The Auswine Forum

For anyone thats tried both if you had a choice between either 94 or 98 what would you choose?

Haven't had a 98 for a long while so can't tell you how that's travelling, probably needs more time.

Had a couple of 94s last winter and they were still looking youthful, plenty of power with a decent splash of vanilla oak, probably too much by todays standard.

Would you rate the 94's better than say Alberfeldy or Jasper Hill Shiraz's from their strong vintages with close to the same prices?

Three different styles but if pushed I'd rate both Aberfeldy and Jasper Hill ahead of Michael.

The Aberfeldy is an unsung bargain, it is great wine in the best years, the 2002 was the best wine I tried on a recent trip to Clare, only the Kilikanoon Oracle came close.

Jasper Hill Georgia's is among the top echelon of Shiraz in Australia. Whilst there's alot of hype about Heathcote, it's mostly that - hype, nothing else from there is in the class of Jasper Hill. The 2002 was brilliant.

Had the 94 Michael a month or so ago and found it to be a little dissapointing dispite being an enjoyable drink with some nice aged characters. I found it lacked the complexity I had expected after reading a few positive TNS. Perhaps just not a good bottle, will try another in six months and see if any different but on this bottle would not expect it to last a heck of a lot longer.

Jester, bad bottle or bad cellaring as both of my recent 94 Michaels still looked youthful, not much aged character at all.