Friday dinner wines

Dinner with Phil (Thai) and purchased a NZ Pinot to have with our duck curry.

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2004
Under screwcap, initial aromas were enticing, earthy smokey notes and hints of raspberry, yet completely let us down on the palate, being thin and sharp with no depth. So dissapointed we filled it up, capped it and took it back and got another pinot which hopes to be much better. So to rate it : 50+4+10+8+4= 76/100 - OVERPRICED, OVERRATED.













After dinner we partook in a little Yering Station Pinot 2003 I had left over, a far better and cheaper Pinot than the Cloudy Bay, a touch of Pikes Reisling, a Vouvray and a sticky.



Monmousseau Blanc de Blancs Vouvray 1996
A very traditional Vouvray, big nose of green apple, with pear and honey. On the palate more green apple, pears, mineral and fresh acidity. Medium length and finish.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100









Yering Station Reserve Pinot Gris Botrytis 2001
Rich sienna-gold colour. Very odd bouquet on this. Spice, raisins, pears, smoke and stones. On the palate rich spice, yet not too sweet minerality, with a hint of fish right at the back somewhere. Decent length and a soft finish. Interesting, but I think I would rather just have it without the botrytis.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Riesling 2004

Aromas of citrus blossom and white fruit develop into well defined mineral, lime and floral palate with well balanced acid and a crisp, refreshing finish. No great depth or length on this, but very drinkable and good value for its price.
50+4+12+13+7= 86/100

A Pinot Noir return

Decided to re-acquaint myself with Pinot Noir, as I have not drunk it for quite some years, and to prepare for the upcoming Pinot Noir tasting.

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2003
A a mid-priced Victorian Pinot. Brick red with crimson in colour. on the nose black cherry, spice and sap aromas with hints of violet and raspberry. Intense and flavorful palate with ripe fruit and game flavors with a balanced amount of oak. Very soft-smooth tannins, with a medium length and dry/fruity finish. A really nice re-acquaintance with Pinot Noir for me. 50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Pikes Riesling 2005
The ever-helpful Mark at vintage gently pointed me to a cleanskin version of this wine, (the exact same wine without the retail lable at less than half the normal price of $18) Pale white green gold, it had a soft sweetness backed by limey acidity on the nose. An attractive mix of limes, apples, flowers and spice on the top palate. Sweetness and ripeness comes through on the mid palate, backed by a soft powdery minerality. Also had good length. A very elegant riesling indeed. 50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Metala Black Label Original Plantings Shiraz 2002

Opaque crimson black colour. Wonderful aromas of violets, nougat and a hint of eucalypt. Palate wise it had a medium body with flavours of plum, blackberry, nougat and spice. Very soft tannins and finished a little short. Would have liked more body and length, thus thought it overpriced compared to the White Label Shiraz Cabernet, which I think is far better value at a 3rd of the price.

50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100

Cassegrain Winery

My easter was spent up the coast in Port Macquarie and apart from swimming and digging througj ancient silverware. I went to Cassiegrain winery, I've been here before to the restaurant for lunch which I remember as being nice but this was the first time I've been into the cellar to try some of the wines.

I tried the 2004 Pinot Noir which had classic berry nose, but on the palate a more metalic coppery character, very smooth and fantastic long finish. I also tried the Gewurztraminer, this reminded me of the Trimbach style, which I have had. Floral and spicy on bouquet but a nice chrispness on the palate, not a very long finish but very delicious. I got two bottles of each of these and drank one of the Gewurztraminer's with roast pork, would really have liked it with some blue cheese.

I like this place, I tried to go to another winery in the region (won't mention names), the tastings seemed to be basically asking someone behind a bar, the sales were a few bottles stored on a book shelf and the major focus was on the eating area. Cassiegrain on the other hand had a nice driveway into grounds with roses bordering it. The layout of the cellar was excellent, walking past the barrels (some for sale) you go into a large tasting area where the staff are more than happy to let you try the wines, and then if you want to buy the whole process is quick and easy.
The restaurant is also excellent.

Nero d'Avola

Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2004

This Sicilian wine from made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes, had aromas of morello cherry, blackberry jam and rose petals. On the palate was vaguely spicy with soft tannins and dry-bitter cherry finish. Would suit a traditional pizza.

50 4 12 14 7 87/100

Verdicchio

Marotti Campi Albiano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico 2004

This wine, made from 100% Verdiccihio comes from the territory of Morro d'Alba, Ancona, Italy is light straw yellow in colour, and has an interesting bouquet of soft flowers, perhaps marigolds, and is a little herbal. On the palate it is dry, minerally, lean in fruit and has hints of almonds. Medium in length, it tended to become a little flabby as it warmed up. Best kept reasonably chilled.

50 4 12 13 6 = 85/100

Cuvee Sophie and some Soave

To a quiet Friday night dinner at Thai Pathong, which was great as always with a couple of nice whites;

Portone Soave Doc 2004
A very simple white wine style made from 90% Garganega, 10% Trebbiano from Veneto Italy. A lovely light bouquet of soft melon. On the palate is citrussy, with crisp acidity and minerality and well balanced. Very light and short in length. An excellent simple food wine. Totally un-pretentious and a bargain at under $8.00.
50 4 12 11 7 = 84/100

Grande Maison Bergerac Sec 'Cuvée Sophie’ 2002
This 20% semillon, 80% sauvignon blanc blend from Monbazillac was quite a surprise. Golden yellow in colour, with a big musky honey nougat bouquet. On the palate, rich honey, a hint of grass, soft minerality and subtle oak integration. Although problematic with our food, it was nevertheless wonderful drinking.
50 4 14 14 8 = 90/100

Back to the Vouvray

Finally, we recieved a replacement bottle of this wine, which we had last October which was considerably oxidised. So with expectations lowered, we were relieved to find this bottle in very good condition.



Domaine Bourillon Dorléans Vouvray Demi-sec 1965
The cork had rotted a little on the wet side after removal, but seemed to have kept the wine free of oxygen. The colour golden-yellow with no signs of brown. Very slightly cloudy. Apples, pears, lemon, honey and a bit of varnish on the nose. Intense on the front of the palate and medium length. Good minerality and acidity. Pretty fresh for it's age, and could go another 5 years with careful cellaring. Very "Old World" overall, and not bad for an old Chenin, but lacks the robustness and freshness of say a Moulin Touchais of similar age.

And using the Parker system:
50 4 13 15 7 = 89/100

TASTING 03: Aust Semillon

A nice lazy Sunday afternoon at Lia's, with some interesting Semillons. A small group of 4 participated:

Brett
Lia
Heike
Simon

1. McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Museum Release Elizabeth Semillon 1997
Very allusive on opening, almost locked up. Opened up somewhat on the 2nd glass. Soft bouquet, hints of lime, honey, toast. On the palate lime and lanolin, very round, soft and light. Not much length at all. A bit dissapointing. 0 votes

2. Voyager Estate Semillon 2002
Big bright nose on this - lemon and lime, leaning towards tropical with hints of pineapple and melon. Decent weight on the palate, with nice acidity. Very fresh allround. 1 vote

3. McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2005
Sweet bouquet of lemon and flowers, with a touch of grapefruit. Palate soft with hints of honey and toast. Very well balanced all round. A popularist wine to please the masses, and does it well. 0 votes.

4. McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon 2000 - WINNER
Lovely complexity here. Soft vanillan with lime, honey, flowers and toast on the nose, good weight on the palate with soft zingy acidity, lanolin, toast, straw, finishing with good length. A sofisticated Semillon without a doubt. 3 votes

Suggestions for next wine were Rose or Pinot Noir.

TASTING 02: Int Pinot Gris/Grigio

The 2nd wine tasting was a great success with 6 wines being tasted, plus a few great games of 'midget pool'.

Thanks to Simon and Heike for hosting a lovely evening down in leafy Pyrmont, and to the participants, Phil, Leah, Paul and myself.

Have listed the wines in tasting order, with respective votes after each of the tasting notes. (I hope they are correct)



1. Isabel Pinot Gris 2005 NZ
Light yellow gold in colour, clear and bright, with tiny bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass. The bouquet is aromatic with rich scents of pear and creamed nuts, with a fragrant floral character. Bright and zesty across the tongue before flavours of citrus, apples, pears and a touch of tropical fruit are revealed. Good length and well balanced. 2 votes.

2. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2003 IT
Classic Italian Grigio, pale straw-yellow in color, clean, sharp and dry on the palate, with some apple aftertaste, and similary on the bouquet with hints of vanillan, but lacks the tighter structure of previous vintages. Flabby to a degree. Can be a better wine and do hope it returns to its former quality. 0 votes.

3. Gunn Estate Pinot Gris 2005 NZ/IT
Pale straw colour with lifted aromas of spicy pears and raisons with nuances of honey. Spicy pear and raison flavours, slightly savoury with some mineral characters and a touch of sweetness to finish. Well rounded but Lacks a little length. 1 vote.

4. Stefano Lubiana Pinot Grigio 2004 AUS
Pale pale straw colour, tight and quite austere. Pear flavoured and minerally, rather than overtly fruity or nutty, with a firm crispness running the full length of the wine. Sofisticated and Alsatian in character. Would match mussels or oysters very well. 2 votes.

5. Logan Weemala Pinot Gris 2005 AUS
Similar to the Gunn Estate, pear and spice with quince more than raison on the bouquet, sweet and acidic, but could be better balanced. Lacks a little length too. 1 vote.

6. Beelgara Estate 11.05 Pinot Grigio 2005 AUS
Soft and quite creamy on the bouquet with some floral notes. Full flavoured fruit and Refreshing acidity on the palate. Reasonably balanced but unfortunately has negligible weight and length. 0 votes.

TASTING 01: Aust Chardonnay

Awfull weather didn't deter us from the inaugural Wine Toime wine tasting.

The wines have their tasting order numbers, and are listed here according to group popularity with brief tasting notes from various sources:


1. Sticks Chardonnay 2004 - WINNER
Brilliant light straw with vibrant green hues. Stone fruit of nectarine and peach are complimented by savoury oak. Clean and dry with tropical fruit and crisp finish. Under $20 represents good value as well.



4. Picardy Chardonnay 2004
Limey, minerally nose, a hint of nectarine and just a whiff of oak sweetness this is stellar Chardonnay. Smooth but light, full of grapefruit and nuts, hints of ash and it has great length and consistent intensity. Elegant and finishes dry. It exhibits a challenging complexity and is absolutely up there with the best from Australia. Very nice. Around $30.



6. Kooyong Estate Chardonnay 2003
Brilliant, deep straw colour with pale gold hue. Aroma of toasted oak, yeast lees, hazelnut and biscuit, showing a good secondary flavour profile. Creamy
palate texture, with dry, secondary flavours dominant. Flavours of almond and roast hazelnut over a layer of grapefruit and yeast lees. BIG Smoky oak background. Clean finish. Aftertaste of honeycomb, hazelnut and lees. $40



3. Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay 2004
Generous peach, melon and apple flavours are complimented with a delicate application of toasty French oak and just a whisper of buttery malolactic influence. It’s fullbodied, without being ‘blousey’. Finishes soft and creamy - but tight, thanks to a crisp acid backbone. Distinct. Around $25.



2. Annie's Lane Chardonnay 2004
The wine is mid straw with green hues, displaying aromas of peaches, nectarines and melon fruits. Flavours are lively and varietal with up-front fruit weight and complex oak derived characters. The medium bodied palate finishes with excellent length. Basically a childrens wine, very user-friendly. Around $20



5. Evans & Tate Chardonnay 2004
The complex and a touch volatile nose speaks of quality with varying scents of ripe peaches with subtle citrus fruit aromas smoky, nutty oak. Full, but not over the top, its richly flavoured palate shows good integration and complexity with melon, peach and nut flavours, on a creamy textured palate. Around $20.



Many thanks to the participants:

Phil
Brett
Deborah
Heike
Simon

Flooding of the imports

Notes on a couple of French wines acquired from my very, very local bottle shop up the road. I believe they are the first French wines I have seen on its shelves, apart from your standard Moet NV (being the obligatory births/deaths/marriages/coveting wine). So the flood of imported wine on the Australian market progresses, much to my delight.

Henri Bourgeois Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Big nose on this with passionfruit and flowers. Balanced minerality and acidity, with soft grassy notes and citrus on the palate. A little short on length, but Very cooling to the senses. Very nice, I got it twice.

Domaine Wolfberger Tokay Pinot Gris 2000
An odd one indeed for my local bottleshop. Originating from the Eguisheim commune in the Haut Rhin of Alsace, this is a co-op wine with a very traditional Alsatian character. Sweet spice and soft pear and musk on the bouquet. Viscous mouthfeel, with sweet pear, apple and honey on the palate, with soft minerality. Well balanced, maybe a touch flabby but very enjoyable. A lighter alternative to Gewürztraminer.