Is Rockford Basket Press Worth the Fuss?

[Michael McNally]

The corkscrew they sent out was beautiful.

Nuff said.

Cheers

Michael

[Michael R]

I know right, what a cracking surprise.
Not to mention the epic lunches, and just the general friendly helpful vibe from every interaction.
Such a beautiful winery too.
One day i'll get down for the Golf day.

Love the place.

[Polymer]

Is BP worth the fuss?
Not so far for me, but i don't have the experience with the wine at 20+ years, an important caveat.
Interestingly, the only BP that has stood out was a 98 drunk maybe 5 years ago.

Is Rockford worth the fuss?
Most def. Absolutely love the place, its more than the wine sold. Only list i've intentionally stayed on. I even include a few BPs every year as its generally a decent wine and i can enjoy it regardless of any fuss (plus it makes great gifts )

I think this is spot on...Rockford itself is definitely a class act...and what they do for their members is fantastic.

[Scotty vino]

well i had my first stone wall tasting experience today.
Looked after superbly and it was a nice and relaxed pace compared to the regular cellar door.
Tried a few extra bits and pieces such as the vine vale rizz which i liked and bought a 6er amongst other things.
thought the BP and BS were solid. the BP seemed quite approachable now. The BS seemed very funky and bretty off the bat but that seemed to drop away and it became quite complex with time in the glass. I almost wanted to be disappointed in the BS but honestly it refused to be denied in my mind.
As for the 15 BP ....it seemed slightly softer and lighter in structure and I'd happily drink it tomorrow.
There's enough tannin and complexity/acid/structure to see it go a decent stretch though.

The 'fuss' for me was driving 1 hour with the wifey on lovely sunny afternoon.
Worth it? absolutely.

[Matt@5453]

well i had my first stone wall tasting experience today.
Looked after superbly and it was a nice and relaxed pace compared to the regular cellar door.
Tried a few extra bits and pieces such as the vine vale rizz which i liked and bought a 6er amongst other things.
thought the BP and BS were solid. the BP seemed quite approachable now. The BS seemed very funky and bretty off the bat but that seemed to drop away and it became quite complex with time in the glass. I almost wanted to be disappointed in the BS but honestly it refused to be denied in my mind.
As for the 15 BP ....it seemed slightly softer and lighter in structure and I'd happily drink it tomorrow.
There's enough tannin and complexity/acid/structure to see it go a decent stretch though.

The 'fuss' for me was driving 1 hour with the wifey on lovely sunny afternoon.
Worth it? absolutely.

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes, I've said it before, and I know people who say; Rockord ain't got the succession planning correct.

[Polymer]

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes

Is that how you've taken it?

Seriously..for anyone that can't take a contrary opinion or stand having someone disagree with them...Time to put the big boy pants on..

I've not said once that there is only one way to cellar...I've just stated my opinion...If someone wants to disagree with me and have a discussion about it, I'm happy to oblige to back up my assertion. That's not telling anyone what they have to do, it is just what I am stating seems to be a good idea.
At the same time, that discussion means I'll expect equally that their position and understanding will be challenged as well...thus the whole part of having a healthy debate...Can't deal with it? See above.
I've also not said once what people should or shouldn't drink or what their opinions should be about a wine...or what they should or should not like...I've only stated what I think and what I've seen...Can't deal with that? See above.

If you're finding your ego being hurt by these discussions...see above...

[Scotty vino]

well i had my first stone wall tasting experience today.
Looked after superbly and it was a nice and relaxed pace compared to the regular cellar door.
Tried a few extra bits and pieces such as the vine vale rizz which i liked and bought a 6er amongst other things.
thought the BP and BS were solid. the BP seemed quite approachable now. The BS seemed very funky and bretty off the bat but that seemed to drop away and it became quite complex with time in the glass. I almost wanted to be disappointed in the BS but honestly it refused to be denied in my mind.
As for the 15 BP ....it seemed slightly softer and lighter in structure and I'd happily drink it tomorrow.
There's enough tannin and complexity/acid/structure to see it go a decent stretch though.

The 'fuss' for me was driving 1 hour with the wifey on lovely sunny afternoon.
Worth it? absolutely.

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes, I've said it before, and I know people who say; Rockord ain't got the succession planning correct.

Pauline Hanson says...."please explain"?

[Matt@5453]

well i had my first stone wall tasting experience today.
Looked after superbly and it was a nice and relaxed pace compared to the regular cellar door.
Tried a few extra bits and pieces such as the vine vale rizz which i liked and bought a 6er amongst other things.
thought the BP and BS were solid. the BP seemed quite approachable now. The BS seemed very funky and bretty off the bat but that seemed to drop away and it became quite complex with time in the glass. I almost wanted to be disappointed in the BS but honestly it refused to be denied in my mind.
As for the 15 BP ....it seemed slightly softer and lighter in structure and I'd happily drink it tomorrow.
There's enough tannin and complexity/acid/structure to see it go a decent stretch though.

The 'fuss' for me was driving 1 hour with the wifey on lovely sunny afternoon.
Worth it? absolutely.

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes, I've said it before, and I know people who say; Rockord ain't got the succession planning correct.

Pauline Hanson says...."please explain"?

Do some of your own research, I can't say more than that.

[felixp21]

At the risk of being howled down, I'll put my 2c worth in here.
I no longer buy nor drink Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. Actually, I still have plenty of it in the cellar, and bring it out for family/friends when the occasion arises.
Is it worth the fuss? Absolutely!!!
Fairly priced, true to terroir, consistently fine Barossa shiraz... and Aussie Icon. Every young Aussie wine lover beginning their journey simply MUST have this wine as an integral part of their cellar. Like me, their tastes might change over time, but such change makes this no lesser an Australian jewel.
One of the great Australian wines, no doubt.

[Craig(NZ)]

At the risk of being howled down, I'll put my 2c worth in here.
I no longer buy nor drink Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. Actually, I still have plenty of it in the cellar, and bring it out for family/friends when the occasion arises.
Is it worth the fuss? Absolutely!!!
Fairly priced, true to terroir, consistently fine Barossa shiraz... and Aussie Icon. Every young Aussie wine lover beginning their journey simply MUST have this wine as an integral part of their cellar. Like me, their tastes might change over time, but such change makes this no lesser an Australian jewel.
One of the great Australian wines, no doubt.

Well summed up. I don't drink the style often but I have a couple sitting there. Benchmark Barossa old school style

[Polymer]

At the risk of being howled down, I'll put my 2c worth in here.
I no longer buy nor drink Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. Actually, I still have plenty of it in the cellar, and bring it out for family/friends when the occasion arises.
Is it worth the fuss? Absolutely!!!
Fairly priced, true to terroir, consistently fine Barossa shiraz... and Aussie Icon. Every young Aussie wine lover beginning their journey simply MUST have this wine as an integral part of their cellar. Like me, their tastes might change over time, but such change makes this no lesser an Australian jewel.
One of the great Australian wines, no doubt.

Well said..

Rockford is a quality place..BP is still a very good wine and represents pretty good value and certainly has its place as one of the icons of Australian wine..

I think Jamie asked which Shiraz in AU are better at the same/similar price point...and I think everyone struggled to find a whole lot...

[Michael McNally]

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes, I've said it before, and I know people who say; Rockord ain't got the succession planning correct.

I enjoy reading this forum because the participants generally don't resort to gratuitous ad hominem attacks.

Cheers

Michael

[JamieBahrain]

I raised the point earlier, about other regions where icon personalities drive a recognition and worth, that brings about fame and popularity in the wine that sees many great vineyard sources dry-up. Got me thinking. Can Basket Press ever be as good as it was in the late 80's and 90's at this price point?

I'd be happy to pay more to see the wine go up a notch or return to former glory, with I'm assuming, better fruit sourcing.

[Mike Hawkins]

I raised the point earlier, about other regions where icon personalities drive a recognition and worth, that brings about fame and popularity in the wine that sees many great vineyard sources dry-up. Got me thinking. Can Basket Press ever be as good as it was in the late 80's and 90's at this price point?

I'd be happy to pay more to see the wine go up a notch or return to former glory, with I'm assuming, better fruit sourcing.

Fair point... the recent highs are not quite as high as the early 90s. That said, I’m told getting access to high quality grapes is easy given many of the Parkerised wines now have limited demand.

[Scotty vino]

Polymer is the font of all knowledge in terms of cellaring and what everyone likes, I've said it before, and I know people who say; Rockord ain't got the succession planning correct.

Pauline Hanson says...."please explain"?

Do some of your own research, I can't say more than that.

My best form of research is fronting up and tasting. I've tasted a few 90's BPs' and they are very good indeed. Having said that I'd dare say vintages like the 2010 and 2012 won't be far off the mark with some years under their belt. wait and see I guess.

[JamieBahrain]

I'm off to a higher end BBQ today with my tasting friends and I'm taking a G Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 2000 whilst my dear parochial wife insisting on a Basket Press 2001.

[Mike Hawkins]

I found the 2001 BP, like many from the vintage, a tad potty and raisiny

[Michael McNally]

I found the 2001 BP, like many from the vintage, a tad potty and raisiny

Spellcheck to table 5!

Cheers

Michael

[Stomper]

I found the 2001 BP, like many from the vintage, a tad potty and raisiny

Spellcheck to table 5!

Cheers

Michael

Or perhaps "potty" is a new way to reference barnyard characteristics.

[Mike Hawkins]

Memo to self... proofread! I was banging out the post at CDG before boarding and should have stated ‘porty’. Now that I’ve insulted Rockford, I should probably call it a night

[JamieBahrain]

I get your comments in reference to the portiness of the 2001 BP. Have had it before and well cellared bottles do have an overriding freshness and red spectrum dominating fruit- this seemed more so yesterday so perhaps your strategy of long term cellaring of BP may be the answer for this wine?

Far more attention was received at my BBQ yesterday for the BP than my Giacomo Conterno. This from broad drinkers of all the world's great wines. It was revered for its traditional and unabashed expression of Barossa Valley shiraz. The reaction, quite frankly, was really quite something as Australian wines are still rising from lulls in popularity amongst this demographic.

[George Krashos]

I'm off to a higher end BBQ today with my tasting friends and I'm taking a G Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 2000 whilst my dear parochial wife insisting on a Basket Press 2001.

Your wife is switched on and clearly has good taste.

-- George Krashos

[michel]

Love the 2000 GC

[grhm1961]

Compared to comparably priced wines from South Australia, I believe BP to be good, maybe even great value. Like everything in that price bracket though, in a bad year (eg 2011) you find yourself questioning the price, but really, there are very few bad years, and the good ones are pretty astonishing.

As others have also pointed out, Rockford is an experience, not just a wine ... get yourself on the Stonewallers list and go for a private tasting; you'll never forget it. And that corkscrew! I use it almost exclusively these days, what a beauty.

Stop buying BP? Never!

[Con J]

Good value?
If your a stonewaller yes, retail is different.

I used to buy retail, 2006 was the last vintage I bought, still got a few of dozen going back to 1991.
The 1986, 91 and 96 are amongst some of the best Aussie shiraz I've had,

Agree with most it's an Aussie icon.

Cheers Con.

[rooman]

Far more attention was received at my BBQ yesterday for the BP than my Giacomo Conterno. .

Gez, I want an invite to your BBQs and I will stand right next to you and force myself to drink Barolo. Someone has to make sacrifices so it might as well be me.

[Lincoln]

I'm off to a higher end BBQ today with my tasting friends and I'm taking a G Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 2000 whilst my dear parochial wife insisting on a Basket Press 2001.

Your wife is switched on and clearly has good taste.

I'd happily have a glass of each.....

[phillisc]

Gee what a nice problem to have, a family member who insists on drinking BP

After a number of recent ailments, finally hope to get to the CD next week, lunch at Fino will be just the tonic
Cheers Craig

[Redav]

I took the opportunity to open a 2015 BP yesterday over a family BBQ. No notes taken but I thought it atypical example of a Rockford BP. No significant change to previous vintages for my taste. I find that Rockford produces a certain “house”, old school Barossa Shiraz.

Well summed up. I don't drink the style often but I have a couple sitting there. Benchmark Barossa old school style

As someone who missed the 80's and 90's wine scene (too busy playing Transformers and watching He-Man) and didn't develop an interest until the noughties, can someone elaborate on the 'old school Barossa shiraz' style? I know Parker had an influence at some point, did the 'style' predate him or is it as a result? I've only had some recent vintages (I think I've only even consumed from four bottles) and therefore have no point of reference.

Also, is a 'house' style typically their own style that ignores trends and vintage aside, is generally consistent?

[Redback]

Hi Redav,

My reference of old school Barossa, is comparing Rockford BP to other established flagships like PL Stonewell or St Hallett Old Block. Flagship wines based on a blend of the grapes from vineyards through the Barossa. This compares to more modern makers like Standish or Sami-Odi which focus on individual sites and appear to making wines in a different approach to the older established wineries. Perhaps because of their smaller size, these newer winemakers can take a different approach to their winemaking.

I agree that the Rockford house style is about being more about their own style and ignoring trends. I do not think that any winery that produces from 1 region can ignore the influence of vintage.