Australian Wines On The Thunder Show, These Should Bring The Thunder!

Australian Wines On The Thunder Show, These Should Bring The Thunder! – Episode #433

March 31, 2008

Gary tries 4 wines from down under and talks about the unfair bashing he has given these wines at times and explains why.

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Comments on this episode(340) Leave a comment ›

“I love Shiraz. I have a soft spot for them considering they really go…” by Phildo Massey
“Nice Aussie showing overall. Im thinking of investing in a Molly Dook…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
View all 340 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Water Wheel Shiraz BendigoAustralian Shiraz/Syrah
2005 Boarding Pass ShirazAustralian Shiraz/Syrah
2006 Mitolo Gam ShirazAustralian Shiraz/Syrah
2006 Glaetzer AnaperennaAustralian Red Meritage

340 Responses

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February 10, 2009

Phildo Massey
I love Shiraz. I have a soft spot for them considering they really got me into wine about eight years ago. I did get a little worn on them a few years ago but have come back around full circle. I have not purchased the 2006 Anaperenna nor have I tried it yet so I’ll hold off any comment on it. However I tried it’s predecessor the 2005 Godolphin from Glaetzer and absolutely loved it. I plan on buying a few bottles of the Water Wheel, have never even seen the boarding pass but will definitely pass on that. The Mitolo GAM is another fantastic shiraz, but I not in the same tier as the Godolphin.

QOTD: Since it is almost opening day here in 2009 (A year late, sorry) I am going to go with the good guys who wear black. The Pale Hose, my Chicago White Sox. Not much talk about them, they’ve definitely been flying under the radar with the national press but that’s nothing new. This team is going to bring some thunder next year, possibly even a trip to the ALCS. We’ll see.

Keep it up Gary, I love your show!

Phildo~
January 10, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Nice Aussie showing overall. Im thinking of investing in a Molly Dooker or two, and buying some other Aussie wines I can drink now. QOTD: Sadly, the Mariners. We all know what crap they turned into after the 2001 season, and I know 2009 wont be any different. They havent made any great moves so far (big shocker), and I dont see them even comming close to competing for the division. Sadly I think they will lose more than 100 games again this year and the manager Wakamatsu will be fired by the end of the 2010 season.
December 29, 2008

MNGeorge
Just caught this– best quote EVER on Wine Library TV (regarding the high 15.7% alcohol level of the Boarding Pass Shiraz):

“A great first date wine”
July 3, 2008

Tim
It’s fairly predictable in a way Gary that the two Grateful Palate wines made by Chris Ringland that you have reviewed recently (Evil Cabernet & Boarding Pass Shiraz) are exclusively made for the American market.

By labelling these wines as “predictable aussie” wines I think isn’t fair as they are not made with a sense of place in mind, ie, Terroir.

They don’t even come from a designated region, but rather ‘South Eastern Australia” which covers 75% of Australia’s wine regions.

You loved the Mitolo and Water Wheel which have distinct regions (Bendigo & McLaren Vale) and seems to espouse the characters of that land.

So, rather than tarring the Aussie wine scene with that same ‘Over the Top’ brush, keep in mind that some wines made for the US Market almost exclusively (and are even sometimes made a little differently than the same wine destined for local shelves) are made to appeal to the sugar loving, middle American palate.
June 25, 2008

Sarah
From the review you gave grateful palate’s Boarding Pass Shiraz, I’d be curious to see how you like their First Class Shiraz. It comes in at about $30 at Cellar Wines in Oklahoma City. My husband and I liked it so much that we bought the last two bottles available in the state.
June 7, 2008

Paul V
Gary! I’m surprised you even have to ask. Opening day can only mean one thing: my Pittsburgh Pirates will be all up in or something.

Wish I could have experienced baseball in the 50’s – i think that would have been awesome.
keep up the great work.
May 27, 2008

Matti
Had the G.A.M. 2005 today. Vivaitalia, you are right Ben is behind Mitolo wines together with Frank Mitolo. The 2005 was an explosive experience, would recommend definitely. I bought some Amon-Ra some time ago and can’t wait to open those (trying to save them for the next decade).
May 26, 2008

vivaitalia
i’m fairly certain Ben Glaetzer makes the Mitolo as well. As much as I love you GV you seem to be trying to hard sometimes to break away from your love of “new world” wines. I don’t understand it because your recognition of those is what made wine library blow up. I’m not trying to be a jerk but it almost seems like you feel a need to join the wine establishment because you’re big now. Also a thing that’s been bugging me; Robert Parker is known as loving super huge fruit bomb wines but he’s always made his rep as being the bordeaux guru. I’ve never quite understood that.
May 23, 2008

Mike Gigante
I gotta agree on the Water Wheel. This is one of my long time favourite quaffers. Great value for money. Been buying it since the late 80s or early 90s.

It is so delicious young and is an every day kind of wine so I’ve never managed to keep much. I don’t have any older than 2001. I should probably give it a little more respect and hold some back like I do with most of my wines.

Bendigo (ben-dig-go) is in central Victoria adjacent to Heathcote (Jasper Hill, Shadowfax etc) and not far from the Nagambie/Goulburn valley (Tahbilk, Mitchelton etc).

It is one of 10 or 12 distinct wine regions within ~2 hours of Melbourne (let’s see. clockwise: Geelong/Bellarine Peninsula; Ballarat, Sunbury, Macedon, Bendigo, Heathcote, Goulburn Valley, Strathbogie ranges, King valley, Mansfield, Yarra valley/Diamond valley, Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula). 13 and that leaves out some wonderful areas just a little further out – Rutherglen, Grampians, Pyranees, Great Western. The list goes on…

Melbourne is one of *the* great wine destinations – great wines in so many different styles in a compact form factor with english-speaking, friendly locals

Gee, maybe I should have a job at the dept of tourism

Look me up if you decide to test my premise!

Mike
April 23, 2008

CJ Bowyer
I cant get away from the fruit and sugar ! Great show !
April 20, 2008

Kylie
Hey thanks for giving our good wines a great review. about time. gary when are you coming down here again? love the mitolo too.
Kylie Gold Coast Australia
April 12, 2008

Mr.Ambassador
Opening Day and my Mariners are gonna win their division (thank-you Angels for those injuries to starting pitchers)! I think you’ll see some surprising production from both Kenji and Sexson in their contract years.
April 12, 2008

Dan Schmid
I’m curious to see what Torre is going to do with the Dodgers, but I’m still rooting for the Cubbies.
April 12, 2008

ChezJosh
Go Cubbies!
April 11, 2008

Rolf Lydecker
It just goes to show that lame fancy packaging doesn’t always lead to good vino…

P.S. SD Jones Rules!
April 9, 2008

charlie berg
Gary–so great to see you giving props across the wine board–yes even to fruit bomby Aussie reds. I also was surprised and humbled by a Cab franc, p.verdot, merlot blend from Gemtree, McLaren Vale at a recent wine tasting. have a great week!
April 7, 2008

Tom Purvenas
LOL – Leave a comment. Good show, I was not able to make the “really big show” in person I am sorry to say, we got a bit too much going on here. Keep doing them I am sure I will make one next time.

Keep the reasonably priced ones in the mix, it always keeps my interest and when I hit the lottery I’ll buy the other stuff….
April 5, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
GV, I’m back… got a lot of catching up to do. I don’t keep up with baseball much, but when I watch I’m a Yankees fan.
April 5, 2008

Nate
Yes, please come to the Midwest. More specifically Madison WI. This town brings the thunder to all that live and visit here. Great people, interesting dining, and an attitude on life that will forever leave an impression on you. I do not even live there, but I work and have family in Madison and I always love the things this town has to offer. Yes I believe where you live has much to offer because of size and diversity of all there is to do and see. But given the opportunity, I think Madison, WI will give you a rewarding and unique experience, better than any where else in the Midwest. I hope to hear that you are visiting soon. On Wisconsin!
April 5, 2008

Eric Gardner
Good Show, nice mix of prices. Like to see inexpensive stuff tasted next to pricier stuff. Maybe I’ll let my Glaetzer sit for a few years.

QOTD: Grew up in Oregon (no MLB team), went to college in NYC, went to 4 years of Yankee games, you can never forget the first trip to Yankee Stadium… go Yanks!
April 5, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
Went to Braves opening night so I need to pick them.
April 5, 2008

Dan-o
I have a bunch of Aussies in my cellar of all shapes and sizes – Elderton Command, Rosemount Balmoral, Marquis Phillips #9 Shiraz, Brothers in Arms Shiraz, Penfolds Grange, etc. I am a big fan, but they can wear on you. I have taken about a year off from drinking them and they have been fun to revisit.

I have been a fan of The Big Red Machine for almost 40 years. It has been tough – I went from the back to back ‘75 and ‘76 World Series and then had to wait until the ‘90 sweep of the A’s. Now I am waiting again!
April 5, 2008

Karl Laczko
I’ve not really had any OTT monsters from Australia, the closest would be Grant Burge’s The Holy Trinity 2002 GSM, but I’d have to call that a more elegant wine than some of the one’s you were describing. The Mitolo sounded really good!

QOTD – Opening day? What the frak’s opening day?
April 4, 2008

ValerieM
QOTD: I am rooting for Detroit Tigers, baby!
April 4, 2008

mjr
gday gary
thanks 4 doing the aussie wines. i’m from there, i know the places, it’s easier 4 me 2 get my head around them & remember them when i’m in wine shops. inspired by you i’m drinking a 2005 french burgundy pinot noir. it’s ok. good balance a bit watery…. antonin rodet…
you rock
thanks 4 putting the shows out there
i love em
go jets
mjr