The Auswine Forum

Hi all,
I need some help with this particular wine. I cannot find any information on it anywhere. My curiosity is high and I would love any feedback that you may have.

The bottle reads: Union Steam Ship Co. of NZ.Ltd
Hermitage Vintage 1971
From Rhinecastle Cellars
Bottle Specially for Union Steam Ship Co. In Australia

There is some other wording on the label, it's blend etc and it is a red. There is some stamped numbers under the bottle also that read as the letter M, 78, 2 and 0309 in no specific pattern. If you need a pic let me know. Thanks for any info you can give me, Marty.

Hi Martin,
Don't know anything about this personally but you may want to check out this previous topic: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10914
Cheers
Ben

Thanks for that mate, an interesting read on that topic. I will post a pic of the bottle up tonight, may shed some more light.

Found some other info: http://www.glug.com.au/index_industry.p ... &art=09015

Wow - fantastic bottle. Thanks for the photos.

Had a quick look around online for USS Co of NZ side of things and found some other info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Steamship_Company
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busines ... 6091005132

From what I can piece togethor it looks like it ended up being part of Adsteam in all its conglomerate glory. It's possible with "NZ" reference in the company name is a little misleading and it is a Australian fruit / made wine - any indication re this on the bottle?

The tide's out and it's very "rose" for a hermitage. Glad I won't have to try and paint that one... very difficult subject matter.

Small writing describes as>>>Light delicate Hermitage blended with Mataro from the Rhinecastle Cellars

Yes RobK, the tide is out a tad with her. It was handed down to me many years ago and the seal has never been broken, but we noticed it has a very slow leak if tilted. The contents is red with a beautiful aroma but we fear the damage is done. We love the bottle though. there is signs of ware around the seal on the cork.

bdellabosca wrote:Hi Martin,
Don't know anything about this personally but you may want to check out this previous topic: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10914
Cheers
Ben

Well spotted Ben - I now don't have to repeat the bits I said then - The David Farmer article (glug) is an interesting add.

Martin - what you have is a merchant label from a good vintage with a special label for a customer - don't see lots of special label bottlings but if your order enough I'm sure most wine companies would do it.

It is probably dead but with that ullage clearly time to open and see what is there.

Cheers

David

thanks David.