A PASSION FOR WINE

Random & Egg Chicken Creation

2009-05-05T15:15:00.001-07:00

The Red Herring Restaurant

2009-01-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

Food 3.75/5
Service 2/5
Decor 2.25/5
Bathroom 1/1
X-Factor 0/2
Value 1/2
Total 10/20

Chicken 'n' Stuff

2008-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

Steak & Broccolini

2008-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Rump steak seasoned with mixed pepper medley, sea salt and rosemary, served on a bed of broccolini, topped with field mushrooms sauteed with sparkling brut rose.

Premium 4-Course Menu

2008-09-17T03:56:00.001-07:00

The Applecross-Fremantle Lodge Dinner
Saturday October 25th

Garlic Bread

Entrées
Tasmanian Smoked Salmon, Green Leaves, Caper Mayonnaise
Prawn & Avocado Salad
Caesar Salad
Ravioli Filled with Spinach & Ricotta served with a traditional Napoletana Sauce
Fettuccine in a Bacon, Mushroom & Parmesan Cream Sauce
Penne in a Chicken and Saffron Cream Sauce

Mains

Chicken Breast stuffed with Pesto served on a saffron Risotto, with a
Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Fish of the day, served on Spinach with Potato Mash & a Lemon Butter Sauce
Seared Atlantic Salmon, Caramelized Lemon.
Grilled 300g Sirloin Steak, served with spinach Mash & Red Wine Jus
Roast Vegetable & 3 Cheese Filo Parcel
Garden Salad

Dessert

Parfait Ice Cream, Pistachio nuts, Berry Coulis
Profiterole au Chocolat
Tiramisu
Mango, Apple & Coconut Crumble

Coffee/ Tea

The Applecross-Fremantle Social Event

2008-09-17T03:56:00.000-07:00

(Please click on the image to enlarge).

Origins, Sheraton Hotel, Perth

2008-05-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

Food 4.25/5
Service 4/5
Decor 4.5/5
Bathroom 1/1
X-Factor 0/2
Value 1.25/2
Total 15/20

Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant

2008-03-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Coming...

March Dinner Party (Entree)

2008-03-26T20:39:00.001-07:00

My latest creation:

Seasoned organic chicken thigh on a fluffy bed of combination mash, garlic butter, olive oil, cherry tomatoes and parsley, topped with a light creamy mushroom and white wine sauce.

Penfolds 'RWT' Shiraz 2004

2008-01-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

Glaetzer 'Annaperenna' Shiraz Cabernet 2006

2007-12-03T21:05:00.001-08:00

Barossa Valley, 14.5%, $50, cork, 97 pts, Drink 2009-2019.

A big nose, blackberry and dark plum fruits, aniseed, smoke and clove spice.

Equally huge on the palate with deep brooding dark berry fruits, liquorice, tar, espresso and it finishes with an array of exotic lingering spices and finely grained tannins. The palate is dominated by French oak but there is some creamy vanillins coming through as well. Luscious and mouthfilling, excellent fruit concentration without heading into jammy territory, and with magnificent length. The wine can be drunk now with much pleasure, but in my opinion will really start singing with about 24 more months of bottle age and then for ten years from thereafter.

Tasting notes by Mike.

Pepper Steak

2007-12-03T01:45:00.000-08:00

Happs Semillon 2001

2007-12-02T07:30:00.001-08:00

Margaret River, 14.5%, $20, cork, 91 pts, Drink Now.

Peter Lehmann 'Eight Songs' Shiraz 2002

2007-11-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Barossa Valley, 14.5%, $40, cork, 93 pts, Drink 2007-2012.

"Deep plum and blackberries, dark chocolate, red earth, dusty pepper and cinnamon and seasoned French oak. A full bodied, very Barossan shiraz which is starting come of age and show real ripeness. Would easily last another 7 years, but I like it how it is now."

Tasting notes by Mike.

Lake Breeze 'Bernoota' Shiraz Cabernet 2003

2007-11-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

Langhorne Creek, 14.5%, $20, cork, 91 pts, Drink 2007-2010.

60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

"60% shiraz and 40% cabernet from Langhorne Creek. Full bodied, sumptuous and creamy this wine really fills the mouth. Loads of blackberry fruit, mocha, vanilla and some cabernet eucalypt spice to finish. Another wine that could be drunk over the next 3-5 years but for my tastes it is drinking now."

Tasting notes by Mike.

Jaws, WA.

2007-11-21T02:36:00.000-08:00

Hay St. Mall
BYO, Bookings not necessary.

Jaws certainly has some of the best sushi in town. As per the photo, the many plates of sushi circle the table on a conveyor belt. The serving size is usually a plate of 2 pieces of sushi that vary from $2.80-5.70 in price (which is quite expensive). Though as the food is prepared right in front of your eyes, you can be assured that everything is fresh. One of the best things about Jaws restaurants is their level of service. It's not the same calibre as that of a fine dining restaurant, but the Japanese place a lot of emphasis on serving their guests well, and being very well-mannered. As for their food, being sushi, it is paramount that the seaweed be of the top quality and freshness, and no other restaurant in Perth appears to have seaweed of the same quality as Jaws. They remain true to their authenticity in Japanese sushi making.

Chestnut Grove Verdelho 2005 ($23 from Vintage Cellars) - they are BYO, with no corkage fee.

Nose: slight smokiness, hints of oak.

Palate: Fresh, well balanced acidity on the mid-palate. Musk, guava, lime, and tropical fruits.

Finish: Acidity proves to be over-powering.

Rating: 91 pts.

Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Decor 2/5
Bathroom 0.25/1
X-Factor 0.5/2
Value 0.75/2
Total 11.5/20

Balthazar, WA.

2007-11-21T01:32:00.000-08:00

6, The Esplanade, Perth.
Ph: 9421 1279

It is a rarity finding a good restaurant in Perth these days, so it is comforting to know that there is now one other restaurant that I feel I could safely turn to should the occasion arise. The restaurant is on the small side, though it is dressed up quite smartly, with striking wallpapers in the dining area and bathrooms, and wine bottles everywhere the eye can see.

I'm not sure if the menu we were looking at was their usual menu, or their lunch menu, but it did seem rather limited. Perhaps 5 different entrees to choose from, and likewise with mains (meals seemed to average $20-30). This was definitely not the case when it came to the wine list, filled with page upon page of wines sourced from all over the world, though there seemed to be a particularly strong presence of French wines that were not very familiar to me.

The food arrived promptly, and presentation was A-grade. I ordered the Salmon, and my company the risotto. Both of us were very impressed. I was particularly impressed with my meal, as it was complete in every facet. The presentation was beautiful, the serving portion was perfect, the sauce was full of flavour, yet not overpowering, the skin of the salmon was perfect, as was the flesh (I have never seen such beautiful Salmon in my life, the colour and texture was fabulous). The skin had a very unique taste to it; I suspect they integrated some seaweed into it. The asparagus, everything - was cooked to perfection.

Service was not as good as what I had heard, though being lunch time, I suppose it is expected that service be a little more casual. There was nothing really to fault in that department, though one waiter seemed to be a little arrogant.

We finished off with tea and coffee. I thought the coffee was pretty good. Both came with a pot of white and brown sugar cubes, and extra milk on the side. The flat white was silky and creamy.

Billcart-Salmon 'Brut Reserve' NV ($81 for a half bottle).
Didn't take any notes for this one, though it was a real delight! Probably the best NV I have tried, in fact, I think I preferred this over the '98 Dom, and '97 La Grande Annee. The beads were very fine and consistent. Nose of pear, almond, and gentle yeast. The palate is full-bodied, dry, and savoury. Lovely! (Rating: 94 pts).

Food 4.75/5
Service 4.5/5
Decor 4.5/5
Bathroom 0.75/1 (small)
X-Factor 1.5/2
Value 1.5/2
Total 17.5/20

Tandoori Chicken with Mash and Tomato

2007-11-14T02:43:00.001-08:00

Oregano Chicken

2007-11-14T02:39:00.000-08:00

Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2007-10-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

Barossa, 14.5%, $28, screw-cap, 92 pts, Drink Now-2014.

The nose is wonderfully light and refreshing, revealing subtle herbaceousness, as well as hints of menthol, eucalyptus, and dark cherries.

The medium-bodied palate is packed with tannins and spice. I’m not sure if it’s Elderton, or me being sick, but the wine is quite unusual, though very pleasing. Considering it is still in its youth, the wine is showing remarkable finesse with its velvet smooth finish.

Despite the criticisms I have heard of Elderton, and this being my first Elderton experience, I think they have done a pretty good job in this instance. It is an A-grade Barossa Cab Sauv, with many years ahead of it, though it is drinking beautifully now.

7 Spices Restaurant, WA.

2007-10-12T11:00:00.001-07:00

Went here tonight as part of a function, which we each paid $30 for.

I'm unsure if this is the ordinary price for the buffet; I believe it is. The buffet was very ordinary... I only had 1 helping. Their chicken dishes were not fillet, and had very little meat. The red meat dishes were likewise very ordinary, and were very spicy (but the kind of spice and flavour you would expect from a can of curry). VERY ordinary.

I have never taken much of a liking to Indian food, I was told this place was very good, but it was quite a disappointment! As are many eateries in Perth!

Several months ago I was introduced to Nine Mary's in the Perth CBD; and that somewhat changed my impression of Indian food (perhaps it is tailored to suit the Western palate more so, though a lot of Indian's eat there). Their butter chicken is lovely! The butter chicken at 7 Spices on the other hand was nothing special at all! But then again, was anything?!?!

The service was also quite annoying... very blur staff, with very blank faces, and when questioned; expect uncertain answers. Extremely uneducated when it comes to their restaurant (what time the buffet closes, "can I start a drink tab?", etc., are surely not too difficult questions to answer);

Food 2.25/5
Service 2/5 (well-meaning, but poorly trained)
Decor 2.5/5
Bathroom 0.25/1
X-Factor 0/2
Total 7/20

Peel Estate Shiraz 2000

2007-10-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Mandurah, 14%, cork, $38, 91 pts, Drink Now-2010+.

Quite a complex nose, with aromas of dark red berries, leather, spicy clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Similar on the palate, medium to full fruit density complemented by lots of dusty cigar box, tobacco and cinnamon oak. There is a lot going on with this wine, but somehow this bottle wasn’t quite as good as other Peels I’ve had.

Tasting notes by Mike.

Salmon and Rice

2007-10-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

Another very simple creation! Here's how:

Heat pan with olive oil on medium-high temperature;
Heat oven to 180 degrees;
Sear fillet in pan for 2 minutes each side. Why? To trap the moisture inside;
Season with sea salt and cracked pepper;
Chuck into oven on a tray with alfoil for 4 minutes to continue cooking. Why? To further cook the centre without over-cooking the surface. Don't worry, the centre will still be a little raw;
Grab a small bowl, fill it 3/4 and pat it down well so to make it compact, turn bowl upside down onto plate;
Any natural oils that have come out of the fish, pour it over the fillet;
Add extra salt/pepper to liking, dress with olive oil, pour Kikkoman sauce generously over fillet;
Garnish, EAT!

Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2003

2007-10-11T23:41:00.000-07:00

Margaret River, 14%, $45, screw-cap, 95 pts, Drink 2007-2017+.

Strong blackcurrant and cassis fruit up front, with tobacco, cedar and olive notes filling out the mid palate nicely before finely grained tannins kick in for a long and dry finish. All componenets superbly integrated and in fine balance, a wine that drinks beautifully now but will improve for another decade or more. (The kind of wine I like!)

Tasting notes by Mike.

Phil's Comments: This is my first Voyager red experience, and it was definitely a good one! I could not agree more with Mike; all components are beautifully integreted to perfection, a wonderful wine to enjoy now, and an excellent option to put away in the cellar for many years.

Peter Lehmann Mudflat Shiraz Muscadelle 2002

2007-10-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

Barossa, 15%, cork, $25, 92 pts, Drink 2007-2012.

Rich black fruit, dark plum and spicy raisin. A delicious wine with a rounded mouthfeel and rich texture, finishing slightly sour sweet. 15% ABV not noticeable at all, a testament to the fruit density present in this wine.

Tasting notes by Mike.

De Bortoli 'Estate Grown' Shiraz Viognier 2005

2007-10-08T07:34:00.001-07:00

Yarra Valley, 14.0%, screw cap, $35, 92 pts, Drink 2008-2012.

Aromas of dark plum, sweet red berries and black pepper.

On the palate it shows up a bit darker, with blackberry, liquorice, roast meats and quite peppery but fine finish.

This wine is excellently structured, with oak, tannins, and acidity in balance.

Tasting notes by Mike.

Riparossa 'Montepulciano d'Abruzzo' 2005

2007-10-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

No notes for this wine.

~85 pts.

The Brass Grill, Northbridge, WA

2007-09-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Brass Grill is situated on the top floor of the The Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge. The above dish is their 'Bay & Beef' which comprises of "250g of Sirloin Tender Ridge Sirloin, seafood brochette loaded with prawns & scallops, and hand-cut Western Potato Monkey's Chunkies" - $34.90.

This was my second visit, and I'm not too sure how to feel about the place - negatively, I think! On my first visit the food was quite good, but the service was atrocious - not much has changed.

Our food took 1.5 hours to arrive (quite some time after we were assured that the food was well on its way). After squeezing a few balls we ended up getting a few complementary rounds of beer, which managed to calm us down for a little while, but this could only relieve us for so long. When offered another round, we asked what else they had, they gave us 2 shots of Hennessy XO.. which lifted our moods a little, and made us dislike them a little less.

When our food finally arrived.... my dish turned out to be quite satisfactory; nice large scallops, soggy wedges (which I seemed to enjoy), and steak that was ordinary but with sauce that did it justice. My company, however, did not enjoy their '450g Tender Ridge Aged Beef Rib' ($36.90) much at all, I am told it lacked flavour. On a whole, the place was very disappointing, and on both occasions it has been nearly impossible to look past their awfully poor level of service.

Food 3/5
Service 0.5/5
Decor 2.5/5
Bathroom 0.5/2
X-Factor 0/3
Total: 6.5/20

Beef Fillet, Mash, Mushroom Sauce

2007-09-27T09:28:00.001-07:00

Here is what I made for dinner tonight. I have never really tried to cook anything fancy prior to this week, so am quite proud of my creations! This is just some juicy beef fillet on a bed of fluffy mash, creamy mushroom and white wine sauce, cracked pepper, and basil garnish. Simple, but delicious.

Wednesday 26th Sept Dinner Party

2007-09-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

Last night I hosted a small dinner party at home to celebrate a friend's birthday. Click on the above photo to have a closer look at the menu.

We made a few last minute additions to the night: Courvoisier VSOP, Grant Burge 20-yr old Tawny Port, and a Penfolds Grange 1980. Unfortunately we were having too much fun to concern ourselves with being too analytical about the wine, so unfortunately there are no notes for last night's wines. However, I'll provide some brief comments based on what I can remember:

Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006 ($25) - third time I have tried this wine, and on all three occasions I did not think highly of it. It's not bad at all, but it definitely doesn't have "oomph". If you like citrus whites, then this is probably the white for you. (88 pts).

Grant Burge 'Meshach' Shiraz 1995 ($150) - This label is my favourite wine of all time. I have tried several vintages of the Meshach: 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, and I think it was 2000 and/or 2002. Consensus has it that the '98 is the superior vintage (though two occasions of having this wine I did not enjoy it immensely for some strange reason, though my company certainly did). My favourite is the '96, then '90, then the '95. An excellent wine, and definitely better than the Grange 1980!!! (95 pts).

Cape Mentelle 'Trinders' Cabernet Merlot 2004 ($30) - This wine had at least 2 hrs to decant, it finally opened up and softened up a little, but it proved not to be overly exciting. Upon opening the wine, it displayed a considerable amount of green/leafy characteristics, which settled a bit once the fruit had come out of the woodwork as a result of breathing the wine.

Jardim Do Bomfim Shiraz 2005 ($10/RR$30) - One of Mike's popular cheapies. I think he got it from Get Wines Direct? $10, otherwise $30 retail. It is definitely good value for money at 10 dollars, most definitely capable of giving the 'Trinders' a good run for its money. A very sound wine with good structure. The next day it was holding up better than the Grange. Yes, I'll be getting to the Grange shortly; you can probably predict that I don't have very nice things to say about it!! (92 pts for the Jardim).

Grant Burge 20-yr Old Tawny Port ($30) - can't remember too much at this point, but it was quite nice. Mike will post more detailed notes for it later. (93 pts).

Courvoisier VSOP ($65) - as always, bloody fantastic! I have had some of the World's best Cognac's, this VSOP may not be as "refined" as some of the World's best (eg. Remy Martin Louis XIII), but I have had both right next to each other, and I must say I enjoyed the Courvoisier more. If I had a billion dollars, yeah, I would probably drink Louis XIII every day, but for the difference in price, I would rather drink Courvoisier VSOP any day! I find that a lot of the very expensive alcoholic beverages tend to be so "refined" that you lose the essence of what that drink is all about. Cognac is supposed to be intense! (93-94 pts).

Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1980 ($290/RR$450) - So much for waiting for Wine Clinic to visit mid next year! Drunkenness got the best of me. We opened it, and the corkscrew went in, and came all the way back out again leaving the cork in the bottle. Michael immediately operated on the cork. The wine immediately had an unappealing bouquet (I must also mention that this wine showed no signs of being tainted). This wine was a big disappointment, and I take back everything I said about Grange being legend, and an experience. But I am at least content in knowing what all the fuss is about now, and finally suppressing my desire for such wines, when I know other wonderful wines are available at much more affordable prices. The wine was extremely rich, reminded me immensely of the Chateau Reynella Vintage Port 1982 - it just tasted of vintage port!! Yes, it was holding up very well for a 27-yr old wine, but who gives a crap when it does not bring you pleasure!! The wine displayed notes of mocha, liquorice and vintage port. It was a difficult wine to drink, and I did not enjoy it much at all. It's now no surprise that Jeremy Oliver gave this vintage only 90 pts, and others even less. It is very surprising that Penfolds regards it as an outstanding vintage. Grange is definitely an example of opulence, but you have to enjoy that to begin with. (89 pts).

Spot the Riedel

2007-09-24T07:43:00.001-07:00

Can you spot the Riedel? That on the left is the Riedel ($50), and that on the right is a Wheel & Barrow ($12.50). In the shop it struck me as bearing a striking resemblance to the Riedel Bordeaux glass I have at home, but what surprised me even more was when I took them home and stood them next to each other - the dimensions are almost identical. The glass makes the same noise, the lip is just as thin, the only difference is a slightly thicker stem, which is probably a good thing anyway. Well these new glasses shall be put into action on Wednesday, and I shall post my opinions about them.

Wednesday Sept 19

2007-09-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Moondah Brook Verdelho 2006 - $17
Excellent, 91 pts.

Saltram 'Mamre Brook' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - $26
Excellent, 93 pts.

Whislter 'The Black Piper' G.S.M. 2005 - $20 ish
Average, 85 pts.

Rocland Estate 'Lot 147' Shiraz 2005 - $25 ish
Average, 87 pts.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut NV

2007-09-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

Champagne, cork, $80, 92 pts, Drink now.

Comments yet to come...

Wednesday Sept 5

2007-09-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Marius 'Simpatico' Shiraz 2004

&

Torzi Matthews 'Frost Dodger' Shiraz 2004

How to Fix a Riedel

2007-09-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here is an update on the recently broken Riedel. Mike has gone to great lengths to revive the glass, of which are two methods in particular: that which you see on the left is the 'Cup Method', where you can lift the glass off the cup when drinking, or alternatively use it in conjunction with the handle - creating a Riedel Bordeaux mug. That on the right is the 'Rubber Method': what is left of the stem is pinned into a rubber. One may likewise choose to remove the glass from the rubber when drinking, and pin it back into the rubber when idle, or let the rubber serve as a semi-permanent base. Anybody have any fun ideas for the glass? (Other than it being a candle snuffer? Preferably something that will see its continued use as a drinking apparatus.

Article: ‘Does a 50-buck wine glass buy you better-tasting wine?’

Will The Patience Reward?

2007-09-13T05:22:00.000-07:00

South Australia, 12.5%, cork, RRP$450.

Rewards of Patience:
"Deep crimson brick red. Intense plum / blackberry / menthol / mocha / liquorice aromas. The tannins are pronounced but offset by stylish, rich, concentrated dark cherry/chocolaty fruit. A powerful and generously proportioned wine".

The purchase has already been made, and now the waiting game begins. I have been itching over the Grange legend for quite some time now, constantly reminding myself that it is only a label, and little else. But my urges have gotten the best of me, and I finally decided to take the plunge, and see what all the fuss is about. One must question the integrity of a bottle that is 27-years old, and as such, I am feeling a great deal of anxiety. The bottle has a very high shoulder, which is supposedly very good (and normal) for a bottle that is over 20-years of age. There is also no damage to the label.

Got in touch with Penfolds today to see when the next wine clinic will be in Perth, am advised that it will be mid-next year, and I should wait till then to both taste, and have my bottle inspected. They advise that other than the physical signs (ullage, and cork position), there is no real way to tell of the wine is in good shape without pulling the cork and tasting. I watched a video clip about the wine clinic's on the Penfolds site last night, and was rather impressed to say the least. Hopefully all shall be rewarded!

One thing that has baffled me, however, is the reviews that it has received. Penfolds Rewards of Patience notes it as being an 'outstanding vintage', yet, Jeremy Oliver gave it only 90 points, whilst various others (amateurs), have given it even less! I read on an unofficial site that Robert Parker gave it 95 points, which leads me to think that perhaps it is bigger, more "rich, and concentrated" than Oliver prefers. Though I must say, I am probably more partial towards Oliver's tastes, not thinking highly of overly-concentrated, jammy wines. If anybody has any comments to make on the 1980 Grange - it would be much appreciated.

In the same purchase, I also picked up a bottle of Grant Burge Meshach 1995 (JO 96pts). The Meshach is without a doubt, my favourite wine to date. It also seems to consistently receive higher ratings than Grange, and it would not surprise me if it delivers more than the Grange. Though, Grange is more than a bottle of wine, it's legend, and it's the experience that comes with it. All shall be revealed soon...

Jardim Do Bomfim Merlot 2004

2007-09-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Adelaide Hills, 13.8%, screw cap, $9.95 (GWD), 91 pts, Drink Now-2010.

Quite a deep purple colour. Concentrated black plum and morello cherries on the nose, quite piercing which suggests this merlot isn't your typical barstardised corporate 50% H20 Merlot.

Strikes the palate with aforementioned fruit flavours and a lick of spice. Medium bodied with soft tannins and some fresh acidity. The fruit bounces around in your mouth, interchanging with a subtle spicyness and just a slight nuance of French oak. Balanced. Lovely stuff.

Though not exceptionally big, I would say this merlot has some guts to it and all the better for it. Wish the other big guns would listen to what real wine lovers want.

No words need to be the said about the value of this wine.

Tasting notes by Mike.

Penfold's BIN 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2004

2007-09-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

South Australia, 14.5%, screw cap, $30, 91-92 pts, Drink 2009/(2008-2012+).

Aromas of blackberries,dark cherry, plums and vanilla oak.

Quite similar on the palate, showing up thick with blackberries and dark chocolate, a touch of liquorice spice and finishing with a fair grip of tannin and a whiff of vanilla oak. Quite "blocky" at the moment and patience will reward the palate on this Kalimna.

Note: Didn't give this one the appropriate time to breathe when reviewing, may post a later review.

Tasting notes by Mike.

Hardy's 'Eileen Hardy' Shiraz 1998

2007-09-10T08:54:00.001-07:00

South Australia, 14%, cork, $100, N/R.

I was expecting big things from this wine but unfortunately the promise did not deliver.

While decanting I noticed it was very viscous and had huge blackberry aromas, but also a strange fungus/oyster whiff coming across (possibly a fault? Or too much toasted American oak perhaps?)

It smacked the palate with flavours of blackberries, tarry liquorice and clove/nutmeg spice which was stopped short with a huge hard wall of bitumen and slightly bitter oak. This bottle was sourced from Sterling auctions and may not be representative of the wine, especially considering the rave reviews it recieved.

I wish I had better things to say about this wine but unfortunately this is all I could come up with.. would appreciate the comments of others who have tasted it, and whether or not they think this bottle was not quite right.

- Tasting notes by Mike.

Leeuwin Estate 'Art Series' Chardonnay 2004

2007-09-08T11:33:00.001-07:00

Margaret River, 14.5%, screw cap, $95, 93-94 pts, Drink 2013-2016.

On this occasion I was not in the mood for reviewing. But I found the wine maker's tasting notes to be very accurate:

"The colour is bright straw with lime green hues. The fresh nose is classical Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, with intensely lifted aromas of ripe yellow pear skins and ripe peach accompanied by hints of fig and cashews from barrel maturation on yeast lees with integrated French oak. These flavours combine into a finely balanced bouquet; the result of very low yielding vines matched with subtle winemaking to preserve the richness of the fruit. The palate displays the mouth filling and intense flavours of fresh ripe pears which is full and rich intermingling with delicious stone fruit flavours. The middle palate shows richness from both the fruit and the lees stirring. The length, always a feature of Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, is long and full flavoured with a lingering fresh citrus finish. The new French oak complements the fruit providing a wonderful balance of warm toasty flavours on the finish".

I personally did not think too much of this wine, which has a reputation for being one of the best, if not The Best, Chardonnay in Australia, if not the World. I have found myself to enjoy Chardonnay in the past, and thought that this would be something interesting to try. It really disappointed. I gave the rating I did on the basis that I appreciated the quality of the wine, though I did not take a liking to this style. I am confident that with age, this wine is sure to mature into something much more rich, elegant, and complex. The wine is already showing a lot of complexity, but it is very subtle. It’s not a party in your mouth at this stage.

Riedel Madness

2007-09-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Riedel stemware, without a doubt, are the finest instruments for fine wine appreciation. They are also, at times, a real pain in the ass. They are incredibly fragile, and whenever an occasion warrants opening a set of Riedel's, it comes with a great deal of anxiety. First, you can't help but be concerned when your friend's have had a few drinks, and you start to hear your delicate, precious Riedel stemware being clashed into other objects. "Oooops!" - indeed. Then, the greatest of all tests is cleaning them, and trying not to break one.

Moet & Chandon Millesime Blanc 1996

2007-09-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Champagne, 12.5%, cork, $125, 94 pts, Drink now-2013.

Lifted, fresh aromas of pear, citrus fruits, and toasted nuts.

Pale pear in colour, looking remarkably youthful for its age. Fine, erratic beads that gently soften out in the glass, slowing down in its efforts to rise to the surface.

The palate is full of consistent fizz, with plenty of richness and fine beads, giving an almost hypnotic/tranquil performance. The finish is extremely long and pleasant, showing hints of vanilla and mouse, in a marriage of youthful, fresh, and vibrant fruit, ending with perfectly balanced acidity that just lingers forever.

Drunk with two close friends, one of which had never had Champagne before, the other who had tried on several occasions, but never the highly acclaimed 1996 vintage. Nobody was disappointed.

Longhop Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2006

2007-09-06T03:05:00.001-07:00

Terra Felix Shiraz Viognier 2005

2007-09-06T02:58:00.001-07:00

Victoria, cork, $15, 89 pts, Drink 2007-2009

red currant, plum and apricot on the nose. The viogner apricot aromas were very evident initially but has since died down after a few hours in the glass/decanter. The bouquet follows on right through to the palate along with sturdy tannins and finishes with fresh acidity. Would make a excellent partner to a rich creamy pasta dish, with that fresh acidity cutting right through.

Watershed Shiraz 2002

2007-09-06T02:36:00.000-07:00

Margaret River, 14.0%, cork, $24, 91 pts, Drink now-2009.

Blackcurrant, dark plum and pepper on the nose, with a slightly heady spirit aspect. The palate reveals ripe black plums, red liquorice and very subtle tannins on the finish. Drinking at its peak now I would say, and drinking very well indeed.

Yalumba 'The Signature' Cabernet Shiraz 2003

2007-09-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

Barossa Valley, 14.0%, cork, 92 pts, Drink 2009-2014.

Quite reserved on the nose, but nuances of cassis, liquorice and menthol coming through. On the palate it fills out with generous fruit, with a strong blackberry and red currant presence, finishing with round but assertive tannins. Big and ripe, but with some years ahead of it to give way for more refined tertiary characteristics.

Peter Lehmann "The Barossa" Shiraz 1998

2007-09-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Penfolds BIN 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1991

2007-09-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Metala White Label Shiraz Cabernet 2002

2007-09-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Leasingham BIN 61 Shiraz 2003

2007-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Moondah Brook Verdelho 2007

2007-09-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

Saltram 'Mamre Brook' Shiraz 2004

2007-08-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Brookland Valley Cab Sauv Merlot Cab Franc 2001

2007-08-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

Torzi Matthews 'Schist Rock' Shiraz 2006

2007-08-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

De Bortoli 'Gulf Station' Pinot Noir 2006

2007-08-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Colombard Chardonnay KE02 2005

2007-08-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

Relaxin'

2007-08-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

J.Vidal-Fleury Cotes-du-Rhone 2004

2007-08-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

Belgravia Reserve Shiraz 2004

2007-08-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Henry Fessy Beaujolais-Villages 2005

2007-08-21T02:03:00.000-07:00

Dubonnet Black

2007-07-29T01:19:00.000-07:00

Dubonnet, the famous French aperative comprising of a mixture of both Grenache and Muscat grapes. This drop weighs in at 14.5% alcohol.

The colour is dark brown at first glance, light mahogany when put to light, rose. The nose is a bouquet of brandy, port barrel, with hints of apricot and damp French oak.The palate is a light-bodied, medicinal mouthful, with flavours that are most unusual and hard to pinpoint. The mid-palate is very complex, yet subtle, offering sweetness at first, followed by vanilla and spice. The finish is medicinal again, followed by apricot, then oak. It is intense and long, revealing hints of white pepper, and offering a forever lingering mouthful that is warm going down.

Price: $20-30
Source: Cellarbrations
Rating: 85 pts

Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2003

2007-07-29T01:02:00.001-07:00

Kilikanoon "Covenant" Shiraz 2004

2007-07-29T01:01:00.001-07:00

Capel Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

2007-07-29T01:00:00.001-07:00

Seppelt Para Liqueur 1986 Tawny

2007-07-29T00:59:00.001-07:00

Leasingham BIN 61 Shiraz 1995

2007-07-29T00:58:00.001-07:00

Penfolds BIN 128 1985

2007-07-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

Crittenden & Co. Cabernet Merlot 2004

2007-07-12T04:13:00.001-07:00

Hardys Oomoo Shiraz 2005

2007-07-12T04:12:00.001-07:00

Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2001

2007-07-12T00:00:00.001-07:00

Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

2007-07-11T23:59:00.001-07:00

West Cape Howe Cabernet Merlot 2005

2007-07-11T23:58:00.003-07:00

Rouge Homme Cabernet Merlot 1998

2007-07-11T23:58:00.001-07:00

Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz 1997

2007-07-11T23:57:00.001-07:00

Rocca della Macie Chianti Classico 1996

2007-07-11T23:53:00.001-07:00

Jinnunger Chardonnay 2003

2007-07-11T23:50:00.001-07:00

Penfolds 'Rawson's Retreat' Shiraz Cab Sauv 2000

2007-07-05T22:57:00.001-07:00

Grapes for this wine were sourced from Magill, whereas nowadays they are drawn from various South Australian wine regions, particularly Padthaway, Langhorne, Riverland and McLaren Vale. I wonder if this is why the vintage bottles taste so much better, perhaps it is really Magill Estate disguised as Rawson’s Retreat?!

Exercising precaution, I used a decanter solely for removing sediment, and not for oxidisation. Two glasses were poured, and the rest foil-wrapped and refrigerated.

The colour is deep ruby, with mahogany on the edges. This is an all so gentle wine, with subtle perfume, expressing raspberry, mulberry, and oak. The style is light-bodied, with lots of red fruit; raspberry again, and hints of strawberry on the mid-palate. Very tight tannin structure, and only becomes more so as the clock ticks on. Definitely needs to be drunk with food.

The finish is as long as it is elegant, offering a touch of spice, and then softening it with a touch of vanilla. Impeccable balance throughout.

I have always enjoyed drinking these cheap, vintage Penfolds delights - particularly the Koonunga Hill label. I think Penfolds must have been more humble back then.

RR Price: $10
Source: Family Cellar
Rating: 91 pts

Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996 - Re-visited

2007-07-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Excellent wine. Perfumed aromas of clove, musk . .

To be continued...

Primo Estate 'La Biondina' Sauv Blanc 2006

2007-07-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Grapes are sourced from Adelaide Hills.

The colour is light-pear.

The palate is full of tropical fruits; passionfruit being the most distinct characteristic, followed by grapeberries.

The finish is long, acidic, and the fruit is rather overpowering.

RR Price: $17
Source: Family cellar
Rating: 82 pts

North @ Sky City, North Terrace, SA.

2007-07-05T04:30:00.000-07:00

We made a booking for lunch at what was supposed to be Adelaide's premier wine bar - Universal Wine Bar. We were surprised to find that there was literally nobody there, and judging by what the waitperson said; they didn't exactly expect that to change either. It really was a hole. The menu was unappealing, slightly over-priced, the wine list was likewise over-priced, and relatively limited (especially for a premier wine bar!) Most of all, my pet hate.. GOBLETS! As you can guess - we made a quick getaway!

Later that evening... I popped over to the casino to see what it had to offer. One of its restaurants is called 'North'. Here I was met with over 200 wines, a wine-rack that holds a total of 1,160 wines when full, 5 beers on tap, and many more by the bottle. The wine selection is quite good; typical well-knowns, though nothing really out of the ordinary. On the bright side, however, the stemware they use is Reidel's, and the wall of wines is temperature controlled and set to 15 degrees C.

The restaurant is part of a refurbished heritage building. It has gorgeous high-ceilings, gold metal chandeliers, wooden dining tables and chairs, and red candles on tables. The bench top of the bar is made of marble, and leather armrest chairs are only a few steps away from the bar. The lighting is quite nice (tick), but the music was a little ordinary if you like (cross).

The bathroom is lovely, and of decent size. It has nice hand basins, good lighting, beautiful wooden doors, and self-flushing urinals. Very responsible restaurant too: “Please wash your hands” sticker stuck onto the mirror! Just outside the bathrooms, where the inner-entrance is, I was met with a very grumpy and rude matride. It doesn't make for a very good first-impression when you walk in, nor does the impression improve when it's time to leave.

Food 4 /5
Service 3 /5
Décor 4.25 /5
Bathroom 2 /2
X-Factor 1.75 /3
Total: 15 /20

There is another bar located towards the main entrance of Sky City - it's called the 'Loco Bar'. A little boring, though would probably be better when a bit busier. The décor is not too bad; very modern/funky. The good thing about it was that the staff here seem to be friendlier and more laid-back. There is also a variety of happy hour specials that run Wednesday through to Sunday.

For more info:
http://www.skycityadelaide.com.au/skycity/adelaide/bars-&-restaurants/loco/loco_home.cfm

Jim Barry 'The Cover Drive' Cab Sauv 2005

2007-07-05T03:37:00.000-07:00

I can't recall having tried a Jim Barry yet, but it certainly did make a very good impression, and gave me an idea of what one may expect from "The Armagh" (Jim Barry's flagship wine, which is a Shiraz - RRP~$200). Grapes for "The Cover Drive" are sourced from both Clare Valley, and the Coonawarra region.

The colour is deep-brick purple, violet on the rim. Right from the start, the wine begins to express lovely strong aromas of dark fruits and jam, and hints of cherry and eucalyptus.

The palate is full of luscious and young dark fruit; blackberry, plum,mulberry, and fresh cherry - offering an intense mouthful of jam, spice, and a hint of mocha and eucalyptus. It is remarkably well-poised for such a young wine; offering a combination of fruit/jam/spice with such elegant style.

The finish is well-balanced, long, and smooth. The primary notes follow through all the way to the end.

This truly is an exceptional wine, and exceptionally good value for money. The style is probably more true of Clare, though you can definitely spot the Coonawarra. This would have to be my best value red under $50!

It is excellent drinking now, though I'm sure 5-7 years down the track is possible. You could expect to bite to soften up, though I actually quite like this.

RR Price: $25
Source: Restarant, SA.
Rating: 93 pts

Allinda 'Cabernets' Cab Sauv Merlot Cab Franc 2001

2007-07-03T04:11:00.001-07:00

This wine is made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc. I think the may be one of the first ones I have had from he Yarra Valley.

The colour is deep-brick purple in the middle, and lighter so on the edges.

This wine displays incredible finesse and elegance. The perfumed nose smells of deep, dark fruits; blackberries, and cherries, and is extremely approachable as the perfume is light. On the second, it starts to reveal some chocolate. The nose is just remarkable, and the cherries are as lovely as they are refreshing (being quite a rare characteristic. Given the composure of the bouquet, it may be fair to say that this wine is peak drinking now.

On the palate, the primary characteristics are dark fruits, cherry being most notable, then there is chocolate, followed by cigar-box. The style is light-bodied, though still very intense (more like what you would expect from a vintage Shiraz). The finish is long and smooth; opening up signs of forest floor and further cigar-box. It is unbelievably well-balanced. This wine would definitely be up there with the super-premium Australian wines, however, though the palate and nose was on par with the big guns; it did lack that edge, the tightly-knit structure. Nonetheless, it is a small compromise to make in order to save you a lot of money!!

RR Price: Unknown: $20-30?
Source: Family cellar
Rating: 96 pts

The Grill, Royal Hotel. (South Australia)

2007-07-03T00:42:00.000-07:00

2 North Terrace, Kent Town, South Australia.
Reservations: (08) 8363 4888.

This is the first restaurant I have visited on this trip to South Australia. I had a hard time finding the place to say the least, though this is more likely than not due to a lack of good navigational skills! Nonetheless, the experience made the journey well worthwhile. Upon arrival I was swiftly and kindly greeted by the name that my reservation was made, and without further ado was led to my table.

Décor – modern/colonial. The Grill restaurant itself is on the second floor of the building, giving it a view of passing cars and the National Wine Museum. Not the most attractive view, but still a view! The bathroom is very impressive – modern, extremely clean, and lights turn on as you enter.

Drinks – The drinks list was not terribly extensive, especially in the way of beers (which was a little surprising considering that it appears to be a pub/grill). However, the basic wine list is satisfactory, and offers a reasonable choice of familiar wines, by the glass, and at a reasonable price. Better yet, ask for the reserve wine list and you will find even more attractive and familiar wines: BIN 389, Ebenezer, Menzies, and so on.

The ‘Grilled Atlantic Salmon’ was delicious! It is served with baked potatoes on the bottom, and asparagus on the top. The salmon was lovely and incredibly soft, on the other hand, the skin was perhaps slightly overcooked; which made the skin difficult to cut/breakaway, as a consequence, allowing the meat to fall apart. The asparagus was long, soft, and tasty, and the potato had a nice subtle flavour that was also nice. Whilst eating the fish, I was swapping between my beer and red (I know, not the most appropriate, but none of the whites were familiar nor appealing to me). This observation was picked up by the waitperson, and I was asked if I would like a white. I explained what I was after, one was recommended, and rightly so.

(Wine Name), - palate was fruity, whilst not overpowering, followed by well-balanced acidity. (92 points). The ‘Grilled Beef’ was the highlight of the course – absolutely delicious. The tenderloin of beef was cooked perfectly, and the gravy-based sauce was full of rich flavours. It was served with large mushrooms and spinach that was neither chewy nor soggy, and the mushrooms were an absolute delight. The gourmet butter melted away nicely throughout the duration of the meal and further added to the flavour of the sauce. The exterior of the beef had a nice grilled/charcoal texture, whilst leaving the centre incredibly tender and juicy. The sauce was too delicious to waste, and a fresh bread roll was duly given.

My wine to accompany the beef was a Tapestry Shiraz 2005, which comes from the SA region of McLaren Vale. The wine has been aged in oak for 18 months, and is surprisingly elegant for such a young Shiraz; particularly coming from McLaren Vale (which in my opinion tends to produce bold wines). The palate was smooth like velvet, with intense and well-balanced fruit that follows through to the finish, which is pleasant, and leaves you wanting more. Perfectly fine drinking now, though would make for even better drinking with 4-7 years cellaring. (96 points). The wine was served in a decanter, properly poured, and regularly topped up. The stemware is not 5-star grade, though they are perfectly functional glasses, and are of a nice, and relatively large size.

Post-meal – They had 3 types of Cognac (much to my pleasant surprise, being a Grill). I ordered a double shot of Hennessy XO with ice served separately. The waitperson possessed a sound knowledge of spirits and Cognac. The serving size was generous, the cubes were of good size, with smooth edges. A small glass of ice was also presented with a teaspoon to scoop cubes at my discretion. Price-wise I was impressed ($5-10 cheaper per shot than elsewhere, compared to Perth at least).

My Cognac was then followed by a coffee that was made just as I had requested; a strong flat white. Usually this can be a recipe for disaster, and you can expect a revoltingly strong coffee. This on the other hand was perfect. A separate sugar bowl was also presented on the side.

Mains average $20-25.

Food 5 /5
Service 5 /5
Décor 4.25 /5
Bathroom 2 /2
X-Factor 0.5 /3
Total: 16.75 /20

Tapestry Shiraz 2005

2007-07-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

This wine is absolutely delightful.

Dealing With Sediment

2007-07-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2002

2007-07-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

This wine is a bit of a diverse fella, having had its grapes sourced from Barossa, Clare, and McLaren Vale. Fermentation was in both American and French oak barrels for 18 months. The colour is of deep brick purple, and the nose is as spicy as it is complex, displaying aromas of pepper, brandy, and vintage port. It is a bold, full-bodied Shiraz (as is typical of Wolf Blass). There is hints of chocolate and jam on the mid-palate and this also comes through on the second nose, making itself more, and more well-known. The finish is very long, and pepper is the most notable characteristic.

This wine is recommended to be drunk between 6-10 years, but given its almost unapproachable youth, I would probably opt for 10-12 yrs and hope it mellows out. The wine was decantered for about 1 hour, though 1-2 hours may do it more justice.

RR Price: $40-45
Source: Personal cellar
Rating: 88+ pts

Chateau Reynella Vintage Port 1982

2007-06-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV

2007-05-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

Oyster Bar, South Perth. (Western Australia)

2007-05-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Food 4.25/5
Service 3.75/5
Decor 3.5/5
Bathroom 1.25/2
X-Factor 0/3
Total: 12.5/20

Running A Tab

2007-05-14T02:36:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON

Must Wine Bar. (Western Australia)

2007-05-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

I have decided to include reviews of spirits, and worthwhile restaurants to this blog.

Let’s start it off with the Must Wine Bar, Perth. I have had the pleasure of visitng this place on several occasions now, and I cannot stress enough how fabulous I think it is. It is great for almost any occasion... whether it be for business, a date, dinner with friends, family, or even a birthday or wedding! The venue is capable of catering to any of these events. I can tend to be a very fussy person when I am eating out, with the price of a restaurant meal these days; it's simply unacceptable to receive anything less than you would be able to do yourself at home. When you add poor service to a poor meal; it simply does not go down very well with me. However, on all occasions I have been to the Must bar... it has been a most pleasurable experience each time. Every aspect of the restaurant is spot on! They have a very extensive wine list that includes over 500 wines that come from all around the world, they have skilled barpersons that make excellent cocktails and the like, as well as a reasonable variety of spirits, champagne (includes a reasonable selection of bubbly by the glass), as well as fortifieds. One of the other great things about this restaurant is that the staff actually have knowledge of the food and wine, and typically possess a passion for it. I have encountered waitpersons that have explained that a wine was a red, when asked what type of wine it was - so this is a real step up from Perth restaurant standards. Drinks are all at reasonable prices, and their spirits (especially Cognac) are at prices considerably cheaper than you would find anywhere else in Perth. So that's the drinks.

The food and service is also excellent. The staff there tend to be of mature age, and this is reflective of their attitude and demeanor... you are made to feel how a guest should feel. They start you off with a generous serving of complementary bread - which is incredibly fresh and delicious. I like how dishes have their own unique touch (something about the dish that you would not likely find elsewhere, or be able to prepare at home), for example, their 270g Sirloin steak that has been aged for 28 days - the end result is a deliciously flavoursome steak.

A brief summary... you are looking at about $15 for an entree, $35 for a main, $7 for sides, and $15 for desserts. The style of cooking is French rotisserie. The atmosphere is wonderful... a very relaxed yet upbeat mood, with staff that are both professional and laid-back at the same time. It is a popular event on almost every night of the week, so it is advisable to make bookings beforehand. I strongly recommended this place!

Food: 5 /5
Service: 4.5 /5
Decor: 4.25 /5
Bathroom: 2 /2
X-Factor: 2.75 /3
Total: 18.5 /20

Address: 519 Beaufort St, Highgate
Telephone: 9328 8255

The Best Gin?

2007-05-13T04:40:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch

2007-05-13T04:33:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$295

Source: Numerous

Rating: pts

Hennessy XO Cognac

2007-05-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$200

Source: Numerous

Rating:

Remy Martin Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac

2007-05-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON

RR Price: AU$1,700 upward
Source: Hotel bar
Rating:

A Passion For Cognac

2007-05-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Often you will hear people ask "what kind of drink are you?". In case this has never happened to you, and you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about - it refers to your personality, and the personality of what you like to drink (assuming that there is a strong correlation). I myself; am a Cognac drinker. Why do I like it? Simply, because it is so intense! I must admit, however, it is not a drink for everyone. If you refer to my earlier photos of 3 different brands of popular VSOP Cognac; Remy Martin, Courvoisier, and Hennessy.. you will observe very noticeable differences in their colour. Another reason why I like Cognac is because I can modify it to please me according to my mood. For example, many people like beer or white wine because it is refreshing, red wine because of its aphrodisiac or sedative properties, or bubbly because it's fun and goes right to your head! Depending on how you choose to serve your Cognac you will experience very noticeable differences in your mood. Personally, I like to feel stimulated and uplifted - so icing my spirit is the way to go. But hey, you're in a good partying mood and want to add a bit more fun to it: add some fizz. Or maybe you've just had a long day and simply want to relax: heat the glass and sip on it slowly. However you choose to drink it; it is a beautiful drink in many ways. Back to the intensity - I find many of my friends saying that they enjoy spirits so much because of its intense flavour, or wine for its bouquet. In my opinion, all of these qualities can be found in Cognac. Of all drinks, I believe it possesses the most intense colour, bouquet, flavour, and overall complexity.

I would have to say that of the 3 VSOP's I mentioned, Remy Martin would have to be the overall winner as it is very diverse and suitable for any occasion. However, it does severely lack in the colour department, and can grow to be a little boring. Hennessy definitely holds the most prestige as it is the most famous and most consumed Cognac in the world, though it is a little too spicy for my liking, and lacks excitement. Courvoisier on the other hand is a little rough on the edges, but it has the intensity which you look for in a Cognac. The colour is simply amazing, the bouquet is raw, yet appealing, and the palate very fruit-driven. My personal preference is the Remy neat, and the Courvoisier with Coke.

Hennessy VSOP RR Price: approx AU$80-90
Remy Martin VSOP RR Price: approx AU$80-90
Courvoisier VSOP RR Price: approx AU$70

Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz: '90 vs '98

2007-05-11T03:22:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$200 ('90), AU$100+ ('98)

Source: Bottle store

Rating: 96 pts ('90) vs 98 pts ('98)

Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996

2007-05-11T03:15:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$80

Source: Bottle store

Rating: 93+ pts

Penfolds Kalimna BIN 28 Shiraz 2003

2007-05-11T03:09:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$23

Source: Bottle store

Rating: 88 pts

Bowen Estate Shiraz 2000

2007-05-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

RR Price: AU$30 upward

Source: Bottle store

Rating: 90 pts