Appellation Australia

I went along with a group of friends to Glebe Point Diner a couple of weeks ago. I was very impressed by the restaurant and I may put up some images and impressions of the food in a separate post later on. The wines brought along by our group were almost all outstanding and it was a great night!

Taittinger Comte de Champagne 1982 –

Dark golden colour. Fine bead, quite lively. The nose got better with time in the glass, developing citrus rind, honey and roast chestnut aromas. The acidity on the palate is fresh and lends a crispness to the aged flavours. Around its peak as long as you like the aged style of Champagne. Drink over the next couple of years.

93/100

Krug Collection 1985 –

Astoundingly youthful on both the nose and palate as well as the light straw colour. Aromas of quince, citrus notes and floral characters. The palate has excellent flavour intensity and has lovely length. Probably needs another 7-10 years to reach its peak.

94/100

Zind Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl Pinot Gris 1995 –

Light golden coloured. White florals, quince, light spice and lychees on the nose. The palate is beautifully rich and unctuous, and it has the acidity to carry the flavours through into a long finish. Drinking very nicely now, but should be great over the next 3-4 years as well.

95/100

Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne 2000 –

At first this was a little bit closed, but with some vigorous swirling and time in the glass it opened up beautifully. Light popcorn and hazelnuts, gunflint and steel, with a edge of musk. The palate shows very good focus, restrained flavours with a tight core of acid driving the line. I’d wait another 4-6 years before opening another, and I think it will be at its best around the later part of that timeline.

92/100

Arnoux Romanee St Vivant 1993 –

A rich, perfumed nose with intense violets, forest floor, red cherry and raspberries. Lovely pure fruit on the palate with lots of depth and texture. Got better as it was allowed to breath. Very well balanced, genuinely pleasurable to drink now and with the potential to improve over the next 10 years.

94/100

Penfolds Grange 2004 –

Intense purple colour. Very opulent on the nose, black fruits, raspberry, liquorice, vanilla and coffee notes. The oak is noticeable on the palate currently, but it is balanced by the depth and intensity of fruit. Indisputable class showing right now, but will be superb given enough time to develop.

95/100

Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella 1998–

The very definition of full throttle wine. Extremely intense nose of liquorice, blackcurrant, ash and tobacco. Bold, luscious flavour that fills the mouth and finishes long and intense. 17.5% alcohol, but the alcohol didn’t stand out or seem out of balance for my taste. An experience.

94/100

Huet Moelleux 1ère Trie 1961 –

Lanolin, mandarin, wax, resin and some funky earthy characters on the nose. Superbly balanced palate, I expected it to be sweeter but it had quite good richness instead. Still youthful thanks to the acid and structure of the palate. Very good.

91/100

Quinta de la Rosa 1998

Sultanas and dark chocolate on the nose. Palate shows the alcohol a bit too much over the top of the medium body of the wine for my liking.

87/100