Name: Tyrrell's Wines Vat 1 Vintage: 1994 Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia Varietal: Sémillon Format: Magnum Alcohol: 10.6% Colour: Deep bright golden straw Aroma: Perfume of honey and toasty aromas Palate: Lush. velvety, structured, balanced, WOW Finish: Long
Comment: What a great wine. Loved it. Still youthful after 22 years, has some life in it still. Hope to find another magnum of this sublime wine (you might have guessed that I liked it a little!)
2
Name: Veuve Clicquot Brut Vintage: NV Region: Reims, Champagne, France Varietal: 50 to 55% Pinot Noir 15 to 20% Pinot Meunier 28 to 33% Chardonnay Alcohol: 12% Colour: Bright pale straw Bead: Fine, persistent Aroma: Fragrant combo of apple, honey and lemon aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, vibrant, refreshing, balanced Finish: Medium long
Comment: Veuve is always a good quality bubbles. A safe bet!
3
Name: Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Vintage: NV Region: Champagne, France Varietal: 40% Pinot Meunier 30% Pinot Noir 30% Chardonnay Alcohol: 12% Colour: Bright pale straw Bead: Fine, persistent Aroma: Perfumed mixture of blood orange, citrus, honey and mineral aromas Palate: Medium / full bodied, structured, refreshing, balanced Finish: Medium long
Comment: One of my favourite bubbles, another reliable quality wine. Will always say yes when offered a glass or three!
4
Name: Bass Phillip Estate Vintage: 2013 Region: Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 13.7% Colour: Bright light gold Aroma: Combination of hazelnut, honey, melon and citrus aromas Palate: Balanced Finish: Medium
Comment: Not as intense as the previous bottle, still evolving, a good chardonnay
5
Name: Wolf Blass Private Release Vintage: 2015 Region: South Eastern Australia, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 13.5% Colour: Deep purple Aroma: Mix of cherry, dark fruit and spice aromas Palate: Medium-bodied Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium-long
Comment: A good quaffer, drinkable, drink young
6
Name: Château Leoville Barton Saint-Julien Vintage: 1989 Region: Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Alcohol: 12.5% Colour: Deep garnet Aroma: Fragrant combination of cherry, red berry, cedar and spice aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, structured, balanced Tannin: Smooth Finish: Long
Comment: Enjoyed this, still has more life in it. Enjoyable long finish and smooth almost velvety tannins.
7
Name: Protero Gumeracha Red Blend Vintage: 2005 Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia Varietal: 60% Merlot 40% Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14.5% Colour: Deep ruby red Aroma: Interesting mix of plum, dark berries, liquorice and vanilla aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced Tannin: Savoury Finish: Medium / long
Comment: This has mellowed with age, in a good way. The heat that was present when first released is no longer present, the medium / long finish and savoury tannins can now be enjoyed.
8
Name: Domaine Faiveley Latriciers-Chambertin Grand Cru Vintage: 2004 Region: Latriciers-Chambertin, Bourgogne, France Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13.5% Colour: Youthful purple red Aroma: Mix of dark berry, cherry, spice and mineral aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, pleasant Tannin: Savoury Finish: Medium-long
Comment: Not bad, very drinkable at the moment. Like the tannins and balanced palate.
9
Name: Zema Estate Vintage: 2001 Region: Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 13.5% Colour: Deep garnet with red brick edges Aroma: Pleasant combo of blackcurrant, cedar, black pepper aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, smooth Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long
Comment: This polarised the group, people either liked it or didn't. I liked it, with age it has evolved, the rough edges of its youth have softened. Definitely a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Recommend giving it a try!
10
Name: Mr Riggs Vintage: 2005 Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 15% Colour: Deep dark purple Aroma: Fragrant mix of blackberry, plum and hint of mocha aromas Palate: Full-bodied, lush, smooth Tannin: Velvety Finish: Long
Comment: Enjoyable, great example of a McLaren Vale Shiraz, not a fruit bomb, good nose great palate.
Great summary of an impressive line-up of wines, Oz. Having had the pleasure of drinking these together with you, I’d even concur with most of your review commentary… 🙂
Great summary of an impressive line-up of wines, Oz. Having had the pleasure of drinking these together with you, I’d even concur with most of your review commentary… 🙂
Thanks Rob, always better with friends. Interested in what you don’t concur with!
apart from the very good quality Veuve, my advice is stay with the Australian Wines!!!!!!!
an interesting wine review! 🙂
Thanks Mother will try to remember that. Sorry what was I meant to remember again?
Wow. You have some gems in this lineup. Cheers!
There certainly were. Just wait for the line up from tonight’s session! An amazing line up of Aussie Cab Savs