SWTD August 2021
The grapes were destemmed (whole berries) into an open fermenter, given three to four days cold soak and plunged twice daily to gently extract colour, flavour and tannins. At the end of fermentation, the resulting wine was pressed and transferred to French oak barriques. Oak used was mostly two to three year old. No new barrels were used as Sangiovese is all about those lovely puckering fruit tannins. After 12 months barrel maturation on lees, the wine was racked on a new moon (twice) without fining or filtration for bottling. Cherry, earthy, berries and spice predominate the aromatics. On the palate there are generous red and dark cherries, blackberries, earthy / savoury textures lingering in the background, with good length. Chalky tannins make this wine identifiable with typical Sangiovese characteristics.
“Enjoy now or cellar for approximately five + years.”
“The Sangiovese Brunello clone was planted in 2010 in our Camelback Heathcote vineyard. For the 2017 vintage, budburst was early, occurring in late August, followed by an early flowering. Summer was warm and dry, hence no disease. A nice clean wine. The typically warm days of summer were moderated by cool nights and an ample canopy.” I was originally unaware that the 'new release Adelé is a winemaking arm of the Galli Estate and is focused on small batch, natural winemaking.'
Available to Retail.
Phone 03 9747 1444
Open: Daily 11.00 to 5.00
Address: 15074 Melton Highway, Plumpton, Victoria, 3335.
Web: www.galliestate.com.au
Sourced entirely from our vineyard, grapes were hand picked and transferred quickly to press for gentle extraction, collecting only 600 litres per tonne. We pressed straight into French oak barrels, 30% new, naturally fermented at 15°C. and the resulting wine was left on lees for nine months to provide extra textural mouth feel. A rich, enticing aroma of lime and nectarine, melding seamlessly with vanilla bean and creamy nougat, oak derived characters. There is also a hint of struck match lingering in the background. The palate has a silky, satin-like texture, perfectly poised acidity and lashings of flavour that mirror the nose with great persistence.
“Drink by 2025.”
Also from the Notes: “Sitting on the ocean floor some 20,000 years ago, only to be reclaimed as land by millennia of volcanic activity, Geelong's Moorabool Valley sub-region is made up of a tough limestone and basalt base, which forms this sub-regions' unique terroir; providing ideal free-draining soil for our grape vines. Moorabool Valley's cool climate is largely continental by nature but still moderated to some extent by its proximity to the ocean, providing perfect conditions to grow world class vines. All vines are planted north-south, trained vertically and canopies are managed to provide sufficient light and air into the fruit zone, maximising quality and vine health. Judicious irrigation is applied during the growing season to maintain healthy vine growth to assist even ripening, which is the key to quality fruit.”.
Available to Retail
Winery Details
Phone: 03 5281 1799
Open: Cellar Door due to open late 2021.
Address: 870 Steiglitz Road, Sutherlands Creek, Victoria, 3331.
Web: www.austinswines.com.au
Wine made from Mount Benson fruit. The style direction here is for a well balanced and generous, but medium-bodied Shiraz. The finished wine has vibrant aromas of blueberries, blackberries and Cherry Cola. Soft, strawberry tannins held together by a well-knitted oak profile.
“This wine is drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop into a softer and more savoury style over the next five years – if you have the patience to wait that long.”
“We have a great deal of faith in the ability of the cooler wine region of Mount Benson to consistently deliver elegant and stylish Shiraz year after year. It's not the massive blockbuster that Australian's, mostly, have come to expect, but it still packs a punch in density without overripe characters. This wine is blended from some of the best barrels with a goal uncovering the optimal balance between palate intensity and vibrant fruit.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8768 5053
Open: Daily 10 to 5.
Address: 459 Limestone Road, Mount Benson via Robe, S.A., 5276.
Web: www.capejaffawines.com.au
“Grapes were selected from the McLaren Range vineyard in Kuitpo in the southern Adelaide Hills. The colour is deep red plum with a cherry hue. Intensely complex yet varietal Cabernet with lifted dark fruits of blackcurrant, redcurrant with ethereal balsamic roasted beetroot and nuances of wild fennel and tobacco leaf. Secondary flavours of spice, cured meats, mocha and cashew nuts balance and fill out the nose. The palate is full bodied and displays seamlessly integrated dark berry fruit and savoury characters which fill out the palate to give a well rounded wine with exceptional fruit weight and length. Good linear acidity from the cooler vintage and structural velvety tannins give drinkability now along with great ageing potential.”
“7-15 years.”
“The grapes were destemmed and cold soaked for two days prior to fermentation. The fruit was fermented in traditional open fermenters and pumped over twice daily with a few extra pump overs during peak ferment. 30% of the free run juice was drained off after seven days while the balance remained on skins for a further three days. The wine was pressed off skins with around one baumé left and transferred straight to 100% French oak with 30% new barrels to allow fermentation and Malo Lactic fermentation to complete. The wine was left on full lees for 18 months to build texture and mouth feel before bottling.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8389 1415
Open: Friday to Sunday 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Address: Adelaide Road, Gumeracha, South Australia, 5233.
“60% Nero d'Avola, 24% Shiraz and 16% Durif. The make of this blend changes year on year, depending on the season with our desire to create an affable drink that has layers of complexity built in through the unique varieties and vineyards. In 2018 the Nero d'Avola came from our home vineyard at Eldorado planted on rare decomposed red granite soils, washed down from the Beechworth Plateau by the meandering Ready Creek that runs through the farm. Wine from three different Nero ferments made its way into this year's blend, picked at different ripeness, all fermented wild and one containing 20% whole bunches. Basket pressed and seasoned for 16 months in aged French oak puncheons. The Shiraz comes from two vineyards with incredible pedigree. 70% came from the ancient dry land 1890's planted “Dulcies” vineyard in Glenrowan. The second parcel was sourced from the Mt Pilot Estate Vineyard perched in the Eldorado Hills amongst the boulders of an ancient granite outcrop. Both parcels basket pressed and seasoned for 16 months in aged French oak puncheons on gross lees. Durif was sourced from a tried and tested, mature Rutherglen vineyard. As with all our reds, we were very conscious not to over extract the fruit. To understand Quasimodo you must venture beyond the surface and explore the inner soul. It's an amalgam of flavour and colour culminating in a complex rewarding wine. As individual varietal wines they can struggle for love but when blended together they can sing, shine and bring harmony.”
“Medium bodied for medium term. Now and up to five years.”
This wine has just been released and replaces a wine that had me initially overlooking its high alcohol. Robert, the Sydney Agent was very glowing about this wine, which doesn't really surprise. I was happy to include an Eldorado wine, the first one for a year. Amazing.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 03 5725 1698
No Cellar Door.
Address: 1317 Eldorado Road, Eldorado, Vic., 3678.
Web: www.nomadsgarden.com.au or www.eldoradoroad.com.au
An attractive nose of orange blossom and nashi pear, with a hint of ripe stone fruit, cinnamon and honey suckle. On the palate, this beautifully balanced wine is rich, soft and rounded, showing notes of star anise and spices with a weighty, oily texture. A hint of natural fruit sweetness leads to a lingering crisp finish.
“Made for early drinking, but has the ability to develop over the short term.”
“Our Pinot Gris is grown on two distinctly different vineyard sites within the Wairau River Valley – the first of these sites, geologically young soils predominantly made up of recently deposited Wairau river stone, gravel and silt. Pinot Gris from this site has a delicate citrus and apple flavour profile, crisp acidity and fine minerality. The second site, on the north bank of the Wairau River where the soil is a mixture of river stones and Kaituna clay, gives a much more exotic flavour profile – orange blossom, peach, Asian pear and honeysuckle. The grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, cold settled and cool fermented prior to blending and finishing for bottling in spring.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: +64 3 572 9084
Open: Daily 10.00 to 4.30
Closed on P/H.
Address: 19 Blicks Road, Blenheim, N.Z.
Web: www.forrestwines.co.nz
While the Four Winds Vineyard family have been making Riesling for over 20 years, this is only the second Sparkling Riesling. Similar to the still Riesling, this wine has a lovely balanced acidity, lively citrus tones and then the fun of bubbles. With a little bit of residual sugar, it is a dry style that is approachable and refreshing.
“Get a glass.”
I first saw this Sparkling Riesling listed in January this year and straight away contacted Jacki to get a sample for February. Alas, the 2019 version was sold out and the next release, this, the 2021, will be available mid year sometime. Also at the time I was amused by a quote from James Halliday which featured in the Young and Rashleigh Portfolio, where I first saw the listing. Tongue firmly in cheek: “Since Brian Croser couldn't make a good sparkling wine from Riesling, why should we expect Four Winds to do better? Well, in fact it does thanks to the nigh-on perfect balance of this 'drink now and don't think about it' wine. Making the point, the comment was referencing the 2019.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0432 060 903
Open: Weekends 10.00 to 5.00.
Address: 9 Patemans Lane,Murrumbateman, NSW, 2582.
Web: www.fourwindsvineyard.com.au
100% Gamay grown in sustainable agriculture in soils made of flint, clay and stones. Semi-carbonic maceration in stainless steel tank between six and eight days. Alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation at 22°C. Pneumatic pressing, racking and ageing on fine lees. Bright ruby red in colour. Red fruits predominate on the nose, with strawberries, red plums and cherries. The palate is light and supple, with soft tannins and a fruity finish.
“Enjoy on release and five or so years.”
“Our Domaine is located near the famous Château de Chenonceau, east of Tours in the town of Pouillé (Central Loire). Proud of our 37 hectares in the Touraine and Touraine Chenonceaux appellation, our family vineyard adorns the hillsides bordering the Cher River with its green lines. It offers an exceptional view of this beautiful valley of the Cher and is part of the Loire Valley wine route, a tourist stopover dotted with wine- growing villages, royal castles and unspoiled natural landscapes.” Website.
Available to Retail.
Sydney Distributor: Bacchus Wine Merchant.
Phone: 1300 309 773
Web: www.domaine.joeldelaunay.com
We decided to work entirely in Wilyabrup with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourcing fruit from Celestial Bay. 2018 was an amazing season in contrast to 2017, more akin to 2013 and 2014, with very warm days and nice cool evenings into the drawn out autumn. This led to excellent concentration, power and also acid retention. Selective machine harvested directly to one tonne open fermenters. Hand plunged for two weeks and then left for a further two weeks for extended maceration. Basket pressed to 40% new French and 60% to one year old French barriques. Aged for 18 months and bottles unfined (no additions apart from SO2). Blackcurrant with raspberry undertones, hints of spice and inky cassis. Elegant yet intense with fine supple tannins.
“Cellar for 15 years and you will thank your past self.”
This wine is the only thing early about this Dozen. I picked it up yesterday afternoon (10/9) as a sample sent by Robert from Vinsight. It arrived with a shipment of two wines for this Dozen, on the day. The Cape Jaffa having just arrived in Sydney. I ordered stock straight away from Robert after his raves, a couple of very good write ups and my own healthy respect for LS Merchants. Who knows when the Orange wine will arrive?
Available to Retail.
Phone 0420 307 665
No Cellar Door.
Address: 4/37Village Green, Margaret River, W.A., 6285.
Web: www.lsmerchants.com.au
The first release of a Paracombe Pinot Blanc (the 2017) was part of the February 2018 Dozen, and the Notes began with: “The principal aim was to preserve the pristine delicateness of this unique variety. The wine is light in colour with delicate gold hues. The bouquet is lively with lifted aromas of citrus flower, musk and gooseberry. On the palate, dainty acidity accompanies grapefruit, lime and crunchy apple with hints of melon, leaving a fresh clean finish on the palate.”
“An early drinking style, now and over the next couple of years. The screw cap will help carry it through the journey.”
“Grapes were harvested from the Drogemuller family vineyard, from vines planted north to south (granting even sunshine), on the southern slope of the ancient 1.7 billion year old Paracombe plateau. Vinification was carried out in stainless steel to retain pristine fruit character.” Also in the Notes, food recommendations, included mainly because of the point made about 'spice.' “An ideal wine to accompany vegetarian, seafood and chicken dishes, handles spice.” After the last (May) Dozen, I did a stock take for this year’s Tax and came across a bottle of the 2017. I thought, after the Alsatian whites in that Dozen, I should check to see what vintage the Paracombe Pinot Blanc was up to, for a couple of reasons: To keep in touch with their winemaking and include a local version of this aromatic style.
Available to Retailers.
Winery Details
Phone: 08 8380 5058
Open: By appointment.
Address: 294b Paracombe Road, Paracombe, S.A., 5132.
Clare Valley Grenache has for many years been one of the best wine secrets in the Australian wine industry. This wine has been sourced from an old block at the back of Watervale and represents a spectacularly great red vintage. Much richer and bolder than most vintages. Rich deep plummy flavours wrapped in granular tannins.
“A wine that will develop into a silky elegant delight with some bottle age. Six to eight years, as per back label”
From the STG Website: “We’re a small wine producer that’s passionate about single site and best of region grape varieties. While we have lots of different wine batches they’re all tiny quantities and we don’t put our label on a bottle if it doesn’t make the cut. We love classic varieties like dry Clare Rieslings, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Grenache and they make up the core of our portfolio but we do crave something a little off beat like Fiano, Sangiovese and Tempranillo. We call the Clare Valley home and spend the majority of our life there but we also have a foot in the Snowy Mountains NSW chasing cool climate grapes as well, the best of both worlds really.”
Available to Retail.
Winery Details
Phone/Fax: 08 8843 0111
Open: Daily 10.00 to 4.30.
Address: 2 Main North Road, Watervale, S.A., 5452.
Web: www.shutthegate.withwine.com
With a minimum of water, our grapes are small berries, are hand picked and basket pressed. This wine is described as fruit driven with classic Mourvedre characters and natural flavours of blueberry and raisin with coffee lingering throughout the palate. Our wine is well rounded and soft with good persistence; and nuances from French oak maturation(Back Label)
Five to ten years.
I've had many phone conversations with Michael over the last three or so weeks, all 'long winded' and always enjoyable. The first call was to say that he had two new wines, this and I think a straight Mourvedre (Mataro). I say 'I think' as he is a bit vague, but I have said I'm interested in it for November. We all have our quirks. He makes a small amount of wine (and chocolates) and can be very self critical. He has said to me, in the past, he didn't like the wine he made this year “so I dropped it into the dirt!” We didn't talk about Cellaring either, and the 'five to ten' above, is a conservative call from me. On the 26/8/2018 I sent Michael a photo of a half empty bottle of his 2002 version of this wine. It was excellent, probably 'peaking.' He was on the phone straight away: “Where did you get that?” I told him it was in the February 2003 Dozen and I discovered it on the weekend while doing a stock take. He then explained, and I had forgotten, it was the first wine he'd made and he didn't keep any for himself . I was stunned, sorry and embarrassed, all at once, for him.
Contact Michael O'Donohoe 0478 288 379
Web: www.tomsdropwines.com.au
No Cellar Door (Just a few Sheds and a lot of conversation) or contact me.
