Mystery horizontal that ended up as Australia 1997s

Hughes House - Chicago IL
Tasted Thursday, March 1, 2007 by Burgundy Al with 577 views

Flight 1 (12 Notes)

  • 1997 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    Double blind tasting. This was the "ringer" in a horizontal of 1997 Aussies. Spicy Syrah-like character with old world character. Very young black fruit with dried herbs and tons of spice on the finish. Slightly simple finish. I liked it far better than the group, which rated it near the bottom of the lineup. But at same time, I was quite to surprised to see this as Cornas, which I'd have expected to show more density and tannins.

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  • 1997 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 86 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

    Double blind tasting. Intense ripe black fruit showing much more heat than I prefer. Traces of spice on finish. not greatest balance.

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  • 1997 Bass Phillip Pinot Noir Premium 86 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Gippsland

    Double blind tasting. Moderate fruit without much character. A bit short on the end, showing lots of acidity from start to finish. My first time ever trying this wine. Very surprised to find out this was Pinot Noir.

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  • 1997 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Double blind tasting. Clearly shows Cabernet with lots of big, fat fruit and some espresso on finish. Generously oaked. Nice spice on finish from both oak and raw materials. This will evolve nicely. This was my WOTN, even if the group ranked it in the middle. I'm almost always a fan of Penfolds 707.

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  • 1997 Rosemount Estate Traditional 87 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu

    Double blind tasting. Simple fruit with a really dominant spicebox, I had trouble identifying if this was more Cabernet or Syrah! A very nice drinking wine but nothing special.

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  • 1997 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz Langi 90 Points

    Australia, Victoria

    Double blind tasting. Interesting and unique in the (very fruit driven) lineup. This opened up nicely with time but was harsh and almost bitter at first. Lots of pepper, black fruit and hints of leather. This has interesting longer term potential, which was areal positive surprise.

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  • 1997 Penfolds Grange 90 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Double blind tasting. I feel stupid not liking this wine, which was the group's blind #2 WOTN. But I frankly felt it was too modern and seemingly manipulated with overripe fruit and too much oak-driven sweetness. All that said, I also felt it had lots of potential with its clearly great raw materials. I was very uncertain whether this needed lots of time to resolve and integrate (I wrote 65% likely) vs. needed to drink this young before it falls apart (35%). Admitting that makes me feel stupid again...go with Option A.

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  • 1997 Clarendon Hills Shiraz Brookman 81 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

    Double blind tasting. Super ripe fruit, beyond what anybody should really consider high quality. Obviously ultra modern. Too much sulfur wouldn't go away.

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  • 1997 Sevenhill Cellars Shiraz 83 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

    Double blind tasting. Rich fruit with some powerful and fun spice, but almost like blueberry jam bordering on a caricature of high quality wine.

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  • 1997 Yarra Yering Shiraz Underhill 78 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley

    Double blind tasting. Group was quite split on this wine, which surprised me. I found it funky and almost vegetal to the point of almost being undrinkable. Certainly uninteresting to me.

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  • 1997 Penfolds Shiraz RWT 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Double blind tasting. Bright fruit with lots of complementary spice. Mostly black fruit with some good cocoa and coffee notes. Excellent structure provides spine and length. Group's #1 WOTN, my #2.

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  • 1997 Henschke Keyneton Estate 88 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa

    Double blind tasting. I was confused by this wine, which is was subsequently explained by its blend. Good fruit on nose and when first tasted. Came across as quite modern with a sweet oak-driven finish i didn't particularly enjoy.

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Closing

Funny in hindsight my top 4 include the three Penfolds plus the one Old World Cornas "ringer."

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