Nice cheap Aussie wines?!

[paulF]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some advice in regards to cheap (or cheapish...) nice Aussie wine recommendations. Red and ports mainly but wouldn't mind whites too.

Cheers

[rckymtn22]

Calling Ken......

[Colt45]

How about the Penfolds Block 42 in ampoule?

[tmac77]

A nice cheap Aussie wine. Well you can probably figure out the cheap ones. Those are the ones that Rob shares in video reviews. Sorry but I can't help you with the ones that are both nice and cheap.

[Ken Gargett]

heaps available but a lot depends on where you shop. if you have a decent local bottleshop, the best way is to chat to the guys there, work out who has a clue and get his recommendations. some stores will have something on special that others don't. they'll tell you what is good and good value at the moment. try a bottle and if you like it stock up. if you don't, find another store.

[bolivr]

I'm tending to buy online. Get Wines Direct is my latest favorite and I have bought about 8 dozen from them over time. My price point is $10 to 12. (When I said this to a colleague he said what you pay more than $6 for a bottle?)

Not long ago they had unlabelled Taltarni Museum release wine for a very attractive price. I think it was a 2007 shiraz and it is a good drop if they still have some. Another one I have bought from them that I like is Balgownie Maiden Gully. If you are in Melbourne they have a tasting room in Richmond.

Of my local bottle shops Randalls have good cleanskins. Some people don't like the idea but I don't mind a plain label. This is where you get to try a few and talk to the staff as Ken said and then make a decision to go large on some. Have not been impressed with Dan Murphys for wine. I buy spirits there.

[Guest rob]

Just my opinion - cheap is of course subjective. So is good.

- Wynns Shiraz

- Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz

- Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz

[Ken Gargett]

I'm tending to buy online. Get Wines Direct is my latest favorite and I have bought about 8 dozen from them over time. My price point is $10 to 12. (When I said this to a colleague he said what you pay more than $6 for a bottle?)

Not long ago they had unlabelled Taltarni Museum release wine for a very attractive price. I think it was a 2007 shiraz and it is a good drop if they still have some. Another one I have bought from them that I like is Balgownie Maiden Gully. If you are in Melbourne they have a tasting room in Richmond.

Of my local bottle shops Randalls have good cleanskins. Some people don't like the idea but I don't mind a plain label. This is where you get to try a few and talk to the staff as Ken said and then make a decision to go large on some. Have not been impressed with Dan Murphys for wine. I buy spirits there.

randall is a good mate and really knows his stuff.

he'd be a very good source of cheap offshore stuff as well.

[paulF]

Took Ken's advise and went and had a chat to one of the guys at my closest good bottle shop who ended up recommending a beautiful central victorian Shiraz (Mitchelton 2010 Shiraz)

Also used the search functionality on the site and made a list of wines that others have mentioned before that i will be trying.

Thanks all and please keep on sending your suggestions.

Cheers

[Wil]

2009 Chateau Tahbilk Cab Sauv is great for under $20 (about 16 or so from Dan Murphy).

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz is also a great wine for under $20.

[bolivr]

Just my opinion - cheap is of course subjective. So is good.

Spot on. There will never be two identical opinions on this topic nor on which bunch of rolled up leaves is better than the other. Lol. hope we never settle either because there's the fun.

[sengjc]

Just my opinion - cheap is of course subjective. So is good.

- Wynns Shiraz

- Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz

- Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz

I like these too.

BTW, there is a certain retailer in Victoria who is really good with wine and does online too. He gets a lot of non-mainstream stuff. I have known him since I was uni student.

I don't think I am allowed to disclose his identity in this forum though, not sure.

[Fuzz]

I mostly drink shiraz, so my pick of nice reds under $20 is a bit biased towards shiraz. These are some that I've had over the last 6 months.

Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Red

Claymore Darkside of the Moon Shiraz

d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz

Elderton Barossa Shiraz

Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz (agree with Wil & Rob, this is a fantastic little tipple. Always have some in my colection)

Taylor Estate Cab Sauv

Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Quartage

Wirra Wirra Church Block Cab Shiraz Merlot

Also good to try are the M. Chapoutier wines. Haven't tried any since I left the liquor biz, but they have always been pretty good.

[CanuckSARTech]

Just my opinion - cheap is of course subjective. So is good.

Spot on. There will never be two identical opinions on this topic nor on which bunch of rolled up leaves is better than the other. Lol. hope we never settle either because there's the fun.

Very well put. Agreed wholeheartedly!

[paulF]

Thank you Fuzz for the great suggestions and +1 on the Chalambar

Now I have a nice list of mostly new wines to me to try and sample :-)

[Fuzz]

No worries, mate. That's just a selection of cheapies that I've had over the last 6 mths. Also drunk a lot of the more expensive stuff from my collection too!

I think my doctor's concerns for my liver are warranted....

[ckearns]

Thanks for the input, Gents. Very much appreciated as most of your suggestions are available locally for me to try.

[Ken Gargett]

one more - fraser gallop cab merlot 2012. should be $20ish. drinks at twice the price. really top notch marg river cab merlot. and as much as nigel gallop may hate people saying his wines are 'good value', they really are.

[Dara]

one more - fraser gallop cab merlot 2012. should be $20ish. drinks at twice the price. really top notch marg river cab merlot. and as much as nigel gallop may hate people saying his wines are 'good value', they really are.

Why would a producer hate people saying his wines are good value….is he going for some sort of elite market where value isn't an issue?

[Ken Gargett]

Why would a producer hate people saying his wines are good value….is he going for some sort of elite market where value isn't an issue?

there is a bit of that in it, i suspect.

the guys at fraser gallop make some fabulous wines but don't price them along with the likes of moss wood, cullens, howard park etc, and other top end marg river producers. i think he feels that people focus too much on the value aspect of his wines and forget the quality. they do very well in shows, where the judges have no idea of the price of what is in front of them.

personally, i think the value aspect of their wines is a great positive but i sort of understand his point.

in any event, terrific wines from any aspect.

and nigel a keen cigar smoker.

[bummy]

Just bought some 2010 margret river Shiraz Swings& Roundabouts $18 Beautiful!. You should give it a try.

[Colt45]

i think he feels that people focus too much on the value aspect of his wines and forget the quality.

personally, i think the value aspect of their wines is a great positive but i sort of understand his point.

Agree - I can understand the point of "a good wine for the money" versus simply "a good wine". But for me, value is more a combination - a good wine that is "reasonably" priced, that I'd still buy were it more expensive.

[paulF]

Thanks Ken and Bummy for the new suggestions