Old Australians From Climate Controlled Storage.

[JamieAdelaide]

The old classic Wynn’s BL are responsible for Coonawarra being a lost region for mine. If I want a Coonawarra experience I usually go for an aged John Riddoch. Otherwise, I find the Coonawarra indistinct and a blur.

[Mike Hawkins]

Yes forgot that the 1990 won the Jimmy, like the 1976 Wynns BL,1985 Pyrus and 1994 Leasingham think they got it right!
Cheers Craig

They certainly got the 76 WBL right. I open one every few years and they have pretty much all been stupendous. Might be time for another.

How many do you still have left Mike?

3 according to Cellartracker… though that doesn’t always mean that’s right!

[Mike Hawkins]

The old classic Wynn’s BL are responsible for Coonawarra being a lost region for mine. If I want a Coonawarra experience I usually go for an aged John Riddoch. Otherwise, I find the Coonawarra indistinct and a blur.

Can’t argue with that. Other than the odd JR and Balnaves Tally, it’s a region I rarely buy from anymore.

[JamieAdelaide]

Yes been happy with the Tally too. Pre-COVID, I brought the family down for a week’s holiday in Coonawarra during winter. Staying in cosy cottages, fire raging, worked our way through a lot of old premium Coonawarra. Tally was good- regionally distinct, as with JR and a few 80’s Classics.

On a side note, couldn’t for the life of me, buy one of those giant Crayfish that populate the littoral. All gone to China. Now a different story.

[Michael McNally]

The old classic Wynn’s BL are responsible for Coonawarra being a lost region for mine. If I want a Coonawarra experience I usually go for an aged John Riddoch. Otherwise, I find the Coonawarra indistinct and a blur.

Sorry, I genuinely don't understand what you mean by this Jamie. Since the old BL's lost their fruit to JR the whole region has gone to pot? The Tally being the exception?

Cheers

Michael

[phillisc]

Yes Michael,
I'll just watch the passing parade here. I had a 2006 BL tonight. Wonderful wine with years in the tank.
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

The old classic Wynn’s BL are responsible for Coonawarra being a lost region for mine. If I want a Coonawarra experience I usually go for an aged John Riddoch. Otherwise, I find the Coonawarra indistinct and a blur.

Sorry, I genuinely don't understand what you mean by this Jamie. Since the old BL's lost their fruit to JR the whole region has gone to pot? The Tally being the exception?

I think Mike got it.

For me, living abroad you have Cabernet coming out your ears. Lots of exposure to wines from regions as diverse as Bordeaux, California through to South Africa and South America. Cabernet seems a good grape to express and present a region. The only time I ever expressed Coonawarra, confidently I might add, was with John Riddoch. Sadly I didn’t have access to well cellared old Black Label- nor would I present BL over the last 20 years because it’s often sub-par on the world stage.

As a region, it’s great to visit, lots of hearty dining experiences and they make sound yet indistinct dry reds. Now I’m living out of Adelaide and Melbourne, I’ll visit the region again, bringing my own aged JR to BYO. I’ll look for a change of personal opinion with tastings during the day, which are outstanding during October’s Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations.

[mjs]

Jamie, yep, October Cabernet celebrations are good, been going for the last umpteen years. Comprehensive tasting of ten year old wines, other events, dinners etc. You might also want to consider Cellar Dwellers in July. Quite a selection of older vintages at most cellar doors for the month.
I’m happy to admit being a rusted on Coonawarra-phile and the wines that really demonstrate provenance from the region for me are the Wynns BL and JR (with a number of single vineyard wines now emerging), Balnaves The Tally, Katnook Odyssey and Prodigy and Majella Malleea. Many others are perhaps less consistent but sprinkled through. Bowen Estate is a slightly different style, but also love these wines. Redman’s now much better than they were in the 90’s.

[Jimmya]

There's certainly a few years where BL is better than JR too...

[JamieAdelaide]

July sounds like fun- being a SA local a mid-week foray on the cards. I found the October events generous and entertaining.

I think I put in just the one Coonawarra event abroad. A John Riddoch vertical. Given auction buys with some average bottles due storage, I felt JR a very clear expression of Coonawarra when aged.

[mjs]

Bit of a Bowen Estate-fest here in the last week or so. Have gone to the Bowen boxes in the cellar and pulled out a few wines, none of which have disappointed
2004, 2010 Cabernet
Both of these wines were just fabulous
2007, 2010, 2012 Shiraz
The 2007 interestingly is under stelvin, in great nick. The Shiraz probably not as good for me as the Cabernet, but all of these are nicely integrated and drinking well.

A delight tbh, thanks Doug, Joy and Emma!

[JamieAdelaide]

Won the cork lottery with a beautiful Petaluma Riesling 2002. Superb evolution, with richness and peak fruit development in a rounded frame.

A six pack of Henschke Keyneton Estate 1996 will need drinking. These were supposed to go up to Hong Kong for an event early 2020. Alas, they’ll be quaffers now, holding though in need of drinking. Beautiful, ashen remnants of a lighter Henschke vintage. Black fruits and mint/pine and an alluring wild note. Fruit is sweet and comfortable on the palate, easy-flowing, edging towards the precipitous mysteries of a final tertiary stage.

The once big Henschke corner of the cellar dwindles, without replacements likely. Stood up and old Cyril and Mt Ed for the weekend.

[phillisc]

Won the cork lottery with a beautiful Petaluma Riesling 2002. Superb evolution, with richness and peak fruit development in a rounded frame.

A six pack of Henschke Keyneton Estate will need drinking. These were supposed to go up to Hong Kong for an event early 2020. Alas, they’ll be quaffers now, holding though in need of drinking. Beautiful, ashen remnants of a lighter Henschke vintage. Black fruits and mint/pine and an alluring wild note. Fruit is sweet and comfortable on the palate, easy-flowing, edging towards the precipitous mysteries of a final tertiary stage.

The once big Henschke corner of the cellar dwindles, without replacements likely. Stood up and old Cyril and Mt Ed for the weekend.

Thanks for the note on the Petaluma 2002, have both the cork and screwcap editions...must start looking at the 02 Rieslings! Think the 02 Petaluma will follow the famed 1980...stunning on release, fabbo at 10 years and going great at 20.
Yes can see why old and new Henschke for that matter are now out of the equation. I know you bang on re provenance but surely VFM puts paid to that too?
Cheers Craig

[A_Steady]

A six pack of Henschke Keyneton Estate will need drinking. These were supposed to go up to Hong Kong for an event early 2020. Alas, they’ll be quaffers now, holding though in need of drinking.

Hi Jamie, what vintage of Keyneton Estate were you referring to here?

[JamieAdelaide]

Sorry was the 1996 vintage.

[JamieAdelaide]

Craig are you querying if I think professional storage worth it?

[A_Steady]

Sorry was the 1996 vintage.

Thanks, I have a ‘10 and figured it easily had another 5-10 years - what is the general consensus / experience on the drinking window for these assuming controlled storage?

[JamieAdelaide]

Yes 5 best and 10 ok my guess if the style similar to old ( despite loss of fruit from Tappa vineyard )

[phillisc]

Craig are you querying if I think professional storage worth it?

Nope, if anything Jamie, I am convinced by it now. Although did do a 1990 Bin 707 test of a bottle found in a wooden trunk that was somehow placed decades earlier and a bottle that had been at 15 degrees for the same time and both bottles in good shape. I pay $2250 a year for a good sized Bin, 20 feet underground, 13-15 degrees all round, so I am practicing what you suggest.

If only I could have a cellar at home...will need to stop purchasing to be able to afford one
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

Ah OK. The 96 Keyneton was $20-$25 on release in a six pack. Pretty good value and I always liked the exceptional complexity the wine delivered with Eden fruit, mixed and seasoned oak and the blend. Never bought it after price rises and the Euphonium label.

[VinoEd]

I have a lone bottle of Keyneton 1994 that I picked up a few years ago for around $40. Sounds like a need to locate it and drink immediately!

[JamieAdelaide]

Strange week. A 1997 Cullen Cabernet Merlot which I’ll simply describe as “old” Virgin Hills like.

Not in the category of Old Aussie, I did a horizontal of Ruggabellus’ 2012 Efferus, Archaeus and Timaeus. Very interesting Barossans, strangely akin to the fringes of the Southern Rhone meeting the Provençal north. Food wines indeed- not always easy in a European sense with Barossa wine.

[kenzo]

I do love Ruggabellus wines - very much in agreement with your comments above.

[ticklenow1]

Strange week. A 1997 Cullen Cabernet Merlot which I’ll simply describe as “old” Virgin Hills like.

Not in the category of Old Aussie, I did a horizontal of Ruggabellus’ 2012 Efferus, Archaeus and Timaeus. Very interesting Barossans, strangely akin to the fringes of the Southern Rhone meeting the Provençal north. Food wines indeed- not always easy in a European sense with Barossa wine.

Love the Ruggabellus wines. Really wish I'd bought more. But one can't have everything. The Timaeus and Fluus are my favourites.

[JamieAdelaide]

1992 St Hallet’s Old Block Shiraz. Weren’t those the days? Krondorf Rd. Cellar Door prices were a bargain and your visits rewarded with plenty of elite quality Australian wine. Masterfully Barossan, fresh and still richly fruited ( plums and spice ), full bodied though tamed structurally, delivering beautiful mouthfeel and balance. I’m down to my last few bottles of Old Block from the 90’s.

Cyril Henschke 1994. Menthol- cassis, easy and charming. Better bottles to be had from past experiences. This was still tight and slightly austere.

[phillisc]

Indeed, purchased 1986, 90, 91 all less than $200 a dozen. Gone years ago
Cheers Craig

[Cloth Ears]

Craig are you querying if I think professional storage worth it?

Nope, if anything Jamie, I am convinced by it now. Although did do a 1990 Bin 707 test of a bottle found in a wooden trunk that was somehow placed decades earlier and a bottle that had been at 15 degrees for the same time and both bottles in good shape. I pay $2250 a year for a good sized Bin, 20 feet underground, 13-15 degrees all round, so I am practicing what you suggest.

If only I could have a cellar at home...will need to stop purchasing to be able to afford one
Cheers Craig

Decided I wanted one, so I built it. To be portable (given a big enough truck). Total cost about 8-10 weekends, $1000 wood, $1200 insulation, $500 screws and fixings, $800 on bathroom panels and $2800 on a second-hand cooling system. Oh, and a couple of hundred getting a 15A circuit installed.
Hasn't skipped a beat in 6 years so far, and it lives in the garage. Definitely worth it if you have the time and patience to do it. It just needs to be bigger!

[Mike Hawkins]

1992 St Hallet’s Old Block Shiraz. Weren’t those the days? Krondorf Rd. Cellar Door prices were a bargain and your visits rewarded with plenty of elite quality Australian wine. Masterfully Barossan, fresh and still richly fruited ( plums and spice ), full bodied though tamed structurally, delivering beautiful mouthfeel and balance. I’m down to my last few bottles of Old Block from the 90’s.

Cyril Henschke 1994. Menthol- cassis, easy and charming. Better bottles to be had from past experiences. This was still tight and slightly austere.

Still got some Old Blocks from the 90s… but my favourite was one I bought at CD… 1998 Third Century Shiraz. Beautiful wine.

[JamieAdelaide]

Never tried this one Mike. What’s the Third Century relevance?

[Mike Hawkins]

Never tried this one Mike. What’s the Third Century relevance?

I can’t quite recall Jamie. If I had to guess it was something along the lines that the vines had seem some or all of two separate centuries and the wine was released in a different (third) century. Someone with a better memory than mine will chime in