Ye Olde Claret Jug

As I said in the previous blog, this is about as close as I am going to come to The Open Championship Trophy in the flesh. But I love what it represents about the game, and about whatever grand ambitions I had as a player when I was still competing. The experience of playing in The Open is something that I will treasure forever, even though I pretty much just made up the numbers at each attempt.

On the other hand, Kel Nagle won it. And knowing how tough major courses are set up, and the pressure that accompanies the occasion, it says a lot about what a talent Kel was.

The Claret Jug is still the most iconic trophy in the world of golf, and will never be surpassed in this respect. That's producer Lou Dimovitch in the mirror, quite by accident, even though if I could I'd choose to claim it as some sort of artistic expression on my part.

A Legendary Gentleman

I had the great pleasure yesterday of meeting and interviewing one of the all-time greats of Australian golf, Kel Nagle.

Kel won the 1960 Open Championship at the age of 39, beating Arnold Palmer by a shot. He also won 61 tour events in Australia, and had the remarkable distinction of winning an event every year between 1949 and 1975.

He turns 89 in December, and is as sharp as a tack. I could have sat there all day and listened. In many ways it is a pity that the whole interview will have to be distilled down into something that fits into a formula to suit television, but I guess that's the way it goes.

We will be featuring the interview on The Pro Shop in a couple of weeks.

I think this is about as close as I will ever get to the Claret Jug!

On the Bench #5

The tragic death of Trevor Drayton in the Drayton winery explosion of 2008 is one of the worst stories in Australian wine of recent times. From all reports Trevor was a terrific bloke and a passionate winemaker. He left a lot of friends behind.

The other story that came out of this disaster was that of assistant winemaker William Rikard-Bell, horribly burned and in a critical condition, running into a nearby dam and being found there by rescuers before being rushed to hospital.

Rikard-Bell is now the winemaker for Draytons, having recovered from his injuries. It's a great story and he's obviously a talented winemaker, because this is a seriously good wine.

Draytons 'Vineyard Selection' Chardonnay 2009 $20

Some pear, a touch of pineapple, some citrus-like flavours as well. Textured palate but decidedly fresh, with a touch of spice adding interest. Excellent carry and length. Best of all, it makes for great drinking and keeps you coming back for more. Winery Sample, 93 points, drink 2009+

On the Bench #4

Stanton and Killeen Vintage Port 2004 $29

Can't believe how little fortified wine I drink these days, and every time I take the opportunity I'm reminded what I've been missing out on. This is a speccy wine, released with five years bottle age and up for grabs for less than $30. We don't know how good we've got it down under when it comes to world class fortified's.

Silky, refined and delicious. The alcohol is beautifully integrated, and the weightlessness of the wine belies the fortification, which I imagine is exactly the goal in the first place. Despite the bottle age this is still extremely youthful, with a rawness of sweet prune and black plum flavour that still needs some restful years to find its equilibrium. It's a long term, classically structured Vintage Port, and worthy of a place in anyone's cellar. Winery Sample, 94+ points, 2015+

On the Bench #3

Brokenwood 'Forest Edge Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $25

Much gnashing of teeth lately about the foothold that NZ Sauvignon has in the Australian market. Of the top ten Sauvignon Blanc's sold by volume, how many would you think are from NZ? Try ten.

So as a nation we're remarkably switched on to the East Island when it comes to savvy. We also allow the Kiwi's to claim back the WET tax (29%) on all sales here, so it is a win/win, or maybe win/win/win/win which goes some way to explaining their impressive marketing spend and subsequent market dominance.

Nonetheless, we do a pretty good version of the style in various cooler climate areas, like Orange in Central NSW, where Brokenwood source the fruit for this wine from. In fact this is better than pretty good, with fresh and lively passionfruit, citrus and nettle flavours and aroma's. It's not too 'green' in nature and whilst the front palate explosiveness of Sauvignon is there it doesn't wither away to nothingness in a hurry like some of its brethren. Winery Sample, 92 points, drink 2009+

When Norman ruled the World

In Golf Digest this month, a look at the Masters of old, the man who made the tournament his, and the approaching visit of Tiger Woods for the 2009 event in November at Kingston Heath.

On the Bench #2

Fox Gordon 'Princess' Fiano 2009 $20

The alternative variety movement in Australia is well and truly on the march, with all sorts of rare and obscure varietals poking their heads above the parapet. Fox Gordon are just one of the many who are staking a claim for a piece of turf on the new frontier, and they're making a good fist of it, too.

It has a great combination of fruit flavour and savouriness. Pears and almonds come straight to mind as flavour cues, but it's the slightly pithy, nutty, almost chewy/dried pear nature of the finish that grabs the attention. Made for food, with a fresh sweep of acidity cleaning up the tail. Seriously well made wine here - the rating, whilst more or less capturing the merits of the wine, doesn't quite do justice to the enjoyability factor. 91 points, 2009+

On the Bench #1

Brokenwood 'Indigo Vineyard' Viognier 2008 $28

The Indigo Vineyard is located in the cool Beechworth region of Victoria, where a number of producer's (Castagna, Savaterre and Giaconda, amongst others) are making some seriously good wines.

This is pretty darn smart too. Spicy, with freshness of flavour in the peach/pear spectrum. Ripe phenolics but no oily texture. Plenty of energy and life. Hitting the bullseye with Viognier is no mean feat but Brokenwood get a little closer every year. 91 points, drink 2009+

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2009 $30

A different beast this year. The last two releases (07 & 08) have been more up front in their attraction, at least to my memory (as I have ditched all tasting notes).

This is a gentler, more restrained version of the Hanlin Hill. That said, it is completely seamless, the even flow of the lime and citrus flavours showing no deviation, and defined by delicacy. Less immediate impact than 07 and 08, especially through the middle, but a latent mineral feel kicks in and keeps the flavour lingering. Lovely wine, but difficult to rate, more so if you're familiar with the last few vintages. A 'classical' style? A sleeper? Time will tell. 93+ points, drink 2009+

Best's Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $25

Opens with a good whiff of mintiness, true to varietal/regional tendencies. This abates quite noticeably on the second day, suggesting a good decant is the go. On the more restrained side of Central Victorian Cabernet, with youthful black/ red currant flavours, fine tannins, and nicely balanced oak and alcohol in the background. There's a slight rawness about this, but it's really well put together and three days after opening is still rocking along nicely. Give it a couple of years. Nice wine. 89+ points, 2011+

Various

A lot of wine to taste at the moment. Here's an attempt to put a dent in the pile,

Best's Great Western Riesling 2009 $22

It is always a pretty good sign of how a winery is travelling when their sample mail out includes 2008 reds and 2009 whites, and the year is 2009. Demand is obviously strong, which comes as no surprise with regard to Best's, one of the great Australian wine names.

This is delicious. Zesty and with plenty of zip. Flowers,lemons,citrus and a river pebble/stoniness on the nose and palate as it starts to open up on the second day. Acidity is assertive, but it should be at this age, and with salt and pepper squid this was really singing. Will age, but this is bloody hard to resist right now, especially with food. 92 points, 2009+

Jip Jip Rocks Unwooded Chardonnay 2009 $18

Nicely put together. Citrus, honeydew and pear skin aroma's. Mid weight Chardonnay texture in the mouth, with citrus and green melon flavours. Gentle finish. 87 points, 2009+

David Hook Hunter Valley Barbera 2007 $25

The Italian varietal Barbera looks to have a future in the Hunter Valley. There are some nice examples starting to pop up, Margan is one that comes immediately to mind, and this wine from David Hook also looks the goods.

There's some regional earthiness here on the nose and palate which is particularly attractive, and complements the naturally medium bodied nature of the grape. Some sweet/sour elements too, which taste better than they sound and are part of the overall interest of the wine. Slightly tangy red and sour cherry flavours, if you are looking for a specific chracter- another year in bottle will serve it well, then drink it over the following five. 90 points, 2010+

Vasse Felix 'Heytesbury' Chardonnay 2007- $40

I tasted this wine over a three hour period, wondering if any holes would appear in its story. It simply appeared too good to be true at first, almost too proper and perfectly behaved. The only thing that happened though was that it improved, and if anything became even more seamless. I guess if you had to describe it you would say that it smells and tastes of grapefruit, matchstick, white peaches, youthful creamy oak and toasted nuts. But it's more than that- it screams 'fine wine', the texture of it at once silken and caressing but with a kick of persistent, intense length in the tail. There's a fair amount of winemaking influence here but it is all wound into the wine beautifully. 96 points- drink 2011+