The Auswine Forum

Trying to avoid hijacking the Weekly Reports thread, so will start here anew!

Thanks to Torb and Wizz for their contributions. I will ask for your continued assistance, aswell as others with appropriate scuttlebutt.


I have done a little research and appear to have opened a can of worms.

Draycott shiraz is now only Draycott Premium? Or is there now the regular old Draycott shiraz and Draycott Premium?

I have a case clearly labelled Draycott Premium. Many foreign reports mention Draycott Premium aswell. Locally, people seem to make mention of only Draycott shiraz.

Since the sublime 98 Reserve Draycott ( 99 pts Parker ), there has been the 99 Grateful Shiraz ( Yanks only ) and the G3 Blend ( Draycott shiraz with old parcels of Olive Hill grenache & mataro ) from the current 02 vintage. Now, somewhere in there, the Draycott Premium fits in.

Ardent follower of Burge Family Winemakers, but I am somewhat puzzled and would be greatful for clarrification.

Secondly, the Draycott Premium Shiraz 01 gets excellent reviews from wine writers but mixed reports from Forum contributors. Possibly reinforcing the Draycott and Draycott premium shiraz scenario.

2001 Draycott Premium- Parker 95 pts 15+ years, Langtons references it as being a cult wine ( mentioning Draycott Premium specifically, and not the sublime 98 Draycott Reserve ) and Halliday gives it 91 pts and a 15 year window.

It all adds up to two wines-Draycott Premium ( good to excellent reviews and longevity ) and Draycott regular ( honest, early and approachable style as mentioned on the forums ).

Jamie,

It has Draycott in very large letters and Premium Barossa Shiraz written in small letters below it.

In 99 there was a US only wine but from 2000 there has only been one Draycott.

There was no Draycott in 2002 because the majority of the Draycott fruit went into the G3 which was a special, one off anniversary wine.

As to drinking windows, no way the 01 is a 15 year proposition. When I was there in may we discussed it and Rick himself confirmed that it is best drunk earlier (the next few years) rather than later (7+ from vintage.)

Thanks Rick.

Forgot to mention Nick's - 98 pts!

So, Draycott Premium it is.

Disappointed in the lack of longevity. May leave a few bottles and see how they travel in 15 years according to Parker's recommendation.