30 September:  The price of fame:  The James Haselgrove (and partners) Old Faithful Cafe Block Shiraz that won the top shiraz in a recent Winestate international shiraz taste-off is selling locally for $75-$77, it's on offer at a few places in the USA for half that price (in AUD).

28 September:  The slightly surprising top wine in a flight of 5 x 2005 Shiraz last night was the Sevenhill Clare Shiraz 2005 under it's new Inigo moniker, a firm and full-flavoured shiraz with good balance.  It came in just ahead of Penny's Hill McLarenVale Shiraz 2005.  The Sevenhill is great value at about $18 6-pack price at Dan Murphy.  Also $17.99 at Nicks and Candamber/Discount Wines (+freight) and $15.99+freight at winebizz, $16.99+freight from Jims.

I don't solicit or encourage tasting samples (usually refer offers to TORB), but a while back Plunkett Fowles sent me their two Reserve 2004 Cabernets, addressed to Red Bigot at my PO box, not sure how they came across that.  I enjoyed the "Exception" (made from friends fruit) more than the standard Strathbogie Reserve Cabernet, it seemed to have better structure, flavour profile and balance than the other Reserve.  Both a bit expensive at $39 pb or even the $35 e-News member price, you have to join the (free) club and commit to some regular wine deliveries to get the $31.20 price.  Today their marketing person had a slight lapse, they sent (again addressed to Red Bigot) not one, not two but three new release whites!  They have found a worthy recipient, I dropped them off at my white-drinking friends place tonight.

27 September:  A bunch of new releases and a few Thursday specials:
Wine List Australia has Kays Hillside Shiraz 2005 @ $34.99,  Flynns Heathcote Shiraz 2005 @ $29.99 and Shelmerdine Heathcote Shiraz 2005 @b $19.99.

Boccaccio has the Laughing Jack Old Vine Grenache 2004 @ $39.99, Anthony claims it's the best Aus. Grenache he's found.  I've got 3 put aside for my next order.

W* have the Primo Angels Gully Shiraz 2004 @ $55, a very classy shiraz, but even better IMO is the Joseph Moda 2004.  The Ed has  the Angels Gully 04 listed at $50 + freight.

Nicks are first to list the Orlando Lawsons Shiraz 2002 @ $49.99.

Chain specials: 1stChoice has Henschke Keyneton/Euphonum (2004?) @ $31.47/$29.90, St Hallett Faith Shiraz @ $14.26/$13.55 and Luis Roederer NV @ $57.79/$54.90.  Dan Murphy has the Louis Roederer NV at 9/10 cents pb cheaper, St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2005 at 6/5 cents pb cheaper and the low price in 6-packs too (looks like they got a "heads-up" on 1stChoice specials), Mumm NV @ $51.40/$48.80, Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2005 @ $15.70/$14.90, Brands Cabernet 2004 @ $15.60/$14.80.

25 September:  I've looked through the new Kemeny's catalogue 3 times now, once online and twice through the printed version that arrived today.  Luckily there wasn't a single wine/price that tempted me to buy.

24 September:  Another example of how you need to be careful with wine auctions.  This one was sent to me by WW and features a chardonnay, but it's a good example.  Graysonline have some 6-packs of Terrace Vale Old Vine Chardonnay 2004, current bid $34 + 15% + $10 delivery = $49.10/6-pack.  Not bad if it stays at that price (assuming the wine is OK), but the winery has it on special as an excess from an export order at $99/6-pack, get 6-free, so $99/dozen, probably plus freight.  One bid increment to $39 on Gray's takes it to or over the winery price. Grays's also describe the wines awards and pedigree in glowing terms, but it looks like none of the awards etc relate to this particular vintage, it looks like this wine failed to win a medal at the 2006 Hunter Valley Wine Show. The other interesting thing is that Gray's quote an ORP of $156 per 6-pack, yet Terrace Vale quotes a normal RRP of $19.95pb or $239.40 per dozen. Some of the Gray's ORP I've been able to check are pretty close, but many seem to be quite fanciful, so ignore them in your bidding decisions.  Another example in today's auction (26th), Henry Martin Sparkling Shiraz NV, ORP $420/dozen, it's sold out at the Henry Martin web site now, but I remember it being about $180/case and Nicks lists it on their site (sold out) with a RRP of $15.08.  I got some at under $12pb delivered, it's good value at that price, but there is no way it's a $30+ wine.  Very dodgy stuff.

The Boccaccio Newsletter this week is a mix of current and new releases, featuring 2004 Coonawarra Cabernets, St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2004, Peter Lehmann Futures and Stonewell Shiraz, Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2005, a special 6 for 5 offer on the Mt Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2004.  Plus some new imports.  It's not loaded on their site yet, check later via the left-panel link if you aren't a subscriber.

23 September:  I've updated the Cabernet Feature below, a few price/availability changes and one price reduction, the Zema Family Selection Cabernet 2004 is now $36.66 at Boccaccio, down from $37.99.

Dan Murphy's version of a sale, "100's of prices slashed":  Devils Lair Cabernet 2004 @ $48.90/$46.70 when it is $39.99 at Kemeny's and W*, Petaluma Coonawarra 2004 @ $49.90/$47.40 when it is $39.99 at Wine List Australia and $44.99 @ Boccaccio and W*.  What a joke!

22 September:  The St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2004 has appeared sooner than expected, Boccaccio has it at $59.99, Winepool $60+freight, Candamber/Discount Wines $66.95 and Vintage Cellars @ $74.99/$67.49. I liked this wine more than the Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2002 at around the same price ($63.99 at Boccaccio, $69.99 @ Nicks)

I've never understood why Sixty Darling Street operates the way it does (and still survives), I guess if you advertise enough people will buy, but a crappy web site that doesn't show advertised wines/prices, small cramped, hot shop, and inconsistent pricing and delivery times (they often order the wine in when you order) put me off. There is so much potential there if only they could get their act together. "The Wineroom" version of their large-format snail-mail catalogue has more pictures and less wines than the original Rad's Choice, and a few good buys. The Willows Barossa Shiraz and Cabernet 2004 are $23 ($24 in the recent Rad's Choice), St Hallett OB Shiraz 2004 @ $60, the 2004 Setanta Shiraz @ $18 and 2005 Setanta Cabernet @ $18 (in the Cabernet list, the picture section has it at $22).  As ever, phone 1300 139 252 to order, ask them not to charge your card until the wine is ready to go.

1stChoice in Canberra had an extra advert yesterday, Brands Coonawarra Cabernet (2004?) for $16.74/$15.90 Penfolds Bin 28 2004 @ $17.79/$16.90 and St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz (2004 or 2005?) @ $24.11/$22.90, I don't know how widespread the offers are.

21 September:  The James Halliday Wine Companion site now seems to be functional.  I got one error message immediately after subscribing, but my subscription went through and the Winery/TN search seems to work OK.  Annual subscription is $22, TN back to 1991. The site is here.

The Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2006 has won some gongs at the local Barossa wine show, $14.99 at Wine List Australia, $15.99 at Wine Culture.  We didn't get to taste this on out trip, Cimicky was closed on the usually open day on which we called.  This is usually not a cellaring wine, drink within 2-3 years if you enjoy the style.

20 September:  I had an email from Stuart H indicating that Jasper Hill prices haven't  risen significantly to mailing list customers, he has tried the 2006 releases and thinks they are very good and "right in the mould".  Maybe the margins to retailers are changing or retailers are finding it necessary to increase their margins to make a decent profit.  I was confused yesterday when WLA had the 2006 Jasper Hill releases and Nicks had the 2005 vintage in their New Releases list at significantly higher prices.

Dan Murphy is having a Spring Clearance, I hope there are some better wines/prices in the in-store flyer, there isn't a whole lot in the newspaper advertisement.  1stChoice didn't have anything much of interest either in the couple of adverts I perused.

18 September:  The brave wineries are starting to bump prices up in anticipation of lean times for the 2007/2008 vintages.  Jasper Hill 2006 reds are out, Georgia's Paddock $69.99 at Wine List Australia , the Emily's Paddock is $89.99.  I last bought the Georgia's 2004 at $60.  The new Seppelt premium releases have nudged up a little too.  We saw quite a few examples of prices rising slightly for new releases on our SA trip, although many were still holding steady.

17 September:  The new Winebizz (Summer Hill Wine Shop) monthly email is up, see link in left panel.  My picks highlighted.

New releases are rolling at Boccaccio, the email is out but won't be up on their site until Thursday (due I'm sure to some complicated technical reason).  Highlights for me are: Turkey Flat Shiraz 2005 @ $32.99 (6-bottle limit), Peter Lehmann Futures Shiraz 2004 @ $25.99 (it's slightly cheaper at Candamber, Wine Culture and Nicks, + freight first two), Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2002 @ $63.99 (good wine, but a bit too subdued and boring to me, wait for the 2004 St Hallett Old Block, coming soon), Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2005 @ $52.99 ($49.99 @ W*), d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2005 @ $49.99 (same as Wine List Australia, I think the 2005 Coppermine Rd Cabernet is better).

A friend loaned me a copy of the latest Winewise magazine (Small Vignerons Awards edition), I'm working my way through.  If you trust those guys (the extended tasting panel for the SVA edition is pretty impressive), their best Shiraz was the Morgan Simpson McLarenVale Shiraz 2005, $21.99 +freight @ Kemeny's, same price as the winery.  Kemeny's also have the top-ranked Cabernet, Brookwood Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 @ $29.99, the Winewise panel ranked it just ahead of the Punters Corner Sovereign 2005 ($60) and Balnaves Tally 2005 ($80)

16 September:  Kemeny's have a couple of Champagne offers that look tempting: Charles Heidsieck MIC 2001 @ $59.99 and Charles Ellner Brut NV @ $46.99 with a bonus Charles Ellner Seduction 1995 ($120) with each 6-pack.  Also Gauthier NV @ $36.99 and Gauthier 1999 @ $49.99, Arras 2001 @ $39.99.

I've updated the list of wines I've bought from Gray's Online with the most recent purchases now that I've tried them, access the article here or via the Auction House Comparison page. I'm mostly happy with the purchases, only one dud recently.

Dan Murphy ACT/NSW has Yalumba Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $29.90/$28.40 (more in other states) and Lanson Black Label NV @ $49.90/$47.50 (also SA/Qld, but it's $39.99 @ Boccaccio), Vic stores have Bowen Estate Cabernet 2005 and Zema Estate Cabernet 2004 @ $19.90/$18.90, Leconfield Cabernet (2005) is $19.80/$18.80 all states.

I just noticed Boccaccio have the 2004 vintage of the Primo Estate Joseph Moda Cab Merlot @ $46.99, it's a fantastic wine and a lot more expensive at cellar door.

15 September:  Boccaccio have listed the Houghton Jack Mann  Cabernet blend 2001 @ $69.99.  They also have the 2005 Balnaves Cabernet @ $27.99, as does W*.

I've stopped publishing the Avalon email in full, in future I'll only list the highlights.  This week they are the Glaetzer new releases, 2006 Amon Ra @ $69.99, 2006 Annaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet @ $47.99 (Wine Culture $43.95 +freight outside of Sydney and Boccaccio $44.99).  Call 02 99183207 to order.

The new 2005 Castagna Syrah and Il Segreto blend are available, I somehow forgot to order via the indent offer and at $75pb I won't be buying.

My email exchange with the CEO of Fastway a while back has had no perceptible impact, the two taped-together 6-packs of Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2004 were left at the front door of our unattended house sometime last Tuesday.  As we usually enter-exit via the back door/garage it was only by chance that Andrea noticed the wine while taking the dogs for a walk.  I'll continue trying to avoid patronising wineries/merchants who use Fastway if I possibly can.  On our trip John (the Pie King) mentioned he stopped buying from a Melbourne e-tailer due to problems with deliveries via Fastway.  Australia Post has also had some problems delivering to me recently too, with one delivery from Melbourne taking 10 days and two occasions where a card was left for me to collect the wine at the mail centre when I know I was at home, maybe I've offended the courier somehow or there is a new driver who can't find the front door and bell.

A few  from the current Sixty Darling St Rad's Choice:  St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2006 @ $16 with a bonus half-bottle of Blackwell Shiraz 2005 with a case buy.  The 2006 Faith is a lovely wine, better than the 2005 we tasted at the same time at the winery earlier this week, but the 2005 is still going around $14.99, so the $16 price doesn't look too sharp.  I liked the Pertaringa Over the Top Shiraz 2005 at a recent tasting, $28, but not the Undercover Shiraz 2005 @ $18.  The 2004 Setanta Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2004 is good value at $18, they also list the superb St Hallett Old Block 2004 @ $60, supposedly released to trade in early October, Vintage Cellars has it listed @ $75/$67.49.  The Willows Barossa Cabernet 2004 is a lovely wine ($24), albeit quite minty, pass it off as Wendouree at half the price.  The Willows 2004 Barossa Shiraz should be good, but the bottle we were offered at the winery was clearly oxidised, the server agreed but didn't open another and the Bonesetter is only opened at weekends.  The under-rated Sandalford MR Cabernet 2004 is still listed at $23, the 2005 should be out about now too.  We weren't impressed by the 2005 Coriole Cabernet or Shiraz, they both seemed disjointed and had sour acid finishes.  Phone 1300 139 252 to order.

The Polleters Pyrenees Cabernet 2005 at W* for $24.95 looks interesting, although you might try Nicks for a cheaper price, they have the 2004 at $264/case, the winery web site/order form still lists the 2004.

My order from Kay's will most likely be 2 Block 6, 3 Cuthbert Cabernet 2005 and 7 Hillside Shiraz 2005 (or maybe 6 + a Grand Liqueur Muscat), we were able to taste the latter two reds and the Muscat and were pretty impressed.

14 September:  Our last day in the Barossa today, yesterday was quiet in terms of wineries, the Elderton Ode to Lorraine CSM 2004, Ashmead Cabernet 2004 (better than the soon to be released 2005) and Command Shiraz 2004 were the highlights, at least before the fabulous Rockford long lunch from 12:00 to 16:45, fabulous food and they even found some reds for us instead of the two whites on the list.

12 September:  Another fantastic day with many excellent wines, starting with Peter Lehmann (Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz 1999 and some of the "Garden" Series cellar-door only reds, particularly the "Peppers" Marananga Cabernet, Mentor 2002), Murray Street Vineyards (The Barossa GSM blend 2005, Mataro 2005, the latter officially sold out but a few cases left), and finishing up at Deisen where the exciting hand-made wines show the just how ordinary and soulless are much of the wines from the big producers.  Nothing oaky or showy here, just superb flavours and naturally balanced wines, the 2005 Grenache and 2005 Mataro at $35 less 10% for dozens mail order were must buys for us and the $55 Reserve Shiraz is pretty good too, including freight for case buys. Contact details here: http://www.deisen.com.au/

11 September:  Yesterday we only visited 3 wineries, Haan (impeccable vineyards and winery setup, brilliant 2005 reds), Kaesler (many superb wines as usual, including a new McLaren Vale range of reds, 2005 Old Vine Shiraz is possibly their best ever) and Rolf Binder ( a huge range with some really outstanding wines, but too many seemingly 'formula' wines, Magpie Estate Black Sock Mourvedre 2005 is worth a try at $30). Dinner at Vinters last night with some half- full bottles of Reid's best that we knew were not corked, he's a very generous guy as well as a great winemaker.  The 2006 Avignon made a nice pre-dinner drink, 2005 Old Bastard went well with Ric's mini-pizza topped with smoked salmon and my roasted bug tails with a demitasse of cauliflower-truffle soup as a side.  Two unreleased single vineyard shirazes accompanied the the mains (Kangaroo, Veal Shank and Duck respectively for the 3 of us) and cheese to finish.

We had another great day today, the full Orlando / Jacobs Ck red range (standouts 04 Gramps Shiraz, 04 St Hugo Cabernet, 02 Lawsons Shiraz, 02 Johann Shiraz-Cabernet), Winter Creek (great value Grenache Shiraz and straight Shiraz), Massena / Standish (stunning top-end Standish/Relic wines and Massena good too) and St Hallett (06 Faith Shiraz, 05 Blackwell Shiraz and a superb 2004 Old Block Shiraz). Only one slightly corked wine today, but two premiums oxidised at Orlando/JC.  We briefly dropped in at Turkey Flat but the miserly pours (about 20 ml in nice big glasses) were too small to assess the wines properly, so when a requested second pour of the first wine (Mourvedre 2005) was about 10 ml, Ric took exception and stormed out.

10 September:  A quiet day yesterday, Chain of Ponds on the way up (Ledge Shiraz and Amadeus Cabernet the standouts). Jamabro (sp) with some credible wines for a new winery, a 2005 Cabernet that almost defines "cassis" in cabernet, the Tim Smith Barossa Shiraz 2005 and a tank sample of his new premium TSW Shiraz 2005, both great wines for lovers of big Barossa Shiraz who don't mind a bit of oak.

A bigger day planned today, quite a few appointments, starting with Haan.

Our bad run of corks continue, 2 of 4 opened last night were undrinkable due to moderate/bad cork taint.

Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2005 is out, first listing at W* @ $49.99.

09 September:  There were less highlights yesterday a few unexpected lowlights.  The standard-level ranges at Coriole and Woodstock (sep the 2005 Cabernets and Shiraz at each) seemed to be very poor efforts and along with too many other wines tasted were showing as disjointed and had varying degrees of sourness that was off-putting. Thankfully Maxwells seemed to be in form with 2004 and 2005 vintage reds, with the Ellen St Shiraz and Lime Cave Cabernet 2004 showing some class, plus some new wines, a quirkily-named G & T (Grenache and Tempranillo) that worked very well and a renamed top 2004 Shiraz (100 dozen only) now named the Minotaur that really impressed, almost worth the $70+ asking price.  Foggo Rd are doing much better with 2004 reds than the patchy 2003's we saw last year, their 2004 Old Bush Vine Grenache was hugely impressive, possibly the best Grenache we've seen so far and we've seen some pretty good ones.  Shingleback seem to have been a bit carried away with their show successes and the top Block D level is now $59.95 and not really worth it, the lower level wines aren't hugely convincing either and they had a 3 for the price of two offer on most of the wines except the Gate and Block D level.  We are off to the Barossa this morning.

So far of 9 older wines opened from the lot we sent over and from John's cellar we've had 4 corked!  Hopefully that's got the bad run over and we can look forward to a few good older wines after tasting young reds all day.

08 September:  I've just had two fantastic days of tasting reds in McLarenVale, there are some excellent reds out or coming soon, the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages all produced good reds with some quite distinct vintage differences, 2004 plush and approachable, 2005 with bright ripe fruit and often angular to hard tannins, but some of the best are firm and fine, 2006 back to ripe and round and softer fine tannins.  Buy up from these vintages, there won't be much from 2007 and the quality will be patchy. We've bought so far Reserve 2005 and standard Shiraz 2006 from Longwood (very little Australian distribution, most goes to the US) and the Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2004 (nearly sold out), will be looking for new releases of The Angelus Cabernet 2005 from Wirra Wirra, The Coppermine Road Cabernet 2005 from d'Arenberg (better than the Dead Arm), an intense 2006 Cabernet with 25% vine-dried fruit from Olivers Taranga, plus the Oliver HJ Reserve Shiraz 2004 that is on par with the 2002. The Pirramimma Reserve reds from 2004 are all pretty good and there is a new premium-level Cabernet blend 2004 in fancy packaging at the $50+ level that is pretty good.  Kays Hillside Shiraz 2005 is a blinder, there is a new Cuthbert Cabernet that should be good in about 10 years when the tannins settle.  McLarenVale cabernet rocks!  There will be a 2 bottle limit on Block 6 2005, mailers out any day now.  The internet connect I have access to is slowwwwwww.

05 September:  I'm off to South Australia this afternoon with TORB, we are focussing on McLarenVale and Barossa this trip.  Updates will be a bit sparse until 15 September, but I'll try to post the highlights of the wines tasted and any 'discoveries'.

The new Matt's Specials from Premium Wines Direct are up, see link in left panel.  Sorry, don't have time to have a close look.

03 September:  A sign of things to come?  I was checking prices/availability for the 2004/2005 cabernets in the Cabernet Feature below and found quite a few prices had crept up a dollar or two a bottle.  I guess we've had it so good for so long, I know some of the prices rises are from the producer/wholesaler, time will tell if it's a big trend or not.

Get in quick before Anthony notices, the new Boccaccio newsletter lists the excellent Laughing Jack Shiraz 2004 @ $34.99, but it's $32.99 on site.