Australian Shiraz wine tasting. A serious one.

Australian Shiraz wine tasting. A serious one. – Episode #81

August 29, 2006

Little Penguin Shiraz

Amaroo Shiraz

Teal Lake Shiraz

2003 Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz

2003 Peter Lehmann Shiraz

2004 Two Hands Bad Impersonator Shiraz

2004 Massena 11th Hour Shiraz

2003 Langmeil Freedom Shiraz

Today Gary tackles it hard, he tastes 8 different Australian Shiraz wines and talks about the wine world and many other fun topics. Watch as Gary tackles wine cellars, wine storage, heat affects on wine, wine racks, wine gift baskets, wine clubs, wine making, wine glasses, wine bars, wine refrigerators, strawberry wine, and other wine topics….oh wait no he’s just doing Shiraz.

121 Responses

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August 29, 2006

garyv
yeah guys what are you guys drinking;)
August 29, 2006

K Spengler
Gene Mish & Tony: you guys must have had one too many. Banner definately says #81 .

Gary, great job on one of my many favorite wines. Keep up the good work.
August 29, 2006

Tony G.
Great episode, really enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. It was very emotional, you just didn’t know what was gonna happen next.

Hey I like the idea for free shipping but what about us “Jersey guys”!?!

Guess I shouldn’t complain, not everyone can get there in person and be completely overwhelmed by the vast selection that you have there.

What about tasting some Boone’s Strawberry Hill? Just kidding, I wouldn’t want you doing that to yourself.
August 29, 2006

johnb
i vote you taste a ‘61 or ‘82 first growth
August 29, 2006

Tony
Damn! One minute on look, the next minute a totally new look! Wow!
August 29, 2006

Russ J
Wow, new format is right. I would like to see the comments numbered as before as it makes referring back to an earlier post easier.
August 29, 2006

Brandon M
Great Episode! Glad to see you get corked too!
I would love to see you taste a Beaux FrÃ¨res if you have any.

Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2003 tasted against Londer Parabol Pinot Noir 2003 would be cool. A California vs. Oregon tasting. Would love to hear the differences in “Terrior” or fruit.

B
August 29, 2006

Russ J
Gary: Great episode (even without the Joe Walton sing off)!

I will repeat my earlier selections:
1993 Roagna Barolo
1995 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia
It would be cool to see some “older” wines get the WLTV treatment. I purchased some of both from your website. Tried the Roagna, not the Felsina yet.
Thanks!
August 29, 2006

TimF
Whoa!!! What happened? I guess the new format just rolled out…
August 29, 2006

TimF
Tony S: I’m from CT originally so I’m a Giants fan. My old brother is a huge Jets fan so I had to go the other direction when I was a kid. And I would never put ketchup on a hot dog — I get everything on it Chicago-style except the sport peppers.

To all those who find the downloading to be slow: After WLTV starts, hit pause and wait for the download to finish (you can tell by the color of the bar). Once it’s all there, press play and watch without hiccups.
August 29, 2006

PeteB
95pt rating. Great broad look @ Australian Shiraz.

How about one of these for a try:
2001 Peirano Six Clones Merlot
2002 Cain Concept
August 29, 2006

E
Pity about the Jacob’s Creek … wasn’t that a 90-pointer?

QOD: well, since both of this weekend’s bottles were solid home runs, one suggestion in honor of each of ‘em:

1) Nontraditional (non-oaky, non-buttery) Chardonnays: Chablis, Beaujolais Blanc, unwooded Aussie, etc.

2) Languedoc Smackdown! Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance vs. Daumas Gassac.
August 29, 2006

CJM
Whoops! The Video Editor made a boo boo. Video fixed for all of you sharp eyed WLTV viewers!
August 29, 2006

Cameron
My previous comment doesn’t seem to be showing up, so sorry if this is a repost.

Gary, another great episode. It was awesome to see such an extensive, thorough tasting of Shiraz across price points.

QOTD:
I would love to see you taste the 2002 Stephan Ridge Syrah (http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=7628). You loved his Cabernet, which I agree is stellar. I’m curious to see how the Syrah matches up, I’ve heard good things about it.
August 29, 2006

GeneV
Great episode. I’m with ChrisR on the Barossa Shiraz in general. The ones with big RP scores are too much like cough syrup. The bargain bottles are actually more to my liking, if they taste like wine.

My previous vote for a taste was the Verite Le Desir, because of the 20 point spread between RP and WS, but it looks like WL is out of stock. I’ll have to think on this some more.

By the way, genetics has debunked the Persian legend for the Syrah grape. It is related to indigenous French grapes. A little known historical fact is that the wine for which Shiraz (Persia) was famous was white.
August 29, 2006

Tony
Hey, yeah, what’s with the #88. Is that a typo or some kind of “Paul is dead” cryptic message?
August 29, 2006

John Holmes
Hey Gary,

Great episode! I think that many people, especially newcomers to the wine scene, are becoming fans of Aussie style Shiraz, although I agree that it is true that some of the wines can go a little too far when it comes to residual sugar and extraction. Although I don’t always like my wines to be so in-your-face, it can be fun to drink them sometimes. Are you a fan of Jim Barry’s The Armagh. It is quite extracted and rich, but I find it to be delicate and complex at the same time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘00, ‘01, and ‘02 Armagh. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite Oz Shiraz, with Amon-Ra trailing close behind. I’m also a huge fan of the Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz/Cab blend. I wish WineLibrary carried it.

Well, as far as wines that I would like for you to taste, I have quite a list……many wines that I have either already purchased, would like to purchase, or wines that I have tasted, but would like to hear your opinion on so that I may compare and calibrate my palate and scoring to yours. So, in the future, I will have many more requests to be tasted, but for now, I just have to see what you think of the following:

1. 2003 Kongsgaard Hudson Valley Syrah
2. 2002 Numanthia Termanthia
3. 2003 Vall Llach Cellars Vall Llach
4. 2002 Shirvington Cabernet
5. 2003 Vina Almaviva
6. 2002 Von Strasser Diamond Mtn. Rsrv Red Blend

In fact, I think that makes up a great lineup right there, but if you don’t fit them all into this episode, then I guess I’ll let it slide. Among other things, I’d also love to see some Brewer-Clifton Pinots and I’d like to see you taste and review your all time favorite New World white wine. By the way, what are your all time favorite producers……New World red and white, and Old World red and white?

Well, can’t wait for the episode tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll get to try some great wines. Keep up the viewer recommendation episodes. I’ve got about 30 wines that I’d like to see you try before I buy them, but hey, at least I’ll be buying them from WineLibrary. Have a great day. Best wishes.

WH
August 29, 2006

Tony
Wow, Gary, thanks for the update!! I can’t wait!! I’m so excited I think I just peed myself!!!

But seriously, Gary, I think I peed myself!!!

Probably the best wine I’ve bought from you is the 2001 Guigal CdP. Even though you’ve been spot on so far in every wine I’ve tasted, I’d love your take on the Guigal. I’m totally impressed every time I open a bottle of this (I think I’ve placed three different orders with you for this wine). I’d really appreciate your tasting notes. Also, I can’t help myself from drinking all the bottles of the Guigal I get, but am I committing a sin here? Should I be holding on to this wine? If so, for how long?

Other than that, I’d love to see a Bordeaux vs. Napa cult cab episode. Many of us are poor (or at least can’t afford $50-100+ bottles of wine). And even though we want to buy the best bargains (like the Little Penquin), we also want to live vicariously through someone like you and watch you spit out $130 Napa cab.

BTW, I totally agree on the Jacob’s Creek. It came highly recommended to me, and I thought it was a hollow, empty, souless, tasteless wine. Zero fruit or style. Basically, nothing but oak and tannin. No midpalette anywhere to be found.

As always, keep up the incredible work, and keep me updated on the heat episode!!!

P.S. Don’t think I didn’t notice that you reworded my quote to exclude the “wine phases” (aka “close down”) episode. You’re not going to get off that easy. There are very clearly two episodes on my “nag Gary” list, and – as you know – I’m not about to let you forget it. I recommend that you get used to it.
August 29, 2006

BruceP
Nice Show as always. QOD: 2003 The Foundry Syrah from South Africa. Loved the 01 I had while in Cape Town. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the New Year’s free shipping after the Raiders beat the Jets on New Year’s Eve!

Cheers
August 29, 2006

mike
Gary,

I would love to see you try the Palmina Mattia 2004. I think the blend is very interesting and I am a big fan of some of the Ital-Cal reds.
Thanks,
Mike
August 29, 2006

johnb
gary,

i think it would be a great idea if, for one of your shows, instead of pouring out the wine you drank it. that way by the end of the tasting we will get to see what the buzzed gary is like. i bring this up because i think it would be a great way for us to feel like were out with our pal gary having some drinks, that and i just saw beerfest.
August 29, 2006

Gene Mishkevich
Gary, why is the banner at the beginning of the episode showing episode #88???
August 29, 2006

JW
Gary -

Good stuff, you know it is a good episode when it is about a wine (Aussie Shiraz) that you have no interest and it can still hold your interest.

QOD – My vote is for you tasting the ‘03 Almaviva and the ‘04 Etude Pinot (both of which I see were already suggested…those would have been my suggestion anyway).

I bought a number of bottles of the ‘03 Almaviva after seeing Parker’s comments. We had one of them, and it showed alot of potential, but think it might have been early. If I am right, that would give you a chance to explain “shut down” to everyone. I put the rest of mine away.

On the ‘04 Etude Pinot, I have been a fan of Etude and have had several bottles of the ‘01-’03, and am wondering what is in store for ‘04. You could potentially save me or cost me alot of money.

Thanks.
August 29, 2006

Tony S.
Nice BIG episode there Gary. Aussie wines are hit and miss with me. I do love those big fruit bombs, but like you said, some of them are pretty much like fruit juice with alcohol. Have you ever had the J.J. Hahn “Nineteen Twenty Eight” Shiraz (specifically the 2001)…freakin’ awesome. Great balance and structure with a lot of the fruit bomb thing going on.

TimF: You live in Chicago and you can’t stand da Bears!?!?!?! What the heck? You gotta come by my place, pick up some wine, I’ll school you on the Bears and you can become a real fan, and then (and ONLY then) you should take advantage of the free shipping from Gary after the Bears annihilate the Jets. I’m just joking…you don’t HAVE to love the Bears, no wait…you do. Let me guess, I bet you put ketchup on your hot dogs too? Sacreligeous.

Alright Gary, for the QOTD, I want you to re-taste the white zinfandel you had like 10-15 episodes again….just cause it’s funny to watch people drink white zinfandel.

OK…see you later,
GO BEARS!
T
August 29, 2006

Jason R.
Tony – Same with me – Took me 2 glasses of 2001 Grand Moulinet Pomerol to watch this episode – Not the worst thing though – just a little slow getting dinner going.

Gary – Bv Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 – I have several that I bought @ Target of all places for 10 bucks!!! Steal for this if it is anything like I have had in past. If your taste is not on the Cali Cabs – I WOULD LOVE YOU EVEN MORE OF YOU WOULD POP THE Chateau Marquis D`alesme Becker 2003. I have a boat load of the 2000 that I picked up in LA on a closeout – Have never had it and am quite excited to know if I should stock up on 2003 (WS-91)????