29 April:  Boccaccio and W* have the best prices so far on the Penfolds new super-premiums (or is that ultra-premiums?).  Dan Murphy has chosen to ignore the independent "minnows" and has set higher prices not much different from Vintage Cellars.  The only one I'm mildly interested in is the St Henri 2002 @ $56.99 from the two above, $64.99 at Dan's, $69 at VC.  There has been a report of $53 for the St Henri, don't know where that was, but no doubt there will be spot specials here and there that will beat the early prices. Jack R emailed to say he bought a 6-pack of the St Henri from 1stChoice (ACT) @ $54.90pb.

Kaesler has released a 2004 WOMS Shiraz-Cabernet @ $70, get in quick it may even be all gone already at the winery, don't know where (or if) it will surface at retail.

27 April:  W* weekly specials have been updated, see the link on the left panel.  Featuring the new Penfolds super-premiums.  The latest Avalon email has also arrived, also see the link in the left panel.  Quite a few new releases, but prices don't seem so sharp.  The Liquor Prince email has been updated too.

1stChoice specials this week, (featuring Wynn's Black Label Cabernet 2003 @ $20.95/$19.90 when the good independents like Boccaccio and W* are selling it for $16.99):

Dan Murphy specials this week (super-premium Penfolds releases listed, but no prices):

26 April:  Still more 2004 Shiraz:  Elderton Barossa Shiraz 2004 $19.99 @ Nicks, d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz-Viognier 2004 $26.99 @ Nicks (but $21.95+freight at Candamber/Discount Wines and $25.99 at Boccaccio, Wine List Australia and Vintage Cellars), De Bortoli Reserve Syrah 2004 is $34.99 at Boccaccio and Wine List Australia. 

The Balnaves Shiraz 2004 is $23.99 @ Auswine, less 10% if you buy a case or a mixed case from Coonawarra wines, simply type coona in the coupon# box when you order a straight/mixed case of Coonawarra wines.

W* has the new Penfolds Super-Premiums including Grange 2001 @ $400, prices a lot cheaper than Vintage Cellars, but there will not doubt be cheaper prices, except maybe on the Grange.

23 April:  More 2004 Shiraz - the Shaw and Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2004 (94 pts CM, join up at Winefront and see all his new TN day by day) should be hitting the stores soon, the first listing is at Candamber (Discount Wines) @ $29.95+freight, they probably order it in when you do ($35 CD).

Someone is paying $16 + 15% commission = $18.40 for 4 bottles of Pepperjack Shiraz 2004 in the current Langton's auction, it's around at $14.99-$15.99 in many places.

If you are in the city in Melbourne, the City Wine Shop (159 Spring St) has small stocks of the Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 @ $50pb.  (Thanks Jed B).  (All gone now, Andrew W got the last 6.)

Anther new-ish site in Melbourne: The Wineyard  They have a small range listed, free freight for orders over $200, apparently the newsletter specials can be attractive. (Notified by John F a while back, finally got around to checking it out.)

21 April:  Coriole Lloyd Shiraz 2004 is hitting the shops, 96pts JO, $54.95 (+freight) at Candamber, $56.95 @ Boccaccio and $59.95 at Auswine.

The 2003 Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz also seems to be on the way, the Wine Society lists it for $53, the winery CD for $60.  I tasted this as the options wine at the GASC 2005 dinner last November and thought it was a really classy wine.  I'd expect cheaper prices around it seems to be out of favour, I picked up the 2001 and 2002 at $31-$32 delivered from Langton's last year and there are a few lots of the 2001 and 2002 languishing in the current auction at $15 and $24-$26 respectively.

20 April:  Barry at Liquor Prince is offering 5% extra off his email newsletter price on the new 2003 Kilikanoon Reserve Barossa reds
2003 Kilikanoon Barossa Shiraz Reserve Greens Vineyard
"A barrel sample of the spectacular 2003 Shiraz Greens Vineyard revealed great stuffing, intensity, and more alcohol, glycerine, texture, and persistence than its older sibling. It will be a classic Barossa Shiraz to drink over the next several decades." Rating: (95-97) points - Robert Parker. Liquor Prince Price is $64.99 per bottle (less 5% for RBG readers)

2003 Kilikanoon Barossa Shiraz Reserve
"The stunning 2003 Shiraz Reserve was fashioned from low yields of one ton of fruit per acre, and aged in 100% new French oak hogsheads. It boasts an inky/purple colour, off the charts concentration, and a spectacular, full-bodied nose of blackberries, blueberries, graphite, and smoky espresso. Rich and intensely concentrated, with an inky taste as well as tremendous thickness, it’s not for everybody, but it is neither over the top nor out of balance. Patience will be required. 2008-2020+." Rating: (96-98) points - Robert Parker Liquor Prince Price is $84.99 per bottle (less 5% for RBG readers)
If interested, email Barry or phone him on 02 9449 8550

This week's Avalon email is here.

1stChoice specials this week (not many):

Dan Murphy specials this week:

18 April:  Wine List Australia email specials include the Mamre Brook Cabernet 2004 @ $17.99 and 13 to the dozen, Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2004 @ $59.99 (same as Boccaccio) and the Brown Brothers Patricia Shiraz 2002 @ $34.99. Boccaccio have the Elderton Command Shiraz 2002 on special @ $63 (down from $65.99, WLA $65.99, W* $66.99, Nicks $69.99).

W* specials this week feature Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2004 @ $19.99 (Boccaccio $18.99, elsewhere mostly $19.99) and Kays Hillside Shiraz 2003 @ $39.99 with a bonus Block 6 2003 with a case buy (Parkhill cellars $34.39, WLA $34.99, Nicks $37.99 without the bonus).

15 April: So much for no updates, I came across this one that's worth a mention. Winebizz have the excellent Penley Estate Reserve Cabernet 2002 @ $44 (+freight), this is the best Coonawarra cabernet from 2002 that I've tried and it's one of only 2 Coonawarra 2002 Cabernets in my cellar.  (Australian Wine Brokers $47.99 +freight, Winepool $52.99+freight, CD $50.50 + freight, Auswine $59.99)

13 April: There probably won't be any more updates until after Easter.  I wish you safe driving if you are travelling and good drinking when you aren't driving.

This week's Avalon email is here. Only a brief message this week, so I've added it to the top of last week's email.

1stChoice specials this week (A bigger catalogue in QLD, 1.9 mb pdf here).:

Dan Murphy specials this week:  (Can't see anything worth mentioning).

12 April: If you haven't done so already, check out the new Winefront web site and if you aren't a subscriber, sign-up NOW!

Cloudwine have an interesting list of new and current release Shiraz on offer, including a 12-bottle mixed pack of one each of the featured wines for $313, see here.

Thanks to Daniel G for emailing that Wine List Australia also have the Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2003 @ $30 ($29.99 actually).  Winepool same price but plus freight, must be end of vintage run-out.  Also for Perth readers, there may be a few bottles of Glaetzer Amon Ra 2004 for $80 at Myaree Vintage Cellars.

11 April: A quiet 5 days without updates.  The lull before the next storm of releases / specials perhaps.

Jim's Cellars have some cheapies:  Ingoldby Shiraz 2004 / Cabernet 2003 @ $11.99 with bonus 6-pack of Crown Lager for each case buy, Pepperjack Cabernet and Shiraz 2004 @ $14.99 and Mamre Brook Cabernet 2004 @ $16.99. (+freight)

Auswine have the Majella 2003 Cabernet on clearance @ $24.22, the 2004 must be on the way soon.

Boccaccio are listing the Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shiraz 2002 @ $31.99 (for delivery from May 1, Nicks $34.99 but with optional real signature, WLA now also $31.99, was $33.99).

Wonder of wonders, Winepool have updated the online Rad's Choice pdf file for the first time in nearly a year.  Get it here (878kb download) and the advert from today's SMH Good Living is here (177kb download), Heathcote Estate 2003 Shiraz @ $30 and Langi Shiraz 2003 @ $43 (+freight) caught my eye.  (In more usual form, neither of these wines appear on their web site yet).

W* specials are out early this week and include the Wynn's Black Label Cabernet 2003 @ $16.99 plus bonus Penfolds book for a case buy.  If you still trust James Halliday points (96) the 2003 Bress Heathcote shiraz looks interesting too @ $34.99.  The 2003 Black Label isn't on my buy list and nor is the 2003 John Riddoch after a less than stellar showing of the bottle I tried yesterday, just too dusty and lean and not quite enough fruit to carry it, I've ordered a 6-pack of the Redbank Sally's Paddock 2004 cabernet blend from Boccaccio in preference to the JR. (It's listed under Shiraz as the rep. told Anthony it was shiraz-dominant, it's not.)

06 April: Matt from Premium Wines Direct has just sent off a cheque for $500 to Care Australia, representing the credits generated by you when you order from him and mention you saw the deal here.  Thanks Matt and thank you all for taking advantage of the bargains and helping charity as well.  BTW, about 45 dozen of the Morris Shiraz 2001 sold so far.

Feel like a punt on cleanskins?  Get Wines Direct have a deal for you with a Barossa Shiraz 2004 cleanskin @ $9.95, made by Kevin Mitchell of Kilikanoon fame, bonus case of South Australian Durif cleanskin 2003 with each case. 

W* specials this week include the Mt Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2003 @ $44.99 (same as Boccaccio) and Houghton's Gladstone Cabernet 2001 @ $49.99, same as the previous vintage.

This week's Avalon email is here.

1stChoice specials this week:

Dan Murphy specials this week - looks like someone stuffed up, the online links to the adverts are broken. (Thanks to Justin for pointing out the specific errors in the url date part, here are the standouts.)

05 April: Matt at Premium Wines Direct has another special offer fro RBG readers exclusively, you must mention this site when you order.  The deal is:  Morris 2001 Shiraz (best Shiraz under $25 GASC 2005) for $10pb, minimum one dozen buy.  Freight is free if you by 2 or more cases, or $7 on one case only buy.  Email Matt or phone (08) 8352 3094 or fax (08) 8234 0781.

04 April: Thanks to Fred for emailing re the Tollana TR16 Shiraz 2004, under screwcap, it is no longer Eden Valley fruit but a blend of Clare and Adelaide Hills shiraz. "At $12.50 it is value for money and competes with Bastion and Oomoo – but it is neither the quality nor the style of TR16 pre-1999, so afficianados will risk disappointment."  Two for $25 at Vintage Cellars.

My Monday tasting group scored a few freebies yesterday, with sample bottles of the Izway Bruce Shiraz from Joe at Victoria Cellars and the Setanta Shiraz and Cabernet pair from Tony at Get Wines Direct. There was some tough competition in the form of the 2004 John Duval Entity and Plexus pair.  The John Duval Entity 2004 was the top-ranked wine, a lovely balanced Barossa Shiraz that was still blossoming in the glass hours later (it was available in 2-packs with the Plexus from Victoria Cellars @ $70, not sure how many are left).  The Izway Bruce Barossa Shiraz 2004 was a fairly close second, showing more fragrant sweet fruit and a soft, silky mid palate, somewhat in the lush Torbreck Struie style (but $10 cheaper), it's so rich, soft and drinkable now, but could do with a little more backbone for cellaring I think.  It's $34.99 @ Victoria Cellars.  The Setanta Adelaide Hills Cuchlain Shiraz 2004 hides the 15.5% a/v very well, it has some attractive cooler-climate fruit supported by nicely judged tannins, it has good structure and balance, but was pipped by the richer Barossa styles, good value at $19.95 from Get Wines Direct.  The John Duval Plexus is a SGM blend and I'd be happy to drink it at a slightly lower price, the Entity is the clear pick of the pair (but mostly sold out now).  The Setanta Black Sanglain Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (13.9%) was hampered by an overtly herbaceous nose that detracted despite some good varietal definition.  The herbaceousness wasn't as noticeable on the palate, but it just seemed a bit too lean, maybe just needs a bit of time, also $19.95 at GWD.

Boccaccio has the Wynn's 2001 Black Label Cabernet @ $16.99 again and Fox Creek reserve Shiraz 2004 @ $59.99 (Avalon $58, Auswine $65.99, CD $70).

New Matts Specials for April from Premium Wines Direct are here.  The Gemtree 2004 Uncut Shiraz 2004 is good value, not exceedingly complex, but nice drinking over the next 3-4 years @ $15.  The Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz 2004 is a good wine, I think it has better balance than the pricier ones in the Tatiarra 2004 line-up, it's $40 ($39.99/$39.50 at Nicks).  The excellent Penny's Hill Shiraz 2004 is cheaper ($20.99) at Wine List Australia.

03 April: Wine List Australia have the Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz 2003 @ $14.99 this wee, also Yalumba Octavius 2002 @ $76.99. Also Mamre Brook Cabernet 2004 @ $17.99, but 13 to the dozen and pre-orders of Yalumba Signature Cab-Shiraz 2002 @ $33.99 for deilvery in early May.

GetWinesDirect have the Hamilton's Ewell Fullers Barn Shiraz 2001 @ $18.95.