Flight One:

Wine #1 had a wonderfully mature, ripe nose, and considerable sediment. Dark and near purple with no evidence of bricking or amber. Wonderfully complex and it was John Wocher who pointed out the subtle mint and eucalyptus notes, and Teresa noted the meaty, horsy attributes. What a way to start, I was beside myself, and couldn't imagine there might be better wines ahead. 1981 Penfolds Grange. My favorite of the flight, but this didn't even make it to the group's top 3.

Wine #2 exhibited a very fruit-forward nose, with a bit of smoke and jammier fruit but clearly lacked the complexities of the first wine. Brian Colfac noted the significant sediment, and this was a very chewy wine in all senses of the word. The tannins and structure added significant size to the wine, and while still a baby, very, very nice. 1993 Penfolds Grange. My 3rd place of the flight, 3rd place for the group.

Wine #3 started off tannic, tight and spicy, and well, never changed much. Teresa noted pepper and John called our attention to the dense, opaque purple color. The fruit that did show to the party through the tannins and considerable oak was a spicy black cherry type with an extra long and dusty finish. Nice future ahead for this wine. 1994 Penfolds Bin 707. Not a contender for me, or for the group. There were two 2nd place fans, however.

Wine #4 showed well being on the heels of #3, and Connie Sharp proclaimed it very dry, with a much less soft nose than the predecessors. This was even tighter than the previous wine but had a wonderfully complex bittersweet chocolate and blackberry profile with a hint of anise. Tough as nails now, but promising. 1994 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz. My 2nd place wine, and #1 by consensus.

Wine #5 was much more elegant than the last few of this flight. It seemed soft yet young. Although not capable of being considered overpowering, it did have a slight bittersweet quality that complemented the soft, round fruit. John Wocher noted burnt sugar traits. The least oaked of the bunch and lighter on acidity. While very fine, I'm not sure where this wine is heading. 1994 AusVetia Shiraz. This didn't make the cut to top 3 for me, but it was the #2 wine of the group.

Flight Two:

Wine #1 seemed elegant and refined to me. I could tell I liked this more than most as I found significant complexity and richness of black fruit, and while well endowed and jammy, very nicely balanced and compelling. Although very approachable, I think this will become far better with age. 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis. My 1st place of the flight, but 3rd place in the group consensus.

Wine #2 provoked massive commentary from what had up until now been a relatively quiet group. Scott Manlin noted a Scotch-like quality and an alcohol head-rush. Larry Meehan found toffee and coffee, which John Wocher further described as espresso. Gary and Connie Sharp debated whether another quality was more wood-fire or damp fireplace like and Teresa declared it quite profound. In any event, I was inclined to agree that this wine had some unique and wonderful qualities. 1996 Barossa Shiraz "The Malcolm." My 2nd favorite of the flight, and also the groups 2nd favorite.

Wine #3 was slightly spicier than the previous wine, noticeably tight with fine but copious tannins and similarly high in alcohol. This was slightly more Franco styled and Mel Hill noted the wonderful meaty/bacon expressions. The excitement level of the group remained high through this wine. 1996 Charles Melton Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Although I didn't place it in my top 3, the group was much more enthralled and scored this to tie 1st place.

Wine #4 had a slightly green, herbal tea quality as pointed out by John Wocher who also felt that it was the least aromatic of the flight. Mel Hill noted that the fruit level seemed to be noticeably dropping off over a short amount of time. A lighter almost strawberry type fruit profile than the darker-fruit driven wines, and probably not Syrah. 1996 Parker Coonawarra Terrarossa First Growth. Not in my top 3, or the groups' consensus top 3.

Wine #5 was described by Kelly Sallaz as being quite chewy and youthful, powerful but maybe a touch monolithic. I thought it more a sign of purity of fruit, with a tarry turbocharge. Visible excitement in the Meehan/Manlin corner of the table over this wine, I thought it might show well in the numbers, and it did. 1997 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz. My 3rd place of the flight, this tied the Melton for first with the group.  On to Flight Three