Bill Spohn wrote:


2001 Suckfizzle Augusta Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (Margaret River) - barrel
fermentation works well for this wine - a very nice blend of flintiness with
moderate oak added, good, primarily sauvignon blanc nose, soft middle and clean
finish.

Suckfizzle?? Surely you jest, Bill! Or is it just another example of that
iconoclastic Antipodean humo(u)r?

Served with scallops and white asparagus.

1993 Ch. Musar - it isn't very often that we head for the Bekaa Valley in
Lebanon with a wine - less often than in the past, for while I found the old
(70s) vintages quite attractive, there was a slump in quality thereafter that
predisposed one against buying and cellaring the wines.

Given that the Beka'a Valley was a site of major conflict during the Lebanese
Civil War (that, not coincidentally, occupied the entire decade of the '80s), it
is more surprising that Musar was able to continue production at all, IMO. I do
agree that they seem to have regained form since the end of hostilities.

1998 Greg Norman Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot -

Dark, and with a somewhat closed nose, a good feel, and
lots of acidity (perhaps the most I recall seeing in an Australian wine),
although the fruit came rushing back at the end, thus distinguishing it from
other areas that typically exhibit such high acid. Not bad.

Of course, this was from a phenomenal vintage. However, the one bottle I've had
of this (year unknown, possibly the '98) was likewise quite respectable and
surprisingly ageworthy. But, if you want to truly experience an Aussie wine with
high acid, listen closely. The other day I was served blind a red wine that was
so mouth-puckeringly acidic (with thin, cherryish fruit) that I speculated that it
was a cheap Chianti from a cool year such as 2002. It was, in fact, a 2001 Black
Opal Cab/Merlot from Oz. Should you be masochistic enough to try it, I'm sure
that it'll make the Greg Norman look downright succulent by comparison... ;-)

As always, thanks for the interesting notes, Bill.

Mark Lipton