The Auswine Forum

I've never really bought a lot of sparkling wine though I do enjoy it, but I'm starting to think about increasing my stocks.

So I'm looking for suggestions - sparkling reds and whites. I know a lot of names but I'd appreciate comments on value, ageing potential and tasting notes. What are your favourites, both in the "midweek sparkling" and "event sparkling" brackets?

In case it helps, my favourite antipodean so far is the Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV (not that I've tried many, and I haven't tried any in higher price brackets). I'm familiar with most of the brand name NV champagnes - if I can't get Krug (and other than once being sent a case by an appreciative interview subject, I can't) I like Bollinger and dislike Moet. I thought Piper seemed pretty acceptable value.

So that's where I am... advice please!

Sparkling Reds:
Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz NV - reliable quaffer, if a bit sweet, under $20
Bundaleer Sparkling Shiraz NV - good value for current drinking, under $20
Coates Cuvee Consonance Sparkling Red - decent drink at around $20
Cofield NV Sparkling Shiraz is pretty consistent
Sorby Adams Morticia Sparkling Shiraz NV - my current "house" sparkling red for any occasion, under $20
Hardys Sir James Sparkling Shiraz 2004 - just bought a dozen cleanskins of this, very good for the price
Jamabro Spiraz Sparkling Shiraz NV - not sure if it's still available, dry finish, just over $20
Peel Estate have a NV Sparkling Shiraz under $20 that is Ok, but probably hard to find
Morris Shiraz-Durif is reliable and good value
Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz 1998/2002, getting a bit pricey and some vintages/batches seem to have brett, cellars well
I've heard the Oomoo Clare Sparkling Shiraz 2004 is very good
E&E Black Pepper Sparkling Shiraz 2004 - oaky, rich, hedonistic for the right occasion, expensive, but I like it and it cellars well.
I still have some 1994 Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz.
Majella Sparkling Shiraz 2005 - under crown seal, consistently good. $28
Primo Joseph Sparkling Red NV - also very expensive now and I've seen mixed reports on the latest disgorgement.
Rockford Black Shiraz NV - I've stopped buying this, too inconsistent and cork issues
Grampians Estate Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz 2006 - excellent, I think it will cellar too if you want. $35, crown seal
Ashton Hills Sparkling Shiraz 2001 - Sparkling Wendouree, a bit minty at times, but I love it.
Balgownie Sparkling Shiraz 2008 - too young to drink or judge right now, but shows promise, crown seal.
Peter Rumball Sparkling Coonawarra Shiraz 1997, probably getting scarce now, $42, lovely mature sp red.
Yalumba Black D Sp Cabernet Shiraz seems to have been discontinued or CD only, I have a few 2002 left.
Bress Bendigo/Heathcote seemed pretty ordinary when tried recently.
Don't much like the Katnook Founders Block - too light and confected last time I tried it.
Didn't like the current Ulithorne Flamma when I tried it a while back (2 bottles)
Didn't like the current Brown Bothers Heathcote Sp Shiraz (2006?) as much as the prior vintage
That's about all I have in stock at the moment or have tried recently.

Haven't tried the current Turkey Flat or Charles Melton, Scarpantoni Black Tempest, Rumball NV, Knappstein, Fox Ck Vixen, Mitchell Peppertree, Schild Estate, Wirra Wirra Anthem or Trevor Jones, haven't tried the Seppelt Original in a while, the Grant Burge Shiraz-Cabernet NV can be OK. There are plenty of others as well, including CD-only sparkling shiraz at Peter Lehmann, Tahbilk and St Hallett.

Try a few of those and get back to us.

Jeez, give me a week or so.

Thanks for the start...

Add the Mitchell Peppertree to the list to try, excellent wine.

Glen

Hey Glen, the cork jar is nearly full again, the next competition should start in 2-3 weeks. Are you going on leave anytime soon?

I love the Turkey Flat

there's also a Schoenfeld Sparkling Cabernet which is a lovely change that you can get possibly from Gavin (here) or from the small windemakers centre in the Barossa

I have tried the....
Schild estate. Its just ok. Maybe time will help.
Charles Melton...been drinking this for years, and its one of the best around, but it needs to be at around $50.
I love the Anderson Sparkling shiraz from Rutherglen. really complex. Around $28.
B

Red Bigot wrote:Hey Glen, the cork jar is nearly full again, the next competition should start in 2-3 weeks. Are you going on leave anytime soon?

Yes away for a weeks camping the first week in Oct 3rd - 11th, so make sure it isn't then

GB

I like RB's list very much. My picks from them are:

Sorby Adams Morticia Sparkling Shiraz NV
Oomoo Clare Sparkling Shiraz 2004
E&E Black Pepper Sparkling Shiraz 2004
Majella Sparkling Shiraz 2005
Rockford Black Shiraz NV
Ashton Hills Sparkling Shiraz 2001
Peter Rumball Sparkling Coonawarra Shiraz 1997 - my pick of them all!

I need to try the Grampians Estate Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz 2006 as it may go on the list as well judging by all accounts.

cheers

Carl

Thanks for the advice so far - I'm going to kick off with the Sorby Adams and will report back.

Does anyone have any whites for me?

Sparkling whites.....
For me, there's a couple.
1. Pipers Brook Blanc de Blanc. (Tassie)
2. Chandon NV Brut (YV)
3. Jansz NV Cuvee (Tassie)

Just some off the top of my head.

GRB wrote:

Red Bigot wrote:Hey Glen, the cork jar is nearly full again, the next competition should start in 2-3 weeks. Are you going on leave anytime soon?

Yes away for a weeks camping the first week in Oct 3rd - 11th, so make sure it isn't then

GB

Impeccable timing! I'll hold off until you get back.

My best experience with Australian bubbles has been the Kreglinger vintage. Can be around $40, but as it is carried by the big chains it can come down to $30 ish on sale.

Loztralia wrote:Does anyone have any whites for me?

Bindi

Red Bigot wrote:Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz 1998/2002, getting a bit pricey and some vintages/batches seem to have brett, cellars well

I've heard the Oomoo Clare Sparkling Shiraz 2004 is very good

Didn't like the current Ulithorne Flamma when I tried it a while back (2 bottles)

I am drinking the Leasingham 98 tonight and mine reekes of brett. Full on barnyard. Mind you it doesn't dominate the palate and produces some nice earthy vegemite tones. Wouldn't buy again (particularly for $50).

The Oomoo is class for around $20 and worth tracking down.

I wouldn't say I didn't like the Ulithorne, but it is a bit lacking in complexity. i am not sure I would say unidimensional, but pretty close to it. Nice dimension though .

Drink More Sparkling Red!!!!

Brian is the '02 as brett-prone as the '98??

Cheers

Michael

I love sparklings, red and white, and drink lots - perfect for our country. Many of RB's reds I find a bit ripe and maybe oaky - I am one of the 12.5% weedy Cabernet and delicate Pinot crowd!

The best sparkling reds I have had this year are:
* the 2006 Grampians Estate Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz as mentioned by RB (really, really long. really, really complex. Red fruits with darker opening with time)
* The Mount Langi jobbie - the 2006 I think (quite ripe but with backbone and spice). I suspect RB would seriously like this.
* a number of Rockford Blacks of different disgorgements... I find them reliable even with some leaking. Had the 2007 last weekend - more elegant than usual and like most disgiorgments, needs 3-5 years to sing.

Sparkling Whites...Gee, which is our best!?!?!
* I always go through the Chandon range - 2004s and 2005s are excellent and had the 2006 Brut last weekend which was softer than usual and more drink now
* Tassie examples tend to vere into a red apple spectrum that I do not appreciate inc. the super premiums... Janz, Kreg, Arras... in the end I tend to avoid the Aussie $50 sparkling and go straight for NV Champagne. Actually, I think the Bay of Fires and Tigress sparkling are impressive at around $20-$25
Best value - Brown Brother NV for me at around or less than $20, if you don't want to step up into the $30 range. Yarra Burn is always worth a go on special as well. The Centennial (yes, Bowral) NV is very good but make sure it has the new label and not the old. My palate tells me these are different disgorgements and different wines, with the old label having green acid.
Even cheaper - Hardys Sir James Brut de Brut NV
Worst value - Petaluma - insulting stuff

Adair

I am rather partial to Taltrni Clover Hill which tends toward crisp green apple flavours, good value around $30-35

Tried the Bress NV Sparkling Shiraz from Bendigo/Heathcote yesterday...

Found it too tannic and oaky... with a hint of animale...

It was okay but I wouldn't buy it again.