31 August:  Last day of winter, the weather and blossom on the trees says it's spring already.

Auswine has the 2005 Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz @ $26.99, Also the Peter Lehmann Futures Shiraz 2004 @ $29.99, but it's $21.95+freight from Candamber/Discount Wines and $24.99 at Nicks.

I'm glad the Wine Orb auctions at Gray's have finished, at least for now, I can go back to ignoring the mostly junk daily auctions.  I scored a case of Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002 for $219 = $21.82 delivered, this is a lovely wine, plus a case of 2001 Two Hands Sophie's Garden Shiraz for $199 = $19.90 delivered.  The Two Hands will either be about past it (JO) or just need a good breathing to strut it's stuff for a few more years (RP and CM).  My friends will be drinking well with the wines I've picked up for them in the last couple of weeks.

There are Petaluma tastings on at selected retailers in all major cities this weekend, target prices are: Merlot 2004 $40, Shiraz 2005 $35 or less, Coonawarra $40 or less.  Some merchants may be giving bonuses, Nicholas emailed to say First Estate Figtree Cellars is offering a bonus Riesling magnum (ask for a bottle of Coonawarra instead) with each case buy, tasting Saturday 3-6pm.

Woolworths Liquor has the Wynns Black Label Cabernet (2005?) for $17.99 in 6-packs and Dan Murphy has a big range of spirits on special for father's day, plus a 1stChoice-beating (by 10c) price on the Piper Heidsieck NV.

I've added another new recipe to the Red Bigot Recipes page, for one of our favourite Southern Thai dishes, called Khua Kling.  I've never seen this on a menu in Australia, no amount of searching on the internet could discover a recipe for this, mentions and pictures yes, but no recipe.  Finally I asked a Thai friend to find one in Thai and translate it for me, this is the result.

30 August:  Kym Teusner has hit the big time, with the Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2006 featuring at Dan Murphy this week for $17.80/$16.90 ($18 at Cloudwine), also Woodstock Shiraz 2004 @ $16.90/$15.90, but it's about the same price at some of the independents, including Premium Wines Direct and Candamber/Discount Wines.  I've tried the Woodstock 2004 shiraz a couple times and been impressed, but the 2005 vintage we had on Monday at the same time as the 2004 didn't show well, bad colour and a hint of EA or other volatiles, the 2004 was much better.  So check the vintage on offer, my local DM had the 2005 last week, it's in a new taller bottle, both screwcapped.  Same prices Australia-wide this week.

I don't have any inside information on the Gotham Coonawarra Cabernet 2005 at Get Wines Direct, "Halliday 5-star Producer" is pretty ambiguous, Peter Douglas is a good winemaker, making wines at Di Giorgio and others around Coonawarra.  It might be worth a punt at $9.95 given the GWD guarantee.

1stChoice has Piper Heidsieck NV @ $39.90 mixed case price this week and Maglieri Shiraz (2005?) at $120/case with a bonus case of Hollandia beer.  I haven't tried the 2005 Maglieri Shiraz but recent vintages of this wine haven't been too great.  Might be a good spring BBQ quaffer though.  Also the lush Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz (2005) @ $24.11/$22.90 and Hennessy VSOP Cognac for $59.90.

29 August:  No, I'm not (just) being lazy, there wasn't anything much new that caught my eye in the Boccaccio and WLA emails yesterday.  Looks like the early spring weather is bringing out a rash of whites.

There seem to be two Brini Sebastian Shiraz 2004 - a "standard" and "limited" release version.  The best price I've seen for the Standard is at Cloudwine ($24, Nicks $24.99) and for the Limited Release it is Kemeny's ($39.99, Cloudwine $49).

The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2004 is available at Winebizz for $45+freight (Wine List Australia $46.99, Boccaccio $47.99, Kemeny's $59.99).

27 August:  The Barossa Shiraz made by Rod Chapman offered by Get Wines Direct at $9.95 today is from Ross Estate, the ROSS Shiraz 2004 (not their top shiraz), it's $18+freight ex-CD.

26 August:  Back on the Gray's front, there has been a lot of various Briarose 2005 Cabernets and blends in the recent auctions.  I can't find much information except that the vines are youngish, the 2001 Cab-Merlot was quite good and that they can struggle a bit for ripeness.  Has anyone bought/tried any of these?  If so, I'd appreciate an opinion by email.  (Thanks to those who responded to this one).

25 August:  Some investors are running out of patience, there are 3 6-packs of Charles Cimicky Autograph Shiraz 2002 at $15pb on Langton's Exchange, trumping the previous low price of $20pb.  There is some offered at Cellarit for $30+ and in the current Gray's Wine Orb action, where the price has already exceeded $15pb.  Also a bunch of 6-packs of d'Arenberg Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2000 (JO 93, 2012-2020) at $20 and $25 pb, less than they've been fetching in recent Gray's auctions.  There are also a lot of other ex-investment wines at pretty optimistic prices, some in the current Gray's auctions where they may go for lesser prices.

24 August:  The new Avalon email is up.  I must say I'm getting a little tired of the random ordering of wines in the advertisement list.

There is another Wine Orb wine auction on Gray's, finishing Monday 27th 3pm, there is plenty for everyone, don't rush it and don't pay too much.

23 August:  Looks like I stuffed-up my wine-searcher search for Highbank yesterday and missed a few others who still have the 2001.  Cloudwine had a better single bottle price and have risen to the occasion with a price reduction to $47pb or $41.67pb ($500) for a full case buy, get in quick if you are interested, stocks are low.

Also from Chris at Cloudwine, stocks of the Bress 2005 Heathcote Shiraz are running very low, only a small cancelled export order remains to be sold and the price has gone up to $40pb.  There are still some lower advertised prices from some e-tailers, but they are mostly those who order in when you do and may not be able to get stock.  Parkhill Cellars may have some stock at a good case price, so Chris at Cloudwine will match the Parkhill prices ($40 single bottle, $41.99 at Parkhill), $37.79 In Mixed Dozen, $33.60 Straight Dozen - Total = $403.16. Email only, get in quick if you want some, I paid $36 for mine.  Update: The case deal is up for online ordering now.

Prince Wine Store have the Seppelt Silverband Sparkling Shiraz for $29.95, one week only, Boccaccio and Wine List Australia  $32.99.  Not sure the online ordering system has been updated for the offer yet, you may have to phone.

It's my birthday and I can't be bothered wasting it browsing the chain specials today, you are on your own there...

22 August:  Back to cabernet again.  For fans of Highbank Coonawarra Cab blend, Squashedgrape have the 2001, 2002 and 2003 at $50, $45, $45 respectively, take off $5 per bottle for full cases and there is a mixed case of 4 of each for $480.  All prices include freight, even for orders as low as 2 bottles.  I gather the 2001 has a big reputation (JO 93, 2009-2013 and many positive reviews on the forums), but all I can find on the 2002/2003 are JO reviews, 82, 2004-2007 and 80, 2005-2008 respectively. 

Auswine has the classy Willunga 100 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 I mentioned yesterday, $18.49, but with a discount code will100 to get 10% off for a short time.  Also the Willunga 100 Shiraz-Viognier 2005 (JH 95) at the same price, same deal (if polluted shiraz is your thing ).

I've added a new recipe to my favourite recipes page, a simple Grilled Salmon dish made very special by a brilliant mild but complex Thai Red Curry Sauce and contrasting Cabbage Salad.  Very Yum!

21 August:  For those who have been or are thinking of bidding on Gray's Online wine auctions, this article may be of some interest.  It documents my experiences with Gray's wine auctions over the last nearly 12 months.

I'm currently focussed on building up my stocks of good 2004/2005 cabernets and I think I've neglected the new shiraz and shiraz blend releases a bit, so I'll focus more on shiraz today.  I've added the highly-rated (and highly-priced) Hewitson Private Cellar Shiraz-Mourvedre 2005 to the Featured Wine page and the following current / new releases would be on my potential buy list if money and cellar space were not limiting factors:
  Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2005 ($30)
  Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2005 ($30-$33)
  Shelmerdine Heathcote Shiraz 2005 ($19-$20)
  Serafino Sharktooth Shiraz 2004 ($39.99 at Kemenys)
  St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2005 ($25 and up)
  Voyager Estate Shiraz 2005 ($23-$25)
  Majella Sparkling Shiraz 2005 (about $26 at Auswine at present with the 10% discount)
I'm tagging along with Ric on a crawl around McLarenVale and Barossa in early September, I would expect the list to grow substantially after that.

The Marius Symphony Shiraz 2005 easily topped a 6-bottle tasting bracket at my Monday group last night, ahead of Sir Paz Blocks A,B&D Yarra Shiraz 2005 (JH 93) and Ch Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2005, the Simpatico 2005 was fourth, followed by Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2005 and Willunga 100 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 (JH94).  That was the group vote, they couldn't cope with a cabernet-dominant wine in a flight of shiraz, but I voted the Willunga 100 C-S second, once a bit of reductive character blew off it showed great structure and already good complexity, a classy wine.  The Pertaringa was my last rank, seemed to be just a Ben Riggs formula wine made to a price-point.  The Ch Tanunda Grand Barossa is an export label, sourced from Gray's for around $15pb delivered, the Willunga 100 was also sourced from Gray's, $11 delivered ($18 ex-winery).  The Marius Symphony is definitely worth a buy, it will cellar well for 10 years or so, see the Featured Wine page below the Hewitson entry for the best prices. Update:  Matt from Premium Wines Direct is offering the Marius Simpatico/Symposium 2005 at $22 and $30 respectively, including freight on full/mixed dozens, email Matt for orders.

With all the glowing reviews and small production, I'm surprised the JaJa Barossa Shiraz 2004 is still available, but there seems to be a bit still around at Boccaccio and W* for $29.99.  I took a bottle to Thailand and my friend Meta enjoyed it so much he now has a 6-pack on the top of his pile of wine in my cellar awaiting his next visit.

Wine List Australia have the Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2006 @ $19.99/$237.

Butting in on the Shiraz parade, Winepool have the Serafino Sorrento Cabernet Cab. Franc Merlot 2004 @ $15, with a free copy of the James Halliday 2008 Wine Companion with each case buy, ph 1300 139 252 to order.

20 August:  I didn't win anything at the Gray's Wine Orb auction, but there is another one up already, closing Thursday 23rd, with much the same offerings as the first one.

The Boccaccio newsletter this week (see link in left panel) features the Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz 2005 @ $19.99, special price extended for this week only, plus a Rioja Reserva 2001 @ $27.99.

18 August:  1stChoice are having tastings today, including Peter Lehmann Barossa reds and Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet (vintage not listed).  First Estate/Figtree Cellars in Lane Cove have a more comprehensive and up market tasting today and again next Saturday (25th), Penfolds RWT, Penfolds Bin 389,Torbreck Range, St Hallett Reds including Old Block 2004, Henschke, Heartlands, Paringa, Mitolo, 1:30 to 5pm and their 30% off sale is still going until 26th August, thanks Nicholas for the info.

I bought a few 2004 Elderton Ode to Lorraine CSM blend at Candamber/Discount Wines yesterday @ $32.99, it hasn't showed up on wine-searcher anywhere else as yet and the Candamber web site still lists the 2002.  JO didn't like it much (87, 2006-2009+) and it didn't appear in the new JH Companion, but Gary Walsh liked it a bit more (93, 2007-2016), I loved the 2002 and I just couldn't resist the garish pink label.

17 August:  Prince Wine Store have a range of SC Pannell wines on offer at what look to be sharp prices.  Details here (click on the pdf file link, not Details).

16 August:  Dan Murphy Specials this week:  Jacobs Creek St Hugo Cabernet (2004?, not SA, Qld) $29.90/$28.40 (trumping the 1stChoice ACT offer on the same wine, but ACT only has the 2003) and Yalumba Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $31.50/$29.90 (ACT, NSW, $1 more Vic, $2 more SA, $3 more Qld), Peter Lehmann Cabernet or Shiraz @ $12.30/$11.70 (ACT/NSW, a little more elsewhere) and Philipponnat NV Champagne @ $49.90/$47.40 everywhere.

Auswine is continuing the opening special on the new Majella releases, 10% off the listed price, type maj01 win the Coupon box to get the discount.

The prices on Gray's Wine Orb auction have mostly passed the real bargain level already with 4 hours to go, don't get carried away, there is probably a lot more Heritage and Wine Orb stock to come yet.  Update:  The next Wine Orb auction is up already, closing 3pm Monday 20 August.

I don't know the wines, but Squashedgrape has a special deal on the Earthworks Cabernet 2006 and Shiraz 2006, made by Langmeil from bought-in Barossa grapes.  The wines are $45 in 6-packs (+freight) or free freight if you buy 2 6-packs.  The 2004/2005 Shiraz is offered by Vintage Cellars for $13.94 case price and $12.90 case price at 1stChoice, so the $7.50pb SquashedGrape case price looks like a good deal if the wines live up to the descriptions.  Update:  You have all bought so much Langmeil has ended the offer as it would have eaten into stocks reserved for the chains...

15 August:  If you haven't bought the 2008 JH Wine Companion, I got mine yesterday at Dymocks for $24.95, rrp $32.95.

I've updated the Cabernet Feature below and added a few more wines, including some Halliday high-scoring wines.

14 August:  Gray's Online have another receiver's auction happening, this time Wine Orb stock.  There may be a few bargains there amongst the 6-packs and dozens if you are careful, no hurry, closing on Thursday 16th.  These could be a good pickup around $20pb or under if people don't go crazy: Gibsons 2002 Barossavale Shiraz and Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002, Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz 2002 and maybe the 2002 ADW Hattrick blend and Henry's Drive 2002 Reserve Shiraz (if you like the full-blown Sparky Marquis style).

Botanical Winestore have the Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz 2005 @ $20.99, today only.  Anthony at Boccaccio enjoys a challenge, he's offering this wine at $19.99 until the weekend.

The Boccaccio newsletter features Zema FS Cabernet @ $37.99, Balnaves reds and the Diggers Bluff Watch Dog Cabernet Shiraz 2001 @ $34.99, made by Tim O'Callaghan.  They have also just listed the Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cabernet Blend 2004 @ $52.99, $2pb less than WLA and $7pb less than W*.

If you didn't read it closely, you'd think Wine List Australia was selling this year's JWT winner already, but it's actually the 2004 vintage of the wine whose 2006 vintage won this year.  The Scarpantoni Brothers Block Cabernet 2004 is available for $24.99/$294, also the Peter Lehmann Mentor Cabernet Blend 2002 @ $29.99 (same as Boccaccio).

I just scored a 6-pack of 2002 Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz at Gray's for $89 = $18.75pb delivered ($33 @ Cellarit, there is more in the Gray's Wine Orb auction), also a 6-pack of Willunga 100 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 @ $49 = $11.05pb delivered, a 94pt JH wine in red print in the 2008 Wine Companion, it's $18/$97.20 6-pack + freight ex-winery.

13 August:  The simple Search facility I was using seems to be broken, I've implemented a temporary externally-hosted facility (with adverts :-( ) until I can set up a better solution.

A couple of emails this morning.  From Warren, Dan Murphy (NSW) has Rockbare Shiraz 2005 @ $11.95 ($15 and up other places).  From Peter, Figtree Cellars First Estate have a 30% off red wine sale for the next two weeks.

I was approached by SquashedGrape to list the Barossa Ridge Old Creek Shiraz 2002 @ $22 (free freight for 12).  It has some positive reviews as listed on the product detail page, but also a negative one from Nicks, who offer it at $252/case.  It was being sold on Gray's in August 2006, with a dodgy TN.

12 August:  For those of you with David Jones cards, they are having a 30% off wine sale, for cardholders only this time.  There are usually a few good buys to be had at these sales.  Thanks Carl for the info.

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cabernet blend 2004 seems to have snuck out while I wasn't looking, it's available at Wine List Australia for $54.99 or W* for $59.99.

Looking through the current Rad's Choice (Winepool) catalogue, a few items caught my eye:  Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet 2005 @ $20 (Canterbury Wines $27.95), Gibson Australian Old Vine Collection Shiraz 2004 @ $70 (Nicks $79.99), Setanta 2004 Shiraz $18 and 2005 Cabernet $20, Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet 04 and 05 both $36, all prices + freight, extra discounts for 2 dozen or $500+ purchase.  Phone 1300 139 252 to order, check vintages and ask that your card not be debited until the order is ready to go.

10 August:  Apparently Lanson has awarded exclusive import rights to Woolworths, so this Champagne is unlikely to be stocked by the good independents for much longer.  Wine List Australia is quitting stocks of the NV @ $42.99. They also have the Zema Family Selection Cabernet 2004 @ $39.99.  Expect some more (maybe better) Lanson specials as Fosters quits stocks.

Boccaccio have just listed the Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet 2004 @ $37.99.

09 August:  The new vintage of the Killibinbin Sandtrap McLarenVale Shiraz (2005) is out and will be listed at Premium Wines Direct next month.  RBG readers get first crack, same price as the 2004, $15 including freight on case buys. Phone (1800 64 9463) or email Matt, or just write it on the order form attached to the monthly specials and fax it.

The new Avalon email is up, with a few spelling mistakes fixed and a few good prices highlighted.

1stChoice have opened a new store close to me so I won't have far to go to get the Champagne specials (if they come back, none recently).  They have an 8-page newspaper insert as well as a standard advert this week, but the pickings are slim, many prices more than the good independents offer.  They still haven't picked up on Dan's 6-pack pricing either. These are the ones that looked to be good prices:  Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $32.53/$30.90, St Hallett Faith Shiraz $14.42/$13.70, Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz (2004/2005) $23.05/$21.90, Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz (2004/2005) $24.11/$22.90, Cape Mentelle Shiraz (2004) $30.42/$28.90.

Dan Murphy doesn't have a lot this week either, unless you like the current Ingoldby reds at $9.50/$8.90 (ACT/NSW/SA, more elsewhere), Charles Heidsieck MIC 2000 @ $67.90/$64.50 (ACT/NSW/SA, more elsewhere, the MIC 2001 is $59.99 at Kemeny's) or Mumm NV @ $49.90/$47.40 (ACT/NSW, more elsewhere).

W* is flogging the 96 JH-pointed Serafino Sorrento Cabernet/CF/Merlot 2004 @ $16.99, but Cloudwine have it for $15 and Canterbury Wines have it for $16.50.

08 August:  The new Kemeny's catalogue has a few good prices: Henry Lawson Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 @ $14.99 (an interesting wine, worth a try, but tends to polarise so don't buy lots until you've tried it), Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet and Shiraz 2005 @ $24.99 (bonus decanter offer for dozen buy), Annies Lane Coppertrail Shiraz 2002 @ $36.99, Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet 2004 @ $49.99, Zema Family Selection Cabernet and Shiraz 2004 @ $39.99.

I've updated the Cabernet feature below, removing a few 2004's, added Majella and Zema FS.

I had a quick browse of Langton's Exchange, saw a few possible buys: Burge Family Draycott Shiraz 1999 @ $30 in 6-packs (JO 95, 2007-2011), d'Arenberg Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2000 @ $22 in 6-packs (JO 93, 2012-2020), Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz 2001 @23 in 6-packs (JO 89, 2006-2009), all +15% + freight.

A useful article on Glug: Wine Prices, Point Scores and Retailing

07 August:  I'm back, updates will gradually start again.  My notebook docking station seems to have died in my absence, It's taking a while to reconnect stuff as some USB devices don't seem to want to work via different connections either.  @#%$#! computer peripherals.

Boccaccio have a selection of reds from the Winefront top 101 reds list, with a bonus copy of "The Red Album" book with each mixed or full case from the newsletter offerings.

There seem to be a large number of offers from the Winefront and James Halliday new publications, I'll gradually work my way through them and post the ones I think are the best offers, on a quick glance some of the prices offered seem a bit high.

I've had one report of the Zema Family Selection Cabernet 2004 being sighted at 1stChoice (Jindalee) and mis-priced at $25 (case price) as well, thanks Stuart.

The new Matt's Specials from Premium Wines Direct are up (pdf, left panel link), the ones that caught my eye are Marius Simpatico Shiraz 2005 @ $22, Pirathon Shiraz 2005 @ $20, Tim Adams Cabernet 2002 @ $19, possibly Leconfield (McLarenVale) Shiraz 2004 @ $22 and Mountadam Barossa Shiraz 2005 @ $15. Email Matt to order or for more details.