Earlier comments about the Pfeiffer C3 option and the fact that the Dal Zotto four deliveries was a couple too many, meant that I'm going to be looking at any future offers very carefully, and I'd probably only go looking (or so I thought) at somewhere that offered, say, two mixed dozens that covered close to the whole range on offer.
The Pfeiffer, Baileys and Brook Eden ones work along those lines.
Then, in the middle of a flurry of phone calls making very attractive offers, I opened an envelope from Hay Shed Hill. I almost dismissed their Wine Club offer, but then, as you should, went for a squiz at my tasting notes, just in case.
The Hay Shed Hill Four Seasons model delivers half a dozen freight free at a substantial discount, and each delivery fits a seasonal theme. You get the Block 1 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc in summer, their Sangiovese and Tempranillo in autumn, the Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon in winter and the Block 6 Chardonnay in spring. That's a mix that probably looks after a fair chunk of what we're likely to need in a couple of areas but more remarkable is the Halliday rating for those three Block wines. The Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon both came in at 95, with the SSB on 94. Not bad. More impressive was the fact that previous vintages of the Chardonnay hit 96, 94 and 95 while the Cabernet went 96, 95, 94 and the SSB stayed solid on 94. On those figures, that's impressive wine from the top of their range, substantially discounted, freight free and means that there's no need to go looking at making up a mixed dozen. Possibly there'll be special offers, but those four deliveries will \do us as far as Hay Shed Hill is concerned.
It's a case of these will do us as far as scheduled deliveries are concerned, but there's always the chance someone's going to come up with something that fits comfortably into some other niche in Hughesy's purchasing priorities. Looking at the state-by-state pages under Wines & Wineries, here’s the current order status of the places listed:
New South Wales:
Bloodwood: Regular re-orders involving half a dozen Big Men in Tights, Riesling and something to fill up the box.
South Australia:
Grosset: Annual mixed dozen comprising the two Rieslings and the SSB each September. Possibly a second dozen to cover the rest of the range.
Jim Barry: Mixed dozens from website, mailing list or phone calls.
Kirrihill: Occasional mixed dozens from email newsletters.
Mitchell: A mixed dozen or two from the website each year.
Paulett: Occasional mixed dozens or a case of Polish Hill River Riesling.
Pikes: Two mixed dozens each year. One red, one white.
Rockford: Restocking of Alicante Bouchet, Frugal Farmer and White Frontignac (6/3/3) with a dozen from the rest of the range.
Thorn-Clarke: Occasional mixed dozens or whatever’s on special.
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