The Auswine Forum

I tend to agree with most things that Davo says (we seem to think alike most of the time) but on this I think I differ. Stu, I think your wines at the lower end of the price scale present exceptional value, and there is another wine you make that you didn't mention that I love but I'm not divulging ...

I discovered Woodlands earlier this year thanks to a good friend of mine and have bought a few, but it will be interesting to see how much their prices rise now they are making a name for themselves. Given how expensive some MR wines are though I think they are ok for now.

Not being a member of *forum I don't know if there is a theme/quality of wine stipulated so I don't know if that would be appropriate. I will email you directly to discuss.

I think it might even have been the 95 that originally got me into the Bin 61. That was back when it as around $14 on special.

Davo, I have secured a 00 so we now have 5 vintages, 96-00, plus I can throw in a 99 Classic Clare Shiraz for comparison.

All we need to do now is get organised

I would be seriously interested in a mini vertical, my friend with a few in his collection has suggested it in the past but with the recent disappointments we thought maybe we would leave it. I have the 97 and 99 still (and possibly a 2000 but not sure from memory), I will check with Ken and see wha...

The Bin 61 is certainly an old favourite of mine, but it can be a bit hit and miss after some bottle age. I recently opened a 97 and a 99. The 99 was great, much the same as the 96 you just described, but the 97 was well and truly over the hill. A friend of mine recently opened a 98 and had a simila...

Yes I can understand the confusion, Grand Cru is actually the cellar name for the premium cellar at Liquor Barons in Mt Lawley. Not a drop of French wine in sight on the night as it was an Australian Masterclass, or so they said.

Just a few notes/views from last night's Grand Cru tasting in Perth. Format was 16 wines in 4 flights of 4, tasted blind but then revealed at the end of each flight. Dinner half way through with a dinner wine. The varietals marked on the notes are what I thought they were (part of the game on the ni...

Any fellow forumites going to the Grand Cru tasting tomorrow night?

Sorry, that last post was me.

1999 Houghton Crofters Cabernet Merlot Still fresh as a daisy, deep red/purple in colour. Nose was mainly plum and black cherry with a touch of spicy earth and some nice oak. Palate was equally as good with more of the same, nice mouthfeel, long smooth finish with fine tannins. I was surprised at h...

Although the Skype software is free, it is a bit misleading to say that using Skype is free, it isn't really. Skype uses VoIP (Voice over IP) which uses your internet connection and the IP protocol, just like sending emails or surfing the web. You have to pay your service provider for this, the more...

I would second the recommendation for Rotel, I spent considerable time 18 months ago researching receivers and ended up with a Rotel for around $2k. Having lived with it for that time I have never regretted my decision. If you need a receiver but want something that will reproduce music failthfully,...

I've been a bit rushed of late for taking notes, or even for doing a lot of drinking for that matter. The other night I pulled a 98 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon out. This wine is developing nicely but is still quite youthful both in colour and palate. Some nice secondary earthy characters de...

Big thanks to Davo for organising this one and well done on the venue, definitely one for a regular gathering. Its usually difficult with such good wines to pick a standout but for me, by far, it was the Penfolds Bin 920 . Thanks Peter for sharing that one with us, I would rate this one of the best ...

Yes I am still alive, just barely though. I am sure it was that beer at the end of the night that did me in, I was fine until then. I blame Davo for the suggestion It was yet another excellent night with some great wines, particularly from Mark as Davo mentioned with my first ever attempt at a Grand...

I hate to disappoint Mark, but the Perth Pinot and Duck night is going ahead tonight! Great notes by the way...

Ok I have booked us into the James St Kitchen for 7:30pm on Wednesday 17th November. The booking is currently for 6 people but can be changed: Davo + 1 possibly MarkG + 1 Justin Yours truly Mark, I would suggest 3 bottles between 2 of you should be fine. I usually take a couple of bottles. Somehow w...

Heard on the radio this morning that a bottle of the first vintage of Grange, a 1951, just sold for $53k. The most interesting part about this story was the comment that the wine is no longer considered drinkable and is only now value as a collectors' item. I thought it would be interesting to know ...

I would like to book us in for the James St Kitchen in Northbridge for November 17. Can I please get a show of hands as to who is definitely attending?

Thanks.

Davo must be preparing one for the upcoming offline

KevinT, usually about as often as someone decides its about time we should have one. I would suggest this would be the last one for the year but I am sure there will be more next year. Sounds like the new date works for most people so if anyone would like to suggest a venue please feel free. So far ...

Given that a few people can't make it on the 3rd, how does Wed 17th Nov sound to everyone?

Well as a first attempt at a date how does Wednesday Nov 3 sound? Is 3 weeks enough for everyone to get organised? Pinot and duck certainly sounds enticing to me, how about everyone else? I'll be sure to bring the trusty digital camera too so we can post some pics.

Folks Seems to be about that time again to get together and enjoy some non-cyberspace conversation as well as good wine and food. No dates or venues decided yet but probably early November I would suggest. Please let me know if you are interested (Davo I've put you down already) and suggestions for ...

The way I try to look at it is to pace my drinking: I have plenty of wines at the $10-20 mark, these are my regular quaffers, sit at home watching a movie etc. I have quite a few wines in the $20-50 range, these are my regular dinner, bbq, having friends around type wines. I would usually only go th...

Davo

Does this mean you are up for a Perth offline this month (or perhaps early Nov)? My workload hasn't decreased but if I try and wait until it does I might never make it to another offline!!

1995 Reynell Basket Press Shiraz Lovely sweet, ripe, blackberry, cassis, and dusty oak on the nose, backed up by a similar palate with good length and still quite persistent tannins although certainly not harsh. Excellent and will go quite a bit further yet. 1998 Hardys Tintara Shiraz Slightly more...

Just some tasting views, nothing detailed just didn't have the time. The standouts were without doubt the brace of wines from Majella, the 02 Shiraz and the 02 Cabernet. They even outshone, in my humble opinion, the 01 "The Malleea". Another must buy for value was the S.Kidman riesling, we did a dou...

Kevin, probably did see you, but I wouldn't have known Gavin, I love living in Perth, except it is occasionally annoying when you miss out, like missing out on both Ladbroke and Flints that you recommended, presumably both of which decided it was too much bother to cross the Nullabor. Same goes for ...