What's the best cab/shiraz blend?

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:16 pm

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n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:43 pm

Are you talking about just current releases, or are we factoring in classic vintages too Sean?

Regardless, I picked the Yalumba Signature as it's one of the few verticals I'm actually persisting with due to its incredible consistent quality, plus it's always been excellent VFM.

I think it's a little early to be labelling the Godolphin the very best after just two vintages in excellent years for the Barossa; same thing for the Kaesler WOMS - it will be interesting to see what Ben & Reid come up with for 2006 & 2007.

The classic Limestone Ridges and Penfolds Bin 389s (up to 1998) are still worth hunting down, but recent years have been very patchy (in the Limestone's case nearly non-existent) so I will have to be really impressed before I pay the $$$ for these now. Wolf Blass BL & Mountain Blue usually don't grab me, although there is the odd exception every once in a while.

As I've mentioned before, in future I'd like to do a Yalumba Signature vs Bin 389 blind mini-vertical of about 4-5 vintages of each, and maybe finish with the 1990 Reserve vs 1990 Penfolds Bin 90A. I think it would be a fascinating tasting.

Cheers,
Ian

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:01 pm

The 2002 Yalumba is available in our area for $40 US. How did you like this one? I might tuck a few away.

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:25 pm

Based on pedigree and consistently good wines for over 40 years I had to vote for the Yalumba. I think it's also been more consistent in recent times than Bin 389 and Limestone Ridge.

I do though love the Godolphin and WOMS, both utterly seductive and satisfying wines when young, yet to be seen how they cellar though, both Shiraz-Cabernet in proportions (as is Limestone Ridge), if that matters.

Mountain Blue has never fulfilled it's early promise and Black label is a bit over-priced.

platinum · Post by **platinum** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:26 pm

Obviously Bin 90A and some Granges are way above these but in this list I voted Godolphin but like some Yalumbas and 389's alot too. Kaesler WOMS 2002 is going to be a cracker in time.

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:29 pm

Bucko wrote:The 2002 Yalumba is available in our area for $40 US. How did you like this one? I might tuck a few away.

Hi

I think its going to be outstanding and well worth the purchase price.

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:32 pm

Gavin Trott wrote:
Bucko wrote:The 2002 Yalumba is available in our area for $40 US. How did you like this one? I might tuck a few away.

Hi

I think its going to be outstanding and well worth the purchase price.

Well that settles it -- gotta make a phone call tomorrow. Thanks.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:32 pm

Red Bigot wrote:Based on pedigree and consistently good wines for over 40 years I had to vote for the Yalumba. I think it's also been more consistent in recent times than Bin 389 and Limestone Ridge.

I do though love the Godolphin and WOMS, both utterly seductive and satisfying wines when young, yet to be seen how they cellar though, both Shiraz-Cabernet in proportions (as is Limestone Ridge), if that matters.

Mountain Blue has never fulfilled it's early promise and Black label is a bit over-priced.

Were'nt we just talking about this?

Yalumba for me due to the consistency shown over a lot of years.

Nigel Bruce · Post by **Nigel Bruce** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:46 pm

Googled it but, amazingly, no-one seems to think this particular acronym needs explaining ...
Nigel

beef · Post by **beef** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:14 pm

Nigel Bruce wrote:Googled it but, amazingly, no-one seems to think this particular acronym needs explaining ...
Nigel

Weapon Of Mass Seduction

Stuart

Jay60A · Post by **Jay60A** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:47 pm

For me - How about "none of the above" and Jacobs Creek Ltd Release based on 96 / 98 / 99 and Johann 01 vintages (have not tried the '01).
Marketing may be poor but wine in the bottle is consistent and excellent. Compare to same vintages of 389 and Signature ... JC might win overall.

Top Penfolds blends 920, 90A, 389 from 90 plus 389 from 96 (and 04 60A?) likely the best wines but nothing in the same league since (disclaimer: have no 98).

- Godolphin great but two vintages only.
- 02 Signature v v good for me. In fact better than reviews I have seen. Would bow to opinion as have not tasted the wine when aged.
- Longhop Old Vines Reserve? Yes it's a blend. I would like to try.
- Anyone tried 04 WOMS? 02 is really top class, great structure, and will age imo. I held off buying the 04 ... just a feeling from reviews that it might be overloaded, and its not cheap.

Jay

707 · Post by **707** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:10 pm

In no order but all very good and all found their way into my cellar in varying quantities

Yalumba Signature, the 02 is a pearler and what a bargain

Godolphin, 04 excellent haven't tried the 05

Kaesler WOMS, 02 and 04 equally as good as anything of this blend

Platinum - don't assume the high priced Penfolds would knock the above off in a blind tasting and the Penfolds Bin 389 is not a patch on the above wines, it's now just an overpriced shadow of its glory days

Nigel Bruce · Post by **Nigel Bruce** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:10 pm

Beef,
Not exactly routine as an acronym - I like it.

platinum · Post by **platinum** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:02 pm

707 wrote:Platinum - don't assume the high priced Penfolds would knock the above off in a blind tasting and the Penfolds Bin 389 is not a patch on the above wines, it's now just an overpriced shadow of its glory days

As above..Some Vintages of 389 and Signature I like!...not all though, and whilst I bought some 2002 389 along with only a couple of 2001's I havn't bought any others since the 96, and 98 and was that impressed by the Duval Entity last year I will buy the 2005 without thinking but will only try the 389 and a purchase will be highly unlikely.

Some vintages of Grange and even more so the Bin 90A are the best wines Ive had ever. I will be looking for a bottle or 2 of the 2002 Grange this year and likewise HOG.

platinum · Post by **platinum** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:02 pm

707 wrote:Platinum - don't assume the high priced Penfolds would knock the above off in a blind tasting and the Penfolds Bin 389 is not a patch on the above wines, it's now just an overpriced shadow of its glory days

As above..Some Vintages of 389 and Signature I like!...not all though, and whilst I bought some 2002 389 along with only a couple of 2001's I havn't bought any others since the 96, and 98 and was that impressed by the Duval Entity last year I will buy the 2005 without thinking but will only try the 389 and a purchase will be highly unlikely.

Some vintages of Grange and even more so the Bin 90A are the best wines Ive had ever. I will be looking for a bottle or 2 of the 2002 Grange this year and likewise HOG.

oakboy · Post by **oakboy** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:30 am

I think the 2002 signature is going to be one of the classics but how about.....
the Tyrrell's Vat8 Shiraz/Cab (I know, 707, still trying to work some dates out for our taste off

) but this is a great combo, usaully 2/3 hunter shiraz, and 1/3 Coonawarra Cab, the cab adding the 'meat' to the wine, and these age well...(due to the cab :roll:

) the 1999 v8 being one of the standouts......
Haven't thought any 389 has(94-02) being decent xcept for that oak bomb 1998..

Double Cheers all
Simmo

The Cork Dork · Post by **The Cork Dork** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:44 am

Glaetzer Godolphin (as mentioned only two vintages) among Australia's best example of this blend!

Also for something different, the Gralyn Estate Shiraz/Cabernet blends, fast becoming a favourite of mine! from the Margaret River region.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:57 pm

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Sean · Post by **Sean** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:00 pm

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Partagas · Post by **Partagas** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:03 pm

Easily Houghtons Jack Mann then Wolf Blass Black Label

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:41 pm

Partagas wrote:Easily Houghtons Jack Mann then Wolf Blass Black Label

Except the Jack Mann is a Cabernet Malbec :lol:

and Houghton prefer to call it a Cabernet.

And for me it has not been made for long enough. What is this release, the 6th??

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:42 pm

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Davo · Post by **Davo** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:53 pm

Sean wrote:
Davo wrote:Except the Jack Mann is a Cabernet Malbec

Isn't it a cabernet/malbec/shiraz blend? Don't know the percentages.

It varies from year to year but is Cab dominant and Houghton refer to it as a Cabernet dominant blend rather than a cab/shiraz, althouh they sometimes refer to it as a cab/malbec. Guess it depends if the blended parts get above the magic 15%.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:14 pm

Just had a look at the Houghton site
98 Cab Sauv
99 Cab Malbec
2000 Cab Malbec

Only the 3 prior vintages had varying amounts of shiraz.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:35 pm

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Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:31 pm

Yes... and Limestone Ridge is Shiraz Cabernet.

Still it is one of my all time favourite wines and my cellar shows it with 7 different vintages back to '90.

It is the first red that my wife really loved and got her into drinking reds instead of just whites.

I have had the occasional bottle of Wolf Blass Black that has been sensational too. Had a '74 a few years ago that was fantastic.

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:51 pm

Hi all,

It's pointless trying to rank them. They are all good wines. Everyone has different palates and preferences so this discussion is pointless.

The cab/shiraz blend is Australia's gift to the world with the cab giving the more user friendly shiraz a solid backbone sructure to age well and develop complexity. I have said it before, the 90A is the best wine I've ever had and will be enjoying one or 2 with a colleague at Tetsuya's next thursday.

Golf on Monday and 90A on Thursday. What a week.

Chuck

Partagas · Post by **Partagas** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:05 am

Yeah thanks Davo, donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t know why I keep thinking it was Cab/Shr. I think it was due to the similarities between Wolf Blass Black Label and Jack M in flavour. Tasted both recently (1998 WB). Either way IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m very glad to now get it right in my head. Both were great either way.

In this case WB Black Label for me then Yalumba Signature

Cheers

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:45 pm

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Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:25 pm

I voted for Godolphin narrowly in front of Signature, but would have voted WOMS had it been an option. Just a shame it doesn't make it over here.

Oakboy - nice call on the vat 8 / 9s. I've longed finsihed mine, but used to love them.

Chuck - Bin 90a has to be close to the best Aussie wine I've ever had. I look forward to your TN - I might even pull the cork on one this week as I have Andrew and Rebecca Jordan staying with me.

Cheers

Mike

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