Treasury polishes up a few old gems

[Sean]

deleted

[Waiters Friend]

A great write-up, Sean, and good coverage of the better wines in the portfolio. I have a soft spot for Seppelts, and would include their Jaluka Chardonnay in the mix.

[swirler]

Great work, Sean. Lots of interesting information here. Someone needs to flag these issues as it's easy to miss them if you don't read the business and wine trade publications which I'm sure many on here don't.

I see the benefit of having well marketed regional Australian wine showing the world Australian wine isn't just Penfolds and high alcohol Barossa/McLaren Vales Robert Parker wines.

But how on earth can Halliday and his Companion be in any way impartial when reviewing this huge set of labels if James is so involved with this project. Even if he asks one of his team to review these particular wines. They must know who their boss is working with and feel pressure to say positive things.

This issue has probably been around for a long time given his connections with TWE, Fosters and so on. But it's so direct and far reaching it's beyond a joke now.

[swirler]

A great write-up, Sean, and good coverage of the better wines in the portfolio. I have a soft spot for Seppelts, and would include their Jaluka Chardonnay in the mix.

Drumborg chardonnay, too.

[Mark Carrington]

Exporting Drumborg Riesling to UK would be much appreciated. Currently have to slum it with Grosset.

[paulf]

I've found it a bit curious that Treasury hasn't pushed Wynns more in the US. I'll be interested to see whether this initiative includes Wynns as well as the other brands mentioned

On Devil's Lair, I think you meant Phil Sexton. The Australian Booze industry has a lot to thank him for as he is the founder and current owner of Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, but also started Matilda Bay Brewing around the same time as Devils Lair and was also involved in starting Little Creatures after Matilda Bay was taken over by Fosters Group

On T'Gallant, it was actually acquired directly, a couple of years prior to the Southcorp acquisition by what was then Fosters Group. It was always a bit of a strange acquisition at the time but I think FG were banking on Pinot Gris/Grigio being the next big thing. Instead, Sauv Blanc became the next big thing, and I'd expect that many at Treasury have wondered why a peninsula producer with a stronger track record in pinot wasn't purchased instead.
I think someone told me that the wines aren't even made on site any more. Neither Quealy or McCarthy have any involvement in T'Gallant any more, with Quealy leaving with the acquisition and McCarthy leaving in 2014.

[Sean]

deleted

[phillisc]

Sean, thanks again for the notes here.
I am of the opinion that if Penfolds Wynns, Sepplets and possibly +/-Wolf Blass, +/- Saltrams were taken from TWE then the brand would not exist, or put another way, the first three certainly are the flagships and the rest are lost in the mire.
TWE don't really have a foothold in WA, Devils Lair is middle of the road like a Lindermans...sadly Lindermans, a brand that like Mildara is fast becoming irrelevant (and unlike TWE's major presence in SA) Devils Lair is smashed by the independent players.
When one thinks of WA, its Cullen, Moss Wood, Leeuwin Estate, Howard Park, Vasse Felix, Houghton...where does DL sit in that lot..way down the list really.

Yes Wynns is Coonawarra and Coonawarra is Wynns...there is absolutely no further room for expansion without diluting the brand, or putting in inferior quality grapes into middle an upper labels. Wynns is known for John Riddoch, always has, always will be, so the top label was established 35 years ago...cynics ( me included) would suggest that any future totem marque to come from the winery to be placed above Riddoch or along side it would be a joke....so they have gone the other way and introduced six new labels in the last 15 years to fill the gap underneath. They are starting to get a little like Pennies...too many wines, but at least at this stage not lost in the abyss, but I would consider the Banker or what ever it is called should be a one off.
Wynns already have 4 cheapies in the range, white label, red stripe, siding and gables...they certainly do not need anymore.
From what I can gather Wynns push is not the US but China, 2012 single vineyard Alex sent exclusively there...dumb move. Although very happy after a lot of work to procure 12 here in Adelaide.

At least it could be argued that Penfolds from the get go had Grange and then everything underneath, and yes the best respected product in the range should command top spot. That said there is now the issue of how can Grange be topped...bring in special vineyard releases, bring in wines named after Max, bring in something from the oldest and or rarest vines, create a gimmick or two...to me it all falls flat because its been done to death and punters are becoming tired of this strategy.

My 2c
Cheers
Craig

[Scotty vino]

Sean, thanks again for the notes here.
I am of the opinion that if Penfolds Wynns, Sepplets and possibly +/-Wolf Blass, +/- Saltrams were taken from TWE then the brand would not exist, or put another way, the first three certainly are the flagships and the rest are lost in the mire.
TWE don't really have a foothold in WA, Devils Lair is middle of the road like a Lindermans...sadly a brand that like Mildara is fast becoming irrelevant (and unlike TWE's major presence in SA) is smashed by the independent players.
When one thinks of WA, its Cullen, Moss Wood, Howard Park, Vasse Felix, Houghton...where does DL sit in that lot..way down the list really.

Yes Wynns is Coonawarra and Coonawarra is Wynns...there is absolutely no further room for expansion without diluting the brand, or putting in inferior quality grapes into middle an upper labels. Wynns is known for John Riddoch, always has, always will be, so the top label was established 35 years ago...cynics ( me included) would suggest that any future totem marque to come from the winery to be placed above Riddoch or along side it would be a joke....so they have gone the other way and introduced six new labels in the last 15 years to fill the gap underneath. They are starting to get a little like Pennies...too many wines, but at least at this stage not lost in the abyss, but I would consider the Banker or what ever it is called should be a one off.
Wynns already have 4 cheapies in the range, white label, red stripe, siding and gables...they certainly do not need anymore.
From what I can gather Wynns push is not the US but China, 2012 single vineyard Alex sent exclusively there...dumb move. Although very happy after a lot of work to procure 12 here in Adelaide.

At least it could be argued that Penfolds from the get go had Grange and then everything underneath, and yes the best respected product in the range should command top spot. That said there is now the issue of how can Grange be topped...bring in special vineyard releases, bring in wines named after Max, bring in something from the oldest and or rarest vines, create a gimmick or two...to me it all falls flat because its been done to death and punters are becoming tired of this strategy.

My 2c
Cheers
Craig

Put it in old whiskey barrels and call it double barrel.

[swirler]

Craig, When I tasted the full range recently, I enjoyed the single vineyards wines more than JR. Some of them were close in quality to top tier Australian cabernets and blends from other parts of Australia in my opinion.

[phillisc]

Swirler, I agree.
I was fortunate enough to look at both the 2012 Childs and Alex 88 single vineyard wines with N4Sir last year...both very impressive.
The 2012 JR will come into its own in about 15 years.

Cheers
Craig