Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

[Chuck]

Wynns 2012 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon. In good shape. All Coonawarra. Medium to full bodied. Still a pup and will go many more years although I'd be concerned the primary fruit may fade over time. Good balance.

[mjs]

Some very enjoyable wines with friends at their beach joint at Carrickalinga this weekend.

Numerous bottles of riesling and chardonnay on the beach(its hot) plus some reds with two dinners
2000 Yalumba Menzies
2003 Geoff Merrill Henley
2019 Wynns Black Label Shiraz
2013 Wynns Black Label Cabernet
2012 Rockford Rod & Spur

[saturn5519]

Nice line up.Perfect for a hot day and evening over looking the gulf.Beautiful unspoilt area down that way.

[mjs]

Nice line up.Perfect for a hot day and evening over looking the gulf.Beautiful unspoilt area down that way.

Late Friday afternoon, early evening on the beach was superb, except had to go back to the house for more chardy!

[ticklenow1]

2024 Bulman Gary’s Vineyard Grenache. Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. I managed to pick up 3 more of these last week so I decided to try one and I took this to dinner at our new go to BYO Italian restaurant last night. I should have decanted it before I went but I just ran out of time and dinner was a last minute sort of thing. Colour is almost a little pale and not that bright colour I associate with a very young wine. The nose is amazing. Red fruit, rose, lavender and some herbs. The tannin is what hits you with this wine (and the ‘23). Just so silken and smooth. Red fruits, almost some stone like characters and a touch jubey. Very Pinot like and only light bodied at first but puts on some weight as the wine airs. The last glass was sooo good. Excellent follow up to the stunning ‘23.

Cheers
Ian

[Matt@5453]

2024 Bulman Gary’s Vineyard Grenache. Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. I managed to pick up 3 more of these last week so I decided to try one and I took this to dinner at our new go to BYO Italian restaurant last night. I should have decanted it before I went but I just ran out of time and dinner was a last minute sort of thing. Colour is almost a little pale and not that bright colour I associate with a very young wine. The nose is amazing. Red fruit, rose, lavender and some herbs. The tannin is what hits you with this wine (and the ‘23). Just so silken and smooth. Red fruits, almost some stone like characters and a touch jubey. Very Pinot like and only light bodied at first but puts on some weight as the wine airs. The last glass was sooo good. Excellent follow up to the stunning ‘23.

Cheers
Ian

late last year I was involved in a large grenache tasting with grenaches from all over SA including some international ring ins. Mark Bulman was at the tasting and included a number of his wines including the Gary, Mark is a very nice bloke. He spoke passionately about his winemaking philosophy and choice of closure for his wines.

The Gary is a 'serious' wine and much different to a lot of other examples we tried (36 wines in total) - picked earlier and leaner. The wine does need a lot of air to show its best in its youth and took some time to open up to give an indication of its quality. To me the line of tannin and acid back bone is akin to a young Barolo. Mark is crafting these wines to drink in around 15 years time. There is a lot to like about these wines (not if you like sweet fruit bombs).

In the same bracket as the Gary, were some of Aphelion Wines from McLaren Vale. Also inspired by Barolo, these are also wines for the serious wine drinker. If you get a chance, check out Rob's selection of MV Grenaches.

[Mike Hawkins]

Sounds good Matt. I often find too many confectionery qualities in SA Grenache

[ticklenow1]

2024 Bulman Gary’s Vineyard Grenache. Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. I managed to pick up 3 more of these last week so I decided to try one and I took this to dinner at our new go to BYO Italian restaurant last night. I should have decanted it before I went but I just ran out of time and dinner was a last minute sort of thing. Colour is almost a little pale and not that bright colour I associate with a very young wine. The nose is amazing. Red fruit, rose, lavender and some herbs. The tannin is what hits you with this wine (and the ‘23). Just so silken and smooth. Red fruits, almost some stone like characters and a touch jubey. Very Pinot like and only light bodied at first but puts on some weight as the wine airs. The last glass was sooo good. Excellent follow up to the stunning ‘23.

Cheers
Ian

late last year I was involved in a large grenache tasting with grenaches from all over SA including some international ring ins. Mark Bulman was at the tasting and included a number of his wines including the Gary, Mark is a very nice bloke. He spoke passionately about his winemaking philosophy and choice of closure for his wines.

The Gary is a 'serious' wine and much different to a lot of other examples we tried (36 wines in total) - picked earlier and leaner. The wine does need a lot of air to show its best in its youth and took some time to open up to give an indication of its quality. To me the line of tannin and acid back bone is akin to a young Barolo. Mark is crafting these wines to drink in around 15 years time. There is a lot to like about these wines (not if you like sweet fruit bombs).

In the same bracket as the Gary, were some of Aphelion Wines from McLaren Vale. Also inspired by Barolo, these are also wines for the serious wine drinker. If you get a chance, check out Rob's selection of MV Grenaches.

Matt,
I have quite a few Aphelion Grenaches, from the Confluence, the single vineyards, all the way up to the Rapture. Excellent drinking and have put quite a few aside to age.
As for the Bulman Gary's, I really only opened one to see what it was like and I did the same with the '23 Gary's. Have 5 left of each and will be leaving them a few more years before trying again, although I think the '23 is more approachable young.

Cheers
Ian

[Sean]

Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling 25 - Eden Valley. A spring frost, warm vintage and picked in February. Green straw colour. Citrus blossom, talcum, lemon/lime, pear and lemongrass. Nice fruit intensity. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with mouthwatering acidity and a dry finish. - 16/1/26

Cupio Pinot Noir Dry Rose 25 - You can buy this in a 750ml bottle or 1.5L “bagnum” with a tap on it for the fridge. Owned by Accolade and run out of SA Riverland. Nice enough lunch or picnic wine. A vivid red/pink colour and fresh aromatics. Florals, red fruits, spice and a moderately dry finish. - 17/1/26

d’Arenberg The Moon Surfer Fiano 25 - A warm vintage in McLaren Vale. Small batches, basket-pressed and tank fermented. A pale straw colour. Clean and fresh with honeysuckle, citrus, pear and tropical fruit. Soft texture and moderate acidity. - 18/1/26

d’Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 21 - Traditional methods incl foot treading, open fermenter and basket-pressed. Maturation for 9 months in old French oak. A deep ruby colour, much darker than a lot of Grenache I have been drinking. Old school. Feels extracted and warm, a bit too much tannin and 14.5% a/v. Cherry, red fruits, spice, iron/earth and rustic. - 20/1/26

Foxeys Hangout Rose 25 - Typically a blend of Shiraz and Pinot Noir grapes go in this. Some skin contact and mix of techniques. A vivid salmon pink colour. This is very fresh and aromatic. Musk stick, red cherry, raspberry and herbs. Feels lush and vibrant with a savoury dry finish. - 23/1/26

Pizzini Nonna Gisella Sangiovese 24 - Not done a tasting note on this for a while and we have drunk a few bottles. Large format, older oak and tanks. Ruby colour and fruit driven character. Florals, dark cherry, red fruits and herbs with really lovely fresh acidity. I like the soft tannins and nice earthy aftertaste. - 24/1/26

Turkey Flat Rose 25 - 100% Grenache. The fruit is grown and picked purposefully for this Rose. Tank fermented. A pale, dry style these days. Salmon pink colour and musky florals. Cherry, red fruits, peach and spice. Lots of fresh, vibrant acidity and a moderately dry finish. - 26/1/26

Wild Duck Creek Estate White Duck 24 - Heathcote. A blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Fermented in a mix of large French oak foudre and smaller barrels. Got 6 months maturation. A pale yellow/gold colour. White flowers, apricot, peach, melon. A little more oxidative as it warms up in the glass, with some savoury/buttery leesy influences. Nice now, the back label says you can keep it a decade. 31/1/26

[Chuck]

2023 Harndorf Hill Adelaide Hills Rose. In the warmer months we do like a fresh chilled Rose but it's hard to find anything in Australia comparable to the Provence style. This unique Rose is a blend of predominantly Trollinger, a rare variety from Germany, with other unknown components. Quince, strawberry, watermelon. Very riesling like and bone dry. Plenty of acid to match any spicy asian dish. Great with seafood or cold summer lunches.

[mjs]

Another good example of Wynns making very age-able commercial wines.

2010 Wynns The Siding Cabernet
Great colour, still quite a bit of fruit, some cassis, but also some leather and mocha, mouth filling flavour, soft tannins, not much oak.

Had a box tucked in the cellar for some years, pulled some out as I am moving from the current cellar premises. What is let's say a $12 red, who bothers to store $12 reds for maybe 14 years? All of the cheaper commercial Wynns wines, the Gables, the Red Stripe, the white label Shiraz, they cost bugger all, but they do reward a few years in the cellar. Ok, they are never going to be JR, but they are still very enjoyable. Kudos to Wynns and the team.

[Sean]

Too right.
Drinking a 2016 Wynns Cabernet Shiraz Merlot last night and had the same thought.
Ridiculously fresh for a 10yo wine.
Nice fruit weight and tannin, just starting to show some earthy maturity.

[Alan Foo]

IMG_5617ab.JPG

1994 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz
In remarkable condition, not much bubbles visible in the glass or detectable on the tongue, medium-sweet. Terrific wine enjoy it now, why wait.

[sjw_11]

In remarkable condition, not much bubbles visible in the glass or detectable on the tongue, medium-sweet. Terrific wine enjoy it now, why wait.

I have always wanted to try this wine... thanks for the note!

[Mike Hawkins]

I had the 85 and 86 SSSS a few months ago. Really enjoyable, with just a hint of the mushroom notes that tells me it’s time to drink up.

[Con J]

Last night I opened another Joseph with my neighbours, just as good as the one opened on Saturday. They loved it too.

Thanks for note Alan, haven’t had a 94 for long time.

Hi Mike.
These older SSS have had mushroom notes for the last 10-15 years. I love these old wines.

[Con J]

These are some of the wines I’ll be opening Saturday afternoon.
I thought a photo would be easier than writing them up.

Cheers Con.

[Alan Foo]

Last night I opened another Joseph with my neighbours, just as good as the one opened on Saturday. They loved it too.

Thanks for note Alan, haven’t had a 94 for long time.

Hi Mike.
These older SSS have had mushroom notes for the last 10-15 years. I love these old wines.

Thanks Con, I always love my Joseph.

Alan

[phillisc]

In remarkable condition, not much bubbles visible in the glass or detectable on the tongue, medium-sweet. Terrific wine enjoy it now, why wait.

I have always wanted to try this wine... thanks for the note!

Thanks for the note, i have a sixer of the '94 under crown seal, so may have aged as good as cork editions, who knows? I can't recall if its the extended time on lees version or the standard release.
Brought it for the lads birth year, like many other wines, buried somewhere.
Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

Another good example of Wynns making very age-able commercial wines.

2010 Wynns The Siding Cabernet
Great colour, still quite a bit of fruit, some cassis, but also some leather and mocha, mouth filling flavour, soft tannins, not much oak.

Had a box tucked in the cellar for some years, pulled some out as I am moving from the current cellar premises. What is let's say a $12 red, who bothers to store $12 reds for maybe 14 years? All of the cheaper commercial Wynns wines, the Gables, the Red Stripe, the white label Shiraz, they cost bugger all, but they do reward a few years in the cellar. Ok, they are never going to be JR, but they are still very enjoyable. Kudos to Wynns and the team.

Malcolm, I'm with you 100% but guess you're not surprised at all. I have recently knocked off a couple of six packs of 2012 white label Shiraz...very good drinking at $100/dozen.
I shudder and have a wry smile at the amount of wines in the cellar that Wynns now refer to as the "lesser" core range, but 30 years ago they were anything but. Perhaps I yearn for simpler times but have a good number of bottles from the 80s/90s and beyond. Time permitting, I would like to stand up '86 Hermitage, Red stripe BL and JR. At 40 years could be shot or...
Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

I’ve still got some of the 71 ‘Hermitage’ back in Oz, but every time I go to the storage place, my desire to open zillions of boxes to find it and others wanes pretty quickly… and so it will sit there indefinitely

[phillisc]

I’ve still got some of the 71 ‘Hermitage’ back in Oz, but every time I go to the storage place, my desire to open zillions of boxes to find it and others wanes pretty quickly… and so it will sit there indefinitely

Mike, you've got it in one!

I call it cardboard aerobics/liquorice allsorts, as I have a good idea of whats in the "zillion" cartons, but there will be plenty of randoms too.
Plan over the next 12 months is to finally get a 43 year collection sorted.

Cheers Craig