RBG Red Wine Buyers Guide March 2008 Archive

28 March: The Wine Liquidation Centre is having a new sale. One that looks like a good deal is Seppelt Mt Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2004 @ $150/6-pack. Other possible wines of interest are Mamre Brook Cabernet 2004 @ $170/dozen and Devil's Lair MR Cabernet 2003 @ $180/6-pack, but that's about it. Update: Mt Ida and Mamre Brook now seem to be off the list, you've gotta be quick.

I've just been checking the site statistics, the number of unique visitors (IP's) went over 800 per day for the first time this week and has been well over 700 most week days this month. The hourly stats are pretty high from 0900 to 1700, don't you people do any work? ;-)

27 March: An interesting result in the last flight (Cabernets) of my monthly tasting last night. Majella 2005 Cabernet was a clear group preference (and my close first preference) over Wirra Wirra Angelus 2005 and Wynns John Riddoch 2004 with Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet 2005 bringing up a distant last as both bottles presented with high levels of Ethyl Acetate (EA). All under screwcap except the Knappstein under natural cork, but the fault is probably a wine-making fault rather than due to poor cork seal.

1stChoice have Lanson Black Label NV Champagne @ $42.00/$39.90 this week.

Another one on Gray's to be cautious of, Capricornia Barossa Shiraz 2002. The pronounced animal/horsey aromas and flavours in two bottles I tried indicate brett to me and I've asked to return it for a refund. My email address must be marked for "special attention" now, I got a quick reply from a real person rather than the generic customer service system email.

Note that the Norman's wines offered by Get Wines Direct are virtually exclusive to them and the quoted "Don't pay" prices are just that, not an indication of the normal retail selling price.

26 March: My stocktake is nearly done, just some re-checking to do in a few areas and deciding whether to record the 50 or so single bottles (mostly show samples) that are lying around. I ended up with the "finds" out-numbering the "losses" and have nearly 40 more bottles than the prior count.

Credit where credit is due. I returned a case of Garage Wines Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2004 to Gray's as it appeared to me to be suffering from a disulphide/mercapten problem (not just simple reductive character, it didn't breathe off) sufficient to be undrinkable for me and the friends I usually share these sort of buys with. The return and refund process was handled promptly and efficiently, it's good to see that their customer service may be improving.

If you are not averse to a bit of alcohol in your Barossa Shiraz (15.6% in this case) you may be interested in the Rockbare Barossa Babe Shiraz 2004. North Sydney Cellars have it for $29.99, WLA $33.95 and Auswine $39.99.

24 March: I've finished 2002 in my stocktake, most of 2003-2005 still to go, a 5-hour lunch with friends yesterday didn't help progress. I don't think I'll finish it today.

Murray B emailed to tell of Peter Lehmann Mentor 2002 being 6 for $178.50 (=$29.75pb) at Porters in Sydney (limited stock, Birkenhead may have some, phone first). After checking and seeing Boccaccio and W* regularly have it at $29.99 incl freight and Discount Wines $29.95+freight I wasn't going to post it, but decided to include it when I also mentioned the difference between these good prices and other e-tailers, WLA $31.99, Wine Culture $33.95, Nicks $37.99 and $40 from Peter Lehmann (no discount to members). It's a very nice wine, 6 in my cellar (and now I know exactly where they are), but don't pay too much for it.

23 March: John A forwarded me a Taltarni half-price offer on Cephas Shiraz-Cabernet 2002 @ $144/6-pack + freight. PDF order form is here. JH 94 pts, drink to 2017, TORB HR *** stars for value @ $48, drink 2010-2016. Thanks John! Update: Apparently the offer was meant for staff and close associates, they have been declining orders from casual buyers, ie via this site. I got in early and received mine late last week.

If you see John Duval Entity Shiraz 2006 at a reasonable price (under $45), jump on it. Discount Wines have it listed @ $39.95, but were told it is already sold out by their distributor, they can't secure any more stock after their small initial buy.

Dalwhinnie 2006 reds are out, $55 for the Shiraz, $48 for the Cabernet mail order + freight, initial retail listings are $65 for the Shiraz, lets hope others do better. also South West Rocks Shiraz 2005 is $60 and Eagle Shiraz 2004 is $150.

Lakes Folly Cabernets 2006 is also out, $50 + freight from the winery, or $69.99 at Wine List Australia.

22 March: Wine List Australia have the Zema Family Selection Cabernet 2004 @ $37.99 (elsewhere $39.99/$40) and St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2006 still at $14.99. Their newsletter dated Wednesday only appeared this morning in my Spam folder, looks like the amount of spam around is clogging the whole email system. One possible solution is to publish email newsletters on their web site, as Boccaccio, Nicks and W* (partially) do.

I've done about a 9th of my long overdue cellar stocktake, all the older vintages up to 1997 and the few 2006 reds I've bought, I'm hoping to get 98, 99, 2000 done today plus anything stacked in whole 6-packs/cases.

I scored a couple of reds on Grays, delivered last week. Cavalier Crest Margaret Rive Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 @ $74++=$7.93 delivered. It apparently scored a Gold Medal in the Winewise small vignerons awards 2007, it is certainly varietal and nicely structured, a well-made wine but with a pretty big lick of acid on the finish. The other is the Briarose MR Cabernet Merlot 2004, I'd been wary of these after seeing reports they tend to have overt green flavours from their southerly vineyard location, but there are no problems with this one, it's drinking well already and is a bargain at $64++=$6.97 delivered.

20 March: Get Wines Direct are offering the Red Nectar Stonewell Barossa Shiraz 2005 @ $17.95. At other e-tailers it's $21.95 and up, but if it has an export back label it may be from the same lot as appears regularly on Gray's at the moment. I got some a while back for $10.10 pb delivered, not sure what price it's been going for more recently, there are two 6-packs in one of today's auctions, currently needing $44/6-pack to be top bidder ($10.10 pb after commission and $10 freight). For all the rave reviews it's had there seems to be a heap of it still around, the friends I shared it with didn't come back for a repeat order.

Need some older reds, like Primo Estate Joseph Moda Cab-Merlot 2000? Don't Pay $90 (cellar door museum-release price), Save over $70 per bottle, over $960 per case! Guess where I learned that style of lead-in. ;-) I don't know how much there is on offer, but you can try your luck here at $11 pb + freight, Update: There were about 20 cases, but it's all gone now. TORB's TN from last September here. The Wine For Life site has a range of ex-Heritage Fine Wines stock being sold on behalf of "investors" at widely varying prices for the same wine. Much of the best and best prices seem to be gone, but there may still be some other bargains. Do check Cellarit also before you buy though, they have a lot of ex-HFW stuff on offer too. There is a fair amount of Kilikanoon Parable and Covenant under $20pb, Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz @ $22. If you can cope with over 15% a/v then Willow Bridge Black Dog Shiraz 2001/2002 at under $20 might suit. Avoid the Xanadu Cow Rock Cabernet 1999 unless you are tolerant of volatility, it's cheaper elsewhere too. Thanks to Sam B for the information on this.

19 March: Nicks have a bunch of new release reds, from 2005 and 2006, including Battle of Bosworth and some small makers like Maverick and Baddaginnie and they've found some Glaymond 2005 reds after most others seem to have sold out, although Cloudwine still lists two of the Glaymond at similar prices..

There are many quite desirable wines that don't have much of a retail presence and are mainly sold (in Australia anyway) from CD/mail order or via restaurants. This means there is no margin sharing from your friendly independent e-tailer. I was thus happy to see a few of these that I have tried (and a few I haven't) on the Wine Empire list, where there is free freight and 5% discount by signing up for free membership. Not a huge amount, but it can save you $2-$5pb on some wines. Yesterday Wine Empire also sharpened their prices on wines from $30pb and up, resulting in some more wines where they are pretty competitive and I've added a few to the list. The Australian ones (there are many imports as well) that caught my eye are listed below. (TN for many of them on TORBwine) The wines are mostly 6-packs, pack size noted, some available in singles too, all prices after 5% member discount, minimum buy is 12 bottles.

18 March: A Boccaccio email newsletter arrived this morning, but it was last week's finally arriving. Never mind, the new one is up online already. The highlight for me is the listing of the Coldstream Hills Reserve Cabernet 2005 @ $49.99 along with rave reviews from Campbell M and Gary W.

It looks like many of the other independents still selling Bin 389 2005 at $39.50 - $39.99 will raise their prices in a week or so, get in now or pay another $5pb, or hope that the chains and Kemeny's will still keep the prices down for a while longer.

15 March: I've had a quick pass through the new Kemeny's catalogue and my picks are here, together with the list of current Kemeny specials for RBG readers. There may be a few more on a second pass. Andrew claims the Besserat de Bellefon Champagne is "amazing", it's from the same parent company as Lanson (Boizel). Another one of the Boizel labels (Delacoste NV) is being offered by Wine List Australia @ $37.99.

A reader in Perth emailed about buying Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004 from a Melbourne e-tailer, it's a strange business when a Margaret River wine makes it's way to Melbourne and back to Perth at a cheaper price than it can be bought at the winery or locally in Perth. In this case the shipment had slipped through the merchant's standard "hold delivery in hot weather" procedure and was possibly compromised by heat exposure. The merchant promptly agreed to accept the wine back and will send a replacement when weather allows. I think most of the good Melbourne independents would offer than same good response, in this case it was Boccaccio providing their normal exemplary service (apart for the rare initial slip-up). The moral of the story is: Shop with reliable e-tailers and if in doubt make your delivery instructions explicit for holding delivery when very hot weather is forecast.

14 March: Wine List Australia has St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99 incl freight on dozens, for one week only, (usual price $16.99, W* $16.99.

Kemenys have a new SMH advert for tomorrow online and the new March/April Catalogue is online too (6+mb PDF). The pdf catalogue doesn't seem to display the normal Adobe toolbar, it's set for full-screen mode, press Esc once or twice to cancel that mode and get the toolbar back, or you can right-click and Save As rather the just click on it and view it in the browser, otherwise use PgDn/PgUp to browse, or left/right mouse clicks to do move from page to page. I don't have time today to go through them, hopefully tomorrow. There is also a promise that they won't be beaten on the price of any wine listed in the catalogue, brave move.

I took the two Seville Estate Chardonnays from Grays around to my WDF last night, he preferred the cheap cleanskin, the 2004 labelled wine is showing a bit too much oak at present and not enough fruit. The 6-pack of wine cost him about the same as the large Mexicana pizza we shared ( a proper large one from a local cafe, not your mini-large Dominos stuff). Unfortunately the cleanskin hasn't appeared on Gray's again.

13 March: 1stChoice is trying a bit harder this week, Piper Heidsieck NV Champagne @ $42.00/$39.90, Bollinger NV @ $66.21/$62.90, Cattier NV @ $31.47/$29.90 (Petaluma Croser same price), Moet & Chandon NV @ $57.79/$54.90. Dan Murphy will have all of those except the Cattier in 6-pack pricing plus Henschke Keyneton/Euphonium 2005 @ $31.40/$29.90 (WLA $31.99).

Get Wines Direct have a 2005 Coonawarra Cabernet cleanskin @ $11.95, buy one get one free, it might be worth a try, even if the "winery needs to make room for juice from the current vintage" reason is a bit unlikely IMO. It's just a bit hard to sell low-mid-range cabernet at present. Coincidentally or not WineBoxWarehoue is offering a Hungerford Hill Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 at an indeterminate price due to it being bundled with a case of HH Sparkling Pink NV for a total of $297. They show a "Don't Pay" price of $40 pb (the CD non-Members price), but it's listed at Vintage Cellars for $26.99 by the case, it scored 93 JH pts, drink to 2024.

12 March: Nicks email newsletter (link in left panel) has a few of possible interest. I'm not that much of a fan of Ben Riggs cheaper reds, but The Three Brothers Reunited Shiraz 2006 may be worth a try @ $9.99 if you are in the market for a rich young red. Also they seem to be about the only merchant to carry the Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon each vintage, it must sell well for them. The 2006 is out @ $23.99. If you don't care for the Ben Riggs style, they have that covered too, offering the other Ben, Ben Glaetzer Heartland Cabernet 2006 @ $15.99 and the 2006 Shiraz at the same price. Discount Wines have the Heartland Shiraz 2006 @ $14.95 + freight (listed as Margaret River rather than Langhorne/Limestone), also Cabernet 2005 at the same price, 6-pack buys. In checking Kaesler prices, I noticed Wine List Australia have the 2006 Kaesler WOMS @ $59.99, it's sold out at the winery already @ $70, winebizz still list the 2004 WOMS for $55.

I just noticed that the new RRP for Petaluma Coonawarra 2004 appears to be $71 (it was $64 until recently), new stock listings now $49.99 and up, old stock listings $44.99, the 2005 had better be good to justify the price rise, get the 2004 at the old price while you can.

11 March: Once again the Boccaccio newsletter is online before I received the email, check the link in the left panel for details. As well as Margaret River cabernets and blends (including re-stock of the Vasse Felix 2005 MR Cabernet @ $26.99, same as Wine List Australia), a couple of Bordeaux reds feature, one at under $60

Bert from Winestar took me to task for suggesting he listed a mistaken price on the St Hugo Cabernet 2004 (09 and 02 March), it was simply a spot super-special for a week. (There will probably be sporadic repeats of such home-page super specials to encourage people to visit the site more often.) I'll try and keep my assumptions more under control in future. The W* current newsletter has the Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004 @ $44.99 (same as Boccaccio and WLA) and John Duval Plexus SGM 2006 @ $34.99.

Speaking of non-mistaken prices, Ross H has found another, if you can cope with a dozen Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2004 you can get it for $25.99 pb = $311.88/dozen + $5 freight, it's $35+pb elsewhere, look here. Wine Market is a fairly new entrant to wine e-tailing, backed by Vinpac International, big contract bottlers based at Angaston, they have a small selection of what seems to be mostly prior-to-current vintage wines.

I'm still buying a bit of white wine for friends from Gray's Auctions, the latest includes Seville Estate Yarra Chardonnay 2004 @ $94/dozen = $9.84 delivered (JH 91 drink to 2013 $27 ex-winery) and also a cleanskin 2005 Yarra Chardonnay @ 19/dozen = $2.65pb delivered that my best guess says is the Seville Barber wine (the address on the box is the Seville Estate address, that one has a JH 92, drink to 2015, it's $19 ex-winery. There are more of these in the current auction today. I wish there were similar deals going in the red section.

I had a call from Robyn Brown of Discount Wines, she informed me the Marius prices are correct and none of them are below their purchase price, but that order fulfilment will probably have to wait until it's cool enough to ship and Roger Pike gets his vintage bedded down and recovers enough to ship stock, so be patient. The Te Mata price was a typo though and should be $42.95. They are sharpening their prices wherever possible, they ship world-wide as well as within Australia and the global financial turmoil is starting to impact on sales both from overseas and within Australia.

Squashedgrape have listed the the Karra Yerta 2005 Shiraz it scored a Gary W 94pts on Winorama. It's $35 including freight (Min. 6) from Squashedgrape, same price + freight from the winery.

Kemeny's apparently have Balnaves Cabernet 2005 @ $24.99 by the dozen, I can't see it online though, so call 13 8881 if you are interested. As a sampler of possible deals to come, Andrew Kemeny has also set up these special codes that RBG readers can use to order the following wines at special prices (+ freight):

98035 RED BIGOT - Torbreck THE FACTOR 2004 750ML $99.00 ($110+ elsewhere)
98034 RED BIGOT Torbreck THE STRUIE SHIRAZ 05 750ML $37.99 ($42+ elsewhere)
98030 RED BIGOT VOYAGER CABERNET MERLOT 2004 750ML $42.99
98031 RED BIGOT - FLEUR DE LYS VINTAGE BRUT (2004) 750ML $9.99 (Yeah, it's white, but it's bubbly $12-$13+ elsewhere)

10 March: There seems to be something afoot at Discount Wines, they are pushing full-pack sales at pretty good prices on quite a long list of wines in 6-pack/case buys, and have a scattering of pretty low prices on some other small-maker wines in their regular list. Quite a few wines are now 6-pack or full case buys only, probably identifying the wines they order in when you do. It's a bit painful browsing through their ugly site and some of the vintages listed on some wines don't look current, but it might turn up some good deals, even after the freight. I started looking a bit more closely when Ross H mentioned some crazy prices on Marius Wines:
MARIUS 2005 Shiraz SIMPATICO (rrp27) .....$18.50... MARIUS 2005 Shiraz SYMPHONY (rrp36) ....$19.95.. MARIUS 2006 Shiraz Mouvedre (sic) SIMPOSIUM (sic) (rrp32) ....$20.95Other ones I saw on a quick scan: Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2005 @ $48.95 ($11 pb less than others), d'Arenberg Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2005 @ $46.95 ($9 less than the next best price), Dutschke SAMI's Cabernet 2005 @ $22.95 ($7pb less than the next best), Carlei Green Vineyards Heathcote Shiraz 2004 @ $23.95 ($3 less than next best but dozen buy only), Heathcote Winery Mail Coach Shiraz 2006 @ $22 (dozen buy), Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2006 @ $32.95 (2005 is $42.95 and up elsewhere, maybe a typo. It was, should be $42.95).

Wine List Australia prices on the Penfolds Bin reds have risen to roughly match W*, other merchants unchanged as far as I can tell. Vintage Cellars is cheaper then either of those two on case prices, even before Cellar Club bonuses.

Get Wines Direct have an award-winning J&J McLarenVale Shiraz 2006 for $19.95, with a bonus dozen cleanskin McLarenVale Shiraz 2004 thrown in, claimed value $540, so the cleanskin must be worth $300. I wonder what they would refund if you liked the J&J but not the bonus cleanskin and asked to return it? If you don't want the bonus cleanskins you can get the wine direct for $239.40 (incl ADL freight, otherwise + freight) or from WineKnows for $18+freight.

09 March: There seem to be a few pricing mistakes around recently, the Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet that was $24.99 at W* (02 March) has jumped back up to $29.99, the Voyager Estate C-M 2004 debacle in Sydney this week and I'm looking at another one I noticed yesterday as well, but I'm not telling this time. ;-) Some years ago I queried a couple of very low prices, to be bluntly told they were "just good prices", but they both jumped soon after I ordered. Since then I've decided not to bother querying advertised prices, if I am interested in the wine I'll order it, If I get it at the cheap price, fine, if the merchant negotiates a win-win price somewhere in between, fine, if the merchant invokes the E&OE provision for a mistaken price, fine, if the merchant lies about availability or makes some other excuse to reneg on the deal that puts a big black mark against that merchant.

08 March: The John Duval 2006 Entity and Plexus are starting to trickle out at retails, Discount Wines have listed the Entity @ $39.95 and the Plexus @ $35.95 (+freight) (East End Cellars $44 and $35 respectively). I bought from Wine List Australia and Boccaccio last vintage, they may have better prices if/when they list it soon.

Wine List Australia has listed the Voyager Estate Cab-Merlot 2004 @ $44.99/$534. Boccaccio have dropped their price to $44.99 to match NSC and WLA.

The Garage Wines Adelaide Hills Cabernet 2006 mentioned yesterday is nice enough drinking but not really a super buy, dusty on the nose, some berries not definitively varietal on the nose, but nice medium-bodied berry fruit on the palate, some fairly fine tannins and a clean moderate length finish. With 75% of the wine left in the re-capped bottle overnight on the bench it shows a little acetone volatility this afternoon and a slightly sharp finish. Another reasonable quaffer at $6 for my friends.

07 March: From James C in Sydney: The 60 Darling St / Winepool new mail-out has Voyager Estate Cab-Merlot 2004 @ $37. I suspect they got the same pricing info from the same distributor as North Sydney Cellars, but you can try calling them to inquire/order on 1800 635 377 or their local number (02) 9818 3077. In the past they haven't always honoured mistaken prices though. Canterbury Cellars in Melbourne have just listed it @ $45.95. Also, David Jones City Store are having another 30% off wine sale for 6-pack buys. You have to use a DJ's card though. Update: Geoff G ordered and paid for a few cases of the Voyager CM 2004 at 60 Darling St, $35.90 for a two or more case buy, I wonder who will wear the difference as that is under LUC before GST or whether they will invoke the E&OE rider.
In the same newsletter Petaluma Coonawarra 2004 is Wine of the Month @ $42 on the front page and $48 in the Cabernet blend section. I don't know why they bother to mention the Winepool url, it seems few of the wines/prices are ever listed there, the Petaluma Coonawarra 2004 is listed @ $50 and Voyager doesn't appear at all.

Andrew Kemeny saw my latest dig about their (lack of) online ordering, he emailed to say they were getting close now, should be ready "within 6 months", I hope it's worth the wait. Also he is looking for some good wines he can offer some special deals on for readers of this site, long-term browsers may remember this happened for a while a few years ago, but petered out after a while.

North Sydney Cellars have some sharp prices on some reds from small Barossa makers: Massena Howling Dog Durif 2005 @ $32.99 (Winebizz has it for $30 + freight, $35-$40 elsewhere), Two Hands Bellas Garden Barossa Shiraz 2006 @ $42.99 (best price elsewhere $44.50+freight, mostly $49.99), also the high-priced Torbreck reds at better than usual prices, but still not worth the price IMO.

I've just taken delivery of a case of Garage Wines Adelaide Hills (Clarendon) Shiraz 2006 from Graysonlne for $54++ or $6.01 pb delivered. The thing that attracted me is the claim that it is from the remaining vines of the old vineyard source of Chais Clarendon Cabernet. I'll let you know what it's like.

06 March: Dan Murphy Penfolds prices have dropped a little locally, $39.50 for Bin 389 and $18.90 for Bin 128/28. Also this week, Henschke Keyneton Estate $31.50/$29.90, Redman Cabernet Merlot 2001 @ $25.90/$24.60 (worth a try for a softer, more mature current release), Barwang Hilltops reds $ 14.70/$13.70. Hardy's Sir James Sparkling Shiraz 2004 @ $17.90/$16.90, Morris Sparkling Shiraz-Durif $14.60/$13.90.

1stChoice have Lanson Black Label NV Champagne @ $47.26/$44.90, go to Dan's and get the same price in a 6-pack. David McC emailed me this link to the current catalogue (pdf) for a site selling Lanson NV for $39.99 + freight, it turns out to be part of Liquorland, I wonder why they bother with such a primitive site.

Also from David, the Wine Liquidation Centre ~~seems to have more stocks of the Wolf Blass Black Label 2002 blend (375 ml) for $25 per half bottle, $300/dozen + freight, limit 1 dozen per customer, ordering by email or phone only.~~ Looks like it's all long gone, they just haven't updated their site.

05 March: It is probably a mistaken price but could be just a very good deal, if you get in quick, North Sydney Cellars have listed the 2004 Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot @ ~~$35.99~~. (Thanks Stephen H for the heads-up.) Update: It was a mistaken price, now $44.99, it's still a good price, $1 better than Boccaccio. Jules emailed to tell me the distributor mistakenly confirmed the lower price and will wear the difference in price on the orders submitted this morning before the price was updated. A few lucky people got a bargain.

The new Matt's Specials for March are up, see left panel. I don't know some of the reds, but the Ballast Stone Shiraz 2005 @ $16, Gemtree Tatty Rd blend 2005 @ $16, Uncut Shiraz 2006 @ $17, Poverty Hill Cabernet 2005 @ $18 and The Willows Shiraz 2004 @ $22 could all be worth a look. I found the Lucky Country Cabernet 2004 to be too rich and ripe even for me. As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase, current balance is just over $330, the total donations sent to date are around $3,000.

Nicks aren't playing the Penfolds tune, mostly rating the new Bin reds down a bit, particularly the Bin 389. Also prices are $3-$4 above the best. Fred C emailed to say DM (Willoughby) prices on the Bin reds are 30-40c below those listed on the Featured Wine page, they will be a moving feast in various outlets/states as competition waxes and wanes.

Kemeny's SMH advert yesterday has a few good prices: Brookland valley Verse 1 Shiraz 2006 @ $11.99 ($16.99 at WLA), Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz 2005 and Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec 2005 @ $14.99, Leasingham Magnus Shiraz 2005 @ $9.99 (Nicks $14.50), Wolf Blass Black label Cabernet blend 2002 @ $95, Charles Heidsieck MIC (2001?) Brut @ $59.99 and Gauthier Grande Reserve NV and NV Rose at $39.99

04 March: I haven't tried this wine, but it has enough bling and a price cheaper than anywhere else, so the Zilzie Shiraz 2006 at Wine Empire might be worth a try at $11.39/$68.34 a 6-pack for Members. Free delivery on dozens.

The Boccaccio Newsletter for this week is up on their site already and I haven't received the email yet! (See link in left panel). Featured wines include the Elderton Estate Shiraz 2005 @ $22.99 (this is the new price, there may be still some stock around at $19.99 at Nicks and Wine List Australia) and the Command Shiraz 2004 @ $79.99 (Nicks may still have some at the old $76.99 price). Also mentioned is the eagerly-awaited Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004, this one has had a $15 jump in RRP to $60 and is now $45.99 at Boccaccio.

If you are a Dalwhinnie fan, don't spend all your money on Penfolds and Voyager etc, the new vintage should be released soon, expect your newsletter in the next 2-3 weeks. TORB tasting notes should be in Chapter 2 of his Victorian Tour diary out next week (or the week after), Chapter 1 (Great Western) will be out this week.

03 March: The Wine List Australia special Penfolds email today indicates their prices will last for one week only and that prices will rise $3-$5 pb on March 10th. The "Only through Wine List Australia" is a bit of a joke though, other independents and the chains have similar (some cases slightly lower) prices, do they think we can't read? It's maybe no coincidence the W* higher pb prices ($5 on Bin 389) are also for delivery after 10 March. Looks like it might be wise to get in quick and get what you want now. Update: Just checked with Boccaccio, they buy their whole allocation up front, no price rise there after March 10 assuming stocks last and no price rises from Fosters as far as I can tell, so some merchants may be playing games to get you to buy early.

The Voyager Estate Cab-Merlot 2004 is out, the $15 CD price rise carries through to retail, Boccaccio has it for $45.99, Wine Snob lists it for $52.95, $50.83 by the 6-pack or $48.18 by the dozen. The 2003 is still $34.99 at W*, other places have bumped the 2003 price to $39.99 or more.

02 March: It must be nearly vintage changeover time for St Hugo Cabernet, W* has the 2004 vintage for $24.99. Either that or it's not selling as well under the Jacobs Ck label. That's cheaper than what I paid for the 1998! I'm pretty sure I'd buy this rather than Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet.

Forget about bidding for the Henry Martin Sparkling Shiraz NV on Gray's with the dodgy ORP of $420. You can buy it direct from Henry Martin via Squashedgrape for $11.25 pb by the dozen, including freight, that's equivalent to a $114 bid on Grayonline if you qualify for $10 freight. Apparently the listings on Gray's are via a third party who buy it by the pallet and re-sell it via Gray's and elsewhere. Oddly enough, Henry Martin have a web site but they stopped selling the sparkling shiraz there a while ago, it used to be $180/dozen.

Boccaccio have listed their Penfolds prices:
Bin 28 and 128 (05) $19.99
Bin 407 (05) $33.99
Bin 389 (05) $39.50

01 March: Don't forget to specify your choice of screwcap or cork closure for the Penfolds wines you buy. I asked for my Bin 389 to be under screwcap and Anthony at Boccaccio indicated he has specified screwcap for his whole order.

Coles have offered 1stChoice customers the same sort of discount implied in the Vintage Cellars Cellar Club share offer, with prices $3-$4pb less than VC:
Bin 28 and 128 (05) $20.95 / $19.90
Bin 138 (SGM) (06) $23.05 / $21.90
Bin 389 (05) $42.00 / $39.90

Wine List Australia have their prices up now, see the Featured Wine page, comparable to 1stChoice and freight-inclusive too. Boccaccio prices will be up tomorrow, I'm sticking with the independents even if they are slightly more than the chains. W* have plumped for higher pb prices and competitive dozen prices $44.99/$479 for the Bin 389 (even though it comes in 6-packs).

Dan Murphy in ACT is down to $39.85 for Bin 389 2005, by the 6-pack, they say prices are a moving feast and will probably increase as their competitors run out of stock.

Kemeny's advert doesn't list Penfolds prices, just the "Guaranteed Best Prices" claim. Wilson K emailed to inform the price for 389 was $39.50 and 407 was $31.90, so his local DM is beating those prices by 10c pb now.

I'm working on an update to an article dating from 2004 that TORB wrote and I contributed too, concerning advertising practices of wine merchants. I'm also going to extend it a little to look at the range of Terms and Condition wine e-tail web sites have. I found this lot on one relatively new site I looked at:
Satisfaction Guarantee - X X offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all purchases and service.
We believe ourselves to be leaders in the Wine Industry, and offer the highest level of quality and reliability in customer service, products and advice. It is our commitment to always keep our customers totally satisfied at every level.
If, for what ever reason, you are not 100% totally satisfied with our products or service, we would sincerely like to hear from you, and welcome your concerns, comments and feedback, even your suggestions.
X X is committed to meeting the needs of all our customers, and will do our very best to resolve the matter in a highly professional and friendly manner, indeed we value your feedback. It is through such openness and professionalism that we have succeeded in helping our customers over the years.
Returns Policy - This section will be updatd (sic) soon.
Shipping Policy - X X does not have a returns policy, however it is exceptional if your goods are faulty or corked. ...

And from another site (that often doesn't list vintages on wines):
ZZ cannot accept liability for any inconvenience or loss in the event that an incorrect vintage or product which has been shipped.
GUARANTEE - ZZ makes every effort to ensure the best condition of goods despatched.
REFUND - Choose products wisely as ZZ does not refund money for products which are incorrectly selected.

To finish on a positive note, from a third site:
Refunds / Returns
YYY guarantees the wines we sell and recommend. If a wine you have purchased is faulty or you are not happy with the quality of the product we will provide you with a refund or a replacement. The same applies if you receive the incorrect wine.