The Wine thread

[Ghostwriter]

Bought a bottle of Wynn's Cab Sav for $11.80 at Dans the other day. Unbelievable value.

Sure it was Black Label Cab Sav? seems like the white label shiraz price.

 

[Sanders]

I was at a tasting with one of the winemakers (Larry?) at Hahndorf Hill, and he was explaining some of his biodynamic 'beliefs.' At first, I thought he was taking the piss, but after a while I started to feel uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable, hoping that what I was thinking wasn't overtly revealed on my face.

I enjoyed the wine (especially the chardonnay - loved it), and I guess that's all that matters in the end, but are these guys for real? I understand the organic philosophy, but the astrology stuff was a bit much to take . . .

Why?

People have farmed by the moon for millennia

 

[malph]

I said astrology, not astronomy. It was Fern Gully kind of talk.

 

[Sanders]

I said astrology, not astronomy. It was Fern Gully kind of talk.

I'm very familiar with biodynamics

People have farmed by the moon for do long its not funny

A better point might be why you think something that moves tides couldn't possibly have an impact on agricultural conditions?

 

[Papa G]

Sure it was Black Label Cab Sav? seems like the white label shiraz price.

It was called "The Siding" I think. Green Label from memory.

 

[malph]

I just couldn't understand what planting horns and earth's place in the "cosmos" had to do with farming by the moon. Or do I just need my chakra realigned?

 

[Macca19]

The Siding is a great little wine. Great value, especially with what you can get it for at bottle shops.

 

[thetank]

Have had a good weekend for wine.

J. Vidal Fleury - Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde 2000 - finesse. Like a refined Parisian woman. Only 13% alcohol (and that's all most wines need), notes of blue flower petals, dark cherry and cut grass really harmoniously tied in together. Sweet fruits on entry, midpalate of blue petals, iron, earth, dash of pepper; less than medium-bodied; fine grippy tannins at the end, touch of malt, dates and pepper. Brilliant wine from the home of shiraz.

 

[thetank]

Highly recommend the Curly Flat cellar door in the Macedon Range, Victoria. Very good pinot noir and chardonnay, and the owner is one of the friendliest and chatty wine people going around.

Craiglee in Sunbury is one of Victoria's icons. Stern wines that don't reveal much when young, these need at least 10 years in the cellar to unwind.

 

[Wallaby]

I'm very familiar with biodynamics

People have farmed by the moon for do long its not funny

A better point might be why you think something that moves tides couldn't possibly have an impact on agricultural conditions?

The Moon doesn't move tides. It is a primary input into a system that creates tidal variations. Also important are the earth's rotation, coriolis forces, the fact that the oceans are so shallow (compared to their area), and the propogation of pressure waves through water.

The moon doesn't lift water - if it did we would see droplets of water flying off the earth. Tidal effects only show up in massive systems like connected oceans. Ground water on Earth is only affected by tides if directly connected to the oceans. There would be a larger effect on the water in the soil caused by the Vintner walking along the rows of grapes, than by the gravitational effect of the moon.

 

[Power Raid]

Definitely. Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz is my fave red. I like Merlot's as well.

Just cracked a 2007 Wynns Shiraz and was really surprised how good it was. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Power Raid]

I just love SA reds

I am a bit addicted to Henschke at the moment

 

[thetank]

I just love SA reds

I am a bit addicted to Henschke at the moment

Which ones?

 

[Power Raid]

Which ones?

For a light red - henry's seven
For dinners at home - cyril
For work - hill of grace (a well known mining entrepreneur in Perth has a three bottle a night habit. That's $1800 a night!)

 

[thetank]

For a light red - henry's seven
For dinners at home - cyril
For work - hill of grace (a well known mining entrepreneur in Perth has a three bottle a night habit. That's $1800 a night!)

lol @ HoG 3 bottles a night. So many great wines in the world yet he wants to do missionary all the time!

 

[Power Raid]

lol @ HoG 3 bottles a night. So many great wines in the world yet he wants to do missionary all the time!

He has his favourites, but I don't think discriminates too much!

 

[cleveland]

Don't mind wine.........want to get into it a little bit more but don't know anything about it

What should I start buying and trying?

 

[Macca19]

Start going to in-store tastings to try and work out what varieties and styles you like and go from there.

 

[Power Raid]

Don't mind wine.........want to get into it a little bit more but don't know anything about it

What should I start buying and trying?

Do what Macca suggested and if you like a style buy a couple to drink now and a couple to cellar for the appropriate number of years.

Play around with regions as well.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Sanders]

Last night

1993 cape mentelle cabernet last night. 1 dimensional & lacking complexity.

1997 penfolds 707 surprisingly interesting, just when I was about to give up on penfolds (1998 707 & 2008 grange recently were undrinkable)

 

[Crimson Azure]

1997 penfolds 707 surprisingly interesting, just when I was about to give up on penfolds (1998 707 & 2008 grange recently were undrinkable)

Underated year, '98 had bigger wraps on it but I thought the '97 was an exceptional Cab Sav. Haven't drank it for about 5 years though so don't know how it evolved has since then.

 

[Maddhew]

Enjoying Rockbare 2010 Shiraz at the moment

 

[Macca19]

Went to Grosset last week to try his yearly offerings. The Polish Hill was sublime. Almost as good as the landmark 2012. Didnt rate the Springvale at all. The Chardonnay was perfect. Absolutely perfect. The 2010 was the best Gaia ive tasted, in fact probably the best Clare Cabernet ive ever tasted. The 2011 Pinot also excellent.

 

[Macca19]

Interesting to see that Dave Powell has been kicked out of Torbreck!

 

[Harvey Leadpipe]

Interesting to see that Dave Powell has been kicked out of Torbreck!

Yeah, sent his letter to the client base on email. Doesn't read too well. The thing is, that every winery starts small somewhere. Whilst some grow into a decent business enterprise, the reason that most wine lovers remain loyal to their favourites isn't purely based on the wine alone. There are thousands of different wines at different price points, but loyalty from wine lovers comes from experiences just as much as the wine, and usually the winemaker and/or the staff at the cellar door has something to do with this. I know there are two sides to every story, but even Pete Kight's story sounded very commercial and profit driven. I know it's a tough game to make good money in, but as a humble purchaser, I can be more selective with what I buy. I'll be abstaining from purchasing any Torbreck's myself from now on.

Last night the better-half and I had a 2010 Picardy Chardonnay that I picked up at auction a few months ago. The tight acidity matched by citrus notes made an extremely well balanced wine. I'll be buying more of these in the future.


And showing off a bit here, but off to a wine dinner tonight, and champing at the bit waiting to tuck into this line-up:


2008 Grosset Polish Hill
2005 Georg Breuer "Schlossberg" Riesling
2010 Bass Phillip Premium Pinot
2006 Ata Rangi Pinot
2009 Virgile Lignier-Michelot Clos de La Roche Grande Cru
1996 Penfolds Grange
1996 Penfolds 389
2004 Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis


I have a 2002 Seppelt Chalambar and a 1998 St Hallett Blackwell to go with a pastie and a sausage roll tomorrow night for the footy. Might be a bit of a fall from grace.