The Auswine Forum

Hi all,

Anne and I just returned from a truley memorable 24 hours in the Barossa. Only open for just 3 months Barossa's larger than life Bob McLean of St Hallet's fame has opened a new restaurant in Angaston. Barr-Vinum. It has been getting rave reviews and we were not disappointed. Superb food at very reasonable prices and the best part was the wine list.

He allows you to bring your own special wine (a modest $10 corkage) and our Penfolds 1990 Bin 920 (sister to the 90A) was good but not great and was overshadowed by the stunning house list that showcases the Barossa and Eden Valley areas. Try 1999 Grant Burge Meshach for $120. Rockford's BP @$75 and Saltram's No 1 @ $65; or 1996 Henschke Cyril Henschke cabernet blend @ $60. This is no misprint. The Thorn Clarke 2003 Chardonnay @ $28 was right up there with the best.

For those keen to go you can stagger 100m up the road to Hill House, a great B&B. Our hosts were friendly and our rooms, including a sitting room, were stunning having been the first part built (1851) of a sprawling mansion and grounds.

Dropping in this morning to get a copy of the menu and wine list we were greeted by Bob himself who seems reinvigorated by his change of roles. We chatted for a while and the Barossa has no better ambassador and his new wine venture, McLean's Farm, is a true expression of the area's wine. Only available in UK his 2001 Shiraz is a ripper and at 14% alcohol has not been "Parkerised" as is the case with many wines from the hot 2001 year. TORB take note!!

So if you are heading for the Barossa do yourself a favour, leave your wine at home, and enjoy his food and wine. The staff are helpful and friendly making the night almost like theatre.

Phone (0 8564 3688 for bookings. Contact Bob at bob_mclean@bigpond.com.au

Email me at chaberman@bsal.com.au to get a copy of the menu and wine list.

Chuck

Chuck,

The wine list prices certainly sound reasonable for a restaurant. By the sounds of things you were either mighty impressed or a shareholder in the place.

Chuck wrote:Dropping in this morning to get a copy of the menu and wine list we were greeted by Bob himself who seems reinvigorated by his change of roles. We chatted for a while and the Barossa has no better ambassador and his new wine venture, McLean's Farm, is a true expression of the area's wine. Only available in UK his 2001 Shiraz is a ripper and at 14% alcohol has not been "Parkerised" as is the case with many wines from the hot 2001 year. TORB take note!!

Chuck

In fact, almost as good an ambassador as Bob himself. Something I could never be as it takes more tack and diplomacy than a train smash to be an ambassador.

I don't get the 2001 reference to Parker and the hot vintage. Do you mean it has not been Parkerised because it was held down to 14% and Parker doesn't like them that wimpy

BTW, two other things.

1. Are you taking the p*ss out of the septics with the "Borassa" in the title?
2. Do you know what my spell check throws up as an alternative spelling for the word "Parkerised"? Its pauperised!

Bob "Lunchalot" McLean's fame (opps! frame) is certainly larger than life but sadly his wines isn't

Ric,

Spelling is not my long suit so please accept my humble apologies; spelling has been corrected (I hope!!).

I have seen many SA reds from 2001 (a very hot summer) at @ 14.5%+ alcohol that while good can be a bit one dimentional and may not last the distance.

No, I am not a shareholder and consider your comment disappointing in a public forum. Say anthing you like in private.

Martin,

I agree your comments on St Hallets however Bob's new wine is not in that style. Maybe he has more scope out on his own.

Chuck

Chuck wrote:No, I am not a shareholder and consider your comment disappointing in a public forum. Say anthing you like in private.

Chuck

Chuck,

Firstly, please have a look at the whole post in context. There are smilies all over the place.

Then, in particular I said "By the sounds of things you were either mighty impressed or a shareholder in the place. "

Please notice the at the end. That means its said in jest, sorry if you thought I was having a go at you, I was not. Even down to my Borossa comment - it was not a shot at your spelling, it was a dig in the ribs for the American pronunciation of the word.

Finally, if you have trouble with spelling and no one is worse than I am, check out [url]iespell.com[/url] Its a free browser plug in that enables you to check your spelling in forums etc.

And finally, let me really take the mickey out of you (in the nicest possible joking way) the title you typed "corections" is spent incorrectly! But I only know that cause iespell told me.

Anyone else noticed how quickly Angaston has come along in the last few years? Lovely little town riding the red wine wave.

Experienced a bit of a property boom too. Always felt the little Main St terrace a wine lover's ideal holiday house-as opposed to the beach. Especially considering how cheap property was there a few years ago.

"And finally, let me really take the mickey out of you (in the nicest possible joking way) the title you typed "corections" is spent incorrectly! But I only know that cause iespell told me."

Really Ric, how do you think he should spend it

Chuck, nobody could be bothered with that kind of nastiness here, so please don't take any offence at what Ric says, rest assured he's isn't like that. I don't, and he means it with me (smilies included).

By the way speaking of misspelling things I typed "Chick" first up, honest!! How dangerous is that

Prices do look good.

Next time,

A wine customer of mine a few weeks back had dinner with me.

They too had been to this new venture and were raving about it.

A must try it seems.

simm wrote:"And finally, let me really take the mickey out of you (in the nicest possible joking way) the title you typed "corections" is spent incorrectly! But I only know that cause iespell told me."

Really Ric, how do you think he should spend it

Simm,

Bugger!

iespell doesn't pick up grammar stuff ups!

Now to answer your silly question, the answer is obvious, throw it my way.

TORB wrote:

simm wrote:"And finally, let me really take the mickey out of you (in the nicest possible joking way) the title you typed "corections" is spent incorrectly! But I only know that cause iespell told me."

Really Ric, how do you think he should spend it

Simm,

Bugger!

iespell doesn't pick up grammar stuff ups!

Now to answer your silly question, the answer is obvious, throw it my way.

Hold it just a minute!! Go you halves