The Auswine Forum

Afternoon guys

Anyone on here Greenock Creek fans? Just received their 2015 release/order forms?
Are the 2013 wines released worth buying, or was this a year to pass.

Used to drink these occasionally, but haven't had a Greenock Creek wine for years, so not even sure what are their good vintages.

Alcohol levels seem more moderate than I thought these guys used to be

Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz 2013 14.5% alcohol
Greenock Creek Roennfeldt’s Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 13% alcohol
Greenock Creek Roennfeldt’s Road Shiraz 2010 14.5% alcohol
Greenock Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 13.5% alcohol

Except for the Apricot Block and Alice's Block 2013 - both 16.5%...

On the Alice's Philip White describes it as "Here’s a rich old-style fruitcake; a plum pudding wine..." well not really a surprise, given its strong enough that if I was to import to the UK it would fit into the "fortified wine" category...

I like their wine - but others dont. I bought the last 2 years a mixed 12, have just received this mailer and am mulling a mixed case. I dont buy the high end $195 RR's.
Whats new?
1) New wine Casey's Block Shiraz $26 - they bought their neighbours chook paddock and converted to vines. Its adjacent to the Alice's Block on the same westward slope.
2) The 2013 vintages are in short supply - dry year and their vinyard is dry grown. There are limits as a result on ordering, 6 of Casey's, 3 of Alices, 3 of Apricot Block, 2 of Seven Acre, 1 of RR Cab. Philip White in the notes says that the 2013's are more approachable than the 2012's. Seems to rate the 2014 Grenache & the 2013 Cab Sav (relative to their previous years).
3) Prices have lifted a tad, a reflection perhaps of the vintage. The Alices are now $35 (was $30), the Apricot now $40 (was $38). Others look the same.
4) Not new in this one, but last year they decided to go back to cork after doing a few with screw caps. Again will upset some, while others will be glad.

Vintage - Label - Price - Alc % - Philip White ratings (backets are the prior vintage rating)
2014 Cornerstone Grenache - 14.5% - $29 - 95+ (94++)
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon - 13.5% - $38 - 94+++ (94+++)
2013 Casey's Block Shiraz $26 -13.5% - 88+++
2013 Alices Shiraz $35 - 16.5% - 90+++ (91++)
2013 Apricot Block Shiraz $40 - 16.5% - 92++ (94-95+++)
2013 Seven Acre $48 - 14.5% - 93+++(95+++)
2010 Roennfeldt Road Shiraz - 14.5% - $195 - 96+ (94++++)
2010 Roennfeldt Road Cab Sav $195 - 13% - 95-96++ (95+++)

I buy every year and the Grenache and Cabernet are my favourites. The Cornerstone Grenache is one of the best cellaring prospects for an Australian Grenache. The 2002 we had at a Brisbane offline recently was just amazing. The Cabernet at 10 years of age is just beautiful. I'll be passing on the high alcohol Shiraz's this year as I have too much Greenock Creek in my cellar already.

Cheers
Ian

Remember that Australian wineries can deduct up to 1% (or even 1.5%?) from the actual stated alcohol on bottles. A stated 14.5-15% could actually be 16%

I've never really had any problem with the high alc's in these wines. After a good decant I don't really notice, and they don't seem to have that bite or heat you would normally associate with such high alc's. As long as the wine is in balance, it doesn't bother me. I've recently just had a 2013 Warrabilla Durif Parola's Release and that was very high on the alc's but one of the best wines I have had all year.

Mind you though, I wouldn't attempt a bottle just on its own, always with food otherwise you get one hell of a good buzz

The general feel I'm getting is that the 2013 shiraz releases certainly aren't as good as the 2012 (which should have a lot better cellaring potential), but the 2014 Grenache is possibly a pointer to better things to come for next years releases (excluded the wet 2011 RR Shiraz & Cab releases).

I used to buy the RR and Creek Block, but some are too porty for my current tastes. I'll probably give them a miss again.

I did buy them but my tastes have changed and I sent all mine to the Auctions ages ago. I still have about 12-18 bottles of grenache and that is about the only one I drink/buy but the cellar is very crouded and other things are starting to take preference.

I did buy them but my tastes have changed and I sent all mine to the Auctions ages ago. I still have about 12-18 bottles of grenache and that is about the only one I drink/buy but the cellar is very crowded and other things are starting to take preference.

I actually don't mind their Grenache with a bit of age....and I've had a few younger Greenocks that were decent in that very decadent type of way....

I have yet to see one of the Shiraz age well though...I've seen them be decent but not age well...

Received my parcel today (12 mixed pack of Grenache, Cab Sav, Apricot Block and Seven Acre). Couldnt resist trying the 2014 Cornerstone Grenache. I have to say I was seriously impressed. Ok, I havent had much Grenache in my time, but I thought this was just a really good wine & one of the best Grenache's I have had. It was not too sweet as some Grenache has been to my palate. Almost sweet & savoury. Smooth & quite a bit of structure too.

Got a 6 pack of the Grenache, may just have to pop one today for International Grenache Day

Polymer wrote:I actually don't mind their Grenache with a bit of age....and I've had a few younger Greenocks that were decent in that very decadent type of way....

I have yet to see one of the Shiraz age well though...I've seen them be decent but not age well...

We opened up a magnum of a 1989 Creek Block a few years ago (well it wasn't labelled Creek Block, it was the precursor) and it was fantastic.. cant find my notes though. I still have a bottle of the 1987 lying around somewhere that I must pull out sometime.

Love their wines, especially Alices Shiraz and my favourite Cornerstone Grenache.
Bring it on. Need more in my fridge