[question] Question submitted by David Barker, Australia. I am after your opinion regarding a recent wine auction in which I bought 2 Cathcart Ridge Estate ‘The Grampian’ Shiraz Magnums (2002 & 2003). After inspecting the bottles I noticed the labels were for a 750Ml bottle not a magnum. A friend also bought 2 of these magnums from auction (2001 & 2004) with the same 750Ml labels. I spoke directly with Cathcart and they claimed that a labelling mistake could happen, as the magnum labels are applied by hand. Please keep in mind this is over four different years and on a claimed 1 of 200 special release. I then spoke with Grays (the source of the wine), and after investigation and a return phone call they confirmed the supplier of the wine as Cathcart winery and that after contacting them Cathcart admitted to miss labelling their magnums with 750 ml labels. Grays accepted this as plausible, case closed. I opened the 2002 magnum with 3 other friends, and the cork bared Cathcart’s name (apparently only reserved for their premium wines), but I have to say we only drank half a glass each and were not remotely inspired by the wine, the rest was thrown out. I am happy to send you the other 2003 magnum as I am interested in your opinion as to whether you believe the wine to be authentic. Regardless of the quality of wine the experience has spoiled my first ever magnum! [/question] [answer] Cathcart Ridge Estate used to be a high-end small Victorian maker in the Grampians district. Sadly, its quality and level of attention to detail have not been the same since its founder, Graeme Bertuch, sold out some time ago. Incidentally, he is now making stellar Grampians shiraz again under the Mount Cole Wineworks label. I wouldn’t be too worried about the cork, which I would expect to be branded. Frankly, the only thing that matters about a cork is whether or not it has done its job properly. It’s a dangerous thing to discuss wines sold through outlets like Grays, since the buyer has absolutely no knowledge of how the bottles were stored prior to their being put up for sale. I’m very wary of all wines bought at auction, and Grays are anything but a specialist wine auction house. However, regardless of whether or not there might have been an issue with either the cellaring or the cork, my recent experience of Cathcart Ridge wines would not justify a very high level of expectation. Don’t let this experience put you off magnums, however, since they are a very sensible size when there are more than four of you at the table and you want a drink, not just a taste of a good wine. I suggest you only buy magnums from makers with a strong cellaring tradition, from good vintages and from very reliable sources! [/answer]
