Red Wine in 09 (30th and 31st May 2009)

It doesn't seem that long ago, but it was nearly a year ago a tired and emotional PJ pitched the idea of a punter centric wine website to a couple of people at the 2008 Red Wine weekend. High on a mixture of nostalgia and excitement we departed the winepunters HQ and headed to this years event.

The fact that people have the ability to sample a huge range of premium red wines in the one place for the princely sum of $15, or $12 if you pre-purchased tickets, continues to astound us. PJ mentioned this fact to a punter and to his horror the punter's partner started lambasting the poor man for not pre-booking and 'wasting $6'!

Except for that punter, Tasmanians are simply the luckiest people on the planet (couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch of humans in our opinion - Ed) to have regular events of this type and a lot of very well dressed punters took advantage by heading along to the Henry James hotel on the weekend.

What did we like ?

Almost all of the things we liked about last years event made a welcome reappearance.
Again the people serving you were vineyard owners or winemakers who took the time to help you understand what you were tasting.  Again there was a huge range of premium red wines covering multiple vintages. The cheese punters were also there in force tasting what we believe was an expanded range of cheeses. In fact Winepunters can now reveal that sources close to the cheese were over joyed at the range and quality.

Last year's event was held in a venue that could not cope with the number of people who turned up.  Happily this year this wasn't a problem which was just as well because to us it looked like even more people took advantage of the event. To our and hopefully everyone else's pleasant surprise many Tamar Valley vineyards made the trip south to exhibit their wines. This occurred because the Red Wine Weekend was held as part of the wider Savour Tasmania festival. So this year the red wine weekend was even better value for money.

The inclusion of a map showing the layout of the room in the booklet given to everyone as they arrived was a pretty good addition. So was the efforts of Maria from Domain A who was advising people to start with the current Pinot vintage before trying the 2005 so as to get a better appreciation of the aging characteristics of Pinot. You would think that being the industry veterans we are we would have known that without having to be told.  

We have heard repeatedly from punters that you just don't seem to get a "bad Tasmanian wine" and this event proves that they are right. The quality of the wine was consistently impressive, especially the 2006 pinots and it was no surprise when Matt Pooley announced that the 06 Frogmore Reserve Pinot was the 'people's choice'. It is a bit rude to try to pick our favourites but we have noticed that punters are not sending us as many derogatory comments and nasty emails as before and we miss them. 

Remembering the fact that we liked everything the following exhibits, in no particular order, sparked our interest even more that usual:

Goaty Hill 08 Pinot - Lovely and ready to drink. What impressed us was the fact that this followed the very impressive 07 Pinot - nothing like going back to back. (C'mon Goaty go for the threepeat - Ed)

Holm Oak - According to Tim Duffy the 08 pinot was "alright I guess" We found we liked the big mouth feel and slightly sweet highlight. So Tim if the 08 was only alright please tell us when Holm Oak make something you think is good because we will drop everything and head up north with cheque book in hand and our pens at the ready. 

Morningside - The 07 pinot was really good and the 06 pinot was seriously good.

Pooley  - We bought some of their 06 pinot, enough said.

Bream Creek - Everything you expect from this consistent producer.

Kilbowie Heron's rise - As a punter pointed out to us their 07 pinot was "well balanced and very French" and we couldn't agree more, it is a unique wine. As an aside try the 06 and prepared to be amazed.

Velo - 07 Shiraz, a shiraz at a Tasmanian wine event who could ask for anything more? It does help that it was a nicely balanced and spicy wine with a clean finish.

Being introduced to 'new' labels like Yellow Point and Grey Sands as well as trying new varieties like the Romanesque.

What did we like maybe not so much?

Again we feel like we are a bunch of petty, nitpicking moaners (just like people who ring AM radio talkback shows! - Ed) to raise any criticisms but in the interests of journalistic balance ....

To start with we have a 'didn't understand' rather than a 'didn't like'. What's with people trying to use their mobile phones in a room jammed with wine appreciating punters some of whom, lets face it, were three sheets to the wind. One person we saw even had their friends using their hands to help shield the person's face and phone to help make the conversation possible! (people just go out in the hall or maybe not use the phone for just a few hours - go ahead try it you might find it easier than you think! - Ed). 

We also had the old sauna/ fridge cycle going with the air conditioning but this may have been the result of the event being too popular which is probably not a bad problem for the organisers. Inquiring minds also want to know where was the  museum table? In our mind it was a real hit last year and was sorely missed.

Lastly we have to deduct points for the young man from Moorilla who attempted to disguise his outrageous flirting with Michelle by 'explaining' the Moorilla label. To that young man we say "mate, she is a classy lady who deserves dinner and a movie before you start with the smutty talk about ancient creek and roman orgies".  Also you explanation was of dubious historical accuracy.

Summing up

This continues to be one of our favourite wine events in Tasmania and we already can't wait for the next one! 

Did you go ? If so, let us know what you thought? Send us a comment