The Auswine Forum

Ian S wrote: I'd argue that it's 90% about producer and 10% about region.

I would agree for basically everything.

Ozzie W wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:Barossa should give up on Cabernet. It is appalling (how is that for a sweeping provocation)

Sure, there are there better regions in Australia to grow Cabernet. But I've still had some excellent ones from the Barossa over the years.

People do say favourable things about Rockford's Rifle Range. For my own part I have a couple of Barossa cabernets in the cellar that I have high hopes for, specifically Lehmann's 1999 Mentor and Seppelt's 1998 Mamre Brook, but until I open them I suppose I can't as yet put them forward as good examples of Barossa cabernet.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:

Ozzie W wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:Barossa should give up on Cabernet. It is appalling (how is that for a sweeping provocation)

Sure, there are there better regions in Australia to grow Cabernet. But I've still had some excellent ones from the Barossa over the years.

People do say favourable things about Rockford's Rifle Range. For my own part I have a couple of Barossa cabernets in the cellar that I have high hopes for, specifically Lehmann's 1999 Mentor and Seppelt's 1998 Mamre Brook, but until I open them I suppose I can't as yet put them forward as good examples of Barossa cabernet.

Some people say the Rifle Range is their best wine. I have some 2012 and 2013 in the cellar. The 2012 is particularly outstanding by all accounts. I don't plan to open one at least 2030. I like Cabernet with at least around 20 years on them.

Ozzie W wrote:

Mahmoud Ali wrote:

Ozzie W wrote: Sure, there are there better regions in Australia to grow Cabernet. But I've still had some excellent ones from the Barossa over the years.

People do say favourable things about Rockford's Rifle Range. For my own part I have a couple of Barossa cabernets in the cellar that I have high hopes for, specifically Lehmann's 1999 Mentor and Seppelt's 1998 Mamre Brook, but until I open them I suppose I can't as yet put them forward as good examples of Barossa cabernet.

Some people say the Rifle Range is their best wine. I have some 2012 and 2013 in the cellar. The 2012 is particularly outstanding by all accounts. I don't plan to open one at least 2030. I like Cabernet with at least around 20 years on them.

Ozzie I was particularly impressed with the 16 RR and yes very much agree, 20 years is the ideal window.
Cheers Craig

Craig(NZ) wrote:Barossa should give up on Cabernet. It is appalling (how is that for a sweeping provocation)

My dad, at one time Production GM for Wolf Blass, has exactly this view. Of course Wolf had always taken the cabernet mostly from elsewhere (notably Langhorne Creek as mentioned) so that view might have biased his opinion. I generally find the Cabs from the Barossa more hit and miss and not as uniformly good as regions better suited but I am not quite as strict as to say "rip it all out".

Rockie's Rifle Range being probably the key rebuttal (and the Rod & Spur, Shiraz/Cab).
I used to enjoy the Jenke Cab Franc, can't remember if that extended also to their CS.
I think Turkey Flat's CS was OK, thought I typically bought the Shiraz or the Mouvedre (before they changed the style of the latter to be a simple fruity wine... bizarre)

Sam,

I remember the Jenke cellar door quite well, the winemaker's sister presented the wines. I too was impressed by their cabernet franc made from a then young Golf Link vineyard, but the one that really piqued my interest was their mourvedre which, according to my cellar list note, is made from vines planted in 1890. I also liked their semillon but frankly speaking I do not remember their cabernet.

Sam, Seppelts Dorien Cabernet from the Barossa is a lovely wine. I see a few come up at auction from time to time.
Cheers Craig

phillisc wrote:Sam, Seppelts Dorien Cabernet from the Barossa is a lovely wine. I see a few come up at auction from time to time.
Cheers Craig

Oh good call. I was given a bottle of the 1999 for Xmas in 2004 and drank it for xmas 10 years later in 2014 and I remember it as very good. Hardly ever saw it around. Anybody know where the fruit now goes? (maybe one for the "whatever happened" thread)

sjw_11 wrote:

phillisc wrote:Sam, Seppelts Dorien Cabernet from the Barossa is a lovely wine. I see a few come up at auction from time to time.
Cheers Craig

Oh good call. I was given a bottle of the 1999 for Xmas in 2004 and drank it for xmas 10 years later in 2014 and I remember it as very good. Hardly ever saw it around. Anybody know where the fruit now goes? (maybe one for the "whatever happened" thread)

Yes, I have tried and agree it is about as good as it gets in the Barossa
But generally from the 8-10 I tried on tour, I do wonder why they bother
Coonawarra, Margaret River and NZ (blends) eat them alive

Fwiw I love Barossa Cab. Its not my favourite cab, but I do like its point of difference. I seem to be an outlier.

mjs wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:Barossa should give up on Cabernet. It is appalling (how is that for a sweeping provocation)

Penfolds Kalimna Block 42 begs to differ

"One swallow does not a summer make" as the old saying goes.

I haven't opened my solitary bottle yet, so informed personal comment pending...

Craig(NZ) wrote:

mjs wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:Barossa should give up on Cabernet. It is appalling (how is that for a sweeping provocation)

Penfolds Kalimna Block 42 begs to differ

"One swallow does not a summer make" as the old saying goes.

I haven't opened my solitary bottle yet, so informed personal comment pending...

tbh, Rockford RR is the only other Barossa cab that I would put on my list, so yes, not a lot of swallows this summer

Aside from the Rocky RR an R&S, I also rate the Pindarie scoffs hill Cab Sauv.

I have also enjoyed the Fox Gordon B&S Cab Sauv, the vintage I have tried punched way above its weight.

mjs wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:

mjs wrote: Penfolds Kalimna Block 42 begs to differ

"One swallow does not a summer make" as the old saying goes.

I haven't opened my solitary bottle yet, so informed personal comment pending...

tbh, Rockford RR is the only other Barossa cab that I would put on my list, so yes, not a lot of swallows this summer

I tried RRR. Good wine but hardly profound in my opinion

But I tried enough really really tidy shiraz to be delighted by the trip. I was really surprised how many wines i was really taken with. A lot of fun and the staff at all the cellar doors were absolutely superb. Torebreck was the only CD that I would rate as a bit "cold" and transactional. Every other CD had staff that were amazingly engaged, fun and extremely well informed. Top notch and well done. NZ could learn a thing or two in that respect.

phillisc wrote:Sam, Seppelts Dorien Cabernet from the Barossa is a lovely wine. I see a few come up at auction from time to time.
Cheers Craig

Guess who’s been buying them.
Had the 1996 about 6 months ago and was fabulous.

Cheers Con.

Con,

Now you're just bragging

cheers, Malcolm

I'd go further than that, best pic of the year.
Con, I need to get over to Melbourne, sounds like a pretty good Seppelts tasting is in order, I have 98 Great Western Cabernet (no longer made) and I think an 84 or 86 Drumborg somewhere.
Cheers Craig