The Auswine Forum

Hello all, I'm new here and I apologise if this post has been done before.

I'm returning to Oz after 5 years and am out of touch with the latest best buys info.

When in Melbourne, I relied upon word of mouth and the Age Epicure magazines that came out a few times a year, for good info about affordable good drinking wines.

Just wondering what the opinions are here for best buys under $15.
I prefer shiraz and for whites, sauv.blacs and semillons.

I guess I'd buy Elizabeth for an always good semillon and the old standby Wynn's Shiraz if I walked into a shop now.

I'm sure there are heaps of others that I have no idea about.

I'd appreciate any advice.
I'm also prepared to go to $20 if anyone has a 'special'.

Welcome, have you tried the search function? here's a link I found, perhaps hitting the top of your price bracket

http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=4694&highlight=value+wines

I know everyones called it already but Hardys Oomoo att $11 (dans) is about 9 bucks cheaper than it could be.

Seppelt Victorian Shiraz ($14). Chalambar under $20 is great value and many of their whites can be found for under $20 Marssane Roussane, Pinto Gris, Chard (Jaluka).

Saltram mamre Brook comes in close to $15.

Hanwood SE Chard - for a cheapy good work (sub $10).

Oomoo for sure.

Voyager Semi Sauv Blanc is great about $18.

Seppelt Victorian Shiraz ($14). Chalambar under $20 is great value and many of their whites can be found for under $20 Marssane Roussane, Pinto Gris, Chard (Jaluka).

Saltram mamre Brook comes in close to $15.

Hanwood SE Chard - for a cheapy good work (sub $10).

Oomoo for sure.

Voyager Semi Sauv Blanc is great about $18.

Seppelt Victorian Shiraz ($14). Chalambar under $20 is great value and many of their whites can be found for under $20 Marssane Roussane, Pinto Gris, Chard (Jaluka).

Saltram mamre Brook comes in close to $15.

Hanwood SE Chard - for a cheapy good work (sub $10).

Oomoo for sure.

Voyager Semi Sauv Blanc is great about $18.

The good old 20% off specials that liquorland and vintage cellars have (V/C currently on at the moment) are a good time to buy wines that are usually around the 20 or so mark.

Wynns cab sav merlot is a fave of mine.
Devils Lair Fifth Leg is a great drop with good depth (red or white).
Mad Fish range.
D'arenberg High Trellis 2004 is a fantastic cab sav for price ($15).
Juniper Estate Crossing range is unbeatable value at rrp $16. First pick for me if you can find it. The shiraz is best under $20 IMO.
Cullen Ellen Bussell red (CabMerlot) is the best rich fruit driven wine under $20 by far IMO.

Thanks everyone for your advice....very helpful.
I can't wait to try these recommendations.

Whites:
Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2000/2001 ($12)
Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2005 ($15)

Reds:
Taylor's Shiraz 2004 ($13)
Hardys Oomoo Shiraz 2004 ($11)
Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2003 ($14)
Pepperjack Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($14-15 on special)

Most can be found at various online retailers very reasonably in mixed dozens, for single bottles or to try I usually head to Dans first.

FWIW I don't like the 2001 Elizabeth. Austere and nothing compared to the 2000 at this stage.

Alex F wrote:FWIW I don't like the 2001 Elizabeth. Weird grassiness, austere, nothing compared to the 2000 at this stage.

The 2000 vintage is the weird grassy one for HV semillon. The 2001 is a very good one.
GW

I bow to your superior experience. Now that you say it I think that on my last trip to the cellar door the bottle of 2000 I tried definetely had that weird grassiness. The previous 3 bottles were all rich, honey, toasty though. I will have to have a look at the 2001 again, but at this stage it is not doing much for me.

Funny really. I have tasted some 2000 Lizzy on its own and not found it too grassy (but in blind lineups along side other vintages the 2000 generally look like a bag of lawn clippings). The 2005 Elizabeth is something to look fwd too.

GW

I usually throw in these for mixed dozens at Dan Murphys. You may wish to do a search on vintage notes as some do taste better depending on vintage.

You are arriving back at a very good time to buy wine - so if all else fails, try your luck and just pick some you aren't 100% sure of as well.

Tried listing some that were not previously mentioned;

d'Arenberg Footbolt $14
Brands Laira $16
Peter Lehmann Barossa $14
Richmond Grove Limited Edition Barossa
Heathcote "Cravens Place" Shiraz $14
Majella "Musician" Shiraz/Cab $16
Wolf Blass Gold Label $16
St Hallet "Faith" shiraz $16
Pirramimma "Stock's Hill" $13
Heartland Shiraz $16
Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz $18
Bremerton "Silkirk" Shiraz $17
Kilikanoon "Killermans Run" $18