Sami-Odi

Little Wine #12 Syrah

9.3

I donated my 3 bottles to a Rare and Collectible Shiraz Dinner at the Downs Club to go with a 2018 Wendouree Shiraz, 2022 Standish Lamella, 2020 Rockford Basket Press and a 2021 Langmeil Freedom. The Sami Odi Little Wine finished middle of the field in this stellar lineup. It was an unvintaged assemblage of 8 different vintages starting with 2022 (49%) through to 2015 (2%). Lush and medium bodied with fluid tannins and great length. Brambley. Fraser likes to drink Little Wine when young and fresh like this is now. Purchased 2 years ago in mid 2023. The consensus winner of the 5 wines was probably the Rockford or the Standish Lamella. Erin Larkin gave the latter 100 points. All 5 Shiraz were outstanding. — 21 hours ago

Daniel, David and 17 others liked this

Bob McDonald

@Somm David T For full disclosure David the other 4 Shiraz, the donors contributed 3 bottles of each as I did. The 5 of us received their meal no charge. A win/win all round.

Doug Powers

I’ve had some late 1980s Rockford Basket Press many years ago (late 1990s), great to hear it’s still one of the Aussie Shiraz standards!!

Bob McDonald

@Doug Powers It certainly is Doug. I forgot to add we also had a glass of Rockford Sparkling Black - one of the leading examples of Sparkling Shiraz. Also Fraser McKinley did his “apprenticeship “ at Rockford and Torbreck before starting Sami-Odi.

Duke's Vineyard

Vintage Sparkling Shiraz 2017

Bob McDonald

9.3

Sparkling Shiraz is a tradition in Australia on Christmas Day. Bought this at Dukes Cellar Door 2 days ago. Very different to Barossa Sparkling like Rockford Black which, while good is much sweeter. This was savoury earthy and minerally - quite dark in colour. A great accompaniment to Turkey and Ham. — 6 years ago

Severn, Ira and 13 others liked this

Norman

Really like the Rockford so if there is a way to get any of these in the states let me know please!!!

Bob McDonald

@Norman Gennaro Is the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz available in the USA? If so at least you could contact the importer in the States and ask them. I suspect it would be a small production in any event of the sparkling. Good luck.

Rockford

Riesling 2001

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.1

Opened about 6/7 bottles in a night
They went from badly corked to a marvelous gracely aged riesling
From lime peel , caramelised lemon to ginger, nutmeg or even hints of curry
A bunch of selected mixed herbs was there too: from sage to Thai mint, and so much more that I made a beautiful looking paint(in my mind at least)
Never too sweet and reasonably long aftertaste, which replicates the above notes again — 6 years ago

Peter, Mike and 8 others liked this

Rockford

Shiraz VP 2018

Marcus Chacos

9.0

A Shiraz fortified wine (in essence, a Shiraz port). It's absolutely delicious 😋. Wow. Just wow!! — 3 months ago

Mount Langi Ghiran

Mast Rare Reserve Block Shiraz 2002

Ira Schwartz

9.1

Stopped off at a lifelong friends apartment. He likes wine but it does not go beyond that. Says to me after pulling several bottles ( including 2 Rockford BP) from the corner of a very warm room, “What should I do with these wines?” Trying to remain calm, I said , “I think you need to open one.”
Surprisingly, the cork was intact, but totally soaked to the top. What we encountered was a red/purple wine that looked like it was bottled a few years ago. The nose was big and full of dark fruit along with some oak but zero alcohol Taking a small taste I was absolutely taken back by the juiciness & deep plummy flavors swirling around my mouth. I noted very little secondary flavors but the level of acidity shocked me. Tannins were soft and the fish was modest. — a year ago

Tom, Doug and 35 others liked this

Somm David T

Enjoyed my time at Rockford. They make some nice juice. Sofia & I brought back a sparkling Shiraz from them. I know how that sounds upfront. Aussie’s have a tradition of drinking it Christmas morning. It is actually quite good after 3-4 years in bottle. Sofia & I celebrated their tradition one Christmas morning. If you find some, I recommend trying. Be sure to tell me where you find it. Cheers! 🍷

JKT

Good story of a survivor (even if somewhat beaten up)! Hope the others made it through also!

Ira Schwartz

@JKT well phrased, “survivor”

Rockford

Hand Picked Eden Valley Riesling 2017

George Hesse

9.3

This was crispy and fresh with a fairly acidic finish. — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Jennifer

Rockford

Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016

Selfvingster

9.4

I received a bottle of Rockford as a 40th birthday gift, a wine I wasn’t familiar with at the time. After five years of aging, I opened it in the company of good friends – and what an experience! A rich and well-balanced wine, with intense flavors of berries and plums that really impressed. Wow, a wine that captivates with its harmony and depth. — 9 months ago