Has anyone tried this wine or have experience with other vintages? I'm considering opening a bottle next week and would like some advice before I do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Having only had the '94 my experience is limited. Based on that however, I think your wine will probably show well.

warrior,
Thanks for the reply; I may give it a shot this week, and I'll let you know the results when I do. Take care.

Go 'bucks!

De gustibus non est disputandum.

'96 was a very superior vintage. I'd consider it infanticide personally to open it now. HoG really requires 10 or 12 years to start showing its best.

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

Pauly,
Thanks for the warning. Do you think a '97 Run Rig would be a better choice for opening now? I want to open something special (and Australian)for these guests, and the '96 HoG and '97 RR are the oldest Aussie's I have. If that's a no-go, I may just give up trying to impress them.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

I agree with Pauly. I've had the 96 HOG (albeit a year or so ago), and its was extremely youthful. Personally, it would be a disaster to drink it now, but others may like all the primary characteristics still in abundance.

The 86 HOG is now at its peak, and it is noteworthy that many vinatge charts rate 96 and 86 in the Eden valley similarly.

Stickman,
Of the two I'd open the '97 RunRig now, as it will be a bit closer to it's peak than the '96 HoG, and it won't have the same long term potential of the HoG. If it was my wine I'd be inclined to hold onto it a bit longer, but I prefer my Aussie reds older than most of the people on these boards.

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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 for the advice. I decided to open the '97 Run Rig and was VERY glad I did. Notes are posted on Tasting Notes, under "Aussie Wines..."

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Stickman,

Excellence all round on the TNs. I admit to certain pangs of jealousy.

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

Seaquam was very generous in bringing a bottle of the 1993 Hill of Grace to the New Orleans offline last July. I was lucky enough to get a nice taste and it was hands down one of my favourite wines of the weekend!