Page 1 of 1
TN: 1998 Rockford Shiraz "Basket Press"
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:16 am
by Alan Rath
Been shying away from a lot of newer Aussie Shiraz lately, so decided to try this more "classically" styled wine to see how it's doing. Doing well
Beautifully sweet (but not overripe) syrah fruit, a nice medium body, fairly resolved, fine tannins, and a perfect balancing acidity. This is drinking superbly right now, though has not developed a lot of secondary flavors yet. If you like wines on the younger, fresher side, this is in a perfect place. Notable is the lack of any obvious oak/tar/licorice notes so pronounced in many of the over the top wines made for today's market. 93/100.
Regards,
Alan
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:46 pm
by markg
Agreed Alan, the 1998 is a great wine.
Is it the WINEMAKERS RELEASE or one of the originals ?
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:53 pm
by Alan Rath
Mark, the label doesn't say anything special, I'll assume it was the original release (of course, imported here to the States). I bought this in 2001. Used to be quite rare to find Rockford, though in recent years I've seen it more widely available.
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:45 pm
by Minotaur
Markg,
Is there any difference between the original and the winemakers release?
I had assumed they were the same wine, just held in Rockford's cellars for an extra couple of years.
But interesting question is are they the same blend and were they bottled at the same time?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:14 pm
by Lincoln
Minotaur wrote:Markg,
Is there any difference between the original and the winemakers release?
I had assumed they were the same wine, just held in Rockford's cellars for an extra couple of years.
But interesting question is are they the same blend and were they bottled at the same time?
Any insights would be appreciated.
I have heard conflicting stories. One version was that the Winemakers Reserve had seen more oak, and having tried it I tend to believe it.
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:35 pm
by camw
Lincoln wrote:Minotaur wrote:Markg,
Is there any difference between the original and the winemakers release?
I had assumed they were the same wine, just held in Rockford's cellars for an extra couple of years.
But interesting question is are they the same blend and were they bottled at the same time?
Any insights would be appreciated.
I have heard conflicting stories. One version was that the Winemakers Reserve had seen more oak, and having tried it I tend to believe it.
Having tried them side by side, and without having heard the "more oak" version before trying them, I would tend to agree that it may be possible.
As far as I know, Rockford won't give a straight answer.