The Auswine Forum

Sue and I will bring (all wines being sound I hope):

2000 Tyrrell's Reserve Steven Shiraz (HV)
1997 Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz
The alsace riesling I mentioned previously.

Edit: Changed wines - see later posting by n4sir

John #11 wrote:Sue and I will bring (all wines being sound I hope):

2003 Trevor Jones Wild Witch Reserve Shiraz
1998 Michael Shiraz
2003 Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling
The alsace riesling I mentioned previously.

Wow

are we each bringing 4 bottles of wine!

How much do you guys drink!?

Gavin Trott wrote:Wow

are we each bringing 4 bottles of wine!

How much do you guys drink!?

It's 'only' four per couple Gavin - still, it is looking like a big night ahead of us.

I still think this is something we need to think about in future.

I'm bringing 2 per person, because that seems to be the standard and I don't want people to think i'm tight by being the only diner bringing 1 per person!

Scanlon wrote:2000 Waninga Shiraz (I think their vines were bought out by Skillogalee in about 2001 - this was their last vintage)

They were bought by McWilliams.

Well, if different Shiraz wines is the theme

I might bring along

2005 Battely Syrah

and

2005 Penley Estate Special Select Shiraz

Different regions and styles indeed.

BTW

Can I ask why so early, why a 6 pm start??

Is not 7 or 7:30 a bit more civilised??

or did I miss something?

I've got a problem... I can't decide what to take

The shiraz is locked in - 05 Maverick "Trial Hill" from the Eden Valley. Never heard of those guys or tried their wine before, so it could be good or it could be terrible.

I'm stuck with the whites. Choices are:

1994 Eldredge Watervale Riesling (magnum)
1996 Domaine Gateau de la Biche Vouvray
1998 Richmond Grove Barossa Riesling (Stelvin)
2008 Pewsey Vale "Prima" Riesling (will have some residual sugar, it's only 9%ABV).

The Eldredge might be good or it might be terrible, I'll find out when I open it... the Richmond Grove is sealed under Stelvin, so that gets my vote - although the Vouvray and Pewsey Vale are just as enticing...!

Gavin Trott wrote:BTW

Can I ask why so early, why a 6 pm start??

Is not 7 or 7:30 a bit more civilised??

or did I miss something?

We usually start around 6.30 - 7, but I guess we need to start early to get through all the wine Especially after Sarah's "two bottles per person" statement I've never taken more than one bottle per person (except the first time), but I guess I will this time.

For shiraz I'm thinking a blockbuster and a more delicate one....so very likely the 2006 Hentley Farm "The Beast" (the blockbuster) and I'm tempted to take the 2006 Ngeringa Adelaide Hills Syrah (the delicate...slightly inspired by Hallidays TN I must admit). For riesling I'm thinking 2001 Heggies Reserve and the 200? Petaluma "Experimental Auslese".

Steve: I've tried the 1998 Richmond Grove - really nice. The Pewsey Vale Prima is also stunning IMO.

cheers,

I'm looking forward to this night. For a red I'm thinking of a Wirra Wirra RSW 02, or the Turkey Flat shiraz 02, or the 01 St Peter's. Any preferences Gustav?
I love reisling and chinese food and Gustav has mentioned a liking for this variety as well. Having met the viticulturist for Patrick T wines at the Coonawarra roadshow the other night Ive been intrigued by their 04 reisling. Its got a respectable comment from Halliday and was grown in pure white sand in the wrattonbully area. After spending ten years trying to grow vegetables in the same white sand while living at Naracoorte I'm intrigued to see the results.
regards chris

Looks like there will be way too many wines (esp. SA shiraz)

I've decided to change what I bring. see above.

ck wrote:I'm looking forward to this night. For a red I'm thinking of a Wirra Wirra RSW 02, or the Turkey Flat shiraz 02, or the 01 St Peter's. Any preferences Gustav?

Chris, I'm a fan of all the wines you mention so I leave it up to you ot make the choice The riesling also sounds very interesting. I'm sure it's gonna be a great evening and both me and Tove are looking very much forward to it.

cheers,

At the risk of sounding bossy, I'd better say a couple of things before this drifts any further...

One bottle per person/two per couple is okay. Really it is, and with up to 20 people going it's actually preferable. Last year at Soho we had 17 people and 34 bottles which was way too much - suspecting things could end up the same way, I booked the early time so the staff aren't mopping up after us well after midnight. That said I'd ideally like to restrict this to say 3 bottles for every two people - if you wan't to bring additional unopened bottles in case of a dud or in the unlikely event we run out of wine, that's fine too. Even with two tables we're going to be crammed for time and space, so I'd still rather aim for a little less quantity.

Gustav has mainly tried recent Shiraz from SA, and most of what's been suggested are post '90s SA Shiraz. As good as they are, how about some from regions he hasn't tried yet, like Margaret River, Heathcote, Grampians, and even the Hunter Valley? A few different expressions would be good too, so how about a sparkling Shiraz, young fortified or Rose as some other alternatives? This is going to be a long night, and I'd like to see a wider variety.

Cheers,
Ian

(Edit - I see John's already taken up the Sparkling & Hunter options)

Happy not to bring SA Shiraz, and agree about the 'way too much' wine thing.

(Thought I was just being a whimp!)

I'll still bring the Battely Syrah, and also something different perhaps, like 2003 Mt Langi Ghiran Shiraz as a back up.

Non SA.

However, I won't be there by 6 pm, just way too early for me.

Sorry guys, I'll miss the first few wines, no problem, and catch you all there.

Gavin Trott wrote:Happy not to bring SA Shiraz, and agree about the 'way too much' wine thing.

(Thought I was just being a whimp!)

I'll still bring the Battely Syrah, and also something different perhaps, like 2003 Mt Langi Ghiran Shiraz as a back up.

Non SA.

However, I won't be there by 6 pm, just way too early for me.

Sorry guys, I'll miss the first few wines, no problem, and catch you all there.

Nice choices Gavin! I think we'll probably be just through the introductions and into the whites by the time you get there.

An updated list with some of the proposed wines/styles:

Gustav & Tove - 06 Hentley Farm The Beast & 06 Ngeringa shiraz & Heggies or Petaluma riesling
n4sir +3 - 96 Bannockburn shiraz or 96 Limestone Ridge 1.5L, 72 Seaview Shiraz VP & ??
Robert & Janet - NZ Gewurz & ?
David & Pam - ??
John#11 & Sue - 00 Tyrrells HV shiraz, 03 Alsace riesling, 97 Black Queen SS
Scanlon +1 - 00 Jeanneret Denis or Waninga shiraz, 00 Jantz late disgorged, 05 Trevor Jones reserve riesling
Steve - 05 Maverick Eden Valley shiraz & 96 Domaine Gateau de la Biche Vouvray
ck - 02 RSW or Turkey Flat or 01 St Peters shiraz & 04 Patrick T Coonawarra riesling
Gavin Trott - 05 Battely shiraz or 03 Mt Langi Ghiran shiraz
markg - ?
crusty2 (maybe)

Cheers,
Ian

Agreeing with all the above comments & the too much SA shiraz (I don't really have anything else, infortunately!), and have decided to bring the jansz and a 2005 trevor jones reserve riesling that I picked up today. Very moorish.

Hm, I'll investigate the non South Australia shiraz but I don't think I have very much - or any - that we haven't already seen recently.

I'll take the Vouvray and the shiraz and given the sentiments about quantity, I'll leave the magnum of riesling at home...!

I've made some last minute changes. We'll be bringing:
2006 Cape Jaffa La Lune Shiraz (in the top three of what I've tasted while living here - still SA though)
2001 Heggies Reserve Riesling
1998 Chateau Reynella VP (fantastic stuff)

cheers,

Gustav wrote:1998 Chateau Reynella VP (fantastic stuff)

cheers,

Shhhhh!

It really is mediocre. Ignore the reviews please. I can't believe that a vintage port in this day and age is worth $30.

cheers

Carl

griff wrote:

Gustav wrote:1998 Chateau Reynella VP (fantastic stuff)

cheers,

Shhhhh!

It really is mediocre. Ignore the reviews please. I can't believe that a vintage port in this day and age is worth $30.

cheers

Carl

Carl,
Our opinions seem to be diametrical regarding this wine. I gladly pay $30 for this fortified shiraz.

cheers,

Gustav wrote:

griff wrote:

Gustav wrote:1998 Chateau Reynella VP (fantastic stuff)

cheers,

Shhhhh!

It really is mediocre. Ignore the reviews please. I can't believe that a vintage port in this day and age is worth $30.

cheers

Carl

Carl,
Our opinions seem to be diametrical regarding this wine. I gladly pay $30 for this fortified shiraz.

cheers,

Was an attempt at sarcasm. Obviously didn't work! My apologies.

I love this wine and think it is a super super bargain. Best young Australian vintage port that I have ever tried.

Luckily for the consumer in this day and age fortifieds in general are undervalued. I am serious in saying that if Constellation brands realize what a bargain it is they will push the price up for sure.

cheers

Carl

Briony Liebich is a late starter for tonight, and will bring the one bottle, most likely an aged riesling

The 2000 Reserve Stevens Shiraz has just been decanted, getting ready for tonight, and IMO it is a wonderful example of Hunter Valley shiraz, complete with sweaty saddle, something that Gustav must taste before heading home

I will bring a backup, a 2000 Houghtons Gladstones Shiraz (Frankland River), for obvious reasons.

griff wrote:

Gustav wrote:

griff wrote:

Gustav wrote:1998 Chateau Reynella VP (fantastic stuff)

cheers,

Shhhhh!

It really is mediocre. Ignore the reviews please. I can't believe that a vintage port in this day and age is worth $30.

cheers

Carl

Carl,
Our opinions seem to be diametrical regarding this wine. I gladly pay $30 for this fortified shiraz.

cheers,

Was an attempt at sarcasm. Obviously didn't work! My apologies.

I love this wine and think it is a super super bargain. Best young Australian vintage port that I have ever tried.

Luckily for the consumer in this day and age fortifieds in general are undervalued. I am serious in saying that if Constellation brands realize what a bargain it is they will push the price up for sure.

cheers

Carl

Hehe, the thought did occur to me

cheers,

Things have been rather hectic and haven't exactly gone to plan here...

Mark Wickman rang and said he may either be late or mightn't make it at all - if that's the case he passes on his best wishes to Gustav & Tove.

The 1996 Bannockburn magnum is a bust - the backup Limestone Ridge is open and in perfect condition. I'll take my chances and open the 72 Seaview VP at the table - if it's a dud at least there's Gustav's Chateau Reynella to enjoy.

I forgot the Crows game is a late start today, so there's a chance I might get there a little late even if we leave early - hopefully I don't get drenched at the game. The tables are booked under the names of Ian Hickman/Auswine forum, so if I'm not there just introduce yourselves and by all means start things going - see you there!

Cheers,
Ian