Rosemount GSM

[misterjive]

I recently purchased two bottles of the inaugural vintage of Rosemount McClaren Vale Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre and promptly popped one--what can I say? It is awesome stuff, full of heady fruit (blackberry, raspberry, plum), firm cassis notes, and complex spice. I was able to get the last two bottles at my favorite wine store (a real buzz about this inaugural vintage, Doug the proprietor told me) for a very decent price of $18.99 each. Wine Spectator reviewed it in the January issue and rated it 94 points (and listed price at $22). If I were to borrow Mr. Mead's two-part rating system, I would rate the Rosemount GSM 91/95 (second number denotes value). The value is tremendous (I believe it would hold its own against many $40 selections) and the drinking experience is, too...(I, however, don't toss around 94's as often as does WS!)....Any other comments out there about this great new wine?

[Bucko]

I am not as enthusiastic as you, but it is a sound wine at a fair price. We drank a bottle last night with Italian food.

Bucko

[mrdutton]

Please, what year is the inaugural vintage?

If the year was mentioned, I apologize in advance for being blind.

According to the little bit of research that I've done, the inaugural year for Rosemount GSM is 1993 with issues every year after that.

I've only been able to find the 1995 as being available. It appears that the 1996 has vanished into thin air as have the older vintages.

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 03-02-2000).]

[mrdutton]

Well after a couple of weeks of not having my question answered.................. I think I've answered it myself.

WS did review the 1997 Rosemount GSM on 01/31/00. However, I could find no specific article about the wine, other than the tasting notes, in my search of WS archives (online). But that sure was not their inaugural year for that particular blend of wine labeled as GSM. As near as I can determine 1993 (searching www.wineaccess.com) was the inaugural year because that is the earliest that I can find any reference to the wine, so far.

However, Rosemount's web site (http://www.rosemountestates.com.au/) says that the inaugural GSM was the 1994 vintage.

I have two bottles of the 1997 gently resting under slightly refrigerated (52 degrees) conditions and three bottles of the 1995.

We'll taste them in a while and see what we think. In the meantime we'll drink the Penfolds 1994 GSM.

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 03-16-2000).]

[Randy Caparoso]

You have excellent taste. We serve Rosemount's GSM in virtually all 14 of our restaurants located in the U.S. It is a great wine for the price. For slightly higher prices but also in this quality/character vein, you might enjoy d'Arenberg's "The Ironstone Pressings" (a blend of Grenache and Shiraz), Bonny Doon's "Le Cigare Volant" (Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault), and the Io from Santa Barbara (Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre).

[n144mann]

I agree with Randy on his alternative choices. I have brought a couple of the d'Aremberg wines into the store as well as the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant. All have been well recieved! They are worth the $$ to try if you find them.

Nancy