RBG Red Wine Buyers Guide September 2006 Archive

29 September: The new Liquor Prince and Wine Culture weekly emails are available, see left panel.

28 September: I haven't seen an Avalon email this week, if anyone has received it, please forward a copy to me at redbigot@yahoo.com.au

1stChoice specials this week, back to Thursday adverts, plus a Beer World plus extra wines catalogue, check online for your state:

27 September: If you like the Tatiarra Heathcote Shiraz style (big, bold, Ben Riggs), Nicks have the 2005 Tatiarra Culled Barrel Shiraz @ $19.99/$237.

W* has some more stock of the Fosters/Seppelt wines and Lanson Champagne, the Moyston Cab-Merlot has moved on to 2004.

Winebizz email has Glaetzer Godolphin 2005 @ $45, Amon Ra 2005 @ $75, Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2004 @ $50, Cullen Diana Madeleine 2004 @ $75, Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2004 @ $27, Bowen Estate Cabernet and Shiraz 2004 @ $21, all prices + freight.

Wine List Australia has (plenty of) stocks of the Mt Ida Shiraz 2004, $37.99/$455, with a bonus bottle of 1983 Seppelt Para port with each full dozen buy, The Ed has it at $45.

26 September: The Great Australian Red competition for the best Australian Shiraz-Cabernet blend has been won by the Glaetzer Godolphin 2004. If you missed out on the 2004, don't miss out on the 2005, it is a beauty too, see the Featured wine pages for stockists/prices. Other Gold medal scorers were Cellarmasters Langhorne Ck Area Blend 2004, Dutschke St Jakobi Shiraz 2004, Elderton Ode to Lorraine CSM 2002 ($30 at Winebizz, $38 CD), Jacobs Ck Johann Shiraz-Cabernet 2002 (not released yet, 2001 is current), Penfolds Bin 60A 2004, Scarpantoni Estate Reserve 2003 (not yet released, 1999 is current) and in the under $20 category, Yalumba Barossa Cabernet Shiraz 2002. The details of the competition and results (and much more) are in the new book by Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer: "Taste Food & Wine 2007), out real soon now.

25 September: The 6-pack of Hentley Farm (see 20th below) in Langton's Exchange has been reduced from $120 to $85pb.

Get Wines Direct has the Punters Corner Shiraz 2003 as a cleanskin for $8.95pb, usually $20CD. I tried this at Wine Oz 2006 in July, it's a lighter style, fresh and juicy for early consumption. Not value at $20, but it might suit you at $8.95.

Bert at W* is venting his frustration at recent Fosters/Seppelt marketing stuff-ups and is selling a selection of Fosters wines at below cost. Check out the weekly email in the left panel, but also check out the home page here, many of the most desirable wines have sold out already, so unless they can get more stock it's just about all over already. Also Lanson NV @ $44.95 and Lanson 1996 Champagne @ $59.99, stock up for Christmas. No doubt some good prices on offer, but some are not quite as good as claimed - the Salinger is only $1-$2pb less than a number of other retailers normal price, the Wynn's Johnson Block 2003 price was dropped a week or more ago and has been offered by Kemeny's at the $24.99 price for some weeks now, even advertised with a TN from Bert, very cheeky. Let's see what price W* offers on the Mt Ida 2004 when they get it.

Matt from Premium Wines Direct have a couple of offers - at the top end, 2 magnums of Grange 1999 for $990 ea (elsewhere $1100-$1400 and up), also Cullen Diana Madeleine Cab-Merlot 2004 @ $75. Email Matt if interested.

22 September: There seems to be a saga brewing over the (now Seppelt-labelled) Mt Ida Shiraz 2004, with rumours of it being released as a restaurant-only line, then some stocks leaking to DM (at around $39) and independent retailers being treated like mushrooms. Nicks has it listed today @ $44.99, but with a "Sold Out" sticker. Update: I received an email from Daniel at Wine List Australia, he is expecting stocks next week, no quantity or price indicated yet. Further Update: Anthony at Boccaccio has posted on his forum indicating he will sell the Mt Ida 2004 for "as close to cost as possible" as a gesture to his customers and to Fosters. Only catch is you have to wait a couple of weeks until he comes back from holidays, or you can email him to reserve a 6-pack like I did.

The new Wine Culture newsletter is out, see left panel, featuring the Winestate Best Shiraz winners and Magpie Estate / Rolf Binder wines.

21 September: The weekly Avalon email is up, notably the Turkey Flat 2005 Butcher's Block (95% Mourvedre this year), good buying at $19.99 (CD $22).

20 September: The optimist of the day: The person listing a 6-pack of Hentley Farm The Beast Shiraz 2004 on Langton's Exchange @ $120pb+15%+freight, when it's listed on winezy for $69.99 and possibly from the winery still for $68+freight. Also on Langton's Exchange, Marquis Philips S9 Shiraz 2004 @ $45pb+15% etc when it's available at Nicks for $34.99, Red Nectar Shiraz 2002 @ $50 lots of Rockbare Shiraz 2002 @ $19+15% when it was clearing for $13 at many places a year or so ago, lots of St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2002 @ $23+15% etc. Good luck, maybe there really are enough suckers out there...

Wine List Australia has the Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2004 @ $32.99

After getting excellent service when I emailed Baileys concerning a corked bottle of their 1904 Block Shiraz 1999, they suggested I look at joining the Bundarra Club - it's free, no obligation to buy, 13 to the case on orders, 14 to the case if you buy 5 or more cases, free freight etc. Might be worth looking at if you like the Baileys wines, the prices with the bonus are a little under the best retail I can find.

The new Liquor Prince email is out early this week, again featuring the Marius mixed case with bonus book "Taste Food & Wine 2007", by Tyson Stelzer & Matthew Jukes

19 September: Dan Murphy seems to be the place to get your Seppelt St Peter Shiraz 2004, there were quite a number of 6-packs sitting under the end-of-row display at my local store. The price seems to vary a bit across stores/states though, mine had it for $49.99/$47.99, readers have emailed prices down to $46.75/$43.65 (see below). Unfortunately most of the independents are $4-$6 or more higher than this price, maybe Seppelts playing favourites with the big chains? Winepool has it at $50+freight (1300 139 252). From Tony F in Canberra: Something to watch with DM, they often have 6-pack prices as well as mixed-case prices, so make sure you get the proper prices, the checkouts don't always do the right thing if you take 6 individual bottles, e.g. instead of $47.99 for St Peters 2004 in a mixed case, if you bought a 6-pack it should be $277.45/6 = $46.25 approx.

From Chris D (Sydney): Dan Murphy seems to have all the Glaetzer 2005 reds, Amon Ra $75.99, Godolphin $45.99, Bishop $27.99, see the Featured Wine page for all the Glaetzer prices (but I haven't checked all to see who actually still has stock recently).

The clear-out of Wynn's Black Label Cabernet 2003 @ $16.99 continues at Boccaccio and W*.

The new Boccaccio weekly email is up, featuring some Rhone 2003 reds and Tarlant Brut Tradition NV Champagne @ $59.99 (Wine Culture has it @ $58, see newsletter in left panel)

Wine List Australia has the Kay's Hillside Shiraz 2004 @ $34.99 (CD $33+freight)

W* has dropped the price of the Wynn's Johnsons Block Shiraz-Cabernet 2003 to $24.95 to match the Kemeny's price.

VC Cellar Club Member bonuses this month have some attractive offers - Rockbare Shiraz 2004 $14.39 and 14 to the dozen, Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2004 $17.99 and a bonus Cellar Share for each 6-pack.

Ultimo Wine Centre has John Duval Entity Shiraz 2004 @ $37.95

17 September: Another set of reds from the SA trip: We didn't like the Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2004 (this was the second time I've tried it and not liked it), too lean, tannic and unbalanced, doesn't have the generous fruit expected, I thought the Miamba Shiraz 2004 was good value at around $15 though. In contrast, the Elderton Estate Shiraz 2004 has good structure but the fruit to carry the firmish tannins and sympathetic oak treatment. (Nicks and Wine List Australia @ $19.99 The Elderton "Ode to Lorraine" Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2002 is a lovely wine, it's the old CSM repackaged into a super-premium bottle and bright pink packaging, but still the same old price (so far at least). It's $38+freight from CD, Winebizz have it for $30+freight, Candamber/Discount Wines $31.50+freight and Wine List Australia $36.99. The Command Shiraz 2002 is a big wine, but with better (more restrained) oak treatment than in the past and lovely fruit over a firm backbone, it and the strongly varietal and equally big and balanced Ashmead Cabernet 2002 are tempting, even at $66 and up street price.

I re-tasted the St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2004 when we visited the winery and was just as impressed as my first taste back home, it's a great vintage for this consistent label, around $23.99 at many places including Canterbury Wines, Dan Murphy, 1stChoice (less when on special at the prior two), Jim's Cellars, W* and Nicks).

In Clare, Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2004 impressed, $39+freight from the winery, $43-$45 at Candamber/Discount Wines and Wine List Australia. The Kilikanoon 2004 reds also impressed again, but unless you bought the Covenant or Oracle at the pre-release winery price they are pushing the value limits a little @ $60 street price for the Oracle.

16 September: I've survived another hectic winery crawl with Ric and John, hopefully a few AFD and PFD, more chilli in the diet and a bit of exercise will deal with the "tight-belt" syndrome that developed during the week. There is a lot to catch up on in the rest of the wine world.

Grays Online seem to have finally got the message: "Your website has brought it to our attention that there have been a number of inaccuracies regarding descriptions of the wine on the GraysOnline site.

The majority of descriptions are provided by our vendors where we qualify whenever possible. We do however recognise that there are occasionally errors and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We have taken action to rectify this situation and hope that you accept our unreserved apologies for any misleading information and hope that you consider Graysonline in the future."

From James P in Adelaide: "St Peter's 04 is $46.25 at DM's in Adelaide- with good allocations!"

Wine Culture have very seductive 2004 Vinea Marson Syrah (Heathcote) Winemaker Mario X-Mount Mary & Jasper Hill @ $38.95 (also the Mad Dog Shiraz 2002 @ $36.95, not a good buy at that price, the feedback I got on the $20 deal wines was fairly evenly divided between "likes" and "dislikes").

The new Liquor Prince email is up (see left panel), featuring a mixed case of 4 each of the current Marius releases for $320. The Simpatico and Symphony Shiraz 2004 have had plenty of coverage, the new release Symposium Shiraz-Mourvedre 2005 ($30) was one of the standout wines in McLarenVale, an interesting, attractive and different style of wine starting with bright new-world fruit and finishing with a savoury old-world style with impeccable balance and fine tannins. My order is on the way.

This week's Avalon email is also posted. The latest Cloudwine offer is also in the left panel.

Another good value Shiraz we tasted in Clare is the 2004 Clos Clare Shiraz, it's $19.99 at Winbizz ($24 CD). One very good sparkling red we encountered is the Black Myriah NV Sp Shiraz from Foggo Wines ($30 CD). Other than Foggo Wines, wine-searcher only finds a Sydney wholesaler (Boutique Wine Estates, 0425 273 656). I'll list a few more good buys from the trip when I get some time to do the research on availability/prices.

Candamber / Discount Wines has the Water Wheel Shiraz 2004 @ $12.75 (case buy).

Magpie Estate The Sack Shiraz 2004 (Rolf Binder) is a good buy at $22.99 in the W* specials this week, a very nice wine for the price. ($270/case from Nicks, = $22.50 or $24.95 at Canterbury Wines). Also Magpie Estate The Election Shiraz 2004 ($52 at East End Cellars, $55 @ Cloudwine) and Rolf Binder Bulls Blood Shiraz-Mataro Pressings 2004 ($37 @ East End Cellars, $39.99 @ W*).

A worthwhile cheapie that over-delivers is the Yalumba Y-series Barossa Shiraz 2004 (not the Shiraz-Viognier), rrp $15, it's fairly widely available down to $8.75 by the case at Candamber/Discount Wines or $9.60 by the case from Parkhill Cellars. If you haven't bought the Yalumba Signature Cab-Shiraz 2002 already, do yourself a favour and get some ($32.99 at Wine List Australia and Liquor Prince, a little more elsewhere). At the high end, Yalumba Octavius 2002 Shiraz is something to look at, no longer so massively oaked, the 2002 is a blinder, $76.90 at Canterbury Wines and $76.99 at Wine List Australia, $77 at Liquor Prince, $79.99 @ Boccaccio, Nicks and W*.

One of the better straight Grenache we tried was from Samuels Gorge, big, firm and structured, not the wimpy sweet stuff of years gone by, there were actually quite a few interesting Grenache and Grenache blends found on the trip, seems the corner has been turned with Australian Grenache. Samuels Gorge Grenache 2004, $35 + freight from the winery, $35 incl freight from East End Cellars.

I can't see it anywhere at retail yet, but Turkey Flat Butchers Block red is 95% Mourvedre in the 2005 vintage, a very interesting and different wine, $22 from CD. The 2004 Turkey Flat Cabernet and Shiraz are pretty flash too, the gong just going to the Cabernet on the day we visited.

Kays Hillside Shiraz 2004 was the standout of the wines on tasting at Kays, the 2004 Shiraz no slouch either, Block 6 not on tasting, even to red bigots who are long-time mailing list members. The Hillside is $33+freight from Kays or $34.99 from Wine List Australia

There was very little Sallys Paddock 2002 available in Australia, most of it went O/S. Winemakers Choice seem to have obtained some, pricey at $51.95, but no alternative on this one except some magnums available directly from Redbank. Thanks Sanjay for the info.

08 September: Boccaccio has their second allocation of Glaetzer 2005.

From Chris D (in Sydney): Dan Murphy has the 2004 St Peters @ $46.75 and Benno $43.65 in 6-packs.

07 September: Boccaccio was last to list the Glaetzer 2005 reds and first to sell out their initial allocation of the Godolphin and Amon Ra, Anthony is waiting for a second allocation to be confirmed. Might have something with reasonable prices for wines much in demand. Early prices on the St Peters 2004 seem to be around $59.99, although Avalon lists it at $49.99 this week. It seems to be $47 for Drives Club members (about the same as last year, $1-2 more maybe), so don't rush the $59.99 prices, wait for the good merchants to list or DM to put it out at formula pricing rather than premium mark-up.

06 September: Boccaccio prices on the Glaetzer 2005 reds have been added to the Featured Wine page, $44.99 for the Godolphin, $2 to $14 less than most of the other merchants who feature here regularly, only beaten by Cloudwine in a full case buy. Anyone else find the range of different merchant prices on the Glaetzer 2005 reds very "educational"? This is the first big break-away from "me-too" pricing for a while. This weeks Boccaccio newsletter is out to, should be loaded on their site RSN (real soon now). It features some handy prices on NV (Piper Heidsieck NV @ $39.99 or you could pay $51.99 at the current Vintage Cellars 20% of sale) and Vintage Champagnes (Lanson 1996 for $66.99 or you could pay $89.59 at Vintage cellars in the current 20% off sale) and a clearance deal on past vintage Seppelt reds to clear space for the new releases.

05 September: W* specials this week (left panel link) include Wynns Black Label 2003 @ $16.99 again (Boccaccio also has this price, started a week ago) and Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 2002 @ $14.99 but with a bonus bottle of DP90 Tawny with a case buy.

Wine List Australia prices on the Glaetzer 2005 reds have been added to the Featured Wine page.

The new Matts' Specials from Premium Wines Direct are up (see left panel PDF), with some offers continued from last month (Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2005 @ $17 and Turkey Flat Cabernet 2004 @ $32) plus two new wines from Killibinbin (Paracombe Shiraz 2003 and a Paracombe Cabernet Malbec 2003) both @ $15. BTW, Matt will match the current W* price of $12.99 on Water Wheel Shiraz 2004, so you can mix and match an order if you want. All orders mentioning this site clock up money for Care Australia, about $2,000 so far I think.

04 September: Get Wines Direct new cleanskin Yarra/Heathcote Shiraz 2003 is the Tarrawarra Tin Cows, based on the TN published by GWD and matched to the one in the 2007 JH Wine Companion. It's $9.95 pb, with a free JH Wine Companion with each case buy. Forget the $20 rrp though, it's $14.50 at Candamber/Discount Wines.

Not a huge bargain, but if you want some Grosset Gaia Cab blend 2002 in screwcap, Langton's Exchange has quite a few 12-bottle cases @ $35pb+15% = $40.25 +freight if you can't pick it up in Melbourne. ($45.99 at Australian Wine Brokers, $50 at Nicks and W*)

01 September: East End Cellars have listed their Glaetzer 2005 stock online, only one dozen of each (of the Godolphin and Amon Ra I presume) $45 and $75 respectively for those 2 $26 for The Bishop.

Franco L emailed to say he was disappointed with the Mt Billy Antiquity Shiraz 2002 he bought from GWD, after trying 2 bottles he's sending the remainder back. I tried a bottle with my tasting group on Monday, it's certainly pushing the ripeness boundaries, very much into the blackberry spectrum and certainly not quite up to the JH 96 pt review. It had some supporters in the group, but not many. I'm a little disappointed, but not enough to send it back, I can understand some people would find it a little OTT and perhaps cloying. If you bought some, try one soon and see which side of the fence you fall on. One other new reader who bought it and then discovered this site enjoyed the wine.

Since Grays Online don't seem in any hurry to correct their misleading listings, here's another one that may be dodgy: "2003 FORESTER ESTATE SHIRAZ, MARGARET RIVER, ORP $18 PER BOTTLE. JAMES HALLIDAY: 90 POINTS, DRINK NOW-2009. VIBRANT RASPBERRY AND CHERRY FRUIT CHARACTERS, MEDIUM BODIED WITH A GENTLE SPICY MOUTHFEEL AND EXCELLENT LENGTH OF FLAVOUR. A LIVELY, ATTRACTIVE AND APPROACHABLE WINE. (80360-2)" The published JH note is: "Light- to medium-bodied; fresh and lively; vibrant, direct cherry fruit; has good length. Screwcap. Rating: 90 Drink 2009" The words on Grays may be off the back label or winery info, but continuing on after the JH reference infers it is his TN. I've also had one reader email me to point out the ORP prices on some of their wines (particularly imports) seem pretty fanciful, but that's fairly common with cleanskin and "remainder" merchants as well. I did find one exact JH quote, with an ORP $5pb more than that listed in the JH book.
The white wine section has a good one too, this one framed as a direct quote: "2004 MAD FISH WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY. ORP$25 PER BOTTLE. WHAT MORE CAN WE ADD TO JAMES HALLIDAY: `BARREL FERMENTED AND MATURED, THIS BRIGHTLY COLOURED FRAGRANT AND STYLISH CHARDONNAY REMAINS FRUIT-DRIVEN, NOTWITHSTANDING THE BARREL INPUT. LONG AND CRISP, IT HAS OVERTONES OF CHABLIS AT A QUARTER OF THE PRICE. 95 POINTS" Here is the published JH note: "Bright, light straw-green; a fragrant and stylish fruit-driven style notwithstanding the barrel ferment and maturation in oak; long and crisp, very much in the Chablis style. Rating 95 Drink 2010" No real misleading change in meaning here (maybe the claim "Chablis at quarter of the price" is and it doesn't appear in the JH note), but a quote is meant to be a quote, not an interpreted re-write.
Caveat Emptor and stick to more reputable auction houses unless you are pretty sure you know the wine and are getting a bargain.

W* Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2004 price is $59.99 (limit 6), Benno Shiraz 2004 $44.99, email to order.