The Auswine Forum

New release.

Colour very dark cherry red, nearing on black. After pouring, the froth settles quickly and the effervescent bubbles soon go very quiet. Vigorous palate of red berries with a hint of licorice. Fresh dark cherries and a little bit of plum. Refreshing, medium bodied with fine tannins and good focus but this sparkling red is simply undeveloped and lacking a long finish. This example under cork tasted sound but as it is not terribly exciting now, you need to cellar it for 3 years to see it develop. It doesn’t have the wonderful depth of the 1998 or the flavour packed intensity of the crown sealed 2002. (There is considerable bottle variation under cork for that wine)
I do get the feeling that the 2004 was released too soon but I must admit at AUD $14 I can’t complain. A good wine but right now not much excitement to offer. I like the fact that it tasted drier than the 2002 and the acid structure is quite fine. These are early days, open one to see what’s going on and then leave the rest in the cellar to improve. It may reach 92 points in a couple of year’s time.

Cheers,
Attila

Tasted: November 2006

Thanks for the notes Attila....I tried one last Sunday and it was enjoyable in the un seasonal Sydney Sunday heat. After having the 2002 tonight though, I have to agree, it lacks the complexity. As you say though, at $14 a bottle we aren't doing to bad!

Regards

Finney (Craig)

Am I misinterpreting but seems to me to suggest if we can find the 2002 vs the 2004 we should snap it up?

It depends...when you buy a GOOD bottle under cork of the 2002 then it's a better wine than the 2004. Under crown seal (so far) I am certain it is better.
Attila

Has anyone seen any brett in the 04? Yesterday openned the third bottle of the case - didn't seem as good as previous 2 - had a slightly odd finish (but not on every mouthful ) Am I seeing brett or is it just an odd bottle?

Actually, has anyone seen the 04 in a crown seal yet? I've been waiting for this version but haven't seen any to date. No need to say where, I just want to know if they've done this bottling run yet.

Yes, i saw it on the shelves a couple of weeks ago in Brisbane...

I have had 3 bottles of the 04 so far; 1 under cork, and 2 under crown seal.

The bottle under cork was clean as a whistle, but far inferior to the other two, being green and astringent and not enjoyable.

The bottles under crown actually enjoyed a (very) small amount of Brett. I say enjoyed, because I feel the Brett actually added to the complexity of the wine without detracting from it in any way. And I'm a Brett Nazi! The wine had good fruit and tannin structure, but was still quite primary with noticeable acid.

So, based on my experience, I recommend the crown seal. Here in Brisbane, one of the supermarket chains has been stocking only the crown seal for some time now.

Stuart

Thanks for that guys.

Had a 2002 tonight to comapre with the 2004s I have had the last few weeks. The 2002 is too sweet and too oaked. Go the 2004. I have not found any brett.
Adair

beef wrote:I have had 3 bottles of the 04 so far; 1 under cork, and 2 under crown seal.

The bottle under cork was clean as a whistle, but far inferior to the other two, being green and astringent and not enjoyable.

The bottles under crown actually enjoyed a (very) small amount of Brett. I say enjoyed, because I feel the Brett actually added to the complexity of the wine without detracting from it in any way. And I'm a Brett Nazi! The wine had good fruit and tannin structure, but was still quite primary with noticeable acid.

So, based on my experience, I recommend the crown seal. Here in Brisbane, one of the supermarket chains has been stocking only the crown seal for some time now.

Stuart

Stuart, I didn't find any Brett in the 04. If you did you should be worried about buying it from a bottlo in Brisvegas after any period of time. Besdies that, it is what it is and you can't expect it to be the benchmark for all Aus Sp Sh, but for the under $20 go right ahead. The 04 is copping the same kind of complaints the 02 did when it was first released compared to the 99. I have no doubts that it will settle and I will have no problems sticking some 04 crown seal in the cellar for a few years. Enjoy it's fun, because although not an intellectual wine, it's more often than not a no brainer ( ).

simm wrote:

beef wrote:I have had 3 bottles of the 04 so far; 1 under cork, and 2 under crown seal.

The bottle under cork was clean as a whistle, but far inferior to the other two, being green and astringent and not enjoyable.

The bottles under crown actually enjoyed a (very) small amount of Brett. I say enjoyed, because I feel the Brett actually added to the complexity of the wine without detracting from it in any way. And I'm a Brett Nazi! The wine had good fruit and tannin structure, but was still quite primary with noticeable acid.

So, based on my experience, I recommend the crown seal. Here in Brisbane, one of the supermarket chains has been stocking only the crown seal for some time now.

Stuart

Stuart, I didn't find any Brett in the 04. If you did you should be worried about buying it from a bottlo in Brisvegas after any period of time. Besdies that, it is what it is and you can't expect it to be the benchmark for all Aus Sp Sh, but for the under $20 go right ahead. The 04 is copping the same kind of complaints the 02 did when it was first released compared to the 99. I have no doubts that it will settle and I will have no problems sticking some 04 crown seal in the cellar for a few years. Enjoy it's fun, because although not an intellectual wine, it's more often than not a no brainer ( ).

I probably didn't make it clear that I really like this wine, and will certainly be buying a bunch of it (under crown).

Regarding the Brett, I am a complete Nazi. I often detect it where nobody else does. For example, I thought the 2002 Penfolds Bin 128 was riddled with it.

Maybe I'm just insane.

Either way, I thought the Brett levels in the 04 OSS were miniscule, so most people probably won't notice them.

Stuart