The Auswine Forum

Lifted from the weekly drinking thread, Chuck was bemoaning the current flood of Parkerised shiraz, how about some current release suggestions of shiraz that are NOT in that mould?

I'll start with a few Victorian and WA examples:

Battely, Castagna, Craiglee, Dalwhinnie, De Bortoli (Yarra), Hanging Rock heathcote, Heathcote Estate, Mitchelton Print, Plantagenet Mt Barker, Seppelt (Chalambar, St Peters, Benno), Voyager Estate, Yering Station.

I would add Tahbilk, Tyrrells Vat 9, Meera Park.

Anonymous wrote:I would add Tahbilk, Tyrrells Vat 9, Meera Park.

Me again.... Oh I hate the Guest feature....

And from SA you can add

Charles Melton
Cascabel
Longwood
Turkey Flat
Winter Creek

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Some more (albeit some South Australian):

Penfolds St Henri
Shaw & Smith
Clonakilla
Bannockburn

AB

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Ric,

If you are referring to "Parkerized" meaning powerful, sweet, alcoholic wines then you have a point with your selections.

However, Parker scored Turkey Flat, Winter Creek and Longwood all favorably of late. I think Turkey Flat got a 94 for the 02 Shiraz, and Winter Creek a 93 for their Shiraz.

So, it may be that Parker's palate isn't quite so easy to categorize.

That said, some lighter styles like the Metala Original Plantings (hardly light IMO, but maybe in Parkers) don't get the attention they deserve from Parker.

Brian

corcoran wrote:Ric,

If you are referring to "Parkerized" meaning powerful, sweet, alcoholic wines then you have a point with your selections.

Hi Brian,

Agree with your comments. Heavily-extracted, powerful, sweet, blackberry/prune/vanillian oakshakes is what I belived Chuck was getting at when he refered to "Parkerised wines."

For those who wish to read all about it, a definition of "Parkerized" has been attempted on the eBob forum. Its here. As I stated early in that discussion "...judging from the diversity of opinion in this thread its not likely to be forthcoming! Which is a pity as it does suggest considerable confusion over the use of the term....."

If we get enough people honestly contributing their definition I predict a similar outcome here.

Mike

PS For those who want some idea of Parker's Aussie wine experience, I have a small analysis here.

Mike,

This was Chucks's definition "extreme Barossa style shiraz (BIG, sweet in your face fruit and 15+% alcohol)".

I agree that there are many Oz wines that Parker rates highly that don't fit this definition, but this seems to be the one most people use in a derogatory sense when they want to criticise this style.

Sean wrote:I thought I could add some non big-ticket wines rather than "non-Parkerised" wines, which is more the kind of wines I usually drink anyway.

Suggestions for SA wines under $25 -

Elderton Shiraz
Mitolo Jester
Redman Shiraz
Tatachilla Shiraz
D'Arry's Original
Veratis Christa Rolf

Most of them might well qualify for "parkerised" I think, especially Elderton, Mitolo and Veritas.

Anonymous wrote:

Sean wrote:I thought I could add some non big-ticket wines rather than "non-Parkerised" wines, which is more the kind of wines I usually drink anyway.

Suggestions for SA wines under $25 -

Elderton Shiraz
Mitolo Jester
Redman Shiraz
Tatachilla Shiraz
D'Arry's Original
Veratis Christa Rolf

Most of them might well qualify for "parkerised" I think, especially Elderton, Mitolo and Veritas.

Maybe by your definition, what is it exactly?

Reinforces why I don't take most anonymous posts seriously... Have you actually tried the Christa Rolf? How long have you been drinking Elderton Shiraz? The style hasn't changed much since well before Parker noticed Barossa Shiraz, remember the 92 JWT runner-up? As for Redman, Tatachilla (even the Foundation) and d'Arry's original...yep they've all changed dramatically since Parker started taking notice... NOT!

So that leaves Mitolo The Jester, haven't tried the 2004, the prior vintage was a bit too sweet for me, but maybe that's for the generic 'sweet' American palate, a Parker score of 90 on the 2003 is marginal support for your proposition.

I am a bit curious here, has anyone actually had a wine maker / winery actually say they have modified a wine that they have been making for years to suit Parker or are these wines now being labled that way because Parker has rated them well?

Glen

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Sean wrote:Brian, the 2004 Mitolo Jester is a knockout little wine.

Thanks Sean, I'll get a bottle to try.

Hi all,

Thanks for all your suggestions in my hour of need. Maybe cool climate VIC shiraz is the go. I found the Seppelts '02 VIC Premium Shiraz to be the right stuff and my first Bannockburn '99? Shiraz recently was just superb. But they're from the wrong side of the border and I can't ignore the home team!! Maybe some Coonawarra and emerging general Limestone Coast shiraz need my attention. The Penfolds Bin 128 has always been a favourite and please no Hunter crap!!! The only good thing to come from this area was the drunken bus tour on which I met SWMBO. Dr Jerg's (sp?) Jungle Juice (serious rotgut of unknow origin) showed up the wines and it was pretty ordinary. Lifted a red from a winery lab and even the Japanese up the back of the bus declined after one swig.

Any suggestions in the $15 - $20 range as the bank balance is soon to be depleted with renovations requested by SWMBO and school fees that seem to come around all too quickly?

Grasshopper

Chuck wrote: The only good thing to come from this area was the drunken bus tour on which I met SWMBO. Dr Jerg's (sp?) Jungle Juice (serious rotgut of unknow origin) showed up the wines and it was pretty ordinary. Lifted a red from a winery lab and even the Japanese up the back of the bus declined after one swig.

Any suggestions in the $15 - $20 range as the bank balance is soon to be depleted with renovations requested by SWMBO and school fees that seem to come around all too quickly?

Grasshopper

The good Doctor Jurg strikes again, I sampled that stuff for the first and last time way back in the mid 70's when we needed a winter warmer.

Re SA Shiraz under $20, try the Heartland 2004 Limestone Coast/Langhorne Ck and maybe a Zema Estate on special.

Re renovations, we are in that mode too, talking to builders next week. May have to sell some wine to pay for the grand plans.

For the curious minds

http://www.wollombitavern.com.au/DrJurd/

I have been to the Wollombi Tavern many times as it is at the end of a nice windy road for those of the motorcycling bent. Was never brave enough to sample Dr Jurds though

I will second the 04 Heartland shiraz vote it is sensational value

Glen

Dr Jurd's sounds similar to Kirup Syrup from southwest WA. Generally sold in flagons.
I wonder if it would be too simple for RPj? Certainly was damn sweet and strong!

cranky wrote:Dr Jurd's sounds similar to Kirup Syrup from southwest WA. Generally sold in flagons.
I wonder if it would be too simple for RPj? Certainly was damn sweet and strong!

Is Kirup Syrup a bit like the "Nooky Delight" from Woody Nook? A sweet ruby port style, I assume they buy it in from somewhere warm. I think they sold a lot to ever-hopeful guys.

How about Mount Langhi Ghiran?