April 2025 Purchases

[phillisc]

6 2021 Jim Brand The Pursuit Cabernet.
Cheers Craig

[Rossco]

3 x NV Andre Clouet Silver Nature
3 x NV Andre Clouet Grande Reserve
6 x 2017 De Bortoli Melba Reserve Cabernet
6 x 2024 Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay (on order)
3 x Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blanc 1er Nature

[phillisc]

2 2021 Yalumba Signature, will have a look at one and may get more.

Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

2 2021 Yalumba Signature, will have a look at one and may get more.

Cheers Craig

Looking fwd to your review. I normally buy it in the good vintages

[VinoEd]

3 X 2022 Eisenstone Hoffman X11

Cheers Ed

[Chuck]

12 x Haselgrove 2021 Cul-Stor McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz Cabernet Franc. Nice quaffer at inviting price.

[saturn5519]

4 x Wynns 2022 Black label cab sav
2 x Seppelts 2023 drumborg riesling.
2 x Paxton 2019 Jones block shiraz

[ticklenow1]

3 x 2022 Eisenstone Hoffmann X11 Shiraz
2 x 2022 Eisenstone d’or X10 Shiraz
1 x 2022 Eisenstone Richardson X12 Shiraz
2 x 2022 Yarra Yering Dry Red #2
3 x 2023 Aphelion Wait Vineyard Grenache
2 x 2022 MMAD Grenache (topping up, stunning wine)
1 x 2022 Comando G Navatalgordo Garnacha
1 x 2022 Comando G Villanueva Garnacha
1 x 2022 Comando G Rozas Garnacha
1 x 2022 Comando G La Bruja Garnacha
3 x 2023 Savaterre Chardonnay
12 x 2024 Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay

Cheers
Ian

[Mike Hawkins]

6 x 2022 Eisenstone Dallwitz x11
3 x 2022 Eisenstone Richardson Goldfield x12
1 x 2022 Eisenstone d’Or x10

And a host of rare cognacs

[Sean]

Best’s Great Western Riesling 24
Pikes Traditionale Riesling 24
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 24
Vickery Watervale Riesling 24 x 3
Wickhams Road Gippsland Chardonnay 24
Wickhams Road Gippsland Pinot Noir 24
Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Chardonnay 24
Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 24
Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 24
Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Noir 23

[marmi01]

A few recent buys...

2024 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir x3
2023 Bondar Shiraz Violet Hour x3
2024 CRFT The K1 Gruner Veltliner × 1
2022 Unico Zelo Esoterico x1
NV Josef Chromy Sparkling x1

Mick

[mjs]

A label completely unknown to me, no real info on their website as to background and winemaking, just like every other CW incarnation, outrageous RRP quoted on line, but 2016 Coonawarra Cabernet "discounted" to $20, what could possibly go wrong?

12 x 2016 Devitt & Moore Captain D Bruce Coonawarra Cabernet

[Chuck]

A label completely unknown to me, no real info on their website as to background and winemaking, just like every other CW incarnation, outrageous RRP quoted on line, but 2016 Coonawarra Cabernet "discounted" to $20, what could possibly go wrong?

12 x 2016 Devitt & Moore Captain D Bruce Coonawarra Cabernet

I buy from these e-tailers regularly and on the whole am pleased with the results but have returned a few wines (less a bottle or 2) for a full refund with no questions asked. If the wine is not current vintage where the RRP is publicly known they load up the RRP because they can and regularly do.

However their communication is getting poorer. I am currently at issue with a wine's source of grapes - same winery but slightly different source of grapes - Wrattonbully vs Padthaway. No response to various emails as it bounces around head office. But again if I don't like the wine I'll just return again (less a bottle or 2) for full refund.

[VinoEd]

A label completely unknown to me, no real info on their website as to background and winemaking, just like every other CW incarnation, outrageous RRP quoted on line, but 2016 Coonawarra Cabernet "discounted" to $20, what could possibly go wrong?

12 x 2016 Devitt & Moore Captain D Bruce Coonawarra Cabernet

I’ve purchased this label before via same or similar site for same or similar price - but 2013 vintage. It’s a solid bottle (weighs a tonne), under cork, and the wine is decent, particularly for the price. It’s not worth the RRP but doubt anyone has ever paid it. Good weekday quaffer.

Cheers Ed

[mjs]

Good weekday quaffer.

That's the plan

[SipAndANibble]

1x 2012 wolf blass black label cab Shiraz malbec

[phillisc]

A few bottles each of 2022 Lindemans Pyrus and Limestone Ridge

Cheers Craig

[Hacker]

6 x 2022 Eisenstone Dallwitz x11
3 x 2022 Eisenstone Richardson Goldfield x12
1 x 2022 Eisenstone d’Or x10

3 X 2022 Eisenstone Hoffman X11
Cheers Ed

Guys please tell me about Eisenstone. Are they like Standish or Sami Odi?

[phillisc]

6 x 2022 Eisenstone Dallwitz x11
3 x 2022 Eisenstone Richardson Goldfield x12
1 x 2022 Eisenstone d’Or x10

3 X 2022 Eisenstone Hoffman X11
Cheers Ed

Guys please tell me about Eisenstone. Are they like Standish or Sami Odi?

Closer to Standish than Sami Odi, both all Shiraz (apart from 2% viognier, both from multiple sites).
I purchased about 30 bottles of 8 different wines from the 2021 vintage, and some through third party websites for substantial reduction on the mail order price
The Dallwitz is the connection with Sami Odi, both Stephen Cooke (Eisenstone) and Fraser get access to Adrian Hoffman's fruit, as do about a dozen other small players.

Eisenstone have two tiers, an entry level range from a number of regions (around $80) in the BV and an single vineyard range, again from a number of regions (around $110). The X11 Dallwitz wine is a first release I believe, and you can't blame them in the spectacular 2021 vintage of doing one, and was (around $190).
I haven't dipped my toe in for any of the 2022 releases, trying to cut back as false as that sounds. If I am critical there seems to be an explosion of the number of wines, and think first vintage was 2019, and its certainly grown since then...hard to keep up with both the number and where the releases come from Hacker. if money was no object, I would buy dozens, have tried a few and they are certainly full on brutes that will go 20-30 years. Not cult yet, as they are fairly accessible through a number of channels, plenty listed on the second hand market.

I know I bang on a bit about Coonawarra, but coincidentally having a tasting tomorrow with Dan and Nicole Standish. Can't wait, actually its the first time in a long while that i am really excited to visit a CD, I have never been to. I am circumspect on the 2023 vintage, but will hold judgement until tasted. Will report back before the release on April 29th. Thankfully Dan only has four reds.
Cheers Craig

[VinoEd]

I tried one of the SR (single region) wines late last year and it was a wine that needs a long time but you can see the class underneath the tight coiling that exists at present.

The x10/11/12 single vineyard wines are the top tier (above the SV (single vineyard) range. EDIT: I might have been wrong about all of the X series being single vineyard. The X10 (having a look at the bottle) is a blend of fruit from Ebenezer, Greenock, Marananga.

I haven’t tried one of the “X” wines yet but they’ve been available at a 50% price reduction for members who have purchased before at various times over the last few months. Good buying and rewarding for loyalty.

Stephen has been very helpful too.

I’m liking their work and will continue to support them, along with Standish and a couple of other small players in the BV. Good long term propositions. Also makes up for the fact I will likely never qualify for Sami-Odi mailer (but always happy to receive access to a few when the chance arises ).

Cheers Ed

[phillisc]

Probably needs it own thread
Great experience on Friday tasting the Standish new releases with Dan and Nicole...lovely people.
Relic, Standish, Theorem and Lamella in that order.
Can certainly detect the Viognier (1.5%) in the Relic, very slippery wine on the palate.
Standish is a brute, fruit/acid/tannins all fighting for their place, cheeks sucked together, needs time but will be very good.
Theorem is a superb wine, the fruit profile is magnificent and goes on and on, the best of the four at this stage.
Lamella has that very cool profile lots of black blue fruits, a bit of plum but leads to a lovely generous mouth feel, really slick like many other EV wines, and again needs time.

Picked up a few of each.

Dan was saying that fruit selection in the 2023 vintage was the focus, and yes despite being late and some challenges they are very happy with the results. I can't comment as this is the first time I have tried these wines on release. Some vines only had a few bunches (50-60 grams) picked from them and all four wines were cropped at 4-500 kilograms per acre, about 5-10 times less than other areas of the BV.
Release is tomorrow, yes not cheap, but a very good range, despite a tricky vintage.

I went to Eperosa next, Brett Grocke has done very good things with the 2022 vintage, a mixed dozen to put away, thankfully a lot cheaper than the previous purchase
Cheers Craig

[Teisto]

I went to Eperosa next, Brett Grocke has done very good things with the 2022 vintage, a mixed dozen to put away, thankfully a lot cheaper than the previous purchase
Cheers Craig

What were you able to get from Brett? Could you get the 1896 and LRC directly as sold out on website?

[mjs]

Probably needs it own thread
Great experience on Friday tasting the Standish new releases with Dan and Nicole...lovely people.
Relic, Standish, Theorem and Lamella in that order.
Can certainly detect the Viognier (1.5%) in the Relic, very slippery wine on the palate.
Standish is a brute, fruit/acid/tannins all fighting for their place, cheeks sucked together, needs time but will be very good.
Theorem is a superb wine, the fruit profile is magnificent and goes on and on, the best of the four at this stage.
Lamella has that very cool profile lots of black blue fruits, a bit of plum but leads to a lovely generous mouth feel, really slick like many other EV wines, and again needs time.

Picked up a few of each.

Dan was saying that fruit selection in the 2023 vintage was the focus, and yes despite being late and some challenges they are very happy with the results. I can't comment as this is the first time I have tried these wines on release. Some vines only had a few bunches (50-60 grams) picked from them and all four wines were cropped at 4-500 kilograms per acre, about 5-10 times less than other areas of the BV.
Release is tomorrow, yes not cheap, but a very good range, despite a tricky vintage.

I went to Eperosa next, Brett Grocke has done very good things with the 2022 vintage, a mixed dozen to put away, thankfully a lot cheaper than the previous purchase
Cheers Craig

Can't believe that I bumped into Craig at the Barossa Farmer's Market at Angaston on Sat morning.

Was there with mates on our 23rd trip to the Barossa, should post some notes

[phillisc]

I went to Eperosa next, Brett Grocke has done very good things with the 2022 vintage, a mixed dozen to put away, thankfully a lot cheaper than the previous purchase
Cheers Craig

What were you able to get from Brett? Could you get the 1896 and LRC directly as sold out on website?

LRC and 1896 both gone ( I got a couple of bottles of the 1896 previously but wanted a couple more)...had to settle with 4 each of the other 3.
Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

Yes Malcolm, where will we both turn up next
If not for a fantastic 4 hour lunch at Ferment Asian with 10 wines from Riesling Freak, I would never had been in the BV this last weekend.
Can certainly recommend the Stockwell Pub too...fabulously priced quality wines by the glass and great food, service and setting.

Cheers Craig

[Teisto]

I went to Eperosa next, Brett Grocke has done very good things with the 2022 vintage, a mixed dozen to put away, thankfully a lot cheaper than the previous purchase
Cheers Craig

What were you able to get from Brett? Could you get the 1896 and LRC directly as sold out on website?

LRC and 1896 both gone ( I got a couple of bottles of the 1896 previously but wanted a couple more)...had to settle with 4 each of the other 3.
Cheers Craig

Thanks

[Alan Foo]

3 X 2024 Sorrenberg Gamay

Cheers,
Alan

[Chuck]

12 x Stonehaven Limited Release 2021 Wrattonbully Shiraz. Another mid week quaffer (actually more than that IMO) from 2021 vintage. Needs a few years to settle down and come together.

[phillisc]

12 x Stonehaven Limited Release 2021 Wrattonbully Shiraz. Another mid week quaffer (actually more than that IMO) from 2021 vintage. Needs a few years to settle down and come together.

Chuck there's an absolute lake of this Stonehaven, plantings in Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Robe and Coonawarra.
I'm tempted, just need to remember what etailer site was flogging it.
The 2021 Cab is fab, have 12-14 bottles, probably should get more

Cheers Craig

[mjs]

Can certainly recommend the Stockwell Pub too...fabulously priced quality wines by the glass and great food, service and setting.

Craig,

Matt Lehmann at Hoffman Family Vineyards certainly recommended the Stockwell pub, have to try it next time. Adrian Hoffmann has an interest apparently. Great wine list for a pub apparently

cheers, Malcolm