The Auswine Forum

Hi there
Can anyone help me out with wines that are currently available. Notes, impressions would be most appreciated. I really like this style of wine and have noticed that it is a little light in the cellar.
thanks
rorie

Majella Malleea may be the best Cab Shiraz blend at present, almost any vintage is very good.

Wally

Yalumba The Signature is a favorite of mine. Age worthy and very consistent, even in weak vintages.

Cheers,

Francois[/code]

Majella Malleea
Yalumba Signature (98 and 99 are good)
Gralyn Cabernet Shiraz (for people with big wallets - I think this is $90-120 at CD) If you're in this league you can also consider Wolf Blass Black.
Penfolds Bin 389 - I'd only bother in good vintages. 2002 probably worth waiting for.
Taltarni Cephas - a more elegant expression.

At a lower end, Metala 02 is out now.

Kieran

What about the humble Penfolds Koonunga Hill (starting to revert back to it's true style) and the well priced Metala white label.

Also Penfolds 60A, Bin 7, 620, 820, 80A, 90A, and 920. Max Schubert was a pioneer of this aussie invention and what a product. IMO the 90A from 1990 is the best wine I've had and the 60A (1962) still retains the title of Australia's greatest wine ever made. Current auction price approx $1,000.

Chuck

I too really like the Yalumba signature (I've had the '95, '96, and '99 and am waiting a little longer on the '98). It is quite full-bodied, with a lot more weight than some others cab-shiraz blends.

Chapel Hill The Vicar 01 after last night

Stringybrae Cab Shiraz 02 - Clare Valley - lovely blend - in the $20 range

NN

If you're happy to gamble at auction, something like the 96 Jacob's Creek Limited Release wine might be worth a look. This got smart write-ups when first released (at $60-odd - don't confuse with the Reserve Shiraz and Res CS).

I tasted the 97, which I felt was a better drop than the 97 Jacaranda Ridge and 97 Lawsons (all at the same dinner) - but, given the vintage conditions, worth less than the $75 retail price. Haven't heard of the 98. But they don't seem to broach $40 at auction, which makes them pretty good value.

Also, I seem to recall one or 2 of the early Jack Mann reds were CS-Shz blends.

cheers,
Graeme

GraemeG wrote: Haven't heard of the 98. But they don't seem to broach $40 at auction, which makes them pretty good value.

The 98 is a very nice wine. I have 5 sitting in my cellar waiting for a nice opportunity to drink. $40 is very good value, they cost me $43 on special from a retailer.

The Jacobs Creek Limited Release is even better value when the person doing the pricing mixed it up with the Reserves - mine cost $16 each.

Kieran

Kieran

Don't you just love that!

I managed to score a few 96 Signatures for $11.99 each a few years back... perhaps that was RRP for Galway shiraz?
Same store... 93 WB Black Label for the "old price" the year after they doubled the RRP - definitely good value at $42, even back then.
All very fine cab/shiraz blends.

Cheers and happy shopping!

Kieran wrote:The Jacobs Creek Limited Release is even better value when the person doing the pricing mixed it up with the Reserves - mine cost $16 each.

Kieran

I hope it wasn't a small retailer.

I can't get over the amount of gloating from people on wine boards about potential bargains they received because of someones misfortune. There was even a poster suggest drinking a wine then sending the whole lot back for a refund as was the retailers policy. I wonder at what lengths people will stop at to get a bargain.

Search the bargains for sure, but no need to be dishonest about it.

My 2c

The guy behind the counter noticed what had happened, but since it was their mistake elected to honour the price. This was at an outlet of a chain with about five stores, so nobody went without dinner that night.

Kieran

Whilst on this topic i have found Bannokburn Stuart Pinot Noir 2001 for $42 compared to $65 listed price elsewhere. Is this a bargain or has it come down? Worth buying?

Certainly sounds worth buying to me.

Kieran

2001 Rockford Rod & Spur - as it is not the BP, BS or RR, you might be able to call up and get some - $28.

Adair

Blue Twerp wrote:There was even a poster suggest drinking a wine then sending the whole lot back for a refund as was the retailers policy.

Who would do that?!?

One of the early Howard Park cabs was a cab shiraz, as was one of the early Jack Manns. The first Petaluma coonawarra was a cab-shiraz too, out of interest.

P.

Hello Blue Twerp

I can assure you that my bargains from a few years ago were from a branch of one of the massive conglomerates who do use loss leaders to get folks into the store, and over a period of time, I did spend my fair share of $ there. And, Head Shaker, I drank the lot ( though not all at once!)
I suppose that it is a bit "nicer" to score a bargain from a smaller, caring store that cellars some of its stock for over 5 years, then brings it out as clearance stock for a slight premium over "old" retail price, but far less than current prices (eg: La Rocca soave 1995 for $26!!).
This, of course, is the opposite stance to the majority of stores - some of the majors asking 3 or 4 times the old RRP for back vintage , often 2 or 3 times the going rate at auction. How many people will actually pay $170 odd for a 93 Meshach?

Cheers