The Auswine Forum

Thanks Ian!

Hi All, Heading over to Italy in a couple of weeks, booking a bit of a last minute trip with a week in Sardinia, a week in Barbaresco/Barolo and then have a week set aside to visit some wineries in Alto Piedmonte (Ghemme, Gattinara, Boca, etc). Was wondering if anyone had suggestions on where to sta...

2019 Goisot Gueules de Loup Blanc × 4
2018 Goisot Corps de Garde Blanc × 4
2019 Goisot Chablis Faucertaine x1

Initially one of each, immediately went back fro more Goisot Gueules de Loup Blanc and Corps de Garde Blanc, incredible wines.

Its been quite a while between posts on the Auswine forum for me, but opened a great Etna rosso this evening and felt inspired to write it up Passopisciaro Contrada C 2013 Nerello Mascalese From the Chiappemacine Contrada (Cru) on Mt Etna, 550m above sea level. Initial aroma of fresh cranberry juice...

A bit late to the party, have both Zalto and Plumm myself, in general I find the Plumm to be better for more tanninic / younger barolo & barbaresco, while softer / aged expressions or Langhe Nebbiolo tends to fire better in the Zalto. Both are superior to my tastes to Riedel burgundy glasses, ho...

sjw_11 wrote:Tobacco and wine count as essential (naturally)

Gotta love the French

For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy) As far as buying here in Australia goes, I reckon Benevelli are in the conversation for sure. Other notable mentions, including Barbaresco: Schiavenza Podere Ruggeri Corsini Produttori d...

2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera ... For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy) At $80 down under (2015 vintage) I can't think of one. I've got a single bottle of 2010 in my cellar. Based on your TN it seems like I should wait ...

So many great wines made in 2016, on the more affordable end Giuseppe Cortese knocked it out of the park, as did Nada Fiorenzo and of course Olek Bondonio. Although starting to push things price wise, GB Burlotto also had an incredible vintage. Monvigliero blew me away but the Acclivi is also outsta...

PS: One time I did have trouble checking in an inflated rugby ball that I was lucky to collect at the Dubai Rugby 7s. Ettihad Airlines insisted that I had to deflate the ball before getting on the plane. Finding a way to deflate it was quite the story. Luckily Tom Brady was on hand to assist :wink:...

I would visit Samuel's Gorge in the McLaren Vale, beautiful view and some of the best wines in the region IMO.

Oliver's Taranga are also worth a look, good range at decent prices.

Does anyone here do it? I've found some good prices overseas but was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with buying and importing I should know about? In almost all cases, it ends up being cheaper (or basically the same price) to buy locally once you pay the shipping and duties. Also i...

x4 Musso Barbaresco Pora 2016 x4 Ruggeri Corsini Barolo Monforte 2016 Oh nice ! Pre-arrival? Ruggeri Corsini is much improved according to comments elsewhere. Enjoyed an early release recently. Yes pre-arrival. Tasted the 2015 Ruggeri Corsini Barolos at the winery in Nov, the Bussia has a bit of sm...

x4 Musso Barbaresco Pora 2016
x4 Ruggeri Corsini Barolo Monforte 2016

Any more to come on Piedmont? I am heading over there in June. Yes more to come, been swamped since getting back and have not had the time to write it all up yet, however I do have a book filled with notes :) Top of my head producer highlights for Piedmont: Olek Bondonio (Barbaresco) Nada Fiorenzo ...

Ian S wrote: I'd argue that it's 90% about producer and 10% about region.

I would agree for basically everything.

I had tried a couple of Franks wines before our trip, however after this visit I will definitely be seeking out more. Caveat: You need to like natural wines to enjoy the entire range, however some bottles are pretty damn clean. Notes were scribbled down while standing in the cellar, so are brief. Mu...

First appointment on the north side of Etna was with Cottanera who offer up some good entry level wines (Barbazzale) at sharp prices. Their top end wines felt middle of the pack. Barbazzale Bianco 2018 95% Catarratto, 5% Viognier. Nose of straw, grass and grapefuit. Creamy texture with cutting acidi...

Back in Australia and over the jet lag, will attempt to write up the whole trip but if it becomes to might I might just stick to the highlights at the Piedmont end. Overall impressions, Sicily is a madhouse with some amazing wine and food produce. The wine tourism experience tends to be toward paid ...

Just kicked off an almost 5 week trip through Sicily and Piedmont, will be taking a bunch of notes to write up later, however if anyone likes to see pictures from along the way: https://www.instagram.com/vinoungrafted/

JamieBahrain wrote:15’s such beautiful wines . I have a lot already.

Maybe we have an offline in 15 + years 15 v 16 ..

Ill put it in the calendar

I've purposely avoided purchasing 2015 Barolo/Barbaresco... only bought 10 bottles to date, turning down most of the offers I receive. 2015 is a great vintage, but 2016 is even greater by all accounts. I plan to buy a lot of 2016's. Wise. Have tasted both vintages widely both from as barrel samples...

JamieBahrain wrote: Overlooking Cavanna Cru from the Boffa balcony.

Such a great view and lovely people at Boffa. The wines are excellent value and quality has been on the rise over the last 5-6 vintages or so.

Will be there ourselves in a few weeks, cant wait.

La Palazzina, Coste della Sesia, Rosso "Vecchi Vigneti" 2016 La Palazzina is a new producer to me, Coste della Sesia is the DOC which is near Gattinara. A blend of Nebbiolo 50%, Croatina 35%, Vespolina 5%, other grapes 10% This wine is dangerously easy to drink, however weighs in at a glo...

I have October in Europe BTW. Plenty on with family in the south of France and a side trek in Albania. But I have a few days solo. A real craving for Piedmont. Thinking of flying into Malpensa and spending a few days solo in Monforte d" Alba. Drink and eat with the locals and find a few emergi...

WAwineguy wrote: Growers - as above Egly-Ouriet is beautiful, but distributors into Australia price-gouge because it has become so sought-after. Slightly less expensive and also excellent is Jerome Prevost..

Funny, I have got my hands on Egly-Ouriet cheaper than Jerome Prevost in general.

+1 Egly-Ouriet, had a fantastic bottle last weekend

I am also partial to Billecart-Salmon Rose NV, widely available and pretty damn refined

I had to move around 400 bottles from a wine fridge to offsite storage (1 hours drive) while also moving house. I decided to set aside a day to do just the wine by myself ahead of the actual move and would do so again. Reasons is as outlined by others, don't want to trust that amount of money to cha...

Never been to this sort of tasting in Melbourne and really found it odd to have security on the door. I suppose Melbourne wine drinkers are a bit roudier than the Dutch drinkers I am used to. Probably a law stating that if you have over a certain number of "drinkers" in a venue, you need ...

Sicily remains one of my favourite places on earth - and I have only taken in a small amount of it! The fact that I have distributed Inspector Montalbano in Australia and NZ for 15 years plays in a little, but i'd adore it regardless of that. CATANIA is an incredibly great town that hets overlooked...