Mission Impossible - the last half of the bottle was enjoyed by Mrs D and I last night. So much so, that we discussed how the fruit and depth of the wine had developed, and how that damn effervescence as Mrs D has descrided it, could be got rid of before serving. The last third of a glass, I left on the dresser while watching the goggle - it was quite nice, and a bit over full for you G

No probs G - "you've done good".

As for finding an MSB Star in the minds of us all here ! - How possible is that these days ? The supermarkets have decided "what and how" the most popular MSB style should be for the majority of their customers !

If you find one below £8 that is produced in any sort of volume, you'll be a hero.

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Duncan

*edited, I've upped the anti to £9 for a MSB that qualifies in all departments -

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Duncan

It IS almost impossible.

You find one you like and then they start making it differently or it falls over. If that doesn't happen the savvy UK buyers clear the lot. Then you have to start over for the next vintage.

Are Vavasour and Goldwater going to come to the rescue for the 2011 vintage? Or have they built up a reputation that sees their prices rise further, edging into the premium category. I see full price for a Pioneer block is now £17.50

I am expecting you will need to spend at least a tenner in 2012 for good quality MSB. Personally, I'm still drinking 2009.

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tribs

I am expecting you will need to spend at least a tenner in 2012 for good quality MSB. Personally, I'm still drinking 2009.

Tribbs - I'm pretty much with you on that, and even then.........its going to be a fluke if we can near to our favourites. I miss Bob Campbell's advice, mainly because he does very nearly all of them - and the TNs are correct. Saves a load of experiments.

I'm also on the best '09s V & G and a box of VM reserve nine & tens, have some Craggy and 2 Astrolabe and several Saint Clair 10's. After that though, and that would be blowing out all my goodies - the cupboard is bare.

I should not be quite so "Gollum like" with my stock - Inflation on them today though, is serious !

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Duncan

Dunc, I have a similar list. No Astros here, though I nearly did get a couple when they were on offer last year.

I meant to add, that it doesn't help when all the writers want you to pay for their opinion, these days. I do understand they have to make a living.

BC supposedly only witholds the latest 6 months tastings. If that is the case, then I'd be mighty unhappy at what I'd paid for if I had suscribed, judging by the notes that have come through over the last 12 months. Looking at the MSB's most I have never heard of and I doubt they'd be easily available for me to pick up. Also, I'm not sure I'd trust his opinions on anything other than MSB, so if I wanted opinions on say an Aussie shiraz, I'd have to pay for another writer's notes.

It makes more sense to me to try what is available and make up my own mind.

Having said that, the 09 MSB's (coolered) are wonderful at the moment and I am determined not to let them expire.

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tribs

BC supposedly only witholds the latest 6 months tastings. If that is the case, then I'd be mighty unhappy at what I'd paid for if I had suscribed, judging by the notes that have come through over the last 12 months

It is not quite so complicated. For instance BC awards John Forrest '09 MSB a 93 in September 11. Quite a late opinion from BC. I did JF's Stonewall MSB, the UK label for Laithwaites on the 2007 vintage. I liked it a lot - a bit too rich for Mr G. However, you find-out who is making the good stuff, to suit our palates, without having to resort to the big brand UK price positions and premium postions ! JF appears to have given up with the UK, who knows, the supermarkets and others may have beaten him down too hard ?

Expire I have to be careful, I keep MSB very accessible, I know where it is, all of the time

Yep, my cellar / dark comodious cupboard is running at 8C today at ground level, 9C on the higher racks near the door.

My MSB stock will not be as pristine fresh as our advisor Mr G would demand it, but slow evo for me is acceptable. You're running your cooler at What ? 5C.

The other way round this is discipline ! - Consume less of the naff stuff. Goose though, has shelled out quite strong money for some indifferent tat recently - sorry G, dunno how to get round that problem.
We owe you one.

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Duncan

Having said that, the 09 MSB's (coolered) are wonderful at the moment and I am determined not to let them expire.

Tribs:
Did you see that BC had done TNs on Astrolabe MSB (the standard cuvee) from 2004 through to 2010 in April 2011.

I don't know how they were stored ? It doesn't say.....But on tasting, they were all reported to be fresh and achieved 90 to 93 points across the board !

This is a point of interest for well made MSB that has not been artificially dolled-up somehow. Have I missed another angle ?

Of the 2004 he says "Still very mineral with sharp, bright flavours including some stone fruit. Shows some development but very youthful"

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Duncan

Hmm. Interesting.

May hold some back. I have a lot of other stuff to get through, also.

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tribs

I think your cooler is the business ! - I've been envious - Please check your research to find the optimum temp for suspended animation

I shall test JE'10 stich next. I forgot to mention that one, I scored very well on that Big T spat - another Bin 28 type offer. JE'10 wos clean, yet ripe, generous and true when I wos last on it before xmas. BC did as well - he gave it a 90 ! I've not looked into his MSB drawer for a while, I was quietly contented to find an accord.

I have good unoaked '08 chablis to clear before the Autumn. My disciplined approach has been working for 3 days - Friday evening looms

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Duncan

The Ned is made by Marisco of the King's Series fame. Obviously Brent Maris Company.

There's nice now isn't it?.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Too sweet for me this. I do have a sweet tooth and I like sweet wines, but not in MSB.

There is nothing exotic, either. I sat thinking it was almost exactly the same as the 2009 I had some time ago. Not obviously MSB. Maybe not a bad wine, but not one I'd return to. Will maybe look out for those early release bottles next time around.

I am happier with my pithy Goldwater.

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tribs

A Saint Clair PB 19 mimic. Pithy and hard work. Sweet and simple.. All in the first 9 months.

Come Christmas it'll be a tangerinne flavoured turkey.

Who will help me out by trying a PB 21 2011.

Mel may have a tasting note buried somewhere.

PB 21, that's the capsicum one isn't it?

I tried that last year but it was also a bit sweet for me, although in a capsicum flavoured way.

I had a PB19 a few weeks ago and it was lovely. It WAS pithy to start with though.

My favourite Block is still the 3 though. Herbal / Grassy.

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tribs

Bell Block: I could 'ave ......

Mr G, I wish you'd said something before I went to Maj on Saturday, I could have taken a pair as the offer is £7 off as you know. Damn, I've never had this one. The more herbacious quality would be a new SC style for me.

Remind me G - Your tangerine dream was the Bird block 2007 ?

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Duncan