4/7/2024 - lightning wrote:

This is around the mark for the price. Attractive cedar, cassis and bay leaf on the nose; medium-plus bodied and slightly plump, the high Merlot content is quite prominent, still with some chunky tannins. 90-91 point range and serviceable.

3/1/2024 - lightning wrote:

Didn't take any formal notes, but impression was of a typical Australian quaffing Pinot Noir. It will do the service as a lighter wine, but don't think there is anything more profound within this one.

3/2/2024 - lightning wrote:

This lovely Hunter Valley Semillon has started to develop the classic HVS tertiary characters, with deep mineral, toasted brioche and honeysuckle notes. Medium-bodied, great persistence, soft lime acidity. It's quite generous at the moment, and I think this can be comfortably broached now and the next 7-10 years - doesn't need the cellar time of a Vat 1 from the classic years.

2/17/2024 - lightning wrote:

Classic LdH Rosado. This bottle was a touch reserved on the nose, notes of dry sherry and orange peel; light to medium bodied, a complex midpalate of orange peel, unripe strawberry and a twist of gin and quinine. Gentle but persistent acid spine throughout.

2/16/2024 - lightning wrote:

The cork on this one had lasted fairly well, with the top totally clean and the top half of the cork without any wine marking. It's an 03 bottling, and from a vintage that appears to have an average rating.

I've had several bottles of Lindemans from the 80s and 90s - the 00, 03 and 25 bottles scattered around various vintages. This 1990 03 (8003) - the image that comes to mind is a person in the retirement home, but still with some cheek and energy. The fruit has mostly faded and the midpalate is comprised mostly of sour cherry, with notes of star anise and leather, and finishes with earth and sour cherry. Clean wine, medium bodied, just the faintest burr on the midpalate.

What was interesting though, was that after consuming some Lebanese pickles, the fruit appeared to emerge! So, pairing this with something pickled works very well.

Just 11.5% ABV, which is wonderful. Enjoyed this wine a lot. One of those wines that most will find old and not enjoy though - avoid if your palate is used to younger wines.

2/3/2024 - lightning wrote:

Have tasted 2017 HVD and 2016 HVD Semillons in the last couple of days, so thought it would be worthwhile to pop open this 2017 Belford to compare. Much more presence on the nose compared to 2017 HVD (which was almost mute) - talc, lemon and lime notes; bolder fruit presence on entrance and midpalate, a mineral note through the midpalate that extends long into the finish, and a soft yet persistent lime acid spine. It's still fairly primary at the moment of course, and while these can be opened now, it's best to bury these in the cellar for another 10 years to let them evolve. A cut above the HVD. Next bottle 2033.

2/2/2024 - lightning wrote:

Bought a few bottles of this 2017 HVD today and decided to open one since I still have the 2016 fresh in mind from last night.

2017 is less giving on the nose at this stage - almost mute, while the 2016 was much more generous, with white nectarine and toast notes. 2017 has a pronounced minerality on the midpalate, a cuddly lime acidity; slightly oily in texture, a touch below medium bodied. Still early days at 7 years of age under screwcap, and should continue to evolve in the standard Hunter Semillon style.

1/29/2024 - lightning wrote:

Complex nose of butterscotch, dried coconut, nuts and dried fruits. Elegant palate, light to medium bodied with a slight viscousness, a fine-boned but firm acid spine throughout, with flavours similar to the nose. Length and draw. Refreshing. Probably best to drink up, while the midpalate flavours remain in sufficient intensity to balance the acid spine. Can't get enough of these wonderful whites from LdH.

1/27/2024 - lightning wrote:

No formal notes taken, but recall that this was just an acid bath and not much else. Under one of those plastic corks ("Ardeaseal"?), this is the second 2014 Echezeaux that I've had in the past 6 months where it's just acid and not much else (the other being Christian Clerget). Reserving judgment and hoping that some other characteristics emerge in future. Try in 5-10 years?

1/21/2024 - lightning wrote:

This one took 3+ hours in the decanter to harmonise. In the first hour, the heavy toast oak characters overwhelmed everything. Now, aromas of sous bois, heavy toast oak, but on the palate the dark fruit characters have now emerged and melded with the oak treatment. Still fairly sturdy structurewise, with some grippy tannins remaining, moderate acidity. Unsure which direction this will go. For a vineyard that is adjacent to the great Musigny, this wine did not reflect the characteristics of its exalted neighbour.

1/21/2024 - lightning wrote:

Impressions per MAC49. Low acid, tropical fruits, a bit bulky. Not for my palate.

1/3/2024 - lightning wrote:

Translucent garnet with a slight brick hue. Attractive nose of plum and blackberry with flecks of liquorice and and malt. Medium bodied, red and dark fruited midpalate, finishes with notes of leather, liquorice and nutmeg. Good length. In a really nice spot at the moment, balanced and without excess weight or alcohol. Runs rings around the 2005 Grand Pontet that I opened earlier this week.

1/1/2024 - lightning wrote:

Clear amber in appearance, attractive nose of apricots and butterscotch; still lively on the palate, a touch under medium body with silky texture, apricots on entry and on the midpalate, and a sprightly yet filigreed acid spine. Really well balanced, and moreish, this seems evergreen.

12/31/2023 - lightning wrote:

ID 211024 (disgorged 2011) - final bottle.

On the nose, moderate autolytic notes with flecks of soy and lime; a touch of brioche on entry, and then a massive mineral rod emerges and continues with persistence, this duels with a long lemon acid layer. Just continues forever - really energetic, not really that much in autolysis notes for wine that is 2004 base (ie. approaching 20 years now).

12/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Translucent, almost opaque ruby-garnet. On the nose, pronounced bitter herbs, ethanol, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and coffee grinds. Medium to full-bodied, spirity and dominated by heavy roasted coffee notes and cloves. Low acid, tannins mostly resolved. Sad to say that this one was disappointing for me, lacking in charm and refreshment. Burly and bitter.

12/24/2023 - lightning wrote:

Elegant bead, pronounced mineral and chalk note on the entry and midpalate, ok length. I'm not that experienced with Belle Epoque, however quality wise I think it sits between the big name tete de cuvee (Dom, Cristal, Comtes) and the vintage cuvees of these houses.

12/7/2023 - lightning wrote:

By the spoonful, intense marmalade, fig and apricots. Length for days. Texturally, it's lighter on its feet than what I recall with my previous Essenncia experiences, although that was over a decade ago. Probably needs to be served in a glass, in order to allow the nose to be properly appreciated.

(Oncore)

12/7/2023 - lightning wrote:

An explosive and exotic nose, you can smell it from a metre away. Earthy, savoury and mineral and with alarming sustain, the wine really is an iron fist in a velvet glove. It's all fairly savoury, with fruits to the background, but none the worse for it. Real character and definition.

(By the glass under Coravin, Oncore - 06610)

12/7/2023 - lightning wrote:

Complex nose of peach, nectarine and subtle oak seasoning. Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture, flavours similar to that of the nose, long finish. Classy wine.

12/1/2023 - lightning wrote:

Flint, oyster shell and lemon nose. Elegant, light to medium bodied, mineral and flint characters interspersed with white nectarine, an attractive and balanced acid spine. In a good place at the moment.

11/26/2023 - lightning wrote:

This one tasted a bit thin flavourwise on entry and the midpalate 30 minutes after opening, but fortunately filled out with further air time and warming up and became a classic LdH white experience. Medical sample colour. Do not pop and pour, and make sure to serve at red wine temperature.

11/23/2023 - lightning wrote:

Standard Pauillac aromatics and palate of blackberry and graphite, the palate is slightly loose-knit and drying. A mid-level wine.

11/19/2023 - lightning wrote:

Deadset classic again - balanced, medium-bodied, length without unnecessary weight. Incredibly moreish and flexible at the dinner table. Had the 2005 a couple of weeks ago, and it was good to contrast that with this 2004 - 2005 was an absolute brute and still in need of maybe 10 years further cellar time, while the 2004 is ready to delight (and has been a delight for at least the past 5 years).

11/17/2023 - lightning wrote:

Ruddy garnet with faint brick hue. Sultry and seductive nose of sous bois and dark fruits; light to medium-bodied, persistent midpalate orb of blackberry, minerals and sous bois, al dente fine-boned tannins and a discreet acid spine draws through the palate. Wonderful - one and only bottle, professionally cellared since release - wish I had more of these to see how it would continue to evolve.

11/8/2023 - lightning wrote:

Earthy, mineral and graphite notes on the nose; midbodied and well balanced. Surprised when revealed to be a 2003 - does not show the heat of the vintage.

11/8/2023 - lightning wrote:

This one was in a decanter for 30 minutes or so before first tasting. Initially it was fairly muted on the nose, however with extended airing the wine revealed an exotic perfume of musk, violets and baking spices. Medium-plus bodied with depth of flavour to the midpalate, pronounced tannins and a long but fine acid spine that is in harmony with the rest of the elements of the wine. This lovely Echezeaux has the bones to cellar for another 5-10 years or more in order to allow more tertiary development, when it may become very special.

11/8/2023 - lightning wrote:

One sniff and you can immediately tell that this is a classic Pauillac. The typical Pauillac nose of cassis, graphite and some capsicum; similar flavours on the palate, midbodied, elegant, balanced. Just hits the right spots. Good to drink now and in the short term.

11/8/2023 - lightning wrote:

Translucent garnet. Attractive and deep aromas of cassis, graphite and spices. Medium plus bodied, this is still tightly wound and unyielding on the palate with noble firm tannins. Everything is in the suitcase but not ready to unpack yet. The first bottle of the case, will leave the next bottle for 2033.

Wine was decanted for only 45 minutes or so in a small decanting prior to tasting - restaurant setting, so didn't have the option to give more air.

11/8/2023 - lightning wrote:

The Les Vergers vineyard is some 400m north-west of Le Montrachet.

Pale gold. Some oak toast notes on the nose; a wonderful stone and mineral character on the midpalate that has persistence, lovely acid line. Harmonious and drinking well now.

10/20/2023 - lightning wrote:

This half-bottle under screwcap. Rich nose of honey, beeswax and ginger. Viscous and oily, honeysuckle flecked with ginger, sultanas and white nectarines, medium acidity under the sweetness, persistent. Good wine, perhaps lacks a bit of cut to go to the next level, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

10/19/2023 - lightning wrote:

A St Estephe that is drinking nicely at the moment. It shows perhaps a touch of alcohol or overripeness on the palate, but this is more in comparison to the classic Bordeaux years of old, and people accustomed to new world wines should not have a problem with this. Black olives, graphite, cassis flavours, and some cheeky midbodied tannins still remain. Really enjoyed this, especially for its price.

10/15/2023 - lightning wrote:

This bottle was more reserved on the nose than the previous one tasted 3 years ago - unsure if it is bottle variation, or the wine starting to "decline". It's still unmistakable as a LdH rose - that house style in their rose and whites is clear on the palate, with that majestic acid spine that crescendos wonderfully. Refreshing, complex.

10/13/2023 - lightning wrote:

Garnet with a ruddy hue, not quite opaque. Pure red fruits. Elegant on entry and the mid palate, medium-bodied before firm Nebbiolo-esque tannin structure bites down, lovely red fruit and tomato leaf flavour profile. Excellent. Lovely layering between the different textures, like in a top quality Barolo or Barbaresco with age.

9/9/2023 - lightning wrote:

Moderate intensity nose of plum and graphite. Medium-bodied, a digestible left-bank Bordeaux that doesn’t hit any high points, but is good quality and an unfussy yet flexible accompaniment to the dinner table. 13% ABV.

9/7/2023 - lightning wrote:

Quite deeply coloured for a rose. Attractive nose of ripe red fruits with also a touch of reductive characters and flint. Similar flavours on the palate, medium-bodied and with a refreshing medium acidity, perhaps a wisp of residual sweetness. Good purity on the fruit profile, good length. 14% ABV, and an excellent quality cork - something you'd find in a top Bordeaux 1st or 2nd growth.

9/3/2023 - lightning wrote:

Opaque garnet, and intensely coloured almost all the way to the rim. Attractive nose of cassis, green capsicum with some subnotes of cedar and baking spices. Medium-bodied, persistent core of cassis and sandalwood, a wisp of fine tannins, there is an acid line that sits slightly outside the wine, reasonable length.

Bottle was into neck and from an auction consignment that had original unopened boxes. This bottle is good, but falls short of the greatness of previous bottles - the intensity and harmony not quite as good. Unsure if it is bottle specific, or that the wine in general is starting its decline.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: Opaque, garnet with a touch of bricking. Still holding its cassis fruit and also with a whisp of mint, there's now some good tertiary development, with some leather and earth notes intermingling. Rounded, balanced, fine acidity, tannins mostly resolved now. Wonderful, and no rush to drink if from a cool cellar. If cellared a bit more casually, likely needs to be drunk.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: Deep nose of cassis. A slight herbal twist on the palate, dry grippy tannins and acidity, long. In comparison with previous bottles, this one didn't have the burnt wood note that so many Penfolds (esp Bin 28) has, which is good - that note doesn't sit right with me at all.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: Plum and milk chocolate aromas. This is still a bit tight and could do with another 5 years or so in the cellar, al dente tannins with good acid spine, dark plums and earth notes. Lovely.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: Dark plums primarily on the nose. In comparison to the 2010 that was tasted alongside, the 2009 is considerably more open, with a generously fruited midpalate of plum, a whisp of tannins remain, and good length. In a good spot at the moment.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: A blend of 30% Petit Verdot, 25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Attractive cassis and plum nose. Cedar, graphite and plum flavours with a five-spice note on the finish that some felt was almost medicinal/cough syrup in character, there are still some persistent grippy tannins, good length.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Plums and green capsicum with a touch of VA lift. There is an immediate metallic note on entry and that sits on top of the wine throughout and mars the wine. Some chocolate and earth notes. The nose more successful than the palate for this one. Probably best for making ragu, drink up.

8/29/2023 - lightning wrote:

Cabernet and friends: A cheeky lunchtime glass today - this is absolutely flying at the moment, lovely soft acids, a touch of brioche now emerging, good length and exquisite balance. Classic Hunter Semillon in its prime...hope you all have some left! No rush to drink if from a cool cellar.

8/26/2023 - lightning wrote:

From a half bottle under screwcap.

Light gold. Attractive nose of ripe pear, faint kerosene, minerals and wet stones. Light to medium-bodied, mineral and wet stone on entry, transitions to a lovely white nectarine on the midpalate; a subtle acid spine woven in, and finishes long with the white nectarine and stony note in unison. Lovely.

8/17/2023 - lightning wrote:

The aromatics explode out of the bottle once the cork is drawn. A sultry nose of baking spices, violets, red and blue fruits, sous bois. Medium-bodied, the midpalate is still tightly wound and intense, red and blue fruits again, earth, minerally, evolving with wonderful layers, with firm 2008 tannins (dry, slightly raspy, and still packing a punch) and a firm acid spine that is appropriate for the intensity of the wine. Splendid. Hold on any remaining bottles for further tertiary development.

8/16/2023 - lightning wrote:

Pale gold. Pronounced autolytic notes on the nose - mushrooms, soy, more developed than I'd expect on a 2008 tete de cuvee. Rich palate of green apples, soy, stones; creamy texture, fine-boned lime acidity and reasonable length.

8/13/2023 - lightning wrote:

No formal notes taken, but impression was that this was the best bottle so far. Mineral and great persistence, balanced.

8/6/2023 - lightning wrote:

Attractive nose of blackberry and raspberry with a touch of meat/sauvage. Silky on entry, lovely pure blackberry with some persistence with a grind of garrigue and black pepper. Reasonable acidity, a whisp of tannins of fingertip intensity.

8/5/2023 - lightning wrote:

Another flawless bottle. Crumbly cork...definitely use an ah-so in future for these. The nose has rich cassis, capsicum and a touch of curry leaf. Supple in texture and medium-bodied, lovely balanced cassis and cigar box midpalate, lovely acidity nicely woven in, good length and a pointe balance. Wonderful.

8/4/2023 - lightning wrote:

Oh biscuits, another fine bottle of mature Lindemans Hunter River Burgundy. This one but a humble 03, but in stunning condition - wine only 1/4 up the side of the cork, persistent red and dark fruits, star anise, earth, a touch below medium-bodied, and beautifully integrated fine-boned acidity. Balanced, elegant.

Given the age, it is likely that this is as good as this wine can get at this point in time.