Katnook Founder's Block Chardonnay 2004

This chardonnay from the Coonawarra, opened to a bouquet of melon, peach, smoke and funky oak. The palate was quite fresh with stone-fruit and some maelolactic characters. The oak was almost gone, and the finish quite soft but tight. It did lack a little body and depth, but overall this was quite a refined and well crafted chardonnay. Complimented our smoke salmon pasta very well.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau Tour Plantey Graves 2002

Had to try this white Bordeaux as Phil had previously given it a score of 98, which is a big wrap for any wine. Opened to a refined bouquet of lemon, lime, oak and a little honey. On the palate it was lean and minerally, with good balance, reminiscent of an old Vouvray. Decent length and tight dry finish made this quite an elegant white. I did feel it lacked a little generousity and character, and unfortunately Phil, I cannot agree with your score of 98. Pity, as it was fairly cheap at $25.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau de Carles Fronsac 1998

This Bordeaux from Saillans, Fronsac opened to a rather fine bouquet of dusty fruit, earth, cumin, anise, mocha and a touch of mint. On the palate it showed relatively deep structure, with fairly big tannins, making it rather inky and dry. Oak was evident but fading, and the finish fairly dry and grippy due to the tannins. Although already 9 years old, this wine probably needs more bottle ageing as the tannins suggest. Nice to try in another 10 years or so.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Villa Antinori Bianco Toscana IGT 2005

The first wine from a case we got yesterday, this Italian white, made from 60% Trebbiano, 20% Malvasia and 20% Chardonnay had a fairly lean bouquet of soft tropical fruit, herbs, flowers and a little vanilla at the back. The palate was again lean, but soft with some tropical fruits over a grainy acidity, not dissimilar to a Grigio. It did gain a little body as it warmed, and finished quite fresh and dry. Overall this wine was a little lost, and lacked a bit of character, but would work well as a seafood wine.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Cornu-Camus Pierre Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2004

And for dinner and a movie and an open fire, we had this Burgundy from the Côte d'Or, particulary the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits. Opened to a soft bouquet of strawberries, sour cherries, forest floor, mushroom and a touch of sap. The palate was delicate but weighty on the mid to back palate, with soft sour cherries with caramel and vanilla bean. Good length and soft supple finish, this Pinot was quite refined and delicate. A good example of a fairly cheap Burgundy.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2006

And to the latest vintage of this base range Viognier from Yalumba. The bouquet showed ripe apricot, lemon, honeysuckle and a little herbs. The palate had intensity but was balanced, with no volitility showing. There was fine tropical fruit over a slippery soft mineral backbone, with good length and soft dry spicy finish. This wine has improved over the 2005 vintage and is now definitely worth seeking at around $10 a bottle. Very good value.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Mount Tamborine Winery Cabernet Merlot 2004

And to the last wine of the Tamborine case. This cab merlot held a decent bouquet of plums, berries, oak and spice. On the palate it was medium bodied, with rich fruit over rather soft oak. It was a little unbalanced, with tannins running a little rough, so too with its acidity. Finished fairly dry and sharp. May soften with some cellaring, but really not a bad nor great wine. Needs some work.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil Godello Valdeorras DDO 2005

This white from Valdeorras Spain was made from Godello, a grape variety native to Galicia, of which I have never heard or tasted. The bouquet displayed aromas of spicy pear, pineapple, cashews, herbs and flowers, possibly marigolds. The palate was quite light and fine, with clean fruit and a herbaceous savoury finish. Fairly light overall, and reminded me of a cross between Verdelho and Soave. A very finely crafted light table white which would work well with white meats.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Mount Tamborine Winery French Oak Chardonnay 2004

The second white from my Tamborine case, this chardonnay had an attractive bouquet of peach, nectarine, pineapple, spice and vanilla. On the palate it was quite slippery, rich and rounded. Fruit and oak were reasonably well integrated, and had a little sweetness coming through but held back with a fairly dry finish. Overall not a bad chardonnay which could have been a little more tightly structured.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Mount Tamborine Winery Black Shiraz 2005

Another wine from my QLD case, this shiraz opened to a rich and fairly heady bouquet of black cherries, plum, black pepper and spice. On the palate it was medium-heavy in body, with rich fruit over chewey tannins and oak. It was quite long and had a very dry balsamic finish. Overall this was quite a robust shiraz, but displayed no problems at all. It did lack a little complexity and had a little sweetness lurking, but really was a very well rounded and friendly shiraz, and would be popular with most shiraz drinkers. I am lucky that I have 2 more bottles to drink.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Marques De La Concordia Signa Rioja 2002

This was an older vintage of a wine I had back at the xmas wine tasting, which I quite enjoyed and think too my friends. The bouquet was a lovely array of soft berries, licorice, sage and a little leather. On the palate it was light to medium bodied, with fruit and oak seemlessly integrated, fairly grippy tannins and a dusty dry finish. Seemed more mellow than the 2003 but still a very well made and classy Rioja.
50+4+14+16+7 = 91/100

Mount Tamborine Winery Anni's Bubbles NV

Part of a case, a generous gift from my mother, this sparkling chardonnay from QLD opened with a fairly soft bouquet of citruss, mango, pineapple and a hint of yeast. On the palate the beading was fair and persistant, with a soft rich mouthfeel, and decent dry finish. Overall it was fairly light but well balanced, and very drinkable. It leaned towards a sweeter style, but not enough to detract. Quite a well made QLD sparkling wine.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Mount Tamborine Winery Rose 2006

This wine is part of a case which my mother sent to me, and I thank her for it. This rose, made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and from vineyards in Severn Hills QLD, had a bright bouquet of maraschino cherry, orange rind and some herbs. The palate was quite rich but smooth, with sweet fruit, curbed by a dry savoury edge. Good length and a dry crisp finish made this quite an accomplished rose.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Feteasca Regala Demidulce 2004 Huşi

Went to Braşov for the weekend where the street on which we were staying had a whole lot of wine stalls so we went shopping. Got three bottles of wine from Huşi at one stall for 18ron which is about 9AUD.

Last night we opened the Feteasca Regala though it is a demidulce it wasn't too sweet was refreshingly red apply flavour with almost a white pepper character to it. Light golden in colour. Not very long length

A very lovelly white at a very reasonable price.

17.5/20

Orlando Jacob's Creek Riesling 2006

Having tried the Reserve and Steingarten recently, thought I should give the base riesling a try. Rather soft boquet of lime, lemon, pear and a touch of spice. The palate was quite light, but balanced with lime-juice and not much else. Nominal length and finish was a bit non-existant. Quite drinkable but not much to consider or enjoy. Overall while quite cheap, this is quite an anaemic wine.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Splurged a little on a red for our fillet steak dinner. I don't remember ever having this Cab Sav from Wynns, but it was Coonawarra and thought it should be ok. The bouquet was fairly reserved but refined, with aromas of blackberry, mint, cedar, nougat, honey and some herbaceousness. On the palate it was very dusty and dry, with robust but balanced tannins and oak over blackcurrant. It finished a little short for my liking but overall this was a finely made Cab Sav, ever so dry and elegant. Would cellar well. Around $30.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Warburn Estate Gossips Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006

My parents had told me that this wine and a red version were all the rage with their friends up in the Northern Rivers of NSW, primarily for it's low price of $4 a bottle. From the Riverina NSW, the bouqet was a soft array of ripe tropical fruit, citruss, smoke and herbs. On the palate it was well balanced, with more tropical fruit, citruss and a pleasing dry minerality and rounded finish. It did lack a little length, but overall I was quite impressed with this well crafted white blend, which could easily compete with more expensive wines. Probably the bargain white of the year so far. Now I only need to source some in Sydney which I hope is the same price.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine Côtes du Rhône 2005

Back home from my short holiday, went down to the local to pick up a red for dinner and discovered the new vintage of this CDR. On the bouquet it was quite soft and floral with cherries, strawberries and a soft mix of herbs. The palate was superbly soft and balanced, with cherry and raspberry, light tannins and a powdery dry finish. This was certanly a softer and lighter wine than the 2004, and in a way more elegant. Very nice CDR and worth it at around $17.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Riesling tasting results

Well another sucessful woine toime, the 2nd for 2007 and probably the biggest, this time with 11 people and 11 rieslings and a couple of stickies. Many thanks to all participants who included:

Simon
Heike
Yve
Marie-Louise
Lucas
Mark
Yana
Phil
Stefan
Deborah
Brett

Special thanks to Simon as Tasting Master, Heike for the delicious Champagne cheese fondue and chocolate fondue. Again Happy Birthday to Heike, congratualtions to soon to be Dr. Taylor, and sad but fond farewells to Phil and his exciting new life in Romania.

Cheers woine toimers!

And now for the rieslings, in order of tasting.

1. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2005

From the Margaret River WA, this wine showed muted aromas of citrus blossom, honeysuckle, lime and quince with a little hint of spice. On the palate it showed mostly lime and grapefruit, with a good clean acidity. Mouthfeel was a little slippery and length and finish were acceptable. A typical Australian riesling which lacked a little character but well made nevertheless. A good start.

2. Hospices Strasbourg Grand Cru Wiebelsberg Riesling 2003

The next wine was quite a departure, and could have been any other wine except riesling. An almost indescribable bouquet of honey, musk, florals and some smoke and spice in the background. On the palate it was quite rounded, with a very delicate acidity and minerality. A hint of petrol and wet stone with other flavours seemlessy blended into the wine. This was probably the most a-typical and beguiling riesling in the tasting, and that put it into a class almost of its own.

3. Gralyn Estate Late Harvest Riesling 2006

And to something different again, this late harvest wine was served next. On the bouqet was an attractive mix of tropical fruit, citruss and flowers. The palate was reasonably weighty and semi-viscous with syrupy fruits and a nice acidity. Particulary nice was the wine restrained from becoming cloying and sickly, and its structure and weight were reminiscent of a sweeter German style. Overall this was quite a delicious semi-sweet wine.

4. Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2003

Back to something more typical, this wine from SA had a soft and reserved bouquet of lime, orange flowers, musk and a touch of smokiness. The palate was quite light and clean with good integrated fruit and acidity. Slightly spicy and clean finish showed a good example of the region. Lacked a little character. Still a well made riesling.

5. Orlando Jacob's Creek Reserve Riesling 2001

Number 5 and palates were in gear, this next wine was quite a head turner. The bouquet was quite floral and lifted, with lemon, lime, orange flowers, musk, smoke and grilled nuts at the back. The palate showed a superb mix of fruit, acidity and minerals, with great structure and poise. Being 6 years old there was some lovely bottle-aged action happening. This was quite a remarkable Australian riesling, and I think it was the 2nd most popular wine of the tasting.

6. Wirra Wirra Hand Picked Riesling 2006

Things kept happening with this next wine from the Adelaide Hills. A beautiful sweet floral boquet dominant with orange, mandarin, musk and spice. The palate followed with more orange, citruss over a good line of acidity. Finished reasonably warm, long and dry. Quite a superb riesling and is up there with their great chardonnays. Yum.

7. Tuck's Ridge Clare Valley Riesling 2005

This next wine put the brakes on somewhat, with some participants rushing for the sink (probably for some water?). Big funky bouquet of green apple, fruit salad and more green apple. The palate was borderline volitile, with runaway acidity and I suspect some residual sugar. Some described it as chewey, to the point of hubba bubba grape flavour. Finish was hot and a little rasping. Not a bad effort to be fair.

8. Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Graacher Trocken Riesling 2004 - WINNER

Fingers crossed and palates nervous, the next wine from Mosel Sarr Ruwer was served and things looked up immediately. With a superb clean and austere bouquet of whitefruits, honey, fish, smoke and perhaps nuts, this wine led into an amazingly crystal palate of powerful fruit and acidity which was long and ever so fine. Even as it warmed, it held its balance at every level. A very impressive German riesling and was the most popular favourite of the tasting. So good.

9. Orlando Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling 2005

Number 9 was the 2nd wine form Orlando, and is a wine much lauded by Australian critics. Like the previous wine the bouquet was austere, with whitefruits, candied citruss, orange peel and some sweet musk at the back. The palate was quite powerful, but restrained with strong but balanced acidity. A bit of a let down compared to the other Orlando wine, which may have more to do with its youth rather than its quality. Would be interesting to try after several years of cellaring. Still quite a refined riesling.

10. Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2006

The next wine really showed the biggest bouquet in the line up. Big beautiful boofy parfum of citruss, green ginger, mandarin, orange flower, musk, talc, honey - and so on. The palate was spicy fruits, with a powdery minerality, with good weight and a pretty long finish. Classic and distinctive riesling from a great wine maker.

11. Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2005

And another Pewsey Vale, but an earlier vintage. The bouquet was no where near as evident or accomplished as the 2006. The palate was as well not as accomplished as the 2006. This was a very good example of ranging quality of vintages in the same winemaker, and maybe vintages in general. Not up to its usual standard but nice to know to pan 2005 and go for 2006.