Tasted a few weeks ago, so from memory...

Two new releases by these interesting Aussie characters - dubbed "Super Roogles."

"9", as in Block, is their single vineyard 100% Shiraz. Huge nose, a round and balanced, typical blackberry blast. In-your-face burst of mouth-puckering fruit with a whiff of tobacco. A big step up from the regular Shiraz. $28

"S2", as in S-squared, as in Sparky and Sarah,
is their single vineyard 100% Cab. This was demure up against the "9". Dense, a bit dull, a bit fat. There, then not there. Up against their regular Cab, it was on par. And for the extra six bucks, why bother? $21. (Maybe I should taste again?? )

Release date: STILL November 1, thanks to the Taft Hartley Act.

Edited to correct myself. Thanks, Eric, must have been drinking...

[ 10-26-2002, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: Queen Of Hearts ]

Okay, since you guys are spillin' the beans, what did he say about these?

The shiraz you tasted received a 96 from RP.

...and it's gonna sell for $25-30!

Check the MP tasting note thread where Eric listed the actual name (I can't remember)!

Queen -

The S2 is 100% Cab, and rated 93+, priced at $22.50
"Spicy perfume of vanilla, black currents, sweet cherries, licorice, and cedar"
"I re-tasted this wine after it had been opened for 24 hours and double decanted, and it revealed sweeter tannin as well as greater fruit intensity"
"Anticipated maturity: 2004-2017"

The "9" is not Cab, but 100% Shiraz, priced at $30 and rated 96 points.
"Stunning bouquet of melted licorice intermixed with cream de cassis, blackberries, white chocolate, and pepper."
"..great flavor intensity, marvelous purity, and superb definition for such a sexy, opulent, blockbuster Shiraz fruit bomb."
"...enjoy now and over thr next 12-15 years"

Do you get the impression he likes these wines?

[ 10-26-2002, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Eric White ]

Eric, I just placed my order for a case of the "S2" Cab so I guess I'll get my chance to taste it again. At $17.85 per, I can't resist. Also sprung for another Shiraz case.

Apparently the "Supers" will be released on Dec. 1, at least according to my Seattle wine monger.

[ 10-27-2002, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: Queen Of Hearts ]

They are released. Just picked-up a 1/2 case of each.
Looking forward to trying the 9. Had the S2 at a tasting today at Woodland Hills Wine Co. and found it to be very tasty.

Thanks for the advice. I have some of the 9 reserved for me at a local retailer. I bought 16 bottles of the Sarah's blend and 4 of the Shiraz based on what I've seen her, because I know you people wouldn't throw me a curve.

A 'Curve'?...On this board?...never!

But look out for the Change Up

Thanks for the Heads Up Queen and Eric, they may not be available up here for a while (if ever), but it sounds like an effort should be made to obtain them.

As far as I can tell, only Henry’s Drive Cab and Shiraz are sold over here – but they're up against some pretty hairy competition in the UK.

Henry’s Drive Cab retails at £16.99 ($26.41) – that's the same as D’Arenberg Coppermine Road Cab (1999 RP 95pts)

Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz retails at £22.99 ($35.73) – that’s $5 more than D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz (1999 RP 96pts), which sells for £19.58 ($30.44) – and only £2 less than 1998 Stonewell.

I don’t know why some of the very best Australian producers have chosen to wage a price war in the UK, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

By the way, Queen – does King usually hang a spoon off of his nose? Or is that one of those time-honored Seattle evening rituals? { }

Nose spooning has become an honored tradition in many a locale. The King's revered talent in this non-Olympic event (petitions are forthcoming) is truly enviable. I have seen him turn many a civilized dining room into a nose-spoonin’ frenzy. You ain’t seen nothing until you’ve seen a table full of Japanese golf writers sporting spoons and do-rags.

Until one has seen him hang the spoon and go cross-eyed, it's almost impossible to truly appreciate why we call him "King."

His rare talent brings a certain je ne c'est quoi to an entire evening, more in the regal sense of the term than in the fun-lovery.

Fook - it's Sunday in Massachusetts - Blue Laws in effect. Last call 4 alcohol Saturday at 11P. Gotta try the 9