11 June:   Today will probably be the last significant update for a couple of weeks as it won't be a high priority while I'm on holidays in Thailand.  We are hoping to fit 5 bottles of good red into two suitcases, space (in a 3 and 2-pack polystyrene) is Ok, weight may be a bit close to the limit.

Prince Wine Store has Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2004 @ $75.00pb or $420/6-pack + delivery.

A big-brand labelled quaffer for $6.25 if you can cope with the entry-level Jacobs Creek Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 with a promo stick for "Australia" the movie.  I'm not so sure about the claimed $14.99 RRP, it's available elsewhere @ $8.95.  Anyway, get a dozen from Wine Market for $75 including freight if you use the RBG coupon code.

Dan Murphy has Ringbolt MR Cabernet 2007 @ $16.90, Barwang Shiraz 2007 @ $12.90, Taylors Shiraz 2007 @ $11.80, Metala Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $10.90, Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz-Cabernet 2006 @ $16.50 and you can get a case of the entry-level Jacobs Ck range with a 24-pack of Oettinger beer for $ $8.90.

Nothing to mention at 1stChoice again.

10 June:   For anyone who liked the B3 Barossa Shiraz 2005 that was on Gray's for a long time and contemplating bidding on the B3 Oscar Shiraz 2006, you might like to know it weighs in at 16.0% a/v.  I won a case @ $59++ last week and it has just arrived.  I'll pop the screwcap on one and see what it's like after I warm up a bottle a little.  Initial impressions aren't good, the alcohol pokes out, the fruit isn't as generous as you would expect and there is a big hard lick of acid on the finish.  Cameron F had a similar impression of his lot delivered yesterday.  It's not in the same class as the 2005 B3 Shiraz I paid much the same price for, disappointing.  Update:  All is not completely lost, the fruit opened up a bit after a few hours and the acid toned down with a steak, so it may settle a bit with more time in the bottle and a decent decant.

I try hard to understand why merchants with reasonably functional on-line ordering keep sending out email offers that aren't available on their web site.  I can understand it if the wines are highly desirable and in very limited supply and maybe if they really don't want the supplier to know what price they are selling at.  Maybe it's to make subscribers feel exclusive or to encourage people to join the mailing list.  Anyway, it's a nuisance to me and I don't always list the deals.  The one that prompted this mini-rant is Purvis Cellars (Melbourne), who are offering JJ Hahn 1928 Vines Shiraz 2005 @ $19.99, with a Word document order form to use.  There must have been a heap of this left when the new vintage was ready to go.  Purvis indicate they were selling it for $24.99, already a good price as it is $30 and up elsewhere.  They also offer the Cat Amongst Pigeons Nine Lives Shiraz 2007 @ $12.79 ($15.99 at Nicks).  Of course there is also the wonderment that a wine e-tailer wouldn't list on wine-searcher, it's free to merchants AFIK.

The Boccaccio e-newsletter is up on their site (see left panel link), featuring as usual an interesting selection, Tahbilk Shiraz 2005 @ $16.99 ($16.15 ex-Tahbilk members price, $16.75+freight Discount Wines, $19 Cellardor), the Izway Bruce Shiraz 2007 @ $41.99, the 2007 Kalleske Shiraz pair (Pirathon $19.99, Greenock $34.99, same prices at some of the other good independents), with the usual sprinkling of imports including Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2006 in 375 and 750ml @ $19.99 and $33.99 respectively.

I missed buying the Tuesday SMH this week, but Ross H is on the ball again with some specials from 60 Darling St, they are offering an extra 5% off for 6-packs sales.  Shaw Smith 2007 Shiraz $33, Setanta Cabernet 2006 $17 (Again) and Longview Yakka $22, all prices less 5% and plus freight, the price on the Shaw & Smith is pretty sharp.  Ph 1300 139 252 to order.

GWD have a new vintage of Norman's Chais Clarendon Shiraz 2007 @ $15.95 with the same claims of a mythical huge saving on a historical irrelevant RRP.  The prior vintage was $17.95, so I guess you save $2pb.  GWD own the Normans brand.  Of more interest may be The Story Grampians Shiraz 2005 @ $16.95, sold out elsewhere, it was $20 when previously offered at Boccaccio and Winestar.

09 June:   The guys at Wine Front are stealing my thunder by "twittering" special prices on some wines they review.  The latest is the Norton Estate Grampians Shiraz 2004.  "04 Norton Estate Shiraz priced to clear. 13.5% Peppery forest berry+aniseed. Balanced. $150 per doz or $14pb. GW http://bit.ly/3fhBy0".  I couldn't see the offer on the site, but I guess you can all or email and tell them Gary Walsh sent you.

I tried a bottle of the Mayford Porepunkah Shiraz 2006 last night with a subset of my Monday tasting group.  On public holiday Mondays some of us gather with a masked bottle each and play options and then have a meal with the remnants of the wines.  Last night the wines were Condada de Haza Ribera del Duero 2005, a fairly easy pick on the options offered and a nice firm food wine.  Next was a Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2002, with hints of band-aid (brett) initially, but soon overpowered by the fruit and oak, big for a Clare wine, but a little clumsy I thought (and I brought it).  A bottle of Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium Shiraz-Cabernet etc blend 2005 didn't impress as much, appearing softer and older than it should, some stalky undertones too I thought, not as good as the 2004.  Finally the Mayford and it prompted some appreciative sounds as people eyed the brilliant colour and nosed the enticing fragrances from the glass, richer than you might expect from a Victorian Alpine Shiraz (unless you've tried the likes of Battely) and most people plumped for the SA or WA option. Exceptional fruit, well-judged oak, seamless balance, this wine is a delight and went brilliantly with the chicken thighs in a rich braise with pasta and rocket.  At the end of the night it was the only empty bottle, all the others had a small amount left.  Get it for $33 from Boccaccio or $34.95 @ Cloudwine.  Also available direct from the winery for $177+freight for a 6-pack.

If you like the Ben Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz formula the the 2008 Penny's Hill Red Dot Shiraz (not to be confused with the $24 Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz with the red dot on it) @ $9.99 from Aussie Wines may be right up your alley.  I tend to find his cheaper wines a bit soft and sweet, but the fruit is usually pretty good.  Elsewhere $12.

I may be getting a bit old and slow, I did a cursory search for likely candidates for the 2004 Cleanskin Sparkling Shiraz offered by Nicks @ $12.99 but the listings for the labelled version on wine-searcher don't have the vintage listed, it's variously listed as NV and Vintage without a year.  In fact there may be a NV version as well (but that may be a Pinot Noir Shiraz), it's never been well-marketed, so maybe that's why it's been offered as a cleanskin.  It took me a while to wake up to the meaning of the SJ label that Nicks stuck on it.  The labelled version seems to sell for $22-$25, so $12.99 looks like a fair price if you like Sir James, I've enjoyed a few, but never bought it in any quantity. There is also a new Hardy's Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz 2004 around at $15, maybe that's where the rest of the batch went. 

06 June:   Kemeny's new advertisement today continues to berate Woolworths/Dan Murphy for perceived dishonesty in claiming to beat Kemeny offers when it's obvious they haven't.  Worth reading for the tirade alone (and telling photo) and there are some sharp deals, especially if you appreciate the beer bonuses.  Some of the wording "We consider ... actions to be damaging." is almost as if they are working up to an action with ACCC or the courts.

The new Graysonline website has been released.  The user interface and account management side of things has been improved, but there are still a few things that could be improved.  Be carful about Standard (default, fixed price) bids and Automatic (incremental maximum, non-default) bidding.  I haven't seen any difference in the quality of information published on the wines listed and don't have any evidence yet of promised Customer Service improvements.  If you use the site, there is a "Feedback" option on the bottom right of the page, use it if you have comments to make.

05 June:   Anthony at Boccaccio has raved about the Izway Bruce Barossa Shiraz 2007 and has it on his site @ $41.99.  Wine Culture also included it in their most recent email @ $42.99 or $39.99 in full/mixed dozen (+freight), phone to order, it's not available for online ordering. EEC have it for $42 also.

Nicks have a cleanskin/own label Sparkling Shiraz 2004 @ $12.99.  According to the blurb the corks are branded, so if anyone pops the cork on one of these I'd like to know where it's from and I guess some other readers would too.  I don't see a lot of point in being coy about the origins and then mentioning it has a branded cork.

One that got away, Kim emailed about Binder Mitchell Dovetail Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 on Wine for Life @ $2.53pb, but it was all gone at that price when I looked.  (Apparently 112 bottles went in 2 hrs).  I bought a bottle of this in a mixed case, it's the only one I haven't tasted and I can't find it in my cellar, so maybe I included it in a mixed pack of cheapies for a friend.  Josh S emailed recently that he thought it was drinking well.  Update: Funnily enough, this wine soon after turned up on the Wine Made Easy site for $8.50pb.  I wonder how many they have, their site happily let me add 100 cases to the shopping cart.

04 June:   Dan Murphy have a selection from the BRWB at mostly sharp prices, including Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet-Shiraz 2007 @ $15.90 (best price I've seen), Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2008 @$17.90 (same as the best independents), Epsilon Shiraz 2007 @ $16.90 9 (Cloudwine, Wine Culture $24.00), Bleasdale Bremerview Shiraz 2006 @ $13.90 (Nicks $14.99), Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2006 @ $12.90 (elsewhere $14.99) and Ingoldby Shiraz 2007 @ $10.40.  1stChoice misses the boat again.

Matt at Premium Wines Direct has a lone 6-pack of Dom Perignon 99 he wants to move.  Price is $210/bottle, freight $7 on bottles or the 6-pack.  Call Matt on 08 8352 3094 or email.  The new monthly specials are up too, some carry-overs, some new, new mixed packs, new bonuses, see left panel link.  We still haven't quite hit that next $1,000 for Care Australia, so email Matt and mention this site so Care Australia benefits from each purchase.

The first sub-$35 price for Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2007 is $34.95 at Canterbury Wines.  Elsewhere $38-$45.

Auswine is having a 10% off sale for the next 7 days (excepting cellar-selection wines), simply buy 12 bottles and 10% will be taken off (I'm clarifying if it is mixed dozens or 12 of each wine).  Examples:
Longhop Shiraz 2007 $16.99 to $13.99 per bottle
Spinifex Taureau 2007 $28.00 to $25.20 per bottle (interesting Tempranillo blend)
Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz 2008 $16.99 to $15.30 per bottle
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2007 $37.99 to $34.20 per bottle (new best price)
Hewitson Ned and Henrys Shiraz 2007 $24.99 to $22.50 per bottle

The GWD specials this week didn't raise much interest with me.

03 June:   Aussie Wines have the De Bortoli Yarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 @ $24.99 with a bonus 2000 vintage magnum with a dozen buy.  (95 Halliday pts in his 2008 Top 100).  Also the De Bortoli Estate Pinot Noir 2007, same points, same price, same bonus.  No listings elsewhere on wine-searcher.  They also have the Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Barossa Shiraz 2007 and Quartage 2007 @ $17.99 (same price at Discount Wines but plus freight).  The Shotfire Shiraz 2007 was the Big Red Wine Book Boutique Bargain of the year, though I wouldn't really consider Thorn Clarke in the Boutique winery category, they produce between 50,000 and 99,000 cases per year under their own labels.

Wine Market will have another pallet of the lush Marcus Schultz Benjamin Shiraz 2005 on Friday, same price as before ($119.88/dozen).  This is the best of the Schultz wines on offer, don't miss out this time if you like a ripe, lush Barossa Shiraz ready to go now.  Don't forget to use the RBG coupon code for free freight (email them if it still isn't working, I haven't checked yet.  Update:  The RBG code is not completely working, it will deduct $5 from your order, which is Ok for single case orders, but Stuart will manually adjust other orders.

A few e-tailers are offering the Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz 2008 on the back of numerous favourable reviews.  The cheapest is East End Cellars @ $15.00 (need $200 order to get free freight).  Most others are around $16.90/$16.95, just over the $200 free freight limit.  I tried this with TORB last week, together with the 2007 Frost Dodger Shiraz.  We must have struck a dud bottle as the SR 2008 we tried had a green streak, subdued mid-palate and hard edges, none of the lush fruit-driven character mentioned by other reviewers.  The Frost Dodger was showing well, otherwise we would have doubted our palates, it was a fairly early morning tasting.  TORB reported that later in the afternoon/evening it hadn't improved.

Hoddles Creek Yarra Pinot Noir 2008 also has a swag of rave reviews, including Pinot Noir of the Year in the BRWB.  You can get it at quite a few places, all at around $18.99. (Auswine, Boccaccio, Canterbury Wines, Cloudwine, Winestar, Hoddles Ck).

02 June:   Lots of 93-94pt scores in the Halliday 100 Tasting notes out today.  Must remember to take 3-4 pts off.  Many of those high-scorers I checked aren't at retail yet or have limited or winery-only availability at present.  Flynns Heathcote Sangiovese 2006 (94pts) was of interest as a prior vintage impressed me.  Wine-searcher lists it at Armadale Cellars for $29.95 (on-line ordering has been "coming soon" for nearly a year now), Cloudwine @ $32 and the winery sells if for $33.  The John Kosovitch Pemberton Cabernet Malbec 2007 (95pts) is available from the winery @ $38 less 10% for dozens + $20 freight outside Perth.  Maverick Twins Barossa Shiraz 2007 (93 pts) is $27.50/$26.40/$25.30 at Wine Snob, $26.99 @ Nicks, $25.90 by the dozen at Online Cellars, $168/6 ex-winery.  Update:  Luke B asked about my "take 3-4 pts off" comment.  My reply was: "I consider many Halliday scores in the low-mid 90's range in recent years to be overly generous and mentally subtract a few points to get back to my version of reality.  Sometimes that is un-generous to the wine, but I'd rather err on the side of safety, I've been disappointed too many times with wines he (or Ben Edwards) have rated highly."

Torzi Matthews have released their first Sangiovese, the 2008 Vigna Cantina, $18 ex-winery, free freight for orders over $200.

If Adelaide Hills Merlot/Cabernet blends are of interest, the Protero Gumeracha Merlot Cabernet 2005 @ $19pb by the dozen from Squashedgrape may be for you, free freight on full dozens.  Some good reviews there.

The Winestar weekly offers are up.  The top red under $20 in the Big Red Wine Book is featured:  Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Shiraz 2007 @ $16.99 (same price @ Boccaccio, elsewhere a dollar or two more), Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2007 @ $36.99 (Cellardor $36.03, Discount Wines $36.95+freight, ex-Winery $38+freight) and Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre 2007 @ $55 (elsewhere $57 and up, ex-Hewitson $70, the price has jumped from the prior vintage, you can still get the 2006 for $42.70 at Wine Empire and $44.95 at a couple of other e-tailers).

The Boccacio newsletter is up too, featuring another 2007 MR Cabernet, this time the Fraser Gallop MR Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 @ $24.99. Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Shiraz 2007 @ $16.99 plus the usual small selection of tempting imports, 2 Spanish, a CNdP and an Italian Sangiovese this time.  I'm not so sure about the "good brett" assurance on one of the Spaniards though.

With the dearth of decent reds on Grays recently and higher prices due to advertising, I've bought a couple of cases of wine from Glug when they dropped prices to clear remnants.  One has sold out, the other is still available for a short time.  Made by Kym Teusner, the Karrawirra Barossa Shiraz 2006 has an ugly label, but the uncomplicated medium-weight wine is perfectly drinkable @ $6.99 plus a reasonable delivery fee.

Times are getting tough out there.  I had an email from an anonymous source (probably an e-tailer) purporting to describe a "Scandal" perpetrated by well-known wine business entities.  Desperate and sad really.

01 June:   We haven't had a frost yet in Canberra, almost unheard of, I'm still picking chillis.  Great red drinking weather though.

The GWD Willow Creek Tulum Mornington Peninsula Cabernet 2004 @ $12.95 looks to be a good deal, it's offered @ $32.95 at one other merchant, the winery has moved on to the 2005 vintage, selling it @ $36.00 case price + freight.  If you can cope with 2 cases, you can get the labelled Dowie Doole Hooley Dooley Cab-Shiraz-Merlot 2006 for under $5pb.  Wine Market had an unlabelled version of this for $5.99.