Penfolds Reserve Bin 05A Chardonnay 2005
It was neck and neck for a while tasting this alongside the outstanding 2005 Yalumba FDW[7c] but given time the Penfolds showed a little more class and depth - as it should being triple the price. This sees 10 months in 85% new French oak and 100% malolactic fermentation.
Aromas of nectarine, fresh figs, grapefruit, smoke, almond and spice. Wild and funky on opening but more subdued after being given a little quiet time. On the palate a smooth and glossy wine with fine acidity and excellent texture. There are flavours of stonefruit, fig, citrus and ginger spice along with more nutty creamy characters. Finishes very long with spicy flavours and a light grippy phenolic exit. A very sophisticated chardonnay with great depth and finesse.
Tasted : Jun07Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $85
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2015
Source : Winery Sample
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Yalumba FDW[7c] Chardonnay 2005
Tasting two Adelaide Hills chardonnays tonight has been most interesting. Both the Penfolds 05A and the FDW[7c] involve lots of letters and numbers (a bit like a Winorama tasting note) and are complex sophisticated wines, but not ones made to a formula. This is a small make of 400 cases and uses the Bernard clones of chardonnay 76 and 95 which were selected from vineyards near Beaune and first propagated locally in the late eighties. The FDW (Fine Dry White) spends 14 months in French oak of which 57% is new.
Aromas of citrus, peach, apple crumble, almond nougat and spice. On the palate flavours of nectarine, grapefruit, almond meal and light toasty spicy oak. Excellent texture with a crisp acid attack balanced by light creaminess. Fresh with no heaviness. Very long flinty finish with an almond, spice and lemon aftertaste. Super wine. Great value.
Tasted : Jun07Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $24
Drink : 2007 - 2010
Source : Winery Sample
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Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2003
By Gary Walsh
St Henri would be in my top ten favourite shiraz. I just noticed that the RRP is now $80. Depending on how you look at it you could argue that it’s either still too cheap or just a bit too expensive. The former position being relative to its quality compared to Grange and the latter in comparison to other top shiraz available in the market place. I will continue to buy in good vintage because I love both the wine and the style. I just wish there were more like it…
Dark and brooding with aromas of blackberry, raspberry, Old Jamaica chocolate, pepper, spice and burnt wood. On the palate thick and full bodied with blackberry, raspberry, charcoal, pepper, spice and dark chocolate flavours. Significantly dry and meaty but not without some freshness. The tannins are firm and again meaty and grippy. Finishes dry and spicy with a dark chocolate and charcoal aftertaste. I think this will soften and sweeten up with further bottle age. Not a great St Henri but a good wine from a tricky vintage.
Tasted : Jun07Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $80
Drink : 2011 - 2018+
Source : Winery Sample
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Paradigm Hill Mornington Peninsula L’Ami sage Pinot Noir 2005 ($43):
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Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2006 ($23) screwcap:
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Cofield Wines Sparkling Shiraz XV ($29.95) crown seal:
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Tahbilk reds
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Over the Shoulder Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2006 ($19) screwcap:
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Brown Brothers Patricia
By Campbell Mattinson
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Watershed Margaret River Shiraz 2003 ($25):
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Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
