I hate %#@#$& corks #2041

[Red Bigot]

Rather than hijack the Sunday thread some more, I'm unhappy to report that two of 4 bottles we opened last night were corked, including the Jacobs Creek Limited releases Shiraz-Cabernet 99 that was the replacement yesterday for the corked 98 version of this wine the night before. We are not impressed, John even less so, it's four bottles on the JC LR 98/99 in a row for him that have been corked.

That makes 6 of 13 opened so far from the older wines we brought to drink after tasting young reds all day! This is the worst run of cork taint I've ever personally experienced, it's enough to make a grown man cry!

[Ian S]

Brian
Will you be dropping the JC wine off at the cellar door? If so, it would be interesting to see what the reaction is.
regards
Ian

[n4sir]

Rather than hijack the Sunday thread some more, I'm unhappy to report that two of 4 bottles we opened last night were corked, including the Jacobs Creek Limited releases Shiraz-Cabernet 99 that was the replacement yesterday for the corked 98 version of this wine the night before. We are not impressed, John even less so, it's four bottles on the JC LR 98/99 in a row for him that have been corked.

That makes 6 of 13 opened so far from the older wines we brought to drink after tasting young reds all day! This is the worst run of cork taint I've ever personally experienced, it's enough to make a grown man cry!

Sounds spookily like the crap run I had with corks from 1998 vintage wines last year - were the majority of these '98s too?

Apart from this glitch I hope the trip is going well.

Cheers,
Ian

[DJ]

Bought some quaffers yesterday and 34 out of 36 bottles were screwcap

It is a good trend. Cork was a great technology - 300 years ago

[TORB]

Brian
Will you be dropping the JC wine off at the cellar door? If so, it would be interesting to see what the reaction is.
regards
Ian

Ian,

They could not have been more professional, polite and helpful. Took the bottle, sniffed it, agreed and someone went off to get a replacement 98. They apologised as they had no 98's and asked in a 99 was OK.

They also filled in a form to send with the wine to QC.

[Red Bigot]

Sounds spookily like the crap run I had with corks from 1998 vintage wines last year - were the majority of these '98s too?

Apart from this glitch I hope the trip is going well.

Cheers,
Ian

Yes, the wines were nearly all 1998 and 99 vintage, one the latest release of the Bullers RLB Sparkling Shiraz.

Today we visited Haan (brilliant 2005 reds), Kaesler (many superb wines as usual, including a new McLaren Vale range of reds) and Rolf Binder ( a huge range with some really outstanding wines, but too many seemingly 'formula' wines). Dinner at Vinters tonight with some nearly full bottles of Reid's best that we know are not corked, he's a very generous guy as well as a great winemaker.

[Red Bigot]

Our incredibly bad and unbelievable run of cork failures continues, last night the first two bottles opened were corked, a 94 Seppelts Show Sparkling Shiraz (Ric's) and a Petaluma Coonawarra 1994 (mine)! Thankfully the backup cabernet (Wendouree 1996) was in grat form and the Balmoral Syrah 1996 was singing.

I tried to exercise mind over matter on the SRSS, but couldn't finish half the glass.

8 duds out of 17.

[Craig(NZ)]

8 duds out of 17.

couldnt have happened to a nicer guy either

(note for those who dont know what that means where I live. It means que sera sera. what ever will be will be, consolations, commiserations. You say it to a losing sports team, you say it to those with hard luck)

[Red Bigot]

No corked wines tonight! 96 Kays Block 6 and 94 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz, both singing.

Best value wines today were 2005 Grenache and Mataro and/or blends, from Murray St Vineyards and Deisen, just had to buy, also Peter Lehmann Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz 1999 is a ripper.

[Red Bigot]

I thought the bad run couldn't continue - I was wrong.

Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2002, so badly tainted it was clearly DNPIM.

Update: A prompt response from Kilikanoon to my email, a current vintage replacement is on the way. Thanks Catherine.

[griff]

Oh dear! I had a small bad run lately but only 5 in the last month and I thought THAT was bad...

cheers

Carl

[Brucer]

I am having a real bad time with corked Rockfords lately.

2 weeks ago it was a 96 Basket Press, so I then opened a 99, and it was corked too.

Last week a Black shiraz was stuffed, followed by an 02 Cabernet.

The winery happily replaced all wines with the same vintage.

Thanks Rockford
Bruce

[Winelover]

I just got a cheap lot of Chalk Hill wines from another e-tailing / review site. Only $60 + Freight for 2004 shiraz on a "Red Hot Deal". It had an Irish export label on it. One bottle was corked just now. Can't complain at the price but god I wish for these sort of wines they'd stick with a cork....

[Ryan]

Update: A prompt response from Kilikanoon to my email, a current vintage replacement is on the way. Thanks Catherine.

Not a bad outcome, the current oracle is absolutely smashing.

i sell this wine.

[Maximus]

Update: A prompt response from Kilikanoon to my email, a current vintage replacement is on the way. Thanks Catherine.

Not a bad outcome, the current oracle is absolutely smashing.

I prefer the Covenant - less oaky.

[Adair]

Best value wines today were 2005 Grenache and Mataro and/or blends, from Murray St Vineyards and Deisen, just had to buy, also Peter Lehmann Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz 1999 is a ripper.

My mother just bought me a 6-pack of the 1999 Peter Lehmann Black Queen for my birthday (which was a actually a few months ago but who cares).

Good mother!

Adair

[seanwines]

Ive not had a corked wine for about two years or more. Hope my luck continues.

[Anonymous]

A few months ago I bought two 6-packs of Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz 1991 - one from Bocaccio and one from Chancellor cellars. I have now tried seven out of the twelve bottles and all but one were badly corked. Is it feasable to approach the retailers (or the winery) and ask for a replacement?

What should one do with the remaining bottles? The one good bottle so far was excellent, but it is not a cheap wine (around $70pb).

Any advice?

[TORB]

The chances of getting six out of seven being corked are incredible. Are you sure its not Brett rather than TCA?

At the price quoted I take it you mean its the Show Reserve Sparkling, not the Original.

Also, I don't know why you paid $70 as Winesearcher shows one of the two retailers mentioned is selling it for $47.

[Murray]

A few months ago I bought two 6-packs of Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz 1991 - one from Bocaccio and one from Chancellor cellars. I have now tried seven out of the twelve bottles and all but one were badly corked. Is it feasable to approach the retailers (or the winery) and ask for a replacement?

What should one do with the remaining bottles? The one good bottle so far was excellent, but it is not a cheap wine (around $70pb).

Any advice?

Bummer you should have reported each one as you encountered it; saving the remainder of the bottle for return for verification in each case. If you have drunk the bottle (you don't say in the note) it can be deemed that you've accepted the bottle and as such not entitled to a refund or exchange.

One of the factors in the suspension of the Seppelt Show Sparkling was TCA in one case, the TCA was in the cork liners of crown seals of one vintage of the wines on lees (bad choice there).

In any case, let them know.

[Red Bigot]

Ive not had a corked wine for about two years or more. Hope my luck continues.

Sean, you are either extraordinarily insensitive to TCA or you drink a lot of wines under screwcap.

[Red Bigot]

The chances of getting six out of seven being corked are incredible. Are you sure its not Brett rather than TCA?

Yep, the 91 had a lot of brett problems, it wasn't reknowned for TCA though.

At the price quoted I take it you mean its the Show Reserve Sparkling, not the Original.

Also, I don't know why you paid $70 as Winesearcher shows one of the two retailers mentioned is selling it for $47.

The other one usually charges full RRP + freight. And they don't like their trademarked name being mentioned either.

[Nayan]

Ive not had a corked wine for about two years or more. Hope my luck continues.

Sean, you are either extraordinarily insensitive to TCA or you drink a lot of wines under screwcap.

I have a couple of friends (in the trade, no less) who are TCA blind. I often envy them.

[fivewells]

Brian, amazing - with this last lot

For the Seppelts Show Sparkling Shiraz - I had one, a 1994, last Friday - it was brilliant !!! - HOWEVER, there are two different methods of sealing in 94 for the Show Reserve, 1) Traditional champanne cork and 2) a 'beer bottle' cap on the normal bottle - this one was the 'beer' cap. Of note I also have some traditional 94's as well - I will let you know !!

Regards Geoff

Our incredibly bad and unbelievable run of cork failures continues, last night the first two bottles opened were corked, a 94 Seppelts Show Sparkling Shiraz (Ric's) and a Petaluma Coonawarra 1994 (mine)! Thankfully the backup cabernet (Wendouree 1996) was in grat form and the Balmoral Syrah 1996 was singing.

I tried to exercise mind over matter on the SRSS, but couldn't finish half the glass.

8 duds out of 17.

[seanwines]

"insensitive to TCA" - No I can Pick it up!
"wines under screwcap" - I have some, about 2%

[Red Bigot]

"insensitive to TCA" - No I can Pick it up!
"wines under screwcap" - I have some, about 2%

Then with your spectacular good luck I expect you picked the winner in the Melbourne Cup today and regularly win lotteries, chook raffles, meat trays etc.

[seanwines]

A few months ago I was tail-gated by this silver SUV, anyway I slowed down and let him/her pass.

On the Back of their tailgate were the letters "Say Yes to Cork" - I would like it to Say NO - to tail-gating.

I do remember my last TCA wine, it was a 2002 Cab from the Clare Valey. It was bought from a bottle shop here in Adelaide for $22.

[beef]

Ive not had a corked wine for about two years or more. Hope my luck continues.

Sean, you are either extraordinarily insensitive to TCA or you drink a lot of wines under screwcap.

I have a couple of friends (in the trade, no less) who are TCA blind. I often envy them.

** I am TCA-blind, and proud of it.

I believe, however, that I am the biggest Brett Nazi in the whole wide world.

Stuart

[Anonymous]

Ok, for you experts out there how would you distinguish "corked" (i.e. TCA affected) wine from Brett affected wine?

The best way I can describe my problems with the 1991 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz is that it smells like a wet dog - dank and musty. The underlying wine however seems fine if you can get past this.

Also, my wife (who by her own admission) cannot pick a shiraz from a riesling without looking at the colour just has to sniff the neck of the bottle and contorts her face into a horrible grimace, whereas it takes me a sip or two to really taste it.

Is it feasable to ask for a replacement of bad bottles either from a winery or from the retailer or would people just wear it as bad luck?

Cheers, drlev

[Red Bigot]

Ok, for you experts out there how would you distinguish "corked" (i.e. TCA affected) wine from Brett affected wine?

The best way I can describe my problems with the 1991 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz is that it smells like a wet dog - dank and musty. The underlying wine however seems fine if you can get past this.

Also, my wife (who by her own admission) cannot pick a shiraz from a riesling without looking at the colour just has to sniff the neck of the bottle and contorts her face into a horrible grimace, whereas it takes me a sip or two to really taste it.

Is it feasable to ask for a replacement of bad bottles either from a winery or from the retailer or would people just wear it as bad luck?

Cheers, drlev

Yeah, the musty wet dog, wet hessian, wet cardboard are usually TCA. See here for some info on brett: http://www.wineanorak.com/brettanomyces.htm

If the wine is overtly faulty and unsuitable for it's designed purpose ie drinking you are entitled to a replacement or refund. The recommended procedure is:

Retain the bottlle, contents (hopefully at least 80%, often 90% or more) and original cork.

If you have the receipt and it's convenient, take it back to the retailer your bought it from If they decline to assist, insist some more and if they still refuse, post that information here.

Alternatively email/phone/fax the winery, explain the fault and the details of the wine, they may ask for a bottling code on the bottle or the cork. They may ask you to return the bottle and contents (unlikely for a sparkling wine), this should be at their expense.

Most wineries these days will quickly replace faulty wines, particularly TCA-affected wines, or oxidised fairly recent vintages, brett can be a bit more tricky.

Remember, it's not your fault it's corked and you are entitled to a suitable replacement or refund.