The Auswine Forum

Hello All,

A good friend has been building his cellar over the past few years with the aim of having excellent wines to drink in 5 to 15 years time, and maybe having these wines having the ability to hold longer, although not necessarily improve.

There are some great, and not inexpensive, wines in his cellar but I want to provide some advice on currently available wines that would do the job in the less than $25 bracket.

The white wine that I recommend most is the 2004 TyrrellÂ’s Vat 1 Semillon, which is $22.67 per bottle by the case and will only hit its drinking window after a decade and will probably continue to improve.

The red wine that comes foremost to my mind is the 2003 Seppelt Moyston Cabernet Merlot, which is less than $20 and will just be in its drinking window in 5 years and will improve for a decade and hold longer.

Although I did not think it is as long-living as most, I am sure many will recommend the 2003 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz. I will probably need to try it again, but even JO has its drinking window at 2015-2023, so I will bow to overwhelming opinion here.

Of course, the Tahbilk Marsanne and Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon at less than $13 should be mentioned, but these are not everyoneÂ’s cup of tea (aged Vat 1 is though ) and he favours the reds anyway.

What are other peopleÂ’s thoughts on currently available wines in the less than $25 bracket that will be great in 10 years time?

Kind regards,
Adair

Wynns Black label is the obvious choice.

I would also put in a vote for the Booth's Taminick Cellars.

Ten years ? Noons!

2002 Bowen Estate Shiraz

2002 Coriole Shiraz but be quick as 03 has just been released and I havnt tried it.

Plantagenet Cabernet is very good and readily available for $25 in the right places

Oh, and Grant Burge Filsell - 2002 is a cracker!

Jim Barry Lodge Hill is a steal at $17 but might only hold for 10 years though.
Metala White Label 2002 if you like that unique flavour is good for 10 years at < $14

REDMAN goes forever!!

Make sure he likes what hes putting away now and chances are he will in the future!!

Chalambar is worth cellaring the 2000 is drinking well and 01,02,03 seem to have a long road ahead of them.

The other worthwhile cellaring proposition at this price point is Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz and Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec. Vintage is important here but I have 98 and 99 of theses wines which are drinking well and should go the distance of another 5 years.

Wines that have dissappointed have been from the penfolds Bin range.

Adair wrote:Hello All,

A good friend has been building his cellar over the past few years with the aim of having excellent wines to drink in 5 to 15 years time, and maybe having these wines having the ability to hold longer, although not necessarily improve.

There are some great, and not inexpensive, wines in his cellar but I want to provide some advice on currently available wines that would do the job in the less than $25 bracket.

The white wine that I recommend most is the 2004 TyrrellÂ’s Vat 1 Semillon, which is $22.67 per bottle by the case and will only hit its drinking window after a decade and will probably continue to improve.

The red wine that comes foremost to my mind is the 2003 Seppelt Moyston Cabernet Merlot, which is less than $20 and will just be in its drinking window in 5 years and will improve for a decade and hold longer.

Although I did not think it is as long-living as most, I am sure many will recommend the 2003 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz. I will probably need to try it again, but even JO has its drinking window at 2015-2023, so I will bow to overwhelming opinion here.

Of course, the Tahbilk Marsanne and Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon at less than $13 should be mentioned, but these are not everyoneÂ’s cup of tea (aged Vat 1 is though ) and he favours the reds anyway.

What are other peopleÂ’s thoughts on currently available wines in the less than $25 bracket that will be great in 10 years time?

Kind regards,
Adair

Adair depending on you friends cellaring conditions and palate,cabernet historicly can/will go at least ten years. any of tahbilks reds. duriffs, any big reds from the rutherglen. ,robertsonswell ,bin 61 and the chalmbar for med term ,pennies 128 and 407 and of course as mentioned redmans are all good prospects and will return a softer wine or at least hold.
regards peter

Some that I've bought over the past year or so, mostly 5-8 year wines, some more:

Braydun Shiraz 2003
Mamre Brook cabernet 2002 (NOT 2003 though)
Plantagenet Shiraz 2002
Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2003
Tyrrells Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2002 and 2003
Voyager Estate Shiraz 2003
Warrabilla Parola's Durif and Shiraz 2004
Water Wheel Shiraz 2002
Winter Creek Shiraz 2003

Not too many 10-15 year wines in this price range unless you like your reds very mature, you get a few more though in the $25-$30 range, such as:
Dutschke St Jakobi Shiraz 2002/2003
Heritage Rosscos's Shiraz 2002
Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet 2002
Mt Ida Shiraz 2002
Noons (if you are on the mailing list)

Not sure if these wines would go 10yrs + but a couple that spring to mind would be the Keith Tulloch Semillon 04. Personally i prefer the VAT1 at a slightly cheaper price but i do know people who prefer the Tulloch. Keeping with the hunter theme the Mcwilliams 2000 Rosehill is a great wine in my opinion. Don't know how long it would go for although the labels suggests up to 15yrs

Taylors reds
Crofters Cab Merlot
Houghton MR Cab
Wynns Cab
Rosemount Orange Vineyard Chardonnay
Elizabeth
Tahbilk Marsanne
Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling
Woodlands Cabernet Merlot
Warrabilla
Booths Taminick
Seppelt Chalambar
Pirramimma Petit Verdot
Mamre Brook reds, except 03 Cab
02 Kalimna
Leasingham Bin reds
Bowen Shiraz and Cab

Kieran