The Auswine Forum

A few wines from the Easter weekend.

The Cullen from 2005 was under cork and amazingly primary still - these wines are really built to go the distance.

Enjoyed a 2010 Torbreck Run Rig, a few Clarendon Hills bottles (Grenache and Syrah) too.

Cheers Ed

The Melbourne event has been postponed and a new sate not advised yet, but I have a ticket for me and my brother in law. Looking forward to it!

Cheers Ed

A couple of us got together in Melbourne and enjoyed a very generous tasting of 2010 Burgundy with a Rockford Black Shiraz courtesy of Con who kindly opened up some treasures from his cellar. Enjoyed alongside a great lunch at Tzaki (I’m still full). The 2010 Burgundy included (apologies if my Burgu...

Thanks for the notes.

I must say that I’ve enjoyed a lot of MR Cabernet and while I sometimes get the “green” sentiment, I can’t say it’s been a common experience. Maybe it’s just me.

That Leeuwin should go another 10+ EASY I’d have thought. Yes I’m showing my bias.

Thanks for the notes.

I’m 40 and have about 1200 bottles in storage and probably another 40 in the Vintec (for aged or higher quality ready to go wines) and then another 50 or so quaffers on wine racks at home that get drank and replaced. I started buying more seriously 6 or 7 years ago so most of my storage is somewhat ...

It’s a really good list.

I think the other contenders are Mt Ed, Mount Mary Quintet, Giaconda Chardonnay, Rockford BP, Wendouree Shiraz and maybe at a pinch Wynns JR and Penfolds St Henri.

Cheers Es

Indeed, a good deal. Thanks to a certain someone from here for the nudge via text yesterday!

Managed to get the 18 JR and went the 19 Michael, which I really enjoyed on release.

Cheers Ed

Wynns 2021 Black Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (13.4%). First of a 6-pack and the first BL bought since the 2012 vintage. Thought it would be way too young to open but was interested in what could be done from a great vintage. Let breath in decanter for 2 hours. Fruit was perfectly ripe, not ...

It will always be BL to me and everyone I know who drinks it. Stupid.

phillisc wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 9:47 pm Thanks for the note.
2002 should be good...no JR no single vineyard
Cheers Craig

Did not realise that? I’d always assumed 02 a good year (like most even years in SA!)… will have to try and get my hands on more.
Cheers Ed

2002 under cork. Pencil shaving, cigar box, dark fruits, great balance, excellent wine. The 2010 by comparison has a lighter fruit profile, more primary, still a good wine but needs another 10 years to hang together. Screwcap.

Cheers Ed

Don’t think I’ve tried one of the 2023 Agricola wines yet. I only purchased 1 of each last year so likely to hold before sampling.

Thanks Ed

I haven’t thought this far ahead yet. When is the release date?

I’ll likely purchase as I have over the last 4 years, but maybe not go as deep as I did in the past 2 years.

Cheers Ed

I tried one of the SR (single region) wines late last year and it was a wine that needs a long time but you can see the class underneath the tight coiling that exists at present. The x10/11/12 single vineyard wines are the top tier (above the SV (single vineyard) range. EDIT: I might have been wrong...

A label completely unknown to me, no real info on their website as to background and winemaking, just like every other CW incarnation, outrageous RRP quoted on line, but 2016 Coonawarra Cabernet "discounted" to $20, what could possibly go wrong? 12 x 2016 Devitt & Moore Captain D Bruc...

Singlefile is a producer I don’t see mentioned much here but do some quality Chardonnay (imo) and have a good range across the price spectrum.

Adelaide Hills have a number of producers who are doing good work too.

My knowledge is very much restricted to the Aus stuff.

Cheers Ed

if you are prepared to get off your bum and look around, there are plenty of independent Burgundy importers now. Even in the last five years, they are springing up everywhere. Small businesses that import and pass on at a VERY real price. I can quite easily get Meursault premier Cru in Australia fo...

Did anyone purchase anything?

I managed to get a couple of the Chardonnay. Had a look around 9 and everything aside from the Shiraz had sold out. Crazy.

Cheers Ed

3 X 2022 Eisenstone Hoffman X11

Cheers Ed

Shit vintage is a pretty good descriptor for 2020 in SA. Frosts early in the season, then drought, summer heat and the bushfire in the Adelaide Hills. Yalumba didn't make a Signature that year, which is such a rarity it should speak volumes... Coonawarra faired a little better, but overall there we...

A few over March:
3 X 2022 Rieslingfreak #1
3 X 2022 Bondar Rayner Shiraz
1 X 2022 LEAS Chardonnay

Cheers Ed

Look at that colour! Beautiful for near 20 years! I opened four Austrian Rieslings yesterday of a similar age from FX Pichler and Hirtzberger of the Wanchau. Corks was excellent on three but one was folded and the fruit tropical and bruised. Typical if a cork not doing its job. I’m a definite stelv...

I’ve done a couple of tastings at Torbreck and quite like the wines, albeit they’re certainly at the pricey end. I’ve got a lone bottle of RunRig (wedding gift) and have purchased a few things over the last 5 years at cellar door (that are waiting to be opened) and have tried a few older things I ha...

Great notes, thanks for sharing. I opened this last night. It was in an excellent spot.

Cheers Ed

Went a bit crazy with a few deals and other things. Plenty of stuff I like and some I haven’t tried before too. 6 X 2024 Rieslingfreak #2 6 X 2021 Rockford RR 3 X 2024 Rockford Fronti 2 X Rockford PS Marion Tawny 1 X Rockford Semillion, Alicante, Frugal from current vintage 6 X 2024 Kenny Wine Polis...

Looks like a ripper day. Well done folks.

Cheers Ed

Trying these two side by side tonight because I’m on parental leave and it’s wet and cold. The Wynns is definitely a bigger wine that will benefit from cellaring. It’s got a slightly more purple hue to it. It’s bold, great tannin structure, dark fruits, plush mouth feel - rich. The Sidewood by compa...

No cellar door for me so I won’t be looking at the BP or Black Shiraz unfortunately but will likely get a mixed 6 of the RR and R&S to keep my collection ticking over. Who knows, a visit over Xmas holidays may be possible.

Cheers Ed

$500 is probably as good a price as you’ll pay for Grange including via auction particularly from highly regarded vintages. If you want a bottle for the collection, this is probably the one.

Cheers Ed

Chuck wrote: ↑Wed Oct 02, 2024 10:56 am 12 x Sidewood Estate 2021 Adelaide Hills Shiraz. Can't get enough 2021 fruit from SA. Good midweek quaffer.

Yep. I grabbed some at a great price. Only regret was not buying more!

Cheers Ed