The Auswine Forum

I'm going to buy either a HOG or GRANGE for a significant milestone gift.
I've done a bit of research into the various vintages (best/worst) and price etc etc but I thought why not throw it out
to the auswine brains trust and get a read on what I should be honing in on.
Any advice/tips appreciated.

I'm going to start by kicking the ball completely in the other direction. Can I suggest you consider one of the Penfolds special bin bottlings, rarer but better value IMO. Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet, either '96 or '04. Had the '96 last year, absolutely fantastic cabernet, still youthful and will go for decades. Also have the '04 also but haven't tried it yet. Both usually available on the secondary market. '96 in the range 400+, '04 a little cheaper at 350+. Alternative is the '04 Bin 60A Coonawarra Cabernet Barossa Shiraz, again a hugely complex wine that will go for decades. Also 350+

Just my 2c

Agree with the Special Bins, all good choices, especially if you're not going to open it for a long time. But I would personally get a Bin 90a 1990 which is a stunning wine, and ready to go now, or in the next 10 years. Not common, but can be found on the secondary market around $400-500 last I checked.

HOG 2005 is pretty good if you're sticking with HOG or Grange. For Grange, meh I'm not a big fan unless they have some proper age, like 30-40 years or so... in which case, 66, 67, 71, 76 would be my first choices.

I was going to mention Bin90A (for obvious reasons if you happen to glance at my avatar!!). Predecessor to the 04 Bin60A, same blend of Coonawarra Cabernet and Barossa Shiraz

I've actually been getting it for a tick over $300 on the secondary market. At this price a very good value wine cf HOG or Grange

I was in the same predicament a little while ago. I went with the 1990 Bin90A. You can find them without too much trouble and below the cost of Grange and HOG.
I have not tried them, but everything I have read/heard has been outstandingly good.

I find it interesting that in a thread entitled HOG vs. Grange everyone is suggesting something else!

If it is based on current vintages, I compared both side by side at a tasting last year and HOG being preferred of the two.

If they know their wine - HOG. If they know reputations - Grange.

Case of something reasonable instead (St Peters, Old Block, etc), with the suggestion to have one a year... More chances to enjoy it

shauno wrote:Case of something reasonable instead (St Peters, Old Block, etc), with the suggestion to have one a year... More chances to enjoy it

+1 Shauno, best part of 12, 2012 BP, 6 2012 Mt Ed, best part of a dozen Kays Block 6, 12 Wendouree, etc. etc. etc.

I am not in the position these days, to think about a lonely $600+ bottle, when the option to work through a case of something presents so many more opportunities, surprises and a readiness to share.

However, do agree that a Pennies Bin, or indeed 4-5 Wynns Centenaries is a much better way to go.

Cheers
Craig.

I drank 8 vintages of Grange last week woopy-doopy but I can still remember all the Hill of Graces I've drunk. Far more special for my palate!

Retail is outrageous. Auction pricing is more reasonable but HofG and any Henschke for that matter, is very sensitive to poor storage. I would not go near Henschke on the secondary market but do keep an eye out for my cellar if it ever comes up for sale. Perfect- straight from the winery to 15 degrees since 1989.

Thanks for all the feedback!
IN the back of my mind I thought this might happen.
Back to the drawing board.
The Bin 90a 1990 sounds like it might be the go...hmmm

Grange is a world-class wine, but it relies too much on it's pedigree and past performances. The Granges of the 60's, 70's, and 80's are sensational in good years, but I have noted a distinct change in the wine from 1990 onwards. My memories of a six year old Grange from the early 70's, and even 15 year old Granges from the 60's were of monstrous beasts filled with wooden planks (bit like the 2005 Pavie everybody is complaining about now)
But they developed over 25 years plus into the wine we see today. Modern Grange is not like this, approachable younger, but never developing into the heights of the old stuff.... 1990 is a classic, for me a disappointing vintage that does not seem will ever develop into something special despite all the hype at it's release.
If some-one was offering me a bottle of Grange or HoG from the 00's, I would prefer to get the HoG.

Hadn't realised the 90A has appreciated so much in recent years. Glad I got it when I did - remember the Anders Josephson sale back in the 90's?

The 6 box of 90A that I bought just after release was about $200/b iirc

Bin 90A is stunning.

I bought 3 of Bin 90A and 6 of '90 Grange on release and both were around $130. Those were the days although it was over 20 years ago. The 90A is the best wine I've ever had. Simple

Carl

After much deliberation I grabbed a 99 Greenock Creek RR shiraz.
The recipient in question likes the big Barossa gear so I figured this will do the trick.

Well, at least its got a bit of age. Last tasted the '08 15mths ago, undrinkable imo

mjs wrote:Well, at least its got a bit of age. Last tasted the '08 15mths ago, undrinkable imo

I did a tasting there on Friday and liked most of what was on offer.
I've never tasted a RR shiraz but I'm a fan of the 99 apricot block and so is the recipient of the 99 RR shiraz I grabbed.
Lucky for me I've got a contact thru Greenock Creek so this bad boy was picked out especially.
I dare say this will be opened before the year's out so I'll wait and see.

I have very low tolerance to Brett, so I have been distracted by the amount of it I have found in HOG & Edlestone.

Scotty vino wrote:

mjs wrote:Well, at least its got a bit of age. Last tasted the '08 15mths ago, undrinkable imo

I did a tasting there on Friday and liked most of what was on offer.
I've never tasted a RR shiraz but I'm a fan of the 99 apricot block and so is the recipient of the 99 RR shiraz I grabbed.
Lucky for me I've got a contact thru Greenock Creek so this bad boy was picked out especially.
I dare say this will be opened before the year's out so I'll wait and see.

Gerry was kind enough to bring a '99 RR Shiraz to a Brisbane offline a couple of years ago and it has years left in the tank. If your friend does like the big Barossa brutes, then chances are he will love this. It is a monster but I felt that with 5-10 more years it will be a special wine. Admittedly I like the big ball buster Barossa Shiraz's so I'm a little biased. It won't be to everyone's taste.

Cheers
Ian

Scotty vino wrote:After much deliberation I grabbed a 99 Greenock Creek RR shiraz.
The recipient in question likes the big Barossa gear so I figured this will do the trick.

It's an absolute stunner.

Rory wrote:I have very low tolerance to Brett, so I have been distracted by the amount of it I have found in HOG & Edlestone.

Me too. Stick to pre 97 and post 02 and you should be ok

Holly Molly!

$650 for new release 2010! I thought I'd replenish my HofG stocks with 2010 & 2012 but I can get 2.5 Chave Hermitage per HofG bottle.