The Auswine Forum

Just ran across a 2002 Burge Family "D & OH" Shiraz/Granache. I've been keeping my eyes open for the G3 (which doesn't seem to have hit US shores yet), but haven't heard anything about this wine. Any info or notes out there? The label says that it's made from small amounts of leftover wines after the "various '02 red blends" were assembled, and is a "one-off" bottling (I assume this means for 2002, not that I have the one and only bottle )

Thanks and Cheers,
Alan

Don't know this particular wine. As Rick's UK importer i have not tasted this.
D and OH sounds like Draycott and Olive Hill. Have you seen the label??

Noel,

Thanks for jumping in, looks like we're going around the world on this one. Yep, I have a bottle in hand: 2002 D & OH Shiraz (74%) - Grenache (26%). Back label reads: "After assembling the varioius '02 red blends, a small quantity of Shiraz and Grenache remained, which, when blended together, impressed us greatly for its stylish palate structure ... well deserving of its 'one-off' status"

I was mainly curious to know if the "remaining" wines were somehow lesser barrels that didn't make the cut into G3, for example, or just some extra of equal quality that didn't fit the ratios of the other blends?

If you find out anything, let us know.

Cheers and regards,
Alan

Alan,

I do know that the best barrels went into the G3 but there could have been some stuff that was very good that was not used due to the blend requirements. I will send Rick an email and ask him to comment.

Alan

Did you try the G3? Impressions?

Off topic but interested in how the wine received-seems to be two distinct parties, for and against.

Ric, I'll be interested in hearing what you find out (guess I could have done the same, but I don't have the connections you do )

Jamie: I haven't had the pleasure of trying the G3 yet. It just now seems to be appearing here in the States, none in my local market yet. And it's a pretty hefty price (US$65-70).

Regards,
Alan

I spoke with Rick earlier today and got the whole poop.

The wine came about from two sources. The first was when Rick was harvesting he spotted some pretty good fruit, and whilst it was not top notch, it was good enough quality to keep separate. There was enough of that for about 200 cases. That wine would have resulted in a Shiraz dominant blend with 58% Shiraz and the balance Grenache.

When he was blending the G3, he had a specific ratio he was shooting for and that left a little Shiraz to spare so he selected the least attractive barrels of Shiraz that had been earmarked for the G3, declassified it, and blended it into the already separated stock that was to form the D & OH. (Draycott and Olive Hill) label.

That produced enough for 300 cases and a 74% Shiraz 26% Grenache blend. 200 cases have gone to the US and the balance will be sold via CD and mailing list, or people who are reading this and ring up and order it.

It will be released next month and will sell for $25 a bottle. according to Rick, it is medium bodied, not overly complex but "gluggable" and stylish.

The reason Noel didn't know about it is that Rick is using the mushroom theory on him. Just joking, Rick was embarrassed about the situation and will ring him tonight to explain that as supply was so limited none will make Europe due to special labelling etc.

Rick, thanks for the details, figured it was something like that. And I guess I'll just keep my trap shut about stuff like this in the future . With internet forums, the days are gone when you could just not mention something, and expect it to stay under the radar!

Wow, $25 CD, it's more than twice that here (adjusted), many thanks to our wonderful Grateful Palate

Cheers,
Alan

mn