Marques De Riscal Gran Reserva Rioja 2001

Spring has sprung and decided to get something a bit special for our BBQ steak dinner. Opened fairly closed on the bouquet, but opened slowly to show aromas of red and black cherries, rose petals, cola, brown sugar and some green wood notes. On the palate it was robust and quite linear, with leather, oak and dusty tannins. Acidity was still quite strong suggesting at least 10 years cellaring potential. A little old fashioned but a very accomplished and enjoyable wine.

50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Chateau Malartic Lagraviere 2010

One of our Christmas wines, this Grand Cru Classé de Graves opened to aromas of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, menthol, leather and flowers. On the palate it felt dense and compact but also light and elegant, with ripe fruits backed by soft tannins and oak. Underneath it showed faint notes of minerals and talc. Finished long and smooth. Overall a very well made and enjoyable Bordeaux which should cellar very well.

50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Riesling Tasting

Another tasting after a bit of a extended hiatus. A small gathering but a good opportunity to try some Rieslings.

My dear thanks to the participants making the long journey to attend.

Also big thanks to Deb for the lovely gourmet pizzas.

Lia

Sam

Greg

Brett

Deborah

The Results with brief comments.

1. Schloss Vollrads Qualitatswein semi dry Riesling 2009

The most fruit laden of the wines, with good concentration and depth with a clean sweetness.

2. Tim Adams Clare Valley Riesling 2013 

Different in style this was dry and aggressive with petrol, ginger and pear dominating. Some alcohol was noticeable by some. Otherwise quite a powerful wine.

3. Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2008 - WINNER

Complex and weighty, with petrol, spice, pear, mandarin skin and some honey finishing long and dry.  

4.Schloss Vollrads Kabinett medium dry Riesling

A delicate style with great minerality, soft fruits and clean sharp acidty.

5.Eden Road Canberra Riesling 2013

Soft Lemon and lime fruits with some sweetness. Interesting and approachable.

Thanks again everybody.

Les Trois Clefs Côtes du Rhône 2013

A new and fairly cheap CDR at the store so keen to give a try. Opened to a bright bouquet of berries, violets and licorice. The palate is similarly bright and light with good acidity, nice minerals and juicy fruit. Overall quite a light wine but worked very well with our steak dinner.

50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2011

After a 3 year hiatus I am ready to return with more reviews, and will start with a few notable wines I remember having in the interim. This wine of which I have had a couple of times to date opened to a soft bouquet of lime, melon and some peach notes. On the palate it showed great mouth-filling texture, with lovely dense fruits. It showed a slightly thick and savory finish. Overall one of the best whites I have had for some time. This is truly a superb and promising wine.

50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Zind Humbrecht Brand Riesling Grand Cru 1998

At dinner with an old friend we ordered this dry riesling for dessert with cheese and fruits. On the bouquet a melange of citrus, apricot, honey, spices and petrol. The palate showed rich, dry and complex fruits, fine acidity and minerals. Ageing very well this was indeed a superb treat for dessert.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Mongeard Mugneret Vosne Romanee Les Petit Monts 1996

A bit of a splurge at dinner, this wine opened to aromas of black and red cherries, soy, tomato leaf spices, green wood and truffle/earth notes. The palate was well concentrated with good deep fruit, minerality and firm yet softening tannins. Began quite savory with sage and tomatoes, then shifted to deep berry puree flavours during dinner. Acidity was fresh and firm with the finish deep and lingering. Certainly would benefit with further cellaring but wonderful to drink now.

50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Mongeard-Mugneret Gevrey-Chambertin 2006

Burgundy for dinner, this one from Gevrey-Chambertin. Opened to aromas of black and red cherries, strawberry, soy, spices and some earth notes. The palate was well concentrated with fruit, mineral and firm tannins. Acidity was fresh and firm with the finish dry and soft. Certainly could benefit with further cellaring as was a touch reserved.

50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Chateau Brown 2005

For dinner opened this Pessac-Leognan. The bouquet showed dark brambly fruits, gravel, raspberry, candied apple and some tobacco. The palate was well structured, quite round around the edges, but with good acidity and still fairly pronounced tannins. Finished soft and dry. Still a few years left in this wine. Quite good value at around $50.

50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Armand Salmon Clos des Criots Pouilly-Fume 2008

Our Friday evening apertif was this Sauvignon Blanc from the upper Loire. Nice aromas of white flowers, gooseberry, grass, citrus and sherbet. The palate was quite fine, a little slippery with glycerol and finished quite dry. There was a little hint of alcohol showing through, but overall quite a decent Pouilly.

50+4+13+17 +7 = 91/100

Clos Fourtet 2007

Dinner at home and opened this 1er Grand Cru Classe from St-Emilion. Opened to aromas of blueberry, plum, raspberry, licorice, graphite and some sweet liqueur notes. The palate was well structured with fruit, acid, minerals and tannins all working in harmony. Finish was quite dry and length relatively short. Overall quite a finely made wine, just needs a little more depth. A bit overpriced.

50+4+13+17+7= 91/100

Chateau Potensac 2007

This Medoc wine opened to a deep and black bouquet of blackcurrant, unripe peach, leather, oak, spice and some earth. On the palate it was initially a little unresolved, with some bitterness, but did settle to show greenish tannins, black bitter fruits and a good dose of acidity. My feeling was this wine is very green and a little difficult to drink. It may settle and resolve with time. Apparently not the best vintage for this wine.

50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Helm Classic Dry Riesling 2010

This riesling from the Canberra District in NSW opened to aromas of lemon, lime, herbs, white pepper and a touch of heather. On the palate it was quite solid and resolved, with deep clean citrus juice with lots of controlled acid. Length was long and dry with some very interesting savoury notes in the mix. Overall a very well made riesling, in the Australian style. Very moreish and recommended.

50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Chateau La Croix du Casse 2007

For dinner some Pomerol with our steaks. Opened to an interesting bouquet of blackberry, tar, smoke, chocolate, earth and tobacco. On the palate it seemed initially muddled and confused, but after a good airing it did compose and tighten, most notably on the final glass. Irritating as that was this is a fine and reasonably cheap Pomerol which is just good value at $55. Make sure to air well.

50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Comte Georges de Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny 2007

At dinner with a friend I ordered this Chambolle at the Sommeliers recommendation. On the nose it was quite concentrated, awash with red fruits, candied, as well as some mineral. The palate was quite intense, with a sorbet-sherbet like texture. Tannins were soft and fruit pure and dominant. Not many secondary notes displaying but they may have emerged with time. Good length and finish. Overall quite an expensive and classy Burgundy, but have had cheaper and more interesting Chambolles.

50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Blason D'Issan 2007

The second wine from Chateau D'Issan, this Margaux opened to attractive aromas of plums, blackberry, violets, oak, earth and vanilla. The palate was well composed if not that deep. Quite elegant structurally and decent finish. Overall quite a good value 2nd wine. Not too expensive either.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau Fonreaud 2007

More Bordeaux, this one a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur from Listrac-Medoc. On the bouquet were aromas of black fruits, Cabernet leaf, spice, oak, coffee and a hint of menthol. The palate was refined and integrated - everything quite balanced and working well. Tannins were smooth and finish elegant. Although not a big wine it was quite fine and nicely crafted. Well worth the price. Very good.

50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chateau Haut-Bages Monpelou 2007

Some new Bordeaux to try. This low-mid priced Paulliac opened a little green and volitile, but settled a little to show a lot of blackberry with some blueberry. Also were greenish wood notes - slightly unpleasant. The palate was a touch disintegrated and didn't quite resolve. Tannins were quite green and acidity rather fresh. Overall I couldn't see this improving much. Nice label though.

50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Bouchard Pere & Fils Volnay Caillerets 2007

More splurging. This 1er cru Volnay showed beautiful aromas of spice, black cherry, raspberry, animal notes, rose petals, pepper, chocolate and more. The palate was superbly balanced, with deep linear fruit over minerals and superb tannins and acid. Mouth feel is airy and finish very elegant and dry. Still conceivably young but very drinkable now. Highly pleasurable and recommended.

50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Frederic Magnien Chambolle-Musigny Coeur de Pierres 2006

Being quite partial to Chambolle-Musigny wines, I picked up this one for dinner. On the nose were nice aromas of red and black cherry and some floral notes. The palate was well balanced with decent acid, minerals and soft and sleek tannins. Quite well built and could cellar well. A touch overpriced but worth it. Very nice.

50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100