30 November:  Matt from Premium Wines Direct has got in early with his December specials, see the pdf link in the left panel. The red section looks pretty strong this month, leading off with 2006 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz @ $17, the 2006 Serafino Shiraz and Cabernet pair at $20 and the 2005 Willunga 100 Cabernet Shiraz  and Shiraz-Viognier @ $17.  If fades off a bit after that, unless you like Mr Riggs Shiraz-Viognier or the Coriole Redstone, but the Tim Adams 2002 Cabernet @ $19 is a nice wine. The Mountadam Barossa Shiraz used to be Ok value at around $20, I don't know the 2005 vintage of this, but it might be worth a try at $15. Nobody seems to want the Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 2000 even at $35.  Update 2/12: I drank my last (of only a couple bought) Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 2000 tonight, it's in good nick and nicely mature, went well with our Larb Moo, but I'm not sure I want any more at $35  As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase.

I couldn't see too many special prices in the Vintage Cellars Christmas catalogue.  If you could use a 3 litre double-magnum of St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz (check vintage) you would also have to find a home for 2 dozen Faith Shiraz 2006 at $16pb.  Maybe the Brookland Valley Verse 1 MR Shiraz 2006 at 2 for $26, it's a pretty sharp wine or Orlando St Hugo Cabernet 2004 at $34.99 with bonus magnum (same price as Kemeny's), it's pretty slim pickings.

After enjoying most of my (semi-random) picks of Champagnes from Ross Duke earlier this year I've come back for more from his Christmas pre-arrival list.  Their web site has been off the air the last few days, if you want a copy of the offer details and order form, it's back now French Wine Centre or call (03) 9696 7920 or email rdwc@frenchwinecentre.com

Boccaccio had a run on the excellent Joseph Moda Cabernet-Merlot 2004, possibly due to the mentions here and in TORB's Tour Diary and has sold out.  They now have stocks of the 2005 vintage (the Primo site is still stuck on 2003), I haven't tried it or seen a review, I'm waiting for Anthony to pop the cork on one and report back.

The Wine Society is offering Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz 2005 @ $17.99, down from their prior $28 and mostly $26 and up elsewhere.  Personally I often find this one a bit soft and sweet, but that's a good deal for this wine.  Thanks David for the info.

29 November:  Wine List Australia has the excellent Majella Coonawarra Cabernet 2005 @ $26.99/$318 and had joined the $39.99 party on the Piper Heidsieck NV Champagne. I tried the Piper in a flight of 4 bubblies, along with Philipponnat, Yarrabank 2003 and Cofield TXIV NV Pinot-Chardonnay and the Piper was a clear standout in quality, I'll be stocking up on more, I'm getting low as it's been a regular Friday night drink at our place all year.

The Get Wines Direct "100 year-old Vines" Elderton Shiraz 2005 seems to be just the standard Estate label.  That being the case, don't pay them $25, get it at $19.99 at Nicks or a little more ant many other good merchants.

Don't get carried away with the advertising blitz from the chains, there are some good deals to be had, but in many cases the good wines are cheaper at the independents, so cherry-pick the chain specials and buy the rest from your regular independent sources who have looked after you all year.

Nicks have the Pennys Hill McLarenVale Shiraz 2006 @ $22.99 (same as WLA) and Chapel Hill Cabernet 2005 @ $24.99 (but it is $20.95+freight at Candamber/Discount Wines).  The 2000 Marguet Pere & Fils Champagne they offer @ $54.99 is a nice drop, I think I've still got a bottle left from the lot I bought a year ago when they first stocked it.

Dan Murphy has Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2006 @ $17.70/$16.90 ($17.99 @ Nicks), Henschke Kyneton Estate 2004 @ $29.90/$28.40 and Charles Heidsieck MIC 2000/2001 @ $56.60/$53.90.  1stChoice have some possibly good buys in the Premium Reds section of their catalogue, but without vintages it's a bit hard to tell,  and many of the other prices can be beaten elsewhere (eg Wirra Wirra Woodhenge @ $29.37/$27.90 when it is $23.99 at Boccaccio and Discount Wines, $24.99 at Nicks and WLA), so I won't bother.

1stChoice does have Piper Heidsieck NV @ 3 for $100 in WA (thanks Michael H for the heads-up) and SA, Lanson Black Label NV @ $3 for $100 in (parts of) Queensland, Vic and NSW have to put up with Moet NV @ 2 for $100.

After enjoying some of the Ulithorne Frux Frugis 2002 I picked up cheaply at auction, I'm almost tempted by the 2005 version (94 JH), it's $44.99 @ Nicks, 45 @ Cloudwine, also the Flamma Sparkling Shiraz, the 2005 is $32 @ Cloudwine.  Cloudwine also have the Luke Lambert Yarra Valley Syrah 2006 (reviewed on Winorama) for $30.

After a burst of interest some years back Berrys Bridge seems to have dropped off the radar, possibly because they increased their prices beyond perceived quality and becoming part of the investment wine debacle.  The 2004 Shiraz and cabernet both scored 94 from James Halliday and he still rates the winery at 5 stars.  Cloudwine have the 2004 Shiraz @ $36, the winery website still lists the 2001/2002, @ $40.

28 November:  From the Kemeny's SMH advert yesterday: Taltarni Pyrenees Cabernet 2004 @ $24.99, Jacobs Creek St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $34.99, but bonus magnum with a case buy, the much-decorated Starvedog Lane Shiraz-Viognier 2004 @ $18.99 (Avalon have it listed at $15.99), Taylors Clare Shiraz 2006 @ $12.99 and 13 to the dozen with bonus picnic rug.  Also from their site, Morgan Simpson Shiraz 2005 @ $21.99, Saltram No.1 Shiraz 2004 @ $54.99 ($48.75 @ Candamber/Discount Wines, $59.99 at Boccaccio, Canterbury Wines and W*), three Puriri Hills (NZ) Cabernets at $42.99-$130, Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz-Cabernet @ $95.

27 November:  It looks like someone at Grays stuffed up the latest ex-HFW auction, it's been set up for $5 starts, $1 increments instead of the normal $9 start, $5 increments and the range of possible bids listed is very limited until someone bids high in the list then it allows some more higher values. I've been having more luck in the regular daily auctions, picking up several more cases of the Kassebaum Barossa Shiraz 2005 cleanskins for friends who came back for more after trying the first batches, target range $64-$84 per dozen.  I've also been picking up a few 6-packs of the Rutherglen Estates Durif 2005 @ $34-$39 per 6-pack after trying a bottle and being quite impressed with the restrained power and balance of the wine.  (Both prices plus 15% + $10 freight to ACT).  I suggest you avoid all those Bordeaux and Cahors reds with hugely optimistic ORP quoted, I've tried most of them now and I think they are pretty average value at even the $64/6-pack I paid for them.

W* specials include the Polleters Pyrenees Cabernet 2005 @ $24.99, a JH 96-pointer in the 2008 Wine Companion.

Still on the Pyrenees front, Campbell at The Wine Front has raved about the oddly named Donny Goodmac Pyrenees Shiraz 2006 @ $29 or $290/case including freight, order by email only: Donny Goodmac

If you are looking for a cheap but drinkable NV Champagne for Christmas/New Year quaffing, you might like to try a bottle of de Montpervier NV, an Aldi exclusive at just under $30.  The bubbles are a little coarse, but the flavour is fine, not sweet or over sharp, good yeast autolysis undertones, finish clean and fresh if not overly long, a perfectly acceptable NV Champagne at that price, I prefer it to the similarly priced (on special) Pol Gessner and Cattier alternatives at Dan Murphy and 1stChoice.

26 November:  I hope you are as happy as I am about the weekend election result.  If so Boccaccio has some Champagne offers to help the celebrations continue, if not, stock up for Christmas anyway.  Piper Heidsieck NV at $39.99, Dom Perignon 1999 two-flute packs @ $239.99 and a new vintage Bollinger 2003 @ $189.99.  Also a $16.99 Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2005 and some higher-priced Italian reds.  The new newsletter out today hasn't been posted yet, I think they are too busy admiring their new web site layout. ;-)

24 November:  Some Gold Medal winners at the NWS that are available now, I'll work through over the next few days some Silvers I think are worth a look..  In response for a request for personal opinion on these, I've added a symbol against those I've tasted - = I liked it and thought it good value and I have bought it or it's a possible buy, Nice wine but wouldn't make my buy list, = didn't do it for me, but I'm a bit prejudiced against Shiraz-Viognier, no symbol = not tasted:

• Water Wheel Shiraz 2006 - Cl 12, 14.99 @ Nicks and Wine List Australia

• Thorn Clarke Quartage Cab blend 2006 - Top (and only) Gold Cl 15, $16.95 @ Candamber/Discount Wines

• Majella Coonawarra Cabernet 2005 - Top Gold Cl 24, $26.99 @ WLA, $27.95-$28.00 at many good independents

• Barwang Cabernet 2003 - Cl 25, DM this week, $13.90/$13.85, 16.00+freight @ Winepool, $16.99 @ Wine List Australia

• Woodstock The Stocks Shiraz 2004 - Cl 27, $36.95+freight Discount Wines, $39.99 Wine List Australia

• Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 2004 - Top Gold Cl 27 (2005 and 2006 won golds in other classes too), $44.45 Auscellardoor, $44.99 @ Canterbury Wines, Botanical Winestore and W*

• Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz-Viognier - Top Gold Cl 28, $19.99 @ Wine List Australia, Nicks

• Wynn's Johnsons Block Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 - Cl 30 (2005 Bin 389 was top gold), $29.99 @ W*

• Xanadu Secession Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 - Cl 30, $12.99 @ Vintage Cellars and Liquorland Direct, 14.99 @ Nicks and Wine List Australia

• Redman Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Cl 34, $24.75 @ Discount Wines, $27.99 at Wine List Australia

• Jacobs Ck Johann Shiraz-Cabernet 2001 - Cl 34, $49.99 @ W*

• Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 2005 - Top Gold Cl 37 (Shiraz Trophy), (can't find any listings currently)

• Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz 2005 - Cl 37, half a point behind the Langi, (not released yet).  The 2005 Reserve Merlot also scored a Top Gold in Cl 23

• Henry Lawson Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Cl 38, $16.75 Discount Wines  (this is a distinctive but polarising wine, worth trying a bottle to see which camp you fall in)

• Evans & Tate Reserve MR Cabernet 2004, Cl 38, Margaret River Wine Centre $30.60 + freight, must be available more widely soon, worth looking for)

• Chapel Hill Cabernet 2005, Cl 37, Discount Wines $20.95 + freight

• Elderton Ashmead Cabernet 2004 - Cl 37, Wine List Australia $69.99

• Brookland Valley Verse 1 Shiraz 2006 - Cl 42, Should be around at the Chains at $13-$18, VC 2 for $26.

• St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz - Cl 43, around at many places, $22-$25 is a good price, also in half-bottles

• Goundrey G Shiraz-Viognier 2005 - Top Gold Cl 43, $21.50/$240 at Margaret River Wine Centre, should be more widely available soon.  (This is a lot better than the Wolf Blass Gold Label)

• Ferngrove Symbols Cab-Merlot 2005 - Cl 43, $13.50+freight @ Discount Wines

• Taylor's Clare Cabernet 2006 - Cl 46, often on special at DM around $13, $13.99 @ Nicks, $14.99 @ W*

• Gramps Shiraz 2005 - Cl 47, Nicks $13.99, elsewhere a bit more, probably less on special at the chains.

• Mamre Brook Shiraz 2005 - Cl 47, $18.99 @ Jims Cellars, $19.99 @ Kemeny's usually to be found for less on special.

• Capel Vale Debut Cabernet Merlot 2005 - Cl 47, $12.95+freight @ Discount Wines

22 November:  Nothing really of interest in the chain advertisements today, had to laugh at 1stChoice offering the Shaw&Smith Shiraz at $40+ when it is available at $29.99 at Boccaccio and not much more at many other independent e-tailers.

There won't be any updates tomorrow, it's NWS Exhibitor and Trade tasting day, we start by 0730 and finish when the wine and tables are all cleared and packed away, around 2330 last year.

21 November:  For Canberra readers, Kingston Fine Wines at the Kingston Hotel is closing, remaining stocks of wine above $20pb are discounted by 30%.  Ph 02 6232 6174.  1stChoice have opened a new store in the city, right opposite the second outlet of George's Liquor Stable, one of the better local independents.  The Wine Barn at Belconnen Markets has had to join up with the Porters Liquor group to try and survive the arrival of 1stChoice at it's front door. :-(

Andrew W emailed to point out that even at about $120AUD per case freight (including taxes in Aus) from NZ to Australia it is sometimes cost effective to buy direct from NZ, especially if you buy when the merchant has a special offer going and/or the exchange rate is favourable.  He managed to buy some Craggy Range Sophia (2004?) for $38NZD, making a total price delivered about $41AUD pb.  The best I can see for the 2005 is $44.99NZD-12.5%GST=$39.36), but that still lands it well under the local $59.95 price.  It also helps if you have a credit card that doesn't charge currency exchange fees, I use a Wizard MasterCard when O/S or buying in foreign currency on the net.  He bought from Caro's, there are others that ship to Australia, use wine-searcher to have a look.  Looking at their site, there are some Australian wines that are a fair bit cheaper over there as well (and a lot that are not), buy one bottle of Grange and that pays for the freight.

20 November:  I brought back from NZ 3 bottles of Hawkes Bay Merlot and Cabernet dominant wines, Craggy Range Sophia Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005, Unison Selection Merlot/Syrah/Cabernet 2005, both bought (retail, not duty free) for about $35-$40AUD in NZ and an Askerne Reserve Cabernet/Merlot/Franc 2004 at about $25AUD.  The Sophia is about $60pb case price in Australia (Wine Culture), I would imagine the Unison would be a similar price if it made it to Australia.  I added Sally's Paddock Cab/Shiraz/Cab Franc/Merlot 2004 ($45), Picardy Pemberton Merlot/Cabernet/Cab Franc 2005 ($21) and Sorrento McLarenVale Cabernet/Cab Franc/Merlot 2005 (about $18) to a single-blind tasting flight on Monday night.  The Askerne, adorned with a couple of medals and Winestate commendation, sealed with Diam was browning and slightly oxidised and rated universally dead last.  The NZ wines acquitted themselves well, my ranking was the Sally's Paddock, Sophia, Unison, Picardy, Sorrento and the Askerne, the group voted Sophia, Sally's Paddock, Sorrento, Unison, Picardy and Askerne, with only 3 points separating the first 3 and 5 points separating the first 4.  The two top NZ wines showed excellent varietal definition, refinement and elegance (in a  good way) and classy oak treatment, the Aussies richer fruit and less obvious oak, with the Sally's Paddock a step up above the others and easily matching the NZ wines for sheer class.  At the prices the premium NZ merlot/cabernet reds seem to be pitched at in Australia, I'll only be tempted occasionally, the local equivalents still seem to have  a much better QPR.

East End Cellars have released their annual Big Red Book (it has a lot of whites too :-( ).  There are a lot of interesting wines, but I haven't checked the prices, some you probably won't get anywhere else.  Free freight for orders over $200.  They also have a few reds from Red Heads Studio, check for some TN in TORB's Tour Diary Chapter 1.

19 November:  I've re-established my alpha position with my dogs and caught up on a lot of other stuff, so I'll list some of the wines I thought were the highlight of the September SA Tour with TORB and are available now, = I've bought this wine:

• Oliver's Taranga Vine-dried Cabernet 2006 - Nicks $26.99, CD $28/$25 + freight

• Oliver's Taranga Shiraz 2005 - Nicks $24.99, Wine List Australia $26.99, CD $28/$25 + freight

• Oliver's Taranga HJ Shiraz 2004 - CD $45/42 + freight

• Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2004 - Wine Culture $41.95, Canterbury Wines $44.95

• Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet - W* $49.99, The Ed $55+freight, WLA $59.99

• d'Arenberg Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2005 - Candamber/Discount Wines $46.95

• Tim Smith Shiraz 2005 - Direct $32/$350+freight, Cloudwine $32

• Dutschke Oscar Semmler Shiraz 2005 - Candamber/Discount Wines $45.75

• St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2004 - Boccaccio $59.99

• Nashwauk (Kaesler) Shiraz 2006 - Wine Culture $24.95

• Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2005 - Winebizz $50+freight, Candamber/Discount Wines $51.95+freight

• Massena 11th Hour Shiraz 2005 - Winebizz $30+freight, Auswine $32.99

• Massena Howling Wolf Durif 2005 - Winebizz $30+freight, Auswine $32.99

• Deisen Mataro 2005 and Grenache 2005 - Cloudwine $34.00

• Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cab blend 2004 - Wine List Australia $34.99

One wine I will mention from those I tasted at the NWS, half a bottle of Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 made it to lunch and I had a good chance to taste it as well as a quick sip/swirl/spit while it was being judged.  I can't remember how the judges rated it, but I thought it was right back in top form, certainly the best since 98 in my memory, it's got all the nice ripe rich fruit over the lovely tannin/oak backbone that I remember and the balance I've missed from the efforts over the past 5-6 years. Unlike many of those wines since 98 there is no niggling doubt about fruit/oak/tannins or acid balance that stopped me buying much of this line since the 98 vintage.  Whether it will be worth the $50+ RRP or even the $40+ street price on release I'll wait to try it again then and decide.

16 November:  Since James Halliday has already mentioned it on national TV, the top wine of the NWS this year is a 2002 Riesling, probably doesn't take much to guess which one, it has an impressive show record previously.  That's 2 years in a row a white wine has got the top gong.  Results are embargoed until next Friday, I'll post some of the reds after that where they are available or soon to be released.  A slightly later start today, we pack away the judging tables/screens and set things up for the Tasting day next Friday, have a big lunch with a few good wines and hopefully finish early and home to soak my aching feet.

It's the time of year already to be careful with shipping wine, Melbourne, Adelaide and ACT all forecast for 30+ early next week.  I try to avoid having wine shipped if it's likely to be 30+ anywhere along the way.

15 November:  A quick update, it's Trophy judging day at the NWS today, I wonder what surprises are in store. There were certainly some interesting Gold medal winners in some of the red classes, some quite inexpensive wines mixing with the more costly entrants.

Chris F in Melbourne reports Cullen Diana Madeleine 2005 at 1stChoice for $71.99/$68.40, at least at the Tooronga store

11 November:  Kemeny's Christmas Catalogue is online, strangely as a pdf in an RAR archive file, still 6mb, you may or may not have problems opening the archive, they may have it in a more friendly format later.  (Now available in uncompressed pdf.) The prices don't look particularly brilliant, unless you are tempted by the various bonuses on offer.

10 November:  Updates will be sparse and sporadic over the next week, I'm starting my annual stint as a steward at the National Wine Show today, two days of setting up and then the show starts Monday, early starts, long days.

Boccaccio seems to be first to list the Houghton Jack Mann Cab blend 2001, @ $69.99, they also have the Wantirna Amelia Cab-Merlot 2004 @ $55.99 (Canterbury Wines $56.95)

Dan Murphy have Henschke Kyneton Estate Euphonium 2004 @ $28.80/$28.30 and Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet 2004 for 10 cents pb more, also Saltram No. 1 Shiraz 2004 @ $52.50/$49.90 (Candamber / Discount Wines $48.75, Boccaccio, Canterbury Wines, W* $59.95)

We got an early mark today, everything went extra smoothly, so here are some prices for wines in James Halliday's Top 100 today:

• Chandon Vintage Brut 2004 - Dan Murphy $26.60/$25.30, Boccaccio $26.99, Kemeny's $28.99, Corkscrew Cellars, Nicks, W* $29.99

• Clover Hill 2003 - Boccaccio, Wine List Australia $29.99, Winepool $30, Corkscrew Cellars $31.50, Dan Murphy $33.50/$31.90

• Arras 2001 - Candamber / Discount Wines $39.75, Kemenys $42.99

• Piper Heidsieck NV - VC may still have 2 for $80, Boccaccio $42.99, Kemeny's $42.99+freight, Jims Cellars, Kemeny's, Wine List Australia, W* $44.99

• Bollinger NV - Auscellardoor $68.09, Kemeny's $69.99

• Gramps Shiraz 2004 - Dan Murphy $14.60/$13.90

• Gemtree Tatty Rd Cabernet Blend 2006 - Dan Murphy $15.70/$14.90

• Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2006 - Dan Murphy $17.80/$16.90, Nicks $17.99

• Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz 2005 - Dan Murphy $16.70/$15.90, Cellarit $17, Vintage Cellars $30.49!

• Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet 2004 - Dan Murphy $16.70/$15.90, Winepool $16.00

• Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet 2005 - Put-a-cork-in-it $23.90, Stephen Mc Henry $25.45, Canterbury Wines $27.95

• Hewitson Ned & Henry Shiraz 2006 - Dan Murphy $19.90/$18.90, W* $21.99

• Bests Bin 1 Shiraz 2005 - ?

• Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2005 - $44.99 at Wine List Australia and W*

• Turkey Flat Shiraz 2005 - Boccaccio $36.99

• Peter Lehmann The 1885 Shiraz 2005 - CD only, $50 for Weighbridge club members.

• Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2005 - Wine List Australia, W* $44.99

• Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2005 - W* $59.99

• Wynn's John Riddoch Cabernet 2004 - $59.95 at many places

• Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier 2006 - Armadale Cellars $73.55, East End Cellars, W* $75

• Cullen Diana Madeline 2005 - Botanical Winestore $74.99, Canterbury Wines $78.95, Cloudwine, Nicks, W* $79.99

08 November:  I shouldn't have mentioned the Kassebaum on Gray's, my friends want some more and either you lot or previous buyers coming back for more have bumped the price up.

Nothing much worth mentioning in the 1stChoice advert, the best wines are available cheaper at the good independents, although Victorian and QLD outlets have Katnook Cabernet (2004) and Peter Lehmann Mentor (2002) @ $29.90 ea in dozens, $2 and $6 pb less than in the ACT respectively, $3pb less on each than in SA.  When will these turkeys learn?

Dan Murphy continues with the bubbly specials, with the Charles Heidsieck MIC 2000 @ $56.60/$53.90.  They also have the Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet (assume 2004) @ $16.70/$15.90, also Gemtree Tatty Rd 2006 Cabernet blend should be worth a try @ $15.60/$14.90 and the West Cape Howe Shiraz 2005 @ $14.60/$13.90 too.  At the cheaper level, Devils Lair 5th Leg red blend @ $11.50/$10.90 was a reasonable drink last time I tried it.

07 November:  I'm feeling a little old, picked up my ACT Seniors Card today and also saw reports of significant price rise for Penfolds premium reds, rrp on 389 seems to be $53 now, with good street prices now around $39-$40 on new stocks.  I may have bought my last Penfolds red to cellar, I'm sure I'll buy the odd bottle to try, for tastings etc, but there are so many attractive alternatives these days that a price rise will just drop Penfolds off my list completely.  That would be the end of an era spanning more than 40 years for me.

You can see TN for these in Ch 6 of Ric's Tour Diary posted today, Winter Creek makes some excellent reds (and now some whites) at reasonable prices for the quality.  The current 2004 reds are available from Auswine (Shiraz, $29), Cloudwine (Shiraz $29) and Squashedgrape (Blend $25, Shiraz $29, full case buys including freight).  The last mentioned also has some mixed packs, most of them include whites, but there is a 6-pack of 3 each of the two 2004 reds for $170 including delivery.

06 November:  Good luck if you are having a flutter on the horses today, I'll just stick to the chicken and Champagne.

We tried one of my Gray's buys last night, a Kassebaum "Magdalena" Barossa Shiraz 2005 (cleanskin) that I got for just over $8.40pb delivered based on a 90pt positive review by James Halliday in the 2008 Wine Companion.  We found the wine to be pretty close to his TN with rich sweet fruit, but not overripe, 14.8%, other spices as well as liquorice.  It's probably 6 months or more since he tasted it and it does seem to have settled nicely and even drank well with the obligatory Monday night Thai food.  My tasting group were quite impressed and I got home in enough time to snag another two dozen for them in last night's evening auction at the same price.  There are more cases on offer in two of the auctions today.  It ranked equal top with the $19.99 Watershed MR Shiraz 2004 on offer at Wine List Australia and the Neagles Rock 2005 Shiraz, another Gray's buy at $10.50 delivered, a range of styles that were all eminently drinkable wines.

The new monthly Matt's Specials are up (see left panel) with a variety of interesting reds from 2004 and 2005 plus a 2002 Tim Adams Cabernet.  I tried last night one of the Tim Adams 2002 Cab cleanskins that he was selling a while back and it's a good drop.  I've also tried the Willunga 100 Cab-Shiraz 2005 and it's a classy wine.  The 2005 Killibinbin Sandtrap is rich and ripe and about 15% I think, good if you like the style.  The Gemtree Bloodstone Shiraz 2006 should be good, given the vintage, but I haven't tried it. As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase.

Nicks have another bunch of 2006 reds, including the Tatiarra Heathcote Shiraz trio (Cambrian @ $39.99, Caravan of Dreams @ $49.99 and Trademark @ $59.99), plus 2006 Penny's Hill McLarenVale Shiraz @ $22.99, Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99, 2006 Water Wheel Shiraz @ $14.99 and Taylors Shiraz 2006 @ $12.99.  Also listed are the Gibson Barossa new releases, tasting notes for many of these will appear in Ch 7 of TORB's Tour Diary next week.

04 November:  Nice wines, pity about the price rise.  Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2005 and Angelus Cabernet 2005 are very fine wines, but to make up for reduced quantities to keep/increase the quality they have had a price hike.  Although they haven't fully hit the retail market yet, early indications are that they won't be offered at much under $60, the Angelus is $55+freight at the Ed, $59.99 at Wine List Australia, RSW is $64 at the Ed.  Since the 2004 versions were widely available in the low $40's, that's quite a hike and has dropped them a slot or two on my potential buy list.  Conversely, the d'Arenberg Dead Arms Shiraz 2005 and Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2005, also very good wines but different stylistically are the same $60 CD price but are available at retail for just under $50 and the Coppermine Rd is already in my cellar @ $46.95 from Candamber/Discount Wines.

03 November:  I've finally gotten around to posting a recipe for a lovely rich dark Chocolate and Coconut milk dessert that has it's origin with a crazy Frenchman called Mathieu who runs a restaurant very near the main entrance to Angkor Wat.  There isn't any chilli in this recipe, but I'm working on a variation that has. ;-)

Vintage Cellars has Charles Heidsieck MIC (year?) on special for $59.99/$53.99 (dozen).  Or drop into Dan's and do a price match on a 6-pack.

A mixed bunch of Shiraz:  Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2006 is $36.99/$37 at Boccaccio, Cloudwine and Wine List Australia, $40+freight ex-CD.  The Shawn Kalleske Laughing Jack Shiraz 2004 is $33.95/$34 at Boccaccio, Candamber/Discount Wines and Cloudwine.  Cloudwine also have the Ngeringa Adelaide Hills Syrah 2005 @ $44 (The Ed $66).  Get Wines Direct have the Serafino Sharktooth Shiraz 2004 @ $35.95 (+$5/doz.), mostly $40 elsewhere.

I saw Gosset Brut Excellence NV at GWD for $49.95 so checked other prices on wine-searcher.  The cheapest one (Auscellardoor) doesn't appear on their site on click-through, the second lowest (Armadale Cellars) can't be found on their limited web site, so the next best is Wine List Australia @ $46.99.

02 November:  Dan Murphy has an additional full-page advert today (ACT), featuring sparkling wines from cheapies to Champagne and matching any 1stChoice prices. 1stChoice seems to be absent from the local paper this week, maybe someone forgot to book space or they are relying on letter-box drops.  If 1stChoice don't soon adopt a 6-pack pricing policy like Dan Murphy, I'll just go to Dan's and buy there instead as I usually don't want a full or mixed dozen from 1stChoice.

Wine List Australia has a Watershed feature this week, with the 2004 Margaret River Shiraz offered for $19.99/$234 and 13 to the dozen.  I have one of these (a NWS sample bottle from lat year) in my Monday tasting group line-up, I'll report on what we thought of it next week.  The rest are mostly whites, but there is a 2004 Cabernet Merlot @ $22.99/$270 with a bonus bottle of the shiraz with a case buy and a drink-now Shades Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 @ $16.99/$200 with the same bonus.

01 November:  I've been a bit slow this week with a touch of a gastro bug, but it's still a bit hard finding decent red bargains amongst the flood of spring white wine offers. :-(

It might be time to stock up on a little extra bubbly for Christmas celebrations, when you are buying for Melbourne Cup day.  There seem to be some reasonable specials at the chains, with 1stChoice offering Bollinger NV @ $63.05/$59.90, Piper Heidsieck NV @ $42/$39.90 and Krug NV @ $231.47/$219.80 as well as a raft of others.  Dan Murphy has Joseph Perrier 1998 @ $68.90/$65.40 as well as many other offerings.  Pick your favourite and go for it.  My local DM also has some older vintage Lanson Champagnes, maybe as a result of Woolworths Liquor taking over the agency for Lanson.  The prices are right, but be wary, the 1983 I tried was oxidised/sherry-like, the 89 was a bit fresher but heading in the same direction, haven't tried the 90.  Also at DM, some cheap wine/beer bundles that might suit some people.

I won nothing again at Grays HFW auction, another one has started, finishing tomorrow PM.  I wonder whether the money flooding into this stuff is having an impact at all on retail wine sales?

I was looking for prices on Mr Riggs Shiraz 2006 and came across this result in wine-searcher that shows the extremes in prices, both prices plus freight: