The Auswine Forum

Not sure it means much (or anything) but noted the Tolpuddle Chardonnay sold out quickly at the retailers who scored some (or at least, those I’m exposed to) whereas the Pinot is still available.

I grabbed a couple of the Chardonnay and one of the Pinot to give it a go.

Cheers, Ed

Hi all - 6 of us from the Melbourne Tasting Group gathered in Saturday to taste some wines from Clarendon Hills. Here are my notes (jotted more from memory than contemporaneously taken)… 2025 Best's Great Western Foudre Ferment Riesling Great nose, will benefit from time — the elements are there, en...

Grabbed one of each of the Phase Three wines

Cheers, Ed

Thanks for the note.

Like others I have some in the cellar from previous discount deals. I treat them as quaffers, albeit have only had one or two and the balance sitting for a bit longer but will be weekday or lazy weekend drinking.

Cheers, Ed

Grabbed some Mount Mary wines.

Also grabbed a few Fighting Gully Road Chardonnay, a small sample from the latest Bindi release and a Chatto Isle Pinot to give it a whirl.

Cheers, Ed

Thanks for the notes Craig, it’s great to get a read across so many wines from the region in one go. It seems like the 24’s will be ones to go long on like 19/21/22 have been in recent years. Sounds like the Bowen wines might be next on my list now that a decent amount of the BL has been secured! Ch...

Mount Mary time. Anyone grabbing some wines?

I got a mixed 6 of Agricola (the 3 continuous labels), then saw the reviews and went back for 3 more of the Seeliger Shiraz.

Cheers Ed

Thanks Graeme for sharing your notes.

Credit to Sue, she is really putting in a lot of work which is a huge value add to those of us who enjoy the Wynns wines.

I’ve got one of those 2005 BL in the cellar, I’m looking forward to trying it.

Cheers Ed

An intentional plan to focus on 2007 vintage? I’m certainly no expert when it comes to Italian wine so take everything I say with that caveat. The 2007 theme followed a 2004 theme held the week prior, me and a few others didn’t make the 2004 lunch but made it for this one. The wines have life ahead...

I’ve got all those Italians. I’d suspect the Roagna not representative of its age. They go that way in a beautiful manner but after about 30 years. Perhaps a bit of oxidation? Yes, should’ve mentioned as we re-tasted at the end of lunch that was mentioned by a couple of the group. It definitely sto...

Here are a couple of photos:

An incredible line up yesterday, which was a lot of fun - along with being educational as I expand my international wine knowledge. Thanks to Con for organising and Glovers Yarraville for hosting us. My recollections and reflections on the wines: 2011 Château Doisy-Daëne, Barsac (Cru Classé 1855), G...

No idea if Eisenstone has a cellar door, but they’re in a somewhat similar vein to Standish, in my humble opinion. Been a few years since I was in the Barossa. Rockford definitely worth a visit.

Cheers, Ed

Yes caught out again with label illusion! It’s easy buying and avoids the efforts to source the mixed results or quaffers from auction. The draw of the label and the bargain deals is a repeat wine buying offence. And soon after twisting the top, the statement below always comes to mind! “Past perfo...

I looked at their email but couldn’t wrap my head around the pricing. As I’ve shared on here I really only buy MM Pinot and while I’m keen to explore others, the opportunity cost of this wine is far too much. I mean - the 6 pack cost is essentially what I’ll pay to get my MM Pinot, plus Quintet and ...

Hi all - we were fortunate enough to have an incredible tasting on Saturday across a range of Wynns wines. A massive thank you to the generosity and coordination of Con, Michael and Tom (and I’m sure I’m missing others) who arranged the day. I feel very privileged to have been a part of it. Not only...

I had always assumed the 1847 wines to be more ‘commercial’ - old vines and no doubt quality fruit, but mass production, box ticking wines, rather than unique expressions. I may have been wrong.

Thanks as always for your notes.

I was wondering if I could avoid the 2014 WDC (have bought quite a bit over the last 4-5 years) - sounds like I need to grab a few things!

Cheers Ed

2015 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Blue and black fruits giving way to redcurrant and sour cherry with air. Eucalypt, spice and a hint of capsicum over chalky tannins. Still youthful, structured and evolving, with plenty of life ahead. 2016 Castelli Cabernet Sauvignon Darker-fruited and more ...

Grabbed a 6 of the BL. Suspect it ends up between 12-24 bottles like the 19 and 21’s did!

Great notes gents, thanks for sharing.

Cheers Ed

Went along to Attswood yesterday - not a winery I’m overly familiar with, but based out near Trenthan / Ballarat with wines from Macedon / Geelong areas. They were a very polished team yesterday - 4 adults and 4 kids aged < 5. They worked up some off menu food for the kids and the French food paired...

They’re such a fascinating winery. My hypothesis is a lot of these older iterations that followed the trend of the time will last 20+ easy. The newer versions seem a lot more terroir focussed with less winemaker intervention (I could be wrong). I grabbed a 6-pack of the Syrah release last month. It ...

I attended an event hosted by Brenden aka The Wine Animal last night. First time going to an event of his. 12 attendees. Private dining room at Cinder (Fitzroy North) with excellent food. My notes are a little patchy but here it goes: 2022 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec Red-fruited and firmly structured,...

I kind of dislike the direction of so many new wines. I wish more wineries would keep it simple. Maybe I’m an outlier.

Great notes, thanks for sharing.

Was at the storage last night and couldn’t readily put my hands on a 2009 R&S so opted for something else.

And yes, the Tawny a staple. Great over wintry months. And Christmas. Any any other time!

Cheers, Ed

Thanks for all of the responses - appreciate it. On balance it seems I’m not on my lonesome with having yet to to lock down a broad range of long term, must buy Aussie Pinot (probably not surprising given in real terms it’s still a somewhat newer and less proven variety - sounds weird but it’s all r...

Its of absolutely no surprise to anyone here, but I think there's just two bottles of Ata Rangi Marlborough PN in the cellar, that someone gave to me as a gift. I have one memorable Pinot experience when I called Stephen George in about 1995 or thereabouts to come to the winery to collect my annual...

I suggest you try Chatto - the flagship ‘Isle’ is my favourite but they have a number of styles in their range. Home Hill ‘Kelly’s Reserve’, and Tolpuddle are also worth trying imo Thanks - haven’t tried Chatto, will do some research into it. Tolpuddle is definitely on the list to try. Cheers, Ed

Hi all - I’m interested in tapping the collective wisdom and experience of the forum here. Aussie Pinot is not something I’ve got a huge amount of in my cellar (or Pinot generally). Part of the reason is I’ve never quite been truly “wowed” by the Australian versions of this variety. Palate preferenc...

2016 Levantine Hill Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel (left bank BDX blend). Opened quite primary initially with red berry compote and some emerging cedar. Improved significantly with air after a 90 min decant, becoming more savoury and structured over the evening. Red earth, pencil shavings a...