July Sydney Offline - Rockford vs. Wendouree vs. Mt Ed

[Hacker]

I have been thinking of the success of past Rockford and Wendouree nights, and we have had a few and how good it would be if we could combine them into one extravagant taste challenge between three icons, the two previously mentioned, and Mount Edelstone as well. So, how about it Sydney off liners? So Friday 10th July at 6:30pm at Rocket in Chatswood. It would by a great night of comparisons in style, age ability and structure of three of the best wines to come out of South Australia?

http://www.rocketrestaurant.com.au/

The food at Rocket ain't so bad either, and is very near the station. What do you all reckon?

So far:
Hacker 1994 Wendouree shiraz
Krusty
Vinh Nguyen 09,10 or 12 Mt Ed
Tiggerk Wendouree
burges 2010 Rockford BP
Polymer Wendouree
dave vino 1996 Mt Ed
maybs 2006 Mt Ed or 2004 Rockford BP
deejay81. 1992 Mt Ed
Lauren. 2004 Bollinger Champagne
ufo Wendouree
pc79 2005 Rockford BP

Reserves:
Mrs pc79 - sounds unfair but can't have any more than 12 for pour sizes and it is first come, first serve There will be dropouts.
Michael R
Red Smurf

[Krusty]

I reckon my arm could be twisted Hacker

[VINH NGUYEN]

I'll be in if we can do on a fri night and i offer up a mt ed.

[TiggerK]

Yep, sounds good, count me in.

[burges]

Sounds great!
Count me in (if we can avoid the first Friday in July)
I can get a '10 BP.

[Polymer]

Sounds good to me!

[JamieBahrain]

I think these would be the three most prolific wines in my cellar. Great theme if you can get some older gear!

[Hacker]

Great response guys! How about Friday 10th July at 6:30 pm at Rocket? I'll try to get the back room and have max 10-12 people.
I hope there are enough Mount Edelstone's in people's cellars to get equal representation on the night.
So, without setting too firm ground rules, 3-4 Rockford BP's or SVS, same number of Wendourees and Mt Eds, the older the better. I will bring something from the mid 1990's.
Cheers,
David

[dave vino]

In

Maybe aim for a

5, 10, 20yr old from each?

2010, 2005, 1995 as broad guidelines?

[maybs]

I am in. Will have to see what I can bring depending on where the gaps are and what I can source. The oldest Mt Ed I have is the '06. Could bring a '10 or a '12 instead if people want to compare a baby. Have got some '04 BP or a '99 Wendouree if Shiraz if one of those will work better.

[deejay81]

Registering my interest + Lauren again

Does it have to be Shiraz?
Can we bring Rifle Range and/or other cabs?

Cheers,

Dave

[Hacker]

Prefer to stick to the theme if poss.

[deejay81]

No worries,

I'm not sure what we'll bring yet but our options are fairly limited. I don't have any Wendouree's nor have I even tried any before so looking very much forward to it!
May have to check out some auctions in the coming weeks as well.

[ufo]

In, how could I miss a Wendouree tasting
Of course I'll bring a W.

[redwhiteandrose]

Awesome theme. Adelaide, Melbourne, etc should have parallel offlines and the results combined to make a Judgement of Auswine day

[pc79]

In if there's room (mrs is keen too)! Snooze you lose in the SWTG!!

09 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro
05 BP

[Hacker]

In if there's room (mrs is keen too)! Snooze you lose in the SWTG!!

09 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro
05 BP

The max really has to be 12 for manageable pour sizes. That puts one in and one as first reserve. I hate to split, but there are always dropouts, so no doubt Mrs pc79 will get a seat too

[pc79]

No troubles at all David, whatever works for everyone. As an aside, I reckon 10 is probably the most optimal #.

[Polymer]

Mine will be a will be a Wendouree of some sort...

[Hacker]

OP updated with what I think everyone may be bringing.....

Open to changes/modifications of course except the 1990 Mt Ed

Oh, and Rocket confirmed!

[TiggerK]

Put me down for a Wendouree please, will confirm what one ASAP.

[Hacker]

Put me down for a Wendouree please, will confirm what one ASAP.

Thanks Tim.

That is four Wendourees. If possible, could others look at Rockford BP's or Mt Eds?

[Michael R]

Hi mate, add me to the reserves please.

Word of caution to those looking to pick up older vintages at auctions.
Better to bring a younger wine IMO or buy at retail if you're unsure of provenance, with these wines in particular .
.

[Red Smurf]

Put me in as Reserve please David.

[VINH NGUYEN]

Alas my oldest mt ed is also 06, so i can either bring a 09, 10 or 12, whichever is the most desired as i have many of each
Take ur pick ppls

[redwhiteandrose]

Hi mate, add me to the reserves please.

Word of caution to those looking to pick up older vintages at auctions.
Better to bring a younger wine IMO or buy at retail if you're unsure of provenance, with these wines in particular .
.

Michael,

Interesting. Why do you say that?I would have thought that these wines would be rather robust and would be one of the safer choices on the auction market, especially examples less then ten years old.

[dave vino]

I can bring a 1996 Mt Edelstone.

[Michael R]

Based on experience unfortunately.

Granted not vast experience, but years ago I chased all the top older vintages at auction..90, 91, 96 Mount eds in particular and all were average or faulty.
Even the Cyril's were all shot or drinkable but nothing special. Only had a few Wendouree from auction but most were faulty too.
Funnily enough (or not for me) I've been down to Henschke and bought direct a few times and still ended up with corked wines...a museum release of 92 Mount Ed springs to mind a few years ago.
Not bashing the winery by any means, and plenty of drinkers here have collected and stored safely over the years and enjoyed the wines.
I did open an 02 HoG at Christmas which thanks be to baby Jesus was in perfect nick and showed well.


One theory I have is a lot of these might wines get given as presents... a few friends of mine have Rockford/Henschke bottles on racks in their kitchen or under the stairs.
If you see a Rousseau at auction, it's likely the seller has stored it safely...but a Mount Ed....maybe not.

Also, I mentioned older vintages specifically in my earlier post.
However I also think how robust the grape is has not much impact if a bottle is poorly stored or cork is faulty.

Not sure if I've answered your question, but basically my experience of buying 'older' Mount Eds at auction has been beyond poor.

[Michael R]

I can bring a 1996 Mt Edelstone.

Love it!
Might be best if I don't get a spot for this dinner, keep my Mount Ed hex away

[redwhiteandrose]

Michael,

Thanks for that. Interesting read. Just about answered my question But, with all the fruit to burn and tannins to preserve, I'd have thought they would last a fair few years even in less than ideal storage condition.