Ah, I see. Everyone's got an opinion, but FWIW IMO Langtons vintage chart is hopelessly wrong. At least it definitely is for Margaret River.Langtons rates 19 a perfect 10 and 20 a high enough 8 FYI
I don't recall 2006 being smoke tainted, especially as that was one of the coolest and wettest summers we had in years. It was a good year for white wines but reds struggled to ripen and a lot of premium wines got made that never should have been. As I recall, Picardy showed the way and pretty much declassified their reds. There was some smoke tainted wines from around Pemberton in 2004 I thinkAh, I see. Everyone's got an opinion, but FWIW IMO Langtons vintage chart is hopelessly wrong. At least it definitely is for Margaret River.
For example, 2018 MR vintage is widely considered to be the best since 98. By contrast 2017 was a lean cold vintage where most wines struggled to ripen; the difference in tasting is stark, most top Cabernets from 2017 are sour, lean, angular wines. Yet Langtons mystifyingly rates both as an '8' for Cabernet.
This pattern repeats, refer 2013/14; I have a soft spot for 13, but objectively the wines are vegetal and green, and this trend persist until today. Conversely the 2014 was good at release, and have blossomed into some of the most ethereal, classical, balanced Cabernet from MR. Langtons rates 2013 as a '9', and 2014 as a '7'(!?).
From my perspective 2019 was a fine vintage but not great, as said earlier, MR not subject to the extremes. My Moss Wood from BWS was 2019, I would have preferred 2020 if I could choose. Coincidentally, the 2022 vintage for Moss Wood released yesterday, and I bought them direct from the winery as I think it will be a classic vintage. Langtons rates 2022 a 6, the lowest rating, equal to 2006 when wines were smoke-tainted from massive bushfires.
I have no idea how Langtons generates these ratings, maybe they are measuring something other than straight quality, like aging potential, but they don't accord with my personal experience, nor what I read and hear from critics and vignerons.
PS. Ironically Moss Wood actually made quite a good Cabernet in 2017...
Memory fades, and my first impulse was that I might have mixed up my dates, but I found this article which gives more detail, from the ABC.I don't recall 2006 being smoke tainted, especially as that was one of the coolest and wettest summers we had in years. It was a good year for white wines but reds struggled to ripen and a lot of premium wines got made that never should have been. As I recall, Picardy showed the way and pretty much declassified their reds. There was some smoke tainted wines from around Pemberton in 2004 I think
Fair enough, I just remembered the poor summer in WA that year as I've recently been drinking some 2006 rieslings from Pemberton which have been stunningMemory fades, and my first impulse was that I might have mixed up my dates, but I found this article which gives more detail, from the ABC.
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CALM defends wine region burn-offs
Western Australia's Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has defended its practice of carrying out prescribed burns near wineries in the Margaret River region.www.abc.net.au
Which Syd store/s are they?BWS 25% cb at CR (capped at $20)
ADL
Grosset Alea Riesling $28.50 -> $21.38
Grosset PH Riesling $45 -> $33.75
Yalumba Signature $51.10 -> $38.33
SYD
Leeuwin AS Chard $89.50 -> $69.50
Lehman Stonewell $60 -> $45
Mt Pleasant Lovedale Sem $60 -> $45
Are you still not buying? I thought the same but have double dipped at BWS this week.BWS 25% cb at CR (capped at $20)
ADL
Grosset Alea Riesling $28.50 -> $21.38
Grosset PH Riesling $45 -> $33.75
Yalumba Signature $51.10 -> $38.33
SYD
Leeuwin AS Chard $89.50 -> $69.50
Lehman Stonewell $60 -> $45
Mt Pleasant Lovedale Sem $60 -> $45
AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements
I am still not buying...Are you still not buying? I thought the same but have double dipped at BWS this week.
WeaklingI am still not buying...
... but had to grab a $38 Signature![]()
Correct, but I have cracked it and there'll be no evidence of it after bin day on Monday...Weakling![]()
2021?Correct, but I have cracked it and there'll be no evidence of it after bin day on Monday...
Hoped for a '21, but instead a superbly cellared 20192021?