Bullers of Rutherglen

[Pamela Dyson-Harvey]

Hello All,

I haven't visited the forum for some time, due to our move from UK to South Australia - it's been a hectic time, but we are now happily settled on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and loving life here, after 20 years in UK, and are starting to fill our cellar.

I have the opportunity to purchase Bullers 2002 Shiraz, and their 2002 Cabernet at a very good price. I wonder if any of you have tasted this recently, and could give me your views.

Best wishes

Pamela

[TORB]

If its the Calliope Shiraz its a belter. Huge wine but yummy.

[Pamela Dyson-Harvey]

Hi Ric
Thanks for your reply - I shall establish if it's Caliope - I always loved Bullers back in the 70's, but have not had the opportunity to taste it for so many years......maybe I'll just take a punt on it anyway!

[Red Bigot]

Bullers make a huge range of wines, from Rutherglen and using grapes from other areas as well, under a variety of labels, the upper-level Rutherglen reds are usually the pick of the bunch, but can be a bit erratic in quality.

The Calliope Shiraz is often the pick if you don't mind a bit of alcohol and a lot of sweet fruit (or is that the other way round).

If it's the $8.95 special from a Melbourne mob, then it's from fruit outside of Rutherglen, probably good value for drinking over the next 2-3 years, but it's not in the same class as the Calliope (current vintage 2004, $30+).

[craig loves shiraz]

Don't tell me they're actually making some good stuff these days???

Bullers was one of the local wineries near my family so I'd often frequent their cellar door. Unfortunately, I was far to often disappointed in their wines. Great port, but average to poor wines. Especially some of their whites!!!

Are you suggesting I should revisit my thinking on Bullers and give them another try?

[Steve]

Definitely try to get your hands on some of the recent Calliope shiraz vintages... they're big wines but surprisingly approachable.

[roughred]

Especially some of their whites!!!

Until quite recently all of the whites have come from their Beverford operation near Swan Hill. Nothing jaw dropping, but neither is the price.

A few whites (Marsanne, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) are now released under their Limited Release (Rutherglen) label from their vineyard in the Indigo Valley. Better quality, and still pretty keenly priced.

AS RB suggest though, reds and fortifieds are the strengths from the Rutherglen outpost, especially if you like them big & bold.

[Pamela Dyson-Harvey]

Thankyou everyone - I shall have a crack at the $8.95 for casual drinking, then get some Caliope when I make a visit to Rutherglen.
I agree, Rutherglen makes some marvellous fortifieds, of which we are very fond. I guess with the 'table wines' of the area, it's a matter of personal taste - my wine collecting began in the late 60's with reds from Rutherglen and Glenrowan, and they were big and rich - and I'm so looking forward to re-visiting them.

[Daryl Douglas]

I've had a couple of bottles of the Calliope 02. The first was way too young several years ago, the second several months ago showed more fruit and was developing but still not mature. Think I'll leave the remaining bottle for another five or so years.

daz

[Red Bigot]

I've had a couple of bottles of the Calliope 02. The first was way too young several years ago, the second several months ago showed more fruit and was developing but still not mature. Think I'll leave the remaining bottle for another five or so years.

daz

I've still got a bottle or two of the 91 Calliope (16%), it's on a gentle downhill slope now, but was still in fine form a year or so ago. The good vintages will cellar for a very long time. The 95 on the other hand should not have been released as a Calliope, it was never great and is now almost undrinkable.

[Brucer]

The 02 Calliope is sort of like my house wine.
I think its changed quite a bit in the past 12 months.
I must like my wines younger, then older, especially if the oak is not overdone.
Bruce