Sunday anticipation

2.5kg leg of lamb. Almost done...Cinnamon, fennel seed and coriander seed rub. In frifge over night. In the oven at 11am today. 150°C. Almost done...

Heathcote II Heathcote H.D. Shiraz 2009

An infant indeed. Dark and brooding and full of promise. Some wines are not meant for laying down. Some are. This one is. The Heathcote II Heathcote H.D. Shiraz 2009 (H.D. for hand de-stemmed - can you imagine that!!) is brute strength on the 1st day, controlled anger on the 2nd day, presumed beauty on day 3 with elegance and intrigue on dayb 4.  A wine not for these times you might say.

Drink with steal au poivre
Drink 2015-2025+
96
Quality cork 14.5%v/v $89 http://www.heathcote2.com/

Ettore Germano Piedmont Dolcetto d'Alba 2009

Its turning out to be a Dolcetto year I reckon.

The Ettore Germano Piedmont Dolcetto d'Alba 2009 has had a very good run here in Brunswick this year, and without prejudice will continue to find its way in to our recycling bin. Bright and tart cherry aromas flow primary on the nose with a lick of nougat at the back of the nose. The palate opens up with fine chalky tannins and persistent acid and more cherry flavours flowing from tart to prickly ripe as the bottle develops over the night.

This is a wine for all you Pinot Noir drinkers who are eagerly waiting for the cracking 2012 wines to develop just a little bit more.

Drink with spicy pork sausage
Drink till 2016
96
Quality cork 13% $29 Seddon Wine Store

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