Is Rockford Basket Press Worth the Fuss?

[JamieBahrain]

It's interesting, a few people who tried my 2001 BP a few weeks ago, Swiss nationals, hunted it down in their own country and are proud owners of a few cases- heeding the back label advice to cellar for 10 + I'm assured! Swiss pricing seems the same as Cellar Door- funny that in one of the most expensive and heavily taxed countries in Europe that this is so!

Professionally cellared and left to age, BP is an undisputed crowd pleaser of broad drinking foreigners in my experience.

[Polymer]

Jamie,

Yes it is available in Switzerland..but the Swiss are a bad example...lots of rich people with little knowledge of wine that drinking overripe wines...you only have to look at most Swiss wines to see what style they like. Especially on the Swiss German side..they love big wines...

You then have those that are more into Burgundy, Jura, Piedmont or more natural wines..and they don't like wines like Rockford at all...

Switzerland is not a high tax country...their VAT is lower than EU Countries...but I do agree, it is odd that Rockford is so cheap here given prices for other wines from Australia are not priced that low and in general the cost of living is crazy..but I'd guess there is a long lasting relationship here (they used to get SVS as well) with some Australian producers..I've even seen Lakes Folly floating about...Wine prices in CH are generally not too bad and in some cases very comparable to other places in EU.

[phillisc]

Did the Swiss contingent happen to spot any perfectly cellared 98 SVS Hoffmann...from memory all of it went to that part of the world. Langtons had a bottle on their exchange at $500.

Cheers
Craig

[JamieBahrain]

Jamie,

Yes it is available in Switzerland..but the Swiss are a bad example...lots of rich people with little knowledge of wine that drinking overripe wines...you only have to look at most Swiss wines to see what style they like. Especially on the Swiss German side..they love big wines...

You then have those that are more into Burgundy, Jura, Piedmont or more natural wines..and they don't like wines like Rockford at all...

Switzerland is not a high tax country...their VAT is lower than EU Countries...but I do agree, it is odd that Rockford is so cheap here given prices for other wines from Australia are not priced that low and in general the cost of living is crazy..but I'd guess there is a long lasting relationship here (they used to get SVS as well) with some Australian producers..I've even seen Lakes Folly floating about...Wine prices in CH are generally not too bad and in some cases very comparable to other places in EU.

Yes my mistake I just avoid the place as its so expensive- except for a bank account.

It wasn't meant to be an example, just that the BP is so consistently well received when I present it to impressively broad palates.

[Polymer]

Oh bank accounts are stupidly expensive here as well....

My experience though is a bit opposite yours....For people that drink widely and are fairly knowledgeable about wine, they tend to think BP is a bit on the ripe side and not incredibly exciting as a wine....I'm using the US and Europe as the examples...Of course there are some people that really enjoy it and have found that people that tends towards riper fruit really enjoy it...the ones that don't, less so.

I like BP, I think it is a good wine...I'm just not excited by it.

[sjw_11]

the Swiss are a bad example...lots of rich people with little knowledge of wine that drinking overripe wines...

Yes, all 8m of them

[Polymer]

Yeah...but with 12% of the population being millionaires...and the Median Net Worth for adults being over 250k which 60% higher than AU and 5 times what it is in the US.
And wine prices being significantly cheaper..

So lots of people in the country with a good amount of money to spend...Overall there is good balance though, lots of people buying bigger wines..but a lot of people into lighter styles...There are so many good wines stores in CH, especially given its population, it is quite impressive..

[Manno]

What was the price of the most recent vintage of BP?

[Mahmoud Ali]

What are we to make of the Swiss?

They seem to be knowledgeable about wine, except for the wealthy 12% who apparently have little knowledge about wine.
Those who prefer bigger wines appreciate the BP, while those who prefer lighter styled wines are not so keen. Essential some like it and some don't.
They seem to have a lower tax burden and this probably helps them cope with the high cost of living, an exception being the price of the BP.

The burning question for me is what percentage of the population know how to yodel, and is it okay to do so when drinking a pefectly cellared bottle of Basket Press?

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

[JamieBahrain]

Not sure of all this?

Ok, so a Swiss guy loved BP so much he hunted it down in Switzerland.

On the same afternoon, a Hong Kong guy, 85, begged me source a case for him. Desperate, he chased me down all evening for just a bottle.

An Austrian guy was also impressed. Big Rockford fan. Owns his own vineyard in Wachau. Private Banker.

Basket Press is an amazing wine in my experience for wooing foreigners with broad palates. The wines are often 15 years + and cellared professionally showing an extraordinary freshness- I have to disagree they are a ripe style of wine and this has me bamboozled Polymer?

Ok perhaps we can move on from the Swiss?

[Mike Hawkins]

Jamie, as you know I love BP. But I have to agree some vintages such as 2001 are quite ripe. Not sure I would call it a ripe style per se, but I can see why some might view it that way.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Not sure of all this?

I was being sarcastic Jamie, also poking fun at the discussion attempting to pidgeonhole the Swiss. Wasn't at all directed towards the BP.

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

[JamieBahrain]

Jamie, as you know I love BP. But I have to agree some vintages such as 2001 are quite ripe. Not sure I would call it a ripe style per se, but I can see why some might view it that way.

Yes of course it can be vintage ripe but there's no way I'd consider it a ripe style. And agree as previously with the 2001 but gee its travelling nicely in the relaxed mood of a autumn BBQ !

[Mike Hawkins]

Jamie, as you know I love BP. But I have to agree some vintages such as 2001 are quite ripe. Not sure I would call it a ripe style per se, but I can see why some might view it that way.

Yes of course it can be vintage ripe but there's no way I'd consider it a ripe style. And agree as previously with the 2001 but gee its travelling nicely in the relaxed mood of a autumn BBQ !

Nice! Mine were given away as gifts

[Polymer]

Not sure of all this?

I was being sarcastic Jamie, also poking fun at the discussion attempting to pidgeonhole the Swiss. Wasn't at all directed towards the BP.

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

It is the observation I've had..plus the observation of the many Swiss drinkers (Store owners, buyers, wine geeks, etc) I've met since living here in Switzerland...Obviously that doesn't apply to everyone....

But given Jamie's assessment that broad foreign drinkers like Rockford BP is incredibly general , I'm merely offering a counterpoint that doesn't seem to agree with that assessment that is just as general.

Tons of very experienced wine drinkers in Switzerland..but quite a number of very rich Swiss with more money than wine knowledge...and they're the ones paying crazy money for the obviously premoxed white burgundy at the auctions here. I'm also 100% sure there are ones with a ton of money that are very knowledgeable about wine....

So while I agree my response is a complete generalization about the Swiss, I think I have slightly more experience than most to form that opinion...

[Mahmoud Ali]

But given Jamie's assessment that broad foreign drinkers like Rockford BP is incredibly general, I'm merely offering a counterpoint that doesn't seem to agree with that assessment that is just as general.

I think what Jamie said was "consistently well received when I present it to impressively broad palates", so essentially a smaller subset.

... but quite a number of very rich Swiss with more money than wine knowledge...

Aren't these type of people everywhere?

Mahmoud.

[Polymer]

Mahmoud,

Yes, those types of people are everywhere....But because of the high concentration of "rich" people in Switzerland it just seems even more commonplace.

I don't quite see how I misquoted Jamie...although I'm providing a counterpoint to his specific example which he used to make his general statement.

Jamie has said the same thing about Wendouree...and when I've shown Wendouree outside of Australia, it generally gets a very positive response from overseas drinkers that I would consider quite knowledgeable....some of that might be hype, but it tends to go over well....Rockford BP has been less impressive...I don't even think it has been because of the level of ripeness....but just an interest thing.

It could just be I'm not presenting the right Rockford BPs...

[Mahmoud Ali]

I didn't meant to say you misquoted Jamie, only that from what he said in his post I thought he meant something else. In any case I will leave it to him to explain his meaning if he chooses to do so.

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

[tuxy85]

As someone who is relatively new to wine, I have not yet had the opportunity to try the BP Shiraz. I have tried a bottle of the 2011 Rifle Range Cab Sav and absolutely loved it. I received it as a gift and have since purchased a 2014 Rifle Range on Langton to add to my collection.

What is the best way to get my hands on a bottle of the BP Shiraz? The winery website says that it is only available at the Cellar door (3 bottle limit). I live in Brisbane and I am unlikely to visit the Barossa any time soon. I'd prefer not to pay double the retail price at auction.

[asajoseph]

Keep buying wine from Rockford, and eventually you'll get an allocation of BP.

I really enjoy pretty much all their wines, including some of the more esoteric bottlings such as the Alicante Bouschet (more like a full-on rose than a light red), and the white Frontignac (off dry, an interesting alternative to Monbazillac with a foie gras pate).

[Michael McNally]

As someone who is relatively new to wine, I have not yet had the opportunity to try the BP Shiraz. I have tried a bottle of the 2011 Rifle Range Cab Sav and absolutely loved it. I received it as a gift and have since purchased a 2014 Rifle Range on Langton to add to my collection.

What is the best way to get my hands on a bottle of the BP Shiraz? The winery website says that it is only available at the Cellar door (3 bottle limit). I live in Brisbane and I am unlikely to visit the Barossa any time soon. I'd prefer not to pay double the retail price at auction.

I am sure someone in Brisbane on this forum would be prepared to get you some if they don't take up their full allocation. I only got 4 out of my possible 6. Happy to grab you a couple next year. You can go a number of years and buy a lot of their other gear before you get access to the BP (unless you can get to the cellar door in which case you can just walk out with three.... )

Cheers

Michael

[George Krashos]

Rockford allow a few select retail outlets to sell their wine around Australia. Not sure if they have one in Brisbane but there are a few here in Adelaide, and at least one in Melbourne and Sydney. It's a question of timing for when they have their allocation of BP and whether there are any left over after the regulars get theirs. Quickest way is pay through the nose at auction. Best way as noted above is ask to be put on the mailing list and buy some of the "lesser" wines every year (you don't have to buy truckloads, Rockford aren't like that). In time, you'll become a Stonewaller and get a chance to access some every year.

[tuxy85]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll place an order for a 6 pack of their lesser wines as my wife loves a Barossa GSM and Cab/Shiraz.

Thanks for the offer Michael. I might take you up on it and/or catch up with you at an offline.

Regards,
David

[JamieBahrain]

Second bottle of BP 2002 this month. Real bugger it's corked. Even tried the cling-wrap "trick" I've seen used many times in HKG. Desperate drinkers trying to salvage their Latour or Leflaive from wretched taint.

Does it work? No.

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[phillisc]

Not sure what I was looking at there until I read the text, looks ghastly...I've seen aortas in better condition
Must get into some earlier 2000s, still all in sealed six packs.
Cheers Craig

[JamieBahrain]

Yes click on image for better resolution ( sorry ). Many image hosting sites seem to get hacked and I started using this host which is a bit crappy.

2000's all easily improving/holding depending on palate preference- subject to good cellaring.

[JamieBahrain]

Like burning gum leaves, when in far away lands, to remind you of home .


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[Dragzworthy]

Like burning gum leaves, when in far away lands, to remind you of home .


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How were they Jamie? Hopefully no cling wrap required this time!
BP is a wine that I'm yet to try but your comments intrigue me as I'm part of a wine group where I'm the only Aussie and most have a nature aversion against Australian wine, notably the big bold Shiraz that our country has been typecast in. If this is a wine that will hold attraction for foreigners then I shall seek it out for a dinner event

[Brucer]

I have been into the 2013 recently, drank one just last night, good drink. As is the 2010. 2008 not too bad also. Loved the 2004, not so in love with 02.

[JamieBahrain]

I've presented Aussie wines successfully to Old World crowds for a number of years. To knock out any goons, I'd put a Hermitage or Bordeaux, where appropriate, into a line-up and this was far more successful than I envisaged.

I've never presented fruit bombs. With Basket Press, I'd present it for what it is, and old fashioned, soft style of shiraz. It's unique and though perhaps not as good as it once was, there's good interest and personality. I've shared many SVS 03's this year with wine industry folk and though big, they are much better balanced than the styles of Aussies many seem to dislike.

The 02 showed more development this time around- porcini mushroom like- which added interest. The 2006 fresh and just a pup, was my preferred.