Category: Red Wine


Yarra Yering Masterclass with Paul Bridgeman

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November 13, 2011

Recently, a small, intimate Yarra Yering masterclass was led by the winemaker Paul Bridgeman at Wine Ark Insiders. The back vintage line up was delicious! Paul took us through the depths behind each wine and vintage – the vintage year, winemaking methods, aims of each wine and the great stories behind the labels and origins.

Paul really emphasises the importance of leaving the low-yielding vines unmanipulated and letting terroir be expressed as much as possible through the wine.  This is done through things such as leaving the vineyards unirrigated (which increases the concentration/complexity of each wine and makes the vine roots seep deeper into the ground), careful hand-pruning, small batch fermentation and never acidifying the wines. Yarra Yering wines are now internationally recognised examples of purity, delicate yet powerful complexity, elegance and finesse.

If you don’t really want to read all the tasting notes below I’ll just say briefly: I love the Pinot Noirs, they’re all very smooth with elegant complex characters with none of the overwhelming ‘fruit bomb’ characters that I see too often; the Underhill Shiraz is also a favourite and generally provides a darker, ‘masculine’ wine, compared with the Dry Red #2 which is based on France’s Rhône Valley style of wines, generally providing a more ‘feminine’, perfumed/floral Shiraz based wine; and the Agincourt is a Cabernet blend wine that is seen to have more generous ‘fruitiness’ than the Dry Red #1 which is a more austere, classic Claret/Cabernet style… Also their Dry Red #3 is great, in a classic Portuguese style and one of the few excellent examples of Touriga Naςional variety grown in Australia – if you get a chance to try it please do.

Personal tasting notes:

Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2007 – Can tell on the nose it has some age – a soft perfume based with earthiness, black cherries, plums and a hint of dried fruit (ripeness). Palate silky, with soft spice and vague superfine tannins, and a semi-sweet cherry character. Length very long and smooth. Cellar door $83/bottle.

Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2008 – Nose has a bit more leather characteristic, with red cherry and dark plums. Palate spicier than the ’07, with more prominent savoury notes, and still with smoothness and length.

Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2009 – Bit more purple in the rim (edge of the liquid in glass), showing youth. Red cherry on the nose with lifted violet/floral aromas. Acidity on palate proves the youth and intensity of flavour – with savoury elements (more savoury on taste than what it smells like), hint of black pepper and other dark spices.

Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2001 – My personal favourite along with the Pinots. I actually realised later that I posted about the Underhill Shiraz 2001 last year, so it must be a favourite :-) On the nose I found a slight leafy character, with sweet fruits, along with some dried fruit character too. Palate was juicy and dense, almost like a savoury syrup, but smooth. Also some dark, smooth liquorice character more on tasting than in the aromas. Finish good, and warm. Cellar door $95/bottle.

Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2004 – Darker in colour than the ’01. Was a cool year so intensity really showed through the forefront of this wine on both nose and palate (and finish). Think juicy concentrated dark fruits (plums, blackberries), but with a herbal edge and prominent, savoury black peppery notes (but without too harsh ‘bite’ of pepper), lasting all through the finish. More European style Shiraz – elegant, intense and balanced. Cellar door $89/bottle.

Yarra Yering Dry Red #2 Shiraz 2006 – Powerful Shiraz character really comes out at you, but with a lifted perfume. Nose very earth and ‘dirty’, savoury, with other old-fashioned characters – think leather, and as Paul said, “Eurofunk”. Palate also earthy and savoury with spices. Cellar door $88/bottle.

Yarra Yering Dry Red #2 2007 – Blend includes Shiraz (96%), Mataro and a touch of Viognier. Nose earthy with prominent fruitiness and “hot rocks” was one of the main ways the masterclass could explain it – this sort of smooth, wet, stoney character. Savoury palate upfront full of ripe blackberries, black pepper and tannins which provide a bit of a grip around the mouth. Finish firm, long and elegant.

Yarra Yering Agincourt 2006 – Cabernet blend. Nose savoury with herbaceous characters. Palate smooth with blackberry and ‘chalky’ tannins (kind of grippy, powdery tannins). Cellar door $85/bottle.

Yarra Yering Agincourt 2007 – Savoury, but with more tannic grip than the ’06. Palate also includes prominent spice characters and black pepper. A bit more closed than the ’06 as it’s still young and has a lot of cellaring time ahead which will let more wine character come forward. Cellar door $83/bottle.

Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 2003 – Now these Dry Red #1 wines are in the classic Claret style of Cabernet – think elegant, more serious, sometimes old-fashioned characters (think leather, French oak, wood), with fine structure/mouthfeel, and medium alcohol weight (not overloaded). On the 2003 there’s a hint of rosemary on the nose, with a juicy palate full of plums and berries in a ‘plump’ rounded feel in the mouth, based with savoury spices/leather and great (but fine, non overpowering structure).

Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 2004 – Aromas of leather and dark spices (incl. liquorice). Quite ripe for a Cabnernet. Smooth taste/body, silky and intense. Love the long, savoury finish – really outstanding and noticeable. Cellar door $92/bottle.

Yarra Yering Dry Red #1 2005 – Nose bit restrained (due to youth/has a long time to cellar), but definite classic Cabernet with herbal aromas but nothing too ‘green’ or underripe. Palate smooth with slightly chalky tannins that leave a slight grip in the mouth that’s also soft (like chalk), with some toasty character and lively fruit (blackcurrant/blackberry). Length lovely and warm.

This masterclass was a great night and really informative, and not often would I get to try so many different Yarra Yering wines and vintages back to back… All the wines are collectables, and age gracefully (some up to 20+ years). They all drink well now but I also look forward to having at least a few of these wines again later, as the future holds a lot for them.

Cheers!

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Coates Wines

Filed under: Red Wine, Wine, Wine Red, Wine Reviews — 6 Comments
August 24, 2011

Coates (http://www.coates-wines.com/) - has got to be up there in terms of small, almost secret, boutique wineries making amazing wine. It really is a pleasure when you aren’t previously familiar with a certain wine/winery, try it without any expectations and then BOOM! It hits you! But not quite so volatile… Like an ‘elegant’ explosion it fills your mouth with intensity, silky smoothness and seamless body, texture and weight. Coates produce great quality wines from $20/bottle upwards to age worthy additions to fine cellars. There was also a very interesting Touriga in the range which many may not think of buying before trying, but once you try it and ‘get it’ (kind of like getting bitten by the Pinot (Noir) bug, as they say),  it’s an amazing wine to drink and show to people as a unique wine made in Australia.

After trying these wines I got to meet Duane Coates in a second tasting session, who appears somewhat reserved but feels very strongly about his winemaking methods. He adopts a no-compromise approach to his wine craft – definitely evident in his wines – you can taste and feel it! Coates uses organic and biodynamic principles from sustainable vineyards, with all-natural yeast fermentation (no cultured yeast/tannin/enzymes added), minimum acid-additions, new oak kept on a low, no fining agents/naturally settled, and all reds are unfiltered. In other words, these wines naturally reflect their full potential and place of origin – simple approach but hard! Organic/biodynamic winemaking is something which more Australian wineries are moving towards, especially with the world’s influence of top French Chateaux and winemaking…

Below are my tasting notes from some wines in the Coates range:

Coates Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009: Chardonnay with a massive Burgundian influence – stunning, elegant palate that’s also clean and well structured with a good finish. Non filtered therefore a fine lees deposit in the bottle, but it presents purity that’s lovely to drink. Rrp about $32/btl. A bare 100 cases made.

Coates Barrel Fermented Robe Pinot Noir Rose 2010: Deep colour for a Rose, made from Pinot Noir. Aromatic and off-dry, not sweet. Well balanced, serious Rose with texture. Great with Asian cuisine. Made from Robe, an emerging wine region from Limestone Coast, South Australia. About $14/btl. – great value!

Coates Tenison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009: Nose lifted and fresh (fresh fruit aromas) with earthy complexity. Not too big, rich or oaky. Savoury, textural style. Great length and silky texture with plush fruit. Coates ‘entry level’ Pinot made for food, perfect with duck and surprising value! About $26/btl. One of my favourites. Only 240 cases made.

Coates Consonance Syrah Cabernet 2007: Exceptional grapes in a great Australian Cabernet Shiraz (Syrah) blend. The Coates Consonance range are blends of regions/varieties marked for an entry level (made to the way Coates likes to treat his wines) price point – although this doesn’t taste like entry level wine! Concentrated deep crimson colour, with intense aromas – nicely perfumed although a little reserved (let it age a little more), vibrant blackberries and forest fruits, with subtle mint and spices/cardamom. Palate juicy, plush and softly textured with blueberry and cassis intermingled with dark earth and mocha flavours… Solid and long finish. Drink now to 2018. Rrp around $22/btl! Superb Value!! 450 cases made.

Coates Touriga Nacional 2009: My favourite! A dry red with aromas of lovely floral notes with whiffs of dried muscadell grapes. Palate has warm dried fruit characters but with plenty of savoury complexity – think dark chocolate, delicate spices, Earl Grey tea (a striking character), good tannins and firm structure but very silky and plush. Great example of Australian-grown Touriga. Delicious palate and finish that lasts and lasts… 14% alc. Rrp about $32/btl.

Coates Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2008: (Cabernet from Langhorne Creek, Merlot from Adelaide, Malbec from Robe.) Reserved, elegant nose with fresh/crushed white pepper and herbs. Palate juicy with more bright red and black fruit (compared to its aroma) – good fruit structure/palate weight. Long and seamless taste with fine tannins and intense, savoury finish. A classic wine with great balance. Perfect Lamb accompaniment (and other red meats). Only 220 Cases made. Drink now or cellar. Around $32/btl.

Coates McLaren Vale Syrah 2006: Traditional European Rhone style Shiraz – less fruit and more of everything else, although still a very ripe wine, with spices, plush tannins, savoury characters and warm, long finish. Very good quality. Drinking now or will cellar well. Around $36/btl.

There is also Coates Cuvee Consonance Sparkling Shiraz 2009 - I’m usually skeptical about sparkling shirazes but this is a really great, elegant example and perfect at a celebration or with turkey, about $26/btl.

Coates is a bit of a quiet achiever in the Australian wine scene, but along with holding MSc. in Oenology and MBA from Adelaide university, and currently enrolled in the Master of Wine (already succeeding in both theory and practical, now working on the dissertation), his wines certainly speak loudly for him. While you won’t see Coates Wines splashed across many reviews or offers, these wines are/will be available through some great venues (such as Bootleg, Vaucluse Cellars and Wine Odyssey in Sydney). Enjoy!

Cheers!

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Akarua Pinot Noir, New Zealand

Filed under: Red Wine, Wine, Wine Info, Wine Red, Wine Reviews — 1 Comment
February 6, 2011

New Zealand is fast developing world wide reputation for award winning Pinot Noir. Some even say NZ make the best Pinots other than Burgundy. The fussy-to-grow grape often produces unwanted ‘jamminess’ in many areas with warmer temperatures, with none of the finer characters that Burgundy Pinot is famous for. It’s transparent nature will also show any problems/faults that occurred throughout the terroir, growing, picking or winemaking processes, no matter what the winemaker tries to do. Many are averse to Pinot due to it’s “lightness” and softness, therefore thinking there’s not much going on, but once you realise what Pinot Noir offers in terms of complexity and depth, talented winemaking and darker characters such as liqorice, leather and earthiness (generally evident in the more expensive Pinots), you never turn your back on it again.

Now to the wines. Another fantastic Wine Ark tasting this year presented Akarua Pinot Noirs from Central Otago, New Zealand, with wine importer Tim Stock. Pinot is the largest grown red grape variety in NZ and Central Otago is the most accredited area for NZ Pinot. Akarua Wines (http://www.akarua.com/) aim to stay away from the NZ Pinots that taste like a big fruit bomb (overly sweet and tarty). Instead, they show pronounced elegance, complexity and length.

RUA PINOT NOIR 2009 - Red, ripe berries with lifted floral notes on the nose. On tasting, red and purple berry fruits, spices, velvety feel from the oak and overall a bright palate and finish. To be drunk young and fresh. Rrp around $30. 13.5% alc.

AKARUA PINOT NOIR 2009 - Red and darker black fruits on the nose with lifted floral notes. Ripe berries, oak more prominent than in the Rua, well integrated tannins, good texture and length. Can drink over the next 5 years. Rrp around $45. 14% alc.

AKARUA RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2009 - Stunning complexity with red cherries and earthiness on the nose. Palate is warm with spices and noticeable alcohol, in a soft oaky texture, subtle spice. Sits well, length long and refined. Rrp around $78. 14.7% alc.

Pinot Noir naturally don’t make cheap wines, but they can offer pretty good value for money. If these price points are a little high, I believe Eden Road “The Long Road” Pinot Noir is one of the best Pinots under $25 (http://sarahwinehouse.com/2010/11/15/eden-road-wines/). Cheers!

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Pinot Meunier

Filed under: Red Wine, Wine Info, Wine Reviews — 2 Comments
January 18, 2011

   Pinot Meunier is a lesser known grape variety in general but can definitely make great wine. Also known as “black riesling”, this grape is also used in Champagne production along with chardonnay and pinot noir, often not mentioned much to give more attention to the other more well-known varieties. It is also not known to age well (generally), hence also not being well known. A straight pinot meunier red wine, made well, has great body and flavour intensity, but with a dry, slightly ‘old fashioned’ feel to it. It is comparable to pinot noir, but often with less tannin and a higher acidity level (pairing well with food).

   Now Best’s from Great Western (Victoria) happen to be sitting on some of the oldest Pinot Meunier plantings in the world! Dating back to 1867… Everyone should try a great Pinot Meunier at least once. Best’s Old Vine Pinot Meunier 2008 is a very interesting fine wine aged in French oak. It has cedar, fragrant spices and red and black cherries on the nose. On tasting I get bright red fruit flavour and fresh acidity, but with complexity, leanness in structure and flavour, slightly grippy tannins and a great finish. Great with small, delicate tapas or pate. Rrp about $65. The current 2008 vintage will cellar at least another 10 years.

Cheers

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Baby Grange – an oldie but goodie

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December 23, 2010

Also known as ‘Poor man’s Grange’… Penfold’s Bin 389 is a classic Cabernet Shiraz blend, punching well for it’s price point. The name ‘poor man’s Grange’ or ‘baby Grange’ comes from the fact that the wine was matured in the same oak as the world-famous Grange wines (about $499 to $thousands). First made in 1960 the Bin 389 has built a solid reputation as a classic South Australian wine, widely collected around the world, and for around $50 a bottle it’s pretty good. The cabernet retains elegance and fine complexity whilst the shiraz brings full flavour, warmth and spice. Generally you can buy a worthy 389 from most vintages and cellar it for a while (say, up to 15 years for a good vintage, and at least 5 years for any other vintage).

Now is the perfect time to drink the exceptional 1998 vintage, as tasted this week - Almost inky dark in colour, and a good old fashioned nose of cedar, dark chocolate and leather laced with vanilla and a few other spices. On tasting, full and complex but not overpowering flavour due to its age – everything that’s on the nose can be ‘tasted’ but with noticeable plums, blackberries, finely integrated but prominent tannins, pepper and I have to mention dark chocolate again, with a smooth finish that the tannins last through (tannins come from the skins of the grapes by the way, often noticeable in red wines, and can taste slightly ‘grippy’ or astringent, as the tannin molecules bind salivary proteins). Other great vintages include 2005, 2004, 1996 and 1990.

If you’re looking for an alternative around the same price point, also try the Metala Black Label, another excellent Cabernet Shiraz blend from Langhorne Creek (South Aus). Each bottle is individually numbered. Their White Label Cabernet Shiraz at around $20 is also a ripper (http://sarahwinehouse.com/2010/09/30/metala-wines-from-langhorne-creek/)

These wines are perfect with roast meat (especially lamb or a hearty style beef), cheeses, chocolate, dense Christmas puddings with cinnamon, or whatever as long as you like it!

Cheers! And Happy Holidays!!!

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S.C. Pannell Winemaker

Filed under: Red Wine, Wine, Wine Reviews — 2 Comments
November 25, 2010

S.C. Pannell is previously mentioned on this blog and upon tasting his (Stephen Pannell’s) wines again at the last Wine Ark tasting I wanted to give attention again to his wines, and in particular his grenache as it was just one of my favourites… In mine and others opinions, this is one of the best examples of grenache in the country.

Stephen also doesn’t like releasing his wines too young, which not many wine names are able to do these days for their current releases. It’s unfortunate how many great Australian wines we have available from retailers, bars and restaurants, drinking WAY too young! And we’re paying top dollar for it too. There’s a lot missed when drinking a great wine in the shackles of its youth. It’s not hard – just grab some great wine at whatever price point (as long as it ages well – eg. some great age-worthy bargains can be found in Wynns, d’Arenberg, Torbreck…) and forget about it for a while (you can call it your ‘emergency’ reserve). Some say cellar half, drink half, for each case of wine you buy. Anyway back to S.C. Pannell…

S.C. Pannell Grenache 2006: A superb example of grenache (also known as Garnacha), and incredibly versatile with food. Many winemakers try to make their grenache taste more like a shiraz (what many people are used to in Australian wine), but Stephen focuses on bringing the true characteristics of grenache out in his ‘labour of love’. Bright red fruits on both nose and palate, then deeper, silky smooth tannin, fruits and spices on tasting. Great acidity and structured well, which compliments a wide array of foods such as tapas, meaty dishes, Italian, fatty foods, cheese, bbqs… Length? Very long. Rrp around $50. Drink up to 10 years.

As summer’s approaching, the S.C. Pannell Rose Arido 2009 is also a great wine. Bone-dry, instead of sweet and tarty like many cheap rose wines. Has a beautiful uplifted fragrance with strawberries and a hint of rosewater (I mean uplifted as opposed to the darker bouquet of a shiraz for example). An elegant but still refreshing rose wine, held together with good structure and acidity. Rrp around $27. Drinking well now.

Feel free to check out the rest of S.C. Pannell’s wines @ http://www.pannell.com.au/

“Stephen’s extensive knowledge and experience has been garnered over many years working with some Australia’s iconic wineries and alongside numerous overseas vintages at such places as Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D. Vajra in Barolo. Other highlights in Stephen’s career include winning the title of International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London, winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, twice winning the Max Schubert Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show as well as being listed as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine… At the recent annual Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show awards night, the S.C. Pannell 2007 Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo triumphed by claiming three trophies – Best Italian Varietal, Best Red Wine and Best Wine of Show.”

Cheers!

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EDEN ROAD WINES

Filed under: Red Wine, Wine, Wine Reviews — 1 Comment
November 15, 2010
   This 5 star rated winery in Halliday’s 2011 Wine Companion was only established in 2006… Eden Road wines in the Canberra region is fast developing a reputation for great value wines of pure quality, and their 2008 Hilltops Shiraz already won the Jimmy Watson Memorial trophy (highly desired by many winemakers in Australia, with over 4,600 entries every year). These are just a few of their wines:
THE LONG ROAD 2009 RHE VIOGNIER - 100% Viognier. Interesting fragrance, with stone fruits and a hint of tropical fruits and spice. On the palate it’s savoury and elegant with a lean, refreshing acidity. There is a hint of oiliness, but less than many viogniers. Acidity balances well with structure. Great with Asian food. Interestingly just at 12% alcohol. Rrp about $22.
THE LONG ROAD PINOT NOIR 2009 – My pick of the range if I had to choose. One of the best Pinot Noirs I’ve tried below $25. This retails for about $22. Perfumed without overt sweetness – red cherries, dark berries, and hints of exotic spices. On the palate – vibrant, juicy red fruits, with darker tones including a hint of licorice and velvety, plush tannins underlying. Seamless flavour and pleasant smooth finish.
THE LONG ROAD SHIRAZ 2009 – The next vintage after the Jimmy Watson winning Hilltops Shiraz in 2008. This year the Shiraz is sourced from Hilltops and Canberra regions. Colour and perfume are bright, with a vibrant but well structured medium body. Plenty of fruit (berry) flavours with smooth edges and acidity. Oak is hardly detectable on the palate, so if you like your red wines bright and vibrant, but still with the body and finesse of a Shiraz, this is worth trying. Rrp about $22.
Keep an eye out for this winery! http://www.edenroadwines.com.au/ Cheers!
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VOYAGER BENCHMARKING MASTERCLASS 2010

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November 6, 2010

Held in Sydney at est. (as well as other places in Australia), this masterclass provided the experience of top benchmarking wines all in one setting, including Voyager Estate from Margaret River. The international benchmarking tasting explored special sites around the world that are acclaimed for producing iconic Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon predominant wines. Hosted by Voyager Estate’s manager of winemaking and viticulture, Steve James and winemaker Travis Lemm, it was interesting to see how all wines presented individually distinct character from different wine sites.
There were many great wines tasted including the top French, Italian and USA examples but I would like to provide a quick snapshot of the Australian/NZ wines included for your interest… All these wines have good ageing potential for their variety.

CHARDONNAY BRACKET:

Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay 2007 – from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, great for Chardonnay. This is from the Gimblett Gravels vineyard (known as great vineyards for Bordeaux-style reds and Syrah from new Zealand), giving a prominent minerality that lasts through to the finish. Rrp around $60.

Leeuwin Estate ‘Art Series’ Chardonnay 2007 – From Margaret River (WA), and one of the most iconic examples of Chardonnay in Australia, this wine shows a citrus fragrance, with a powerful palate of white stone fruit and grapefruit, linear acidity and a hint of oak. The length is long and smooth. Great collector item. Rrp around $95.

Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2007 – Also from Margaret River. Good body, stone fruit, melon and fresh acidity and a hint of nuttiness. Great length. Rrp around $40.

SHIRAZ BRACKET:

Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008 – One of my favourite wines. Premium example from Canberra, and of the Shiraz and Viognier blend in Australia. Young, fragrant red fruits and floral notes, with some earthy characters that give the wine depth. Palate is intense and further shows its depth, with plenty of opulent fruits and smooth silky tannins, in a length and structure that demands attention. Aged in French oak which re-assures the elegance of this wine. One of the top collected wines in Australia. Can cellar for about 15+ years (from vintage year) :-) Rrp around $95.

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2008 – Also a collectible, from Pyrenees (Vic). An attractive wine perfumed with dark spices and earthy characters, blackberries and black cherries. Palate provides plenty of juicy fruit accompanied with great texture through well integrated tannins and oak. Superb length that leaves you very satisfied. Cellar for about 15+ years. :-) Rrp around $60.

Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2008 – South Australia. Attractive Shiraz with warmth, spices, ripeness and well integrated oak. Rrp around $38.

CABERNET BRACKET:

Balnaves The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – Coonawarra (SA). Intense wine with cassis, ripe currants, dark spices (think licorice and pepper), in a very firm structure. Rrp around $80.

Cullen Diana Madeline 2005 – Margaret River (WA). A top biodynamic example and cabernet blend – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and a dash of Petit Verdot. Great depth, with intense ripe fruit, savouriness, black cherries, smooth tannins and well integrated oak. Persistent and elegant finish. Cellar for about 12+ years. :-) Rrp around $90.

Mount Mary Quintet 2005 – From Yarra Valley (Vic). Another superb Bordeaux/French blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Displays both ripe red and black fruits adding fruity and savoury tones to the nose and palate. Silky tannins and fruit are well rounded in an elegant style and very long finish. Cellar for about 15 years. :-)  Rrp around $100.

Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005 – Margaret River does many fine examples of Cabernet and Merlot blends, and Voyager estate is among the top of these. Both red and black fruits are displayed in rich flavour, along with well integrated tannins and oak, all in balance and a long and solid but smooth finish. Cellars for about 20 years… Rrp around $60.

Wine that truly reflects it’s individual terroir/site is a real sign of quality. This was the focus of the masterclass and all the wines above represented their individual vineyards. Some winemakers do it so well that you can even tell the differences between two wines of the same grape grown just 50m apart, next to each other… Australian wine has a lot of value in what we can produce, aided by our flexibility to try many grape varieties and winemaking practices (whereas many other regions in the world have more strict laws). Looking forward to seeing our future…

Cheers!

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Sacramental wine…

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October 25, 2010

I recently enjoyed an aged sacramental wine. This was a Clare Valley (South Australia) wine - Sevenhill’s “Seven Brothers Sesquicentenary” Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend, from 1999. This wine was finally bottled in 2001 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Sevenhill cellars, when it was established by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1851 to produce sacramental wine. They still provide sacramental wine but are also making good table wines. Goes to show, it’s always good to keep your eyes open for any little wines that you don’t know about. http://www.sevenhill.com.au/

Sevenhill’s “Seven Brothers Sesquicentenary” Cabernet Shiraz blend 1999 – Delicious with a deep aroma of some woody characteristics, rosemary and plums. On tasting plenty of velvety plush tannins, plums, mulberries, a lacing of spice, and well integrated oak. Medium to full bodied. This wine wasn’t pricey, and perfect drinking now.

As the Bible says, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake” – Amen!
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 5:23.

Cheers.
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Weekend wine line up (incl. Linfield Road, Lake’s Folly Cabernets and Grange)

Filed under: Red Wine, White Wine, Wine, Wine Reviews — 4 Comments
October 15, 2010
   Having a bbq last Sunday afternoon was a perfect excuse to explore some wines and crack open some goodies! I tried Linfield road from Barossa for the first time and quite enjoyed it. We also cracked open two great Australian iconic wines – Lake’s Folly Cabernets and Grange. More details below…
     Linfield Road – The Slab Hut – On recently receiving a case of Linfield Road wines from the Barossa, I was pleased to try “The Slab Hut” Merlot/Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon from their range. I thought this wine was good value, and an unusual blend with Merlot predominating (it’s often the other way around). For this wine from 2005 I wouldn’t have consumed it any earlier. Now and for the next two years is good. It’s got a slight herbaceous aroma, plenty of flavour (slightly jammy, but approachable), good body/weight, and approachable especially for those starting to get into big red wines. Rrp $22. http://www.linfieldroadwines.com.au/
     De Bortoli – Windy Peak Pinot Grigio – A good value Pinot Grigio for under $15.
     Lawson’s Dry Hills – Marlborough Pinot Gris – Pear, citrus, a bit of spice, and well textured with a good length on the palate. Expected quality and taste from New Zealand. Ideal for under $25.
     Lake’s Folly – Cabernets 2004 – From the Hunter Valley – a very elegant, deep and intense wine that can still cellar further. Has really smooth, clean edges, and a powerful, yet not too heavy, body (think dark berries, cassis, herbs, well integrated oak and silky tannins…). A collectable wine. Perfect with a medium-rare steak and roast vegies with caramelised balsamic vinegar. Rrp about $52.
     Penfolds – Grange 1996 – One of the best vintages of all time (Aus), along with 2002, 1998, 1991 and 1990. Still after 14 years this wine needed more time, but was still delicious now. Luxurious palate but not overly heavy. Plums, red cherry, oak, and silky smooth, velvety tannins. Will drink until about 2025… A collectable wine. Rrp currently around about $550.
     Kemeny’s – Hidden Label – Cowra Cordon Cut Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - This Kemeny’s clean skin (unbranded) dessert wine is fantastic value for money… I bought dozens a few years ago and these sticky wines never let me down. Orange blossom and honey… Went perfectly with Tiramisu cake and vanilla ice cream. Rrp under $20. Great value!

Cheers.

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