What wine are you buying this June (2020)?

June 23, 2020

So what have you been buying this month?

It’s now been nine months since I last asked this question (September 2019) as the cellar is still full. But with a gift voucher or two up my sleeve, this month I’ve been working out what to buy.

I was super tempted to dip into the new Tissot ’17s but have largely missed the boat on stock. They’re stunning wines, and relatively affordable ($120 a bottle for Les Bruyeres is madness given that the equivalent white Burgundy starts at $500).

Otherwise, it’s largely been a stemware question at the moment as my hodgepodge of Riedels et al could do with tidying up. Zalto’s are the obvious choice, although I prefer the durability of my Riedel Vinums. I bought a 6pk of Gabriel-Glas stems as a present for my sister at Xmas and rather like them too.

So what about you? What are you buying (and drinking) this month?

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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15 responses to “What wine are you buying this June (2020)?”

Simon Colwell

June 23, 2020 at 11:10 am

I think a better question would be ‘what haven’t we been buying ?’ Since the whole lockdown commenced and with wineries desperate to maintain sales we’ve been buying wine like crazy to help support them. The credit card has copped a flogging and there are boxes of wine all over our apartment. My last purchase was a mixed 6 of cabernet franc, chardonnay and pinot from Atallah Wines in Orange. He’s one of the newer producers in Orange and his wines are outstanding.

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Andrew W

June 23, 2020 at 12:25 pm

I too have overindulged and flexed the plastic. So many keen offers coming in. I was reading in JR’s Purple Pages that the wine lake is back in Europe. (https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/italys-overflowing-cellars-covid-or-chronic).
Recent additions to the cellar include 2016 Craiglee shiraz and some Morris Rare Topaque. Plus some 2018 Express Wine Makers “Franklandia” riesling from Great Southern.

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Andrew Graham

June 23, 2020 at 12:48 pm

Hard to say no isn’t it? I like Pat’s wines, though haven’t tried the ’16 yet.

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Andrew W

June 23, 2020 at 1:01 pm

There’s a “Reserve” Craiglee Shiraz this year too. So much wine, so little time.

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GP

June 23, 2020 at 1:32 pm

Andrew – have you used the new(ish) Plumm Three glasses? I’m in need of a decent set of Pinot/Neb/Chardy glasses and the Plumm Three No.3 is on the short list. I use Gabriel-Glas for most things but I’m keen for something with a bigger bowl.

On the buying front, I’ve started adding a smattering of Jura to the cellar by way of various Montbourgeau offerings.

Cheers
GP

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Colin

June 23, 2020 at 8:26 pm

Andrew-
Started out with a sprint 2months ago with some Jim Barry, Benbournie Cabernet, Standish Lamella and Theorem. And in more recent times, some ……….actually quite a bit of Nebbiolo 😏
And a splash of Weihenstephaner Hefe Wiesbier.

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Andrew Graham

June 23, 2020 at 10:50 pm

I’ve enjoyed some of the Quiet Deeds IPA range on the beer note.

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David Coles

June 24, 2020 at 12:17 pm

Andrew – I have taken the opportunity to go direct to some wineries i respect but havent really ‘mined’ with any seriousness. Two in particular – Thistledowne and Alpha Box and Dice. Both are doing some interesting things within their range and have a Grenache focus. they are doing some innovative marketing as well

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maxo

June 24, 2020 at 12:19 pm

Yep I should be behaving given the current environment but there are just too many good deals floating around to pass up. This month has been some Standish, bit of 2018 Mount Pleasant top up from their sale, Craiglee shiraz and a stack of stuff from First Choice that they have been clearing at cheap prices. I’m now hanging out for the Wendouree order form which should be due in the next week or so.

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Andrew Graham

June 24, 2020 at 12:57 pm

I like the Thistledown Grenache wines I’ve tried so far David, and Maxo the Standish releases are always a temptation.

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DavidL

June 24, 2020 at 1:13 pm

I just landed a case of 2017 Eperosa Krondorf direct from the winery – otherwise, like you, I’ve been trying some of the Thistledown wines. I like their approach to both Grenache and Shiraz.

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Mahmoud Ali

June 25, 2020 at 4:53 am

I’m not buying anything for the cellar but cheap whites for summer sipping is on the menu. A recent find has been a Spanish white made from Grenache Blanc (60%), Chardonnay (25%), and Sauvignon Blanc (15%). On opening it is a fresh aperitif and with a little airing the wine fattens up, probably because of the Chardonnay.

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Stuart+Phillips

June 25, 2020 at 10:06 am

Well I decided to bite the bullet and buy 36 bottles of en premier Bordeaux 2019 given that virtually everyone has dropped their prices by 30% and the vintage reports and tastings are very encouraging.
Recently bought some bargains at auction (2010 John Riddock for under $100 a bottle) and a stunning 2008 Calon Segur.

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Bob Colman

June 29, 2020 at 7:38 pm

I don’t really buy anything much for cellaring these days so everything I get tends to be consumed within a few months or so and generally I’m only buying two or three bottles of each particular wine at a time. June purchases have included a mixed dozen by Seiichi Saito (Petit-Roy, Chorey-les-Beaune), a mixed selection from Smallfry in the Barossa, some bits and pieces from Caroline Ledédente in Bugey and lots of interesting craft beers, some rather high in alcohol. Had a bit of a checkup by my GP during the month as well and he reckoned no more than 1/2 a bottle of wine a day should be consumed. Think I’ll start looking for magnums.

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Andrew Graham

June 30, 2020 at 6:46 am

That’s the spirit Bob. Magnums are much more entertaining anyway, especially Riesling magnums.

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