It’s that time again.
The Graham wine fridge is looking a little bare and I have vouchers to spend – both of which means I’m looking for inspiration on what to buy!
I am kicking myself for not diving into the 2021 Giaconda Chardonnay when it was first announced, because I love that wine, and the 2021 sounds epic. I might have to hunt down in retail land (if it pops up).
Otherwise, some 2017 Tyrrell’s HVD seems like a no-brainer, and I’m sorely tempted to buy some of the Bollinger b13 that I had in Canberra. Champagne is definitely calling.
But what about you? What wine have you been buying/contemplating buying/already finished a case of?
Meanwhile, there has been a limited volume of wine/beer/etc actually consumed recently because I’ve come off a block of three big trail runs in a block (so more focus on tapering and recovery than drinking). I loved the Kaiju Mutation Dark Lord Vol.1 WCIPA though. Sure, it sounds out there, but it’s Kaiju, and it’s actually a wonderfully balanced, gloriously bitter classic.
On that topic, I also loved the latest Bridge Road Fresh Hop Black IPA, because black IPA is my wheelhouse at this time of year. The Hawkers Autumn Red IPA was pretty tasty too, although the official Australian Wine and Drinks Review hierarchy of deliciousness is Kaiju Mutation WCIPA > Bridge Road Black IPA > Hawkers Red IPA.
What about you? What have you been drinking lately?
You might also like
12 Comments
Too many offers this month. Standish, Sorrenberg, Giaconda and more. Taken up some selectively.
Beechworth gear was lovely as was king Valley (visited recently). Highlights were traviarti (best nebb besides Domenica) and castagna as well as Pizzini (they kill their top tier wines with new oak sadly imo but tier just below is great)
Love Domenica. Peter Graham is a super winemaker too.
I opened a By Farr Gamay last week and was very happy that I have a few more.
Great producer.
Standish just delivered.
Lethbridge pinot across their spectrum.
Wickhams Rd for value pinot (who knew such a thing exists.
Love the blog!
Compare and contrast month here.
Castagna Genesis (2016) versus Oakridge 864 (2018) Syrahs
Marco Lubiana (2020) versus Hochkirch Maximus (2021) pinots
Mark Haisma Saint Romain versus Shaw Smith Lenswood (2020s)
Ferraton Condrieu versus Yalumba Virgilius (2020s)
Bredif vouvrays – 2011 versus 2021
Coonawarras with some age: Parker Terra Rossa Merlot 2013, Balnaves Cab Sav 2011
Chantemerle Chablis versus Chantemerle Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume
Quite some diversity there Glyn. Favourites of the month so far?
Half way through:-
Castagna was simply magnificent.
Surprisingly, preferred Lubiana to Hochkirch.
Balnaves was lovely, aging so gracefully.
Preferred the St Romain to the S&S. Probably says something about my taste in chardonnay.
Loving ChardoMay, and the blog in general is superb: highly informative as well as genuinely honest, the latter not so easy to find…
Thankyou Glyn. Honesty is ultimately more fun (and requires less words, because economy matters).
Meanwhile, I rather like Mark Haisma’s Burgundies!
This month has seen the arrival of 2020 Driftwood Single Site Cabernet Sauvignon and 2017 Orlando Lyndale Chardonnay. I also grabbed some 2016 Wynn’s V&A Lane Cab/Shiraz. None of these have been tasted yet.
Beer wise, Braeside Scafell Pike ESB and Boatrocker Conehead WCIPA. The former being a splendid take on something I’d expect to find on tap in a 1500s stone building in the Cotswalds!
Drinking nicely has been a 2012 Turner’s Crossing Cab Sav, perfectly balanced and punching hard for mid-weight Vic cab. I’ve also been going through a 15, 16 and 17 Sidewood Estate Shiraz. These are superb value wines.
Tried some Vasse Felix chardonnay – their $35 lower/mid-tier. Solid without being great – missed some mid-palate, I reckon. Was going for $30 at the store – maybe that’s why and wasn’t moving?
Two interesting chardonnays I tried recently were the Wilkie Wines (Mack’s Tartan) sourced from the Pyrenees, and the Dirty Black Denim ‘Nagambie’ chardonnay. Each different (the former rounder), but both delicious.
Have struggled with the recent Passing Clouds shiraz and cab sauvs – just too big for me these days – alcohol hot, more than just big tannins. Will stick to their local pinots, viogniers and roses for a bit. Prefer their Macedon produced wines – Bendigo stuff seems to really reflect the dryness of that climate. When I was younger I would have gone that bigger style more.
Attwoods continues to impress – amazing wines, across the whole range. Troy has become a regular acquaintance!
Likewise, Owen Latta continues to produce some very interesting wines that keep me coming back.
Hepburn Springs Brewing Co. has been supplying the beer lately. Love it.
Also, I’ve just realised I’ve fallen off your email dist list (since March)…might need to stump up some cash!
Hope you’re travelling well, Andrew. Let me know if you’re ever around Macedon way!
Cheers Jeremy and say g’day to Troy for me.