You know you're getting old when you don't switch channels when a Bruce Springsteen song comes on the radio. You also know you're getting old when you're looking forward to getting back to work. I’m counting down the days before I start my new job and the list of DIY presented to me by my wife is like a mythical Hydra – no matter how many heads I lop off they seem to spawn double.
I did get some time off though for good behaviour and took a trip to Galli Estate near Sunbury (about 45 mins or so out of Melbourne). We’ll also be heading to the King Valley in North East Victoria to complete my mission of reviewing Pizzini and I’ll post both reports in the next few days or so. In the meantime though a quick update of a couple of recent wines worthy of a mention.
I read somewhere that Hanging Rock winemaker John Ellis wanted to make a chardonnay that appealed to Sauvignon Bland drinkers, and while I’m not sure if that’s just poppycock, the Hanging Rock RockChardonnay 2007 is a simple, un-oaked chardonnay that in my view is another reason not to drink SB. It’s well put together, with citrus and stone fruit, some nutty characters, and for the $12-14 or so it’s a great value chardonnay that deserves to have more people drinking it. It won't happen though, as it hasn't got 'Sauvignon' or 'Blanc' written anywhere on the label.
Saturday night involved some friends who'd recently had some good news and as they love Cabernet, I opened a Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. Tahbilk are another winery I tend to get all cuddly about, and in good years their standard cabernet, at $16 or so, can be a great bargain.
The ESP (formerly the reserve) has won it's share of medals, but then show me an Australian wine that hasn't. It had decent structure and complexity; blackcurrants, cassis, eucalypt, black olives were all in there and it was delicious, but I couldn’t help think that it was a little stalky. Nice stuff indeed, but I was left with lingering suspicion that, at $60 a bottle, there’s possibly better cabernet out there.
That's all for now. Be seeing you.
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5 comments:
Interesting stuff on Hanging Rock Chardy. Will be heading there myself in three weeks time. Did you enjoy Galli? Have heard some good things about their Chardonnay too.
Have fun at Pizzini. Can't make it to King Valley myself on my whirlwind tour of 4 regions in 7 days. But, from all reports, great cellar door and family. If you are lucky enough to get them in a celebratory mood they may break out the big guns for you (ie Coronomento and Rubicoura). Those may be mispelt. I am not Italian, just love the varietals.
Good TN's for Tahbilk too. Funnily enough I've always just stuck to their marsanne. Maybe time to at least buy a standard cab or shiraz I think. Cheers jeremy
And Oi! Don't knock Bruce man. Go listen to Nebraska with a brooding red of your choice...
Hanging Rock was a good place to visit Jeremy, apart from the great view of the rock itself, the winery has some great wines; all the sparkling wines are great (the rose is a great bargain) and the Heathcote shiraz is excellent.
I'll write up the Pizzini visit shortly but it was a great day out- the King Valley is stunning, and for a minute you could almost believe that you're not actually in Australia. I met Fred Pizzini, and he did indeed break open one of the big guns (for a tip, having a love of Creedance Clearwater Revival might come in handy...) and it was delicious. I spent more money than was necessary, but I convinced my wife that our son doesn't actually need food or nappies for the next month ;)
As for Bruce... I'm on a slippery (thunder) road.
The Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon (try saying that without taking a breath!)is a fine wine for a celebration. It is one that is complimented by much glee and mirth.
Did your wife agree that delightful wine is much more appealing than luminous orange mashed pumpkin?
The Tahbilk was defintely a treat - more so than the 1985 shiraz vinegar i served up (I have even forgotten the label it was so unmemorable).....disappointing....Stick with the Penfold 407 - reasonable price, for a reasonable drop....
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