The Auswine Forum

There is an ancient air about Best's in the Grampians. Established a long time ago in 1866, this cellar door is like a museum. Most of the wines are old fashioned too. Winemaker Viv Thompson is aware of this heritage but he should also be aware that while the wines are very good, the potential is much greater. It's time for a change, the winemaking needs to be modernised and be more precise.

2000 BEST'S Kindred Spirits Merlot

Amazing dark red colour, nearing on black. Dusty old oak and savoury notes on the nose with red berries nominating. The palate has medium weight with rich blackberries, red berries and subtle old oak taste. Flavourful with fine tannins, it's quite good but with a little more focus, it could have been quite outstanding. Traditional, old fashioned style, similar to some lesser Pomerol wines from the 70's. Drink now to 2008. I still consider it a very good buy at AU $17+.

2000 BEST'S Pinot Meunier

This is a very exciting release. Grapes harvested from (perhaps) the world's oldest Pinot Meunier vines planted in the 1860's. French oak matured.
Colour cherry red. Sweet candy nose, that's not too promising at first but the palate is absolutely lovely. Very rich and round fruit with excellent concentration. Silky red berries mixing with light strawberry and plum notes. Very Burgundian, medium weight, similar to a very good Pinot Noir. Beautiful savoury finish with powerful acid that is perfectly balanced . This is the best Best's Meunier I've tried so far. Those new to this variety should try it. Excellent drinking already, it will peak around 2007. The winemaking is still old fashioned a little, but much improved compared to older vintages. A rare and unique wine at AU $35+.

2001 BEST'S Great Western Bin 0 Shiraz

Grapes harvested from the Concongella vineyard, planted in 1866. American oak matured. Fans of Bin 0 please note that this is an excellent vintage for this wine.
Colour dark and vibrant cherry red. Quite fragrant dark cherries and dried plums on the nose with a hint of vanilla oak. The palate is rich and concentrated with excellent silky fruit of blackberries and cooked plums with grainy oak on the finish. A very powerful, restrained red that needs 10 years in the cellar. Once again, a very good but slightly old fashioned red that could have been a great wine with a little more care. To go down memory lane, will cost you AU $45+

Tasted:March 2004

For those of you that look at the auction sites, ever notice how little Bests wine ever makes it to auction?

Attila

I'm not sure whether it is the winemaking so much (I like the elegant style), but more the price hike in recent years that it more of the problem. The wine style is the same as it was 10 years ago, but it is not worth double the price that it was then.

It should sell for $20-25 in my opinion.

regards
Chris

Chris,

A bit harsh. I reckon the Bin 0 is one of Victoria's best shiraz's.

Mike

Mike

I prefer wines such as Dalwhinnie, Craiglee, Langi Ghiran, Seppelt Great Western and Summerfield once we get over $35 as I think they are more varietally correct. Anyway each to their own.

regards
Chris

Mike is right, the Bin 0 has the potential to become Victoria's greatest Shiraz.
Chris is right, that currently it's not the case and the AU $45+ is a little steep compared to what you can buy for less, for example the Mitchelton Print Label Shiraz 1998 which is absolutely fantastic.
Cheers,
Attila

TORB wrote:For those of you that look at the auction sites, ever notice how little Bests wine ever makes it to auction?

Hi Ric,

Been a while. Good point. At Langton's recently, the prices fetched seem pretty high, especially for the Thompson's and the Bin 0. This could be the result of demand outstripping supply.