WTN: 1999 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz Victoria (Blue Label)

[David M. Bueker]

First of a few notes from vacation.

Salil had mentioned that I should try this winery some time, so when I saw a bottle in a shop in Banff I jumped at it. Shared it with the proprietors of the B&B we were staying at.

Initially I was worried as it came on rather alcoholic, but after about 30 minutes of air the wine fleshed out & showed very good fruit that had a bit of a dusty element to it, as well as some subtle spice. The balance improved the more the wine was open, and it was quite the hit all around the table. Too bad I had to travel 1800 miles to find a bottle!

A photo from the day's walking (we took it easy on this day after 3 solid days of hiking):

Falls.jpg

Glad you finally got to try a Mount Langi David. It is one of my favourite producers down under, I've always loved the spicy, peppery elements in the aromatics and in the past I've opened their Shiraz (the '99 as well) at a couple of Northern Rhone dinners where it showed very nicely. They make a range of really nice, well priced wines (I've also liked their Cabernet-Merlot and Riesling a lot in the past), just a shame they are quite hard to find here.

Great to hear you are in Alberta David! How was your welcome at Calgary International? Last time I passed through there was a lady in cowboy outfit asking/shouting loudly "where are you headed?".

I was wondering where you'd vanished to!

[David M. Bueker]

I was wondering where you'd vanished to!

It's an annual event always about this time.

Falls are gorgeous, hope you enjoyed trip. Never had a Mt Langi red, though I like the Riesling as a good QPR>