The Auswine Forum

Our daughter's graduation is coming up in less than a month. Friends and family will gather for a fine dinner at a wine-friendly restaurant (BYO permitted).

So, from the list below, please give me your three top picks as to what I should uncork (we will be eating seared animal flesh!):

Penfolds Grange
Henschke Hill of Grace
Henschke Mt Edelstone
Wendouree
d'Arenberg Dead Arm
Leasingham Classic Clare
Fox Creek Reserve
Peter Lehmann Eight Songs
Charles Cimicky Signature
Torbreck Run Rig
Punter's Corner Spartacus
Kilikanoon The Oracle
Clos Clare
Henry's Drive
Rosemount Balmoral

TIA

First of all, not the Wendouree. It is WAY too young and will rip the poor girl's mouth apart. I tasted the Grange last week and it is very young too of course, but it is a truly exceptional drink. If you are feeling in a totally extravagant mood then it is hard to pass on it.

Of the others, I can only vouch for the Classic Clare, Balmoral, Fox Creek and the Dead Arm. All are big and all excellent quality. Perhaps the Classic Clare would be drinking best at this stage, but the Fox Creek is also lovely.

I have heard that the HOG is a bit of a difficult drink at least at this early stage of its life, but I am sure others will comment on that.

Again, I haven't tasted it, but I would imagine the Run Rig would be a crowd pleaser.

So FWIIW I'd go for the Grange, Classic Clare and then either the Fox Creek or the Run Rig. Sounds like a great night to me !

You've got some biggies there, most of which are still too young.

Depending on your guests taste of course but I can vouch for the Clos Clare and Oracle drinking well at present, they'd be well received I'm sure.

Of the others, Classic Clare or Dead Arm maybe but both need more time.

Hill of Grace is ethereal and very drinkable now but I'd resist the temptation for another decade.

G'day Doc,

Penfolds Grange (leave it till u become a grandfather)
Henschke Hill of Grace (till ur daughter get married)
Henschke Mt Edelstone (ideal candidate)
Wendouree (same as Grange)
d'Arenberg Dead Arm (tried it last yr, Rip van Winkle, till hibernating)
Leasingham Classic Clare (ideal candidate)
Fox Creek Reserve (same like Dead Arm, all wood & fruits not showing)
Peter Lehmann Eight Songs (drinking nicely now)
Charles Cimicky Signature (drink-up)
Torbreck Run Rig (should be alright, the '99 is firing on all cylinders)
Punter's Corner Spartacus (possible candidate)
Kilikanoon The Oracle (drink up based on ur previous bt., my only experince was a '99 upon released)
Clos Clare (?)
Henry's Drive (peak & plateau and soon on the way down)
Rosemount Balmoral (drinking nicely, the bt. I'd last yr was well integrated)

My 2 cents worth.

Cheers

Doc,
only let insanity on a King Lear scale prevent you from having the Run Rig, it is a superb, world class wine in 1998.

from here, you need a wine with fine, well shaped tannins that won't look clumsy or outclassed next to it. Many will.

I would recommend, the Grange, it is still showing a primary exhuberance, and perhaps for a change in pace the classic clare.

Best of luck.

M

I had the 98 Runrig about 18 months ago and it was drinking surprisingly well then. I could imagine it's only better now. A lovely wine that won't appear way too young like many of the others. All the same, it should last a few years yet.

Advice aside. Need to adopt a son ?
Loves wine just slightly used.

Thanks to all for your opinions!

I'm a tad hesitant to uncork the Run Rig as it is my only bottle of the '98 vintage. By the time the '98s were released, they were ridiculously priced here in The States. I bought my only bottle at Vintners' in Tanunda. I'm thinking of waiting until our eldest graduates from Med School in two years.

I'll probably take a selection of different bottles with me and just pass them around. We will have a designated driver!

I'll report the results in 3 weeks!