Meeting 7: Four In Hand

Host: Peter Matthews
Theme: Wines of the Yarra Valley
Notes:

Our largest turnout ever with 17 spruiking sommeliers.

Seven Courses to tingle our tastebuds and propose to our palates - from trout to rabbit, poussin to cheese and an amazing bread and butter pudding for desert.

Yarra Bank 1998 was our opening sparkling wine - 54% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir.

Wine 1 or was it 2. The numbering seemed to be confusing most of us from the beginning. Perhaps next time we should mark the wines with pictures and provide a pop-up book.

Wine 1 Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Wine 2 St Huberts Roussane 2005
Wine 3 De Bortoli Chardonnay 2005
Wine 4 Wantirna Isabella Chardonnay 2006
Wine 5 Green Point Reserve Chardonnay 2005
Wine 6 Mount Mary Chardonnay 2005
Wine 7 Toolangi Reserve Chardonnay 2004

Our record number of whites also at 7. Now it was time for the reds.

Wine 8 Mount Mary Pinot Noir 2000
Wine 9 Mayer Pinot Noir 2006
Wine 10 Yarra Yering Shiraz 1993
Wine 11 Seville Shiraz 2000
Wine 12 Yarra Yarra Cabernets 2002
Wine 13 Wantirna Amelia Cabernet Merlot 1997
Wine 14 Wantirna Amelia Cabernet Merlot 2004

During the evening Steve Handley thanked Duane Roy for turning up in a presentable state. Duane was quick to point out that he may not have shaved but he does attend regularly. Peter Matthews thanked Duane and David for their continuing contribution, especially considering the distance covered to attend. The table agreed.

It was decreed that the wines were to stay masked until voting to eliminate any label influence.

We spoke of the differences brought about by French wine makers keeping wine on the skins for up to 3 months. In Australia we can often take it off after 2 weeks. Leaving the wine on the skins increases the complexity and once the fruit has gone still leaves character in the wine. This is why many Australian wines fall over after 10-12 years. 93 – 95% of wine in Australia is consumed in the first 24 hours.

Between Craig Farmer and Steve Handley’s comments on who was more visually challenged (or is that spectacularly challenged), Phillip Blanco still managed to inject conversation about previous conquests and again drew analogies with his favourite wines.

Wines of the night


1st place Turangi Reserve Chardonnay 2004
2nd place Mayer Pinot Noir 2006
3rd place Wantirna Amelia Cabernet Merlot 2004

Another white wins the night. Isn’t it time for a superior shiraz, a courageous cabernet or perhaps a magnificent merlot to take the honours.

On to serious matters and it was unanimously agreed that if you accept the invitation to attend, then you also accept the charge whether you make it to the dinner or not. It takes a bit of organising in a generally busy week and we agreed that this courtesy would be shown.

Great job Peter and a good venue.

Scott Emerson is hosting the next dinner set for 29th May at Rocket Restaurant at Chatswood.
The menu will be published prior with courses nominate for members to match wines.

Bottoms up.