It's time again here in Ontario for the Classics Catalogue, a quarterly opportunity to buy wines with big prices and/or limited availability. As ever, my wishes far exceed my budget, and so I'd like some advice on the QPR of the following bottles. Currently CAD$1.30 = USD$1.00 approx.

-2000 Graham vintage port CAD$89 (got 2 already, want more)
-2000 Smith Woodhouse CAD$59 (seems like a no-brainer, I want 3 or more)
-1998 Bosquet des Papes ch. de p. Tradition CAD$49 (seems the best QPR Rhone - 94 WS points)
-2000 Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba CAD$49 (seems the best Italian QPR - 94 WS points)
-2001 Clarendon Hills Old Vines Clarendon grenache CAD$55 (want to try another Oz grenache, Parker gives it 95 points)
-2000 Barossa Valley Estate shiraz Ebenezer CAD$39 (WS 93 points)
-2001 Kilikanoon shiraz Oracle CAD$38 (94 Parker points)
-2001 Howard Park shiraz Scotsdale CAD$29 (91 Parker points)
-1999 Murdock Coonawarra cab sauv CAD$39 (want an Oz cab, 94 James Halliday points)
-2000 Rust en Vrede Estate cab sauv CAD$29 (want to try another SA red, at 90 WS points, seems a decent QPR)

I'll not be able to buy even a single bottle of each of the dry wines if I get as much port as I want (never happens....), so advice on the above relative to each other would be especially appreciated

The whole catalogue is here:

http://www.vintages.com/classics/1/_index_classics.html

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

Don't order too much port, bman, I've got my eye on those two as well!

It's every portlover for him/herself!

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

...or its self.

(Don't forget about the dog's order!)

Go easy on the Rust en Vrede cab too.

what is wrong with the rust en vrede? There are two versions? The stellensboch vineyard is excellent in my opinion.

Absolutely nothing wrong with them. The issue is that there are a limited number of bottles available so if Bman orders too many I might not get any

I might take some heat here because I don't even live in that province.

We're happy to share our wine with you Steve, as long as you share your SAQ with Ontario!

Tell 'em to get more Aussie juice, and lower the port prices though, eh?

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

Of the Aussies the Howard Park Scotsdale is the best QPR. Our local critics have rated it slightly higher.

The wine is released under screw cap so you can be assured of quality and that it will age for a long time. I have a few of these sleeping in my cellar.

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

Thanks Pauly, any other advice on the more expensive Oz offerings? Views from vegemite eaters would be really appreciated!

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

I'm not the biggest fan of South Oz shiraz and Grenache. Having said that the Clarendon Hills Grenache is superb, but I've steered clear of it the last few years when the price jacked up. More of a psychological barrier about paying that much for a Grenache than anything else.

Murdock is a new name to me, but I'm a big fan of Coonawarra Cab-Sav and if Jim Halliday gives it a 94 I wouldn't be afraid of giving it a lash. As for the Ebeneezer, from what I hear it's nice juice, but doesn't stand out as being great avlue for it's price point.I don't think you'd walk away feeling ripped off, but I doubt you'll walk away thinking you got a bargain.

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

Bman- I'd go big on the Graham(& Taylor are the ports to have in 2000) & the Kilikanoon(Big but very elegant-drink now. a real crowd pleaser). C H Grenache drink now or hold for 10+ years.

That is where I'd spend my money. These are the ones you'll wish you'd bought more of.

I've actually bothered to look at the website now.

BUY THE FIVE GEESE! The last time I heard word of mouth raves about a winery like I'm hearing about 5 geese now was about 6 years ago for Noons, and you know what Parker did to Noons.

Others I recommend, in no particular order:
Port Philip Estate Shiraz
Petaluma Unfiltered Cab/Merlot
Plunket Shiraz
Yalamba The Signature
Mitchelton Print Shiraz

[edited to include the reason for my recommendation for 5 geese]

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

[This message was edited by Pauly on Jan 28, 2004 at 10:02 PM.]

bah humbug, hit 'reply with quote' instead of 'edit'

[This message was edited by Pauly on Jan 28, 2004 at 10:00 PM.]

Bman. Our Port prices are comparable aren't they? I paid about the same for the Graham's and S-W last year.

Gee Pauly, thanks for the tips! But now my decision is even more complicated! (but seriously, thanks Pauly, your advice is appreciated).

steve8: the port prices are usually pretty close, but Ontario is usually a bit cheaper if there is any difference. I've not yet found a port cheaper in Quebec than Ontario.

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

Bman, just be warned that my palate normally steers more towards Victoria and West Oz over South Oz. What I listed is more or less what I would buy from the shopping list. I can't personally recommend the 5 Geese as I haven't had any yet, but I'm trying to get my hands on some based on very strong personal recommendations from people I trust.

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer