The Auswine Forum

I don't know that Parker has had much effect on our vinodiversity - in the last ten years a lot of fields have changed and expanded dramatically, and I think wine is just one of many things evolving quickly. What he has done is made it economically viable for many small makers to focus on quality a...

Based on some postings Mr. Parker has made on his (actually Mark Squires') BB (eRobertParker.com), his love affair with big Australian Shiraz is only growing deeper. These wines have piqued his interest. Prediction: he'll start reviewing Australian Shiraz with no US distribution (read Wendouree). No...

The Two Hands on Saturday night and the Elderton tonight. Two very excellent wines, indeed. The Two Hands is more immediately accessible, knocking back the nose and palate from the get-go. The Elderton was more reticent - taking about an hour to open up to reveal its beauty. Both are warm, ripe and ...

My Dear Australian Mates, I purchased Mr. Oliver's annual on two different visits to Australia (the 1998 and 2001) editions. Is he taken seriously by you folks? Neither edition even mentions the existence of Wendouree, much less provides a tasting note of any Wendouree wines. Perhaps it's just my Ya...

Thanks to all for your opinions! I'm a tad hesitant to uncork the Run Rig as it is my only bottle of the '98 vintage. By the time the '98s were released, they were ridiculously priced here in The States. I bought my only bottle at Vintners' in Tanunda. I'm thinking of waiting until our eldest gradua...

Our daughter's graduation is coming up in less than a month. Friends and family will gather for a fine dinner at a wine-friendly restaurant (BYO permitted). So, from the list below, please give me your three top picks as to what I should uncork (we will be eating seared animal flesh!): Penfolds Gran...

The very large percentage of high-quality ($30+) wine from the 1998 vintage will live for yonks. If we want to quote respected authorities, no less than Michael Broadbent has said on at least two occasions that 1998 wines will be extremely long-lived, and he certaintly aint no huge Oz wine fan. AJ,...

An interesting debate. Some will age and some wont, its a very broad brush we are using here. However, during my trip, two respected winemakers I spoke to both said they expected many of the 98's will not get better and may have been better consumed young. Rick, And that makes Aussie Shiraz no diff...

Like a lady, most Aussies Shiraz are best appreciated "young" (I drank most b4 5yrs fr the vintage) Very few are like Kylie Minogue Sorry, Martin, but what a complete load of Bulldust. Clearly, you have little experience with Oz wines. Your attitude is similar to our American friends, who assume bi...

This was a sexy, opulent fruit bomb in its youth. Today, it was much more muted. With an hour or two of air time, it began to round out, and actually was quite pleasant with grilled filets and sauteed wild mushrooms. No secondary flavors seem to be emerging, and it has gone from full-bodied to mediu...

This is everything I love about so many Australian wines. Ripe, round, smooth, low acid, full-bodied and easy with food. Like country music, it ain't complicated. Who cares? For $12, I'm glad I bought 2 cases. Doc, It really is a nice wine isn't it? Much better than you might expect from the name a...

Aussie Johns wrote:Greenock Creek Cab 1997 (about 98pts from RMP.)

-want to crack the case, and have seen some ordinary reports on this wine, so a good time to try!!

Don't know about the '97 (didn't buy it), but the '96 Greenock Creek CS (94 pts, RMP) was DOA by 2002.

Neither my wife nor I felt like cooking tonight, so we ordered "takeaway" to enjoy at home. On a lark, grabbed a bottle of The Ball Buster from the cellar (the screwcap helped make the decision as everyone was anxious to dig in). This is everything I love about so many Australian wines. Ripe, round,...

GraemeG wrote:I don't think the Brady's even send Wendouree to any local critics for review, so it'll be a heatwave in Hades before they send one to Parker, that's for sure!

cheers,
Graeme

Graeme,

As it should be!

[I couldn't agree more with this. The number chasers will destroy access to anything of reasonable value if it breaks the 90+ barrier. I can guarantee that the next tasting I go to there will be at least one character who will ask what the wines scored (either from Parker or Wine Spectator), while ...

On release Grange went for $375-469 depending on where and which bottle shop you went for. The Magnum $1500-1650. Too much for my blood! Mark Mark, Will there be a market for the '99 Grange at those prices? Since the '98 debuted in The States for less than $200 US, and is still available for around...

To my good friends Down Under! Mr. Parker does not have very deep or wide experience with Australian wines. At best, he's visited Australia once or twice. As a result, he primarily relies on a handful of importers (Grateful Palate, most notably) to supply him with wines to review. Since Australian R...

Where can you order them now? and how much it cost you? I couldn't find it except in the Auction House. Got one set of the 96 vintage and going to have a verticle tasting on the 96 98 and 99 later this month. Jacques, As I am in The States, there are still a few bottles in the Pennsylvania pipeline...

What are your views on the future of the 1998? Guest, I was so taken by how well the '98 is showing, today I ordered 6 more bottles. This one has drunk well since release and doesn't appear anywhere near decline. I love it for the pure hedonistic pleasure it gives, and, it is a great wine to share ...

Had the '98 Eight Songs last week with friends in Florida. Absolutely delicious! Ripe, round, warm, full-bodied, smooth finish. The entire package. Tonight, we uncorked the '97 (which we purchased at the winery in 2001). Similar nose to the '98, but not quite as full-bodied as the '98. A touch highe...

graham wrote:Are they good for long term cellaring (10-20)? Looking at broadening my collection. Would the latest release of 2000 Eight Songs be a good addition?

Graham,

Don't know about the 2000, but we had the 1998 Eight Songs in Florida last week and it was fabulous!

across the globe - at both cellar doors and fine wine merchants - is as follows: If you show a genuine interest in the winery and its wines; if you communicate that you know something about the winery and its wines; if you are enthusiastic rather than analytic; and, if you take your time tasting thr...

Isn't it becoming tiresome that all high alcohol reds from Australia are being tarred with the same undrinkabel brush. All out about vineyard, vintage and season, then winemakers who know what they are doing. Was at Warrabilla with Rolf in January and we thought their Durif's amazing, obviously hug...

Wasn't sure how many of you were interested in music when you drink wine...but I think most people associate wine drinkers with classical music. Babe, Nothing beats Beethoven's 6th for a relaxing moment with a good bottle. However, for Tait's "The Ball Buster", I pop in Alan Jackson's "It's 5 O'Clo...

Greetings All! Just returned from a trip to Florida. Met up with many old friends from Down Under. We all enjoyed the '99 deBortoli Noble One. A lovely time was had by all. But, I digress.... I received a bottle of the '96 Magpie Estate The Malcolm shortly after its release back in late '98, I belie...

Folks,

Please post your notes after the tasting.

I envy your opportunity!

Greetings All! I am a confirmed (some might say "demented") lover of all manner of Oz Shiraz. While I have numerous vintages of the usual suspects, I most intrigued about the appropriate drinking window for Wendouree. I have several - '91, '92, '94, '95, '97 and '98. Since my limited tasting experie...