Dinner at Chris Freemott's

Chris Freemott had a few of us over for steaks, lamb and some awesome Shiraz/Syrahs.

With cheeses and bread

• 2003 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Gorgeous stuff - the nose is elegant and full, showing beeswax, pear, some tropical fruits and floral and nutty notes. It's just as good on the palate with more ripe white fruits, flowers, a slightly waxy mouthfeel and a long, clean finish.

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Had these alongside pork tenderloin, steaks and roast veggies

• 2001 Kay Brothers Shiraz Block 6 Amery Vineyards 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Inky purple-black in the glass, with a stunning nose showing aromas of cherry, dark fruits, eucalyptus, smoke and vanilla. This is dense and concentrated in the mouth with more plum, berries and well integrated oak, and enough structure to keep it from being over the top. Finishes with great length.

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• 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Big and dense with lots of spice, black fruits and hints of oak and coffee. Felt very young and primary.

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• 2003 Shirvington Shiraz 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Incredibly dense and rich with lots of sweet dark fruits, menthol, pepper and hints of chocolate and brown sugar over the nose and palate. Finishes with good length without any alcoholic heat.

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• 2003 Torbreck Descendant 95 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Great aromatics on this - the nose is intense and quite stunning with flavours of blackberry, meat, herbs, pepper, flowers and some orange/apricot notes. More dark fruits, meat and hints of citrus follow on the palate, which is full bodied, incredibly elegant and well balanced with good acidity and a long finish.

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• 2003 Bilancia Syrah 91 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Deep purple-red in the glass with stunning aromatics - meat, dark fruits, white pepper, smoke and some floral notes. Silky and medium bodied in the mouth with more pepper and dark fruits, fine tannins and a smooth finish.

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• 2004 Bilancia Syrah 89 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Once again, lovely aromatics - after some breathing, the nose shows lots of white pepper, plums and blackberries. This is a let down in the mouth though - a bit thin on the palate with pleasant dark fruit flavours and spice, soft tannins and a slightly short finish.

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• 2005 Trinity Hill Syrah Gimblett Gravels 91 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels

  A lot of oak dominated the nose at first - after a few hours in the decanter though, this was showing beautifully with perfumed aromas of white pepper, smoke, meat, dark fruits, Asian spices and flowers. More dark fruits and spice follow on the palate, which doesn't quite live up to the gorgeous nose.

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• 2001 Behrens & Hitchcock Syrah Homage to Ed Oliveira Alder Springs Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  Great, perfumed nose showing pepper, cherries, smoke and lots of dark fruits. Palate has more spicy red and dark fruits, well integrated oak and silky tannins with a long finish.

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• 2002 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Bright golden-yellow in the glass - the nose shows lots of honey, citrus, pineapple and tropical fruits. More sweet white and tropical fruits and marmalade flavours on the palate with almost honey-like consistency. Finish is long, rich but slightly cloying.

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Some great wines, although the Hawkes Bay Syrahs were a little underwhelming against the big Aussies and felt much lighter in the mouth. The food and company were all outstanding - thanks again Chris for putting this together.