Chateau La Croix de Gay 2005

90+ points

Pomerol, Bordeaux. 13.5%

I don’t buy a lot of Right Bank claret, at least not from the two established appelations of St Emilion and Pomerol. Partly due to lack of acknowledge, and partly to avoid some of the souped up wines that cater more for the American market. There are still lovely elegant wines on the Right Bank but these classy individuals aren’t cheap.

Pomerol is particularly expensive. And especially so in 2005.

But La Croix de Gay is not well known. I’ve encountered it before and was impressed. This half bottle was sent to me by a merchant seeking to impress and it did. It’s classic pomerol, everthing you’d hope for, plummy ripe flavour but with freshness. It’s a class wine with seemingly effortless restraint in oak, alcohol and fruit sweetness.

Advertisement

Willow Creek Vineyard ‘Tulum’ Pinot Noir 2008

77 points

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. 14%

Simple varietal wine, a lack of texture, heading towards pruney ripe fruit and then acid finish.

Each bottle I hope this wine will get better but…no.

“Gloriously fragrant and effusive; the palate is long and refined, with a vibrant array of red and black cherry, plum and spice; French oak is totally integrated. Screwcap. 14% alc. Rating 96 Points; Drink 2015” $40 Date Tasted Nov 09 James Halliday Wine Companion

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Cosecha 2001

88 points

Rioja, Spain. 14%

great label, great vintage. Nice but not great wine. Lots of American oak gives a slight retsina character. Not matched by sufficiently interesting or concentrated Tempranillo fruit.

Good food wine but I had hoped for more.

Cullen Cabernet Merlot 1996

90 points

Margaret River, Western Australia. 13.5%

i wanted to see just how good Margaret River Cabernet could get so I bought one of the very best at an age when it can be fairly assessed.

It’s a flash sleek modern wine. But a bit simple. Somewhat underwhelmed. To be fair I’ll next try it against a 96 Bordeaux.

The Willows Vineyard Semillon 2006

91+ points

Barossa Valley, South Australia. 12.5%

A single vineyard Semillon from 70 year old vines. Screwcap.

An evocative slightly smokey (or am I dreaming) nose. Arresting and inviting.

Compared to the Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon I suspect this has had a bit more skin contact. It’s slightly higher alcohol, a bit more luscious, and I suspect less suited to age – but on this last count I could be very wrong. These Barossa Semillons can age for decades, as shown by the Moorooroo white.

This is an extremely good wine. Complex, each sip a little different, not easy to figure out. An absolute bargain.

Yalumba The Signature 1995

90 points

Barossa Valley, South Australia. 13.5%

Complex, evocative nose – worth sniffing over and over. Quite delicate, yet also old Australian red.

The palate is a slight disappointment after that, marred by added acid and a lack of tannin. But still enjoyable, particularly because of its light ethereal quality seldom seen in Barossa reds!

Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon 2005

91 points

Barossa Valley, South Australia. 11.5%

Has that tight grape skin aroma like a Hunter Semillon, but the palate is richer than this suggests. A perfectly lovely wine all the better for its low alcohol.

More advanced than expected, which is a bonus. I still expect this to last many years for those who can resist drinking it earlier.

Puriri Hills 2005 Estate

91 points

Clevedon, Auckland, NZ. 13.5%

There is an old saying that there are no great wines just great bottles. A reference to how variable bottlings and corks could be once upon a time.

Puriri Hills Estate can be like that, but this was one of the great bottles. Rich ripe fruit with depth and freshness. Just a touch of brett. Great character.

Enjoy now.

Orlando Moorooroo Semillon 1975

I’ve posted on this remarkable wine previously, at least I think it was the same wine, I’ve listed them both as 1975s but the first tasting may have been a different vintage – if so that is even more remarkable showing that this wasn’t just about individual bottles or even individual vintages.

A Semillon with a touch of Trebbiano and Riesling.  A glorious soft honied wine, 37 years old.  I don’t expect anyone expected this wine to last anywhere near this long.

Makes me think that Barossa Semillon is vastly under-rated.