Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[Wozza]

 

[penegal]

Looks fun Wozza... No kids in toe for that meal...

 

[Wozza]

Looks fun Wozza... No kids in toe for that meal...

It was indeed. No kids and no Mrs Wozza! Here's proof:



Speaking of kids. I'm in Parc Du Luxemborg, Central Paris with the kids. And I am just witnessing what is probably a 5 year Parisian girl simulate lighting a cigarette and taking long draws using her lolly (femme fatale, style) - only in Paris!!

Vive La France!

 

[Steady]

Fancy night out in London at a Michelin starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair. Followed by a trip to Level 32 of the Shard.

Looks like you are having a great time Wozza - you should start a thread here and keep the photo's coming

 

[Wozza]

It's amazing how a cheap Bordeaux quaffer (purchased to make up a 6 pack) tastes so much better when consumed in front of Mont Blanc! What a stunning setting! Very, very blessed indeed.


The Vivino review is here: http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/49139776

 

[beefarmer]

Stunning vantage point wozza.

 

[Whodoesthat]

Seeing as it's Wendouree season, broke out a bottle of the Shiraz Malbec 2000 as a treat, to watch the Origin. Should have opened well before the game ,as it really needed to breath. A quick decant just before kick off. Had to coax the nose, plum with a slightest hint of menthol. Then the tannins.....with almost 16 years bottle time, still tight and grippy... persisting, seems like it will out live me.....I've kept a glass for tonight (most unusual) strictly for scientific purposes and to see how it backs up. A fine drop...

 

[Wozza]

Although I probably shouldn't have, I cracked open my second (and last):

Faustino Rioja Gran Reserva 1 1994


I didn't really get to properly taste the first of two bottles acquired from Majestic Wines in the UK (think Dan Murphy's). As I was too busy with a family reunion where myself, my three brothers and our wives got together for the first time in 5+ years. My three brothers have married some wild characters, so my first bottle wasn't sampled under the best of circumstances - need the picture below say more about what they had us drinking mostly!


Although I concluded that this Rioja was still pretty young even at 22 years, I needed to shrink the luggage weight for the next leg of our European adventure - Barcelona. And I was keen to review it properly, as the Megeve | Mont Blanc adventure continues. Here's tonight's pic on Bastille Day as I got to see Le Tour in person for the first time:


On Cellar Tracker (with a shorter note on Vivino), I posted the following review:

1994 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva, Spain, La Rioja, Rioja - CellarTracker

http://www.vivino.com/users/warren-dav/reviews/48809035

"A beautifully aged Rioja with so much life at 22 yrs. This Tinto Gran Reserva is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano & 5% Mazuelo. It was matured in American oak for 25 mths.

I love the nose - so much depth, character & richness, as prunes, sweet red cherries, toffee, leather saddle, black olives and vanilla exude from the glass. The medium-full bodied palate is even better as concentrated, rich prunes, red cherries, green peppers, black olives, salted caramel, vanilla and smoked oak spices round out a velvety, rich, slightly drying finish that lingers and lingers.

Although its drinking really well now, I'd say this is 5 years from it peak. At $45 (or there abouts) retail from Majestic Wines (UK), that's a great price to pay for such a great wine with 22 years of bottle age. A fine Wozza 95/100 (4.2/5.0) from me."

I'm no expert when it comes to Spanish Rioja, but if this Faustino is anything to go by, then I should really explore it more. Definitely recommended from me.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Pretty ordinary mid-week drinking at my place - the Rosemount Little Berries was underwhelming to say the least, and this bottle is another reason I avoid SA 2011 vintage unless someone I trust can vouch for it:



I don't know where I got this, or how much I paid, but after drinking, I don't really care! Despite the extensive tasting notes on the bottle, it was a fairly run-of-the-mill cabernet, with cassis and dark fruits. Slightly grippy tannins. Not bad for a poor vintage, but nothing great either.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

So, after the poor run, turned to, hopefully, something that would restore my faith in fermented grapes: Grant Burge Abednego 2005 (Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre):



42% Shiraz, 35% Grenache and 21% Mourvedre. Full bodied, with dark fruit flavours - blueberries, plums etc, with the usual spicy/earthy flavours from the blend also kicking in. Tannins are velvety smooth. Seems to have good acidity, and overall structure, so will keep for a while yet.

Acquired for a whole $33(!!) from Langtons, this was both great to drink, and a bargain as well. WOTW so far.

 

[Katy]

Ooh, I really like the Abednego; completely jealous of your bargain there!

 

[blackcat20]

Pretty ordinary mid-week drinking at my place - the Rosemount Little Berries was underwhelming to say the least, and this bottle is another reason I avoid SA 2011 vintage unless someone I trust can vouch for it:

View attachment 75236

I don't know where I got this, or how much I paid, but after drinking, I don't really care! Despite the extensive tasting notes on the bottle, it was a fairly run-of-the-mill cabernet, with cassis and dark fruits. Slightly grippy tannins. Not bad for a poor vintage, but nothing great either.

It improves nicely with a couple of hours in a decanter. Just dont knock a glass of it on the carpet like I did

 

[AnonymousCoward]

It improves nicely with a couple of hours in a decanter.

The dial barely moved, in my opinion, over the 4-5 hours I tried it. Kept 1/3 for the following day, and still ordinary. Not bad, but not particularly good either. I gave it at 87 on CellarTracker.

Tonight I have a d'Arenberg Coppermine Road 2005 lined up. Hopefully that will be better.

 

[Sedimental]

My Brother-in-Law shared this 2009 with me on the weekend. I rescind everything I've said about him

 

[Sedimental]

Enjoyable line-up included my first James Irvine Grand Merlot.

 

[Steady]

Enjoyable line-up included my first James Irvine Grand Merlot.

What's your thoughts on the Irvine GM?

 

[Sedimental]

What's your thoughts on the Irvine GM?

I bought the Irvine through Langtons recently for around $30 (cf. RRP circa $100) in a 6 pack. Cork in good nick. I really enjoyed it. At the 10 year mark still a big wine. Drying tannins initially but opened up delightfully with a decant/aerate. Cabernet like characters with mid-palate fruit. A quality wine but at RRP I'd probably buy a quality Cab Sauv, or two.

 

[Sedimental]

Annual Dinner last night of our Wine Options Group at Thompsons Reserve in the Inchcolm Hotel, Brisbane

 

[Dr Ralph]

Not yet consumed, but I collected a Canadian visitor from SYD airport very early this morning and they presented me with some ice wine from Henry of Pelham.

1 bottle each of Riesling and Cabernet. Never had a Cabernet ice wine before.

Anyone know anything about either of these. Especially interested in whether they will cellar for a while?

 

[TheRealTMA]

It improves nicely with a couple of hours in a decanter. Just dont knock a glass of it on the carpet like I did

Don't you have 'claret' coloured carpets? Shock!