lindemans or rosemount

[leosc]

Which wine is better for Shiraz - Lindemans or Rosemount? Are they on the same category?

Also, is Beringer a good choice for a Merlot?

[Innkeeper]

They both have many different brands at different price points. It would be very difficult to compare them at all levels. They are very close in quality.

The Beringer Founders Estate is a fairly good merlot, but I much prefer the cabernet sauvignon.

[leosc]

Thanks IK. I bought a 2001 rosemount diamond shiraz ($11) as I have read some very good review on it. The Lindeman's are cheaper than rosemount but as you have said, they have a lot of brands at different price points.

Also, the wine salesman recommended a Michel Lynch Bordeaux Merlot 1998 for $13. He claims that it is a good Merlot.

[debprobert]

I was introduced to Shiraz while in Australia and fell in love (with the wine.) I found (here in CA) the most comparable is the CA SYRAH (or Petite Syrah.) It is virtually the same grape and I like Fess Parker's Syrah and BOGLE's. Hope you like them!

[Auburnwine]

Does Bogle make a syrah? Their petit syrah (a different grape) is quite good.

The Australian topic has some comments on wonderful, inexpensive shirazes. Some perceive that the Rosemount diamond label has declined in recent years, or maybe it's just that the better competition is more widely available.

[Drew]

I think the Diamond series has gently rolled down hill since the '96 vintage and that's taking into consideration the good '98 vintage. I haven't tried the '01 yet but spotted some on the shelves the other day and will try. '01 is looking to be a great vintage for Aussie wines.

DRew

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 01-24-2003).]

[stevebody]

My buddy who sells Lindemans to us here in Seattle has pushed this stuff at me for years, so I finally revisited the line last week. IMHO, even with Rosemount's undeniable "gentle decline" they are still LIGHT YEARS ahead of Lindy's in their basic-wine category. Both make some beautiful upper-tier wines but the Lindy's Shiraz I had last week was INSIPID. I actually called my pal and asked him to replace the bottle with virtually anything else, the first time I've EVER done that. It was just everything an Aussie, fruit-bome, smack yo' mama Sheeraz should NOT be.