Seppelt Chalambar 00 and 01
Mamre Brook Cab 02 (maybe Shiraz too)
Sandalford Cab 02
Kingston Echelon Shiraz 01
Yering Station SV 01
Water Wheel Shiraz 02
Zema CS 01
tattoo Tahbilk Marsanne onto the list
Wirra Wirra Grenache 02 (also Shiraz)
lots of fortified, especially Settlement Wine Co Black Pedro (exactly $30)
Maxwell Cab
Kays 02s
Bremerton Old Adam 01 (although might be over $30 at RRP)
any MR 02 Chard which slips under the bar
$30RRP or market price? Also, is there a lower bracket or is it just anything under $30?
Anyway, I'm a sucker for the 2002 Shirazes; Bullers Calliope, Grant Burge Filsell, Leasingham Bin 61, Tim Adams, Elderton Barossa, Kirralaa Bush Vine, Marius, Heartland, Paul Osicka, Kays Amery, Jakobi, Coriole, Gemtree Uncut, Mitolo The Jester, probably a few more Victorians to add? ...and certainly a bunch of SA wines
On an annual basis certainly you can never go past the McWilliams Elizabeth and almost every riesling. In particular Petaluma, Pewsey Vale, all the Leo Burings and the Grossets (if you are on the mailing list for under $30 for the watervale at least) have to be there. On a vintage basis you might want to apply a little more discretion. I am very much of the opinion that semillon and riesling are the total bargains of the Aussie wine industry.
Obviously the Noons reserve cabernet and shiraz would also be there but the price is only applicable if you are on the mailing list and that is rather closed.
The 02 Seppelts Victorian Shiraz is rather the bargain too.
Also, the fortifieds are rather hard to go past. The full seppelt range not including the rares (due to being over $30) and the Morris liquor range are always good.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Tahbilk Semillon 03 - full-flavoured white with varietal character
Dalfarras CS 91 (limited availablility) - still good fruit but the oak is lurking
Planagenet CS 01 - excellent - still available?
Turkey Flat Marsanne/Sem 02 - very good value, interesting
Seppelt Chalambar 00 - very nice, enough complxity to be interesting
Turkey Flat Grenache 02 - a better expression of this variety than most
Petaluma Riesling 03 - most approachable, a very good wine for ~$20
Orlando St Hugo - late releases about/< $30 - great value - 98 yum
McWiliiams O'Shea 00 - for Hunterphiles
Coldstream Hills Chardonnay 02 - always good but bottles differ
02 Langmiel Valley Floor Shiraz (excellent for $22)
02 GB Filsell
02 St Halletts Blackwell
00/01 Balnaves Cabernet (not sure which is current)
03 Grossett Watervale Riesling (though the 04 is probably out now)
Can definitely help you with a sicky, the Miranda Golden Botrytis is as good as the Noble One, yes, I said as good as the Noble One. If you don't believe me try it. I've had 01 & 02, both rippers.
In the reds around $20, Brown's of Padthaway Ernest 02 & here's a surprise packet, Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet 02, Kay's Cabernet 02 is better IMO than the Shiraz.
St.Hallett Blackwell 02 looks better every time I see it.
More later once I think a bit
Cheers - Steve
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!
As far as sparkings go I can't think of much under $30 I'd recommend. Maybe the Deutz Blanc de Blanc but that's NZ, and while I was lucky enough once to snag some Leasingham Classic Clare under $30 that's hardly normal.
Coriole also make a great sticky from late pick Chenin that I think sells for under $30 - that would be my sticky pick of the year.
A chardonnay? This is stretching my memory a bit, but I think there was a Grant Burge Eden Valley job that was remarkably good for under $20.
