RBG Red Wine Buyers Guide September 2008 Archive

30 September: This is the last day for the 15% off at Wine Market.

Kemeny's advertisement in the SMH today has a swag of bonus offers on everything from Koonunga Hill ro Centenary Hill. Also Seppelt Salinger sparkling white @ $19.99, 13 to the dozen and Charles Ellner Champagnes at sharp prices (NV $34.99, Vintage 1999 $49.99, Seduction Vintage 1995 $59.99 and Rosé NV @ $44.99), definitely worth a try.

Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz 2006 has been released (officially on 4 October), it is $70 ex-CD and $57.10 by the full dozen @ Cellardor, but there is a big list of potential stockists on the Hewitson site, here.

All Saints Family Cellar Durif 2006 took out three trophies at the recent Rutherglen Wine Show. It is listed at Cellardor for $44.53 (full dozen).

29 September: Boccaccio have jumped the gun this week, the newsletter is not only online, it has arrived in my inbox! It headlines the Petaluma Coonawarra red, both 1999 and the current 2005, both $39.99pb. Probably the last chance at this price. They also have the new release Hillcrest Cabernet pair @ $35.99 for the Estate and $54.099 for the Premium. They sound like good wines, but I can't stomach the cork-related ravings of the Cork Bigot owner so removed myself from their mailing list and won't be buying. Also Mount Majura Canberra District Shiraz 2007 @ $24.99.

There is only today and tomorrow left to get the 15% off at Wine Market. Now that you lot have had your feast, Stuart has offered 10% off for the regular mailing list until 7 October, so get in quick if there is something you have your eye on, some may not be able to be re-stocked.

The new Matts Specials from Premium Wines Direct are up (see left panel pdf). The standouts are the back-in-form Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $22.00 and the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2007 @ $17 and there are several highly-rated Shiraz-Viognier if that is to your taste.. As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase.

Here is the Halliday TN that GWD didn't supply with the Le Poidevin Barossa Valley Gun Shiraz 2004: "Light to medium-bodied; far from typical Barossa, especially '04. It is not clear how far this represents the pursuit of lower alcohol. 13.5º alc. Rating 87 Drink 2009 Date Tasted Mar 07" And for the Le Poidevin Cabernet-Merlot-Shiraz 2006: "Each of the varieties contributes to the super abundance of blackcurrant, plum, spice and licorice, all competing to be heard first; a modestly priced cellar special. 14.5º alc. Rating 90 Drink 2020 $19 Date Tasted Feb 08"

27 September: Andrew Kemeny has sent some new exclusive offers for RBG Members, click here to see the offers.

26 September: Nicks have a selection of 2005 Burgundies, for those that know what they are after and know if they are good prices or not, I don't. Browse through New Releases or use the Search.

Some example discounted prices after the 15% discount at Wine Market (+$5/pack freight):

Wine Market has an end-of-month special for RBG members. Until the end of September you can get 15% off any wine they have by typing RBG15 in the coupon code (can't be used with free freight offer). You can use this offer multiple times if you wish. Mmmm, more temptation. Update: Just ordered two 6-packs of Lanson Champagne 1996, one for me, one for TORB, total saving $106.98 after taking off freight from the savings. Save your membership subscription price for the next 2-3 years with one order. BTW, I'd appreciate it if you want to pass this on to friends that you ask them to subscribe to get the details.

The Cellarit email today shows some "investors" are getting desperate, there are 287 bottles of Ch Leamon Reserve Shiraz 2001 dropped to $19.50 (+freight), this is a pretty good wine and a good price.

On to sparkling reds instead, Matthew from Squashedgrape kindly sent me the results of the Barossa Wine Show 2008 (pdf here, even though the file name says 2006, it is 2008). I noticed that the Jamabro Sparkling Shiraz NV scored the only Gold in the sparkling class, beating Peter Lehmann Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz 2001. This is the first sparkling from a new small maker, we tried their other reds in a 2007 visit (see here, sorry about the pictures at the start of the page

)) and as it's only $20+freight I'm taking a punt, again sharing a case with Ric. Order form on their site, I wouldn't email it back with your credit card details.

An interesting new concept in buying wine has just hit the net (in Beta). The idea is that you nominate the price you want to pay for a wine (including delivery) and your bid is sent to associated independent retailers (not divulged). This could be a "gotcha" for the unwary, a win-win arrangement or frustrating for the merchants if lots of people put through very low bids. They have a big list of wines, but the range of each maker looks a bit limited in some cases and there are multiple vintages listed for many wines, many back vintages might not be available I would suspect and some current vintages are not listed. It's almost as if they've taken each wine and just multiplied the listings across back vintages. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz made before the 2006, but they list 2003, 2004 and 2005 and there are other examples easy to find as well, such as the just re-badged Houghton Wisdom range back to 2000 on the Shiraz. I must bid on some of that Kaesler Alte Reben or Patel Shiraz 2002 (first made in 2006).
I'm going to sign up and will probably give it a try or two. Please read the conditions carefully, you have to supply credit card details with each bid and the conditions you accept on sign-up allow them to deliver to unattended premises and are unclear on procedures for faulty wines. The site is called Snup and is based in Melbourne.

Dan Murphy has the reliable Claymore Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz 2006 @ $18.80/$17.90 ($19.99 elsewhere), Ingoldby base range @ $9.90/$9.40 (I was disappointed by the 2006 Ingoldby Shiraz recently, nicely packaged, but very soft and simple and a bit sweet compared to what it used to be), Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2004 @ $26.90/$25.60 ($29.99 and up elsewhere) and Hardy's Oomoo Shiraz 2006 @ $12.90/$12.30 (JH 94 drink to 2017!, $13.99 elsewhere)

23 September: Wine Market has the Metala Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $11.99pb in 6-packs, free freight if you type RBG into the Coupon Code. This works out around the same price or a bit less than the Kemeny's $12.99 7-for-6 offer if you have to pay freight.

On the topic of cheap but good wines, I've scored a couple of WA Shiraz from 2004 on Grays recently, both quite acceptable wines by any standard and a bargain at $7-$10. The Garlands Mt Barker Shiraz 2004 and is a good medium-bodied cooler-climate shiraz style drinking well already but would cellar short-term. It is 14.0% a/v and is sealed with Diam, at $64++ per dozen ($7pb delivered) it's a good deal, it is selling for around $20 elsewhere. Also, Casas MR Shiraz 2004 from a small maker who has sold prior vintages for up to $30pb, this one is even better than the Garlands, a little richer and fuller-bodied, 14.5%, sealed with cork and has been selling for between $74 and $104 per dozen or $8-$11 delivered.

There are still some bargains to be had occasionally from the leftovers of the HFW clearance. I scored a dozen of the excellent Charles Cimicky Reserve Shiraz 2002 @ $15++ and Roy N and a friend shared some Viking Odins Honour Reserve Shiraz 2001 and Warrenmang Shiraz 2001 for $12++ per bottle. If you are patient and know the wines, there are still bargains to be had as "investors" get desperate enough to drop the prices. Langton's Exchange, Cellarit and Wine for Life are the main non-auction sites that are worth checking occasionally and any I see or are informed to me will appear here. Speaking of Langton's Exchange, someone who bought the Sandalford MR Shiraz 2006 (probably on Grays) and realised how weak it is, is offering 2 6-packs on Langton's Sydney Exchange, maybe hoping someone will think it is the Reserve. Also there are 6 dozens of the Viking Odins Honour Reserve Shiraz 2001 on the Sydney Exchange, also $12++pb.

The Winestar weekly offers are up already, featuring the Houghton Wisdom MR Cabernet 2004 @ $26.99 (it was $24.99 when initially listed, see 7 September ~~and it's still $24.99 on the W* site, so get in quick~~ too late it's $26.99 now, WLA $27.99), also Hewitson Ned & Henry Shiraz 2006 @ $21.99 (but $19.95 +freight at Wine Culture and Get Wines Direct), plus some others that might interest.

The new Boccaccio Newsletter is up too, featuring a lot of whites, but also some good reds. The Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2007 @ $26.99 is $2 off the pace of Discount Wines, North Sydney Cellars and W* @ $24.99, made up for by Bests Bin O Shiraz 2005 is $48.99 (Discount Wines $53.50+freight, WLA $54.99) and the Cirillo Estate 1850's Old Vine Shiraz 2005 is $44.99 (Ultimo Cellars $54.99).

Wine Market ~~has~~ had 2 6-packs of Ingoldby Reserve (Golden Vine) Shiraz 2004 @ $19.99, RRP about $45, street price of the 2002 around $30, JH 93 to 2019. A bit weird, 2002 is still current vintage I think, I haven't seen the 2004 listed anywhere before. No more stock available either.

20 September: Kemeny's advertisement in the Australian this weekend is online (pdf). Mitchelton Shiraz 2006 @ $16.99 (Spiegelau glasses offer on a dozen buy), Metala Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $12.99 (buy 6, get 7), Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $19.99 (Discount Wines $22.95+freight, Nicks $26.99), Leconfield Cabernet 2006 @ $24.99 with a beer bonus offer, I've not been impressed by Taylors Jaraman reds in the past, but haven't tried the 2005 vintage, so if you like them, the Riedel Vinum Shiraz glass pair with each dozen may be tempting. The Jacobs Ck Centenary Hill Shiraz 2004 is $36.99 (Boccaccio $35.99, W* $36.99, WLA $38.99, Nicks $44.99) and St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $34.99 (Canterbury Wines, W*, Jims Cellars $32.99) have a bonus 12yo Chivas Regal 1 litre for a dozen buy. For Semillon fans, Tyrrell's Stevens Semillon 2004 is $21.99 (buy 6, get 8). All prices plus freight.

There have been some new wine e-tailers appearing on wine-searcher recently. Many of them miss the basics (sorting of stock lists, vintages listed, competitive pricing) and aren't any threat to the established players. One new one based in Tasmania has only a small selection of wines, but they have all the basics in place and may be an alternative to generally high-priced shops in Tassie. They also offer freight-inclusive prices to mainland Australia, using Australia Post. Check out OffTheVine.

19 September: This weeks Avalon Fine Wines email has a tempting offer on Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz 2005, listed @ $38.99 in 6-packs (elsewhere $45), with a bonus sparkling shiraz (assume the Ulithorne Flamma, but not detailed). Unfortunately when you click through on the link provided, the price is $42.99 by the dozen. Phone 02 9918 3207 to order, give them a gentle nudge about the web site when you do. Now being part of the Chambers Cellars chain and using the Chambers web-site platform, they should be able to do better.

North Sydney Cellars email has the Woodlands Cabernet Merlot 2007 @ $17.99 (but Boccaccio has it @ $17.00, WLA $19.90), also Schild Estate Shiraz 2006 @ $15.99 (East End Cellars $15, Discount Wines $16.50+freight, WLA $17.99).

GWD have dropped the price on the Viking Ironstone Cabernet 2006 to $16.95, today only. I bought a few with my order for the (excellent) Grand Shiraz 2006, but haven't tried it yet, expect full-throttle Barossa-style cabernet, it's pretty hard to find a bad Barossa red from 2006.

Wine Market has the Lindemans Limestone Ridge Shiraz-Cabernet 2005 @ $44.99 in 6-packs ($45.99 @ WLA), free freight for RBG members. This wine is supposedly back on track after a few years in the doldrums. Also the Pyrus 2005 and St George Cabernet 2005 at the same price, Hardys Tintara Shiraz 2001 @ $28.99 (6-packs) and still some Johns Blend Margaretes Shiraz 2001 left @ $23.99, but only as a full dozen.

18 September: The Wine Liquidation Centre is having another sale this weekend, starting 10am Friday. There may be some bargains amongst the usual junk, such as ~~Pepperjack Barossa Cabernet 2006 (89 JH) @ $75/6-pack,~~ possibly Rosemount Mountain Blue Shiraz-Cabernet 2001 @ $145/6-pack. Just be careful of vintages and don't believe all the quoted RRP.

1stChoice seem to have given up advertising in the local paper on Thursday. The new adverts are now online, nothing outstanding. Maybe they did get the email I sent them a while back, they didn't reply, but they have stopped advertising "prices apply to latest release vintages" and now state "Vintages on offer may vary between stores." There may be some new incentive scheme in the wings, to replace Fly Buys which cease being offered at 1stChoice and VC from 6 October.

Dan Murphy has Taylors Estate varieties @ $11.90/$11.30, Kangarilla Rd McLaren Vale Cabernet 2006 @ $18.80/$17.90, maybe Mountadam The Red Cabernet-Merlot 2006 @ $25.90/$24.60 might be worth a try to see if they are back on track yet, Rymill The Yearling Cabernet 2006 for fresh spring drinking @ $9.90/$9.40, Majella The Musician Cabernet Shiraz @ $16.70/$15.90 and Mumm Cordon Rouge NV @ $54.60/$51.90

I haven't been able to work out what is the cleanskin Barossa Cabernet 2003 that GWD is offering @ $9.95. My best wild guess based on the information given is McGuigan Personal Reserve Vine Vale Cabernet 2003. Update: Cameron J bought a case, it arrived marked McGuigan Personal Reserve on the box. :-)

17 September: Nicks have some of the new Mollydooker reds, rating the $23.99 The Boxer Shiraz 2007 @ 98pts. It's a nice enough wine but I don't think too many will agree with that lofty score, IMO it's not anywhere near as good as The Enchanted Path and Blue-Eyed Boy for example and comparing it to the Balnaves Tally Cabernet 2006 @ 91pts doesn't match up with my impressions of the quality of the two wines.

16 September: If you want more than 2 bottles of Kays Block 6 Shiraz, 2006 you may be able to get up to 6 with 6 other Kays wines from Cellardor, but you pay a bit of a premium over members prices. Use the "press here to contact..." link on this page to enquire.

It must be time to give Winepool another go, their ad in the SMH Good Living has Bests Bin O Shiraz 2005 @ $50 (Discount Wines $53.50+freight, WLA $54.99), Shadowfax One Eye Heathcote Shiraz 2005 @ $45 (elsewhere $46.99 and up), Bowen Estate Cabernet 2006 @ $21 (elsewhere $22.99 and up), Brands Patron Cabernet 2004 @ $58 ($68.99/$69.99 elsewhere). All prices + freight and less 6% for a full dozen buy if you mention the SMH advert. Ph 1300 139 252 to order.

I also noticed in the SMH, Jims Cellars has the Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2004 @ $39.99 ($54 and up elsewhere)

Wine Market has 10 x 6-packs of Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2006 @ $39.99pb, free freight to RBG members, type RBG in the coupon code. It's $42+freight-$46 elsewhere.

The W* weekly offers are up (see left panel link), featuring the Mike Press wines, with the Shiraz 2007 and Cabernet 2006 delivered for $120 per dozen. Also the d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2006 @ $49.99, same price as WLA.

The Boccaccio newsletter is up to, featuring Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2005 @ $24.99 (no other wine-searcher listings so far) and d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2006 @ $49.99 (same as elsewhere). Also Parker Estate First Growth Cabernet 2004 @ $64.99, same as Canterbury Wines, Nicks $69.99. The Elderton Shiraz 2005 Shiraz offered @ $22.99 is $21.99 @ W* (was $19.99 recently), Nicks and Jims Cellars.

After the recent debacle with a Heathcote Shiraz cleanskin at GWD one cautious reader asked about the current McLarenVale cleanskin Shiraz 2006, identified as the Nashwauk. I contacted Reid Bosward at Kaesler and he assures me it is the real deal. A bargain @ $9.95.

15 September: The Olivia Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 at GWD for $9.95 might be worth a try, I bought a prior vintage some years ago and it was quite a nice medium-bodied wine for short-term cellaring. The GWD prices on the Yering Station wines are the same as the other good independents, slightly more when you add the "packing fee".

13/14 September: I have updated the 96/95pt Shiraz section of James Halliday Best of the Best feature. There are a few changes, including some new stockists, and some price increases and decreases. I've also now updated the Cabernet and Cabernet blend sections, it was noticeable that quite of few of the wines in the list for WLA had gone up $1 or $2pb.

12 September: Discount Wines have the Hentley Farm Fools Bay Beached Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $9.95, ready to go for a spring BBQ or leave it for a year or so to soften a little.

Mark C forwarded an email from Lindeman's cellar door in the Hunter, on offer is:2004 Shiraz BIN 0400, Normally $720 case,Your price $600 Free Freight in Australia, this is one of the rare "00" suffix reds only released in the best vintages. Contact details: Damien Harrison Ph:02 49 987684 F: 02 49987324 damien.harrison@fostersgroup.com

Wine Culture have the Chalkers Crossing Hilltops Shiraz 2005 that scored top wine at the Canberra Region wine show last week. It's $23.95, but doesn't appear on the site as yet.

Avalon must have received my message last week. Their email this week has some real links to wines on their site and others as email links for the wines that are not listed on the site. Unfortunately the prices in some of the email wines still don't match those on the site, so you have to call or email to order.

A rare Chardonnay listing, Wine Market has 12 6-packs of Sandalford MR Chardonnay 2004 @ $16.95pb (elsewhere $25+). I bought about 8 cases of this (for friends) from Grays when it was listed there, mostly around $11-$12 pb delivered. It's a pretty good wine at either price, moderately oaky though if that's not for you. Also Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2006 @ $29.99 ($33.99 at WLA). Also Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2005 @ $74.99 in 6-packs or dozens (Canterbury wines $74.95, elsewhere $79.99 and up). Free freight if you type "RBG" in the coupon code.

11 September: WLA have listed the d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2006 @ $49.99 (Auscellardoor $52.90). They also have the 97pt JH top Shiraz from Yabby Lake for $199.99 idf you are interested, same price as Winestar.

Dan Murphy has a new catalogue out, it is online already. I'll have a good look through this afternoon when I get back from my bike ride. A quick scan did show some good Champagne prices and the first sighting of Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2005 @ $49.40/$46.90. Update: My local DM only has the 2004 Voyager, looks like a mistake in the advertisement.
OK, here is what caught my eye (from the ACT/NSW catalogue anyway), there are others that may tempt:

Just in case you didn't do a Google search, the cleanskin McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 @ $9.95 from GWD is the Nashwauk from Kaesler. Winorama TN here.

10 September: Daily updates may be a little slow while the lovely spring weather holds, I'm trying to get my vege garden ready and pots for this years chilli crop, plus my bike-riding friends have returned from wintering in warmer climes, so Tuesday and Thursday mornings seem to be the riding schedule. Also the two Weimaraners tend to come and nudge me away from the keyboard if they don't get their daily walk by the time they want it.

GWD have De Lisio Quarterback red blend 2006 @ $12.95 today, a bargain for early drinking or short-term cellaring.

Kirrihill seem to have had a ripper 2006 vintage, with the Bothar Umair Cabernet 2006 and both single vineyard Shiraz 2006 (Tulach Mor and Baile an Gharrai) receiving favourable reviews. The Cabernet is sold out at the winery, but is still available for $17.99 from Winestar, $18.50 from Auscellardoor and $18.99 @ WLA. The Tulach Mor Shiraz is $18.99+freight from Kemenys and $19.99 from WLA. The Baile an Gharrai is only listed on the winery site so far, $20, freight free for dozens. Tasting notes are on Wine Front (full notes for subscribers only).

The 6-packs of Viking Grand Shiraz 2002 @ $16++ have gone from Langton's Sydney Exchange (07 September), ~~but there are now two dozens of the same wine going for $14++~~. A bargain if you like the Viking style. Gone already.

There are about 70 bottles of Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet 2001 on offer at Wine for Life @ $26.57+freight.

09 September: With a recent international award to it's name, the Vasse Felix MR Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 has a new lease of life in the email newsletters etc. Boccaccio has it in this weeks newsletter (see left panel link) for $26.99, pipping the Nicks, W* and WLA offer of $27.99. It's been in my cellar since March.

The W* weekly email is up too, with the last of the Zema 2004 Cabernet @ $19.99, also Ravensworth Sangiovese 2007 @ $21.99, but Discount Wines list it for $18.95+freight and Bleasdale Bremerview Langhorne Ck Shiraz 2005 @ $14.99 (same as Nicks)

It's the bits they leave out that tells the story. Auscellardoor has the Watershed "Senses" Cabernet Merlot 2004 @ $14.90, claiming that it is "currently selling elsewhere for $24.90". That is perfectly true, but it is also offered elsewhere for $17.25 and $19.99. It might still be a good deal, I don't know why they omitted the quite positive JH tasting note: "Fresh red and black fruits, still with firm edges although the wine is only medium-bodied; good length, and will improve with cellaring. 14º alc. Rating 90 Drink 2019 Date Tasted Mar 07". They also are the first to list the just-released 2006 d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz @ $52.90, some other places are still clearing the 2005 @ $49.99 (Boccaccio, WLA, Wine Empire, Discount Wines), but the 2006 is possibly a better wine, depending on which critics you believe.

Kemeny's September/October catalogue is out, download or browse here. I didn't find a lot of immediate bargains or must buys, although some of the bonus offers may sway the decision. Leconfield Cabernet 2006 is a good wine, the $24.99 pb price with bonus beer offer might be Ok, but I can't see any other prices on wine-searcher yet, it's $2 more than the prior vintage. Likewise the Orlando Centenary Hill Shiraz 2004 and St Hugo Cabernet 2004 are a couple of dollars over the best prices, but a 1 litre bottle of Chivas Regal may sway some. The Johann Shiraz-Cabernet 2001 @ $49.99 is $5pb less than Wine Market and $10pb less than W*. The Metala Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $12.99 with bonus beer offer looks like a good deal, the base price is $2-$3 less than most. Some of the wines in the Super-Premium Shiraz pack are available cheaper elsewhere, Wine Market has the Saltram #1 2004 @ $45.99 and the Elderton Command 2004 @ $69.99, but the Saltram Eighth Maker Shiraz 2003 @ $130 is the cheapest I can see, the Reynell Cellar One Reserve Shiraz 2004 isn't listed elsewhere, Chateau Tanunda are asking $95 for the 100 YO Vines The Chateau Shiraz 2006. All prices plus freight. I'm still waiting on the new RBG special offers Andrew Kemeny promised, he seems to be a bit busy at present.

07 September: Winestar has listed the Houghton's Wisdom range, this is the re-branded GI range with a new ugly label and odd name. The 2004 Margaret River Cabernet is $24.99, as is the 2004 Frankland River Shiraz, with the Cabernet adorned with a swag of Gold medals and positive reviews from GW and CM at Wine Front. At the very least the re-branding is generating some commentary about the wines and the name, the previous understated presentation languished a bit and were available as low as $19.95 at times although the wines were generally quite good. WLA has the MR Cabernet @ $27.99.

Langton's Sydney Exchange has 4 6-packs of d'Arenberg Coppermine Rd Cabernet 2002 @ $24pb+commission+freight and one 6-pack @ $60pb, the Melbourne Exchange has a 6-pack asking $83pb. Ex-HFW stock, but should be worth a punt at that price, Halliday TN: "Pungent, powerful, raunchy style; intense blackcurrant fruit; nice French oak. Rating 94 Drink 2017 Date Tasted Oct 04". Also 3 6-packs of Viking Grand Shiraz 2002 @ $16pb++, Halliday TN: "Ultra powerful, concentrated black fruits, licorice and earth; demands patience. Rating 91 Drink 2017 Date Tasted Dec 03"

05 September: Dan Murphy has a big selection of spirits on offer for Father's Day, although the prices seem quite good they don't really look any different to their normal prices. Laphroaig Quarter Cask @ $84.90/$83.20 looks tempting. Also Devils Lair Margaret River Cabernet 2005 @ $39.90/$37.90 is $10pb less than Discount Wines.

1stChoice have also pulled out a couple, St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz (2006) @ $26.21/$24.90 and St Hugo Cabernet (2004) @ $29.89/$28.40

Wine Culture has sent out two emails today, the first has a swag of new release Mollydooker, R Wines and various others. It is online here. The second includes the Bundaleer Sparkling Shiraz NV (see yesterday's entry) @ $15.95+freight and the Vincognita McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 @ $17.95+freight. The Vincognita won "Trophy Best Shiraz - 2008 Wine Wise Small Vignerons Awards", ~~I bought 3 with my Bundaleer order from Adelaide Cellar Door as I had been impressed with the 2005 vintage, which scored Gold in the Shiraz Trophy class at the NWS last year.~~ (It's not the Nangkita that won the trophy, the Nangkita scored a HR.)

For Canberrans, The Wine and Cheese Providore is having a 20% off sale on Champagne. The are at Manuka Terrace, Flinders Way, Manuka. Ph 02 6260 6700

04 September: Nicks have a bunch of new release reds, many rated highly by Nick, ranging from $16.99 to $95, go to New Releases and scroll through the next few pages. The 2004 Peter Lehmann Mentor is $34.99 (same as elsewhere) and the 2006 Penna Lane Shiraz and 2006 Brini Sebastian Shiraz could be worth a try @ $24.99 each. Yalumba has struck out into the just $50+ price-point with a range of hand-packed and/or single vineyard wines, the single site Shiraz are $56.99, the Grenaches $49.99, Winestar has some of the new hand-picked shiraz too @ $49.99. Incidentally, the pace of new releases is starting to make the 2009 JH Wine Companion look a bit dated already. This is where the wine forums and the likes of Wine Front come into there own, making up for the lagging updates on the "old-style" sites like Oliver and Halliday. If you don't already subscribe to Wine Front, you should.

If anyone shops at Avalon Fine Wines, please pass on this message (my reply to their email bounced again): "I don't know why you bother to put the "Click here to order..." links when the prices on your site don't match and/or vintages aren't shown so you don't know whether they are the same wines, or they just aren't there."

The relatively obscure Bundaleer winery has been awarded best Sparkling Shiraz at the Hyatt Advertiser awards, the first sparkling shiraz they have made. Press release here. You can buy it direct from the winery via the link in the press release, from Adelaide Cellar Door or Cloudwine, all about the same price of around $16pb delivered.

Larry D spotted the Bests Bin O Shiraz 2005 (in screwcap) at a tasting on Tuesday at The Oak Barrel in Sydney, $55pb less 10% for case buys = $49.50. It's not on their web site, maybe call them on 02 9264 3022 if you want to see if they'll do it still at that price.

Halliday 5-star winery, a couple of 94 pt Shiraz in the 2009 edition one is selling at GWD for about half-price. Linda Domas "Shot Bull" McLarenVale Shiraz 2005 @ $12.95. No listings on wine-searcher shows it's tough to break into retail even with those credentials. Note that GWD have carefully left off the points on the lower-scoring wines, the Shot Bull Shiraz 2004 scored 89, the 2004 Egidio 87 pts as did the Top Hat Grenache 2006. Update: David McC emailed to say he bought the Linda Domas Shot Bull 2004 and Egidio 2004 last year when GWD were selling them for $8.95. He was happy with the wines at that price.

I'll get the easy one out of the way first: 1stChoice has Moet & Chandon NV @ $52.63/$50.00

Dan Murphy has Piper Heidsieck NV @ $39.90/$37.90 (and I like it more than Moet), Gemtree Uncut Shiraz (2006 or probably 2007, thanks Phil for the info) @ $17.70/$16.90 (2007 is $19.50-$22 elsewhere), Barwang Hilltops reds @ $14.60/$13.90, Rymill Yearling Cabernet 2006 @ $9.90/$9.40 (a nice early drinker) and Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2006 @ $15.70/$14.90. Also listed is Elderton Shiraz 2005 @ $22.80/$21.90 but W* has it @ $19.99.

Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2004 is long "sold out", but Wine Market has found 6 6-packs to offer @ $129.99pb, freight free to RBG members. They have the 2005 RWT @ $139.99, but I think the 2004 is slightly better. Also the Bin 707 Cabernet 2005 in screwcap @ $135.00. Update: Murray B emailed to say he saw the 2004 RWT in Los Angeles recently for under $80USD, another reminder of how Penfolds is allowed to get away with higher local pricing by the gullible public and collectors who support the secondary market prices.

03 September: Nicks is first to list the new vintage (2005) of the Olivers Taranga HJ Reserve Shiraz, it's not even on the winery web site yet. The price is $45, same as the 2004 was, but the winery usually offers 10% of for a buy of 6 or more. Also the new release standard Taranga Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99 (same as the winery discount price).

The new Matt's Specials from Premium Wines Direct is up (left panel, pdf). If you like Shiraz-Viognier blends, you will be very happy, there are four on offer. The standouts for me though are the Brands The Blockers Cabernet 2005 (but at $20, it's $2pb more than Boccaccio and WLA), Wits End / Chalk Hill Shiraz 2003 @ $19, Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2006 @ $18 ($2pb less than the next best) and a couple that were in the accompanying email and are not on the order form: Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $22 and Gemtree White Lees Shiraz 2006 @ $45. Also offered is the Whistling Eagle Eagles Blood Shiraz 2006 @ $50 if you are a fan. 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.

Wine List Australia has reduced the price of the Turkey Flat Shiraz 2006 from $39.99 to $37.99 for one week only (elsewhere $39.99).

Bests Bin O Shiraz 2005 is coming. It's listed at WLA @ $54.99 by the full case only, the 2004 is still listed @ $47.50 at the winery, so I'd wait for better prices. The 2005 Thomson Family Shiraz should be out soon too, it's good enough to justify the $100+price..

Someone at Drinx was watching (see 31 August), or one of you told them and the description for the Bests Thomson Family Shiraz has been fixed, but not the spelling of the name or the vintage.

Ross H emailed to tell me the CD only Primo Estate Shale Stone Shiraz 2005 (JH 96pts) is on the Primo mail order list he just received, $32+freight.

02 September: The new Winestar newsletter is up already (see left panel link), featuring the Stonehaven Rat & Bull Cabernet Shiraz 2006 @ $16.99. If you liked the 2002 release of this, it should be worth a try. It's now a discontinued line, so last chance. Also Ravensworth Shiraz-Viognier 2006 @ $29.99 (but it is $24.49 @ Wine Empire, $24.95+freight @ Discount Wines and $27.00 @ Cloudwine) and Cullen Diana Madelaine 2006 @ $99.99 (Cellardor $81.46+freight, Boccaccio $89.99). Cullen have a track record of good results from tough/cool vintages, but independent reviews of the 2006 haven't surfaced yet, or aren't good enough to list on the e-tailers sites.

The new Boccaccio email is up (see left panel link), even though Anthony hasn't updated the date yet. It features the Bowen Estate 2006 Shiraz and Cabernet @ $23.99 (Nicks, WLA, Canterbury Wines $22.99, W* $23.99), Peter Lehmann Mentor Cabernet 2004 @ $34.99 (same as WLA) and no less than 3 Pinot Noir (1 NZ, 2 Australian) with quite impressive reviews from Anthony and/or Gary Walsh. The Escarpment 2007 is $38.99 + freight from Discount Wines and Kemeny's, it is $41.99 @ Boccaccio, the Kooyong Pinot 2006 is a good price, as is the Principia 2006, both a little below nearest competitors.

Wine Market has Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet 2005 @ $135 in 6-packs this week ($146-$160 nearest competitors).

Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2006 and Angelus Cabernet 2006 are on the way (JH 95 pts each), Cellardor has listed them for $52.86 and $47.42 (full case buy although they come in 6-packs, + freight). Email and give them a serve about their full dozen policy (I did, with no effect), or wait until they appear elsewhere, it won't be long.

If you haven't bought a copy of the 2009 Halliday Wine Companion yet, but intend to, then if you are near a Big W, they should have it for 35% off in their book section, I paid under $21 for my copy last week.

I dropped into my local Dan Murphy today, they really have left the premiums and boutique reds largely to the independents, seems a fair deal to me. Despite that, a couple caught my eye: Teusner Albert Shiraz 2005 @ $35.99/$34.20 ($38.95+freight at Wine Culture and $43-$45 elsewhere) and Claymore Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz 2005 @ $18.80/$17.90.

Paul C pointed out some reds in the 1stChoice advertisement for NSW last week, current until cob Wednesday (mixed dozen prices):

01 September: I tried the Caldora Yume Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2004 again on Saturday, amongst the wines at Andrea's birthday party and enjoyed it with the Italian-themed food. A few others enjoyed it too (including TORB), so I had to order some more from Kemeny's today to share around. It is $19.99 and you can buy a case of Italian beer for $20 with a case buy, I did, Spring is here. Incidentally, I received the order confirmation email a few minutes after my phone order and a despatch notice email 90 minutes after that.

I've updated the Cabernets section of the JH Best of the Best feature.