AFF Wine Lovers Meet Up - 13th May 2016 in Sydney

[Delectable Blue]

I don't know how you write such great tasting notes under the pressure cooker of trying so many wines in such a short space of time, Delectable Blue. Amazing.

Luckily I had a little more time on my hands than you did Wozza. Plus I've been busy working on my wine tasting shorthand. The notes themselves didn't take too much effort. The big issue was tasting time. It usually takes me 30-60 minutes to tease apart a wine when tasting. With the wines being turned over so quickly I didn't have the time I'd normally take to capture all the details. So it's a very cursory effort - first impressions really. I'm trying to learn to be more efficient about crafting my tasting notes, but it takes a lot of practice, and I can only drink so much wine. Oh well, it's a hobby of sorts - better than train spotting.

 

[beefarmer]

Luckily I had a little more time on my hands than you did Wozza. Plus I've been busy working on my wine tasting shorthand. The notes themselves didn't take too much effort. The big issue was tasting time. It usually takes me 30-60 minutes to tease apart a wine when tasting. With the wines being turned over so quickly I didn't have the time I'd normally take to capture all the details. So it's a very cursory effort - first impressions really. I'm trying to learn to be more efficient about crafting my tasting notes, but it takes a lot of practice, and I can only drink so much wine. Oh well, it's a hobby of sorts - better than train spotting.

I am reading over your supurb notes thinking that what you have is a Masters of Conciseness Degree. The old racoon JH has nothing on you DB, so I think it appropriate to bestow on you from those folks who have shared your company in one of these tastings the title Sir Delectable ! We have many Sirs around, the 6 hour long luncher Sir Lunchalot, the Israeli one Sir coughcision, the fat one Sir coughference, but now Sir Delectable has been anointed. Long may you scribe !

 

[Delectable Blue]

So I think it appropriate to bestow on you from those folks who have shared your company in one of these tastings the title Sir Delectable !

Colour me embarrassed .

 

[Wozza]

Part 2 (post 1)

So here goes. Here's my two cents worth on the Warm Up wines:

Warm Up Act

- the Koonara The Head Honcho Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/106345075

Oh that velvet-clad super heavyweight bottle! Such an entrance for this flagship $100 Coonawarra Cab. It's made from single vineyard, low crop, high intensity fruit that's aged in some of the most expensive French oak for 24 months. Only 3 barrels and 880 bottles made the cut. It's young, at 4 yrs. And was on the more elegant end of the Coonawarra spectrum. Lots of concentrated blackberries, with glimpses of secondary characters. There's a smooth, lingering well balanced palate. I would love to try this in 10 yrs. [And suspect this would have scored better had I had the chance to linger over it more.] WIP and a 93.5/100 (3.9/5.0) from me.

- the Raidis Estate The Trip Cabernet Blend 2008

http://www.vivino.com/users/8818052/activities/106344433

Oh that liquorice Allsorts and cassis nose. Devine. This was Raidis Estate's first premium wine offering from this small family run Coonawarra winery. It's a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot (the blend has since changed. And so has the price. The 08 was $38. Whereas the most recent 12 is $80 and a more savoury blend). There's a port-like taste and viscosity to the medium to full bodied palate. As concentrated blackberries, leather, liquorice, cigar box and sweet spicy oak leave you having a majestic experience. Already a complex wine. But 10-12 yrs may see how good this wine could be. 94.5/100 (4.1/5.0) from me.

{more posts to follow as I steal the odd 20 minutes here and there}

 

[DrSammyLee]

The end of the night group shot, a bit fuzzy probably due to the amount of wine consumed :mrgreen::

 

[Wozza]

So here's my four cents worth on the Pool 1 wines of the night:

Pool 1

My Pool 1 Winner - the Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004 (AnonymousCoward)

One of my favourite Aussie Cabs. It almost triples in value on the secondary market. Hence the illustrious Langtons 'Outstanding' accolade and a Stelzer 96. But it was very divisive in the group, particularly the initial barnyard whiff. It's so different, with complex smells and flavours of plums, blackberries, (a touch of) undergrowth, aniseed, lavender and soft spicy oak. So layered, and so smooth, but not a long finish for this pedigree of wine. However, it transports you to the Coal River in Southern Tasmania. It speaks so well of its terrior and with such distinction. It's why it's my winner for the night. Hence a 96/100 (4.4/5.0) from me.

My Pool 1 Runner Up - the D'Arenberg Coppermine Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Delectable Blue)

Big concentrated plums, satsumas and blackberries, with a strong wave of pepper and spice. Classified 'Excellent' with Langtons and consistently scoring Halliday 95s. The stronger fruit line, just pipped the 2001 for me. A 96/100 (4.4/5.0).

My Pool 1 Third Place - the D'Arenberg Coppermine Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Dr Sammy Lee)

Concentrated and smooth, as well as sweet but slightly savoury. With lashings of blackberries, plums, satsumas, leather and sweet cedar spice. Much longer finish than the 05. However, just a shade off the brilliance of 05 for me. 95.5/100 (4.3/5.0).

My Pool 1 4th Place - the Elderton Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Katy)

This was smooth and creamy, and sweet and spicy. Offering great contrast. It's the most expensive Cellar Door wine of the night ($90). And it was the overall winning wine on the night too. Surprisingly only a 92 from Halliday. But a 95 from Robert Parker. I didn't pick up the scorched earth that Parker did. But there was plenty of blackberries, plums, spice box and vanilla on the thick creamy palate, and delicate long finish. Another 95.5/100 (4.3/5.0) from me.

My Pool 1 5th Place - the Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 (CJEMNMAC)

Concentrated and deep, but also sweet and soft. With stewed plums, sweet satsumas, leather, green capsicum and delicate spices. This was the oldest wine of the evening at 16 yrs. I love an aged Coonawarra Cabernet - such austere flavours. A 94/100 (4.0/5.0) from me.

My Pool 1 6th Place - Yarraloch Stephanie's Dream Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Penegal)

This Yarra Valley Cab Sauv had an explosive, sweet ethanol, cedar oak and spicey nose. With concentrated sweet tasting plums and blackberries on a slightly drying, smooth and medium-bodied palate. Halliday liked it, rewarding it with a 94. Just off that mark for me, but very nice. With a 93.5/100 (3.9/5.0).

My Pool 1 7th Place - the Prince of Orange Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (TDC)

This wine deservedly got a lot of love to round out a great night. As port-like plums and blackberries lifted with the 19% ABV to interplay with sweet vanillin cedar oak. Such an unusual wine from Orange, NSW. I love how TDC pulls out these great unusual wines. Just a touch too much vanillin oak for my tastes. Hence 93/100 (3.8/5.0) from me.

 

[TDC]

Thank you to Wozza and Katy for their great work organising this event. Herding cats can be a tricky job, especially when there is paperwork to be done AFTER trying all those wines. A miraculous achievement!

I doffs me hat to those who were able to continue to the after-party. It shows an incredible amount of stamina at the end of the working week but their efforts were suitably and generously rewarded by Wozza.

Another fun night!

 

[MadMick10]

Looks like another great night of wine consumption!

Thanks for the photos and the write ups.

 

[Wozza]

My third and final instalment. This time, my musings on the Young'uns (2009-2014):

Pool 2


My Pool 2 Winner - the Yering Station Single Vineyard Spring Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Wozza)


A very polarising wine (and one of three wines that did badly during the period when there was no food on the table). In fact it missed out on last place by one point (from a possible 156 points), based on the group aggregate score [3 of the bottom 4 came in this period].


Halliday gave this Yarra Valley Single Vineyard Cab Sauv a whopping 97, saying: "This is aristocratic cabernet sauvignon, with the edge of austerity to its blackcurrant fruit stemming purely from the fruit, not any winemaking tricks. It has devoured the oak in which it was matured, and has a very long future." I loved it. It was beautifully made, as the super smooth palate led a wave of sweet blackberries, plums and delicate spices, ending with the longest finish of all the wines sampled that night. It was simply pristine, but not for lovers of big oaky South Australia Cab Sauvs. I gave it 95.5/100 (4.3/5.0), noting it was a wonderful work-in-progress.


My Pool 2 Runner Up - the Taylor's St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Alzoam)


This was octane charged Clare Valley elixir. The nose - wafting cassis flavours from afar. As concentrated port-like plums, Christmas cake, new leather, sweet cedar and spices filled the senses. I could drink this all night. It was so moorish. A 95/100 (4.2/5.0) from me.


My Pool 2 Third Place - the Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Rooflyer)


I was so looking forward to this wine. My first Rifle Range. And it didn't disappoint. As super smooth concentrated plums and blackberries led into a delicate spicy finish. The group agreed, coming second in Pool 2, only 2 points behind the overall Pool winner. A fine 94.5/100 (4.1/5.0) from me.


My Pool 2 4th Place - the Teusner Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Jef5060)


Another big South Australian Cab Sauv. This time, full-bodied and syrupy, as concentrated blackberries and plums were rounded out with a touch of spice. Nice. A 94/100 (4.0/5.0).

​

My Pool 2 5th Place - the Fox Gordon Brothers & Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Steady)


The overall Pool 2 winner for the group. And a mof_ legend (quickly worked out by the group!). For me there were satsumas, a touch of Christmas cake and plums, with a smooth spicey finish. A deserved giant killer on the night. It got a 93.5/100 (3.9/5.0) from me.



My Pool 2 6th Place - the Maverick Twins Cabernet Blend 2013 (Katy +1)


The overall Pool 2 third placed wine for the group, scoring an impressive 96/156. So drinkable. So smooth. As blackberries, plums and soft spices complete a wine that simply defies it's $9 price tag. Surely Maverick can command more for this wine. Here's hoping they do. They deserve to. 93/100 (3.8/5.0) from me.


My Pool 2 7th Place - the Renzaglia Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (TDC +1)


My first wine from Bathurst. Lovely smooth plums, blackberries and sweet vanillin oak. I thought it was a nice drink now crowd pleaser. It got 91.5/100 (3.5/5.0) from me.

 

[beefarmer]

Hey Wozza, I liked the scoring system here 12 max, then 10 8 6 etc.....made for a bit more closeness on the night. What was surprising is how damn well the FG B&S went with the group. Their marketing department has really nailed that one for them.
Compared to Mark 1 in January, there was a lot more closeness last week compared to the two bolters previously. What a great night you all had !

 

[Wozza]

Hey Wozza, I liked the scoring system here 12 max, then 10 8 6 etc.....made for a bit more closeness on the night. What was surprising is how damn well the FG B&S went with the group. Their marketing department has really nailed that one for them.
Compared to Mark 1 in January, there was a lot more closeness last week compared to the two bolters previously. What a great night you all had !

Interesting observation, Beefarmer. I've just re-run the numbers using the January scoring system to see if the results would have been different. You may recall the January scoring system required everybody to pick their top 3 wines only. The system was used to stop a safe, middle-of-the-road wine walking away with the spoils.

The results for the Young'uns were:

Pool 1 Winner = Fox Gordon Cab 13 - Jan Scoring = 1st Place (no change)

Pool 1 Runner Up = Rockford Rifle 09 - Jan Scoring = 2nd Place (no change)

Pool 1 Third Place = Maverick Twins Cab Blend 13 - Jan Scoring = 3rd Place (no change)

Pool 1 Fourth Place = Taylor's St Andrew 09 - Jan Scoring = 4th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Fifth Place = Renzaglia 13 - Jan Scoring = 5th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Sixth Place = Yering Station 12 - Jan Scoring = 6th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Seventh Place = Teusner 09 - Jan Scoring = 7th Place (no change)

How weird. Only scoring your top 3 wines out of the 14 would have produced the same results, even for the bottom 4 wines.

Now the results for the Oldies would have been a bit different at the top end:

Pool 2 Winner = Elderton Ashmead 06 - Jan Scoring = 1st Place (no change)

Now here's where the good but polarising wines come into play:

Pool 2 Runner Up = Coppermine 05 - Jan Scoring = 3rd Place (drops from 2 to 3)

Pool 2 Third Place = Prince of Orange Fortified 06 - Jan Scoring = 4th Place (drops from 3 to 4)

Pool 2 Fourth Place = Domaine A 04 - Jan Scoring = 2nd Place (climbs from 4 to 2)

Pool 2 Fifth Place = Coppermine 01 - Jan Scoring = 5th Place (no change)

Pool 2 Sixth Place = St Hugo 00 - Jan Scoring = (joint) 6th Place (no change)

Pool 2 Seventh Place = Yarraloch 06 - Jan Scoring = (joint) 6th Place (effectively no change)

Looking at this, I think I may go back to the January Scoring system. The results were much clearer when you see the actual numbers, although the two Pool winners would have remained the same. I guess nobody really cared on the night who got what.

Turning to the next Spring Shiraz get-together, maybe we'll just bring one wine to share, and we'll bring cash to go towards a prize pool of wines. I liked the idea of everybody walking away with something to keep.

But I didn't like having to rush through 16 wines in one evening. As the (hopeless) pourer, I think I got about 2 minutes on each wine. Maybe we will split into different groups and run the gauntlet of FOMO syndrome. Only me and Rooflyer were up for having a full glass of half the wines.

If we did drop to one bottle, what would you think about holding a Shiraz Icon theme where the wine had to be pretty special?

Maybe we just turn up with a bottle each to share and forget about prizes and pools and FOMO.

Thoughts from the floor?

 

[Buzzard]

Short of spitting, I don't know how you lot can do 16 wines in a few hours. Having been to a few similar events here in SA, the last one we did 14 wines IIRC in about 9 or 10 hours. That said, everybody had a glass of each wine, not sure what your pour was. If I was able to attend, a problem could be providing 2 bottles of the same wine so cash or no prizes would be my choice.

 

[beefarmer]

Interesting observation, Beefarmer. I've just re-run the numbers using the January scoring system to see if the results would have been different. You may recall the January scoring system required everybody to pick their top 3 wines only. The system was used to stop a safe, middle-of-the-road wine walking away with the spoils.

The results for the Young'uns were:

Pool 1 Winner = Fox Gordon Cab 13 - Jan Scoring = 1st Place (no change)

Pool 1 Runner Up = Rockford Rifle 09 - Jan Scoring = 2nd Place (no change)

Pool 1 Third Place = Maverick Twins Cab Blend 13 - Jan Scoring = 3rd Place (no change)

Pool 1 Fourth Place = Taylor's St Andrew 09 - Jan Scoring = 4th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Fifth Place = Renzaglia 13 - Jan Scoring = 5th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Sixth Place = Yering Station 12 - Jan Scoring = 6th Place (no change)

Pool 1 Seventh Place = Teusner 09 - Jan Scoring = 7th Place (no change)

How weird. Only scoring your top 3 wines out of the 14 would have produced the same results, even for the bottom 4 wines.

Now the results for the Oldies would have been fairly different at the top end:

Pool 2 Winner = Elderton Ashmead 06 - Jan Scoring = 1st Place (no change)

Now here's where the good but polarising wines come into play:

Pool 2 Runner Up = Coppermine 05 - Jan Scoring = 3rd Place (drops from 2 to 3)

Pool 2 Third Place = Prince of Orange Fortified 06 - Jan Scoring = 4th Place (drops from 3 to 4)

Pool 2 Fourth Place = Domaine A 04 - Jan Scoring = 2nd Place (climbs from 4 to 2)

Pool 2 Fifth Place = Coppermine 01 - Jan Scoring = 5th Place (no change)

Pool 2 Sixth Place = St Hugo 00 - Jan Scoring = (joint) 6th Place (no change)

Pool 2 Seventh Place = Yarraloch 06 - Jan Scoring = (joint) 6th Place (effectively no change)

Looking at this, I think I may go back to the January Scoring system. The results were much clearer when you see the actual numbers, although the two Pool winners would have remained the same. I guess nobody really cared on the night who got what.

Turning to the next Spring Shiraz get-together, maybe we'll just bring one wine to share, and we'll bring cash to go towards a prize pool of wines. I liked the idea of everybody walking away with something to keep.

But I didn't like having to rush through 16 wines in one evening. As the (hopeless) pourer, I think I got about 2 minutes on each wine. Maybe we will split into different groups and run the gauntlet of FOMO syndrome. Only me and Rooflyer were up for having a full glass of half the wines.

If we did drop to one bottle, what would you think about holding a Shiraz Icon theme where the wine had to be pretty special?

Maybe we just turn up with a bottle each to share and forget about prizes and pools and FOMO.

Thoughts from the floor?

Wozza, this type of analysis is so typical of your due diligence that everyone would tip their hat to you. A little bit of change occurred with the different scoring systems but I believe the results would have been the same in January and May. What we had really were three clear winners from the two nights. Yibbida yibbida, that's all folks.

Now I believe the better experience for everybody would come from thinking about that hilltops Cabernet that won a trophy, many golds and got a 96. However, you don't have to think outside the circle as the circle is your friend. The circle is the key to everyone having a much better time. How big you make the circle probably depends on the numbers attending. You with me?

Use a round table next time as it allows time for self pouring and other banter. Too many heads? No problems, two circles. Stacks of folks? The Olympic rings Wozza......

 

[Steady]

not sure what your pour was.

about 50ml

 

[Buzzard]

I like how your mind goes around in circles beefy.

 

[TDC]

I hate it when I type up a reply then I click to post it and it vanishes. Especially when it has crossed my mind to do a Ctrl+C and I've ignored the thought. Anyway, here goes again.

If we were to "just turn up with a bottle each to share and forget about prizes and pools and FOMO" then we wouldn't need a spare table on which to place the extra wines. The organisers wouldn't have to prepare scoring sheets in advance of the evening and wouldn't have to spend time in the tally room on the night. It would make for a more relaxed event for all.

It can be difficult juggling wine, food, pen and paper, and while trying to engage in conversation and making coherent notes about the wines. Also, we seem to have a pattern of starting slowly, sedately, then we have to speed up in order to fit everything in.

A round table would be ideal, Beefarmer, but not all restaurants have them. They do take up a lot of real estate. (You know, real estate, it's a Sydney thing.)

Buzzard, the sensible ones were spitting, hence the carafe that was filling rather than emptying. It's a such a shame to do that to magnificent wines, especially over dinner.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

If we were to "just turn up with a bottle each to share and forget about prizes and pools and FOMO" then we wouldn't need a spare table on which to place the extra wines. The organisers wouldn't have to prepare scoring sheets in advance of the evening and wouldn't have to spend time in the tally room on the night. It would make for a more relaxed event for all.

That's what we did for MEL CAN I... it was more a social BYO type thing... but I do understand that there are some AFFers that take wine tasting very seriously
There was certainly no spitoon at MEL CAN I.. lol