The Auswine Forum

Hi, i am from HK & had been Aussie wine fans.

From James Hallidaywebsite' vintage chart, Baroosa scored 7 in 2005 whereas 10 for 2006; McLarenVale scored 8 in both 2005 & 2006. Margaret river scored 9 in 2005 & 7 in 2006 =>

In all it seems from JH that the " Barossa , ML, & MR combionation total score of 24 in 2005 & 25 in 2006, which implies 2006 is a better vintage that can compared with 2005.

However, Parker's Barooa/McLaren/ WA scored 96 (excellent) in 2005 & only 94 in year 2006.

So, want to ask which vintage is better , 2005 or 2006; so that i can store up, just like 1996 & 1998 for Aussie wine.

Oh dear. If I had to pick one year only, it would be 2005 rather than 2006.

However, this is where you need to do more investigation on a regional basis - well, at least for the regions where you want to spend some money. I've accumulated 2005 - 2007 reds in the cellar, and they have been based primarily on tasting, and secondly on regional knowledge of vintage conditions. Also, 2008 rieslings seem to be 'across the board' a better cellaring proposition than 2007, and there's already a couple of dozen in there.

In the final analysis, it really comes down to what you like. That's not possibly what you want to hear, but the issue of comparative vintages is only relative to your preferences, and therefore a judgement that you will acquire with time and experience. At least it is generally an enjoyable process.

Cheers

Allan

G’day wom. I think you’ve answered your own question in the explanation. Never rely on a single vintage for different regions in Australia. We have such a diverse climate and wine making can come down to a single month, week or day in terms of ideal picking so even different wineries themselves within regions will vary.

After saying that, 2004 to me is a freaky 96, 98 esk vintage that seemed to be fairly good to great in most significant regions within Australia. I now have more wines from 2004 than any other vintage by far (mostly Margaret River, Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra). In my opinion there is no way you should blindly buy from 2005 or 2006. Even though 2006 was supposed be a great Barossa vintage, I personally have had some better wines from 2005 in comparison (others may disagree).

So on those lines I would try and find 2004 if it’s general vintage across the board, or specifically by vintage/region.

Cheers

Sam

Partagas wrote:G’day wom. I think you’ve answered your own question in the explanation. Never rely on a single vintage for different regions in Australia. We have such a diverse climate and wine making can come down to a single month, week or day in terms of ideal picking so even different wineries themselves within regions will vary.

After saying that, 2004 to me is a freaky 96, 98 esk vintage that seemed to be fairly good to great in most significant regions within Australia. I now have more wines from 2004 than any other vintage by far (mostly Margaret River, Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra). In my opinion there is no way you should blindly buy from 2005 or 2006. Even though 2006 was supposed be a great Barossa vintage, I personally have had some better wines from 2005 in comparison (others may disagree).

So on those lines I would try and find 2004 if it’s general vintage across the board, or specifically by vintage/region.



Cheers

Sam

Sam's right. 2004 is the the one to buy if you want "one vintage" across the board.

I'm not sure I would load up on 2005 or 2006 ... I would choose carefully and pick the best wines only.

Hi Wommom

I agree with the other replies about the regional aspect.

Recently I went to the Red Wine Weekend in Hobart and had a chance to try a large number of Tassie Pinots (only $12 entry - talk about value for money!) and they had 2004 to 2008 vintages available for taste. What struck me was how good the 2006 Pinots were across the board.

I ended up buying some Pooley, Morningside and Sharman but they were all very good.

This event has been running the last couple of years and has been successful enough to be run again so if you are going to be in Hobart around late May to mid June next year it is worth going along.

They also hold a White Wine Weekend in September.
Cheers
PJ

One mans .02 drachma...Barossa

2004 - Excellent year...a little more structured than 2005 but slightly more savoury.

2005 - Very good....instantly appealing and quite expressive wines now.

2006 - Excellent.....plenty of structure and backbone.

2007 - patchy....difficult year, yields right down and the wines are up and down but some good ones made.

2008 - Good...the heat belted things around a bit but there will be some very good wines from '08

2009 - Excellent....again heat but it came at a different time in the growing season and the end result really depended on if veraison had started yet. After the heat lovely warm days and cool nights to finish ripening. All the stuff in barrel looks fantastic and in the Barossa in particular it seems to be a super year for Cabernet, Grenache and Mataro.

I'm a bit with Dave

for me

2004 best vintage of the decade, better than 2002 (for mine).

2006 has wines with really good structure, some great cellar prospects

2005 lusher, richer, riper - a style thing really I prefer the style of 2004 and 2006, but 2005 very good.

2007 patchy, great wines made, and really ordinary ones. Lovely savouriness and fine tannins on the best.

2008 and 2009, too early for me, not tried enough

If I was buying to cellar, 2004 and 2006

If I was buying to enjoy young, 2002 and 2005

Usual caveat, huge generalisations yada yada

Gavin Trott wrote:I'm a bit with Dave

for me

2004 best vintage of the decade, better than 2002 (for mine).

2006 has wines with really good structure, some great cellar prospects

2005 lusher, richer, riper - a style thing really I prefer the style of 2004 and 2006, but 2005 very good.

2007 patchy, great wines made, and really ordinary ones. Lovely savouriness and fine tannins on the best.

2008 and 2009, too early for me, not tried enough

If I was buying to cellar, 2004 and 2006

If I was buying to enjoy young, 2002 and 2005

Usual caveat, huge generalisations yada yada

*snap*. I'm with Trotta!
GW