Back into it and I need help!

[Andy]

Hello all,

It has been quite a while since I was here last, other than a quick post a few months ago when I was in Budapest. (Thanks Attila for the restaurant tip ).

I have moved to The Netherlands and life is gaining some sense of normality. Great to catch up on the Auswine scene but it has made me crave some of the decent Australian reds you have all been enjoying . (Gavin, you havenÂ’t considered setting up an Amsterdam shop? )

Hoping a few people here may be able to help. For those of you who have lived for a while in Europe, what types of wine did you enjoy regularly? How did you cope moving away from our beloved S.A. WA and Vic reds? Due to current budgetary constraints IÂ’m looking for lower priced wines. So far have been enjoying a few Argentinian MalbecÂ’s and Rioja whites (and reds). Any suggestions for how best to learn to understand Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone etc?

The other area I need help in does not require you to have lived in Europe – suggesting which Australian wines to buy from the slim pickings available! What are your tips and thoughts on prices:
(Obviously I can only buy to drink now.)

Bests
Great Western Pinot Noir 2000 €10.4 / $17.7
Great Western Cab Sauv 99/1994 €11.8 / $20.0
Great Western Bin '1' Shiraz 2002 €10.9 / $18.6
Great Western Bin 'O' Shiraz 2000 €13.9 / $23.7

Grant Burge
Barossa Vines Shiraz 2001/02 €8.0 / $13.6
Hilcot Merlot 00/02 €9.6 / $16.4
Miamba Shiraz 2001/02 €11.4 / $19.4
Old Vine Filsell Shiraz 2001 €14.2 / $24.2
Cameron Vale Cab Sauv 1999 €11.4 / $19.4
Grant Burge Cab Sauv 1996
Holy Trinity 2000 €17.3 / $29.3

Thorn Clarke
Milton Park Shiraz 2002 €5.5 / $9.3
Barossa Shiraz 2003 €7.4 / $12.6
Shotfire Ridge Barossa Shiraz 2003 €10.6 / $18.0
William Randal Barossa Shiraz 2002 €22.0 / $37.4

Vasse Felix
Cabernet Merlot 2001/02 €12.8 / $21.7
Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 €17.9 / $30.3
Shiraz 1998/2000 €19.3 / $32.8

Wynn's Shiraz 2001 €8.5 / $14.4
Penfolds Bin 138 GSM 1998 €11 / $18.7
Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz 2001 €14 / $23.8

From the above I have had the Bests Bin “O” and Wynn’s shiraz. I loved both and thought them reasonably priced. I’m looking forward to trying the Filsell over the weekend, but I'm not familiar with Thorn Clarke.

Greatly appreciate any thoughts.

Cheers and itÂ’s good to be back here.

Andy

[Kieran]

I'm not the guy to help you with the foreign wines, but that's a great price for Best's Bin 0. The 94 Cab is tempting too (and well priced) but its rating is mysteriously missing from Oliver - I guess he missed that one. I won't vouch for the other wines, but the prices are very reasonable.

Thorn-Clarke is a newish label which offers pretty good value. The 02 William Randell looks tempting. The 02 Shotfire Ridge was great, as well as being one of the cheapest Parker 94 pointers ever.

Probably the only Burge I'd bother with is the Filsell.

Penfolds Bin 138 price is OK. Leasingham price is a little high by Australian standards, but the wine is good.

While you're over there, enjoy the lower prices for icons like Cullen and Moss Wood.

Kieran

[Neville K]

Andy
Great Western Bin 'O' Shiraz 2000 €13.9 / $23.7
No contest.
Buy, Buy, Buy . Well under the odds.

[Red Bigot]

I’m looking forward to trying the Filsell over the weekend, but I'm not familiar with Thorn Clarke.

Andy

Hi Andy,

If you enjoy the Filsell give the William Randall a try, it's a pretty smart wine and around $40/btl case price back here. The Shotfire Ridge 2002 is a ripper, don't know about the 2003, about $18-$24 case price back here.

The Penfolds 98 GSM is probably worth a try too, the Bin 61 is overpriced and 2001 is OK but not a standout.

[JamieBahrain]

Welcome back Andy

Your position is enviable!

Firstly, starting with your list. As an expat I found similar, some Australian wines would go unnoticed on foreign shelves gathering dust, at prices cheaper than home. In the Mideast it was Possum's shiraz and here in Hong Kong I am slowly but surely buying up all the Clonakilla Shiraz Voignier 01.

Reference your list Bin O looks unbeatable-buy it up as your bargain Australian red.

But do not waste time on our reds while in Europe!!!!

On your days off travel to the wine regions and build up your own knowledge.

Last year I spent a week on the middle Mosel with appointments at Doctor Loosen and the like ( stayed at Bernkastler and tried all the famous Doctors' ), Chamapagne, a week in Alsace with appointments at Zind Humbrecht and two weeks in the Rhone ( barrel tastings of La' La's and the Marche Aux Vine where you try all new release Cote Rotie & Condrieu ).

If anything, get to the Marche Aux Vine in Ampuis.

Your opportunity is enviable Andy. Honestly, I read tasting notes on Australian forums where average wines from the Rhone or Alsace ( albeit very expensive in Australia ) are written up with enthusiasm- you will not waste your time with that entry level whilst living in Europe.

Go for it! We will be coming to you for advice on upcoming Rhone or Bordeaux vintages.

See you in Ampuis in March!

[Andy]

Thank you all for the responses - much appreciated.

Kieran & Neville - I agree the Bests seems like a great price, I tasted it a week ago and loved the style. Pure deep fruit with some spice and a very inviting nose.

RB - I had the GB Filsell on Saturday night and found it a bit sickly sweet. It is normally a style I enjoy so it may just have been the serving order. Having looked up TORB's site I'll be interested to try the Thorn Clarke - the 02' Shotfire Ridge sounds brilliant.

Jamie - thank you for such a great post, you've inspired me. I am verm much looking forward to the wine tasting journey in Europe. I certainly have not remaining totally biased towards Australian reds - it's just after several months of (very) average table wines in Eastern Europe I was craving a well made wine with good fruit and sensibly handled oak. I'll try to post regularly to let you know my progress.

Cheers

Andy

[Ian S]

Andy
Agree the Bin 0 - that price is even cheaper than UK, which is rare for the continent to achieve that distinction on Aussie wines.
Some thoughts:
Cahors - Malbec grape - can be "rugged" but has often been great value
Rhone - Some excellent wines - e.g. St Cosme (esp. the Gigondas)
Lots of activity in South of France, with quality improving.
Italy - Langhe Nebbiolo offers decent value, as do many Sicilian wines
Portugal - offers decent value for reds with a bit of oomph
Nederland - Don't even think about it!

Have fun

Ian

[Davo]

Andy

All Vasse Felix prices are not that different from OZ and are in fact cheaper than CD or recommended retail.

All are good except the 1998 shiraz, a pretty poor year in WA.

The 2000 Shiraz would be my pick although the 2000 Cab is no slouch either.

[JamieBahrain]

Andy

Ian's Portugese tip is well worth a look at for unabashed lovers of big, rustic shiraz styles.

Touriga Franca and National from Douro little treasures! Individually or blended together in a dry table style.