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