The Auswine Forum

Has anyone tried the Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz 1998 and the Black Label 1998? I have never seen the Platinum Label before in a shop. Now I had just a chance to buy 6 bottles each for about AUD 60.-- a bottle.

Looking forward to read some TN.

Thanks and cheers.

Seems one of those 'if it sounds too good to be true, then it must be' prices.

If you're sure it's not 'fallen off the back of a lorry', or been heat-damaged, then it indeed sounds a no-brainer.

Let us know if you get it.

regards

Ian

Agree too cheap for both but especially platinum.

Had the 98 Black Label almost two years back and it was an awesome drop just starting to hit its ideal drinking window IMO. Everything in check and balance, medium bodied and great length.

60 bucks for a 98 platinum ???
damn thats cheap, any chance these would still be available ?

It really depends on the source. Platinum 01 and 02 were selling in the UK for about 25-30gbp at one stage which is not that much more than 60aud. There's a huge markup in Oz for some reason.

I bought both at UK prices which are fair value. There's an online place in NZ selling Black Label 02 at 65nzd also.

I'd take a risk on the Platinums personally at that price.

Jay

I've tried both and they're pleasant wines. IMO, the 99 and 01 Platinum shiraz are superior wines.

Mike

This is a note on the 1998 Black Label which I made at a Wolf Blass Masterclass in early 2006:

1998 Black Label Cab Sav Shiraz:Big wine which has aged very well. Typical cedar, mint/eucalypt and cassis bouquet. Palate showed a big wine of sweet raspberry, mint, ribena like blackcurrant, plum with overt oak flavours and quite prominent tannins. Quite long. Pretty good with a few years ahead of it. 93/100

Seemed quite a good wine if you can tolerate a bit of oak.

Mike Hawkins wrote:I've tried both and they're pleasant wines. IMO, the 99 and 01 Platinum shiraz are superior wines.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I'll watch out for the '99 (fat chance ...). Agree the '01 is excellent.

Jay.

Thanks a lot for your answers. I bought the stuff now (6 bottles each) and I should get it in the next few weeks. I will let you know how they taste.

BTW, I was also able to buy some bottles of the Grant Burge Meshach 1990 (2x) and 1992 (2x). I only heard good things about this wine.

Thanks again and cheers.

Tuck into the 92s asap. The last one I had three or four years ago was looking a touch tired...

I have tired several of the platinum label wines.

The 1998 I've had 5 bottles of the dozen I purchased back then.
This is starting to develop good bottle age, this wine has an elegant taste and mouth feel really easy to drink.

I've had the 2001 and 2002 as we'll. In my opion the 01 is the best thus far.

Also the 01 black label is drink well now but will last forever. I opened a bottle with my father in law only a few weeks back for his birthday.

I just also bought a bottle of Three Rivers Shiraz (Chris Ringland) 1995 and a bottle of Hill of Grace 1991. Any idea how they taste and how long they can be kept?

Thanks and cheers.