The Auswine Forum

Hi SVG, I recommend checking out Wind Decoded and Ethereal Wines. These e-retailers have been mentioned in another thread and I can vouch for them as I have been buying from them for many years. Give them a call and I am sure they will help with any questions. Looking at their websites, they have Ba...

Opened a 2017 Sami-Odi on the weekend. Normal corkscrew and the wax came away clean with the cork. Opened up nicely after an hour in the decanter. Lovely wine! My understanding is that wax does not offer any great benefit to storage. It is a common choice by smaller "artisanal" producers a...

My current top 10 producers are as follows Wendouree Rockford Tyrrells Marius Wynns Blue Poles Giovanni Rosso Serrat Produttori del Barbaresco Grosset Thinking back 10 years, my cellar would have been dominated by Penfolds, Wynns, Seppelt Petaluma and other big name brands. Basically shiraz and cabe...

Eighth year. I ordered 6 of everything bar the Malbec and Muscat. Received everything today bar the Cabernets. Given the above posts, I am surprised and happy. Expect a lot less next year.

Ruggabellus is out. 2 * Archaeus 2018 3 * Quomodo 2017 3 * Solumodo 2017 4 * Sallio 2017 What is the Ruggabellus like? I get Wendouree, Rockford, Sami Odi, Eperosa and Marius all from mail order. Should I be adding another to the list? I find that the wines are rustic yet complex. If that makes any...

Ruggabellus is out. 2 * Archaeus 2018 3 * Quomodo 2017 3 * Solumodo 2017 4 * Sallio 2017 Nothing in my email yet, feels like another wendouree situation here. :? Emal Received! :D Will pick up some Archaeus, Timaeus and Sallio. Marius case of Symphpny and Endplay delivered. 2016 Blue Poles Allouran...

What Aussie Shiraz wines would people recommend to try, that are anything but the big & ripe blue fruited wines that you'd normally associate with (say) Barossa and McLaren Vale? What is bright, refreshing or more like a lean long distance runner, not a muscular sprinter? A few others that have...

I enjoyed a 2013 a couple of weeks ago and it was supurb. A 2014 opened last year was closed and I got the impression that it needed another few years to develop. I have not had the 2016 as yet but it looks like it is worth a punt.

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the write-up. I am looking to make my first visit to MR in May so your list makes for a good starting point. I have never tried any wines from Grace Farm, but I will have to arrange a visit.

Hi Redav, My reference of old school Barossa, is comparing Rockford BP to other established flagships like PL Stonewell or St Hallett Old Block. Flagship wines based on a blend of the grapes from vineyards through the Barossa. This compares to more modern makers like Standish or Sami-Odi which focus...

Eperosa 2017 Magnolia Blanc Semillon from the Magnolia Rd estate vineyard in the Vine Vale. Organically farmed on a small section of sandy loan with vine age ranging between 42 and 76 years. Barrel fermented and aged in French oak for 15 months. 12%alc. Light gold in colour. Light lemon/apple. Most...

Hi Stomper, Yes, there should have been a space in between - a typical. Pretty much met expectations for me. I would buy 2016 BP based on current vintage. There are many great winemakers in the Barossa (Standish, Eperosa, Sami-Odi, Ruggabellus come to mind) that I enjoy and are deservingly getting t...

I took the opportunity to open a 2015 BP yesterday over a family BBQ. No notes taken but I thought it atypical example of a Rockford BP. No significant change to previous vintages for my taste. I find that Rockford produces a certain “house”, old school Barossa Shiraz. If you like the style, the TWF...

deejay81 wrote:I'd say one, some or all of the 2014 Block range from Mount Pleasant.

+ 1

Also, 2012 Cullen 'Vanya' Cabernet Sauvignon

Many wines enjoyed over the Summer break but the following stand out: 2013 Marius Simpatico Shiraz 2012 Seppelt Shiraz Chalambar 2010 David Franz Shiraz Benjamins Promise 2015 Ruggabellus Quomodo 2015 Eperosa Synthesis Grenache Mataro 2011 Pewsey Valye The Contours Riesling 2012 Sami-Odi Baby Tui 20...

1997 Craiglee Shiraz Opened this last night. Cork was in great condition with stain only going a few mm. Redish/Purple with light sediment. Though label says 14.5%alc, this tasted a whole lot lighter. Hints of burnt oak, black pepper & Kalamata olives. Definitely in its drinking window with sti...

I wouldn't sweat about late applications. I was in the States this time last year. Filled out my form mid August and still received everything I asked for. Maybe it's a 'ya snooze ya lose' deal. I've been on the mailer since the 09 vintage and I'm still a red striper. But I've always received what ...

I have bought every year since the 2007 vintage when I became a stonewaller. I do so as I enjoy the style and I believe it is well priced for what is an iconic label. There are definitely other Barossa producers (eg Head, Spinifex, Sons of Eden) that sell at the same price point with Rockford. Howev...

I wouldn't sweat about late applications. I was in the States this time last year. Filled out my form mid August and still received everything I asked for.

Went to the Vinsosphere trade tasting yesterday with over 500 wines on show. Some highlights below: 2016 Pooley Coolinda Vale Pinot Noir - a more "feminine" wine compared to the Butcher's Hill and my preference of the Pooley range. 2014 Dawson James Pinot Noir - Never heard of this Tassie ...

Thanks Ian, Welcome back, have missed your notes. I had the '05 Leonay a week or so ago, shared it with a couple of local Pinot makers. Blew them away. Rory Had a 2005 Leonay Watervale DW 118 this evening with fish. A beautiful riesling, it has got further into the zone with each passing year. What...

Great notes Graeme. Currently sipping on a 2002 St Henri and your description is spot on. I have another 5 bottles from this vintage, and I look forward to see how it will develop over time.

I have been drinking Curly Flat since the 2004 vintages and have always enjoyed their wine. I am currently on the 2012 vintage and that is drinking well. I generally try to hold off drinking them as long as possible as I find that they do improve with age.

Sparkling (white): Arras Grand Vintage Sparling (red): Primo Joseph Semillon: Tyrrells Vat 1 Chardonnay: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Marsanne: Tahbilk 1927 Vines Riesling: Pewsey Vale Contours Cabernet/Shiraz: Yalumba Signature Shiraz: Clonakilla SV Cabernet: Lakes Folly Cabernets GSM: Ruggabellus (an...

Hi David,

I had a 2000 Lovedale a few years ago and was drinking well. As Graeme mentioned in his post, the condition of the cork will be the key here.

Thanks for the responses. Any advice on Cabernets/Bordeaux blends which I look be looking for? I don't have heaps of monster Shiraz (yet!) And yes - I think I do need some Riesling in there. I just bought my first two bottles (consumption, not for cellaring) as a test. One Bordeaux Blend that you m...

rooman wrote:

TiggerK wrote:LOL, it's 2004, it was his post!

Ha Ha, it was mine, though I like the idea of guessing the vintage. Last night, enjoyed a 2015 Henschke Peggys Hill Riesling. Normally Pewsey Vale is my "go to" mid week quaffer with Thai food, but this Rizza certainly hit the spot.

Penfolds BIN 128 Coonawarra Little sediment on opening. One hour decant. Wine starting to turn red-brick. Hint of savoury fruit but tastes tired. Despite a great vintage, I don't think there is anything left in the 'tank' that warrants further cellaring. This is the last BIN 128 in the cellar and d...

In the last 6 months I had a 1997 Wendouree Cabernet. It was awful but as I bought this on the secondary market, I guess storage may have had an issue with it being so bad. I also have a Craiglee and a Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, one of which I will open in the cooler months. I previously ha...

Nice write up Dave. The 2012 Baby Tui is a great wine and the Mahe & Ribo was on the list for this year. I was never a fan of the Little Wine in the past but looking at your notes, I will venture for a couple of bottles this time around.