Recommendations for Iconic Australian Wines?

Lauskck8293 on 29/11/2019 - 12:32
Last edited 02/12/2019 - 03:55 by 1 other user

Hi all,
My father lives and works in Europe, and he often has to gift or serve wine to his guests/clients. My sister and I are visiting him for Christmas, and he asked if I could gift him some Australian wine.

I don't know much about wine, but I was planning on getting him 6 bottles of Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, and was waiting for a deal this Black Friday. Cellarmasters now has a deal that I was waiting for ($100 off purchase of $240 or more), but they took down all Penfolds from the sale.

My question for all wine connoisseurs is this: Do you recommend 28 Kalimna Shiraz as a wine for this use? If not, is there a wine that you would recommend that is included in the current Cellarmasters sale?

Budget is ~$300, and I don't mind buying Penfolds at full price if it comes down to it (planning on buying from Qantas wine if all else fails for points).

Food & Grocery Wine

Comments

  • Cluster on 29/11/2019 - 12:56
    +2

    If you're looking for presents of iconic wine then you'd be looking at the big brands: Penfold's, Jacob's Creek, etc.

    In terms of wines that I enjoy and would be a great present… there are just so many to choose from. At the moment I'm drinking Pepperjack shiraz cabernet and it's both very good and well priced.

    https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_796458/pepperjack-c…

  • GG57 on 29/11/2019 - 14:57
    +2

    My experience in Europe with wine is that it is easily possible to get really good quality wines there for much lower prices than in Australia.
    So, whilst selecting Penfolds, or a Wynns Coonawarra, or a Best's Pinot Noir will satisfy the 'brand' aspect of the gift, why not consider something a little different that a lot of countries may not have.

    The Rutherglen region produces world-class fortified wines that are also unusual. Again, stick to big names like Campbells or Morris. If your father's guests / clients are discerning enough, these should be appreciated.

    • Cluster on 29/11/2019 - 15:05
      +2

      Stanton and Killeen produces a wonderful Rutherglen fortified shiraz that's well priced (~$40).

    • try2bhelpful on 29/11/2019 - 15:31
      +2

      Love me some Rutherglen Muscat’s: especially the older ones. They have a lovely toffee, raisin taste. Did a “vertical” taste of Muscats, at All Saints, that included a barrel of 50 year old they found out the back. Best $5 I ever spent. We didn’t get a lot but it was liquid gold.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 29/11/2019 - 16:04
    +1

    My first value picks;

    Penfolds Bin 389 for a red; Grosset Polish Hill Reisling for white.

  • onetwothreefour on 29/11/2019 - 16:09
    +2

    Make sure you can actually take 6 bottles into the country you are visiting.

    • auskck8293 on 29/11/2019 - 16:11

      The limit is 3L per person, so we can technically take 8 x 750ml bottles

      • try2bhelpful on 29/11/2019 - 16:15

        You also need to think of weight limits and logistics of packing.

        • auskck8293 on 29/11/2019 - 16:17

          Of course. There's not going to be much that we'll bring on our way there, so 3 bottles will be very doable.

          • mini2 on 10/12/2019 - 09:32

            @auskck8293: Don't count on doing TRS (WET + GST refund) with them either, the queue is long.

  • OnlyifMyPrice on 08/12/2019 - 12:17

    I work for Penfolds and if you call their cellar door at Magill and join up to the Friends of Penfolds Club, you’ll get an extra discount.

    If you’re set on Penfolds, I’d recommend a mixed 6 pack of:
    Bin 28 - classic rich ripe Barossa Shiraz. I’d recommend decanting it for a few hours if you’re drinking now
    Bin 128 - comparison of Coonawarra/ cool climate Shiraz
    Bin 138 - spicy upfront fruit and GSM blend

    And if you can afford it and want something different and more premium:
    Bin 150 - fantastic Barossa Shiraz from the Marananga sub region, silky smooth tannins (drink it with him while you’re there). My favorite wine that Penfolds make
    Bin 389 - the ‘Baby Grange’. Classic Penfolds style and example of Australian specific Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz blend
    If he likes Cabernet, Bin 407 as an example of classic cool climate Aussie Cabernet - choc mint and dark berry characters

    I would check Dan Murphy’s prices too

    Have a great trip

    • auskck8293 on 10/12/2019 - 10:08

      Thank you for the detailed explanation! Penfolds didn't come down to my budget this time around, so I ended up choosing something else, but I'll bookmark your comment for next year :)

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