Rockfords discussion

[Steady]

Buzzard will be a little worried when he gets to read this - he's away from his cellar at present

Buzz reduces risk by drinking younger IIRC - but just thinking now, if a cork has TCA in it, I assume the wine is effected immediately on bottling?

 

[Buzzard]

I'm back now and find it interesting to read the posts above. It's true that I generally drink my BP by the time it turns 10 to minimise risk.
I've been buying from Rocky since before they started making BP and in all that time only ever had one bottle corked. It was a BP and it was replaced with a vintage as close as possible to the one I lost, no questions asked. This is just one of the reasons I've stuck by Rockford.

 

[RooFlyer]

Holly is a champion - no doubt - and interested to see the pictures. Often though the appearance of the cork doesn't indicate a "corked" wine. The little article in this link What Exactly is a Corked Wine: And What Does Corked Wine Taste Like? | Kitchn is as good a description of corked-causing-TCA as most others. I know some purists still want to use cork but the estimate of 5-6% of wines using cork seals being corked is a good reason to keep leaning towards screw-caps. I take a punt on some overseas wines because they only come in cork (lots of quaffing tempranillo for example) but preference is always screw-cap. Rockford and others such as Jasper Hill (where Ron Laughton really goes to great lengths and expense to source very high quality cork) will replace bad bottles and it's a good reason to buy directly from them.

But speaking of Rockford (where the Alicante and Frontignac are under screw-cap but allegedly the aging wines are all under cork) - when at the Stonewallers' a couple of months ago there was some 2005 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling available under screw-cap!! Apparently the ever unpredictable Robert had had a small quantity done under screw-cap so he could test aging for himself. When I asked if that meant there were a couple of sneaky BP under screw-cap I got the "who knows, we don't get told everything" answer. I do hope that Robert will eventually allow some of the others to be done under screw-cap - half and half to give us a choice.

Regardless, they are all good wines and just typing about them is making me thirsty. Off I go to the cellar.

Thanks for all that. I must say I used the term 'corked' loosely, as in bad tasting probably due to some fault with the cork; I've only had one or two 'off' bottles, ever (touch wood). Another thing I didn't mention is that when I went to uncork the bottle with a waiter's friend, the cork immediately started sliding into the bottle. Don't know what the problem was exactly, but it wasn't a good bottle of wine!!

I recall asking about Rockford's corking policies when I was there once, after one other Barossa maker had bad-mouthed the lack of quality control of cork that gets sent to Australia; I think they ruled out the big reds going under screw seal, but left open the door for others. Holly in her e-mail, re-iterated their commitment to cork; I imagine that they'll eventually pry the cork away from Robert's "cold, dead hand!"

You should come on one of Buzz's Rockford/Barossa wine tours .

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm back now and find it interesting to read the posts above. It's true that I generally drink my BP by the time it turns 10 to minimise risk.
I've been buying from Rocky since before they started making BP and in all that time only ever had one bottle corked. It was a BP and it was replaced with a vintage as close as possible to the one I lost, no questions asked. This is just one of the reasons I've stuck by Rockford.

Welcome back. Anything resembling a Trip Report coming?

 

[penegal]

Rockford and others such as Jasper Hill (where Ron Laughton really goes to great lengths and expense to source very high quality cork) will replace bad bottles and it's a good reason to buy directly from them

I believe Robert [and/or] Ben have made numerous trips to their cork suppliers in Europe to ensure the best product possible.

But speaking of Rockford (where the Alicante and Frontignac are under screw-cap but allegedly the aging wines are all under cork) - when at the Stonewallers' a couple of months ago there was some 2005 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling available under screw-cap!! Apparently the ever unpredictable Robert had had a small quantity done under screw-cap so he could test aging for himself. When I asked if that meant there were a couple of sneaky BP under screw-cap I got the "who knows, we don't get told everything" answer. I do hope that Robert will eventually allow some of the others to be done under screw-cap - half and half to give us a choice.

All part of the Rockford "mystique", which Robert unashamedly cultivates.

 

[Steady]

Man the new Rockford '17 Test is expensive (for what you get)

 

[Buzzard]

I haven't even received an order from offering a test

 

[Steady]

I haven't even received an order from offering a test

Not tried it in the Stone Wall room?

 

[Buzzard]

Not tried it in the Stone Wall room?

I'll check it out next time I'm there which might be during the next few days.

 

[penegal]

LOL, must be a very special wine

 

[Buzzard]

LOL, must be a very special wine

Maybe it's a virtual wine.
Nothing in the bottle but aroma.

 

[Steady]

2015 Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon available/released today

 

[RooFlyer]

Article by Robert O'Callaghan in the latest Rockford Rag on corks .. Rockford's philosophy on them (well known), supply, testing etc.

A good read. Not sure how you get hold of it if you are not a Stonewaller/on their mailing list (its on paper !)., but if rally interested, give them a call and they may send you a copy. https://www.rockfordwines.com.au/

ps: also report on the '17 vintage and notes on all current releases and other interesting stories.

Edit: And, of course the new Stonewaller order form

 

[Steady]

Edit: And, of course the new Stonewaller order form

Any mention of a Stonewaller only wine to replace the SVS Hoffman / Flaxman?

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry, no. I recall Holly saying that at leats for a while, it'll be a matter of them bringing out various 'museum' releases, as the replacement for the SVSs

 

[Buzzard]

Assuming the Rockford Rag is not protected by copyright, I'm happy to email anybody a PDF version.
Just message me your email address.

 

[Daver6]

Read through it yesterday. What a load of absolute waffle. So many words, so little useful information. The vintage report told me so little about the wines too. Wanted to put an order together but nothing to actually guide me. So I'll just order my half dozen basket press and try the rest at the cellar door later this year.

 

[Buzzard]

I have a similar plan @Daver6 although I generally drive up the road in January and plan the next wine tour.

 

[dav3]

Is the Basket Press out already? If you're a Stonewaller, is the BP supposed to show up in the online order form?

 

[Daver6]

Is the Basket Press out already? If you're a Stonewaller, is the BP supposed to show up in the online order form?

Yes it's out for Stonewallers and I believe it should.