It’s that time again. Time to inspire me to spend more money on drinks, even though the WineArk cabinet can’t be closed properly and the Amex is maxed out.
So, what wine, beer and other drinks have you been buying this month?
I couldn’t resist adding some 2022 Coleraine to the cellar this month, even though I now need to sell/drink more things to make space. Might buy some of the Awatea, too. I’ve also now bought another top-up of the Range Purely Cosmetic West Coast IPA because it’s in my hop-glory wheelhouse (and it’s a very particular wheelhouse)…
What about you? What did you buy this month?
On the drinking front, there have been plenty of things I had a taste of and would like to finish a few more, like the Karatta Lost Ram Syrah 2021, which has a delightful Syrah spice/mushroom x-factor to it that surprised me. Speaking of surprises, the fragrant Lost Palm Vineyard Riesling 2023 had an extra level of intensity that I wasn’t expecting. It’s a new name for me, but the fruit is all old vine Eden fruit from Springton & Flaxman’s Valley with superstar intensity and an interesting linalool musky edge.
Further, a shout out to the Jaya Grenache 2022, which is stupidly inexpensive for an energetic low-oak Barossan Grenache. Oh, and the Gant & Co. Fumé 2023, which is a lightly herbal, gentle, and crystal-fresh lemony barrel-fermented Margaret River Sauv Blanc with clearly defined flavours and wonderful clarity.
What did you drink that hit the mark this month?
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14 Comments
Hi Andrew,
I’ll ask you a question instead as you clearly enjoy a wide range of beer.
Do you drink much German Wheat beer or is it a style that does appeal to you?
I’m a particular fan of the Weihenstephaner Hefe Weiss bier.
Thanks
Colin
Love weiss beer. Especially when it’s on tap (lots of out of condition bottles here in Oz). I drank a shitload of Zillertal Weißbier in Austria. Haven’t found many great local iterations though.
You’re being very kind……There are no local iterations
2016 Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz – very tidy and beautifully integrated.
2017 Schwarz Nitschke Block Shiraz – absolute stunner, quintessential Barossa shiraz with some fab tertiary flavours. Almost Bordeaux-like tar and lead pencils, had to keep some and sample next day – was still great.
2013 Magpie Gomersal Grenache – still in great condition but probably reached its peak.
Seven or eight years is a great zone for reds like that.
Bought – Comando G Garnacha, Rudderless Malbec (great tannin!), new Vanguardist release, Dr Edge Concrete Pinot (such a contrast to oak one)
Drank – By Farr Cote Chardonnay ’20, Clonakilla SV ’19, Albino Rocca Barbera Superiore ’21(outshone some of their Barbaresco at the dinner I’d argue)
How was the By Farr? Tip top?
Yep the By Farr won a few fans on the night (mum’s birthday). Honestly outshone a bunch of white Burg the next day at Prince wine store’s burg event too imo. This was an auction buy so bit cheaper than retail thankfully. Diam 30 cork so built for long term but why wait?
Hi Andrew,
Drinking highlights
a wonderful Chardonnay afternoon:-
Ten Minutes by Tractor Judd, 2022
Saumaize-Michelin Vire Clesse, 2020
Bannockburn, 2022
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Northern Tasmania, 2018
Christophe et Fils Chablis, 2022
a couple of highly enjoyable champagnes:-
Gosset Grand Blanc de Noirs
green label Lanson champgagne (bio-organic)
a pair of nicely aged wines:-
Poole’s Rock Semillon, 2011
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz, 1993
Lowlights
a couple of serious reds ruined by oxidation:-
Vieux Telegraphe, 2018
Rockford’s Basket Press, 2017
Buying
despite promising my wife I wouldn’t buy any wine… I could resist a few apparent bargains
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay, 2020
Wills Domain Paladin Chardonnay, 2022
Domaine Rijckaert Arbois Chardonnay, 2021
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, 2021
Pavelot Chorley Les Beaune, 2017
Vocoret et Fils Premier Cru Vallion Chablis, 2021 (I can’t seem shake the Chablis lure even with the ongoing disappointments)
What was the pick of the Chardonnay afternoon? A very tidy lineup there.
It was indeed tidy. Nothing bar the Chablis disappointed, and even that was pleasant. For me, preference was in the order I’ve written them. The Judd was heavenly, a “je ne sais quoi” factor. I’ve been impressed with the two Vire Clesses I’ve drunk this last year, so much cleverer than wines I’ve drank from their more famous neighbour Pouilly Fuisse. My drinking companion might argue the Bannockburn was the pick of the list. And the Penfold’s was more chablis-esque than the chablis, adding weight to your suggestion that Tasmania is the future.
I’ve had a few decent Macon wines of late that impressed for vfm. Especially collared to middling Chablis. There was a back to back of Picq Chablis 2022 vs Chateau de la Rochester Macon-Milly Lamartine 2021 yesterday and the Macon was more impressive for fewer dollars (the Picq at least was classic).
Thought I’d give some of the new reds (Cab Sav, Franc & Syrah) from Cabobolas Wines after a mate foamed at the mouth about them.
Maybe a masochist or supreme optimist, but bought various 2022 Picq Chablis lits, and some village 1 er 2022 Gueguen Chablis. Both don’t use any oak so hopefully will have what I’m looking for in Chablis in this vintage.
Could not , not buy the 2022 Vanguardist new releases. Relatively good VFM given some of the grenache, Shiraz wines currently coming out of small maker McLaren Vale.
Two lovely 2009 Shiraz wines – Smith and Shaw Adelaide Hills Shiraz still young and pretty primary, medium to full bodied. Collector Reserve Shiraz has superb lifted spicy nose, and a gorgeous velvety mid weight palate.