Rockfords discussion

[Steady]

Apparently the former Torbreck owner/maker David Powell has bought a vineyard in Barossa that used to produce one of the Rockford SVS (Flaxman probably) and Basket-press and is selling the stuff at $hundreds per bottle quite successfully. I know part of this is marketing - but the fruit comes from the same place and Rockford is always great value, even at $90 for the SVS. So....that's one suggestion!

As 2006 is the last SVS vintage possibly due to Chris Ringland moving on from Rockfords*, is this where the grapes are going now?



If so, it makes the SVS even more of a bargain for Stonewallers

* if I understood that correctly

 

[Violin]

As 2006 is the last SVS vintage possibly due to Chris Ringland moving on from Rockfords*, is this where the grapes are going now?

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If so, it makes the SVS even more of a bargain for Stonewallers

* if I understood that correctly

You're probably right for the Hoffman - and the Flaxman fruit is going to the David Powell (formerly Torbreck) wine, similarly priced.

 

[Buzzard]

I quite enjoyed the 13BP and agree that in any collection of BP it is a must. Good year or bad year, each is a representation of the vintage.
That said I still haven't taken any of my allocation this offering but I still have a couple of trips to cellar door coming up.
As it is Chris Ringland's last offering I did grab 12 SVS.

 

[serfty]

We all tried it ...
The BP was forgotten though once I tasted the SVS Flaxman - then the Flaxman was forgotten once trying the SVS Hoffman.... my WOTD.

I liked the Rifle Range, but also thought the previous vintage was better.

It will be interesting to hear what other attendees thought.

Even though I was weaned onto Shiraz over 40 years ago, I preferred the Rifle Range cab over the BP; both better than the SVS flaxman.

The standout was the SVS Hoffman ... oh .. my!

 

[Steady]

Even though I was weaned onto Shiraz over 40 years ago, I preferred the Rifle Range cab over the BP; both better than the SVS flaxman.

The standout was the SVS Hoffman ... oh .. my!

I didn't mind the '14 RR but for me it is a long way from the truly spectacular (IMO) '13 RR

 

[mini2]

The standout was the SVS Hoffman ... oh .. my!

+1, definitely WOTD for me and the only one I've begged for seconds on the day.

 

[Steady]

+1, definitely WOTD for me and the only one I've begged for seconds on the day.

Mmm, I managed a second taste of the Hoffman as well

The only thing I would have liked done differently would have been to have the BS served on arrival - as was done last year

 

[mini2]

Mmm, I managed a second taste of the Hoffman as well

You should see Todd's face, he was that reluctant to pour me that second glass

 

[mini2]

My BP/BS arrived

 

[Steady]

My BP/BS arrived

That's quick

Not as quick as BC20's though.....

 

[blackcat20]

That's quick

Not as quick as BC20's though.....

Mine was ordered last week by phone though it was very quick.

 

[Buzzard]

You should see Todd's face, he was that reluctant to pour me that second glass

I think he played a role in Oliver Twist

 

[Kohen]

First year of not BP Purchasing - enjoyable wines but do take a long time to peak - seems to me there are plenty of other options cheaper and older available these day - just my spin

 

[Wozza]

First year of not BP Purchasing - enjoyable wines but do take a long time to peak - seems to me there are plenty of other options cheaper and older available these day - just my spin

Interesting you mention price and development time. I consider Rockford and the BS good value given the ludicrous prices of those brands that are focussed on the more lucrative overseas market. Think Penfolds. But also Mount Pleasant, Cullen and other loved Aussie brands.

I love the fact a BS is still under $70. When most of their competition is well over that.

What sort of wines do you buy instead, Kohen? I'm keen to hear your wisdom and choices.

Cheers, Wozza

 

[Kohen]

Interesting you mention price and development time. I consider Rockford and the BS good value given the ludicrous prices of those brands that are focussed on the more lucrative overseas market. Think Penfolds. But also Mount Pleasant, Cullen and other loved Aussie brands.

I love the fact a BS is still under $70. When most of their competition is well over that.

What sort of wines do you buy instead, Kohen? I'm keen to hear your wisdom and choices.

Cheers, Wozza

I baulk at Wisdom! Perhaps personal taste more appropriate

I just find BP a particular long haul wine.. and if then would take old Wendouree for example for the distance...Turkey Flat Shiraz comes to mind in a similar vein but lower RRP, and a recent 2010 Bin 28 was right on the money...have also noticed recently the museum market growing stronger ( Shadrach, St Andrews, SCP Neb 08, Wynns 08 come to mind) (apologies for the SA bias)

Stashing a decent amount of Adelina (SM), Noons, SC Pannel, Grosset, Luke Lambert, Ashton Hills, Odi & Mayer - which may give a hint to the taste preference / VFM

Don't get the excitement i used to from BP when starting the journey - but do recognise its deserved place in the lexicon

 

[Wozza]

I baulk at Wisdom! Perhaps personal taste more appropriate

I just find BP a particular long haul wine.. and if then would take old Wendouree for example for the distance...Turkey Flat Shiraz comes to mind in a similar vein but lower RRP, and a recent 2010 Bin 28 was right on the money...have also noticed recently the museum market growing stronger ( Shadrach, St Andrews, SCP Neb 08, Wynns 08 come to mind) (apologies for the SA bias)

Stashing a decent amount of Adelina (SM), Noons, SC Pannel, Grosset, Luke Lambert, Ashton Hills, Odi & Mayer - which may give a hint to the taste preference / VFM

Don't get the excitement i used to from BP when starting the journey - but do recognise its deserved place in the lexicon

All very good wines, Kohen. Wow - you like them big and ballsy!

I'll be interested to see how my taste preferences change over time. At the moment, I have quite a sensitive palate to smell and taste. So I'm finding many of the SA wines hard going without 10-15 years bottle age. Particularly when there's big ripe fruit balanced with big young oak maturation.

I'm loving the new wave of Barossa and other SA reds, with more French oak than American oak, and less intervening from the winemaking, allowing the terroir and season to sing loud and clear in the glass. Something Rockford have done well with their wines for many years. Particularly with the BP.

It will be interesting to see how, for instance, Penfolds responds to this current trend with their multi-region, multi-vineyard blend policy. I suspect they'll stick to what they know best with the Bin ranges. But I wouldn't be surprised to see some more emphasis on some of their top producing vineyards in the next 10 years. We'll see.

Glad you've found a good collection of cellar release wines that are on the money for you. You are very lucky indeed, with so many great options and so many well priced outlets to get them from.

Happy drinking my AFF friend

 

[Steady]

My BP/BS arrived

My combined order with another AFFer ended up arriving last Friday, so only an extra day to Tassie

 

[Katie]

Our Rockford order arrived yesterday.

At the Cellar Door at the moment, Sparkling Shiraz must be bought as a 3 bottle case. We bought three bottles, I've told my brother he needs to buy two from me, not just one. Maybe I could send all three to Melbourne, BC, and you can buy the other one?? We have a bottle of the sparkling shiraz from last year that we haven't cracked, and aren't huge fans of it.

 

[blackcat20]

Our Rockford order arrived yesterday.

At the Cellar Door at the moment, Sparkling Shiraz must be bought as a 3 bottle case. We bought three bottles, I've told my brother he needs to buy two from me, not just one. Maybe I could send all three to Melbourne, BC, and you can buy the other one?? We have a bottle of the sparkling shiraz from last year that we haven't cracked, and aren't huge fans of it.

I dont think I can buy anything at the moment sorry, otherwise I would....

 

[Katie]

I dont think I can buy anything at the moment sorry, otherwise I would....

Fair enough, blackcat20.