The Auswine Forum

All,

What wine gems do you have lurking about the cellar?

These could include those that are rare, pricey or even of sentimental value.

In my young cellar I have a bottle of Grange '96 and '99. Also a bottle of Château de Beaucastel 1995 Châteauneuf du Pape that my wife gave me for my 30th Birthday in 2003, although, I’m undecided at what age to crack it open? 40? 50? any opinions?

Look forward to reading about your own cellar delights

Cheers

Ollie

Last 10 vintages of Rockford Basket Press.
Yet to drink

Magnums of Jack Mann '98, after reading GraemeG's tasting notes...

Well judging by posts on this forum, I would easy say that baby chickpea would have the most impressive hideaways.

My most liked in cellar
MossWood - reserve 1991 magnum, 99, 01's.
Cullen's - 01, 02 magnum, 04's
Cape Mentelle C/S - 1991 magnum
St Henri - 96's, magnum 02, 02's
Hill of Grace - 1996


I'm only but a younster in this realm.

many different vintages of Orlando Lawson's, a few magnums of basket press, 1990 Coteaux du layon, several 96 john riddochs.

For me there are the bottles I'm most looking forward to drinking soon out of the cellar stash (mainly Hunter and SA reds from the 1970s), and the bigger class of bottles I must resist drinking soon (especially 2001 Spanish reds, like Roda and Alion).

My cellaring seems to have shifted around a bit recently. I'm seeming to mainly buy pinot noir, cabernets and cabernet blends to put down, with far less shiraz than I used to. What shiraz I do cellar is tending to be cool climate stuff

On whites, I seem to be drinking more riesling young, rather than keeping it (probably only have a couple of pre-2000 rieslings left), but am cellaring more Hunter semillon and various chardonnay (and drinking less of both young).

With Italians, I am buying more at auction as older bottles (especially chianti, valpolicella etc) rather than buying young stuff and cellaring it myself. I'm deeply envious of Ian's ability to source good bottles of amarone at auction in the UK.

I'm generally holding to my plan of avoiding buying much French gear for the cellar (what I have I just churn through, especially bubbles, beaujolais, chablis, CNDP and CDR). I'm much happier buying occasional glasses and bottles while out and off lists.

Spanish gear is a different world of financial irresponsibility altogether. I'm trying to stick to a focus on whites from Rias Baixas and some cava for short term cellaring, with reds from Rioja, Toro, Somontano and a couple of other regions for a mix of short term and longer term cellaring.

Strangely, pretty much all the NZ reds I buy are for cellaring (very happy with the Te Mata Bullnose syrah).

02 Wirra Wirra Chook Block
02 Grant Burge Meshach
98 & 03 John Riddoch
91, 92 & 02 Grange
98, 02, 03 Block 6
98 707
98 Magill
and a partridge in a pear tree.

90, 91, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 00, 01 Penfolds Grange.
86 Marc Bredif Vouvray.
96 Château Cantenac Brown.
97 Penfolds Bin 707.
96 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz Michael.

Theyd have to be my favourites for one reason or another. I also love my Petaluma and Wynns collections.

Bugger me, I love the lot, perhaps thats why I bought them.

Premium
Craiglee Shiraz 1997
Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz 1998
Mount Langhi Ghiran Langhi shiraz 1998
Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz 1995
Tarrawarra Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2002
Bowen Estate Shiraz 1998
Baileys of Glenrowan 1920's Block Shiraz 1998
Hamilton's Ewell Railway Shiraz 1998
Very Good Underated Wines
Wetherall Coonwarra Shiraz 1998
Paradise Enough Pinot Noir 1998
Connor Park Shiraz 2000
Blanche Barkly Shiraz 2001
Tamminick Cellars Cliff Booth Shiraz 2002

Paullie wrote: I love the lot, perhaps thats why I bought them.

Nicely put!

Some super Premium wines I have away for special occasions etc (some single bottles and multiples of others) are...

Salon Champagne 1996
Dom 1996
Krug Nv
Wolf Blass Platinum 2001
Penfolds Granges 1996
Wirra Wirra Chook Block 2002
Bin 90A Penfolds
Block 42 1996 Penfolds
Bin 707 2002 Penfolds
Bindi Quartz Chard 2005
Mount Mary Quintet 01,03,04
Bindi Block 5 Pinots 2005
Gaja Sperss Barolo's 2000
Domaine Rousseu Burgandies 01,02,03
Kalleske Johann Georg 2004
Moss Wood Cabernets 1995
Burge Family Draycott Reserve Shiraz 1998
Chateu D Y'Quem 2001
Seppelt St Peters 2002's + other Vintages
Kaesler WOMS 2002
Bin 389 96/98 + other vintages
Balnaves The Tally 2004
Torbreck Decendants 2003
Epis Pinots
Orlando Jacaranda Ridge 1998
Penfolds RWT
Giaconda Chardonay + Shiraz 2005
Mount Mary Chard, Triolets, Jasper Hills, Te Mata Cape Crest Sauv Blancs, Grosset Polish Hill, Sure theres so many more I cant even remember off my head. Lucky I keep most in storage otherwise I think this list wouldn't be half as long by now

My newest addition is a bottle of Hill of Grace 2002.

My real Gem is the '86 John Riddock with many lesser lights like Magnums of JRs and Michael from good vintages, some excellent ports and Muscats etc., etc., etc.
Mike.

dozen Rockfords BP 2004
Rockfords 1999 SVS wines
dozen Bin 389 96
some Bin 389 98
Bin 389 90
Wynns John Riddoch 1996s
Wynns BL verticals from 1998-present (anticipating a long day)
nice little bunch of Rutherglen fortifieds
some old VPs looking forward to sampling
St Henri 1996s
St Henri 2002s
St Peters 2004s
2002 Bouchard Baby Jesus
a bunch of Chiantis
Glaetzer Godolphins

oops

Why bother commenting at all, delete your post and dont read the thread. Other people enjoy sharing their prized few bottles, it is also interesting to see what other people have.

My 'special' wines being saved for that special occasion are:

1991 Wynns Centenary C/S
1991 Rockford BP
1994 Penfolds Grange
1999 Charles Melton Pressings Magnum
1990 Penfolds Bin 920 C/S
1996 Penfolds St Henri
1986 Marc Bredif Vouvray
2000 Le Forts de Latour
2004 Charles Melton Nine Popes Imperial
2000 Mt Mary Quintet
1999 Bass Phillip Reserve
1996 Penfolds Bin 389 Magnum
1998 Domaine Tampier "La Migoua"

And a bunch of others no doubt when my collection emerges from storage.

-- George Krashos

crusty2 wrote:this could develop into a "mines bigger than yours" type thread

so in that "vein" i will opt out from any further comment.

I've got an early 70's Chateau Hornsby, courtesy of Monsieur 707.

Also have;

Sauvignon Blanc from India,
Blauer Portugeiser from Styria,
Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Canada,
Pinotage from New Zealand,
Lemburger from New York State.

Have some Feni too, if anyone is game for the next Adelaide offline

George, the 86 Bredif is a cracker isnt it, glad to hav 3 in the cellar. You tried the 04?

Paullie wrote:Why bother commenting at all, delete your post and dont read the thread. Other people enjoy sharing their prized few bottles, it is also interesting to see what other people have.

I agree. I couldn't care if someone has 10 times the Goodies as me or vice versa. I just love wine and reading about it and seing what every one else has/treasures or expeiriences they have had.

1998 Domain A Cabernet
2001 Cape Mentelle Cabernet
2001 Moss Wood Cabernet
2002 Wirra Wirra RSW
1998, 1999 Yalumba Signature
1996, 1998, 2002, 2003 Seppelt St Peters / Great Western
1990 John Riddoch Magnum
1990, 1994, 1996, 1998 Bin 389
1996 Bin 707 Magnum
1994 Grange
2001 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet
2002 Run Rig
Working on a few Riesling, fortifieds and a couple of Champagnes

crusty2 wrote:this could develop into a "mines bigger than yours" type thread

so in that "vein" i will opt out from any further comment.

I thought this at first until I plunged headlong into the abyss. It IS kind of interesting just to reel off a bit of a list and it makes you realise how many great bottles lie in wait! That, and the fact that I missed a whole bunch of stuff but will keep them for the next similar thread...!

• Brown Brothers Cellar Door Release Shiraz Mondeuse Cabernet 1998; I have quite a lot of this wine which will live till about 2060!
• Coriole Lloyd Shiraz from 1998 to 2002; I married a Lloyd and she kindly gave up her name, so having been a long time fan I was buying this in her honour but have stopped as I sense the style is evolving into something I don’t like – the wine, not the marriage
• Esk Valley Res Merlot Malbec Cab 1998; Danny Schuster would describe this wine as giving you a big hug; a classic that will drink through till about 2015 but I think will be best around 2010; not much left
• Martinborough Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir 1994; one bottle, can’t wait, arguably the classic vintage of the Marty Reserve, just waiting for the occasion
• Penfolds Bin 90A 1990; thanks Dad – don’t know whether to auction it and buy more wine or wait for the right occasion
• Penfolds Koonunga Hill 1998; our wedding red, 11 left, was great in 2003 and I note regular notes (most recently from n4sir) suggest it’s traveling just fine
• Tahbilk Reserve Shiraz 1998; everything I’ve read suggests it’ll be ready about the same time as the Brownies Shiraz Mondeuse Cab, i.e. when I’m pretty grey
• Te Mata Awatea Cabernet/Merlot 1995; the 1994 wowed me and this is meant to be a lot better – I only have one and it won’t see out the year

1994 Henschke Hill of Grace
1996 Henschke Mount Edelstone
1994/1996 Jim Barry Armagh
1997/1998 Barossa Vallley Estate Black Pepper Shiraz
1997-1999 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz
1999/2002 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
1995-2003 Rockford BP Shiraz
1996 Rockford SVS Flaxmann
1996 Rockford SVS Moorooroo
1996-2000 Rockford SVS Hoffmann
1998 Hare's Chase Merlot
2003 Craneford Merlot "John Zilm"
Trevor John A/T Liqueur Shiraz
1993 Chateau Margaux
1995 Chateau Calon Segur
1995 Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande
1997 Taylor's Vintage Port
1995 Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha

Cheers.

Martinborough Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir 1994; one bottle, can’t wait, arguably the classic vintage of the Marty Reserve, just waiting for the occasion

And you could argue this is the greatest vintage of the greatest ever NZ Pinot Noir. It may be past its peak, but based on a recent 1996 I had, it probably isnt if stored well. Lucky boy

Problem is my cellar is as top heavy as dolly. Not as big as some but it has many tasty treats. Just a few...

96 Ch Latour
97 Ch Yquem
99 Stonyridge Larose
Complete Vertical of Unison Selection
Magnums of 98 Coleraine
Magnum of 05 Puriri Hills Pope
01 Ch Sudairaut
96 Grange
92 HOG
94 Hencshke Cyril and Edelstone
94 Amargh
96 Dom
96 Cristal

Nayan wrote:

crusty2 wrote:this could develop into a "mines bigger than yours" type thread

so in that "vein" i will opt out from any further comment.

I've got an early 70's Chateau Hornsby, courtesy of Monsieur 707.

Also have;

Sauvignon Blanc from India,
Blauer Portugeiser from Styria,
Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Canada,
Pinotage from New Zealand,
Lemburger from New York State.

Have some Feni too, if anyone is game for the next Adelaide offline

Forgive my ignorance, Nayan, but where or what is Styria?

regards, Mark S.

Craig(NZ) wrote:Problem is my cellar is as top heavy as dolly. Not as big as some but it has many tasty treats. Just a few...

96 Ch Latour
97 Ch Yquem
99 Stonyridge Larose
Complete Vertical of Unison Selection
Magnums of 98 Coleraine
Magnum of 05 Puriri Hills Pope
01 Ch Sudairaut
96 Grange
92 HOG
94 Hencshke Cyril and Edelstone
94 Amargh
96 Dom
96 Cristal

5 French: 4 NZ. As I expected....but 4 Aussie wines?

cheers

Carl

I wish I actually had a listing of gems! There is a bunch of single bottles of Aussie, American, and German (fewer of French, Italian, and South American) – from memory the oldest is a late eighties or early nineties Scheurebe Trockenbeerenauslese from Pfeffingen (Pfalz, Germany).

Non-vintage would be a number of Aussie fortifieds including Seppelts GR 113 Rare Rutherglen Muscat and DP 59 Rare Rutherglen Tokay, R L Buller Calliope Rare Muscat and Calliope Rare Tokay, etc.

Oldest multiple bottles vintage wine would be Toro Albalá Don PX Pedro Ximénez Gran Reserva 1971 (Spain) – best $20 I’ve ever spent on wine. Longest vertical would be Penfold’s St Henri going back to 1992 (incomplete missing 1996, 1997, 2002).

Mike

Mark S wrote:Forgive my ignorance, Nayan, but where or what is Styria?

regards, Mark S.

It's a State in south east Austria.

The last 4 vintages of Stonyridge Larose
The last 5 vintage of Duck Muck and Springflat Shiraz
The last 4 vintages of Rockfords BP
1998 Wynns John Riddoch and Michael
And some of each vintage (I think) of Gibsons BarossaVale Shiraz. I reckon this is an underrated gem.