Small Winemakers Tasting Dozens |
The Classic May Dozen |
|
|
A.T. RICHARDSON CHOCKSTONE CHARDONNAY 2013Winemaker Adam RichardsonWinemaker’s NotesThe 2013 season brought warm and dry weather that just kept getting hotter as it progressed which meant an early harvest and wonderfully even ripening, creating a rich, yet elegant structure in the wine. Vibrant, complex and balanced, the 2013 displays a delicate, but vivacious nose of pears, apples and figs. The primary aromas are followed by a flintiness and a touch of creaminess. Subtle toasty and brioche influences from delicate sur lie aging elevate the fruit weight and add a further dimension to the structure. The bright and focused mid palate is followed by a long, elegant and crisp finish. Cellar“The 2013 Chockstone is a gregarious yet elegant beauty now, but its balanced structure and complex layers will allow it to develop wonderfully for at least five to ten years. Witnessing the development over time will be a real treat.” Additional Notes“Our winemaking philosophy for Chockstone Chardonnay is to create a vibrant, complex and restrained wine that is truly representative of its cool-climate origins. We pick the grapes in the cool of the day, then add a mix of yeast types to the juice and allow the fermentation to proceed at is own natural pace in French barrels. The gentle fermentation process is followed by about six months 'resting' in barrels to add subtle complexity to the structure and create a intriguing length to the already lively finish.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. |
|
BIMBADGEN ESTATE SEMILLON 2014Winemakers Rauri Donkin & Mike De GarisWinemaker’s NotesThe colour is pale lemon. On the nose, white citrus blossom and classic aromas of lemon and lime. On the palate, ripe tropical fruits are balanced by a fruit-sweet middle palate. The 'more-ish' length is carried by lemon and lime acidity. Cellar“Drink now or cellar for five to eight years.” Additional NotesFruit for this wine was in two parcels and was crushed and pressed separately. It was grown exclusively in Bimbadgen vineyards on Palmers Lane and McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. Like many, I have continued to enjoy a happy distraction toward Lower Hunter Semillon wines. The last few vintages seem to get good write-ups and are really good value wines as well. I caught up with a Rep recently and saw this wine in his Portfolio. And as some I have worked and enjoyed wine with would say: “this is pretty good fun.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 02 4998 4600 |
 |
CANOBOLAS-SMITH CABERNET FRANC 2008Winemaker Murray SmithWinemaker’s NotesMedium brick red core with a fading crimson edge to the wine. Characteristic raspberry notes typical of Cabernet Franc. Savoury and herbal characters and that slight eucalypt lift, only just though, that you see in wines from this vineyard. A Murray wine. CellarIt is a nice drink now, but will live for many more years under screw cap. Additional NotesA straight Cabernet Franc is not a 'normal' Canobolas-Smith offering, but as Murray said last weekend (21/5) when I drove to Orange to pick the wine up: “2008 vintage spoilt us with riches. The Alchemy is always the number one red wine from here and Cabernet Franc from this part of the vineyard, while good enough to be included most years, wasn't as good as that in another section, so I made this straight varietal.” When I arrived there at Cellar Door he had a party of four who ended up 'buying up.' It was obvious he enjoyed the moment, and the sale, and the all round compliments on his wines sent his way. He is currently digging out all sorts of things with age, and is definitely worth a visit. Any time really. I also left with a 2004 Reserve Cabernets. It was left on skins for an inordinately long time, so that by the time it was pressed out, there was snow on the ground. I'm glad I wasn't there at the time to be asked to jump in and bucket it out and into the press. AvailabilityCellar Door or please contact me. Winery DetailsPhone: 02 6365 6113 |
|
FLOWSTONE CABERNET TOURIGA 2011Winemaker Stuart PymWinemaker’s NotesThe Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga grapes were hand harvested and made separately, but in similar manners. Fermentation was in a few open one tonne fermenters with thrice daily plunging. Following fermentation the Cabernet Sauvignon remained on skins for two days, the Touriga 11. Malolactic Fermentation occurred in this period. The wine was subsequently pressed, with pressings not separated. Allowed to settle fro two weeks, the wine was transferred to French oak barriques, 20% new, for 24 months. The finished wine is medium deep red with purple hue. Red and dark berries, mulberry, spice, mocha and hints of violet on the nose. An interesting mix of familiar fruits and aromas from the Cabernet Sauvignon, and some beguiling, engaging notes from the Touriga – a wonderful blend of the familiar and the inviting. On the palate, a medium to full bodied wine full of red and exotic fruits with a spicy twist. There is a wonderful open feel to the palate but no shortage of fruit. The tannins are chalky and dust like, and combine with a minerally acid to give a classic savoury finish. Cellar"Now and over the next 16 years.” Additional Notes“A blend of classic Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the classic Portuguese variety Touriga. Cabernet Sauvignon is well known in the Margaret River, whereas Touriga less so, and is one of the main varieties in Portuguese Vintage Ports. It has wonderful spicy red and black fruit flavours, with a medium to full bodied palate, and puts an interesting twist on Cabernet Sauvignon. Try with rib eye with rice and black mushrooms.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 0487 010 275 |
 |
GALLI ESTATE TEMPRANILLO GRENACHE MOURVEDRE 2013:Winemaker Ben RankinWinemaker’s NotesA blend of Tempranillo 52%, Grenache 32% and 16% Mourvedre grown in Heathcote, Victoria. Grapes were destemmed and tipped into open fermenters, cold soaked with wild yeast fermentation. Ferments were plunged three to four times daily to gently extract colour and flavour. At the end of fermentation, the resulting wine was pressed and transferred to French barriques, where natural MLF took place (about 15% new oak). The wine was matured in barriques on gross malolactic lees with a small amount of battonage to add palate weight and texture. Full of juicy dark berry fruits, and a hint of spices. The palate is brimming gorgeous juicy plum, macerated raspberry and blackberry, earthy savoury notes and dried undergrowth. The finish is soft and satisfying with gentle tannins. A well balanced wine that is very more-ish and savoury. Cellar“Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.” Additional Notes“This wine is inspired by the young 'gluggable' wines from the Rioja region in north-eastern Spain. The blend of Tempranillo brings juicy blackberry spiciness and the Grenache the earthy raspberry while the Mourvedre (Mataro) adds brooding dark berries.” The 'spell check' objects to 'gluggable' but I think the message and description is understood, especially in a quiet Motel room! AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 03 9747 1444 |
 |
HAPPS MARGARET RIVER PF RED 2014Winemakers Earl Happ & Mark WarrenWinemaker’s NotesPetit Verdot 28%, Shiraz 24%, Merlot 21%, Malbec 14% and Cabernet Franc 13%. Deep colour with a red / purple hue – a clear indication the wine has escaped the harmful effects of oxidation despite the absence of the antioxidant sulphur dioxide. Abundant dark fruits, liqueur cherry, raspberry coulis and black currant with hints of purple jubes and choc mint. A medium bodied wine with good structure and flavours of ripe cherry, blueberry, plum skin and dark chocolate with hints of liquorice. The tannins are noticeable and slightly grainy while the finish is persistent and juicy. Cellar“PF red will hold its condition as well as any wine containing preservative. A minimum of five years may be expected. A tasting of all our PF Reds since 1994 confirmed the point. Additional NotesNicholas Gibson strikes again! While I was packing the last Dozen, he called in with a sample of this wine, as it had just been released. Normally I wouldn't go almost straight to the next vintage. That is, the PF 2013 was in the August Dozen last year. He simply said: “have a look at this.” A week or so later, I picked it up and then looked at the Notes and saw the blend and was immediately interested. (The Notes were very late last time). Totally different from the 2013, and really good. He dropped in three more wines last week. AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 9755 9846 |
 |
HAREWOOD ESTATE PINOT NOIR BLOCK F 2015Winemakers James Kellie and Paul NelsonWinemaker’s NotesThis Pinot Noir has been produced from Harewood Estate's F-Block. This block has been planted with a selection of the 'Dijon' clones, which are part of a small group of unique clones that were identified, isolated and propagated by Dijon University researcher Dr Raymond Bernard from the best performing, highest pedigree pinot vineyards in Burgundy – clones 114,115 and 777. The clones have been attributed with producing wines of excellent aroma, structure, intensity and balance. This 2015 F-Block in appearance is crimson with hints of purple. An intense nose of black cherry and dark fruits supported by complex hints of liquorice and spice. On the palate, rich flavours of blackberry and ripe plum are complemented by more complex notes of spice and aniseed on the mid palate. The wine finishes with hints of black cherry and coffee bean supported by velvety tannins and toasty French oak. Cellar“The use of screw cap technology and the wines depth of flavour suggest that it will improve with up to 10 years careful cellaring.” Additional Notes“F-Block is a north facing site with a gentle slope on gravely karri loam soils. The Pinot is dry grown. The wine was matured in a mix of new and older French barriques for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 9840 9078 |
 |
HEMERA LIMITED RELEASE MARSANNE 2013Winemaker Alex PeelWinemaker’s NotesSourced from a tiny vineyard on the Greenock sub-region on the western side of the Barossa Valley, the Marsanne selected produced small berries with intense flavour. Hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and a full solid fermentation has added complexity and minimised the tannin extraction from this ancient variety. Partial barrel fermentation in French oak has added spice to the pear and honeysuckle vibrancy. The texture in the wine supports the pear and white peach flavours with a cashew nut complexity. Cellar“Allow to age in the bottle Five to eight years+, and you will be rewarded with a rich luscious wine.” Additional Notes“The Hemera Estate 'Limited Release' range is a collection of concept wines that are unique and experimental. Being sourced from vineyard selections that I believed for that vintage would produce distinctive varietal wines or pristine blends. Each vintage release will see different varieties, vineyards and regions evolve from the trials.” The 2013 vintage saw very low rainfall in the winter and spring leading up to fruit ripening. The smaller berries produced intense flavours and slightly higher than normal sugar levels at harvest. Pure varietal flavour, excellent mouth feel and length on the palate result.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 8524 4033 |
 |
HITHER & YON GRENACHE MATARO 2015Winemaker Richard LeaskWinemaker’s Notes60% Grenache and 40% Mataro. The fruit was hand picked and delivered to the winery where it was gently destemmed and cold crushed to two tonne fermenters, the varieties in separate batches. Once fermentation commenced the must was gently pumped over four times every 24 hours. During fermentation the must was kept to between 22 – 26ºC. Primary fermentation took place for eight to ten days. Once the wines were dry, they were pressed to tank where the free run and the pressings were combined. The Mataro was was then transferred to three and four year old French oak where it underwent Malo-lactic fermentation. The Grenache underwent the same process but in five to six tear old French. After six months in oak the wines were blended in stainless steel and left to integrate for ten weeks, then bottled. The wine is brilliant purple with magenta hue. The aroma is raspberry, red rose petal perfume and forest floor. The palate shows summer berry fruits, velvet mouth feel with silky tannins. Raspberry chocolate bullets, zesty acidity, mouth watering and clean to finish. Cellar“Very drinkable on release, will be interesting to see it develop for three to five years.” Additional Notes“The fast 2015 vintage was heavily influenced by the Spring of 2014, where we had early and rapid flowering. It was basically warm and dry after that. Fortunately some heavy rains came toward the end of January; which freshened the vines back up again, while our cool breezy evenings in McLaren Vale kept the canopies nice and dry, and the fruit clean Intense heat in February followed bringing on an early start to vintage and it did not abate, finishing a month earlier than last year. We think vintages like this highlight the health of our vineyards, and the ability to produce excellent quality fruit in very tough conditions.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 8556 2082 |
 |
JUNIPER MR ESTATE AQUITAINE ROUGE 2012Winemaker Mark MessengerWinemaker’s Notes44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 17% Malbec, 14% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc all Estate grown. Fermentation was in a mixture of open and closed fermenters with a cold soak of up to five days prior to fermenting; and skin contact between 14 and 33 days. This elegantly proportioned blend has created an intensely flavourful wine with great depth and structure. The aroma is both complex and savoury, whilst generous in ripe fruit characters. Cherry, blueberry, red currant and salted plum notes are supported by hints of chorizo, soy, black olive and mocha. On the palate, dark cherry, black currant and red liquorice flavours integrate with hints of subtle toasty oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. A plush and juicy mouth-feel flows into a very fine tannin profile delivering superb length and flavour. Cellar10 years+. Additional Notes“The inaugural release of this wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and its soul mates as shown in the percentages above, It could take a few vintages to settle on a definitive style, but it will revolve around the structure and length of Cabernet Sauvignon, while the other cultivars bring in a range of flavours and textures making a fleshier, earlier drinking option, while waiting for the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to soften.” AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 9755 9000 |
 |
SHUT THE GATE SINGLE SITE GRENACHE 2012Winemakers (Contract) Rasa Fabian and Richard WoodsWinemaker’s NotesA ripe black fruit Grenache with soft, fleshy tannins backed by generous French Oak. A juicy and lush wine built for medium term cellaring. Deep crimson through to ruby red hues. Cherry, spice and sweet ripe plum on the nose. The palate shows rich, medium weight, black briar fruits and dried prunes carried on a plush mid palate. Long layered flavours with a velvet tannin finish. A royal wine matched well with slow cooked meats and game and hard matured cheeses with dried fruits. Cellar“This Grenache, cellared well, will reward medium term cellaring of six to eight years.” Additional Notes“The fruit for the Grenache was sourced from Misery Hill Vineyard site on the western ridge above the Watervale village. The block sits high on the ridge facing east, with north / south trellising. Dry grown, 30 year old vines producing generous but high flavoured berries.” And an interesting historical reference in the Notes: “Grenache has been grown in the Clare Valley for over a century. Originally used as a blending variety and for fortified wine production. Today, Grenache is increasingly seen as a high quality varietal offer varying tannin and fruit weight from light Rose styles through to heavier, juicier tannic styles.” There would be a lot of older 'generations' of winemakers that would be pleased that Grenache is again held in high regard, that's for certain. AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. |
 |
THE WILSON VINEYARD POLISH HILL RIESLING 2015Winemaker Daniel WilsonWinemaker’s NotesVines are small and spindly, cropping at minuscule yields due to lack of available nutrient in the heavy clay soils. 'Near frozen' hand picked bunches were whole bunch pressed, as has traditionally been the way here, to release the freshest and tastiest juice which is then fermented over an extended period. The colour is very pale straw with a touch of green. Citrus flavours on the nose carry over to the palate within a steely structure, tight, with lots of minerality as you would expect from the Polish Hill area of the Clare. Cellar“Added richness and complexity will be the reward for those who manage to retain this wine for the next five to eight years.” Additional NotesThe 2005 vintage in August of that same year was the last Riesling from this vineyard. A wine made by Daniel's father, John. I always enjoyed a conversation with John, he never wastes words and is always interesting. I hope to catch up in August and learn more of the 'takeover' in winemaking duties by son, Daniel. I'll bet he is pleased. AvailabilityAvailable to Retail. Winery DetailsPhone: 08 8843 4310 |
|
[Main] [About SWTD] [Current Dozen] [Profiles] [Links] Copyright ) 2004 SWTD All Rights Reserved. All prices on this web site are in $AUD Liquor Licence LIQP24009748 Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. |
