The Auswine Forum

Hello since I am new to wine, only been collecting since the 98 vintage and lack any professional training I would be interested in some of your impressions on his vintage ratings. He rates 98 a 95 E (for early), the 99 88E, The 2000 88C (for caution), 01 is 95 T for Tannic, 02 is also 95 T, 03 is 9...

I agree with you Gavin on the 99s being better than 98s today as a rule. I started collecting Australian wines with the 98 vintage so I bought lots because of the hype. I just wish I had purchased more 99s. Did not buy many 2000s but bought 2001s and they seem mostly to be drinking very nice now. Th...

Hello in the past two days I have had a 98 St Hallet Blackwell and 98 Lindemans St Geo cab. Both wines seem to have peaked and the nose especially is smelling like a over the hill wine. The St Geo tasted ok but color and nose seem to indicate I should drink my 98s soon. So not to cast a shadow on th...

I have managed to accumulate a number of old vine South Australia shirazes. I am finding the 98s very approachable enjoying the 99s. Didnt buy many 2000s. The 2001s are mostly enjoyable. The 2002s are just not ready to drink even after a days decanting they seem too tannic or alcoholic dont know the...

My neighbor was given a case of the above wine and after tasting I bought a case. Have tried the Aberfeldy a couple of times and enjoyed it very much. But didnt know about the Adams brothers blend consisting of Clare valley and Borossa shiraz. Didnt see it mentioned in Olivers guide or Parker. Does ...

It has been three years since our last trip to coonawarra, barossa,mc laren vale and clare valley. Last trip was in Feb 03 and would like to plan another and want to visit at maybe a time when the weather would be nice in Sydney (stopover a few days) and Adelaide and prices would not be high season ...

Enjoyed a 1998 Jim Barry McRae Wood last night had two of these the past month and really enjoyed them both. Guess this is why I decided to collect Aussy wines, just love the shirazes when they get a few years on them . I live in a seasonal community in California where the cabs are the most common ...

Today I opened a 2001 Sanguine and it is a nice wine. I love Aussy shiraz and the 2001 was a good bottle but tomorrow I will open a 2003 and we will see. I returned to the 2002 and it is still bad no improvement. I e mailed Simon at Nicks and he offered to credit me for all my 02 purchases which is ...

Just opened my second bottle of 02 Sanguine Estate Heathcote Shiraz. It tastes very strange to me kind of a menthol, moth ball kind of hard to describe taste. I would not have mentioned it but this is the second strange tasting bottle. I just love Barossa, Mc Laren Vale, Claire Valley shirazes. But ...

So if travel shock degrades the wine is this a permanent thing with older wines or do they return to their pre travel quality with a few days in the cellar?

Was talking to a friend of mine who recently bought a case of 02 Penfolds 389 and he did not like it nearly as much as other vintages (in June) he had tried. He purchased it in Portland Oregon. I told him it might be suffering from bottle shock but I didnt really know if there were any rules of thum...

Some advice on decanting would be appreciated. I have found that I enjoy my 2002 shiraz decanted at least an hour. The 2003s dont seem to need as much decanting. My 1998s dont seem to need it. So is there a rule of thumb on how old and what vintages need decanting. It would be helpful to me if someo...

I have noticed that the 99 vintage shirazes that I have held the past couple of years are sure developing well. Not expecting too much from the vintage since the highly touted 98, this has been quite a pleasant surprise. Just open the above 99 and love it. Is this true of many other 99s from Barossa...

I really enjoyed the 01 Fox creek reserve shiraz was wondering if the 02 is as good? any tasting notes. thanks

I really enjoy Barossa, McLaren Vale Shiraz and Coonawarra Cabernet. Bought a bottle of the above on a suggestion from a web site. It is 88% Cab Franc from Mount Barker Western Australia. Never had cab franc before other than a small amount in a blend. Very strong bite to the wine was that the tanni...

Southern Hemisphere wines is now promoting this wine as McLaren Vale shiraz with some promise. I have never heard of it and couldnt find it any any wine books so wondering how good it is. Any tasting notes?

Hello I really enjoyed the 02 Tait Cab last night. Is the 03 as good? Could you let me know some others with the same big fruit characteristics? How long do these Tait cabs last in the cellar? thanks

I have collected most vintages of Penfolds RWT and 707 and last night I opened my first 99 RWT. Noticed a very green odor much different than the 97 or 98. Not the barnyard I get out of some old world wines or musty odor. I bought a case because of Jeremy Olivers high rating but now wondering about ...