What are you buying (or at least thinking about) this May?

Ideally a sub-$20 chardonnay, for mid-week quaffing, that still has complexity and a bit of weight to it ie not some unoaked/lightly oaked lolly water, but I’m starting to think such a beast doesn’t exist. Otherwise, given the large wine lake I have at home at the moment, a lot of stouts and full bodied pale ales. 4 Pines will fit the bill nicely.

Chablis 2014 is first on my ‘invest in’ list. What triggered my enthusiasm is Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin, their basic Chablis is so fantastic that it’s hard to believe.

2015 Mornington Pinot. The wines I have tried so far have been pretty special. Grower Champagne. Some Head Shiraz when the newsletter for the 15’s comes out. Passopiscirolo 13.

Immediate radar are ’14s from the Hunner I reckon. Need some quaffing piss too, something decent but not too good that I’m going to regret opening it after imbibing a few already.

I have resisted the urge to go international however as time goes on I inevitably find myself weak at the knees. I fear it’s like a dam about to burst. If I do succumb then wines around Piedmont are on the list, Austrian and perhaps German Riesling and you now have my interest in ’14 Chablis. At home, it’s ’14 Hunter Shiraz, always on the look out for good MR cab’s and I’m liking the Fiano grape do keep my eyes skinned for good examples of that.

I am almost on a self imposed buying ban too.
What I am thinking about is 2014 Hunter Reds. I have just the Lakes Folly Cab, the Thomas Allen Alaisdair & thinking about some of Thomas wines (thanks for the notes – very timely). Are there any others that are about to be released that anyone thinks we wont regret by buying and putting away into long term storage?

Hunter ’14 reds are still finding space in my cellar … looking forward to Mt Pleasant’s upcoming ‘standard’ releases (rather than the special ‘block’ and ‘Mountain’ wines) of ’14 Rosehill and OP&OH. Will be handy companions to the various Tyrrells and De Illius ’14s which are sleeping soundly.
Also on bit of an IPA craft brew kick at the moment. Gee, hasn’t the beer landscape – and the beers themselves – changed ALOT over the last ten years. Loving the Imperials / Doubles from the likes of Modus Operandi, Pirate Life, Riverside, Boatrocker … and the already ‘classics’ from Bridge Road, Mornington, Feral, Holgate, The Little Brewing Company, Nail and Murrays.

My annual supply of Vasse Felix. Keen to try their newly released Filius Cab which is getting rave reviews. Still buying 2014 Hunter shiraz…. This is all during my self imposed wine buying ban given I have no more room in my 2 cellars. Basically when it comes to wine I have no willpower !

Currently buying alt’ varietals and loving it. Had 4 days in Mclaren Vale and Adelaide Hills mid January and really enjoyed the various Nero, Sang, Temp, Neb, Fiano, Chenin etc. Seems like they are really pushing the boundaries in varietal terms.
Also be remiss of me not to mention the great hospitality shown to us wherever we went.
Cheers.

My annual San Giusto buy, Clos du Tertre Riesling, Passopisciaro new releases, exploratory Dormilona gear, Cullen KJ and DM 2014 and some Hoddles gear…

Cheers
GP

I’m looking at hunter 14s and trying to work out if I want the 13 Syrahmi X Shiraz, not having tasted it. The 12 dreams was great. And trying to keep some powder dry for 15 yarra pinots. Mayer bloody hill and Hoddles have been pretty impressive so far.

Favourites from the SA trip included Protero Nebbiolo 2006. 3 from Coriole: Sangiovese 2014, Vita Reserve Sangiovese 2010 and The Optimist Chenin Blanc 2010. Bird In Hand Montepulciano 2014 and Hither and Yon Nero d’Avola 2014. And not to forget Yangarra Estate Grenache 2013 and Paxton Tempranillo 2015.
A mixture of early drinking approachable styles and some serious Saturday night specials.
Cheers

I just grabbed a couple of Cullen Diana Madeline (2014). It is for my second little girl as her ‘brith year’ wine (the first girl got the same for her birth year too (2011)). I am also desperate to grab some 14 Thommo Shiraz but my buying ban is also proving a challenge!

Buying a lot of ‘15 Yarra Pinot and Chardonnay (Hoddles, Punt Road, Giant Steps, Luke Lambert). Apart for De Iuliis I haven’t found much accessible ‘14 Hunter Shiraz so far (weighing up the Tomo’s releases but I want Kiss, and that’s too expensive imo).

‘15 has also been good to Canberra District, so buying what I can from there, especially Ravensworth (the Riesling was “smashable”).

Can’t get enough Nebbiolo either. The fling is beginning to develop into a full blown relationship…

I’m also on a self imposed buying ban. Still didn’t sop me buying the standard Hoddles Creek PN and some Sailor Seeks Horse PN. On my list are ’10 Brunello and ’14 White Burgundy.