Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Eden Valley, Australia
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot
This has quite a purpley colour. The nose is an amalgam of fruit (plum, mulberry, blackberry and cherry) with violets and a touch of rotting vegetation. A light spiciness, a cedary scent, and a brown autumn leaf note appeared with more air. The palate had an elderberry stem kind of flavour, quite some astringency to its soft tannins, and a very long finish. It’s a fantastically integrated, balanced and complex wine. If I had tasted this blind, I swear I would think it was French: it has a nose that isn’t all about fruit and wood, a palate that is well framed by its acidity, a refreshing quality (it’s doesn’t feel heavy) and fruit flavours that aren’t too sweet.
Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling 2006, Clare Valley, Australia
This has an ambery gold colour. The nose has a camphor/moth ball/varnish kind of scent, along with candied orange peel and walnut. The palate shows apricot kernel, that mothball/camphor flavour, and a sweetness that combines rich silky viscosity and a touch of saccharine whilst remaining fresh. This has flavours of an aged Botrytised Semillion; it actually seems a lot like a Sauternes. I’d say it’s one of the best Australian stickies I’ve ever had. A$33 / 375 ml, screwcap.
Darjeeling Goomtee FTGFOP First Flush, Darjeeling, India (The Tea Centre, Australia)
Yellowy amber with a slight green tinge.
Fairly herbaceous, with some citrus and lovely stemmy wood aromas
Fresh and light, with a pleasantly vegetative bitter finish.
Darjeeling Mamring TGFOP Autumn Flush, Darjeeling, India (The Tea Centre, Australia)
Golden amber.
More mellow, less herbaceous, and, well, a bit like autumn leaves.
Smoother and richer, yet still fresh and vibrant, with a “darker” bitter finish.