Wendouree time....

[richie32]

Received mailer today.
Shiraz Mataro $45
Shiraz $50
Malbec $45
Cabernet Sauvignon $50
Cabernet Malbec $50
Muscut $25
Six bottle limit on CS, S, M, Muscut
Twelve bottle limit on SM, CM.

[George Krashos]

Yep, got it. Will get my standard mixed dozen.

Still on the red crayon stripe. You would have thought that after buying for 12 straight years I'd have made it to 'black pen initials" by now ....

-- George Krashos

[Polymer]

BTW, if anyone doesn't want their allocation and they're in the Sydney area, please let me know .

[coh]

For me also, I've been hoping to get on for some years now. I wrote a letter of request in 2010, and still no joy! So if anyone doesn't want all their allocation, please let me know as I would love some
Thanks

[Scotty vino]

Yep, got it. Will get my standard mixed dozen.

Still on the red crayon stripe. You would have thought that after buying for 12 straight years I'd have made it to 'black pen initials" by now ....

-- George Krashos

yep, dreaded RED stripe on mine. oh well, put in and see what comes my way.

[limkeith]

Anyone in Melbourne received their mailer yet??

[crusty2]

George Krashos wrote:Yep, got it. Will get my standard mixed dozen.

Still on the red crayon stripe. You would have thought that after buying for 12 straight years I'd have made it to 'black pen initials" by now ....

-- George Krashos



yep, dreaded RED stripe on mine. oh well, put in and see what comes my way.

Been buying since the 1990 vintage and still have the red stripe.

like the wines, you just have to have patience

Phill

[wiggum]

What variety did the best out of the average 2011 vintage?

[phillisc]

Yes pretty consistent are the Brady's, June 28 along she comes last 5 years in a row.
Interestingly 3rd year in a row that prices are the SAME without the inevitable rant others in the industry please take note.

One could suggest a smart marketing move in light of a suspect vintage, however unlike said large companies who release top marques in the crap vintages like 2007, feel pretty confident the bradys would not release wines that they were not happy with.

With the Sydney punters here re the recent offline being enthusiastic about the cabs, may go beyond the usual shiraz 6- pack and get a 3 each of the cab and cab blend.

Cheers
Craig.

[andrewpc]

BTW, if anyone doesn't want their allocation and they're in the Sydney area, please let me know .

I'll second this. Would love a few bottles if anyone doesnt want/need their full allocation. Purely for personal consumption/cellaring. Please let me know.

Ive also sent my letter, but I'll likely be on the waiting list for a very long time.

Thanks.

[simon1980]

Mine hasn't arrived in Melbourne yet...hopefully it will be waiting for me when I get home!

For those trying to get on the list, this may be a good year to try. We all know 2011 was a poor vintage, and many long term buyers may very well reduce their order. Oh, and everyone will want to get involved in 2012, so may be saving their pennies... For success on ordering, assume you won't get any Malbec or Cab Sauv for a few years...these always sell out first (with the Shiraz Malbec when it's made).

I'm after a mixed case...one day I will get the Malbec I order!

simon1980

[Scotty vino]

I spoke with a Wendouree employee a ways back in Clare and I told her I was on the mailing list in conversation.
With a wry smile she told me that I must've 'hand written and signed my letter'.
She wasn't letting much out of the bag but she indicated it helps when you personalise your request when trying to get on the mailing list.

[limkeith]

I remember getting some malbec, unsure of which vintage, I started buying in 2008 vintage. I remember sending that letter too, was really happy they said yes.

Only ever tasted their shiraz mataro, and even that 2009 was a huge monster.

[Brucer]

You do get some very good wines in crap years.
Maybe a poor year in Clare will make for some interesting wines from Wendouree this year.
At least, reasonable earlier drinking. ?
They may lose those hard earthy tannins from hotter years that I have trouble with.

[dave vino]

Got mine today, red stripe.

[sjw_11]

I think I am going to go in with a friend to buy a few Wendouree's but not too many this year. Has the mail out said anything about the quality of the wines given the vintage??

[simon1980]

Oh, the letter gives nothing away, and is pretty much the same every year. One line on each wine (e.g. a straight Shiraz from 1919 Eastern vineyard planting a and 1893 Central vineyard bush vines"), a price per bottle...then on to the ordering details.

Don't think I buy many wines with so little info, but hey, it's part of the deal!

simon1980

[wiggum]

Scotty Vino - funny you should say that as I remember writing a brief letter (handwritten) to the Brady's in 2005 requesting to go on the mail list. Sure enough I received an order form from the 2004 vintage onwards. I have received everything I have ordered except a straight cab in one year (can't remember but maybe 05 or 06). Maybe something in the handwritten thing.....

By the way, still red stripe.

[Michael McNally]

I got mine today and I've got the small handpainted image of the Mona Lisa.

But I have been buying since the early 1600s.......

Cheers

Michael

[sjw_11]

You only got the order form?

I already got my wine, automatically delivered in a solid oak case... wrapped in silk... but then I did help lay the foundation stone in 1200...

[richie32]

Living in Clare this time of year has it's down side with freezing temperature but I do get to visit Wendouree this afternoon and collect my allocation, with the wife and kids visiting inlaws for a few days and the Ashes starting tonight I'll take one for the team and sample a bottle of the 11's over the next few nights.

[tarija]

Living in Clare this time of year has it's down side with freezing temperature but I do get to visit Wendouree this afternoon and collect my allocation, with the wife and kids visiting inlaws for a few days and the Ashes starting tonight I'll take one for the team and sample a bottle of the 11's over the next few nights.

Nice, look forward to it! What did you end up getting?

[richie32]

Back from the ancient cellar, times do a change though. A new roof is being put on the toilets.
Fortunate to receive my full order which was
4 shiraz mataro, 6 shiraz, 4 malbec, 4 cabernet malbec, 6 cabernet, 3 muscut.
Spoke with Lita who advised they are pleased with the wines, compared a little to the 93's which came from a very wet season through the year not in concentration like 2011 that are drinking well currently.
A different style to most vintages forced by natured.
Softer tannins and questions over long term future which might appeal to some, comment that the wines are very approchable.
Tony & Lita had a shiraz with tea recently and were veryy happy with it.

Just to make my mind up what to go with tonight......suggestions?

[simon1980]

Good ordering richie32. Very lucky to collect too!

You have convinced me to try one on arrival too...however I can't imagine mine will be here for months...

Why not give a Shiraz a go? I'd expect the Cab based wines will be less approachable, despite the vintage.

Maybe long time collectors can get stuck into these whilst they wait for their '80's vintages to come round!

simon1980

[Matt]

Living in Clare this time of year has it's down side with freezing temperature but I do get to visit Wendouree this afternoon and collect my allocation, with the wife and kids visiting inlaws for a few days and the Ashes starting tonight I'll take one for the team and sample a bottle of the 11's over the next few nights.

Sounds like heaven!

[richie32]

OK, had access to Wendouree since the 2008 vintage (lucky me first born boys birth year, they will survive) and each year have sacrificed a bottle of most variations for early drinking if anything to get an understanding of the style and if it was something to persist with based on my current taste. So many comments of potential long lived wines, with respect to correct long term storage and cost involved I thought appropriate.

Still struggle to put the words together in explaining wine, I am sure however the 2011 are in the Aussie vernacular a different kettle of fish to the vintages past of the classic Wendouree. Double decanted then left alone for 2 hours, poured into big bowl to expose what it has in infancy.
Big rib steak and the side to go along with it, first Ashes test on tv, home alone,.......yes maybe close to heaven.

Will leave others to provide descriptors but is unlike the other 3 vintages I've tasted, the tannins don't grip harshly saying leave me alone for 15 years, the fruit is not hidden behind all the other bits and bobs.
I really enjoyed in, the first and more so the second night.
Unlike to 2008 which I feel should see 21 years, the 2011 will be ready to go from now and is to me delicious. Good vines with good viticulture make good fruit which make good wine.

Go the Aussies.

[simon1980]

Cheers for the sacrifice, although it didn't sound like too much hardship!

It sounds like the Shiraz was more approachable than normal, and had good fruit. I was worried the 2011s may be a bit underripe, but there didn't seem to be any signs from your tasting. Good news!

simon1980

[phillisc]

Lovely post Richie.

I would not be put off by the lighter or perhaps less aggressive style of the 2011 to go the distance. I had a 76 shiraz last year...amazing!
Just means it will hit the mellow phase sooner and be in that place a lot longer.

Thanks for taking one for the team, I only ordered 6 shiraz and a mixed case of the cabs.

Cheers
Craig.

[Scotty vino]

I was lucky enough to call into Wendouree over the weekend and do a tour of the Winery with Tony Brady. What a great Bloke! He took me thru the entire process from crusher to despatch and it was a great experience to speak with him and get an idea of how they run things. I got a chance to look at his 'vault' collection and all I can say is 'WOW'. Thanks go out to the wife for organising the visit some weeks back without me knowing as a bit of a 'birthday surprise'. Surprise indeed! As was the 'signed by the maker' 2011 CB/MB Tony handed me on the way out. A real pleasure to listen to Tony and it's great to meet someone with such heart and passion for what they do.

My order wasn't quite ready, but I'm happy to wait...

[Scotty vino]

Wen Shiraz