Before I begin my report, I would like to acknowledge my predecessors, who did so much to lay the foundations for a very enviable cellar. I have inherited the role with much pleasure, due in no small part to their efforts
One of the major achievements of the year was to move the cellar database form the old Excel format, to the new Cellartracker format. This is better adapted to cellar management, and produces more user-friendly reports. One of the, unfortunate, causalities of this was that the price information on the old cellar bottles was not transferred – it was too large a task. However, if anyone feels strongly about this, I will be happy to facilitate them entering that data.
The cellar has grown, since fewer dinners meant that less wine was consumed. We now have 1322 bottles. Total purchased for the year was 156 bottles, at an average bottle price of $46.92.
I have aimed to achieve a “balanced” cellar, and continue to do so. A balance is a mixture of heavier and lighter styles, and a mixture of Australian classics, and imports. Of course, this is very subjective, and I may not be able to please all members. Also, I believe that one of the benefits of W&FS dinners is that we get to drink wine that we wouldn’t normally drink, and I am trying to provide that opportunity in the cellar.
It is apparent that we are somewhat heavy on pinot noir, so I imagine that not much of that will be purchased for some time (unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse!). Cabernet sauvignon was becoming a bit light, which I have addressed by adding two quality Margaret River cabernets, and a classic Coonawarra cabernet. Australian Riesling always is well received, and some very budget friendly, high quality examples were purchased. Some more textural whites (Chablis and Rhone) have been added.
In the imported wines, I have tended to avoid red Burgundies and Bordeaux. In general, they are either too expensive, or too mediocre. I have purchased some very good Italian and Spanish wines, and will remain on the lookout for quality wines from Portugal.
Finally, I plan to follow in the footsteps of Jim Patterson, in offering the opportunity for members to buy some of the “orphans”. These are wines that are in too short supply to allow all members to enjoy them, but are too good to simply put out for a first come, first served lucky dip. By selling them, money will be returned to the society to allow the quality of the cellar to improve.
Please find below the purchases for the year;
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut 6 x 50 = $300
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve 6 x 79 = $474
Champagne Philippe Fourrier Cart d’Or Blanc de Noirs 6 x 50 = $300
Peter Lehmann Black Queen sparkling shiraz 2014 3 x 40 = $120
Schloss Johannisberg Riesling ‘Grunlack’ Spatlese 2014 Rheingau 6 x 50 = $300
Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2020 6 x 20 = $120
Heggies Eden Valley Riesling 2018 6 x 13 = $78
E Guigal Saint-Joseph Blanc 2013 6 x 39 = $234
Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Crus ‘Vaillons’ 2016 6 x 40 = $240
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Premier Crus “Butteaux” 2016 6 x 40 = $240
Conde de los Andes Rioja Blanco 2015 6x 25 = $150
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 6 x 37 = $222
Tertini Pinot Noir (Tasmania) 2018 6 x 40 = $240
Domaine Pierre Damoy Gevrey Chambertin “Clos Tamisot” 2013 6 x 80 = $480
Bleasdale “The Wild Fig” SGM 2018 6 x 35 = $210
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Margaret River) 6 x 19.99 = $120
Haughton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Margaret River) 6 x 60 = $360
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet 2018 6 x 30 = $180
Mauro “Cosecha” 2006 6 x 40 = $240
Hobbs ‘Gregor’ Shiraz 2017 6 x 60 = $360
Fratelli Revello Barbera d’Alba 2019 6 x 29 = $174
Vite Colte Barbaresco Riserva 2010 6 x 50 = $300
Ellena Giuseppe Barolo di La Morra 2016 6 x 49 = $294
Tenuta Montanello Barolo di Castigione Falletto 2016 6 x 79 = $474
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano 2000 6 x 96 = $576
Luciano Arduini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017 6 x 50 =$300
Domaine Gilles Robin Crozes Hermitage ‘Alberic Bouvet’ 2015 6 x 39 = $234
156 bottles
Total of $7320
Average $/bottle = $46.92
