Search found 2808 matches

by Mike Hawkins
Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:35 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: The Top 5 Australian Wines, 2026 Edition
Replies: 19
Views: 610

Re: The Top 5 Australian Wines, 2026 Edition

You don’t see much about how vintage Sami Odi’s drink online more just endless chatter of the allocation process & FOMO. Why don’t the Sammi Odi drinkers from the online community get together and hold a vertical? I’d be interested to read this. I have a few of the vintages but dropped off the ...
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:23 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: January 2026 Purchases
Replies: 16
Views: 447

Re: January 2026 Purchases

Andrew Jordan wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2026 1:45 pm
phillisc wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2026 9:50 am 6 2025 Leo Buring Leonay
Cheers Craig
Same here ... with a $100 voucher came in at $15 per bottle delivered. Happy days!

Also, a mixed dozen of the current Sami Odi release.
Are you aware Riesling is a white wine?
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:21 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: The Top 5 Australian Wines, 2026 Edition
Replies: 19
Views: 610

Re: The Top 5 Australian Wines, 2026 Edition

So, what are the top five Australian wines right now? No, not the one-off, special bins, not the fad wine that has been around for the past four vintages, not the 100-case productions that nobody sees. Just, the greatest wine, which has a proven track record and is available for purchase, although ...
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Dec 31, 2025 7:30 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

phillisc wrote: Mon Dec 29, 2025 10:45 pm Thanks Mike... good to hear. I have 4-6 bottles of every other 90s vintage. I'll have to open a few more :wink: :wink:
Cheers Craig
I’ve consumed / sold / gifted all bar the 90,91,96 and 98. Last bottles of the 92,93,94 were a few years ago and they were starting to look tired.
by Mike Hawkins
Mon Dec 29, 2025 9:51 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Thanks Craig, I’ve always liked the 96 BP. And as good as it is, I’d only rank it number four for the decade
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:23 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

1990 Penfolds Bin 90a. I normally rave about this wine, having had it 20+ times. Sadly this and the last one were good but not great. It came across as a typical Coonawarra Cabernet… lots of eucalyptus, mint and cedar… but without many of the normal characteristics I get from Barossa Shiraz from the...
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:11 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Great to hear the '94 Seppelt Show Reserve is still kicking, I have 3 bottles and will take one to our next Brisbane offline. I also have '04, '08 and '12. Wonder if 4 bottles of Sparkling Shiraz would be too much for a vertical.... I have all those, but thought the 12 was quite pedestrian in compa...
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Dec 18, 2025 12:09 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: December 2025 purchases
Replies: 13
Views: 1010

Re: December 2025 purchases

12 x 2008 Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz I got one of these in a mystery pack from cdco and really enjoyed it. It’s very different but very good also ! Where was that offer from again? I think I remember seeing that recently This was from the Langtons Broker Service, which i have found to be...
by Mike Hawkins
Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:26 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

2013 Henriot Hemera… this was awesome. Citrus meets strawberries.lovely acid finish. I always liked its predecessor Enchanteleurs (indeed the 1959 is the best wine I’ve ever had), and this shows the name change hasn’t impacted the quality. Just a baby. 1995 Dom Perignon…. In a really good place. Pin...
by Mike Hawkins
Tue Nov 04, 2025 12:04 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Wine Tour in Bordeaux
Replies: 4
Views: 604

Re: Wine Tour in Bordeaux

Hi all, I’m hoping to use the brains trust of this forum to help me with potential experience of wine tours in mid August next year. We will be staying in the town of Bordeaux. I am resigned to the fact that we won’t be able to visit the big guns. But I guess other wineries will welcome small bus o...
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Oct 22, 2025 4:50 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: 2025 Rockford Mailer
Replies: 5
Views: 4100

Re: 2025 Rockford Mailer

While I don’t necessarily align with the Winefront critics’ palates, I heard they hammered the 22 BP. Anyone else yet to try it?
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Oct 01, 2025 2:54 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: 2025 Rockford Mailer
Replies: 5
Views: 4100

Re: 2025 Rockford Mailer

In speaking to a few winemakers from the Barossa, they all spoke in glowing terms of 2022, less so of 2023.
by Mike Hawkins
Mon Sep 29, 2025 4:50 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Mid-weekers. 2002 Mt Ed and HofG. Lovely wines HofG more concentrated than the herbally Mt Ed. 1994 Mt Ed. Magnificent 1996 Penfolds 389. Poised and balanced. Easy drinking. Ata Rangi 2012 Pinot. With aircrew discount $35 at AKL Duty Free on release. Fine at that price! Bunch of Barolo over the wee...
by Mike Hawkins
Sat Sep 27, 2025 5:47 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: September 2025 Purchases
Replies: 32
Views: 30996

Re: September 2025 Purchases

3 x 2024 Tolpuddle Chardonnay. Missed out on Giaconda this year, but between this, the Savaterre and Sorrenberg, I’m still very happy with my high end Chardonnay purchases. Don't overlook Penfolds Bin A Chardonnay - it's my Giaconda replacement. Even their Bin 311 with a few years bottle-age are pr...
by Mike Hawkins
Sat Sep 27, 2025 5:46 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Cullens Greatest Hits
Replies: 7
Views: 4496

Re: Cullens Greatest Hits

Thanks for the notes. While I quite like the chardonnays, their reds are extremely overrated IMO and don’t age well. Your comments seem to reinforce that.

That said, each to their own. Some people with way better palates than mine love them.
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Sep 24, 2025 8:55 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: September 2025 Purchases
Replies: 32
Views: 30996

Re: September 2025 Purchases

Thanks for that Sam. I'm trying another this week - Vinatis, who are based in France and who I've seen recommended on wine pages. Prices from ok to good, and range wide, though it seems a high % of co-ops. They've processed the order within a day, so the recommendation that said they were efficient...
by Mike Hawkins
Mon Sep 22, 2025 5:32 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

1999 Ornellaia (magnum)… a touch disappointing to be Frank. Average length and a tad mono dimensional with characters bordering on vegetal. 2009 Pontet Canet…lost the vibrancy of youth but not quite what I’d describe as secondary characteristics. I can see why the critics love it, but it was a mista...
by Mike Hawkins
Tue Aug 05, 2025 4:52 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: TN: revisiting top vintages
Replies: 8
Views: 513713

Re: TN: revisiting top vintages

Thanks for the write up. I really liked the 14 Graveyard when it was released. I haven’t opened any since, so I’m grateful to read your update.
by Mike Hawkins
Mon Aug 04, 2025 4:16 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: TN: Bdx legends + some Pennies
Replies: 18
Views: 5724

Re: TN: Bdx legends + some Pennies

That’s a cracking line up. Thanks for sharing these notes. I’ve had some of these before and most have been sublime. Shame about the 82 LLC, I’ve always found it to be sensational.
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Jul 17, 2025 5:11 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Rockford Basket Press Vertical
Replies: 34
Views: 12951

Re: Rockford Basket Press Vertical

I regret missing my opportunity to try the 84 many years ago, but won’t be paying crazy money for a wine that maybe dead anyway. Had all the rest though and still feel it’s the quintessential Barossa Shiraz.
by Mike Hawkins
Wed Jul 09, 2025 3:53 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Rockford Basket Press Vertical
Replies: 34
Views: 12951

Re: Rockford Basket Press Vertical

ticklenow1 wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:43 pm '98 is still the best BP I've had. Only been luck enough to have it 4 or 5 times, but every time it impresses me greatly.
It’s an excellent wine, though I prefer 90 and 91. Both are still drinking superbly
by Mike Hawkins
Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:59 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Rockford Basket Press Vertical
Replies: 34
Views: 12951

Re: Rockford Basket Press Vertical

JamieAdelaide wrote: Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:08 am I felt a 1998 BP last night was a considerably more perfected wine then the 2002. Holding- just a wee Hong of leather in this bottle.
Consistent with my comparative experience too
by Mike Hawkins
Sat Jul 05, 2025 5:19 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: July 2025 Purchases
Replies: 10
Views: 5863

Re: July 2025 Purchases

A mailed dozen of the 24 Agricolas and other dozen comprised of the Eisenstone 900 series
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Jun 26, 2025 11:09 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Rockford Basket Press Vertical
Replies: 34
Views: 12951

Re: Rockford Basket Press Vertical

Thanks Ian, As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat. Thanks for the write up and the excellent phot...
by Mike Hawkins
Tue Jun 24, 2025 6:35 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Rockford Basket Press Vertical
Replies: 34
Views: 12951

Re: Rockford Basket Press Vertical

Thanks Ian, As someone who has hosted number BP verticals over the years, its nice to read about other experiences. Of the ones you listed, I’ve always liked the 10, 12 and 04 releases, and like you, found the 08 (and 01) to have a fair amount of heat. Thanks for the write up and the excellent photo...
by Mike Hawkins
Fri Jun 20, 2025 7:03 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Howard Park Museum Masterclass – 19 June 2025
Replies: 2
Views: 4075

Re: Howard Park Museum Masterclass – 19 June 2025

Thanks Allan…. Abercrombie is often at the top of the tree for my tastes when it comes to Aussie Cabernets
by Mike Hawkins
Sun Jun 15, 2025 4:58 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Took a 2002 Grosset PH to day one of the World Test Championship at Lords. Despite the average glassware, this remains a cracking wine (fantastic line and length) with the loveliest lime aromas and beautiful cleansing acidity. Plenty of life left Snap! Almost. Took a 2005 to share with Mr Carringto...
by Mike Hawkins
Thu Jun 12, 2025 5:15 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Took a 2002 Grosset PH to day one of the World Test Championship at Lords. Despite the average glassware, this remains a cracking wine (fantastic line and length) with the loveliest lime aromas and beautiful cleansing acidity. Plenty of life left
by Mike Hawkins
Tue Jun 03, 2025 3:32 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 7054
Views: 2299618

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

1990 Penfolds Bin 389…. My favourite from this label after the 1971. This is in great nick with lots of Cabernet dominant aromas and flavours. Excellent balance and length. Shame it isn’t made this way anymore. 1998 Elderton Command… a bit riper than I remember and could have easily passed for a 12 ...
by Mike Hawkins
Wed May 14, 2025 7:58 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: May 2025 purchases
Replies: 31
Views: 4102

Re: May 2025 purchases

WAwineguy wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 5:21 pm Got some Cristal 2015 and Dom Perignon 2013 coming, so I'm pretty excited!

I don't buy much red these days - have way too much already!
I really rate the 13s that have a decent whack of Chardonnay in them. Much better than their 2012 brethren.