Now that the sample cupboard is nearly bare, and the Wine Ark cabinet has a few holes, It’s time to think about wines to buy.
So, inspire me. What wine and beer have you been buying?
On the beer front, I’ve been working through the NZ Hops Challenge case over the past week which is fun work.
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There’s the usual flow of Mountain Culture specials (I emptied many cans of the Back to Cali WCIPA over Christmas), plus the new White Bay WCIPA for good measure.
Otherwise, I bought some Larmander Bernier Saignee to drink on holidays (great rosé that), some Equipo Navazos Navazos-Niepoort flor aged palomino non-sherry, and relented and bought a case of 2017 Raymond Lafon (as I’m selling my 09s).
I’ve been thinking lately that I don’t have enough 2019 birth year wines in the cellar so keen for suggestions.
What about you? What have you been buying, drinking and enjoying lately?
10 Comments
Gday Andrew,
2019 birth year? Anything from Margaret River. I have been plundering Chardy and new release Cabernets from Producers like Larry Cherubino, Deep woods, Leeuwin.
I assume you’d want something to last at least 21 years, up to 25 years in the cellar. For that reason I purchased the 2019 Te Mata Coleraine, Mt Mary and Cullen.
Last night I drank a 2004 Ceretto Zonchera Barolo, which was sensational. This is released when vintage is not up to scratch to produce the Briccho Roche. Much the same that Produttori do with Crus and Standard label in lessor vintages. Often the result is better value for money.
I hear you on the 2019 Margs – I got some Deep Woods Reserve Cab at Xmas.
Always like the Cerettos. Great vintage too.
Buying: Assorted set of Aussie nebb to try (Denton, Pannell and Fetherston) along with Borachio whites (meant to be doing great things with savagnin.
Drinking: 1989 Brokenwood Hermitage Cabernet (still alive and tasty), Vinea Marson Grazia (great blend of Italian whites and can imagine it getting even better with age) and Soul Growers El Mejor 2015 (still had heaps of life left but so smooth, fruity and a bit of chocolate too, quite delicious and makes you wonder why we don’t see more CSM blends out of Barossa/elsewhere)
That old Brokenwood sounds fascinating. The late 80s Graveyards are in rude health too.
Had a cracking Imperial Hefeweizen from Hope Brewery the other day. The 9.2% alcohol probably explains why I can’t remember where I bought it from here in Sydney. Pity. I’ve given up on those Mountain Culture beers, for a while anyway, they all started tasting a bit same old to me. How many renditions of an Oat Cream NEIPA can you churn out ? As for wine, was pleasantly surprised recently by the Craigmoor chardonnays from Mudgee.
Oat cream IPA is mostly gross. Too thick. Now Craigmoor – now there’s a label I haven’t seen much of in recent times (but the Chardonnay can indeed be great). The jewel of the Oatley Mudgee portfolio, although the Oatley’s are going more and more in for WA.
A pretty diverse smattering… some for the cellar and some for drinking… Sami-Odi new releases, Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Briords 2020, Luke Lambert Crudo Chardonnay 2021, Ravensworth Montepulciano 2021 and Arras Grand Vintage 2009.
I didn’t know that Bryan has a Monte. Interesting.
Re the Brokenwood I was surprised by it, having not had many aged Australian expressions. My encounters with shiraz-cabernet blends have been mainly in SA so a good reminder of what Hunter reds can offer. What little was left fell apart the next day but that’s to be expected at that age.
Only $42 here so was definitely worth a punt and the bottle I had was pretty good from an ullage perspective. https://www.cellarit.com.au/buy-wine/default.aspx?search=brokenwood
Yes, Hilltops. His first one, I think. Had to try it. In Bryan, I trust!