Vinomofo Wine Deals

[Alzoam]

The Mother Vine is a 'highly recommended' from me, especially at the Fo price. When I was rating it on Vivino, I said at the time:

"Lovely Barossa Shiraz - well worth it's 96 JH score. It's got lovely fruit power and elegance all in one sip. Highly recommended."

Wozza

based on your recommendation I went ahead and bought a sixes of this, based on this all I can say is thank you. Cracked a bottle last night, after letting it breathe for about 3 hours my wife and I tucked in. We love barossa Shiraz but find it can be a bit big/alcoholic/hot on occasion. This was definitely is not, far more elegant and very enjoyable reminds me of the teusner riebke style wise but the quality of the grapes and therefore wine is streets ahead.

 

[rhodges]

Great question, Beefarmer. Vivino allow you to score out of 5, and you only score in whole numbers or halves. And so, I have leaned towards a tougher marking system, rather than adopt the JH - it's all good or amazing - kind of scoring.

Was the Cullen DM 08 as good as the Grange 85 I had last month? No. Or the Seppeltsfield Para 100 1914 Tawny I tasted at the last Langtons Top 100 Wines night? No. But was it better than the JH 97 pointers I have recently had from Fo? Absolutely yes.

If I could score the Cullen DM 08 a 4.8 I would, but alas I can't, and I do not believe it is in the world class camp I reserve for the 5 star'ers.

It does highlight the gulf that I believe exists between the drink them now 95 and 96 pointers (which I believe includes a number of the higher scoring JH rated wines) and the truly exceptional wines of 97 and above. The JH 97 pointers I have recently had (the Moppity S 10 and the Paxton JB S 12, which were both stunning wines) are just not in the same league as the Cullen DM 08. But, according to JH only one point separates these three wines. In my humble opinion, I don't think the Aussie experts we all love and trust leave enough head room in their scoring for the best of the best.

I think Halliday / Wine Companion leave plenty of headroom from their own point of view; the problem is with personal preference; inconsistency of the taster's sensory experience from one day to another; and in some cases, bottle variation too.

As far as headroom goes, the scale is clearly not linear at the top end. I mean, if you look at what they have in the current book year on their website, there are 3,493 wines, of which one, just one, scores 100 points, seven score 99 points, thirty-four score 98 points. So only 1.2% of wines tasted score above 97 points, and only 0.2% above 98 points. (There were 234 with 97 points though, which by itself is 6.7% of the total. This just emphasises to me how closely they guard those top three ratings.) Turning it around, one in fifteen wines they taste gets 97 points, one in a hundred gets 98 points, one in five hundred gets 99 points. One in, well, 3500, gets 100 points. [EDIT: please note these numbers are not quite right; see correction post below]

So it certainly seems they are reserving those top three spots (98, 99, 100) for what they think is truly exceptional. Of course, given personal preference, you and they could have opposite opinions on what you think is exceptional. Never mind diurnal taste bud anomalies. We should remember that wine reviews can not really be much more quantitatively precise than music reviews. They are just a useful guideline, and often the text of review is a lot more important than the score in deciding whether you'll enjoy a wine. You've gotta know if it's disco or classical, or heavy metal. Which is why it's so helpful to have a forum like this to help us find the relevant reviews for these mystery wines.

 

[Wozza]

I think Halliday / Wine Companion leave plenty of headroom from their own point of view; the problem is with personal preference; inconsistency of the taster's sensory experience from one day to another; and in some cases, bottle variation too.

As far as headroom goes, the scale is clearly not linear at the top end. I mean, if you look at what they have in the current book year on their website, there are 3,493 wines, of which one, just one, scores 100 points, seven score 99 points, thirty-four score 98 points. So only 1.2% of wines tasted score above 97 points, and only 0.2% above 98 points. (There were 234 with 97 points though, which by itself is 6.7% of the total. This just emphasises to me how closely they guard those top three ratings.) Turning it around, one in fifteen wines they taste gets 97 points, one in a hundred gets 98 points, one in five hundred gets 99 points. One in, well, 3500, gets 100 points.

So it certainly seems they are reserving those top three spots (98, 99, 100) for what they think is truly exceptional. Of course, given personal preference, you and they could have opposite opinions on what you think is exceptional. Never mind diurnal taste bud anomalies. We should remember that wine reviews can not really be much more quantitatively precise than music reviews. They are just a useful guideline, and often the text of review is a lot more important than the score in deciding whether you'll enjoy a wine. You've gotta know if it's disco or classical, or heavy metal. Which is why it's so helpful to have a forum like this to help us find the relevant reviews for these mystery wines.

What an excellent and well considered explanation, RHodges. Thank you for balancing the scales on the scoring discussion. My new Langtons broker (who sells a fair amount of the European plonk) says the Aussie scoring is considered in European circles to be much more generous than the Un Baggettes would traditionally award.

 

[Wozza]

Wozza

based on your recommendation I went ahead and bought a sixes of this, based on this all I can say is thank you. Cracked a bottle last night, after letting it breathe for about 3 hours my wife and I tucked in. We love barossa Shiraz but find it can be a bit big/alcoholic/hot on occasion. This was definitely is not, far more elegant and very enjoyable reminds me of the teusner riebke style wise but the quality of the grapes and therefore wine is streets ahead.

Glad you liked it, Alzoam. I really like what Hewitson are producing, especially in the mid-range. The fruit power is more refined - more Bruce Lee than Mike Tyson - for a Barossa Shiraz. I had such a blow out on wine last month, and a family holiday too, that I held back buying any more this time around. It would be interesting to see how The Mother Vine develops, as it is drinking pretty well already.

 

[rhodges]

What an excellent and well considered explanation, RHodges. Thank you for balancing the scales on the scoring discussion. My new Langtons broker (who sells a fair amount of the European plonk) says the Aussie scoring is considered in European circles to be much more generous than the Un Baggettes would traditionally award.

Thank you. Actually I need to correct what I wrote; in fact I had it filtered to 94+ point wines and the total number in the 2016 book is 9083 (though this actually further emphasises my point). Actually it's:

100 points: 0.01% / 1 in 9000
99 points: 0.1% / 1 in 1300
98 points: 0.4% / 1 in 270
97 points: 2.6% / 1 in 40

And then of course there's a selection bias: nobody knowingly sends them cough wines to review. Try to find reviews for the ca. $10 mass-market wines available from 1st Choice or DMs on there. Very few to be seen. The lowest rated wine in the book is 75 points, and it stands alone on that score. It must've been vile, because the next one up scores 79, which at least has the company of two others. (And incidentally is a white from Yelland & Papps. I've tasted a couple of delicious wines of theirs, albeit reds, but everyone fails from time to time.)

 

[rhodges]

I also suspect that the mean score for Australian wines would be deservedly higher than for the "Un Bagettes". No government subsidies to grow grapes here, so a lot more of those who do it will have some idea of what they're doing.

 

[beefarmer]

The whole scoring system is fundamental to Vinomofos success. Underpining this is the Halliday scoring system that most obviously rules their roost. They would never have been so successful without the free advertising that a high JH number brings. Slap a 95 on a red and watch it fly. Slap a 95 on anything and watch it fly. If that 95 is made by a known, serious player, even better. It's their marketing tool and for them it works. Nice to read some very insightful and knowledgeable comments from many folks whose diversity and information will allow others to seek out a little more in their wines and their dining styles. Sure as hell beats Friday night baked beans with a quaffer. However, even those have their place sometime.

 

[Redrider]

Anyone tried the bystander mea culpa shiraz 2012 ?

 

[beefarmer]

you think you know wines..just found on youtube a panel called winealign, a bunch of professionals sitting around picking wines, much like Justin and Andre from vinomofo used to do....spend some time...the wynns cab is a beauty ofa pick, including the price. surely theres something here for al of us





[h=2][/h][h=2][/h]

 

[penegal]

Re: Wine Deals

Regarding up-thread discussion - Vintage Charts are a blunt instrument IMHO, but a good "generalisation". Think of it as an 80-90% kinda thing.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Wine Deals

Anyone tried the bystander mea culpa shiraz 2012 ?

We adore the 2010 and I assume the 2012 would be just as good. We have some but haven't drunk it yet.

 

[Redrider]

Re: Wine Deals

Is the Fo Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz 2013 ($58) similar to DMs Seppelt St Peters Great Western Shiraz 2012 ($55) ?

 

[hillsgirl]

Eden Valley Riesling

Eden Valley Riesling 2013 Online | Heirloomvineyards.com.au

Think this might be it? I think it's on winemarket too...
Any other thoughts?

 

[Tock]

Re: Eden Valley Riesling

Here I was, promising a month minimum before buying more wine and along comes the Mea Culpa. Conspiracy!!

 

[jabba]

Re: Eden Valley Riesling

Eden Valley Riesling 2013 Online | Heirloomvineyards.com.au

Think this might be it? I think it's on winemarket too...
Any other thoughts?

Should be McGuigan The Shortlist.

 

[hillsgirl]

Re: Eden Valley Riesling

Ah yes that' would be it. Not super inspiring

 

[redbigot]

Re: Wine Deals

Is the Fo Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz 2013 ($58) similar to DMs Seppelt St Peters Great Western Shiraz 2012 ($55) ?

Same label, different vintage. Gt Western is the old regional descriptor, Grampians the correct GI now.
Out of stock at DM online and many stores.

 

[PDiddy]

Wozza

based on your recommendation I went ahead and bought a sixes of this, based on this all I can say is thank you. Cracked a bottle last night, after letting it breathe for about 3 hours my wife and I tucked in. We love barossa Shiraz but find it can be a bit big/alcoholic/hot on occasion. This was definitely is not, far more elegant and very enjoyable reminds me of the teusner riebke style wise but the quality of the grapes and therefore wine is streets ahead.

I also opened a bottle on friday when it arrived.......fully agree with the review of this being an elegant example of a barossa shiraz (usually clare valley or heathcote person for shiraz - recent fav la pleide).......still going strong at day 3 kept in wine fridge without winesaver
Not bad for price when the last elegant barossa I liked was the 1996 command

Wozza have you rated the 2013 St Peters selling now??

 

[Wozza]

I also opened a bottle on friday when it arrived.......fully agree with the review of this being an elegant example of a barossa shiraz (usually clare valley or heathcote person for shiraz - recent fav la pleide).......still going strong at day 3 kept in wine fridge without winesaver
Not bad for price when the last elegant barossa I liked was the 1996 command

Wozza have you rated the 2013 St Peters selling now??

Glad you liked it, PDiddy.

I haven't jumped on the St Peter's even though it has been on my wish list ever since the new ratings came out. It sounds amazing, and all of the critics seem to really rate it, which I guess should mean almost everybody that likes a cool climate Shiraz won't be disappointed, especially if they cellar it properly for a number of years (trying one for good measure along the way, of course). And at $58 a bottle, it's not a bad price if it's getting the 98 and 97s it has.

My tactic for this month is to get maximum value for my points. I have just placed an order for a dozen 97 pointers from 4 different producers through one website and paid an average of $31 a bottle for them (delivered). One of them is a familiar friend of mine - the Paxton Jones Block 12 - which the Fo introduced to me. And the others I haven't tried, but they sound pretty nice. I am a bit apprehensive to say anymore on the purchase (as it's not Fo related) - I don't want to come a cropper again with the very lovely Mod Hat!

Maybe PM me and I will send you details. Super impressed with who I have ordered through as I have just received an email 2 hours after placing my order to say the goods are already in transit! Very excited.

Anybody else got a tasting note on the St Peter's to give PDiddy?

 

[Blockers]

Re: Black Market Pinot Noir 2010 $50 down to $15 Yarra Valley

Considering some latest offerings, my old mate Gordon Sumner's song suddenly starting in one of my ears. That bee has a great sting by the way. Giant Steps are what you take, walking on the moon, I hope my legs.........as someone says, doesn't matter but Innocent Bystander is probably not it.

Gutted I missed the deal... next time