Premium Australian wines tasting - Mersch

Among the new small boutique importers that emerged at the last year or two, Mersch is Certainly one of the most interesting. Mersch imports mainly small Australian wineries, some of them among the top names in quality terms.
Although my personal taste leans more towards old world wines (but usually those with a bit new world style) , I never say no to an oppurtunity to taste good Aussie wines , and the Penfolds Grange 1998 is one of the greatest wines I had the pleasure to taste.
Yesterday I participated in a special tasting of Mersch that included some of their top wines :

The wines :
1. Tscharke - The Curse 2006 - this is a 100% Zinfandel from the Barossa valley. Dark ruby. Aromas of black fruts with some blue-berries , it is full bodied and rich but the mid-palate is not very prominent. a nice bitterness is felt all the way to the medium finish. Nice but not great. Score : 91-92
2. Kallesle - Greenock Shiarz 2006 - Again dark ruby (actually most of the wines were so). Nose of blackberries and some raspberries that became more deliniated and purer as the the time went on. Full bodied, smooth , with low acidity and medium-long aftertaste. Well made wine , but again nothing spectacular . Score 92-93
3. Kaesler - The Bogan shiraz , 2005 - Black coloured. Lots of black fruits combined with earthy notes, spices and black pepper. Full bodied , chewy, nice bitterness and long aftertaste. very good . The tasting has began. Score - 95-96
4. Noon - Eclipse 2005 - A bled of Shiraz(35%) & Grenache(65%) , this one, is one of my favourites. I had the 2004 and liked it very much. The colour is medium Ruby. Bursting aromas of black cheries, raspberries , later some notes of tea emerged . Full bodied, rich but at the same time quite elegant, very well balance of sweetness and acidity, and long and sweet aftertaste. Love it. Score : 95-96
5. Colonial Estate - Emigre 2005 - A special blend of 30% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 20% Cabarnet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre and some Carignian and Muscadel. Deep ruby, Nose of black fruits and pepper, it is Full bodied and chewy with black pepper and well integrated bitternes, quite old world . The aftertaste is medium to long and quite nice. Score : 94-95
6. Colonial Estate - The Exile Shiraz 2005 - A blend of 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre & 5% Grenache , from old vines. In the begining the nose had a lot of black fruits but heavy & unfocused. With time in the glass the fruit became more deliniated and riper and also more elegant. In the mouth very rich with black fruits, licorice, bitterness and long aftertaste. A very impressive mouth.
Score : 95-96
7. Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , 2005 - 100% Shiraz. Inky black colour. High toned nose of very ripe blackberries and cassis. In the mouth it is simply unbelieveble. huge concentration and richness , but extremely balanced with super long aftertaste. score : 97-98
8. Standish - The Standish Shiraz, 2003 - What a mistake it was , to put this wine , right after the Alices. The nose is old world and very sophisticated with Wet stones, Dump earth, and a bit red and black fruit in the background. Then the Fruit became more pronounced and was accompanied by a notes of Earl Grey Tea. Later on some blueberries appeared. Simply stunning. In the mouth however it suffered compared to the Alices Shiraz. Only medium body, a bit tannic, less rich, and shorter aftertaste compared to the former wine. Score : 97-98 for the nose, 91-92 for the palate. Overall : 94-95
9. Kalleske - Johann Georg Shiraz , 2005 - very dark ruby, almost inky. Aromas of blackberries, combined with coffee and some candies. Full bodied , rich , a bit tannic, some well integrated bitterness and quite long aftertaste. Score - 95-96.

Overall:
Very good tasting with great wines. The wines that stood out for me were the Noon Eclipse, both Colonial estate, the Greenock Creek and the Standish (mainly the nose).
I think the Noon Eclipse, Kaesler - The Bogan & Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , represent a terrific value, and are a must buy , for any Australian wines lover.
The Standish , suffered from its proximity to the Alices, but I think it will be very interesting to follow it in the future. For the nose guys it is also a very interesting option.
The Colonial estate wines are very good , and less new worldish (The proprietor is actually scotish, who also has estates in Bordeaux). Irrespective of their price, they are very good.
For those who seek the rich, blockbuster shiraz with lots of fruit and concentration, the Kaesler, Greenock Creek and the Kalleskies (especially the Johann Georg) are the answer.

Some of the foods were made by a small Catering based in Nes-Ziona , called Aya & mother Cooks. The name is a bit uninspired but their food was very promising.

2007 - Best wines I had

Last year was definately a Barolo year for me. It started with a 2 parts Barolo 1997 tastings I arranged , and continued with a short but unforgetable trip to the north Italy , including the Langhe area.
My best wines this year were:
1. Roberto Voerzio - Barolo, Sarmassa di Barolo 2004 - had it during my trip to italy at the winery from Alluminium tank. I didn't write any notes but I remember the feeling. dark colour, great nose of red and black fruites combined with roses , spices and some tar. full bodied with smooth tannins and a huge and long aftertaste. this is going to be a 100 wine. Unfortunately available only in magnums. I wish I could afford to buy a bottle next year.
2. Roberto Voerzio - Barolo brunate 1997, 2004 - Had the 1997 in the Barolo 1997 tasting, still young and tannic (who said 1997 can't age) but simply a huge wine , full bodied , rich, smooth and long. very close to perfect. The 2004 was tasted at the winery and was very close to the Sarmassa. This wine is going to be in my refrigerator next year!!!
3. Aldo Conterno - Barolo Granbussia 1997 - This wine was the star of the first part of the 1997 tasting (Which included also - Gaja sperss, Giacose- Rocche del falleto, Sandrone Cannubi boschis & Le vigne , Clerico-Ciavot mentin ginestra). Red Barrique colour. and explosive nose of red fruits especially cherries, roses, fungi, earth ,spices , tar and more, full bodied with chewy tannins, vibrand acidity and long and graet aftertaste. scored - 98-99. Bought another bottle in my trip to Italy later.
4. Sandrone - Cannubi Boschis 1997 - I also liked the Le Vigne 1997 a lot but the Cannubi Boschis was simply gorgeous, with great perfomed nose of black and red fruits, roses, tar, full bodied and exteremly smooth and long. score - 97 . I also bought another bottle in Italy.
5. Paolo Scavino - all crus from 1997 - The second part of the Barolo 1997 , included all 3 crus of Scavino - Cannubi, Bric del Fiasc and Rocche del Anninziata and also the Carobric. all were terrific but in my opinion the Bric del fiasc and Rocche stood out. while the Bric del Fiasc was mature and great , the Rocche was still a bit young, but very promising.

More wines that impressed me last year :
Clerico - Ciabot Mentin Ginestra & Per-Cristina 1997 - both score 97
Gaja - Sperss 1997 - scores 96
Aldo Conterno - Cicala 2001 & Granbussia 2000 both 95-96
Pio Cesare - Barolo Ornato 2001 - score 95-96
Joseph Roty - Charmes Chamberin Tres 2003 - score 95-96
Pichon Baron - 2000 - score 96-97
Girardin - Le Montrachet 2004 - score 95
Noon - Eclipse 2005 - score 95
Kalleske - Shiraz Johann Georg 2003 / Old Vine Grenache 2004 - score 95
Vieux Telegraphe - CdP Le Crau 2004 - score 94
Cos d'Estournel 2000 & 2001 - score 94-95
Olivier Leflaive - Corton Charlemagne 2004 - score 94
Smith Haut Lafitte - 2003 (red) - score 93

Happy new year