1998 Jacobs Creek Limited Release Cab Sauv

[Matthew Moate]

Guys, I was lucky enough to attend the opening of the Jacobs Creek Visitor Centre in the Barossa a few years ago. At the event everyone who attended recieved a bottle of 1998 Jacobs Creek Limited Release Cab Sauv. One of those numbered jobbies and at the time I think I remember someone telling me they only release about 500 cases of this wine. Which while this is the production of some small wineries is a relative limited release for Orlando.

It is in a nice box / foam and has been cellared well.

I have a couple of quetions:

1. What would you think the drinking window of this wine would be.
2. Would this wine have increased in value and what would it be worth today?
3. Has anyone had one recently?

Look forward to some responses. Matt

[Red Bigot]

Matthew,

If this is the wine I think it is, it was originally sold at a price much less than the previous and subsequent Limited Release wines. I got my dozen for $23pb delivered in March 2002. It was intially a lovely wine, but didn't seem to have the structure of the other LR reds, and peaked around 2005-2006 for my palate. I've either drunk or sold to friends all of mine, thought I had one left but can't find it.

There ar a few at auction or other specialists in older wines, some at very optimistic prices, it last sold at Langtons for $27++.

[Matthew Moate]

Yeah thanks for that. I had a look at Stirling Auctions price history and they have been selling them for about $24 - $27 recently. It was just one of those bottles that was 'Special' to me because of the event. So I shoud get meal together and enjoy it now... Thanks for your help. Got it fot free so can't complain... Matt

[TORB]

I had my last one a couple of weeks ago and it was certainly enjoyable, but as Brian said it didn't have the structure to improve with age. Initially when I tried it at the winery, I thought differently and thought it would be long lived, but it just held on and didn't go anywhere.

[Anthony Basilone]

I had my last one a couple of weeks ago and it was certainly enjoyable, but as Brian said it didn't have the structure to improve with age. Initially when I tried it at the winery, I thought differently and thought it would be long lived, but it just held on and didn't go anywhere.

Ric, have you tried the '99 since your TN of Dec. '03 and if so do you have the same concerns for it as the '98?

I had a '99 about 10 months ago, thought it was an absolute pup. Have not had the '98 so can't compare, but the '99 (IMHO) didn't want for any structure.

TIA

[TORB]

Hi Anthony,

Sorry I have not tried the 99 since. many of those 99's are pretty good and may last a lot longer than the 98's, so your finding is not a surprise.

[Red Bigot]

I had my last one a couple of weeks ago and it was certainly enjoyable, but as Brian said it didn't have the structure to improve with age. Initially when I tried it at the winery, I thought differently and thought it would be long lived, but it just held on and didn't go anywhere.

Ric, have you tried the '99 since your TN of Dec. '03 and if so do you have the same concerns for it as the '98?

I had a '99 about 10 months ago, thought it was an absolute pup. Have not had the '98 so can't compare, but the '99 (IMHO) didn't want for any structure.

TIA

Anthony, the Limited Release Shiraz-Cabernets usually want for nothing in terms of structure and ageing potential, the one-off (so far) LR Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be a batch they had that was too good for the Reserve level, excess to blending requirements but not really good enough for the LR level, hence the price below the usual level of the LR series. There was also a 98 Shiraz-Cabernet Limited Release. I think the LR series has now become the Johann label.

[n4sir]

Hi Anthony,

Sorry I have not tried the 99 since. many of those 99's are pretty good and may last a lot longer than the 98's, so your finding is not a surprise.

Is Anthony talking about the same wine Ric?

I thought the 1998 wine being discussed in the thread was the Jacobs Creek 25th Anniversary Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon (as far as I know a one-off) as opposed to the Jacobs Creek Limted Release Barossa Shiraz Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (now the Johann) which has been made a few times (including 98 & 99) which is a vastly superior wine.

Cheers,
Ian

[Red Bigot]

Ian, read AB's post above that Ric responded to... You missed the subtle thread drift.

[Anthony Basilone]

I had my last one a couple of weeks ago and it was certainly enjoyable, but as Brian said it didn't have the structure to improve with age. Initially when I tried it at the winery, I thought differently and thought it would be long lived, but it just held on and didn't go anywhere.

Ric, have you tried the '99 since your TN of Dec. '03 and if so do you have the same concerns for it as the '98?

I had a '99 about 10 months ago, thought it was an absolute pup. Have not had the '98 so can't compare, but the '99 (IMHO) didn't want for any structure.

TIA

Anthony, the Limited Release Shiraz-Cabernets usually want for nothing in terms of structure and ageing potential, the one-off (so far) LR Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be a batch they had that was too good for the Reserve level, excess to blending requirements but not really good enough for the LR level, hence the price below the usual level of the LR series. There was also a 98 Shiraz-Cabernet Limited Release. I think the LR series has now become the Johann label.

Sorry guys. Brian and Ian are right i was talking about the LR Shiraz-Cab.

[n4sir]

Ian, read AB's post above that Ric responded to... You missed the subtle thread drift.

Yeah, the thread drift was so subtle it seems we both needed to point it out about the same time

[Jay60A]

I had my last one a couple of weeks ago and it was certainly enjoyable, but as Brian said it didn't have the structure to improve with age. Initially when I tried it at the winery, I thought differently and thought it would be long lived, but it just held on and didn't go anywhere.

Ric, have you tried the '99 since your TN of Dec. '03 and if so do you have the same concerns for it as the '98?

I had a '99 about 10 months ago, thought it was an absolute pup. Have not had the '98 so can't compare, but the '99 (IMHO) didn't want for any structure.

TIA

Anthony, the Limited Release Shiraz-Cabernets usually want for nothing in terms of structure and ageing potential, the one-off (so far) LR Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be a batch they had that was too good for the Reserve level, excess to blending requirements but not really good enough for the LR level, hence the price below the usual level of the LR series. There was also a 98 Shiraz-Cabernet Limited Release. I think the LR series has now become the Johann label.

Brian fwiw I saw a Jacobs Creek LR Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 in Bangkok airport a couple of weeks ago, so not sure it was a one-off. Nearly picked it up to try but as the tax on wine in Thailand is 100% I passed in the end.

Otherwise the old LR Shiraz Cabernet has become the Johann.

[Red Bigot]

Bloody typical, nothing on their web site of course.

How much was it in Baht?

[Jay60A]

Bloody typical, nothing on their web site of course.

How much was it in Baht?

Either 1200 or 1400 baht, I forget which but either 50 or 60aud is a bit exy for this wine! I love the JC premiums as they are often real value for money ...

I was tempted as I'd never seen it elsewhere but not at that price. Doesn't show up on Wine Searcher Pro at all but I swear I saw it at the new Bangkok airport.

In fact I remember the '02 label and specifically checking it was *not* Centenary Hill shiraz ...

Anyone tried it (or even seen it?)

Jay

[Wayno]

The 99 LR was way too young when last I tried it. I-ve only heard good reports about the 98 though, FWIW.

[dazza1968]

It sounds like i better try a bottle to let you know how they are traveling as i still have a six pack hiding in its box, mind you when i had the first half they were great so thats why i left it alone and knowing a couple of people at the wi nery they still rate it

[dazza1968]

It sounds like i better try a bottle to let you know how they are traveling as i still have a six pack hiding in its box, mind you when i had the first half they were great so thats why i left it alone and knowing a couple of people at the wi nery they still rate it