Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

For the Wynns Black label cab sav fans out there, VC have it for $25 per bottle. Further 5% off using xx_xx_X.

Click and collect required in my area (Sydney), may differ in other regions.
I would recommend not using that 'code'. It is someone's (yours?) staff discount card. So easy to trace for misuse. This person faces termination.
 
Last edited:
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

The missus has good taste! I like the question because some think Penfolds wines are grossly overpriced for the quality. Looking forward to be informed which Cab/Shiraz are much cheaper and far better than 389.

Haha, fair point. I know Penfolds 389 is similar to JW Blue: Clearly no other bottle can replace what it does, but I am hoping to find a bottle at around the $20-$30 range that would get us 70-80% of the way there, especially given Penfolds 389 keeps going up in price each year!

I did some quick search and I heard people recommend Pinot Noir wines, am I on the right track? I am trying to find a bottle to surprise her in a blind test vs 389, thoughts?
 
heard people recommend Pinot Noir wines, am I on the right track? I am trying to find a bottle to surprise her in a blind test vs 389, thoughts?

Not sure if a Pinot is quite the same as a Barossan Shiraz/Cab, I would think something like the GB Balthasar is closer to home in the price range you are after.

With that said the boss at home wasn't originally into her reds, but she has made a steady transition into Pinot Noir and Grenache - in fact she really loves the Adelina and the Vanguardist. She was never fond of oak and tannins, I also didn't think she liked a long lingering finish (though looks like she might).

Really comes down to what her tastes are like - Ms B would only like bigger reds if they were say a nice cellared RWT when flying in F... there is clearly hope though, as I think her palate is a lot more refined and accurate than mine.

We drink a lot of Stonier (Jimjoca) as a regular drop that is inbetween what she likes and what I go for. However, Chatto is what I would like to drink regularly if only I could afford it.
 
Haha, fair point. I know Penfolds 389 is similar to JW Blue: Clearly no other bottle can replace what it does, but I am hoping to find a bottle at around the $20-$30 range that would get us 70-80% of the way there, especially given Penfolds 389 keeps going up in price each year!

I did some quick search and I heard people recommend Pinot Noir wines, am I on the right track? I am trying to find a bottle to surprise her in a blind test vs 389, thoughts?

Pinot is not the right substitute. Bin 389 is considered “baby grange” or “poor man’s grange” and I can’t think of anything equal or 70-80% value at the price range you’re after but I hope to learn from others.
 
Pinot is not the right substitute. Bin 389 is considered “baby grange” or “poor man’s grange” and I can’t think of anything equal or 70-80% value at the price range you’re after but I hope to learn from others.
It might be cheating, but those sub $30 deals above on the Anaperenna is not a bad start.

I also picked up a bottle of St Hugo Cab Shiraz on sale for $20 and that seemed to be not too far removed from the Penfolds 'House Style'

Full price both these options are closer to $50
 
Pinot is not the right substitute. Bin 389 is considered “baby grange” or “poor man’s grange” and I can’t think of anything equal or 70-80% value at the price range you’re after but I hope to learn from others.

Drinking a 2010 389 as we speak, and it's singing. Slightly muted nose, definitely not aromatic, but smells of deep red fruit with just a hint of menthol. Incredible on the palate, sure, doesn't gave the grange richness, but supremely elegant red fruit, structure and acid abounds. Oak in the background. I had a 2006 Grange last week and it compares favourably, dare I say it, more elegant...

In any case, a Yalumba Signature may also provide some pleasure or a Lake Breeze Bernoota. All the best in your search.
 
Haha, fair point. I know Penfolds 389 is similar to JW Blue: Clearly no other bottle can replace what it does, but I am hoping to find a bottle at around the $20-$30 range that would get us 70-80% of the way there, especially given Penfolds 389 keeps going up in price each year!

I did some quick search and I heard people recommend Pinot Noir wines, am I on the right track? I am trying to find a bottle to surprise her in a blind test vs 389, thoughts?

It is common knowledge in Australia, that you dont touch a pinot under $20. It has a large palate range, from the light rasberry funk of the Gippsland producers such as william downie or lightfoot and sons, to the Calafornian medium bodied cherry bomb style most notably seen from Central Otago pinots that have dominated our market the last decade or so. If you were brought up on big bold Barossa's, this is probably not the variety for you and your wallet will thank you for it.

Drinking wine is very subjective and unfortunately we also drink with out eyes, so more expensive wines are generally "percieved" as better. If your criteria is value for money/soft tannins/full bodied red, I'd suggest either:
- An aged value red like a chalambar, wynns black label, john duval, or st hugos. Ageing softens tannins but back vintages are more difficult to find.
- Otherwise for current vintages, aim for a cool climate shiraz from perhaps the Port Phillip area. Off the top of my head, 10x by Tractor Estate, Yabby Lake, Farr, or Mayer Syrah from the Yarra come to mind. These are outside your $20-$30 range (unless on clearance), but if you're trying to find something "comparable" to a 389 quality, we have to be more realistic. :)

I highly recommend heading to a (reputable) restaurant and having a chat with the Somm (COVID safety allowing). If you are a newbie to wine, let them know and alot would be delighted to help out. Wine "discovery" is a great experience! Of course, there are ALOT of bullshit wine lists out there selling overpriced mediocrity i.e. Quay, which unfortunately plagues the industry. But if you're up for trying new things, this is the way.

Alot of times, "memories" are attached to wines, which enhances its experience. You may have had the 389 on a honeymoon to Magill Estate, and everytime your wife sees the wine, it draws out those pleasant memories. Such subjective attachments are often unmatchable, simply because of psycology. Finding a replacement for such is also impossible because those memories are unique, so the only alternative is to create new memories with new wines. This is why at CellarDoor's there is often a "story teller" whose purpose is to dramatize a story to their wines. I know this is may be going way too deep into things, but the comment "get us 70-80% of the way there" just kinda irked me the wrong way. I hope it helps you understand why it is so difficult to scale wine "value".
 
It might be cheating, but those sub $30 deals above on the Anaperenna is not a bad start.

I also picked up a bottle of St Hugo Cab Shiraz on sale for $20 and that seemed to be not too far removed from the Penfolds 'House Style'

Full price both these options are closer to $50

Can’t compare to sale or clearance. The 389 could also be found < $50 during various sales in recent years.

Anaperenna is very good Cab/Shiraz but I didn’t find it as refined as 389. St Hugo wines have their fans, I’m not one of them but it’s an interesting alternative.
 
mediocrity i.e. Quay, which unfortunately plagues the industry. But if you're up for trying new things, this is the way.

Ouch, I didn't think their list or pairings were bad... just expensive.

Pretty sure I stumbled onto Bellwether there, which probably sparked the initial interest in Coonawarra Cab Sav - although I've started to move away from that profile.

There are probably better places to visit than going to a restaurant and speaking to a somm - PWS and P&V for example seem to run a lot of events and classes. I should really check out P&V myself since it's walking distance.
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Ouch, I didn't think their list or pairings were bad... just expensive.

Pretty sure I stumbled onto Bellwether there, which probably sparked the initial interest in Coonawarra Cab Sav - although I've started to move away from that profile.

There are probably better places to visit than going to a restaurant and speaking to a somm - PWS and P&V for example seem to run a lot of events and classes. I should really check out P&V myself since it's walking distance.

This is their current By The Glass... There are things there that my local pub wouldn't serve.
1598623943220.png
 
Place of changing winds is on there at least... something on my to try list. Fair point though.
 
Red wine newbie here, my wife loves Penfolds 389 because it is very "smooth" with very little tannin. Obviously at that price we can't afford to drink that every day, would anyone be able to suggest what we can buy in lieu of Penfolds 389 that is more affordable? Something that would be an easy drinker and wouldn't have lots of tannin?

Could always stick in the penfolds family - First Choice Liquor | Buy Wine, Beer, Cider & Spirits Online
 
Recent posts elsewhere: Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2020, The Best 20 Wines To Buy Instead Of 1 Bottle of Grange

Free Delivery @ My Wine Guy - ends midnight AEST tomorrow 8am AEST Monday - after $30 voucher:
the following are available both at My Wine Guy ($30 voucher) and The Wine Collective ($20 off 1st order, $20 off 2nd order, 8.8% Cashrewards):

Free Delivery @ The Wine Collective - ends 8am AEST Monday - besides chardonnay, before $20 referral (also $20 off 2nd order), 8.8% Cashrewards:

Where's Nick (Sydney) - enter coupon code "free-shipping" for deliveries to Inner West (and surrounds), City & Eastern Suburbs, else $10 for rest of Sydney and Melbourne:

Fetherston Survival Mixed 12pk $259 delivered ($21.58/bt, 30% off) includes 2017 Nebbiolo (MB94), 2017 Pinot Noir (GW94), 2018 Chardonnay (GW94)

also 20% off singles with CELEBRATE until Monday - free delivery with $150+ orders - don't forget to include a congratulatory note with your order :)

Cheers - good pick up - had a bottle last week, best Grenache i have had
no worries, you're welcome - that's not the first time someone's said that about it, what others do you like?
The SC Pannell Smart Grenache is the closest in quality for my tastes. Tonic Grenache is different style but smashes QPR at under $30
Haven't opened my Pannells yet (McDonald or Smart), but did enjoy Thistledown Smart recently - Head Old Vine is perhaps my pick for value, though I'm looking forward to trying the 2019 Tonic after having the 2017 last year

SC Pannell Smart Grenache 2017 - JH97, GW/NS96 - $44.99 @ Qantas - ends next Friday

Made the most of being up the coast. Only a few of the more expensive wines left. Hopefully Umina still has 2017 407s.

View attachment 226350

well done - next time perhaps use a woolworths rewards card for 10% off 6pks :)

Yeah I scooped two bottles after the post, but it's the Cullen DM I'm keen to try. Might just cough up for a bottle around $100, just feels like at that price I could be buying other stuff that seems more interesting like By Farr.

more interesting?

In any case, a Yalumba Signature may also provide some pleasure or a Lake Breeze Bernoota. All the best in your search.

yes, the standard alternatives to 389 at lower price points

I didn’t know that, saw it posted on another forum. I’ll edit my post.

i found it here :)

I was asking serious question, didn’t try to make a point.

only a pun? :)

sorry, haven't received 2019 yet, let alone tried it, so don't personally know
 
Last edited:

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top