help with wine quality and value please??

[Cynthia]

Hi Everyone,

I am confident that I am not well versed on this topic! I am clearing out a stash of wines from my bar and really need some help. Most have been given as gifts over the years and I have no idea of their value or if they would have maintained any kind of quality over time. Would someone be happy to give me some feedback if I can list them, a few at a time? Thank you.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I'm sure the people on this forum would be only too pleased to help you out. However I'm curious about how you have a bar (which I presume is in your house) with a stash of wines that don't get opened. Is it in the unused wing of the house?

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

[Cynthia]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, it does sound strange, and I should have been drinking these.Unfortunately my house does not have a wing, unused or otherwise!
I hope someone can help me to sort out what I should keep, enjoy now or dispose of, or if any are particularly valuable. Here is a start..
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2004 .Its in a special red 30th anniversary bottle.
Deen De Bortoli Vat9 Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz vintage 2009

[Phil H]

Hi Cynthia , welcome
Unfortunately the wines listed are made to be consumed a couple of years from release, and would have cost less than $20 upon purchase, so in monetary terms they are not worth anything. Taking into account their age and probably less than ideal storage conditions, they may be well past it - but you could be suprised.
Do you have any more for us?

[Mahmoud Ali]

Among the three wines I think the 2004 Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet is the most likely to be alive and drinking well. Although the Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet probably isn't getting the kind of fruit and wine making attention that it once used to receive, it is still a fine blend and from a good year. I still have fond memories of an '89 (not a particularly strong vintage) that drank well at 12 years of age. Also, I still have '96 Koonunga Hill.

Too bad the Vat 9 wasn't a Tyrrell's from the Hunter Valley, of course it would then have to have been a Shiraz. As for the Hanwood Estate, here in Edmonton, Canada I spotted it on discount for all of C$10, which is virtually the same as A$10.

Mahmoud.

[Cynthia]

HI Guys
Thank you for your replies.
Next 3....
Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon Clare Valley 2009
McLaren Vale Fox creek Short Row Shiraz Vintage 2007
Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz 2010
Thanks
Cynthia

[dave vino]

I'd say $10, $20-30, $20-$30 without ideal storage.

[Phil H]

They are getting better....they should be at least drinkable...as Dave has indicated not worth much.... save them to take to your friends who gave you the first three

[Cynthia]

Hi Guys,
Thank you so much. Good to know I probably won't be pouring them down the sink as I have done with a few...... They have all been stored behind a bar in a horizontal wine rack-where it is positioned would be a relatively cool spot with even temperature-well as far as you can without air con.
Next 3-lets go German... I think a relative may have brought them back....
rotweingut maria kerschbaum triade 2004
rotweingut maria kerschbaum mittelburgenland 2005 hochacker im holzfass gereift
VINOTHEK SPAETROT BRUCKBERGER Thermenregion Osterreich Landwein ZIERFANDLER 2006

Thanks

[Wizz]

Hi Cynthia, I suspect these three might be Austrian. They aren't names I know, and it isn't clear what the grape varieties are, so I woudln't hold out much hope for them, in terms of drinkability or value,

cheers

Andrew

[dave vino]

Triade is about 10 Euro
Blaufranckish is about 10 Euro
http://www.weingut-kerschbaum.at/htm/we ... ellung.php

Not sure about the last one, looks to be a sort of Regional dessert wine. But the words are relating to the location and style moreso than a producer.

[mychurch]

Zierfandler is a pretty obscure grape. Dont imagine a lot of it gets to Auz, so its something that wine geeks would like to try, but it has no value, especially given the age. The other 2 are red and probably past their best - current vintages are in the $10-$15 range here in Europe and again they have no re-sale value.

[Bobthebuilder]

How many wines in total, roughly?
May be best just to have a good excuse for a party

[Cynthia]

Hi Guys,
Today's selection none have years that I can see
Champagne GH MUMM Cordon Rouge BRUT
GRANDIN Methode TRaditionnelle BRUT
Lindemans Henry's Sons Brut Cuvee
Non Vintage CHANDON (Domaine Chandon Australia)

Thanks ! Cynthia

[TiggerK]

Hi Guys,
Today's selection none have years that I can see
Champagne GH MUMM Cordon Rouge BRUT
GRANDIN Methode TRaditionnelle BRUT
Lindemans Henry's Sons Brut Cuvee
Non Vintage CHANDON (Domaine Chandon Australia)

Thanks ! Cynthia

All non-vintage bubbly wines. Stick 'em all in the fridge and enjoy over summer with friends! If they're too yellow/gold they might be a touch advanced and taste a bit nutty but more likely they'll be nice, especially the Mumm and probably the Chandon.

Value-wise, about $50, $20, $15 and $30 respectively.

Cheers!
TiggerK

[michel]

I am waiting for the 1971 Grange to come up....
Or 60A

[Cynthia]

Thanks Tiggerk! sounds like a good summer job to me!! Michel, I am optimistic about the vintage port (maybe).....

Queen Adelaide Cab Sav 2006 not optimistic I think this was a super-cheapie
Yalumba Limited release Shiraz 2000
Sandalford Margaret River Estate Cab Sav 1985
Yalumba "Gurners Lane"Vintage Port 1982
Sandalford Margaret River Estate 1981 Vintage Port

Here's hoping!
Thanks Cynthia

[dave vino]

Not really much,

$5-$10, $12, $10, $20-$30, $20

The ports may fare better as they are a bit more robust.

The table wines will most likely be past it.

[michel]

This real contemporary archeology
Very fun
Keepum coming

[Cynthia]

Hi Michel. You guys are great! Sorry been a quiet week online for me as work is super crazy. I have a few more to add, will do so later today. During the week I have opened 3 bottles, one down the sink, the others were good to go! Have not found the '71 Grange yet.......Thanks

[michel]

Hi Michel. You guys are great! Sorry been a quiet week online for me as work is super crazy. I have a few more to add, will do so later today. During the week I have opened 3 bottles, one down the sink, the others were good to go! Have not found the '71 Grange yet.......Thanks

maybe a 1988 Mt Mary Cynthia!

[phillisc]

Whilst your are there a 76 Black Label or 63 Peppermint Pattie too please
Cheers
Craig

[michel]

Whilst your are there a 76 Black Label or 63 Peppermint Pattie too please
Cheers
Craig

Lindemans 1983 Hunter River Red Burgundy
Or 1965
1973 Leo Buring Watervale riesling

Lets get this going Craig!

[phillisc]

Whilst your are there a 76 Black Label or 63 Peppermint Pattie too please
Cheers
Craig

Lindemans 1983 Hunter River Red Burgundy
Or 1965
1973 Leo Buring Watervale riesling

Lets get this going Craig!

Michael, don't quote me...or I should not quote myself, but... I purchased 6 of the 83 Lindies about 15 or more years ago when there was a classic release program, along with a St George of some vintage ?? 86 or might have been the 90 and a half dozen semillon, 91 I think.

I may...just may have an 83 left!
In terms of the Watervale, a friend of mine purchased a mixed half dozen of 70s vintages...East End Cellars in Adelaide and Booze Brothers of all places had them and they were about $45 each...stunning stunning wines, think a 73 or 74 was among them.

Two wines on the list for me that are the Holy Grail...another chance for your namesake...a 55 Michael...I had one 32 years ago but $3500 now...ummm.
And my early auction attendance days in the late 80s...Oddbins when they used to have live auctions at the old Stonyfell winery in Adelaide had complete sets of Woodley Treasure Chest...45 to 52 IIRC. They were famed for the handmade and drawn labels and back then only went for a few bob, by today's standards no money at all.
Thought Malcolm might have had a chance to look at one at the recent Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations...that would have been 8 decades worth of wines.

Cheers
Craig

[mjs]

Craig,

I haven't really reported on the Masterclass and maybe I need to do that. A really excellent tasting if I say so myself. From the 50's we only got a look at the '59 Rouge Homme Claret which showed very very well. Unfortunately no Treasure Chests in sight! Great tasting though, with Coonawarra wines from all seven decades from 50's onwards.

cheers, Malcolm

[michel]

Whilst your are there a 76 Black Label or 63 Peppermint Pattie too please
Cheers
Craig

Lindemans 1983 Hunter River Red Burgundy
Or 1965
1973 Leo Buring Watervale riesling

Lets get this going Craig!

Michael, don't quote me...or I should not quote myself, but... I purchased 6 of the 83 Lindies about 15 or more years ago when there was a classic release program, along with a St George of some vintage ?? 86 or might have been the 90 and a half dozen semillon, 91 I think.

I may...just may have an 83 left!
In terms of the Watervale, a friend of mine purchased a mixed half dozen of 70s vintages...East End Cellars in Adelaide and Booze Brothers of all places had them and they were about $45 each...stunning stunning wines, think a 73 or 74 was among them.

Two wines on the list for me that are the Holy Grail...another chance for your namesake...a 55 Michael...I had one 32 years ago but $3500 now...ummm.
And my early auction attendance days in the late 80s...Oddbins when they used to have live auctions at the old Stonyfell winery in Adelaide had complete sets of Woodley Treasure Chest...45 to 52 IIRC. They were famed for the handmade and drawn labels and back then only went for a few bob, by today's standards no money at all.
Thought Malcolm might have had a chance to look at one at the recent Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations...that would have been 8 decades worth of wines.

Cheers
Craig

Never had a Peppermint
my spys tell me it is in decline
never had a Woodleys
a recent tasting had a couple and they were ok but not what they were
the labels blew me away though

OH OH dont get me started the Lindemans Classic Release programme was mind blowing - coonawarra nursery vineyard riesling, muscats, tokays and many many more - what a waste !!

There have been some great Lindemans HV red burgundys- I dont see them anymore- it is also a labelling nightmare that resolves once you work out the numbers ...

[phillisc]

Oh, how could I forget the nursery vineyard..my mother was tootling around in her car...in the Hunter of all places and about 5 years ago went to the Lindemans Cellar Door and purchased two cases of the 1999 Nursery Riesling. She wasn't quite sure why she did it, but at about $16 a bottle thought it was interesting that she might like it, and so on. Went round for dinner one time and she opened the linen press and there were a couple of boxes with about 20 bottles left...you are welcome to them!

Absolutely fabulous wines, and the 1625 Muscat and other DP somethings...brilliant

Cheers
Craig

[Cynthia]

HI Guys,
Cynthia again,
This week one donated to Sydney Water for processing, the other quite happily consumed...
Hutt River 2000 Cab Sav
Draytons Burgundy 2000
JP Chenet Cabernet-Syrah 2001


still have not come across any Grange......
Cynthia