Night Two of Two Big Nights in Sydney

Beachside in Bondi
Tasted Friday, February 12, 2016 by JonnyG with 622 views

Introduction

A casual and indulgent night, with as much focus on the camaraderie as the wine.

Flight 1 (13 Notes)

  • NV Ruinart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Remains a true QPR in the category. Perfume, minerals and a touch of smoke on the nose. Toasty pear and ginger flavors, a touch floral, some almonds. Great start to the evening.

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  • 1999 Tyrrell's Sémillon Single Vineyard HVD 93 Points

    Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley

    An absolutely beautiful bottle, one of my favorites of the night among a host of worthy candidates. Very fresh, with a nose of honey and citrus, maybe some hay. Lush and precise at the same time, with a touch more sweetness than the nose conveyed, and a clean, very long finish. Seemingly with decades ahead of it, and a great representation of the Aussie passion for aged Semillon, a contagious condition for sure!

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  • 2010 Mac Forbes Riesling Rs20 82 Points

    Australia, Tasmania

    Super funky nose: cheesecloth, or maybe outright cheese curds! Not so funked on the palate, but seemed very out of balance, with aggressive acid dominating the flavor profile.

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  • 2013 Giaconda Chardonnay Estate Vineyard 93 Points

    Australia, Victoria, North East, Beechworth

    Crazy young, I know, but soooo good, with potential for a few more points down the road. A touch of sulfur on the nose, alongside lemon, mineral and spice. A creamy palate, understandably still restrained but with undeniable persistence and depth.

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  • 2012 Alexandre Jouveaux Mâcon-Prety 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Prety

    My first encounter with this, a bit of a puzzler. Aggressively vegetal nose, a touch sour. Dominant lemon flavors, not much nuance. I moved on quickly.

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  • 1992 Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone 94 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

    Such an impressive example of old world finesse in an Aussie Shiraz. Dark plums, herbs and leather, with a touch of coffee. Fine grained tannins. Long finish.

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  • 1991 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz Michael Hermitage 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

    Couldn't compete next to the Mt. Edelstone, but kept drawing me in, and ultimately provided enormous pleasure. A touch of mint, relatively high acidity, well integrated oak, plus herbs and leather. No sweetness. A touch short on the finish. Fascinating for me.

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  • 1991 Lindeman's Shiraz - Cabernet Limestone Ridge Vineyard 91 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

    I so wanted to love this historic treasure more than I did, but I struggled with the hugely herbal nose, dominated by menthol that just doesn't suit my palate.

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  • 1992 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz - Cabernet 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Fading from what I imagine it was at peak, but still a tremendously pleasurable, mature example, with dusty tannins, restrained blue fruit and a bit of petrol.

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  • 2004 Irvine Grand Merlot 88 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley

    My first Aussie Merlot, but nothing distinguished to report. A bit herbal, mocha dominated, not much typicity, that's for sure. A big, big Merlot.

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  • 2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Overripe to my palate, and one dimensional, with very evident oak and a cloying jamminess. Maybe with time?

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  • 2003 Torbreck Grenache Les Amis

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Loads of VA, all the way through a sour aspect to the palate. I am sure there are better bottles out there.

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  • 2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Sweet apricots and a touch of almond. In the battle between lush and fat, the fat won out tonight, but not by that much, and many may find it opulent. Well done for the hot vintage.

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Closing

Thanks to my generous friends, this was another eye-opener of an evening when it comes to aged Aussie Semillon and cooler climate reds.

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