Rockfords discussion

[dav3]

Doesn't seem to be available to me yet anyway, hopefully there's some left by the time I get there.

You may get luck by ringing Rockford and talk to the lady over there.

 

[dav3]

Arrived yesterday. Just in time for Xmas.

 

[dav3]

I'd give Rockford a ring, be honest and discuss your concerns. They may send you another.

It was mentioned in the Rag newsletter that they keep enough back vintages to replace any tainted bottles. Just need to contact them.

 

[Daver6]

Yeah, sorry it was late. I didn't decant, but poured the glasses an hour before tasting and had the bottle open a couple of hours prior to that. I found it almost completely lacking any bouquet, very little fruit and slightly acidic..tasted like cardboard but not wet cardboard if that makes any sense! If it was anything else I probably would have tipped it down the drain but I wanted to give it a chance and drank it over a 2-3 hour period.

Sounds like mild TCA to me. I'd give Rockford a call like others have suggested. I've yet to have a cork issue with their wines so I've not "tested" how they handle it, but suspect they'll be pretty good about it. Places like TWE will want you to keep the wine and return it to them for analyses (at their expense). If possible, always hang on to the faulty wine.

I've had pretty good experiences so far. TWE I've had a number of wines replaced (with current vintage and a little thank you bottle thrown in). Once had some vintage champagne I purchased a few years prior from Vintage Cellars. When I opened it, it was just dull and lifeless. Rang the store straight away and they said come by for a credit. I keep good records on cellertacker of what I buy, how much I paid and where from (partly for this very reason).

 

[Steady]

View attachment 112478 Arrived yesterday. Just in time for Xmas.

Mine arrived yesterday as well

I have some '15 to open over Christmas

 

[kevviek]

Sounds like mild TCA to me. I'd give Rockford a call like others have suggested. I've yet to have a cork issue with their wines so I've not "tested" how they handle it, but suspect they'll be pretty good about it. Places like TWE will want you to keep the wine and return it to them for analyses (at their expense). If possible, always hang on to the faulty wine.

Thanks for the advice. I called and they've been very helpful, luckily I still have the bottle and the cork. TCA is the conclusion.

 

[RooFlyer]

It was mentioned in the Rag newsletter that they keep enough back vintages to replace any tainted bottles. Just need to contact them.

Yep, I had a 'bad' bottle a few months back, pretty much exactly as you described. I contacted Holly and the bottle was replace immediately (I am sorta known to her though - I'd hope they treat all customers the same)

 

[blackcat20]

You may get luck by ringing Rockford and talk to the lady over there.

Another member has offered to help me out, but I might drop them a line anyway as I need some new Moppa and Rifle Range anyway.

 

[penegal]

If you are an established interstate mailing list customer (e.g. not brand new, but not yet stonewaller) - they will generally do a phone allocation of 3 bottles Black Shiraz (circa December) and 3 bottles Basket Press Shiraz (circa March) when they are publicly released into cellar door.

Stonewaller allocations are available from approx October when the annual mail out occurs.

 

[blackcat20]

If you are an established interstate mailing list customer (e.g. not brand new, but not yet stonewaller) - they will generally do a phone allocation of 3 bottles Black Shiraz (circa December) and 3 bottles Basket Press Shiraz (circa March) when they are publicly released into cellar door.

Stonewaller allocations are available from approx October when the annual mail out occurs.

Yeah they offered them to me via email earlier this year as a loyal customer (or we purchase every year).

 

[Pushka]

Is being a No 10 Stonewall impressive? Not us btw.

 

[Jay684]

Can one only become a Stonewaller at the Cellar Door?

Got the opportunity to sign up ~14 months ago, regretting I didnt now!

 

[RooFlyer]

Can one only become a Stonewaller at the Cellar Door?

Got the opportunity to sign up ~14 months ago, regretting I didnt now!

Unfortunately (or, fortunately from my selfish point of view ) you can't 'sign up' to be a Stonewaller. The exact admission process is a bit opaque, but after a number of years on the mailing list, with a good deal of ordering and the occasional (at least) attendance at the cellar door, the fabled doors to the Stonewaller Room may be opened for you.

There are a couple of AFFers I reckon are well on their way! (Although they don't seem to realise that there is a 'blackballing' right of existing Stonewallers and I'm still waiting for my, er, 'tributes' )

 

[Daver6]

In addition to the fable, I believe there are a limited number of places. So you either need a Stonewaller to pass on or I also believe they can kick you out if you have a period of no buying.

So might just be easier to knock RooFlyer off than pay him tributes

 

[blackcat20]

No idea where we stand in the pecking order, but we did get offered a few things via email last year, and the lady at cellar door this year was a tad surprised.

 

[penegal]

Can one only become a Stonewaller at the Cellar Door?

Got the opportunity to sign up ~14 months ago, regretting I didnt now!

You join the mailing list at cellar door. I suggest you do if you enjoy the wines. The annual magazine is a good read, and it's a good reminder to buy them.

Unfortunately (or, fortunately from my selfish point of view ) you can't 'sign up' to be a Stonewaller. The exact admission process is a bit opaque, but after a number of years on the mailing list, with a good deal of ordering and the occasional (at least) attendance at the cellar door, the fabled doors to the Stonewaller Room may be opened for you.

The mystique surrounding elevation to stonewall membership adds to the brand IMHO, and is actively encouraged by Robert.

There are a couple of AFFers I reckon are well on their way! (Although they don't seem to realise that there is a 'blackballing' right of existing Stonewallers and I'm still waiting for my, er, 'tributes' )

*cough* - you aint getting no bribes from me. Although you do have 6 bottles of my wine hostage

 

[Steady]

The '14 Moppa Springs was released last week

 

[blackcat20]

The '14 Moppa Springs was released last week

Yeah I need to stock up on this and some Rifle Range after Christmas

 

[Buzzard]

Yeah I need to stock up on this and some Rifle Range after Christmas

2 very good choices.
Not that any choice is a bad choice.
The Frugal Farmer is another of my favourites.

 

[blackcat20]

2 very good choices.
Not that any choice is a bad choice.
The Frugal Farmer is another of my favourites.

I'm actually not a fan of the Frugal Farmer.