LYNTONS PICKS from the November Catalogue Craggy Range Block 14 2007 Craggy Range Le Sol 2002 Craggy Range Sophia 2005 FOCUS One of the best run wine businesses ? making world class EXCITING wines Drink and think fondly of Richie and the Rugby world champion All-Blacks
Eversham Wood Cuvee J 2005 Evesham Wood 2005 Evesham Wood 2006 OREGON PLANKS Hard to get quality Yank Pinot. This is a serious player and all recent vintages. Three different wines to study
Felton Road 2006 BIG THING Plenty of big things in the Nov Catalogue. This Chard mag makes the perfect (canny) Christmas lunch family statement. Should be a delight
Bannockburn 1996 BIG PAIR? Running with family Christmas tables, This thoroughbred might be the perfect companion for fussy family and a steamy Oz Christmas
Bannockburn 1995 Bannockburn 1996 Bannockburn 1997 Bannockburn 1998 STUDENTS Plenty of study opportunities; Four vintages of Bannockburn Shiraz. All made during Gary Farrs Salad days? I enjoy this wine; Not for lovers of unarmed Shiraz combat.
Battely 2002 Battely 2005 Bindi Composition 2008 TRENDY Overloaded with Trendy boutique offerings. Try some gems from the B list.
Cape Mentelle 1993 Cape Mentelle 1995 FEEDBACK A happy Sterling punter took the time to pass on the joy found under the cork of a 1993 Cape Mentelle Cabernet. Me thinks more joy under the 1995 cork
Cape Mentelle 2002 Cape Mentelle 2004 CHEST HAIR Tough stuff needed to match the Zin crowd. This “Man’s” wine is not easy to find and hard to forget
Carlei The Forties Old Block Tre Rossi 2000 SUCCESS This former “wine of the month” has had its moment of Sterling “pin up” glory. The memories linger and the feedback keeps coming. Expect to clean up what’s left in November
Charles Melton Nine Popes 1995 Charles Melton Nine Popes 1996 Charles Melton Nine Popes 1997 Charles Melton Nine Popes 1998 BLESSED? Only supposed to have one Pope at a time. Here’s the chance to have four Melton Popes of the go at once. VERY popular stuff. Suggest you have a look at the Chateaunurfs in the French quarter of the Catalogue. (dare I say my fav. wine / region?)
Clarendon Hills Astralis 1998 BIG GUN Very serious stuff. Big Bang, Big Bucks, Big Smiles! Time to spoil yourself? Could become habit forming (the 2006 Astralis is just about the best wine I tried this year - WOW)
Clonakilla 2003 Clonakilla 2004 Clonakilla 2007 THE NEW BLACK This new chief of the tribe has shaken the trees and banged the drums CRAZY TIME. Got to be the biggest jump from the shadows to the spotlight I have seen. Beyond trendy. Try it or risk being left behind
Coldstream Hills Reserve 1997 Coldstream Hills Reserve 1997 MY SPEED This is the nook for me to rest. Ticks all my boxes; Haliday at his most potent. Strong vintage, Reserve wines, good price, a touch of the counter cycle.
Coriole 1998 Coriole Lloyd Reserve 1998 TWIN SPEED Tempting, great man making great wines in a great vintage; Compare the top cut Lloyd Reserve and the journeyman “regular” Shiraz.
Cullen 1995 Cullen Diana Madeline 2001 DIVA Best ever Cullen reds? Classics that are getting hard to find. Ready for drinking and Homage!
D'Arenberg The Footbolt 1998 PEOPLES CHOICE? Can’t go wrong. Challenge; -. Find someone who doesn’t appreciate this wine.
D'Arenberg The Footbolt 2004 CHOSEN ONE This month’s BEST Value. Unopened six packs of a stunner that has the perfect assets. Check the promo page.
D'Arenberg The Money Spider 2004 UGLY DUCKLING? “In the know” wine lovers quietly slip special boxes into the dark cool recesses of the cellar to be forgotten for half a decade or so. The list of “good” whites that morph into something great includes, Houghton White Classic / White Burgundy, Tahbilk Massanne and Wynns Coonawarra Riesling. My money is on the D’Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne being a worthy inclusion. Great deal here. Already pre-aged!
Devils Lair 1996 SOFT SPOT Always had a sentimental attachment ? Reality should triumph over emotion and this well-aged beauty will sing!
Edwards & Chaffey Section 353 1998 Edwards & Chaffey Section 353 1998 ONCE WARRIERS Lost Legion, forgotten and buried. A failed project that deserved better. Should be the cheapest premium McLaren Vale wine in the catalogue. If you are a wine tragic sentimentalist, go to town and buy a bottle of the 1998 Rosemount Balmoral Syrah. (also in the Catalogue)
Elderton Command 1996 Elderton Command 2002 MASTER & COMMANDER Don’t need to go to far oceans for adventure, conquest and treasure. This unopened wood chest of 2002 Command is worthy Christmas booty for your favourite pirate or Corporate raider. The Bottle of 1996 a complementary token Christmas celebration?
Freycinet Vineyard 2001 BIG TAS Big thing, nice too! Ideal for Christmas gift or impressing your girlfriends at a long lunch.
Geoff Merrill Henley 2003 BIG KAHOONA Top of the range; Aged in French oak for 36 months Only a few thousand bottles made, BIG retail price, Halliday says heaviest bottle yet! Snick a bargain?
Giaconda 2004 MISSED THE BOAT? Last call, Giaconda Chards dont come up often; had a few vintages in the last few catalogues. This is the double whammy. Giaconda legend Chard with 96 Parker points.
Glaetzer Godolphin 2005 COLLECTABLE? Horse lovers are in overload in November. Race on! For the lovers of the big stables and mega trainers, this is a name that lives in lights. Easy on the ear as well. Few legal snags? Saw this wine change name after just two releases.
Grant Burge Meshach 1990 Grant Burge Meshach 1993 Grant Burge Meshach 1994 OLD BURGE The “smart man’s Grange” tag sits comfortably around a few necks. including E&E Rockford and Burge. How do old Meshach vintages compare to Penfolds Grange? Call for Christmas studies. Serous research must continue; no matter the sacrifice.
Grosset Polish Hill 1997 GREAT WHITE HOPE? All Grosset Polish Riesling is Great! Is the 1997 the greatest? Is it one of Australia’s greatest every white wines?
Hardys Eileen Hardy 1994 Hardys Eileen Hardy 1996 Hardys Eileen Hardy 1997 Hardys Eileen Hardy 1999 Hardys Eileen Hardy 2000 Hardys Eileen Hardy 2001 Hardys Eileen Hardy 2002 I LEAN & WEEP! Tears of joy! Seven vintages of Eileen Hardy Shiraz! Including some fab 1999 mags; (prefect pressies in smart individual wood presentation case) Jump in or miss out.
Henschke Keyneton Estate 1994 Henschke Keyneton Estate 1996 ARTFUL DODGER Dickens fans know how hard it is to catch the Dodger. Disappeared with the contents of your pocket before you know it. The Keyneton disappears into cellars never to be seen again. “Sell the Hill of Grace but NEVER sell the Keyneton”. How many times have I heard that edict from canny vendors looking to cash in some back vintages. Rare stuff that comes with a little ticket bonus. Looks for all the world like a bottle of Hill Grace on the Table.
Henschke Mount Edelstone 1994 Henschke Mount Edelstone 1996 Henschke Mount Edelstone 1998 BETTER THAN GRACE? Looking like a bottle of Henschke Hill of Grace is easy for the Mount Edelstone. Matching the biggest of Guns for fire power is a huge ask. More Research? Try these strong Edelstone vintages up against all comers, including Hill Grace and be impressed!
Hewitson Mad Hatter 2002 Hewitson Mad Hatter 2003 DIP ya LID! Hewitson is likely the most impressive small producer I have tried this year. Great wines Great story and a fanatical focus on quality. Delivered at HUGE value prices. The Miss Harry (Harrie) GSM is my fav. Have a careful look at the Mad Hatter. Get the bonus wooden case. Very smart stuff. Do the Goo Goo and check out the records. Hewitson is a VERY big noise in France with their premiums
Houghton Gladstones 2004 Houghton Gladstones 2000 JACK OF HEARTS Jack Mann “the man” has been immortalised; His name wine, produced by Houghton has become a must have, breaking free from the Houghton cheap plonk image and cracking the $100 mark at auction.
Jasper Hill Emilys Paddock 1997 Jasper Hill Emilys Paddock 1998 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock 1994 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock 1997 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock 2004 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Like the Giaconda Chards, Sterling Catalogues go for months without a single bottle of Jasper Hill. We have been blessed with a flurry of Jasper Emily and Georgia. Now looking pretty thin;. All gone this month?
John Duval Wines Entity 2005 SHIRAZ SAYS The master of Barossa Shiraz now works under his own name. The custodian of Penfolds Grange and the father of Penfolds RWT has a story to tell that gets the attention of the wine universe. Try a back vintage and enjoy the journey
Katnook Estate 1996 CAB NOOK One of Coonawarra finest cabernets from a fine vintage. Cab lovers rush in and compare with MRivers best (enjoy the price and the savings!)
Kilikanoon Medley 2002 Kilikanoon Parable 2009 HIGH NOON some folks stick to their favourite wine producers like “the proverbial” to a blanket. Kilikanoon does it just right for so many punters money. Try a bottle of a back vintage classy GSM in the 2002 Medley or go for the current release Parable Shiraz. (before the Parker points come out? Parable 2004 RP96; Parable 2007 RP94+)
Kingston Estate 2009 Kingston Estate 2009 Kingston Estate BARITONE 2008 Kingston Estate Echelon 2005 Kingston Estate Echelon 2005 Kingston Estate Echelon 2007 FACTORY CRAFTS? Snobby sods would turn the nose at the idea of a wine from the MIA. Riverina is renowned for big factory wines that you trade by the 40 footer. Well, look again. Kingston Estate have worked hard for their reputation as wine master craftsmen. Many serious palates rave at the quality of the premium Echelon Shiraz and Cabernet. Try a box as a Christmas party filler. Trick the snobs with a blind pour.
Kooyong Wines Farrago 2005 Kooyong Wines Faultline 2007 TREND LINES More cool, classy boutique wines from the Vic dress circle. Recent vintages with big reputations. As good as Margaret River? Maybe better? After all Moss Wood grow Pinot Noir in Mornington!!
Leconfield 1996 Leconfield 1997 Leconfield Cabernet 1998 LEFT FIELD Leconfield wines captured my imagination and thrilled me with their 1994 Cabernet Blend. Since then the story has slipped from triumph into the cobwebs. Don’t see their goods on offer and the Cabernet blend is starting to slip from view in the auction catalogues. For my money the 1998 Cabernet will be, just about, the best buy in this sale
Leeuwin Estate Art Series 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series 2006 PILLARS OF HERCULES Two monumental wines that define the landscape! Legend has it that Hercules smashed a mountain to create Gibraltar at the mouth of the Mediterranean. The pillars warned ancient sailors of entering the unknown (Atlantic ocean) the sign read NEC PLUS ULTRA (nothing further beyond) What lays beyond these two amazing Leeuwin Chardonnay wines?
Lindemans Commemorative 1990 Lindemans Limestone Ridge 1991 Lindemans Pyrus 1991 Lindemans St George 1991 SUPER 20 Lindemans Coonawarra wines in 1991 were WORLD CLASS. Here is the chance to try the set from magnums. If that doesn’t set the scene Throw in a Mag of the 1990 commemorative Coonawarra cabernet as a test. This is the big Christmas idea. Take a few mags on holidays
Main Ridge Estate Half Acre 2005 TOO SEXY So sexy it hurts? Keep the shirts on and do the Goo Goo on the smart little number. (not cheap)
Majella 2002 Majella 1998 Majella 1998 UNBELIEABLE another box of this great Majella 1998 Cabernet. If this is your speed ? jump in
Moss Wood 1990 Moss Wood 1994 Moss Wood 1998 KEYS Moss Wood best old vintages are a joy and becoming hard to find. Not many on offer. The best are always rare
Moss Wood Amys Blend 2008 Moss Wood Glenmore Vineyard 1997 THE LOOK Looks like the big brother Cabernet but doesn’t let you down in the glass. Not making Glenmore anymore. The 1997 is looking good and the latest release of AMY is a treat
Mount Helen 1996 Mount Ida 1995 Mount Ida 1996 Mount Ida 1997 LONG GONE Last century I “discovered” Mt Ida Shiraz and enjoyed its new appeal. Since then Heathcote is the biggest trend in wine and the Tisdale brand and Mt Ida are long gone. Expect these gems of lost past to sell cheap. Believe the Vineyard and the name are attached to the Seppelts Mt Ida wine. Worth putting the old and new together? You decide.
Murray Street Vineyards The Barossa 2005 Murray Street Vineyards The Barossa 2006 Murray Street Vineyards The Cabernets 2004 MALL? Murray Street has plenty of traffic and getting lots of attention. A small / big business; these clever guys work very hard at delivering great quality wines with a twist. The Barossa 2006 is a novel blend that works very hard.
Orlando Lawsons 1990 PADDY MINT Padthaway distinctive minty Shiraz is a beacon in a world where, so often, sameness is just the beginning. 21 years old and should be a delight. Lawsons is a standard bearer for quality and regional character. Long may it prosper.
Orlando St Hugo 1986 Orlando St Hugo 1987 Orlando St Hugo 1988 Orlando St Hugo 1989 Orlando St Hugo 1990 Orlando St Hugo 1991 Orlando St Hugo 1992 Orlando St Hugo 1993 Orlando St Hugo 1996 Orlando St Hugo 1999 Orlando St Hugo 2000 Orlando St Hugo 2001 HUGO TO GO Must be some sort of world record. Twelve vintages of St Hugo in one catalogue!! This charmer of a wine has real pulling power. Every year it is discounted “without mercy” on release only to bounce back to very respectable back vintage auction prices. This is Coonawarra Cabernet at its most accessible and to many, at its best.
Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa 1997 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth 1994 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth 1996 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth 1998 PARK n THRIVE If St Hugo is Coonawarra Cabernet at its most accessible. Parker Terra Rossa is the expression at its purest. Dr Parker’s (RIP) vision of a First Growth Estate that just did one world class wine has been realised. The declassified second wine the only fall back.
Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra 1994 Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra 1998 Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra 2002 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 1996 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 1998 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 2002 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 2004 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna 2006 BLIND SPOT Sometimes the girl next door doesn’t get the attention she deserves. Sadly the size, success and age of the Penfolds Bin range are factors that can lead to Penfolds blindness. In a world where the “shock of the new” is the Oxygen of the social scene; old and established can be a handicap. Recently a few Sterling punters made the LOUD point that better vintages of Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz and Bin 28 Kalimna (mainly Barossa) Shiraz are stunning. Everything is new again - Have another look J
Penfolds Bin 407 1994 Penfolds Bin 407 1996 Penfolds Bin 407 1997 Penfolds Bin 407 2002 OH!! SEVEN James Bond was licenced to kill as 007 and Bin 407 is licenced to thrill “within strict financial control”. Always the little brother of the Bin 707 The cut down job is a budget wonder
Penfolds Bin 707 1983 Penfolds Bin 707 1996 Penfolds Bin 707 1998 RATIONED No story needed. This is it; a few good bottles of the NOW wine, Penfolds Bin 707 including a museum quality example of 1983
Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1966 Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1981 Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1983 BACK GRANGE For the collectors in need of special vintages or the shopper looking for the “ultimate” birthday present. The list is short 1966, 1981, 1983 Surely you know a 30th Birthday boy / Girl who need a Grange magnum of the special year!
Penfolds Koonunga Hill 1996 Penfolds Koonunga Hill 1998 GIVE THEM CAKE Poor old Marie Antoinette lost her head for offering cake to hungry peasants begging for bread. Sometimes giving up something just too good just causes problems. The Original Shiraz Cabernet Penfolds Koonunga Hill, is now over 30 year old. It has always over-delivered; for most vintages, beyond belief! Here are two of the recent best. Enjoy and play some trick with it.
Penfolds St Henri 1992 Penfolds St Henri 1993 OUT OF THE SHADOWS St Henri is a thriller and an international success. The November catalogue is packed with the strong , now expensive vintages. Try the modest, underrated 1992 (Cabernet listed on Label) and the 1993 (a vintage compared to 1971) Enjoy the wines and enjoy the savings
Reynell Basket Pressed 2006 GRAN CRUSH Grenache is only a few years away from a trend wave. So much good fruit and so few good single variety wines made in Oz. The hammer fall on this one will embarrass.
Rivendell Sweet Shiraz 2003 WHAT? I want to know what a sweet shiraz is. This wine wins the “make me wonder” award
Rockford 1997 Rockford 1999 Rockford Basket Press 1996 Rockford Basket Press 1998 Rockford Basket Press 1999 Rockford Basket Press 2000 Rockford Basket Press 2003 Rockford Basket Press 2005 Rockford Basket Press 2006 Rockford Basket Press 2007 Rockford Rifle Range 2002 Rockford Rifle Range 2004 Rockford Rod & Spur 2005 SANTA SAID Every good boy deserves a bottle of Rockford in his Christmas stocking. Every Good Girl deserves two. Worried that there are more good boys and girls than bottles. Be quick
Saltram Metala Original Plantings 2002 Saltram No 1 1996 Saltram No 1 2002 STOCKING STUFFERS If you have been good enough, Rockford might just have to be substituted for Saltram Metala Original or No1. That’s a better than good enough result ? Well it is Christmas!
Savaterre 2008 Savaterre 2005 ANY BEACH? Trendy alert. Cool going and smart neighbours. Worth taking a drink and checking out the Beechworth vineyards and give Santa’s little helpers encouragement
Seppelt St Peter's Great Western 1998 Seppelt St Peter's Great Western 2002 Seppelt St Peter's Great Western 2004 HOW GOOD? How good can it get? Short and sweet; in my book it’s hard to get much better than the 1998 St Peters.
Summerfield Reserve 2006 Summerfield Reserve 2007 VIC SECRET Quiet folks getting on with making great wine without fuss. Over the holidays have a look at the winery location and the story
Tahbilk 1860 1998 AWESOME WORDS FALL SHORT This is the best Shiraz in Victoria and every year it sets a standard. Tell me if there is a more deserving wine? Taltarni 1991 VER BIG THING Double trouble; 3 litres of great Taltarni Cabernet. Exactly 20 years old and looking for a party!
Tim Adams The Aberfeldy 1998 ELF ALERT perfect big things for Christmas.
Torbreck Run Rig 2002 Torbreck Run Rig 2004 RUN RUN RUN The best premium wine ambassador from OZ. These folk are on a mission. Soon enough the Run Rig will be export only. World demand will push prices and choke local supply. Get in Now! If these dreams are beyond your budget, grab a box of 2010 Woodcutters. A freakishly good entry level wine
Ulithorne Frux Frugis 2004 FUNNY NAME WINNER Like this name; it sounds like the wine tastes.
Veritas Rolf Binder Wines Hanisch Vineyard 2001 KNIFE & FORK big chunky smooth rustic wine, oozing Barossa charm and power
Voyager Estate 1995 Voyager Estate 1997 Voyager Estate 1998 STUDENTS A tricky little vertical of Voyager Cabernet. Well worth the research
WANTIRNA ESTATE Lily 2005 PINOT TREND How many tricky little special boutiquey Pinot Producers are there? If you are counting; here another
Wendouree 1997 Wendouree 1997 Wendouree 1998 Wendouree 2006 GET IT Back vintages of Wendouree Shiraz are like hens teeth. Jump high or miss out
Willow Bridge Black Dog 2001 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Maybe the ghost of Christmas past. Black Dog is the official Sterling recommended Christmas wine. Over the top flavour bomb that is drenched in alcohol and super juice fruit. Its more about saying you can, rather than wondering why.
Willow Creek Benedictus 2004 PINOT RADAR Here we go again. One for the Pope, your favorite monk or your Latin master. Very Christmas
Witchcliffe Estate 2005 Witchcliffe Estate 2006 IN NEED? Need a box of Chard for the next family occasion? Have a look at these penny pinching “premium” Margs chards
Wolf Blass Black Label 1980 LOVELY Looks a treat and in need of a good home. Drink with your Chinese favourites. This brand is a new currency in the exotic east.
Woodlands 2009 OUT OF THE WOODS Plain, simple, good wine made by flash players moving up in the world. Priced low.
Yalumba The Octavius 1996 CHRISTMAS PUDDING A Glass full of Plum jam and spice with all things nice. Octavius is not cheap but it does thrill and is getting better each year
Yalumba The Signature 1996 BIG SIG Yum, you make my heart sing. What a treat. Good enough for that special occasion and big enough to share
Antinori Tignanello 1996 TIG RULES Last month it was 1998 this time 1996. The TIG rules and has a following in every corner of the globe
Borgogno Riserva 1961 WOW Perfect! Looks like this baby has just come out of the shop! Look out for the bookend Marchesi 1961 below! Last change for special 50th Birthday presents?
Conterno Fantino Vignota 1999 Conterno Fantino Vignota 2001 CON FAN love this name “Fantino”
Gaja Promis Pieve Santa Restituta 1997 GAJA 1997 Remembered as the blockbuster Italian vintage, 1997 lives on as a special benchmark. More special than Gaja? This is a special occasion wine
Marchesi Di Barolo 1961 WOW BOOKEND PERFECT As new presentation; Would be a pity to separate from brother Barolo above. Last 50th birth year present chance?
Prunotto Bussia 1998 ANTINORI STABLE Great Barolo with a huge reputation
Tenuta Dell Ornellaia Ornellaia 1994 ITALIAN STALIAN Big name and one of the grand wines of Italy
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2000 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2001 SASSICAIA Italy’s greatest wine? If not one of the top five. Do the Goo Goo. Sterling has sold a handful of bottles of Sassicia
Bosquet des Papes 1998 Chapoutier Les Granits 2007 Chateau de Beaucastel 1994 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau 2003 PAPES ALIVE The November catalogue has a serious collection of south Rhone Chateauneuf wines. If you are a fan or just curious. Give it a big look
Chateau Petrus 1989 KING Petrus is the top of the pile and RP100 is the top score. If you have a lazy $5K and need to tick an upmarket bucket list, here’s your chance
Chateau Pichon Longueville Lalande 1982 WHATS IN A NAME? Same neighbourhood, Same perfect score. Different name and $4k change. The Petrus and Pichon are meant to be together . Check the lot numbers. Please take them both to the same good home. |