From our trip to Australia, we learned how closely our tastes matched Robert Parkers. We tried a number of wines that we really liked, and Robert Parker liked them as well. There are previous comments on Barossa 2001s available at BC Liquor stores and tasting notes from Barossa 2001 Shirazes at the Aussie Wine Festival in 2004
The notable wines that we tried on our trip and how they matched Parker's ratings are:
- Torbreck Run Rig and Factor 2002 - the best Aussie Shiraz we've ever had. Parker rated the Factor 99 and the 2001 Run Rig 99.
- Rusden Shiraz and Cabs from 2001, 2002. We loved these and Parker rated 94-97
- Kay Brothers Amery Hillside 2001 - blew us away and Parker rated 95
- Rockford Basket Press 2001 - a wonderful drop, we slighly preferred the Kay Brothers. Parker rated 94.
- Kaesler 2002 Avignon, a GSM - one of the best GSMs we've had. Parker rated 93
- Rusden Grenache "Christine's Vineyard" - we thought was very good but slighly less than the avignon. Parker rated 93.
- Boundary Row GSM 2002 - we were addicted to this last year and liberty promptly sold out. Parker rated 93 and said he'd pay 3 times the price
- Coriole 2001 Shiraz - this was quite nice but not spectacular. Parker rated 90.
This evidence is darned conclusive. While we often try to distance ourselves from being pigeon-holed, our preferences do match closely with Parkers.