What wines are you buying this September (2019)?

September 9, 2019

So what wines are you buying/have you been buying this month?

It’s been a while since I last asked this question, purely because I’ve been on a ‘the cellar is full’ wine buying black out (that dates back to 2016)

But this month, I’m back in buy mode and for one reason – birth year Semillon. My (almost) seven month old has managed to land in a top-shelf Semillon vintage, which means there will be some of the Hunter’s finest making its way to my Wine Ark locker. Maybe magnums too, although the big bottles are a pain to store.

Otherwise, there is also some 2013 Cascina Franca Barolo and 2015 Vietti Castiglione that havelanded this month that I couldn’t resist. I’ve sold off lots of Burgundy recently (the variability was just too much) and Barolo is taking its place. One b to another.

What about you? What are you drinking/buying?

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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17 responses to “What wines are you buying this September (2019)?”

Cactus

September 9, 2019 at 10:42 am

Good topic Andrew.
This time of year is a horror show for the CC. I keep thinking a need to have a budget. All the major mailing lists all seem to come out at the same time and there isn’t enough room or money. In no particular order recently
1) Wendouree – got less than my order. Big scale back
2) Tyrrell’s white – I just got the Vat 1. If I had more space I would get some Johno’s Semillon. But I don’t. A few good years in a row for hunter has left my cellar full.
3) Marius – I only started buying these recently and great powerful unique red from McLaren Vale
4) Hoddles Creek 1er Pinot – favourite Pinot for me
5) Blue Poles Alouran – wonderful wine at a great price, ages well.

Planning to buy soon
1) Wynnsday – just get a bunch of the black label cab
2) Rockford must be out soon.

I ducked
1) Penfolds – just cant do it any more. Not enough space, too expensive and better options elsewhere. 1st vintage I haven’t got any 389 or St Henri

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Andrew Graham

September 9, 2019 at 10:51 am

I can’t justify the spend on Pennies anymore either.

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Simon Colwell

September 9, 2019 at 11:02 am

Last two wines I bought were from LMB Wines, the Riesling from Orange and Cabernet Sauvignon from Mudgee. The Riesling came first but I have no idea how it ended up on my radar, it must have been one of the wine reviewers I follow but I cannot recall which one. Was it you ? The Riesling is beautiful which surprised me a bit because apart from a few producers (eg Bloodwood, Colmar, Cargo Road) I’m not a huge fan of Orange Riesling as I find them too fruity. The Cab Sav was recommended by QWines, he said he hasn’t seen the Riesling, and is also great. I’d never heard of LMB Wines before this which shows what great value you guys provide to the industry.

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Charles Harrower

September 9, 2019 at 11:04 am

I’ve just picked up some Tahbilk old vine shiraz / cab that I will try to keep and now on the hunt for some sparkling red for xmas and to tuck away

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Andrew Graham

September 9, 2019 at 11:31 am

Can’t say it was me, but thanks for kind words Simon.

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Andrew Graham

September 9, 2019 at 11:33 am

Primo Joseph Sparkling red is the go for my Xmas. I still have a bottle of 2016 disgorgement that will be a lock.

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Bob Colman

September 9, 2019 at 12:42 pm

Being a devotee of natural, my choices are rather different I guess to most of your correspondents. I no longer buy anything to cellar as my priorities have changed and I have to get around to selling off the thousand or so bits and pieces of mostly “traditional” wines that in some case have been sitting under the shed for many many years. I rarely drink them but they do come in handy when entertaining friends and visitors who love that style of wine.
What have I been buying lately are wines from Testalonga – Baby Bandido “Chin Up red blend, a lovely Muller-Thurgau Silvaner 2016 from 2Naturkinder, The Other Right “Sunshine on my Skin” Viogner and most recently a Beaujolais “Nouveau Litre” from newish producer Raphael Beysang. All so fresh & alive without any oak influence or additives except possibly the Testalonga which may have a little added SO2.

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Andrew Graham

September 9, 2019 at 12:50 pm

I like the Testalonga wines a lot. I don’t mind Bryan Martin’s Seven Months for a little skin contact. The Brave New Wine range is great fun in that vein too.

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Travis W

September 9, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Tyrrell’s, Wendouree, Clonakilla and Collector. All I need is a heads-up for some good Aussie bubbles and Champagne. Any recos Andrew? 🙂

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1. Andrew Graham
  
  September 10, 2019 at 12:05 am
  
  Champagne: I rather liked the JM Seleque wines. I’m going to the Adelaide Hills sparkling summit in two weeks so will have favourites from that too.
  
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redmaxo

September 10, 2019 at 10:21 am

I’m similar to Cactus above, have just done Wendouree and now into Marius, Tyrrell’s whites (I will wait to see what I like at this week’s tasting to decide on final picks) and Mount Pleasant reds. Rockford will be October.

I try to scale back purchases from September through March here in Brisbane as I always get uptight about the heat and shipping conditions.

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Paul Coghlan

September 10, 2019 at 10:23 am

The 2018 Tyrrell’s and Mount Pleasant reds have caused the cellar to reach its Plimsoll line. Oh and the arrival of the Tyrrell’s 2019 semillons woke me up this morning. No it was not a nightmare!

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Andrew Graham

September 10, 2019 at 10:28 am

It’s a happy dream Paul!

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Stuart Phillips

September 10, 2019 at 2:13 pm

I have had a pleasant surprise with Bordeaux recently. The 2014 to 2016 have been rewarding and there’s plenty of good buying in the $30 – $60 bracket although for simple easy house wine the place seems awash with Bordeaux under $20

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Julian

September 10, 2019 at 2:37 pm

Marius
Blue Poles Allouran
Hoddles Creek Estate Chardy & Pinot
And a couple of bottles from Langton’s

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Bob

September 11, 2019 at 8:12 pm

Some or all of below

Gembrook Pinot and Chardonnay 2017
Curly Flat Pinot and Chardonnay – they have some older vintages online
Old 2006 Lethbridge Indra Shiraz I spied the other day. I had one bottle and it was delicious
Eden Valley Shirazes like Sons of Eden. Love the style.
Grosset Springvale Riesling 2017 – got some want some more
Montalto Pinot Noir ‘Tuerong’ Block 2017
Sanguine Inception Shiraz – enjoyed in the past , but I need to try the latest release

If anyone here has tried and proven techniques for negotiating purchases partner/better halves I’m all ears.

My strategy to date has always been buy, then beg forgiveness

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Simon Colwell

September 12, 2019 at 7:16 am

My other half used to comment on the amount of wine I bought. I replied that she didn’t have to drink any of it and if she didn’t it would last twice as long and I would accordingly buy half as much. That seems to have silenced her.

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