A Wynns Mini Vertical Experience

I had one of the best wine experiences recently.  Picture this if you will.  12 wine enthusiasts, a big outdoor entertainment area, a great view and a line up of Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz from 2000 to 2008 (except 2007. Don't know why I didn't buy that vintage).  We started from the 2008 and worked backwards of course and finished with a 1986 of the same wine.  It was something I had never done before or experienced before and to taste this 'bulk' wine like this gave us all an idea of how a middle of the road wine can age very, very well.  Generally there were no duds whatsoever but, the favourite was the 2002 closely followed by the 2005 & 2006.  Unfortunately, the 2001 had to follow the 2002 and as such tasted a bit flat.  The 2000 displayed all the characteristics of an old shiraz but, the 1986 was the big surprise.  The cork came out easily and didn't crumble, the colour was a brick red with no browning, it still had some sweet fruit flavours, not heaps but enough to give it some flavour in the mouth.  The mistake I made was I probably should have decanted it about 20 minutes before hand just to see if it had something else to show us.  None-the-less it certainly capped off an excellent wine tasting experience for one and all.  Stand by for the next one, coming to a big outdoor entertainment area near you.  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Wine Bargain Post Number 12 (I think)

Rex Watson.  A name not familiar to most avid wine consumers I am guessing.  Well, I'm not surprised.  He doesn't get out much these days and for somebody who looks around for a good buy, I haven't seen him around at all for some time.  I am happy to say, he has decided to pop his head up in a big but very cheap way.  Dan Murphy's currently have the Cabernet Sauvignon for $55 a dozen delivered.  The next best price I can find on the internet for the same wine is almost $152 a carton delivered.  Okay, so it ain't no premium Coonawarra red wine but I have had it in the past and it is really good value for money.  Here is what the Watson Wine Group have to say about it.
"This Cabernet Sauvignon in vibrant red in colour with attractive plum hues, this wine displays classic Coonawarra cabernet aromas of red berry fruit, leaf and lightly spiced oak. These flavours carry through to the front palate accompanied by an earthy nuance which complements the soft sweet tannin finish. 13.5% Alc."
This special is only on until the end of today so log onto the Dan Murphy's website and scoop up some of this bargain basement, quaffable red nectar.  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Bargains & Great Value Reds for the Week

Every now and then I get an email from an internet wine retailer and I think to myself, that sounds too good to be true so, I do some investigating.  I received two such emails today with very, very good reds at very, very good prices; and, after much investigation, here they are.
2007 Taltarni Heathcote Shiraz.  RRP $40 a bottle.  This week it has been reduced to $30 a bottle and if you buy six you get six free.  This is a restrained, medium body shiraz which is not common for shiraz from the Heathcote area.  That makes it the ideal wine to introduce to the person who is not sure if they like shiraz.  You can find it at www.kemenys.com.au.  They charge $10 postage which is very reasonable indeed.
The next two come from www.winestar.com.au and include a shiraz and a straight cabernet.  They have free postage to certain areas including the Hobart metropolitan area.
2010 Teusner The Riebke Shiraz. RRP $20 a bottle, now $17.  This is not necessarily a bargain but great value for money when it comes to Barossa shiraz.  James Halliday gave it 96 points.  If you want to know more about how good this wine is, go to the winestar website and read the guff on it.  I warn you, it will take a few minutes that is why I am not saying too much here.  This is, seriously, a wine that is batting well above its average.
2009 Tyrrell’s Vat 70 Hilltops Cabernet.  RRP $30 a bottle, now $15.  Almost everybody knows how good Tyrrell’s are when it comes to making good wine.  Combine that with the superb 2009 vintage in the Hilltops of NSW and a $15 price tag and it all adds up to a bloody good red at a bloody good price.  This one is only available until Friday.
'Til next time and remember, live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

The Chances We Take With Old Wine

If you have ever had the opportunity to taste and/or drink old red wine you know it can be hit or miss.  Well, I decided to try a 1987 Orlando Alexander's Coonawarra Cabernet.  Believe me this was a huge miss.  I have to admit, looking at the bottle I thought there was a small chance it could be okay-ish.  The cork came out fine.  Didn't crumble but there was definitely staining right to the top.  When I poured it in the glass it looked brick red which is expected for an old red.  I swirled it in the glass like the typical wine wanker to 'give it some air' of course.  I can tell you here and now it did not need air.  It needed resuscitating.  It was dead, kaput, lifeless and it smelt terrible. Regardless, I decided to taste it.  Guess who need resuscitating after the taste.  I really can't describe the taste except to say it was not good and if you happen to have some, try it now, and I mean get off your computer and try it now.  You may be lucky enough to have a couple of good bottles but be prepared to do what I did and pour it down the sink.  There is always a risk that older wines will be 'over the hill' but believe me, when you get the chance to taste old red wine, do it.  It could well be a hit.  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Gold, Silver or Bronze. Let The Consumer Decide

Reading the local rag today, the results of a wine show were published indicating which wines won a gold, silver or bronze medal.  In case you didn't know, in the wine show world this doesn't mean a wine came first, second or third.  It is based on a point scoring system.  The more points, the better the medal.  Surely there must be some good wines amongst the ones that didn't win a medal...surely. Believe me there are. These wine shows have their place, but the judges are normally experts about wine whether it be the technical side of making the stuff, being able to identify flaws with it or how it is supposed to taste.  They make a decision on how good the wine is in their opinion only.  How often do people go into a bottle shop and see a heap of medals stuck to a bottle and think it must be good so, they buy a bottle?  They totally disregard the bottle sitting beside it because it doesn't have the same amount of bling or no bling at all.  My opinion is that the medals must influence a persons decision about a wine.  I challenge any wine judge or even a wine journalist to tell me I should like a wine because he/she likes a wine.  Do yourself a favour.  If you get the opportunity, go along to wine tastings at your local bottleshop or visit a couple of wineries, taste a few different wines and form your own opinion.  Taste is a personal thing, don't you think?  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

A Red Wine Special & A White Wine Special

A wine special can mean different things to different people.  It all comes down to income, mood, if it's a gift, if it's to match a particular meal or simply cheap.  Either way we are almost always on the look out for the special wine at a special bargain basement, rock bottom, value for money, not-to-be-missed price and, they are definitely out there.  Today, I have a couple to suit a white wine & a red wine consumer.  One at the bargain basement price.  The other, great value for money.  The first is a Chardonnay from the cool climate Adelaide Hills area. Those who look at my blog know about Naked Owl reds.  Well, this white reads just as good as their reds. A 2011 version so, obviously very, very young and lean which makes it an easy drinking style for a 25+ degrees day outside, on the deck with your chicken caesar salad lunch.  Winemarket have it at $62.00 a dozen (plus postage) which makes it worth a crack.  The other is a shiraz from, the well known family of Hardy's.  It is their 2007 HRB(Hardys Reserve Bin) D641 (no idea but it looks impressive) Shiraz. It is a blend of McLaren Vale and Clare Valley shiraz so you are definitely on a winner there.  RRP for this is $40 a bottle but, Kemenys have it at half price. James Halliday even tempts you to "...keep your hands off it" and gave it 94 points. Did I mention it has won 5 gold medals at various wine shows?  If it wasn't for my latest purchase from a little boutique Barossan winery, I'd be on to both of these. 'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Shakespeare. Playwright, Poet or Plonko?

Correct me if I'm wrong but, William Shakespeare was a poet and playwright, right (did you like that?)?  It appears he didn't mind a wine or two either.  He is quoted as saying, "Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used".  Well used.  What does that actually mean?  I realise there are scientist out there that say how much wine we should or can drink a day without doing too much damage to our bodies but, everybody is different and every body is different.  I used to drink copious quantities of beer with reckless abandonment and wake up the same day wishing I hadn't done that to myself and vowing never to do it again.  So have a large percentage of the population over the age of 18.  I reckon I am at an age where I know how much I can drink without going to bed and the room spinning.  I don't need a scientist to tell me how much I should or should not be drinking.  Music soothes the savage beast, they say but, alcohol is the social lubricant.  Okay, so there are those that do not know their limitations and those that get drunk deliberately.  But surely it is a personal conscientious decision?  I think everybody knows the consequences of drinking too much without being lectured to by scientists, friends or their mum & dad.  Enjoy it. Surely that is what it is all about.  'Til next time but remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.