What are you buying (or at least thinking about) this May?

So what are you buying?

I know that’s a wide-ranging question, but I’m interested to know what’s on your wine purchasing radar this month. I’m asking largely for fun, but also because I’m on a self-imposed wine buying ban, so would like to live vicariously through others…

If I was in buying mode, however, I’d stock up on ’14 Chablis. From what I’ve tried (so far) this is a great vintage and, in the white wine scheme of things, Chablis is still genuinely affordable. I contemplated buying some of the ’14 Patrick Piuze wines last week, but then again remembered that I shouldn’t be buying wine (at least until June).

What about you?

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Random Chablis image, looking up towards Montée de Tonnerre August 2013
Andrew Graham Avatar

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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29 responses to “What are you buying (or at least thinking about) this May?”

  1. Simon Colwell Avatar
    Simon Colwell

    Ideally a sub-$20 chardonnay, for mid-week quaffing, that still has complexity and a bit of weight to it ie not some unoaked/lightly oaked lolly water, but I’m starting to think such a beast doesn’t exist. Otherwise, given the large wine lake I have at home at the moment, a lot of stouts and full bodied pale ales. 4 Pines will fit the bill nicely.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      I do like the Wickhams Road Chardies and they’re sub $20. Does that count.

      Reply
      1. Simon Colwell Avatar
        Simon Colwell

        I haven’t had the Wickhams Road wines before but I trust your opinion and will give them a try. I like Stu’s comment below about quaffers, something decent you can open yet with no regrets. I want my good stuff, which is virtually all of it, to last past the end of May.

        Reply
  2. Zoltan Nemeti Avatar
    Zoltan Nemeti

    Chablis 2014 is first on my ‘invest in’ list. What triggered my enthusiasm is Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin, their basic Chablis is so fantastic that it’s hard to believe.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Love the Droin Chablis. Delicious and you’re right, basic AC is a bargain.

      Reply
  3. Simon Avatar
    Simon

    2015 Mornington Pinot. The wines I have tried so far have been pretty special. Grower Champagne. Some Head Shiraz when the newsletter for the 15’s comes out. Passopiscirolo 13.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Favourite grower Champagne? Larmandier Bernier is always a favourite

      Reply
  4. Stu Avatar
    Stu

    Immediate radar are ’14s from the Hunner I reckon. Need some quaffing piss too, something decent but not too good that I’m going to regret opening it after imbibing a few already.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Ah yes. What is the pricepoint for quaffing? Sub $20?

      Reply
  5. David Avatar
    David

    I have resisted the urge to go international however as time goes on I inevitably find myself weak at the knees. I fear it’s like a dam about to burst. If I do succumb then wines around Piedmont are on the list, Austrian and perhaps German Riesling and you now have my interest in ’14 Chablis. At home, it’s ’14 Hunter Shiraz, always on the look out for good MR cab’s and I’m liking the Fiano grape do keep my eyes skinned for good examples of that.

    Reply
  6. Daniel Avatar
    Daniel

    I am almost on a self imposed buying ban too.
    What I am thinking about is 2014 Hunter Reds. I have just the Lakes Folly Cab, the Thomas Allen Alaisdair & thinking about some of Thomas wines (thanks for the notes – very timely). Are there any others that are about to be released that anyone thinks we wont regret by buying and putting away into long term storage?

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      If we’re taking about long term propositions I’ve been eyeing up the new Te Mata Coleraine. Love that wine in ripe vintages…

      Reply
  7. GlennD Avatar
    GlennD

    Hunter ’14 reds are still finding space in my cellar … looking forward to Mt Pleasant’s upcoming ‘standard’ releases (rather than the special ‘block’ and ‘Mountain’ wines) of ’14 Rosehill and OP&OH. Will be handy companions to the various Tyrrells and De Illius ’14s which are sleeping soundly.
    Also on bit of an IPA craft brew kick at the moment. Gee, hasn’t the beer landscape – and the beers themselves – changed ALOT over the last ten years. Loving the Imperials / Doubles from the likes of Modus Operandi, Pirate Life, Riverside, Boatrocker … and the already ‘classics’ from Bridge Road, Mornington, Feral, Holgate, The Little Brewing Company, Nail and Murrays.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      I’ve got the new Pirate Life IPA cans in the fridge. Might crack one tonight. Haven’t tried the Boatrocker gear though – will add to list.

      Reply
  8. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy

    My annual supply of Vasse Felix. Keen to try their newly released Filius Cab which is getting rave reviews. Still buying 2014 Hunter shiraz…. This is all during my self imposed wine buying ban given I have no more room in my 2 cellars. Basically when it comes to wine I have no willpower !

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Cathy, I have no willpower either!

      That Filius Cab is very good by the way – had it blind in amongst a raft of others and it looked great.

      Reply
      1. Cathy Avatar
        Cathy

        Great. It’s due to arrive this week.

        Reply
  9. Tony Winspear Avatar
    Tony Winspear

    Currently buying alt’ varietals and loving it. Had 4 days in Mclaren Vale and Adelaide Hills mid January and really enjoyed the various Nero, Sang, Temp, Neb, Fiano, Chenin etc. Seems like they are really pushing the boundaries in varietal terms.
    Also be remiss of me not to mention the great hospitality shown to us wherever we went.
    Cheers.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Favourites Tony?

      Reply
  10. GP Avatar
    GP

    My annual San Giusto buy, Clos du Tertre Riesling, Passopisciaro new releases, exploratory Dormilona gear, Cullen KJ and DM 2014 and some Hoddles gear…

    Cheers
    GP

    Reply
  11. Luca Avatar
    Luca

    I’m looking at hunter 14s and trying to work out if I want the 13 Syrahmi X Shiraz, not having tasted it. The 12 dreams was great. And trying to keep some powder dry for 15 yarra pinots. Mayer bloody hill and Hoddles have been pretty impressive so far.

    Reply
  12. Tony Winspear Avatar
    Tony Winspear

    Favourites from the SA trip included Protero Nebbiolo 2006. 3 from Coriole: Sangiovese 2014, Vita Reserve Sangiovese 2010 and The Optimist Chenin Blanc 2010. Bird In Hand Montepulciano 2014 and Hither and Yon Nero d’Avola 2014. And not to forget Yangarra Estate Grenache 2013 and Paxton Tempranillo 2015.
    A mixture of early drinking approachable styles and some serious Saturday night specials.
    Cheers

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Big fan of those Coriole Sangiovese. Smart wines

      Reply
  13. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    I just grabbed a couple of Cullen Diana Madeline (2014). It is for my second little girl as her ‘brith year’ wine (the first girl got the same for her birth year too (2011)). I am also desperate to grab some 14 Thommo Shiraz but my buying ban is also proving a challenge!

    Reply
  14. Hugh Avatar
    Hugh

    Buying a lot of ‘15 Yarra Pinot and Chardonnay (Hoddles, Punt Road, Giant Steps, Luke Lambert). Apart for De Iuliis I haven’t found much accessible ‘14 Hunter Shiraz so far (weighing up the Tomo’s releases but I want Kiss, and that’s too expensive imo).

    ‘15 has also been good to Canberra District, so buying what I can from there, especially Ravensworth (the Riesling was “smashable”).

    Can’t get enough Nebbiolo either. The fling is beginning to develop into a full blown relationship…

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      Nebbiolo! Dangerous indeed. Still cheaper than Burgundy though 🙂

      Reply
      1. Matt Sheppard Avatar
        Matt Sheppard

        After trying Unico Zelo Neb last month its all I can think about.

        Reply
  15. David Webster Avatar
    David Webster

    I’m also on a self imposed buying ban. Still didn’t sop me buying the standard Hoddles Creek PN and some Sailor Seeks Horse PN. On my list are ’10 Brunello and ’14 White Burgundy.

    Reply
    1. Andrew Graham Avatar
      Andrew Graham

      That standard Hoddles Pinot is a Bargain. Every year

      Reply

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