What are you buying this January 2021?

Tumbarumba chardonnays and Murrumbateman rieslings.

Faves ? Definitely the Helms. His cab sauv is awesome too. The Gallagher Riesling was also great. Got a Ravensworth in the fridge but haven’t tried it yet. Where to start on the chardonnay ? Eden Road, Clonakilla, Nick O’Leary and Collector.

That Helm Cab is a real surprise packet isn’t it. Almost forgot about the Collector Chardonnay – nice wine.

*Love* Helm. All of it, really. The half-dry is superb with hot Thai/Asian food too, of course.

We’re possibly moving houses later this year, so we’ve been diligently reducing the cellar in preparation. Not a big one, but it had swelled to over 150 bottles…not much fun to transport, especially if we have to rent for a while before buying. Lazy, I know.

When we’re settled again, Curly Flat will be a priority – we’re hoping to move to that rough area. We’ll do a tour of the wineries in the area and patronise them, no doubt.

And, I’ll do some reading of your recent posts for further inspiration!

The years buying for the cellar always starts in January with some Sami-Odi usually 3 of each then no particular order but keen on Sentio, Dalwhinnie, Eperosa, Rieslingfreak and Hickinbotham. Also looking at buying some hunter semillon for current drinking, for $20 the thomas synergy is a great summer wine.

The Thomas Wines are lovely. Braemore Semillon is great. Pinot from Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley and some Cabernet from Margaret River never disappoint. Any multitude of wineries over there are fantastic

For me it’s
Moorooduc Estate pinot
Eldorado Road chardy
Seville Estate chardy
Deviation Road fizz
Eldridge Estate gamay
Frogmore Creek off dry riesling

Exploring the dandelion range at the moment. Liking the lioness shiraz and lions tooth shiraz riesling. Also hunting more straight rousanne. Exploring more SC Pannell alternate red varieties too. I like his passion for growing what works best in his corner of the world and the Mclaren vale climate as a whole. I trust him make true varietal expressions.

For the cellar, stock is good but adding bargains where i can find them like the Wendouree Cab Malbec from 2013 and hunter sem with 10+ on them.

For mine
– Montalto Pennon Hill chardy for its value
– Yangarra Kings Wood and Standish Shiraz for leading the way on modern McLaren vale and Barossa expressions. Still good value for money at $50/$100 I reckon!

That Pennon is such a bargain.

SC pannell Temp/touriga mix – a bargain as is Coates’ Malbec
Rob Hall Pinot pretty good too for the price.
Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger is great – if you can find it.
And Pannell again – his Aramatico blend is great with Asian food

I have some of Dom’s new 2020 Syrah on the bench today actually….

Quite a few random minimal intervention French & Spanish imports, mostly no SO2 additions, all left to the importers to pick at their discretion. We have three interns with us this vintage (need the help as there are virtually no pickers around due to Covid) and we need to get ideas plus look after our wonderful helpers.
The beer frig is looking interesting too!

Looking to add Victorian Shiraz/Syrah to the collection.
Oakridge 864, Graillot No 2,
Narkoojee, Lightfoot & Sons SV, Lukie Lambert, Farr Rising.
Plus the odd bottle of 2019 Chablis

Lots of 2020 Clare & Eden Riesling!
Petaluma just got released at $19 per.. long term bargain.

Where do I find Petaluma at $19??

$19! Is that Cellar One price?

Willi Schaefer 2019s

Loved the 17s. Good call.

Waiting for the higher end 2016 Barolo/Barbaresco to be released.

There is a great way to spend some decent dollars. Favourites? Historically I would be going back to Europe soon and buy Barolo/Barberesco in London or even Italy. But that’s not happening any time soon…

2019 Felton Road Pinots
2017 Grasshopper Rock Pinot, Gris (2020) and Rose (2020)
And the few 2019 Timo Mayers reds in NZ