Barossa trip- some CD purchases & notes

[Michael R]

Weekend in the Barossa…purchases plus some CD impressions, too long winded for a seperate June purchses thread.

At Rockford
03 Rod & Spur Cab Shiraz
04 SVS Hoffman & Flaxman Shiraz
07 Moppa
09 Rifle Range
11 White Frontignac
09 Riesling
Rockford Relish (goods with almost anything)

Did the Stonewall lunch, was a fantastic experience. The food & wines were excellent, and the host and Cellar door staff were superb.
The wines inc….94 Black Shiraz (magnums), 06 Semillion, 08 Frugal farmer, 03 Rod & Spur, 02 Basket Press, plus some tawny & port back by the fire in the tasting room. Still cant give the 02 BP much love, having had several bottles now, but the 03 Rod & Spur was particularly good.
I wanted to write a separate piece on the day….purposefully took the menu list home, but it’s been misplaced since. In short, we had a great group of 16 easy going randoms, lots of banter and the 5+ hour lunch was a genuine privilege to be a part of.

At Elderton
I cant remember what the names of the range or vintage (website’s not much help either), but bought a few very nice early drinking @ $17 each, plus Rieslings, botrytis and olive oil.
The nicest wine I drank all weekend was the 08 Ashmead Cab Sav ($85)….OMG, was superb, however I hesitated as I’d never followed Elderton before and wasn’t sure if I could get the wines significantly cheaper in Sydney. I regret not buying.
FWIW…this cellar door was a real highlight. We were the only people there, person serving was great and the wines genuinely surprised me, as I’ve never really liked the few Eldertons I’ve tried previously. Plus the Command vineyard is adjacent to the cellar door, adds to the experience.

Yalumba:
Beautiful grounds, unfortunately limited tasting options for non-VIPs. Didn’t buy anything but liked the 06 Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling. Really nice staff too.

Henschke
09 Keyneton Euphonium, very young obviously, but seemed like an good future awaits.
The little CD was bursting at the seams, a victim of the public holiday weekend, didn’t hang around long but staff were great despite the crowds.

Gomersal:
09 Gomersal Shiraz
I’m delighted to say Ians (aka Ticklenow) taste in wine far exceeds his taste in football clubs! Didn’t get to meet the legendary Barry, but totally see your point on the 09 Shiraz. We were all blown away by it and stocked up. The CD is a bit out of the way, but well worth seeking out. Thanks for a great tip Ian (you sure you’re not a secret Man U fan? ). Bought some Riesling too, which was pretty good.

Penfolds supermarket:
I didn’t taste or buy as having previously tried several times and prices are crazy. A tick in the box visit for our friends. Excellent staff though.

Torbreck
09 (?) Fishys Shiraz ($25)….wine was great, and is dedicated to a staff member who tragically passed away way too early. Think it’s a single vineyard label, with all the proceeds being donated to the Flying Doctors. Only available at CD, and there are selling out quickly.
Cant say enough about the Torbreck cellar door. Teaches many wineries a lesson or 2. Everything is on taste (except the Laird), Riedel glasses etc, the charge is $5, however they don’t seem fussed about collecting it, and it comes off any purchases. Great staff too. Love visiting here, and would buy loads if I was rich! Really liked the 07 Les Amis Grenache, but at $185, I should expect to.

Turkey Flat
Surprisingly cranky staff person resulted in a poor experience and no purchases, didn’t really bother me (as I had stopped tasting by then), however my brother-in-law and his partner are big TF fans, so were disappointed and didn’t buy.

Artisans of the Barossa
11 Teusner Empress Riesling… juicy lemony Riesling, quite refreshing, and I’m looking forward to watching these evolve, if I can keep away from them.
09 Sons of Eden Romulus…bought them blind (as in they weren’t on taste ), 08 was my wifes favourite wine, so we took a punt on the 09s and weren’t disappointed. More fruit forward than the 08s, raspberries and cherries, but lovely oak & tannin keeping it in check.
Also got to taste the Hobbs Amarone…first time i’ve ever tried an Aussie version…enjoyed the experience but wouldn’t pay the premium price ($135). To be enjoyed in moderation and with food.

Charles Melton:
We stayed at the Kirche (highly recommended) and popped in for lunch on Saturday. I liked the 09 Cab Sav, and the 09 Grains of Paradise shiraz. Tasting room was packed so didn’t hang around too long after lunch.

Finally, had dinner at Ferment Asian (Tanunda) on Sat night, very enjoyable Thai food and a good selection of reasonably priced wines, with a byo option also available. Recommended.

Didn't get to Kabminye or Dutschke unfortunately.

A great weekend, and softened the blow of watching Ireland get spanked in Rugby and football. It was expected, but seriously, you’d think I’d be used to it by now.

Cheers
Michael

[LawrenceM]

Torbreck
09 (?) Fishys Shiraz ($25)….wine was great, and is dedicated to a staff member who tragically passed away way too early. Think it’s a single vineyard label, with all the proceeds being donated to the Flying Doctors. Only available at CD, and there are selling out quickly.
Cant say enough about the Torbreck cellar door. Teaches many wineries a lesson or 2. Everything is on taste (except the Laird), Riedel glasses etc, the charge is $5, however they don’t seem fussed about collecting it, and it comes off any purchases. Great staff too. Love visiting here, and would buy loads if I was rich! Really liked the 07 Les Amis Grenache, but at $185, I should expect to.

Similar experience for me at Torbreck earlier this year. Everything was on offer (including the 2006 Laird - beautiful drop). I also walked away with some Fish's Shiraz - from what I was told he was 26 or so and had a sudden heart attack. The 2010 Struie was also outstanding in my books and had to pick up a few bottles.

[sjw_11]

Yalumba:
Beautiful grounds, unfortunately limited tasting options for non-VIPs....

In my experience, the trick at Yalumba is to keep your eyes peeled and/or ask nicely and I find they always have a whole bunch of the stuff "not for tasting" that is actually open and they will be happy to pour it for you... they just hide them a bit given the bus loads of tourists that descend on them and perhaps think getting to taste the "Y Series" is pretty cool...

[Mike Hawkins]

I was thinking of Sam's point as well. I tend to seek out the (seemingly) senior person behind the counter and get served by him/her. The newer staff have little authority to pour what are almost always opened bottles of their good stuff.

Mike

[Mike Hawkins]

Michael,

Thanks for the notes about Rockford. I missed out on the 2003 SVSs but will be in Australia end of the year. Hopefully the 2004s will still be around then (perhaps a long shot).

Cheers

Mike

[Brucer]

Re Amarone. I love Oz shiraz done in that style.
Check out Koltz from McV. Pagan is full Amarone and Wizard is repasso.
Great stuff.

[ross67]

Re Amarone. I love Oz shiraz done in that style.
Check out Koltz from McV. Pagan is full Amarone and Wizard is repasso.
Great stuff.

2ND THAT

ross

[Teisto]

I'll second the 09 Euphonium - think it has oodles of potential

I'll also second having a crap experience at Turkey Flat a few years ago - left me very disappointed. The person we dealt with was rude and abrupt.

Fish's is a 2010

I thought the Empress is good although I am not sure if it is a long term proposition?

Is the Gomersal that good? Isn't it only something like $25 a bottle?

[ross67]

Also put a plug in for Torbreck.
Fantastic Cellar Door, fantastic staff and brilliant value for money.
They are not the least bit pretentious even though they are a big player down there.

ross

[ticklenow1]

Weekend in the Barossa…purchases plus some CD impressions, too long winded for a seperate June purchses thread.


Gomersal:
09 Gomersal Shiraz
I’m delighted to say Ians (aka Ticklenow) taste in wine far exceeds his taste in football clubs! Didn’t get to meet the legendary Barry, but totally see your point on the 09 Shiraz. We were all blown away by it and stocked up. The CD is a bit out of the way, but well worth seeking out. Thanks for a great tip Ian (you sure you’re not a secret Man U fan? ). Bought some Riesling too, which was pretty good.


Cheers
Michael

Michael,

Firstly, sad to hear you are a Man U supporter. We all have our faults. All my family are from Liverpool, so I guess it was bred into me. After having been to Anfield a few times over the years, there really is no other team for me. The atmosphere at Anfield is like an AFL Grand Final, an NRL Grand Final and all three State of Origins added together, and then doubled. It is like nothing else I've ever experienced. It's such a unique place. I hope the new owners never leave there.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the Gomersal Shiraz. Sensational for the price. It's a shame you missed Bazza. He is a real character and worth spending a bit of time talking to. The '05 and '06 shiraz's were both exceptional as well and were still available in Magnum when I was there. The '08 shiraz, while still very good, was just a shade below the '05, '06 & especially the '09. It is still available in Magnum as well. The GSM's (06 & 08) are extremely good, particularly the 08. They are not cheap though. My wife loves the 05 Fortified Shiraz as well. It's a bit sweet for me.

I'll second the 09 Euphonium - think it has oodles of potential

I'll also second having a crap experience at Turkey Flat a few years ago - left me very disappointed. The person we dealt with was rude and abrupt.

Fish's is a 2010

I thought the Empress is good although I am not sure if it is a long term proposition?

Is the Gomersal that good? Isn't it only something like $25 a bottle?

Yes Tiesto, $25 a bottle and worth double that.

Cheers
Ian

P.S Michael....You'll never walk alone!!

[Teisto]

Thanks - will have to get some.

Ian - I am with you as well - another very long term Liverpool supporter as well!

[ticklenow1]

Thanks - will have to get some.

Ian - I am with you as well - another very long term Liverpool supporter as well!

Cheers Teisto, obviously a man of impeccable taste and I doubt you'll be disappointed in the Gomersal.

Cheers
Ian

[Michael R]

Mike…unfortunately you’re probably safer assuming the SVS will be well gone by Christmas, although I’ve no idea what their stocks are like currently.
I agree with Sams point on a savvy approach to cellar door staff in general, and they actually did offer a taste of the 08 signature.

I can easily see how Barossa & Mc Vale produce great Amarone examples, the the dark chocolate and dark fruit characteristics coming to the fore. I’ll keep an eye out for the Koltz, vaguely remember you or Ross (?) calling their wines out previously as being top quality.

Tiesto, your comment on Turkey Flat made me laugh, I’m starting to think it might be the same person. It was quite surreal, particularly given the fantastic experiences everywhere else. We barely spoke (too stunned) during the whole tasting, and we all just started laughing as we drove away. I did feel sorry for my bro-in-law and fiancé though as they are/were big fans.

On the Empress, I agree, probably not a long termer, but seemed like it had some puppy fat to shed over a few years, and if the acid hold ups I think it could be interesting.
The Gomersal was indeed $25 and believe me, I had high expectations and it exceeded those. Fair bit of oak, but not unbalanced, and lovely proportion of fruit and tannin. All 4 of us really loved it, despite having different taste generally.
Quality is quality I suppose. Winery is off the beaten path, but definitely give it a go.

Ian, 90% of my long term friends are Liverpool fans, not surprising given they were so dominant back when we were picking favourite teams in the early 80’s. You can imagine how much I’m enjoying the last 20 years of bragging rights. Never brave/crazy enough to go to Anfield obviously, but made many trips to Old T over the years. FWIW, despite Citys resurgence, Liverpool will always be the game I look forward to most.

[markg]

Michael,

Thanks for the notes about Rockford. I missed out on the 2003 SVSs but will be in Australia end of the year. Hopefully the 2004s will still be around then (perhaps a long shot).

Cheers

Mike

Sounds like an excuse for an offline !!

[dave vino]

Maybe someone has been listening?

http://www.winejobs.com.au/jobs/view/cellar-door-sales

[rednut]

Yes an email to the right person solves most problems

[Luke W]

Great stuff - reading this thread has enthused me enough to book a flight down to Adelaide for a week at the end of September and the beginning of October - if anyone wants to get together for some winery visits or Rockford lunches during that time (or maybe even an offline) let me know.

Cheerz

Luke