10/10/2023 - StewartWent wrote:

Sometimes I don't get JH Wine Companion scores. This got a massive talking up, 96pts etc, but for mine is strictly mid-pack sub $30 AH chardonnay. Sinewy and dominated with citrus fruits, almost painfully so. Has seen some new oak but really hard to see here. Tangy and tighly bound, but not for me.

5/10/2023 - Drinking Trees wrote:

Labelled "Premiership Port", commemorating the Richmond Tigers' 1980 VFL premiership. Sealed with a short cork under a screwcap. The wine looks very dark and viscous: just by looking at it, you can tell it's going to stain the glass. Tastes like liquid chocolate, with delightful red fruit notes of cherry and dried cranberry. There's a hint of sugary sweetness and stickiness, but it's balanced by a strong VS brandy spirit. This is a real crowd pleaser - lovely sweet flavours not complicated by funk or decay. Still great the next night. 45 years old and still going strong. If you have a bottle of this, I recommend keeping it until the Tigers' next premiership.

6/11/2023 - LindsayM Likes this wine:

All 3 vineyard contributed to this wine
Colour deep ruby purple hues pink to clear on the rim , that said translucent - pink crimson nearing the bottom of the glass 15/15
Nose intense dark cherry , strawberry , dried herb , forest floor , rose petal, spice cinnamon ,vanilla oak ,cut flower florals, clean and balanced 28/30
Palate med+ bodied primary fruits cherry, plum, velvety silk mouthfeel , cherry liqueur like, good tannin grip , long clean finish 41/44
overall A very good wine from a Annus Horribilis year , similar in style and intensity to Between to mountains , enjoyed now although time will enhance the experience 10/11
12% alc I thought it had more

5/15/2023 - StewartWent wrote:

Big re-rate. Rich, a little funk and earth, bitter lemon. Almost forceful like a ripe Vermantino.

4/30/2023 - StewartWent wrote:

Deceptively light in appearance and front palate but don't get me wrong this is serious grenache. Tight and firm, never feels powerful or ripe yet runs determinedly in a straight line. Incredibly strong reviews and whilst I don't get as excited this is a good wine. Not a keep for mine.

2/9/2023 - DrinkerTrev Likes this wine:

Got to rate this more every time as the ageing adds to the complex development of the wine. Fresh mown green grass nose and follow through to the palate. Fresh green stone fruit. Lemon and mineral tastes add to the crisp freshness of this wine. Had with some roast spatchcock chicken.

1/28/2023 - Screwcaps Likes this wine:

Light to medium body, the weight of high minerals mineral water. Still quite lean, acidic and grassy despite some toast on the nose and some slightly honeyed notes through the finish. Youthful, with the first shades of age creeping in. Salty twang through the finish goes well with the lemon juice and rind, and rockmelon fruit flavours. Watch it's evolution over the next 5 years. Very good. $19 aud at Dan's, one of the value gems of their Cellar Selection. The current vintage, 2022, is on members deal for $11 as I type. The best value wine in Australia? Tahbilk are certainly at the mercy of Dan's with this one, it's hard to buy anywhere else and theres such a high RRP/street price gap. The price of reach, I guess, but it's steep verging on theft. Screwcap.

8/4/2003 - StewartWent wrote:

Current release of this particular blend, although not sure if it's made every year. Some of the grapes are apparently declassified Wendouree fruit.Quite tame on opening with a subdued nose but some very distinctive stink (vegemite, yeasty?) really came to the fore after some decanting time. Probably a love or hate bouquet.The palate filled out nicely too over a couple of hours. Nice berry fruits lurk in an almost elegant manner but the palate is still essentially all about a firm tannic structure - probably comes as no surprise to fans of Stephen George and Wendouree. Drinking well now and will probably travel the next 3 - 5 ok. Bit of a question mark over whether the fruit will rise above the tannins but a good drink nevertheless.

4/7/2022 - StewartWent wrote:

Very much in the CH bracket. Rusty minerals, game, tangy. Not crowd pleasing but not without character. I’m compelled to give it time.

3/13/2022 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine:

Unlike the other reviewers, I have to say that my bottle seemed very ready to drink now, although I don't doubt it has some years left in it. Perhaps the vagaries of cork are behind the divergence of views and my bottle had just developed more?

There is no question that this wine is really humming on day 2 opened. I use a Cabernet shape when drinking Neb. I have explained why previously and will only add that those who use other shapes should meet a very unpleasant end (such as having to drink buckets of Viognier whilst watching soccer, baseball, grid-iron, or rugby league).

The wine has the usual Neb burnt umber-brick colour, but there is really good depth of colour speaking to the power to come.

The palate of flavours/aromas is dark cherry, a touch of strawberry and rose petal, some Balsamic volatility, tar. It is very intense, there is great length and the tannins are ripe and fine - although plentiful (of course), they are not intrusive, even when sipped without food. There will, doubtless, be those who don't understand this wine, but they are people we hate - IT professionals and their soccer mom wives, any kind of child under the age of 30, people who wear brown shoes with dark coloured trousers and those who like sports that don't involve unprovoked frontal assaults. Also those who wear face masks on their chins and those virus laden hordes of human swill who insist on being outdoors when I go for a run or a walk. There should be some kind of weather forecast that informs us of their whereabouts and concentrations. Sweep them all away and pass me another glass (Cabernet shape only, damn you!) of Barolo.

11/7/2021 - BillyfromOz wrote:

I am always tempted to rate Tahbilk wines 6/10 just to keep the auction prices down! This wine is not one of the great wines in the world, but it is certainly a great wine bargain! I have never paid more than $16 a bottle for it (usually $12), and I never touch them at less that 15 years of age. This followed up a 1996 389. Compared to that, the Tahbilk was all vibrant fruit! Perhaps it was a bit unfair. The Tahbilk could have appeared more complex first up. But I would say this is a pure and simple wine. Absolutely delightful with (dare I say) elegance and balance, and decent length. I would pretty much back up what Xavier said, in the details on nose and palate, although I did not notice any metallic taste. Just bright berry fruits with some leather and cedar around the edges.

10/15/2021 - StewartWent wrote:

Fine bead, easy going, freshly cut apples, sweet dry finish (does that make sense). Not French dry (if that makes sense!). Just a bit 'beginner' but I'm being a bit hard. Does prove that the general standard of Oz fizz is somewhat higher than NZ and I say this in the context that this particular wine is considered near top-of-the-tree for Kiwi fizz.

8/28/2021 - StewartWent wrote:

It's super solid MOR drinking at $17. No standouts here but it will not disappoint. I must look at again as was consumed in a rush.

12/10/2018 - StewartWent wrote:

Great Wines of Italy Phuket

4/23/2021 - StewartWent wrote:

Interesting to check my old notes. I've only ever had Chinon from this producer and indeed I've not been particularly kind in the scoring department. Admittedly not a style at the top of my list but this is pretty good. Smokey fruits, a little tight and sinewy early, but it settles and opens up nicely. Plush leafy berry fruits come through and really soften the palate. It's pretty good but there are better ways to spend $45.

8/15/2010 - StewartWent wrote:

There are 2 ways of looking at this wine. In the main this wine is in excellent condition and is showing excellent fruit depth and balance. In fact, I would almost suggest it is only just hitting a secondary phase such is the condition of the fruit. On the other hand I would have not at all picked this as a cabernet and too me looks like a Craiglee shiraz in middle age form. Red berries show early staing aging but there's a nice licorice and dark bitter rhubarb note that shows excellent character and interest. Soft finish suggests a lack of back bone for extended aging. Really did like this. Drink now to 2012.

5/13/2015 - StewartWent wrote:

These guys are generally hit and miss but this is a solid drop. Fresh and breezy shiraz fruits and the apricot scents and lift from the viognier is clearly evident. Buzzy finish.

11/23/2014 - StewartWent wrote:

Big and heavy for a cabernet blend, particularly from the region. I think this had a very high Halliday (?) rating as well and seems a bit off the mark given the weight. Still, has some appeal with its fruit punch. Long lasting tannin and some old oak. Can't help but like.

8/26/2013 - graemeg wrote:

{screwcap, 13.2%} Just glorious! Developing nose of lime and honey, with a vague petroleum note. The palate is dense and flavourful; seemingly hinting between sweet and dry. The flavours are so luscious, yet everything about the powdery texture tells you it's dry. I see from an old TN that there's just a wisp of RS here; it's apparent only as body and length, not sweetness. Swags of acid just keep this humming along. Great presence along the tongue; thoroughly medium - almost full - bodied, as far as riesling goes. Easily has another 5 years left in it, but is just so drinkable now...

3/31/2013 - StewartWent wrote:

Still in good touch but might lost its way a little in the last couple of years. Some classical notes, think meaty gravel notes, but some funk and fat suggests this wine might be a touch beyond mature. Good drinking at the minute.