After reading Brian's web-site that DM's have a special on the 1999 Glaetzer Shiraz, I thought in the interest of science we would crack a bottle and see how it was travelling.
The tasting note description on the back of the bottle goes something like this:
"The complex nose shows hints of mocha, licorice, blackberry, cassis and earthy, leathery aromas. Chocolate, plum and spice flavours on the palate are enhanced by satin soft tannins and superbly integrated oak".
Well all I can say about the bottle we tasted is that there is plenty of vanillin oak. Not sure what it integrated with, but whatever it was it has long departed! If this wine was tasted blind I would have straight away guessed Wolf Blass. There is so much oak on the nose and palate that whatever fruit this had, it has long disappeared. If you like an oaky wine with bonus toothpicks, then this is for you. Otherwise stay away! The blackberry and plum flavours have departed leaving a wine that is a shadow of it's former self. Plenty of sediment in the first glass poured, and definitely not worth the discounted price of $24 DM's is asking IMHO. Better off buying the 2004 Saltram Mamre releases in my book. JO was definitely right in his assesssment of this wine - 86 points and a drinking window of 2001-04. This wine is well past it's peak!
I've had two positive reviews, one from a DM fine wine manager and another one. One mentioned lots of sediment, the other didn't:
"Had a bottle tonight with a hard marker. No drama. Not crusty (as I had read). Well balanced and has aged very well in the bottle. Drinking I'd say at its peak right now and very worthwhile at the $24 price tag. Whoever said it's a dump must have received a bad batch."
Vagaries of cork or different people's perceptions? Isn't wine strange stuff?
I haven't seen it locally yet, not sure if I want to bother trying one unless they have it on tasting.
Cheers Brian Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
I tried this at the local DM last week.
My impression was initially it had an interesting earthy nose that I liked because it was different. In the mouth it seemed like it was a good quality wine with a nice mouth feel, but as said before mostly oak and the fruit was looking a bit tired. Seemed like decent value ( as things always do when someone is telling you it's half price ) I didn't buy any, It just didn't excite me. I'm sure some will find it worthwhile for the price but others wont. I'd be interested in your opinion RB since you don't mind oak?, but I'd be surpised if you said it was great.
Can't wait to try the 2004 Saltram Mamre, but with how much it's been talked up I'll probably like it no matter what's in the glass Graham
grahamg wrote: I'd be interested in your opinion RB since you don't mind oak?, but I'd be surpised if you said it was great.
Graham, I'm not willing to spend the money to try it, I have too many ready to drink wines already, but I'll drop in to my local DM and see if it's on tasting.
You are right, I don't mind a fair dollop of oak, as long as the oak is "good" and there is some fruit to go with it.
Cheers Brian Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Red Bigot wrote:Interesting, thanks AJ. "Had a bottle tonight with a hard marker. No drama. Not crusty (as I had read). Well balanced and has aged very well in the bottle. Drinking I'd say at its peak right now and very worthwhile at the $24 price tag. Whoever said it's a dump must have received a bad batch."
Just had to buy one to try. I would have to agree with the quote above. Tannins silky soft, no over the top oak. All in balance and drinking superbly but with plenty of time to consume the others. I reckon a bargain at $24. I am getting some more.
MM.
Night two:- left overnight in fridge and allowed to warm up in glass. This is one beautiful wine. All I can suggest is that there must be significant bottle/batch variation as at $24 it is excellent VFM.
MM.
I have a couple of these, that were replacements from the winery for some crook 96 Shiraz.
I tried one on Fri/Sat. I really didnt like it at all, and opened something else. It was hard, astringent and oakey.
Bruce
Muscat Mike wrote:Just had to buy one to try. I would have to agree with the quote above. Tannins silky soft, no over the top oak. All in balance and drinking superbly but with plenty of time to consume the others. I reckon a bargain at $24. I am getting some more. MM.
Mike,
Didn't get any of these characteristics from the bottle we tried ... in fact it sounds like you are describing a totally different wine! This is amazing bottle variation!
Brucer wrote:I have a couple of these, that were replacements from the winery for some crook 96 Shiraz. I tried one on Fri/Sat. I really didnt like it at all, and opened something else. It was hard, astringent and oakey. Bruce
Brucer,
This sounds more like the bottle we had and we also procured it direct from the winery.
First post for me at auswine, finally was able to register for the forums!
I have one bottle of this sitting at home waiting for my flu to clear off. I snuck a tasting at my local dan murphy's and my initial impression of this wine was fantastic. I thought it had an excellent balance of fruit and smooth tannins.
The wine guys at DM Menai both agreed this was an excellent drop that held up well the second day.
winetastic wrote:First post for me at auswine, finally was able to register for the forums!
I have one bottle of this sitting at home waiting for my flu to clear off. I snuck a tasting at my local dan murphy's and my initial impression of this wine was fantastic. I thought it had an excellent balance of fruit and smooth tannins.
The wine guys at DM Menai both agreed this was an excellent drop that held up well the second day.
Cheers, Murray
Welcome, Murray - agree with you on the Glaetzer, bought a case - found it to be a classy wine, not over-extracted or over-oaked, and developing nicely in the glass over a few hours - contrary to some opinions, I think it'll be even better in 2 or 4 years.
Bought a case after trying a sample bottle that was excellent, great well intergrated oak, soft supple fruit and silky tannins. Had 3 bottles since & every 1 has been different, the worst was murky and dank just going to cardboard, another was fruit stripped.
I agree with the earlier sentiment HUGE bottle variation.
Just finished off my first full bottle of the stuff. Very dissappointing.
I felt I did all the right things, stood the bottle upright for several days and careful decanting to remove the fairly large amount of sediment.
The nose was earthy with a little blackcurrant, however the fruit on the palate I had found so vibrant at the tasting was distinctly missing and the finish slightly bitter.
andigold wrote:Bought a case after trying a sample bottle that was excellent, great well intergrated oak, soft supple fruit and silky tannins. Had 3 bottles since & every 1 has been different, the worst was murky and dank just going to cardboard, another was fruit stripped.
I agree with the earlier sentiment HUGE bottle variation.
I sent this email to Glaetzer after 4 of the bottles I bought were no good
Hi guys I brought a dozen of the 99 Shiraz you were selling via Dan Murphys after tasting an excellent bottle. I have since had 4 bottles and they have all been a bit spoiled. Is this a wide spread problem? I participate on the auswine forum and there was a thread about it at link removed which also complained about a great deal of bottle variation. The 4 bottles I have had so far have been undrinkable. Look forward to your response. Thanks Andrew
They responded today
Dear Andrew
Thank you for your comments regarding our Glaetzer Shiraz 1999.
In all honesty we have sold a lot of this wine over the last few years and this is the first time that we have had any type of complaint. Unfortunately with a problem like cork taint, it does tend to run through batches/lot marks hence the 4 bottles you unluckily bought.
We are more than happy to replace the 4 bottles and so will send these to you – would it be possible to have your work address as we send our wine via Australian Post and they need a signature?
) I didn't buy any, It just didn't excite me. I'm sure some will find it worthwhile for the price but others wont. I'd be interested in your opinion RB since you don't mind oak?, but I'd be surpised if you said it was great.
. 
This is amazing bottle variation!