The Auswine Forum

One of the geeky wine things I do is track the alcohol levels in my Aussie wines, mainly reds.

Mount Mary Quintet is a wine I the most information on.

Might post a few others and edit as get more info, that’s why I love tasting notes with the alcohol level.

Hope you all find it interesting.

Cheers Con.

1980 - 1989. Low - 11.5%. High - 13.0%. Average - 12.16%.

1980 - 11.5%.
1981 - 13.0%.
1982 - 12.0%.
1983 - 12.0%.
1984 - 12.4%.
1985 - 12.0%.
1986 - 12.0%
1987 - ????.
1988 - 12.5%.
1989 - 12.0%.

1990 - 1999. Low - 12.0%. High - 13.0%. Average - 12.55%.

1990 - 12.5%.
1991 - 12.0%.
1992 - 12.5%.
1993 - 13.0%.
1994 - 13.0%.
1995 - 12.5%.
1996 - 12.5%
1997 - 12.5%.
1998 - 12.5%.
1999 - 12.5%.

2000 - 2009. Low - 12.2%. High - 13.1%. Average - 12.78%.

2000 - 12.2%.
2001 - 12.5%.
2002 - 12.5%.
2003 - 13.0%.
2004 - 13.0%.
2005 - 13.0%.
2006 - 12.9%.
2007 - 13.1%. I believe this vintage wasn’t released for sale.
2008 - 12.8%.
2009 - Not Made.

2010 - 2019. Low - 12.5%. High - 13.3%. Average - 12.95%.

2010 - 12.7%.
2011 - 12.5%.
2012 - 12.9%.
2013 - 12.9%.
2014 - 13.0%.
2015 - 13.3%.
2016 - 13.2%.
2017 - 13.0%.
2018 - 13.0%.
2019 - 13.0%.

Yes Con, I agree. '82 or 84 BL 11.6%
Cheers Craig

Yes, something I find interesting, and it's certainly a thread to point people to, who say 'all Aussie wines are alcoholic gloop'

Very interesting Con. I have read reviews before that the Yarra was getting warmer and I suppose this is to be expected. Wonder how the 80 and 81 compare to each other.

Good information Con.

No great surprise, it is unfortunately climate change.I know Bordeaux alcohol levels have been climbing over the last two decades.

I think the interesting thing here is that the high level was pretty consistent but the low level made the average get higher.
So are they making a more consistent wine now or a wine without the vintage variations that used to be greater.

There’s a couple of wineries in the Yarra like Yeringberg and Wantirna Estate where the alcohol levels rose in 2000’s then they pegged it back in the 2010’S.

Cheers Con.

A number of early 2000 Aussie wines I’ve had recently are utterly amateurish and out of balance. All that waffle at the time about the wines being in balance! Age is a truth-teller. Quite peeved a Langi Gibran who once made some of our most presentable Shiraz when aged. 15% + and screw cap makes for horrid drinking.

I think I agree with you Jamie. I’ve drank a bit of Aussie reds with about 15 to 20 years on them and most under screw cap.
Usually I’m glad I don’t have any in the cellar. For me the wine from the 80’ and 90’s had personality, I struggle to pick where these younger wines are from, a lot of the time I even struggle picking grape varieties.

I used to be on the fence about screw caps, now I don’t think I like them on the bigger wines.
On Pinot and Chardonnay I love them.

Cheers Con.