The Auswine Forum

I'm topping up my cellar with say another 2 dozen bottles, with a expecting drinking time of say 2007-08. Want a mixture of reds and whites. Given that my palate is not that sophisticated and my partner has put me on a budget, I want to spend no more than $16 per bottle (a preferrably less), calculated on discount dozen price. There a still lots of good 2002 reislings about, but any other suggestions of whites that benefit with a bit of bottle age. Any reds too - I generally prefer middleweight wines as compared too sweet, 'big' or high-alcohol wines (I'm drinking lots of 1995-96 reds with 13% that are just fine).

thanks in advance,

angus

Hi Angus,
I would suggest:
01 Water Wheel Shiraz
01 Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz
99 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz
01 Annies Lane Shiraz
02 Rockbare Shiraz

I think all these have the capacity to be drinking well by 2007-2008 and at least another 5 years beyond that.
Cheers
Anthony

There are lots of things that I reckon fit the general bill, but with the alcohol/fruit weight factor considered, the best red that I could recommend is the Orlando Russet Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 1999. It's RRP is $16 so you're bound to find it cheaper - it's lovely now, should be smashing in 3 or 4 years.

I'd sneak a few Mamre Brook Cabernet 2001 in too if I were you - to be found at around $17 - and a few 13 rieslings from 02 still about.

cheers,
Campbell.

Campbell,

agree totally with your Russet Ridge recommendation. I tried it yesterday. http://www.torbwine.com//index.htm?..//tn/Orlando%20Russet%20Ridge%201999%20Coonawarra%20CSM%20Oct%2003.htm

Barwang Shiraz and cabernet $15.99 will go the distance
as would Richmond Grove Riesling $12
michel

Even though Ric's review of the Russet Ridge is positive, I reckon that his rating (score) is conservative - but that's just my humble opinion. I'd buy a case of it if I were you.

Another worth considering (and available around and about at $15) is the Orlando Henry Lawson Mudge Cabernet 1998. It's a pearler at the price.

Which means that I've recommended 3 cabernets, and two Orlandos ... this is out of control!

cheers,
Campbell.

Campbell wrote:Even though Ric's review of the Russet Ridge is positive, I reckon that his rating (score) is conservative - but that's just my humble opinion. I'd buy a case of it if I were you.

Hi Campbell,

As I keep yelling from the roof tops, forget the %$^ score and look at the tasting notes, they tell the story and are much more important than the rating. All my ratings (notice I use that word rather than score) are likely to seem "conservative" in comparison to those that use the 100 point system; not a criticism, just a fact.

To my way way of thinking, many of the point scores used in the 100 point system seem high, but I guess we will never agree about points so heres cheers mate.

Ric

Let me second Anthony's reccomendation of the Rockbare 02 shiraz- absolute bargain for 15 dollars and will cellar a 1- 3 years comfortably
michel

It may be a little more expensive (you can probably pick it up for around $18-$20pb) but the 1998 Mitchelton Cab Sav is a great wine. Throw some in with a case of something like the Jim Barry 2002 Florita Riesling @ around $11-$13 pb and your average will be back to the requested range .
Cheers
Popov

Ric - I just threw the word "score" in to rev you up

OK then, in that case, the "value" score needs an upgrading then.

cheers Ric,

Campbell.

Campbell wrote:OK then, in that case, the "value" score needs an upgrading then. .

Bastard I hate it when you are right. I rethought the value rating and on refdelection it is a **** job at $15 considering its a 1999 and not chateau yesterday.

The Poets Corner 2002 Shiraz was also drinkable at under $10 too which was a bit of a surprise.

Thats one I owe you, dont let me forget.

Angus, consider the 2000 or 2001 Richmond Grove Barossa Shiraz, the RG and Burings Rieslings, Tahbilk Marsanne and the Seppelt Victorian Shiraz. All great value at under $15 and all will cellar for the 4 or 5 years you're looking at.

cheers

i am not sure what the price is anymore but some old bottle shop faves of mine are Burge Hillcott Merlot under $20.00 and annies lane shiraz?

in the last twelve months i have had some late eighties/early nineties penfolds bin ranges eg 28, 95 Kalimna etc (low end stuff) and most of it had aged superbly.

Brett

The Kimber Wines 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal at $16

Anthony wrote:I would suggest:
01 Water Wheel Shiraz

Anyone in a position to comment on the 98 Shiraz?

ta

Ian

Ian,

I think the 98 WW Shiraz is one of their best. I bought a 18. haven't tried it recently, but gave one to a friend a couple of months ago and he was pretty happy with it. Probably a little easier to drink when young than some of them due to the lovely fruit, but still a big rich wine that will mature for 10 years or more.

Agree with Red Bigot,
would rate 98 and 00 as the best of the recent vintages. When you think about it, the price has stayed constant for the last 5 years and in vintages like 98 and 00, you get a pretty smart wine for the price.
The 01 is not as big or complex as the 00, but for the money is a very enjoyable drink.

Also the Cab, which seems a bit hard on release, also ages really well. I have some 90 and 91 which is drinking superb at the moment.

cheers
anthony