The Annual Question: Best Red @$15

[NeilHK]

Hello again.....it's that time when my fares are booked and I start to think of those red bargains waiting around Victoria and Southern NSW.
I've got a case of Wyndham 555 Shiraz and cases of Waterwheel Shiraz and Verse1, but I'm throwing this question to the experts.
In 2006 you chose: Oomoo Shiraz and in 2007 it was Longhop Shiraz.
What's the best bargain shiraz at around $15?

And for something different......what's the best sparkling wine $15-$20?

Looking forward to your ideas.

[Adair]

Seppelt "Victorian" Shiraz (Although the State is not on the label anymore) (2006 I think) - awesome, at around $10 at supermarkets, for my palate. The Redbank does it for me as well. The cheaper SA Shiraz wines rely on too much oak for me.

2006 Yarra Burn Spakling at less than $20 for the sparkling. The Taltarni 2006 is too sweet (unlike the 2005).

My 3 cents,
Adair

[MilduraBob]

NeilHK,
From my point of view you have answered your own question when you mentioned the Waterwheel Shiraz. At $15 it is one of the best available. I have just taken a punt on a Quarisa Johnny Q Shiraz, but have not opened a bottle yet, so can't comment. It did get a good write up from a source that I have a lot of faith in, so I thought I'd give it a go.
You mentioned the Wyndham 555 and I was wondering what you paid for it! I just received an email from a wine retailer yesterday who is selling the Wyndham Bin range, including the 555 for $9.95 a bottle. I'll probably get jumped on for mentioning the supplier, but what the hell! Go to getwinesdirect.com and have a look if you are interested.
Cheers.
MilduraBob

[MilduraBob]

Oops! forgot to mention the sparkling.
Try the Lindauer Brut Cuvee. I think Dan Murphys has it for about $12.
There I go again mentioning a supplier, might get accused of sp-mming!!!!!
MilduraBob.

[Daryl Douglas]

Longhop Shiraz 2007 is better than last year's 2006. Nuff said. The CD price has been bumped but it can still be found for $15-$16 elsewhere.

Metala White Label Langhorne Creek Shiraz/Cab 2005 that I've found at $10.90 is still very good value at RRP. My favourite quaffer at present, I like the slight touch of regional eucalypt.

Thorne-Clark Shotfire Ridge Quartage 2006 is a cracker well worth paying the extra few dollars for when it can be found at $18.

Cheers

daz

Edit: The Metala I've had are from the 490Ks and the 272Ks bottle number ranges. The higher-numbered bottles are the better but were from a different source so storage conditions may be a factor.

[winetastic]

For mine it would probably be Mount Pleasant Philip Shiraz 2005, coming in around the $12-13 mark if you look in the right places.

Meera Park Shiraz 2006/2007 (hunter/hilltops blend) also rates a mention @ $15.

[Craig(NZ)]

Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc de Blancs for a sub $20 sparkler. A lot more refined than the normal special reserve

sub $15 reds. I dont go there often but Wynns Shiraz is usually pretty reliable

C

[Jimmy]

On recent efforts, I would go for the Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Red 2006 at around $13 - $14.

I opened a bottle of the Thorn Clarke Quartage 2006 this week and while I enjoyed it, the Scrubby rise gets the points for mine.

Cheers,
Jimmy

(edit: oops, just realised the question asked for best "shiraz" at around $15, in which case I can't help as I haven't had much shiraz at this price point lately)

[Roscoe]

Consider Richmond Grove Limited Release Shiraz 2002. It can still be found for around $15-16
also
Cimicky Trumps shiraz 06
Taylors shiraz 06

[Partagas]

With roscoe here. Richmond Grove Limited Release Shiraz 2002 is very good. Tried it early last year from memory. Also Annies Lane is pretty good on some vintages. Have not tried this for a little while though.

[dave vino]

Pepperjack Shiraz 2004 is a pretty nice drop, even the 06 is pretty good as a bbq quaffer.

LOL I just saw the other post asking for the 2004, but I have been a fan of it for a while

Meh I have to wait until I post another one, before I can link to my comments on the other forum.

[Daryl Douglas]

On recent efforts, I would go for the Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Red 2006 at around $13 - $14.

I opened a bottle of the Thorn Clarke Quartage 2006 this week and while I enjoyed it, the Scrubby rise gets the points for mine.

Cheers,
Jimmy

(edit: oops, just realised the question asked for best "shiraz" at around $15, in which case I can't help as I haven't had much shiraz at this price point lately)

The thread title is "Best Red @ $15". Haven't tried a Scrubby Rise for a while so didn't mention it but it is very good though, from memory, I couldn't rate it ahead of the Quartage.

Cheers

daz

[griff]

Second the 2005 Phillip. Finally Hunter is on song. Under screwcap and brett free

Honorable mention to Mike Press wines Shiraz. 05 was a stunner, 06 was good and shall have to check out 07. Not a bad price as you could almost get 2 bottles for the $15!

As for sparkling the Seppelt original. Not very original I know. Pick a vintage, any vintage. Some are better, some are not as good but they just compete with each other as the rest of the field is behind it (although they are catching up).

Runner-up would be the Trilogy Rose. Finally a cheap sparkling rose. Perhaps a touch too much dosage but good fruit.

cheers

Carl

[Bick]

On recent efforts, I would go for the Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Red 2006 at around $13 - $14.

Yeah, its shiraz, cab sauv, petit verdot of course, but its shiraz dominant, so should quailfy In fact, I had a bottle only 3 nights ago, and was very impressed. Super wine for the money.

[Maroon&Blue]

My two bobs worth..... Torzi Mathews Schist Rock 2007 very enjoyable now, but should develop with more bottle age. $15 + freight

Cheers

[n4sir]

On the sparkling red front Karatta Cuvee Shiraz Cabernet is pretty good, especially at around the $15/bottle mark.