Wino's post in this thread [Wine discussion]

[Road_Warrior]

I'm sure there are some wine aficionados on the forum. As I sit here sipping on a glass of '05 Castle Rock Estate Shiraz (Plantagenet region, WA) I can't help but think you're all missing out. Or am I?

Tell me about some of the nice reds (and whites if you must, personally I can't stand the crap) that you've had recently. Or some nice wineries that you have been to while on holiday either in your area or elsewhere.

I went to Albany over the last long weekend we had here and surrounding Albany are the wine regions of Plantagenet (headed up by none other than Plantagenet wines) and Denmark. Let me tell you, there are some choice reds produced in the Denmark region, with some bloody good people running the wineries there. In no particular order, the one's I'd rate and/or recommend are:

Rickety Gate wines, Denmark (their Muscat is to die for - imagine a sticky date pudding in a bottle)
Somerset Hill wines, Denmark
West Cape Howe. Denmark
Plantagenet wines, Mount Barker
Castle Rock Estate, Porongorups
Alkoomi Wines, Albany
Moss Brothers, Cowaramup
Flamebird wines, Pemberton

Any particular reds or whites you'd like to share over the interwebs? Post up.

[Work Horse]

So much wine so little time!

I'm hardly an aficionado, more an enthusiastic amateur!

Dinner tonight, Rump steak BBQed, salad, baked spud and a bottle of 07 Pepperjack Shiraz from the Brossa. If I was on death row I would have the same.

The Wife is from the King Valley in Nth Victoria, and her mother worked at Brown Brothers, (the reason I married her but keep that between us!), so I have tried and enjoyed lots of wine from that region.

A good mate has a vineyard at Currency Creek in SA, and has run vineyards in Middleton SA, so I have enjoyed much of what that has to offer also.

There is very little wine I've tried I don't like, may be just some I like more than others

[sgt_doofey]

St Hallett, but I'm biased as the wife is a winemaker there.

[Sam_Boss260]

Mate, a keen fan of any red that Oakvale produces from the Hunter. Can't buy their wine in retail outlets, only direct from them. Their Shiraz are to die for.... now where is my quarterly delivery, should be here any day now !!

[ltd]

OK, starting where you are from Sandalford does some nice wines, I have a case of 1993 Reserve Chardonnay; very woody and beautifully aged.
Down around Rutherglen you have the likes of Pfeiffer, Brown Brothers and many others that make some nice wines; Shiraz, Cab Sav's and Chardonnays.
Tasmania produces some of the best whites and sparklings in the land due to its cooler climate, and it also produces some very full palate pinot noir's as well.
ACT is reputed for being the best shiraz and riesling country in Australia (wasn't sure about the Riesling, I have tasted better).
The Barossa also has some fantastic vineyards too.
If you do head down to the apple Isle, I recommend you go to the Tamar Valley vineyards; start off with Josef Chromy (their PEPIK sparkling is one of the most cleansing I've tasted). Whilst down there head down the road to Bundaleera, and try their 2003 Pinot Noir; you'll be glad you did.

Basically, anything that has seen a little oak is a good thing; unwooded does not have as much character I find.

[TZENU]

Certrainly not a wine connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination but my father-inlaws Red is very nice! Kind of reminds me of a cab merlot... Can drink a gallon and still wake up fresh the next morning!...

And his 'fluke' port is damn nice. I even used it as bonbonerie for my wedding last year

[adrianb]

My all-time favourite red is and has for years Penfolds Bin 389 (poor man's grange or baby grange) but the price means it's more of a 'special occasion' kind of buy. I probably only have a couple of bottles a year but I love it every time I do.

I drink mainly shiraz - the bigger and more pepper the better (I LOVE margaret river shiraz)! I do enjoy a merlot for something a bit softer and I do a chardonnay in summer as well.

Off the top of my head some memorable favourites...

Shiraz - Pepperjack, Gralyn Estate, Lehmans, Leeuwin Art Series, Tin Shed,
Merlot - Grant Burge, Happs, Clairault, Gherardi (my mates dad's winery in Margaret River)
Chardonnay - Cloudy Bay (NZ), Leeuwin Art Series

[Spudz27]

Road warrior

You seem to have wines from wineries withing a 50km radius of Albany, except for Coworamup and Pemby. I must say I have not really been to the wineries around here, I probably should. I seem to go more for Margaret River area.

I got a nice white port from Duckets Mill (Denmark)
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon from Vasse Felix (Margs)
2008 Cane Cut Semillon from Vasse Felix (Margs)

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by EDfutura25

Road warrior

You seem to have wines from wineries withing a 50km radius of Albany, except for Coworamup and Pemby. I must say I have not really been to the wineries around here, I probably should. I seem to go more for Margaret River area.

I got a nice white port from Duckets Mill (Denmark)
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon from Vasse Felix (Margs)
2008 Cane Cut Semillon from Vasse Felix (Margs)

Ah yes we went to Duckets Mill, bought some Marsala from there. I think we've been to Vasse Felix but I'm not sure.

I'm telling you now, check out some of those wineries I have listed, if you're in the region. The wines in the Denmark region and surrounds are just as good as those from the Margaret River region just that the wineries aren't anywhere near as ****y.

[Jason[98.EL]]

i like the OBiKWA range of reds (south african wines )

Particular the cab sav and merlot ranges

Jason

[DJL351]

I try and do a trip down south every couple of years. - For some reason I always come back with a truck load of Reds.

On the mailing list for Mad Fish and Moss Bro and end up with a couple of cases from them each year.

Off the shelf - Bin555 or Bin444 (if we're out and about)

[Spudz27]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Ah yes we went to Duckets Mill, bought some Marsala from there. I think we've been to Vasse Felix but I'm not sure.

I'm telling you now, check out some of those wineries I have listed, if you're in the region. The wines in the Denmark region and surrounds are just as good as those from the Margaret River region just that the wineries aren't anywhere near as ****y.

Until I went to Duckets Mill I thought I had to go to Margs to get cheese lol. They have a good range of cheeses as well as wines. I might check out some of the ones on your list as I live in Albany and would take me 1/2 day to check em out.

BTW if anyone from W.A makes it to Duckets Mill in Denmark do not try the citrus wine. It was like old school panadol syrup and even the chick serving agreed.

[falconboy]

White - Browns Brothers Moscato. Not being much of a drinker, its lower alcohol (5.5% I think) and it is SOOOOOOO drinkable its not funny. Sweet and tasty without that big 'alcohol' taste. Probably more a non drinkers drink, but give it a go, you can have a couple and still drive. As a matter of fact a whole bottle is only about 3.3 standard drinks I think. Noice!

[GeoNazi]

DON'T WANT TO OFFEND

BUT!!!!!

How can people drink wine? It tastes like vinager to me and a few other freinds and alike. I don't mind that goon stuff cask wine but other stuff it is horrid.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by GeoNazi

DON'T WANT TO OFFEND

BUT!!!!!

How can people drink wine? It tastes like vinager to me and a few other freinds and alike. I don't mind that goon stuff cask wine but other stuff it is horrid.

I used to be the same mate.
It's one of those things that you appreciate as your tastes mature. Here's how I got into it.

I got onto it later in life than normal, as for many years I didn't drink at all (flying has a 0% BAC at the time, none to be drunk within 24 hours and as a training pilot, I had unexpected flights come up all the time).
When I was school age I drank beer, bourban and coke.
When I stopped training (about 5 years later) a mate started me on scotch and coke, then just scotch, then just good scotch. Later, my dad got me onto Hennessy XO. (Expensive habit) The point is, I stopped drinking sweet things like bourban as well as coke in other drinks.

After that, when I was about 32 I gave a wooded chardonnay a try at a work function and I finally got it. So I was fine with white wine, found some nice Rieslings that helped me stick with it.
On my 13th trip to the USA, a place called Ruth Chris Steakhouse got me onto Red. We'd be stateside for 3 days before heading back, so we went to Minneapolis as we were getting bored with LA. Anyways, had an eye fillet with pepper sauce and the pepper was so hot, it literally was burning my mouth. My captain at the time was drinking an aussie cab sav and got me to try some. It was the only thing that soothed the burning in the mouth. We ordered another bottle for the table.
Long story short, red wine began to make sense.

You see, wine enhances food. Typically speaking, you can have a red meat dish and whilst eating the meat, try a sip of wine; it meshes together.
Same with white meat and white wine. You'd probably start off with an Sauvignon Blanc, or an unwooded chardonnay as they are not as heavy or complex. But, when you next have seafood try a little wine.
Whatever you do, don't overdo it by trying to drink a whole bottle in one night. It will become a little tedious and you'll end up loathing the stuff.

Just remember to slowly introduce yourself to wine, avoid cask stuff as it is rubbish, and if someone says "flaggin" and "wine" in the same sentence then run for your life.

When you appreciate wine and all it has to offer you can then reflect on the following quote; "Wine, Jesus's first miracle."

[Mark351]

My folks were big winos, even mofidied their house when they built it to include 2 cupboards behind the bar one for whites and one for reds, so some of that has rubbed off on me.

I joined the wine selectors almost a year ago, and get a mixed dozen every 3 months with an extra one before Xmas. You get a dozen from a different period each time, and some very nice drops in each box, haven't been disappointed with any yet. I like deep earthy reds and dry, oaky whites. Felicity is like falconboy, and hardly touches wine but does like BB's Moscato or Rosemount's bubbly O.

Also enjoy visiting wineries but I get accussed to taking too many home.

[Spudz27]

Well took a trip to Castle rock. Their muscat was horrid. Was like Vodka. I bought a nice Chardonay (finished it last night)

West Cape Howe - Good wines the better half got a late harvest.

I am a medium person. Not too dry but still a nice fruity finish without being sweet. Chardonay seems to fit well. West Cape Howes unwooded was good also.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by Mark351

My folks were big winos, even mofidied their house when they built it to include 2 cupboards behind the bar one for whites and one for reds, so some of that has rubbed off on me.

I joined the wine selectors almost a year ago, and get a mixed dozen every 3 months with an extra one before Xmas. You get a dozen from a different period each time, and some very nice drops in each box, haven't been disappointed with any yet. I like deep earthy reds and dry, oaky whites. Felicity is like falconboy, and hardly touches wine but does like BB's Moscato or Rosemount's bubbly O.

Also enjoy visiting wineries but I get accussed to taking too many home.

Mate, you can only take too many home when the bootlid won't close, the backseats are full and you have to ask your front seat passenger to give up the space in front of their seat for your wine.
I think that's the golden rule.

[Road_Warrior]

Yeah West Cape Howe produce some good stuff. But if its Muscat you're after, you'll have to go to Rickety Gate for the good stuff. I didn't try Castle Rock's Muscat because I was driving and we were heading back to Perth.

I've never gotten into the wine subscription/wine club thing. For me, I prefer to have an excuse to go on a holiday in the south west every 6 months or so to resupply

I think we bought around $500-$600 worth this little trip just gone. The people at Plantagenet Wines were nice enough to give us an empty crate to fill over the duration of the weekend (which we did + another).

[Melz]

That's it you are all on my ignore list.... no-one has mentioned Seppelt!

(But then again I wouldn't either! )

I prefer matured reds, not this 'ready' to drink, barely seen oak rubbish.... The most recent example I was impressed by was from Annie's Lane.. Coppertrail Shiraz, went down quite well.

Whites.. well Chardonnay funnily enough makes me ill, but a Sauv Blanc from Marlborough always goes down well

But as most of the family doesn't drink anything that doesn't come in cleanskin or cask form, i don't indulge in much wine.. no fun trying to drink a whole bottle by yourself (to me anyway)

[Brent]

I'm a bit of a wine fan myself. Got a mini-cellar of sorts going on at home (a few hundred bottles). Nothing better than when you have a few frineds over for a BBQ, you can pop into the cellar and select a bottle or three. And if you don't like your selection, grab another.

Personally, I've tried to diversify my wines a little. Originally started off trying something and then buying a case of it, only to later on deciding that after 3 bottles of the said case, it wasn't such a great idea after all. Slowly but surely, I've adopted a quality over quantity approach. Unless its an absolute belter of a wine at a steal of a price, I never buy more than 6 bottles. There's just so many different wines out there, its silly to limit yourself with1, 2 3+ case buys of the same wine. Instead of buying 12 bottles of the one wine, mix-up a case and get 3 bottles of 4 different wines. It mixes things up, stops boredom with a particular wine, and widens your experience into the bargain.

I may about 70% red, remainder whites and fortifieds. Cabernet and shiraz are the favouries, and you'd be amazed at how different a Margaret River cabernet tastes as compared to say, a Yarra Valley cabernet. I but mainly from Coonawarra, Margaret River, Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley, and Grampians area for my reds. Whites are typically chardonnay and riesling, and from Yarra Valley, Margaret River, Clare & Eden Valleys, and the odd bottle from Mornington Peninsula.

As you get more into the game, you can start picking your favourate wineries from each geographic area, as different wineries certainly have their own 'house' style. After a while, when the knowledge increases and the budget runs low, you can start selecting the best wines, from your favourite producers, but only in years that have performed well. For example, both Coonawarra and Margaret River have had very good vintages in 2004 & 2005, but 2002 was a dog in the same regions, moreso for reds.

Wine is a great (albeit expensive!) pastime, and definitely worth a bit of experimentation if you're prepared to try some new things.

Brent.

[ltd]

Anyone here tried wines from the Nappa valley in California? I swear you can taste the pollution. The fruit is grown out in various plantations out in the desert and the extreme heat really does change the character of the wine; not good at all.

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by ltd

Anyone here tried wines from the Nappa valley in California? I swear you can taste the pollution. The fruit is grown out in various plantations out in the desert and the extreme heat really does change the character of the wine; not good at all.

From memory the wineries out of Nappa Valley are all run by the one company/consortium but they do have a good range but you need toget it from one particuar site

not all have the same growing styles ie some are done with hydroponics aters are done with flood irrigation and some are drip system watered

i will have a look at the book at work andlet you know what area you need to look at

Jason

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by ltd

Anyone here tried wines from the Nappa valley in California? I swear you can taste the pollution. The fruit is grown out in various plantations out in the desert and the extreme heat really does change the character of the wine; not good at all.

Yes. I worked in Sonoma Valley (next to Napa) for three months in a winery there. Each country has different tastes in wines.
The European wines are made to drink with food and then put away afterwards.
US wines aren't as big and ballsy as Aussie wines.
I don't know if you know where Napa is, but it certainly isn't in the desert. It's just north of San Francisco. Google Maps

[qwiksix]

Not a big wino, but I've tried a few Napa/Sonoma wines, and most of them were *very* acidic and sharp. They tasted 'young' to me.
If you're over there, do yourself a favour, and go to a wine shop. Start trying out some of the wines from other countries - spain, some of the south americans. Great selection, and very good prices. Hell, I'd end up down at Safeways supermarket buying a bottle of Rosemount for $USD5, which to me tasted better than even the supposedly better Cali wines.

On topic, quite like the St Henri Shiraz at the moment, though it's a bit $$$. And the older it is, the better it gets.

qs

[Iggypoppin']

Not a wino myself, but deeply involved in the industry. Anybody in SA should know of the sea and vines festival recently held in the Mclaren Vale, a great festival celebrating the fantastic seafood and delicious wine of the region. I actually worked at the coriole winery(one of many participating) for the two days, and it was quite a festival. At knock off I was able to sample some of the wines available with their complimenting seafood dishes. All in all quite a good day. My dad is a very big wino, having been a wine salesman for 25 years, as well as writing wine menus for restaurants, he is now working for coriole, and sells a top drop. Give it a whirl, as well as the amazing hand made cheeses, and different olive oil blends, whole pitted and marinated olives, and other delicasies. Cheers and I'll keep updating whenever dad gets a new product or somesuch.

[sgt_doofey]

Nice sales pitch NJXR6! :

The Barossa Gourmet Festival (the Barossa equivalent to the sea and vines for McLaren Vale) is coming up in August. 22nd and 23rd. I plan to sample too many wines that weekend, just like last year....

[Iggypoppin']

Haha yes just a little. Still I think everyone should have a gander. As for the barossa festival, count me in. Barossa valley is a gorgeous stretch of landscape, great for a drive, enjoy the wine and food, and just have a good time.

[sgt_doofey]

My aim for this year is to try and remember which way I walked home. No idea last year, but I did get home.
The Vinecrest is always the place to be at the end of the day. Don't know why, but it's always packed and usually have a good band playing there.
If people are looking for a more family friendly environment, St Hallett usually put on a family orientated outlook on the weekend with activities for the kids as well as the adults. Not sure if other wineries do that or not, but more may this year. Who knows?

http://www.barossa.com/site/page.cfm?u=59

[Iggypoppin']

Living in-region helps I would assume, but me, I live in Marion and will be enlisting the help of a deso-driver to get me home. Be seeing you there sgt doofey!