Got the Stonewallers mailer today. Any good early tips on the wines, namely:
03 Semillon,
02 Moppa
04 Rifle Range Cab
04 Basket Press
?
Word seems to be that the BP is a winner this year, does anyone know what SVS releases are expected, if any? Wondering whether a trip up is worthwhile shortly or not...
Newsletter is a bit all over the place this year but a good read.
Rockfords Mailer
Rockfords Mailer
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
was told a few weeks ago there are not likely to be any SVS for the 2000 vintage, but there will be several for the 2001. Still a couple of the '99 SVS available but no Helbig left. (sold out months ago)
2003 Local Growers Semillon was very good and, if you like the slightly sweeter style, the Fronti is a winner.
unfortunately up a week to early for the red releases.
2003 Local Growers Semillon was very good and, if you like the slightly sweeter style, the Fronti is a winner.
unfortunately up a week to early for the red releases.
Drink the wine, not the label.
Re: Rockfords Mailer
Wayno wrote:Got the Stonewallers mailer today. Any good early tips on the wines, namely:
03 Semillon,
02 Moppa
04 Rifle Range Cab
04 Basket Press
limits and prices?...please. Also are the leaking corks of the black shiraz discussed.
c
"You are what u drink!"
Not having it in front of me but I think BP was $46, Black Shiraz $54, Rifle Range $33 and Moppa $29...? I recall prices being much the same as last year.
Max 6 for BP, Max 6 for BShiraz... for me at least (in my mailer).
There is reference to the leaking corks again... I have only skim read parts currently, that bit included but he goes on to say he won't be going to crown seals, given 'tradition'. (I think!). I don't recall it being any more reasonable an explanation than last year's notes ie. don't keep it for too long.
Max 6 for BP, Max 6 for BShiraz... for me at least (in my mailer).
There is reference to the leaking corks again... I have only skim read parts currently, that bit included but he goes on to say he won't be going to crown seals, given 'tradition'. (I think!). I don't recall it being any more reasonable an explanation than last year's notes ie. don't keep it for too long.
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Having only been on the Rockford mailing list for 2 years or so, can anyone tell me how long it takes to 'graduate' to the Stonewaller list and to have the opportunity to buy BP at $46 (rather than 2x at auction)?
What about the SVS releases, when and to whom are they offered, or are they only at cellar door?
Lastlly, I seem to recall the standard mailer is out in November, is this correct?
What about the SVS releases, when and to whom are they offered, or are they only at cellar door?
Lastlly, I seem to recall the standard mailer is out in November, is this correct?
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bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Also, the SVS releases are cellar door only. Not sure if SW only though.
I know everyone is mainly concerened with the BP and other 'proper' reds but if you like the rose style and can afford it after all the other orders, the Alicante Bouchet is top stuff for summer quaffing. I always get a case of this and just love it chilled on a hot summer's day.
For those that aren't stonewallers or even on this mailing list, I'm pretty sure this is pretty much freely available via cellar door.
And Minatour, it's a bit hard to say how long it takes to graduate to Stonewaller. Some people I know have done it (recently too) in about two years, others longer but I guess you need to appreciate there's a limited amount of wine available and the SW membership relates to an even distribution of said wine - mainly BP. If there's a bumper harvest, you're more likely to be promoted sooner but on the other hand, if there's excess BP left over after the SWs have ordered, they can and do just offer it through the normal mailing list. First in, best dressed then.
I would think that if you want to be promoted sooner, order big, visit the cellar door and make yourself know and enquire about it. But bear in mind there is still only so much wine and only so much room on the list.
I know everyone is mainly concerened with the BP and other 'proper' reds but if you like the rose style and can afford it after all the other orders, the Alicante Bouchet is top stuff for summer quaffing. I always get a case of this and just love it chilled on a hot summer's day.
For those that aren't stonewallers or even on this mailing list, I'm pretty sure this is pretty much freely available via cellar door.
And Minatour, it's a bit hard to say how long it takes to graduate to Stonewaller. Some people I know have done it (recently too) in about two years, others longer but I guess you need to appreciate there's a limited amount of wine available and the SW membership relates to an even distribution of said wine - mainly BP. If there's a bumper harvest, you're more likely to be promoted sooner but on the other hand, if there's excess BP left over after the SWs have ordered, they can and do just offer it through the normal mailing list. First in, best dressed then.
I would think that if you want to be promoted sooner, order big, visit the cellar door and make yourself know and enquire about it. But bear in mind there is still only so much wine and only so much room on the list.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
FWIW, I was 'promoted' to SW after (I think) a year on the normal list and a few manky purchases of Riesling and Dry Country Grenache. I was perplexed at the time but certainly didn't complain. I'm not sure there's all that much logic to the process (or at least not in my case).
As for the Alicante, I used to enjoy it but now find it just too sweet. I had some recently and found it tasted just like lightly alcoholic grape juice. I suppose on a hot day, it would fit the bill... but then so would a glass of lemonade or mineral water. It was a world away from the Pizzini Rose I tasted not long before that demonstrated much more depth and character. Still, it's all a matter of taste.
I do like the Semillon but am completely perplexed by the Vine Vale Riesling, the higher price and early vintage release of which always seems quite anomalous to me, in the context of their other releases. Having said that, I haven't tried it.
The SVS releases are SW only, I believe. The only way I know of that you can taste/purchase is a trip into the mysteries of the Stonewallers Cellar (which is a brilliant piece of marketing and done very well)... Still need to book in that SW Lunch too but there's a decent waiting list!
FWIW, I was 'promoted' to SW after (I think) a year on the normal list and a few manky purchases of Riesling and Dry Country Grenache. I was perplexed at the time but certainly didn't complain. I'm not sure there's all that much logic to the process (or at least not in my case).
As for the Alicante, I used to enjoy it but now find it just too sweet. I had some recently and found it tasted just like lightly alcoholic grape juice. I suppose on a hot day, it would fit the bill... but then so would a glass of lemonade or mineral water. It was a world away from the Pizzini Rose I tasted not long before that demonstrated much more depth and character. Still, it's all a matter of taste.
I do like the Semillon but am completely perplexed by the Vine Vale Riesling, the higher price and early vintage release of which always seems quite anomalous to me, in the context of their other releases. Having said that, I haven't tried it.
The SVS releases are SW only, I believe. The only way I know of that you can taste/purchase is a trip into the mysteries of the Stonewallers Cellar (which is a brilliant piece of marketing and done very well)... Still need to book in that SW Lunch too but there's a decent waiting list!
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2747
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
Tried the range on the weekend, except the Black (apparently labelling issues).
I know they are pretty happy with the 04 Rifle Range, but I preferred the 01 and 02 at release. Still, a pretty decent wine.
The BP was very good, but to my palate, not up with some of the great vintages. Nevertheless, its a wine I have bought / will be buying. Lots of fruit, but not OTT. Decent length and there was no hot finish, unlike many other shiraz I tried elsewhere.
I wasn't overly enamoured with the Rod and Spur, but there was certainly nothing wrong with it.
Sorry for the lack of TNs, but I had so many wines, many remain just an "observation".
I know they are pretty happy with the 04 Rifle Range, but I preferred the 01 and 02 at release. Still, a pretty decent wine.
The BP was very good, but to my palate, not up with some of the great vintages. Nevertheless, its a wine I have bought / will be buying. Lots of fruit, but not OTT. Decent length and there was no hot finish, unlike many other shiraz I tried elsewhere.
I wasn't overly enamoured with the Rod and Spur, but there was certainly nothing wrong with it.
Sorry for the lack of TNs, but I had so many wines, many remain just an "observation".