The Auswine Forum

Still young and years away from being fully ready to drink, but wow. This is the best Aussie shiraz I've opened in some time. Inky black, very concentrated but restrained fruit with berry, licorice, pie spices and a mint character that I loved. Well structured with a long finish. Had me hypnotized to the last drop. Very, very sorry that I had only this one bottle![/list]

Jenise wrote:Still young and years away from being fully ready to drink, but wow. This is the best Aussie shiraz I've opened in some time. Inky black, very concentrated but restrained fruit with berry, licorice, pie spices and a mint character that I loved. Well structured with a long finish. Had me hypnotized to the last drop. Very, very sorry that I had only this one bottle![/list]

Jenise
Nice to see your comments. Have 24 of them and was waiting until 2006/beyond but on the strength of your TN will try some soon.

Their 01 is worth seeking out, will surpass the 98 and won't break the bank either.

Cheers ......... RayD

Ray, two cases? Lucky you. To my palate, this wine was as good or better than many of the more fashionable wines commanding two or three times it's price.

Unfortunately, I live in the US and Balgownie does not appear to be exported. I used Winesearcher and all it came up with was a hotel in Queensland.

Jenise,

My 1998 Balgownie shiraz needs about another 3-5 years, but I opened a 1994 last month and it is drinking superbly: the first year of the renaissance at this winery which was fantastic under Stuart Anderson until the early/mid-80s (some poor vintages and then sale to conglomerate Mildara blass if memory serves me).

The 1980 CS was fabulous (and still drank well in 2000!) and a few shirazes very good too.

I had tasted each year - and been disappointed until the release of the 1994s and my taste buds sparked up. There has not been a dud since - although some years are better than others. Quality control appears to have reasserted itself - and the shiraz peaks at about a decade from vintage.

The style is far more Rhone-like than Barossa, and Bendigo is a very different climate form Barossa. It will prove a shock to people who think in stereotypical terms of Oz shiraz. Glad you find it a style you like - but wait longer and you will be rewarded..


fred

If

According to Halliday, Balgownie is exported to the UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, the US, NZ and Asia.

Kieran

Jenise wrote:Ray, two cases? Lucky you. To my palate, this wine was as good or better than many of the more fashionable wines commanding two or three times it's price.

Unfortunately, I live in the US and Balgownie does not appear to be exported. I used Winesearcher and all it came up with was a hotel in Queensland.

Jenise
US distributor is Rob McDonald, Old Bridge Cellars, Napa; email:rob@oldbridgecellars.com.
I was told Balgownie's new owners have great plans and future releases will have more bottle age. Repositioning into the premium range. Their Estate wines at around A$27 (on special) are VFM.
Hope you manage to get your hands on a few of them.

Cheers