Wine thread

[_Johnsy]

Just finished 10 days straight (2-10pm shifts). Will be having a quietish one tonight with the beautiful bride, kept a bottle of Mumm. Never had it before, although I am not that massive on bubbles.

Will work in my favor, up early tomorrow morning for the drive to Sydney. Have a great night boys & a safe 2012.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Had a bottle of d'Arenberg "Laughing Magpie" Shiraz Viognier last night / this morning. Fantastic drink.

 

[Twizzle]

gotta love the name

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

They have some crazy names for their wines d'Arenberg. Good juice inside them though.

 

[Spanner in the works]

Went to Tassie for a couple of weeks and picked up a few bottles:

Josef Chromy 2010 Pinot Noir
Bay of Fires 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Frogmore Creek 2010 Riesling
Tamar Ridge 2009 Limited Release Botrytis Riesling (Wife's choice. Not bad though. Not cloying like some can be.)
Craigow 2010 Sauvignon Blanc


Highlights of tastings, apart from the ones above, were:
Arras 2003 Grand Vintage sparkling
Bay of Fires 2011 Riesling
Native Point 2005 Pinot Noir
Josef Chromy 2005 Zdar Pinot Noir
Craigow 2008 Riesling

Thought Pooley was overpriced, Leaning Church was ordinary, Pipers Brook was overrated and Native Point was surprisingly good. Native Point was interesting actually. I usually prefer depth and complexity in most of my wines, which Native Point in general didn't provide. But their wines were very approachable and reasonably priced. The Pinot was the odd one of the bunch. As good as any Pinot I have had anywhere in the world.

 

[Bazal]

Had a bottle of d'Arenberg "Laughing Magpie" Shiraz Viognier last night / this morning. Fantastic drink.

I love most D'Arenberg wines, and shiraz viognier is up there as one of my favourite wines in general...but I've never got into the Magpie! The couple of vintages I've had (06/07/08 from memory) have been too stewy and sweet for my liking. I am looking very hard for some of their two new single site McLaren Vale shiraz though...pricey, but with their winemaking ability they have me very excited!

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

This one was the '08 Baz (I think, bottle is in the big bin downstairs and I'm not going to hunt it out for an internet forum). I really enjoyed it, but I can definitely understand where you're coming from.

 

[Bazal]

In the meantime, had a Brown Brothers 2011 Chenin Blanc with dinner tonight...took a punt on matching it with my tom yum because I remembered it being quite soft and fruit driven, and it was a match made it heaven

 

[_Johnsy]

I love most D'Arenberg wines, and shiraz viognier is up there as one of my favourite wines in general...but I've never got into the Magpie! The couple of vintages I've had (06/07/08 from memory) have been too stewy and sweet for my liking. I am looking very hard for some of their two new single site McLaren Vale shiraz though...pricey, but with their winemaking ability they have me very excited!

Their love grass shiraz is an enjoyable drop.

Enjoyed a bottle of Tar & Roses (Heathcote) shiraz a couple of days ago, never heard of the wine before.

However this would have to be one of the best value shiraz's I have ever had. $19 a bottle, you cannot go wrong IMO.

 

[Bazal]

Love Tar & Roses wines. The shiraz and the sangiovese are cracking value.

Went for a Chardy tonight, was too hot for a red. Mountadam High Eden Chardonnay, it's a winner

 

[Bazal]

Pulled a ten year old Finca el Puig Priorat out tonight to match the Spanish dinner. I was very, very concerned when I opened it and the cork disintegrated totally...no real joy with the colour, aged and bricky and the nose was obviously very closed. But on tasting...wow. Unctuous, black plums, awesome body and texture, fantastic complexity. Nice to avoid the wrath of the cork gods!

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

A very lucky man. I know nothing of the wine, but to avoid cork taint after what you said above is an act of God...

 

[Bazal]

I know right? Nice to get one back on those f**king corks

If you're still after a nice Spanish drop, look this one up. First Choice or VC should have it. It's a gorgeous red IMO

 

[mave]

"Squatters Three" 2008 Shiraz.

I liked it.

 

[_Johnsy]

Love Tar & Roses wines. The shiraz and the sangiovese are cracking value.

Went for a Chardy tonight, was too hot for a red. Mountadam High Eden Chardonnay, it's a winner

Outrageous, never to hot for a good red.

 

[_Johnsy]

Ladies & gents

Just a quick question for you.

I recently received a aerator and decanter from a mate. Similar to the one in the pic below.

I was sceptical at 1st, but we poured 2 small glasses of red and then aerated the remainder into the decanter. So then we tried the two glasses and I was amazed at the difference, noticeable.

So I saw a wine aerator the other day and decided to buy it, have either of you two tried one of these (below)

and if so what are your thoughts ? Seemed to be ok, but not to the same level as the aerator and decanter method.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I sell a product similar to the 2nd picture, called "Magic Decanter". The change is definitely noticeable and I tend to use them when I get home from work late or can't be arsed sitting around waiting for the wine to open up (more often the case that last one). I think they're great.

 

[_Johnsy]

Another question for anyone,

We are looking at heading down to the Hunter Valley, more accurately pokolbin to spend a long weekend in a few months.

What wineries are must do's.

Cheers

 

[Bazal]

Tyrrells, Mt Pleasant, De Iuliis, Margan, Lakes Folly if open, Draytons, Brokenwood, there are dozens

 

[_Johnsy]

Tyrrells, Mt Pleasant, De Iuliis, Margan, Lakes Folly if open, Draytons, Brokenwood, there are dozens

Cheers Baz