31 August:  The new Avalon email is up, quite a few new releases, but prices don't look too sharp.

Grays Online is at it again, this time using a TN supposedly from Winefront for this wine: 2002 BAROSSA RIDGE `OLD CREEK` SHIRAZ, BAROSSA VALLEY, SA 90 PTS WINEFRONT MONTHLY: TAR, LICORICE, BLACKBERRY AND SAWDUST, WITH EARTHY DEVELOPED CHARACTERS JUST STARTING TO EMERGE. JUICY AND SUCCULENT. BEAUTIFULLY PROPORTIONED AND INTEGRATED, WITH GAMEY OVERTONES DEVELOPING AFTER A SPELL IN A DECANTER. DRINK NOW OR CELLAR TO 2011. FROM THE BEST VINTAGE THIS CENTURY... SO FAR.
The only problem is that Campbell hasn't tasted the 2002 vintage, the Winefront TN is for the 2001 vintage and reads like this (my bolding): Barossa Ridge Old Creek Barossa Shiraz 2001 ($28): Tar, licorice, blackberry and sawdust, with earthy developed characters just starting to emerge. Juicy. Succulent. Beautifully proportioned and integrated, with gamey, horsey overtones ushering forward with air. Drink: Now-2011. 89.
Doesn't seem too honest to me...  If you bought some and it's bretty, send it back.

Dan Murphy specials this week:

30 August:  Jim Murphy (Market Cellars, 02 6295 0060) has the new release Johns Blend Cabernet 2003 and Margarete's Shiraz 2004 @ $29.95, on tasting this weekend with John Glaetzer.

More Glaetzer 2005 red prices are out, see the Featured Wine / Merchant page.  Cloudwine has sharpened the pencil on these.  Wine Culture prices are out too, also they have some Glaetzer Nefertiti/Nefertari Shiraz 2002 @ $29.95

Kingston Hotel Wines (ACT 6232 6174) have Taylors Cabernet 2004 @ $10.90 this Sunday, Wirra Wirra Chook Block 2002 @ $85 this week.

Auswine is first out with the 2004 Seppelt St Peters and Benno Shiraz, $60 and $54 respectively, $315 for a 6-pack containing 3 of each.  These prices are a bit of a jump on the 2003 prices, I hear allocations are a lot more generous this years, so maybe wait and see.  Contact Gavin by email if interested.
 

29 August:  Auswine has a special offer fn the 2005 Glaetzer reds: Godolphin 2005 @ $50, Amon Ra 2005 @ $80 or 4 each of the 2005 Bishop Shiraz, Godolphin and Amon Ra for $600, stock due 1 September, email Gavin if you want some.

Nick is first out with the Glaetzer 2005 Bishop Shiraz, @ $27.99, with rave reviews, about the same price as for the 2004 vintage.  They also have a reserve Penny's Hill Footprint PHV Shiraz @ $49.99.

The Boccaccio Newsletter this week features Penley Phoenix Cabernet 2004 @ $14.99 (same price at Wine List Australia, $16.99 at W*), Guigal Cote de Rhone Rouge 2003 @ $18.99 (W* $19.99), Jacquesson NV 730 Champagne @ $59.99 (729 similar price elsewhere, but 730 has gone up to $67+ elsewhere, Anthony bought heaps at the old price) and Lanson 1996 @ $66.99 ($69.99 and up elsewhere).

W* has the 2003 Wynns Black Label Cabernet @ $16.99 again (so has Boccaccio).

East End Cellars have Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2004 @ $125 (now back up to $150) and WOMS Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 @ $54.  They are also now offering free freight for orders over $200.  The still have the Killibinbin 2004 reds at sharp prices.

The Wine Liquidation Centre is having a sale in about 3 days time.  Kieran D emailed to tell me the Devils Lair Cabernet 2001 is priced at $145/6-pack = $24.16pb (+freight, usually $40+, JO 84, JH 94, go figure, TORB HR).  There is a full pdf list of wines/prices on the home page.

One of those little mysteries of wine buying, the current Langton's Melbourne auction has quite a few mostly cheaper wines from 95, 96, 97 and some 98 in numerous 6-pack and dozen lots, all with GST icons allowing GST registered buyers to claim the GST component back, ie from the trade or GST-registered investor.  I wonder where all this stuff has been hiding and how well it's been stored?  Many look like they could be past peak drinking dates, but you never know. Petaluma Sharefarmers Cab blend 96, Seaview Cabernet 97 or Seppelt Terrain Cabernet 97 anyone?  Temple Bruer Shiraz-Malbec 96 may be just hanging on, I drank my last quite a while ago though.  Yalumba Growers Shiraz 1996? - I don't think so.

One of the advantages of the new hosting arrangement is having some proper usage statistics available.  The daily unique visitors count ranges from 450 to over 500 on weekdays.  The monthly unique visitor count is nearly 3000 for August, but as many people still have dynamic IP addresses, even with ADSL/Broadband that is obviously an overstatement.  It's good to see so many people finding the site useful.

27 August:  More on Grays Online.  If you are bidding on the Glaetzer Nefertiti Shiraz 2002 in the current auction, please note there is a fair amount of it on Cellarit (www.cellarit.com) for $33 (incl commission) + freight. (Nefertari is $55 though)

Summerfield Reserve Shiraz 2004 is out, $38.99 at Wine List Australia or $39.99 at Nicks so far.  Also Frank Potts Cabernet blend 2004 is $24.99 at Nicks, $24.75+freight at Candamber/Discount Wines.

26 August:  More on Grays Online.  What would you think this wine had scored? "6 X 2004 CATHCART RIDGE ESTATE RESERVE SHIRAZ, GRAMPIANS, VIC. ORP $40 PER BOTTLE. `BEST SHIRAZ` AWARD & `BEST WINE` TROPHY, WINESTATE AUS/NZ CHALLENGE 2004.TOP GOLD, GREAT AUSTRALIAN WINE CHALLENGE 2005. MADE BY AWARD-WINNING WINEMAKER DAVID FARNHILL, THIS WINE IS SELECTED FROM THE BEST OAK BARRIQUES OF THE VINTAGE. A POWERFUL, FULL FLAVOURED WINE, WITH TYPICAL SHIRAZ AROMA, AND A GENEROUS PALATE. ROBUST BIDY AND SOME DRYING TANNINS. A HAND CRAFTED, UNFILTERED WINE THAT WILL EASILY CELLAR ANOTHER 4-5 YEARS. SUPERB! (80257-56)"  It actually scored 3.5 stars in a Winestate New Releases section, the other achievements are for the 2000 vintage.  Very sloppy Grays (although the text is copied from the Cathcart Ridge website, where it is in this form: "2004 SEES THE ESTATE WIN THE PRESTIGIOUS WINESTATE TROPHY BEST SHIRAZ IN AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND AND THEN TAKE OUT THE OVERALL TROPHY FOR BEST WINE IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND FROM 12,000 WINES TASTED. AGAIN IN 2005 CATHCART RIDGE ESTATE WINS TOP GOLD IN THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN WINE CHALLENGE, CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES JAMES HALLIDAY, THE 04 RESERVE SHIRAZ HAS JUST PICKED UP 3 ½ STARS FOR BEST NEW RELEASES WINESTATE. WATCH THIS ONE SAYS DAVID FARNHILL"

26 August:  Domenic Torzi has a special deal to clear out remaining stocks of the 2004 Longhop reds: $199 with free freight Australia wide (metro areas only) for  4 x '04 Old Vine Reserve, 4 x '05 Old Vine Grenache, 4 x '05 Boomerang Shiraz. Here's the link http://www.oldplains.com/Wines.htm   While you are at it, if you haven't already bought some Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2004, get some of that too. http://www.edenvalleyshiraz.com.au/

25 August:  Grays Online have some wine auctions, a couple closing today and others in the next week.  The Fathers Day Fine Wine Sale has a number of wines that look like Heritage stock, this may be worth a look, you may score a bargain.  Thanks John A for the heads-up.  Update: Be careful buying single bottle lots at Grays, they have a strange freight policy that makes multiple small purchases very freight-expensive, eg $10 for the first single bottle and $5 for each single bottle thereafter, stick to 6-packs and case buys.

Dan Murphy extra Father's Day sale advert (matching 1stChoice on spirits they stock and more):

24 August:  Get Wines Direct have the range of Mt Billy wines, including the 2001 and 2002 Antiquity Shiraz @ $19.95.  I've tried the 2001, it's a lush wine in the Torbreck The Struie mould (made by Dan Standish) and the 2002 scored 96 pts from JH last year.  The Antiquity normally retails in the mid-high $40's, the 2002 is $55.99 ($89.98 for 2) at North Sydney Cellars, $42+freight ex CD.  My order is in for the 2002.  Update:  All sold, both 2001 and 2002 Antiquity sold within 4 hours, gotta be quick on some of these.

The new Avalon email is loaded, see left panel.  The new Liquor Prince email is up too, featuring Balnaves, Marius (including the new 2005 Symposium Shiraz-Mourvedre) and Majella 2004 reds.

Boccaccio specials this week feature the Majella 2004 Cabernet @ $26.99 and Katnook Cabernet 2003 @ $27.99 (bonus offer no longer applies).

W* specials this week feature Stonehaven Rat & Bull (Wrattonbully, geddit?) Cabernet Shiraz 2002 @ $16.95 and Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2004 @ $29.99 (Boccaccio $28.99).

1stChoice specials this week "prices apply to most recent vintages, unless otherwise stated", they are moving into specials on spirits now (with a free golf ball or pair of socks if you spend $40 or more on spirits):

Dan Murphy specials this week:

22 August:  The Wine Society is on a recruitment drive, they are offering free life membership and other bonuses if you sign up for a regular delivery plan, min 4 cases in the first year.  "Only suitable for those who drink a bottle or more of wine a week." :-)

21 August:  Get Wines Direct are offering some Wills Domain Margaret River wines.  The only one I've tried is the 2004 Shiraz, at Wine Australia, it was showing fairly strong reductive characters, not sure if they would breathe off or not.  The 2003 Cabernet was Ok, but very ordinary value at $36.  Looks like they didn't sell a lot via Wine Australia, the prices are now $12.95, but I'm not sure the Shiraz is a buy even at that price.

18 August:  Heritage Fine Wine "investors" are still optimists, I had a browse through the listings at Cellarit and there is a sprinkling of Boars Rock, Charles Cimicky, Classic McLaren,  Fox Creek, Gartner, Glaetzer Nefertiti/Nefertari, Lindner Mouthpiece and Torbreck Neck Oil wines some at widely varying prices for the same wine.  Since the lowest price entries aren't selling fast, those with double and triple the lowest price had better be pretty patient.  All the while cellaring charges are eating away at the value of their wine.

Glen B emailed to say BWS in Sydney are advertising 30% off for red wine in 6's or more, with the radio advert quoting a bunch of Fosters wines.  I went in to the Kingston (ACT) BWS to check out the sale as they have a fairly extensive range of reds.  It's worth the visit occasionally just to give your jaw some exercise dropping to the limit as you scan the regular shelf prices, I'll never criticise Vintage Cellars again!  I think in preparation for the sale they put the RRP for Darwin on all the shelf stock.  Apart from the fact that they wouldn't let me include sparkling reds, I did find a few where the 30% off equated to a reasonable price, including a couple of bottles of Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cab blend 2003 for $52.50 and a few other new releases to try.  There were many back vintages of many wines, not necessarily good ones either, so I can see why they need to try and move stock.  At the top end, you could get Tahbilk 1860 Vines Shiraz 1998 for $91 and Grange 2001 for $336 if you make up a buy of 6 reds or more.  Rodney in Hobart mentioned some others at BWS locally, they have a magnum of 1991 Henschke Hill of Grace for $499 less 30% = $349 in any 6-bottle red buy, also Charles Melton 2002 reds around $33.60 after the 30% off.

17 August:  If you are a Stephen Pannell fan, East End Cellars lists his 2004 Shiraz @ $55/$48, plus they have the Killibinbin 2004 Cabernet and Shiraz @ $20 pb, all prices plus freight.

The new Avalon email is up, also a new "Feast of Reds" newsletter from Cloudwine, see left panel.  Also the new Liquor Prince email, including Majella 2004 and Red Nectar 2005 reds.

From Damian in Qld, 1stChoice has the Kooyong Pinot Noir 2004 for $32 in dozen buys, W* $34.99, WLA $37.99, Boccaccio $39.99.  (CM and JO 94 pts)

1stChoice specials this week "prices apply to most recent vintages, unless otherwise stated", prices higher in other states not listed:

Dan Murphy specials this week:

16 August:  The Winepool Rad's Choice snail mail catalogue has changed format and name to The Wineroom, no new website or any mention of the WinePool site.  There are less wines listed with more information, the interesting ones have been updated at the bottom of the Ongoing Good Buys page (see left panel). 

I tried the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2005 and Ambleside Shiraz/Viognier 2004 on Monday, courtesy of Matt from Premium Wines Direct.  The Gemtree is probably good value @ $17 (13 to the dozen), it has nice pure fruit, more on the front/mid-palate and less obvious oak than the 2004, but finishes a bit quickly at present.  The Ambleside is a red for white-wine drinkers, it has overt Viognier apricotty characters on the nose and palate.  It's $8 if you buy 2 cases (up to $20 elsewhere), but only a buy if you are sure that is what you are looking for.  Both appear in the Matts Specials pdf this month, see left panel.

Wine List Australia is offering the new release 2004 Majella Shiraz and 2004 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon @ $26.99 pb, also Kreglinger 1999 bubbly for $34.99 (W* $36.99).  The Auswine introductory $28.50 with 10% off offer is here, makes it $25.65pb.

15 August:  Winebizz monthly email has some desirable reds, some at good prices: Cullen Diana Madeleine 2004 @ $75, 2004 Dalwhinnie SW Rocks Shiraz @ $60 ($52+freight ex-winery), Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2004 $60 and Covenant Shiraz 2004 $36 and 2003 Maurice O'Shea Shiraz @ $48.  Not all on the web site.

The Boccaccio newsletter features Leconfield Cabernet 2004 @ $22.99 (same as Wine List Australia) and Xabregas Reserve Shiraz 2004 from Mt Barker WA @ $18.99 ($19.16 + freight [$25/case outside WA] from the winery).

The W* weekly specials feature Paringa Estate reds and some other wines with high JH scores, including the Setanta 'Black Sanglain' Cabernet 2004 @ $22.99

14 August:  Chris F emailed to confirm that Dalwhinnie SW Rocks 2004 is available from the winery, $312/6-pack, $12 freight, $7-$9 pb less than retail prices. I haven't decided whether to blow the budget on the SW Rocks 04 yet, Kays this month, Seppelts and maybe Kalleske next month, Rockford and Noon in October, 2005 Glaetzer reds soon, so many good reds, not enough money.

From Rodney in Hobart: BWS are having a 30% off sale for buys of 6 or more.  If you are interested in finding out what's on offer, please email me and I'll pass your email on to Rodney.  Update from Stuart in Brisbane, the 30% off sale is on there too.  Some BWS, especially in big restaurant areas, actually have a good range of wines, this might turn up a few bargains.

While checking on Setanta 2004 reds that have had a bit of interest on *Forum, I noticed that W* listings on wine-searcher.com were last updated on 11 July.  Anyway, W* has them @ $22.99, they were mentioned on this site back in April (4th) this year when Get Wines Direct had them @ $19.95.

13 August:  It pays to ask, Tony F in Canberra saw the report from Chris F in Melbourne re the Cullen Diana Madeleine 2004 at 1stChoice (see 10 August).  The local 1stChoice price was $85.49, but when he asked they rang Melbourne and gave him the same price that Chris mentioned.  One 6-pack left if you get in quick.

Wine List Australia is first out with the 2004 Woodstock The Stocks Shiraz, @ $39.99 (JO 96, 2016-2024).

All the favourable reviews seem to have helped Marius Wines break into a wider retail market, with 7-8  retailers now listing one or both of the Simpatico and Symphony Shiraz 2004 (prices start at $23/$33 respectively, a little less on full case deals).  Well done Roger and well deserved.  Watch out for the release of the 2005 Shiraz/Mourvedre, probably in September.

11 August:  I've done an update of the State of the Market, see right-hand panel.  There will probably be a few more changes to it over the next week or so too.  Please let me know if you have any other retailers that you think should be listed or good/bad experiences with particular retailers.  I'll get to the "Ongoing Good Buys" page again soon too after a bit of a lapse in updates.  The "Featured Wine" page has also been a bit static, but that's partly because the wines I want to feature don't have enough merchants offering the wine to do a decent comparison.

East End Cellars (Adelaide) have revamped their web-site to get rid of the old "Flash" style interface.  Not a huge range online so far and some very optimistic prices on some recent past vintages, but a vast improvement on the old site.  But guys, get rid of this claim on the home page "Welcome to Australia's leading independent fine wine merchant, wholesaler and online retailer.", you haven't earned that title just yet.  (Thanks Anthony for pointing me at the new site).

Dan Murphy has an extra advert in the ACT today:

10 August:  What's the story with Tollana TR16 Shiraz?  1stChoice is trying to flog it at between $17.90 and $21.90 case price (presumably the 2004) and Hyde Park/CBD Cellars have the 2004 at $14.99.

The new Avalon email is up, see left panel.  They have the new 2004 vintage of the Dalwhinnie South West Rocks Shiraz @ $65 (10 6-packs were available).  Liquor Prince is also listing it @ $61.99 (The 2003 was $312/6 + freight ex-winery), no stock level indicated, North Sydney Cellars has/had 10 6-packs too, $69.99 incl freight. In typical Dalwhinnie release mode (retail before mail order), it's not even listed on the Dalwhinnie web site yet and I haven't seen a mailer on it either. 

W* specials this week include Chain of Ponds Ledge Shiraz 2002 @ $24.88 (Get Wines Direct was flogging this recently at a higher price) and Water Wheel Shiraz 2004 @ $12.99.  See left panel link for the full list, including other wines with high JH points.

After some interchange of emails with James Hook (www.winefightclub.com.au & www.boutiquewineco.com.au,) I helped tip his already in motion thinking of offering free freight for dozens of wine into the right decision.  James has an eclectic and expanding collection of wines from small wineries where he sees quality and the sort of wines he wants to drink, worth having a look, now freight inclusive pricing for dozen bottle buys.  He also has a promotion to build his mailing list with a case of lazy Ballerina Shiraz-Viognier for the first person in each state to send him 25 emails for his mailing list.  Have a look at his magazine in pdf format too, it's a good read, featuring Sideways and the Merlot effect in the current issue.

From Chris F in Melbourne: "last night I picked up a doz of the 2004 Cullen Diane Madeline Cabernet at 1st Choice for only $68.39/bottle.  The regular price was $71.99 and they applied a 5% discount on top of this as it was a doz buy."

1stChoice specials this week are still reds, prices are all over the place in different states, I can't be bothered noting all the differences, ACT/NSW is mostly the cheapest this week:

Dan Murphy specials this week, the $1.99 cleanskins continue:

9 August:   For those that didn't buy the Dalwhinnie Southwest Rocks Shiraz 2003 direct, Boccaccio have it listed @ $63.99.

8 August:   Vintage Cellars have the Mamre Brook Cabernet (vintage not listed, seems to be 2004) @ 3 for $50, with a bonus Cellar Share (need to spend $100, so 6 bottles or buy a dozen and get free bottle of NV Champagne or something else for the 2 cellar chares) for Cellar Club members. (Thanks Chris for the nudge and Tony for the clarification).

6 August:   After I told him Dan Murphy had a very good price on the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2005, Matt at Premium Wines Direct was able to negotiate a better deal as well, $17pb for up to 12 bottles, 13 to the dozen thereafter.  See Matts Specials in the left panel.

The Majella 2004 Cabernet and Shiraz will be released in a week or so (a new wine, a straight Merlot 2004 is already out), expect the same price as last vintage and look out for special release prices from Auswine.

5 August:   Belatedly looked at the W* specials this week, Seppelt Victoria Shiraz 2004 @ $13.99 with a free JH Wine Companion 2007 and bottle of DP90 Tawny with a case buy looks like a pretty good deal.

4 August:   The new Avalon and Liquor Prince emails are up, see left panel.

3 August:  Auswine has a deal on Torzi Matthews/Old Plains/Longhop - buy at least 6 bottles ad receive a bonus bottle of Torzi Matthews Synergy Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  The email price on the Frost Dodger Shiraz 2004 is $31.99, it's $33 online, email Gavin if you want the email price, also some Schubert Goose Yard Block Shiraz 2004 @ $57.50 if you get in quick.

From Rodney in Hobart: BWS Aberfeldy in Hobart has Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2001 and 2003 at $25.99, CM Zinfandel 2003 at $33.99 and CM Walcliffe Shiraz 2003 at $37.99 all less 10% for 6 or more bottles.  Eaglehawk Cellars in Nth Hobart have Clover Hill Sparkling at $30, Robertsons Well for $12 and Leasingham Bin 61 and Bin 56 2002 for $16 a bottle.

1stChoice specials this week have turned red, for red bigots, unfortunately not a lot to excite this one, they also have a catalogue that covers the full range:

Dan Murphy specials this week, featuring more $1.99 cleanskins in dozen lots.:

2 August:  Catching up on the last few days (moving furniture one step ahead of the carpet layers, moving stuff back in from the garage, renos nearly finished).

Wine List Australia have the 2004 Dowie Doole reserve Shiraz @ $34.99, that's a little less than the 2002 vintage at Boccaccio (I paid $29 for the 2002 from Winebizz in 2004), I haven't tried it.  Update: Bruce R emailed to say he thought the 2004 was a bit too oaky, lacked complexity and is not as good as the lovely 2002 vintage.

I'm having a close look at a new wine retail site, just taken over by James Hook, a viticulturist and instigator of Lazy Ballerina wines (TORB review here, web site here), it has a bit of a split personality with two urls leading to the same site: www.winefightclub.com.au & www.boutiquewineco.com.au, the angle is clearly to support and sell the small makers of good wine, much of the offerings so far on site are inherited from the prior owners, more wineries/wines are in the pipeline. The not so subtle sub-text is that the big companies are screwing the growers and turning out ho-hum wine.  The site looks good and seems to work well, the only negative I can see (apart from taking a punt on some unknown wineries, some not even in the new JH book) is the un-subsidised freight rates, up to $2 pb extra to Canberra.  But if you can't get the wines anywhere else, just factor it into the price and decide if you think it's worth it, there are certainly some interesting wines on offer and the clearly stated money back guarantee is a safeguard.  Take a chance, maybe you'll discover a hidden gem

The new Matt's Specials newsletter is up (see left panel), standouts seem to be Turkey Flat Cabernet 2004 @ $32, Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2004 @ $16 and the new vintage of Gemtree Uncut Shiraz (2005) @ $17.  I don't know the Ambleside Shiraz/Viognier 2004 at all, but at $8 pb (buy a case, get a case free) it may be a good quaffer, Nicks review here (@ $19.99).  As ever, don't forget to mention this site so that Care Australia benefits from your order.