SARAH WINEHOUSE

I’ve previously posted about Metala wines but thought I’d do so again since I’m still drinking these wines out of the cellar and reaping the benefits. Langhorne Creek in South Australia is also often a lesser mentioned area (for example compared to McLaren Vale or Coonawarra), but the area has a great history and makes some fantastic wines.

Metala Wines come in a Black label and a White label, both from Langhorne Creek (excellent for giving smooth tannin that’s not too harsh, plus plenty of plush yet bold flavour of a typical Australian red wine). Both black and white labels are great quality and value, and cellar well too… 5-7 years for the White label, and further with the Black label. All bottles are individually numbered in White and Black labels. The Black labels are only released on exceptional vintages.

You can grab some pretty good deals of the White label for less than $20. Excellent with a good steak and chips, beef stroganoff, or Czech cuisine… The more recent releases do need some air and “breathing” before thoroughly enjoying it (on opening, the wine needs contact with oxygen/air for a little while to take the edge off a reasonably young wine), but even 20 mins takes off some of the sharpness of youth.

Black Label Tasting Notes: dense and dark in colour, plenty of berry fruit notes, with spices, licorice, mint, eucalypt and subtle oak aromas on the nose. A rich and sleek palate with loads of rich, opulent, mouthfilling fruit flavours, with leather, toast and a hint of vanilla, with the oak well integrated… rrp about $50 a bottle.

White Label Tasting Notes: also dense and dark in colour, aromas of sweet herbs, red berries, ground black pepper and mint. On palate, intense plum, cherry and blackcurrant fruit with hints of eucalyptus and licorice which characterise Langhorne Creek. Full bodied and rich with dense blackberry fruit, silky tannins and a touch of minerality and pencil shavings, resulting in a rich and bright wine. rrp about $15-20 a bottle.

Or in other words there are no real differences between these wines, just a little more complexity and structure on the Black label that allows it to age further : )

Result: Great value! Both my Black and White label wines are doing really well and are delicious. Worth grabbing them especially when you see a good price.
Cheers.

For those who haven’t already heard about Head Wines (http://www.headwines.com.au/), this wine range produces just a few exceptional wines and is at the forefront of cutting edge Australian wines. From working in fine-wine management, importing, and wineries’ vintages (including Tyrell’s, Torbreck, Laughing Jack and Cirillo), Alex Head has finally released his first wines to the public. James Halliday in his 2011 Wine Companion has already given Head Wines 5 stars (which is exceptional)… Head wines has also been recently awarded in ’10 of the best new Wineries’.

Alex head brought an early peek of his Blonde and Brunette wines for tasting which were both Shiraz from Barossa Valley (South Aus), but different. Two vineyard sites similar to Cote Rotie in France have been selected from the Barossa Valley that produce contrasting styles of Shiraz, and Head Wines’ Brunette and Blonde wines emerged. The names are loyal to the great legend of ‘Count Maugiron’ and his two daughters, a blonde and a brunette, who each inherited Cote Blonde and Cote Brune accordingly which produce wines of different character.

Both wines are very cellar worthy, and therefore a good investment if you’re looking for it. I thoroughly enjoyed both Blonde and Brunette wines:

HEAD BLONDE Single Vineyard Shiraz Viognier 2009 – From a single vineyard site in Stonewell, over limestone. Highly perfumed floral bouquet, with a luscious and vibrant palate of red to dark fruits and spices. Final blend contains 2% Viognier which really lifts this dark wine. Drink until 2020+. Rated 96 Points from Halliday in 2008 Vintage. Rrp about $36.

HEAD BRUNETTE Single Vineyard Shiraz 2009 – Darker characteristics such as blackberry, plum, liquorice, dark chocolate and earthy spices. Well integrated oak and silky tannins, with a long lasting finish. Drink until 2025+. Rated 96 Points from Halliday in 2008 and 2007 Vintage (go the Brunette!). Rrp about $47.

If you’re not looking to spend as much but still get fantastic bang for your buck, HEAD RED Shiraz 2008 is also a great drop - powerful, Barossa wine, almost black in colour, with generous fruit such as black plums and lively acidity well balanced with plush tannins. Will pair well with any fat/protein dishes and drink marvelously on its own. Will cellar and also drink well now. Drink until 2016. Rated 95 points from Halliday. Rrp about $22!

Head Wines are worth knowing about, so keep an eye out…  Cheers!

Wine Ark (http://www.wine-ark.com.au/) held their usual tasting event at The Australian Museum, always with real treats in the wines presented, and this night all wines were from dedicated family-owned producers. Leeuwin Estate is self explanatory as a premium Margaret River winery. Alex Retief wines shows interesting and dynamic character from a boutique private winery (not open to the public), making wines from the Canberra and the Hilltops regions. And to finish off, some delicious Chianti (Sangiovese dominant red wines) from Barone Ricasoli in Tuscany – from recent releases to 2001 vintage. Barone Ricasoli is the fourth oldest family-owned company of any type in the world. I’ve decided to include James Halliday’s recent scorings of these wines, since his well awaited Australian Wine Companion 2011 was recently released.
Leeuwin Estate – Presented by Marketing Manager Simone Horgan-Furlong

2009 Art Series Sauvignon Blanc - A more elegant, refined style of Sauvignon Blanc as the passionfruit and stone fruit characters aren’t overbearing like in many of the commercial Sauvignon Blanc wines around today. Rrp $33, 96pts.

2008 Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay – Fragrant and elegant bouquet, this second label from Leeuwin Estate equals some wineries’ best Chardonnays. Rrp $34, 94 pts.

2007 Art Series Chardonnay – Also refined and elegant with subtle oak influence, is one of the top 50 collected wines in Australia and always produces outstanding vintages. Rrp $96, can cellar to 2022, 96 pts.

2008 Art Series Shiraz – Fragrant and spicy with prominent structure and leanness to it. Rrp $38, 94 pts.

2005 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon – Superb example of Margaret River Cabernet, with herbaceous on the nose and a powerful, intense palate that can be cellared up to 2030. Rrp $60, 94 pts.

A. Retief – Presented by winemaker Alex Retief

2009 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (Canberra) - Refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc for those used to New Zealand’s white wines, in an almost French stlyle. rrp $25, drink over the next two years, 94pts.

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Malbec (Canberra) – rrp $28, can cellar to 2020, 90 pts.

2008 Shiraz Sangiovese Malbec (Gundagai) - rrp $28, can cellar to 2020, 88 pts.

2008 Shiraz (Hilltops) – Plenty of cocoa character with velvety tannins, plums and berries, rrp $27.

Barone Ricasoli Chianti – Presented by the Wine Ark Cellar Club Director

2009 Chianti – Fresh and vibrant aroma and palate of red cherries, spice and some cocoa, supported by good, non-overpowering structure, and a long finish. Rrp $25

2008 Brolio Chianti Classico – Rich but elegant aroma and palate of ripe red juicy fruits, spice, a touch of linear minerality, with oak and underlying tannin. Rrp $43

2007 Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva – complex aroma of fruit, chocolate, pepper and roasted coffee, followed by a generous palate of red berries and tannins and toasted characters. Long length.

2001 Castello di Brolio Chianti – Well developed aroma and taste, with ripe fruits, blackberries, well integrated oak and a mineral edge which refines the wine in taste all resulting in richness and length.

Leeuwin Estate is never a let down and both the Prelude and Art Series Chardonnay are fantastic quality at each price point. I thoroughly enjoyed A. Retief wines – their Shiraz is full on cocoa characters and good ‘mouth feel’. Barone Ricasoli Chianti wines were all delicious and make fantastic food pairings, with the entry level Chianti presenting pretty good value for money. If you’re not already familiar with Chianti wines, we in Australia will most likely see more of them here and they are definitely worth a try. Perfect accompaniment with Tapas, Antipastos, Italian, Mediterranean, Pastas, and even just Fresh Olives and Cheese on Crackers…

Cheers.