31 October:  My Monday tasting group enjoyed 5 x 2006 Shiraz plus the 2006 Marius Symposium Shiraz-Mourvedre.  They were all under $20 except for the Marius (it is about $27-$30, this bottle was a sample from Roger Pike).  The Marius just scraped in for an equal-first rank, with the Mount Majura Canberra region Shiraz 2006 ($16, pure cooler-climate fruit, cedary oak) equal first.  One group member was seen beating himself up quite severely for voting a local wine top, the first time he has ever done it.  After those two were  the St Johns Rd Blood and Courage Barossa ($18, earthy and oaky), Taylor's Clare ($12.30, fruity and very oaky), St Hallett Faith ($14, good fruit, restrained oak) and Teusner The Riebke Barossa ($17, restrained pure fruit, I voted it second).  These were all under screwcap and took a little while to open up, all very good value and eminently drinkable, showing the promise of the 2006 vintage.  The person who took the remnants of the Marius home (he voted it down the list) rang me later to say it was really singing in the glass after another hour and he would need to be more careful with his evaluations of young wines.  The Marius Symposium 2006 is a different style to the 2005, whereas the 2005 leapt straight out of the glass and said "I'm interesting and adorable", the 2006 is more restrained and shy and takes a while to come out of it's shell and show it's class, only time will tell which one turns out to more delectable with a bit of age.

On the subject of 2006 reds, Nicks have just listed the 2006 Mr Riggs McLarenVale Shiraz @ $44.99.  Since the excellent 2005 was seen as low as $33.95 and is still available at $35 (Adams Wines) and $36.99 (W*), I would hope there will be better prices around on the 2006.

Probably another pricing mistake like the Craggy Range Sophia (26 October below), but Stewarts Wine Co have the Hewitson Private Cellar Shiraz Mourvedre 2005 at the same price as the Old Garden ($49.99/$42.99). It's now up to $74.99/$63.99.

30 October:  Boccaccio have the Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet 2004 @ $11.99 for one week only.  The 2005 is out at CD, so this may be near the last of the 2004.

I didn't win anything at the just-closed Gray's HFW auction, but never fear, the next one has started already.  I did pick up some Neagles Rock Shiraz 2005 ($10.32 delivered) and Mr Duncan Cabernet Shiraz 2005 ($6.01) at the regular daily auction though, mostly for my friends.  They turn out to have Malaysian importer stickers added below the back label.

26 October:  Michael K emailed to describe a couple of recent bad experiences with Fastway for wine deliveries.  If you have similar bad experiences with wine dumped at unattended houses or lost wine I suggest you directly email the CEO Ken Rosebery at ceo@fastway.com.au.  After my second complaint to them in the past 6 months I was informed the particular driver had his services terminated, but I haven't had a Fastway delivery since to see if things have improved.

The Gray's phenomenon rolls on, proving the stupidity of some wine buyers, GS in Adelaide is bidding $109 +15%+freight for 1 bottle of Wirra Wirra Angelus 2001, its available at $49.95 at Wine House in Melbourne and $60 from Cellarit and there are 15 6-packs further down the page currently bid at $134++.  Someone else is bidding $159++ for a single bottle of Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 98 when it's available from Wine House for $100, $139 for a single bottle of Mt Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2000, I paid about that much for a 6-pack at a Lawsons Auction a while back and there are 6-packs of the same wine being bid for less down the page a little.

A few from the Kemeny's SMH advert today: Annie's Lane Coppertrail Shiraz 2002 @ $36.99, Mitolo Reiver Barossa Shiraz 2004 @ $42.99, Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2005 @ $29.99, Balnaves cabernet 2005 @ $26.99, Ferngrove the Stirlings Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 @ $29.99, Neagles Rock Black Dog Cabernet Shiraz 2004 @ $39.99 down from $46.99

Stewarts Wine Co in QLD have a re-vamped site with a small number of wines, including Craggy Range Sophia Merlot Cab Franc 2005 @ $49.99/$45.99 in 6-packs, it's $59.99 in the Kemeny's advert, $59.95 at Wine Culture and $70.99 at the Wine Society. It's a bit hard to work out their freight policy, it's supposedly determined during the checkout process. Update: They've upped the price to $59.99 now.

25 October:  It must be Spring, 1stChoice has entirely omitted reds from its weekly advert.  Bollinger NV @ $63.05/$59.90, Mumm NV and Pommery Brut Royal NV @ $52.53/$49.90 may tempt.
Dan Murphy has a little more of interest, Elderton Cabernet 2004 @ $19.90/$18.90, Taylos Shiraz 2006 @ $12.90/$12.30 and St Hallett Faith Shiraz (2005 is good, 2006 better) @ $14.20/$13.50, Mumm NV @ $52.40/$49.80 and Croser 2004 @ $27.90/$26.50, both just under the 1stChoice price, someone must be feeding them info.

The Graysonline auction of ex-HFW stock has opened, a lot of the same stuff from last time, I'm bidding on a few lots, but I'm not telling you which ones.   Be aware that many of the wines are ready to drink now and aren't for further cellaring.  A handy calculator of delivered cost is included at the end of this page on my past experiences with Grays, so don't get carried away, it closes 29 October at 1500.

Get Wines Direct have a couple of offers that might be worth a try, a cleanskin Barossa Shiraz 2004 @ $9.95 with a bonus Henschke Henry's Seven with a case buy and a few Linda Domas wines, including the Egidio McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 @ $8.95, it's $25/$270 at Cloudwine.

24 October:  There are quite a few  2006 reds popping up already and not just the cheap end of town.  Nicks have the Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz 2006 @ $26.99 (I tried this on Monday, it's a very good effort and my Monday tasting group ranked this only just behind the Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2005 at more than twice the price) and for the lovers of Heathcote Shiraz to the max, Tatiarra Culled Barrel Shiraz 2006 @ $22.99, Wine List Australia has the Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99 and have the Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 listed @ $36.99 ($40 direct) and de Bortoli Reserve Syrah 2006 @ $39.99, Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet is $44.95 @ Wine Culture ($43.95+freight), Canterbury Wines, Boccaccio, Wine List Australia and WineBizz ($45+freight), Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2006 is $71.95 (+ freight) at Wine Culture, $73.95 @ Boccaccio.

I may be unwell, I'm vacillating about an order for Rockford Basket Press 2005.  At $49+freight it has reached my current $50 "carefully consider" point.  Charles Melton has already dropped off at that point and we didn't get a taste of the 2005 BP last month when we visited.  There are so many other good alternatives in the $40-$50 price range and I'm still sort of trying to buy more cabernets than shiraz at present.

23 October:  Oops, made a mistake yesterday, the GWD offering is actually the 2006, not 2005 as I originally posted (thanks Colin B for the pick-up), so the Liquorland offer is a better deal.  Brookland Valley make some pretty good wines but can be a bit pricey.  The Verse 1 series is often good value though and the Verse 1 Shiraz 2006 looks like it might be worth a punt from Get Wines Direct @ $15.95.  Michael H in WA emailed to inform that Liquorland in WA has Verse 1 range on special at 2 for $26, including the Shiraz, but it's gone to 2006 vintage there.  Vintage Cellars has the Verse 1 range at $15.59 in 6-packs (20% off sale), but the shiraz isn't listed online.

From Paul H in Brisbane: "Just thought I would let you know that I have been to two 1st Choice outlets in Brisbane (Jindalee and Toowong) that have the Zema Family Selection Cabernet for $26.79. I thought it was an accident but it has been that way for months now."   I'm checking to confirm it is the 2004 (it is) and I'll be checking my local 1stChoice too.  Thanks Paul.  Stuart H says its $43.79 at 1stChoice Bendigo.

Avalon have Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico 2004 @ $21.99+freight ($29.99 at W*), also Wynns John Riddoch 2004 @ $55+freight (Boccaccio $55.99 incl freight).  Phone 02 99183207 to order.

The next Heritage Fine Wines auction at Graysonline starts on Thursday, in fact there will be two concurrent auctions with a later closing date for the "Ultra-Premium" auction.

22 October:  I'm back, lots of things to catch up on, updates probably re-commence tonight or tomorrow morning.

One out of left-field from the new Sixty Darling St "The Wineroom" offerings, the Farnese Edizione 2004 is a blend of Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negro Amaro and Red Malvasia.  I picked up a bottle of this a while ago at a local merchant, partly because of the impressive fat, heavy bottle they have packaged it in.  It has some evidence of a little oxidative handling, but not to an offensive level and it's a really interesting complex wine.  I'm not sure how it would cellar, it's got some body and some fine tannins, but it seems about ready to go for me.  At $40pb it's not cheap, but for drinking with Italian food or as a bastard options wine it's well worth a try, and the packaging is quite impressive.  Nothing else leapt out as a bargain buy, but there are some good value dozens and 6-packs of reds that might be tempting.  The offering isn't online, phone 1300 139 252 to order or get on the mailing list.  I wonder if Cellarmasters new "The Wine Room" branding/site clashes with the name used by Sixty Darling St for their snail-mail flyer and who has the name registered.

I've noticed www.wine-searcher.com has at last gone back to tax-inclusive price listings for Australian merchants, hooray, common sense prevailed!  A few merchants are listed as Tax Inclusive, but have 10% higher prices when you click through, so beware, it's not fully updated yet, eg Stephen McHenry.

Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz 2004 is $39.99 at Wine List Australia and $42.99 at Nicks.  Also at Wine List Australia are the Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet 2005 @ $49.99 and Woodhenge Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99.  TORB's TN in Ch 2 of his Tour Diary here.

Boccaccio have the new 99 Dom Perignon with a 2-flute pack for $239.99, great for the next special occasion.

11 October:  I'm back on deck 22 October, have fun while I'm away.

10 October:  I won't be bidding on the current Wine Orb auction as I'm going to NZ tomorrow for 9 days, mostly around Taupo and Hawkes Bay.  So here is a tip on one I would have bid on:  Viking Grand Shiraz 2002, last auction they went for $214/$219 per 12-bottle case or under $22 delivered.  It's a bargain at that price, I dug one of mine out to try and it is a very good wine, not overripe (14.5%), nicely balanced, drinkable now but will hold for years yet.  A couple to avoid, the Heaven's Gate 2001 Shiraz (the lot I got was volatile rubbish) and the Gnadenfrei 2003 St Michaels Shiraz, unless you like your shiraz to taste like an unfortified vintage port. 

09 October:  Botanical Winestore have a one-day special on Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2005 @ $31.99.  Unfortunately for them Wine List Australia have an ongoing price of $29.99 for the same wine.  WLA also still have the Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99.

Nicks have a bunch of new releases listed: Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz 2006 @ $26.99, 2006 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz @ $17.99, 2004 Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz @ $42.99, Maxwell Ellen St Shiraz 2004 @ $27.99, 2006 Oliver's Taranga vine-dried Cabernet @ $26.99 and Shiraz 2005 @ $24.99, 2005 Kays Hillside Shiraz @ $34.99.

08 October:  If, like me, you missed out on any lots in the Gray's Wine Orb auction that closed today, never fear, another one is underway, finishing 11 October.  In the closed auction there were a few less well-known wines wines going well under original price, but just for a bit more than I wanted to pay, maybe next time.  Some crazy prices paid for some "name" wines and for some very ordinary vintages of some wines as well.  Caution and patience, there are bargains to be had.

06 October:  The new Sixty Darling St. Rad's Choice October offer includes the lovely St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2006 @ $16, with a bonus bottle for each 6-pack = $13.71 pb +freight.  The 2006 is even better than the 2005 vintage of this one.  Ph 1300 139 252 to order.

05-06 October:  A new Wine Orb auction has started at Graysonline, closing on 8 October at 1500.  Much of the same old stuff, don't bid to high and you may get a bargain.  One to avoid is the Heavens Gate Shiraz 2001, IMO it's volatile rubbish and I'm gradually cleaning my drains with the dozen I unfortunately bought and looking up recipes for red wine vinegar.  Note that the normal 30 day Gray's guarantee does NOT apply to this auction.  Also note they have changed couriers from Aus Post to Allied Express, that is less convenient for me if I miss a delivery.  They are up to the usual tricks with ORP too, Torbreck Struie 2002 was never $80 RRP anywhere I ever saw and I'm pretty sure Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2001/2002 was never $100.

W* is first to list the Howard Park MR Cabernet 2004, @ $75.  Since the 2003 is still listed at Wine List Australia for $59.99 I would hope there would be better prices on the 2004.  Anthony at Boccaccio tells me quantities are very limited, he won't get enough to list it on site, in fact I may have taken his last unallocated 6-pack.  W* also have the Leston and Scotsdale Shiraz and Cabernet 2005, all @ $34.99, Howard Park is one winery that has/is nudging prices up each year, I bought the 2001 Leston Cabernet for $25, $10pb in four vintages is a pretty big nudge.

Wine Culture has the Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock 2006 @ $66.95.

04 October:  I was going to remark on the unusual fact that it was 4 days into the month and I'd made no wine buys or orders (apart from 3 Laughing Jack Grenache on hold at Boccaccio).  Then Ric informed me that Oliver's Taranga new releases were out already and were "walking out the door" at CD so we better order soon.  I've ordered 6 of the Vine-dried Cabernet 2006 and 3 of the HJ Shiraz 2004, Ric ordered the same plus 6 of the Grenache 2006, he was obviously very impressed with it.  Ric's TN are in Ch 1 of the Tour Diary.

I've been busy resurrecting recipes on the red Bigot recipe page as the www.fooddownunder.com recipe site I had many links too appears to have died.  I've either found alternate links or copied the recipes to my own site from Google cached pages.  Consequently I can't be bothered looking for or mentioning the local few possible specials in the chain adverts.

The new Matt's Specials from Premium Wines Direct are up, see left panel.  My picks would be the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2005 @ $17, Killibinbin Sandtrap Shiraz 2005 @ $16 (a bit riper and warmer than last year), Kirrihill Clare Shiraz 2005 @ $18 and Mountadam Barossa Shiraz 2005 @ $15. Email Matt to order or for more details.

03 October:  Wine List Australia has the multi-medal-winning Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99 (Wine Culture $15.95, Auswine $16.99) and the Amherst Daisy Creek Shiraz-Cabernet 2005 also at $14.99 (Cloudwine same price).

Nicks are first to list the Elderton Shiraz 2005, same price as last year, $19.99, it's under screwcap this year.  See the Nicks newsletter in the left panel.

The new Torzi Matthews web site is up, with more info and online ordering.

02 October:  The Boccaccio newsletter this week features Coonawarra 2005 Cabernet and Shiraz, plus Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2005 @ $14.99 or magnums for $30, plus some new imports ranging from $20 to $525!  The newsletter is not on site yet...

A heads-up for some possible cleanskin bargains, I've been told about 50,000 cases of Classic McLaren wine have been/will be offered to the trade, they could appear as cleanskins or own-label wines, depending on who buys, there should be a lot of La Testa wines amongst this, maybe there will be some bargains to be had.  I'd appreciate information on any developments and/or sightings of these wines. (There has been a fair bit of 2000/2001 sold as cleanskins or under various own labels, I'm looking for 2002/2004 La Testa particularly.) Update:  There are only about 5,500 cases left to go, they must have been selling it off for a while.  Maybe this is the first sighting of some of it?  (Thanks to Roger Pike, my editing, no political dialogue will be entered into .)
 

01 October:  Get Wines Direct are offering the Killibinbin Langhorne Ck Shiraz 2004 @ $17.95 and the Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 @ $15.95, both about $2pb less than other stockists on wine-searcher.  If you ignore the somewhat premature and possibly misleading "WITH BAROSSA SHORTAGES EXPECTED FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR THE CELLAR." the Brown/Kalyra 2005 Shiraz and Cabernet @ $9.95 may be worth a punt.  There are plenty of good Barossa reds from 2004, 2005 and 2006 yet to come over the next 2-3 years, the shortage won't really hit at the premium wine level until those are sold and the small vintage 2007 and probably 2008 hit the market.  That of course doesn't mean that prices won't nudge up much sooner than that if all the current media softening-up is followed by action.