Two Disappointing Wines (Saxum; Glaetzer)

This week’s wine consumption so far has been marked by disappointment.

On Wednesday I opened a 2006 Saxum Heart Stone, hoping for some excitement leading up to the September release. This wine seemed way too young and tannic on the first night, when I poured after the bottle had been sitting open at cellar temp for a few hours. It did not open up in the glass, but as the wine warmed the alcohol became very noticeable. There were elements of dark fruit and burnt meat lurking in the background, but it stayed hidden behind the tannin and alcohol. On day 2, I was hoping for improvement but, while the wine softened a bit to reveal more flavor, the perception of alcohol stayed and, if anything, was more conspicuous. My least favorite Saxum to date.

On Friday I decided to open a 2004 Ben Glaetzer Godolphin to pair with a rib roast. When I tried to open the bottle, the cork disintegrated into crumbs. I had to decant the wine through a rabbit. I have no idea why the cork dried out other than that it might have been in that condition when it reached my cellar. In any case, about 30 seconds following the first pour the wine seemed like it would show well. Then it immediately fell apart and tasted like vinegar. Into the drain. I believe this was the most unpleasant taste sensation I have experienced in 2009. At least it was memorable in that respect.

Two consecutive bad bottles – I think I’ll switch to beer for a while to break the cycle.

Hi Brad…

I’ve had the Godolphin several times and it has been delicious…full of fruit and tannins…years to go…

looking at the notes on CT, my experience has been shared by others…

I fear you had a bad bottle which had arrived in your cellar already dead

I agree it was a bad bottle, as I have had several others that were very good. Glaetzer’s wines are among the few Aussie wines I still seek out. Adding to my disappointment is the fact that my bottle from Friday was my last of the 2004.