I'm well, Wozza. Thank you very much for your insight on MSV - the price, region and grape blend are right in my area of interest, but I definitely steer closer to your style of Shiraz/Syrah - i.e. the lighter/less alcoholic ones (they do still exist in the Barossa but are tough to track down). With Robert Parker-style props, the Benno sounds more like something for my Torbreck-loving Dad.
Also, thanks for your attending and rating the TWE wines the other week - I noticed quite a few 3 star reviews over on vivino, and really liked your payoff line about the night being good in reminding you of what NOT to spend your hard-earned on!
It almost sounded as though you were fatigued of the TWE wine style across their labels, and are now looking at more niche/boutique producers...
Good to hear you are well.
I do like some of the TWE range. But my current tastes do lean towards the lighter, more nuanced wines. Although I do like a big wine bomb when it's in balance. Balance and character/personality are key for me.
As many of the TWE wines were quite big. You really needed a good dollop of food. I was hungry and my palate dried out after the 30th / 40th sip. I reckon I would have thought differently of many of the wines in different circumstances.
The Wynns Gables was a very solid quaffer, with a sharp price. Probably one of the only wines to mention on this thread here.
Keep in mind you tried a wine from arguably the worst vintage of the decade from that region. The lack of fruit wouldn't be surprising and at 10 years of age, probably pushing it for that vintage.
Don't write off a winery based on one wine, from a less than stellar vintage.
Totally agree, Daver6. I always do a fair bit of background research on the wine, winery, vineyard, winemaker, region, etc. I concluded MSV probably weren't for me, at least at this time, due to what was said on their website, more than the experience of that one wine. I'm sure it's a style of wine I will come to appreciate with more experience (and I do have a fair few that I do treasure, including the Elderton and Standish wines. But for now, there's just too many other offerings that are within my preferred palate.
I finished my bottle of similar red this week as well - (great minds think alike) and was similarly underwhelmed. It had a lot of sediment in the decanter at the end of night 3. Now remember getting it in a 6 pack of mixed wine about 6-12 months ago. Wouldn't be hurrying back to buy another bottle - although Daver6's comments are tempering my thoughts a bit.
My Sophia came in a mixed mystery pack from Langtons. Unfortunately for me, four of the twelve wines were 15% ABV or more. Luckily I got the DM magnum as a bonus prize. Otherwise, I would be slightly disappointed with my lot.
This is getting freaky. I log out after my reply above and go back to my emails and this is sitting there:
View attachment 99730
Thats 3 degrees of separation. Needless to say, I wouldn't be buying for The Sophia. That's a heavy discount though.
What coincidence indeed! My mystery pack average price was $50, including the Sophia 07.
I've been enjoying their 2010 SGM from WineDirect. Can be had for $15 per bottle in a secret deal.
2012 Black Label shiraz is also an inoffensive drop, currently at $14 per bottle (with 30% off deal).
So glad to hear you've had some good experiences, Electrotek. They seemed like they had a real heart for the area and a commitment to producing quality Barossa wines. I was disappointed I didn't rate their Sophia. I was kind of hoping I would as I read their website blurb.
The MSV 2012 Gomersal is a cracker... at around $30 I'd say the Benno is worth a try
Good to hear too, B Man.
Hopefully somebody will jump and report back a better bottle than I experienced - it smells amazing (think a well aged Command). The proof will be in that fruit / alcohol balance ...
Scored 93 from Halliday 6 years ago, so that's what... a 95 now? Who's been a fan of Murray Street Vineyards?
