?) at current vintage price. They only had six bottles, will go back for the last 3.
$31
Rating 4.5/5 (massively intense stuff!)
Value 5/5

With BBQ Chicken Nachos

Penfolds Bin 407 1991 Opened 26/08/06 (Lunch)

Big juicy fruits with cassis on the nose. Integrated oak with cassis, prunes and cigar box.
A very nice wine that will easily last another 5+ years.
$44 after bullshit tax
Rating 9/10
Value 4/5
Drunk with roasted chicken

Borie de Maurel Espirt d'Automme Minervois 2005 Opened 26/08/06

Borie de Maurel Espirt d'Automme Minervois 2005
Very easy drinking light style with thin ripe basic fruit (raspberries) and little integrated oak. Initial smell was like walking into a Subway (Eat Fresh). But after a few minutes in the glass some dark cherries started to appear. Empty glasses smelling of vinegar.
Generously sent with compliments from Vintage Cellars (Double Bay, Sydney), but currently retails for $16.95 at VC. (Thanks Mario!)

Rating 6.5 / 10
Vale 3/5

Vintage Cellars "Tour de France" at Baguette Restaurant 17/08/06

Pierre Gimmonet Fleuron Vintage 1999 Champagne

Honey on the nose with creamy yeast on the palate with an clean finish.

$44.99

Rating 8/10

Value 4/5

 

La Chablisienne Cote de Lechet 2002 Chablis

Chalky-mineral back palate but a great match with the Salmon

with Salmon marinated in white Burgundy with star anise 
$40

 

Champy savigny les Beaune Aux  Fourches 2003 Burgundy

Instant alcohol up the nose with cherries and sawdust but very subtle oak on the palate and very chalky. A lovely wine with the duck.

with Duck leg confit with brussel sprouts puree.

 

Chateau cambon la Pelouse 2003 (Bordeaux)

Loads of pencil shavings but a well balanced wine and very pleasant.

with Roasted rack of lamb crusted with mustard, herbs, breadcrumbs and almonds. 
 

Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shiraz 2002 Opened 15/08/06

Black cherries on the nose but a little closed with some ethanol. Silky smooth dark cherries and mocha on the palate but very subtle and well balanced. Will evolve into something special.

Rating 9/10

Value 5/5