Nice wines I have drunk recently - Red or White

[TheRealTMA]

Warm night calls for sparkling Shiraz View attachment 229192

NZ Pinot Noir weekend.

First pair comes from Mount Difficulty.
Consumed 1/2 bottle of each over two days.

Interesting difference in alcohol between the two vintages: 2016 14.5% while 2017 “only” 13.5%, yet the 16 tasted more fruity and light while the 17 was more spicy and full bodied.

Despite being different I couldn’t pick a favourite, both were very good in their own style.

View attachment 229235

Prefer the 16 myself. But both are excellent.

 

[henleybeach]

Very happy with this purchase. Drinking beautifully

 

[Steady]

Visited Home Hill and Elsewhere cellar doors yesterday along with 2 cider houses. The HH Kelly’s reserve Chardonnay and Pinot were probably the picks but the HH Estate PN was also very good and probably better value if drinking immediately through to 4-5 years.






I also enjoyed a Penfolds Chardonnay and a Delamere Pinot over the last 2 days

 

[Bill Bosworth]

Am lining up some nice treats for a few days down the coast... (note the excellent dust on the '06 semillon - nothing like drilling some bricks in the cellar to create that ancient feel...)

 

[Daver6]

The sun is out in PERfect. Enjoyed with some crays on the barbecue. Yum all round!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Don’t like the weather in MEL? Just wait 5 mins - enough to drive a man to drink:



And drink:

 

[Buzzard]

Let's face it, Orange is cool climate so you're not going to get those big gutsy Shiraz wines. This wine is smooth and delicate. The Viognier adds complexity with floral notes. Easy to drink, this 8yo is scrumptious and I'll have no trouble pairing it with the pork I'm about to do.

 

[boomy]

NZ Pinot Noir weekend (Part 2)

This pair comes from the highly acclaimed ATA RANGI.

2015 was the weakest link, not the best vintage so no surprises there. I did have high expectations of 2016 which scored JS98. It was indeed better but no wow factor that is expected from a Pinot at this caliber. By now I had 5 different vintages from AR and my opinion remains the same, they are good but not great.

To be clear this is very nice Pinot and if you can score them at half price (wink wink) by all means grab them but for ~$80 there are better ones out there IMO.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The sun is out in PERfect. Enjoyed with some crays on the barbecue. Yum all round!

View attachment 229364

If it’s so PERfect, why aren’t you drinking PERfect state wines?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Well. One from the PERfect state it seems. Excellent. Blackberry, mint, cassis, violets... Interesting combination. Was eQuaLeD by the visitor attracted by the aroma.

 

[Daver6]

If it’s so PERfect, why aren’t you drinking PERfect state wines?

Need to drink the rubbish sometimes to remind me of why the PERfect states wines are so superior

 

[Buzzard]

Not quite a dessert wine, this Riesling exhibits a touch of what I would call pear sweetness. Perfect after dinner with a platter of cheese, fruit and nuts.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Need to drink the rubbish sometimes to remind me of why the PERfect states wines are so superior

Give me your address and we can send you case of Stanthorpe wine!

 

[VPS]

Just in case anyone is interested

Penfolds Re-Corking Clinics | Wine After-Care Services

Penfolds Re-Corking Clinics are a unique service in the world of wine, offering connoisseurs and investors an after-care experience for their most prized bottles.

www.penfolds.com

 

[boomy]

Looking forward to drink this little number tonight
Meanwhile I can to report the cork is in perfect condition.

 

[Buzzard]

Tonight's drink at Merimbula is this 15% alcohol Eden Valley Zinfandel. At 15% it's a bigger Zin than the Tulloch although still quite soft on the front palate but giving that kapow! on the back palate.
Cherry Ripe comes to mind drinking this wine.

 

[Daver6]

Looking forward to drink this little number tonight
Meanwhile I can to report the cork is in perfect condition.

View attachment 229464

Based on my bottle that I opened a few months ago, let this air for at least 90 minutes.

 

[CTT]

NZ Pinot Noir weekend (Part 2)

This pair comes from the highly acclaimed ATA RANGI.

2015 was the weakest link, not the best vintage so no surprises there. I did have high expectations of 2016 which scored JS98. It was indeed better but no wow factor that is expected from a Pinot at this caliber. By now I had 5 different vintages from AR and my opinion remains the same, they are good but not great.

To be clear this is very nice Pinot and if you can score them at half price (wink wink) by all means grab them but for ~$80 there are better ones out there IMO.

View attachment 229390

Awesome Idea doing this NZ pinot tasting report!

I bought 2 bottles of the 2017 Ata Rangi recently will be trying them soon.
At the same price would you buy Mt Difficulty over Ata Rangi?

I have always really enjoyed the Mt Difficulty with its intensity , it's amongst my favourite NZ Pinot alongside Felton Road and Valli

I've got a few bottles of Mt Difficulty, Domain Road, Desert Heart and Felton Road, they are literally all next to one another in Bannockburn, will aim to do a side by side tasting of all 4 soon.

 

[boomy]

Based on my bottle that I opened a few months ago, let this air for at least 90 minutes.

Decanted for 3 hours

Awesome Idea doing this NZ pinot tasting report!

I bought 2 bottles of the 2017 Ata Rangi recently will be trying them soon.
At the same price would you buy Mt Difficulty over Ata Rangi?

I have always really enjoyed the Mt Difficulty with its intensity , it's amongst my favourite NZ Pinot alongside Felton Road and Valli

I've got a few bottles of Mt Difficulty, Domain Road, Desert Heart and Felton Road, they are literally all next to one another in Bannockburn, will aim to do a side by side tasting of all 4 soon.

Mount Difficulty is priced correctly, Ata Rangi is overpriced.
They should be about the same price IMO.

Will be interested to read your thoughts about Bannockburn Pinots compared side by side.

 

[Daver6]

Monday night supper club...three Frenchies and an Austrian