The Auswine Forum

May I introduce myself as a new member, what a world of knowledge you have here!
Im a red wine fan usually with a budget around $30 - $50 and occasionally splurge. Favourite drops to date include Brookland Valley Reserve Cab Sav 2002, Moss Wood Cab Sav 2004, Henschke Euphonium 2004, Bowen Estate 2004 Shiraz. Would love some tips around the $30 - $50 price range, or below. I love oaky, cigar box flavours with plenty of fruit and have a bias for Margaret River but am willing to taste new wines and take on your advice and suggestions. At 30yrs of age I am still early on in my wine journey…I look forward to your advice/suggestions.
Cheers to all

Welcome, two cabernets that caught my eye recently are Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 from Coonawarra and Sandalford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 from Margaret River, both around the $30 mark.

I'll 2nd the Majella 05 (not so keen on the 06 though).

I'd also recommend the Bowen Cab Sav 04-06 are all good and have the oaky style you like.

For Margaret River I don't think you can go past the Vasse Felix Cab Sav sub $30. Different style but cracking value.

Cheers

Nick

thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

rocket wrote:thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

Blue Poles (also Margaret River) has the Hopping Stone Tempranillo 07 made from fruit grown by friends with a vineyard in a warmer, more northern area of Margaret River - $22 from cellar door plus $10 freight nationally. I really like it but as are you, I'm a tempranillo novice. Winery link here:

http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:

rocket wrote:thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

Blue Poles (also Margaret River) has the Hopping Stone Tempranillo 07 made from fruit grown by friends with a nearby vineyard - $22 from cellar door plus $10 freight nationally. I really like it but as are you, I'm a tempranillo novice. Winery link here:

http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

Cheers

daz

I think that the Vasse Felix and Blue Poles temps have a little more than the same region in common. Have a look at the grapegrower's names

cheers

Carl

griff wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:

rocket wrote:thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

Blue Poles (also Margaret River) has the Hopping Stone Tempranillo 07 made from fruit grown by friends with a nearby vineyard - $22 from cellar door plus $10 freight nationally. I really like it but as are you, I'm a tempranillo novice. Winery link here:

http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

Cheers

daz

I think that the Vasse Felix and Blue Poles temps have a little more than the same region in common. Have a look at the grapegrower's names

cheers

Carl

"Phil and Lynne Foster own ‘Hopping Stone’ vineyard in the northern reaches of the Margaret River region. Their site is more exposed and warmer than ours in Rosa Brook, and with this added heat load they have planted varieties that appreciate the warmth, with Tempranillo being one variety particularly suited to their site."

"These grapes were taken in by Sharna Kowalczuk and her assistant Jane from Vasse River Wines and treated with 'kid gloves' to ensure the magnificent flavours seen in the fruit and the primary ferment were protected and enhanced."

"Vasse Felix was the first winery to be built in the Margaret River. Owned and operated by the Holmes ? Court family since 1987, the winery and vineyard have been carefully developed. Recent acquisitions of a neighbouring vineyard and property within the Willyabrup subregion will ensure the dynamic Virginia Willcock will have the ability to craft wines of the highest calibre for many years to come."

Not sure what your point is Carl.

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:

griff wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:

rocket wrote:thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

Blue Poles (also Margaret River) has the Hopping Stone Tempranillo 07 made from fruit grown by friends with a nearby vineyard - $22 from cellar door plus $10 freight nationally. I really like it but as are you, I'm a tempranillo novice. Winery link here:

http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

Cheers

daz

I think that the Vasse Felix and Blue Poles temps have a little more than the same region in common. Have a look at the grapegrower's names

cheers

Carl

"Phil and Lynne Foster own ‘Hopping Stone’ vineyard in the northern reaches of the Margaret River region. Their site is more exposed and warmer than ours in Rosa Brook, and with this added heat load they have planted varieties that appreciate the warmth, with Tempranillo being one variety particularly suited to their site."

"These grapes were taken in by Sharna Kowalczuk and her assistant Jane from Vasse River Wines and treated with 'kid gloves' to ensure the magnificent flavours seen in the fruit and the primary ferment were protected and enhanced."

"Vasse Felix was the first winery to be built in the Margaret River. Owned and operated by the Holmes ? Court family since 1987, the winery and vineyard have been carefully developed. Recent acquisitions of a neighbouring vineyard and property within the Willyabrup subregion will ensure the dynamic Virginia Willcock will have the ability to craft wines of the highest calibre for many years to come."

Not sure what your point is Carl.

Cheers

daz

Where did the Vasse Felix temp grapes come from?

And I will leave it at that.

cheers

Carl

griff wrote:
Where did the Vasse Felix temp grapes come from?

And I will leave it at that.

cheers

Carl

Do tell.........if Vasse Felix have no/limited tempranillo of it's own, it's entirely possible that the Fosters supplied at least some of the fruit used by Vasse Felix to produce it's tempranillo.

That wouldn't be earthshattering news, most wineries use grapes from other growers, some such as Teusner, The Story and others, exclusively so.

What would be interesting would be to compare the Hopping Stone 07 to the Vasse Felix 08 (current release) if both wineries used fruit exclusively from the same vineyard. Different vintages, same fruit source, different winemakers.

Do you know where I can source a bottle or two of Vasse Felix Tempranillo 07 to compare to the same vintage from Blue Poles?

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:

rocket wrote:thank you for the tips guys...have written them down and will check them out.
2 for the Majella - interesting...
speaking of Vasse Felix - i had their tempranillo from the cellar door not long ago...plenty of cherry flavours, i enjoyed it...a little different for me. makes me want to futher explore tempranillo further.

Blue Poles (also Margaret River) has the Hopping Stone Tempranillo 07 made from fruit grown by friends with a vineyard in a warmer, more northern area of Margaret River - $22 from cellar door plus $10 freight nationally. I really like it but as are you, I'm a tempranillo novice. Winery link here:

http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

Cheers

daz

Only last Monday I had a Paxton Tempranillo from McLaren Vale. Absolutely delicious and I'm looking for more. Sold out at cellar door according to the website and only 100 cases made.

[quote="GrahamB]
Only last Monday I had a Paxton Tempranillo from McLaren Vale. Absolutely delicious and I'm looking for more. Sold out at cellar door according to the website and only 100 cases made.[/quote]

Now he tells us..........perhaps I should add the winery site to my list of those to check/subscribe to.

Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 06 is a ripper too. It's the only wine I've tried from there - but do have another bottle for later.

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:[quote="GrahamB]
Only last Monday I had a Paxton Tempranillo from McLaren Vale. Absolutely delicious and I'm looking for more. Sold out at cellar door according to the website and only 100 cases made.[/quote]

Now he tells us..........[/quote]

Could be out there in a "Bottle Shop near you". Forewarned I say.

I tend to make brief notes of wines and when I go somewhere new, check out the local bottle shop. I know Irish doesn't have it ranged.

Good luck with the search as good Tempranillo is great.

And I'd rather be a Tempraphile than a Pinotphile.

GrahamB wrote:Could be out there in a "Bottle Shop near you". Forewarned I say.

I tend to make brief notes of wines and when I go somewhere new, check out the local bottle shop. I know Irish doesn't have it ranged.

Good luck with the search as good Tempranillo is great.

And I'd rather be a Tempraphile than a Pinotphile.

Last pinot I tried was a 9th Island and based on that and the couple of temps I've tried, I'm with you!

Just noticed Gav has the Paxton Shiraz/Grenache 2006. Notes on the website put it rated at mid nineties. Could be worth finding a taster bottle.

GrahamB wrote:Just noticed Gav has the Paxton Shiraz/Grenache 2006. Notes on the website put it rated at mid nineties. Could be worth finding a taster bottle.

Definitely. Garry does wax a bit lyrical at times but his rating is about right. Very nice wine with some complexity.

Cheers

daz

Daz in answer to your question regarding sourcing the Vasse Felix temp, i was told by the staff that its only available from the cellar door. thx for your blue poles tip...i will try and make my way to it.
i just remembered i have a West Cape Howe (Denmark WA) 2007 temp to drink. looking forward to that. will let you know how that one goes. waiting for the weather to cool before i really get back into my reds though.

We need an "Ask Brian" forum for questions like:

Pretty please Brian but does the Paxton Tempranillo come up as available anywhere on wine searcher?

GrahamB wrote:We need an "Ask Brian" forum for questions like:

Pretty please Brian but does the Paxton Tempranillo come up as available anywhere on wine searcher?

Ordering direct from the winery online is considered to be the same as purchasing from the physical cellar door. Doesn't make it easy to try a bottle before buying. FFS I have no chance of getting to any cellar door but I can usually order at least a 6pk from a winery even if it's mixed to try their wines that interest me.

Cheers

daz

rocket wrote:i just remembered i have a West Cape Howe (Denmark WA) 2007 temp to drink. looking forward to that. will let you know how that one goes. waiting for the weather to cool before i really get back into my reds though.

Didn't realise that WCH made a temp. Halliday gives it 91 pts, reckons the savoury tannic finish gets one back for more. That's another temp
I should look out for.

Perhaps we should start a tempranillo thread

Cheers

daz

Has anyone tried the Tars and Roses Temp, heard it is pretty good?

Rocket i think you might enjoy -
Turners Crossing Bendigo 2005 cab sav $22
houghton wisdom cab sav 2004 or 2005 vintage $27
Tim adams 2006 Clare shiraz $23

Jamie

JamieH wrote:Has anyone tried the Tars and Roses Temp, heard it is pretty good?
Jamie

Haven't tried the temp but the shiraz 07 is not your typical Heathcote example of the variety and for about $17 or so is worth trying. I've stashed the last one of six bottles, won't look at it for several years yet.

Cheers

daz

thx JamieH
i have noted your tips...Tim Adams rarely lets me down. Pretty solid wines with a reasonable price tag.

Daryl Douglas wrote:

JamieH wrote:Has anyone tried the Tars and Roses Temp, heard it is pretty good?
Jamie

Haven't tried the temp but the shiraz 07 is not your typical Heathcote example of the variety and for about $17 or so is worth trying. I've stashed the last one of six bottles, won't look at it for several years yet.

Cheers

daz

G'day Daz

Like you, I was impressed with the 07 Tar & Roses (for the price), but I won't be waiting several years for the next one - a year tops. I like what is there now, but I'm not convinced it is an automatic 'long haul' wine, so will monitor along the way.

Cheers

Allan

Hi Allan, I had next year or the year after in mind to drink the last T&R shiraz 07 though it may well not last that long. Considered buying more but other value wines appeared in the form of Teusner's 15% discount and free freight so it got relegated.

Cheers

daz

Daryl Douglas wrote:

griff wrote:
Where did the Vasse Felix temp grapes come from?

And I will leave it at that.

cheers

Carl

Do tell.........if Vasse Felix have no/limited tempranillo of it's own, it's entirely possible that the Fosters supplied at least some of the fruit used by Vasse Felix to produce it's tempranillo.

That wouldn't be earthshattering news, most wineries use grapes from other growers, some such as Teusner, The Story and others, exclusively so.

What would be interesting would be to compare the Hopping Stone 07 to the Vasse Felix 08 (current release) if both wineries used fruit exclusively from the same vineyard. Different vintages, same fruit source, different winemakers.

Do you know where I can source a bottle or two of Vasse Felix Tempranillo 07 to compare to the same vintage from Blue Poles?

Cheers

daz

I guess I'm in a pretty good position to answer the source of the two wines. The Fosters in 2007 supplied Vasse Felix with the grapes which made their Tempranillo - they picked to a tonnage and they had a row or two which we asked if we could use the fruit. Rather than pick straight away, we waited a further 9 days on the Vasse Felix pick and then took the grapes in for processing.

I've tried the Vasse Felix wine and it is pretty good, we of course think our own is not to bad also. Hope this clears up any issue with the source of either wine.

Cheers

Mark G

Thanks Mark. I was pretty sure, on relection, that you mentioned Vasse Felix in conversation but I'd forgotten the context.

Glad you had a good Chrismas after all that work in the vineyard. At least it sounds as if it's been worth it.

Regards

daz