Wine thread

[Drew-Sta]

Yeah that's about what I expected... although NGL I wish I could get any Sorby Adams wine for $8.72 lol. Looks like I was pretty close to spot on with the Rod Easthope.

It's always stuck with me, so I remember the Cradle Bay Sav Blanc that's always 6 for 36 at Coles (or used to be) was $2.72 landed. And it sold for $15 at First Choice. More at LL I think.

Agree re Sorby lol.

Yeah, the Cradle Bay SB sounds like Tier 4 blend. Which is basically straight from the cats litter box straight to the bottle. There were a few parcels back in... I'm going to say v14 - v17 where some big volumes of bulk were going very, very cheap. Frank Tate was selling me a Marl SB for $4.5++ which was extraordinary for me at the time. I remember blasting over the phone at $12.99 and making 50 points on it inc BDF.

Better times...

 

[Bazal]

Agree re Sorby lol.

Yeah, the Cradle Bay SB sounds like Tier 4 blend. Which is basically straight from the cats litter box straight to the bottle. There were a few parcels back in... I'm going to say v14 - v17 where some big volumes of bulk were going very, very cheap. Frank Tate was selling me a Marl SB for $4.5++ which was extraordinary for me at the time. I remember blasting over the phone at $12.99 and making 50 points on it inc BDF.

Better times...

Tbh on quality I'd say Tier 4 is generous lol

But people lap it up ofc. Well, they did. I haven't even cared enough to walk into a First Choice since I left. Apart from once to buy an Ardbeg about 2-3 years ago

 

[horrie hastings]

Tbh on quality I'd say Tier 4 is generous lol

But people lap it up ofc. Well, they did. I haven't even cared enough to walk into a First Choice since I left. Apart from once to buy an Ardbeg about 2-3 years ago

Yes but as you say people still lap it up, really though in our shop the demand Cradle Bay has really dropped off, currently on special for $8, it seems to move only if we run out of Story Bay Sav Blanc Sem .
I love Drew -Sta's summary of it, straight from the cat litter tray to the bottle, so spot on.
I have cut down my hours to two days a week now and do the odd Sunday shift as extras, just no interest in the company anymore , just gives me enough play money till i retire which is not far off, just have to really use up my sick leave before then.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Yes but as you say people still lap it up, really though in our shop the demand Cradle Bay has really dropped off, currently on special for $8, it seems to move only if we run out of Story Bay Sav Blanc Sem .
I love Drew -Sta's summary of it, straight from the cat litter tray to the bottle, so spot on.
I have cut down my hours to two days a week now and do the odd Sunday shift as extras, just no interest in the company anymore , just gives me enough play money till i retire which is not far off, just have to really use up my sick leave before then.

So one day per week as you use the sick leave?

Spent a weekend in Clare Valley. A lot of farmers hurting right now. They're adapting best they can but its been tough.

Managed to score a bottle of Mitchell's McNichol Shiraz v10. Still quite young.

 

[Bazal]

2013 Rockford Moppa Springs GSM

To be totally honest, I knew I had this but forgot to drink it. Lol. So it's at the back end of its' best. Have had others ofc so NBD. I don't mind experimenting with the odd bottle laid down "too long", accidentally or on purpose.

Super dark fruit, blackberry, black cherries and dark plums. Dried fig. Dark chocolate. It still has tannins, which feel a bit like Early Grey tea, and it finishes savoury and gamey with acidity still there. Glad I drank it now, very tasty, if you happen to have any I'd get through them this year personally.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Did a Pinot Noir tasting bracket last week on Friday. Had the By Farr, Mt Mary and Bass Phillip. They were nice.

But just reaffirmed that I'm not a Pinot Noir drinker.

 

[Bazal]

Man I've grown to love pinot. It's probably my go-to 'standard' red varietal these days (along with cool climate shiraz anyway).

I get why it's a bit polarising though. Without meaning to be wanky, I do think it's more a brain on wine. Like, good pinot is more enjoyable when I sit there and pick it apart, but sometimes I just want to drink a good wine without doing that. If i just want a good drink I almost never go for it.

And obviously, casual wine drinkers won't be doing that at all. I feel the same about cabernet in a way tbh, although I like it less than pinot

 

[Bazal]

Vintner's Daughter 2021 Syrah.

Classssssic Canberra syrah. Clean dark fruits and loads of sappy green peppercorn on the nose. Blackberry, sour cherries, pepper, cured meat, and that sort of acid finish that always presents like an apple to me. Super good.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Man I've grown to love pinot. It's probably my go-to 'standard' red varietal these days (along with cool climate shiraz anyway).

I get why it's a bit polarising though. Without meaning to be wanky, I do think it's more a brain on wine. Like, good pinot is more enjoyable when I sit there and pick it apart, but sometimes I just want to drink a good wine without doing that. If i just want a good drink I almost never go for it.

And obviously, casual wine drinkers won't be doing that at all. I feel the same about cabernet in a way tbh, although I like it less than pinot

I think I've got to the point where picking apart wines isn't the enjoyable bit for me. I taste so many now. I want wines to jump out and scream 'I'm f**king better than the rest'.

Strange blends, value and drinking wines of provenance are what get my juices flowing.

 

[Drew-Sta]

@Bazal @horrie hastings - got myself a botle of Swinney 'Farvie' Mourvedre. So tempted to crack it and drink now. Will give it a few years.

Also got a St Clare from Jim Barry too. Down to the cellar they go...

 

[Bazal]

@Bazal @horrie hastings - got myself a botle of Swinney 'Farvie' Mourvedre. So tempted to crack it and drink now. Will give it a few years.

Also got a St Clare from Jim Barry too. Down to the cellar they go...

TBH I've never had or really known of the Swinney. Which I'm keen to rectify after a google

The Jim Barry is a super wine though. Although they make one of my most disliked wines, it's rare they miss otherwise.

 

[horrie hastings]

@Bazal @horrie hastings - got myself a botle of Swinney 'Farvie' Mourvedre. So tempted to crack it and drink now. Will give it a few years.

After doing a bit of reading on the Swinney, i like you would be tempted to crack it open now but no it will be even better after being down in the cellar for a while.

 

[Drew-Sta]

After doing a bit of reading on the Swinney, i like you would be tempted to crack it open now but no it will be even better after being down in the cellar for a while.

I am struggling

 

[Bazal]

Margan Saxonvale Mourvedre. As far as I know the only Hunter Mourvedre in existence, maybe ever?

Super dark and juicy, but vibrant and lively. Lightly stewed red berries, currant, cherry, leather savoury tannins. Probably more people should do Hunter Mourvedre. Fordwich is a bit warmer though so that no doubt plays a role (climate change pending...)

 

[Bazal]

2013 Wynn's V&A Lane Cab Shiraz.

Super dark and intense. Nose is blackcurrant, mulberries, tobacco, dried fig, pepper. Structure is great, shiraz fills the hole seamlessly. Dark berries, sweeter on the palate than the nose. Milk chocolate, coffee, more of the tobacco on the back, a little savoury with the first touches of age. Tannins are still there on the finish but just starting to fade into the fruit.

Nothing unexpected for a warm year SA red tbh, but it's high quality fruit done really really well. Probably perfect now, for me.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Margan Saxonvale Mourvedre. As far as I know the only Hunter Mourvedre in existence, maybe ever?

Super dark and juicy, but vibrant and lively. Lightly stewed red berries, currant, cherry, leather savoury tannins. Probably more people should do Hunter Mourvedre. Fordwich is a bit warmer though so that no doubt plays a role (climate change pending...)

Had zero idea they grew Mourvedre up there. Super interested. I'll stick that in my next order box.

 

[Drew-Sta]

2013 Wynn's V&A Lane Cab Shiraz.

Super dark and intense. Nose is blackcurrant, mulberries, tobacco, dried fig, pepper. Structure is great, shiraz fills the hole seamlessly. Dark berries, sweeter on the palate than the nose. Milk chocolate, coffee, more of the tobacco on the back, a little savoury with the first touches of age. Tannins are still there on the finish but just starting to fade into the fruit.

Nothing unexpected for a warm year SA red tbh, but it's high quality fruit done really really well. Probably perfect now, for me.

Later vintages have all gone to the super light alcs. I think 2019 was 12.4%, which has been unheard of from a shiraz out of Coonawarra since the 70's. At least, deliberately, anyway.

Sue is really trying to turn back the clock. They're working a lot in the vineyards to improve their quality like Kaesler. Not sure Treasury will let them hit the apex they're aiming for but it's encouraging.

 

[horrie hastings]

So one day per week as you use the sick leave?

Actually using up my sick leave at the moment as carers leave as my better half had hip surgery so out of action at the moment. Have not missed the place, while i have been off the PDT we do orders with has died, the front roller door has malfunctioned and they reckon it will take about 3 months to get parts to fix it so they just have temporary barriers at night to secure the store, because of this the buzzer doesn't work so when there is only one on you cant go out the back to get stock or into the large cool room, also can't set the alarm at night, the whole place and company is a joke, i actually think i wont be going back.

 

[Bazal]

Head Red Grenache 2021

Love Head....wines. Used to sell a metric tonne back in the day too. I was looking for the GSM but Dans were all out.

Medium bodied. Red Allens frogs, which is super weird but nice. 10% whole bunch gives it just a little leafy character, classic red berry, a little foray into forest earth pinot notes, and a spicy, slightly sweet/savoury finish like the old fruit leather. 5% mataro too, which I think gives it the surprisingly clean and present tannin. Would handle a chill in summer, or not at this time of year