Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz no longer a vintage wine

[cuttlefish]

I noticed recently this is now a NV cuvée. I wonder why they’ve done that ?

[Mahmoud Ali]

Oh dear, that is bad news indeed. Not available in Canada, all I have are the two remaining bottles of 2002 from my last visit to Sydney. Suddenly, they appear more precious.

Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

I've got most vintages from 2004-2014 in the cellar, and its an annual half or full case buy. When did the change occur?

[Ozzie W]

From what I gather, 2014 is the last vintage. 2015 onward is NV. According to TWE, "We are making this change to deliver more complexity and consistency year on year. By combining vintages we are creating a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts."

TWE destroying yet another iconic brand.

[Ian S]

Next thing, they'll be doing it with Grange.

Oh. They have already.

[cuttlefish]

Lining themselves up to release the Show Reserve each and every year ??

[cuttlefish]

How I wonder, will I be able to tell one I bought in 2017 from one I might buy in 2025, say ? Will there be some obscure bottling code on the bottles somewhere ?

[Andrew Jordan]

So how do you explain this .... ?

[url]https://imgur.com/a/AQszD[/url]

[Mahmoud Ali]

So how do you explain this .... ?

[url]https://imgur.com/a/AQszD[/url]

The label seems odd, what with the bottom line reading "Sourced from vineyards located in: Victoria", implying that it changes state from vintage to vintage.

Mahmoud.

[Ozzie W]

On the Seppelt website, the last tasting note for the Original Sparkling Shiraz is 2014. On their online store, they are selling the Original Sparkling Shiraz NV.

Interestingly, there are 37 bottles listed on CellarTracker as 2015 vintage, so perhaps there was a limited run of 2015 before it went NV?

[Andrew Jordan]

Interestingly, there are 37 bottles listed on CellarTracker as 2015 vintage, so perhaps there was a limited run of 2015 before it went NV?

I think you are right as 20 of the above bottles are sitting in my cellar. Purchased direct from the TWE website.

[Waiters Friend]

From what I gather, 2014 is the last vintage. 2015 onward is NV. According to TWE, "We are making this change to deliver more complexity and consistency year on year. By combining vintages we are creating a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts."

TWE destroying yet another iconic brand.

There goes another annual buy. Farewell old friend.

[Waiters Friend]

From what I gather, 2014 is the last vintage. 2015 onward is NV. According to TWE, "We are making this change to deliver more complexity and consistency year on year. By combining vintages we are creating a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts."

TWE destroying yet another iconic brand.

There goes another annual buy. Farewell old friend.

[Ian S]

Interestingly, there are 37 bottles listed on CellarTracker as 2015 vintage, so perhaps there was a limited run of 2015 before it went NV?

I think you are right as 20 of the above bottles are sitting in my cellar. Purchased direct from the TWE website.

Maybe they'll end up a collectors item!

[Waiters Friend]

Interestingly, there are 37 bottles listed on CellarTracker as 2015 vintage, so perhaps there was a limited run of 2015 before it went NV?

I think you are right as 20 of the above bottles are sitting in my cellar. Purchased direct from the TWE website.

Maybe they'll end up a collectors item!

6 bottles of 2015 reside peacefully in my cellar as well. Regardless, and as I have been cellaring these wines for years and experiencing the variations of age and vintage, it will be a shame to see NV for the sake of "consistency".

[Chuck]

Apparently accountants love the word "consistency".

[via collins]

Found the 2014 Best's SS was a hit at Christmas this year.

Happy to switch allegiances over there - they've been making all sorts of good wines of late.

[Ian S]

Yes, I'd happily give my money to Best's rather than a mis-managed behemoth.

[timnit]

This makes me sad and kicking myself for drinking my box of 2015 so quickly now!

This is one of my fav wines but there is something about NV wines that doesn’t resonate with me... I like to be able to understand the year and it’s impact on the winemaking process... I also like opening bottles to relate of the year of the event we are celebrating.

I think only weeks ago they were selling vintage on their website... I can’t help but to wonder if the impact of the frost in the region has made them make a short sighted knee jerk decision! I hope not

[Wizz]

I always wondered how much it would cost to extract the Seppelt Great Western business from TWE and restore it to its former glory. Crowd fund it perhaps.

I notice the Silverband NV Sparkling Shiraz is now gone too.

[Waiters Friend]

I always wondered how much it would cost to extract the Seppelt Great Western business from TWE and restore it to its former glory. Crowd fund it perhaps.

I wonder if that would be possible. Are the wines still being made at Great Western? Does TWE own the vineyards - and the original winery? There would be a fair bit to consider, including what components you would need to "restore to former glory".

[Ozzie W]

I always wondered how much it would cost to extract the Seppelt Great Western business from TWE and restore it to its former glory. Crowd fund it perhaps.

I wonder if that would be possible. Are the wines still being made at Great Western? Does TWE own the vineyards - and the original winery? There would be a fair bit to consider, including what components you would need to "restore to former glory".

The wines haven't been made in Great Western since TWE put the Seppelt facilities on the market in late 2015 (not sure who bought them, if anyone?). TWE have been sending the grapes via truck to the Barossa.

[Wizz]

I always wondered how much it would cost to extract the Seppelt Great Western business from TWE and restore it to its former glory. Crowd fund it perhaps.

I wonder if that would be possible. Are the wines still being made at Great Western? Does TWE own the vineyards - and the original winery? There would be a fair bit to consider, including what components you would need to "restore to former glory".

The wines haven't been made in Great Western since TWE put the Seppelt facilities on the market in late 2015 (not sure who bought them, if anyone?). TWE have been sending the grapes via truck to the Barossa.

Thought as much, The thought first occurred to me after visiting there in 2007 and talking to some disgruntled cellar door staff. I guess the decay and dismemberment is now far more advanced.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Found a shop in Sydney with a few bottles of both the 2014 AND 2015 Seppelt Original. Any idea about which might be the better vintage?

Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

Found a shop in Sydney with a few bottles of both the 2014 AND 2015 Seppelt Original. Any idea about which might be the better vintage?

Mahmoud.

I haven't tried any of my 2015s yet, but I suggest you get a few of each vintage.

[phillisc]

At least my favourite Aussie sparkler already has a NV...drinking plenty of Salinger 2012...leaves the NV version for dead!
Cheers
Craig

[sjw_11]

Why not forget about Seppelts? the brand is long dead... devote the money to a more independent producer that intends to continue producing a quality product...

[Waiters Friend]

At least my favourite Aussie sparkler already has a NV...drinking plenty of Salinger 2012...leaves the NV version for dead!
Cheers
Craig

Agreed Craig. The 2013 is no slouch either, but the 2012 Salinger is special for the price.

[Sean]

deleted

[phillisc]

At least my favourite Aussie sparkler already has a NV...drinking plenty of Salinger 2012...leaves the NV version for dead!
Cheers
Craig

Agreed Craig. The 2013 is no slouch either, but the 2012 Salinger is special for the price.

Allan very much so...managed to get 3 dozen of it in the last 12 months...Mike in NYC would be rolling his eyes I'm sure but have never been able to enter the vintage French domain...at $17-20 a bottle that I paid a bargain.

Cheers
Craig