The Auswine Forum

Since an international forum is doing this, perhaps Auswine should too, but I suggest 2 separate lists. The first is top 10 wines drunk in 2003:-

Mine:-

Chronological vintage order:-

1971 Grange

1975 Leoville las-cases

1975 Grange

1978 Leoville las-cases

1980 D'Yquem

1983 Leoville las-cases

1983 Lindemans Hunter River Burgundy (reserve) - shiraz

1986 St Henri

1991 Mount Mary chardonnay

2001 Valli Colleen's vineyard PN

My Top 10 list drunk is a bit more modest (cellar is only 5yrs old, and budget is limited), but nonetheless has provided great pleasure and memories.
(In no particular order)
98 Majella C/S
95 Dalwhinnie C/S
94 Seppelt Dorrien C/S
96 Zema Family Select C/S
96 Balmoral Syrah
98 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz
92 Petaluma Coonawarra
99 Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz
99 Willespie Shiraz
01 Clarendon Hills Hickingbotham C/S

1953 Seppelt Sp Burgundy
1969 Lakes Foly C Reserve Dry Red
1981 Grange
1987 Petaluma Riesling
1985 Leroy Romaneé St-Vivant
1989 Gaja Spress Barolo
1990 Henschke Hill of Grace
1990 Yerringberg Red
1993 Mount Mary Chard
nv (97 disg) Rockford Black Shiraz

Mark K

Hmm...I assume that anything I've tasted this year goes. So...

Bollinger 96. Since it's the only foreign wine on the list, I'll replace it with Hanging Rock Macedon and keep the list completely antipodean.

Penfolds Reserve Bin 00A Chardonnay. (Moorilla Reserve Chardonnay 01 just misses out)

Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 01

All of my best riesling is as yet unopened, so it misses the cut.

Buller Rare Tokay. Morris Cellar Reserve Tokay is a near-miss.

De Bortoli Noble One 96

Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 02.

Brokenwood Graveyard 01.

Wynns John Riddoch 97. (The 98 is still resting in my cellar)

Katnook Odyssey 98.

Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 00

Other near-misses: Bannockburn Range Shiraz, Bannockburn Chardonnay 94, Edwards Cab Sav 01, Keith Tulloch Kester Shiraz 00.

Kieran

1) Grange 98
2) O'Bastard 98
3) Noon Rsv.Shiraz 01
4) Cullen D.M. 01
5) Dead Arm 01
6) Magpie Est.Election 01
7) Hutton Vale Rsv.Shiraz 98
8 ) Stonewell 98
9) Laughing Magpie 02
10) Stonehorse 02

1 - 1996 Rockford Hoffman Shiraz
2 - 1998 Rockford Basket Press
3 - 1996 James Irvine Grand Merlot
4 - 1992 Thomas Hardy Cab Sauv
5 - 1998 Magill Estate
6 - Rockford Black Shiraz 99
7 - 1990 407
8 - 2000 Majella Malleea
9 - Calliope Rare Old Tokay
10 - 2000 Dalwhinnie Moonambel

Not sure if I can quite cobble together 10, but here goes...

1. 1998 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
2. 2000 Riesling Steinhaus Hiedler
3. 1996 Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, Szepsy
4. 1995 Tokaji Aszueszencia, Disznoko
5. 2001 Magpie Estate "The Gomersal" Grenache
6. 2000 Maculan Torcolato
7. 1999 Puligny Montrachet "Les Chenevottes" Michel-Colin Deleger
8. 2002 Mount Edward Pinot Noir
9. 2001 Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noir
10. Many contenders, just can't think of one!!

Cheers
Phil

Best for me in 2003, in order:

1. Mouton Rothschild 1986 (amazing wine - still youthful with super concentration. Parker 100 and well deserved)

2. Cheval Blanc 1998 (a definate wow wine)

3. Majella Malleea 1998 (best Majella wine ever)

4. Penfolds 707 1996 (long road ahead - try again in 5 years)

5. Cheval Blanc 2000 (Parker's wine of the vintage of the vintage of the century - but I think beaten by the wines above this year)

6. Mouton Rothschild 1998 (a great wine - really outstanding)

7. Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill 2000 (Californian cabernet soupy concentrate. Very good - up there with best cabenets in the world)

8. Heitz Wine Cellars Matha's Vineyard 1997 (a good return to form in a great vintage)

9. Le Petit Cheval 2000 (2nd wine that makes other classified growths look pale)

10. Margrez Frombrauge 2000 (new cult wine - deserves its reputation)

Not in any particular order, and there's dozens more wines that missed by 'that' much.

Zilliken 1983 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese (Long Gold Capsule)

Trimbach 1989 Pinot Gris SDGN

Armand Rousseau 1989 Chambertin

Penfold's 1984 Grange

Cos D'Estournel 1982

La Grande Dame 1990

Rene Mure 1997 Clos St. Landelin Vorbourg Riesling

Leo Buring 1991 Leonay Watervale Riesling DWU 13

Maximin Grunhauser 1998 Abtsberg Riesling Auslese no. 215

Ch. Coutet 1976 Barsac

Ok....no order here:

1999 Messorio
1998 Masseto
1997 Chateau Margaux
1983 Pichon Longueville Lalande
2001 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Cabernet
2001 Gibson Old Vine Collection Shiraz
1999 Mosswood Cabernet
1994 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet
NV Buller Rare Tokay
1990 Bollinger RD

Looking at the list the favourite would probably have been the Masseto...

Looking back at my notes, its surprising how many young'uns are in the list:-

In no particular order:-

1. 1986 St Henri
2. 1991 Rockford Basket Press
3. 1999 Houghtons Jack Mann
4. 1998 Rockford Basket Press
5. 1996 Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz
6. 1999 Moss Wood Cabernet sauvignon
7. 1990 Wynns John Riddoch
8. 1998 Grange
9. 2000 Craiglee Shiraz
10. 1991 Henschke Mt Edelstone

Here's my list of the wines I've probably enjoyed the most in no particular order.

Marcus

Bannockburn Shiraz 1991
Craiglee Shiraz 2000
De Bortoli Pinot noir 1997
Devils Lair Cabernet 1995
Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2000
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1998
Saltram No.1 Shiraz 1998
Saltram No.1 1999
Wynns Black label Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

Diebolt Vallois Blanc de B. 1996

d'Yquem 1967

Barolet Morey 1934

Balgownie 1981 Hermitage

DRC Richebourg 1978

Jayer Cros Parentoux 1992

Chave 1996 Hermitage

Bruer Rheingau Berg Sclossberg 2001

Craiglee 1985 Shiraz

Salon 1990


It's been a good year. Lots enjoyed but forgotten.

Cant really come up with all ten, but I know the top few in rough order of preference. Wines at my disposal seem relatively modest in comparison to the rest of you.

1. Henschke Mt Edelstone 92 - wow, a life experience. I never expected I would ever enjoy a wine as much as this. I have tried the '92 3 times this year and only once did it kick me off my stool, but it did with a mighty bang.
2. Metala Original Plantings shiraz 1994 - just plain yummy.
3. Leo Buring Eden valley riesling 1991 - still have 5 more.
4. Wynns Centenary Cab Sav/shiraz 91 - Magnum heaven.
5. Henschke Cyril H. 93 - top shelf booze
6. Grange 88 - only Grange tried this year
7. Mitchell cabernet 90 - perfect.
8. Darenburg Laughing Magpie 02 - a refreshing change.
9. Coldstream Hills reserve cabernet 00 - cant wait to see this wine later this decade.
10. Wynns shiraz 01 - just put this one in the top 10 for great value.

Its me that just posted. I've obviously got to check my auto log-in is working first in future. I started the list thinking I would not finish a list of 10 but then it just came to me, which explains why I start by saying I can only list a few but end up listing more...........

Mark K, was the 53 sparkling a birthday wine for your dad ? I remember you searching for one for ages, so it's great news if you finally found one !

My top 5 list :

1990 Bollinger Grande Annee
1991 Cullens CM
1991 Leonay
1985 D'Angludet
1970 Graham's VP

Can't remember any others that shook my world - I'm getting old and drinking less...

Cheers, Celia

Not too many that I can really think of - certainly from the Robin Garr offline the Bolly (see PLCB) was great, as was the 1986 Lovedale and 1983 Lindemans HR Burg Bin 6600. At one of my monthly dinners I was blown away by the 1993 Leoville Las Cases, and in Europe this year unlabelled BA and TBA wines with Rienhart Lowenstein in his cellars were unbelievably good. And in Riquewihr the 97 Hugel VT Gewurz was pretty special, but at €80 we passed...

cheers,
Graeme

In no particular order:

Henschke Hill of Grace 1998

Houghton's Jack Mann 1995

Moss Wood Cab Sav 2000

Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2000

St Hallet Old Block Shiraz 1999

Vasse Felix Cab Sav 2001

Penfolds Grange 1998

Mitchelton Print Shiraz 1999

Grant Burge Meshach 1999

Voyager Estate Cab Merlot 2001

Looking forward to starting on the cellared 98s in 2004!

Fortunately, went to many fine tastings this year - this obviosuly excludes anything for Xmas when I will have some pearlers (to be decided). I had some super expensive and rare wines (1st growths from great vintages) but settlde on the following for the joy, surprise and pleasure they provided. I have also given a cross-section of styles otherwise I could easiliy fill my top 10, even top 20 with glrious mature bordeaux! (in no order):

-1947 Petit-Village (Pomerol)
-1966 Haut Brion (from Magnum - one that Parker hates but I love it - goes for a song at auction!))
-1969 DRC Romanee-St-Vivant (preferred to Romanee Conti!)
-1990 Leroy Richebourg (the greatest pinot noir ever drunk!)
-1998 Grange
-2001 Pio Cesare Moscato d'Asti (a cheapie but I derived so much pleasure from this)
-1966 Krug Collection Champagne
-1975 Coutet Cuvee Madame (rated higher than 75 d'Yquem!)
-1983 Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet
-1977 Fonseca Port

Being in the trade and having tried around the usual 9-10,000 this is especially hard. Again in no order
1. Domaine La Soumade Rasteau Fleur de Confiance 2001

2. Magpie Estate 'The Malcolm' Shiraz 1994
(yes i know one of my wines but from a long time ago and really looking great if i say so myself!)

3. Chateau d'Yquem 1969
My birth year and supposedly a crap year-nevertheless stunning-bought at Langtons and shipped to the uk

4. Batonnage 2001
Mad Austrian from insane low yields double new oak and 15.5% works though!

5. Alois Kracher Trockenbeereauslese Grande Cuvee 1995

6. Bullers Rare Tokay

7.Mitolo 'Serpico' Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

8. Louis Roedere Cristal 1996
Never tasted a better young champagne with this texture

9. Clos St Landelin Grand Cru Vorbourg Muscat Selection de Grains Nobles 2001

10. Leasingham Burgundy 1969 (Shiraz Grenache from the Clare. $14 from Langtons-grew and grew in the glass)

A mixed bag. And i am sure i could do another 10 of these lists!

Not in any particular order

1983 Grange
1986 Bin 707
1986 Grange
1990 Grange
1990 HoG
1996 Balmoral
1996 Grange
1996 HoG
1998 Grange
Chambers Rare Tokay

deleted

Off the top of my head, in no order, with no time, and certainly it seems, no whites:

Mitchell Cab 98
Henscke Keyneton Estate 96
Penfolds Maggill 96
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz 96
Grange 98
Cullen Mangan 2000 (tasted here at Les Juvenille just before the deadline)
Wynns John Riddoch 82
Majella Cab 2000
Penfolds St. Henri 96
Saltram No.1 98

What? 2 Penfolds?

best to all,

Noel wrote:2. Magpie Estate 'The Malcolm' Shiraz 1994
(yes i know one of my wines but from a long time ago and really looking great if i say so myself!)

6. Bullers Rare Tokay

Noel,

I hate trying to compile these sorts of list and I don't try anywhere near the amount of wine you do. However if I think back over the "red bigot" dinners, the Magpie 94 Shiraz and Buller Rare Tokay would both be on my list too - without question!

I know exactly waht you mean Ric. These lists are impossible!
But it is fun to try even if the moment you have compiled your list you think of something you should have included.
Glad you liked some of my choices-go on give it a go!!!

Not a Top Ten, but rather ten Memorable Wines:

Seppelt Grand Muscat
1990 Hill of Grace
1995 Veuve Cuvee Madam
Mumm de Cramant
1995 Yattarna Chardonnay
The Rockford BP Vertical
1985 Seppelt GW Shiraz and a matching Show Sparkling
2001 Pettavel Emigre Shiraz
1903 Seppelt 100YO Para

In no particular order:

1998 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
1998 Penfolds Grange
1996 Metala Saltrams Black Label Shiraz
1999 St Hallet Old Block Shiraz
2002 Noon Eclipse
1994 Penfolds Bin 94A Res Chard
2000 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz
2001 Tait Basket Press Shiraz
1996 Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz
NV Irvine The Baroness

Its actually quite interesting looking over other peoples lists - You can see people who have similar tastes as yours and I may use their list as a TO-TRY list for myself

Noel,

OK, I will give it a try - in no particular order -

1994 Magpie Estate Shiraz
Buller Rare/Museum Tokay
1987 Seppelts Sparkling Shiraz
Primo Joseph Sparkling Shiraz (original disgorgement)
2001 Cullen Diana Cabernet Sauvignon
1999 Jim Barry The Armagh
1999 Burge Meshach
1984 Grange
1990 John Riddoch
2001 Magpie The Election Shiraz

Cheers
Ric

Note I made the proviso that mine wasn't an absolute top ten however this is in the top grouping of wines I've had this year.

Pettavel is a relatively new Geelong Winery with a really talented winemaker in Peter Flewellyn. The Emigre is their top Shiraz and it is a very classy cool climate style. The wine also one a major gong at an International Tasting.

I've had it a few times now, most recently with Robin garr when he was here in October, check it out at the link http://www.wineloverspage.com/user_subm ... 82475.html