Vintage Australian Tasting at Wine Watch

“The food we were given was no more than eatable, but the patron was not mean about drink; he allowed us two litres of wine a day each, knowing that if a plongeur is not given two litres he will steal three.”

- George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London

I knew there was a reason I liked George Orwell and two liters is my kind of ration when it comes to wine- that is why I like Australia.  Australia is the only country that I have visited where they offered us beer after every wine tasting, Coopers was the brew of choice and it is so refreshing to have a beer after drinking a lot of red wine, especially Australian Shiraz.

After this first trip down under I fell in love with Australian wines and have been selling and collecting wines from Australia for over 15 years now.  With the bottom falling out of the market in 2008 we have struggled to sell some of the higher end brands that were developed in the 1990's but that is no problem because I am happy to drink these wines as they are some of the best examples of this variety on the face of the earth. 

Every year we have experienced a similar phenomenon but are still in our beginning stages of our scientific process of tasting through the top wines from the land down under that are reaching their peak years of maturity.  That is why we made this an annual event- there is a lot of research that needs to be done on the subject of vintage Australian Shiraz.  Will they age like the great wines of France, Italy and even California?

Join us as we experience ten 10+ year old Aussie wines and Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be providing a few treats to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $95 per person + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

Vintage Aussie Tasting at Wine Watch
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
7:00 PM

1998 Basedow Shiraz Johannis Barosa

This premium top shelf wine is released to honour Johannes Basedow who founded Basedow Wines in the Barossa Valley of South Australia in 1896. It is composed of especially selected parcels of top notch Barossa Shiraz and is matured in a mixture of French and American oak

1996 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale
Price: $105.00    Sale $92.40
Quantity in Stock: 4

(93 points) Displaying the most roasted herb, tar, meat, and concentrated blood-like essence of Syrah is the 1996 Shiraz Reserve. Notes of blackberries, creosote, earth, and pepper are found in this dense, inky/purple-hued effort along with loads of body, sweet tannin, and a massive style. It should last for another two decades. All of these wines were made by one of the wine bloggers’ favorite whipping boys, Sarah and Sparky Marquis, who have since moved on to their own projects. I rated these Australian reds highly when they were first released, and lo and behold, they are still spectacular wines that are aging beautifully. They admirably demonstrate that the Marquis team knows a great deal about what they are doing. Wine Advocate #183 Jun 2009

1997 Jim Barry Shiraz The Armagh Clare Valley

(95 points) Ripe, spicy and distinctive for its jazzy floral, peppery notes that weave through the solid blackberry and anise flavors. It all lingers impressively on the polished, generous finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,100 cases made. “HS Wine Spectator Issue: Oct 31, 2000

2000 Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Duck Muck Heathcote
Price: $199.00    Sale Price: $159.00
Quantity in Stock: 5

(95 points) Readers looking for a winery that unleashes a hedonistic style should check out the 2000 Shiraz Duck Muck (200 cases). This is Shiraz at its ripest and headiest (16% alcohol). Lavishly wooded (100% high toast new oak is employed), it boasts an unevolved, sweet, layered, explosively full-bodied personality. This thrilling, hedonistic effort pushes Shiraz to the limit. It falls somewhere between an over-the-top Shiraz and a late-harvest offering. Extremely pure and concentrated, it is the type of wine that does not exist anywhere except South Australia. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Unique! Wine Advocate #143 Oct 2002

2003 Clarendon Hills Syrah Brookman

(94-96 Points) "Truly great stuff, the 2003 Syrah Brookman Vineyard boasts a dense purple color in addition to a rich, pure nose of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, spice, and truffles. With superb fruit, great texture, well-integrated tannin, and a long finish, it will drink well for 10-15 years. Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earth's greatest winemakers, and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards."  Wine Advocate

2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz #9 McLaren Vale
Price: $65.00    Sale Price: $50.00
Quantity in Stock: 15

(92 points) No Shiraz Integrity was made in 2004, so the superb 2004 Shiraz 9 includes the wine that would have been earmarked for that flamboyant cuvee. The rich, full-bodied, opulent Shiraz 9 boasts abundant amounts of concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with smoke, camphor, and tar notes. It is a powerful Shiraz (16% alcohol), so those looking for restraint and delicate European-styled reds should steer clear of this monster. It should drink well for at least a decade. Wine Advocate #161 Oct 2005

2005 Rolf Binder Hanisch Shiraz Barossa
Price: $80.00    Sale Price: $65.00
Quantity in Stock: 8

(98 points) The sensational 2005 Shiraz “Hanisch” was aged in 80% new American oak, the balance in seasoned French. It has a fabulous perfume of cedar, tobacco, vanilla, spice box, truffle, pencil lead, plum, and blueberry. Voluptuous, intensely flavored, and already complex, it will unfold over the next decade and drink well through 2025 for those fortunate enough to track some down. (JM) (10/2007) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

1999 Penfolds Grange Shiraz South Australia
Price: $438.00    Sale Price: $350.00
Quantity in Stock: 39

(94-96 Points) Only the third Grange to be made from 100% Shiraz , the 1999 Grange is superb. The color is inky purple. The wine shows unformed but gorgeously sweet notes of blackberries intermixed with smoke, licorice, and asphalt. This is a wine of great intensity, sweet tannin, voluptuous texture, and a spectacularly long finish. Patience will be required, as it will not be released until May 1, 2004. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.  The Wine Advocate

Menu
Selection of Cheese:  Beemster Gouda, Parmesan Reggiano
Shepard’s Pie
Dark Chocolate covered Berries