Normally Wendouree only make five reds (Shiraz, Shiraz/Mataro, Shiraz/Malbec, Cab Sav & Cab Sav/Malbec) but occasionally they make a “Pressings” bottling bottling as well. Only been made five times.
Made from press wine the 1997 is a 100% Malbec. These are more structured and tannic than the normal reds (an achievement for Wendouree of this era)
At 28 years this has finally opened up and is glorious powerful intense and long. Nose of eucalyptus and red earth. Full bodied with dark spicy fruits and a hint of tree bark. The (Barolo like) tannins have been tamed but are still a force to be reckoned with. Long deep powerful finish. Distinctive and unique wine style from the ultimate old school Clare Valley maker
Yeah, I reckon these would be definitely up your alley.
You are fortunate to have received a reply! The owners of Wendouree Tony and Lita Brady are famously old school. No website, no emails just old school snail mail. Mailing list only in Australia.
I did my research and hand wrote a letter to them expressing my desire to purchase and try their wines. It was a nice rejection letter. Kind of sucks because I think Standish and Sami-Odi use the same shipper to export (Get Freighted) and I’m sure Wendouree can do the same.
They used to pop up on Winebid for $50-$75 back in the day and were not heavily contested, but about 10-ish years ago, people started getting hip to how unique and special these wines are. I have a small stash of maybe 6 bottles and always perseverate over when I should open one.
Honestly the easiest way get them is to buy them is at an auction house in Australia. Most will ship overseas. Auction hammer prices range from around AUS80 to AUD 180+ (i.e. before commission etc). The straight Shiraz is the most sought after.
Since they are only sold via mailing list, there is no way to buy them at retail. Auctions are really the only option.
Check out MW Wines in Melbourne to see current prices. Need to search for Birks Wendouree!
This is the current offering today on wine austion site Langtons.
There are about 100 lots. The Shiraz Malbec and Shiraz Mataro are the value play. Shiraz is twice teh price of those two. Cab Malbec aslo highly sought after.
We are currently selling 15 Malbec by the glass and it’s rather popular.
Thanks for the note Brodie.
This says they can ship internationally and to contact them. IME, many places (outside the US) who say this will ship to the US and many will ship to most countries but NOT the US. I’d be curious if anyone contacts them, to find out whether they include the US in their international shipping and if so what they charge.
Another Langtons question - what does it mean when it says “5 options” or the like next to a lot? The FAQ doesn’t address this and the things I’d guess it means (e.g. that there are 5 different lots of that wine currently up for bid or 5 different choices in terms of lot size or bottle size) don’t fit either.
