Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

On Vivino, I've noticed Curtis wines such as the Cavaliere Shiraz is always sitting at the top of the chart. If you click on show all 5 star reviews, it appears like one day a month, multiple accounts (up to 12 on one day) are leaving multiple 5 star ratings for just these wines. And these accounts don't seem to review anything else.
 
Good spot.

I thought it was odd that they were at the top of the rankings (again, come to think of it) when the latest best Australian Shiraz right now post was published.

It sounds dodgy and Vivino will not like it. There is a mechanism to report these things. But I am not sure Vivini have the resources to follow it up given the many complaints from the top users that go unanswered.

Maybe if many of us complain they will look into it ...
 
jrod said:
On Vivino, I've noticed Curtis wines such as the Cavaliere Shiraz is always sitting at the top of the chart. If you click on show all 5 star reviews, it appears like one day a month, multiple accounts (up to 12 on one day) are leaving multiple 5 star ratings for just these wines. And these accounts don't seem to review anything else.
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Far out that is dodgy. One 'reviewer' has 4 ratings, all of them 5 star ratings for Curtis wines.
 
jrod said:
On Vivino, I've noticed Curtis wines such as the Cavaliere Shiraz is always sitting at the top of the chart. If you click on show all 5 star reviews, it appears like one day a month, multiple accounts (up to 12 on one day) are leaving multiple 5 star ratings for just these wines. And these accounts don't seem to review anything else.
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I remember when I was first getting into wine I saw those high ratings as well and asked around here if it was some awesome ethereal wine or something, since it got such a high score. A member wrote saying it was a pretty average wine....those ratings are dodgy af!
 
Has anyone here ever visited The Standish Wine Co. cellar door (by appointment)

Any comments on the visit ?
 
Not sure if this thread is the right place or start a new thread.
I have a problem.. well a few actually, but I will talk about one……The need to find decent whites to drink.
I try to quaff a decent red over the weekend and a white during the week, otherwise the reds get a bit kaleidoscopic.
But gee it's hard to get excited about white wine.
I buy a bit of reisling from Chaffey Bros , and still have some 1927 vines Marsanne as recommended by the good Wozza.
I am even drinking some sav blanc.. why...because it's cheap as chips ,and nothing else really floats my boat.
I like dry earthy wines and fancy that, over time, I can now tell the difference between cough and quality.
I am tempted by some of the french whites from the 'fo ,but it's really gambling as there are seldom any decent reviews
What to do …….
 
tgh said:
Not sure if this thread is the right place or start a new thread.
I have a problem.. well a few actually, but I will talk about one……The need to find decent whites to drink.
I try to quaff a decent red over the weekend and a white during the week, otherwise the reds get a bit kaleidoscopic.
But gee it's hard to get excited about white wine.
I buy a bit of reisling from Chaffey Bros , and still have some 1927 vines Marsanne as recommended by the good Wozza.
I am even drinking some sav blanc.. why...because it's cheap as chips ,and nothing else really floats my boat.
I like dry earthy wines and fancy that, over time, I can now tell the difference between cough and quality.
I am tempted by some of the french whites from the 'fo ,but it's really gambling as there are seldom any decent reviews
What to do …….
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I particularly like a white wine as a sundowner/pre-dinner type of drink.

I'd suggest trying some of the IMO pretty decent Pinot Grigio/Gris from Australia and NZ that are around now. Vintage Cellars, and probably Dans, has a quite extensive range these days.

Also try some of the Italian and Spanish varietals: there are some good Vermentinos and Fianos being produced in Australia now, and Arneis, but that tends to be a light style that some may find flavourless. Soave (not a variety as such, but made from Gargenaga) can be a good food white

I like Spanish Albarino but any that are available are from Spain despite an attempt to grow it in Australia. The first attempt to introduce the variety was stuffed up when it was found after several years that producing vineyards were in fact the much poorer Savagnin. A disaster! There are now some true plantings that may soon see Australian Albarino. Vintage Cellars has a couple of fairly ordinary ones; the really good ones can be sourced from more specialised retailers (and can be expensive - but worth trying as something a bit different IMHO).

Assyrtiko, from Santorini, is hard to get but is a lovely wine. Look for Sigalis, the top producer, in a specialised wine store.

Hopefully that's something for you to go on with :).
 
Gourmet Traveller Wine - April/May 2018

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JohnM said:
I particularly like a white wine as a sundowner/pre-dinner type of drink.

I'd suggest trying some of the IMO pretty decent Pinot Grigio/Gris from Australia and NZ that are around now. Vintage Cellars, and probably Dans, has a quite extensive range these days.

Also try some of the Italian and Spanish varietals: there are some good Vermentinos and Fianos being produced in Australia now, and Arneis, but that tends to be a light style that some may find flavourless. Soave (not a variety as such, but made from Gargenaga) can be a good food white

I like Spanish Albarino but any that are available are from Spain despite an attempt to grow it in Australia. The first attempt to introduce the variety was stuffed up when it was found after several years that producing vineyards were in fact the much poorer Savagnin. A disaster! There are now some true plantings that may soon see Australian Albarino. Vintage Cellars has a couple of fairly ordinary ones; the really good ones can be sourced from more specialised retailers (and can be expensive - but worth trying as something a bit different IMHO).

Assyrtiko, from Santorini, is hard to get but is a lovely wine. Look for Sigalis, the top producer, in a specialised wine store.

Hopefully that's something for you to go on with :).
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Thanks, tried Vermentino and Vernaccia for the first time recently - particularly enjoyed the former, good alternative to riesling and chardonnay :)
 
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I have just tried a different grape variety for the first time... Lagrien

Lagrein Wine in Australia

It was made by Bremerton in Langhorne Creek. I thought it was very ordinary with very little nose and quite bland. It was certainly drinkable but more of a BBQ type wine.
Has anyone tried this variety before ?

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Has anyone seen a review(s) on the recently released 2015 Houghton Jack Mann?

The only one I could find is on Accolades site and it suggests it may be a different style - it is also a sales and marketing article.

“The 2015 vintage was characterised by warm and dry growing conditions during the ripening period, but then we saw the season cool during the later stages. This resulted in what can be described as a more ‘elegant’ wine relative to previous years."
“Since its inception, we have seen the style of Jack Mann evolve to become a more refined and stylish Cabernet. This wine is an expression of the vintage conditions and specific to the single vineyard site that the fruit is sourced from,” said Pamment.

I purchased some '14 over the weekend and then received an email this morning advising they are out of stock.

I can have a refund, or the '15 instead
 
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Steady said:
Has anyone seen a review(s) on the recently released 2015 Houghton Jack Mann?

The only one I could find is on Accolades site and it suggests it may be a different style - it is also a sales and marketing article.

“The 2015 vintage was characterised by warm and dry growing conditions during the ripening period, but then we saw the season cool during the later stages. This resulted in what can be described as a more ‘elegant’ wine relative to previous years."
“Since its inception, we have seen the style of Jack Mann evolve to become a more refined and stylish Cabernet. This wine is an expression of the vintage conditions and specific to the single vineyard site that the fruit is sourced from,” said Pamment.

I purchased some '14 over the weekend and then received an email this morning advising they are out of stock.

I can have a refund, or the '15 instead
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I'd suggest keeping it - I'm sure others would want it if you don't :)

Huon Hooke - 98pts:

qaz said:
/QUOTE]
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