29 November:   Blackjack Block 6 Bendigo Shiraz 2006 scored best Shiraz at the recent (judged by French "wine experts") Le Concours des Vins du Victoria,  It's available @ $33.50 from Canterbury Wines or $35 from the winery.

A few new releases at Nicks: Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $22.99 (same as many other good independents), Bowen Estate Cabernet 2006 @ $23.95 (same as Canterbury Wines, WLA, others $24.99), Sanguine Estate Heathcote Shiraz 2006 @ $37.99 (winery $39.00/$35.00 - $420/dozen, freight free), Murray St Greenock Shiraz 2006 @ $42.99 (Cellardor $43.12 full dozen buy, winery $50), Sorrenberg Tumbarumba/Heathcote Shiraz 2007 @ $39.99 (but NSC has it @ $33.99, $34 + freight ex-winery).  Also Yalumba FDR1A Cabernet Shiraz 2004 @ $37.99 (Auscellardoor $38.90)

When competitors push Dan Murphy, they get a response (6-pack prices only shown): Veuve Clicquot NV @ $54.90, Deutz Marlborough Cuvee NV @ $15.90, Moet & Chandon NV @ $49.90, Devils Lair Fifth Leg @ $8.90, Metala White Label Shiraz-Cabernet @ $11.30, Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2006 @ $13.90, Pepperjack range @ $13.90 and Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $26.90.  And the return of $2 cleanskins.

A couple of new listings at Nicks:  Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2007 @ $24.99 (Wine Culture $26, one reader emailed that he thought this was a bit ordinary) and the last of the Murray Street Shiraz 2005 @ $19.99 (caution, could be reductive, needs plenty of breathing at least, Wine Culture $20+freight).

I've added a few new wines to the Gray's page.

I regularly check the Kemeny non-catalogue listings, they often have some good wines at good prices.  This is what I found:

• Anvers McLarenVale Shiraz 2005 @ $19.99 ($28 ex-winery)
• Brown Brothers Patricia Shiraz 2004 @ $44.99 (JH 94 pts, WLA $45.99)
• Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2005 @ $49.99 (elsewhere $58 and up)
• Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2002 @ $69.99 (NSC $73.99, W* $75, WLA $77)
• Kirrihill Tulach Mor Shiraz 2006 @ $16.99 (WLA $19.99)
• Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz 2006 @ $26.99 (GASC winner, may be cheaper at DM)
• Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2006 @ $34.99 (Wine Culture $35.99 + fright)
• Tahbilk Eric Stevens Shiraz 2002 @ $49.99 (Cabernet same price, Tahbilk $53.95 members price, W* $55)
• Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2006 @ $24.99 (Cabernet same price)
• Balnaves Cabernet 2005 @ $24.99
• Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet 2005 @ $64.99 (W* $75)
• Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $39.99 (EEC $44, Canterbury Wines, Winebizz $45, WLA $45.99)

28 November:   Gavin at Auswine has sharpened his prices on a couple of new wines:  The Flametree Cabernet Merlot 2007 (JWT Winner) is $25.00 (WLA $24.99) and the Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz 2007 @ $36.99 (same as W*, but NSC have it for $34.99, Discount Wines $35.99+freight, elsewhere $36.99-$41).  Also Fernfield Pridmore Shiraz 2005 @ $20.99.

27 November:   It's probably too late to be very useful, the wine has sold out at GWD, although it may come back, who knows.  I popped the diam cork (a cheaper short one, the last 2 vintages were screwcap) on the 2007 Viking Grand Shiraz that arrived today and we enjoyed it with a New York cut sirloin tonight.  I think they have lightened up the style over the past few vintages and it is immediately approachable, with lush fruit (not over-ripe), mocha oak, moderate but fine tannins and a bit of clean acid on the finish, 14.5%.  It's nicely balanced, but I don't see it improving all that much with cellaring, although you probably could for 5 or so years.  I'm happy at $19.95.

Some bin-ends at clearance prices from Wine Market (free freight if you use the RBG coupon code):

• Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $26.99 (2 6-packs)
• Murdock Coonawarra Cabernet 2003 down to $34.99 (same as Wine Box Warehouse - 46 6-packs)
• Sorby Adams Eden Valley Cabernet 2005 @ $15.99 (1 case, dozen)
• Wolf Blass Platinum Shiraz 2004 @ $125 (One 6-pack @ $750)
• Hazyblur Barossa Shiraz 2005 @ $28.99 and McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 @ $23.99 (1 case of each, 12 and 6 respectively)
• Hungerford Hill Tumbarumba Pinot Noir 2005 @ $16.99 (3 dozen only, no idea if it's any good or not)
• Sandalford MR Chardonnay 2004 @ $15.99 (5 6-packs, I bought a stack of this from Grays for friends a while back, long gone there)

The cleanskin Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 offered @ $9.95 by GWD could possibly be the Pepper Tree (from the Grand Reserve included in the name, but the "don't pay" price seems a bit cheap for that, so it may be a red herring) or it could be Lindeman's St George ("saintly" wine mentioned) at that listed $45.95 price point.  Or it could be something else entirely, even Katnook or St Hugo or Menzies.  The 2006 St Hugo is under (distinctive non-black) screwcap, the others have been in cork with current vintages and the 2006 St Hugo was showing very strangely when I tried it at the NWS recently, it didn't win any medal.  Anyone in Melbourne who can drop in and have a taste?  Update:  Thanks Keith B, Googling parts of the last paragraph describing the wine turns up the description for the Orlando St Hugo Cabernet - the 2002 Vintage.  One to be careful of if it is the 2006 St Hugo on my experience with one bottle, but the GWD returns policy is rock solid.

1stChoice Champagnes: Cattier $31.99 (has been down to $29.99), Piper Heidsieck NV $37.50, Mumm NV $49.90, Taittinger NV $59.70 (Winepool $58.00+freight), Bollinger $74.99, Dom Perignon (1999/2000?) $209.00, plus Pepperjack range $14.70, Henschke Keyneton / Euphonium $28.49, Wynns Black Label Cabernet $21.76, St Hugo Cabernet 2004 $28.30.

DM Veuve Clicquot NV @ $59.50, Yarra Burn NV White and Rose @ $14.80. The current DM catalogue finishes next Wednesday, maybe there will be another before Christmas.

A reader emailed to advise he felt his intelligence was being insulted by the Wine List Australia raft of associated unattributed "review" sites that all lead back to one or other of their raft of sales sites and had unsubscribed from their mailing list.  It's very clever technically and maybe it does work to boost sales, but even if it's not "dodgy" it also offends me as an "intelligent" wine-buyer.  WLA deals will still be mentioned here if they are good enough, but if they are similar to other merchants and contain reviews from Frank or Freak or the other raft of sites I may pass over them at times.

26 November:   Wine Market have a couple of new entries/prices at the cheaper end of the scale: Metala White Label Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $11.99 in 6-packs and free freight with the RBG coupon code, a little cheaper than the DM price, also Saltram Barossa Shiraz-cabernet 2005 @ $12.99 in 6-packs (about $22 elsewhere).  If you want to take a punt on a quaffer, they also have a $4.99 Kangaroo Ridge Shiraz 2006 from Cowra Estate.  If you want some cheap bubblies for the festive season, the  Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro and Rose @ $9.99 (elsewhere $10.99 and up) or the Francois Montand Brut Blanc de Blancs or Rose @ $11.99 may suit.  All in dozens, free freight.

Cameron J sent thanks for the Kay's Block 6 tip and told me about a newish e-tailer called The Wine Advisor, based in Melbourne.  The have an interesting selection of wines, with prices varying from a few very good to mostly OK and some a bit higher than the pack.  A couple that may interest, the Chapel Hill Vicar Shiraz 2006 @ $50.50 (just scored 96, drink to 2026 from Halliday, Cellardor $56.21) and Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2006 @ $39.90.  Free freight to Melbourne, reasonable-looking prices elsewhere..

25 November:   I finally picked up the DM Christmas Catalogue.  The standouts for me are (6-pack prices only shown):
Jacobs Ck St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $28.40, Pepperjack Shiraz 2007 $14.90, Devils Lair MR Cabernet Merlot 2005 @ $37.90, Best Bin 1 Shiraz 2005 $20.80, Kirrihill Clare Shiraz 2006 $16.90, Thorn-Clarke Quartage $16.90, Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz 2006 $15.90, Chalambar Shiraz 2006 $15.90, Penley Phoenix Cabernet 2006 $16.90, Brands Blockers Cabernet 2005 $17.90, Metala White Label Shiraz-Cabernet $12.30, Rosemount Traditional 2005 $13.90, Turners Crossing Shiraz-Viognier 2005 $17.90, Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz-Grenache 2006 $16.90, de Bortoli Noble One $23.70, Miranda Golden Botrytis $12.90, Hennessy VSOP Cognac $58.70, Hennessy XO Cognac $154.

The Winestar email is up, featuring Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004 @ $44.99 (same as North Sydney Cellars, most others have moved the price up a dollar or three), also Wise MR Shiraz 2007 @ $17.99 (Halliday Top 100, Cellardor $17.87 full dozen buy, Direct $19.00), Burge Family Draycott Shiraz 2005 @ $44.99 and Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet 2005 @ $19.99 (Winepool $18.00 $15.00+freight, Discount Wines $18.95+freight).

The Boccaccio email newsletter is also online, featuring St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2006 @ $27.99 (same as W* and Wine Culture, elsewhere $1 to $5 more) and the new vintage of Rory Lane's The Story Grampians Shiraz 2007 @ $21.99, Condado de Haza Crianza 2005 @ $42.99 and the Elderton Ode to Lorraine CSM 2005 @ $33.99 (Cellardor $36.63 full dozen buy).

Kemeny's are playing the Sauvignon Blanc card, offering to sell a dozen Oyster Bay SB at $3pb off if you buy a dozen selected from a range of 12 reds, one white and a bubbly.  The wines include Serafino Shiraz 2006 @ $19.99, Wynns Black Label Cabernet 2006 @ $22.99, Annies Lane range @ $11.99.  Also a premium 6-pack including Grange 2003 @ $850 + bonus decanter and the Kooyong Estate Pinot Noir 2006 @ $36.99.  As the advert says "We won't be beaten on our advertised wine prices", if you are interested in the Kooyong Pinot, let them know it is $34.50 @ Discount Wines and $35.95/$35.99 at Canterbury Wines, Wine Box Warehouse and Boccaccio.  Ph 13 8881 to order.

Stu at Wine Market is trying to clear the last stocks of Shadowfax Old Vines Heathcote Shiraz 2005 (ex-Argyle label) and the price is $23.99 in 6-packs or dozens, still with free freight if you use the RBG coupon code.  This is below cost to clear.

24 November:   GWD have the new 2007 vintage of the Viking Grand Barossa Shiraz at the same $19.95 price as the 2005 and 2006, so I guess that makes it the standard price now.  I've ordered mine, I thought the 2005 and 2006 were very good wines for the price.

Auscellardoor has 44 bottles of the Kays Block 6 Shiraz 2006 as at 2030 today, it will feature in their newsletter tomorrow, so get in quick if you want any @ $62.90.  They also have the new Yalumba FDR1A Cabernet Shiraz 2004 @ $38.90, previous vintage was 2000.

23 November:   The multi-trophy-winning Chateau Reynella McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 has appeared on Wine List Australia @ $44.99, complete with effusive TN from (Cabernet) Frank and (Cellar) Freak.  It may also be available from Sixty Darling St for $42+freight and no doubt elsewhere soon.

With mailing list customers restricted to 2 bottles with at least four other bottles of wine, it's surprising that you can get the Kays Block 6 Shiraz 2006 at retail for not much more than the mailing list price and in less restrictive quantities.  Auscellardoor has it listed for $62.90 and no mention of limits.  Update: Only 2 bottles left this morning, Chris F scored a 6-pack.  Update 2: They will have 3 dozen more tomorrow.

In browsing the "Specials" section of Cellarit, I noticed a heap of Ulithorne Frux Frugis 2001 priced @ $15.90.  Halliday rates this at 93 drink to 2016, only one pt and 1 year behind the 2002.  I drank my last 2001 earlier this year and thought it was about ready, but it could be kept another couple of years maybe, but not to 2016.  I paid $37 for mine, so this could be a bargain if it is in good condition.  Also a heap of Summerfield Reserve Shiraz 2002 @ $15.10 (but this might be Bretty, mine went that way), Glaetzer Nefertiti Shiraz 2002 @ $15.90, Nefertari Shiraz 2002 @ $16.00, Ch Leamon Reserve Shiraz 2001 @ $18.00 (paid $34 for mine on release, it still hasn't peaked, it's 15.0% a/v so avoid if that's not your thing.)

22 November:   I get occasional requests for information about setting up and running a Tasting Group.  After the most recent one yesterday I've reformatted and expanded the standard email response I've been using and put it up on this site.  See Tasting Group Guidelines in the left panel.

TORB has reviewed two new Kurtz Family Vineyard releases, TN at the links on the names following.  The wines are keenly priced for mail order customers, the Seven Sleepers 2006 is $120/dozen and the 2004 Lunar Block Shiraz is only $150/6-pack.  Steve is offering free freight if your order includes 6 Lunar Block (and I presume at least 6 other bottles as well).  Because the mail order prices are a fair bit less than RRP, the Order form isn't on their site, use the contact page to request a copy.

Discount Wines is trying to tempt their mailing list with a raft of full-pack (6 or 12) offers.  They are mostly in the under $20pb range, with a few pricier offers as well.  I think this is the list on their site.  The Jansz Sparklings look interesting, the Late Disgorged 2001 found favour with Gary Walsh on Wine Front recently.

I sent David Farmer an email a few weeks back after he posted a snippet on Graysonline wine auctions on his Glug site.  I didn't get a response, but he has now posted an update with mention of this site and the Gray's page.  His only confusion is in thinking there are more than one of us here, it's just me! 

21 November:   Beware careless words - and the enemy within.  I shouldn't have mentioned the Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz 2005, or at least should have said it was a 95pt Halliday wine and not that I'd tasted it at the NWS. An anonymous complaint was made by "The Insider" to the RNCAS and my services as a steward are no longer required.  It was fun while it lasted. 

NWS red wine Trophy winners.

• Best Dry Red Table Wine - Commercial Classes, also Best Dry Red - 2007 Vintage: Goundrey G Cabernet Tempranillo 2007, an unusual blend that works well in this case, $18.49 at Wine Box Warehouse

• Best Pinot Noir, Premium Classes:  Villa Maria Cellar Selection 2007 - $37.95 + freight(6-pack buy) @ Discount Wines, $39.00 @ Cellardor (full dozen buy)

• Best Shiraz, Premium Classes: Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz 2005 - still around at $54.99 at the better independents.

• Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Premium Classes, Best Dry Red Table Wine and Best Table Wine of the Show: Chateau Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - McLarenVale Cabernet Rules! The picture in the Canberra Times today showed the Reynell Basket Press style label.  It might be available at 60 Darling St for $42, not doubt elsewhere soon, it also won a Trophy in Melbourne.

• Best Red, Other varieties and blends, Premium Classes: George Wyndham Shiraz-Grenache 2005 - Jims Cellars $15.99+freight, elsewhere $16.99.

• The Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy 2006 and older: Evans & Tate The Reserve Cabernet 2005, following on from the excellent 2004, no listings on wine-searcher

• The Shiraz Trophy 2006 and older:  Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz 2005 - Wine Market has it at $44.99 now.

• Best Bottle fermented Sparkling Red Wine: Not Awarded.  The highest medal was a Bronze, despite the presence of two Leasingham wines (94 and 95 Classic Clare) that won Gold in the same class (different panel) last year.  Judges comments: "Sparkling red production may not be the best way to hide wines with Brett".

I'll go through the catalogue and pick a few more highlights.  One interesting one, Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 failed to win any medal in the same class where last year it won Top Gold, with two of the same judges on the panel each time.

Michael R contacted Robertson of Clare and found they have reduced the ex-CD price of the Max V from $65+freight to $55 with free freight for a case buy.  They also informed him that today is the last time it will appear on Gray's, so they must have placed enough with merchants.  It is still listed @ $330/6 at Qwoff.

Some NWS Gold Medal wines, I'll search for availability and selectively update this as I have time:

• 2007 Dry Red - Pinot Noir - Trophy above, other Golds to Lawsons Dry Hills Marlborough and Paringa Estate Estate Pinot ($39.99 @ Wine Box Warehouse, $53.99 @ Boccaccio, $54.99 others)

• 2007 Dry Red - Shiraz Top (and only) Gold - Lenton Brae MR Shiraz, $30 ex-CD

• 2007 Shiraz-Viognier - Millbrook Barking Owl (Perth Hills), $16.20 ex-CD

• 2007 Dry Red - Blends - Top Gold Starvedog Lane Ibrido (Hybrid in Italian, an exotic blend of Italian varietals, not released yet, the 2005 is around at $25-$25.99 but I don't think it won a medal the year it was entered), other Gold to Flametree MR Cabernet Merlot (the JWT winner) which is $24.99 at WLA.

• 2006 Cabernet - Top Gold Chateau Reynella Cabernet 2006 (see trophies above), Gold to St Huberts Yarra Cabernet 2006 (not released yet)

• 2005 and Older Cabernet - Top Gold Amberley First Selection MR Cabernet 2005 (no listings), Gold to Brookland Valley Cabernet Merlot 2004, Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet 2005, Sandalford Prendiville Cabernet 2005 (Cellardor $65.77), Thomas Hardy Cabernet 2004.  No medals to 2005 Lindemans St George, Houghton Wisdom 2005, Copper Trail 2004, Brookland Reserve 2004, Mentor 2004, Vasse Felix 2005, d'Arenberg Coppermine 2005.

• 2006 Shiraz - Top Gold Xanadu Dragon MR Shiraz 2006 (it's not green-tinged either, Cellardor $14.74 full dozen buy), Gold to Tyrrells Double-Barrel Shiraz 2006 (not sure if it's Heathcote or McLarenVale) and Hardy's HRB Shiraz 2006 (a new label for them I think).  No medals to Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2006, Fox Ck reserve 2006, Peter Lehmann Stonewell 2006, WW Woodhenge Shiraz 2006, Tintara Upper Tintara Shiraz 2006

• 2005 and Older Shiraz - Top Gold MLG Langi Shiraz 2005 (Boccacio, Canterbury Wines, Cellardor, Nicks, Cloudwine, W* att $54.95-$55), Golds to 2005 George Wyndham Shiraz, 2005 The Octavius, no medals to Taltarni Heathcote 2005Tyrrells Double Barrel Heathcote 2005. 2004 Lawsons Padthaway, 2005 PL Eight Songs, 2005 Brands Stentifords, 2005 Thorn Clarke William Randall, 2005 Fox Ck Reserve, 2005 Mamre Brook, 2004 BB Patricia, 2005 Mt Pleasant Rosehill, 2005 Chalambar, 2002 Houghton Gladstones.

• 2006 and Older Shiraz-Viognier - Wirra Wirra Catapult S-V 2006 (One I could almost drink it's well done)

• 2006 and Older Grenache/Mourvedre/Shiraz blends - George Wyndham Shiraz-Grenache 2005 (Jims Cellars $15.99), no medals to d'Arenberg Twenty-Eight Rd Mourvedre 2006, Grant Burge 2005 Abednego SGM

• 2006 and Older blends - Top Gold 2006 Wolf Blass Black Label, Golds Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2006 (widely available, $17.95-$19.99), WB Black Label 2004, Yalumba The Reseve 2006, All Saints Family Cellar Durif 2006 (Cellardor $44.53), Jacobs Ck 2005 Johann, no medals to Taltarni 2003 Cephas, Taltarni 2004 Reserve Shiraz-Cabernet, Houghton 2005 Crofters, Yalumba 2006 FDR1A, Yalumba 2004 The Reserve, Mildara 2005 Cabernet Shiraz, McWilliams 2005 1877 (the 2006 won silver), Penfolds Bin 389 (scored top gold in this class last year)

• The Shiraz Trophy - 2006 and older - Only two Golds were awarded to the 26 entries although most/all of them would have won Gold elsewhere, seems the standards are set higher for this class.  The Balthazar was Top Gold and the wine next to it, Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2006 scored the other one.

• The Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy 2006 and older - 4 Golds in 22 entries here, Top being the E&T Reserve MR Cabernet 2005, others to Cellarmasters Krondorf Symmetry Barossa Valley 2006, Houghton 2001 Jack Mann (W* $79.99) and Gladstones 2004 MR Cabernet.

• Small Volume Commercial 2007 Dry Red - Goundrey G Cabernet Tempranillo 2007 (see trophy list above), Majella The Musician 2007 (widely available around $17)

• Small Volume Commercial 2006 and older dry red - Top Gold Brands Laira Shiraz 2006, others 2006 Chalambar, Starvedog Lane 2006 Cabernet Merlot, no medals to Mamre Brook 2006 Cabernet, JC St Hugo Cabernet 2006 (this had some weird aromatics, almost like pungent Russian oak), Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet 2005

• Large Volume Commercial - 2007 Dry Red - Top Zilzie Selection 23 Shiraz, Annie's Lane Shiraz

• Large Volume Commercial Dry red 2006 and older - Top Mamre Brook 2006 Shiraz, Gold Richmond Grove 2006 Limited release Shiraz, no medals for 2006 Filsell, 2006 St Hallett Faith, 2006 Mt Pleasant Phillip Shiraz, 2006 WB Grey Label Shiraz, 2006 PL Barossa Shiraz

• Sparkling Red - Premium - no Golds or Silvers, Bronze to 2002 Leasingham CC, Blue Pyrenees 2004, Seppelt Silverband NV, no medals to Rumball 1997, Morris Shiraz-Durif, Seppelt 2004 Show Sparkling Shira, Houghton 2001 Sparkling Shiraz

• Sparkling Red commercial - No medals to a small class of 3 including 2005 Seppelt Original.

• Sparkling Red - Museum - Bronzes to Leasingham CC 97 (rejected for brett last year, not showing as much this year), CC 94, CC 95, Peter Lehmann Black Queen 2001, no medals to Leasingham CC 91, 96, 98 (The 98 was Top (and only) Gold in the Sparkling Red Premium class last year).
   

20 November:   I'm only going to quote the 6-pack/dozen prices for DM/1stChoice.  The chains have St Hugo Cabernet 2004 @ $28.30 (DM price, lower than the advertised 1stChoice price) and Pepperjack Shiraz 2007 (and cabernet, possibly 2006 too) @ $14.80, Vasse Felix Cabernet 2005 @ $26.99, Henschke Keyneton Estate @ $28.49 (1stChoice price), Lanson NV @ $39.99, Taittinger @ $59.99.  I haven't seen the DM catalogue yet. The Stella Artois @ $39.80 for 24 is the local brew I assume.

If the idea of a 2006 Heathcote Shiraz at only 13.5%a/v interests you, the Greenstone Heathcote Shiraz 2006 could be the one for you.  It is $27.90 @ Auscellardoor, $28.22 (full dozen) at Cellardor and $29.99 @ Nicks.

19 November:   The price on the Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz 2005 on Wine Market will increase tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.  Get in NOW if you want some @ $39.99.  The new price will be $44.99, still a bit less than the direct-winery price, as you would hope/expect.

It was a big day of new wines and special offers yesterday, it seems to be hotting up in the pre-Christmas period.  Ross Duke is trying to tempt us with Grower Champagne offers that won't be repeated until after the AUD recovers.  Details here.

Vintage Cellars are having another 20% off sale on 6-bottle buys.  Pickings are usually pretty slim, but you may find the odd bargain or two, possibly amongst the "exclusive" wines including their own imports and maybe sparklings.  If you buy a dozen bottles they will sell you one bottle of Pommery NV for $29.99.  Thanks for the info. Damian.

I received an email from The Ed this morning, asking if it was Ok to add a $15 freight charge to the amount of my order.  I checked out Adelaide Cellar Door and found with their full case price and subsidised freight rate they are a whole 54 cents cheaper than The Ed.   Not something I'd normally fuss about, but I decided to make a point to The Ed about their dated semi-functional site, cancelled the order there and went with ADC.  The order number on my email from The Ed was #758, which I think speaks for itself about how much their online ordering system is used.

I had a further look at some of the Adelaide Cellar Door offerings and found a few of interest on the Specials page.  All the current Landhaus reds are at reduced prices.  If you are a Wine Front subscriber you can see CM's reviews here.  If you are not, you should be.

East End Cellars have released their 2009 Red Book of Wine (pdf download).  A quick scan indicates the Champagne and Sparkling prices don't look to be too sharp, but there are some good offers in the Reds (all prices in full/mixed 6-packs, free freight for orders over $200): Kaesler Avignon GSM 2006 @ $24, 2006 Murray Street The Barossa SGM+Cinsaut @ $24, Tuesner Joshua 2007 @ $23 (but the Ed has it @ $20+freight), Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet-Shiraz @ $16, Koltz Shiraz 2007 @ $24 and The Wizard Shiraz 2006 @ $36, Stonehaven Father Woods Cabernet 2006 @ $45 (but Kemeny's have it for $42.99).  Most of the rest that I checked are available slightly cheaper elsewhere, but may have 6 or 12 buy requirements and/or freight, so there may not be a lot in it.

18 November:   The Ed in Adelaide has Bundaleer Sparkling Shiraz NV @ $14.99 and also Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz NV at the same price, both a dollar or two under alternatives.  I ordered a dozen more of the Bundaleer and their system didn't charge me freight.  Don't bother using the Search on their tired old site, just browse the Sparkling reds.  Be patient, once you click on the next page number it doesn't remember sparkling reds...  And don't click on the Next link, that jumps 10 pages....  And the Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions and Credits links are broken...  They were supposed to be working on a new web site over 6 months ago, they could sell so much more wine online if they had a decent web site.

The new Boccaccio newsletter is out, but not online yet.  If features the excellent Leconfield Cabernet 2006 mentioned below @ $22.99 and the Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz 2004 @ $39.99 (WLA $43.99).

Wine Market has 36 6-packs of Mt Mary Quintet 2005 @ $125pb, $750/6, free freight to RBG members, type RBG in the coupon code.  This wine is also listed by Cellardor for $107.86 (full dozen buy, on the limited list so they may or may not be able to get any.)  In emails with Stu at Wine Market I asked whether he was going to list the Balthazar of the Barossa Shiraz 2005 as I was impressed by it at the NWS last week (can't tell you more until Friday, see next paragraph also).  Apparently he knows Anita Bowen quite well and has listed the wine already and at the same $39.99 price as the 2003.  That price may not last, it's stretching his friendship with Anita a bit, get in quick, I've ordered a 6-pack already.  Still free freight by quoting RBG in the coupon code.  Also the Ishtar GSM 2006 @ $15.99 ($19.50 direct).  Also, will someone please buy the last two 6-packs of Yalumba Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet 2004 @ $32.99 ($9pb or more less than the competition appearing on wine-searcher) so that they can move on to the 2005.  I think the 2005 is a fair bit better than the 2004, but James Halliday gave them equal 94pt scores, so what would I know.

New vintages out RSN (real soon now): Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet 2006 (reviewed by Huon Hooke in the SMH today), Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 2005 ($74 full dozen buy at Cellardor) and Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet 2004.  Balthazar of the Barossa has moved on to the 2005 vintage of their Shiraz, no retail listings yet, $299.70 a 6-pack+freight.  Wine Market has dropped the price of the remaining 3 6-packs of the 2003 vintage of the Balthazar to $39.99.

Leconfield Cabernet 2006 is starting to appear more widely now, with Boccaccio coming in at $22.99 and Winepool @ $25+freight.  Matt at Premium Wines Direct still has the best price @ $22 (don't forget to mention this site so Care Australia benefits).

The 2006 Chateau Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon has appeared at Sixty Darling St for $42.  This appears to be the one that scored at Top Gold in it's class and a Trophy at Melbourne Wine Show recently.  Also at 60D, Best Bin 1 Shiraz 2005 @ $21 ($21.99 @ Kemenys), Dalwhinnie Shiraz 2006 @ $50, Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz 2006 @ $18 ($19.99 @ WLA) and Fire Block Clare Shiraz 2006 @ $14 (previously $18, WLA $19.99).  All prices plus freight.  Phone 1300 139 252 to order.  Apparently DM has the Leasingham Bin 61 2006 @ $16.70 in their Christmas Catalogue. (Thanks Phil)

Winestar have some tempting budget deals this week, all the wines featured in the new email are $120/dozen including freight Australia-wide.  Pretty hard to pass up on that sort of deal.

The ROC Max V have appeared in the Graysonline Exclusive auctions, even though they are not exclusive to Gray's.  These auctions run for a few days and are aimed at getting higher prices.  Prices are up overall on Gray's, I haven't won a bid for a while now.

Another rare Pinot mention.  The judges at the NWS held a Pinot Master Class one afternoon after judging was complete.  There were 18 Pinots served double-blind, half Australian and half from New Zealand.  It was interesting to see these experienced judges try to pick which wines were from which country, their success rate wasn't that great.  It took a few tries to find someone who could put the first 3 wines correctly by country.  The clear winner in their scoring was the Maude Central Otago Pinot Noir 2007.  It is available for $33.95 + freight from Discount Wines (min 6), $35.46 (full dozen) from Cellardor, $35.95 from Wine Culture and $38/$34.20 from Prince Wine Store.  The 2006 is also available from Nicks for $34.99.

17 November:   GWD have more of the Conte Estate "Over the Hills" McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 @ $19.95.  I bought some last time they offered it, last December and agree with the reviews quoted, it's a lush wine, could maybe use a little more backbone, I'm not sure I'd cellar it too long, it's too nice to drink now if you like the style.  The Hunt Rd Cabernet 2006 @ $18.95 might be worth a try too.

16 November:   There are so many things to catch up on after a week of limited time, Halliday's Top 100, Melbourne Wine Show results and general new releases and then the NWS results next Friday.

A few more from the Halliday Top 100: Sevenhill Inigo Shiraz 2006  (94pts) is $17.99 at Nicks, Wise Shiraz 2007 (95 pts) is $17.87 @ Cellardor, Tyrrell's Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2006 (95 pts) is $15.00 at Premium Wines Direct or $15.99 @ Kemeny's, O'Leary Walker Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (95 pts) is $19.95 @ Canterbury Wines and $20.36 @ Cellardor so far, expect wider availability and possibly lower prices soon.

Petaluma Coonawarra cabernet blend 2006 is out, it is being offered to the former shareholders mailing list for $47 and is listed at Discount Wines for $53.95 (and elsewhere for $60-$62), so I assume better prices are coming, I've always been able to better the mailing list price.  JO was fairly impressed: 18.7/95, drink 2018-2026, he liked it a fair bit more than the atypically big 2005.

From the Melbourne Wine Show: The JWT-winning Flametree Cabernet Merlot 2007 is available from WLA for $24.99, Margaret River Wine Centre for $26.50, now freight-free for dozen buys, I presume it will appear elsewhere soon.  A half a point behind in the same class: Amberley Estate Cabernet-Merlot 2007 is $18.59 at WineBoxWarehouse and the Fraser Gallop Cabernet Merlot 2007 is $17.99 at Nicks and WLA (full dozen only). The Best Shiraz Trophy - Paringa Estate Estate Shiraz 2006 is $45.90/$44.06/$42.26 at Wine Snob and $48.00 at Cloudwine.  Gold Medal winning Coldstream Hills Pinot Chardonnay Sparkling 2004 is $24.50 @ Adams Wines, $29.99 @ Winestar.

15 November:   In helping check the show results against the draft catalogue I notice a few highly-regarded wines that were never in contention due to being ruined by their closure (TCA) and this year they never got a second chance.

Ron R emailed to inform that Chambers Cellars has the Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2006 @ $14.99.  This might be a mistaken price (6-pack divide by 12) as it is $30 ex--CD, but it's listed as "On Special", so you never know.  Various vintages of this wine, at least one with an export back label have appeared on Gray's.  Also Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2004 @ $38.99 if you like it more than I do (not a lot, I didn't buy it).

There was no Mad Hatter 2006 at my local 1stChoice when I checked yesterday, the only Hewitson was the Miss Harry blend.  I did notice they had an interesting selection of Single Malt Whisky, including a few from Islay that tempt me to back for a closer look.

14 November:   One snippet from the NWS I think I can reveal is the convention for dealing with TCA-tainted (corked) wines.  The Chairman of Judges left it to the panel chairs to decide if they want to call for a second bottle for corked wines, but the discussion was clearly "there are choices of closure out there and those choosing cork should not expect different treatment to any other closure choice".  Oxidised or reductive wines were not generally re-poured in the past, this time tca-tainted wines were generally not re-poured either.  Brett seemed to be more of a problem with the reds than cork taint in some of the older classes with a higher proportion of cork closures and in a few younger wines too.

Dan Murphy this week has Taittinger NV Champagne @ $57.80/$54.90

1stChoice has Lanson Black label NV @ $39.89/$37.90.

Joos continue to leave out the low prices in their "Research", the Grant Burge Pinot Noir / Chardonnay Sparkling NV they have this week at $23.49 with a long list of higher prices at competitors is $18.99 at Jims Cellars and Chambers Cellars.

13 November:   I'm a bit fuzzy this morning after a long day yesterday and the Judges and Stewards Dinner last night, I hope they have the coffee machine warmed up early this morning.  (They did too!)

The judging is done, Trophies decided, the results are embargoed until the Trophy Presentation Dinner next Thursday, but I can say there was a diverse range of wines in the red section of the trophy taste-off.  Once the results are out I'll do a little commentary on the highlights and lowlights as I see them and list the ones that attract me and which are available.  Tomorrow is clean-up and get ready for the Exhibitor and VIP Tastings the following Friday and I will probably be in there on Saturday morning as well helping with checking the results prior to the catalogue going off to print.  Then a week off to the Friday herding the tasting hordes and than clearing out the hall back to the starting empty state (and sharing out the left-over wines to the Show Society Cellar and amongst the unpaid personnel who make it all possible).

I quick heads-up for anyone near Toowong (Brisbane) 1stChoice.  They may have some 2006 Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz left @ $37.99, seems they haven't caught up with the substantial price rise for the new vintage.  Might be worth checking other 1stChoice outlets too.  Thanks Paul H.  Leigh in Brisbane managed to get DM to do a price match without an advert to point at, unusual and not to be expected elsewhere, although a few DM stores will accept info from this site as evidence.

Don't usually buy Wyndham Estate?  The GWD 6-pack of reds (2 each of the George Wyndham 2005 range) might be worth a try.  This label seem to crop up a bit at the NWS over the last few days, but I can't remember (and/or can't tell you yet)  the vintages or medals won.  $95 + $6.50 handling/freight.

Wine Market also have a mixed 6-pack of reds @ $275.95, a few dollars under the total of the individual wines listed elsewhere on their site, so you are not paying for them to mix up the 6-pack, or for freight if you type RBG in th coupon code.

12 November:   A couple of people in Perth and Brisbane have emailed re Buy 1, Get 1 free offers at Vintage Cellars.  The wines are Seppelt Mt Ida Shiraz 2005 and Benno Shiraz 2005, both $59.99 for 2.  Also possibly others in some stores, including Jamieson's Run Winemakers Reserve Cabernet blend 2002 @ $49.99 for two.  (If they have  the 2001, avoid it.)  Thanks Mike A and Craig C.

We are off to the Judges and Stewards dinner tonight, then an early start in the morning to set up for the Trophy taste-off.

11 November:   A very long morning as our panel decided to judge all their classes before going to lunch, then an early mark after we cleaned up and got set for tomorrow.  The Cabernet Trophy and Shiraz Trophy classes were judged today, I don't know the results and couldn't tell you if I knew, but there was an interesting mix of wines competing in each class.  We are drinking the left-over Peter Lehmann Futures Shiraz 2006 and Vincognita Nangkita Shiraz 2005 tonight, the sibling McLaren Vale Shiraz was gone by the time I got there, so it may have scored Gold again.  This wine has a distinctive flavour profile and impeccable balance, no wonder the Vincognita wines do well in shows.  Available form Adelaide Cellar Door, Wine Culture and Auswine.

Ross H forwarded an email from Charlatan Wines.  They are offering their 2006 Shiraz (made at Redheads Studio) for $80/6-pack + reasonable freight.  Ross highly recommends the wine.  Supposedly only 108 6-packs made.  Email Charlatan or call 08 8326 1181 for enquiries/orders.  Update:  It's all sold out, they want you to stop emailing.  There was no 2007 vintage of this wine, you'll have to wait for the 2008.

10 November:   Whew, a hectic day at the NWS, then straight off to my Monday tasting and Thai food after, I'm ready for bed, have to start early again in the morning. I was extra welcome at the tasting/dinner tonight, I came bearing a stack of half-empty bottles of premium young shiraz from the classes judged today, some pretty good stuff amongst them, probably bronze and maybe some silvers, all the Golds don't have much left after the judges re-taste to see if they are really worth Gold and decide Top Gold and then the Chairman tastes some.

09 November:   The 2008 Great Australia Shiraz Challenge (GASC) results are out, with a couple of relatively cheap wines at the top of the list.  The Scarpantoni Block 3 McLarenVale Shiraz 2006 has been out a long while and your best chance of stocks may be at the chains.  The Vincognita McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 is available for $18.74+freight from Adelaide Cellar Door and $21.95/$18.95 (full dozen) from Wine Culture.  This and the sister Nangkita Vineyard 2006 Shiraz (also available from Adelaide Cellar Door) have both done well in competition, the McLaren Vale has picked up more/better awards.  There are quite a few wines on the list I've never heard of and also quite a few wines from unheralded makers at prices as low as $10pb.  It would be interesting to see a full list of entrants and their scores.  The Warburn Estate Stephendale Shiraz 2006 also impressed James Halliday last year (Top 100) and is still available for $9.99 at WLA.  I tried it at DM after the Top 100 release last year and can't quite understand the attraction it holds, it didn't make my buy list.

A day of checking, checking, checking at the NWS and then picking out the wines for the Monday morning classes.  My panel is judging mostly young whites (and 2007 Pinot) in the morning, our corkscrew won't get much exercise with only one wine under cork.  At least we have a good class of 2006 Shiraz in the afternoon. With a late lunch we were treated to a 1993 Steingarten Riesling, 1999 Jacaranda Ridge (trying hard to show well, but suffering from a bit of cork mustiness and only half-emptied) and a sublime 1996 Thomas Hardy Cabernet.

08 November:   We got an early mark today as the NWS Committee had put up some money and paid for setup of a nice modular screen arrangement around the judging tables.  This saved us about an hour of setting up the old screens.  The late-leavers were rewarded with a bottle of Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz 1994 (and a couple of 2002 Rieslings) to help wash down the dust.

In case you haven't seen it, the Weekend Australian has the James Halliday Top 100 feature this weekend.  There were two highest-pointed (97) reds, the available/affordable one is the Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2006, it is available at Discount Wines for $34.50 + freight, Wine Culture for $35.99 + freight, Auswine for $36.99 and WLA for $37.99. (The other was Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier 2007).

07 November:   Krug 1998 is out, $399.99 @ Avalon ( 02 9918 3207) or $475 @ Wine Market, apparently very good, but not quite as good as the stellar 1996 and only $25 cheaper than the 1996 at Kemeny's while stocks last.  (Thanks Chris D.)

I don't know if this is still current, I found it via Google and haven't done a test order.  Wine Market was sending out $30 off vouchers, here is the page on their site: $30surprise

Wine Culture have an own-label Shiraz 2004 sourced from the old Classic McLaren winery before it was sold.  It may or may not be of La Testa quality (I would have thought that would have been clearly known), but they are offering it for $19.95 or $16.95 by the full dozen, + freight outside of Sydney.  It doesn't seem to be online yet, ph 02 9882 1788 to order.

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.  I'm surprised there wasn't much response to the Leconfield Cabernet 2006 last month, it's as good or better than the Wynns and Balnaves 2006 Cabernets and cheaper, $22 is the cheapest price around so far.  Also new this month is the Trevor Jones Wild Witch Shiraz 2004 @ $52 (WLA $56.99, Wine Culture $56.95+freight, W* $59.99) and the Whistling Eagle Eagles Blood Heathcote Shiraz 2006 @ $50 (W* has the 2004 @ $89.99).  Plus another bunch of reds in a "red-heavy" offer this month.  As ever, email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase.

If you get sick of bidding on the ROC Max V 2005 on Grays, Qwoff are offering it at $55, a much better price than Grand Cru in Perth or the $65 ex-winery. Oddly enough, it's a wine they don't stock, but order directly from the winery, plus winery delivery charges.  It's still probably cheaper on Gray's, around $200++ on Gray's today.

06 November:   Some more of the Taltarni Cephas Shiraz-Cabernet 2002 has surfaced at Jacks, the same buy 3 get 3 extra deal, so $150/6-pack + freight.  This was one of the bargains of the year in March, when some people got the deal direct from the winery before they clamped down on order.  Thanks John F for the nudge. The same deal is available on the 2003 vintage, from Kemeny's.

Snup are making some running adjustments to their model, the most significant being the removal of the credit-card pre-authorisation requirement, cards will soon only be charged if a bid is successful.  (It's not removed yet, maybe next week sometime.).  They will also eventually list RRP on wines (so you can take 30% off for your bids) and institute a feedback mechanism from retail partners on availability and bid price.  It's good to see they listen to constructive criticism, they might survive after all.

Dan Murphy has a couple of export "rejects" from Mak Wines, the 2004 vintage of a Clare Shiraz and Coonawarra Cabernet blend, both $6.90/$6.60, you should be able to taste before buying.  The 2003 versions of these have been on Gray's for a long time selling at around $4-$5pb delivered.  Also Katnook Cabernet 2005 @ $29.40/$27.90, ($29.99 at W* and WLA)  Kirrihill Clare Shiraz 2006 @ $17.80/$16.90 and Mt Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2005 @ $21.90/$20.80

The Spinifex Esprit GSMC 2006 is getting a few rave reviews.  It's available direct for $28+freight, Cellardor $28.93 (full dozen, limited list), Wine Culture $28.95+freight and EEC for $32.  It was $20pb from Wine Emporium recently (see 24 October) and now Prince Wine Store has it for $25pb for one week only, limit 12 per customer.

Looks like the Chais Clarendon Shiraz isn't moving at GWD, they are giving away a 6-pack with each case of Banrock Station Petit Verdot 2005.  Certainly doesn't help build up the brand image.

05 November:   Adopting some e-tailer hyperbole: "Save $230 per bottle on Krug 1996 Champagne".  Kemenys have it listed for $420, it's $649.99 @ Winestar.  I did leave out a couple of minor players @ $570 and Discount Wines has it listed for $425 on wine-searcher, but their site says sold out.  WLA had it for a while @ $499.99, if you want some, get in quick at Kemeny's.

The ROC Max V 2005 went for $244++ per 6-pack on Grays today or $48.43pb delivered.  Looks like the bargain has gone now.  It's still better than the offer Michael G forwarded to me today, Grand Cru in Perth is offering it for $69.99, for delivery late November.  I guess this is where (some) of the stock they were hawking around recently is going.

Boccaccio has a new newsletter out dated 3 November but it's not online.  It turned up in my spam folder today for some reason, maybe because it's full of Pinot and Riesling. Anyway, there is the Stonier Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2007 @ $23.99 (Winestar now the same price and with a bonus book with a dozen buy, see 3 Nov below) and the Quarry Hill Canberra District Pinot 2006 @ $17.99.

04 November:   For those of you waiting for the Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz 2006 after seeing rave reviews, and/or put off by the $70 CD-direct price or the need to buy 12 to get it for $57.12 at Cellardor, Winestar have just listed it @ $54.99.

Nicks have listed the 2006 Greenock Ck Seven Acres Shiraz @ $49.99, that seems a fair bit cheaper than last year and other outlets.  Your chance to try an 18% Barossa Shiraz.  Update: Also now Alice's Shiraz 2006 @ $34.99 and Apricot Block Shiraz 2006 @ $39.99.

Good luck if you are having a punt, good drinking as well.

Joos' research is lacking again this week, Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 2006 is offered for $13.99 + freight, with a claim that it won't be found cheaper than $15.99 elsewhere.  They should lash out and get a Pro wine-searcher subscription, the wine is listed at Discount Wines for $12.95+freight, $13.54 @ Wine Empire, Nicks @ $13.99 and Cellardor @ $14.03.

03 November:   Winestar are off the mark early this week, the newsletter offers are up already.  They feature Stonier Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2007 @ $24.99, with a copy of Campbell Mattinsons book "Why the French Hate Us" with each dozen buy.

Wine Market are offering Rosemount Show Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet 2006 @ $13.99 or $12.99 if you buy two dozen (coupon code RBGROSE, free freight included).  This scored a positive TN from James Halliday recently, 92 pts, drink to 2021.

Both Liquorland and Woolies Liquor seem to have 30% off sparkling wines at present.  There is usually a pretty limited range, but it might be worth a look.  John F way out in the west of Victoria at Horsham got some Pommery NV @ $59.99 less 30% = $41.99 from his local Liquorland.

I've done a first pass through the Kemeny's new catalogue, the offers that attracted me are listed on the Kemeny's RBG Offers page.

02 November:   The Kemeny's November/December Catalogue is online, I'll go through and check prices (and try to figure out the bonuses) and post my picks over the next couple of days.  One that did catch my eye is the Chateau Tanunda "Terroirs of the Barossa" Greenock Shiraz 2006 @ $34.99, Gary Walsh posted a positive note on this one today, indicating it was a clear best of the three in this series and it is $48.00 + freight ex-winery.  Also Fox Creek reserve Shiraz 2005 @ $49.99, down from $59.99.

Signs of the times, with Wine Selectors, Wine People and The Wine Society all advertising heavily, with Wine Selectors now offering an option without regular deliveries.  Wine Selectors claim "Today, we are the largest independent, direct supplier of Australian wine."  I wonder whether that is true, Cellarmasters (in it's various guises) is now independent, no longer owned by Fosters.  I guess some people find their offerings convenient and/or attractive, I'm not one of them. 
There seems to be more activity on Gray's too, with higher bids than I have seen previously on a lot of wines.  There are a lot of new wines on Gray's, but I don't know much about most of them and they don't seem to have the same class as the recent ones like Casas and Kassebaum.  I've always found the Chain of Ponds Kangaroo Island reds a little leafy and/or hard, many of the other new reds look fairly ordinary or are unknown labels that there is little reliable information about.  There are a number of wines that don't have any form or ORP/RRP/CRP prices and it looks like in some case that is because they are/were low-priced wines to start with and they don't want bidders to realise that.  For example, the Baudin First Encounter Shiraz-Cabernet is/was selling ex-winery for $7pb, Sandalford Element is a $12 -$13 wine and Heath Wines Southern Roo Cabernet Shiraz is $13.50 at Canterbury Wines.  Of course to balance that out they still have the ludicrous ORP  of $70-$80 pb on the obscure Bordeaux reds they offer.  At least most people are awake to that and bid less than that for the 6-pack.

There are a lot of mixed cases and spirits on offer as usual pre-Christmas, some of them probably offering good value, but it only takes one wine you don't want in the mix to make the deal less attractive than mixing up your own dozen.  Nicks have a couple of 1979 Armagnacs on offer, tempting as I've just about finished the bottle of 1971 Sempe I got duty free a couple of trips ago.  They also have some mixed dozens of high-pointers from the 2009 James Halliday Wine Companion, but I don't think the book is included and the value doesn't look exceptional on the couple I looked at.

01 November:   Assuming you still have money to spend on celebrations, the Christmas fizz specials are starting to get into full swing.  The Kemeny SMH advert today has a bunch of Australian sparklers, including Salinger @ $19.99 (Wine Market $21.49, Discount Wines $21.95+freight), Yellowglen Perle @ $19.99 (2004/2005 seems to be current there is a 2001 for $17.99 listed at Jims, but could be a bit tired by now), Seppelt Fleur de Lys Vintage @ $13.99, all in this range score a bonus Yellowglen Vintage 2007 for a 6-bottle buy.

Stuart at Wine Market has decided to be competitive on the Salinger, if you buy 12 (2 x 6-packs) you can have it for $18.99pb and free freight.  Use RBGSAL in the coupon code.