The Auswine Forum

Well it's over for another year, quite an arduous task to taste your way through so many wines in just two 2&1/2 sessions but it must be done. These tastings are a great way to get a sneak look at wines that have been bottled but still 12-18 months off release like the excellent 2002 Saltam No.1.

Who won the big gongs? I'll only mention the important ones

Best Shiraz & Best Red Wine in show was a surprise - 2002 Wolf Blass Grey Label

Best Cabernet was no surprise, from the winery that must need a larger trophy cabinet by now - 2002 Majella. That a double for them as they won it last year with the 2001

Best Red Blend was the 2003 Yering Station Shiraz Viognier. This is another winery that keeps getting trophies.

Best Sweet White was the 2002 Miranda Golden Botrytis. My friends tell me this is as good as the Debortoli Noble One. I of course wouldn't let such liquid pass my lips.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned winners, the show system really does throw up some unusual results. Whilst most of the medal winners had something going for them, my group and I often preferred wines that had a lower standard of medal or in many cases no medal at all.

Such is our show system.

707, you wont drink dessert wine? Oh dear. Even Ric counts stickies as honorary reds!

AB

Indeed. Does this mean we have a real red bigot, instead of those famous imposters?

Kieran

707,

Thanks for the notes.

The Miranda GB has been a consistently better wine than the N1 from at least 1995 for mine.

Glad you don't go near it. More for me.

Interesting...I've tried the much heralded 2000 MIRANDA some time ago but it wasn't great at all. I bought the 2002 Noble One after the press announced it "the best Noble One ever".
Well...it wasn't, fair enough, it's nice, smooth and delicate but far from as good as the 1995 was on release, that wine is still on my mind.
So, now, based on the winning, I'll try the 2002 MIRANDA and let's hope it'll live up to expectations.
Is there an independent tasting note I can read on the 2002 WOLF BLASS Grey Label Shiraz?
Cheers,
Attila

Hmmm. Grabbed a bottle of the 2002 Miranda and a bottle of the 2002 Noble One.

Opened the Miranda and have not been that impressed yet, seemed a bit spirity for my taste.

Was there a pinot class? I'm really getting into Adelaide Hills pinots...

Paul, only one Gold Medal, the Paringa Estate 2002.

Not as many good Pinots as at our Duck & Pinot night.

Other than the Ashton Hills 2002, the other excellent Adel Hills I've had recently is the Barrett Reserve 2002. Unfortunately Halliday gave it the big gong and it disappeared very quickly. I do know where there is a six pack though at about $40ish if you're interested.

Steve
Where can we get a full list of wine rankings or awards? Always interesting to see who was in the field to guage the competition level. Colin

Colin wrote:Steve
Where can we get a full list of wine rankings or awards? Always interesting to see who was in the field to guage the competition level. Colin

The show results are here.

Mike

Thanks
Interesting results, I am surprised the 2002 SA wines didn't do better. Colin

I went to the tasting with Steve (707) and bought the catalogue of results.

Very interesting reading, this especially caught my eye.

In the preamble to the class 16 (Shiraz any vintage), and I quote

"03's much stronger group than expected ..."

Interesting as 03 is a bit of a strange and unknown vintage so far with not that many reds out there yet.