The Auswine Forum

In speaking to a few winemakers from the Barossa, they all spoke in glowing terms of 2022, less so of 2023.

Mid-weekers. 2002 Mt Ed and HofG. Lovely wines HofG more concentrated than the herbally Mt Ed. 1994 Mt Ed. Magnificent 1996 Penfolds 389. Poised and balanced. Easy drinking. Ata Rangi 2012 Pinot. With aircrew discount $35 at AKL Duty Free on release. Fine at that price! Bunch of Barolo over the wee...

3 x 2024 Tolpuddle Chardonnay. Missed out on Giaconda this year, but between this, the Savaterre and Sorrenberg, I’m still very happy with my high end Chardonnay purchases. Don't overlook Penfolds Bin A Chardonnay - it's my Giaconda replacement. Even their Bin 311 with a few years bottle-age are pr...

Thanks for the notes. While I quite like the chardonnays, their reds are extremely overrated IMO and don’t age well. Your comments seem to reinforce that.

That said, each to their own. Some people with way better palates than mine love them.

Thanks for that Sam. I'm trying another this week - Vinatis, who are based in France and who I've seen recommended on wine pages. Prices from ok to good, and range wide, though it seems a high % of co-ops. They've processed the order within a day, so the recommendation that said they were efficient...

1999 Ornellaia (magnum)… a touch disappointing to be Frank. Average length and a tad mono dimensional with characters bordering on vegetal. 2009 Pontet Canet…lost the vibrancy of youth but not quite what I’d describe as secondary characteristics. I can see why the critics love it, but it was a mista...

Thanks for the write up. I really liked the 14 Graveyard when it was released. I haven’t opened any since, so I’m grateful to read your update.

That’s a cracking line up. Thanks for sharing these notes. I’ve had some of these before and most have been sublime. Shame about the 82 LLC, I’ve always found it to be sensational.

I regret missing my opportunity to try the 84 many years ago, but won’t be paying crazy money for a wine that maybe dead anyway. Had all the rest though and still feel it’s the quintessential Barossa Shiraz.

ticklenow1 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:43 pm '98 is still the best BP I've had. Only been luck enough to have it 4 or 5 times, but every time it impresses me greatly.

It’s an excellent wine, though I prefer 90 and 91. Both are still drinking superbly

JamieAdelaide wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:08 am I felt a 1998 BP last night was a considerably more perfected wine then the 2002. Holding- just a wee Hong of leather in this bottle.

Consistent with my comparative experience too

A mailed dozen of the 24 Agricolas and other dozen comprised of the Eisenstone 900 series

Thanks Ian, As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat. Thanks for the write up and the excellent phot...

Thanks Ian, As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat. Thanks for the write up and the excellent photo...

Thanks Allan…. Abercrombie is often at the top of the tree for my tastes when it comes to Aussie Cabernets

Took a 2002 Grosset PH to day one of the World Test Championship at Lords. Despite the average glassware, this remains a cracking wine (fantastic line and length) with the loveliest lime aromas and beautiful cleansing acidity. Plenty of life left Snap! Almost. Took a 2005 to share with Mr Carringto...

Took a 2002 Grosset PH to day one of the World Test Championship at Lords. Despite the average glassware, this remains a cracking wine (fantastic line and length) with the loveliest lime aromas and beautiful cleansing acidity. Plenty of life left

1990 Penfolds Bin 389…. My favourite from this label after the 1971. This is in great nick with lots of Cabernet dominant aromas and flavours. Excellent balance and length. Shame it isn’t made this way anymore. 1998 Elderton Command… a bit riper than I remember and could have easily passed for a 12 ...

WAwineguy wrote: ↑Thu May 08, 2025 5:21 pm Got some Cristal 2015 and Dom Perignon 2013 coming, so I'm pretty excited!

I don't buy much red these days - have way too much already!

I really rate the 13s that have a decent whack of Chardonnay in them. Much better than their 2012 brethren.

Yalumba 1991 Signature - enjoyed with char-grilled, marinated lamb loin chops. Great colour for age, as too the complex bouquet and a stunning palate. Perfectly mature and a pleasure to drink. Thanks for this one. It’s a wine I’ve had a number of times and really rate. No’Reserve’ made in 1991 from...

Having a red to celebrate the reds win over Tottenham to secure the premier league.Takes us to 20 wins equal with Man united. A great day. I had a 2021 Claymore YNWA Boot Room Shiraz to celebrate. YNWA and up the mighty Reds!! Cheers Ian I’m kicking myself…. Had a choice between going to the Arsena...

The wines I’ve had from Barossa from the 2023 vintage have been underwhelming, especially after the previous two vintages. As such, your note doesn’t really surprise.

6 x 2022 Eisenstone Dallwitz x11
3 x 2022 Eisenstone Richardson Goldfield x12
1 x 2022 Eisenstone d’Or x10

And a host of rare cognacs

Perhaps there's a chance for all of us to get a bottle or two, with the holding back of the challenging aka shit 2020 vintage :wink: :wink: Cheers Craig Regarding 2020 vintage. SA has had a rare good streak of vintages recently. 19, 21,22 were outstanding with 18 not too shabby. What went wrong in ...

phillisc wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 2:10 pm 2 2021 Yalumba Signature, will have a look at one and may get more.

Cheers Craig

Looking fwd to your review. I normally buy it in the good vintages

6 x 2021 Eisenstone x10 Shiraz

I was thinking Leeuwin Prelude too Ian. (Btw, only 7 more wins for the good guys).

Had some nice Bay of fires some years ago that were nice. Not sure of the price these days

I did at the time and never got to writing them up formally. I’ve long since thrown out the paper.

Thanks Mike, if I remember the wine is packaged in the flat six carton. Think there are a couple cartons floating around somewhere. Having a 2012 Kilikanoon Morts Reserve tomorrow. I hope as you have said, the 2012s are indeed entering a long window. Need to get stuck in, never mind the myriad of 2...

Agree with both Jamie and Felix…. LEAS is clearly the best. I conducted a vertical last year back to 99, and while there were stylistic changes from the oldest to those since 2010, they were all profound.