The Auswine Forum

1998 Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz

I have always been a big fan of this marque, the 94/95/96 being a wonderful trio. This was good, but not up to the standard of these predecessors, surprising for such a stellar vintage. Not quite as concentrated as the three mentioned, and the new oak therefore pokes out a little. Not as long, either, but it does remain true to its Barossa terroir. May improve a little with time, but that oak worries me. Won't be rushing in to buy.

Drink: now-2010..............................................89pts

2002 Elderton Command Shiraz

Second time I have seen this in a week, and IMO, it is by far the best of the 2002 Barossa icons released. Amazing breadth and depth, the huge volumes of perfectly ripened high-quality fruit have swallowed up the classy oak leaving the impression of a wonderful seamless wine. This will be totally stellar in a decade, but is almightily hard to resist now. Try a bottle..as good as it gets.

Drink: 2016-2030............................................96pts

[/b]1996 JL Trapet Chambertin

The 1996 vintage has been somewhat critisised in various circles as being overly acidic and lacking fruit. Well, those pundits need to have a look at this. What an incredible wine. Coming after two bruising Aussie shiraz, this should have been washed away in their massive wake. But no.. to the contrary this wine most superbly highlighted the difference between weight and intensity of wine. Incredibly long, pure and complex, it left us all begging for more, and shone like a beacon on the night. Although not yet at its peak, this staggering wine demonstrates what the world's greatest wine region can achieve, and explains why people pay such riduculous prices to experience it. Seek this out- you will smile for the 24 hours after you taste it.

Darink: 2010-2040...........................................99pts

Thanks John....good notes. I too was a little disappointed in the Centenary Hill. I don't necessarily think the 98 was inferior to other releases, but after seeing what they were capable of in so called lesser vintages I might have hyped the 98 release up a little in my own mind - don't think I was alone though.

LL

Aussie John wrote:1996 JL Trapet Chambertin

The 1996 vintage has been somewhat critisised in various circles as being overly acidic and lacking fruit. Well, those pundits need to have a look at this. What an incredible wine. Coming after two bruising Aussie shiraz, this should have been washed away in their massive wake. But no.. to the contrary this wine most superbly highlighted the difference between weight and intensity of wine. Incredibly long, pure and complex, it left us all begging for more, and shone like a beacon on the night. Although not yet at its peak, this staggering wine demonstrates what the world's greatest wine region can achieve, and explains why people pay such riduculous prices to experience it. Seek this out- you will smile for the 24 hours after you taste it.

Darink: 2010-2040...........................................99pts

Agree with yor commentsAJ. I had the opportunity to taste the 1978 earlier this year vintage and it was still alive and kicking. Delicious indeed