BigBlog

When my illness (non hodgekins lymphoma)- gets a not very good diagnosis theres only a few things you can do. The first thing is escape to Kilcunnda with a box of stuff (while I can still drink and enjoy some time with my family) I will give you a full report next week on what I managed to stuff down my gob -as life is now at a point that this is the about the last chance I will have. Expect some reports on the big stuff that you drink once every blue moon - I intend to do it every day I'm there - French bubbles, Glaetzer Amon Ra - 3 vintages, Clonakilla, I will try it all.

See you next week - the doctor of wineology   

Quite a few new wines arriving of late - some notable but not widely known names are Gomersal Shiraz  $19- made by Ben Glaetzer ( Is there any wine in Australia this man doesn't make) and Hobbs 2004 Shiraz $140.00 -made by Greg Hobbs who is a member of the Artisans of Barossa.

Some better known names are now releasing some of bigger guns with a bit age on them - Peter Lehmann 2002 Stonewell has just hit the shops and is a cracker. Saltram No1 2004 Shiraz has also just arrived put these on your xmas wish list.

Cheers - The Doctor of Wineology.

Just a short note to keep you updated on latest vintages

Australia 2007 is pretty much a write off, with the exception being Margaret River (W.A.) and I hear McLaren Vale (S.A.) - although I think crop yeilds were down. The rest, well -be it on your own head if you buy this vintage and don't get much bang for your buck - this will be a good one to avoid.

New Zealand on the other hand had a cracker year in 2007 and expect some very high quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and not forgetting newer styles such as Pinot Gris.

2006 is proving to deliver some outstanding budget to mid price reds at the moment, so keep an eye out for wines such as Fox Creek 2006 Red Baron Shiraz at around $16 it's great value. Also the Heartland Reds are overdelivering on quality as always - the Shiraz and Cab Sav are corkers at around $17, as is Jip Jip Rocks 2006 Shiraz - $16

These wines will all cellar mid term and are a worthy aquisition as 04/05 vintages deplete, so stock up and ride through the horror vintage that was 2007 and hope that better years are ahead!

Cheers - The Doctor of Wineology

Back in 2005 we held a masked Shiraz night with 30 Shiraz ranging from $20 - $120 We invited our top 30 customers and asked them to rate the wines as they saw fit. At the end of the night we collected their score sheets and added up the totals of the top 3 wines.

One wine was a head and shoulders winner above the rest - Hennings 2002 Shiraz.

If youv'e never heard of this wine it's from a small vineyard in the Mt. Camel region of Heathcote (Vic) This is the heart of the famous Cambrian soils which alluvial ledgend abounds as to adding extra dimensions in flavour and vine growth. This is local terrior!

Typical Heathcote flavours are evident on the palate - big, rich ripe and full bodied with the classic cracked pepper and vanilla like structure. The smoothness of this wine has to be tasted to be appreciated along with it's length of palatwhich seems to go on forever.

The best thing is this wine has now had a couple of years under it's belt and it's even better - the joys of cellaring. But surley the best thing overall is the price - $32 - yup that's all it is - get some quick - where else but Doc's.  

The 2006 Glaetzer line-up has just been released and looks to show some promise with some consistant quality showing through.

As you all know by now Ben Glaetzer is one of my favourite winemakers and I have been singing praises about his wines for years. Again I think he has produced great quality from a vintage that hasn't showed a lot so far.

From the Wallace blend, the Bishop,  through to a newly named Godolphin blend(now Annaperenna after a legal tussle with the famous stable) and on to the flagship the Amon -Ra I can only say if you havn't tried Glaetzer's wines, then do yourself a favour and get some today!

Cheers - The Doctor of Wineology.