Bill Crappsley is one of the great
winemaker warriors of Western Australia. He celebrated 50 years of
winemaking this year, and added a third medal to his previous recognitions in
1999 (the George Mulgrue Award) and 2007 (the Di Cullen Award), both
recognising his services to the Western Australian wine industry. Now he
has received the Jack Mann Memorial Medal, again celebrating his long – and
continuing – winemaking career, with Plan B!
Monday, November 17, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
Hilltops winery Moppity Vineyards
Hilltops winery Moppity Vineyards has never been backwards when it comes to announcing its wine show successes and other critical acclaim. But I have to admit its performance in the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge was amazing. 392 wines were entered in this year’s 20th Anniversary Challenge, retail prices for the wines going as high as $300 a bottle, and many over $100. During this 20-year period, only seven wineries have had two wines in the top 10 (including Hardys, Grant Burge, Wirra Wirra and Kilikanoon), but this year Moppity had three wines in the top 10, all gold medal winners, two of the wines vying for the Trophy for Best Wine. In the outcome, the 2013 Reserve (rrp $70) pushed the 2013 Eclipse (rrp $120) into second place.
Moppity’s show record with its five shiraz wines from the 2013 Hilltops vintage have put beyond doubt their quality. That record is as follows:
2013 Eclipse Shiraz (rrp $120)
2
Trophies, 8 gold medals
2013 Reserve Shiraz (rrp $70)
1 Trophy, 3 gold medals
2013 Estate Shiraz (rrp $30)
3 gold medals
2013 Lock & Key Reserve Shiraz (rrp $25)
6 gold medals
2013 Lock & Key Shiraz (rrp $20)
3 gold medals (including 97 point
gold and equal runner up to the eventual Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner (SC Pannell
Syrah), Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2013)
Tony Walker and his latest release "Vintage Tasmania: The complete book of Tasmanian wine"
Tony Walker spent two years
researching the history of Tasmanian wine from 1823 through to the present day
for his Masters Degree from the University of Tasmania. The 280-page,
full colour book, Vintage Tasmania: The complete book of Tasmanian wine,
is the outcome of his painstaking and original research. I was asked to
write an introduction to the book, and, having read it from cover to cover, was
delighted to do so. Rather than paraphrase that introduction, it follows
verbatim:
This marvelous book is the culmination of a massive amount of original research on the 19th and second half of the 20th centuries, and extensive interviews with the key players in the Tasmanian wine industry of today. It shuts the door on any further book for several decades to come simply because there is nothing more to say.
It’s rare to talk of a non-fiction work as a page-turner, but this is one such. For not only is Tony Walker a researcher, and commentator, he is a skilled writer. If anyone doubts that, simply read Chapter 4: The Bernacchi Experiment. It adds a further dimension to the book – Walker’s wry sense of humour.
The genesis of the book was a thesis exploring the reasons why wine growing and making failed until the vinous torch was lit of Jean and Cecile Miguet in 1956, 130 years after Bartholomew Broughton made the first wine for sale in 1826. Put another way, the Tasmanian wine industry of today is the most vibrant in Australia, pulsating with success, and with virtually unlimited potential. What has changed so dramatically in such a short period of time?
Walker lays this all out in totally convincing fashion, aided by his understanding of wine in general. I have been a frequent visitor to Tasmania as a flyfisherman since Lake Pedder was filled, and as a wine show judge since 1991, co-chairing the Tasmanian Wines Show since that year, when 45 wines were entered, compared to 449 in 2014. I have hung up my judge’s wig, but the prospect of fishing is still attractive.
I also fulfilled a longheld ambition to be involved in making a Tasmanian Pinot Noir under the Coldstream Hills banner, and would love to make more. The problem is that Tasmania is the only region in Australia with a structural deficit of grapes, as a Federal politician or economist might describe it.
Brown Brothers’ acquisition of Tamar Ridge for a reported $30 million; the purchase of the White Hills Vineyard from Brown Brothers by Treasury Wine Estates; the House of Arras/Bay of Fires ownership by Accolade; and the purchase of the Parish Vineyard by the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards/Yalumba demonstrate the arrival of the Big End of Town in the Tasmanian industry. And this is only the beginning of what will be a golden period for and of Tasmania.
And so back to this book. Its design, printing and illustrations are impeccable. Its inclusion of the Regional Wine Routes is another important part of Tasmania today and tomorrow. Which leads me to Horace Greeley who famously wrote of America 150 years ago ‘Go west, young man, go west’. For Australia, it is a case of ‘Go south, young man, go south’.
The book will become available from the end of November, with reasonably wide distribution in Tasmania, but restricted access on the mainland. Thus, Tony’s website – www.providoretasmania.com.au – will be the most effective way of purchasing it, at an rrp of $49.95 freight free. Orders can be placed from November 15 onwards, and it goes without saying, I encourage everyone with an interest in wine – and, in particular, its history – to buy the book. You will not be disappointed, nor will anyone who may receive it as a Christmas present.
What James is drinking - 2002 Salon
Arguably the most elite of all the
elite Champagnes, with an annual production of 5000 dozen bottles to satisfy a
thirsty world. Made from 100% Grand Cru vines at Le Mesnil, the wine was
disgorged progressively over 2013 and ‘14. It does not undergo mlf, and at no
time does oak feature in the elevage. The bouquet is exceptionally powerful,
with a cross-cut of pure citrus and white peach on the one hand, creamy brioche
and spice on the other; the palate has amazing length and focus, immaculate
balance, and a farewell of yellow fruit, spice and lingering acidity. The
$850-$950 price tag should not deter those looking for an ultimate experience.
Cru Wines (T 02 8069 6974) handles the east coast distribution and Fine Wine
Wholesalers (T 08
9314 7133) looks after WA, through fine wine retailers, restaurants and
to the odd private collector. This is the 38th vintage of Salon, and, for the
first time, a few magnums have made their way into the country. You will have
to be quick, however.
Vale Doug Crittenden 1923-2014
My
friendship with Doug Crittenden began in the late 1960s when, on an annual
foray to the Melbourne Cup (with friends from Sydney), we visited his Toorak
grocery and wine store to buy wines that were simply not available in Sydney.
One thing led to another, and he was one of the first members of the Single
Bottle Club initiated by Len Evans in 1977.
Although I may not have the details exactly right, I remember Doug being apprehended by water police for not wearing a life jacket while on his sail board. When they asked him for his date of birth he said ‘’23’, to which the response was ‘Smartarse. I don’t want your age, I simply want to know when you were born.’ This incident occurred in the 1980s when Doug was in his 60s.
He had an encylopedic knowledge of the great wines of the world, but was also one of the most enterprising retailers in Australia, persuading Penfolds to sell him (with his labels) experimental vintages of what became Bin 389. More importantly still, he had a great sense of humour and joie de vivre, never taking himself or wine too seriously. His zest for life lasted for many decades, and I feel a keen sense of personal loss.
Although I may not have the details exactly right, I remember Doug being apprehended by water police for not wearing a life jacket while on his sail board. When they asked him for his date of birth he said ‘’23’, to which the response was ‘Smartarse. I don’t want your age, I simply want to know when you were born.’ This incident occurred in the 1980s when Doug was in his 60s.
He had an encylopedic knowledge of the great wines of the world, but was also one of the most enterprising retailers in Australia, persuading Penfolds to sell him (with his labels) experimental vintages of what became Bin 389. More importantly still, he had a great sense of humour and joie de vivre, never taking himself or wine too seriously. His zest for life lasted for many decades, and I feel a keen sense of personal loss.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Len Evans Tutorial - Friday
The
Tutorial finished on Friday in the same way as ever: a blind
tasting of seven Red Burgundies from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The
Scholars first had to nominate the vintage, and, once this was done, the vintage
was disclosed. Armed with this knowledge, they ad to guess the order in
which they had been poured. Their scores were then tallied, and while they
still had wine in their glasses, the correct order was revealed:
Vintage: 2010
Order:
Echézeaux
Grands Echézeaux
Richebourg
Romanée-St-Vivant
Romanée-Conti
La Tâche
Corton
Order:
Echézeaux
Grands Echézeaux
Richebourg
Romanée-St-Vivant
Romanée-Conti
La Tâche
Corton
Len Evans Tutorial - Thursday
A
great tasting of Pinot Noirs/Red Burgundies started the day’s judging class on Thursday, with many great wines, Burgundy
with seven gold medals (see key below), Australia five, New Zealand and
Oregon one each. As with the Chardonnays, the cork issue struck Burgundy, most
notably the 2009 de Vogue Musigny, oxidised and bretty – normally a superb
wine, likewise the 2011 Mongeard Mugneret Grands Echezeaux.
- 2002 Domaine De la Romanée Conti
Echezeaux GC (Flagey-Echezeaux) - 95
- 2006 Curly Flat (Macedon
Ranges) - 93
- 2006 Villa Maria Taylors Pass
Vineyard (Marlbourough) - 92
- 2007 Maude Mt Maude Family
Vineyard (Central Otago) - 95
- 2007 Bindi Original Vineyard
(Macedon Ranges) - 91
- 2008 Domaine de la Romanée
Conti Richebourg GC (0osne-Romanée) - 96
- 2008 Mondillo (Central Otago)
- 91
- 2009 Domaine Armand Rousseau
Chambertin Clos de Beze GC (Gevrey- Chambertin) - 96
- 2009 Domaine Comte Georges de
Vogüé Musigny Vieilles Vignes GC (Chambolle-Musigny) - 83
- 2009 Domaine Hudelot Noellat
Romanée-Saint-Vivant GC (Vosne-Romanée) - 95
- 2010 Ata Rangi (Martinborough)
- 93
- 2010 Dawson and James (Derwent
Valley) - 95
- 2010 Domaine Confuron
Cotetidot Charmes Chambertin GC ( Gevery-Chambertin) - 89
- 2010 Elk Cove Roosevelt
(Williamette Valley) - 95
- 2010 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret
Grands Echezeaux GC (Flagey-Echezeaux) - 96
- 2010 Domaine de la Vougeraie
Bonnes-Mares GC (Chambolle-Musigny) - 95
- 2010 Kusuda (Martinborough) -
94
- 2010 Charteris Winter Vineyard
(Central Otago) - 94
- 2011 Domaine Armand Rousseau
Chambertin GC (Gevrey-Chambertin) - 85
- 2011 Domaine Mommessin Clos de
Tart GC (Morey –Saint-Denis) - 93
- 2011 Beaux Freres The Vineyard
(Williamette Valley) - 89
- 2011 Domaine Dujac Clos
Saint-Denis GC (Morey –Saint-Denis) - 95
- 2012 Coldstream Hills Reserve
(Yarra Valley) - 95
- 2012 Home Hill Kelly’s Reserve
(Huon Valley) - 93
- 2012 Mount Mary (Yarra Valley)
- 92
- 2012 Yabby Lake Single Block
Release Block 1 (Mornington Peninsula) - 95
- 2012 Giant Steps Applejack
Vineyard (Yarra Valley) - 95
- 2012 Felton Road Block 5
(Bannockburn) - 94
- 2012 Circe Hillcrest Road
Vineyard (Mornington Peninsula) - 89
- 2012 Farrside by Farr
(Geelong) - 95
Points conversion key:
85-89 Bronze
90-94 Silver
95-99 Gold
85-89 Bronze
90-94 Silver
95-99 Gold
The afternoon Riesling Masterclass was pure pleasure, the Bordeaux Masterclass sheer heel. The ludicrous extraction, high alcohol, dead fruit, and mouth-ripping tannins (compounded by brettanomyces in several instances) came from left field. These wines are priced from $350 to $3300 retails (except for wines 1 ($100) and 2 ($150)). The 2009 vintage caused controversy, most saying St Emilion did far better than Pomerol, and some stratospheric points awarded. The two wines to offer the hope of some drinking pleasure down the track were Chateau Ausone ($3300) and Chateau Cheval Blanc ($2500). It’s a lot of money to spend on a hope.
The Riesling Masterclass wines were:
- 2013 Pikes The Merle Reserve
Riesling (Clare Valley)
- 2013 Stargazer Riesling (Derwent
valley)
- 2013 Howard Park Riesling
(Great Southern)
- 2013 Harewood Estate Reserve
Riesling (Denmark)
- 2012 Paulett Wines Antonia
Riesling (Polish Hill)
- 2013 Crawford River Riesling
(Henty)
- 2013 Grosset Polish Hill
Riesling (Polish Hill)
- 2012 KT Peglids Watervale
Riesling (Watervale)
- 2011 Egon Muller
Scharzhofberger Kabinett (Mosel)
- 2011 Egon Muller
Scharzhofberger Spatlese (Mosel)
- 2011 Egon Muller
Scharzhofberger Auslese (Mosel)
- 2012 Joh. Jos Prum Graacher
Himmelreich Kabinett (Mosel)
- 2012 Joh. Jos Prum
Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett (Mosel)
- 2012 Joh. Jos Prum Riesling
Kabinett (Mosel)
- 2009 Domaine Weinbach Faller
Kaysersberg Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee St Catherine L'Inedit Grand Cru
(Schlossberg)
The Bordeaux Masterclass wines were:
- 2009
Château Monbousquet (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Bellevue (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Bellevue Mondotte (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Figeac (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Canon (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Mondotte (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Valandraud (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Angelus (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Ausone (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Cheval Blanc (St-Èmillion)
- 2009
Château Pavie (St-Èmillion)
The day ended with the following wines, and matched with the menu below:
Pre-Dinner Options
- 1966 St Ursula Goldener Oktober Rheinhessen
(Rheinhessen)
- 1968 Bernkastel Bernkasteler Schlossberg Mosel (Mosel)
Dry White
- 2012 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay (Mornington
Peninsula)
- 2012 Penfolds Bin 12A Chardonnay (Tasmania)
- 2012 Giaconda Chardonnay (Beechworth)
- 2012 Seville Estate Reserve Chardonnay (Yarra Valley)
- 2012 Brokenwood Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay (Beechworth)
- 2012 Heemskerk Coal River Chardonnay (Tasmania)
Dry Red
- 1995 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 1996 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 2008 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 2009 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 2010 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 2011 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
- 2012 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru
(Vosne-Romanée)
Dry Red
- 1986 Chateau Cheval Blanc (St-Emilion)
- 1986 Lindemans St George (Coonawarra)
- 1986 Chateau Lafite (Pauillac)
- 1986 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Limited
Release (Coonawarra)
- 1986 Chateau Cos d’Estournel
Options
- 1945 Chateau de la Guimoniere Coteaux du Layon Chaume
(Loire)
- 1938 Chateau d’Yquem (Sauternes)
Sweet Bracket
- 1976 Erbacher Honigberg Riesling Beerenauslese
(Rheingau)
- 1966 Yalumba Private Bin Sauternes (Barossa Valley)
- 1944 Chateau Filhot (Sauternes)
Thursday
1st
EntréeTwice Baked Gruyere Cheese Soufflé, with fresh chervil
2nd Entrée
Roasted Fillet of Murray Cod, with baby red radish, pea puree, pea shoots and fresh peas
Main
Braised Lamb Shanks, with creamy polenta, capsicum relish, aioli and gremolata
Dessert
Caramelised Pineapple and Passionfruit Crème Brulee Napoleon
Cheese
Holy Goat La Luna (Sutton Grange, Victoria)
Len Evans Tutorial 2014
James
Halliday has been part of the Len Evans Tutorial since the beginning, and this
year is providing a birds eye view of each days’ proceedings. This is the 14th
annual Tutorial, always held in the Hunter Valley where it all began under the
baton of Len Evans.
Each of the first four days of the Len Evans Tutorial has an important component: the judging of 30 wines from a specified variety or varieties. They are judged blind by the four tutors and by the 12 scholars (as they are known) who have successfully applied for a place (out of a field of over 100). They are variously winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, viticulturists or retailers/distributors. The tutors are Iain Riggs, Ian McKenzie, Tim James and myself, Gary Steel an ex officio member for some of the proceedings.
We (the Tutors) go to a separate room after tasting the wines in silence and knowing no more than the scholars about the wines: their variety/style, and the vintage of the youngest and oldest wines in the class. White wines are judge from young to old, red wines from old to young. The Tutors call out their points for each wine precisely as they would in a wine show, and arrive at a consensus score (out of 100). In the majority of instances the points are so closely grouped there is little need for discussion; if one of the tutor’s score is significantly different, discussion usually resolves the discrepancy; rarely (one or two wines per class) we may agree to a quick re-taste on returning to the judging room.
The Scholars do not have the opportunity to discuss each wine (12 tasters makes this impractical), and they take it in turns to call out their points. Without knowing the Tutors’ consensus score, four or five will be asked to talk about the wine, and why they gave the points they did. They won’t know at this stage whether their score is higher, lower or the same as that of the Tutors.
This process proceeds one wine at a tie, and once completed, the steward announces the name of the wine. Normally he/she (the steward) will have selected the wines for the class – these are highly experienced Hunter Valley winemakers who in bygone days were themselves Scholars; by chance, three this year are present, incoming or recently retired Chairs of Capital City Wine Shows.
On Monday afternoon we judged the Northern Rhône varieties Shiraz and Shiraz Viognier blends. The wines and their scores were:
Each of the first four days of the Len Evans Tutorial has an important component: the judging of 30 wines from a specified variety or varieties. They are judged blind by the four tutors and by the 12 scholars (as they are known) who have successfully applied for a place (out of a field of over 100). They are variously winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, viticulturists or retailers/distributors. The tutors are Iain Riggs, Ian McKenzie, Tim James and myself, Gary Steel an ex officio member for some of the proceedings.
We (the Tutors) go to a separate room after tasting the wines in silence and knowing no more than the scholars about the wines: their variety/style, and the vintage of the youngest and oldest wines in the class. White wines are judge from young to old, red wines from old to young. The Tutors call out their points for each wine precisely as they would in a wine show, and arrive at a consensus score (out of 100). In the majority of instances the points are so closely grouped there is little need for discussion; if one of the tutor’s score is significantly different, discussion usually resolves the discrepancy; rarely (one or two wines per class) we may agree to a quick re-taste on returning to the judging room.
The Scholars do not have the opportunity to discuss each wine (12 tasters makes this impractical), and they take it in turns to call out their points. Without knowing the Tutors’ consensus score, four or five will be asked to talk about the wine, and why they gave the points they did. They won’t know at this stage whether their score is higher, lower or the same as that of the Tutors.
This process proceeds one wine at a tie, and once completed, the steward announces the name of the wine. Normally he/she (the steward) will have selected the wines for the class – these are highly experienced Hunter Valley winemakers who in bygone days were themselves Scholars; by chance, three this year are present, incoming or recently retired Chairs of Capital City Wine Shows.
On Monday afternoon we judged the Northern Rhône varieties Shiraz and Shiraz Viognier blends. The wines and their scores were:
- 2006 Kusuda (Martinborough) -
89
- 2007 E. Guigal La Mouline
(Cote-Rotie) - 94
- 2007 M. Chapoutier Le Pavillon
(Hermitage) - 95
- 2008 La Collina (Hawke’s Bay)
- 90
- 2008 Penfolds Grange (BV) - 95
- 2009 Dom. JL Chave Hermitage
(Hermitage) - 82
- 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz
Viognier (Murrumbateman) - 91
- 2009 E. Guigal La Landonne
(Cote-Rotie) - 95
- 2010 E. Guigal Ex Voto
(Hermitage) - 96
- 2010 Henschke Mount Edelstone
(Eden Valley) - 89
- 2010 Dom. Rene Rostaing
Cote-Rotie Blonde (Cote-Rotie) - 90
- 2010 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff
Edge (Grampians) - 94
- 2010 Dom. Vincent Paris
Granite 60 (Cornas) - 96
- 2010 Penfolds St Henri (South
Australia) - 95
- 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aine La
Chapelle (Hermitage) - 86
- Yves Cuilleron Le Village
(Cornas) - 95
- 2011 Delas Hermitage Les
Bessards (Hermitage) - 93
- 2011 Pepper Tree Wines Coquun
(Hunter Valley) - 93
- 2011 Dom. Jamet (Cote-Rotie) -
95
- 2011 Yves Cuilleron Les
Serines (St-Joseph) - 96
- 2011 Best’s Great Western
Shiraz No. 1 (Grampians) - 93
- 2011 Dom. Auguste Clape
(Cornas) - 89
- 2012 John Duval Entity
(Barossa Valley) - 95
- 2012 Shaw + Smith (Adelaide
Hills) - 96
- 2012 Dom. Alain Graillot
Crozes-Hermitage (Crozes-Hermitage) - 80
- 2012 Head Wines Brunette
(Barossa Valley) - 94
- 2012 The Lane Vineyard Block
14 (Adelaide Hills) - 95
- 2012 Hentley Farm The Beauty
(Barossa Valley) - N/S
- 2013 The Radford Dale Nudity
(South Africa) - 82
- 2013 Brokenwood Mistress Block
(Hunter Valley) - 96
Menu
Monday:
1st EntréeCountry Fried Jumbo Quail with honey, pecan glaze
2nd EntréeCharred Garam Masala Scented Foie Gras, with cinnamon lemons, pea shoots, rose petals and spiced jus
MainRoulade of Duck Breast and Jamon, with pickled baby beetroot, braised beetroot greens, aioli and star dust
DessertCherry Bombe Alaska, with cognac poached cherries, cherry gel and almond crumble
CheeseL’Artisan Extravagant Triple Cream Brie (Timboon, Victoria)
Each evening blind flights of wines are served, with one Tutor (myself Monday
evening) running the Options games for each flight or single/double wines). The
wines were:2nd EntréeCharred Garam Masala Scented Foie Gras, with cinnamon lemons, pea shoots, rose petals and spiced jus
MainRoulade of Duck Breast and Jamon, with pickled baby beetroot, braised beetroot greens, aioli and star dust
DessertCherry Bombe Alaska, with cognac poached cherries, cherry gel and almond crumble
CheeseL’Artisan Extravagant Triple Cream Brie (Timboon, Victoria)
Pre-Dinner Option
- 1982 Bollinger RD (Champagne)
Dry White
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis 'Butteaux' (Chablis)
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis ' Les Forets' (Chablis)
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis Terroir de Courgis (Chablis)
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis 'Valmur' (Chablis)
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis 'Les Preuses' (Chablis)
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis 'Terrior (Chablis)
Option
- 2001 Dom. JF Coche-Dury Mersault (Mersault)
Dry Red
- 1983 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
- 1993 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
- 1995 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
- 1996 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
- 2002 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
- 2010 Wendouree Shiraz (Clare Valley)
Options
- 1959 Avery’s Vosne Romanee le Suchots
- 1959 Dom. Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin
Dry Red
- 1970 Château Cheval Blanc (St-Emillon)
- 1970 Château Latour (Pauillac)
- 1970 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
- 1970 Château Cos dÉstournel (St-Estèphe)
- 1970 Château Leoville Las Cases (St –Julien)
- 1970 Château de Pez (St-Estèphe)
Options
- 1990 James Halliday Coonawarra Cabernet (Coonawarra)
- 1991 James Halliday Coonawarra Cabernet (Coonawarra)
- 1992 James Halliday Coonawarra Cabernet (Coonawarra)
Sweet Whites
- 1975 Château d’Yquem (Sauternes)
- 1975 Château Filhot Comtesse Durieu de Lacarelle
(Sauternes)
- 1975 Château Coutet Barsac (Barsac)
On Tuesday morning, 30 Chardonnays were judged; they (and their points) were as follows:
- 2013 Deep Woods Estate Reserve
(Margaret River) - 94
- 2012 Shaw + Smith M3 (Adelaide
Hills) - 90
- 2012 Patrick Piuze Blanchot
(Chablis) - 83
- 2012 Tyrrell’s Belford (Hunter
Valley) - 94
- 2012 Coldstream Hills Reserve
(Yarra Valley) - 96
- 2012 Felton Road (Bannockburn)
- 88
- 2012 Xanadu Stevens Road
(Margaret River) - 95
- 2011 Bruno Clair Corton
Charlemagne (Corton) - 90
- 2011 Dawson and James (Derwent
Valley) - 95
- 2011 Devils lair 9th Chamber
(Margaret River) - 94
- 2011 Leroy Chassagne
Montrachet Morgeot (Chassagne Montrachet) - 80
- 2011 Château Puligny
Montrachet Chaveliar Montrachet (Puligny Montrachet) - 95
- 2010 Yabby lake Single
Vineyard (Mornington Peninsula) - 95
- 2010 Etiene Sauzet
Batard Montrachet (Puligny Montrachet) - 84
- 2010 Dom. Bonneau du
Martray Corton-Charlemagne GC (Corton) - 96
- 2010 Penfolds Yattarna
(Tasmania/Adelaide Hills) - 95
- 2010 Villa Maria
Barrique Fermented (Gisborne) - 91
- 2010 Louis Moreau Les
Clos (Chablis) - 93
- 2010 Cullen Kevin John
(Margaret River) - 88
- 2010 Giaconda Estate
Vineyard (Beechworth) - 91
- 2009 Bouchard Chevalier
Montrachet (Puligny Montrachet) - 96
- 2009 Dom. JF Coche-Dury
Meursault (Meursault) - 95
- 2009 Dom. Blain-Gagnard
Croits Bâtard-Montrachet (Chassagne-Montrachet) - 95
- 2009 Dom. William Fèvre
Les Preuses GC (Chablis) - 95
- 2009 Olivier Leflaive
Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet (Puligny-Montrachet) - 95
- 2009 Oakridge Lieu-Dit
(Yarra Valley) - 94
- 2008 Dom. Ramonet
Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot (Chassagne Montrachet) - 80
- 2008 Bastard Hill (Yarra
Valley) - 95
- 2007 Dom. Blain-Gagnard
Croits Bâtard-Montrachet (Chassagne Montrachet) - 93
- 2006 Leeuwin Estate Art
Series (Margaret River) - 96
In the afternoon prior to the running of the Melbourne Cup, we tasted (not blind) 14 champagnes; 2002 Bollinger RD edging out the 2000 Krug by a bare margin as the preferred wine, with strong support for the Billecart-Salmon Les Clos St Hilaire.
Menu
Tuesday
1st Entrée
Tempura Ricotta Filled Zucchini Flowers, with pinenuts, currants and basil pesto sauce
2nd Entrée
Confit Pork Belly, with home grown peas, snow peas, Cyprus black sea salt and beetroot puree
Main
Grilled Aged Rangers Valley Rib Eye, with garden salad, potato puree, green beans, béarnaise sauce and jus
Dessert
Sweet Endings, a selection of home made petit fours, chocolates and sweets
Cheese
Morbier (France)
Tempura Ricotta Filled Zucchini Flowers, with pinenuts, currants and basil pesto sauce
2nd Entrée
Confit Pork Belly, with home grown peas, snow peas, Cyprus black sea salt and beetroot puree
Main
Grilled Aged Rangers Valley Rib Eye, with garden salad, potato puree, green beans, béarnaise sauce and jus
Dessert
Sweet Endings, a selection of home made petit fours, chocolates and sweets
Cheese
Morbier (France)
Last night the dinner wines were:
Pre-Dinner Options
- 1999 Arras EJ Carr
(Pipers River/Derwent Valley)
Dry White
- 1961 Douglas Elliot Oakvale Hunter Valley Riesling
(Hunter Valley)
- 1961 Martin and Sons Bin 342 Limited Riesling (Hunter
Valley)
Dry White
- 2000 Trimbach Clos St Hune (Alsace)
- 2001 Trimbach Clos St Hune (Alsace)
- 2002 Trimbach Clos St Hune (Alsace)
- 2003 Trimbach Clos St Hune (Alsace)
- 2004 Trimbach Clos St Hune (Alsace)
Dry Red
- 2010 Yabby Lake Single Block Release (Mornington
Peninsula)
- 2010 Château Confuron Cotetidot Echezeaux GC
(Flagey-Echezeaux)
- 2010 Coldstream Hills Reserve Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)
- 2010 Dom. De la Vougeraie Musigny (Cote de Nuits)
- 2010 Last Horizon Pinot Noir (Huon Valley)
Dry Red
- 1971 Doudet-Naudin Pommard (Pommard)
- 1971 Doudet-Naudin Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Les Guettes
(Cote-de-Beaune)
- 1971 Bernard Grivelet Clos du Roi Corton (Corton)
Options
- L. Bertolo Barbaresco Riserva
Speciale (Barbaresco)
Old Dry Red
- 1959 AWCCS – Douglas Elliot Bin 335 - Medium Bodied
(Hunter Valley)
- 1965 Lindemans Bin 3110 HRB (Hunter Valley)
- 1965 Douglas Elliot Tallawanta Hermitage (Hunter
Valley)
- 1967 Lindemans HRB Bin 3565 Hermitage (Hunter Valley)
- 1968 Tullochs Pokolbin Dry Red Private Bin (Hunter
Valley)
Fortified
- NV Seppeltsfield Classic Tokay GR06 (Rutherglen)
- NV Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay DP57 (Rutherglen)
- NV Seppeltsfield Rare Tokay DP59 (Rutherglen)
- NV Seppeltsfield Museum Tokay DP64 (Rutherglen)
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