Seppelt Great Western Reserve Shiraz

[AndrewCowley]

I have 3 of the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve Shiraz. Wondering, did this become St Peters in later years? A bit confused about the history of this wine.

Might open one tomorrow. Any idea how long to decant for? I can never work out with older wines whether a longer or shorter decant is called for!

[Softie]

Andrew,

Across wines generally it seems a diversity of views exist on aged wine (say >8 YOA) even among experienced wine industry persons. Also, much depends on the particular wine/vintage. Alas I do not know this wine much, let alone the vintage.

I can't see any TNs on CellarTracker to help, either. In the absence of replies from those with experience with this wine/vintage, I suggest caution. A wine of this quality should be enjoyed slowly - ie not gone in 45 mins. Assuming that:

1 I hope you've stood it upright for some time now (even one day+) to settle crust; get it to a nice serving temperature without yet having opened the bottle (say 18 - 22 C, maybe? I favour 18-20 but won't bet my house on that)
2 I'd open the wine only about 1 (2 max) hours before expected earliest drinking with a wine I don't know;
3 I would sample the wine while still in the bottle. If its colour is more than a bit tawny or its tannin/acid structure seems weak, then I would recork and restrict decanting to 30 mins and plan to serve early in the party. Otherwise decant there and then, and enjoy well cellared icon wine.

Enjoy, and let us know how it goes.

Best wishes,
John

[Sean O'Sullivan]

deleted

[Broughy]

if this has been stored correctly you should be able to give this a good decant,1-2hours plus if you want, not likely to be fragile

[monghead]

Didn't the Seppelt Great Western Shiraz sport a deep purple label?

And when did the Great Western Shiraz become the St Peters? Did Seppelt make both for awhile did they?

Monghead.

[Gianna]

I still have 6 of the 1998 St Peter's shiraz and I would not touch them for another 2- 3 yrs.

If you do want to open one, I would decant for 2 hrs without a problem.

Last time I recall drinking one of these, I think it was still very tight and had not fully developed and I wasn't overly impressed as being a top shelf shiraz.

I think JO still gives this wine many years to go as well.

If you do open one, would love to read your TN.

[Jay60A]

I have 3 of the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve Shiraz. Wondering, did this become St Peters in later years?

Yes. The wine you have will be the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Shiraz with a black label??

In the 60s it was the Great Western Hermitage and has had various different names and labels since then and is now the Seppelt St Peters Shiraz. I think there have been complaints about the confusing names or labels Seppelt wines have had over the years many times before. Even calling it St Peters now is a bit confusing, because it isn't a single vineyard wine, but has fruit off four differently named vineyards, ie St Peters, Imperial, Police and MacKenzie.

Hi Sean,

The Reserve was basically a barrel selection with extra-oak treatment I believe. It was confusing in 1997 and 1998 ...

In 1997 there was -
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Shiraz (in effect, St. Peters)
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Reserve Shiraz (+oak)

In 1998 there was
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard St. Peters Shiraz
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Reserve Shiraz (+oak)

From 1999 Ian MacKenzie left and Arthur O'Connor discontinued the Reserve wine, so from 1999 vintage on we only have St.Peters, with Benno joining in 2003.
Whether you think the Reserve or other version is better in these two vintages is more about your tolerance of oak than anything else.

Cheers

[monghead]

I have 3 of the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Reserve Shiraz. Wondering, did this become St Peters in later years?

Yes. The wine you have will be the 1998 Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Shiraz with a black label??

In the 60s it was the Great Western Hermitage and has had various different names and labels since then and is now the Seppelt St Peters Shiraz. I think there have been complaints about the confusing names or labels Seppelt wines have had over the years many times before. Even calling it St Peters now is a bit confusing, because it isn't a single vineyard wine, but has fruit off four differently named vineyards, ie St Peters, Imperial, Police and MacKenzie.

Hi Sean,

The Reserve was basically a barrel selection with extra-oak treatment I believe. It was confusing in 1997 and 1998 ...

In 1997 there was -
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Shiraz (in effect, St. Peters)
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Reserve Shiraz (+oak)

In 1998 there was
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard St. Peters Shiraz
Seppelt Great Western Vineyard Reserve Shiraz (+oak)

From 1999 Ian MacKenzie left and Arthur O'Connor discontinued the Reserve wine, so from 1999 vintage on we only have St.Peters, with Benno joining in 2003.
Whether you think the Reserve or other version is better in these two vintages is more about your tolerance of oak than anything else.

Cheers

Thanks for clearing that up Jay.

[Jay60A]

Anyone tried the legendary 2002 St Peters btw?

[Broughy]

Anyone tried the legendary 2002 St Peters btw?

Yes it is a very approachable wine at present and has a much richer depth of flavour than other St Peters that I have tried. Think this will be a very long lived wine. If you have any it would be a pity to drink now. I have around 2 doz of the apparently 500 doz made so I intend to keep an eye on it. Th 02 Chalambar is pretty good too and appears to be ageing more slowly than say the 00 and 01

[Jay60A]

Thanks Broughy ... was planning to try my first one maybe in 2015.

[Broughy]

... was planning to try my first one maybe in 2015.

yep I think it is always good to track the development of a wine as it goes. you end up trying some too early but that is better than too late.

[monghead]

Anyone tried the legendary 2002 St Peters btw?

Yes it is a very approachable wine at present and has a much richer depth of flavour than other St Peters that I have tried. Think this will be a very long lived wine. If you have any it would be a pity to drink now. I have around 2 doz of the apparently 500 doz made so I intend to keep an eye on it. Th 02 Chalambar is pretty good too and appears to be ageing more slowly than say the 00 and 01

Bugger!

You know what, that was the year from which onwards, I decided to load up on the Chalambars rather than the St Peters.

Monghead.