The Auswine Forum

Whilst the need to drink fantastic wine grows, the budget for said wine dwindles. Current varietals in my good books are Shiraz and Riesling.

Who can recommend the best Shiraz and/or best Riesling for under $25

I have been enjoying the 2009 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling, can be had for between $12-18 depending on the store. Woolies have 30% off at the moment and it is around $17.50ea...so $12.25.

A tough question, on the Shiraz front. Perhaps the Pirathon by Kalleske in the Barossa, but at $25 definitely open to suggestion.

I suppose for riesling the same could apply, but my $25 would buy more of the Mt Horrocks Clare Valley 2009. It speaks purity of fruit, and I am down to my last 5 bottles

And the accompanying cane-cut riesling ($30) is sensational. The word is 2009 was Steph's last vintage of cane-cut. The fruit will go into standard riesling.

Cheers

Allan

A complimentary bottle of Forest Hill Vineyard Block 1 Riesling 2009 with an offer to purchase a dozen of said wine for $25/btl.

Tough competition in the under $20 Shiraz segment, but I will nominate the Gemtree Uncut 2006 we opened this evening for a very very honourable mention. Great bouquet and power with best day ahead I would think ( I may add after being compared to the Bin 389 2005 devoured immediately beforehand - which I will comment as being one of my favourite blends fullstop and never disappointing).

I will certainly be taking a few more Uncut 2006 from my local this week after that little experiment.

calm wrote:I will nominate the Gemtree Uncut 2006 we opened this evening for a very very honourable mention. Great bouquet and power with best day ahead I would think

Nice call on Gemtree. I'd forgotten about them, I must admit I enjoyed a tasting at their cellar door once. However, they are touting the 2008 at the mo. Any word on that vs the 2006?

Torbreck woodcutters shiraz
Teusner Riebke shiraz
Gramps shiraz
Heritage shiraz

I dont drink riesling. I could comments on semillons?

WineAroundOz wrote:

calm wrote:I will nominate the Gemtree Uncut 2006 we opened this evening for a very very honourable mention. Great bouquet and power with best day ahead I would think

Nice call on Gemtree. I'd forgotten about them, I must admit I enjoyed a tasting at their cellar door once. However, they are touting the 2008 at the mo. Any word on that vs the 2006?

I have 2 x 2008 in the locker but haven't tried as yet, supposedly very good though. Halliday tasting notes appear to indicate that the 2008 is a slightly fuller bodied version - both were 95 points. I think my local DM's still has 2006 and will seeking to pick up a couple more, 2006 certainly provided some great wines and I am stocking up while they are still available.

Kay Brothers 2005 Amery Shiraz is excellent VFM at $22 - if they have some US labelled left it's even better VFM. For me I though the 05 is best, then 04 and 06.
Skillogalee 2006 BP Shiraz - just sqeeks in at $25 and last bottle I had was superbly good
Battle of Bosworth 2008 Shiraz was very good and was around $25, haven't tried the 2009

also in the VFM sub $25 check out
Cimiky Trumps 2008 Shiraz appeals to me a lot for some reason though (or perhaps because) it's a tad oakey, under $18
And if you like em really big I reckon Chris Ringlands 2008 Shiraz is pretty heady stuff for under $20
And of course as mentioned in a seperate thread Mike Press 2009 Shiraz at $12 is just great value but dont drink till 2012 IMHO.

Wasn't that impressed with the 09 Riebke, but that might be an age issue rather than the vintage - the 08 was much better.

For riesling, I would vote for the Petaluma Hanlin Riesling. I regularly see it around Sydney at below $25.

These come to mind.....

Shiraz:
- Voyager
- Teusner Joshua, Albert
- Seppelt Chalambar
- Clonakilla Hilltops
- Bowen Estate
- Majella

Riesling:
- Petaluma
- Mesh
- Clonakilla
- Granite Hills
- Mitchell
- Frankland Estate

Cheers,

monghead.

To add to my riesling suggestions above, I'd like to offer a shiraz: Pirathon, a Kalleske alternative label. The 2008 is fabulous. To double check, I reduced the dozen in the cellar by one, and it slides down too easily. I'm sure there are a heap more around the $25 mark (and I endorse someone else's Skillogalee suggestion), but this is the one I can be most confident of.

Cheers

Allan

The best $25 shiraz I have had recently is the current release of Sevenhill 2005 Shiraz.

In 2004 Sevenhill made a limited release shiraz from their best grapes and gave it the premium treatment. This was released in 2008 or 2009 as the Brother John May Reserve Shiraz to commemorate the retirement of their winemaker for the previous 40+ years. Only 3600 bottles were released and it sold for around $60

In 2005 they again made the Brother John May Reserve, again using the best grapes. As the release date approached they decided the 2005 wasn’t quite up to the standard of the 2004 so they are selling it as a late release of their normal shiraz. It is selling for $25 at Chambers Cellars in Sydney, who bought it all.

Shiraz: The Story, Tahbilk, Longhop

Riesling: Derwent Estate, Granite Hills, Lehman Eden Valley, Pewsey Vale, Frankland Estate (a bit more, but worth the stretch)

Marius Simpatico fits under the $25 mark awesome juice.

Glen

GRB wrote:Marius Simpatico fits under the $25 mark awesome juice.

Glen

Hear, hear. Awesome wine for the price. Real depth, character and interest at this price.

Agree with the Longhop and the Story suggestions. The Longhop for depth, the Story for depth and interest.

Old fashioned true, but I am enjoying the Peter Lehman Shiraz I am drinking now!

Cheers

Michael