Suckling pig in Brisbane
21 May 2010
Before the reds came out we tasted a Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter River Semillon 2002 still a pup but showing some development, definitely heading in the right direction unlike the 2000 Vat 1 we tried recently, which was still steely and acid - we would never have picked it as having 10 years on it - the ’02 vintage to us is a far superior wine.
The suckling pig was up next and that required some red wine. First we tried a 2005 Giaconda Pinot Noir, gorgeous, brilliant fruit and had all raving - until we opened a Pierre Naigeon 2005 Bourgogne Cote de Nuits Gevery Chambertin, not saying the Giaconda was not a good wine, but found this Burgundy was just a more complex package, the fruit a good deal more savoury and spicy, the palate broader the oak more integrated, and this wine according to our host was a good deal less expensive! To finish off we tasted a bottle of 2005 Penfolds St.Henri, a big wine - but not the monster I thought it would be. It was very approachable and lovely drinking even though it will cellar for up to another five years.
The suckling pig was up next and that required some red wine. First we tried a 2005 Giaconda Pinot Noir, gorgeous, brilliant fruit and had all raving - until we opened a Pierre Naigeon 2005 Bourgogne Cote de Nuits Gevery Chambertin, not saying the Giaconda was not a good wine, but found this Burgundy was just a more complex package, the fruit a good deal more savoury and spicy, the palate broader the oak more integrated, and this wine according to our host was a good deal less expensive! To finish off we tasted a bottle of 2005 Penfolds St.Henri, a big wine - but not the monster I thought it would be. It was very approachable and lovely drinking even though it will cellar for up to another five years.