Sterling Wine Auctions Australia

LaVigna & team Tamburri have done it again!

Have a look at this story and dream about filling your cellar with 2003 treasures.

Every year for 18 long years Michael and Grace Tamburri, recently with very capable help from daughter Anne Maree, have put on a World’s best reds tasting. This Gala event looks at the worlds greatest Cabernets and Shiraz without fear or favor.

This year we gathered in the Perth Hyatt Hotel ballroom to look at treasures of the 2003 vintage.

So much time and effort goes into the selection of these wines. Every glass shouted out quality and promise.

There were standouts, but no duds! Every wine earned its place and represented its country or region of origin with distinction.

The standouts for me were the stunning Cos d’Estournel, Mount Mary Quintet, Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas and Torbreck The Factor.

The most intriguing wine the Tyrrells DB24, is an amazing chameleon that brings together premium Heathcote and McLaren Vale fruit with a double dose of new oak. 12 months in new oak and then another 12 months in more new oak. A trend that the Coopers will be very keen to promote!

Chateau Cos d'Estournel
What a joy, incredible concentration and subtlety. Save up your pennies for this one, 2 bottles for a grand! Heck its worth it!

Chateau Palmer
2003 was very tricky, huge heat through vintage pushed all the boundaries. Some top Bordeaux coped better than others. Amazing wine but the wow factor is hard to determine. Try again in a few years. Rich sport, not much change from $500 to take a bottle home.

Chateau Pichon Lalande
I love all Pichon, is this going to rival the now legend 2000? Time will tell. The sheer power and drama of this wine is like the Concorde on take off. Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. Funny enough, big bucks for this one too!

Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas
This wine is just wonderful, a timely reminder of just how good the original Shiraz article can be. Fabulous ripe fruit and structure. Not a hint of new oak in sight. About $150 a bottle, good value.

Tua Rita Giusto di Norti
The new generation of Bordeaux inspired “Super Tuscans” using Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc instead of traditional Italian varieties. This “flash” wine is a marvel. Superheated vintage delivering huge flavor and concentration. Wait for a decade to enjoy this one.

Torbreck The Factor
This wine is a swimsuit model wrapped in satin. What a package. Power, WOW factor, elegant, soft cheeky and very compelling. Another big effort from the Torbreck master wine makers. Not cheap but very memorable.

Majella The Malleea
Classic classic. Premium Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz blend. Very pleasing wine. Maybe a little boisterous and exuberant, possibly a little disjointed. Very fine. One of those rare wines that will please just about everyone.

Tyrrells DB24
What a puzzle. Were you seduced or raped? Not sure; propose marriage or call the police? Bruce Tyrrell must be on a bet with this one. Best described as a supercharged shiraz. Power, handling and class of a Formula 1 Ferrari.

Mount Mary Cabernet Quintet
This wine is just too good to be true. One of the last Quintets to be steered by the steady hand of dearly departed Dr Middleton. Best described as a serious, even thought provoking wine. Stunning complexity with an aristocratic pedigree.

Shadowfax Pink Cliffs Shiraz
Grown on a rocky mountain side, on abandoned gold diggings in Heathcote. This tiny yield, single vineyard Shiraz has captured the “gold in the glass” Drinking this one young is killing babies. Hold and enjoy.

Gralyn
Margaret River premium Cabernet with huge potential. This flagship wine is drinking beautifully. Big and elegant with complex flavours starting to develop. A serious contender for classic status.

Howard Park
Many commentators see the Howard Park Cabernet as a definitive benchmark for Margaret River / Great Southern. A big wine with full and intense fruit. The HP team are pros who always bring home the bacon. Buy this one with confidence.

Woodlands Ivy Kathleen
Woodlands is a producer with a long and distinguished history. Recently they have burst into the limelight demanding attention for an unending string of show triumphs. This wine is another triumph. Cabernet and a touch of Malbec from Margaret River’s dress circle. Don’t rush this one, savor every drop.

Faber Vineyards Reserve Shiraz
The very best from Swan Valley, this premium Shiraz has been pampered and coaxed to near perfection by John Griffiths and his dedicated team. Wonderful wine that will age well for the next 10 years.

Woodside Valley The Baudin
100% Margaret River Cabernet treated to 100% new French Oak. This wine is made in tiny quantities. Good for at least 10 years in the cellar.

Moss Wood
For over two decades Moss Wood has stood out as one of Australia’s best Cabernets. The 2003 offering is one of their best, delivering wonderful flavour concentration and variety. All class and as one of Margaret Rivers best ambassadors, Moss Wood Cabernet will cellar for longer than your willpower will last.

Raymond R Collection
A big name premium Cabernet from Napa Valley. Made to a standard that takes no notice of budget this is a fine wine exhibiting complex structure and wonderful length. Drink it now or hold for up to 8 years.

Te Mata Estate Coleraine
From Hawkes Bay in NZ this is the international standard bearer for NZ Cabernet. Wonderful rich palette and sustained elegant finish.

Vina Morande “House of Morande”
From Chile a Cabernet Merlot with class. Trendy “Hollywood” wine producers with a big budget. Amazing flavours that don’t not come with an exotic signature

October 2006