2013 Greenock Creek Release

[dan_smee]

So, Greenock Creek are due to release on 14 September according to their new website http://www.greenockcreekwines.com.au.

Likely to be

2012 Cornerstone Grenache
2011 Alice's Shiraz
2011 Apricot Block Shiraz
2011 Seven Acre Shiraz
2011 Cabernet
2008 RR Shiraz
2008 RR Cabernet

So with mixed reports about the wet 2011 vintage, how high are expectations? Halliday and Langtons rate 2011 a 5 and 6 respectively for reds in the Barossa, while somevignerons are claiming that good selection processes and smart vineyard management have achieved some great results. The big news of this release is the 2008 RRs. Again, a strange vintage, and quality almost entirely dependant on picking dates. Given greenock's likening for later picking, is this bad news for the RRs?

[ticklenow1]

In the mailer Philip White raves about them, the Cabernet in particular. I've always been a huge fan of the Cabernet and I'll get a few. It's only 13% alcohol as well where the Grenache and Shiraz's are all 14%+. I will get my yearly dozen or so but mainly the 2012 Grenache.

Cheers
Ian

[dan_smee]

In the mailer Philip White raves about them, the Cabernet in particular. I've always been a huge fan of the Cabernet and I'll get a few. It's only 13% alcohol as well where the Grenache and Shiraz's are all 14%+. I will get my yearly dozen or so but mainly the 2012 Grenache.

Cheers
Ian

When did you receive the mailer Ian?

I haven't got mine yet, and it isn't up on the website

[phillisc]

Dan, in another thread, re langtons tasting, Ian and I have already discussed this.

With small makers like GC, Wendouree, Noons, they actually have to consider their credibility of their product and their customer base...something the big boys don't give a shit about...2011 Grange anyone? plus all the other stuff , however no riddoch or michael or 707 I suggest this shows some credibility.

If it was not up to par..it is not released, Michael Waugh said this himself in the newsletter about those who did not have quality fruit.

That said and agree with Ian, you can buy with confidence...I am dipping my toe back in this year and sent the mailer off yesterday for 6 Alices after not having purchased CG for 4 vintages.

Yes 2012 should be superlative...but 2011s will be none too shabby me thinks

Cheers
Craig.

[LGW]

I received mine yesterday. They have also released a limited amount of magnums this year (I think it was for the whole range except for the RRs if I remember correctly).

[dan_smee]

Yay! Mailer was waiting for me after work.

Will dip in and get a mix of Alice's, Apricot Block and Cabernet. Would love to get some RR, but I just don't have the funds as I am entering 'wine club' season. It isn't really a 'season', but Tyrrell's 2013 white release is coming up, and I have yet to get some 2013 Thomas Braemore.

[Brucer]

Yay! Mailer was waiting for me after work.

Will dip in and get a mix of Alice's, Apricot Block and Cabernet. Would love to get some RR, but I just don't have the funds as I am entering 'wine club' season. It isn't really a 'season', but Tyrrell's 2013 white release is coming up, and I have yet to get some 2013 Thomas Braemore.

I received the Tyrrells white mailer yesterday.

[dan_smee]

Yay! Mailer was waiting for me after work.

Will dip in and get a mix of Alice's, Apricot Block and Cabernet. Would love to get some RR, but I just don't have the funds as I am entering 'wine club' season. It isn't really a 'season', but Tyrrell's 2013 white release is coming up, and I have yet to get some 2013 Thomas Braemore.

I received the Tyrrells white mailer yesterday.

Nice - anything good, bad, interesting to note this year? Prices up/down/steady? Any interesting releases?

[Brucer]

There is 2013 Vat 1, Johnnos sem , Belford sem. Vat 1 up $4. HVD sem is the futures sem.
Plus the 3 chards.

[dan_smee]

So I bit the bullet and ordered the following:

3 x 2011 Cabernet
2 x Apricot Block
2 x Roennfeldt Road Cabernet

I needed to find something to enjoy for my 50th, so RR Cabernet it is!

[mjs]

Going to CD on the weekend after next as part of Barossa4 weekend with mates. So, looking forward to that and the next Barossa instalment ... we just can't seem to stop making sequels!!

(the B4 weekend was timed to coincide with this year's releases by Greenock Creek)

[ticklenow1]

Going to CD on the weekend after next as part of Barossa4 weekend with mates. So, looking forward to that and the next Barossa instalment ... we just can't seem to stop making sequels!!

(the B4 weekend was timed to coincide with this year's releases by Greenock Creek)

I look forward to your notes on the GCW wines. You'll probably be the first on here to taste them. Be really interesting to see what you think of the Cabernet after Philip White gave it the big thumbs up. I ordered a dozen as I do most years (more in the good vintages). I might even splurge on a couple of Magnums, but I'll hold off until I read your notes .

Oh, and have a great trip. Give Barry at Gomersal a ring and if you get time, call in (make sure he is there though if you're going to go). He is a real character.

Cheers
Ian

[mjs]

I will post some notes, pics etc. I think our schedule for the B4 trip includes the eclectic bunch of ... Kellermeister, Charles Cimicky, Schild Estate, Mountadam, Greenock Creek, Laughing Jack, Yelland & Papps, Red Art Rojomoma, Peter Lehmann and Artisans of the Barossa, along with lunches at the Lyndoch Bakery ( ), Yelland & Papps and Casacarboni. Bbq dinners back at Mt McKenzie. Will be fun as usual

[Blesso]

I'm am just discovering Greenock Creek wines and have recently signed up on the mailing list, what sort of production size are we looking at, is it easy to get wines or is it like wendouree?
Also can someone please list the mailing list prices for me.
Cheers

[dan_smee]

I'm am just discovering Greenock Creek wines and have recently signed up on the mailing list, what sort of production size are we looking at, is it easy to get wines or is it like wendouree?
Also can someone please list the mailing list prices for me.
Cheers

MUCH easier than Wendouree - essentially, I signed up in May of this year and still got some Apricot Block and Alice's Shiraz. Both Roennfeldt Roads were gone, as was the Cab.

I emailed Kerry yesterday and she said she expected to have some RR Cabernet 'for a couple of weeks'.

Esentially, they may limit you if you try and order multiple cases of one wine that is particularly limited, but if you order in the next few days, you should get everything you want.

[rens]

My order has always been filled. I have never missed out.

[Blesso]

Cheers Dan I'll give it a crack, looking forward to trying these wines!

[ticklenow1]

My order has always been filled. I have never missed out.

Likewise, but I only order 6 max of any 1 wine. I normally order between 1 & 2 cases mixed total and I've never missed out.

Enjoy the wines. The last couple of vintages the alcohol has really been toned down so this should attract a few back that might of dropped off from buying due to the high levels of alcohol.

Cheers
Ian

[dan_smee]

Cheers Dan I'll give it a crack, looking forward to trying these wines!

Have you got the latest newsletter? Philip White's advice on cellaring is usually pretty good.

I have never opened one as a young wine, but everything I have read and heard says they are not built for early drinking. The youngest I've opened is a 2004 Seven Acres this year, and it needed more time.

Either way, they are lovely people, very responsive and friendly. Never feel bad buying wine from them

[rednut]

I'm am just discovering Greenock Creek wines and have recently signed up on the mailing list, what sort of production size are we looking at, is it easy to get wines or is it like wendouree?
Also can someone please list the mailing list prices for me.
Cheers

I love Greenock Creek wines. I still have 3 x 1999 Creek Block Shiraz in the fridge which isnt for the faint hearted.
Much easier and much more buyer friendly than Wendouree who I have all but given up on. So sick of the red crayon rubbish.
Cornerstone Grenache has always been a favourite as has the Alices shiraz. They have been known to have a fair dose of alcohol but quality wines never the less.
Ive ordered 2 x Alices Magnums for the cupboard.

Check their website out and email them for and prices. I always order via email, they are very helpful.

Cheers

[Panda 9D]

I've heard Michael doesn't top up his barrels; is this true?

[dan_smee]

I've heard Michael doesn't top up his barrels; is this true?

I read that in one of Philip White's TNs. Can't remeber which one - I was going through the home page looking back at all the newsletters

[Blesso]

Anyone tried any 2011 yet??

[mjs]

Well, we visited Greenock Creek on Saturday as part of Barossa4 last weekend. In fact the timing of the weekend revolved around Greenock Creek being open, so we had great expectations. I have to say we were a little underwhelmed. My largely unedited notes follow below. A more comprehensive report from the what was an excellent weekend will follow in a few days. #barossa4 on twitter will provide some early clues.

The Greenock Creek reds were generally good but not great. Most were generally 2011 wines, so perhaps the difficult vintage showed its true results. The 2008 Roennfeldt Road reds, particularly the shiraz were difficult wines. Hard to see how anyone could drink more than a glass of the shiraz quite frankly, not a wine for drinking with anything else at all. I guess RP liked the style some years ago and they have stuck with it. Phillip White is a big fan as well. Personally, the RR wines were not my style at all, I prefer something you can drink with food. Anyway, here it is straight from the iPad for better or worse:

Greenock Creek Wines
With Jarrod, ISO glasses, tend to use Amer oak for long life wines, stelvin closures apart from the RR series

2012 Cornerstone Grenache $2980yo bush vine grenache,
Salmon red, bit of cherry, savoury, 15.5%! Fresh fruit feel, little bit of sweetness,

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon 24yo vines $38
Non Barossa style, more Bordeaux, 24mth 3yo french
Red garnet, leafy, slightly vegetal, attractive, light red fruit, acid,

2011 Alice's Shiraz 15acres, 24mth in 3yo American oak, about approachability, dark intense fruit, not as much spice as the 2010, bit of milk chocolate, vanilla 15% $30
Dark red purple but thinish rim, black fruits, big tannins, fine grained, slightly sweet, some vanilla, milk chocolate?, length

2011 Apricot Block Shiraz, bigger structures style wine, some on hill, some on flat, blocks picked separately then blend, prunes, figs, chocolate, bigger dryer style, 8-10yrs min, 3yo amer oak 24mths, $38
Deep red purple, beautiful nose apricot??, great structure in the bouquet!! approachable red black fruits,

2011 Seven Acre Shiraz , 24mth 3yo Amer oak, $48
Mid red purple, beautiful bouquet, red black fruits, some dustiness, lighter palate than the Apr Block, good structure,

2008 Roennfeldt Rd 3yr new Amer oak, 2yrsin bottle b4 release $192 16.5%
Dark purple blood red, lifted alcohol, Christmas cake, some port characteristics, chewy, some sweetness, tannins, fruit though, big wine, big wine style, not my favourite style, could not drink much of this

2008 Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% 3yrs new French, 2yrs bottle $192
Med red purple, slightly porty nose, new wood, some plums, blue fruits, good mouthfeel, not as big as the bouquet, slightly more approachable than the shiraz

[mjs]

Just a word of warning, if you are 6' 4", the door to the intimate Greenock Creek CD is very low ... evidence of damage to follow!!

[mjs]

here's the damage from the cellar door

[phillisc]

Bloody hell Malcolm, hope Michael and Annabelle gave you something special to relieve the pain...ouch

Cheers craig.

[mjs]

Impressive huh?

Moral of the story is, don't walk out with your camera and iPad and leave your daypack in CD, then race back in forgetting about the door height !!!

[ticklenow1]

Got me back in 2004 as well. Very quaint but at 6"5', it is very important to duck, especially when you've had a few!

Very interesting to read your notes as well. Thanks for that. I bought my standard dozen but only 7 bottles from the 2011 vintage. Next year might be different though. Roennfeldt Roads will be the young blokes birth year and I am going to go long on 2012 South Australian Reds.

Cheers
Ian