Many didn’t like the high octane Aussie wines of the 2000s but they are really coming into their own. Been buying a lot on WineBid and these are stellar deals and in the perfect drinking window right now. Here are several examples.
2002 Dutschke Shiraz Oscar Semmler – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (11/14/2025) Day 1: Natural cork. Blue currants, menthol, pepper, spices, soy and dried flowers. Medium finish. Fun wine. 92 points Day 2: A slight improvement which I did not see coming. All the over the top it probably had on release is gone and offers blue currants, spices, menthol, coffee beans, dried rose petals, pepper and earth. Wonderful evolution. Look forward to day 3. 92.5 (92 points) 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (11/6/2025) Day 1: Screw cap. Love it and better than October note. Black pepper, black currants, iodine, spices, raspberries and floral notes. Outstanding quality. 93 points Day 2: This is amazing stuff. Even better on day 2. All that over the top ness of the mid 2000s is gone and now showing black pepper, perfume, flowers, iodine, spice, cherry, plum and tar notes. Medium to long finish. Wish I had bought more. 94 points Day 3: Well great on 1 and 2 but ok on 3. These still have plenty of life left but on day 3 lacking the fruit. Still has the pepper, iodine and floral notes but the fruit is gone. Too be expected for a 20 year old wine. 89 points Day 4: Yes please. Fruit is not as intense as day 2 but this wine is awesome. Black pepper, soy, minerals, dried cherry, menthol, tar and spices. Long finish. Off the charts good and great value via wine auction. 94 points Recommendation: One get via auction. Two drink after a 3 plus hour decant and enjoy. Also no issues on day 2. (94 points) 2004 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/11/2025) Yes must include a cab in the mix Aussie, Aussie Aussie Part 2 at Lori’s (Lori’s House Twin Cities): So had the 05 recently and not very good. This was rocking tonight and a top wine of the year for sure. Bright and exciting wine. Dark currants, pepper, spice, floral, dark chocolate, dust, wood, charcoal and minerals. Complex and medium plus finish. Would have never guessed Cab blind but that is what it is and showing great. (97 points) 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (10/11/2025) Aussie, Aussie Aussie Part 2 at Lori’s (Lori’s House Twin Cities): This wine still amazes me and how well it is holding up. Black pepper, perfume, spice, blueberries, floral, menthol, dust and stone. Medium plus finish. One of my top wines at a stack tasting. 95+ which still means it could get even better. (95 points) 2005 Two Hands Shiraz Ares – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/11/2025) Aussie, Aussie Aussie Part 2 at Lori’s (Lori’s House Twin Cities): Five hour decant. Excellent with spices, pepper, Eucalyptus, raspberries, coffee beans, dust, earth and minerals. Very concentrated effort and should improve with more age. 94+ (94 points) 2004 Greenock Creek Shiraz Roennfeldt Road – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/11/2025) Aussie, Aussie Aussie Part 2 at Lori’s (Lori’s House Twin Cities): My third favorite wine of this tasting. Mind blowing fruit with blackcurrants, cherry and plum. High octane still at 20 plus with black pepper, coffee beans, spice and floral notes. Long finish. Should drink well for another 15 years. 96+ (96 points) |
