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 refreshing liquids have you been buying and drinking this month?
More 2017 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon hit the cellar this month because I love that wine (and Semillon). Plus, the annual magnums of Bollinger and the new 2024 disgorgement of Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red arrived in time for Christmas (it’s the tradition).
The Primo bottle, sensationally, has changed (see the new bottle here), which is great because now it might finally fucking fit in the wine fridge, but its lack of phallic pointiness might disappoint some people. I’ll report back on how it tastes early in the new year…
What about you? What has landed in your cellar/wine fridge this month?
In drinking news, a few of the latest Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown were emptied this month and can confirm that the new Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown Barbera 2024 is a smashable juicy charmer, with the whole range very strong (the 2022 Prêt-à-Rouge is a delight too). There’s this wonderful delicacy across the lineup that is pretty impressive.
There was also a few schooners of the new Range Brewing x Mountain Culture Hyper IPA (pictured below) proved surprisingly refreshing. Mostly, I can’t drink more than a single beer of the full tilt hazy styles, but the Hyper had a balance between tropical juiciness and refreshing bitterness that just worked.
What about you? What have you been drinking?
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13 Comments
Bought – recent WA trip grabbed Cullen flagship Malbec, love that tannin profile. Prices jumped the shark sadly. Blue Poles Cab Franc, beautiful in 2023. Also got some Burlotto Pelaverga on sale 🙂
Tasting highlights – Giaconda ’22 chardonnay (hype is not unreasonable imo if you vibe the style), Massolino Vigna Rionda ’17 so balanced and great tannin quality (actually preferred to their premium ’16) and Cullen KJ Flower Day ’21 (sumptuous expression but crazy expensive in Australian context 🥲)
I love Giaconda Chardonnay and was one of the fools who tried to buy some when it sold out in 10 minutes this year 🙂
Ah damn, yeah I totally wish they’d tweak how they go about it. Waitlist’s are messy but might be the fairer approach. Always depressing seeing them get flogged at a premium on auction in subsequent weeks >_<
The '21 is still embryonic fwiw with '22 far more approachable. Tried that alongside a few others at the Sydney Halliday tasting. Roussanne and Shiraz in a good spot, Nebb is improving but so so different to their neighbours.
Hi Andrew,
The more interesting wines consumed in recent weeks shown below.
One of these is as close as my fellow wine drinker and I have come to a 100point wine.
Chateau Peligri et filles, Tradition Brut
J. Lassalle Special Club, 2012
Gosset Celebris Extra Brut, 2007
Tyrells HVD Semillon, 2017
Mountadam Eden Valley Riesling, 2022
Pewsey Vale The Contours Eden Valley Riesling, 2016
Hugel Gentil, 2021
Coldstream Hills Deer Farm Vineyard chardonnay, 2020
Vasse Felix Chardonnay, 2023
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay, 2022
Lowestoft Pinot Noir, 2020
Mount Difficulty Long Gully Pinot Noir, 2017
Mount Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir, 2018
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, 2021
Heirloom Alcala grenache, 2022
Tyrells Lunatiq Shiraz, 2021
Henschke Henrys Seven, 2022
Grant Burge The Holy Trinity, 2021
Vega Sicilia Macan Rioja Clasico 2019
Don’t leave us hanging, what was the 100 pointer? How was the Vega Sicilia ?
Gosset Celebris. Just remarkable champagne. The bottle deserved a whole evening to itself, such was the extraordinary length on the palate.
Vega Sicilia was lovely. A long way from rustic. Elegant and savoury.
Biggest disappointment was Ata Rangi. High hopes, but utterly nondescript.
Being late Spring we had a little go at Rosé. Marli Russell by Mount Mary, Dominique Portet Fontaine, Fighting Gully Road and The Wanderer. Have to say, we’re doing such amazing Rosé. Mostly Yarra, but the Fighting Gully Road is right up there. The Fontaine is a Rosé that you’d fill a bath with and go all Cleopatra on. It’s smashable, when smashing is like a 12hr lamb shoulder – all day long.
That’s a very solid local rosé lineup too
Tried a 2017 Devil’s Lair 9th Chamber Chardonnay, for my tastes and the stlye it was Chardonnay heavan. Drank a second on the weekend and it was just as good.
Haven’t had one of those 7th Chamber wines for years either. Was great back when Oli Crawford was making the wines.
Very much a mixed bunch
2003 Hugel Gentil
2000 Pierre Yves Morey Batard Montrachet
2016 KR Coddington
2020 Greystone Reserve
2018 Man O War Valhalla
2012 Art Series Riesling
2022 Aphelion Brini and Wait SV’s
2013 Binder Grenache/Mataro
2017 Izway Three Brians
2018 Tim Smith Reserve Syrah
2018 Schild Edel
1999 Maurice O’Shea
1999 Magill Estate
1999 Veritas Bull’s Blood
What was looking good in that lineup? How was the PYM?
PYM was aged but not overly so, still very good condition. Personally the MOW and Greystone had its measure at less than a quarter of the price and KRC probably surpassed it just. This was my last PYM of that age have a few ’16 but buying less and less.
Aphelion Brini was an absolute delight – Rob Mack is doing some great things.
The Magill and BB were sublime, both large format in superb condition. MOS was just holding in there but not for much longer, have some ’04 I probably should clean up as well.