Sparkling Shiraz

[Krillian]

Hi All,

I typically lurk here but decided the time is now for a question. I tried my first sparkling shiraz on the weekend (foggo) and I must say it was bloody beautiful. I had a quick look online and can't seem to find many of these types... Anyone got a top 3 list so I can go out and source a few to try? I am keen to find a few more!

Cheers in advance

[Krillian]

Dohhh, I just searched Gavins site and he has a sparkling red list! Any recommendations here?

[paulf]

I like the Balnaves sparkling Cab. It has been a long time since I tried the Bleasdale.
Many consider the Primo sparkling red to be the best in the country.
Bests and Seppelt both do a pretty decent sparkling shiraz.
I'm partial to the Majella.
There are plenty about if you know where to look. There are a few from Coonawarra. Rutherglen has some. I remember spotting some in Bendigo. You'll find a few on the Mornington Peninsula, some in Clare and the Barossa

[Rossco]

Try and seek out the braydun hill sparkling shiraz one of my favourite vfm.
Love the primo estate Joseph (my favourite)

Used to love majella but found they went very heavy on the dosage (which was
A port base) so was a little sweet.
Haven't had it in a few years though so it may have changed.

Turkey flat make a good one.

People rave about the Rockford, but it needs time imo from the
Disgorgement date, so pay attention to the bottle.

Tahbilk make one, but im in 2 minds on it. 2008 was an absot stunner...crazy
Good type thing, but then they released the 2009 (with new llabelling and name) and it was just ok. Maybe needs time like the Rockford, and have put a few down to see.

[catchnrelease]

Joseph, Charles Melton and Rockford are the picks. Turkey Flat is pretty good too.

[Waiters Friend]

The absolute top of the wazza sparkling shiraz is the Seppelt Show Reserve, but expect to pay $100 a bottle for the current (2004) vintage. I get by very nicely with the Seppelt Original SS at a fifth of the price. And the Primo Joseph must come in at second place - fabulous.

Jane Brook in the Swan Valley of WA makes a serviceable one from time to time, as does Plantagenet (Great Southern). Peter Rumball in Coonawarra (I think) is pretty good also.

I agree with the Rockford comment - needs time.

Spurgle (as it is known) is a wine that originated in Australia, and I believe there is even a day each year set aside to its celebration. There's no shortage of decent versions in this wide brown land.

Cheers
Allan

[Ozzie W]

Great topic. I've taken a liking to this variety in the past few months.

Standouts for me were:
2008 Castagna Genesis
2006 Ashton Hills
2005 Leasingham Classic Claire
2004 Seppelt Show Reserve

[Redav]

I agree with the Rockford comment - needs time.

Any idea on a typical amount of time before we should think about popping one? I bought two and we've have had the first one (2011 disgorged) and while we decided that this isn't our style (generally speaking, we're not into bubbles), I'm still keen on giving the second some time to see what we think.

[paulf]

Great topic. I've taken a liking to this variety in the past few months.

Standouts for me were:
2008 Castagna Genesis
2006 Ashton Hills
2005 Leasingham Classic Claire
2004 Seppelt Show Reserve

Damn, I forgot about the Castagna... It has only been a couple of weeks since I tried that one too.

[Andrew Jordan]

Peter Lehmann Black Queen - I think only avaiable at cellar door or winery website only. Needs a couple of years to show it's best. The 2010 out at the moment is pretty good.
Best's Great Western - Only released since 2007 but all vintages of this have been really good. Crown seal is a bonus!
Leasingham Classic Clare - probably my favourite. The 2006 (current release) is spectucular!
Seppelt Original - the house sparkling red. Will age a treat (still drinking the 1996's) but also drinks well young. The 2012 is one to put away for 5 years or more.

[Scotty vino]

Try and seek out the braydun hill sparkling shiraz one of my favourite vfm.
Love the primo estate Joseph (my favourite)

Used to love majella but found they went very heavy on the dosage (which was
A port base) so was a little sweet.
Haven't had it in a few years though so it may have changed.

Turkey flat make a good one.

People rave about the Rockford, but it needs time imo from the
Disgorgement date, so pay attention to the bottle.

Tahbilk make one, but im in 2 minds on it. 2008 was an absot stunner...crazy
Good type thing, but then they released the 2009 (with new llabelling and name) and it was just ok. Maybe needs time like the Rockford, and have put a few down to see.

+1

[markg]

Excellent recommendations..

A little left field, try a sparkling Durif if you get a chance.. magnificent.. I think the last one I tried was a Morris or a Campbells.. damn can't remember and have not got access to notes.. Gavin may know

[ticklenow1]

Rockford, Tuesner, Turkey Flat, Seppelt Show Reserve, Ashton Hills, Charles Melton and Wild Duck Creek are my wife favourites and she loves the stuff.

Cheers
Ian

[odyssey]

If going for a few bee's knees vintage sparkling, then I would go for:

1) Seppelt Sparkling Show Reserve
2) Rockford Black Sparkling
3) Peter Rumball Vintage

[Mahmoud Ali]

We don't get much in the way of sparkling Shiraz here in Edmonton so what little I've had has been from visits to Australia and at cellar doors. My favourites over time have been the following:

>Peter Lehmann's 'Black Queen' that I first tasted at cellar door. It was then a cellar door item but some years later a couple of vintages turned up in Edmonton- the '97 and '98 vintages. Haven't seen any recenty.

> Seppelt's Original, a lovely example and one that shows every sign of having the fruit, depth and structure to age.

> Garden Gully, at cellar door but not since.

> Majella, also at cellar door.

> Seppeltsfield, a rustic, earthy, dry-styled version with oodles of barrel aging prior to bottling. It was at cellar door and I've never seen it since and am not sure if they still make it. A very unique style and one I would love to serve to old world enthusiasts.

Cheers................Mahmoud.

[felixp]

try a sparkling Burgundy, they are cheap and sensational.

[redwhiteandrose]

Felix. I concur.

[Michael McNally]

Used to love majella but found they went very heavy on the dosage (which was
A port base) so was a little sweet.
Haven't had it in a few years though so it may have changed.

Hey Rossco

The 2008 disgorge I tried at the Roadshow last year was back on form after the (slightly) disappointing 2005 and 2007.

May be time to come back to the fold.......

Cheers

Michael

[Rossco]

Hey Rossco

The 2008 disgorge I tried at the Roadshow last year was back on form after the (slightly) disappointing 2005 and 2007.

May be time to come back to the fold.......

Cheers

Michael

Thats great to hear Michael, I will give the 08 a shot! Thank you very much

[Thommo]

Primo Estate Joseph for serious encounters, and Seppelts Original for the quaff. The Primo really is a special special wine though. Darenberg peppermint paddock is a bit of fun too, and is a strange and striking shade of indigo.

Rumball NV has way too heavy dosage for my tastes. I find it too sweet and cloying.

R