Open truths

Its been just over four years now since I have been writing this blog. When I started the posts came at a great rate of knots. As time went on my life got busier with work and another kiddly-wink, young Henry the little brother to Imogen. And over time the writing got a little bit more adventurous ranging from humour to taking a stand (on more than one occasion) for an industry, hospitality, that I have been involved in now for over 15 years spanning New York, London and here in Melbourne. And with these posts I have had some great responses posted, but I have also have had some nasty responses in the form of emails; these people rather do it in anonymity rather than the public forum.

One of these nasty emails I received today. It was unexpected, stemming from an earlier post this year I can only assume. And it was viscious. Here is a small excert;

"Your manner is sanctamonious (sic) and vengeful. You have no right writing this blog because you are a little nobody that people don't care for and you are somebody that wont be missed when you die little man."

Nice.

I was fairly stunned and quite hurt actually when I read this email but after going through the text I learnt a little about the author, and then I felt sorry for them. Your truth is to do this in a hidden environment surrounded by your empty bottles of Coche or Penfolds or whatever tipple gets you off. This is your environment. I do not hide behind pseudonym; I have my picture right there on the home page. And I live in Brunswick. Not very anonymous if you ask me.

One other comment the author made in this email was how I am prejudiced and give high scores for money. In the four years doing this blog I have turned down plenty of offers for paid advertising on this blog. In this time I reckon I have accepted maybe 8 bottles en gratis to write a review. Some I have and some I haven't posted. Some just weren't that good. In the end I choose what content is published. In the end this is my blog.

There have been times when I have gone overboard. These posts I have deleted from the blog. But never have I been spiteful or vengeful as the the author of the email stated I was.

It is a shame that people like yourself need to take the time and effort to write such nasty words. I have deleted your letter to me and blocked your email address to my account. What a waste.

Good bye to you.

Matthieu Barret Côtes du Rhône Petit Ours Gris 2010

Ever bet on a horse because of thew colours or the name? If you have you have also chosen your wine because of the label. This label is one of those labels.

Perched just out of reach of the kids at Seddon Wine Store, the Matthieu Barret Côtes du Rhône Petit Ours Gris (little grey bear) 2010 Syrah and Grenache blend is in prime view of us big kids and am happy to say is a constant mover. The nose is full of bright red fruit with sweet raspberry pronounced. The palate has an almost cooling feel about it with more fruit; raspberry, blackberry and licorice allsorts. The mid palate pushes most of the fruit aside with balanced acid and soft chewy tannins cleaning up all and sundry. A good wine and maybe just as fun as putting $2 each way on the jockey wearing the pretty silks.

Drink with lamb casserole
Drink till 2015
90
Quality cork 13.5%v/v $29 Seddon Wine Store

In a moment of time....

Poured to about two fingers, the glass that sat in front of me was to be just a moment in time. It was a strangers slight glance of the arm walking down the street which stays with you for 40 years and the idea and notion of just what if? To prolong it's existence was achingly difficult; every motion to my mouth was met with the anticipation of Jeff Buckley's haunting sigh at the start of Leonard Cohen's mesmerising 'Hallelujah'. The Chateau-Grillet 2009. Beautiful.

Man O' War Waiheke Island Dreadnought Syrah 2009

It's been a while...

I am not the type of person to shy away from a big statement, or THE big statement, and in a year where there has been some absolute rippers released I'm going to make THE statement that the Man O' War Waiheke Island Dreadnought Syrah 2009 is the wine of the year.

Packed with wafts of white pepper, brown spice and earth on the nose, the Syrah moves in to top gear in the palate with waves of tart prickly fruit, more brown spice in the form of slightly roasted start anise, game, lip smacking minerality and fine tannins and an almost ironstone like blanket drawn across the whole mouth full. There is a lot going on but it is all in harmony. Just brilliant!!!

Drink with char grilled lamb back strap
Drink till 2019
99
Screwcap 14.5%v/v $42 Seddon Wine Store

Moondarra Gippsland Beurot Pinot Gris 2012

We hear a lot about terroir in the wine world. We also hear a lot of people compare Australian wines to Burgundy or Champagne or Piedmont. Me included. What we need is to how to use terroir in terms of where the wine comes from and what terroir means to that growing region. Its an open ended question if there ever was one but a question that needs to asked whenever we compare our wines to those of the old world.

Anywhoo, the Moondarra Gippsland Beurot Pinot Gris 2012 is all about, yep thats right, terroir. Coming from a region where the soil is rich with a friable clay soil profile, this wine screams what the vines are grown in. Soil and wet earth. The nose is full of dried porcini mushrooms and wet earth. Its quite amazing really. This just goes on and on and on. Quite amazing actually. In the palate the wine continues with more mushroom flavours with lush layers of checked acid, prickly pear and quince, and finishes with tiny talc-like white tannins. Just a great wine Mr. Prentice.

Drink till 2015
Drink with porcini risotto
96
Screwcap 11.5%v/v $25 Seddon Wine Store

Cavallotto Piedmont Dolcetto d'Alba 2011

“If it is true that there is no greater sorrow than to remember a
happy time in a state of misery, it is just as true that calling up a
moment of anguish in a tranquil mood, seated quietly at one's desk, is
a source of profound satisfaction.” Primo Levi, The Periodic Table

All things beautiful do not always come from a happy place.


The Cavallotto Piedmont Dolcetto d'Alba 2011, like Primo Levi from near Turin, is a seductive work of tart red cherries and chalky fine tannins that flows in layers and just keeps giving. A beautiful work of art. Yes art. A stunning wine indeed.

Drink with osso bucco
Drink till 2024
98
Quality cork 13.5%v/v $33 Gertrude Street Enoteca, Fitzroy

Head Moppa/Barossa Valley The Brunette Syrah 2011

I dream weird dreams I do. I woke this morning having just left a dream where I was at the ear of Malcolm Turnball in the caucus room of a coalition party where I was trying to get him to run against the mad monk, with him just saying why run after him when he'll just trip up in time'. See, weird.

And yes, I digress. The Head Moppa/Barossa Valley The Brunette Syrah 2011 is no contender and has no signs of tripping up. A complex nose of earth, spice and savoury olive and blackberry notes precedes a similar palate combination with earth and olive tapanade the highlight of a complex and compelling flavour profile.

Maybe someone should give Malcolm a glass of this too light a spark.

Drink with Chateaubriand
Drink till 2020
96
Screwecap 13.5%v/v $55 Seddon Wine Store