Rockford Basket Press Vertical

[ticklenow1]

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Recently I hosted the Brisbane offline crew at my place for a Rockford night.

I raided the cellar and put on 10 vintages of Basket Press and 6 vintages of Moppa Springs plus a few other Rockford wines.

The Basket Press vintages were '02, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12
The Moppa Springs vintages were '04, '05, '06, '10, '12, '13
Other Rockford wines tried were '04 Hoffman SVS, '23 Semillon, '06 Pinot Meunier and '12 Disgorge Black Shiraz.

Wines were all double decanted except for the '10, '12 & '13 Moppa's (I learnt my lesson, more below) and the fizz.

I didn't take any proper notes but do have some vague recollections:

'02 BP - My pick of the night. Just a lovely aged Shiraz
'04 BP - In fine form and plenty of life left. Always loved the '04 BP
'05 BP - Corked
'06 BP - Excellent wine that showed lots of class
'07 BP - Considering the poor vintage, an excellent wine. Didn't quite have the finish of the '06 for example, but still a very good wine
'08 BP - I got a bit of heat from this, quite fruit forward and heading into full bodied
'09 BP - In a really good place now. Not a great BP but still very good
'10 BP - Still a pup. Needs more time to unwind. I feel it will be amazing in another 5-10 years
'11 BP - Like the '07, considering the horrendous vintage, Rockford have somehow produced a very good wine. Not a long termer but very good
'12 BP - All class and will live for many more years

The '02, '06 and '12 were my picks and the '10 will be the longest lived and will give much enjoyment in the future. Honorable mentions for the '07 & '11. Ordinary vintages but excellent wines

'04 MS - On opening it was really nice, no way it was a 21 year old GSM, but sadly it fell over very quickly. Should have popped and poured
'05 MS - Same as '04
'06 MS - Same as '04
Sadly I should have popped and poured these 3 but I'll learn from this mistake
'10 MS - Good but not great, drink up if you have any
'12 MS - Corked
'13 MS - probably the pick of the Moppa's.

They do have some aging capacity but are in a sweet spot around 8-10 years in my experience.

'04 SVS Hoffman - We had a bottle at an offline a few months back that was not good at all. Not faulty, just all out of shape. This bottle was in great nick. It's still a big brute of a wine, and for those that like the style it's a winner. My palate has moved away from this "parkerised" style these days
'23 Semillon - Always a crowd pleaser and a good vintage of this wine.
'06 Pinot Meunier - Sadly this wine should have been consumed long ago. I found 3 bottles at the back of the cellar and miles past it's best. Went down the sink
'12 Disgorge Black Shiraz - Sadly had lost most of it's fizz. Which is sad as you could tell how good the base wine was. Crown seal anyone....

There were some other wines consumed on the night but I'll stick with the Rockfords wines for this write up.

To start we had Gerry's amazing Pate and some cheeses. Entre was Lamb Ragu with Rigatoni. Main was 12 hour cooked Beef Cheeks with mash and veg. Desert was Mel's amazing chocolate torte with Vanilla ice cream.

Cheers
Ian

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Ian,

As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat.

Thanks for the write up and the excellent photo!

Mike

[ticklenow1]

Thanks Ian,

As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat.

Thanks for the write up and the excellent photo!

Mike

I had an ‘01 with Robert O’Callaghan last year and it was perfect. Wonderful wine that everyone at the table gushed over.

On a more important note, Liverpool looking like getting an excellent squad together to defend the title….

Cheers
Ian

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Ian,

As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat.

Thanks for the write up and the excellent photo!

Mike

I had an ‘01 with Robert O’Callaghan last year and it was perfect. Wonderful wine that everyone at the table gushed over.

On a more important note, Liverpool looking like getting an excellent squad together to defend the title….

Cheers
Ian

Indeed. Two new fullbacks, and a 10. Hopefully a new defender and a world class striker and it should make for a great team

[JamieAdelaide]

I’ve grabbed a 02 Basket Press to try in the next few days to hopefully get a better experience . Found a magnum of the 02 Basket Press I didn’t know I had and then knocked over and smashed a rare Italian magnum in the process.

[ticklenow1]

I’ve grabbed a 02 Basket Press to try in the next few days to hopefully get a better experience . Found a magnum of the 02 Basket Press I didn’t know I had and then knocked over and smashed a rare Italian magnum in the process.

Ouch. Hope the BP delivers….

[Rossco]

I’ve grabbed a 02 Basket Press to try in the next few days to hopefully get a better experience . Found a magnum of the 02 Basket Press I didn’t know I had and then knocked over and smashed a rare Italian magnum in the process.

I'm very sorry to hear of the Italian Tragedy Jamie. Knowing you have some super special wines in the cellar, for you to say it was rare means it was a unicorn.

I hope the BP is as good as my (standard) bottle was.
Please let us know

[JamieAdelaide]

Thanks Roscoe. First breakage ever!

I stood up a BP2002 for two days and decanted for an hour. It’s lovely Shiraz in a 15% style. It’s not as classical as the preceding excellent 99,98,96 vintages. It was ripe and dark with spicy complexity and a touch of raisin. Full and gratifying in the mouth, it wasn’t hot at all and only the raisin and prune notes were indicative of a very ripe BP ( versus direct heat ).

I’ve a 98 stood up for next week.

[Rossco]

Thanks Roscoe. First breakage ever!

I stood up a BP2002 for two days and decanted for an hour. It’s lovely Shiraz in a 15% style. It’s not as classical as the preceding excellent 99,98,96 vintages. It was ripe and dark with spicy complexity and a touch of raisin. Full and gratifying in the mouth, it wasn’t hot at all and only the raisin and prune notes were indicative of a very ripe BP ( versus direct heat ).

I’ve a 98 stood up for next week.

Lol 3 years ago a broke a Mount Mary Triolet.....call it $60 and I'm still upset about it..... I don't think I'd cope breaking an Italian unicorn in magnum.

My BP had that spice although strangely it felt a cooler vintage type spice, a little more plum & blueberry fruit, leather, chocolate, espresso, tobacco and had more darker floral notes than I was expecting. Tannin fully integrated. I thought it was peak drinking and will hold but doubt it will get better

96 my favourite vintage

[TravisW]

A few months ago, while fossicking around downstairs, I managed to drop a bottle of Château Gruaud Laros nose down onto its rim. This was from about a metre, and onto concrete. It bounced up a foot and I managed to catch it. All good! It hit at a perfect 45 degrees. Quite the "dent" on the external rim. Took it as a sign to drink it.

[JamieAdelaide]

I felt a 1998 BP last night was a considerably more perfected wine then the 2002. Holding- just a wee Hong of leather in this bottle.

[Mike Hawkins]

I felt a 1998 BP last night was a considerably more perfected wine then the 2002. Holding- just a wee Hong of leather in this bottle.

Consistent with my comparative experience too

[ticklenow1]

'98 is still the best BP I've had. Only been luck enough to have it 4 or 5 times, but every time it impresses me greatly.

[Mike Hawkins]

'98 is still the best BP I've had. Only been luck enough to have it 4 or 5 times, but every time it impresses me greatly.

It’s an excellent wine, though I prefer 90 and 91. Both are still drinking superbly

[JamieAdelaide]

1996 was glorious to its peak a decade ago. I don’t believe it re-peaked? Gently fading and the last time I had it was in magnum a few years ago.

[phillisc]

Just out of interest some crazy prices on early (80s) BPs at MW tonight.
1984 $1800
1985 $720
1986 $480
1987 $320
1988 no bid, but $270 price guide.

1990 and 1991 $250+
I stand by the claim that the second hand market is dead, but, if you happen to have any '84 BP, then make a few dollars. IIRC $8 on release.
Might have to flog my bottles of '86, but will wait for someone who is having a 40th next year
Cheers Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

I regret missing my opportunity to try the 84 many years ago, but won’t be paying crazy money for a wine that maybe dead anyway. Had all the rest though and still feel it’s the quintessential Barossa Shiraz.

[crusty2]

Had my last 2 bottles of 1984 Basket Press in 2017 vertical - some brief notes at the bottom of this thread
https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?p=1 ... 84#p148556

[Rossco]

Just out of interest some crazy prices on early (80s) BPs at MW tonight.
1984 $1800
1985 $720
1986 $480
1987 $320
1988 no bid, but $270 price guide.

1990 and 1991 $250+
I stand by the claim that the second hand market is dead, but, if you happen to have any '84 BP, then make a few dollars. IIRC $8 on release.
Might have to flog my bottles of '86, but will wait for someone who is having a 40th next year
Cheers Craig

And then the buyers commission on top of that $1800

Yes it was a signed bottle but had a high shoulder.

I'm not sure the second hand market is dead, I didn't bid on any wines that auction, as the ones I looked at were already over what I wanted to pay (been burnt by too many corked and faulty wines in the 2nd hand Market). This is a me problem I know but good wines will always have demand and string pricing.

Just look at how many aged Giaconda Chardonnays were sold for over 250+ comms (answer is all of them) and a 2022 magnum went for $680+ com.

I just think covid pricing is (thankfully) a thing of the past.

[phillisc]

Rossco, I preface my comments that the second hand market in 2025, is dead for most wines. Most wines that punters in SA and Australia are well aware of, e.g. Grange, HoG etc.
There are unicorn wines, and niche wines of late that have piqued a little interest. e.g. Giaconda, Sami Odi, early Rockford and Wendouree and freak one off wines, often those in the year first made e.g. 1984 BP, 1982 JR, 1955 Michael, 1954 Wynns Cab, various Lindies form the Hunter and so forth.
20 years ago, none of these wines fetched anything like they do now.
I purchased 1990 Wynns BL yesterday for $38...release price was about $12...so that punter made about 70c a year on their investment
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

People buy too much wine and then get sick, die or divorce and it’s sold. Not sure how many folks are silly enough to think retail buying makes you money?

I picked up a few bottles at Oddbins in Adelaide the other day and they said market slow. Simple! Drop the reserves like Mark Wickman did. Seeing stale lots for months upon months on end turns me off the secondary market. Need money? Lower the price.

Geez I didn’t even consider buying those old BP at auction when they came up over the years. A BP buyer in the 80’s was pre-dating the decency some now have of proper cellaring.

[Alan Foo]

Rossco, I preface my comments that the second hand market in 2025, is dead for most wines. Most wines that punters in SA and Australia are well aware of, e.g. Grange, HoG etc.
There are unicorn wines, and niche wines of late that have piqued a little interest. e.g. Giaconda, Sami Odi, early Rockford and Wendouree and freak one off wines, often those in the year first made e.g. 1984 BP, 1982 JR, 1955 Michael, 1954 Wynns Cab, various Lindies form the Hunter and so forth.
20 years ago, none of these wines fetched anything like they do now.
I purchased 1990 Wynns BL yesterday for $38...release price was about $12...so that punter made about 70c a year on their investment
Cheers Craig

Yes, I know now, the 1990 Wynns BL you won is a bargain. I started off from $36. Well done.
Cheers Alan

[phillisc]

Rossco, I preface my comments that the second hand market in 2025, is dead for most wines. Most wines that punters in SA and Australia are well aware of, e.g. Grange, HoG etc.
There are unicorn wines, and niche wines of late that have piqued a little interest. e.g. Giaconda, Sami Odi, early Rockford and Wendouree and freak one off wines, often those in the year first made e.g. 1984 BP, 1982 JR, 1955 Michael, 1954 Wynns Cab, various Lindies form the Hunter and so forth.
20 years ago, none of these wines fetched anything like they do now.
I purchased 1990 Wynns BL yesterday for $38...release price was about $12...so that punter made about 70c a year on their investment
Cheers Craig

Yes, I know now, the 1990 Wynns BL you won is a bargain. I started off from $36. Well done.
Cheers Alan

Alan, do we need to team up!!?? I am just trying to plug a few holes. My bad, probably focused too much on JR and Michael and have either overlooked or drank many BLs that are no longer in the cellar. I have been buying bits and pieces of Coonawarra's mainly, and MW are happy to store the wines until I have a dozen, at $20 freight for either 1 or 12 bottles, might as well fill the box.

Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

People buy too much wine and then get sick, die or divorce and it’s sold. Not sure how many folks are silly enough to think retail buying makes you money?

I picked up a few bottles at Oddbins in Adelaide the other day and they said market slow. Simple! Drop the reserves like Mark Wickman did. Seeing stale lots for months upon months on end turns me off the secondary market. Need money? Lower the price.

Geez I didn’t even consider buying those old BP at auction when they came up over the years. A BP buyer in the 80’s was pre-dating the decency some now have of proper cellaring.

Gee Jamie, that's cheery
Not sure how I'll feel when all that Wendouree rolls up
cellar arrangements are changing, and the lad is helping me out, so I am hopeful of now running down stocks.
Yes I agree about bullshit/overly optimistic reserves that need to be revised. Yes agreed, buying at full RRP is a loosing strategy, over 95% of the wines that I buy are never full RRP, I aim for 40-70% off
Yes purchased some Yalumba through Oddbins last month and they conceded market very slow, even for BP. I do like its the only auction house in Adelaide, where I don't have to pay for freight, so will continue to support them.

Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

I didn’t mean to be so grim. But gee auction house reserves frustrating when we all know there’s oceans full of fine wine and a generation coming through who aren’t so thirsty!

United Airlines starts flying direct SFO to ADL in November. Rich Californian’s will love our Basket Press. Cheap bargain compared to their’s!

[phillisc]

All good
Yes eventually reserves are adjusted,. I will keep scouring auctions as there's often quirky stuff and surprisingly old classics that I had at the beginning of my wine journey, that I drank way too young!!
BP will probably hit $100 this year, still modest compared to over inflated BV Shiraz. That said however, it's a tricky price point. Just ask any number of winemakers how many cases at the $100 bottle level that they sell each week...not many!
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

Re-reading the vertical the corked wine disappoints though heartened that replacements honoured by the winery. I prefer cork for most reds as long as replacement possible.

I would never dare say I ve had a good run with Rockford cork.

[JamieAdelaide]

Just a few snippets.

The sole Adelaide auction house which I follow now Wickmans a Melbourne company, didn’t see a recent vintage of Basket Press sell with stupidly high reserves.

You can go to a local Pub and enjoy Basket Press for less! I think I’m done with this auction house.

I had an overtly corked 2015 disgorgement Black Shiraz, which Rockfords is kindly replacing with a current vintage. I can’t recall a corked Balck Shiraz but anyways. Interestingly staff advised they recommend early drinking.

This completely at odds with my palate and recently a 1990 magnum of Black Shiraz lovely. For me, a decade works well!

We use the highest quality corks in our wines, but there are still very rare occasions when a cork fails, as you discovered. For your reference, we don’t suggest cellaring our Black Shiraz for extended periods of time – we prefer to see the wine enjoyed up to 5-6 years bottle age. Because sparkling wines are under pressure in the bottle, when you age them for extended times, there is a greater risk for the cork to become hard and potentially leak wine or lose its bubbles. This is the reason we suggest drinking them earlier, so you can confidently enjoy them at their best.

[phillisc]

Yes have moved on from Wickhams, a shadow of what it used to be.
I was at a pub for dinner last week, think BP was $135 on the wine list, will check to confirm.

The set price (?reserve) is a joke. Auction houses need to know its the punters that start and finish the price, e.g. Grays, Oddbins, MW.

Yes there may be a guide, but not set in concrete...surprised that Wickhams sell anything really.
Cheers Craig

Correction, $185 on the list, just 3 three times whole sale price markup.

[JamieAdelaide]

Having so much BP it’s not something I’m going to buy at the Pub but yep, noting BP consistently for mid-100’s at at a number of locals.

South Aussies need to wake up. You may have to do a paper round or drive an uber for extra pennies. Flipping wine will only get you fly-buys.