Last Sunday Tasting Group

25 April 2010

Regular readers will know that I really value this group. They are a great group of people whom are extremely generous. So when Loren White suggested that we look at currently available reds that are worth cellaring, my mind went into overdrive. Barossa shiraz, Margaret River cabernet, Yarra Valley pinot, the options were endless.

In the end, I settled on a pair of 5th Growth Bordeauxs from 2006. These are in store now (Vintage Cellars have some stocks still), and 2006 is a typical year.

There were some sensational wines, and the 2005 Mosswood was a treat. The notes are a bit sparse as, although this was a blind tasting, the wines deserved to be drunk, not tipped out!

Tasted

Louis Michel & Fils – Chablis – Les Clos – Grand Cru – 2003 (18.2). Wow, this is a serious wine. Very Burgundian nose with a creamy textured nose and a touch of peach fruit characters. The palate is long, tight and rich.

Penfolds – Chardonnay – Bin 311 – 2006 (17.7). This is a big wine. Much richer fruit that is super ripe. Great texture and mouth-feel. Yes, the oak is apparent but, no, it does not overwhelm the fruit. Impressive wine that manages to balance the ripe fruit and creamy oak very well. (Received strong support from most present).

Marchand and Burch – Pinot Noir – Gibraltar Rock – 2008 (17.9). Very perfumed and really pretty. There is a touch of orange rind on what is a very pretty nose. Whilst closed at first, the pretty fruit continues on the palate in the cherry spectrum. This builds in the mouth.

Domaine Des Lises – Crozes Hermitage – 2007 (18.2). The nose displays firm, meaty and earthy fruit, with an undercurrent of fresh flowers. The palate is quite special. Great fruit is complemented by souring acidity that keeps things fresh. There are also very fine tannins on a long finish. Flavours include mocha, cherry, tar and even lavender. Good value at under $50.

Lindermans – Cabernet Sauvignon – St George – 1996 (18.5). Ripe fruit, with camphor and subtle oak complexity. There are some regional minty characters, but the fruit is perfectly ripe. The palate has powerful fruit, is structured, is very long and displays excellent balance. Great texture and mouth-feel.

Orlando – Cabernet Sauvignon – Jacaranda Ridge – 1996 (18). Richer than the St George, and very seductive. There is licorice, spice and generous fruit on a palate that is long, fine and seamless.

Haut Bages Liberal – Cabernet Blend – Pauliac 5th Growth – 2006 (17.8). Quite closed on the nose. This is complex and shows some cedary oak and is very structured. The palate is lean and very structured. It is long and lean, but builds.

Haut Batailley – Cabernet Blend – Pauliac 5th Growth – 2006 (18.3). More forward and a touch of plummy fruit. There are quite dusty fruit characters at first, but really opens up with vibrant fruit. There is plenty of structure that guarantees a bright future.

Mosswood – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2005 (18.7). Superb fruit that is ripe and fleshy, yet displays complex characters and fine oak. The palate is long, ripe, structured and dense, with cedary oak on the back palate. Will improve for 10+ years and last for many more.

Victory Point – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2005 (18). Minty cabernet fruit that is classically Margaret River. The palate is ripe and long. This is the best wine that I have seen under this label and should be available from the winery.

Woodlands – Cabernet Franc/Merlot – 2008 (18.4). Stunning nose on this. Briary fruit with tar and violets. Some oak in support. The palate is quite grippy and firm with dense fruit (Satsuma plum) and great length. Tremendous value at $25.

Syrahmi – Shiraz – Maelstrom – 2008 (17). Living life on the edge, this is a challenging wine that will appeal to those who like their wines a little funky.

Wynns – Cabernet Sauvignon – Black Label – 2006 (17.5/18). A big, dense and chewy wine with chocolate fruit and a touch of mint. Started out quite closed though. This really opened up and the quality fruit built significantly. It is a bit tough now, but the patient will be rewarded.

Seppelts – Shiraz – Mt Ida – 2005 (17.5). There is a whole lot going on here. Quite a funky wine on the nose. The palate is more mainstream with plush plum/chocolate fruit and a very complex finish. Needs time.

Tardieu-Laurent – Cotes du Rhone – Les Becs Fins – 2007 (18.5). Fragrant and floral nose. In fact it is really quite perfumed. The palate is complex yet retains freshness. There is plum, spice, fine tannins and real length, with a souring finish that adds freshness. Should be excellent value.

Coursodon – Shiraz – St Joseph – Silice – 2006 (17.8). The nose is quite closed yet the palate displays ripe fruit. Pepper, spice, licorice and very fine tannins all contribute to a high quality palate. Morish, and will score better in a few years.