The Auswine Forum

2004 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache - Lovely wine, holding up very well. Slightly sweet but nice structure and perfumed nose of forrest fruits and jubes. At least another 2-3 years left in it. Matched up very well with a hearty seafood bouillabaisse. 2002 Henrys Drive Reserve Shiraz - Big, smooth, well...

[b]Frux Frugis Shiraz 2002[/b] Slight stink on opening concerned me a little but blew off fairly quickly. Mid weight, slightly sweet and jammy. Fruit is fading and the best appears to have passed this wine. I had a dozen and only have a few left but it has deteriorated over the past three years. It ...

[quote="RogerPike"]I would never buy or sell a bottle in that condition. Roger[/quote] I picked up these couple of bottles at one of the two major chains in a discount bin (half barrel) that contained a bunch of wines including some quality NZ pinot. Apparently they got wet when the stores...

Thanks everyone for your comments on this issue. I thought I would post a photo as there seems to be a lack of clarity as to what is actually damaged versus just knocked about.[attachment=0]DSC01169 copy.jpg[/attachment]

Does anyone have any experience with banged up stelvin enclosures? How do you know if the enclosure is damaged to the point of potentialy impacting on the wines ageing properties. I purchased some Seppelt St.Peters 2004 recently for $35 but their stelvin enclosures were dented around the top and sid...

Does anyone have any experience with banged up stelvin enclosures? How do you know if the enclosure is damaged to the point of potentialy impacting on the wines ageing characteristic. I purchased some Seppelt St.Peters 2004 recently for $35 but their stelvin enclosures were dented around the top and...

The second bottle was worse than the first. Totally saturated cork with slight leakage. Popped out with minimal effort and was almost porous.... Never come across this before. It appears that either I have scored a very badly cellared box or the wine is well past it's glory days. The second bottle r...

I hope it is just this bottle Gavin ! I picked them up at a reasonable price but I still have a few left...

I am interested in any comments regarding the Viking Grand Shiraz 2001. I recently bought some at auction and opened a bottle out of curiosity to find the cork was totally soaked. The wine presented well enough and was not oxidised or brett affected but something appears to be missing. It may be jus...

TN: Craiglee Shiraz 2000 After opening the bottle there was a slight whiff of musty earth. Poured straight into a quality glass and allowed to sit for about 15 minutes before trying. Initial impressions were a perfectly proportioned wine that oozed of quality cool climate shiraz. Fired up the webbe...

Orlando Jacobs Creek Limited Release Shiraz/Cabernet 1996 Did not know what to expect of this wine as I have not come across too many comments. I must admit I have not sought them out either. I noticed a six pack in amongst some of my stacks of boxed wines after a long overdue stock take. Upon open...

This is one sensational wine. Needed about an hour to open up but when it did there was an abundance of fruit and some nice acid. A little earthy but very classy and a long finish with a fair whack of tannin. Still has plenty of life ahead. I am glad I have a six pack left. [color=brown]18/20[/color]

This must be one of the greatest value reds on the market. I have had both the 04 and now 05 and they are extremely good. Drinking like any wine in the 30-40 dollar range.

Wow ! What a wine. Had this with a homemade stew in front of the fireplace watching the football. Does it get much better than this ? This is one classy wine that is silky smooth, great fruit, mocha, great length. Everything is in balance at the moment. Seems to be perfect drinking now. My guess is ...

Thanks for the response ! I also had another look and I believe it is a compressor type. The weird thing was that one store had the same unit priced at $399 and the other at $799. Go figure.. I think I will buy the Kitchener early in the new year. They seem to be the best unit getting around even th...

Just wondering whether anyone is aware whether the Dome 65 Bottle unit being sold at Target at present is a thermoelectric unit ? I have had no luck from the junior staff at the store or by telephone and there is nothing on the box that clarifies this point. I know the smaller 24 Bottle unit is ther...

I agree on the 2003 with you Ric.

I was not refering to your comments but rather to a number of responses from others claiming the 2001 was not up to scratch in comparison to the 2002.

Slightly dusty initally with a greenish nose which blew off quickly. The wine was dark and clingy to the glass and develpoed full caberenet aromas with little air time. Dark moccha, leather and velvet finish proved to be a nice surprise after some bad press. I am glad I still have about 8 bottles le...

Good suggestion Jordan ! But I am really struggling to find a retailer that has both vintages. Does anyone know where to get. Preferably an e-tailer.

Ohh ! If only my budget and cellar could both accommodate....

Any comment regarding the two vintages ? I am looking to buy a dozen but am not sure whether the 2005 is the better option. How does one get much better than the 2004. Is it possible ?

Opinions grealty appreciated.

Oops ! didn't read the bottom section... And the winner is...

That is it ....I am firing our actuary....

Brian,

My Guess is 1750.

I asked an actuary at work to crunch some numbers for me. I can't be too far out....

What are these units like on power consumption ? Do they use as much electricity as an average fridge ?

Is there a proper way to store bottles under a stelvin closure ? Should they be laid down or can they be stored up right.

Looking forward to some advice...[/b]

I really appreciate the feedback. The Serafino is one I have not tried that I am also keen on. The D'arenberg wines are also ones I have stayed away from due to various conflicting reviews. I want wines that are drinking well now and will improve over the next few years.....by which stage they will ...

thanks for that. I have had my eye on the elderton 2002 cab sav. Any thoughts ?

I am looking to buy some cabernet as I have realised that my shiraz fetish is out of hand. Although I love shiraz, I do enjoy a good cabernet for a change.

Some comments on the best value cabernet at around the $20 mark would be greatly appreciated.[b][/b]

[b] I have a box of the 2001 cab sauv and had a bottle recently out of curiosity and was surprised as to how young it still seemed. I must admit I did not decant but did let it sit for a good hour in a large Riedel glass and it did not make to much difference. What are the views of you experienced f...

I have recently tried the 2004 Hoddles Creek Pinot and was not that impressed. It obviously need more time to settle. Still very tart and seemed high in acid.