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

 

Rabbit with Prunes 11/08/06 and 12/08/06

Rabbit with Prunes - Recipe here (Sorry in French, will get it translated soon)

Eaten with:

Penfolds Bin 389 2000 Cabernet Shiraz
$33 Staff Club
Forest floor aromas with meaty mushrooms and not so subtle tannins on the palate.
Rating 7.5/10
Vale 3.5/5

Crabtree of Watervale Semillon 2000
Starting to lose structure. Very viscous. Consumed directly after eating rabbit and sauce the wine tasted like mint!
Picked up at cellar door for $10 pb.
Rating 7/10
Value 5/5

Cleanskin Cab Merlot (exclusive to Dan Murphy's) WE3 South Eastern Australia 13.5%
Initial volatile acidity but then ultra sweet raspberries and roses on the nose. Very rough on the palate with buckets of musk lollies and gritty tannins followed by harsh acid at the back of the throat.
$2 pb
Rating 4/10
Value 5/5 Have had worse bottles at $20.

Cabarita 04/08/06 - 06/08/06

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Veuve Clicquot NV Opened 04/08/06
Acetic anhydride on the nose and on the palate a very brutal creamy yeast and long finish.
Purchased with 2 Cellar Shares (Vintage cellars (Currently $66))
With Lasagne
Rating 8.5/10
Value 4/5

Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz 1996 Opened Breakfast 05/08/06
9:30am with Grilled Bacon and Eggs and BBQ'd mushrooms.
Perfect with the heavily smoked bacon. Leathery cassis and blackberries all tying well together.
$33 Vintage Cellars with 20% off when it was on special for $41.
At this price unbeatable value
Rating 9.5/10
Value 5/5

Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2002 Opened 05/08/06
Very earthy licorice and blackberries still plenty of primary fruit but definitely older fruit starting to poke through.
With chicken breast fillet topped with cheese coated peach halves.

Sirromet Granite Belt Pinot Noir 2005 Opened 05/08/06
Sour raspberries and cherries with green seeds. Instant Finish.
Rating 5.5/10

Knappstein Cellar Door 03/08/06

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Knappstein Website

Knappstein NV Sparkling Riesling
Very acidic and palate cleansing sparkling. Instant finish.

Knappstein Chardonnay 2005
Elegant style only slightly oaked not my style.
$18

Knappstein Sparkling Shiraz
Seppelts 2002 more fruitier and cheaper but still good though.
Rating 7/10
Value 3/5

Knappstein Shiraz 2003
Starts with dark cherries then vanilla and finishes with dry cracked pepper with loads of fruit.
$22
Rating 7.5/10
Value 3.5/5

Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
More dark cherries with lovely cabernet fruit.

Knappstein Single Vineyard Fortified Shiraz
Loads of tannins finishing with heavy French oak.
$22

Jim Barry 03/08/06

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Jim Barry Clare Cabernet
Burnt tyres / toasted oak on nose with sour cherries.
$15

Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernt Sauvignon 2004
Green tannins and burnt sulfity nose.
$18

Jim Barry Lodge Hill 2004
Nice cherries on nose with cassis and vanilla oak. A nice wine.
$18
Rating 7/10
Value 4/5

Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz 1999
Almost at peak shiraz starting to tire. No fruit on nose and starting to thin out a little on the palate. But still a pleasure to drink.
$25
Rating 7/10
Value 3/5

Turkey Flat 02/08/06

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Turkey Flat Website

Turkey Flat Rose 2006
Great easy to drink sweet summer drinking rose. Red cordial.
Rating 7/10
Value 4/5

Turkey Flat Grenache 2005
Well balanced floral and smooth at first. Quite a suprise. After half bottle doesnt drink as well but still a nice starter.
$20
Rating 8/10
Value 4/5

Turkey Flat Butchers Block Mourvedre (95%) Grenache (5%) 2004
Preffered 2005 Grenache. Big bold green tannins with sour finish.
$26.50
Rating 6/10
Value 3/5

Turkey Flat Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Very fruit driven young cabernet with loads of fruit.

Turkey Flat Pedro Ximenez
Very bold not too sweet “cross between port, muscat and rosè”

Saltram Winery Barossa 02/08/06

Pepperjack Shiraz Viognier 2004
Very floral nose. Smooth and great quaffer. Good bang for buck
$20. Can be found cheaper on special though i.e. 2 for $30 at VC.
Raing 8/10
Value 4/5

Pepperjack Shiraz 2004
Another good quaffer - full of young fruit. Perhaps better to drink now.

Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2004
Very peppery shiraz a little disappointed compared to previous vintages. However still good value at $16
Rating 7/10
Value 4/5

Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Another disappointing wine. 2003 and 2002 much better vintages! Maybe will be better in a year or so. Sour finish.
$24 at cellar door. More like $16 at this stage.
Rating 6.5/10
Value 3/5

Wolf Blass Private Tasting Cellar Door 02/08/06

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Wolf Blass Website

Wolf Blass Gold Label Pinot / Chardonnay Sparkling NV
Great palate cleanser with subtle yeast and clean finish.

Wolf Blass Mount Gambier Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Passionfruit on the nose with a very lucious creamy palate.
7.5/10

Wolf Blass Gold Label Barossa Shiraz 2004
$22
Closed on the nose but subtle blackberries sneaking through Very fruit driven on the palate.
Rating 7/10
Value 3/5

Wolf Blass Gold Label Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2004
$30
Very strong ethanol on the nose with sour blueberries as finish
Rating 6.5/10
Value 3/5

Wolf Blass Grey Label Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2004
$35
Very smooth mulberries and raspberries. 14.5% and it shows.
8/10

Wolf Blass Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
$35
Usual menthol / eucalypt on nose. Nice structure and good value at this price.
Rating 8/10
Value 4/5

Wolf Blass Black Label 2002 (Barossa/Langhorne Creek)
24-28 months French/American Oak.
Very well structured and balanced fine wine but too young. Still very nice drinking now though.

Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz 2003
Complex nose of lots of fruit and musk. Luxuriously smooth.
$185
Rating 9.5/10
Value 3/5

Wolf Blass Pinot Gris Yarra Botrytis 2004
$19
Thin apricots on the nose with viscous honey.
Rating 8/10
Value 4/5

Peter Lehmann Cellar Door 02/08/06

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Peter Lehmann Website

Ran out of time at Peter Lehmann - was impressed with Eight Songs Shiraz

Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Disappointed with the stage of this wine. Starting to lose structure and thin out. May have been influenced by the Seppelt 100 YO.

Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2000
Delightful hint of DMS on nose with strong blackcurrents and ultra fine tannins on palate. A wonderful and powerful wine but will be better in about 4 years.

Seppeltsfield 100 year old tour. 02/08/06

Google Earth Link

Seppelt Website
An awesome 2 hour historical tour and tasting of fine wines of the Seppeltsfield winery. Our 3rd such tour :)

With Angaston mature cheddar

Seppelt Show Sparkling shiraz 1991
Strong dusty blackberry and leather fruit on nose and palate. Beautiful residual sweetness but well balanced.
Rating 9/10
Value 4/5

Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay 2003
Very buttery on the nose but very crisp with fresh acidity.

Seppelt Bendigo Benno Shiraz 2003
Cellar Door Price $45
Very closed on the nose but all fruit - plums at this stage. Something to put down for at least 5 years.

Seppelt Dorrien Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
From 80 year old vines.
Slight DMS and fruit on nose. Balanced leathery fruit on nose.

Seppelt Para Tawny 1983
Very viscous and mouthfilling, rancio and caramel molasses flavours with very long finish. Yum.

Seppelt DP 59 Tokay
Very sweet luxurious caramel.

Seppelt GR 113 Rare Muscat
Massive raisons with lingering finish.

Seppelt Para 100 YO 1906
Green edges. Instant shock (tongue on fire!). Burnt toffee and toasted molasses followed by concentrated oak. Absolutely amazing. Ridiculously long length.

Penfolds Magill Estate Winery Restaurant 01/08/06 (OzF Dinner)

Google Earth Link

Wines with rare venison and chocolate sauce followed by stinky french cheeses.

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
$55
Peppery mocha but unbalanced fruit at this stage, still closed. Poor value compared to the bin 28 1999
Rating 5/10
Value 1/5

Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 1999 (2 Bottles)
$45
Loads of licorice and chocolate very impressive but still poor value.
buying at the restaurant.
Rating 7/10
Value 1/5

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 (2 Bottles)
Starting to show secondary characters but lots of residual fruit. A lovely balanced wine with strong coffee/mocha.
$100
Rating 7/10
Value 0.5/5

Gouger Seafood Cafe Adelaide (Gouger St) 01/08/06 (Lunch)

Brown Brothers Patricia Chardonnay 2002
$30
Plenty of slippery buttery oak but too dominant. However, still crisp.
Better value at $20
With peppered calamari
Rating 7.5/10
Value 3/5

Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Very strong goosberry, passionfruit and fine lantana on the nose but not too grassy. Awesome length.
With grilled snapper (frozen)
Rating 8.5/10
Value 5/5

Brisbane Wine Club -(#4) Brent's Restaurant 28/07/06

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Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz 1995
Pure cassis! Well balanced with awesome length
Rating 9.5/10

Ironstone Pressings GSM 1989
Extinguished campfire smell. Lost its magic, very thin but still ok. More of a curiosity (Past)
Rating 7/10

Mountadam Patriach Shiraz 2002
OMG! fine crytals (potassium bitartrarte) that were evenly dispersed through the wine, sparkled in the glass like diamonds! A slight hint of DMS or other sulfide that blew of instantly. Very young primary fruit and loads of it.
Rating 8/10

Orlando Lawson's Shiraz 1992
Absolute mint! very dominant infact. With food was more balanced.
Rating 8/10

As usual, the food was excellent at Brent's.

Paul Osicka Majors Creek Vineyard Heathcote 2004 Shiraz Opened 27/07/06

Beautiful rich flavours once again. Very smooth fine grain tannins and well balanced oak.
With ratatouille pie.
Rating 8.5/10

Saltam Mamre Brook Shiraz 2003 Opened 24/07/06

Big peppery fruit with alcohol being very dominant. Not the best balance but awesome value for money.

Rating 7/10
Value 5/5

Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 Opened 23/07/06

Coloured like Fanta mixed with grenadine. Semi-dull weary fruit but elegant with a lingering finish however a little thin. Slightly acidic. Empty glass smells like driving through cow country (like fruity fresh cow manure).  Drink now.
Purchased from Langton's Exchange ($40)
Rating 7/10
Value 5/5 (not bad for a back vintage experience)

Dinner at Mt Mee 22/07/06

Orlando Lawson's Shiraz 1992
Smooth well balanced mint on the palate not so much on the nose. Will easily last another 5 years.
Rating 8/10

Penfolds Bin 707 1999
Loads of oak, little off balanced but better wines at 1/4 the price.
Rating 8.5/10
Value 1/5

Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2004
All fruit driven, very juicy fruit de foret.
Rating 7.5/10
Value 4.5/5

Lashmar Kangaroo Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Initially thought to be a shiraz on blind tasting, but after minutes in the glass started to taste the cabernet fruit.
Rating 7.5/10

Lashmar Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2001
Very smooth and balanced well and mouth filling fruit.
Rating 8/10

Ratatouille pie, roast rork and french apple pie

A great night

Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 1996 Opened 19/6/06

Dusty fruit, rich tannins

Rating 7/10
Value 4/5

Paul Osicka Majors Creek Vineyard Heathcote 2004 Shiraz Opened 18/07/06

Strong licorice and a touch of mint on the nose.
Mouthfilling fruit, well balanced subtle oak.
Rating 8.5/10
Value 5/5

Orlando Lawson's Shiraz 1994 Opened 17/07/06

Cork soaked all the way through however no ullage.
Inky purple with a touch of mint on the nose and pallate.
Concentrated berries and cassis but slightly acidic. Long finish.
With ratatouille.
Rating 7/10
Value 3/10

Orlando St. Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Opened 13/07/06

Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

With sausages, smoked bacon and garlic and truffle mash

Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2004 McLaren Vale Opened 11/07/06

Beautiful lucious fruit - fruit de foret etc. Absolutely delicious.
With Thai Red Curry
Rating 8.5/10
Value 5/5

St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2004 Opened 10/07/06

With Baked Thyme and Mint Rack of Lamb.
Rating 7/10
Value 5/5

Cat and Kitchener Wine Cabinet

Penfolds St Henri 2002 Opened 09/07/06

Price $70
Normanby Hotel Red Hill (OzF Offline)
With Baked Chicken
Rating 7.5/10
Value 2.5/5

Orlando Lawson's Shiraz 1992 Opened 08/07/06

Purchased From Langtons $38 (Final Cost)
Slight mint on decant

Rating 8/10
Value 3.5/5

O'leary Walker Shiraz 2003 Opened 6/7/06

D'arenberg Ironstone Pressings 1989 Opened 5/7/06

Purchased from Langtons $25 (Final Cost)
A little tired, may last a few more years though.
Rating 7.5/10
Value 5/5

Veuve Amiot Brut NV Opened 4/7/06

Bargain basement French mousseux from the Loire Valley (Saumur)
Dan Murphy's for $12.50

Rating 8/10
Value 5/5

Tyrell's Old Winery Shiraz 2003 Opened 3/7/06

Great value at less than $10 a bottle

Rating 6/10
Vale 5/5

Orlando Lawson's Shiraz 1987 Opened 26/06/06

Purchased from Langtons $41.60 (Final Cost)
No mint but very elegant, Drink now.

Rating 8/10
Value 4/10

Penfolds Bin 407 1991 Opened 29/06/06

Coriole Shiraz 2002 Opened 27/6/06

Rating 8/10
Value 5/5