Summer isn't the ideal time for non-refrigerated reds, but I figured four bottles of the 2005 Three Little Pigs Shiraz Malbec Cabernet ($18), three of the 2007 The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) and the 2007 Lodge Hill Shiraz ($18) along with singles of the 2005 The First Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) and 2005 The McRae Wood Shiraz (four gold medals) ($50) seemed about right.
The top range wines will be having a rendezvous with the wine fridge, but I figured the rest would more than likely be making their way through the bar fridge or joining us if we retreat to Southport later in the summer.
The October 2009 Pfeiffers C2 Club Dozen didn't include the 2009 Gamay (RRP $17, C2 $15.30) but I'm willing to take it on trust, given our enjoyment of earlier vintages.
Given the weather conditions prevailing on our return, I decided that alternate days cooking and reheating the leftovers seemed like a reasonable strategy, so I'm anticipating summer dining that's heavy on the curry and chilli. We're pretty right on the Riesling front, what with the Jim Barry order and a recent purchase of the 2008 Paulett Polish Hill, so I'm inclined towards the Pfeiffer 2009 The Carson Gewurztraminer (RRP $16.50 C2 $15.30) as an alternative, and after sampling the 2009 Ensemble Rose I'm inclined to throw that into the mix as well.
Previous exposure to the Carlyle Chardonnay Marsanne (RRP $16.50 C2 $14.85) suggests another non-Riesling alternative, so I'm inclined towards three of each, though sampling the Seriously Pink (500 mL RRP $19.50 C2 $17.55) might induce a slight revision. There's a bottle sitting in the door of the bar fridge and the shelf it's on is just the right size for a further supply.
The Pfeiffer Wine Club gives you free freight year round, so there isn't the same urgency that applies with Jim Barry.
After an anxious wait the latest issue of The Rockford Rag was sitting in the PO Box when we got home, and that means an order for the 2009 Alicante Bouchet ($17) will be going in ASAP. The only question is what's going to accompany it.
I'm leaning towards the 2009 White Frontignac ($15.50), a nice option when you're looking at the spicy end of the tucker spectrum and the 2008 Frugal Farmer ($19.50), an interesting red blend.
We're also due for a Brook Eden Tasting Pack around now, and it'll probably include the most recent Riesling, Pinot Rose and Waters Edge Pinot Noir, so we'll have to adopt a wait and see approach before we look at reorders. In any case, it looks like we'll have enough to be going on with.
And that's without heading towards Brown Brothers for some of the Tarrango and Cienna. Tomato-based pasta dishes go well with the Barbera as well....
Hmm, decisions, decisions....
