The Auswine Forum

6 x Rockford Basket Press 05 3 x Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet 05 12 x Rockford Basket Press 02 half bottles courtesy of a Stonewallers visit 2 x Ulithorne Flamma Sparkling Shiraz 2 x Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz 05 2 x Ulithorne Paternus Cabernet 06 then followed up with a magnum & double magnu...

I'm with Ratcatcher on this one! Having been an inaugural Magill Estate club member (1999 I think) I made the decision not to rejoin in 2008 based on two reasons: 1. last couple of years under Fosters, last year especially the club lost its way; 2. the wines QPR was not there - I haven't bought many...

I've bought a few wines at Mark Wickman's auction site, mainly Rockford and a couple of Penfolds, and also sold a few.

No issues so far, going to open a bottle of Penfolds 1990 Bin90A for my brothers 40th next month that I bought.

Also, Mark has had a provenance rating for a while now.

Hi all, Sunday night drinks and nibbles with a few neighbours. Rockford Sparkling Black Shiraz 2004 disgorgement - very complex, lovely wine, no cork problems. Had everyone asking for more. Rockford Alicante 2007 - bit of a cleanser before the next wine. Rockford Home Block Cabernet 1999 magnum - ve...

BP, Black Shiraz, Rifle Range - including the 375ml, Alicante and some more 04 Rod & Spur. Will pick up some more Alicante and PS Marion on my next visit. the rod & spur is conspicuous by its absence from the other posts - is this not liked as much or do punters have enough of the 04 and are...

Took a bottle along to dinner Saturday night for wife's birthday. Bottle was decanted at table upon arrival. Unfortunately one size fits all wine glass was provided. Wasn't able to gain much perspective on the nose. Colour was a nice brick red, no evidence of browning. On the palate immediately was ...

It's all relative I suppose. I was happy to buy at that price, others might find better value / preferences elsewhere.

Hi David, In the interests of red decorum I skipped the whites - almost, did try the Riesling, which I enjoyed, not too minerally, slight touch of honey. Skipped the Grenache, tried the 03 and 04 cabernet (04 from half bottles), the 03 has settled down with extra bottle age. No BP nor sparkling shir...

Hi, I made a trip up to rockfords last week and was unlucky to miss out of purchasing a 1994 basket press from their cellars (last one sold that morning), however fortunate to be the first to try and buy the new 2000 SVS Hoffman. Very closed (straight up from cellar and decanted then tasted) but gre...

I'm more drink half one night, cork back in and into the fridge, then polish off the next night.

Of course when the second glass leaves you wanting another have been known to knock the whole bottle off.

Lucky enough to pick up 2 bottles of 90a from mark's auction. I'm thinking of sharing one over lunch (not rushed) with a good friend. I'd like to have it decanted at the table when we arrive, which should give approx 40 minutes before mains arrive. Would this be long enough for adequate breathing? H...

Hi all,

Has anyone tried the new 2005 Viking Wines yet? I received the mail-out this week and prices seem very reasonable @ $30 each.

Regards, Ralph

I also use Kennard's and echo Mark's comments.

Have for a few years now, very convienient - past Coke at top of Port Rd.

I haven't compared prices though for a long time.

Hi, has anybody tried this wine lately? I opened one bottle shortly after purchase and found it to be way oaky with dumb fruit. Opened another a few weeks ago and found the same on night one, night two better with some fruit detected but still nothing to write home about. I'm wondering whether to pu...

Thanks to TORB for pointing out on his website Viking's change to direct mailing at wholesale prices, as it prompted me to split a mixed case with a friend. I didn't decant this wine as I wanted to enjoy it over two nights. The colour is a deep vibrant velvet, great teeth staining material. Strong p...

Tried these last night in a hosting by Emma (Pennies red winemaker from Barossa) , including the new 03 Bin 311 Chardonnay sourced from Tumburumba. For a Chardonnay it wasn't too bad for me, slightly sharp, not creamy and not made to be. Having tried the Bin range on release for eight years this yea...

Hi Adair, Five odd years ago I shared a bottle of 1990 Wynns Ovens Valley Shiraz that had been won in a chook raffle and cellared not very well. I remember enjoying it very much with great surprise given its provenance, and your notes seem to apply to the bottle I tried also. Do you know when this l...

I'd agree with the general consensis, certainly very nice now but no indications of peaking out.

Does get back to personal taste. If you own a couple or more you could afford to try one soon and then taste how it's developed with one some time thereafter.

Pulled this from the cellar Sat night last to match with roast lamb. Decanted for one hour prior. Deep brick red colour. Typical cool climate nose with light herbaceous overtones. Well integrated oak with smooth drying tannins. Finished with good length. Very enjoyable. Nice moderate 13.5% alcohol. ...