An Aussie wine tasting with a visiting Aussie Chef

An Aussie wine tasting with a visiting Aussie Chef – Episode #616

February 2, 2009

Chef Benjamin Christie and Gary Vaynerchuk taste 3 Australian wines that are widely available.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(207) Leave a comment ›

“If you like the D’arenberg Hermit Crab, you should try their “Dry Dam …” by Gavin
“I think you’re right on point, Gary. The bin 407 is also ridiculously…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
View all 207 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 D’arenberg The Hermit CrabAustralian White Meritage
2006 Kooyong Massale Pinot NoirAustralian Pinot Noir
2005 Penfolds Cab/shiraz Bin 389Australian Red Meritage

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Benjamin Christie . com

207 Responses

Pages: « 9 8 7 [6] 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All

February 3, 2009

Kirk (aka: slave2thevine)
Good to see the show is getting plenty of guests.

QOTD: I’d have to say that I don’t tend to drink many Australian wines these days. While winter is here in Maine I have been staring at one bottle, but for the most part it’s just not something I drink much of on a regular basis. If I had to pick one for price/quality I’d say that Two Hands Shiraz Bella’s Garden is probably one that impressed me quite a bit. However, the ‘98 Grange was possibly the most impressive Australian wine I’ve ever had.
February 3, 2009

WineWoman
QOTD: Haven’t really been drinking many Aussie’s as of late. Too thick and syrupy. Some of the Pinots are good. The last wine I remember the name of and enjoyed was a Grenache. Tir Na Nog.
February 3, 2009

Chris Lotz
anything from margaret river. maybe tomorrow will you do the viewer’s choice? Congac or absinthe would be awesome for topics, or i was thinkin gary could go into the city and raid a wine shop, or hunt down local vayniacs and do a show from their house. covert-ops
February 3, 2009

Matthias
Thanks for again adressing the “oak monster”. That is why i like your show so much. I believe wines should be made in the vineyards, not in the the cellars. A little bit of oak is fine with me, but it should not cover the terroir. That is the reason, why i am so into german riesling. Not because it is the favourite grape of my homecountry, just because in my opinion there are not many grapes reflecting the soil they grow on, like riesling does.

Again great show and great guest from downunder.
February 3, 2009

medo
@QOTD:

2005 Amon Ra by Ben Glaetzer & the 2006 Mollydooker CoL
February 3, 2009

Louis Boutinot
Important episode guys and kudos to you Gary. I agree with you on the over-oaking that has become prevalent in too many wines. It is unfortunate that many journalists seem to judge many wines on the “make up” such as oak flavours and addition of yeasts rather than the intrinsic, terroir driven quality of the grapes. In our winery (www.huertadealbala.com) we reduced the use of new oak in our wines for the second vintage (2006) from 100% to 50%. Result- lower scores, lower U.S sales but ultimately finer wines with a stronger sense of place. This is the problem wineries have when faced with such large markets that are driven by so few people. I’m pleased to say however that sales in Europe went up and that we have continued with the same oaking policy. Trust your palate!!
QOTD- White- Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Polish Hill Riesling.
Red- Penfold’s Grange 1989- when it was powerful yet ELEGANT and not so grrr!
February 3, 2009

Tom G
2005 Grail of Lisa out of Marquis Philips totally ripped it. Holy hell. Easily the best Aussie “big” Shiraz I’ve had so far. Huge wine with loads of complexity and super ripe fruit. Not the typical fruit/alcohol bomb I’ve had even into the $40 price point. Awesome.

I’ve had the Hermit Crab a few times and it really never sits well with me. Way too bitter and too acidic. Complex flavors but I can’t get past that bitterness.
February 3, 2009

stephen campbell
QOTD: Heartland Dolcetto Lagrein.. for that matter most of Ben Glaetzer wines(except stickleback…not really into them) He maybe a parker darling but love his wines.
February 3, 2009

wiljak
Was Benjamin talking Aussie dollars for the prices of the wines? I know the exchange rate was close to 1:1 for a while but I think we’re back up to one American bone being 1.5 Aussie bones or so. Just curious.

I started drinking Stump Jump some years ago basically because I’m into mountain biking and, well, it’s a mountain bike thing. I live in Spain and we don’t have a huge selection of Aussie wines but I’ve liked everything I’ve tried from D’arenberg so far.

The next time you have a snow virgin on the show you need to make them go outside and make a snow angel – some kind of initiation or something.
February 3, 2009

Don Christie
The best wine I have had from Australia, would no doubt be the …

The blend is made up predominantly of fragrant, crisp Sauvignon Blanc balanced by finely structured, elegant Semillon with a dash of Pinot Gris for texture, spice and depth. An adaptable companion for any occasion, the Tryst White will complement a range of dishes from fresh seafood to Thai or even a diverse plate of antipasto, experimentation is the key! From nepenthe Website.
February 3, 2009

Speculator
QOTD = Morilla Estate ‘06 Pinot. It’s been a while though so I don’t remember it that clearly, but what I do remember was as a new wine drinker the bacon and leather on the nose just blew me away!

It’s a wine from Tasmania. I guess there’s not much from the island state in the U.S. eh?
February 3, 2009

Brian Barrick
I recently tried the 2004 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache, and it blew me away. Terrifically concentrated and focused fruit, with raspberries and strawberries for days. Perfectly balanced, with juicy acidity and a creamy texture, and enough tannin to give structure without a hint of dryness or bitterness. I also have some of the 2005 Two Hands Aerope Grenache in my cellar. Of course these wines are rather pricey, but they really show what Australian wines are capable of.

Not a fan of the Penfolds 389. Even for those who don’t mind all that oak, the fruit would be so much better served with a lighter touch. I’ve tried one of these after 10 years in the cellar, and was still unimpressed.

The Hermit Crab sounds like a real find. I’ll have to look for that one.
February 3, 2009

dreamcellar
best Clare = 2004 Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz
best Barossa = 2004 Rusden Boundaries Cab
best McLaren = 2005 Viottolo Nebbiolo
February 3, 2009

Ditch
Totally disagree with Ken P. Thought the synergy between guest and Gary was great.

Strange coincidence as I had someone come into my wine shop today and ask for some D’Ar Hermit Crab…and I managed to hunt down some 06 from the cellar. I may have to hunt it down myself tomorrow as well as some ‘Money Spider’ and ‘The Last Ditch’ which are also Rhone Valley white varietals.

QOTD – recently….um….Pillar Box Red 05
February 3, 2009

rimarfish
QOTD: No doubt…Mollydooker Carnival of Love 2006
February 3, 2009

KenP
Not sure about this ep. Odd discordance between GV and his guest. Poor effort. Sorry, GV. You didn’t seem to be listening to the Aussie alc.
February 3, 2009

Beardo
Great show.

QOTD: Right now I’d have to say either Torzi Matthews “Frost Dodger,” or the “Poor Thing” Grenache by R Wines (which you absolutely need to do a show on because it’s insane).
February 3, 2009

Shemp
QOTD : Back when I was a struggling line cook making peanuts/hr. (around nine to seven years or so ago,) I would find a lot of value plays in Oz. I used to love the Penfold’s Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre as my $9 splurge/open the wallet wine.

I think my palate has changed a since those days, because I am now finding much of Australia’s wines to be too overloaded – or something I don’t really like anymore.

As far as “best” ones that I’ve had or “favorite” – I loved and was blown away by the Marquis Phillips S9 when I had it about 5 years ago – so it was probably an ‘99 – ‘02 vintage.

Oddly enough, that Marquis Phillips replaced the Penfold’s Bin 389 (which was a reward for winning a staff contest in the restaurant) which had before that been the best and priciest Australian wine I had ever had to that point.
February 3, 2009

Richie Newell
Been watching for a while and finely decided it was time to make my first post. Good call on the penfolds I think all of there wines are getting over priced and over oaked. Current vintage of grange in our market is like $265 bones, CRAZY!!!

QQTD: Best wine I’ve had for the money is Elderton Command Shiraz.You can’t count out the Torbreck Runrig but who can afford it.
February 3, 2009

Nathan
2004 Obsidian Shiraz…one of my favorite wines from around the world not just aulstrailia
February 3, 2009

Hugh McCabe
Mitolo Jester Shiraz is delish.

Re Bin 389-I think this wine was unfairly dissed. It is designed for the long haul and would be drinking very nicely at 10-15 years whilst the $15 wines will have long since given up the ghost.

just my 10c worth.
February 3, 2009

David T
QOTD: Haven’t had enough wines from Down Under recently to pick a favorite, but the last pretty good one I had was the R.L. Buller & Son Victoria Tawny
February 3, 2009

Robin C
Thanks Benjamin Christie.
I have that exact Penfolds Bin 389 but haven’t tried it yet.
QOTD: so far: Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Shiraz 2001.
February 3, 2009

Phil G
qotd – don’t have a specific favorite, but i recently enjoyed a bottle of two hands angels share shiraz. i have also really liked some torbreck offerings
February 3, 2009

PhilCT (marty6001)
QOTD: I love Rosemount Estate Shiraz.. I know its sort of the K-Mart blue light special of wines, but something about the taste really excites me. I could plow through a bottle of that right now if I didn’t have 12 patients to care for and was home!!

Gary: strong show. I really anjoyed this episode, but would have loved to hear of his pairing ideas with food… The more you can intertwine food and wine, the better off I for one would be as I would know what to cook for the misses!! Thanks!!