samb Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I picked up a bottle of Penfold's Koonunga Hill. This will be my first experience with an Aussie wine. Anyone try it and have any thoughts about it? Having learned what I just learned, I will drink it quick, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo495 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 It's something I bought several times a week when I used to live in Oz. Same as Magste, I'd usually reach first for the RR, and if they didn't have that, I'd take the Koonunga Hill. Generally I find Aussie red wine to be extremely full in flavour. A real explosion on the taste buds compared to other countries' wines. Especially the Cab Savs and Shirazs - full of fruitty pepper. Kinds like a Partagas I suppose, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I picked up a bottle of Penfold's Koonunga Hill. This will be my first experience with an Aussie wine. Anyone try it and have any thoughts about it? Having learned what I just learned, I will drink it quick, lol. i'll be very surprised if the rawson's retreat label is not discontinued soon, if it hasn't been already. koonunga hill always well made and good value, especially as mentioned, the shiraz cab. the original was the 1976, an absolute stunner that is still terrific today. not that it is easy to get info on these things but there is a strong belief that penfolds wanted a wine at that price point at the time and came up with the concept before they had the grapes lined up (and this was back in the days we were in the midst of a white wine boom - 100 year shiraz in coonawarra was gratfed across to gewurz and so on). so they took bits of grange, 389 and all sorts of things and blended them to make the first koonunga hill. and serendipity ruled as it was one of our great vintages. the 76 grange is one of the most famous (i can remember buying it in the 80's for about $15!!!). on the other hand, there are a growing number who feel that while wines like koonunga hill have helped make the aussie wine ndustry what it is, they are now killing it. we can't compete at this level for a number of reasons and it has convinced the world that this is what we do best - not the many fantastic small production, regional, single vineyard wines. but no argument with what is in the bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 There was a time when the KH was a staple for me. I haven't had it in some time, as I started to feel it was a bit over oaked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 There was a time when the KH was a staple for me. I haven't had it in some time, as I started to feel it was a bit over oaked. lot of aussie wines went through a period of this but you'll find they have almost all throttled back a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Penfolds Grandfather Port was an old favorite. Do they still make it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Penfolds Grandfather Port was an old favorite. Do they still make it? yes. extremely good. the great grandfather even better tho more exy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samb Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 Im no wine spectator, lol, but I really like this wine. I think its (in my own words) one of the "grapeyist" wines Ive ever had. No cigar with it, maybe another day, but I did have some grilled cheeseburgers and they go nice together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 yes. extremely good. the great grandfather even better tho more exy. I need to search some out. Here in Pennsylvania, the state government sells all wine & spirits. If it's not on their list, you can't get it. Next time in NYC, I'll be looking for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stargazer14 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 I need to search some out. Here in Pennsylvania, the state government sells all wine & spirits. If it's not on their list, you can't get it. Next time in NYC, I'll be looking for it. Bassman, head down 95 to Total Wine just across the line in DE, you can call ahead and they will be happy to get it for you if they dont have it on the shelf. They have ordered rum for me that they did not carry. And you wont beat the prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 I need to search some out. Here in Pennsylvania, the state government sells all wine & spirits. If it's not on their list, you can't get it. Next time in NYC, I'll be looking for it. if you have trouble, i can ask the guys here to let me know where it is stocked your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Picked up a bottle at a local - "grapiest" it is - my first thoughts were "jammy". Now I find it's lacking structure somewhat - not flabby, but to my palate, rather overextracted - to the point of being sweet. We'll see how the next glass fleshes out.... hiccup..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Picked up a bottle at a local - "grapiest" it is - my first thoughts were "jammy". Now I find it's lacking structure somewhat - not flabby,but to my palate, rather overextracted - to the point of being sweet. We'll see how the next glass fleshes out.... hiccup..... colt, which vintage? and was it the shiraz cabernet or one of the others? this thread is killing me - we have peter gago (chief penfolds winemaker and the man responsible for grange etc) in town tonight for a big grange dinner. i've got to hold off as on a no-alcohol few days as have the blood tests for a check up. cruel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 colt, which vintage? and was it the shiraz cabernet or one of the others?this thread is killing me - we have peter gago (chief penfolds winemaker and the man responsible for grange etc) in town tonight for a big grange dinner. i've got to hold off as on a no-alcohol few days as have the blood tests for a check up. cruel. KG, 2007 shiraz cab. Still opening up some - I'll let you know when I get to the bottom of the bottle (I never leave any to go bad). Anyway, I've heard there is to be a vertical grange tasting at the dinner - too bad you'll be restricted to cranberry juice! I guess when one one reaches an advanced age, one must adhere to the doctor's wishes. Please turn in your cutlass and pistols at the door........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 KG, 2007 shiraz cab. Still opening up some - I'll let you know when I get to the bottom of the bottle (I never leave any to go bad).Anyway, I've heard there is to be a vertical grange tasting at the dinner - too bad you'll be restricted to cranberry juice! I guess when one one reaches an advanced age, one must adhere to the doctor's wishes. Please turn in your cutlass and pistols at the door........ ahh, cruel world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 ahh, cruel world! Are you really going to abstain? How sad - all I've held dear turned to dust. So much for dying with your boots on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Are you really going to abstain? How sad - all I've held dear turned to dust.So much for dying with your boots on. got to do it at some stage (or i just might be dying with the boots on) and this the period with least on so had to bite the bullet and cop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samb Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Still working on the bottle. Still lovin' it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Still working on the bottle. Still lovin' it. Sam, when you are able, pick a few bottles of Penfolds Bin 389 and put them away for a couple of years. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Sam, when you are able, pick a few bottles of Penfolds Bin 389 and put them away for a couple of years.I don't think you'll be disappointed. especially even vintages - 02, 04, 06. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 especially even vintages - 02, 04, 06. This all reminds me that I have a couple of bottles of '97 Wynns Coonawarra John Riddoch - perhaps I'll open one soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 This all reminds me that I have a couple of bottles of '97 Wynns Coonawarra John Riddoch - perhaps I'll open one soon. if it has been stored well, it should be drinking nicely now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 if it has been stored well, it should be drinking nicely now. Are you questioning my storage practices and abilities?!? (supercilious.......) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Are you questioning my storage practices and abilities?!?(supercilious.......) abilities, not in the least - never occurred to me to think about them. practices? not in the least - okay, that is a lie, but there was no info provided re date of purchase - if recent, do you know provenance etc etc. and for all i know, you keep them upright in a box in the back of the yard in the sun, next to the boiler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 and for all i know, you keep them upright in a box in the back of the yard in the sun, next to the boiler. I'm just waiting for the corks to come completely through the capsules so I know they're at peak drinkability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now