The Classic May Dozen

ALLANDALE SEMILLON 2006

Winemakers Bill Snedden and Rod Russell

Winemakers Notes

From an excellent year in the Hunter, this Semillon was grown predominantly on our creek flat vineyard. The grapes were harvested at the very end of January in perfect condition. After crushing and clarification the juice was cold fermented in a stainless steel tank with specially selected yeast. Dominated on the palate by citrus flavours, the palate is both long and persistent. A great wine in its youth with oysters and shellfish. Toast and honey complexity will develop with cellaring. This is a truly unique world wine style.

Cellar

This wine is drinking well now and will develop in its journeys through the taste spectrum for ten years or more.

Additional Notes

The ‘Cadenza Project’ is a prompt for many ideas that would be good fun to pursue. It would be a very interesting to look at Hunter Semillon from one or more producers at various ages, something many would have already done, no doubt. Allandale is a wonderful smaller maker; one the book says was established in 1978. And Semillon strangely in such low demand is probably also, a good suspect. Ideas are welcome.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 02 4990 4526

Fax: 02 4990 1714

Open: Daily 10 to 5.

Address: 132 Lovedale Road, Lovedale, NSW, 2321.

Web: www.allandalewinery.com.au

E-mail: wines@allandalewinery.com.au

CHALKERS CROSSING HILLTOPS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003

Winemaker Celine Rousseau

Winemakers Notes

The colour is deep red with purple tints and the nose shows fresh cassis / blackcurrant and mint aromas. The wine was matured in 100% French oak barriques and is full bodied in style that shows a complex palate enhancing red berries flavours supported by fine, silky tannins.

Cellar

“Best drinking: now to 2012.”

Additional Notes

“Dark red – purple, it has intense varietal blackcurrant and cassis with a cool climate twist of herb and olive, which add to rather than detract from this Bordeaux – style bargain.” James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2006. There seems to be perfect agreement between winemaker and wine writer with the more than pleasing aspect of the wine being such a ‘bargain.’ We have seen Celine’s wines twice before with the Hilltops Shiraz 2002 in November 2003, which may stretch the imagination. And again in November, but in 2006, the Pinot Noir 2002. All have been Tremendous value, this wine also attracting the Highly Recommended rating in the Winewise Magazine in June 2005. Such good Cabernet Sauvignon wines are out there on the loose.

Availablity

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 02 6382 6900

Fax: 02 6382 5068

Open: Daily 10 to 4

Address: 387 Grenfell Road, Young, NSW, 2594.

Web: www.chalkerscrossing.com.au

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D’ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB 2005

Winemakers Chester Osborne and Phillip Dean

Winemakers Notes

The palate is generous and quite rich, but straight away the fruit characters are quite tight and controlled. There lots of interesting flavours from the cool flavour spectrum of cold, wet, river pebbles to a slight green almond to a lovely expressive ripe figs and apricot stones. The finish is quite long and focused with an unusual nettle character appearing that’s reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc that pushes out amongst the mix of ripe fruits, minerals and dried herbs. Its one of those wines that as you drink it you have an overwhelming feeling this wine is just poised to take you somewhere interesting.

Cellar

Drink now.

Additional Notes

“The grapes, once crushed were settled in tank before being basket pressed which ensures the gentle extraction of these varieties delicate fruit characters. The Marsanne is fermentation in tank to retain its more herbaceous and nutty characters while the Viognier is fermented in both tank and barriques to enable a wide spectrum of tropical and tone fruits characters.”

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 08 8323 8206

Fax: 08 8323 8423

Open: Daily 10 to 5.

Address: Osborn Road, McLaren Vale S.A., 5171.

Web: www.darenberg.com.au

E-mail: winery@darenberg.com.au

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D ’ARENBERG THE CADENZA 2004

Winemakers Chester Osborne and Phillip Dean

Winemakers Notes

This wine is dominated by an amazing fragrance of red berries; spice, cherries and a developing mix of characters such as lavender, prunes, blueberries and dried herb as the wine opens up. It’s a medium to full bodied wine with a beautifully integrated palate with excellent depth and concentration of fruit with an almost silky tannin structure balanced by fine acidity. The thickness of the Shiraz in the palate and length of flavour beautifully balances the Grenache and Mourvèdre as it dominates with mulberry and dark spiced fruit and licorice characters while the Mourvedre characters of iodine and dried herb completes the lingering flavours on the finish. Upon release this wine is in total balance and showcases the wonderful attributes of d’Arenberg Grenache.

Cellar

Medium term 5 to 8 years.

Additional Notes

“Fully ripened parcels of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre are gently crushed separately in our Demoisy open mouthed, rubber-toothed crusher, and fermented in small batches in traditional headed-down open fermenters, followed by foot-treading. The skins from the still fermenting wine were basket-pressed in our 19th century ‘Coq’ and ‘Bromley & Tregoning’ basket presses. Fermentation was completed in French and American oak barriques with a maturation period of 10 months. This wine also has nearly as much Shiraz as Grenache in the blend which has produced quite a different style to other Grenache based wines in our range.” Notes taken from the d’Arenberg web page as appears below.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 08 8323 8206

Fax: 08 8323 8423

Open: Daily 10 to 5.

Address: Osborn Road, McLaren Vale S.A., 5171.

Web: www.darenberg.com.au

E-mail: winery@darenberg.com.au

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MICELI LUCY’S CHOICE PINOT NOIR 2001

Winemaker Anthony Miceli.

Winemakers Notes

Rich and complex but fine, with great pinot fruit, lovely oak and great length. Not made in the typical Australian mould. Do not underestimate this variety when grown in the cool, even conditions it relishes, and given time to show the hidden depth it can produce. Light red and brilliantly clear. Delicate and complex – gamey, spicy and earthy with cedary oak. The palate is soft and well balanced, dry and complex with great length.

Cellar

“ Drinking beautifully but with extended barrel and bottle ageing this wine will still improve with a further 3 to 5 years.”

Additional Notes

“Winemaking: Hand picked and crushed into open fermenters in small batches, fermented relatively warm (max 30 to 32 deg C) in with: part wild yeast ferment, part extended maceration prior to ferment, part extended maceration after ferment, part barrel fermentation and part cool ferment. The wine was then matured in barrel for nearly two years with prolonged contact with fermentation lees, all with minimal racking. Lucy is our eldest daughter, and it is with pride that her name is given to this wine.” The 2000 version of this wine was with the November 2004 Dozen and was well received and has been written up in the mean time. This wine is probably at its peak for all to enjoy.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone / Fax: 03 5989 2755

Open: 1st weekend of the month 9 to 5.

Address: 60 Main Road Creek, Arthurs Seat, Vic., 2755.

E-mail: miceli@alphalink.com.au

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MONTGOMERY’S HILL CABERNET FRANC 2004

Winemaker Dianne Miller (Bill Crappsley Consultant)

Winemakers Notes

Deep garnet in colour, this wine shows the typical light berry aromas of Cabernet Franc and also has the black cherry aromas of Merlot. Cabernet Franc thrives in the maritime climate and ancient red gravely loam soils of the area. Teamed with Merlot makes this pleasant, easy wine to drink.

Cellar

“Short term bottle maturation for two to three years will add another dimension to this approachable drink – now wine.”

Additional Notes

I wanted to include this wine for some time now and there are many reasons for this, not to mention the inclusion here adds to the explosion of grape varieties represented in this Dozen. It is intended to be used as a starting point for future Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Franc blends. But for now, I was recently talking to Anne Pettigrove the ‘Melbourneite’ returned home, but who still commutes to Sydney to see some of her clients; and mentioned this wine: “Fabulous wine,” was her comment, but very hard to sell in Sydney. More than impressed at hearing of her Sydney jaunts and just who she sees, I was further pleased at her offer to send the wine up for this Dozen. I have left this subject open on purpose, the Cabernet Franc one I mean and one to which I will return.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone 08 9844 3715

Fax: 08 9844 3819

Open: Daily 11 to 5.

Address: Hassell Highway, Kaglan River W.A., 6330.

Web: www.montgomeryshill.com.au

E-mail: montwine@iinet.net.au

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PAULETT POLISH HILL RIVER SHIRAZ 2003

Winemaker Neil Paulett

Winemakers Notes

The colour is a vibrant youthful deep red with the nose showing ripe berry fruits and a hint of licorice. In the mouth the wine is soft and full with rich ripe fruit while retaining the elegant style for which we are known. It has good weight, beautiful balance and a seamless texture.

Cellar

“Drink now and until 2012 +”

Additional Notes

“Given the dry conditions of the 2002 – 2003 growing season the wines are showing very good varietal characters and depth of flavours. This wine was matured in American Hogsheads for 18 months. Showing elegantly integrated tannins, it is a well structured and complex wine.” This is the solo Shiraz in this round, a wine from the winery with one of the best and expansive views of any cellar door in the country. It follows ‘elegantly’ in the sequence of the well regarded 2002 vintage, even at such a high alcohol level.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 08 8843 4328

Fax: 08 8843 4202

Open: Daily 10 to 5.

Address: Polish Hill Road, Polish Hill S.A., 5453.

Web: www.paulettwines.com.au

E-mail: info@paulettwines.com.au

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PIRRAMIMMA OLD BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2003

Winemaker Geoff Johnston

Winemakers Notes

The wine has an elegantly perfumed nose showing aromas of plums, cherries, violets and chocolate. These characters follow through to a complex palate that is rounded and flavoursome.

Cellar

“Excellent drinking now but will reward careful cellaring for two to three years.”

Additional Notes

“The 2003 vintage produced grapes of excellent quality, hand picked from the oldest vineyard on the Pirramimma Estate – dry grown bush vines planted in the spring of 1944.” It has been six years since the last Pirramimma wine, the 1997 Petit Verdot in May 2001 and this, the ‘Cadenza’ Edition; I thought needed something like this, a straight Grenache from some of those unique vines to add to the picture. I am unsure if Pirramimma are involved in the project, as it is a little unclear from the most welcome E-mail attachments sent by Janice Matthews (Cellar Door Manager at d’Arenberg), where amongst all sources, eleven wineries are mentioned but not listed in full. However, Pirramimma Grenache would stand proud in any McLaren Vale company of wines from this precious variety.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 08 8323 8205

Fax: 08 8323 9224

Open: Daily.

Address: Johnston Road, McLaren Vale, S.A., 5171.

Web: www.pirramimma.com.au

E-mail: enquiries@pirramimma.com.au

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RUTHERGLEN ESTATES ‘THE REUNION’ 2005

Winemaker Nicole Esdaile

Winemakers Notes

This three variety blend has been modelled on the famous southern Rhone blends; it is compose of 60% Mourvedre (Mataro), 20% Shiraz and 20% Grenache. Mourvedre is rarely the dominant variety in these traditional blends; however vintage 2005 saw the variety develop magnificent colour, tannin ripeness and exceptional concentration in flavour and varietal characters, adding spice and game to the blend. Shiraz offers lovely berry fruit, pepper and colour richness while Grenache is the strawberry, candy, vanilla and spicy support flavour.

Cellar

“This wine is very drinkable, yet is sophisticated and elegant with great length, rounded tannins and will only improve over the next 2 to 5 years.”

Additional Notes

“The Reunion has been so named because these varieties thrive in the warm Rutherglen climate. They grow side by side, ripen together are harvested within days of each other, but are handled separately until just prior to bottling. The release of this blend heralds the delightful ‘Reunion’ of the varieties.” I have had this wine in a glass beside me as I copied down the Notes, sniffing only, of course or this would never get done. This wine was an eye opener to me and I can’t wait to see more from Rutherglen Estates.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 02 6032 7999

Fax: 02 6032 7998

Open: Daily 10 to 4.

Address: Corner Gt Northern Road & Murray Valley Hway Rutherglen, Victoria, 3685.

E-mail: cellar@rutherglenestates.com.au

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ST. IGNATIUS HANGMANS GULLY SHIRAZ MERLOT 2005:

Winemaker Enrique Diaz

Winemakers Notes

The colour is deep purple and the nose shows black pepper and spices with a vanilla bouquet. The palate shows layers of spicy Shiraz which are complemented with softening tones of silky Merlot.

Cellar

“Best 5 to 10 years.”

Additional Notes

“This outstanding blend merges the best of two noble varieties; both Shiraz (63%) and Merlot (37%) are full bodied styles. The fruit has undergone hand plunged fermentation at 26 to 29 °C for 15 days, followed by extended maceration on the skins. This delightful wine has been aged for twelve months in French Hogsheads of which 40% were new oak. Clarification occurred naturally during barrel ageing followed by light filtering after blending.” Notes taken from the St. Ignatius web page. About two months ago I was taken on a palate joyride with a Stanton and Killeen Merlot blend. It was their 2004 Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that arrived in their twice yearly red pack. Still a young wine, it took several hours to open up and state its case. I believed every word, and I will be making enquiries as to its general release. Then in a phone call to Silvia Diaz at St. Ignatius recently she spoke of their Merlot blend and it all sounded like a good idea, in particular with the earlier drinking aspect of this variety. As a blend or straight varietal wine, Merlot is always a welcome visitor to your wine glass.

Availability

Cellar Door or please contact me.

Winery Details

Phone /

Fax: 03 5465 3542

Open: Daily 10 to 5.

Address: 5434 Sunraysia Highway, Lamplough, Victoria, 3352.

Web: www.stignatiusvineyard.com.au

E-mail: post@stignatiusvineyard.com.au

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STAETE LANDT MARLBOROUGH CHARDONNAY 2004:

Winemaker Ruud Maasdam

Winemakers Notes

This wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels the majority of which were older and about 20% were new. This has produced a complex subtle wine that has intense peach, ripe nectarine like characters overlaying a creamy, hazelnut and slightly spicy character, rather than overt fruitiness. The wine is full bodied and elegant, with a dry and crisp finish.

Cellar

“Drinking well now. If cellaring the wine medium term 5-6 years.”

Additional Notes

Grapes were whole bunch pressed to produce the finest most delicate juice. This juice was settled briefly before being racked straight to barrels to undergo fermentation. (20% new and 80% older French oak barrels). A proportion of the wine was allowed an indigenous yeast fermentation adding complexity and extra mouth feel to the wine. Following the alcoholic fermentation the barrels were stirred regularly until completion of the secondary malolactic fermentation. They were then aged on lees until they were eventually racked in July 2005. In all the wine was aged in barrel for 16 months. When racked the different component wines were blended and lightly fined and then kept in tank to clarify and to homogenize. Finally the wine was again racked in September 2005 given some polishing filtration before bottling.

Availability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 03 572 9886

Fax: 03 572 9887

Open: Daily.

Address: 48 Jeffries Road, RD2, Rapaura, Marlborough N.Z.

Web: www.staetelandt.co.nz

E-mail: wine@staetelandt.co.nz

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STEPHEN JOHN WATERVALE RIESLING 2006

Winemaker Stephen John

Winemakers Notes

Lovely delicate green / straw colour. The nose is very delicate displaying citrus and almond blossom perfumes, whilst the palate is fresh and clean exhibiting classical citrus / lime juice flavours with a clean refreshing acid finish.

Cellar

Excellent drinking now but will develop complexity as good Riesling does over the next 5 to 7 years.

Additional Notes

Also from Stephen’s Notes sheet under Wine Style: “Watervale is a small sub region at the southern end of the Clare Valley and is renowned for producing some of the finest Rieslings in Australia. This wine from 100% true Riesling fruit, is Estate grown, in the heart of Watervale at an altitude of 500 metres. The majority of the vines are in excess of 30 years of age with one block being planted in 1926 – arguably one of the oldest Riesling vineyards in the district. The 2006 growing season opened with a beautiful Spring and just enough rain, followed by a burst of true Summer heat, bringing the fruit to full maturity resulting in yet again, another classical Watervale Riesling.”

Avalability

Available to Retail.

Winery Details

Phone: 08 8843 0105

Fax: 08 8843 0105

Open: Daily 11 to 5.

Address: Government Road, Watervale, S.A., 5452.

E-mail: sjwines@capri.net.au

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