Alan’s October 11, 2008 Vintages Release Tasting Notes

Wines from down under are the feature of this release along with several bottles from the banks of the Northern and Southern Rhone Valley.

9175 ELDERTON ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Barossa, South Australia $29.95
First out of the stall, this Cabernet shows layers of spice, cigar box, loads of black fruit and dried meat. It is deftly balanced, has some tannin, but it is tasty in its present status. Find this wine

64022 GLAYMOND ASIF CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Late Harvested $49.95
Plenty of toasty oak, the layer of sweetness derived from blackcurrant and blackberry fruit is countered by a background of earth and mineral while a note of molasses peeks through. On the palate there is tasty layer of cassis, the tannins are notable, but restrained. This is a late harvest wine that delivers sixteen degrees of alcohol, but it does not show as it has the density and structure to hide any potential heat. Not my style of wine, but it is well made. Find this wine

606624 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Margaret River, Western Australia $19.95
A green and leafy nose showing notes of green pepper, green peppercorns and dried herbs. Black cherry and blackcurrant are the featured fruits, tannins are silky and the finish has dark cherry fruit, good acidity and a hit of black wet soil. Find this wine

77891 PIKES EASTSIDE SHIRAZ 2004 Clare Valley, South Australia $21.95
Along with the anticipated onslaught of black fruit, Pikes Shiraz has a background of floral notes, sweet violet, mocha, vanilla and Sczhwan peppercorns. It has a ripe creamy palate of fruit and Asian spice with just enough acidity to temper any sweetness. Find this wine

627844 GEMTREE UNCUT SHIRAZ 2006 McLaren Vale, South Australia $27.95
Black berry and currant take the lead in the bouquet. It is a clean and sound wine that is balanced. It finishes with notes of dark chocolate, black fruit and integrated tannins. Well made, but not overly memorable. Find this wine

564278 PENFOLDS RWT SHIRAZ 2005 Barossa, South Australia $133.95
The bright and lively nose of lanolin, red currant, Ribena, Thai basil and chocolate cream pie is seductive. Its palate is round and elegant full of fruit and sweet spice. The finish is long, balanced and down right tasty. Find this wine

89599 MAXWELL SILVER HAMMER SHIRAZ 2006 McLaren Vale, South Australia $19.95
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer does a bang up job. It is full of punchy blackberry fruit, notes of plum and fresh ground black pepper. It has good concentration on the palate; although a little heat is noticeable, lots of refreshing acidity and a decent finish. Find this wine

987784 PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ 2005 McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95
Freshly ground black pepper, Asian spice box, blackberry, and caramel all come together to show nicely on the nose. Chocolate appears on the palate and runs well with the dark fruit. Tannins are soft and the finish holds a touch of sweetness. Find this wine


968123 WOLF BLASS PLATINUM LABEL SHIRAZ 2005 South Australia $113.95
I have never really been a fan of Wolf Blass wines as I often find them way over the top when it comes to the degree of oak their wines are often subjected to. However, things have changed. This bottle shows heady aromas of black fruit, plum skin, cake spice and just a touch of smoky oak. The palate is dense, but balanced. Tasty now, but better in a year or two. Find this wine

684357 THORN-CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA 2005 Barossa, South Australia, Estate Grown $15.95
My vote for the deal of the day, this wine has fragrant aromas of violet, floral damson, black fruit and chocolate. The palate has lots of clean fruit, good acidity and soft dusty tannin. Find this wine

723940 TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2006 Barossa Valley, South Australia $29.95
Yikes, way too many funky aromas for me, chemical notes, burnt match stick and milky sweet chocolate. There is fruit on the palate, but the sulphur kicks in and spoils all. I hope this is a flawed sample.  Find this wine

72850 MORNINGTON ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2005 Mornington Peninsula, Victoria $22.95
Light toasty notes with sweet melon, spice, almond and a touch of liquorish. It has a well balanced palate, tasty white tree fruit and good concentration on the finish. Find this wine

Northern Rhône special feature

41921 DOMAINE BELLE CROZES-HERMITAGE LES PIERELLES 2005 $24.95
A tempting nose of charcoal, pepper, black raspberry, cured olives and thyme that leads to a medium bodied palate of sweet buttery black fruit and spice. Well balanced, a touch of tannin that in a year or two will deliver a solid bottle of wine.
Find this wine
 

733923 DOMAINE ROCHEVINE SAINT-JOSEPH 2005 $27.95
Dark cherry notes are soon overpowered by aromas of wet cellar, cigar box, thyme bay leaf and smoked meat. The big palate, not for the faint of heart, delivers layers of mineral, iron and barnyard notes. At this point in time the fruit seems buried deep somewhere in the mass of earthy flavours. Only time will tell on this one. Find this wine
 

352534 E. GUIGAL CÔTE-RÔTIE BRUNE ET BLONDE 2004 $69.95
The powerful aromas include Moroccan spice, both gamey and cured meats, black pepper, olive and black cherry. I am surprised as the palate seems lighter than I anticipated, judging from the forceful expression delivered on the nose. It has nice flavours of blackberry, mineral, iron and cigar leaf. The finish is decent, has good fruit, nice acidity and a note of iron. Find this wine

 

Southern Rhône

76547 MONTIRIUS VACQUEYRAS LE CLOS 2005 $28.95
Inhaling the invigorating aromas of raspberry, currant, green moss, peppercorn, earthy mud, violet, cake spice, thyme and sage is a treat to undergo. The palate does not disappoint either with its layer after layer of pure fruit, a hint of black olive and a touch of mocha. There are tannins, in the form of dusty chocolate that render this wine a contender for aging. Based on older vintages I have been privy to drinking, it will be worth putting some away. Find this wine

 

78857 LA FERME DU MONT CÔTES CAPELAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2005 $45.95
A nose of bright red fruit, blackberry coulis, spice and plum. The palate is fleshy/meaty, a little tannic showing a touch of heat, with good potential for aging. Find this wine .

681643 CHÂTEAU D'ARGADENS 2004 Bordeaux Supérieur $18.95
The wine of the month; it has a new world structure with a sweet black fruit and blackcurrant nose with notes of earth and lead pencil. The palate is medium bodied, showing little fruit and mounds of tannin. The finish is astringent and drying. Find this wine

79053 DOMAINE DEFORGE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2005 $17.95
Lots of up front fruit, easy on the palate, tannins are silky, the finish is short. Find this wine

Wines from the regular release

940809 REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTATT RIESLING KABINETT 1998 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer $20.95
German Riesling, ten years old and around twenty bucks does have appeal. It shows notes of baked pear, lime zest, petrol and citrus. The palate is lively, has a hint of sweetness, a touch of hazel nut and great balance. There is a faint hint of sweetness to the long lasting finish. Find this wine
 

082156 SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA RESERVA 1999 Rioja $34.95
The pink/mauve tinge on the rim suggests this wine will go longer. It has a sweet nose of lovely cedar, balsa, smoked meat, bacon, blackberry, black raspberry and plum. It has a wonderful silky texture; chocolate and plum come to the front and mingle with the spice flavours and blackberry on the finish. This is a wonderful wine that is not in a hurry to show its best. Find this wine

084087 CCHIA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2005 $39.95
Just below the plastic aromas of blueberry and violet there is a note of burnt peanut shell that is off putting. It does not affect the palate; the fruit is clean, backed with notes of toffee and mocha. There is a discernable note of heat on the finish.  Find this wine

323345 TINTO PESQUERA RESERVA 2004 Ribera del Duero $47.95
Dark and inky, with a nose full of cake spice, lavender, slate mineral and plum. The palate is huge, silky yet rustic. The core is fruit driven, the tannins suggest time. It is a big wine. Find this wine

384552 ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2004 $39.95
Packed with dusty chocolate, thyme, anise, cola and ripe red fruit this nose shows promise. The fruit on the palate turns to a darker flavour, backed up with dark chocolate, cherry and nutmeg. Nice wine. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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