Wine thread

[Twizzle]

never had sparkling shiraz

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Just chucked a bottle of Riesling in the freezer. Thought it was in the fridge, turns out it was in the cupboard.

never had sparkling shiraz

I'm not a big fan personally. Just doesn't sit well with me, maybe I haven't had a good one yet.

 

[Bazal]

what Riesling mate? Moved on to a Cloudy Bay Te Koko

 

[Twizzle]

wife is into the Brown Brothers Riesling, too sweet for me

I'm a reds man

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

what Riesling mate? Moved on to a Cloudy Bay Te Koko

It's called Naked Run "The First" Claire Valley Riesling. My Unwined Liquor rep dropped it off to sample. Supposed to be a $17-$20 bottle, 3.16g residual sugar. Probably only should be about $10-$13, pretty average.

 

[Bazal]

Shame. Good Riesling is awesome

This Te Koko is a stunner. 2008. Normally I passionately hate NZ sav blanc, why can't more people do it like this?

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I am a huge fan of dry Rieslings. Tell that to anyone outside of the wine world and they think you're insane. It's such a shame that in this country everyone thinks that Riesling is some sickly sweet drink for Grandma's.

 

[Bazal]

I think people still associate riesling with the horrible "moselles" their parents drank. All of those were pretty much traminer riesling monstrosities that have turned many off riesling I've found. It's a shame, because even proper Germanic Mosel is not a sweet riesling, really. It's got a lovely full bodied, sweet mid palate but a dry finish...and Clare Riesling is as dry as you'll get anywhere in the world! People just have an associated memory that stunts riesling sales.

I'm the same, I love a dry riesling and I think if people tried them then most would. To prove a point, today I put a local one on tasting. Mt Majura, 96 point Halliday riesling from a 5 star winery. I sold 17 bottles, blind tasted, and most non-wine people were shocked that it was a riesling! Canberra riesling isn't even all that dru, especially when compared to Clare...it's a rich, pure, limey, slatey version that I personally love more than any other

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I have never been a big fan of wines from the Canberra region. Any recommendations?

 

[Bazal]

Anything by Clonakilla...they are superstars in my opinion. The shiraz-viognier is pricey($75 cellar door, $130 Vintage Cellars) but well worth it, it's stood up to any Cote Rotie I've ever had (and I love a Cote Rotie and have a tendency to overspend on wine ). Their O'Riada shiraz ($45), Ballinderry Bordeaux Blend ($40), Hilltops shiraz ($30), semillon-sav blanc ($25) and viognier ($45) are easily among the best in their price ranges. Mt Majura do a stunning tempranillo ($40), as well as a fantastic riesling ($30) and an awesome spanish style tempranillo/graciano/shiraz ($25). Their 2009 Chardonnay also won about a thousand awards and is excellent, although you'd be doing very well to find any. The '10 is nearly as good. Eden Road have a brilliant shiraz at about $25, although the current vintage is 100% Gundagai fruit and no less excellent for it. The '09 won the Jimmy Watson Trophy last year. Ravensworth sangiovese and shiraz viognier are also crackers, and I have tasted their new marsanne/rousanne blend from barrel and it's looking excellent. Nick O'Leary does a great shiraz-viognier (labelled as shiraz) and riesling at about the $30 mark too. Both Nick O'Leary and Nick Stock (Eden Road) were awarded this year by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, and Tim Kirk (Clonakilla) is among most judges best winemakers.

Basically, we do great cool climate shiraz, riesling, and chardonnay. Shiraz viognier is a massive success down here, and tempranillo and sangiovese are starting to take off. Pinot Gris also tends to do quite well. Pinot has never really found a foothold and most do an average version, although Lerida do a nice high end one.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

James Halliday's "Top 100" wines came out today in the Weekend Australian Magazine for those wanting to have a flick through. As usual, WA reds + Chardonnay's dominate, and some that I wonder how the hell they got in there (Wise Chardonnay + SSB I personally found rather par for the WA course).

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/weekend-australian-mag/jameshallidaystop100interactive

There is also a "Top 20" beers by Peter Lalor.

 

[_Johnsy]

Not a fan of whites at all TBH.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I'm a fan of dry Riesling and Pinot Grigio, and will have a good Margaret River SSB if I go out with friends + their partners. 9.9 times out of 10 though I'm on the reds.

However, you have me on the 0.1 times at the moment. Sevenhill "Inigo" Riesling, very good. Dry with plenty of green apple and lemon notes. Very crisp finish.

 

[Bazal]

I have to say, I'm slightly chuffed to see the Cattier NV champagne on the top 100 list...that's one of ours, and a real little gem so it's nice to see some of our hard work backing getting some reward!

 

[Twizzle]

had a f**king awesome red last night

Mildara Coonawarra 2008 Cab Sav from First Choice

This one goes in the book

 

[Bazal]

Pulled out a bottle from the dozen I bought at the competitor a few weeks back. Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz, from the Margaret River. Made by Larry Cherubino, which caught my eye, but it is a little bit of a let down. I'd buy it again at the 15 odd I paid for it, it's just a little simple. Still very tasty and well worth the money I spent...I suppose i had my expectations a little too high given the winemaker!

 

[Bazal]

Correction, it's actually a Frankland River shiraz...and it's growing on me as it opens up

 

[Bazal]

Another hour and I'm forced to admit I misjudged this wine. It has a brilliant choc-licorice palate behind thr fruit, and a lovely hint of pepper and spice. It took it's time to open up, but I now wish I'd bought more

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

:lol:

Nice timeline!

 

[Bazal]

I know right :lol:? Generally, I find wines in this price range don't improve a lot from first tasting...this one has really impressed me