The Auswine Forum

I love Barossa Shiraz - who doesn't! And with the epic 2012 vintage upon us I want to make sure I pick up some good gear. So what to buy? I am talking top shelf stuff, some that has been released; some that hasn't. Lets compose a list, then attempt to rank them in some sort of order. Bound to cause debate and bias, but hey, we love to hear passion for our favourite Barossan reds. I have left out the more expensive pricing Hill of Grace styles, although if you want to mention a particular wine because it is so good then do so.

My list so far...
Sami Odi
Rockford BP
The Standish
Mt Edelstone
Lehmann Stonewell
Eperosa
Head Redhead and maybe other names
Kalleske Johan George
Teusner Albert??

I know there are plenty of other names I have missed, but that is why I have asked you guys to help me compile a list then drill down to, say, top 10 or so to have in your cellar.

So What are your favs, and when we get a strong list, we can create more controversy by attempting to rank them in some sort of order

IMO high end Torbreck (e.g. The Factor, RunRig and maybe Laird unless they're to expensive) should be up there as well.

Okay, let the debate begin.

Hi Hacker,
Burges just told me you are my friend from our first Sydney Tasting group form by RBG. I won't mention your name as this is a public forum. It was great tasting some fantastic wines just 3 of us sometime back, both in Chatswood and Hornsby. I really enjoyed both Wynns and Tyrrell's you have brought. The 1998 Black label Cabernet was aged to perfection.
It would be great to have you at the Chatswood tasting on the 25th of July Friday if you are happen to be free. I will definately try to make the next tasting event either Rocket or Cafe Lyon if it is not on Thursday. ( working every thursday night)

You have got some great wines from the list, I would add Langmeil Freedom shiraz, Old Bastard Shiraz, Clos otto Hentley farm ( I have not tried but Burges said it is fantastic) Amon Ra Glaetzer, Two Hands Ares, Possibly St Hallet Old Block.

Very best regards,

Michael

2012 Standish Shiraz and 2012 Standish The Relic, back up the truck and get as much as you can find and afford
Some Barossa stuff i also love and have not yet been mentioned, 2010 MSV Sophia and Benno, Sons Of Eden Remus and Romulus Shiraz both cracking vintages in 2010 and 2012 and if his top line shiraz is too expensive, i love Chris Ringlands 2nd label "Dimchurch" 2009 being the most current release. Add to this Clos Otto and The Beast from Hentley Farm and thats my list of top Barossa Shiraz for ya.

I have to second the Langmeil Freedom..much better than I expected it to be...acidity was really quite good the time I tried it although I suspect it might be added acidity..either way that and the Stonewell have surprised me in a good way..

John Duval Eligo can be pretty good...

Polymer wrote:John Duval Eligo can be pretty good...

I would second that, all of Duval's wines are very good - elegance and structure are the operative words.

Grant Burge's Meshach is supposed to be top drawer as well and should be in the running. I know the E & E Black Pepper used to very good as well but I don't hear much about it these days.

Mahmoud.

Ah, the detestable Barossa shiraz - my bank account hates it; because of which my wife hates it ...

Here are some more:
Greenock Creek
Trevor Jones wild witch
Gibson - AOVC
Saltram the Journal and no 1
Kalleske eduard
Standish - schubert theorem and andlemonde
Hobbs gregor
Rusden black guts
Branson Coach House
Schild moorooroo
Landhaus rare shiraz
Kaesler bogan and old vine

... and not too sure about these - they're from the Barossa in some vintages ...
Wolf Blass platinum label
Penfolds rwt, st henri, bin 28
Mr Riggs

Another vote for Greenock Creek..
September 2014 look out for the 2012 Apricot Block, Alices and Seven Acre Shiraz
Take ya pick.
I'm partial to the Apricot Block, the '99 in particular.
Had a 2010 Alices Shiraz last saturday night. Had some beautifully smooth velvet tannins for a young wine.

Hacker wrote:Teusner Albert??

I'd go the big brother the Teusner FG. A great wine.

rens wrote:

Hacker wrote:Teusner Albert??

I'd go the big brother the Teusner FG. A great wine.

What does that stand for? I can only guess.....
As a 'general' principle this list is for wines at or below $100, although that does limit Mt Edelstone I suppose, but exceptions can be made

What about St Hallets Old Block? Is that still considered in this class? Also Dutschke Oscar Semmler.

Is the Elderton Command from Barossa ?

My Definites:

Rockford Basket Press
Henschke Mt Edelstone

Other Potential 'Icons' that I would consider

Grant Burge Meshach
St Hallett Old Block
Peter Lehmann Stonewell
Kalleske Johann George
Langmeil Freedom

Perhaps not iconic, but definitely Barossa benchmarks wines that I have on my list:
Sami Odi
Kalleske Greenock Creek
Dutschke Oscar Semmler
Sami Odi
David Franz Benjamin's Promise
Turkey Flat
Burge Family Draycott
Teusner
Greenock Creek

Stuff not mentioned elsewhere:
Willows Bonesetter
Charles Melton Grains of Paradise / Voices of Angels
Veritas Bulls Blood (albeit Shiraz/Mataro)

Thing with a list like this is... are we ranking wines for the full benefit of their heritage, brand recognition, consistency, truth to a "Barossa style" etc or are we ranking what is the best to buy in this specific vintage?

I think both have some value, but if the former then you may not achieve your actual objective!

sjw_11 wrote:Thing with a list like this is... are we ranking wines for the full benefit of their heritage, brand recognition, consistency, truth to a "Barossa style" etc or are we ranking what is the best to buy in this specific vintage?
I think both have some value, but if the former then you may not achieve your actual objective!

The former part of your statement is what I am after, and it therefore, with some hope and trust, will lead in confidence to the latter part of the statement. Clear as mud?

These could also be included.....

Glaetzer Amon Ra
Schubert Gooseyard shiraz
Hewitson shiraz mourvedre
Kaesler Old Bastard
Kaesler Alte Reben

Hacker wrote:

sjw_11 wrote:Thing with a list like this is... are we ranking wines for the full benefit of their heritage, brand recognition, consistency, truth to a "Barossa style" etc or are we ranking what is the best to buy in this specific vintage?
I think both have some value, but if the former then you may not achieve your actual objective!

The former part of your statement is what I am after, and it therefore, with some hope and trust, will lead in confidence to the latter part of the statement. Clear as mud?

Very good

perhaps a solution would be to have a secondary category for wines people think are amazing this year even if no one has ever heard of them ... after all, this years "no name brand" could be next years cult superstar

Hacker wrote:

rens wrote:

Hacker wrote:Teusner Albert??

I'd go the big brother the Teusner FG. A great wine.

What does that stand for? I can only guess.....

Fairly Good or something like that

Similar naming principle to the Frogmore Creek FGR (which in spite of the claims on the back of the bottle doesn't actually stand for 40 grams residual)

burges wrote:Ah, the detestable Barossa shiraz - my bank account hates it; because of which my wife hates it ...

Here are some more:
Greenock Creek
Trevor Jones wild witch
Gibson - AOVC
Saltram the Journal and no 1
Kalleske eduard
Standish - schubert theorem and andlemonde
Hobbs gregor
Rusden black guts
Branson Coach House
Schild moorooroo
Landhaus rare shiraz
Kaesler bogan and old vine

... and not too sure about these - they're from the Barossa in some vintages ...
Wolf Blass platinum label
Penfolds rwt, st henri, bin 28
Mr Riggs

As usual impressive listings burges.

None of that Hunter Shiraz rubbish

I have to second John Duval Eligo, hobbs Gregor.
Penfold's loss losing a great winemaker. But I guess our gain

cuttlefish wrote:Is the Elderton Command from Barossa ?

Yeah they are, I am a fan of Elderson by the way. Loved their Cellar door back in 2007. (next to Kaesler)

I think mostly covered already, perhaps Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz could squeeze in as well?

wineforlife wrote:None of that Hunter Shiraz rubbish

Why would he list a Hunter Shiraz when Hacker is asking for Barossa Shiraz?

Polymer wrote:

wineforlife wrote:None of that Hunter Shiraz rubbish

Why would he list a Hunter Shiraz when Hacker is asking for Barossa Shiraz?

Because I did. Kidding

Kidding aside, I was having a fun at Burges of his full collection of big boys but very little of everything else. Is that a satisfactory reply for you sir?

Before anyone shoot me in the head, I enjoy Hunter wines too. Visited there countless times due to proximity:D

For my tastes Hacker, it would be

1. Mt Ed
2. Rockford BP
3. Daylight......

wineforlife wrote:Because I did. Kidding

Kidding aside, I was having a fun at Burges of his full collection of big boys but very little of everything else. Is that a satisfactory reply for you sir?

Oh ok...sorry..I missed that part..

Where's that Korean food when you need it?

catchnrelease wrote:IMO high end Torbreck (e.g. The Factor, RunRig and maybe Laird unless they're to expensive) should be up there as well.

Okay, let the debate begin.

What happened to the Wendouree...? Not quite Barossa enough hey?

Polymer wrote:

wineforlife wrote:Because I did. Kidding

Kidding aside, I was having a fun at Burges of his full collection of big boys but very little of everything else. Is that a satisfactory reply for you sir?

Oh ok...sorry..I didn't missed that part..

Where's that Korean food when you need it?

Hey Polymer my man, I am not sure, but I am rather happy to discuss it over our tasting evening on the 25th of July. See you then.

Diddy wrote:

catchnrelease wrote:IMO high end Torbreck (e.g. The Factor, RunRig and maybe Laird unless they're to expensive) should be up there as well.

Okay, let the debate begin.

What happened to the Wendouree...? Not quite Barossa enough hey?

Wendouree would be my pick but Clare =/= Barossa, albeit a close call. Torbreck is still up there for me, though.

Mine in no particular order (the only caveat being I have to have some in the cellar)

Rockford BP
Rockford SVS
Mt Edelstone

Burge Family Draycott
Greenock Creek Creek Block
Greenock Creek Seven Acre
Dutschke Oscar Semmilar
Head The Brunette
Hobbs
Sami Odi
John Duval
Kalleske Johann Georg
Kalleske Greenock
Murray Street Gomersal/Greenock
Torbreck The Factor
Turkey Flat

There are many more and several that have been mentioned above that I'd love to own. There are many more that will be great in years to come such as Gomersal and Ballycroft.

My 2 bob worth
Cheers
Ian

Do people know what Coonawarra is supposed to be like in 2012?