The Auswine Forum

Hi Guys,

Was speaking to the folks back in the UK over the weekend when they informed me that they had tried a few Aus wines recently and had developed a bit of a taste for them. With this in mind i have decided to try and put together a mixed case for them as a gift

I'm trying to put together a good mix of regions and styles. My only limitations are the wine must be current release and my budget of around $300-$350

I know that they are not big fans of Sav Blanc or Reisling so i'm going to omit them.

With my limited knowledge i've managed to come up with the following ideas but any suggestions would be gratefully recieved

Hunter Valley

Tyrrells 98 Vat 1
Tyrrells 02 Vat 47
Mcwilliams 00 Rosehill Shiraz (Maybe the OP&OH ?)
Meerea Park Aunts Shiraz 03
Keith Tulloch Semillon 03

Victoria

Diamond Valley Yarra Yarra Chardonnay
Bindi Chardonnay (Bit out of my budget but a nice drop!)
Seppelt Chalambar 03
Yering Station Shiraz/Viogner
Mitchelton Central Victoria Shiraz 02

Coonawarra

Majella Cabernet 03
Bowen Estate Cabernet 02
Orlando St Hugo 01

Barossa

Filsell 02 Shiraz
Penfolds 389 02
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz ?? (Not tried the 03 yet )

McLaren Vale

Wirra Wirra RSW 02
Paxtons 01 (Yet to try the 02)
Mr Riggs Shiraz

WA
Howard Park Chardonnay 03
Devils Lair Chardonnay 02
Voyager Estate Shiraz 03
Voyager Estate Cab Merlot 00/01
Plantagent Shiraz/Cabernet

As i said any suggestions welcome. Biggest problem might be cutting it down to a dozen !

Cheers
Chris

I would select a wine from each region that highlights its best strengths.

Hunter semillon (Tyrrells)
Coonawarra Cab Sav (Majella)
Victorian Pinot Noir (Diamond Valley or Hoddles Creek)
Margaret River Chardonnay (Howard Park / Devils Lair)
Barossa\McLarenVale Shiraz (So many to choose from)
Clare/Eden Valley Riesling (not fans, but this may be convincing) (Leasingham; Skillogee; Neagles Rock; Mesh etc etc etc)
Rutherglen Durif / Muscat (Warrabilla; Morris; Campbells)


You might also consider pinot from Adelaide Hills or a shiraz/cab sav from Hilltops.

A muscat or a tokay is a very good idea. A style Australia excels in.

It may be an idea to source wines that aren't readily available over there, to give them a taste of some broader ranging labels and this will mean sticking clear of the big companies. However, should your folks love any wine and wish to purchase more, logistics will make things difficult...

action2096 wrote:Coonawarra

Majella Cabernet 03
Bowen Estate Cabernet 02
Orlando St Hugo 01

Majella would be my pick out of those.

action2096 wrote:Barossa
Filsell 02 Shiraz
Penfolds 389 02
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz ?? (Not tried the 03 yet )

It may be a bit out of your price range, but I could highly recommend a Seppelt Dorrien Cabernet 1999 if your budget can stretch to $40 or so.

action2096 wrote:WA
Howard Park Chardonnay 03
Devils Lair Chardonnay 02
Voyager Estate Shiraz 03
Voyager Estate Cab Merlot 00/01
Plantagent Shiraz/Cabernet

Forget the 00 Voyager and get the 01 instead. It'd have to be the best Margaret River Cabernet currently available for under $30.


Bill

What about a Durif from Rutherglen!

As far as Victorian Pinot goes I would only take either a Bindi, a Bass Phillip (Village 03 if you can find it is OUTSTANDING Value) or Bannockburn.

Rutherglen Durif represents Great Value