This article will describe my experiences with Gray's, warts and all, and
list the wines I've bought with my personal assessment of them in terms of
quality and value.
My first foray wasn't too successful and it took me a while to go back after
that, but the next experience wasn't much better. This was despite a fair
amount of pre-buying research.
On this note, Gray's occasionally have special auctions of "returned wine".
By their rules for returning wine, it must be faulty or at least much
different/lesser quality than the auction lot description, so are they knowingly
selling returned faulty or mis-described wine? Or maybe they are more
generous at times with returns than their returns policy suggests?
After those experiences it took until June 2007 to try again, when the
Heritage Fine Wines liquidator held a series of wine auctions via Gray's.
These must have been regarded as a huge success, there was some good free
publicity in the press and anything with a well-known name went for ridiculous
prices. There were however some lesser-known wineries with some good wines
that were going at a reasonable price. I secured funding from some friends
and set out to get a few bargains. This is what I got over the series of
ex-HFW auctions:
Buoyed by the relative success of these buys, they were all quite drinkable
and reasonable value if not all half-price super-bargains, I kept watching the
daily rotation of auctions and decided to have a few more punts.
One feature of Gray's listings is the use of the term Original Retail Price (ORP)
when quoting a putative value of some wines offered. They do however
disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of this quotation: "In
certain circumstances, an item for sale on the site may display the
manufacturers Original Retail Price (ORP). All ORPs are prices supplied by the
manufacturer (or retailer) of the item at the time of the items original sale,
and therefore such ORPs may not be current at the time of the online auction of
the item. Graysonline takes no responsibility for the display of ORPs on any
item it offers for sale at an online auction on its site, and hereby advises all
bidders to satisfy themselves as to the value of the item being auctioned."
A cop-out if ever I saw one, especially if it's exclusive to Gray's they should
be able to check the bona fides of the claims.
They do sometimes list RRP,
particularly against the wines exclusive to Grays, especially the Block 24
series. It's a bit of mystery to me how a wine that is made especially for
them (by Cheviot Bridge) and is offered exclusively via auction and not at normal retail can have an RRP, but I guess it's legal. They have been quoted in the press as being
happy that one of the wines averaged $8-$9pb at auction against a quoted RRP of
$20 (or was it $30?) and the currently listed Block 24 Coonawarra Cabernet 2003 sold recently for
$99-$104/12 with a quoted RRP of $360, make of that what you will.
There are also some French wines that appear in auctions, often listed as
"exclusive to Graysonline" and quoting ORP in Euros, with "expect to pay $xx in
Australia". The quoted ORP seemed fanciful for the unknown labels being
offered, so I decided to potentially waste some money and try a few of the
offerings. These are what I bought:
Personally, I think the ORP are quite fanciful and bear no relationship to
the actual worth of the wines. I was going to return the Ch Quattre, or
keep it if they could convince me that the ORP wasn't just a figment of
someone's imagination, but I ran out of time before I went O/S, the warranty
period is only 30 days. They also list currently some "New French" wines
with an ORP of $55, the labels alone should be enough to indicate, like the
others mentioned above, that it would be wise to divide these ORP by 10.
More recent lists of these types of French wines have
dropped the Euro ORP, but still have fanciful $AUD prices. At least people
have woken up and don't seem to be paying more than $10-$13 pb in many cases,
unless it is a recognizable name.
Undeterred by the mixed results with imports, I returned to watching the
Australia reds from reputable makers and have made quite a few more buys recently
to share with friends:
|
Wine |
Qty |
Bid Price |
Total |
Per Bottle |
Good retail
price |
Rating |
|
Ch Tanunda Grand
Barossa Shiraz 2005 (export back label, cork) |
6 |
64 |
83.60 |
$13.93 |
$30? |
Good Barossa shiraz,
but not outstanding or particularly distinctive, good value at this
price. |
|
Coriole "TOA"
Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (export label, screwcap) |
12 |
79 |
100.85 |
$8.40 |
15 |
Firm and a little
lean, opens up with extended breathing, leave a year or two then drink
up, not a great wine. |
|
Willunga 100
Cabernet-Shiraz 2005 (export back label, screw cap) |
6 |
49 |
66.35 |
$11.05 |
18 |
JH 94 drink to 2020,
a little reductive, blew off quickly, good structure and complexity,
nice wine, bargain. |
|
Ulithorne Frux
Frugis Shiraz 2002 (cork) |
6 |
89 |
112.35 |
$18.73 |
33 |
JH 94 drink to 2017 |
|
Sir Paz Blocks A,B&D
Yarra Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
10 |
124 |
152.60 |
$15.26 |
32 |
JH 93 drink to 2015,
lots of cedary oak, nice cool-climate fruit, hope the fruit can cope
with the oak. |
|
Henry Martin
Sparkling Shiraz SA NV (cork) |
12 |
114 |
141.10 |
11.76 |
19 |
Good dense colour
and strong mousse, but not overly persistent, fruit sweet, not cloying,
good mouthfeel and pleasant lingering finish, 13.5%a/v, nice for the
price. |
|
Quadrant Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
104 |
129.60 |
10.80 |
?? |
Apparently made by Jim Chatto, bursting
with vibrant fruit, spicy and varietal, nice wine for drinking over the
next 2-3 years, it doesn't have the structure for long cellaring. 14.5%
a/v |
|
Small Gully Barossa Shiraz 2001 (cork) |
6 |
49 |
66.35 |
11.06 |
?? |
Good dense colour,
plums and charcouterie nose and palate, quite rich and showing a little
of the warm vintage in the flavour profile, good drinking over the next
year or two though, 13.5% |
|
Henry Holmes Barossa Cabernet 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
119 |
146.85 |
12.24 |
$24 |
JH 93, drink to
2025 13.5% |
|
Two Hands Sophie's Garden Padthaway
Shiraz 2001 (Cork) |
12 |
199 |
238.85 |
19.99 |
$45? |
Good drinking with
time ahead of it yet, savoury, 14.5% |
|
Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002
(Cork) |
12 |
219 |
261.85 |
21.82 |
$30 |
Lovely wine with
years to go. |
|
Heavens Gate Barossa Shiraz 2001 (cork) |
12 |
109 |
135.35 |
11.28 |
?? |
Volatile rubbish, avoid. |
|
Quartetto Reserve McLarenVale Shiraz
2001 (cork) |
12 |
119 |
146.85 |
12.24 |
??? |
Ready to drink,
and nice enough despite 16%a/v and reasonable value, fair amount of VA. |
|
Panther's Paw Yarra Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 (cork) |
12 |
74 |
95.10 |
7.93 |
$16 |
JH 87, drink to
2011 12.4%, good colour, some leafiness, but not overtly green, luncheon
wine |
|
Panther's Paw Yarra Cabernet-Merlot
2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
$6.97 |
$16 |
JH 89, drink to
2015 14.0%, A bit riper fruit than 2003, but a little tough on the
finish, may soften in a year or two. |
|
Merops Ornatus Margaret River Cabernet
Blend 2004 (cork) |
12 |
49 |
66.35 |
5.53 |
$18 |
JH 88, drink to
2012 14.1%, nice medium-bodied cabernet blend, great value at this
price. |
|
Pan Terra Langhorne Ck Shiraz 2004 (screwcap) |
6 |
29 |
43.35 |
7.23 |
$?? |
Soft
early-drinking style, but good flavour, reasonable balance. |
|
Henry Holmes Barossa Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
99 |
123.85 |
10.32 |
$20 |
JH 90 to 2011.
Soft medium-bodied style, but good flavour, reasonable balance. 13.5% |
|
Kassebaum
Magdalena Barossa Shiraz 2005 (cork, unlabelled) |
12 |
79 |
100.85 |
$8.40 |
$30 |
JH 90 to 2015.
Nicely rich and ripe, but not overripe, spicy, balanced, good value,
I've bought 8 cases now for myself and friends. 14.8% |
|
Casa Freschi
Cabernet-Shiraz 2004 (unlabelled,
cork) |
12 |
29 |
43.35 |
$3.61 |
$? |
I checked with
Casa Freschi, they made the wine, but declined to comment on the $25 ORP.
It has the shortest cork I've ever seen in a table wine, so I doubt that
target price. It's a nice-enough BBQ wine with a reasonable
structure for short-term cellaring. |
|
Rosabrook MR
Chardonnay 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
74 |
95.10 |
$7.93 |
$18 |
I bought this for
my white-drinking friends, it's a bit oaky and under-fruited if you
drink it too cold, but apparently quite acceptable when slightly warmer
and open a while. |
|
Segreto Yarra
Chardonnay 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
59 |
77.85 |
$6.49 |
$? |
I bought this for
my white-drinking friends, light and crisp, varietal but lacking a bit
of flavour, quaff with fish and chips. |
|
Coriole Toa
Shiraz 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
74 |
95.10 |
$7.93 |
$? |
A Coriole export
label, it's more approachable than the Cabernet (see above) and quite
good drinking already. |
|
Archers Guild Mt
Benson Shiraz 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
39 |
54.55 |
$4.57 |
$? |
Made by Kreglinger,
quite a nice shiraz in the Limestone Coast flavour profile, good early
drinking. |
|
Rochecombe
Sparkling Chardonnay 2000 (cork) |
6 |
69 |
89.35 |
$14.89 |
$? |
Made by Kreglinger,
Tasmanian fruit, they make a $30+ Kreglinger Blanc de Blancs 2000, I
haven't tried it to compare, but this is a very nice bubbly for $15 and
I've bought some more at the same price, it often goes for more, so be
patient. |
|
Red Nectar
Barossa Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
6 |
44 |
60.60 |
$10.10 |
$22-$25 |
JH 90, drink to
2012. This has a USA (Grateful Palate) back label. |
|
Churchview MR
Shiraz 2004 (cork) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
$6.97 |
$22 |
JH 91, drink to
2020. Good value and will cellar for a while. |
|
Farmers Market
Eden Valley Chardonnay 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
$6.01 |
$20? |
My white-drinking
friend is happy with this, said it's good drinking and very good value
at that price. |
|
Ferrier-Pope
Celebration Sparkling White 2001 (cork) |
6 |
64 |
83.60 |
$13.93 |
? |
From Smithbrook
(WA) fruit, made at Bridgewater Mill, 5 years on lees. Not as
"yeasty/leesy" as you might expect, but a fine, quite austere style,
good value. |
|
Farmers Market
Sparkling Cabernet 2002 (cork) |
6 |
34 |
49.10 |
$8.18 |
? |
Limestone Coast
Cabernet, made by Simon Adams, a pleasant change from sparkling shiraz,
obvious berry fruit, fairly sweet but not cloying, OK at the price. |
|
Sandalford MR
Chardonnay 2004 (screwcap) |
6 |
49-74 |
66.35-95.10 |
$11.06-$15.85 |
$25-$30 |
Lovely chardonnay,
if you are into such wines, good fruit and beautifully-judged French
oak. My WWD friend jumped at this one. I've seen this go for
$124++ in some daily auctions, I have bought
6 more 6-packs for friends @ $49 to $59, patience is
the name of the game. |
|
CJ Pask Gimblett
Rd Chardonnay 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
89-99 |
112.35-128.35 |
$9.36-10.32 |
$25+ |
A couple of
friends shared the first case and liked it so much I had to get them
another, at a slightly higher price. |
|
Innocent
Bystander Sangiovese Merlot 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
49-54 |
66.35-72.10 |
$5.53-$6.01 |
$15+ |
A nice
ready-to-drink red, the blend actually works quite well, good quaffer. |
|
Garage Wines
Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
$6.01 |
?? |
Had a disulphide/mercapten
type problem, reductive stink/flavour that didn't blow off, returned for
refund. |
|
GJ Kidman
Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
24 |
37.60 |
$3.13 |
?? |
A touch chunky and
a little raw around the edges, but good drinking with a steak, good
mid-palate flavours. |
|
Wise Coat Door
Margaret River Shiraz-Cabernet-Merlot 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
44 |
60.60 |
$5.05 |
$10-$14 |
A ready-to-drink
quaffer. |
|
Broughton Lane
McLarenVale Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
$4.09 |
$?? |
Medium-bodied,
reasonable McLarenVale shiraz typicity, inoffensive, very soft and ready to drink now. |
|
Cavalier Crest
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
74 |
95.10 |
$7.93 |
$25 |
Quite firmly
structured, good cabernet typicity, will cellar. |
|
Briarose MR
Cabernet Merlot 2004 (screwcap) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
$6.97 |
$20+? |
Softer style,
drinking well now, nice wine for the price. |
|
Capricornia
Barossa Shiraz 2002 (cork) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
$6.97 |
$15 |
Tried 2 bottles, both
had a strong animal/horsey aroma/flavour, indicates 4-EP phenols from
Brett to me, returned for
refund. |
|
Cavalier Crest MR
Chardonnay 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
69 |
89.35 |
$7.45 |
$25 |
JH 93. Better if
not too cold, a bit lean, elegant style, my WWD friend didn't like it
much. |
|
Linfield Road
Barossa Shiraz 2003 (cork) |
6 |
19 |
31.85 |
$5.31 |
$20+ |
Just a touch of
unripe fruit character from the tough vintage, but still good drinking
on the second night, Ok for the price. |
|
Runaway Bay Clare
Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
49 |
66.35 |
$5.53 |
$? |
Medium weight,
FAQ, OK quaffer, but wouldn't buy more. |
|
Briarose MR
Cabernet Merlot 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
74 |
95.10 |
$7.93 |
$20+? |
Softer style,
drinking well now, nice wine for the price. |
|
Garlands Mt
Barker Saros Cab Franc/Cab Sauv 2003 (DIAM) |
12 |
94 |
118.10 |
$9.84 |
$25 |
JH 93
to 2015. A lovely and distinctive wine, a bargain, still drinking well
on the third day. |
|
Hobeck Barossa
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
39 |
54.85 |
$4.57 |
$10 |
Clean, bright berry fruit, easy drinking if not hugely varietal.
Might cellar a few years. |
|
Domain Day Eden
Valley Riesling 2004 (screwcap) |
6 |
19 |
31.85 |
$5.31 |
$15 |
My
WWD friend liked this and snapped up a 6-pack, |
|
Domain Day
Quiddity Riesling 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
19 |
31.85 |
$2.65 |
$? |
Another friend thought this was even better than the 2004, "fresh and
limey". |
|
Linke Barossa
Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
12 |
84 |
106.60 |
$8.88 |
$24 |
Rich,
ripe, soft, plums and dark chocolate, low acid, ready to drink now, v.
slightly pruney but not jammy, that will increase with time. 15.3% a/v |
|
Caledonia
Australis Gippsland Chardonnay 2003 (cork) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
$6.01 |
$20 |
JH
94, to 2011, back label 3-5 years cellaring, the back label is correct,
the fruit is starting to fade and a butterscotch character is dominant
over a thin middle palate. Avoid. |
|
Caledonia
Australis Gippsland Reserve Chardonnay 2001 (cork) |
6 |
49 |
66.35 |
$11.06 |
$40?
(ORP claimed is $60) |
Supposedly JH 95, but that appears to be for the standard chardonnay of
that year, not the Reserve I should have checked JO too, he is about
right with a drink to 2006 rating, it's fading and has some tinned
asparagus notes, only just drinkable according to my WWD friend. Avoid. |
|
Garland's Reserve
Mt Barker (WA) Chardonnay (screwcap) |
12 |
49 |
66.35 |
$5.53 |
$20 |
JH
90, to 2009, this one still has some life, moderately complex, not too
buttery, my WWD friend grabbed 6 of these. |
|
Stephen John Dry
Grown Clare Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
12 |
59 |
77.85 |
$6.49 |
$16-$20 |
JH
90, drink to 2015, nice deep colour, mid-weight, nice fruit, intense and
into the blackberry spectrum, 14.0%, nice
wine for the price. |
|
Hesperos Margaret
River Shiraz 2004 (Diam cork) |
12 |
44-49 |
60.60-66.35 |
$5.05-$5.53 |
$20 |
The
winery is still selling the 2002 vintage for $20, this is nice
medium-bodied shiraz, good
wine for the price, would cellar a few years if you wanted to, I've got
a third case on the way. |
|
Hardy's Bankside
SA Cabernet 2005 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
44 |
60.60 |
$5.05 |
$? |
Export label, a bid hard-edged and lacking generosity. |
|
Cape Landing
Margaret Shiraz
2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
59 |
77.85 |
$6.49 |
$25? |
Quite
acceptable medium-bodied MR shiraz with the faintest hint of leafiness. Good
drinking now and for the next 2-3 years. 14.1% |
|
Buckingham
Reserve Geographe Shiraz 2005 (Diam) |
6 |
24 |
37.60 |
$6.27 |
$? |
Classy medium-bodied shiraz entering it's drinking window, I've bought
several 6-packs for friends now. |
|
Sandalford
Protégé Margaret
River Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
6 |
24 |
37.60 |
$6.27 |
$18 |
The
winery is still selling the 2004 vintage for $18.95, this is very nice
medium-bodied shiraz with some classy oak overtones and will cellar a
few years if you want. |
|
Sandalford
Margaret
River Shiraz 2006 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
$18 |
I
tried this at the winery, it has a fair amount of green character and is
pretty thin and unattractive. (Avoid) |
|
Garlands Mt
Barker Reserve Shiraz 2004 (Diam) |
12 |
44-64 |
60.60-83.60 |
$5.05-$6.97 |
$20 |
Easy-drinking, soft, light-weight but good fruit flavours and in
balance, nice food wine. 13.0% |
|
Garlands Mt
Barker Reserve Cabernet 2004 (Diam) |
12 |
64-69 |
$83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$20 |
A bit like a Plantagenet Cabernet in style, not quite in the same class
though, but very good value and good drinking at this price. 14.3% |
|
Casas Margaret
River Shiraz 2004 (Cork) |
12 |
74-94 |
95.10-118.10 |
$7.93-$9.84 |
$30 |
From
a small maker who has sold prior vintages for up to $30pb, this one is
even better than the Garlands, a little richer and fuller-bodied, 14.5%
I've bought about 8 cases for friends now. |
|
Henry Holmes
Barossa Shiraz 2006 (Screwcap) |
12 |
64-69 |
83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$25? |
A bit reductive to start, blows off.
Doesn't seem to have the weight and character of the 2005, Good
mid-weight drinking for the price though. 14.0% |
|
Henry Holmes
Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 (Screwcap) |
12 |
64-69 |
83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$25? |
Medium-weight, sweet-fruited without a lot of backbone, Ok if you like
the style. 14.0% |
|
Kassebaum Magdelena Barossa Shiraz 2006
(cork) |
12 |
84-94 |
106.60-118.10 |
$8.88-$9.84 |
$30 |
JH
90, drink to 2014. Big
and ripe, but not jammy or porty/pruney, my friends have taken about 4
cases now after trying it. 15.9% |
|
Card Collection Sangiovese-Barbera 2005
(Screwcap) |
6 |
14-19 |
26.10-31.85 |
$4.35-$5.31 |
$14 |
Simon
Gilbert Wines. An interesting and very drinkable food-friendly wine,
quite soft, not for cellaring. 13.0% |
|
Leasingham
unlabelled Shiraz-Cabernet
2006
(screwcap) |
12 |
39-44 |
54.85-60.60 |
$4.57-$5.05 |
$13 |
This
is the Bastion range. Good
early drinker for spring/summer BBQ's ??% |
|
West Cape Howe Tempranillo-Shiraz 2007 (screwcap) |
12 |
34-39 |
49.10-54.85 |
$4.09-$4.57 |
$15? |
Shows
reasonable Tempranillo character and dusty firm tannins, then a kick of
sweet shiraz on the finish. 14.0% OK, but wouldn't rush to
buy more. Coming back to the bottle after a day in the fridge,
as it warms up I could swear I get a hint of TCA, exceedingly rare in a
screwcapped wine, but I've heard reports of occasional examples before.
Avoid. |
|
Millstone
"Barossa/McLaren Vale" Shiraz 2005
(screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
$6.01 |
$15? |
This one is
advertised as Barossa / McLaren Vale but doesn't list it anywhere on the
label. The
web site listed on the back label shows a Hunter Shiraz, same
vintage, same label, but .5% a/v less. Gray's assure me there are
two versions and that the one they are selling is McLarenVale/Barossa.
Whatever the case, it's a bit ordinary, initially with a thin mid-palate
and hard finish, although it improved a little the next day. 15.0% |
|
B3 Barossa Shiraz
2005 (cork) |
12 |
64-69 |
83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$15-$20 |
Very
good medium-bodied Barossa shiraz, with some spiciness. Good
drinking now and for the next 3-5 years. 15.0% |
|
Kingston Estate
Concordia Barossa Cabernet 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
64-69 |
$83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$? |
Nice,
ripe, juicy Cabernet, good drinking now or will cellar a few years.
Several cases bought now. |
|
Farmers Market Reserve Brut NV (crown) |
12 |
49 |
66.35 |
5.53 |
$? |
Very
fresh and tangy, a cheap party drink or summer quaffer. 11.0% |
|
Rutherglen
Estates Durif 2005 (screwcap) |
6 |
29-39 |
43.25-54.55 |
$7.23-$9.14 |
$16 |
JH 92 to 2015. A
good Durif, full-bodied, sweet-fruited but not over the top. 14.5%
(UK Export back label) |
|
Farmers Market Riesling 2008 (screwcap) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
4.09 |
$? |
Bracingly fresh and grassy, quite austere, might be better in 6 months
as it settles. Only if you like young riesling. 11.0% |
|
Twin Bays Fleurieu
Cabernet-Shiraz 2004 (cork) |
12 |
24 |
37.60 |
3.13 |
$15? |
Reasonable berry fruit with cabernet overtones, medium-bodied, slightly
tart on the finish. 13.9% |
|
Twin Bays Fleurieu Reserve Bin Shiraz 2004
(cork) |
12 |
29 |
43.45 |
3.61 |
$15? |
Soft ready-to-drink shiraz, pleasant but not distinctive. 14.2% |
|
Madfish MR
Carnelian 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
6.01 |
$24/$20 |
A
rare variety, normally CD only, this isn't the best vintage of this, but
is a good effort for the cool vintage and is an interesting and
different wine 14.5% |
|
Wangolina Station
Mt Benson Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
4.08 |
$15? |
Good
quaffer with a bit of class, survived 3 days sitting on the bench
(just), easy drinking bargain. 14.5% |
|
Henry Martin
Sparkling Shiraz NV (cork) |
6 |
44 |
60.60 |
10.10 |
$15 |
This
batch has a different label to the prior batch, it performed well in a
single-blind tasting of $20 and under sparkling reds, just pipping the
Sorby Adams Morticia ($20) for top spot. 14.0% |
|
B3 Barossa
Semillon 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
39 |
54.85 |
4.57 |
$15? |
It
must be OK, I've had repeat orders. 12.5% |
|
Chain of Ponds
The Ledge Shiraz 2004 (cork) |
6 |
54 |
72.10 |
12.02 |
$28.50 |
This
one took a little while to open up, a bit stinky at first, the second day it was singing with
nice spicy cooler climate Adelaide Hills shiraz character,
medium-bodied, nice wine. 13.5% |
|
Kersbrook Hill Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2005 (screwcap) |
12 |
84-94 |
106.60-118.10 |
$8.88-$9.84 |
$30 |
JH 90 drink to 2015,
Lovely bright black cherry fruit, the opposite end of the style scale to the
Kassebaum. 13.0% |
|
Sandalford
Protégé Cabernet Merlot 2007 (screwcap) |
6 |
14-19 |
26.10-31-85 |
$4.36-$5.31 |
$15 |
Quite
a classy wine from a good MR Vintage, will cellar for a few years if you
want. I've bought about 5 6-packs now. 14.0% |
|
Innocent Bystander Good Dog, Bad Dog
Shiraz-Cabernet-Sangiovese 2007 (screwcap) |
12 |
49 |
66.35 |
5.53 |
$? |
Soft
and fairly sweet, simple, but the sangiovese kicks in at the finish, not
as good as the Sangiovese merlot from a while back. 13.9% |
|
Wollundry Rd
South Australia Shiraz 2005 (twin top cork) |
12 |
44 |
60.60 |
5.05 |
$12? |
Reasonable value, nothing offensive, easy drinking shiraz with some
decent flavour. 14.5% |
|
CJ Pask Gimblett
Rd Cabernet blend 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
54-64 |
$$72.10-83.60 |
$6.01-$6.97 |
$25 |
Fresher and more lively than the 2004, clean, elegant wine with some
charm for drinking over the next couple of years. 13.5% |
|
Mak Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz Merlot Cabernet Franc 2003 (Cork) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
$4.09 |
$18? |
Listed on Gray's as being made by Kym Tolley or one of his winemakers
(Penley), there is a similar wine listed in Matts Specials as being made
by Ben Riggs. Who cares who made it, it's a good wine for $4.
14.5% USA back label. |
|
The Paddock
Sparkling Red NV (cork) |
12 |
64-69 |
$83.60-89.35 |
$6.97-$7.45 |
$? |
Avoid unless you
think you might like sparkling sweet raspberry juice! |
|
Chain of Ponds
Corkscrew Road Chardonnay 2004 (cork) |
6 |
19-34 |
31.85-49.10 |
$5.31.-$8.18 |
$20? |
Soft,
lush palate, nice oak undertone, WWD friend took the lot. |
|
2004 Beaumont
Estate `Hand Picked` Semillon, Hunter Valley (screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
6.01 |
$10
at GWD |
My
WWD friend thought this was ok, if a little sweet. 11.3% |
|
Twin Bays Fleurieu
Cabernet-Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
12 |
24 |
37.60 |
3.13 |
$15? |
Reasonable berry fruit with cabernet overtones, medium-bodied, slightly
tart on the finish. 13.9% |
|
Driving Stream
Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2008 (NZ) (screwcap) |
12 |
44-54 |
60.60-72.10 |
$5.05-$6.01 |
$? |
Tried
at a taste-off with spicy Thai food and walked all over a Taylors Estate
Traminer, went well with many of the Thai dishes too. |
|
2005 Palandri The Estates Frankland
River Shiraz (screwcap) |
6 |
39 |
54.85 |
9.14 |
$20+? |
One
of the best Palandri wines I've tried, cedary oak, not overdone though,
good coolish-climate shiraz fruit. Bought 5 more 6-packs for my
tasting group members. 15.0% |
|
2005 Hope Estate Macedon Cabernet
Sauvignon (cork) |
12 |
89 |
112.35 |
9.36 |
$25+? |
Export labelled. It initially seemed a little thin and sour-edged, but
the fruit gradually emerged and it drank quite nicely with pan-fried
flathead fillets and home-cooked chips. 13.5% |
|
2005 Hope Estate Macedon Shiraz-Malbec (cork) |
12 |
69 |
89.35 |
7.45 |
$25+? |
Export labelled, softer, slightly fuller and more in balance than the
Cabernet, a better buy, but still a little sour-edged initially, drink
in the near-term. 13.5% |
|
Mak Clare Shiraz 2003 (Cork) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
$4.09 |
$18? |
Made
by Neil Pike, it doesn't quite live up to the blurb on Grays, but it is
a very good wine for $4! Drink now or keep for a couple of years
if you want. 14.5% USA back label.
Update, recent purchases/deliveries seem to have a lot of oxidation/cork
issues, give it a miss from now on. |
|
Grant Burge Section XV Barossa Shiraz 2006 (screwcap) |
6 |
24 |
37.60 |
6.27 |
$? |
Exclusive to Grays, made to a recipe/price, reasonable quaffer of no
great character, better value elsewhere. 14.5% |
|
Paringa Sparkling
Shiraz 2005 (cork) |
12 |
39 |
54.85 |
4.57 |
$15? |
A
little simple and sweet, but good honest wine for the price. 12.5%
Last bottle tried showed an odd caramel character,
caution here. |
|
2006 B3 Riesling, Eden Valley (screwcap) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
6.97 |
$15? |
Lives
up to the description, should cellar too if you like older Riesling.
12.5% |
|
Domain Day Eden
Valley Riesling 2006 (screwcap) |
6 |
29 |
43.35 |
$7.23 |
$15 |
My
WWD friends liked this and I've secured several 6-packs for them. |
|
Orange Valley
Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2007
(screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
6.01 |
$15? |
Must
be OK, my WWD friend took the lot. 13.0% |
|
Noorilim
Estate Chardonnay 2004 (cork) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
$4.09 |
? |
Off odours (tinned asparagus) and slightly oxidised, requested return
for a refund. They didn't want it back but gave me a full refund. |
|
Quadrant Hunter
Chardonnay 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
34 |
49.10 |
$4.09 |
$15? |
My
WWD friend found this to be OK. 13.0% |
|
2005 Beaumont
Estate `Hand Picked` Semillon, Hunter Valley (screwcap) |
12 |
64 |
83.60 |
6.97 |
? |
Awaiting report from WWD friend. |
|
2007 Briarose Margaret River Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon (screwcap) |
12 |
99 |
123.85 |
10.37 |
$20+? |
"Cheap" smelling, jubey fruit and capsicum, but improves a bit with
breathing, a medium-fruited, leafy style with a slightly green and hard
tannic edge. May soften, but not up to "Reserve" standard. 14.5% |
|
2004 Mak Coonawarra Cabernet Blend (cork) |
12 |
44 |
60.60 |
$5.05 |
$20? |
Export labelled, not very exciting or overly interesting, but not awful
so OK value at the price. 14.5% |
|
Orange Valley Estate Reserve Shiraz 2005
(screwcap) |
12 |
29-49 |
43.45-66.35 |
3.61-5.53 |
$15? |
A flavoursome
straightforward red in a cooler-climate style 14.0% |
|
Kassebaum Barossa Shiraz 2007
(screwcap) |
6 |
39 |
49.10 |
9.14 |
$20+ |
More like the 2005 than the
full-throttle 15.5+% 2006, better with a bit of air, good wine. 14.5% |
|
Chain of Ponds A/H Semillon 2008 |
12 |
29 |
43.35 |
$7.23 |
$15? |
Light, crisp, fresh grassy.
Passed the WWD friend test. 12.0% |
|
Gibraltar Rock Gt Southern Shiraz 2005
(screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
6.01 |
$20+? |
A savoury style shiraz, not
as fruit-driven as many cheaper SA shiraz, good drinking now and for a
couple of years. 13.5% |
|
Mak Clare Shiraz 2004 (Cork) |
12 |
44 |
60.60 |
$5.05 |
$18? |
I found this wine to be pretty bretty and asked to return it for a
refund. They didn't want it back but gave me a full refund. I
can't even give it away as the friends I opened a sample bottle for all
spat it out. Still being offered on Grays! |
|
Toro Nero Barossa Shiraz 2006 (screwcap) |
12 |
54 |
72.10 |
6.01 |
$15? |
Soft, easy drinking
medium-bodied shiraz, good value. 15.0% |
|
Biscay Road
Sophia Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent (and still offered)
(Not all wines listed are
recommended. Full details are available to
Subscribers only. You can subscribe here) |
|
Doc Adams McLaren
Vale Shiraz 2008 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks Hill
McLaren Vale Cabernet-Petit Verdot-Merlot 2006 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paringa Sparkling
Shiraz 2007 (cork) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shottesbrooke
Dead Horse Corner McLaren Vale Shiraz 2008 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preston Vale
Geographe Cabernet Merlot 2007(screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pan Terra Reserve
Hunter Chardonnay 2000 (cork), also King's Green and Capricornia labels,
similar wines. The results are very variable, expect less than
half success rate, Pan Terra seems to be the best of the 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gemtree Tadpole McLaren
Vale Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 (screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instinct Hawkes Bay Syrah 2008(screwcap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To make sure I always know the final per bottle delivered price I have a table
of the bids and final prices for 6-packs and dozen lots (at $10/case freight,
make up your own with your freight rate):