Australian Shiraz Showcase

[Diddy]

Is anyone attending the Australian Shiraz Showcase hosted by DMs?

It's on this Thursday (8th May) at 1 select store per state - it's a ticketed event.

Apparently the following will be on show:-

Bindi Pyrette Heathcote Shiraz
Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz
Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz
Chris Ringland Reservation Shiraz
Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz
Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz
Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz
Domaine Asmara Reserve Shiraz
Eden Hall Shiraz
Fowles Wine The Rule Reserve Shiraz
Franklin Tate Reserve Alexanders Vineyard Shiraz
Gibson Reserve Shiraz
Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2008
Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz
Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz
Innocent Bystander Syrah
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz
Kalleske Moppa Shiraz
Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Hillside Shiraz
Kellermeister Wild Witch Shiraz
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz
Maverick Greenock Rise Shiraz
Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 2005
Parker Coonawarra Estate Coonawarra Series Shiraz
Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2008
Penfolds Grange 2009
Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2011
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2006
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz
Reynella Basket Pressed Shiraz
Riddoch Shiraz
Rocland Estate Shiraz
Saltram No. 1 Shiraz 2006
Shanahans The Old Dog Shiraz
Shaw & Smith Shiraz
Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz
Sidewood Shiraz
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz
The Yard Acacia Shiraz
Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz
Yarnbomb McLaren Vale Shiraz

[Blesso]

Just booked into the Prahran event, at $30 can't see how you could go wrong....am expecting crowds though

[Diddy]

I wonder how they might go about running an event such as this given it's during normal business hours?

Presumably those with a glass get served and those without don't!?

[Blesso]

Prahran is my local store, and I'm wondering where they are going to find the room to put all the people/wine. Maybe I'll just take one of my riedel buckets from home and say fill her up ; )
I'm hoping it hasn't been properly advertised, otherwise it will be very tight.

Are you coming along?

[Diddy]

Yep, I've bought my ticket!

I was wondering the same thing about fitting everyone in - it isn't the biggest floor space down at Prahran...

Send me a PM if you'd like to catch-up.

[Blesso]

PM sent

[Andrew Jordan]

I wonder how they might go about running an event such as this given it's during normal business hours?

Presumably those with a glass get served and those without don't!?

We are booked for the Gladesville one - walking distance from home so fantastic . If they plan it the same as last year, three to four different tables located around the store, with a special table for Grange (given 1 ticket so only one taste allowed!). Those without a glass do not get served. From memory numbers are limited - 150 people at Gladesville last year. Although crowded, it is manageable. My advice is get there early as most people do not turn up until 30mins into the event. That way you can get through a few favourites, taste the Grange and then do the rest when the crowd gets tight.

[Diddy]

Thanks for the info! There's a few nice wines in the line-up, which (along with the included Riedel glass) should make it rather easy to get your moneys worth.

[Teisto]

We are booked for the Gladesville one - walking distance from home so fantastic . If they plan it the same as last year, three to four different tables located around the store, with a special table for Grange (given 1 ticket so only one taste allowed!). Those without a glass do not get served. From memory numbers are limited - 150 people at Gladesville last year. Although crowded, it is manageable. My advice is get there early as most people do not turn up until 30mins into the event. That way you can get through a few favourites, taste the Grange and then do the rest when the crowd gets tight.

Still tossing up going to this as well with my brother. Stumbling distance from his place as well.

[Diddy]

The way I look at it, a bottle of 2009 Grange is $656.90 or $0.88/ml. If I receive a 35ml taste then I will have covered my entry cost. Anything else is a bonus!

[maybs]

This and the langtons tasting both on whilst I am overseas for two weeks. Life is so unfair.

[Diddy]

This and the langtons tasting both on whilst I am overseas for two weeks. Life is so unfair.

Wanna swap?

[maybs]

This and the langtons tasting both on whilst I am overseas for two weeks. Life is so unfair.

Wanna swap?

LOL I would mate, honest, but already in New York

[markj]

Thanks for the heads up guys, haven't seen these events advertised before and just booked a ticket for the Perth tasting. Only 5 minutes away from me as well
Cheers
Mark

[LGW]

I was wondering the same thing about fitting everyone in - it isn't the biggest floor space down at Prahran...

I went to it last year in prahran, it was actually pretty good! They had it upstairs last year (you take the elevator up which is located between the spirits and the fine wine section). The space up there is good but I'd suggest going early anyway to avoid the crowds.

I'm still contemplating going.

[Br0d0]

The way I look at it, a bottle of 2009 Grange is $656.90 or $0.88/ml. If I receive a 35ml taste then I will have covered my entry cost. Anything else is a bonus!

My wife and I have tickets for the Canberra event in Phillip. She's such a cheapskate she'll love this! It'll be the first time I've tasted Grange so am looking forward to it.

[redstuff]

I'll be at the Canberra one as well. Looking forward to it.

[Michael McNally]

The way I look at it, a bottle of 2009 Grange is $656.90 or $0.88/ml. If I receive a 35ml taste then I will have covered my entry cost. Anything else is a bonus!

That's the 'retail' price, not what it is worth in real terms (let's be generous and say $100 a bottle ) and you probably only get about 10ml so you only really recoup about $1.33.........

Sorry to rain on your parade.

Cheers

Michael

[phillisc]

The way I look at it, a bottle of 2009 Grange is $656.90 or $0.88/ml. If I receive a 35ml taste then I will have covered my entry cost. Anything else is a bonus!

That's the 'retail' price, not what it is worth in real terms (let's be generous and say $100 a bottle ) and you probably only get about 10ml so you only really recoup about $1.33.........

Sorry to rain on your parade.

Cheers

Michael

Michael that is absolute gold
By your account and love the formula, the 2010 St Henri that everyone's going ga ga over should be a tenner!!!

Keep up the good work

Cheers Craig.

[sjw_11]

Michael, I would love to see you use your logic on the good shop staff at Uncle Dans... "Now you see, this is only worth $100.... so here is $100 and I will take this nice bottle now..."

[Andrew Jordan]

So just got back from the tasting. Pretty good line up. This year they had 2009 Hill of Grace vs 2009 Penfolds Grange on tasting. Good to compare the two. HOG definitely the pick of the two right now, but if you are patient for around 20 years the Grange may ... just challenge the HOG. In regards to the rest, Peter Lehmann Stonewell (not sure of the vintage ??) was very good, Penfolds RWT 2011 was a surprise hit and the Penfolds 2006 St Henri was beautiful. Big crowd which hopefully ensures the event will stick for next year!

Not sure of the other locations but on our price list the Grant Burge 2008 Filsell was priced as $16.90 per bottle. Also the Mount Langi Ghiran 2005 Shiraz was $19.90. Two bargains if you like the style. However back to the Filsell. On paper I knew this was a bargain and once I tasted it thought it was a steal so went to the DM counter and confirmed that this was a special price on the night. A senior member of staff said that it was a special price until Saturday. So I said based on that price I would purchase everything they had. After a quick check they said they had 30 bottles in stock which I said ok! In the middle of the discussion the store manager came up and said she had some 2010 St Henri out the back that just arrived for $72.90 per bottle. Straight away I said put me down for a 6 pack. So thought everything was rosy.

However, at the end of the night when it came to paying for my "bargain" purchases, low and behold the price that was rung up per bottle on the Filsell was $31.90 per bottle and not the $16.90 as advertised on their price list. After a quick explanation to the check out girl she queried the senior member of staff and he scurried away to confirm the price. In the meantime the store manager came up and once she realised the price said and quote "no way in hell we are going to let it go at the price ... OBVIOUSLY there has been a pricing error!". Before I could protest about misrepresentation and false advertising, the senior member of staff appeared and said it had been approved by some unknown "higher power". The store manager then backed down and before they could change their mind I raced out the door with my purchase. We now have a new house red which should last us for the next couple of months!!!

[Blesso]

You should have grabbed the langi...it's meant to be $78

[Andrew Jordan]

You should have grabbed the langi...it's meant to be $78

Didn't do it for me even at the price ...

[Blesso]

I loved it...one of my favourites

[vovo]

The Grant Burge is $31.50 per bottle in Brisbane. You scored. The Mt Langi is $78.80 on my list.

[shauno]

Not sure of the other locations but on our price list the Grant Burge 2008 Filsell was priced as $16.90 per bottle. Also the Mount Langi Ghiran 2005 Shiraz was $19.90.

Damnit! I was there too, just looked at the price list now that I'm at home & have finished dinner!

Really liked the Chris Ringland Reservation @ $48, but would prefer it if it was sub-$30

If here Filsell & Langhi were available at that price, I'd get a case of each for sure - care to share?

Edit: I'm also walking distance, we should meet up next time there's a tasting (free or otherwise)

[dan_smee]

Just came back from this - left my notes in the other room and can;t be bothered getting them. Some observations from the top of my head:

The Hill of Grace left the Grange in the shade.

Shaw & Smith was probably the pick of the night in terms of QPR, delicious. Yarnbomb second due to the sub $20 price tag for bulk buys. At sub $20 this was a real cracker.

Maverick I was really looking forward to - but it was ALL brett and barnyard flavours - genuine chicken sh!t in there. Tasted cheap French. Undrinkable. Such a shame. That was the first bottle opened. The second had amazing fruit and structure, but a smaller, but still off-putting amount of that brett presence. All pointed to filthy winery practices that make me nervous about exploring the rest of the range.

Mount Langhi, Killikanoon Covenant (not originally advertised), The Bogan, Stonewell, Glaetzer Bishop all great. Brokenwood cracking, but probably not worth a dip at $35.

Was seriously unimpressed with the Reynella, Kay Brothers, Eileen Hardy and Fowles given either their rep, or reviews from friends I trust.

[Andrew Jordan]

Was seriously unimpressed with the Reynella, Kay Brothers, Eileen Hardy and Fowles given either their rep, or reviews from friends I trust.

Totally agree .. these were very ordinary considering the price tag and the rep!

[Polymer]

Someone had asked about the Langi at the Sydney one and they said it was a mistake...I was thinking of getting some but I really care that much to argue about it so I didn't bother....

I agree about the HoG...it was showing a lot better than the Grange...

The Filsell at 17 was a really good price..to me it was a bit flat in the middle but for the price it was pretty good.
I think Innocent Bystander Syrah was pretty good for 20.

This was the best Eileen Hardy Shiraz I've had..but that isn't saying much. I AM convinced though that the style doesn't show well when it is surrounded by a lot of big reds. It has convinced me to give it another go when I have a chance...not sure about the price though...

I thought the Eden Hall was looking interesting...as was the Brokenwood...to me though I think the acidity was drawing me towards them more than the wines themselves. A lot of really big plushy reds and I just needed a contrast.

[dan_smee]

Someone had asked about the Langi at the Sydney one and they said it was a mistake...I was thinking of getting some but I really care that much to argue about it so I didn't bother....

I agree about the HoG...it was showing a lot better than the Grange...

The Filsell at 17 was a really good price..to me it was a bit flat in the middle but for the price it was pretty good.
I think Innocent Bystander Syrah was pretty good for 20.

This was the best Eileen Hardy Shiraz I've had..but that isn't saying much. I AM convinced though that the style doesn't show well when it is surrounded by a lot of big reds. It has convinced me to give it another go when I have a chance...not sure about the price though...

I thought the Eden Hall was looking interesting...as was the Brokenwood...to me though I think the acidity was drawing me towards them more than the wines themselves. A lot of really big plushy reds and I just needed a contrast.

Interested to hear what other cities experiences of the Maverick were like - The wine under the funk seemed like it was amazing - maybe just a really bad bottle - it's what I'm hoping anyway!