I love a good arithmetic progression and last night’s was a memorable one. Fibonacci’s has always tickled my fancy, but somehow last night’s was even more enthralling.
The Coonawarra Single bottle club gathered and the theme was simply ‘old and interesting’ and we certainly received both and most fitted into the category of ‘bloody good booze’.
1977 Mildara Semillon
From the first plantings of Semillon in Coonawarra. Past its best and reminded us why little further Semillon was planted.
1944 Seppelt Great Western Sparkling Burgundy (sic)
Probably made from Shiraz, some Ondenc and few other varieties and possibly left on lees for a couple of decades, as the bottle showed metric measurements (post 1966). This was sensational, no fizz left, still quite dark with rich plums and dark chocolate, sweet finish from the liquering. So vibrant and full of life.
2000 Ch Phelan-Segur
Dark, dense, black olives, bitter chocolate with a firm finish. To me needs a bit of time, but plenty of material.
1994 Craiglee Shiraz (Sunbury, Vic)
Really lovely wine with spice, hung meat and energetic acid imbued palate. In a perfect place.
1993 St Hallet Old Block Shiraz
Quiet different in shape to the Craiglee. All leather, sweet warm fruits. It feels more rounded and sweeter in the mid palate but I like the detail of the Craiglee.
1999 Yarra Yering no 1
Still quite youthful, dark fruits and black olives with impeccable balance. Delicious.
1974 Mildara ‘John Murray Blair’ Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Close to wine of the night for me. Sweet fruit, sugar coated tannins. The fruits are in the red spectrum, just with a touch of camphor on the finish. Still with bags of life and so spherical in the mouth. A very rare wine as it was a special commemorative bottling, but Doug assures us that he has another couple of cases tucked away.
1970 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Medium to high shoulder but close to totally shagged. Nose very oxidised, palate hanging on by its fingernails.
1964 Chateau Petit Village (Pomerol)
This is a poster child for buying wines of impeccable provenance. From Peter Lehmann’s substantial cellar. Label in good nick, the wine itself in remarkable condition. Intoxicating fruits, hint of cedar with a long and supple finish that echoes. Still quite bright. Delicious.
1964 Fondillon Gran Reserva
This is a 100% Monastrell, that spent some 15 to 20 yrs in barrel, without fortification. Cloudy and orange, with little hue. Quite to very aldehydic. Quiet bizarre, but rather moreish. Has some serious rancio notes, and reminded me of an 80yr old tawny without the spirit weight. Needs blue cheese and pickled walnuts. It’s not every day that you have 2 x 64s in succession! Like nothing I have ever had before and woudl be right at home at every natural wine bar.
1976 Hungerford Hill Vintage Port
Big, black bruiser with wonderful clean spirit and a heady lift. Still a pup and I just can’t get enough of these 60s and 70s VPs.
1941 Tintara Pot Still Brandy
Given that I had 60kms to drive home through Kangaroo infested roads I managed to stop at one sip. All oak and spice with a vanillin edge. Lovely pure spirit.