2009 The Derek Victorian Grampians Shiraz

Purchase: $4.99 (2-4-1) from GetWinesDirect

Nose: Dark fruits and hint of spice

Palate: Good fruit, medium unassuming body and easy lingering finish

Out of 10: 7

Value: Excellent

 

This wine and Block 51 are to blame for the start of much on-line wine purchasing, tasting gatherings and general enjoyment. The Derek of 2009 was the go to BBQ Red.

 
Update: I've found the tasting notes from the gathering pictured.

Wine Tasting by the boys - 20 Dec 2012
Tasters:
Larcombe, Grant
Liebig, Peter
Rositano, Joe           

Wines for the tasting:
1) Bin 63 Triton Shiraz 2009
2) The Derek Shiraz 2009
3) Limb Single Vinyard Shiraz 2009
4) Block 51 Basket Press Shiraz 2010

Preliminary Notes by Liebig as he pours, "Ah,  All smelling good", "Far out" , "Cheese, Hell Yeah", "Check this out, Block 51 is very different to the other 3, Very Purple."

LET THE FUN BEGIN 6pm - Round 1
GL:
Triton.. trusty Triton
Derek.. ah the Derek. Yes I can see that this is one to savour.
Limb..  Sharper than the Derek initially. Not drinking as well as I remember my first bottle... Which was orgasmic.
Block 51.. Softer than the Limb. Fruitier than the Derek. Could still be the champion.
"That's my early impressions done. Now a pause in typing while I enjoy. 

PL:
Triton.. Underrated
Derek..  Mmmmm - still rates above Triton
Limb..  Noice. Not sure why at this stage. More body than D and T. Smooth.
Block 51..  Still the one. Dammit. Head and shoulders above the others. Solid. Fruity. Smooth.

JR:
Block 51.. Say no more Soft, fruit classic shiraz - best
Derek.. Like a brillant tune - gets better with every tasting - slight pepppery tastes - fantastic
Limb.. Not bad - has potential - totally f###ing confused as a discussion b/w Derek and Limb has numbed more thought processes
Triton.. Very watery compared with others but very nice to drink in any season .. even with "white wine" food
 

6:30 pm
GL:
To finish up...  

A most excellent tasting session.
The clear winner, Block 51. You just can't beat basket press fruit juice=iness. How will we replace you.
Some indecision on second position. The lean is towards the Derek. The smoothness and back pallet opulence shows through.
Meanwhile, the Limb. My orgasmic sensation, comes on a little spicy when switching between wines. In a years time, and some mellowing this will likely outrate the Derek easily. Much enjoyment to be had from both of these wines. Some fun competition to be had in taste offs. Unfortunately, the Derek is now unavailable from Tony. Buy up and cellar the Limb peeps.
and that leaves us last, but not least, well least today but not unworthy. the Triton. You can drink it at a BBQ and share it with your friends, you can drink it a restaurant, you can drink it any old how. It is very drinkable, but in the leagues of these other three, it is only slightly better than my water :)

Final comments Pete?
I can't believe how the Block 51 compares to the others. "The others" are definitely not bad wines. You could pour a glass of any of them in any company - and receive a nod of approval. The Block 51 is special. So smooth. So fruity. So wonderful.
And so begins the quest to de-throne the Block 51.
 

7:30pm
Mr Rositano...
 has been 'encouraged' to drink the Limb THEN the Derek. In an effort to compare them, one their own. Sorry about the water dude...
Once you try The Limb on its own for a moment and gain a little "momentum" it really does start to shine.