16 July: For those of you that want to taste a Jimmy Watson Trophy winner, Wine List Australia has just listed the Shingleback D-Block Reserve Cabernet 2005 @ $54.99. 

Nicks have listed the Rymill Coonawarra Cabernet 2005 @ $21.99 with a substantially higher score than the Balnaves 2006 Cabernet.  The Rymill is $20.55 + freight by the full case or $22.50 mixed dozens at Discount Wines, $22.99 @ WLA.

Roy N was phoned by Vintage Cellars offering the Chapel Hill Shiraz 2006 @ $15.99.  The offer isn't on their site, only for "loyal cellar club members" who get the phone call.  I haven't tried the wine, the 2005 Chapel Hill cabernet is the only recent one of theirs I've tried (and bought).  Roy also asked about the Monday Cabernet tasting. It's always hard assessing very young (2006) cabernets over a an hour or so, the group went for the richer, more approachable McLarenVale pair, Olivers Taranga (Vine Dried) and Battle of Bosworth, I liked the Majella as it opened up and the sweet-fruited Olivers, Wynns Black Label wasn't showing as well as the pre-decanted version we tried at the winery, Mildara a bit lean and tannic and slightly sour on the finish, Leasingham Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec (not released yet) at the bottom in both mine and group rankings.  Sorry, don't have time to write it up more than that.

Wine Market has 10 6-packs of Wolf Blass Black Label CSM 2004 @ $95 pb, elsewhere about $120-$140, so a bargain for those of you who like the style and have the money to spend.

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15 July: Sorry, I've been a bit slack today, organising stuff to go away, like music and phones and headphone adapters.  And the technology is fighting back! :-(

The Boccaccio email newsletter is up (see left panel link), featuring Tar and Roses Heathcote Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99 (same as WLA, see 3 July entry), Brown Magpie Geelong Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99 and the Henty Estate Shiraz 2006 @ $21.99, complete with Halliday 96 pt review.  Also some French and Italian reds that may be of interest.

The Winestar email "specials" are up too, featuring a "serious" merlot, the Narkoojee Athelstan 2004 @ $29.99 ($29.00 @ Cloudwine, $29.99 @ Nicks) and a top-flight Yarra Cabernet blend, the Wantirna Estate Amelia 2005 @ $59.99 ($59.00 @ Cloudwine, $53.05 by the full dozen at Cellardor)

14 July: From David G, a recommendation for Saddlers Creek "Mundurra" Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 from Langhorne Ck @ $12.99 from Wine Box Warehouse.  This is an export label for Saddlers Ck.  Supposedly at $30+ wine, this is on sale at the winery for $16 also.  David compares it to Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet in style.

Wine Culture is selling off the Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $36.50+freight.  Email Garth or phone 02 9882 1788 to order.

13 July: Vintage Cellars have Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2006 @ $17.09 in mixed dozens.  Kemeny's have it at $16.99 + freight, but VC sweetens the deal with a Cellar Share for each 6-pack.  Thanks Steve S for the info.  Also Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $17.99 with the same bonus (Nicks $26.99), I'll be trying that one in a flight of 2006 Cabernets tomorrow evening.  Update: The bottle we tried was a bit lean and quite tannic, with a slightly sour finish, not easy drinking now, but should develop OK over 5+ years.  Most people preferred it to the 2006 Wynns Black Label.

12 July: First Estate Figtree Cellars in Lane Cove Sydney are having a cellar clearance sale from today until 27 July.  There is a big list of potentially interesting wines, some sharp prices, but unfortunately no vintages shown.  If you are nearby, it would be worthwhile calling in or call 1800 808 408 or email Nick Wood to request the list by email or check vintages.  A few examples:  d'Arenberg Dead Arm and Coppermine Rd @ $44, Glaetzer Anaperenna (must be 2006) @ $38, Houghton Jack Mann @ $68, Majella The Malleea @ $54, Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet @ $13, Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz @ $37, Wynn's John Riddoch and Michael @ $54.

Wine Culture have a big list of new releases and interesting wines, check out the Wine Culture Newsletter link in the left panel.

Ross Duke has a new Grower Champagne Offer, "pre-arrival" prices look good for some interesting and different champagnes.  Details here.

Wine List Australia have also listed the Brini Sebastian Shiraz 2004 (updated to 2005, but still with the 2004 vintage JH tasting note) @ $22.99, let's see if they get a call like Boccaccio did to ask them to up the price.  They also have Turkey Flat Shiraz 2006 @ $39.99 ($42 ex-winery, TORB TN here, scroll down a fair bit).  Nicks still has the 2005 @ $35.99.

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11 July: Wine Market have just listed Metala Original Plantings (Black Label) Shiraz 2004 @ $29.99 in 6-packs, 25 available, it's $36 @ Jims Cellars, $39.99 at Kemeny's, $49.99 @ Nicks and $55.79 case price at VC.  I just jogged my memory of tasting it at Saltrams last September, the bottle we tried wasn't hugely impressive, it didn't have the fruit intensity of the 2002, certainly not worth $50, but $30 is more tempting.

From Nick A for all you banana-benders:  Liquorland (Queensland) is having a 30% off sale on RED wine in 6 bottle lots, until co. on Sunday. I haven't seen it locally, but it may be more widespread.  Good luck, their isn't often much to attract me in LL stores these days.

I'd mention some offers in the current Avalon email, but their web site still doesn't honour the advertised dozen prices, their Contact Us page is still broken and replying to the email bounces.   I eventually called them and was told the web-site isn't set up to handle the special subscribers prices in the email, when you submit an order they hand process it and "know all their subscribers" so adjust the prices.  I suggested it might be a good idea to explain that somewhere very visible.  So, if you want the email prices, subscribe.

While in rant mode, Daz emailed to tell of his experience trying to get LastChoice to match a Dan Murphy price in 6-pack quantities, their store is a lot closer to him than DM.  To summarise his 15 minutes at the check-out, they won't honour in 6-packs, only dozens, called DM to check the price when they actually had a copy of the advert under the counter and hadn't marked the prices down on their own system.  Daz has now vowed to drive the extra distance to DM.  Update:  This behaviour seems to be at odds with their own terms and conditions for price-matching: "Competitors’ price must be available on the day, in the state of purchase and on items purchased in the same quantities.", but that is so poorly worded they could argue their way out of it.  I'll give it a try myself one day when I'm in grumpy old man mode and need some free entertainment.
I keep waiting for Wesfarmers to actually do something about sorting out Coles supermarkets and liquor chains including 1stChoice, but it doesn't look like happening anytime soon.  Friday night drinks at DM head office must be pretty jolly affairs right now.   Scott V had no more luck at the same store, looking for Wirra Wirra Church Block, the shelf was empty, he wondered if they had removed the stock he saw there the day before rather than sell it below their normal $20 price.

Both chains have extra adverts in the local paper today. Dan Murphy has Piper Heidsieck NV @ $39.90/$37.90 in 6-packs, Lanson Gold Label 1996 Champagne @ $69.99 (it's $64.99 at Wine Market in 6-packs), Moet & Chandon 200 @ $89.40/$84.90 (it's $79.99 at Wine Market) and Dom Perignon 2000 @ $219.90/$208.90 (Nicks $250).  1stChoice - nothing.

10 July: Wine List Australia Is offering the Punters Corner Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $19.99 (elsewhere $24.95 and up), made by Peter Bissell, these are a little leaner than the Balnaves reds.

1stChoice has Piper Heidsieck NV Champagne @ $42.00/$39.90 again.

Dan Murphy features the Reschke Vitulus Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $17.80/$16.90.  We tasted this in Coonawarra in May, I think it is a good wine, but the cold I caught from Ric was starting to hit me, it was very cold first thing in the morning and I was distracted by the lovely blonde Reschke staffer some of you may remember from Wine Australia 2006.   Also Wirra Wirra Church Block 2006 @ $13.60/$12.90 and Jacobs Creek Reserves @ $9.80/$9.30 if you want some quaffers.

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Get Wines Direct have done a deal with Peter Howland Wines and are offering the three single vineyard WA Shiraz for $19.95.  The full Gary Walsh TN are here.  Tony Sells sent me a bottle of each of these and my Monday tasting group tried them single-blind with 3 other 2005 vintage shiraz from Sunbury, Heathcote and McLaren Vale.  We weren't quite as euphoric as GW about the wines, but they are very good value at $19.95 rather than the $30-$40 from the winery. 
The Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2005 ranked first as the fruit came up over the 3 years worth of French oak.  Then came the three Peter Howland wines, Parsons (Frankland River) was powerful and exotic after taking a little time to open up, the Pine Lodge (Mt Barker) showed the lavender and spices that GW found in the Parsons but the Langley (Donnybrook, Geographe) was marked down as much for showing reductive character as having lesser intensity and interest than the others.  Witchmount Rockbank Shiraz 2005 started off nicely, but within half an hour a pleasant brown sugar aroma had turned to molasses and tarry character that was off-putting and White Box Heathcote Shiraz brought up the rear due to being very simple and boring compared to the top 4 wines. 
I took the remnants of the PH wines home, left them on the kitchen bench and tried them again last night (Wednesday).  They were all in fine form, not oxidised, distinctively different to each other and a good example of different expressions of shiraz from one maker and different vineyards across the south of WA.  The Langley still had hints of reductive character on the palate and would be the last of my preferences, but the other two are safe buys at $19.95.

09 July: Botanical Wine Store has Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2004 @ $65.95, incl freight for orders over $200.  Wine Culture has it for $64.95 + freight, elsewhere $70, mostly $75 and higher.  Thanks to Wilson K who reminded me there is still a current Kemeny's RBG offer of $59.90 + freight on this.  How quickly you forget once you've bought it and hidden it away in the cellar.

Wine Market has 3 6-packs left of Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet 2005 @ $61.99.  You can get free freight by typing RBG in the coupon code, or you can get $15 off (and pay $5 freight) by signing up as a friend on their Face Book page.  They also have Jacobs Ck Johann Shiraz-Cabernet 2001 @ $54.99 pb in 6-packs, but it sold as low as $39.99 early on release and the 2002 is listed @ $49.95 at Discount Wines, it's possibly a better vintage.

08 July: It may seem a little slow at the moment, it often is around the end of financial year, even with stocktake sales.  There are plenty of good wines around, I tend not to keep mentioning them unless a sharp new price appears.  Don't forget there are still exclusive Kemeny RBG Offers current, check the left panel link, there will be a new catalogue out soon too and maybe the new web-site will even appear sometime this half of the year.

A few people have sent in suggestions of good deals to keep things moving (Thank you all):
Josh S went large on 2 cases of Ravensworth Sangiovese 2007 from Discount Wines @ $15.95+freight by the case, based on liking the 2006 and a 93pt rating by Campbell Mattinson.  It is $20+freight ex-winery and the 2006 was selling elsewhere at $16.95 and up.
Michael G chased up the Shadowfax Heathcote Old Vine Shiraz 2005 at Wine Market ($28.95 in 6-packs, see 27 June), according to the winery it is the Argyle Shiraz, from a slightly cooler part of Heathcote and they were surprised it was selling so cheaply, "the wine was medium bodied, fine tannins and more spice than other Shadowfax (Heathcote) Shiraz".
Mark S sent in a list of ex-HFW wines that caught his eye at Wine for Life, including Torbreck RunRig Shiraz-Viognier 1999 @ $114+freight (JH 94 drink to 2020, JO 96, drink to 2011), Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 1999 @ $24 (JO 88, 2004+, JH 93, 2009, I've heard some reports of brett or other variability with this vintage, source), also Langi Shiraz 2004 @ $34 (JO 94, 2020, JH 91, 2010).  If you don't mind them ripe and alcoholic (15+%), the Willow Bridge Black Dog Shiraz 2002 @ $19 may suit (JH 94, 2017).  Note that these don't seem to be cut-to-the-bone prices yet, I bought some 2000 Langi Shiraz 2000 for $26 delivered at another ex-HFW sale last year.

Jeremy Oliver has just rated the Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Shiraz and Cabernet 2002 @ $95 points and 20-30 year drinking windows.  The Shiraz is available at Kemeny's for $49.99 ($57-$60 elsewhere) but they don't list the Cabernet.  Update:  Peter P reminded me to mention Tahbilk wine club members can buy these for for $48.55 ($53.95 less 10%) in mixed cases with free freight to most areas.

This week's Boccaccio Newsletter is up, see left panel link.  Apart from the feature wine being a Riesling and many reds listed being out of my price range, there is a Henty Estate Shiraz 2006, apparently awarded 96 points by James Halliday (presumably in the forthcoming 09 edition of the Wine Companion).  It's due out 1 August, but is available to order already at Boccaccio @ $21.99.  I might have to try this one, it's grown and made very close to where I was born and lived for the first 18 years of my life.

If you are happy to deal with Winepool / 60 Darling St, they have Coriole Shiraz 2006 @ $19.00 + freight in their SMH advert today ($22.99+freight @ Kemenys, $24.99 @ Nicks and $25.38 by the full case at Cellardor).  I haven't tried this vintage, wasn't impressed enough by the 2005 to buy it either.  It is $21.00 on the WinePool site, so phone 1300 139 252 to order.  Also 2006 Bowen Shiraz and Cabernet @ $20pb + freight.

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07 July: Gray's wine auctions (and maybe other auctions) had a temporary meltdown again last night, but came back in plenty of time for bidding to escalate.  I'm still bidding occasionally on Sandalford Protégé Shiraz 2005, trying to get some more for $24++ a 6-pack, it's a pretty good wine for that price.  I've also been picking up the export Buckingham Reserve Shiraz 2005 from Geographe, WA, at $19 or $24++ per 6-pack it is good drinking now, the bottle I tried held up over nearly 3 days and is sealed with Diam cork.

The Wineyard haven't responded to two emails about their erroneous use of a James Halliday tasting note on a new vintage of the Coobara Cabernet Merlot.  I've unsubscribed from their mailing list, so don't expect to see them get mentioned again any time soon, not that they've been mentioned much in the past.

04 July: The Viking Grand Shiraz 2006 topped a pretty strong flight of 2006 SA shiraz at one of my tasting groups last night, beating Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz ($40), Poonawatta The Cuttings Shiraz ($49), Groom Shiraz ($40-$45), Woodstock Shiraz ($17) and Two Hands Gnarly Dudes ($23).  At $19.95 from Get Wines Direct it is a bargain, we didn't find the 15% a/v noticeable, but caution if you are sensitive to that.

03 July: Wine List Australia are offering the Rockbare McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99 (Boccaccio $15.99) and the Barossa Babe Shiraz 2004 @ $29.99 (North Sydney Cellars $29.99 too, Nicks $37.99).  Also Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2005 @ $39.99 (W* $49.99, Boccaccio, Canterbury Wines $52.95, Nicks $59.99), looks like another of the many Fosters special deals happening around now.

My NZ Syrah order arrived today, nicely packed with a thick polystyrene container inside a cardboard box.  The only minor drama at the end was a Fastway dump and run, they left it near my garage door, they didn't even make it to the front door to ring the bell to find me at home.  They had been doing well in recent times after my last complaint mid last year, but that's two dump and runs to me in two days (wine from Gemtree was the other) and a friend in the next suburb had his 2 case Gemtree order dumped one at a time on consecutive days.  Fastway Head Office has promised to get the local operation back in line.  I'll write up the NZ order process in a separate page once I get around to tasting the wines.

If you are on the Wineyard email list and are looking at the Coobara 2006 Cabernet Merlot, be aware the TN given is the 2004 vintage TN by James Halliday and that the 2004 vintage actually scored 90, the 2005 scored 94.

Get Wines Direct has a new vintage of Jardin do Bomfim Barossa Shiraz 2006 @ $9.95.  The 2005 vintage of this seemed to be a reasonable wine and OK value, but I didn't rush out to buy more.  The 2006 may be worth a try. This time it's Philip White indulging in a bit of exaggeration in his TN: "It's like a Cornas of August Clape in a cool year, if you need a Rhonley metaphor, but at half the price." The cheapest price I can see in Australia for August Clape Cornas is $113pb and from my limited experience Cornas from a cool year can be pretty lean, peppery and herbaceous, not my style of wine at all.  If you are looking at the Millbrook wines, balance the medal list on the Cabernet Merlot with the James Halliday rating of 86, drink to 2008.

I haven't tried the wines, but Don Lewis (Mitchelton) should be able to make some pretty decent reds.  His new venture, Tar & Roses has a range of varietals, but Wine List Australia has just listed the 2006 Tar & Rose Heathcote Shiraz @ $14.99.  You would need to mix up higher-priced wines to get it over $200 for free delivery outside of Victoria, but their price seems pretty good, it's $14.95 + freight at Discount Wines, $16+freight if under $200 at East End Cellars, $19+freight by the case at Cellardor and $19.50/$17.94 + freight at Wine Snob.

If you missed the double-page Dan Murphy advert today, there are a few gems from the Fosters portfolio: Pepperjack Barossa Shiraz 2006 @ $12.90, Mamre Brook Shiraz or Cabernet 2005 @ $16.90 and Wynns Black Label Cabernet 2006 @ $19.90.  Plus the return of the $1.99 cleanskin.

1stChoice offers of interest to me: None

Re Brini Shiraz and Sebastian Shiraz 2004, if you are interested and missed out in the brief window of $2pb lower prices yesterday, email Anthony and I'm sure he will accommodate you. 

02 July: It must be time to change vintage releases at Brini, the Boccaccio newsletter this week (see left panel link) features two of their 2004 Shiraz, the Blewitt Springs @ $17.99 ($19.00 at Cloudwine) and the Sebastian McLaren Vale @ $22.99 ($25 at Cloudwine, this is not the Limited Release Sebastian from the same vintage), also Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cab blend 2005 @ $58.99 and a raft of premium Italian reds that are mostly way out of my price range.  Update:  The newsletter that shipped didn't have the Brini wines!  They are still listed on site, but at $2 higher prices, maybe he got one of those illegal telephone calls. It does have the Radford Dale Eden Valley Shiraz 2005 @ $31.99 (RRP $40).  This is made by Ben Radford, newish winemaker at Rockford.  We tried this on the recent SA trip, it is a pretty smart wine.  Cloudwine have the Radford @ $30pb.

01 July: How time flies, the new Financial Year here already. Don't spend all your tax cut on wine!

Winestar weekly offers are up (see left panel link), Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz 2007 @ $16.99  (East End Cellars $15, Wine Culture $15.95+freight, Cloudwine $16, but EEC and Cloudwine require the order to be $200 for free freight), if you missed out on the Voyager Estate Cabernet-Merlot 2003 when it was about $30 last year, you can get some in screwcap now for $39.99.  Boccaccio and WLA have the (probably even better) 2004 vintage @ $44.99.

The new Matt's Specials from Premium Wines Direct is up (left panel, pdf).  Note that the Hesketh Usual Suspects Shiraz has about 7% Viognier.  If you missed out on the Godolphin Shiraz-Cabernet 2005 at around $40 at release, it's on offer @ $50 (CBD Cellar $44.95, if they have stock, and plus $20/case freight to other than Sydney or Melb., Nicks and W* $49.99), the new Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2005 is listed at $50, but Matt will match the $45 CD 1851 Club price if you ask nicely.   The Paxton Shiraz 2003 offer has been sweetened with a bonus Godolphin 2005 with each 6-pack ordered.  Branson Coach House Shiraz 2005 @ $36 might be good if you are something "unsubtle and powerful", it is definitely that, not my favourite style, but a couple of people in my tasting group loved it (W* $39.99) and the Gemtree Tadpole Shiraz 2006 is a good buy @ $13. As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase, we are over half-way to the next $1,000 donation.

A few from the Sixty Darling St advert in the SMH today, take it in to a chain and do a price match.  Bowen Estate Cabernet 2006 $20, Katnook Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $30, Sandalford MR Cabernet 2005 @ $23, Petaluma Coonawarra 2005 $40.  Also Chapel Hill Shiraz 2006 and Cabernet 2006 @ $23, but Vintage Cellars has a Chapel Hill Export Shiraz 2006 @ $22.99/$20.69, both $30 at CD and mostly $25 and up elsewhere.