The Auswine Forum

Like the other times I picked up a Dome 24 bttls wine fridge for $50 at target.

And today I was just browsing the local book store when I saw "1001 wines you must try before you die" by Houn Hooke for just $12.

Now all I need is to find a Vintec unit for under $200. (when hell freezes over)


Please share yours.

Red Red Wine wrote:Like the other times I picked up a Dome 24 bttls wine fridge for $50 at target.

And today I was just browsing the local book store when I saw "1001 wines you must try before you die" by Houn Hooke for just $12.

Now all I need is to find a Vintec unit for under $200. (when hell freezes over)


Please share yours.

Showing off I know

but

at the domaine

Henri Billiot Cuvee de Reserve Brut NV

a superb, stunning Pinot Dominant Champagne ... 20 Euros

That is <$40.00 per bottle

for one of the finest Champagnes I have had short of super vintages, like 96 Dom!

Is that dome fridge a standing special at target, or did you bargain them down somehow?

I'm often afraid to post any finds. Apparently it resembles thieving.

Cheers.................Mahmoud.

You are the master of canny retail finds, Mahmoud.

I'm often afraid to post any finds. Apparently it resembles thieving.

ah yes, one of the first threads i ever read on this forum, still makes me smile.

best bargain, mystry mixed dozen at one of the big box stores, besides some normals ($20 down to $10), 6 bottles of Burgundy, 4 white 2 red, all premier cru. i actually went back and checked with the fine wine manager. he said that is correct, head office have deleted the line and given instructions to clear. excellent wines all of them, all 01's and 02's. what struck me as strange was why he hadn't bought them all himself, i sought of worry about the title fine wine manager.

got to love corparate takeovers.

jamie (my spelling is shocking, sorry to all!!!)

Gavin Trott wrote:
Henri Billiot Cuvee de Reserve Brut NVa superb, stunning Pinot Dominant Champagne ... 20 Euros
That is <$40.00 per bottle
for one of the finest Champagnes I have had short of super vintages, like 96 Dom!

I hear this is being bought into Australia soon. You obviously recommend it as a buy, what about at Aust (wet) pricing... roughly triple domaine cost?

c

Red Red Wine wrote:Like the other times I picked up a Dome 24 bttls wine fridge for $50 at target.

And today I was just browsing the local book store when I saw "1001 wines you must try before you die" by Houn Hooke for just $12.

Now all I need is to find a Vintec unit for under $200. (when hell freezes over)


Please share yours.

the best i have done is 2x Hill Of Grace for $90 in '07 of a mate who didn't know what they were.

and my vintec was $800 delivered, brand new, 40 bottle... an unwanted raffle prize.

hmmm wrote:the best i have done is 2x Hill Of Grace for $90 in '07 of a mate who didn't know what they were.

Nice mate you are!

In times past, a bottle of Lindemans Limestone Ridge 91 (museum release) for the price of a Cawarra ($6-$7), a bottle of Tahbilk 1860s Vines 97 for $37, 7xTeusner Joshua 05 for $4.99/btl. There were a number of other good bargains from the outlet during the changeover of corporate owners. Several bottles of Tahbilk Shiraz 02 for $8/btl comes to mind, a corked bottle replaced with a bottle of the same vintage by the winery. So too Jeanneret Denis Reserve Shiraz 02 for about $40, a corked bottle replaced recently by the winery with an 04.

The Limestone Ridge was prior to the takeover, shared it with family at my 50th dinner at the byo. Nice wine but imagine it'd be getting tired by now.

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:

hmmm wrote:the best i have done is 2x Hill Of Grace for $90 in '07 of a mate who didn't know what they were.

Nice mate you are!

Agreed. Harsh.

1990 Wynns black label Full unopened case for 15 a bottle , I never knew the guy so it didnt matter as much !!!!!!!! at auction they were 45 odd at the time . Poor bugger got MS and was told not to drink any more so he sold off his whole collection of Gems . If it was me i would have drunk them all as he did not look too good at the time

Regards Dazza

dazza1968 wrote:1990 Wynns black label Full unopened case for 15 a bottle , I never knew the guy so it didnt matter as much !!!!!!!! at auction they were 45 odd at the time . Poor bugger got MS and was told not to drink any more so he sold off his whole collection of Gems . If it was me i would have drunk them all as he did not look too good at the time

Regards Dazza

Have you remembered how he looked at the time you bought the wines whenever you've opened one?

Daryl Douglas wrote:

dazza1968 wrote:1990 Wynns black label Full unopened case for 15 a bottle , I never knew the guy so it didnt matter as much !!!!!!!! at auction they were 45 odd at the time . Poor bugger got MS and was told not to drink any more so he sold off his whole collection of Gems . If it was me i would have drunk them all as he did not look too good at the time

Regards Dazza

Have you remembered how he looked at the time you bought the wines whenever you've opened one?

Daz he had a smile when i left because he knew it was my sons birth year and we would drink them in celebration only And to answer your question No But boy its a great red.

I used to live in wine shops but these days to be honest I hardly set foot in one in comparison, as such the old bargains have been a little slower to be fallen over!

Craig(NZ) wrote:I used to live in wine shops but these days to be honest I hardly set foot in one in comparison, as such the old bargains have been a little slower to be fallen over!

Too true, unfortunately............

2004 Glaymond Landrace, $15US: Beautiful nose of plums and cassis; the taste was equally impressive, slightly sweet, but with plenty of structure to pull it off...plums, licorice, Cuban cigar, and other tastes; well balanced. I'd buy more at twice the price, but alas, it is not available in the US.

Wayno wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:

hmmm wrote:the best i have done is 2x Hill Of Grace for $90 in '07 of a mate who didn't know what they were.

Nice mate you are!

Agreed. Harsh.

To put it into perspective he wanted to give them away to me because he knew i drank wine and he does like it at all, i offered all the money i had in my wallet at the time $90.

i also got 2 bottles of '01 Black label of evilbay for $40 each and an '00 rwt for $50

hmmm wrote:

Wayno wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:

hmmm wrote:the best i have done is 2x Hill Of Grace for $90 in '07 of a mate who didn't know what they were.

Nice mate you are!

Agreed. Harsh.

To put it into perspective he wanted to give them away to me because he knew i drank wine and he does like it at all, i offered all the money i had in my wallet at the time $90.

i also got 2 bottles of '01 Black label of evilbay for $40 each and an '00 rwt for $50

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Don't you have a sense of humour? "Nice mate you are!" is a rather tongue-in-cheek comment where I live. It's laudable btw that you insisted on paying at least something for the HoGs your mate just wanted to give to you gratis.

I was serious though about the bloke who'd been diagnosed with MS. I'd certainly think of him every time I opened one of those bargain bottles of WBL 90, hope he's coping with the inexorable progression of his debilitating condition.

Cheers and no cheers

daz

G'day,

And now onto a pet gripe of mine. My father has got into 'getwinesdirect' and 'graysonline', and one or two other online disposal sites, and it's become a game for him to pick up a bargain at $7 a bottle, when "the original wine from the same year, with a similar label and from approximately the nominated manufacturer" sells for $27. And he thinks he is playing it in the same way as watching his stocks go up and down (or just down, as it happens).

Sorry, it's crap, and, in terms of these times, I think you need to look much more carefuly for your bargains (which was the point oif the thread, wasn't it?).

Mahmoud Ali wrote:I'm often afraid to post any finds. Apparently it resembles thieving.

Cheers.................Mahmoud.

Touche, Mahmoud.

just picked up a mixed dozen of

2005 Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz, Testament Shiraz and Parable Shiraz for $20 a bottle.

A few weeks ago purchased at auction the 1997 Langmeil freedom for $37.

redstuff wrote:A few weeks ago purchased at auction the 1997 Langmeil freedom for $37.

Have you tried it yet? I thought it was getting pretty tired a couple of years ago.

I can't share the best (apart from the ever dependable Waterwheel Memsie Red at around $13) but I can share one of my biggest disappointments:

I've always been something of a flag bearer for the Bendigo region (see above) so I was beside myself when one of my local merchants offered up the Balgownie Estate 'Goldfields' Cab Merlot at half price (the story about the legality of using the name 'Goldfields' and the rush to clear stock was documented on here not long ago)

So I grabbed half dozen and popped one open as soon as I could. Now, I don't know whether it was weight of expectation, or simply the lunar cycle, but I was terribly disappointed. Poor of me I know, but I don't even have any TN on it either. I duly gave a bottle to a friend and their reaction was the same, it was decidedly less than Jake. I am actually starting to wonder whether the whole legal issue was a clever marketing scam to help clear a substandard wine. But then, I think that Marilyn and Elvis were behind 9/11...

I'd love to hear if anyone else has tried this wine. I've kept a bottle, but the rest were given away.

Red Bigot wrote:

redstuff wrote:A few weeks ago purchased at auction the 1997 Langmeil freedom for $37.

Have you tried it yet? I thought it was getting pretty tired a couple of years ago.

Opened it up a few weekends ago. Cork was very crumbly. Definitely past its best I think. A little tired - but had a beautiful nose. Could have just sat and sniffed it all night. Had nice soft dark cherrys and was really moreish however the oak and ethanol was a little dominant.

Rawshack wrote:I can't share the best (apart from the ever dependable Waterwheel Memsie Red at around $13) but I can share one of my biggest disappointments:

I've always been something of a flag bearer for the Bendigo region (see above) so I was beside myself when one of my local merchants offered up the Balgownie Estate 'Goldfields' Cab Merlot at half price (the story about the legality of using the name 'Goldfields' and the rush to clear stock was documented on here not long ago)

So I grabbed half dozen and popped one open as soon as I could. Now, I don't know whether it was weight of expectation, or simply the lunar cycle, but I was terribly disappointed. Poor of me I know, but I don't even have any TN on it either. I duly gave a bottle to a friend and their reaction was the same, it was decidedly less than Jake. I am actually starting to wonder whether the whole legal issue was a clever marketing scam to help clear a substandard wine. But then, I think that Marilyn and Elvis were behind 9/11...

I'd love to hear if anyone else has tried this wine. I've kept a bottle, but the rest were given away.

I had a glass last night and felt it was excellent value at the marked down price.

There is still a bit of tannic grip there, should be lovely in a few years.

winetastic wrote:

Rawshack wrote:I can't share the best (apart from the ever dependable Waterwheel Memsie Red at around $13) but I can share one of my biggest disappointments:

I've always been something of a flag bearer for the Bendigo region (see above) so I was beside myself when one of my local merchants offered up the Balgownie Estate 'Goldfields' Cab Merlot at half price (the story about the legality of using the name 'Goldfields' and the rush to clear stock was documented on here not long ago)

So I grabbed half dozen and popped one open as soon as I could. Now, I don't know whether it was weight of expectation, or simply the lunar cycle, but I was terribly disappointed. Poor of me I know, but I don't even have any TN on it either. I duly gave a bottle to a friend and their reaction was the same, it was decidedly less than Jake. I am actually starting to wonder whether the whole legal issue was a clever marketing scam to help clear a substandard wine. But then, I think that Marilyn and Elvis were behind 9/11...

I'd love to hear if anyone else has tried this wine. I've kept a bottle, but the rest were given away.

I had a glass last night and felt it was excellent value at the marked down price.

There is still a bit of tannic grip there, should be lovely in a few years.

Hmm, I see it garnered good scores elsewhere, and I'm a fan of Balgownie so I wonder if there's some bottle variation...

Could be that I'm as bad a judge of wine as I am of character.

Tried the Balgownie Goldfields the other night, the first of a carton bought early last month on spec. My wife's comment was 'definitely doesn't have the guts of a Margaret River Cab Merlot'. Over a couple of nights my conclusion remained at 'thin', as in lacks body. A lighter style perhaps? Not something that I would be happy to pay $20+ for, but at $10/bottle it's okay. Maybe the others will be different.

Cheers,

Dave.

I too bought a dozen of of the Balgownie Goldfields C/M on spec (I have been to Balgownie and like their stuff, there were a couple of positive reviews, and there was the price!!).

I opened a bottle last night after reading this post and my initial assessment was that it was overly tannic and quite thin. It went into the decanter.

After 3 hours or so the fruit came out a bit and the wine became quite enjoyable, but my overall impression was that it was still very "tight".

I have left about 250mls in a 375ml bottle to try tonight to test this further, but on last night's assessment I would say that it is just too young and I will wait for a couple of years before opening another. So I am with winetastic on this one.

Cheers

Michael

Michael McNally wrote:I too bought a dozen of of the Balgownie Goldfields C/M on spec (I have been to Balgownie and like their stuff, there were a couple of positive reviews, and there was the price!!).

I opened a bottle last night after reading this post and my initial assessment was that it was overly tannic and quite thin. It went into the decanter.

After 3 hours or so the fruit came out a bit and the wine became quite enjoyable, but my overall impression was that it was still very "tight".

I have left about 250mls in a 375ml bottle to try tonight to test this further, but on last night's assessment I would say that it is just too young and I will wait for a couple of years before opening another. So I am with winetastic on this one.

Cheers

Michael

Thanks for the comments Michael - Now that you mention it, I do remember the fruit not really being there and being overwhelmed by the tannins. As for aging, my only worry would be whether the fruit is going to last in the time it takes for those tannins to soften

I'll try decanting a bottle this weekend for a couple of hours and see how I get on.

Christo wrote:

Gavin Trott wrote:
Henri Billiot Cuvee de Reserve Brut NVa superb, stunning Pinot Dominant Champagne ... 20 Euros
That is <$40.00 per bottle
for one of the finest Champagnes I have had short of super vintages, like 96 Dom!

I hear this is being bought into Australia soon. You obviously recommend it as a buy, what about at Aust (wet) pricing... roughly triple domaine cost?

c

Hello

disclosure here as I love these wines so much, I am going to sell them here. They will be roughly triple the domaine pricing, but worth every cent!

Even though I'm selling them, my note and enthusiasm will be genuine! These were probably the wines of the trip! The difference between these wines and Moet, Piper Heidsieck, Lanson is, IMO of course, huge in terms of style, intensity and complexity.

There, rave over!