The Auswine Forum

Agree everything above re TWE. Caught in a vice like grip of falling demand and other emerging premium brands catching up on quality. Have heard world wide demand for wine is down 12% from its peak a few years ago.That's a lot of wine. Bin 389 @ $100 doesn't make sense and there is plenty of other wines that are as good at lower prices. I feel for the growers who will be raped and pillaged by TWE on volume and price.

I was out to dinner with an Asian friend who proudly displayed a bottle of Bin 28 in a shiny elaborate gold and red box. Wine was average. Box the winner. This love affair will likely recede over time. As Warren Buffett once said - It's only when the tide goes out do you see who is swimming naked.

Chuck wrote: ↑Fri Dec 19, 2025 9:51 am
I was out to dinner with an Asian friend who proudly displayed a bottle of Bin 28 in a shiny elaborate gold and red box. Wine was average. Box the winner. This love affair will likely recede over time. As Warren Buffett once said - It's only when the tide goes out do you see who is swimming naked.

That's a good one Chuck

Merry Christmas to everyone

Thanks.
Alan

felixp21 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 1:30 pm 2018 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay
thought I'd pop a TN here because, simply put, this is an absolute legend in the making.
drinking well despite its young age (well, very young for a LEAS CHARDONNAY), this now gets my vote as the best of this most prestigious line. (IMO only second to Grange for its long term excellence and consistency)
a powerful, complex and utterly majestic wine without peer for me in this vintage. Stunning, greeted by general "wows" around the table.
absurd length, myriad of flavours and, despite the luscious fruit, has a steely core giving it endless energy and drive.
I have seen this wine at least a dozen times since release, and while it has always been promising, I honestly didn't see it getting to this level.
Worth trying if you have ample stocks, but if you are low on numbers, it should peak in another five years and hold on for another decade after that.
Yep, best Aussie white ever for me
98 POINTS, drink: 2030-2040.

Just watched a recent Wine Animal video on YouTube with Lamont’s owner John Jens talking about Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay.
I won’t bother adding in the link (they don’t work). Just use the search bar on YouTube and enter Wine Animal + Leeuwin Estate.
The WA guys here will know JJ pretty well.
They run through 5 vintages of the Art Series Chardonnay - 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 and current release 2022.
Also 2 vintages of the Prelude Chardonnay - 2023, 2024.
John Jens talks about the quality and pedigree of the Art Series Chardonnay over many years, incl his favourites.
Interesting he agrees that 2018 will be the expert’s pick.
Talks about the changes in the winery and barrels between the 2018 and 2020 vintages. He reckons the 2020 is even better.
Rates the 2021 vintage as a marvellous wine, in his top 5.
He rates the 2022 as better, but a touch behind the 2020.
Repeatedly said keep them 20 years if you want.
They are already saying keep an eye out for the 2023 when it is released.
You can also find another Art Series Chardonnay tasting he did with Erin Larkin that she posted 3 years ago on her YouTube channel - 6 wines from the 2001 to 2018 vintages.
Again just use the search bar on YouTube and enter Erin Larkin + Leeuwin Estate.
Ran through them from youngest to oldest.
Erin rates the 2018 as the best ever, only just released when they did the video. (She did another video with the winemaker just about this wine.)
At the time, John Jens also agreed the 2018 was their greatest wine.
The 2017 a cooler, wetter vintage. Minerally and a bit more phenolic.
The 2016 had improved since released. Juicy, silky and seamless.
The 2011 has warm, sun drenched fruit bolstered by the acidity. Erin thinks it is a wine of contrasts.
The 2002 starting to show its age. More complete and mellow. In “beautiful” condition and everything still perfect.
The 2001 much younger and minerally. Acid, heaps of fruit, exotic spices. An “exciting” wine.
They talk about ageing these wines. How they evolve and come into their own.
Also while you might pick best vintages, get a few different ones. They show the wet or warm vintages in the glass, the differences in a great Chardonnay year in, year out.
I have had the 2016 and 2017 vintages. Clearly I should have kept them rather than already drinking them.
Held onto them while I was waiting for the 2018 release. Just never saw it, maybe it disappeared because of all the plaudits it got from the critics.
Predicting the same will happen with the 2023 when it is released in April next year.

Lucky I don't like Chardonnay
2025 Leonay Riesling...in a couple of words classy and fabulous.
This week also had a 2025 Drumborg.... simply brilliant and splitting hairs. Pikes Merle arrives next week. Might have to dig out a Crawford River.
1997 Lindemans Pyrus. Deep red purple in colour... wonderful nose, blue fruits and an amazing enduring palate. Have four left... another 5 years in the tank. For $30 magnificent.
1994 Peter Lehmann Stonewell dark chocolate notes, palate like a cuddly blanket. Still has primary notes, very well made. No rush.
Cheers Craig

phillisc wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:57 am Rossco, average is back up...just in time for my attendance at the Test tomorrow....you might be a good omen!
Only wines 1, 2 and 3 not in the cellar.

Thanks so much for the all the notes on the Quintet, Seppelts and the Coonawarra's

I have had long discussions with Emma Bowen Re the Ampelon...purchased a dozen on release, have had 2-3 I think.
It was just a case of the planets aligning after tasting a few barrels, the unicorn arrived.
Funnily enough there has been rejuvenation of the Shiraz vineyards and all recent vines are from the Ampelon Clone, so I guess there's a little bit in each bottle now. If there was ever a time to make another one, 2021 or 2022 would fit the bill. I tried the 2024s from the barrel, they are and will be superb. Emma just smiles, Ampelon was a one off.

Thanks for the notes and have a good Christmas. Having an 2008 SSSS next week, will need to dig out the sixer of 1994s...I've not tried one...yet!

Cheers Craig

I have the 08 SSSS for Xmas, can't wait.

2012 is a different wine to all the other vintages. Some of my wine group prefer it (more elegant), some prefer the 08. The 04 is in a good spot at the moment and is my pick.

When I was with Emma and Doug a few years ago, both were quite firm that the Ampelon was a once off which is a real shame. I have one bottle left. I really enjoy their Chardonnay each year.

Hope your 08 was good

Run Free by Singlefile Pinot Grigio 23 - Great Southern, WA. Free-run juice, tank fermented and early bottled to retain fruit character and freshness. You see this in the glass. A pale straw colour and lifted aromatics. Nashi pear, green apple and wild herbs. Loads of pristine fruit and natural acidity, with a dry finish. - 10/12/25

Sidewood Pinot Noir 23 - Drunk a few of these. Wild yeast, some whole bunch and 10 months in larger French oak barrels. Ruby red coloured. Red fruits, cherry, rhubarb and herbs. Feels medium-bodied with fruit intensity and fresh acidity on the palate. Nice forest floor aftertaste and soft tannins. - 11/12/25

Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 16 - An early, warm vintage. Got 17 months in mostly older French oak barrels. A dense red-purple colour and lovely aromatics. Cassis, dark berries, cherry, bay leaf and subtle spice. Slowly builds and fills out with each glass. Feels medium to full-bodied and starting to mature. A little earthy/smoky when you get into it, and slightly firm tannins. - 13/12/25

Leeuwin Estate Classic Dry White 25 - Usually a blend of varietals, not just SSB. A clean, fresh aromatic style. Light straw colour and nice florals. Getting more citrus and grassy/nettles character rather than tropical fruits. Let it warm up in the glass. Racy acidity on the palate with some texture and a dry finish. - 14/12/25

Peter Lehmann H&V Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - Won a trophy at the 2022 Barossa Wine Show. A strong red-purple colour. This is rich and full-bodied, also sweet fruited with a nice balance of oak and fruit. Blackberry, blue fruits, choc-mint, cedar and spice. Good intensity and soft, grainy tannins. - 18/12/25

Ingoldby Shiraz 16 - McLaren Vale. Not had one of these for a long time. Nice with a bit of age on it. A crimson red colour and a little bricking. Showing both fruit and some maturity. Rich and warm, but comfy. Blackberry, plums, red fruits, red licorice, spice, earth/leather and soft tannins. - 20/12/25

Stonier Pinot Gris 25 - Not had a PG from Stonier before. The fruit comes off a higher vineyard with red volcanic soil. Straw colour. A fuller style with silky texture as well as clean fruit and vibrant acidity. Stonefruit, pear, spice and savoury influences. A pleasant saline or sea spray note as it warms up in the glass and a dry finish. - 21/12/25

1996 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano, is in a nice spot for me, where sweet and savoury meet, and the tannins are subdued enough (though still a much better wine with food, as acidity and residual tannins give it decent grip, even at almost 30 years old). IIRC I picked this up in Alba, maybe 2-3 years after release. Under €20.