Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2006
I didn’t think the 2005 Chalambar was much chop (although I only tasted it briefly in amongst a raft of other wines) and the 2005 Moyston I can’t recall tasting at all. This vintage looks to be back on top form mind you and tasting this over two nights I have the scores of both 92 and 93 circled on the madness that is my tasting notes book. If you have a taste for Grampians/Bendigo shiraz then I’d expect that you will be very pleased with this wine. Release date is April 1.
Opens with a little toasty oak and a slightly reduced meatiness but give it some time and a rich mix of berries, plum, pepper, spice and aniseed will be revealed. It delivers all those good things you expect in Victorian Shiraz. On the palate medium bodied with good weight and depth of ripe fruits such as plum and mixed berry but essentially it feels quite dry - certainly spicy, a little bit meaty and has some dark chocolate thrown in too. It has plenty of ripe mouth coating talc-like tannin, unobtrusive acidity and closes with very good length and a slightly bitter chocolate aftertaste. A very good Chalambar. Good news for many because if it’s a staple in your cellar then you can safely bang a few in.
Other vintages: 2005, 2004, 2004, 2003
Tasted : Feb08Alcohol : 14%
Price : $26.99
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2015+
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Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Thanks Gary
Cheers
David
Gary,
What’s happened to the release of this ? I haven’t seen anyone with it yet, to try a bottle (or have I already missed the boat ???)
It would have been released and still widely available. I’m not sure, I don’t get out much, but perhaps 05 is still floating through the retail chain.
GW
I understand the 2006 is being released through the major chains, with First Choice releasing it on 1 April, but Dan Murphy, which still has too much of the 2005 on its shelves (recently selling for $12.90 to shift it), is delaying release. Vintage Cellars has it on special with a magnum of the 2005 thrown in (also to get rid of it). The 2006 is back in form.
I was expecting to buy a 6-pack of this (on the basis of expectation and good reviews) but, after tasting last night, I think not. The wine I found was nothing like Gary’s description, or even the more glowing one of CM. Can there be bottle variation given that’s its a large-run wine??
I found the nose weedy and un-Shiraz-like with red and green capsicum. No pepper. Not much fruit depth and couldn’t see how the aggressive tannins could ever soften while the fruit lingered. There didn’t seem to be anything technically wrong, just not a style that I(or my wife) like - and we usually do like this style. It was uber-cool-climate too me. I certainly couldn’t detect any meatiness or chocolate, usually descriptors I like! 6+ hours in the decanter didn’t do much either.
Did they re-badge one of the rubbishy 2005s? I confess myself befuddled. If I tasted this alone I would have thought I was going mad.
Yes. It’s curious isn’t it. I’ve heard a lot of bad reports now. I might go out and buy a bottle.
GW
Don’t spend too much!! I bought mine for $19 from VC (Robina, Gold Coast) last Friday (oddly full RRP at DM’s and First Choice). I was really wanting to like this wine …
Just looking over previous notes, we both agree that 2005 was pretty ordinary (though think JH thought it okay, CM reasonable, and I can’t recall what JO said), that 2004 was very good (I think all in agreement, though Lincoln’s note not quite as complementary), but 2003 is polarizing - you didn’t like it, as did many other readers, but I, CM (in his Big Red Wine Book, past reviews) and JO loved it. Can’t remember JH, but I think he was also favourable.
So what’s this telling us? Either we’re all over the place with our tastings, or that there’s a lot of bottle variation about with these recent Chalambars. The other worrying thing is that we might have cellared some dogs on the basis of one good tasting, and then gone out to buy a 6-pack or more of more ordinary stuff.
There’s an argument, I think, for buying ASAP from the same place that you get your tasting bottle - perhaps to put the odds in your favour. That’s my analysis for today!
Just wondering if anyone has tried this recently again, especially GW or Campbell? I’m wondering whether I got my previous assessment completely wrong, or maybe just don’t like the flavour profile.
I has some a couple of weeks ago Michael. Didn’t take notes though. I found it a pleasant enough wine and a hell of a lot better than the awful 05. Didn’t find it uber-cool climate and weedy and I did get some spice and meat. I am really a novice though, so hopefully Gary or Campbell will weigh in. Oh, and I loved the 04 but bottle variation seemed once again to play too large a part.
Thanks Jeremy. It seems risky proposition doesn’t it? Buy one Chalambar, love it, but 6 away, open one 5 years later and be repulsed!! I personally loved the ‘03, but others hated it. I’m hoping that, if you buy a batch, there’s a better chance of having the rest taste reasonably similar.
So not 93 points for you Jeremy??
Not even close Michael
The 03 is sound, and already drinking well enough, given a decent decant.
BTW, interesting avatar connection between you two chaps
raises a question, thats puzzled me for some time. I’ve had batches of bottles on release that i’ve liked and continued to like over the life of the wine. However, sometimes picking up bottles perhaps either “later in the bottling run ” or later in the blending and bottling run that bear little resemblance to the orginal. And I know, ” there’s no such thing as good wines, just good bottles”, But these variations are seemingly becoming more pronounced?
Perhaps that’s what we’re seeing here?
A lot, but not all, of the less falttering impressions of this wine have come from early on in its release as well. I thought I simply didn’t like it very much. This thread makes me think I should give it a second go out of curiousity.
I’ve had 3 bottles of the 06, all from the same 1/2 case, all seemingly significantly different (even allowing attempts to compensate for food, mood lighting etc). Puzzling.
One thing I do find extremely important (and often overlooked) is to allow a wine to settle for a few days after getting it home, particularly if it may have undergone some rough treatment in transit, ie courier/post.
While the temptation is almost unbearable, the difference in the wine can be remarkable..
Or maybe that’s just me
DRJ- Agree with you on leaving wine to settle, if I can be patient that is. On Michael and my avatar you’ll notice mine looks a lot more nervous or anxious and I suspect that is a fair enough representation of me
cheers
DRJ’s comment on bottle variation in one 1/2 case doesn’t give me much cause for optimism for my Chalambars!!
I imagine that we’ll just have to conclude that wines with a large bottling run will tend to exhibit SOME variation, as might be expected, but it is the significant variation between hate one bottle and love the next or vice versa that is cause for real concern. I’m usually not far off a 1 or 2 point variation (increasingly only 1 point or identical as I gain experience) when I re-try a wine, with often the same descriptors used, but a 3, 4 or 5 point variation is not good.
Couldn’t resist getting a 6pk from Winemarket for $77 incl freight after getting a $30 coupon emailed to me. It’ll be interesting to taste it given the varied opinions here so far.
Taste it again, that is. I rated it 87pts in the *forum online tasting so it’ll be interesting to retaste 6 or so months on. The 04 I had after that online was very good and still a pup though starting to lose some of the tightness of it’s youth, the tannins softening and integrating more, the harsh ones dropping out a bit to start forming some crust.
Yes, please let us know what you think. I also gave it 87 points according to my bottle - though it was 86-pointy straight out of the bottle. I thouight it pretty ordinary.
I really should get out and buy another one shouldn’t I..
GW
Yes, take a hit for the team Gary! But you might get one of the good bottles …
This is a bizarre situation though. Not sure that I’d want a 6-pack of 87 point wine a la Darryl. 88 points is generally the cut-off for me with regard to cellaring, and only if the wine is sub-$20.
Unfortunately, though, the days of this under $20 at retail seem to be long gone. Fosters has pulled it socks up!
I’ll go up the road at lunch and see if they have one..
GW
I wasn’t too impressed with the 04 on release but a couple of years on I really enjoyed it, probably a comfortable 90pts, so I’m happy enough to give the 06 a chance at <$13/btl and on GW’s assessment of it
seemed very ho hum to me, lacking any real structure or depth, possible bottle variation, well im not prepared to find out.
Fosters are really doing a number on the seppelt brand
Southmount did an even bigger job on a number of other labels -
bye bye quality Tollana, Seaview, Seppelt Dorrien wines, hello generic Annies Lane et al, Roesmount wines. It also did a job on Penfolds, degraded it’s prestige in the process with the plethora of labels, the introduction of Rawsons Retreat, reducing the quality of Koonunga Hill whilst introducing ordinary wines under that label. Then there’s the ramping-up of prices of the what was semi-premium Bin range that started before Southmount was bought out by Fosters. I personally boycott Oatley wines, hope “Wild Oats” sinks in Bass Strait, without loss of life of course.
Seppelt brand is in good shape I reckon - much better shape than it was ten years ago for instance. I haven’t loved all the latest releases but I have liked a number of them, and every winery has good and bad years. Every winery. I loved the 06 Chalambar when I tasted it and thought it was super value. Same for Drumborg Riesling and the new pinot gris.
Penfolds “Bin” wines are back on song. The problem with Koonunga Hill is only that a) it became a range rather than a wine, b) its price hasn’t tracked with inflation, so it basically has to suffer as a result c) thomas hyland robs it of some of the grapes that by rights should go to KH. KH needs to be the price of Thomas Hyland (which should be discarded) though, or higher … the question would then be: are consumers up for that or do they want to pay the same price as they did ten years ago?
But Penfolds and Seppelt are still outstanding wineries … it’s fashionable to bash Foster’s, and a good number of times they deserve it, but there are much better targets than Penfolds and Seppelt.
CM.
I agree, and if the current Seppelt reds are not exactly my favourites stylistically then the whites are currently magnificent. Drumborg (PG and Riz) and Jaluka Chard are sensational.
GW
Gary - have you got a chance to grab another bottle of Chalambar 06 shiraz and re-tried?
TS
Not yet. Keep forgetting to get one.
GW
I’m going to Seppelt next week and will no doubt look at another bottle of it … hoping to look at quite a number of vintages of Chalambar
CM
The judges at the NWS gave this wine a Gold and 55.5, just off top gold. So i think they agree with Campbells assessment. off to try it for my self
The 6pk was waiting for me at work on Thursday when I returned from holidays. Tried a bottle that night. It seemed a bit fuller, rounder with a bit more fruit than I recall from the online tasting. Still a bit closed but was enjoyable after some breathing. The tannins are a bit softer than I remember the 04’s at a similar age and I think it may be a bit better than the 04 in time, a nice savoury, cool climate shiraz. Very good value for the $13 I paid.
Yeah, I’d buy a few for $13 Daryl!
2 for $30 at VC. They had it at around $25 a few weeks back, so obviously not doing too well in the stores. The ‘06 Chalambar intrigue continues …
I think I’ll have to re-try. C’marn Gary, give it another go.
Campbell is trying again this week.
GW
Yeah, I’m re-trying at 2 for $30 too Michael…
After visiting Seppelt yesterday I am now a complete Seppelt-iste, so I might have to calm down a little before commenting on this wine
Oh no, buggar it - the wine is good. Just needs another 6 - 12 months in bottle. I’m in line with GW’s rating.
Actually, two Chalambars that are looking excellent at the moment are the 02 and the 04.
CM
Agree with the 04 looking good Campbell. The bottle I had after the online tasting of the 06 was very satisfying. Have recently tried several bottles of the 06 and as I mentioned above, think with a few more years, it may be better than the 04.
I had a try last night and found the wine excellent as Gary described it.
At $13 a bottle from DM I think it’s a no-brainer for the cellar.
$13? You are kidding.
I’d be buying several dozen at that price.
It’s excellent value at $25.
CM
Yep- $13 ($12.59 to be precise). No shizzle.
DM’s Bridge Rd Richmond
“I’d be buying several dozen at that price.”
So would’ve I if I could afford to and still buy other wines I’ve yet to taste.
At a dinner party last night took advantage of the VC 2 for $30 offer, what a bargain! Such a lovely wine. The wine played exactly to GW’s review, beautiful weight and depth of fruits and good balance. So good in fact we drank the second bottle, which was as good as the 1st…..oh well back to the shop for some more, I’ll be throwing a few of these away for 5 or so years as well.
SM
Did the same exact thing Sambo (except didn’t crack the 2nd bottle) and last night’s bottle was excellent. Just a little short on the finish for me but that’s splitting hairs at $15. Couldn’t quite give it a 93 though
And still concerned about amount of bottle variation.
IMHO … there is bottle variation with just about every wine … regardless of seal, price, producer, country of origin, age, variety … or creed.
CM
Vey humble CM
and obviously very true. Still think its worth looking into though. We seem to know quite a bit about variation under cork but not screwcap? Or how variation comes into effect in the winery and depending on the size of a wines run. And then there is variation in all of our palates from day to day and even hour to hour. Thats a hell of a lot to consider. I personally think these questions are still interesting and worth delving into. Cheers
IMVHO … 99% of bottle variation can be assigned to the phrase “bottling line issues”.
Lots of different heads filling lots of different bottles at a very fast speed. Depends on the head, the fill, where it is in the batch, etc etc. Two bottles side by side and then packed side by side in a box would have been filled by different headers to, possibly, slightly different levels with slightly different gas in the headspace with … the permutations are endless.
Many a winemaker has lamented the above.
Not that I know precisely what I’m talking about … but you get the picture.
Which is why a winemaker said to me last week (words to the effect of): ‘bottling houses and oak salesmen must have loved the days when everyone bottled everything under cork … we blamed all their issues on the cork!’
CM
LOL
Good points from both Campbell and Jeremy. Whatever the case, I think I still prefer to take cork out of the obviously very complex bottling equation. I haven’t yet had my ‘06 Chalambar revisitation.
Had the second bottle. Have completely changed my views on this wine. I was wrong….and at $15 I don’t know if much challenges it at its price point. Of course, if I change my mind again I’m blaming cork variation no matter what the bloody bottle is sealed under
What are people’s thoughts on the place of mutli-regional blends, at any point along the pricing scale, in the context of the current emphasis on attempts to promote terroir in Australian winemaking? I’m not even sure if I have an opinion on this myself but would be interested to hear what others think… Posting here as Chalambar is multi-regional (it is still multi-region isn’t it?)
It’s multi-regional but only just - and I have a feeling that it’s moving towards being entirely Bendigo grown. Kinda depends on the seasons and what will make the wine best.
But in terms of multi-regional blends … I am all for single site and single region wines, and they are the future … but we are in danger, in Australia, of forgetting just how great a multi regional blend can be. Particularly at the top end.
Actually I had a funny experience last week.
I was tasting a young Hunter Valley cabernet at my desk. It was really good.
At the same time I was tasting a Barossa Valley shiraz of about the same age. It was really good too.
Both were fairly soft wines though otherwise both were quite different in their flavours and oak.
Once I’d finished assessing them, for the hell of it I did a rough blend of the two … and blow me down if I didn’t prefer the blend more than I had either of them separately …. even though they were both very good on their own. The blend was an awesome wine*.
It was something of a ‘moment’ for me.
CM
* I do these ‘desk blends’ all the time - it’s quite learning experience to see what works with what. Most of the time the end result is worse than the individual components. But sometimes …
So will Mountain X have a new line out soon Campbell?
If the wine is good, I can’t say that I care overmuch GP. Penfolds Bin 389 (2005) and St Henri (2004) are both excellent multi-regional blends from SA released this year, and are not cheap either. And Grange still sells presumably! (on basis of brand and icon status mainly I’d say).
Sepplelt Victoria Shiraz 2004 was/is a nice and inexpensive multi-regional wine, but still tasted distinctly ‘Victorian’.
Interesting - I have Chalambar, 389 & St Henri in the cellar too - despite the fact that I have to an extent sub-concsciously discounted the idea of multi-region blends without thinking it through properly. I think though that this line of thought discounts the (possibly under-exploited) value and interest of synergies between regions which must obviously exist when you consider some of the examples above…
cheers,
Glenn.
I think many of us are guilty of what you say Glenn. I have lots of all three of the wines to which you refer, especially St Henri, which is still my favourite Australian Shiraz, and a mult-regional blend to boot!
Then again, I just looked through my cellar list and Bin 28 and 407 are the only other mult-regional wines that I have (and an orphan Koonunga Hill).
Yet, on the the subject of terroir, I have mainly wines that are just “Hunter” or “Coonawarra” or “Eden Valley” that are obviously blends rather than single vineyard wines. Indeed, Wynn’s John Riddoch, for example, is a blend of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, though it is still distinctly Coonawarra. So I think that most Australians are generally happy with single region wines, and not overly prescriptive about single site.
A good wine and i like it as well; although not overly. I like the peppery elegance of the grampians input but i feel the bendigo fruit takes control a little too much and im thinking also lowers the overall drinkability of the wine making it just a little hard going at this stage. Who knows if my bottle was a good representation though. The 2001 was a flop tonight brown oxidised and only just drinkable. Cork appeared in premium condition too.