2024 Rockford Mailer

[Hacker]

Hi everyone, the 2024 edition of the Rockford Rag just landed. The 2021 BP is priced at $90 which most probably fair considering it's strong reputation and secondary pricing. The 2021 RR is $65, also fair. However, I find myself questioning whether to partake this year or not. There is an awful lot of competition from the likes of Sami-Odi, Standish and Callum Powell's Agricola. Even John Duval's The Entity and a host of other lovely renditions from other talented winemakers make me reconsider whether to push the go button. If only Rockford used screwcaps or even DIAM corks that would seriously make me reconsider.
Let me think about it. What are you guys thinking?

[phillisc]

I would add Eperosa and Stonegarten to that list. This will be my 37 year on the Rockford train. Of all wineries, you'd think they would make a decent BP and a few others in the range from the 2021 vintage. I'll get a few and the lad is interested in taking over the mailer.
I know there's a few punters out there who question the value and also quality needs to be in the stratosphere to meet expectations, but from what you have indicated Hacker, price is same as last year. I think it's worth a roll.
I'm trying to talk David Kalleske to do something for long term buyers. At least there's no rush to buy.
Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

It’s the 21 release… of course it’s a buy! If it was 19 or 20 or 23 I’d understand your trepidation. Rockford rarely gets it wrong in the good years.

[JamieAdelaide]

I’ll buy it but now I work overseas for two weeks of the month, worldwide QPR becomes a factor.

Need to start drinking them ! Will go stand up x 4 for Friday night when sandgropers visiting. BP is an icon SA experience.

[Hacker]

I have succumbed to the siren call and have ordered a six pack of BP. It will no doubt compliment the other Barossa Shiraz I have.

[phillisc]

Rag arrived today, seems the Rockford crew are pretty pleased with the 2021 vintage. Prices same as last year (and think they needed to be) , largely due to bumper crop, so will make plenty of cashola.
Interestingly the absolute gentleman of the Aus wine industry takes a different perspective. Noon mailer also arrived today, dearest wine $30. Like Bowen, some of the absolute best VFM options available.
Cheers Craig

[darellk]

Rag arrived today, seems the Rockford crew are pretty pleased with the 2021 vintage. Prices same as last year (and think they needed to be) , largely due to bumper crop, so will make plenty of cashola.
Interestingly the absolute gentleman of the Aus wine industry takes a different perspective. Noon mailer also arrived today, dearest wine $30. Like Bowen, some of the absolute best VFM options available.
Cheers Craig

I read on the Noon website a while back that the mailing list is full, as is the waiting list for the mailing list!!

[phillisc]

Rag arrived today, seems the Rockford crew are pretty pleased with the 2021 vintage. Prices same as last year (and think they needed to be) , largely due to bumper crop, so will make plenty of cashola.
Interestingly the absolute gentleman of the Aus wine industry takes a different perspective. Noon mailer also arrived today, dearest wine $30. Like Bowen, some of the absolute best VFM options available.
Cheers Craig

I read on the Noon website a while back that the mailing list is full, as is the waiting list for the mailing list!!

Yes I was on the waiting list for the waiting list in 2006, informed in 2007 that I had made the list, and have been buying since 2008.
Drew Noon is one of the nicest blokes going around. The tasting days are great and such great wines for the money.

Cheers Craig

[Scotty vino]

Was up at Rockford’s last Friday did a stonewall tasting . All wines excellent . Local growers sem always a favourite. Was down in stone wall cellar saw they did a sav blanc in 1986. You got that one Craig!?

[phillisc]

Scotty V...no. Didn't actually know that a savvy blanc was made...at 38 years of age, vinegar or something that would be almost fortified by now.
I still have a couple bottles of the 1996 RD Chardonnay Pinot sparkling and a couple of 86 BPs.

I will make my way to the CD in the coming weeks.
Cheers Craig

[kenzo]

Any standouts in the lineup this vintage, for those that have tasted them?

[phillisc]

I have been seduced by BP for many a year now, but in the last 15 years or so in good vintages, 2008/10/12/16/18/19 have purchased a sixer of the the R&S, RR and a few Moppa and or DCG. I am looking forward to the horizontals in time.
Cheers Craig

[Andrew Jordan]

Tasted the BP, RR and the Black Sparkling at the Langtons Classification tasting the other night. BP and RR standouts for me and show the class of the 2021 vintage. Must buys!

[Chuck]

Tasted the BP, RR and the Black Sparkling at the Langtons Classification tasting the other night. BP and RR standouts for me and show the class of the 2021 vintage. Must buys!

2022 Barossa shiraz is looking very good too. Some wonderful fruit that needs little tweaking by the winemakers. So I'm calling 2022 as good as 2021 as far as Barossa shiraz is concerned. Great to see see back-to-back strong vintages. Hopefully this will help kick down the China door down and relieve the huge glut that's unsold. Although I'm hearing China has discovered wines from other parts of the world in our absence. And locally there's a story out by Dan's that local bottled wine sales are down 10%.

[VinoEd]

No cellar door for me so I won’t be looking at the BP or Black Shiraz unfortunately but will likely get a mixed 6 of the RR and R&S to keep my collection ticking over. Who knows, a visit over Xmas holidays may be possible.

Cheers Ed

[JamieAdelaide]

Anyone try the 2021 BP? 89pts over at the Wine Front!

My palate isn’t good enough to work out if the BP a good wine or bad, with a thimble serve at cellar door.

[Matt@5453]

Anyone try the 2021 BP? 89pts over at the Wine Front!

My palate isn’t good enough to work out if the BP a good wine or bad, with a thimble serve at cellar door.

Who tasted it and gave it the score from TWF?

[JamieAdelaide]

GW.

[Chuck]

I don't have a WF subscription but using Chat GPT Gary Walsh rated it 94. Anyone with a subscription able to enlighten us?

[A_Steady]

I was there for a Stonewall lunch two days ago, tasted the current releases after the lunch and thought they were all* a bit more tannic than I expected, including the RR that seems to be liked / rated by many. I put it down to it being rushed and I’d had my fill of wine with a little more age, but maybe it was an accurate impression

*tasted BP, RR, DC, then decided not to bother with the Moppa or R&S, and had some VP

The dinner pours had returned to being topped up, and the current release pours were marginally better than the previous 2 years

[JamieAdelaide]

I don't have a WF subscription but using Chat GPT Gary Walsh rated it 94. Anyone with a subscription able to enlighten us?

I have a subscription but there’s a copyright.

Basket Press 2021 89pts

Moppa 2021 94pts

RR 95pts

R&S 2021 93pts


Maybe bottle variation, travel shock or GW right on the mark?

[Fernando De Santis]

I'd have to disagree with TWF. I tried the BP over the weekend and thought it was a very good shiraz. For my tastes, it was very elegant and not your full-on Barossa thumper. I would be more 93-94.

[phillisc]

I'd have to disagree with TWF. I tried the BP over the weekend and thought it was a very good shiraz. For my tastes, it was very elegant and not your full-on Barossa thumper. I would be more 93-94.

I would agree with you and other punters and not critics, who are jaded from tasting many similar wines in a very clinical matter. Yes Ringers influence still looms large, but the team at Rockford have the knowledge, skills, experience and importantly access to great fruit.
In a year such as 2021 and most likely 2022...go big
Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

Grabbed a six pack of the Basket Press and Black Shiraz