The Auswine Forum

So we can have all the right cattle in all the right paddocks, here is the thread for the new releases.
Must admit I revisited the 2018 and '19 threads over the last few days and they make for an excellent read.

Hope everyone gets the spoils...the 18s should be absolute belters

Cheers Craig

COVID may be what finally breaks my annual Wendouree order. Have been filling the financial life-boat instead of buying fine wine.

Well there you go, mailer arrived today, exactly a year to the day.
6 wines this year, no pressings
If memory serves, remarkable in these challenging times NO price increases from last year...gotta love the Brady's

Shiraz $65
C/S and C/M $60
Malbec $55
S/M and S/Mataro $50

Limit of 6 on all wines this year. If I have one mild criticism freight rates of $10:50 a sixer to Adelaide seems a bit steep.
Cheers Craig

JamieBahrain wrote:COVID may be what finally breaks my annual Wendouree order. Have been filling the financial life-boat instead of buying fine wine.

Take care Jamie. A lot of people in the same boat but for international pilots like you (I presume) I think it's going to be a long haul if you excuse the pun. I hope you enjoy many great wines from your stunning collection and excellent food from HK during the extended layover and not put on too much weight like I and many have.

Carl

Thanks for your thoughts Chuck.

I went through the Ansett collapse in 2001. I didn't buy Wendouree that year either ( vintage 2000 ). I have had a great run since then- could even hang up the boots in a modest manner. Though I don't have enough Barolo for an early retirement.

I asked in the other thread but perhaps this is a better place...Anyone have any insights in the quality of this vintage in Clare?

TommyB wrote:I asked in the other thread but perhaps this is a better place...Anyone have any insights in the quality of this vintage in Clare?

2018 was a lot drier, compared to the very wet 2017. There were no significant heatwaves during a very good ripening period. Nice colour and tannin profiles in the reds. Tipping some quality reds of those old vines. Across the region you'll find it was overall good year.

If anyone has some spare from their allocation, I'd be keen to pick up some bottles this year! Feel free to PM me.

Cheers,

Simon

Second year here, letter arrived.
Has a “2019” stamp in the top corner of the order form. No mark or crayon otherwise. Is this a new thing?

received yesterday. red stripe. standard issue army boots.

in the same boat as a few. will probably get some. what that looks like in the current climate I'm not sure.

Didn't they close off mailing list for a couple of years because last year there were a few disappointed members?
That could be turned on its head like everything else this year.

This will be my 20th vintage of buying Wendouree and I'm still a red striper.

-- George Krashos

George - I have my own feelings on that. Nice people and business and all that but customer loyalty is not rewarded in my opinion with regard to this issue. I was burnt for the 2015 vintage at the expense of newbies. Perhaps they need to record and reward long term customers. I will say no more and cross my fingers.

Think the 2015 was a stuff up for a few older members. Myself included. Was very frustrating. But had no issues following years since seems fixed. Think it’s part of parcel of buying Wendouree! Well that’s what I told myself..

So, have any Sydney people received their offer yet? I'm getting sweaty palms and FOMO.

I am in Melbourne - still no mail. Just a reflection of poor Aus Post delivery frequency

I wrote to them last year requesting to join their mailing list. I received a lovely handwritten card in return advising that as volumes were down for the upcoming vintages that they would not be accepting any new members.

Melbourne, arrived yesterday.

Perth, arrived today. Obviously our Premier still lets the mail get through

Hacker wrote:So, have any Sydney people received their offer yet? I'm getting sweaty palms and FOMO.

Letter turned up today, phewww. Ordered most offerings but not necessarily 6 of each. I have always been lucky enough to have the black initials as opposed to various coloured stripes.

Arrived in regional Tas today

Finally arrived here in suburban Melbourne. Will wack it in the post tomorrow.

An observation about this year's shiraz vs. previous years; normally the shiraz is a mixture of 1893 Central Vineyard Bush vines and other vines, but this year's 2018 shiraz is only from 1919 Eastern vineyard plantings. The only Bush Vines mentioned in this years offering is in the Shiraz Mataro with 1920 Eastern vineyard bush vines.

I wonder why the Bradys have not used the 1893 Central bush vines this year? If anyone knows please share.

Got my mail yesterday in Sydney - will be interesting if orders are down due to C19.

If there is anyone in Sydney who doesn't want their whole allocation I would love a few bottles please!

tuxy85 wrote:I wrote to them last year requesting to join their mailing list. I received a lovely handwritten card in return advising that as volumes were down for the upcoming vintages that they would not be accepting any new members.

I take this back ..... I just received my very first Wendouree mailer. I am splitting a 6 pack with a mate so we both get 2 bottles of Shiraz Mataro and 1 bottle of Cabernet Malbec each.

Just received my letter. Red Stripe but have missed out on wines 2 or 3 times the last few years. Not expecting to get a full order this year either with the reduced yields. It seems no matter how quick I send the order form back, I miss out on Shiraz and Cabernet. I only ever order 3 of everything. If it wasn’t for my wife loving the wines, I probably wouldn’t bother. Wendouree are her favourites. While good bottles are great, I’ve found good ones rare to my tastes...

It really is a backward ordering system. I have no problem missing out on the wines, but when you hear that newbies get full orders and regulars miss out, I shrug my shoulders a little. I think a lot of people like the romance of the letters and waiting to see what they get, but it’s the 21st century. Email and a simple spreadsheet would sort all the issues out.

I’ve got grief from the wife for not getting the Shiraz and Cabernet a few times, come on Mr and Mrs Brady, help a man out please.

Have given in to temptation and attempted to go for a mixed 6 pack via a friends mailer. We haven't had a great run of luck so lets see how we go this year.

Sydneysider here. Received letter on Tuesday 7/7 and posted order form on 8/7. Ordered 6 of each reds. I might call next week to check the mail. Let’s see what I will get.

Metro Melbourne... arrived 7/7. Not sure if this is the year to pass, or to go limit long everything and live life. Will decide over a bottle tonight...

MSE, don't poke the bear mate...best to lie low
Hawksmoor go long, really long, what ever you can afford is what I ordered.
If money is not an issue then 36 bottles should be a standard order this year, saves breaking cartons

Anyway, this year, 19 and 20 will be it...suspect it will be down to two things, one; if the Brady's keep going for while longer and you would suspect at least 2 more years with those vintages in the tank, and Tony will still be south of 80, two, if the lads, a relative, friend want to keep the name on the list and someone else buys the wine. Think there would be a few instances of this happening already.

All the best with how it works out
Cheers Craig