The Auswine Forum

I've been enjoying my sparkling reds recently, with all the hot weather we've been having. I've drunk some 2004 Seppelt's Originals, which have been good if maybe slightly sweet. At the higher priced end, I've also had a couple of Primo Estate Josephs, which have been very nice. I'm now casting about for something new. Any suggestions?

Yalumba's offering is fantastic. Grant Burge makes a very gluggable sparkling red.

These are worth a try:
Knappstein Sp Shiraz NV is Ok value at around $17
Bleasdale Sp Shiraz NV is worth a try at around $15
Peter Rumball SB17 is OK
Morris Shiraz-Durif NV
Hardys Sir James Sp Shiraz
E&E 2002 is good, but $45
Ashton Hills Sp Shiraz 2001 is a nice change, drier, hint of Clare mint/menthol, $35, just ordered my second case.
If you like some aged character, the Bullers RLB multi-vintage blend 72/88/96 can be had for about $35

I didn't like the Wirra Wirra Anthem.

Be careful of the Leasingham CC 97 Sp shiraz, both samples I tried at the NWS were a bit bretty.

Only one I now buy - Wild Duck creek Sparkling Duck made every 2-3 years. Always impressed others when i've taken it. Blend of 8-12 yo shirsaz and merlot. Used to buy the Joseph and Rockford (leaking cork issues and more often than not pretty boring wine) but no longer....

I have been pretty impressed with the 04 Majella which is < $30.

Glen

GRB wrote:I have been pretty impressed with the 04 Majella which is < $30.

Glen

Oops, yes, forgot that one, nice vintage, best for a few years, available in crown seal too.

For what its worth I found the Morris Shiraz-Durif to be a bit over the top.

Peter Lehmann Black Queen is the business, I also like the Peterson Sparkling Merlot (Cellar door only).

At the top the Elderton sparkling shiraz is a nice aged style at about $50
The willows Doctor ( I think about $35) is pretty nice as well.
I tried the Trevor Jones sparkling Red at $12 recently which is pretty dry and a contrast to the sweeter style that you usually find at this price point.

Is it just me or is there a lot more sparkling red about then a few years back?

cheers

Carl

Schoenberg 'le gus de rouge' sparkling cabernet from the Barossa.

I have friends who are part of the family (Liebich) who make it so i get it direct from them, but not sure where to buy it retail in the city area.

I know they are part of the barossa small winemaker's group at chateau tanunda, so you can try there. i think it's about $30-$35
http://www.chateautanunda.com/wine/smallwine.php

yum!

Bleasdale Sp Shiraz NV is worth a try at around $15

Agree with this one, can be had for as low as $13.99 in Sydney, although the standard per bottle price without a dozen seems to be $16.99

Also really like the Lindemans 1999 100% Hunter SS. I think it is only Cellar Door and sells for $35, although they seem happy to give 20% off when you ask, so $28.

I forgot to mention the Schild Estate Sparkling Shiraz. About $17 and good at the price. For me its a toss -up from the new style Knapstein and the Schild at this price level.

cheers

Carl

St Hallett - 'The Black'

Michael McNally wrote:St Hallett - 'The Black'

Supposedly CD only, it's listed at a few e-tailers, I thought this one was a bit over-priced at $40+

Some Sparkling Reds that I've enjoyed this summer have been:

Cofield TXIII - $25
Foggo Black Myriah - $30
Fox Creek Vixon - $20
Trevor Jones - $12
99 Andersons - $27

and last but not least the Bullers RLB - $35.

Thanks guys, I read all your suggestions and promptly bought something else

I got the 2005 Ulithorne "Flamma" McLaren Vale sparkling shiraz ($30), on the recommendation of John at Melb St Cellars. According to him, it's a rich style. The TN on their website has this to say:

The inaugural Flamma Sparkling Shiraz is a harmonious drink.
The aroma is vivid and uplifting with mulberry, dark plum, coffee bean and nutmeg.
The palate offers mouth filling fruit flavours that have real length and structure.
We have deliberately produced the Flamma to be a drier style of Sparkling Shiraz, a wine that lets the fruit from the vineyard shine through and offers powerful flavours for food matching without any overt sweetness.
Drink now or leave under the bed for years to come, this wine has legs.

Looking forward to this, since I often find sparkling reds a touch sweet. Will post a TN when i open it.

A few I've been drinking are:
D'Arenberg - Peppermint paddock (~$15) not sure when it comes available but has always been reliable.
96 Leasingham CC - I think it was about $40 8-9 months ago. Not sure if it is still available.
Various vintages of Seppelts Show Reserve.
Oakvale ( a bit sweeter) and Gartleman (very dry and earthy, typical hunter shiraz) from the hunter are also pretty good.

I agree with those mentioning the Buller... very nice.

I'd also add the Hollick sparkling merlot to this list, but I would treat if more as a breakfast wine than some other wines given here. It's my favorite eggs benedict wine right now.

The last two Rockford Black I've had were almost flat as far as mouth feel is concerned. Lots of bubbles on the pour, but once settled in the glass there was very little mousse to be had. A shame really, and I don't know if it was just these two or if it the vintage.

Croquet King wrote:A few I've been drinking are:
D'Arenberg - Peppermint paddock (~$15) not sure when it comes available but has always been reliable.
96 Leasingham CC - I think it was about $40 8-9 months ago. Not sure if it is still available.

Peppermint Paddock is one that I can't finish a glass of, but it does have a lovely colour, for battery acid.

96 Leasingham CC is getting pretty scarce, buy it if you can find it, the 97 isn't in the same class and may even have brett problems.

Danny wrote:The last two Rockford Black I've had were almost flat as far as mouth feel is concerned. Lots of bubbles on the pour, but once settled in the glass there was very little mousse to be had. A shame really, and I don't know if it was just these two or if it the vintage.

I've stopped buying Rockford Black, too variable, too many cork issues, too expensive.

Red Bigot wrote:

Danny wrote:The last two Rockford Black I've had were almost flat as far as mouth feel is concerned. Lots of bubbles on the pour, but once settled in the glass there was very little mousse to be had. A shame really, and I don't know if it was just these two or if it the vintage.

I've stopped buying Rockford Black, too variable, too many cork issues, too expensive.

Yes its variable, yes it has cork issues on aged samples and yes its expensive (although some are catching up) but when I have a good 'un I think once again I gotta get some of that!

cheers

Carl

Just opened a Two Wheeler Creek (Kangaroo Island) Sparkling Shiraz. At CD not incredibly impressed (as with most KI wines, but bought a couple because I was on holiday).

Initial dirty nose, a little yeast then some light berries. Simplistic front fruit on the palatewith a little spice , but then finishes quite dry, with some evident tannins. Not brilliant, but not horrible, and surprisingly better than I remembered.Can't remember what I paid.

Cheers,

Mark

griff wrote:

Red Bigot wrote:

Danny wrote:The last two Rockford Black I've had were almost flat as far as mouth feel is concerned. Lots of bubbles on the pour, but once settled in the glass there was very little mousse to be had. A shame really, and I don't know if it was just these two or if it the vintage.

I've stopped buying Rockford Black, too variable, too many cork issues, too expensive.

Yes its variable, yes it has cork issues on aged samples and yes its expensive (although some are catching up) but when I have a good 'un I think once again I gotta get some of that!

cheers

Carl

Next you'll be confessing to being a Pinot tragic, forever searching for the holy grail!

When I can get E&E 2002 for not much over $40, similarly Joseph, Ashton Hills for $35, Bullers RLB for $35, Majella for under $30, why would I bother? (Sorry, rhetorical question, answer varies according to personal preference.)

Red with bubbles, I have a Charles Melton Shiraz each year for Xmas

Some TN's from the Perth offline:

Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz 1986: Dark brick red. Opens with a pronounced fresh meat nose (Tartar anyone?). Very well balanced palate with the fruit starting to merge into the savoury characters. The bead is still fine but has lost some intensity. Finishing drier than when I last had this 4 years ago. Now is the time to drink this.

E&E Sparkling Shiraz 2001 : Moderate intense brick red. A fruity, slightly chary nose. On the palate it has developed with secondary characters emerging (faster than I would of thought). I found hints of maraschino cherry. Long finish. The richest of the three sparkling reds on the night. Polarising wine.

Rockford Black Shiraz '03 disgorgement: A lean and savoury style. Persistent bead and rum and raisin characters on the palate. Don't need to cellar this one either. I personally prefer the 04 disgorgement. Polarising wine.


My fav. was the E&E.

Paullie wrote:Some TN's from the Perth offline:

Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz 1986: Dark brick red. Opens with a pronounced fresh meat nose (Tartar anyone?). Very well balanced palate with the fruit starting to merge into the savoury characters. The bead is still fine but has lost some intensity. Finishing drier than when I last had this 4 years ago. Now is the time to drink this.

E&E Sparkling Shiraz 2001 : Moderate intense brick red. A fruity, slightly chary nose. On the palate it has developed with secondary characters emerging (faster than I would of thought). I found hints of maraschino cherry. Long finish. The richest of the three sparkling reds on the night. Polarising wine.

Rockford Black Shiraz '03 disgorgement: A lean and savoury style. Persistent bead and rum and raisin characters on the palate. Don't need to cellar this one either. I personally prefer the 04 disgorgement. Polarising wine.


My fav. was the E&E.

Those were my notes. How did you feel about them Paullie? Especially as I thought two of them (E&E and Rockford) generated a bit of discussion about them. You said the E&E was your fave, but what about the Rockford as it was quite different in style to my mind.

cheers

Carl

ChrisV wrote:I got the 2005 Ulithorne "Flamma" McLaren Vale sparkling shiraz ($30), on the recommendation of John at Melb St Cellars. According to him, it's a rich style.

John at Melbourne Street Cellars knows his stuff and the Ulithorne is bloody excellent by any measure.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it and be back for more.

Indeed they are Carl, wasnt trying to pass them off as mine.

I didnt try the Rockford, the Seppelt compared to the E&E had lost it a little I thought. The flavours of the E&E were nice and shiny, and the bubbles lasted the longest.

I was busy on the Pommery.

Red Bigot wrote:

Danny wrote:The last two Rockford Black I've had were almost flat as far as mouth feel is concerned. Lots of bubbles on the pour, but once settled in the glass there was very little mousse to be had. A shame really, and I don't know if it was just these two or if it the vintage.

I've stopped buying Rockford Black, too variable, too many cork issues, too expensive.

The negative press over the Rockford Black and it's cork had one effect. It was sold out in mid February when I dropped in to the Stonewall room.

Graham

Last year I tasted a delicious sparkling red with friends. (Barossa Valley) 2002 VineCrest Sparkling Shiraz <$30.

For the sake of sparkling reds I'll keep this thread going!

I am currently drinking a bottle of Gibson NV sparkling merlot

Nice mid-weight sparkler. Candy red in colour, Purple tinged mousse. Fine bead. On the palate it is plummy with hints of tar and chocolate. Great regional character; finishing dry and clean as a whistle. Don't serve too cold. Very good at the price I paid but a stretch at $26 unless you prefer a mid-weight wine. Should be good with a meat-based anti-pasti.

cheers

Carl