La Boheme Act Four Syrah Gamay 2014

I am always a sucker for new things and wine is no exceptions. If I see an unusual bottle, grape variety, or blend then I am more likely than not to take the risk and buy it. I noticed the La Boheme Act Four Syrah Gamay 2014 on one of the bottom shelves at Dan Murphys and I thought to myself that I had never seen such a blend before (Gamay is the grape variety used in Beaujolais). I stopped to think what this would actually taste like and wondered if it was going to be some sort of strange lolly water. Since the bottle was only around $15 I thought I would take the chance and see what it was like and I am glad I did. It is a rather good blend that brings out the best of both grapes with the strengths of each variety complement the weaknesses of the other. The end result is certainly unusual, but it fills the role of a good food pinot at a price point much lower. I would say it was worth the try.

act4

Price. $15
Value. $25

Edit. I see the price has gone up quite a lot (must be getting some attention) and is now selling for $22 a bottle at Dan Murphys.

Château Tanunda Chorus Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2012

I have a real soft spot for GSM blends as they are good value and such food friendly wines. There are so many great examples out there that is hard to pick really outstanding value wines in this category. One that I should mention is the Château Tanunda Chorus Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2012. This is a fantastic example of this blend and at $14 bottle you would be hard pressed (sorry for the pun) to find better value. This is not a wine for cellaring, but if you want a good “everyday” wine then you will be very happy with it.
Chorus

Price $14
Value $20+

Metala White Label Shiraz Cabernet 2012

I have been rather busy (slack) and have not been posting about the good value wines I have been drinking in 2015. One I should mention is the Metala White Label Shiraz Cabernet 2012. This wine is always good value, but in a great vintage like 2012 it is outstanding value. The South Australian Shiraz Cabernet is an old fashion typical Australian blend. The 2012 Metala is a great example of this blend and at less than $15 a bottle it is a steal.

The other great thing about Metala is it matures really well under less than ideal conditions (i.e. the back of my cupboard). If you have the patience then you will get a totally amazing wine in 2020 for almost nothing (the 2004 and 2006 I finished off last year were fantastic). Buy, buy, and then buy some more of this wine ’till you can’t store anymore.

metala

Price $14
Value $25

Lovers Not Toreadors Tempranillo 2011

There are many great Spanish wines and we get so few of them here in Australia. Most of the Spanish wines we do get here really should have been tipped down the drain in Spain (I am looking at you Aldi), but on occasion we get a Spanish wine that is both great value and very drinkable. The Lovers Not Toreadors 2011 Tempranillo is one such wine. Flavoursome and easy drinking it makes a great change from the common garden variety Australian shiraz. At under $16 dollars a bottle it is really worth buying – just ignore the stupid label.

LNT_2011

Cost $15.90
Value $25.00+

Taltarni Pyrenees Shiraz 2010

Wow what a wine. 2010 was a great year in the Victorian Pyrenees wine region and Taltarni have made an absolutely fabulous shiraz. I loved the 2009, but the 2010 is even better. The only downsides is it costs $30 a bottle and Taltarni are still using corks which means I have to waste 15 seconds rummaging around my kitchen for my corkscrew to open it. Buy as much as you can when you see it.

 

 

 

 

 

Cost: $30
Value: $60+

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2010

It has been a while since I have had a chance to post about a good value wine, but finally I have one. The 2010 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz is certainly a nice secondary wine from a great winery. It has the typical cool climate peppery shiraz flavours without being washed out. This wine is a really elegant food wine and at $22 a bottle a total bargain. A wine that is well worth the price!

cliff_edge

Price $22
Value $40+

Update. I was able to get a couple of cases for under $20 a bottle from Winestar – even better value.

Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007

Over in Western Australia 2007 was the “vintage of the century” – I can’t say the same for Eastern Australia where 2007 was probably one of worst for at least 20 years. I managed to get (and drink) a couple of bottles of the 2007 Voyager Estate Shiraz and they were fantastic. I hadn’t had a chance to try the Cab Sav from the same year, but I noticed a few bottles of the 2007 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot for sale at my local Dan Murphys so I thought I would take a chance. At $50 a bottle this is a little above my normal limit, but given the year and maker I thought they might be worth the risk so I bought a couple of bottles. A good great decision as the wine is really outstanding. If you like WA cab savs then I think that you will not find better for the price right now. This wine is definitely worth the cost.

wine

Price $50
Value $90+

Update Nov 2013. I saw this for sale a week ago out of cellar release and they wanted $115 for it!

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2009

The Barrosa had a reasonably good year in 2009 and one of the best wines I have from that vintage is the Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2009. I found it on the Dan Murphys “wall of death” (i.e. off the main floor and hidden away in a corner). I was intrigued by the story on the back of the bottle about them saving some of the original 19th C. shiraz vines from the ravages of the 80s vine pull. I thought I would buy a bottle even though it is a bit outside of my normal price range ($42). I am certainly glad I did as it is worth every cent. I have had $80 wines that are nowhere as good as this. Highly recommended.

Orphan Bank

Price $42.75
Value >$75

Taltarni Pyrenees Shiraz 2009

Another great pyrenees shiraz that only cost me $22 a bottle. My only complaint is Taltarni is still using corks with this wine! Come on Taltarni it is 2012 – a cork these days is about as desirable as a hypercolour t-shirt.

Taltarni

Price $22.00
Value +$35.00

Update Nov 2013. I saw some of this for sale a couple of weeks ago at my local DM – the only downside is it is now $30 a bottle.

Irvine Springhill Merlot 2009

I am not overly fond of straight merlot wines (Château Pétrus is a little outside my price range) as they tend towards being lolly water. One real exception to this is the Eden Valley 2009 Irvine Spinghill Merlot. This is simply a great wine – soft, smooth and full of flavour. It is easy to pair up with food and best of all it is a total bargain at under $17 a bottle. For the price I don’t think I have had a better wine all year. This is certainly a wine you can afford to stock up on.

Irvine Merlot

Price $16.90
Value >$25.00

Update Jan 2014. I have recently tried the 2012 vintage and it is great too – I would say even better than the 2009. Still the same great low price.