The Auswine Forum

I'm putting together a tasting of Australia's top GSM's. I'd like a bit of feedback from you guys as to what would make good inclusions. Also, what are some of the better Rhone GSM's?

John Duval "Plexus"
Charles Melton "Nine Popes"
Grant Burge "The Holy Trinity"
Torbreck "The Steading"

Would be my picks off the top of my head.

camw wrote:John Duval "Plexus"
Charles Melton "Nine Popes"
Grant Burge "The Holy Trinity"
Torbreck "The Steading"

Would be my picks off the top of my head.

The best I've enjoyed recently is the 2002 Nine Popes, the Holy Trinity is very under rated I think.

Also from smaller producers try the Massena Moonlight Run.

I agree with both of you in that the 02 Nine Popes is one of the best. I can't download the tasting note off the Charlie Melton website. Does anyone know the percentages used of GSM, and also the oak regime?

Plexus I found just ok, huge hype here in SA about it, not justified by what was in the bottle.

Best I've tried recently is the 2004 Kaesler Avignon.

The Blacktongues GSM tasting notes and voting by n4sir are on page 8 of this forum.

I also like the Avignon and the Yalumba 2002 Hand Picked MGS is a blinder.

RedDog wrote:Also, what are some of the better Rhone GSM's?

I would stick to Chateauneuf-du-Pape: 98 and 01 are generally the preferred vintages, but 99 and 00 are very good too. 02 is dire - do not buy it, any of it, at any price, not matter how big the discount. The jury is still out on the 03 vintage - very hot vintage.

As for producers, I like Clos des Papes, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne, Vieux Donjon, Vieux Telegraphe, Chateau La Nerthe, Feraud-Brunel, Domaine de Villeneuve. If you can find them, Domaine de la Mordoree is super stuff, as is the Domaine du Pegau. Also, I would stick to the regular cuvees, as the "reserve" bottlings tend to be over-priced and over-fruited.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

RedDog wrote:Also, what are some of the better Rhone GSM's?

I would stick to Chateauneuf-du-Pape: 98 and 01 are generally the preferred vintages, but 99 and 00 are very good too. 02 is dire - do not buy it, any of it, at any price, not matter how big the discount. The jury is still out on the 03 vintage - very hot vintage.

As for producers, I like Clos des Papes, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne, Vieux Donjon, Vieux Telegraphe, Chateau La Nerthe, Feraud-Brunel, Domaine de Villeneuve. If you can find them, Domaine de la Mordoree is super stuff, as is the Domaine du Pegau. Also, I would stick to the regular cuvees, as the "reserve" bottlings tend to be over-priced and over-fruited.

Good luck!

That was me, for what it's worth.....

I thought the SOUL GROWERS GSM 2002, made from Greenock fruit was quite impressive, and at $28 good value too. Made by Paul Lindner from Langmeil.

Cheers

GS without the "M"

Best is Eclipse, even their weak years ie. 2000 are better than others.
Best value is Christa Rolf. ($18)

Used to like Barretta Bros. '98 but dont seems to find their current vintage anywhere.

707 wrote:Best I've tried recently is the 2004 Kaesler Avignon.

02 was rather simple. Had the 2003 yesterday. Bloody awesome!!! Completely outshined the Glaetzer Shiraz 2002 next to it.

Anonymous wrote:GS without the "M"

Best is Eclipse, even their weak years ie. 2000 are better than others.
Best value is Christa Rolf. ($18)

Used to like Barretta Bros. '98 but dont seems to find their current vintage anywhere.

If you mean Barletta Bros, their wines can be found at the Wine Underground, I dont think Gavin carries their range.

At the lower end of the spectrum I had a Tahbilk Republic 2001 Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre last night and it was a great quaffer. Very easy to drink and some nice tannins and it was a bargin at $7 a bottle

Craig.

Rick Burge makes a beautiful GSM called Olive Hill, very underrated.

Rick Burge G3 02 is good but needs time.

The good Southern Rhones hard to find in Oz- at a fair price anyway. My favourite Chapoutier's Barbe Rac which I have seen for over $150 locally. Yet it's not much more than 9 Popes in France.

I definitely shop in the lower end of the GSM spectrum. Many of the wines mentioned above are on my must try but can't afford (yet) list.

My Aussie faves are:

Torbreck Juveniles
Veritas - Rolf Binder Heinrich
Kaesler Stonehorse
Penfolds Bin 138
Hewitson Miss Harry

French: I can't go past Guigal Côtes du Rhône.

Has anyone tried the D'Arenberg, Turkey Flat or Henschke offerings?

Red Dog, if you're summarising this thread into any kind of list, would you mind posting it back to the forum when you're done please?!:)

NOON ECLIPSE hands down.