The Auswine Forum

Last night the Eighthmaker 2001 was launched at a black tie dinner hosted by Beringer Blass as parent of Satram. Jeremy Oliver MC's proceedings.

Wines served:-

yellowglen fizz: not reviewed

Mamre Brook riesling 2004: not as tight as expected given additional Eden valley fruit was used according to the winemaker just falling short of claiming Eden valley regional status

Mamre Brook CS 2002: chocolate and oak


Saltram No 1 shiraz 1999: pepper and some oak - still fairly massive

Laurent Cornas 2001(?): classically Rhone with some earthy characters and barnyard hints - needs some time but had been decanted some hours previously

Sine Qua Non : Just for the Love of it 2001 (vintage?): Syrah with small percentage grenache (3%?) apparently retails for $300-400 and frankly money wasted were you to buy it: strong oak and cherry with somewhat disjointed style. Allegedly awarded 100 pts by Parker. Would not pay $25 for the wine....

Eighthmaker 2001: Nigel Dolan's work and unusual as the initial spice nose of nutmeg was dramatic but blew off after about 2 minutes (could it have been something in the glass?) to reveal deep classic Australian Barossa shiraz. Very deep and should have a long life but very intense wine in its second vintage. Completely upstaged the 2 foreigners, but may be pitched at too high a market point at this stage. Certainly a wine for lovers of big (but not parodied) SA shiraz.

Mr Pickwick port

Congratlations to the Saltram and Beringer Blass team on a superbly organised and executed evening with Wendy Matthews singing, black tie and charming company representatives ensuring well presented food (a stunning jewfish and sandcrab dish being the star in a five course menu).

The suggestions about the quality of the 2002, 2003 & 2004 Eighthmaker suggest they will be keenly awaited.

fred

Just wonder how much is it cost in retail and where can I find it. Thanks

RRP is $200.00. yep you read it right.

And most retailers that stocked it will still have it. It is certainly still freely available at CD.

I tried it at Saltram's CD and while it is a very nice wine, as it bloody should be for the price, there is far better value to be found around the traps, let alone in Saltram's own wine list such as the excellent No 1 at less than athird of the dollars and the Metala Original Plantings at similar pricing.