Chain Power

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:04 pm

The way of the future if the chains kill the competition?

The Wolf Blass 2002 Gold Label Adelaide Shiraz/Viognier scored a few gongs at the NWS, including the trophy for best Dry Red. The Gold Label series is about $25 rrp, $20 street price, less on special. I managed to score the last 6-pack of a small allocation @$19 + freight from a Sydney retailer and was advised from another retailer that it could be listed at $19 if they could get stock. It seems VC has cornered remaining Oz stocks and it is featured in the latest cellar Press at $26.99 in 12 bottle buys.

SUPPORT THE SMALL INDEPENDENT RETAILERS!

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:06 pm

Have you tried it, Brian? If so, what did you think?

Red Bigot · Post by **Red Bigot** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 7:28 pm

David Lole wrote:Have you tried it, Brian? If so, what did you think?

David, I tried it at the NWS tasting and thought it was very impressive, but I actually preferred the extra structure of the $50+ Yering Station Reserve Shiraz/Viognier that came second in that class.

It was also in a line-up of 2002 Shiraz at my Monday tasting group tonight and it was just pipped in the group ranking by the Elderton 2002 Shiraz, I voted the S/V top, then the firmly structured Tait "Ballbuster" Shiraz/Cab/merlot, then the Elderton, but there wasn't a lot in it.

The WB S/V is a mid-weight wine with attractive lifted, spicy nose, bright spicy dark fruits of all sorts, with dried apple/apricot nuances from the viognier and subtle balanced oak and tannins. It is very well balanced, velvety in mid-palate and a long finish with just enough clean acid. Don't know how it will cellar (under stelvin), it's very drinkable now, but at $19 I would have bought a case, at $25+ it's worth another 6-pack to add to the 3 left after tastings.

David Lole · Post by **David Lole** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:38 pm

Thanks for that, Brian. Shiraz/Voignier looks like being the new kid on the block. $19 sounds like terrific QPR, to me. As you say, $25's still pretty good value too, especially when compared to Tim Kirk's impressive, iconic offering.