The Auswine Forum

It is my brother-in-law's birthday in a couple of months time and I want to buy a good bottle of shiraz or cab sauv to share with him when we go out for dinner to celebrate.

I am still very much a novice when it comes to regularly buying and drinking wine and normally limit my purchases to under $20 a bottle. However, I am prepared to spend up to $60-70 for a one-off occasion such as this. I managed to pick up a bottle of Saltram 1999 No 1 for his last birthday which we both enjoyed.

I would be grateful if anyone could give me some ideas, and include advice about whether or not the wines should be decanted.

Thanks,

Jimmy

Jimmy,
If you liked the 99 Saltram #1 then the current release 2002 will also hit the spot, even though it's still quite young. Around $50 single bottle price.

Are you looking to shop locally or order and have it shipped? If you are restricted to local buys then it may be better to post a list of what is available in this price range.

my 2 fav. current release are Elderton Command 2001($70) & Maxwell Reserve Cabernet 2001($60+)

Quite a few you could try in this price range, depending on where you are shopping. I'll confine this list to current vintages that I've tried recently:

Shiraz:
Saltram No 1
Rockford Basket Press (tried the 02, 03 is out now to members)
Dutschke Oscar Semmler
Kaesler Bogan
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier might just sneak in under $70 in some places
Penfolds St Henri

Cabernet:
02 Yarra Yarra "the Yarra Yarra" (maybe over $70)
02 Yarra Yarra Cabernets $50ish?
02 Cape Mentelle
Havent tried it but I'm sure Howard Park would fit the bill, as would Cullen and Moss wood for just a litte bit more money.

Blends:
02 Majella Malleea

my 2c,

Andrew

Jimmy,

Some recent releases we have had lately that are drinking very nice right now:

2004 Groom Shiraz (needs a good decant)
2001 Howard Park Cabernet
2002 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz (becoming hard to find)
2004 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
2004 Glaetzer Godolphin Cabernet/Shiraz (also becoming hard to find)

Hope this helps.

Wirra Wirra Chook Block 2002 Bottle 1273 of 250 dozen...Opened up with as little as half an hours breathing and already seemed quite integrated. Was a little worried with this wines smell of spring onion on the nose but on the palate totally the opposite with ample fruit sweetness. Luckily theres a lingering finish that takes away some of the after sweetness. Not a hint of hot spirit at all. All in all its a great wine, much better than a 2004 Clonakilla SV I had not long ago. I hope the tannins last as long as the fruit which sounds strange given It would normally be the other way around. A touch more mint would be nice. I have never had any Wirra Wirra other than Church block so I cannot compare to 98 Chook block,98/02 RSW etc.. Rated Oustanding {just}

Oops in the wrong thread some how?

I would go for the 02 Majella Mallela blend or the 04 Kalleske Greenock shiraz.

Regards,
Ron.