The Auswine Forum

Hi folks,

I've been told that this is a big wine and needs time to setttle, but approximately what is the drinking window on this?

Thanks!

Kin Chung

I thought Johns blend was the cabernet and Margaritas was the shiraz?

Justin B. wrote:I thought Johns blend was the cabernet and Margaritas was the shiraz?

Hi!

From what I gather, John's Blend make two wines... A Cabernet and a Shiraz blend, just that the Shiraz is called Margarete's Shiraz for some reason.

Hope I'm right.

Kin Chung

kc wrote:From what I gather, John's Blend make two wines... A Cabernet and a Shiraz blend, just that the Shiraz is called Margarete's Shiraz for some reason.
Hope I'm right.
Kin Chung

Hi KC,

The original John's Blend is a Cabernet, the current release is 2000 (No. 27 in the series). I only drank my last 90 last year and have some 91 that are about at their peak for my preferences, it's definitely a 10 year wine from most vintages and is extremely consistent even from lesser vintages in SA.

The Margarete's Shiraz is named after John Glaetzer's wife and was first released in 1995. I have some of the 2001 but have not tried it since release around September 2003. I have it listed in my cellar database to peak around 2008. I have a few of the older vintages back to 95, but it's a long time since I've tried one, must be time for a vertical to see if my estimates are correct.

Brian,

Is the '01 Shiraz still available?



Cheers

Jamie

Jamie,

Don't know about the Kingo, they'd be cheapest if they have any left, Jim Murphy probably still has some, also Winebizz @ $36

Cheers
Brian

Mr Brian

Your knowledge of Langarone Creek wines is impressive. A popular style these Johns's and Margarita's . They are always a favourite at my monthly wine tasting group. We have 5 different vintages of these wines in our cellar. Never trasted a bad wine from this duo. Vintages vary, of course, but general standard is great IMYO.

Hi Justin,

How formal, "Mr" Brian Must be my advancing years, but I get "Sir" a lot from the junior ranks around Defence too, they are never quite sure who's an officer in civvies until they catch a glimpse of the yellow stripe on the identity tag - denoting consultant/contract personnel, even then they can't always stop themselves.

I don't think I've tried every John's Blend, but I have drunk most of them over the years and still have at least 1 of every vintage from 91 to 2000 in the cellar. As you are obviously aware it's not for everyone, the level of oak can be daunting in some of the young wines, but it is the wine I always use to show that 30+ months in new oak can result in a great wine 10 years down the track as the oak integrates and all the components show their inherent balance. John Glaetzer is a master of judging fruit/oak/tannin/acid balance.

The other impressive thing about this wine is that the price has remained pretty constant since 1994. I paid $20 for the 91, $30 for the 94, 95, 97, 98 $31 for 96 and 99 and $26.50 for the 2000. How many other consistently good premium reds have this pricing record?

It was this wine that started my appreciation for Langhorne Ck reds many years ago, the attractive soft fleshiness when young, delightful mellowness with age, I still regularly buy some of the Bleasdales (Frank Potts cab blend and Generations Shiraz), Lake Breeze, Noons, Metala, Wolf Blass Brown/Grey Label, etc.

Brian,
I love the Frank Potts '98 and just picked up another dozen from Langtons the other day. Great value and drinking well.
MM.