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

[JamieAdelaide]

Brovia Barolos en magnum from 2021. From all their single vineyard sites.

[Chuck]

Schild Estate 2019 Edel Barossa Valley Shiraz (cork). Dark plums, blackberries and mulberries with some good oak and tannins. Great balance with nigh a hair out of place. Acid still going strong so with fine grained tannins this wine will continue to improve over the next decade or so.

[Rossco]

Brovia Barolos en magnum from 2021. From all their single vineyard sites.

That would have been a very interesting exercise. Although very young vintage (especially from magnum), the 2021s are meant to be of great quality.

[JamieAdelaide]

I’ve been a big fan of Brovia for years. I backfilled cheaply and buy annually without trying the wines.

Funny enough, one visit to Brovia we took some 1990 Monprivato to assess it real or fake. The winemaker last tried this wine with Rudi in LA.

[Sean]

Robert Oatley Signature Series G-22 Grenache 22 - McLaren Vale. Winemaker is Larry Cherubino, who was making these series of region-based varietals. Unoaked. A fresh, lighter style of Grenache. Ruby colour and musky. Raspberry, cherry, earth and dried herbs. Nice feel to this with a few years on it and moderate tannin. - 17/10/26

Pfeiffer Fiano 25 - An unoaked style with some skin contact and 8 months on lees in the tank. A little colour in this and aromatic. Peach, apricot, herbs and subtle nutty notes. Nice texture on the palate and a moderately dry finish. - 20/10/26

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Rose 26 - Sourced from all of their vineyards, and not just pinot noir we were told at the cellar door. Whole bunch, wild yeast and a mix of tank and older barrels. A lovely salmon pink colour. Strawberry, cherry, peach, subtle spice and herbs. Nice subtlety and savoury dry finish. - 21/10/26

[JamieAdelaide]

St Peter’s 2004 was a nice wine in a medium frame with emerging complexity. Somewhat out of kilter for my palate on the finish under screw-cap. Will only buy under cork in the future.

Peter Lehmann Stonewell 2004 en magnum was a good old fashioned Barossan. Oak swayed in and out with aeration and my final deliberation was it showed too much char.

Couple of Austrian Rieslings and a noble Barolo.

[Sean]

Pfeiffer Riesling 25 - This is King Valley fruit, often a rounder, sweet fruited style. Free-run only and tank fermented. A pale straw colour and florals. Citrus blossom, lemon/lime and herbs. Clean with sufficient fresh acidity and a dry finish. - 23/10/26

Pfeiffer Sparkling Pfizz Red - This is really good shiraz. A little time in French oak, blended in tank, then bottled during the secondary ferment. Disgorged in 2024 and topped up with 2015 Christopher’s VP as the dosage liqueur. A deep, lush purple colour and slow bead. Red berries, plums, licorice, cola and dark chocolate. Luxuriant on the palate with some tannin. - 24/10/26

[Chuck]

Schild Estate 2021 Pramie Barossa Valley Shiraz. Typical knife and fork full bodied Barossa shiraz. Went well with a Wagyu grade 8/9 steak with enough acid (just) to cut through the rich fatty flavour.

[phillisc]

Attended the Redman Rouge Homme buy back dinner last Friday. Excellent setting , held in the winery barrel hall, beautiful food and a really interesting range of wines. About 1500 bottles from 1959 to 1994 came with the buy back, with many vintages for sale to club members. I picked up a couple of 1986 and 1978 vintages
1982 RH Riesling, golden yellow, very tertiary in development, no hint of kero, still held some interest.
2026 Redman Riesling, crisp with a lovely wave of acidity, really well made, excellent.
1977 RH Cabernet, wonderful fruit profile, still plenty of fruit, twinge of sweetness, delicious
1993 RH Richardson's Red block, (JWT winner), remember when this came out and ironically sealed the death knell for the brand, as any subsequent releases were relegated to SE Australia muck. Good colour, silky smooth palate, great structure with plush rich tannins, excellent.
1959 RH Cabernet, first release by the Redmans, plenty going on here, palate a fraction muted. We were given a second pour and obviously a different bottle, and the variation was evident. this had a wonderful aroma, florals, a little leather, bright, medium weight with good bottles (such as this one) full of life. Great experience to try.
2024 Redman RH new release, a blend of 60/40 Shiraz/Cabernet, very textural, seamless integration between varieties and oak, very good .
2016 William Wilson 55/45 Shiraz/Cabernet. A one off project between the Redman and Balnaves as WW had relatives that represented both clans. Shiraz came from the Redmans, Cabernet from the Balnaves. I have tried this wine a couple of times before, but it was great to be able to have a decent glass with food. At 10 years a monster, for me simply no evidence of cabernet at all, really savoury, mixed spice and dense dark fruits, oak is still there and long firm tannins. I guess what this says that in the next 10-20 years the Shiraz will settle and the cabernet may take flight. Very good wine, will last an age, cork willing.
2021 The Long Game Cabernet (inaugural release). Separate parcels from the excellent 2021 vintage. Black and blue fruits, spice, medium to full bodied, oak in support, apparently a couple of years in new French oak, long long finish with drying tannins. Structure reminded me of a John Riddoch. A 2024 edition is in the works. probably assumes the mantle as the flagship wine in the portfolio now, over the The Redman.
Very good evening to attend
Cheers Craig

[phillisc]

A tutored Crawford River tasting last night with the delightful Belinda Thompson. Always been a fan of these wines
2024 Beta Semillion Sauvignon Blanc blend, you can certainty taste the ferrous notes here from the ironstone limestone soils...interesting wine
2016 Beta, nice development, steely minerally, better for the age.
Then a flight of four Rieslings
2024 Strata, entry level, lovely honeyed note, even though very low in residual sugar, nice acid backbone, very good.
2025 CR, water like appearance steely, minerally, a ginger note, laser like puckering acidity but so enjoyable now, delicious and will do 10-20 years in a canter.
2018 CR, slight golden colour, attractive wine, but perhaps in a bit of a dumb phase, come back in 5 years
2010 CR, this is right in the spot, faint yellow colour which indicates this wine has years to go, still so primary, just fantastic.
Then the reds, CR make a Cab/Cab Franc and a straight Cabernet.
2024 CR Cabernets, (CS and CF blend). This is a lovely wine, plush on the palate, lighter style but great structure. Much prefer this to a straight Cab Franc, such good drinking now
2025 Cabernet, poise with power, lovely structure, French oak, black blue fruits generous palate, very very good
2019 Cabernet, developing very well, oak all soaked up, lovely wine, terrific future.
2018 Cabernet, couldn't really pick this any differently, perhaps a finer tannin profile, a little more finesse, but a very good wine.
2010 Museum Release Cabernet, at 16 years just hitting its straps, very primary, purplish colour. medium to full bodied, long finish with fine gravely tannins, excellent. The only reserve red under screw cap, but the winery has since reverted back to Diam...interesting
Cheers Craig

[Matt@5453]

Attended the Redman Rouge Homme buy back dinner last Friday. Excellent setting , held in the winery barrel hall, beautiful food and a really interesting range of wines. About 1500 bottles from 1959 to 1994 came with the buy back, with many vintages for sale to club members. I picked up a couple of 1986 and 1978 vintages
1982 RH Riesling, golden yellow, very tertiary in development, no hint of kero, still held some interest.
2026 Redman Riesling, crisp with a lovely wave of acidity, really well made, excellent.
1977 RH Cabernet, wonderful fruit profile, still plenty of fruit, twinge of sweetness, delicious
1993 RH Richardson's Red block, (JWT winner), remember when this came out and ironically sealed the death knell for the brand, as any subsequent releases were relegated to SE Australia muck. Good colour, silky smooth palate, great structure with plush rich tannins, excellent.
1959 RH Cabernet, first release by the Redmans, plenty going on here, palate a fraction muted. We were given a second pour and obviously a different bottle, and the variation was evident. this had a wonderful aroma, florals, a little leather, bright, medium weight with good bottles (such as this one) full of life. Great experience to try.
2024 Redman RH new release, a blend of 60/40 Shiraz/Cabernet, very textural, seamless integration between varieties and oak, very good .
2016 William Wilson 55/45 Shiraz/Cabernet. A one off project between the Redman and Balnaves as WW had relatives that represented both clans. Shiraz came from the Redmans, Cabernet from the Balnaves. I have tried this wine a couple of times before, but it was great to be able to have a decent glass with food. At 10 years a monster, for me simply no evidence of cabernet at all, really savoury, mixed spice and dense dark fruits, oak is still there and long firm tannins. I guess what this says that in the next 10-20 years the Shiraz will settle and the cabernet may take flight. Very good wine, will last an age, cork willing.
2021 The Long Game Cabernet (inaugural release). Separate parcels from the excellent 2021 vintage. Black and blue fruits, spice, medium to full bodied, oak in support, apparently a couple of years in new French oak, long long finish with drying tannins. Structure reminded me of a John Riddoch. A 2024 edition is in the works. probably assumes the mantle as the flagship wine in the portfolio now, over the The Redman.
Very good evening to attend
Cheers Craig

Treasury are dumping 46 brands to simplify their business in an already crowded retail space.

Nice tasting notes. Realistically is there a future for these guys with Rouge Homme?

[phillisc]

Thanks Matt, for a moment I thought you were referring to TWE's survival
If they get down to 30 brands then right for a take over and further culling.
As for little family operations like Redman, they have been in the game since 1908. Like most little family run wineries they all feel compelled to do something new. Hell, even Wendouree went down this road with the 24B.
Yes the RH buy back probably cost them a few bucks, but it appears that there was the best part of a hundred grand in sales happening on one weekend.
It's a really fine balance, spend some money to hopefully make some money.
Interesting times ahead for the industry that's for sure.
Cheers Craig

[Sean]

Thanks for the notes on Redman & Rouge Homme wines Craig.

Still remember when I first went to Redman & the choice was the Claret (Shiraz) or the Cabernet Sauvignon.

[Sean]

Rockford Frugal Farmer 25 - Grenache and Mataro blend fermented on the skins from their Alicante Bouchet rose to make this. A lighter style of red. Drinking it lightly chilled, and letting it warm up in the glass. Garnet red colour and florals. Red fruits, plums, earth and spice with soft, savoury tannins. - 26/10/26

Rockford Eden Valley Riesling 25 - Got 3 bottles of this, I will keep one if I can keep my hands off it. Light straw colour and nice florals. Got the usual talcum and lemon/lime fruit. Still a bit wound up and tight. Really notice the pristine fruit in this and piercing acidity. Much better as it warms up in the glass. Some chalky texture and a dry finish. - 28/10/26

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Pinot Gris 26 - Wild yeast and a mix of tank, concrete and older barrels. Got 3 months maturation in concrete and oak. A little colour. Pear, melon, citrus and spice. Some savoury texture with fresh acidity on the palate and a moderately dry finish. - 30/10/26

Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Field Blend 25 - I asked if they still had this at the cellar door and they did. Filling out nicely with a bit more time in the bottle. Straw coloured and musky/floral aromas. Citrus, melon, tropical fruits and herbs. Still very fresh with vibrant acidity and a dry finish. - 31/10/26

Pfeiffer Winemakers Selection Great Western Shiraz 21 - The fruit comes from the Thomson’s Sugarloaf vineyard. Aged in new and older French oak. Really good with loads of regional character. A deep red-purple colour. Pepper, raspberry, dark plums, dried herbs, earth and spice. This is 15.2% a/v, lush and velvety smooth tannins. - 31/10/26

Wynns The Siding Shiraz 24 - The white label Shiraz rebadged as “The Siding”. A big volume label often $15 or less. Red-purple colour. Pepper, blackberry, plum and herbs. Feels medium-bodied with nice fruit intensity and smooth, powdery tannins. - 1/11/26

Pfeiffer Tempranillo 23 - A difficult vintage with flooding. Rutherglen and Swan Hill fruit. Got 12 months in mostly older oak puncheons. This has come up a treat, really shining in the glass. A lovely deep red colour. Cherry, red fruits, chocolate and spice. Feels fresh and vibrant with some powdery tannin. - 3/11/26

Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - Looking around for other vintages to buy and I’d pick this again instead. Right now anyway. Reminds me of the 15 vintage the way it pops in the glass. Got 14 months in French oak, which is seamless. Nice red-purple colour. Blackcurrant, cherry, dried herbs, mint and earth. A slow burner with lovely polish and deep tannins. - 5/11/26

Ten Minutes By Tractor Estate Chardonnay 25 - Really good vintage with excellent fruit and acidity. A blend of their Main Ridge vineyards. Whole bunch, wild yeast and 11 months in French and Austrian barrels. Light straw colour and a bit of flint early on. Citrus, nectarine and florals. Also oak spice and subtle malo (in a few barrels) evenly weighted by the driving fruit and fresh acidity. - 6/11/26

Rockford Moppa Springs GMS 22 - Open fermenter, basket-pressed and matured in older large vats and hogsheads. Ruby colour and medium-bodied. Give it a good swirl in the glass for the aromatics. Red fruits, cherry, spice and herbs. Nice fruit intensity. A little tannin, but still very fresh with a soft, moreish feel to it. - 7/11/26

[Chuck]

Lindeman's 2012 St George Coonawarra Cabernet. Last of a 6 pack and probably the best with glacial aging just starting to bear fruits. Nice without being great. Classic Coonawarra fruit profile with plenty of acid and tannins left to see this go another decade. Hopefully the medium bodied fruit will not decline. Not my favourite of the Trio. Patience required.

[Rossco]

A Pinot Themed night held early last month.

This one was Yarra v Tassie Pinot

Wine # 1 (Starter) – 2020 Loosen Barry ‘Wolta Wolta’ Clare Valley Riesling
White gold in colour, bright and shiny perfectly clear. Nose has lime zest, citrus
florals and grapefruit with just a hint of talk.
On the palate there is a preserved lime character, a sweetness of fruit too but very
well balanced by that grapefruit acidity. Dry finish, but its quite rounded as well and
some grippy phenolics. You can see the German influence here where the alcohol
has been very well restrained. Good length, but I feel the fruit is lacking at this stage.
I want a bit more fruit power, is this an early harvest/early picked? There is just
something missing somewhere or maybe it's in that dumb Riesling phase. Don’t
know, but its not worth the $$ they are asking despite the interest and different style
to other CV Rizza. Its ok and will cellar easily for another 10+.

The second round of wine was a side by side comparison

Wine # 2.1 (left Glass) - 2015 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot
Dark Cherry colour from core to the rim, clear, no bricking or browning. Looks
youngish but starting to lose that youthful vibrancy. The nose has a prominent whole
bunch character, mulchy autumn leaves, just the slightest green stalkiness / tomato
leaves from the whole bunch treatment. Palate is similar to nose, but has a lower valley
feel to it, its darker and denser in fruit than other styles, low tannin but good length.
Fruit is dark cherry and maybe a hint of purple/mulberry type thing, quite interesting,
very little peppery spice, lick of oak. Nice wine without being great. Easy
recommendation and will last a long time.


Wine # 2.2 (Right Glass) - 2015 Primavera Vineyard Pinot
Similar in colour to the left glass but a smidge lighter / brighter red. Less whole
bunch characters on the nose (although they are still there), more fruit forward red
cherry which is nice. In the mouth though the oak is more noticeable, more
prominent but not domineering. Those bright red cherries are there, and some new
season strawberries and a little pomegranate crunchy acidity. More tannin which is
welcomed and I very much enjoy the balance of this wine. I prefer the fruit style,
structure and balance over the left glass. Feels higher altitude vineyard and this is
my pick of the two, purity and power of those red fruits win the day. Again another 5-
10 years in it still. Great comparison.


Wine # 3 – 2022 Giant Steps Wombat Creek Vineyard Pinot
I love this colour, bright ruby red. Light and shining, it's a happy wine. Very clear, you
could ‘almost’ think it’s a dark rose. Colour kind of reminds me of an Alpine Nebbiolo
from Valtellina (AR PE PE Style). Nose has a pure raspberry red fruited immediate
hit, there is some coal/charcoal type minerals there which is very interesting, not a lot
of oak and those fruits are just wonderful. Palate is a little different with more of a
medium red cherry and dark strawberry. Still some raspberry but not as much as the
nose suggests. Acid seems low for such a young wine, it looks a little older than it is,
but the length is super long. Low tannin, where I actually want more tannin in this
wine to balance those red fruits out. I really like this wine and its drinking very well
now. Probably another 5 years will continue to improve.


Wine # 4 – 2006 Punch Lane ‘Lance’s Vineyard’ Close Planted Pinot
Another ruby red colour, but this time there is some blurring and browning of the
colour. It Looks much older than all the other wines we have had. This has to be 15+
years old just going on the colour. There are some forest floor characters on the
nose, wet earth, mushrooms and wet pine. Umami/seaweed characters as well
which is very different to all the others served so far. Palate has a delicate touch, its
soft and supple, there is some strawberry and cherry characters but they sit in the
background, they have integrated into the wine and are not big or bright, but just sitting
there minding their own business. Low acid which is expected at this age, definitely
secondary/tertiary characters, nice tannic grip, but probably a bit short in length. Very
nice wine, however, is on the decline and you should drink now. It's still good, but has
peaked based on this bottle, Not sure if its cork or screw cap.


Wine # 5 – 2021 Lowestoft ‘Lowestoft Vineyard’ Pinot
We are back to younger wines with this one. Bright ruby red, clear as a bell /
translucent. You can see straight into the tablecloth. Lots of bright raspberry fruit,
very good oak on the nose without being overpowering, some baking spices and
herbs. The first thing you notice on the palate is that acidity, it's quite prominent and
the fruit is secondary to it at the moment. There is a nori / seaweed character in the
mouth as well which adds interest, good tannic grip too. Length is impressive
however it's just painfully young and needs another 5 years rest, that acid needs to
calm down and integrate. Again nice red cherry and raspberry fruits but they need to
beat that acid down a bit. Will be a great wine and time will be kind.


Wine # 6 – 2021 Pooley ‘Butchers Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir
This one is slightly darker than the previous wine, but still retains a youthful look,
young dark cherry is my note on the colour. Ripe red cherry fruit on the nose, some
ripe strawberry compote, and charcoal black minerals. You can smell the minerality
in this wine, quite something. There is a floral rose perfume lifting out of the glass as
well, wonderful nose. Palate has some more crunchy pomegranate acid, nice young
strawberry and red cherry. Hint of light mushroom as well, but more of those dark
graphite minerals. A hint of oak, tannin but it just feels too young at the moment.
Needs more time to come together, however it’s a stunning wine. Amazing length
and fruit power is stunning. I really love this wine but needs a minimum 5 years and
I would love to see it in 10 years as well. Easy buy recommendation.

Wine # 7 1998 Yarra Yering Pinot
Another old wine here…. Old! Blurry and browning with still a touch of red in there.
Nose has a big hit of cherry cola, sarsaparilla and dr pepper. There is orange zest
and a medicinal charry note. The palate is very confusing, probably due to age. It
almost feels like an old Bordeaux, doesn seem pinot like at all. There is a cigar box /
cedar note, old chesterfield leather, and old oak/old wood. All secondary characters
and the fruit is dead/past it. It's very short and very thin. I feel it's well past its best and
going downhill rapidly…. Almost too late / too old, however for prosperity and interest
it's still a nice drink, just don’t expect Australian pinot characters. Drink now (or
preferably 10 years ago)


Wine # 8 – 2024 Chatto ‘Seven Inch’ Huon Valley Pinot
Dark red, hint of purple and dark blue.
Nose is not great. Smoke taint but not bushfire, maybe a burnt rubber thing or like a
charred bourbon barrel, but either way I don’t like the nose on this, there is a sweaty
character to the nose as well… like sweaty socks.
Palate is better, some red liquorice, rhubarb, pomegranate and raspberry fruits. That
smokiness is still there, but not as bad as the nose suggests, lucky those fruits are
very good as masking/hiding. Its not faulty I don’t think, its just not something I like in
the wine. There are some nice purple florals starting to come up and out of the glass
now, I think this needed a big decant and a lot more time. Good length in the end,
still not my style and it's not a bad wine, it's just not for me.

Wine # 9 – 2021 Lowestoft ‘Woodlands’ Single Vineyard Pinot
Darker and more black cherry spectrum. Still young and vibrant, has a nice shine
however you can see the colour difference. Violets & blackberry fruit on the nose,
some earthiness with a hint of pine or herb of some type… aniseed/fennel maybe?
Palate has a cranberry edge to it, giving it a crunchy texture, nice blueberry and
pomegranate fruit and with beautiful purple florals. Hint of lavender in there which I
haven't seen in the other wines tonight. Low oak and low tannin…my only quibble is
it’s a fraction short, I just want that bit more length… will that come with time? Who
knows but I did enjoy this; good wine & put down for another 5 and see where its at.


Wine # 10 (Fortified) – 1979 Baileys Vintage Port
Deep, dark blackberry purple, slight tinge of red but has the colour of motor oil. Its
inky and dense just looking at it.
Thick dense fruit, super intense and powerful fruit. Blackberry, mulberry, dark plums.
Has a salty / maritime feel as well, not brine, but kind of like the salt you get in salted
caramel. Super sweet fruits, nice baking spices and fantastic length. Can only be
Australian and the question is McLaren Vale or Rutherglen… tough choice as there
is that blackberry fruit I get in McV but there is an earthiness and richness from
Rutherglen. Flip of a coin and I choose Rutherglen. Length is fantastic, full bodies,
mouth coating and again that density makes it almost chewy. The spirit is perfectly
integrated, clean and balanced. Will live a long time and it's over 47 years already.
Astonishing wine.


Wine # 11 (Fortified) – 1992 Lilydale Vineyards Fortified Pinot
Well isn’t this something very different! Not only is it a fortified pinot but its Australian
and on theme….and a second finishing wine. This was a little side project by the
winemaker at the time. Had some spare fruit lying around, didn’t know what to do
with it…. Let's add some spirit and have some fun was basically the reasons behind
it. Older looking wine, its blurry but still retains some redness colour. Nose has a big
hit of maraschino cherry as well as that medicinal cherry cough syrup. Palate is
super soft, like a cuddle from one of those Beethoven dogs. The wine is well
integrated with the spirit, there is some pinot character, but mostly secondary /
tertiary notes. Earthy and some very slight umami/mushroom notes. There is still
what feels like some tannin, but it's very soft and dusty. It’s a fantastic curio and a
great experience, finishes a tad short and with more of those medicinal cherry notes.

What a fantastic evening

[Ian S]

I remember tasting a fortified Pinot Noir in Martinborough NZ many years ago. Not unpleasant, but also not something I felt was the best idea. Good fun for a winemaker to try though.

[Chuck]

Sidewood Estate 2021 Adelaide Hills Shiraz. A wine that has benefited from what was a wonderful growing season. The fruit is perfectly ripe and slightly more in the plum range with slightly less of the typical pepper from this cooler climate area. Tannins and acids have moderated slightly since the last bottle about a year ago and should continue to integrate over the next 5+ years. An above average mid week quaffer enjoyed with crumbed lamb cutlets and creamy mashed potatoes and garlic asparagus.

[Chuck]

Schild Estate 2022 Narrow Road Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet (diam). I am a sucker for blends of these 2 grapes. Cabernet provides the structure with shiraz providing the depth of fruit and approachability. This is a good example and is not the full throttled Barossa red I was expecting. Plum, blackcurrent, mulberry etc and some nice oak that does not intrude much. Surprisingly approachable and should improve over an extended period. The squat heavy bottle is a waste of resources.