The Straits Wine Company had a big tasting event for wholesale customers yesterday. Although I'm not a wholesale customer, I was fortunate to be invited to join. There were over 30 wines plus some Calvados and Armagnac as well so I couldn't take detailed notes as I was pressed for time so these are very short impressions of some of the wines.
Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir 2010 Australia - I thought this was a sparkling red but it turned out to be a blanc de noirs. Full and quite fruity but in a good way. Rather pleasant. P 1100.00
Monetto Extra Brut Prosecco NV - Dry but full flavored. Nice. P 1300.00
Laurent-Perrier Champagne NV - Good, coffe-ish attack. Light bodied and too acidic for me on the finish. Too bad as I thought the initial impression was very good. P 2900.00.
Mischief and Mayhem Puligny-Montrachet 2005 - Some orange notes. Oaky and woody. Killed by the wood, unfortunately. P 3420.00
Hess Select Cabernet 2008 - Good fruit and balance. Nothing serious but well made. P 1100.00
Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2007 - Good nose. Sour cherry. Acidic/metallic finish. P 3085.00
Mischief and Mayhem Nuits St. Georges 2006 - Very dry and full. Rather good. My only complaint is the sour finish. P 3760.00
Domaine Prieure Roch Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru 2006 - Good nose. Ripe fruit. Still a little tannic on the finish. A proper Burgundy. Very good. P 3745.00
Yarra Yering Agincourt Dry Red #1 Cabernet Merlot 2006 - Surprisingly light and juicy. Very good. P 3835.00
Two Hands Sophie's Garden Shiraz 2207 - Oak and coffee. Very rich. Oak is prominent on the nose but well integrated in the palate. Not bad. P 2690.00
Kaesler Bogan Shiraz 2007 - Decanted 2 hours. Very minty nose. Rich, powerful wine but not at all sweet or oaky. Surprisingly good. P 2150.00
Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2007 - Decanted 2 hours. Sweet nose. Not yet harmonious. Mint and mocha. Needs more time. Judgment reserved. P 8310.00
Ended with Samalens Single Grape Armagnac 12 years old and Chateau de Breuil 12 year old Calvados, both excellent.