Beverly and I returned late last night (OK early this am) from a quick mostly business (3 days in the Adelaide Hilton WhooHoo!) but in the midstof it all I did get to take in a couple of lovely wines (and some duds)
Ross Estates
2008 Tempranillo I found this to be a little onthe light side but well crafted. Spanish style would have just a bit more body but over all a nice refreshing wine2007 Old Vine Granache I may have been hesitant about hte Temp (QPR more than anything) but this wine is very nice, I got a huge taste of raspberry (Cellar notes say cherry) but the notes and I agree that the wine is concentrated and medium bodied. The Cellar person thought it remiscient of a Burgundy but I found it to be mostly in its own. Good finish and enough tannin to merit a little age.
2005 Lynedoch Bordeaux blend (one could discern the Cab Franc notes) This was a good QPR for a Bordeaux style wine. A bit of a ringer for a Bordeaux Superior from the Left Bank.2006 Shiraz This one is the ageworthy one of the bunch the 06 showing a little green but with good body, color, nose classic Shiras without too much oak.
Langmeil
2007 Grenache "The Fifth Wave" Think Chateauneuf du Pape and you have this one. much more complex than the Old Vine from Ross.2006 Shiraz "Orphan Bank" I got a little of this while tasting the above. All I can remember is that this is a really fine Shiraz that rivals the
2007 Shiraz "The Freedom" From vines planted in the 1840's, no irrigation, all hand crafted this is an incredible wine. It was bottled only two weeks ago now so less than 7 days in the bottle when I tasted. Expected something really tight and it did need a little swirling, but oh did it deliver, very dark wine just a titch of RS in the 15.5 alcohol but not jammy like a Zin. These last two were very special treats. SeppeltsfieldKaesler
For lunch we had a Shiraz and and Semillion from Kaesler. Neiter had a bottle at table and the braised kangaroo was the star of the lunch but the Semillon was a fine example of fairly young (2007 by my guess and affirmed by waitstaff) wine that rivaled any of its age from the Hunter.
Last stop on the wine tour was Seppeltsfffield (fomerly Seppelts) After a lengthy tour of the grounds and history of the family we retired to the trophy room to sample several sherry and port wines.
Highlights were 21 yo Tawny and DP90 a blended wine averaging 21 or more. The DP90 was my favorite, lighter and Cellar notes indicate cplex wine with buterscotch spice walnts and toffee. I would have to agree.
another pleaser was the rare Tokay, a wine in need of a new name but otherwise fine desert wine. No Botyrus here just late harvest muscadelle. This is a Solera process wine.
the biggie of the day was the chance to sample the 100 year old port which is a tradition dating back to the 1870's when the first cask was set aside for century age. They have produced a century port every year since (the 06 or 07 was a 100 pointer IIRC) Really old port is an experience that is too rare for most of us to develop an appreciated. Rich thick and alost tarry, this had an incredible presence that set off bombs in the mouth but for me they were overpowering and subsequent sips were not as rewarding. Botton line, I did not finish my sample, but went back to the SP90 more my style, different strokes.
Crazy note. We had dinner (for 300+) at Penfolds. For some reason it was decided that only the bottom of the Penfolds portfolio would be served so we had a weak Riesling and an oaky Pinot Noir which were appreciated by none and disliked by many. (played option game with yet another a GSM from Barrossa very green, unbalanced one sip screamed blend and left many wondering why Penfolds would even offer this as a choice for our host to purchase. Joseph Coulter Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations