The Auswine Forum

Hi all,

The Wendouree 2004 vintage is about to become available. I am going to put in an order but was wondering whether anyone had managed sample this vintage before I put it in. I know these wines tend to polarise opinion. Any notes/impressions on the Shiraz, Shiraz-Malbec, Shiraz-Mataro, the Cab-Sav and the Muscat would be appreciated.
Regards,

Allan

Ha ha Allan, we should be so lucky!

Its always a trust purchase. Getting to try their wines (at the winery) is about as hard as winning the lottery. People do it everyday but it never happens to me or people I know.

I placed an order for everything on the list. As they say less is more, so don't be greedy and order the max of everything a few bottles here and there!, The stand outs for me are the Shiraz, the Shiraz Mataro. I have not tired the 04 release but expect it to be a corker of a vintage.

Both Brian and I always order the same dozen every year; 6 each of the Shiraz and the Cab/Malbec. Never have a problem getting it.

I must admit to have lost faith - too many overly tannic wines, and have been left disillusioned by their allocation policy. If I do find a wine that I like, like the 03 Shiraz Mataro (thanks Adair), I just buy it at auction at an acceptable premium.

Any reason for giving the others a wide berth Torb?

Lincoln

FWIW. The older Wendouree I have tried, have a tannin structure that is commanding but not overbearing say; accentuating the finish of the wine- most recent an 89 Pressings.

TORB wrote:Both Brian and I always order the same dozen every year; 6 each of the Shiraz and the Cab/Malbec. Never have a problem getting it.

I was about to write "6" against the Cabernet line this morning and felt something push my hand up a line to the Cab-Malbec. Telepathy, Ric?

Thanks guys. I was looking to put the Shiraz and Cabernet away for a few years but I was also looking for something that might be good drinking soonish. I seem to recall a post by Adair (I think) who reported the 2003 Shiraz Mataro or maybe the Malbec as surprisingly good drinking early.

Regards,

Allan

Have ordered the Shiraz and the Cabernet so looking forward to trying them down the track...

I simply had to post this tasting note of the 2004 Wendouree Shiraz from Jeremy Oliver, just to wet the palates of some of you here:

Wendouree Shiraz 2004
category: tasting note date: 19/07/2006

Heady floral notes and suggestions of clove and cinnamon-like spices overlie a brooding bouquet whose aromas blackberries, blueberries, cassis and dark plums are tightly knit with fine-grained oak. Framed by firm, powdery tannin, it unfolds layers of searingly intense and slightly sour-edged, juicy plum and berry fruit backed by spicy, minty nuances and restrained oak. Very firm and astringent, but already very approachable, entirely natural and finely balanced. (Clare Valley, 19.3/97, drink 2024-2034+)

Sounds yum.

My credit card just got charged - anyone else?

On another note and further to Torb's comment - my wife and I were given a tour of Wendouree by Tony Brady on our honeymoon (Feb 2004). He let us sample from tank and was more talkative than I expected.

To top it all off he took us into his cellar, handed over a bottle of 1990 Cabernet and said "drink this in 10 years if you're still together"....we are and we will!

Cheers

Kuff

Nope. Checked credit card but nothing.
Adair

My wine arrived a couple of days ago, looks like ACT got a bit of priority theis year for a change.

BenK,

Where are you located?

Adair

Victoria.

Just checked with AB missed on the cab sav...apparently so did many (without the appropriate markings)
next few days for nsw orders to be packed & then debited.

c

They didn't send my mailer

They're sending one now, but I fear I may have missed the chance at some straight Shiraz.

Anyone know if Queensland orders have already been filled?

Stuart

W.A ?????

Ahhhh, I love Wendouree fever!

BenK wrote:Sounds yum.

My credit card just got charged - anyone else?

On another note and further to Torb's comment - my wife and I were given a tour of Wendouree by Tony Brady on our honeymoon (Feb 2004). He let us sample from tank and was more talkative than I expected.

To top it all off he took us into his cellar, handed over a bottle of 1990 Cabernet and said "drink this in 10 years if you're still together"....we are and we will!

Cheers

Kuff

Hell, it's only 2 years so far.

Red Bigot wrote:My wine arrived a couple of days ago, looks like ACT got a bit of priority theis year for a change.

Hummm..... got mine just over a week ago. Looks like the AB's got the priority, even those in Cantberra.

BenK wrote:To top it all off he took us into his cellar, handed over a bottle of 1990 Cabernet and said "drink this in 10 years if you're still together"....we are and we will!

Cheers

Kuff

In the unlikely event that you are not, make sure you get the booze!

Well they are sold out of Cabernet now. Hopefully the Shiraz lasts till my order....

Very happy.

Each year I like to get a few of these for my cellar, usually from friends on the list who get me a few at list prices.

Getting some Cabernet Malbec and a Shiraz.

Happy, as someone who used to drive there every year since the 80's to buy, then didn't join the mailing list (due to conflict of interest) its great to get a few each year.

has anyone from Melbourne got their order yet??

Yep, got mine last Friday.

Gavin Trott wrote:Very happy.

Each year I like to get a few of these for my cellar, usually from friends on the list who get me a few at list prices.

Getting some Cabernet Malbec and a Shiraz.

Happy, as someone who used to drive there every year since the 80's to buy, then didn't join the mailing list (due to conflict of interest) its great to get a few each year.

Got mine this afternoon ... you beauty!

Still none for me!

By the way, I did speak to Tony Brady this week, and discussed a number of thing but of interest, in light of many comments that Wendouree reds have increased their quality over the past couple of years, was that Tony does not believe that winemaking of Wendouree reds has changed much since the mid 1980s when they moved to small oak from the old, aged vats. The largest changed before that was the end of watering down the must to create a wine of less than 14 alcohol from above 15% alcohol. That is right, over 5% of Wendouree reds from the 1960s and before was water!

However, at the end of the conversation, Tony said “if anything, we are not plunging as much as we used to, reducing colour but probably having a larger affect on tannin”… and there we are!

Also, I asked why the Wendourees are relatively low in alcohol compared to others even in the Clare Valley. The reasons Tony gave were: vineyard position; vine age; and no irrigation. Sounds right to me.

Adair

I'm stil waiting anxiously!

Subtle red wrote:I'm stil waiting anxiously!

With a user name like that you won't be getting many Parker Points