Winestate Magazine March April 2019

regional tasting Montara Hill Block Grampians Estate Tahbilk Nagambie Grampians Estate Four Sisters Single Vineyard Grampians Grenache Lakes G.S.M. Grampians Cabernet Goulburn Valley Grampians Pinot Shiraz Tempranillo 2016 HHHH Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Noir 2017 HHH 2017 HHHHH A riper, savoury, dark 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHH1/2 Well-made lighter style Strong blue fruit influence fruit style. Grippy tannins Lovely rich dense black Super leafy cassis with a bright briary on the nose with spicy are a driving force to fruit fragrances with varietal fragrances with bouquet, herbal notes peppery notes. Palate the well-integrated and layers of spicy oak and chocolaty nuances and a and soft well-balanced has great balance of all beautifully focussed red some very powerful and silky smooth, seamlessly palate. $40 three varietal flavours; fruit palate. $25.70 intense varietal flavours integrated, varietal dark plums, mulberries with well managed palate. $16.30 MERLOT and blackberries. Lovely Grampians Estate tannins. $35 Best's Great tannins. $28 Grampians Blue Pyrenees Western Cabernet 5 TASTED Tempranillo Estate Red Pyrenees Sauvignon 1 AWARDED Bigibila Pyrenees 2017 HHH1/2 Cabernet Merlot 2017 HHH1/2 Cabernet Franc A richness of nougat and Malbec Aromas of blackberries A bit disappointing 2017 HHHH1/2 toffee aromas with a 2016 HHHH1/2 and red currants with overall with too many Lifted red/black fruit smooth \"polished\" palate Developing chocolaty leafy green notes. Very \"plain\" wines. There was fragrances with pretty that has intense blue nose with nice bright flavoursome palate. A just one good example. violet nuances and a fruit flavours. $25 fruit notes. Excellent very age worthy wine. slight savoury thread. palate structure has great Mount Avoca Estate Lovely powerful varietal CABERNET length of youthful dark 5+ $25 Pyrenees Merlot definition to the palate SAUVIGNON & fruit flavours and lovely Bigibila Pyrenees 2017 HHHH with great tannin grip. $30 BLENDS ripe fruit tannins. $42 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark and brooding briary Blue Pyrenees 2017 HHH fruit and spicy oak nose. 13 TASTED Richardson Pyrenees Herbaceous and leafy on Great upfront fruit entry 12 AWARDED Cabernet Sauvignon the nose with flavours to the balanced palate 2016 HHHH1/2 of capsicum balanced with lovely tannin/oak. Excellent class. \"This Great youthful cabernet by firm chewy tannins. $37.95 shows the strength with a lovely varietal of both the Central bouquet; dark, rich, 3-5 $30 OTHER RED and Western Victorian dense and toasty. Mount Avoca Estate VARIETALS & regions for this variety,\" Warm in the mouth Pyrenees Cabernet BLENDS said one judge. with flavours of choc Sauvignon mint. Quite a tannic 2017 HHH 6 TASTED Blue Pyrenees palate. $60 Dense, dark and inky 5 AWARDED Richardson Reserve Taltarni Pyrenees bouquet with palate Pyrenees Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon opening up nicely to A solid class with Sauvignon 2017 HHHH good length of varietal grenache a feature. 2013 HHHHH Subtle leafy/capsicum-like flavours. $37.95 \"Should be encouraged,\" Very fresh oaky nose youthful varietal aromas. Tahbilk Nagambie said one judge. with good density of The dark spicy fruits, Lakes Cabernet black fruit characters tannins and oak work Sauvignon Dalfarras Central underneath. Great depth wonderfully well together 2016 HHH Victoria Sangiovese of beautiful rich dark on the palate. $40 An excellent persistence 2017 HHHH fruits flavours. \"It's a Maygars Hill and intensity of black mega chew!\" declared Strathbogie Ranges fruits, spices, oak and one judge. $120 Cabernet Sauvignon tannins. Needs more 2016 HHHH time. $25.70 Oak dominated wine A dry savoury style of Kings of Kangaroo with good cellaring cabernet showing lovely Ground Pedersen potential. Has a toasty varietal definition. Nose Heathcote Cabernet cherry bouquet and very has a perfumed lift and Sauvignon long savoury palate with the palate has a firm 2015 HHH long finish. 5+ tannic drive. $30 Chocolaty perfumed $19.50 aromas with a very drying, nicely aged, oak driven palate. $60 JUDGES Alan George Simon Fennel Andrew Santarosa Chief winemaker of Tahbilk Assistant winemaker for Chief winemaker at Winery for the past eight Montara Wines in the Mitchelton Wines. years. Previously was a Grampians. Formerly Previously at Hardy's, winemaker at Lindemans, worked for Penley Houghton, Giant Mitchelton and Rosemount Estate, Southcorp, Steps and Domaine in a winemaking career Rymill and Best's Great Chandon. Chief judge spanning 34 years. Judge at Western, over a period at the Victorian wine the Rutherglen wine show. of twenty years. show, panel chair at Rutherglen, Swan Hill and small winemakers show. March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 51

CENTRAL & WESTERN VICTORIA SHIRAZ Clarnette & Bigibila Pyrenees McPherson Wine Blue Pyrenees 2017/2016 Ludvigsen Reserve Shiraz 2017 HHHH Co. Don't Tell Gary Richardson Pyrenees Grampians Shiraz A lovely fragrant and Grampians Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHH 26 TASTED 2016 HHHHH juicy style of shiraz 2017 HHH Subdued peppery fruit 21 AWARDED Beautiful nose - all dark, that has great balance, A cedary oak driven nose with pleasant, Plenty of rich, consistent complex and inky with length and ripeness of nose with more oak uncomplicated flavours and solid wines here powerful oak influence. dark plum-like varietal on the grippy and of fruit and oak. $60 agreed the judges. Great intensity of cherry fruit definition. $30 flavoursome palate. \"There was a diverse and spice flavours. Mount Avoca Estate $23.99 SHIRAZ range of styles from the Some nice tannins. \"A Pyrenees Shiraz Allinda Heathcote 2015 & OLDER old school rich and ripe classy shiraz,\" noted one 2017 HHHH Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 ones to the medium judge. $50 Big ripe spicy red/black Tightly focussed blue 8 TASTED weight, spicy berry Mount Avoca fruit fragrances with fruit fragrances with 5 AWARDED shiraz.” Estate Old Vine lovely drive of sweet excellent core of varietal Pyrenees Shiraz varietal fruit flavours on fruit flavours. $34 The judges found this to Kings of Kangaroo 2017 HHHH1/2 a well-balanced palate Grampians Estate be a very strong class Ground Avondale \"A beautifully crafted with an intense finish. St Ethels Grampians showing age worthy Heathcote Shiraz wine,\" said one judge. $32.50 Shiraz 2016 HHH wines with ripe fruit and 2016 HHHHH Jubey cassis fruit nose Grampians Estate Warm chocolaty/ maintained structure. Dark inky wine with lifted aromatics and Mafeking Grampians coconutty nose with oak with lovely intense a seamlessly balanced Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 tending to dominate the Kings of Kangaroo concentration of spicy cherry palate Confectionery plum dense rich palate. $50 Ground Avondale dark fruit aromas and with persistent tannins. fruit aromas with Taltarni Heathcote Heathcote Shiraz excellent drive of $37.95 herbal notes and some Shiraz 2016 HHH 2015 HHHHH rich youthful varietal Montara spiciness. Lovely spicy A very well balanced Lovely silky smooth, fruit flavours on the Grampians Shiraz and sweet blue fruit medium bodied shiraz fresh and vibrant seamlessly balanced 2016 HHHH1/2 palate. $25 with lovely floral red fruit shiraz with dark fruity palate. $38 Lively and pungent Clarnette & characters. $35 aromatics and great mulberry bouquet with Ludvigsen Berton Limited depth and intensity of a dash of pepper. Silky Grampians Shiraz Reserve Heathcote varietal fruit flavours smooth in the mouth 2017 HHH1/2 Shiraz 2016 HHH with excellent use of the with ripe fruits, lovely Herbal/medicinal Ripe dark fruit aromas oak to balance. $38 spiciness and soft characters on the dark and super ripe tannic tannins. $30 cherry nose and a palate with good core of Blue Pyrenees Taltarni deliciously soft red and blue/black fruits. $22 Richardson Reserve Pyrenees Shiraz blue fruit palate with Tahbilk Nagambie Pyrenees Shiraz 2016 HHHH1/2 spicy notes. $35 Lakes Shiraz 2013 HHHHH Very good spicy dark Grampians Estate 2016 HHH An aromatic mix of choc fruit nose with barnyardy Streeton Reserve Firm full flavoured wine mint, spice and floral nuances and a nicely Grampians Shiraz with nice ripe dark red fragrances with the balanced palate rich with 2016 HHH1/2 fruit characters and seamlessly balanced youthful fruit flavours Dark and inky on the oak in the background. palate showing subtle and lots of ripe tannins. nose with rich ripe $25.70 but powerful rich fruit Cellaring potential. $40 flavours and nice flavours with excellent Blue Pyrenees chewy oak tannins. tannins. $120 Section One Has plenty of cellaring Pyrenees Shiraz potential. $75 STAR RATINGS  2016 HHHH1/2 Best's Bin 0 Great Nose is a lovely Western Shiraz Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of integration of red fruits, 2016 HHH1/2 excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. spices and cedar oak Nice oaky nose with All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry with rhubarb notes. lifted fruits and an professionals and are compared in peer Great length and drive of herbal edge. Very classes by three judges. sweet fruit flavours with grippy palate with CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, soft ripe tannins. $42 great mouthful a major mail-order business. Best's Bin 1 Great and persistence of CD Cellar door price. Western Shiraz flavours. $85 CDO Cellar door only. 2017 HHHH Dalberti Charcoal SO Sold out. An elegant and complex Burner Great $N/A Price not available at time of printing. style seamlessly Western Shiraz balanced with vibrant, 2017 HHH  Contact information pg 97. spicy, blue fruit varietal Dense fruit nose characters and a good with nice use of RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). backbone of acid. $25 oak and firm, drying tannic palate; some sweetness. $16 52 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

regional tasting Blue Pyrenees SHIRAZ Best's LSV Great Richardson Pyrenees BLENDS Western Shiraz Shiraz 2013 HHHH 2017 HHHH A rich choc mint of a 3 TASTED Young, fresh and vibrant nose with very intense 3 AWARDED shiraz that's elegant, flavours on the perfectly spicy and complex; very balanced palate with its A small but great class Cote-Rotie-like. Excellent good chewy tannins. Still with all wines receiving bouquet and some more years in it yet. $60 top marks! delicious flavours. $35 Bigibila Pyrenees Silver Spoon Estate Shiraz 2015 HHH1/2 McPherson Wine The Ensemble Leafy green nose has Co. MWC Central Heathcote Shiraz some nice spiciness and Victoria Shiraz Viognier the palate offers soft red Mourvedre 2016 HHHH1/2 fruit flavours with subtle 2017 HHHHH Aromatic red berry/floral oak influence. $30 Amazing floral lift to fragrances with a touch this ripe fruit nose and of apricot nectar. Very nice length and weight \"smart\" palate with great of excellent blue fruit concentration of varietal flavours with some well flavours and good tannin managed oak and lovely length. $32 soft tannins. $21.99 Cosmo Wines Heathcote Shiraz 2015 HHHH Aromas of cedary oak and rich ripe shiraz fruit with lovely lengthy palate brimming over with excellent sweet red fruit flavours. $40 Our growing global network offers over 28,000 Mainfreight to Mainfreight connections, helping you to move your wine and spirits globally, worry free. Across the beverage industry we supply services from global movements of ISO tanks to single bottles. We store and distribute wine, beer and spirits and deliver daily across the country and export globally to retail distribution centres, on premise locations and direct to consumers. Talk to a local Mainfreight team member about how we can build a tailored solution for your domestic and global needs. www.mainfreight.com March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 53

126 TASTED 86 AWARDED I TA LI A N & S PA N I S H Always an interesting tasting covering a portion of the Emerging FIANO VERDELHO/ Varieties we conducted earlier last year. In this one we also allow VERDEJO samples from the European home land as yard sticks to compete 6 TASTED with the new world versions. Always lots of fun and in a blind 4 AWARDED 7 TASTED judging always illuminating. 4 AWARDED A solid group with the PROSECCO Zonte's Footstep best showing good A mixed bag. The best Bolle Felici Fleurieu texture and varietal had flavour and good 8 TASTED Peninsula Prosecco character while some acid/fruit balance. 4 AWARDED NV HHH1/2 overdid the sweetness. Candied lemon nose Esk Valley Hawkes These first two and a fresh lively and Haselgrove Wines Bay Verdelho categories are a mixed flavoursome palate with Alternative Series 2018 HHHH1/2 bag of both Australian the bright clean acid a McLaren Vale Fiano A pleasant and imported sparkling feature of this wine. $22 2018 HHHH1/2 uncomplicated wine wines with the Youthful tightly with pungent tropical proseccos dominating. Sacchetto Fili VBBAEULSYUTSE knit wine, varietally aromas, some spiciness \"Typically, most of these Prosecco DOC distinctive with bright and slight earthiness were light on flavour Veneto Prosecco but subtle apple and with a flavoursome with more emphasis on NV HHH pear-like fruit characters. palate and dominant acid the bubbles,\" said one Mellow lemon candy Some nuttiness and making it a great food judge. bouquet and creamy great texture and wine. $19.99 smooth lemony palate. crunchy acidity. $24 Good sugar/acid Cirami Estate balance. $19.99 Berton Vineyards Riverland Verdejo Winemakers Reserve 2016 HHHH Botter Veneto VBBAEULSYUTSE OTHER Riverina Fiano Interesting creamy Prosecco SPARKLING 2018 HHH tropical nose with some NV HHHH1/2 \"A charming crowd nice aged notes. Nice 3 TASTED pleaser.\" Lovely creamy palate with expression of spiced dusty citrus characters 2 AWARDED apple/s and pears with and crunchy acidity. honeysuckle notes. $15 Good yeast autolysis $14 blending with the fresh Inner City lemonade-like aromas. La Vuelta Bremerton Special Winemakers Hunter Silky smooth in the Spanish Cava VBBAEULSYUTSE Release Langhorne Valley Verdelho Catalunya Brut Creek Fiano 2018 HHH1/2 mouth with a preserved NV HHH1/2 2018 HHH A zippy mix of citrus and lemon flavour profile Delicate confectionery tropical aromas with a and light herbal notes. Green apple nose with nose with light florals velvety smooth ripe fruit dried herbs and some and upfront bright zesty palate balanced by the $19.99 aged notes. Palate is juicy lemon flavours. $24 acidity. $25 Dalfarras Victoria and sweet and tasting Hand Crafted Sandalford Estate Prosecco of roasted nuts and by Geoff Hardy Reserve Margaret 2018 HHHH pineapple. $12.99 Adelaide Hills Fiano River Verdelho Delicate aromas of apple 2018 HHH 2018 HHH1/2 blossom and citrus. \"A La Fattoria Perth A straightforward clean A pretty, fine boned gorgeous beautifully Hills Brachetto fruity commercial wine wine with expressive balanced wine.\" Tastes 2017 HHH with attractive lemony but subtle varietal fruit of fresh apples and Sweet red berry acidity. $25 characters. \"A well- pears. $19.50 bouquet and spicy made wine,\" notes one chocolaty palate laced judge. $25 with cherries and bright acid. $29 54 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

varietal tasting PINOT GRIS & Tussock Zonte's Footstep Trentham The GRIGIO Jumper Italy Lady Marmalade Family Murray Pinot Grigio VBBAEULSYUTSE Fleurieu Peninsula Darling Sangiovese 8 TASTED Vermentino Rosé 2018 HHH 7 AWARDED 2017 HHH 2018 HHH Subtle aromas of Just a hint of grapefruit Delicate but intense strawberries and Lots of lean neutral on the nose with a tropical/citrus bouquet and blackcurrants and a wines here. \"Maybe a delicate varietal palate. a racy citrus palate with a super delicate berry touch too much restraint $15.99 persistent finish. $22 palate with bright exercised,\" suggested acidity. $16 one judge. OTHER Bremerton Special WHITES Release Langhorne Dalfarras Central Katnook Founder's Creek Vermentino Victoria Rosato Block Coonawarra 3 TASTED 2017 HHH 2018 HHH Pinot Grigio Fresh and interesting Candied strawberry 2017 HHHH 3 AWARDED with a floral/lemon bouquet with those A complex grigio style, drop nose and good characters following \"Forward and precise!\" An interesting group Hastwell & Lightfoot expression of varietal through on to the tight Interesting spiciness of alternative varietals McLaren Vale flavours. $24 dry palate. $19.50 on the nose and nicely here. Vermentino textured palate with 2018 HHHH1/2 ITALIAN OR SANGIOVESE & mineral finish. $20 Cirami Estate A lovely vibrant lime SPANISH BLENDS Riverland Albarino cordial nose with light STYLE ROSÉ Trentham The 2016 HHHH muscaty/floral lift. Nicely 10 TASTED Family Murray Aromas reminiscent textured palate with 6 TASTED 7 AWARDED Darling Pinot Grigio of cooked apples and flavours of spicy baked 5 AWARDED 2018 HHH preserved lemons apples and citrus that A diverse group. Straightforward, easy with similar characters are carried well by the A strong consistent \"Lacking the necessary drinking with musky echoed on the nicely acidity. $25 class of attractive varietal punch to get confectionery citrus textured, medium Trentham The commercial styles the higher scores,\" characters and light oak weight palate. $15 Family Murray offering good quaffing. said one judge. \"Would influence. $16 Darling Vermentino The judges said they have been nice to see Rutherglen Estates 2017 HHHH1/2 would like to see more more savoury and acid Rutherglen Estates Rutherglen Arneis Pure varietal expression of the savoury styles of characters rather than Rutherglen Pinot 2018 HHH1/2 of sweet apples and rosé. just ‘nice’ easy drinking Grigio 2018 HHH Attractive tropical pears on the lovely sweet fruit wines.” Subtle citrus nose with intensity to the nose nose. Rich and creamy Nepenthe a floral lift and a citrus with a balance of citrus in the mouth with nice Winemakers Select Calcannia Cellar sherbet-like palate with and tropical flavours palate weight, ripe fruit Adelaide Hills Reserve Clare Valley light savouriness. $19 and a background of expression and gentle Tempranillo Rosé Sangiovese stonefruits. $24 acid. $16 2018 HHHH1/2 2015 HHHH1/2 Dalfarras Victoria Zonte's Footstep A minerally cherry nose The nose is an aromatic Pinot Grigio Nepenthe Peacock's Tail and a pretty strawberry complexity of spices, 2018 HHH Winemakers Select South Australia and rhubarb palate vanilla, earth and leather. Very floral soft pink wine Adelaide Hills Arneis Vermentino that's soft in the mouth Silky smooth in the - \"Made to please,\" with 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHHH with lots of delicate mouth with a lean and pretty red berry fruit and A delicate perfumed A very good example of layers, loads of flavour somewhat savoury crisp acid. $19.50 bouquet that is still very the variety with a pretty and plenty of lively red currant-like flavour fresh. Palate has good soft tropical bouquet acidity. $25 profile. $49 Ceravolo Adelaide length of crunchy varietal and compact savoury Hills Pinot Grigio fruit flavours. $25 palate. $22 Caudo Vineyard 2018 HHH Stefano de Pieri Lifestyles Riverland Zesty lime and VERMENTINO Fleurieu Peninsula Rosé 2017 HHHH guava aromas. Fresh Vermentino Delightful nose - smells flavoursome palate; 8 TASTED 2017 HHH1/2 of strawberries and sweetness balanced by 6 AWARDED Some interesting toasty cream with a very the acid. $20 development on the attractive fruit tingle A great variety of styles nose with a grippy of a palate with a long Hahndorf Hill with good results all mineral palate and nice lingering finish. $20 Adelaide Hills Pinot round. Well worth zesty lift of lime. $30 Grigio 2018 HHH trying! Gapsted Wines Intense candied Tobacco Road King lemon-like bouquet Valley Sangiovese and perfectly balanced Rosé 2018 HHH lemon/lime flavour Very dry pink salmon profile. $25 wine with lovely raspberry fruit enveloping granite-like minerality. $16 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 55

ITAL IAN & SPAN ISH Gapsted Wines Agnew Wines 919 Wines Mr Riggs Wine Zonte's Footstep Tobacco Road King Cockfighter's Ghost Reserve Riverland Co The Magnet Peacock's Tail Valley Sangiovese Single Vineyard Sangiovese McLaren Vale South Australia Barbera 2017 HHHH McLaren Vale 2017 HHH Grenache 2017 HHH Tempranillo Confectionery cherry Sangiovese Bright and ripe on A bright expression 2017 HHHH bouquet with hints of 2017 HHHH the nose with a lean, of grenache - has Chocolaty black fruit licorice with delicious Mineral elements to \"sophisticated\" and freshness and balance fragrances with a sound, cherry berry and the floral red bouquet seamlessly balanced with pleasant herbal well integrated briary/ chocolate flavours. and a classic fresh and palate. $35 elements. $30 red fruit palate well \"Classic meets modern!\" youthful tart cranberry supported by the chewy $16 palate. \"Very appealing,\" GRENACHE Rosenvale Barossa tannins. $25 Zonte's Footstep said one judge. $25 & BLENDS Valley Grenache Canto Fleurieu Taltarni Pyrenees (GARNACHA) Tempranillo Hemera Estate Peninsula Sangiovese 2015 HHH Single Vineyard Sangiovese Blend 2017 HHH 12 TASTED Velvety smooth oak Barossa Valley 2017 HHHH The nose is a mix of 4 AWARDED driven wine. Nice line Tempranillo Intense purple wine spices, red cherries of spicy red licorice 2017 HHHH with a briary/herbal nose and mint with a soft Disappointing overall. characters and strong Intense colour, spicy, and big savoury tannic approachable cherry Some performed well tannins. $24 earthy and chocolaty palate. Should age well. palate. $25 but others lacked depth aromas and powerful \"Give it red meat,\" was Gapsted Wines of flavour and context. TEMPRANILLO black fruit and red one comment. $27.50 Limited Release \"There's more to licorice flavours with Heathcote grenache than just ripe 25 TASTED some gritty tannins. $35 Sangiovese sweet fruit,\" commented 16 AWARDED 919 Wines 2017 HHH one of the judges. Reserve Riverland Earthy notes to \"We are seeing big Tempranillo the cherry aromas. Zonte's Footstep strides here with 2017 HHHH Generous palate with Love Symbol winemakers showing Lovely nose - smells lingering savoury McLaren Vale more understanding of of fruit cake. The flavours. $31 Grenache the variety,\" said one flavoursome juicy fruit 2017 HHHH judge. \"However too palate is well balanced A concentration of many are still making dry by spicy oak and licorice, spices and red red styles; this varietal powdery tannins. $42 fruits on the nose. Quite does need additional oak a complex chocolaty red tannins.\" fruit palate with a fine line of tannins. $27.50 Scarpantoni Estate Oxenberry Farm La La Land Victoria Jack of All Trades Garnacha 2017 HHH McLaren Vale A well-made earthy, Tempranillo spicy, chocolaty style 2017 HHHH with some balanced Blue fruit bouquet sweetness. $18 with spicy oak in the background and lovely ripe sweet red berry flavour profile with the dusty oak a feature. $25 JUDGES Jeni Port Jusden Aumand Nicole Esdaile Melbourne-based wine writer, Sourcing Manager - International Consultant Wine Network. author and experienced Wines for Coles Liquor Group. Involved in the Australian Wine wine judge. In 2014 she won WSET III advanced judge. Has Industry for almost 20 years, Australian Wine Communicator also judged at the San Francisco holding senior winemaking & of theYear and was named a Chronicle Wine Competition, management positions at Capel Legend of the Melbourne Wine Sonoma County and numerous Vale wines in WA, Rutherglen and Food Festival. She has other US shows. Assistant Estates in Rutherglen, Victoria and judged at many wine shows winemaker for 4½ years in Coombe Farm in theYarra Valley. in Australia and overseas and Livermore Valley, California. She is an experienced wine show travels annually to Germany to Extensive travel in Italian and judge and sits on several Wine judge at MUNDUS VINI. French wine regions. Industry Boards & Committees. 56 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

varietal tasting Reillys Dry Land Tussock VBBAEULSYUTSE BARBERA & Clare Valley Jumper Spain BLENDS Tempranillo Tempranillo 2016 HHHH 2017 HHH 6 TASTED Intense chocolaty dried Bright purple wine with 3 AWARDED fruit aromas with very candied plum nose and ripe spicy black fruit spicy red fruit flavours A small mixed group. flavours well integrated with greenish notes. \"Some understood the with the drying tannins $15.99 variety - others didn't,\" and aged notes. $29 noted one judge. Gatt Accent Barossa Nepenthe Altitude Valley Tempranillo Adelaide Hills Hollick Estates 2014 HHHH Tempranillo The Gondolier Attractive oaky 2017 HHH Coonawarra Barbera development on the Juby sweet red fruit 2016 HHHH1/2 sweet spicy nose. fragrances and some Bright ruby wine with a Smooth in the mouth herbal and red cherry nose that is a subtlety with gentle earthy, flavours with minty of red fruits, earth and spicy and leathery notes. $20 spices while spicy flavours. $25 red fruits envelop the Bremerton Special Hollick Estates taste buds and has a 919 Wines Reserve Agnew Wines Release Langhorne The Toreador nice line and length of Riverland Touriga Cockfighter's Ghost Creek Tempranillo Wrattonbully tannins. $23 Nacional Single Vineyard Graciano Tempranillo 2016 HHHHH McLaren Vale 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHH Hofer Family Wines A well-structured, Nebbiolo Chocolaty characters Attractive spicy Langhorne Creek weighty and quite 2017 HHHH1/2 dominate the nose chocolaty bouquet with Barbera 2017 HHHH savoury style that has Good example of the and some pleasing a fine tannin structure to Earthy mushroom-like a delightful upfront mix variety. Nose has pretty flavours of dried fruit the red berry palate. $23 aromas lift off the nose of berry fruit characters fragrances of roses and chocolate fill the and savoury chocolaty with a nice balance which follow through to palate. $24 Hastwell & flavours fill the mouth. between the well- the powerful chocolaty Grampians Estate Lightfoot McLaren \"A complete wine,\" said handled oak and the fruit palate. A dry but very Grampians Vale Tempranillo one judge. $25 tannins. $42 approachable style. $25 Tempranillo 2017 HHH 919 Wines Riverland 2017 HHH1/2 More of an old school Ceravolo Adelaide Classic Tawny Trentham The A \"taut\", lean and dry red style that's a Hills Barbera NV HHHH1/2 Family Murray complex wine that's melange of black/red 2016 HHH Nice nutty, honey sweet Darling Nero quite tannic with fruits, spices, licorice Sultry and highly aromas with caramel D'Avola 2017 HHHH well-defined black and earthiness. $25 aromatic bouquet with notes and delectable Intense aromas of fruit, licorice and spicy flavours of fruit pastilles upfront raisined fruit red fruits, dried herbs characters. $25 Inner City with delicate floral flavours. It's quite sweet and chocolate with Mr Riggs Wine Co Winemakers New notes. $22 but has a balance of delicious minty red and Yacca Paddock England Tempranillo savoury characters. $35 blue fruit flavours and Adelaide Hills 2017 HHH OTHER REDS 919 Wines Limited well managed tannins. Tempranillo Dense purple wine with Release Riverland $16 2017 HHH1/2 powerful earthy fruity 24 TASTED Vintage Fortified Subtle minty fruit aromas and flavours 21 AWARDED 2013 HHHH1/2 fragrances and savoury with strong vanillin A subtle chocolate red licorice flavours that characters. $28 A lot of interesting cake of a nose and a build nicely along the varieties here with fresh and very youthful length of the palate. $30 Hand Crafted excellent results palate that has a lovely Warburn Estate Caudo Vineyard by Geoff Hardy overall showing that balance of raisined 1164 Riverina VBBAEULSYUTSE Ola Single Adelaide Hills winemakers are black fruits and tannins. Montepulciano Vineyard Riverland Tempranillo beginning to understand \"True to style,\" noted 2017 HHHH Tempranillo 2017 HHH what they are about. one judge. $65 Brooding dark fruit and 2014 HHH1/2 Earthy nose with These wines will age spicy chocolate bouquet The nose is clean and cinnamon-like notes. well. There was a nice with generous but quite savoury with an Palate shows nice group of fortifieds from subtle layers black fruit ageing and flavoursome balanced between oak a warm climate region flavours with mouth palate that has good and fruit. $30 and expert winemakers. coating tannins. $17 intensity of varietal fruit. $20 Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Adelaide Hills Teroldego 2017 HHHH A purple wine with savouriness to the nose, fleshy in the mouth and interesting complexity of blackberries, spices and licorice. $30 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 57

ITAL IAN & SPAN ISH Purple Hands Wines McGuigan Shortlist Hand Crafted Cirami Estate Hand Crafted Barossa Valley Barossa Valley by Geoff Hardy Riverland by Geoff Hardy Aglianico Montepulciano Limestone Coast Montepulciano Limestone Coast 2017 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 Montepulciano 2016 HHH Lagrein 2016 HHH Aromas of earthy A voluptuous dense 2017 HHH A lifted aromatic and Dark inky wine with muskiness and jubey purple wine that is Oak driven wine with very flavoursome wine generous black fruit raspberries and tight, \"saturated\" with upfront sweet black pastille- with \"Glorious, opulent, characters laced lean, cool red fruit blackcurrant fruit like fruit characters sweet ripe fruit\". $20 with smoky/meaty flavours. \"Yet to open characters and meaty underneath. Good tannin Hofer Family Wines elements. $30 up,\" said one judge. $30 nuances. $30 drive. $30 Southern Fleurieu Haselgrove Wines Montepulciano Twist McLaren Vale Casa VBBAEULSYUTSE 919 Wines Pale Dry Warburn Estate VBBAEULSYUTSE 2016 HHH Primitivo 2015 HHH Santos Lima Riverland Apera 1164 Riverina Confectionery black This wine is a generosity Quinta Das NV HHH Lagrein 2016 HHH fruit bouquet laced with of black fruits, licorice, Setencostas Beiras Spicy blueberry nose Tarry, earthy and licorice and a briary spices and oak with a Red Blend with intense flor savoury style showing chocolaty palate with drying tannic finish. $40 2012 HHHH characters and a lean hints of blue fruit drying tannins. $25 Henschke The Rose Savoury complexity to dry palate showing nice characters with some Taltarni Pyrenees Grower Eden Valley the nose with a bright freshness. $35 dense tannins. $17 Nebbiolo 2016 HHH Nebbiolo 2014 HHH juicy blue fruit, licorice Trentham The Gentle red berry A lovely complex wine and spicy flavour profile. Family Murray Ceravolo Adelaide fragrances with tannic that has interesting Good for its age; still Darling Nebbiolo Hills Dolcetto grip to the palate and earthy, tarry and dark incredibly youthful. 2017 HHH 2016 HHH an attractive savoury berry aromas and $14.99 Candy sweet fruit Smells of port wine drive. $25 flavours. $80 nose with a spicy lift. jelly crystals with Powerful tannic palate gorgeous pastille fruit has underlying sweet flavours. Good use of varietal fruit. $16 oak. $20 WINES MUDGEE • C H A R D O N N AY • SAUVIGNON BLANC • VERDELHO • ROSÈ • MERLOT • PINOT NOIR • SHIRAZ • CABERNET SAUVIGNON • SHIRAZ CABERNET • S PA R K L I N G C H A R D O N N AY P I N OT N O I R • SPARKLING SHIRAZ G O O R E E PA R K W I N E S C A S T L E R E AG H H I G H WAY, M U D G E E N S W 2 8 5 0 PHONE: 02 6378 1800 VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE 58 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN BAROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY ON SAFARI are purchasing a unique product. Janelle, Barossa and across South Australia. who has worked at wineries including Almost every wine on the Vino Lokal wine THE Barossa’s newest eco-luxe Brokenwood and St Hallett and vintages accommodation is Discovery Parks in Tuscany, Sonoma and Burgundy, is the list is available at the Artisans of Barossa Barossa’s new glamping experience. winemaker and Kristen the marketing and online wine shop. export manager. Nestled within a private area of the Calabria Family Wines, expanding their campsite, the 12 safari tents are set among The Zerk cellar door and wine bar, which operations from the Riverina, have moved native gums with vineyard views. serves platters and tasting “planks” to match into the former Artisans space in Vine Vale, the Barossa wines, is open seven days a where they join Harvest Kitchen. The tents share a private swimming week in Murray St, Tanunda, with live music pool with heated spa, barbecue and often on the weekend agenda. It is open late Then, in April, construction will begin on the lounge area. Each tent features a private on Friday and Saturday nights. Zerk Wines, eventual new home of Artisans of Barossa, deck, ensuite, kitchenette and spacious Shop 3, 109-11 Murray St, Tanunda; phone which will be located at Kroemer’s Crossing bedroom configured with either a king- (08) 8563 3637 or visit www.zwine.com.au. at the top end of Tanunda. That operation sized bed or two twins. is scheduled to open in early 2020, and SMALLER PRODUCERS Vino Lokal and Artisans of Barossa will then Discovery Parks chief executive Grant MAKE A BIG MOVE operate in tandem offering two different ways Wilckens said that glamping is camping for of enjoying Barossa wine and food. Vino those that appreciate a bit of luxury. VINO Lokal is the Lokal, 64 Murray St, Tanunda; phone (08) new headquarters 8563 3935 or visit www.vinolokal.com. “Many of us are looking to escape the of the group of small hustle and bustle and want authentic holiday winemakers who share HERITAGE ON SHOW experiences that allow us to reconnect,” the umbrella Artisans he said. “So, it's no surprise that safari tent of the Barossa. CHATEAU Tanunda, one of the most experiences have become so popular - they historically significant wineries in the offer so much more than a hotel stay.” Vino Lokal connects Barossa, has reopened its cellar door after the Spanish word for a major refurbishment. Safari Tents are priced from $250 per tent, wine with the German per night. See www.discoveryholidayparks. term for local in a nod The open-plan cellar door is home to the com.au. to the naming origins Grand Cellar, housing over 360 barrels of of Barossa and its Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz, SISTER ACT European pioneer one the Barossa’s leading exported wines. heritage. Opened in SISTERS Janelle and Kristen Zerk combined January, it aims to be The atmospheric cellar door features a their talents to create Z Wines, an authentic a place for locals and hand-crafted, bespoke 5m-high reclaimed boutique producer in the Barossa Valley. visitors to enjoy wine and food in a convivial 300-year-old oak wall, sourced from historic setting. The Wine Room re-imagines the brandy puncheons. With over 160 years of Barossa heritage winery tasting bar - a shift from just wine, behind them, they grew up on a vineyard to wine and food, and from stand up to sit The area will host new seated tasting that has been in the Zerk family for five down. It is open every day from 11am-5pm experiences and showcase the luxury generations. All wines are hand-crafted in with over 50 wines from the region’s artisan small batches, with all bottles individually winemakers available for purchase in tasting numbered so that consumers know they flights, accompanied by a daily selection of bite-sized portions from the wine bar menu. The Wine Bar is open every day from 11am and offers a selection of “lokal” wines served by the glass, half carafe and bottle. The Wine Bar menu features a daily selection of small plate offerings created from fresh seasonal produce sourced from March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 59

travelbriefs collection of Old Vine Expression wines. A TASTE OF HISTORY Each is surrounded by vineyard and cottage The space has been renovated in keeping gardens and all have cosy wood fires, two- with the heritage features of the property, THE Keyneton region in the Eden Valley has person spa baths and lake views. Kitchens are including a mezzanine which overlooks a new cellar door with the opening of the stocked with fresh local produce for guests one of the most impressive barrel halls Brockenchack tasting facility by the Harch to prepare their own breakfasts and each in Australia. family. Located at Sawpit Gully Rd, Keyneton, suite and cottage has its own private garden the original 1880s home was transformed courtyard with barbecue outdoor setting and Below the mezzanine is a landscape by Bartsch Builders Barossa into a cellar sun loungers. Generous provisions, using projection system providing an insight door complete with tasting bar, upstairs fresh local artisan produce, are provided into the history of Chateau Tanunda along wine room and cellar. It complements a along with a Nespresso machine, a decanter with revolving cinematography of current luxury bed and breakfast next door. Owner of Peter Lehmann port, Barossa Decadence winemaking practices. VIP guests enter Trevor Harch and wife Marilyn fell in love fudge and Barossa Country handmade via the concierge room before embarking with the Barossa during a visit and later biscuits. There is also free wifi, Netflix and a on their hosted experiences, including purchased Tanunda Cellars. “This addition selection of magazines. Extra indulgences current vintage tastings of wines directly to our vineyard will provide an authentic and available for an additional payment include from the barrel. historical cellar door experience, to both gourmet regional food platters, barbecue complement and complete our Eden Valley packs, in-room massage and bike hire. Visit Guests can experience the Old Vine wine tourism offering,” marketing manager www.stonewellcottages.com.au. Expression range of 50-Year-Old, 100-Year- Megan McMurdo said. Brockenchack Old Vines and the rare and collectable Wines is named in honour of the Harch’s BOOKINGS ‘A MUST’ 150-Year-Old Vines 1858 Field Blend, and four grandchildren - Bronte, Mackenzie, 150-Year-Old Vines Semillon, as well as Charli and Jack. YELLAND & Papps at Nuriootpa now sample a full collection of Grand Barossa requires advance bookings for cellar door and The Chateau limited release single- STAY IN THE HEART OF THE tastings. vineyard wines. BAROSSA Ta s t i n g s w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e f ro m Loyalty Wine Club members have their STONEWELL Cottages and Vineyards is a Wednesdays to Saturday, 10am-4pm, own dedicated tasting area in historic and boutique waterfront vineyard retreat in the but only with a booking. “As our tasting restored concrete wine tanks, housing Barossa Valley. room has become busier over the last few hundreds of thousands of dollars of back- years, we have realised that some of our vintage wines. The vineyard accommodation offers peace customers do not receive the experience and privacy in the heart of the Barossa. we would like,” said Susan Papps. “Seeing Together with the launch of the cellar The cottages are set on a 42ha vineyard this we have decided to take a different door, Chateau Tanunda is also launching property on the western side of the Barossa, path to make sure our focus is back on our the release of a new history book Chateau close to several big-name cellar doors and customers.” Phone (08) 8562 3510. Tanunda, Winemakers Since 1890, restaurants. Stonewell is just 4km from the researched and written by prominent town of Tanunda and only an hour’s drive Page 59 top right: Exterior & interior of Vino Lokal. historians Geoffrey Bishop and Don Ross. from Adelaide. Established in 1987, Stonewell Page 59 left: Discovery Parks accommodation. It helps cement Chateau Tanunda’s position Cottages was one of the first purpose built, Top left: View of Chateau Tanunda. as one of the Barossa’s, and Australia’s self-contained vineyard accommodation in Top right & below: Stonewell Cottages vistas. most significant wineries. the region. Options include two suites and two cottages, the Haven Spa Suites (1 & 2), Managing director and second-generation the Hideaway Cottage and Cupid’s Cottage. family member of privately-owned Chateau Tanunda, Michelle Geber, said: “This year marks 20 years of ownership of this Barossa icon and throughout this time we have invested significantly in the wines and winemaking facilities at the chateau. Chateau Tanunda’s new renovations are another great reason to come and visit, or indeed re-visit this impressive estate. Whether your interest is in award winning wines, iconic architecture, history or even a relaxing game of croquet, there is something for everyone.” 60 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

107 TASTED 71 AWARDED B AROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY Always a pleasure! The Barossa never disappoints, with its OTHER WHITE genuine \"bang for the buck\" flavours that are hard to ignore. VARIETALS & As expected here the gems are the pristine riesling and rich, BLENDS flavoursome shiraz wines. Diversity is beginning to creep here with some pulling back on the powerful characters. But be careful 6 TASTED not to \"throw the baby out with the bath water\", when flavour is 4 AWARDED the signature of the Barossa. Small solid flight of SPARKLING St Hugo Eden Valley Eden Hall Reserve interesting white Riesling Eden Valley Riesling alternatives showing 1 TASTED 2018 HHHHH 2018 HHHH that the Barossa can 1 AWARDED A delicate nose with An elegant riesling with produce these varietals lovely minerality and floral fruit fragrances. It's very well. One example that opening up to delicate smooth and creamy in shows nice primary fruit floral notes. Excellent the mouth with the fruit Irvine Wines characters and offers palate restraint and sweetness balanced by Spring Hill balanced easy drinking. structure with flavours zingy acidity. $35 Eden Valley of limes and apples and Pinot Gris Jb Wines Je good line of acid. $39.99 Stage Door Green Avon Brae Eden 2018 HHHH1/2 Veux Barossa Jacob's Creek Room Eden Valley Valley Riesling An elegant wine with Valley Sparkling Steingarten Barossa Riesling 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 delicate nuances of Chardonnay Pinot Valley Riesling A delicate lift of rose Pretty delicate bouquet pears and quinces on Meunier 2016 HHH 2017 HHHHH petals on the citrussy with subtle citrus the nose and a palate A fresh yeasty nose A fresh minerally nose and a fleshy palate nuances and a restrained that exhibits very good with a floral lift and long citrussy bouquet and with fruit sweetness and elegant floral palate gris varietal expression lingering apple and pear an intensity flavoured filling out the middle with plenty of acid. with nice phenolic flavour profile. Good palate filled with lime and a nice zesty finish. touch. $24 dosage. $40 and lemon characters 3-5 $29.99 that will continue to 5+ $25 Stage Door White RIESLING evolve. Has excellent McGuigan Shortlist Note Eden Valley crunchy acid backbone. Eden Valley Riesling Gruner Veltliner 13 TASTED 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHHH 8 AWARDED 5+ $39.99 Lots of fruit and spice Nose has a fragrant lift Heggies Vineyard on the nose with orange of wild flowers. Good A mixed group Estate Eden blossom notes and a apple and guava fruit showing both lovely Valley Riesling tight crunchy palate. sweetness on the palate varietal characters and 2017 HHHH1/2 \"Interesting different perfectly balanced by freshness without the Holding up well and still the crisp acidity. $25 excessive austerity of showing lots of primary the past. fruit characters. Subtle Bethany Wines First citrus aromas and good Village Barossa intensity and length style!\" 3-5. $30 Valley Semillon of very elegant lime 2017 HHHH juice-like flavour profile. Gomersal Wines Lemon scented wine Premium Eden with nice grassy notes. 3-5 $26 Valley Riesling Round and fleshy in the 2018 HHH mouth carried by some Clean fresh lifted floral good acidity. Needs time aromatics and lightweight to evolve. $24 citrus flavours. Good commercial style. $20 Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2017 HHH A gorgeous ripe marmalade of a nose and ripe apricot palate. Definitely a viognier! $48 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 61

B AROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY ROSÉ GRENACHE & Kalleske Wines Old BLENDS Vine Barossa Valley 5 TASTED 3 TASTED Grenache 4 AWARDED 2 AWARDED 12 TASTED 2017 HHHH1/2 9 AWARDED A complex nose that is A diverse line-up from A couple of worthy quite savoury and has the ripe and rich older examples - a lively fruity Very strong class from a lovely fruit spiciness styles to the modern style and a more savoury variety or blend that the with delicate hints of more restrained ones one. The judges were region does well. \"The violets. Very more-ish that offer freshness and pleased to see these best hold their freshness palate with long lingering vibrancy. two wines were made in and showcase their flavours and nice chewy more drier styles. typical spicy raspberry tannins. $45 Jacob's Creek and herbal characters,\" St Hugo Barossa Barossa Signature Irvine Wines Spring said one judge. Valley G.S.M. Barossa Valley Hill Eden Valley 2016 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay Primitivo Rosé Greenock Estate Schwarz Wine Co. Looking very fresh for its 2017 HHHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 Heritage 7 Barossa Meta Barossa Valley age with lovely dark ripe Melon and honeysuckle Subtle raspberry bouquet Valley Blend Grenache varietal fruit characters aromas nicely tied in and fairly dry palate with 2015 HHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 and some lifted peppery with the creamy oak lovely freshness and A crowd-pleaser with elements with subtle and big oak driven expressing nice red berry its generous fleshy hints of vanilla oak. palate but you can varietal flavours. $24 spicy varietal fruit Lovely open structure to see the varietal fruit complimented by the palate. $57.99 underneath. Nice leesy Murray Street the toasty oak and Lou Miranda Estate complexity. $19.99 Vineyard White showing attractive aged Old Vine Barossa Label Barossa Valley characters. $22 Valley Grenache St Hugo Eden Valley Rosé 2018 HHH Irvine Wines The 2018 HHHH Chardonnay Savoury nose and Estate Eden Valley A very big ripe and 2017 HHH1/2 youthful palate with Merlot 2017 HHH1/2 fleshy style of grenache Stonefruits and melon simple sweet fruit. Medium bodied wine with lovely, slightly pushing past the \"Attractive wine for a ageing well with minty, varietal fruit nice oak profile with young crowd!\" $25 fragrant fruit aromas characters and plenty of attractive complexity and a ripe and juicy sweet oak pushing its and good acidity cutting OTHER RED palate with nice tannin way through. $45 through. $39.99 VARIETALS & structure. $30 Yalumba The Tri- BLENDS Centenary Barossa Lou Miranda Estate Nose of rich plums with Valley Grenache Leone Barossa 5 TASTED rose petals peeking 2013 HHHH Valley Chardonnay 2 AWARDED through. Very juicy and An oak driven style that 2018 HHH generous palate with is ageing beautifully with A classic big old style of A mixed flight. The best good fruit weight and a complex and layered chardonnay with good two here showed what supple tannins. \"Should nose and huge tannic length and balance of the region does well. hold up for years to palate still showing fruit, sweetness and \"Ripe generosity on come.\" 3-5 $35 some primary fruit. secondary notes. $30 the palate and yet also varietal primary fruit,\" 3-5 $64 Heggies Vineyard said one judge. McGuigan Shortlist Estate Eden Valley Barossa Valley Chardonnay Grenache Shiraz 2016 HHH Mataro A toasty buttery 2016 HHH1/2 chardonnay with Attractive toasty, elegant fruit. Still savoury, meaty aromas very youthful but very and good raspberry fruit approachable. $31 length to the palate with nice fleshy tannins. JUDGES 3-5 $30 Steve Warrick Sam Watkins Rakesh Junnare Wine marketer with Winemaker Boar's Rock Winemaker for TWG 20 years experience Winery and Adelaide (The Wine Group) in McLaren Vale, Winemakers. Formerly servicing the US and Coonawarra, Adelaide winemaker at Wynns, Philip China. Formerly with Hills and Margaret Shaw and Seppeltsfield Kingston Estate and River. Extensive wine wineries. Has vintaged Ballast Stone. Vintaged judging experience at in Portugal and Napa in Oregon, US. Has the Adelaide, Hobart Valley. Associate judge at judged at the Riverland and McLaren Vale wine the Royal Adelaide and wine show and shows. Langhorne Creek wine completed AWRI Wine shows. Assessment. 62 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

regional tasting Kalleske Wines Clarrys Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2018 HHH Easy drinking style with its fresh earthy raspberry fruit, some spiciness and the acid giving focus. $22 Schwarz Wine Co. Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2017 HHH Lovely primary fruit aromas and a complex balance between sweet and savoury flavours. $30 Murray Street Thorn-Clarke Wines Murray Street Eden Hall Springton Stage Door Full Vineyard Red Label Shotfire Quartage Vineyard Red Label Eden Valley House Barossa Barossa Valley Barossa Valley Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Cabernet Grenache Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 HHHH Sauvignon Mataro 2017 HHH Cabernet Franc Petit 2017 HHHH1/2 Minty blackberry 2016 HHHH Good intensity of Verdot Merlot An attractive bouquet and a luscious Raspberry-like aromas sweet raspberry-like 2016 HHHHH straightforward style open structured palate showing an olive-like fruit characters on both The nose is a layered with youthful minty filled with confectionery edge and attractive nose and palate. Great complexity of varietal cassis characters on the fruit and sweet oak with raspberry fruit on the 'drinkability'! $35 fruits, toasty oak and nose. Some nice upfront grippy tannins. $25 fleshy palate with some hints of coffee. The sweet fruit flavours Stage Door nice spiciness. $25 CABERNET palate is massive, with toasty oak in the Headliner Eden SAUVIGNON & tannic, full of flavour background. $35 Valley Cabernet Kalleske Wines BLENDS and still very young. Has Yalumba The Sauvignon Merchant Barossa years in it yet. 5+ Signature Barossa 2016 HHHH Valley Cabernet 15 TASTED $28 Valley Cabernet An elegant, clean and Sauvignon 11 AWARDED Sauvignon very approachable 2017 HHH Jacob's Creek 2014 HHHH1/2 cabernet. Smells of Chocolaty blackcurrant An excellent group Barossa Signature An elegant wine that minty cassis fruit and has aromas laced with of wines. \"A couple Barossa Valley is ageing gracefully. a long well integrated toasty oak and a fuller showed premature Cabernet Sauvignon Some lovely small berry palate. A tannic finish. style palate with a soft development but those 2017 HHHH1/2 fruits, good oak and fine finish. 3-5 $28 that had palate and fruit Vibrant minty dark fruit tannins underlined by 5+ $50 weight were those that fragrances with a lovely some subtle secondary scored well. There was oak backdrop. Palate has characters. $65 one worth keeping an weight and structure eye on for the future.\" and is brimming over with lovely pure dark fruit flavours. 5+ $19.99 AFOGR IYFOTU GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION! AD_Winestate Gift Sub QPH ND15.indd 1 Do you know someone who would love Winestate Magazine as much as you do? Call us today on +61 8 8357 9277 or visit www.winestate.com.au March/April 2019 W I N7E/09S/2T01A5 T11E:56:21 AM63

B AROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY Gomersal Wines Avon Brae Eden Kalleske Wines Premium Barossa Valley Shiraz Greenock Barossa Valley Cabernet 2017 HHHHH Valley Shiraz Sauvignon A big traditional 2017 HHHH 2016 HHH style with strong oak Lovely Barossa style Uncomplicated wine aromas but they don't of shiraz that is big that is a melange of swamp the nice fruit. and powerful but also cassis fruit, black olives Tastes of raspberries elegant and is driven by and chocolaty elements. with excellent oak complex varietal fruit expression. Good with well selected oak. 3-5 $20 cellaring potential. 3-5 $40 Eden Hall Block 5+ $36.50 3 Eden Valley Irvine Wines The Cabernet Sauvignon New Eden Eden Estate Barossa 2015 HHH Valley Shiraz Valley Shiraz Brooding rich fruit 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHH fragrances and good A big powerful shiraz A big intense purple wine fruit weight on the that is still understated loaded with rich sweet palate with balancing for now and is filled with fruit characters showing tannins. 3-5 $40 inky dark fruit characters floral nuances. $30 and has obvious oak Growers Reserve sitting on top. Should SHIRAZ & Barossa Valley age very well. 3-5 BLENDS 2016 Cabernet Shiraz $23.99 2015 HHH Murray Street 20 TASTED Barossa Boy Double Attractive spicy cassis Vineyard Black 15 AWARDED Trouble Barossa fruit bouquet and some Label Barossa Valley Jacob's Creek Valley Shiraz lovely fruit sweetness Shiraz Grenache Double Barrel A diverse group of Cabernet on the palate. $70 Mataro Barossa Valley richer, riper and oakier 2016 HHHHH 2017 HHHHH Shiraz wines. \"The best wines Ageing nicely and still Luscious spicy red 2017 HHHH1/2 showed restraint - in the has plenty of luscious SHIRAZ & berry fruit aromas with Subtle savoury/dark fruit Barossa sometimes less sweet berry and cassis BLENDS 2017 a delicate rose petal- bouquet. Nicely rounded is more,\" suggested one fruit with the cabernet like lift. The refreshing and well balanced palate judge. herbal characters 15 TASTED palate has generous showing good life and coming through all nicely juicy mulberry flavours vibrancy with lovely matched by oak and 9 AWARDED and wrapped in gentle lingering fruit flavours tannins. 3-5 $30 tannins. $25 and fine tannins. $24.99 A great class! \"Overall Schwarz Wine Co. an impressive cooler Barossa Valley 2017 vintage taking the Shiraz edge off the tendencies 2017 HHHH1/2 to produce jammy over Savoury meaty nose ripe wines,\" said one with strong herbal judge. \"However there elements and subtle were a few that suffered peppery notes. Well from excess tannins rounded palate with and that is something to some fleshy savoury watch!\" fruit characters and lovely soft tannins. 3-5 $30 Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017 HHHH Still a young fresh wine with purple highlights. Vibrant lift of berries on the nose and lovely palate sweetness from the fruit and oak. 3-5 Stage Door Front Angas King A1 Kalleske Wines $19.99 & Centre Barossa Barossa Valley Moppa Barossa Valley Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHHHH Valley Shiraz 2016 HHHHH A very elegant style 2017 HHHHH A well made oak driven of shiraz with a mix of Excellent nose; slightly traditional style but the spicy, chocolaty and lifted aromatics with fruit is powerful enough wild raspberry aromas hints of wild berries and to handle it. Has nice and lovely palate oak complexity. The savoury elements and intensity with good fruit, luscious powerful fruit big chewy tannins with subtle oak complexity driven palate has loads a long fruity finish. and nice fine tannins. of nice soft tannins. $28 5+ $25 3-5 $45 64 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

regional tasting Goodchild Eden Angas King A3 Lou Miranda Estate SWEET Valley Shiraz Barossa Valley Old Vine Barossa WHITES & 2016 HHHH1/2 Shiraz 2016 HHH Valley Shiraz FORTIFIEDS Great varietal expression Cigar box-like oak Mourvedre with vibrant lifted spicy dominates the aromatic 2015 HHHH1/2 3 TASTED raspberry bouquet and nose with long clean A bigger blend with an 2 AWARDED palate that is a lovely flavours on a drying earthy fruity nose that mix of primary and palate. $45 has a lovely chocolaty A couple of wines secondary elements and thread. The palate has worthwhile looking at! excellent fruit purity. $24 Bethany Wines East length and texture with Barossa Valley Grounds Barossa obvious oak but well Kalleske Wines Wine Company Valley Shiraz integrated with the fruit JMK Barossa Valley Stockyard Barossa 2016 HHH and aged notes. $65 Fortified Shiraz Valley Shiraz A straightforward wine Gomersal Wines 2016 (375ml) HHHH 2016 HHHH1/2 that is still young and Premium Barossa Sweet ripe raspberry Ripe red fruit nose fresh and shows plenty Valley Shiraz fruit lift to the nose with developing a savoury of dark sweet primary 2015 HHHH dried fruit notes. Palate edge and has an fruit. $48 Powerful rich and shows good balance elegant but generously savoury style, not overly between sweetness, flavoured palate that St Hugo Barossa complex with dark acid and the spirit with has a complexity of oak Valley Shiraz raspberry fruit intensity, softening tannins. $23 and powdery tannins. 2016 HHH balancing oak and firm An oaky style with tannins holding up well. Bethany Wines 3-5 $40 reserved blueberry Select Late Harvest Krondorf Symmetry Greenock Estate aromas and firm tannic 3-5 $35 Barossa Valley Barossa Valley Barossa Valley Lou Miranda Riesling 2017 HHH Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHHH palate with dark fruit Centenarian Golden wine with very 2016 HHHH1/2 flavours. 5+ Barossa Valley subtle floral apple The nose has delightful A massive oak driven $57.99 Shiraz Mataro bouquet and fruit driven youthful and vibrant savoury style with plenty 2015 HHHH palate with good acid/ blackcurrant and of life and very different. Good drinking now sweetness balance. $28 chocolate fragrances Nice chocolaty plum fruit Sieger Estate Erbe and offering luscious and a powerful toasty and huge tannins. Needs Barossa Valley spicy dark fruits, some oak driven palate. Very years. 5+ $45 Shiraz 2016 HHH sweetness, some spices tannic but good fruit. Jammy chocolaty fruit and a touch of oak to Needs more time. Barossa Valley Wine characters here showing compliment. $90 Company Farms nice sweetness and has 5+ $49.99 Barossa Valley lots of drying tannins. McGuigan Shortlist Shiraz 2016 HHHH $120 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 HHHH Coconut oak sits on top SHIRAZ & Aromas of dark fruits, of interesting earthy BLENDS cloves and spices with wild fruit fragrances. 2015 & OLDER some powerful oak. Good oak complexity Generous palate with and varietal fruit 9 TASTED juicy fruit flavours and expression on the young grippy tannins. $30 palate. 5+ $80 4 AWARDED Eden Hall Springton A very mixed class with STAR RATINGS  Eden Valley Shiraz some very nice wines 2016 HHH but also some very Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of A big generous jammy disappointing ones. The excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. style with fruity aromas best had retained fruit All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry and plenty of oak fleshing and overall balance that professionals and are compared in peer out the palate. $25 the others has lost. classes by three judges. CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Bethany Wines First Lou Miranda Single a major mail-order business. Village Barossa Vineyard Barossa CD Cellar door price. Valley Shiraz Valley Shiraz CDO Cellar door only. 2016 HHH 2014 HHHHH SO Sold out. Toasty oak driven This wine still shows $N/A Price not available at time of printing. aromas and jammy intense youthful purple fruit palate with strong hues. The surprisingly  Contact information pg 97. backbone of tannins. $35 bright dark varietal fruit characters nicely layered RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). with toasty oak and the well rounded tannins adding complexity. 3-5 $90 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 65

113 TASTED 80 AWARDED C H A R D O N N AY & B L E N D S A great diversity of styles across all price ranges showed in this Mount Riley Jacob's Creek judging. The \"arty crafty\" winemakers were in their element here Marlborough Barossa Signature as you can see by the judges comments. Great consistency; some Chardonnay Barossa Valley great values and some well deserved highly priced wines also. 2017 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay A rich, complex and well 2017 HHHH CHARDONNAY balanced chardonnay A complex but UNDER $20 with flinty minerally somewhat restrained appeal and lees oak style of chardonnay with 29 TASTED characters adding depth. flinty mineral aromas \"Has good shape and and a clean, flavoursome 14 AWARDED feel,\" said one judge. fruit driven palate. $15 NZ $19.99 Some great value Tempus Two wines, generally of good Varietal South standard, particularly Australia at this price point with Chardonnay some showing excellent 2017 HHH1/2 character and balance. An elegance of citrus, \"A lot of experimentation fig and melon lifts off with post fermentation the fresh nose with a enhancement. Those slightly oily texture to who got it right the medium bodied produced the most palate. $15 complex wines.\" Morambro Creek Mt Jacob's Creek te Pa Marlborough Lake Chalice The Monster Limestone Reserve Adelaide Chardonnay Nest Marlborough Coast Chardonnay Hills Chardonnay 2017 HHHHH Chardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHHHH Powerful aromas with 2017 HHHH1/2 Smells of citrus, melons A rich and youthful intense buttery malo A charming flinty style and figs with a hint of melon and fig elements. The palate with punchy varietal apricot. Good palate complexity to the is fresh and long and complexity to the texture. Tastes of sweet nose and a balanced showing great poise nose and a beautifully peaches and melons. elegance to the palate and presence with an textured palate with $16.95 but showing a powerful abundance of complex zippy length of acid and line and drive of varietal flavours. $25 NZ delicate line of flavour. te Pa Pa Road St Andrews VBBAEULSYUTSE flavours. $17.99 $14.99 NZ Marlborough South Eastern Chardonnay Australia 2017 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay The nose is a melange 2018 HHH of green limes, hints of Peachy aromas with apricots and some funky subtle oak nuances and elements. Delightful a refreshing palate with citrus/lime flavour nice balance of flavours. profile on the nicely $6.99 textured, minerally palate. $17 NZ JUDGES Aldo Bratovic Adam Eggins Scott Rawlinson Consultant Winemaker, Senior winemaker for Senior winemaker for Italy, Australia, USA and Taylors Wines. Was Fleurieu Vintners & China. Formerly winemaking Dux of Oenology Boar’s Rock Winery. and production manager at Roseworthy. Former chief winemaker at Petaluma, then export Has judged at the for Serafino Wines at manager. Also director Canberra, Ballarat, McLaren Vale. Previously of winemaking at Barone Clare and Adelaide winemaker with Mildara Ricasoli. Judge at Adelaide, wine shows. at Jamieson’s Run and Perth, McLaren Vale, Swan Winestate’s Australian Wolf Blass. Associate Valley, London, Hong Kong, Winemaker of the judge at Canberra wine Milano, Verona, San Francisco. Year 2006. shows. 66 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

varietal tasting Zilzie Wines Saint Clair Origin Patritti Merchant Koonara Wines Mount Riley 17 Selection 23 South Marlborough Adelaide Hills Cape Banks Valley Marlborough Eastern Australia Chardonnay Chardonnay Mount Gambier Chardonnay Chardonnay 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHH1/2 Chardonnay 2017 HHHH1/2 2018 HHH Buttery toasty bouquet This long weighty 2016 HHH A lusciously rich old Big toasty oak nose and with hints of cashews wine exhibits lovely A straightforward fashioned style with, a firm palate with flinty and some meaty citrus/melon varietal chardonnay with according to one judge, elements and a long richness. The long, fruit characters charming citrus lift and \"Plenty of charm.\" It lingering finish. $12 lightweight palate has a complimented by the good flavour persistence has good punchy fruit lovely richness to it and toasty oak. $24.99 and length. $24.95 presence with the toasty Zilzie Wines shows a nice savoury Cat Among The oak adding complexity. Regional Collection edge. $21.50 NZ Pigeons Eden Valley CHARDONNAY $28 NZ Yarra Valley Giesen The Brothers Chardonnay $25-$30 McGuigan Cellar Chardonnay Marlborough 2018 HHH Select Tumbarumba 2018 HHH Chardonnay An uncomplicated, juicy, 19 TASTED Chardonnay A nutty citrus bouquet 2017 HHHH fruit driven style that 14 AWARDED 2017 HHHH and showing good Interesting flintiness to has good weight and Nose shows lovely weight and intensity of the nose with excellent texture. $20 Great consistency and crispness of fruit with varietal flavours. $15 varietal drive to the well Thorn-Clarke Wines quality in this flight. some toasty complexity. balanced palate. \"A wine Sandpiper Eden Fantastic wines that Great palate shape with Whispers VBBAEULSYUTSE with plenty of poise,\" Valley Chardonnay would hold their own plenty of \"energy\" and South Eastern said one judge. $22.99 2018 HHH in any international good weight. $25 Australia Lake Chalice The A nice young competition. And the Tempus Two Chardonnay Raptor Marlborough chardonnay; quite a price is right as well! Platinum Adelaide 2017 HHH Chardonnay tight, lean and long flinty Hills Chardonnay Toasty buttery 2017 HHHH style. $20 McGuigan Cellar 2017 HHHH fragrances with hints Toasty malo aromas that Nepenthe Altitude Select Tumbarumba A classy wine, more in of botrytis-like apricot are quite complex but Adelaide Hills Chardonnay the savoury spectrum, notes which follow restrained. Good palate Chardonnay 2018 HHHHH offering great appeal through to the palate. weight with a lovely 2017 HHH A well constructed and complexity with a $5 long line of flinty-like An appealing floral lift seamlessly balanced good line of gunflint-like minerality. $22.99 NZ to the spicy melon nose chardonnay showing minerality. $25 St Anne's Perricoota Taylors Clare Valley with an appealing fusion plenty of class and Trentham Reserve Chardonnay Chardonnay of flavours. $20 good restraint. Has Tumbarumba 2017 HHH 2017 HHH1/2 Once & Well a long tight line of Chardonnay Big, warm and toasty wine A big old fashioned Margaret River citrus-like varietal fruit 2017 HHHH that is still very youthful style of chardonnay Chardonnay with interesting funky \"Great pedigree here,\" and not giving much away with plump fig and 2017 HHH elements. $25 enthused one judge. as yet. $16 melon aromas and A classy number that Punchy peach and fig- great length of varietal is tight and lean but Delta Hatter's like nose and a bright Delta River Delta flavours. $20 also shows plenty of Hill Marlborough fresh composite of fruit Marlborough Morambro Creek strength and power. Chardonnay and oak flavours. $28 Chardonnay Jip Jip Rocks $21.99 2016 HHHHH Downtown Single 2016 HHH Padthaway Salena Estate Attractive savoury/ Vineyard Yarra Delicate crème brulee- Chardonnay Twisted Sticks bacon-like characters Valley Chardonnay like aromas with a good 2017 HHH1/2 Organic Riverland to the oak driven nose 2016 HHHH palate that has lovely Classy creamy oak nose Chardonnay and a very classy palate The uncomplicated creamy mouthfeel. with hints of melon and 2016 HHH that exhibits excellent aromas here have, $13.99 NZ a spicy lift. Good varietal Developing some nice weight, balance and \"Zingy charm,\" according drive across the length complexity here with drive of delicious varietal to one judge, with an CHARDONNAY of the palate. $20.95 hints of honeysuckle flavours. $28.99 NZ harmonious balance $20-$25 Bohemia Joseph fragrances and between the fruit and Chromy Tasmania flavours. $24 Thorn-Clarke Wines oak. $25.99 16 TASTED Chardonnay Salena Gold Eden Trail Eden Taylor Made 2017 HHH1/2 Ribbon Riverland Valley Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 14 AWARDED Figgy fragrances Chardonnay 2017 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay with hints of pungent 2016 HHH Cool climate 2017 HHH1/2 A solid and consistent grassiness. Well crafted A mature style with chardonnay that is long A fresh, clean and crisp group. \"The wines medium weight palate rich floral fruit and and lean and taught fruit driven wine showing were hard to fault with with good acid line. $24 some honey-like and shows a delicate excellent varietal the best showing a sweetness with hints balance between the definition and some bit more winemaking of Hessian. $24 varietal fruit, well alcohol warmth. $25 craft,\" noted one judge. handled oak and good \"Some verged on neutral line of acid. $26 but without faults and offering east early drinking.\" March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 67

C H A R D O N N AY & B L E N D S Gallows Wine La Villa Tasmania Hutchinson Brangayne of Bettenay Wines Co. The Bommy Chardonnay Wines Truffle Orange Isolde Reserve Margaret Margaret River 2017 HHHHH Hill Pemberton Reserve Orange River Chardonnay Chardonnay \"An excellent young Chardonnay Chardonnay 2017 HHH 2017 HHH1/2 chardonnay,\" said one 2016 HHHHH 2017 HHH1/2 Complex, rich and well Aromatic style with judge. The nose is a Bright golden green An elegant number with balanced wine with lifted fragrances of fragrant composite wine with lovely nutty/ subtle flinty aromas appealing varietal aromas green melons and hints of spicy/nutty/herbal toasty complexity to the showing a slight oily and flavours. $35 of figs. Palate delivers aromas. Long and soft nose and a beautiful big character with a long, a good fruity flavour in the mouth with great seamlessly balanced lean and lightweight Dovetail Vineyards profile. $28.25 presence of varietal palate with lingering palate. $30 Yarra Valley characters. $34 richness and slight McGuigan Shortlist Chardonnay Beresford Classic Saint Clair sweetness. $30 Adelaide Hills 2017 HHH McLaren Vale Omaka Reserve Below&Above Chardonnay Hints of citrus and Chardonnay Marlborough Pemberton 2017 HHH1/2 apples on the nose with 2017 HHH Chardonnay Chardonnay Aromas of crème brulee a lean, but very good, A balanced flinty style 2017 HHHHH 2015 HHHHH with a fine persistence lightweight palate. $35 with a mealy-like Toasty oak with bacon- \"A complete wine - of harmonious flavours complexity and some like notes drives this beautifully evolved,\" on the uncomplicated Saddler's Creek oak sweetness. $25 classy nose and it has a observed one judge. palate. $30 Alessandro Reserve big, complex and buttery It is both elegant and Saddler's Creek Hunter Valley Bird in Hand Two in palate that fills the complex with excellent Ryan's Reserve Tumbarumba the Bush Adelaide mouth with long lively varietal fruit focus, great Stephanie's Chardonnay Hills Chardonnay varietal fruit flavours. savoury length and lively Vineyard Hunter 2017 HHH 2017 HHH $37.90 NZ acid. $35 Valley Chardonnay Nicely focussed and Clean and uncomplicated, St Hugo Eden Valley Forester Estate 2017 HHH1/2 complex chardonnay medium weight, wine - Chardonnay Margaret River A rich and spicy with subtle flinty lovely and refreshing. $25 2017 HHHHH Chardonnay complexity on the aromas and big punchy \"This is all class with a 2018 HHHH1/2 nose and great flavour flavours. $36 Saddler's Creek great pedigree,\" said A very youthful wine persistence on the big Hunter Valley one judge on tasting with a classic flinty buttery palate. \"Has Taylors Wines St Tumbarumba this wine. It shows very minerally element character!\" $36 Andrews Clare Chardonnay good funky feral-like threaded through both Dorrien Estate Bin Valley Chardonnay 2017 HHH complexing characters nose and palate and 1A Barossa Valley 2017 HHH A shy nose; hints of on nose and palate. \"It's nicely offset with plenty Chardonnay A lovely big creamy melon fruit. Warm in Nirvana!\" $39.99 of toasty oak characters. 2016 HHH1/2 old school style of the mouth with smart $39.99 Elegant, slightly green, chardonnay that is snappy flavours. $26 Chain of Ponds varietal fruit fragrances long, lingering and Corkscrew Road but a big powerful complex. $37 Agnew Wines Adelaide Hills creamy palate with Cockfigher's Ghost Chardonnay some aged notes CHARDONNAY Single Vineyard 2017 HHHH developing. $31.50 $40-$50 McLaren Vale A wine with class! The Kahurangi Estate Chardonnay oak is prominent giving Mt Arthur Reserve 13 TASTED 2016 HHH plenty of power and Nelson New Zealand 11 AWARDED \"Impressive!\" Great weight to the nose and Chardonnay spicy lift to the nose palate with a slightly 2017 HHH A very strong class and a long and tightly restrained gunflint-like A big golden wine of exceptionally well structured palate. $25 thread. $35 with brooding buttery crafted wines. \"Here Morambro Creek complexity on nose and we see producers with CHARDONNAY Padthaway palate and fine acid line. an understanding of $30-$40 Chardonnay $30 NZ winemaking, viticulture 2016 HHHH Tempus Two Copper and the experience to 26 TASTED Appealing, classy and Hunter Valley match the two,\" said 18 AWARDED very distinctive style. Adelaide Hills one judge. \"These wines Excellent varietal Chardonnay have been hand-crafted Some great wines here definition and great use 2017 HHH to achieve a level of also, with a real arm of the oak. Showing Powerful buttery style excellence.\" wrestle between the some aged notes with attractive melon- Aussies and Kiwis. If developing. $34.95 like fruit, bacon oak you can get a few of characters and good acid these to compare, you level. $30 will be rewarded. 68 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

varietal tasting Robert Stein Tempus Two te Pa Reserve Gralyn Estate Chateau De Reserve Mudgee Pewter Poppy's Collection Reserve Margaret Charodon Puligny Chardonnay Block Hunter Valley Marlborough River Chardonnay Montrachet 2017 HHHHH Chardonnay Chardonnay 2016 HHHHH Chardonnay \"Very more-ish with lots 2018 HHHH1/2 2017 HHHH \"A benchmark 2015 HHHHH to love,\" enthused one Elegant and Big plump figgy chardonnay,\" said one Big brooding buttery judge. It has a charming uncomplicated wine fragrances and a judge. \"The definition bouquet that has a nice oak driven nose and a that is far too young powerful palate, warm of quality,\" said lick of fig-like characters. beautiful richly textured to have developed any and silky smooth in another. A complex Hugely powerful old palate brimming over complexity yet. Nice the mouth but also and delightfully estery school style palate with a powerful hit of nuttiness to the nose exhibiting a certain bouquet with a slightly that is smooth and flavour. $40 and a tight varietal elegance. $45 NZ greener cool climate creamy in the mouth Tempus Two palate. Give it time! $40 style of palate. $75 with attractive savoury Pewter Poppy's Agnew Wines Karrawatta Anth's Chateau Yaldara elements. $80 Block Hunter Valley Poole's Rock Garden Adelaide Reserve Adelaide Sirromet Wines Le Chardonnay Premiere Hunter Hills Chardonnay Hills Chardonnay Sauvage Granite 2017 HHHHH Valley Chardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHHHH Belt Chardonnay \"A very classy effort,\" 2017 HHHH1/2 A subtle straightforward Fresh and seamlessly 2013 HHH1/2 according to one judge A lovely lift of varietal style of chardonnay that balanced wine that is An enticing rich with its oak driven nose fruit fragrances with is long and lean and still shy and not giving complexity of creamy showing a whiff of a hint of complexity has incredible flavour much away but has buttery layers here. bacon-like nuances and developing and a long, length. $46 complexity developing \"Made with love,\" its powerful, perfectly lean and straightforward on the nose and the thought one judge! balanced, palate that has palate with good oak Redemption well handled oak adds Ageing beautifully. $89 energy and drive. $40 use and great acid Landmark Release complexity to the bright Bird in Hand Nest Jacob's Creek backbone. $40 Tumbarumba flavours. $50 Egg Adelaide Hills Lyndale Adelaide Bird in Hand Chardonnay Fermoy Estate Chardonnay Hills Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2018 HHH Reserve Margaret 2017 HHH 2017 HHHHH Chardonnay Sweet spicy bouquet River Chardonnay Lovely yeasty characters A wine that the 2017 HHHH1/2 with a perfumed lift 2016 HHHHH on the nose with good judges declared had An elegant and classy and a fresh, bright, Powerful complexity of intensity of flavours on pedigree, presence and citrus freshness to the lightweight palate. oak and fruit aromas. the soft rich palate. $80 persistence! Super leesy nose leading to the rich Needs time. $41.99 The oak is tending to Pierre Bouree Fils aromas with interesting and complex palate with dominate the palate at Gevrey-Chambertin funkiness and a its distinctive varietal CHARDONNAY the moment but there is Meursault perfumed lift and a rich flavours and slight charry $50+ plenty of fruit power and 2016 HHH and \"energetic\" palate. oak-like elements. $40 drive pushing its way Slight apricot-like $49.99 Stockman's Ridge 10 TASTED through. $60 botrytis aromas with a Wines Outlaw 9 AWARDED long, rich and complex Orange Chardonnay palate. $60 2016 HHHH1/2 Some great scores here Sirromet Wines Le A somewhat shy nose reflecting the excellent Sauvage Granite but still shows good quality of the wines. Belt Chardonnay intensity of varietal fruit There is a mixture of 2014 HHH fragrances. A long lean both top Australian An uncomplicated palate with delightful chardonnays and White toasty buttery oak driven flavours sitting in the lime/ Burgundies. \"More chardonnay. \"Has style citrus spectrum. $40 superior oak used here, and quality.\" $89 Alkoomi Wines Icon superior fruit and the Range Frankland technique to produce River Chardonnay superior wines,\" noted 2017 HHHH one judge. Big spicy nose with hints of burnt match- McGuigan Personal like characters. Great Reserve Hunter creamy richness Valley Chardonnay to the palate with 2018 HHHHH slightly subdued fruit A stunning wine that characters. $40 exhibits youth, power and poise and offers plenty of promise. Nice spicy lift to the nose and good firm palate texture with flavours that explode in the mouth! $80 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 69

travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN MARLBOROUGH LODGE LURE FOR HIKERS A TASTE OF BRAZIL an on-site swimming pool and tennis court AND FOOD LOVERS or guests can head beyond the grounds BLENHEIM is home to a little slice of for day hikes through the region or go sea NESTLED in a secluded bay in the stunning Brazil with Gramado’s restaurant and bar kayaking through the Marlborough Sounds. Marlborough Sounds, Raetihi Lodge is a offering tastes from both New Zealand magnet for nature lovers and gourmets. and South America. The menu features The veranda is a popular spot to There are 14 rooms in a casual but elegant dishes, including assado (New Zealand enjoy a pre-dinner drink while there are ambience, all designed with doors opening lamb with a Brazilian accent), Brazilian several opportunities for guests to get out on to a viewing deck. The on-site fish (pan-fried with Brazilian Dende oil and involved with food at the Lodge, including restaurant provides an upscale dining spices) and baked with coconut cream, dinner at the Chef’s Bench, taking a experience with amazing views out to the grated vegetables and topped with fresh cooking demo or joining the chefs on a waters of the Kenepuru, with the cuisine an coriander, and feijoada, a traditional garden foraging excursion. Visit www. ever-changing feast of seafood and fresh Brazilian smoky black bean stew with spicy themarlboroughlodge.co.nz. local produce, complemented by the finest chorizo, pork ribs and bacon. There is also regional wines. Marlborough mussels are a range of Brazilian wines, along with local NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT showcased. Guests can explore the Sounds labels like From, Whitehaven, Auntsfield using complimentary bikes, kayaks and and Wither Hills. The name Gramado’s was THE Peppertree, a turn-of-the-century villa fishing gear, or simply relax with a massage. inspired by Gramado city, a small town in now offers luxury five-star accommodation Arrival here is spectacular by road, water southern Brazil, part of the state Rio Grande in the heart of Marlborough’s wine growing or air, although water taxi is the most do Sul. Gramado’s, 74 Main St, Blenheim area. It is surrounded by extensive country convenient method of transport. Raetihi and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 4pm- gardens, a boutique vineyard and an olive Lodge is at Double Bay, 7124 Kenepuru late; phone +61 3 579 1192 or visit www. grove. The homestead contains five guest Rd, Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough Sounds, gramadosrestaurant.co.nz. suites, each of which boasts an open fire and is open from November to the end of for winter comfort. The property also has April each year but closed through the BE TEMPTED BY THE WINE an in-ground swimming pool. Hosts Werner winter season. Visit www.raetihilodge.co.nz. and Heidi Pluss are happy to arrange SET beside a working vineyard in New guided tours with knowledgeable local Zealand’s most famous wine region, the guides. Make sure to allow time to sample Marlborough Lodge is a boutique hotel that Peppertree Chardonnay, grown in the beckons wine aficionados and lovers of the boutique hotel vineyard just metres from outdoors. This luxury country estate is set the homestead and made by Werner. Visit in 6.5ha of parklands. www.thepeppertree.co.nz. There are just 20 rooms inside this stylish former convent that’s part of the Mrs and Mrs Smith collection, along with a cosy library and the Harvest restaurant. There is 70 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

travelbriefs BACK FROM THE BRINK of Pedro’s empanadas or ever-changing Pol Lenzinger. He has been collecting treats from Feast Merchants. Visit www. corkscrews and wine making tools from THE charming coastal town of Kaikoura marlboroughfarmersmarket.org.nz. around the world for over 50 years and a was devastated by the 2016 earthquake part of his vast collection is on display in the that bears its name: virtually cut off from A DECADE TO HONE HIS recently refurbished cellar door. the rest of the country when roads subsided SKILLS to the north and south. Now, the whale- The collection boasts hundreds of different watching capital of New Zealand has ONE of the more exciting new corkscrew designs. Some elegant, intricate reopened for business. The spectacular Marlborough ventures is Ben Leggett’s pieces with gold trim, to compact pieces coastal road from Marlborough is now Elemental Distillers. used by soldiers on the battlefield. The ready to drive and the Coastal Pacific rail display also includes the first ever patented journey - considered one of the country’s Leggett has spent more than a decade corkscrew created by Samuel Henshall in most scenic - reopened on December 1. in Europe working for luxury drink brands. 1795, and the one and only New Zealand Adding to Kaikoura’s joy is the news that a Now back in Marlborough, he has a range patented corkscrew created in 1945. new hotel, to be known as the Sudima, is of crafted bitters that are produced locally due to open on the Esplanade later in the with the principle ingredients being the best “I think it's an interesting tool; it’s low tech, year. The 4.5-star hotel is designed for both he can find in New Zealand. He’s expanding a fascinating variety of ideas for a simple domestic and international leisure travellers and hoping to have a premium dry gin on purpose. Some of them are beautifully and will offer 118 rooms, a restaurant and the market later in the year and is looking designed,” Lenzinger said. Visit www. bar, conference facilities, gym and pool. to turn his hand to vermouth, amaro and frommwinery.co.nz. liqueurs. Visit www.elementaldistillers.com. OFF TO MARKET FORREST FAME STAYING WITH CORK MARLBOROUGH Farmers’ Market is held DOCTORS John and Brigid Forrest on Sunday mornings and is always worth a FROMM Winery makes a statement of established Forrest Wines in 1988 and visit. While the stallholders vary according difference by choosing to use cork when took out the title of Wine Marlborough Cellar to the season, look out for Windsong most New Zealand wineries are switching Door of the Year for 2018. Orchards, Isobel olive oil, Cranky Goat, to screw cap. Nutt Ranch hazelnut products and Pinoli The family-owned winery and tasting room pinenuts among many others. Try some “We really enjoy that little 15-second are nestled among vineyards in the heart ceremony, followed by that satisfying pop, of sauvignon blanc country just outside it’s all part of the fun,” said Fromm director of the town of Renwick. At the entrance to Forrest stands a prominent stone wall built of the same stones that come from the surrounding area of the Wairau Valley. Beyond the wall the driveway winds through a sauvignon blanc vineyard, over a small stone bridge and into a beautiful park setting, with shady trees, a duck pond, picnic tables and bean bags. Marlborough now has over 30 cellar doors, including 22 offering small plates, platters or a la carte dining. The Marlborough Wine Trail Map can be viewed on the Wine Marlborough website - www.wine-marlborough.co.nz. Opposite page top left and bottom: Raetihi Lodge. Top right and middle: The Marlborough Lodge exterior. Bottom right: The Peppertree exterior. Top left: Coastal Pacific scenic railway. Bottom left: Marlborough Farmers Market. Right: Fromm Winery corkscrew. March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 71

MARLBOROUGH JUDGED BY 75 TASTED Michael Cooper 73 RECOMMENDED Winestate’s New Zealand editor MARLBOROUGH is author of the internationally acclaimed Wine Atlas of New Zealand and the annual New Zealand Wine: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide. In the 2004 New Year Honours, Michael was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wine writing. Sauvignon blanc and pinot noir dominated this year’s impressive Delta Hatters lineup of Marlborough wines, but the tasting also uncovered Hill Marlborough some memorable chardonnays and pinot gris. After the region’s Sauvignon Blanc hottest January on record and wettest-ever February, most 2017 HHHHH of the 2018 vintage sauvignon blancs have ripe, tropical fruit This classy wine was flavours to the fore, rather than pungent herbaceous characters, hand-picked at Dillons giving them an easy-drinking appeal. Often grown on north- Point, in the lower facing, clay-based sites on the south side of the Wairau Valley, Wairau Valley. Tangy and the pinot noirs – still generally underrated - were typically of intense, it is full-bodied, a high standard, and the top-rated chardonnays and pinot gris with vibrant, pure were deliciously vibrant and rich. passionfruit, grapefruit Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available and lime flavours, in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). lees-aging notes adding complexity, and a long, dry finish. $27 SPARKLING SAUVIGNON Greywacke BLANC Marlborough Wild 1 TASTED Sauvignon 1 RECOMMENDED 24 TASTED 2016 HHHHH Drinking superbly Only one example 24 RECOMMENDED now, this barrel- tasted here but it was fermented wine is full worthy of its high rating. The warmest-ever of personality. Bright, growing season in light lemon/green, it Tohu Rewa Blanc Marlborough has yielded Greywacke is highly fragrant, with de Blancs Méthode sauvignon blancs with Marlborough excellent weight and Traditionnelle fresh, ripe, tropical fruit Sauvignon Blanc depth of ripe, tropical 2015 HHHH1/2 flavours to the fore, 2018 HHHHH fruit flavours, oak- A vivacious bottle- but also surprisingly Unfolding well, derived complexity and fermented sparkling moderate alcohol this aromatic wine a very harmonious, made entirely from levels (often 12.5% alc/ is very fresh and lasting finish. A classy, Marlborough grown vol) and lively acidity. weighty, with strong, distinctive wine, it’s well chardonnay disgorged Several top-rated wines vibrant, tropical fruit worth discovering. $38 after 27 months on lees. were from the 2017 - flavours, a herbaceous (A, UK, US) Fragrant, with fresh, even 2016 - vintages, undercurrent, lees-aging Saint Clair Pioneer citrusy, yeasty aromas; proving the variety’s notes adding complexity Block 21 Bell the crisp palate is often underrated aging and a long, dry, Block Marlborough lively, with penetrating, ability, and skilful use appetisingly crisp finish. Sauvignon Blanc citrusy, slightly appley of barrel fermentation $27 (A, UK, US) 2018 HHHHH flavours, showing good and indigenous yeasts Showing excellent complexity, and a tight- produced some weighty, weight and depth, knit, lingering finish. $30 rich, complex wines, this Dillons Point wine outside the norm and is highly aromatic. well worth discovering. Mouthfilling, it has pure, searching grapefruit and lime flavours, some tropical fruit notes, good intensity and a long, dry finish. Already delicious, it should be at its best mid-2019+. $27 72 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

regional tasting Saint Clair Vavasour Awatere Delta Marlborough Saint Clair Origin Loveblock Orange Wairau Reserve Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Marlborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2018 HHHH1/2 Fresh and punchy, this 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHHHH Showing good lively, medium-bodied Fresh, full-bodied and Estate-grown in the From a single vineyard personality, this weighty wine was grown at vibrantly fruity, this is lower Awatere Valley, at Dillons Point, this wine has strong, vibrant Dillons Point. It has good a finely balanced wine this distinctive wine has vigorous, youthful wine melon, grapefruit and intensity of passionfruit, with tropical fruit and ‘zero added sulphur’, has excellent vibrancy, lime flavours, with a grapefruit and lime herbaceous flavours, with green tea used delicacy and depth. slightly minerally streak flavours, a slightly salty a slightly salty streak, as the only preserving Light lemon/green, and a dry, long finish. streak and a tangy finish. and good intensity and agent. Pale straw- it has fresh, strong, $23 (A, UK, US) Good value. $19 length. $22 coloured, it is a medium herbaceous aromas Villa Maria Cellar Esk Valley to full-bodied, fresh, and flavours, with pure, Selection Organic Marlborough Vidal Reserve herbaceous wine, with penetrating, grapefruit Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough vibrant, green-edged and green capsicum Sauvignon Blanc 2018 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavours, notes, a minerally streak 2018 HHHH1/2 This aromatic, punchy 2018 HHHH some tropical fruit and a long, dry finish. Certified organic, this wine is a blend of Aromatic, lively and notes, and a crisp, Best drinking mid- is a weighty, ripe style Awatere Valley (60%) full-flavoured, this lingering finish. $22 2019+. $34 of sauvignon blanc. and Wairau Valley Wairau Valley wine is Saint Clair Barrique Full-bodied, with good (40%) grapes. It has mouthfilling and sweet- Vidal Marlborough Marlborough concentration of vibrant, good intensity of lively fruited, with vibrant, Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc tropical fruit flavours, passionfruit, lime tropical fruit characters 2018 HHH1/2 2016 HHHH1/2 it has finely balanced and green capsicum to the fore and a crisp, Grown mostly in the Currently in full stride, acidity and a dry, flavours, tangy, dry and dry, persistent finish. Wairau Valley, this this weighty, dry wine persistent finish. Good lasting. $20 $20 medium to full-bodied was fermented with value. $18 Grove Mill Wairau wine has very good indigenous yeasts in Black Cottage Valley Marlborough Coopers Creek depth of passionfruit, seasoned oak barriques Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough lime and green capsicum and lees-aged for 11 Sauvignon Blanc 2018 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc flavours, appetisingly months. Bright, light 2018 HHHH This vibrant, medium- 2018 HHH1/2 fresh, dry and crisp. Fine lemon/green, it has Drinking well from the bodied wine was grown Crisp and lively, this value. $16 a fragrant, complex start, this is a fresh, in the Wairau Valley and bright, light lemon/ bouquet, leading into full-bodied, racy blend mostly handled in tanks; green wine is medium- Russian Jack a rich palate with ripe, of Awatere Valley and 5% of the blend was bodied, with fresh, ripely Marlborough non-herbaceous fruit Wairau Valley grapes. oak-aged. It shows good herbaceous aromas and Sauvignon Blanc flavours, enriched It has good intensity intensity of passionfruit/ flavours, firm acid spine 2018 HHH but not dominated of passionfruit, lime lime flavours, with and good depth. $19 Crisp and lively, this by a slightly nutty and green capsicum a herbaceous (UK, US) medium-bodied wine is oak influence, and a flavours, crisp and undercurrent, a touch strongly varietal, with well-rounded, very lingering. (From Two of complexity and lively Haha VBBAEULSYUTSE melon, lime and green harmonious finish. $27 Rivers of Marlborough). acidity. $19 Marlborough capsicum flavours, fresh Saint Clair Pioneer $18 (A, UK, US) Lake Chalice Sauvignon and aromatic. $19 (A, Block 3 43 Degrees Dashwood The Raptor Blanc 2017 HHH1/2 UK) Marlborough Marlborough Marlborough Maturing well, this Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc lively, fully dry wine was CHARDONNAY 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHHH 2016 HHHH grown in the Waihopai Full of youthful vigour, Bargain-priced, this Drinking well now, this and Wairau valleys. 9 TASTED this Dillons Point wine aromatic, punchy wine weighty, dry wine was Medium-bodied, it has 9 RECOMMENDED is fresh, crisp and dry, is full of youthful vigour. grown at Dillons Point, vibrant, herbaceous and with incisive melon, lime A clearly herbaceous in the lower Wairau tropical fruit flavours, A strong class, with and green capsicum style, with some riper, Valley. Light lemon/ crisp and punchy. Good Marlborough’s cool flavours, lees-aging tropical fruit notes, it green, it is mouthfilling, value. $18 (A) climate for viticulture notes, a slightly salty has fresh acidity and a with generous, ripely giving the wines an streak and a lasting finely balanced, lingering herbaceous flavours, Lake Chalice The appealing vibrancy and finish. $27 finish. (From Vavasour.) bottle-aged complexity Falcon Marlborough good acid spine. After Saint Clair Pioneer $16 (A, UK, US) and a long, well-rounded Sauvignon Blanc a warm, wet autumn, Block 27 Buzz finish. $23 2017 HHH1/2 the 2017 chardonnays Block Marlborough Grown in the lower are surprisingly good, Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley, this is a suggesting that much of 2018 HHHH1/2 lively, medium-bodied the fruit was harvested Very fresh and lively, wine, with freshly before the worst of the this Dillons Point wine herbaceous aromas. rain and humidity. is medium-bodied, Strongly varietal, it has with punchy, incisive very good depth of melon, lime and green green capsicum-like capsicum flavours that flavours, some tropical linger well. $27 fruit notes and a finely balanced, crisp finish. $19 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 73

MARLBOROUGH Vavasour Anna’s Grove Mill Wairau PINOT GRIS Villa Maria Single Vineyard Awatere Valley Marlborough Vineyard Seddon Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 10 TASTED Marlborough Pinot Chardonnay 2017 HHHH 10 RECOMMENDED Gris 2018 HHHHH 2017 HHHHH One of the best This fleshy, finely This classy, tightly sub-$20 chardonnays Pinot gris can easily textured wine was structured young wine around. Barrel-aged yield bland, light wines estate-grown and was estate-grown for 10 months, it is with restrained flavour, hand-harvested in and barrel-fermented. fragrant, full-bodied but this was a strong the Awatere Valley. Already delicious, it is and tightly structured, class, with several Bright, light lemon/ weighty, with a citrusy with excellent depth of wines showing the green, it is youthful fragrance, layers of youthful, ripe, citrusy, weight, concentration and concentrated, grapefruit, peach and peachy flavours and and seductive, with excellent weight finely integrated oak slightly smoky notes oily texture widely and mouthfeel, vibrant flavours, and excellent adding complexity. Best associated with Alsace pear, lychee and spice delicacy, drive and drinking 2020+. $19 pinot gris. The top wines flavours, a vaguely length. Best 2020+. $40 (US) were mostly dryish, with toasty note adding (A, UK, US) Saint Clair Origin deft oak handling adding complexity and a Marlborough complexity and richness. dryish finish. Already Lake Chalice Chardonnay enjoyable, it’s well Greywacke The Raptor 2017 HHHH worth cellaring. $30 Marlborough Marlborough Skilfully crafted, this Vavasour Awatere Chardonnay Chardonnay ‘fruit-driven’ chardonnay Valley Marlborough 2015 HHHHH 2017 HHHH1/2 was grown in the Wairau Pinot Gris This stylish wine has a Offering terrific value, Valley and fermented 2018 HHHHH real sense of youthful this elegant, single- in a mix of tanks and Full of youthful drive, vigour. A powerful vineyard wine was French and American this finely scented, wine from a warm grown at Dillons Point oak barrels. Mouthfilling, full-bodied wine was season, it was hand- and fermented with it is vibrantly fruity, mostly handled in tanks; picked, fermented indigenous yeasts in with very good depth 10% of the blend spent with indigenous yeasts French oak barriques. of grapefruit and peach 4 months in old French in French barriques Light lemon/green, it flavours, finely balanced oak casks. It has rich (20% new), and oak- is fresh and youthful, acidity, slightly toasty peach, pear and spice aged for 18 months. with a smoky bouquet , notes adding complexity flavours, showing Fragrant and sturdy, good weight and strong, and a fresh, dry finish. excellent delicacy and it has fresh, intense, grapefruit-like flavours, $22 vibrancy, a distinct grapefruit and peach showing excellent touch of complexity flavours, seasoned with complexity. Very Delta Marlborough Greywacke and a long, dryish, very biscuity oak, excellent ageworthy. $23 Chardonnay Marlborough Pinot harmonious finish. Best complexity and a long, Saint Clair 2017 HHH1/2 Gris 2016 HHHHH drinking 2020+. $23 (A, tight finish. Best drinking Omaka Reserve Enjoyable young, this This is a powerful, UK, US) 2020+. $42 (A, UK, US) Marlborough well-rounded, slightly fleshy, rich style of pinot Loveblock Saint Clair Pioneer Chardonnay buttery wine was grown gris. Hand-harvested and Marlborough Pinot Block 10 Twin 2017 HHHH1/2 in the Wairau Valley and mostly fermented with Gris 2018 HHHH1/2 Hills Marlborough This is a ‘full-on’ style fermented and matured indigenous yeasts in old Delicious young, this is Chardonnay of chardonnay, grown in seasoned French and French barriques, it has an organically certified 2017 HHHHH mostly in the Omaka American oak barrels. an invitingly fragrant, wine, estate-grown in This is a lovely young Valley and fermented Fresh, full-bodied and complex bouquet, the Awatere Valley. wine, with good and matured in fruity, with peachy, leading into a weighty Attractively scented, it potential. Grown in American – rather than citrusy flavours, it has a palate with concentrated is fresh and full-bodied, the Omaka Valley and French - oak barrels. distinctly buttery, ‘malo’ stonefruit flavours, hints with strong, pure fermented in French Invitingly fragrant, it has influence, and good of spices and ginger, pear, peach and spice oak barriques, it has rich stonefruit flavours, depth and harmony. and a slightly sweet, flavours, gentle acidity, a fragrant, complex strongly seasoned with $19 very harmonious finish. vague sweetness, a bouquet, leading into toasty oak, slightly Lake Chalice The A lovely mouthful. $30 slightly oily texture and a a generous, vibrant, smoky notes adding Falcon Marlborough (A, UK, US) well-rounded finish. Fine very harmonious palate. complexity, fresh, Chardonnay value. $22 (A, UK) Fresh and full-bodied, balanced acidity and a 2017 HHH1/2 with concentrated, ripe, well-rounded finish. $38 As a drink-young style, citrusy, peachy flavours, this has plenty to offer. well-integrated oak, Grown mostly in the balanced acidity and a company’s Falcon very long finish, it should Vineyard, in the central be at its best 2020+. $38 Wairau Valley, and partly barrel-fermented, it has a buttery bouquet, leading into a full-bodied, vibrantly fruity wine with fresh acidity, toasty, buttery notes adding a touch of complexity and good depth. $19 74 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

regional tasting Coopers Creek Russian Jack OTHER Delta Marlborough Greywacke Select Vineyards Marlborough Pinot WHITES Pinot Noir Rosé Marlborough Pinot The Pointer Gris 2018 HHH1/2 2017 HHHH Noir 2016 HHHHH Marlborough Pinot Attractively scented, 2 TASTED This is a ‘serious’ This powerful red Gris 2017 HHHH this is a lively, off-dry 2 RECOMMENDED style of rosé, made was grown in the This Alsace-style pinot style. It has good body from pinot noir grown Southern Valleys, hand- gris is full-bodied and and depth of vibrant Loveblock in the upper Wairau harvested, fermented generous. Pale straw, it peach, pear and spice Marlborough Valley and fermented with indigenous yeasts is a strongly varietal wine, flavours, with a sliver of Sauvignon Gris to dryness. A fresh, and matured for 18 with very good weight sweetness, fresh acidity 2014 HHHH medium-bodied wine, months in French oak and depth of peachy, and lots of drink-young Maturing gracefully, it is pink/pale orange, barriques (30% new). slightly spicy flavours and appeal. $19 (A, UK ) this estate-grown, with strong peach and Deeply coloured, with a slightly sweet, rounded, Awatere Valley wine was strawberry flavours, a fragrant, fruit-packed very harmonious finish. RIESLING fermented and matured hints of spices, bouquet, it is full-bodied, $23 in old French oak casks. balanced acidity and rich and flowing, with Grove Mill Wairau 3 TASTED Bright, light yellow/green, good length. Ready. concentrated cherry, Valley Marlborough 3 RECOMMENDED it is mouthfilling and $22 plum and spice flavours, Pinot Gris dry, with good intensity and slightly earthy notes 2018 HHHH Saint Clair Pioneer of ripely herbaceous Grove Mill Wairau adding complexity. Still Still unfolding, this is a Block 9 Big John flavours, slightly toasty Valley Marlborough very youthful, it should fresh, medium to full- Marlborough notes adding complexity Rosé 2018 HHHH break into full stride bodied wine with strong, Riesling and a finely textured, Instantly appealing, this 2021+. $48 (A, UK, US) vibrant, peachy flavours, 2017 HHHH1/2 lingering finish. It’s a pinot noir-based rosé is Saint Clair Pioneer hints of pears and Already delicious, but distinctive wine, priced bright, light pink, with Block 23 Master spices, and an off-dry, well worth cellaring, right. $22 a floral bouquet. Lively Block Marlborough finely balanced, lingering this Mosel-like wine and finely balanced, Pinot Noir finish. Best drinking mid- was grown in the lower Saint Clair Origin with gentle strawberry 2017 HHHHH 2019+. $19 (US) Brancott Valley and Marlborough and spice flavours, it This classy, elegant, Lake Chalice stop-fermented to make Grüner Veltliner has excellent vibrancy, strongly varietal red was The Raptor a medium-sweet style. 2017 HHH1/2 delicacy and harmony, grown in Benmorven Marlborough Pinot Vivacious, light (9% alc/ Drinking well now, this with a dry finish. $19 Vineyard, west of Gris 2016 HHHH vol) and appetisingly is a lively, medium- Blenheim. Bright ruby, This fragrant, crisp, with citrusy, bodied wine, with very Saint Clair Origin it is very fresh, lively mouthfilling wine is appley flavours, showing good depth of fresh, Pinot Gris Rosé and supple, with strong, probably at its peak. excellent freshness, citrusy, peachy flavours, 2018 HHH1/2 ripe, cherryish flavours, Estate-grown in the delicacy and intensity, hints of ginger and Full of youthful charm, seasoned with nutty oak, Southern Valleys, it has it is a youthful, very spice, and a dry, smooth this is a bright pink, good complexity, and a strong, peachy, slightly harmonious wine with finish. $22 fragrant wine with fresh, finely textured, poised, spicy and gingery a lasting finish. Best lively strawberry and persistent finish. Best flavours, developing drinking 2020+. $27 ROSÉ watermelon flavours, drinking 2020+. $38 bottle-aged complexity, Esk Valley refreshing acidity and a and a dryish, lingering Marlborough 6 TASTED dry finish. $22 finish. $23 Riesling 2018 HHHH 4 RECOMMENDED Villa Maria This freshly scented, PINOT NOIR Cellar Selection finely balanced wine is Vavasour Awatere Marlborough Pinot medium-bodied, with Valley Marlborough 20 TASTED Gris 2018 HHHH citrusy, slightly sweet Rosé 2018 HHHHH 20 RECOMMENDED Highly fragrant, this full- flavours that linger well. This vivacious, drink- bodied, finely textured Showing very good young charmer was Marlborough’s pinot wine has generous, well- intensity, vigour and made entirely from pinot noirs are less bold and ripened pear and peach harmony, it’s already noir. Light pink, it is fruit-packed than those flavours and a smooth, enjoyable, but well full-bodied, with strong from Central Otago, but slightly sweet, very worth cellaring. $20 flavours of watermelon, the finest are fleshy, harmonious finish. Drink Coopers Creek strawberry and spice, savoury and finely now or cellar. $18 Marlborough a hint of peach, a dry textured, with lovely Delta Marlborough Riesling finish, and lovely depth fragrance and harmony. Pinot Gris 2018 HHH1/2 and harmony. $23 (A, If you are looking for 2017 HHH1/2 Finely balanced for UK, US) good value pinot noirs, This refreshing, full- early enjoyment, this the tasting found several bodied wine was grown is a fresh, medium- very attractive wines in in the Southern Valleys bodied wine with the $20 to $25 range, and partly (19%) barrel- vibrant, lemony, appley and some excellent, fermented. Showing flavours, showing good complex, ageworthy clear varietal character, it depth, a gentle splash reds in the $25 to $30 has vibrant pear, lemon of sweetness and lively category. and apple flavours, acidity. Drink now or revealing good delicacy cellar. $19 (UK, US) and depth, a gentle splash of sweetness and fresh, appetising acidity. $19 March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 75

MARLBOROUGH Villa Maria Reserve Saint Clair Pioneer Esk Valley Vidal Reserve Lake Chalice Marlborough Pinot Block 15 Strip Block Marlborough Pinot Marlborough Pinot The Falcon Noir 2017 HHHHH Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 HHHH Noir 2017 HHHH Marlborough Pinot This is a very graceful, Noir 2017 HHHH1/2 This fragrant, youthful Delicious young, this Noir 2017 HHH1/2 ‘complete’ red. Deep Grown in the lower red was grown in the Wairau Valley red Priced sharply, this ruby, with a fragrant, reaches of the Omaka Valley. Bright was matured for 11 youthful red was complex bouquet, it is Waihopai Valley, this ruby, it has strong, ripe months in French oak grown mostly in the weighty, sweet-fruited is a mouthfilling, plum/spice flavours, with barriques. Deep ruby, it Eyrie Vineyard, in the and supple, with deep concentrated, very nutty, savoury notes is floral, sweet-fruited Waihopai Valley, and cherry, plum, spice and youthful red. Deep adding complexity, and supple, with rich, barrel-aged for eight nut flavours, earthy, ruby, it has strong, and a structured, finely cherryish, plummy months. Deep ruby, it is savoury notes adding ripe, plummy, spicy balanced finish. Best flavours, fresh acidity fragrant, full-bodied and complexity and a long, flavours, showing good drinking 2020+. $27 and a very harmonious supple, with cherry and finely textured finish. complexity, savoury Lake Chalice finish. $27 plum flavours, showing Already delicious, it notes and a fairly firm The Raptor Black Cottage good depth, well- should break into full finish. Best drinking Marlborough Pinot Marlborough Pinot integrated oak and fresh stride 2020+. $50 2021+. $38 Noir 2016 HHHH Noir 2018 HHH1/2 acidity. Best drinking Delta Hatters Hill Vavasour Felix’s This fleshy, flavoursome, A very enjoyable 2020+. $19 Marlborough Vineyard Awatere single-vineyard red was drink-young style, this Pinot Noir Valley Marlborough grown in the lower blend of Wairau Valley Tohu Awatere Valley 2017 HHHH1/2 Pinot Noir Waihopai Valley. Bright (mostly) and Awatere Marlborough Pinot Well worth cellaring, 2017 HHHH1/2 ruby, it is mouthfilling Valley grapes was partly Noir 2017 HHH1/2 this powerful young This is a bold style of and savoury, with good oak-aged. Light ruby, Deep ruby, this is red was grown in the pinot noir, weighty and concentration of cherry, it is medium-bodied, a medium-bodied, Waihopai Valley and deeply coloured. Hand- plum and spice flavours vibrant, sweet-fruited vibrantly fruity red matured in French oak picked and matured for and a smooth finish. and supple, with gentle with strong, plummy barriques (33% new). 14 months in French oak Enjoyable now, it should cherry, plum and flavours, a hint of herbs, Deeply coloured, it barriques, it is packed be at its best 2020+. spice flavours, fresh moderate complexity is mouthfilling and with youthful, cherryish, $23 acidity and a touch of and a well-rounded concentrated, with plummy, slightly spicy Tohu Rore Reserve complexity. (From Two finish. Drink now-2020. strong, ripe plum, and herbal flavours, Marlborough Pinot Rivers of Marlborough). $25 spice and slight herb fresh and concentrated. Noir 2017 HHHH $20 (A, UK, US) flavours, showing good Best drinking 2021+. Well worth cellaring, Grove Mill Wairau Haha VBBAEULSYUTSE complexity, and a well- $46 (A, UK, US) this is a single-vineyard Valley Marlborough Marlborough structured finish. Best Villa Maria Single red, estate-grown in Pinot Noir Pinot Noir drinking 2021+. $35 Vineyard Southern the Awatere Valley. 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHH Saint Clair Clays Marlborough Deeply coloured, it is Deep ruby, this is a Enjoyable young, this Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir mouthfilling and fruit- full-bodied red with medium-bodied wine Marlborough Pinot 2017 HHHH1/2 packed, with vibrant, ripe generous, ripe plum/ was grown in the Noir 2017 HHHH1/2 From gentle, north- cherry, plum and spice spice flavours, a hint Awatere and upper This is a bold, upfront facing slopes on the flavours, showing good of herbs and gentle Wairau valleys and partly style of pinot noir, south side of the concentration, and fine- tannins. Still very fresh (35%) barrel-aged. Bright matured for 10 months Wairau Valley, this is a grained tannins. Best and youthful, it should ruby, it is cherryish and in French oak casks very graceful, fragrant drinking 2020+. $35 break into full stride mid- plummy, with distinctly (40% new). Deeply and supple red. Vavasour Awatere 2020+. $25 (US) spicy notes, a hint of coloured, it is fresh, Deep ruby, it is full- Valley Marlborough herbs and some savoury mouthfilling and sweet- bodied, with vibrant, Pinot Noir complexity. $25 (A) fruited, with strong, cherryish, plummy, 2017 HHHH ripe, plummy flavours spicy flavours, showing Still very youthful, this STAR RATINGS  and even a hint of good complexity, fresh is a fragrant, ruby hued liquorice. $38 acidity and a smooth red. Hand-picked and Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Saint Clair Pioneer finish. Still unfolding, French oak-aged for 10 excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Block 14 Doctor’s it’s worth cellaring to months, it is full-bodied, All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Creek Marlborough mid-2020+. $55 with good density of professionals and are compared in peer Pinot Noir Coopers Creek fresh cherry and plum classes by three judges. 2017 HHHH1/2 Marlborough Pinot flavours, a hint of herbs, CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Built to last, this very Noir 2016 HHHH considerable complexity a major mail-order business. youthful red was estate- Offering good value, this and a fairly firm finish. CD Cellar door price. grown at Fairhall, south- fragrant, full-bodied wine Best drinking 2020+. CDO Cellar door only. west of Blenheim. Deep is drinking well now. $30 (A, UK, US) SO Sold out. ruby, it is mouthfilling, Bright ruby, it is sweet- $N/A Price not available at time of printing. with concentrated, fruited and savoury, vibrant, ripe berry and with strong, ripe cherry,  Contact information pg 97. spice flavours, nutty plum and spice flavours, and earthy notes adding showing considerable RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). complexity, and obvious complexity. $23 (UK, US) potential. Best drinking 2021+. $38 76 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

MICHAEL COOPER RECENT RELEASES Think Central Otago, think pinot noir. So it’s no surprise that ½ Domain Road the quality of the region’s white wines is still widely underrated. Defiance This tasting uncovered impressive rieslings, a chardonnay, even Chardonnay a sauvignon blanc, from the deep south – plus a rosé. If you are 2017 HHHH1/2 looking for organically certified wines, check out the delightful Offering good value, this riesling and rosé from Terrace Edge, in North Canterbury. Bannockburn, Central Otago chardonnay was Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available fermented and matured in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). for 10 months in French oak barriques (35%  Palliser Estate Trinity Hill Gimblett Coal Pit new). Light lemon/ The Griffin Gravels Hawke's Central Otago green, with a fresh, Maude Mt Maude Martinborough Bay Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc complex, citrusy, slightly Vineyard East Block Méthode 2017 HHHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 smoky bouquet, it is Wanaka Riesling Traditionnelle Already drinking well, Well worth discovering, elegant and youthful, 2018 HHHHH 2015 HHHHH this rich, complex wine this weighty wine with grapefruit-evoking From vines planted This elegant, bottle- was fermented with was hand-picked flavours, showing in 1994 on a steep, fermented blend of indigenous yeasts and from mature vines at good complexity, and north-facing slope at pinot noir (50%) and aged for a year in French Gibbston and lees-aged a lengthy finish. Best Wanaka, in Central chardonnay (50%) oak puncheons. Bright, in tanks. Fresh and drinking mid-2020+. $28 Otago, this is a Mosel- was disgorged in light lemon/green, it is full-bodied (14.5% alc/ (A, UK) like wine, light and March 2018. It has a fragrant, mouthfilling vol), it has strong, lively, Maude Central lively. Showing lovely highly scented, yeasty and vibrantly fruity, with grapefruit-like flavours, Otago Pinot Noir vibrancy and depth, bouquet, leading concentrated, peachy, hints of apples and 2017 HHHH1/2 it is vivacious, with into a vivacious wine slightly toasty flavours, limes, a minerally streak This deep ruby, finely intense peach, lemon with citrusy, slightly balanced acidity, and and a crisp, sustained structured red was and apple flavours, appley, distinctly impressive complexity, finish. $27 (UK) hand-harvested, gentle sweetness, yeasty flavours, very depth and harmony. matured for 10 months appetising acidity, and harmonious, delicate, Best drinking 2020+. in French oak barriques great drinkability. Best racy and long. $52 $40 (UK) (30% new), and bottled 2021+. $32 Terrace Edge North Trinity Hill Gimblett unfined and unfiltered. Maude Mt Maude Canterbury Rosé Gravels The Poised and youthful, it is Vineyard Wanaka 2018 HHHHH Gimblett fragrant and full-bodied, Dry Riesling Showing unusual depth 2016 HHHHH with fresh, ripe cherry, 2018 HHHHH for a New Zealand rosé, This classy, blended plum and spice flavours, Hand-picked from vines this pink/very pale red red is dominated by good complexity and planted in Central Otago Waipara wine was cabernet sauvignon obvious potential; open in 1994, this is a great made entirely from (43%) and cabernet 2021+. $38 candidate for cellaring. syrah. Mouthfilling, franc (41%), Palliser Estate Fresh, tight, intense and vibrantly fruity and very supplemented by merlot Martinborough minerally, it is medium- finely balanced, it has (14%) and a splash of Pinot Noir bodied, with citrusy, strong berry, plum and malbec (2%). Barrel- 2017 HHHH1/2 appley flavours, showing spice flavours, vague matured for 16 months This perfumed, engaging lovely delicacy, vibrancy sweetness, a touch (35% new oak), it is young red was mostly and length. Open of tannin and a lasting deeply coloured, with grown at Wharekauhau, 2021+. $32 finish. Already delicious, fresh, pure, blackcurrant south of Martinborough, it’s certified organic. and spice flavours to the and barrel-aged for 10 $22 fore, finely integrated months. Light ruby, oak, supple tannins and it is very scented obvious potential. Best and supple, with ripe drinking 2021+. $40 (UK) cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing good complexity, and a harmonious, persistent finish. $58 (A, UK, US) March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 77

MICHAEL COOPER Scott Base Central  Palliser Estate Soho Havana Otago Rosé Martinborough Rosé Yarrum Vineyard 2018 HHHH1/2 Allan Scott 2018 HHHH Marlborough Pinot Showing lots of Marlborough Pinot Delicious young, this Noir 2017 HHHH personality, this Gris 2018 HHHH vibrantly fruity, easy- Still very youthful, this bright pink, invitingly This is a full-bodied, drinking rosé was mouthfilling, supple scented wine was Alsace-style pinot gris, made from pinot noir, red was hand-picked made solely from pinot with fresh, strong, pear- matured on its yeast and French oak- noir. Mouthfilling and like aromas and flavours, lees for three months. matured (25% new). vibrantly fruity, it has hints of peaches and Pale pink, it has fresh, Full, bright ruby, it good concentration of spices, and an off-dry strong, strawberry and has ripe, cherryish, peachy, strawberryish, finish. Weighty and spice flavours, a hint of plummy, slightly spicy spicy flavours, with a dry vibrant, with good apricot, and a dryish, flavours, showing good finish. $26 depth, it’s delicious smooth finish. $25 (A) concentration, nutty, young. $18 Palliser Estate savoury notes adding Soho McQueen Tohu Rewa Allan Scott Martinborough complexity, and obvious Central Otago Rosé Méthode Marlborough Riesling 2018 HHHH potential. Open mid- Pinot Noir Traditionnelle Sauvignon Blanc This tightly structured, 2020+. $38 (A) 2017 HHHH1/2 2015 HHHH1/2 2018 HHHH youthful, medium-bodied Soho Stella Already drinking Fresh and vivacious, Offering good value, this wine was estate-grown Marlborough well, this attractively this Marlborough wine is a fresh, full-bodied, at two sites. Bright, Sauvignon Blanc perfumed red was was made from pinot strongly varietal wine, light lemon/green, it 2018 HHHH hand-picked at Gibbston, noir and matured for with good vigour and is vigorous, with good This generous, zesty Bannockburn and two years on its yeast intensity of tropical intensity of fresh, blend of Wairau Valley Bendigo, and matured lees. Bright, light pink, fruit and herbaceous lemony, slightly spicy and Awatere Valley in French oak casks it is fragrant, with flavours, crisp, dry and flavours, woven with grapes is mouthfilling, (25% new). Full, bright good intensity of crisp, lingering. $18 appetising acidity, and with strong tropical ruby, it is mouthfilling strawberryish, yeasty, Mount Brown an off-dry finish. Open fruit flavours to the and supple, with vibrant dryish flavours, showing Estates North 2021+. $25 (A, UK) fore, a herbaceous plum, dried herb and excellent delicacy, Canterbury Riesling Pencarrow undercurrent and a dry, spice flavours, showing balance and length. $34 2018 HHHH Martinborough Pinot lingering finish. $25 (A) good complexity and Trinity Hill Gimblett Already enjoyable, this is Noir 2017 HHHH harmony. $50 (A) Gravels Hawke's a fresh, lively wine with This graceful young Tohu Awatere Terrace Edge Liquid Bay Syrah generous, citrusy, appley red was mostly estate- Valley Marlborough Geography North 2017 HHHH1/2 flavours, hints of peach, grown and aged for 10 Sauvignon Blanc Canterbury Riesling With its lifted, peppery, apricot and honey, and months in barrels (18% 2018 HHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 fragrant bouquet, this is a slightly sweet, finely new). Ruby hued, it Drinking well from the As a drink-young style a strongly varietal red. balanced finish. Good is an elegant, supple start, this is a strongly of riesling, this is Blended with a splash of value. $17 wine with cherryish, varietal, sweet-fruited hard to beat. Made in viognier (2%) and barrel- Nor’Wester by plummy flavours, some wine, with punchy melon a distinctly medium aged for 15 months, Greystone North savoury notes, and and green capsicum-like style, with some it is full-coloured and Canterbury Pinot good complexity and flavours, showing very botrytis influence, it mouthfilling, with very Noir 2017 HHHH harmony. (From Palliser good freshness, delicacy has gently honeyed good concentration of Still very youthful, Estate.) $30 (A) and depth. Good value. notes on the nose fresh, youthful, plummy, this Waipara red was Renato Nelson Pinot $18 and palate, with rich, spicy flavours, supple, barrique-aged for 10 Noir 2017 HHHH peachy, slightly spicy fine-grained tannins and months. Full, bright This good value, flavours, threaded with excellent harmony. Best ruby, it has good estate-grown wine was lively acidity. Certified drinking mid-2020+. $40 concentration of ripe, hand-harvested at Kina, organic. Sharply priced (UK) plummy, spicy flavours, near the coast, and at $20. savoury notes adding aged for 10 months in complexity, and a well- French oak barriques structured finish. Best (25% new). Bright ruby, drinking 2021+. $32 (A) it is mouthfilling and Palliser Estate sweet-fruited, with very Martinborough Pinot good depth of cherry, Gris 2018 HHHH plum and spice flavours, This full-bodied, nutty, savoury notes generous wine was adding complexity, and estate-grown and lees- a finely textured finish. aged in tanks. Vibrantly $25 fruity, it has strong peach and pear flavours, slightly spicy notes, finely balanced acidity and an off-dry finish. Drink now or cellar. $31 (UK, US) 78 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

PLEASE SEND ME MAGAZINE FOR: SUBSCRIBE TO OUR COMPLETE AUSTRALIA & NEW take out a subscription and save! Australia PACKAGE 6 issues (1yr) $A69 (includes $6.27 GST) ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE 12 issues (2yrs) $A128 (includes $11.64 GST) which includes hard-copy and digital versions plus full Price include GST, postage and handling. on-line access to Winestate’s web site and reviews. Available New Zealand only through online order, Price includes Airmail. www.winestate.com.au Please mark  one option: 6 issues (1 year) $A79 12 issues (2 years) $A150 Asia, Pacific Price includes Airmail. Please mark : 6 issues (1 year) $A120 Elsewhere Price includes Airmail. Please mark : 6 issues (1 year) $A130 Mr / Mrs / Miss Address Suburb State Country Post Code Phone ( ) E-mail Your subscription will start from the next issue. I enclose my cheque for $ payable to WINESTATE Magazine or charge my: Mastercard Visa Name on card: Signature Expires / Send to: 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Fax to: 08 8357 9212 GIFT SUBSCRIPTION Recipient’s Name Address Suburb State Country Post Code Phone ( ) GIFTSUBSCRIPTION Please send a gift card to Me Recipient Tel: 08 8357 9277 www.winestate.com.au Also fill in your details in the section above. March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 79

MICHAEL COOPER Tohu Single Lake Chalice The Tohu Nelson Pinot Anchorage Nelson Vineyard Falcon Gimblett Gris 2018 HHH1/2 Pinot Rosé Marlborough Gravels Hawke's Still unfolding, this is a 2018 HHH Riesling 2017 HHHH Bay Merlot mouthfilling, fully dry Fresh, light (10% alc/ Well worth cellaring, 2017 HHH1/2 style of pinot gris, with vol) and lively, this this is a very youthful, This generous red very good depth of is an easy-drinking, medium-bodied wine. was matured for 10 fresh, pear-like flavours, pinot gris-based wine, Bright, light lemon/ months in French slightly spicy notes blended with pinot green, it has strong, oak barriques. and a finely balanced, noir. Pale pink, it has lemony, appley, slightly Full-coloured, it is smooth finish. Open peach, strawberry and peachy flavours, a mouthfilling and mid-2019+. $18 watermelon flavours, minerally streak, and vibrantly fruity, with with an off-dry finish. a sliver of sweetness, strong, plummy,  $18 balanced by mouth- slightly spicy and watering acidity. Best earthy flavours, and Anchorage Lighter STAR RATINGS  drinking mid-2020+. a moderately smooth Alcohol Nelson $22 finish. Priced right. Pinot Gris Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of $19 2018 HHH excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. ½ Soho Pink Sheep Looking for a low All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Marlborough alcohol style of pinot professionals and are compared in peer Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc gris? The bouquet is classes by three judges. Marlborough Rosé 2018 HHH1/2 fresh and aromatic; the CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, 2018 HHH1/2 From two sites in the palate light (9.5% alc/ a major mail-order business. This pale pink rosé Wairau and Awatere vol) and lively, with CD Cellar door price. was blended mostly valleys, this pale lemon/ pear, apple and peach CDO Cellar door only. from pinot noir and green wine is fresh, flavours, slightly sweet SO Sold out. chardonnay, with vibrant and medium- and crisp. Enjoyable $N/A Price not available at time of printing. splashes of pinot gris bodied, with tropical young. $18 and merlot. It has fresh, fruit and herbaceous  Contact information pg 97. strong, peachy flavours flavours, crisp and to the fore, hints of strong. $26 RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). spices and apricots, a touch of tannin and an off-dry finish. Ready to roll. $18 80 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND March/April 2019 Issue 162 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 In this issue... New Releases & Best Value Buys Under $20

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WINSOR DOBBIN MALTING, mashing, fermentation, distilling, filling, ageing, blending and bottling. Over the past few decades Japanese whisky has become recognised as world class, and a visit to the Suntory Yamazaki distillery is pretty much de rigueur for gourmets visiting the Kansai region of Japan. Most first-time Australian visitors head straight for Tokyo, but there is another, cheaper and easier Japanese travel option in Kansai. With direct Qantas flights to Osaka Kansai airport, Australian tourists have a wide range of attractions within an hour of Osaka city, including the former capital of Kyoto, Lake Bewako, Himeji Castle, the parks and old buildings of Nara and the busy city of Kobe. All are linked by Japan Railways West or Keihan Railway lines, making travel safe and easier for newcomers, and daily and weekly passes are available to reduce costs. Local trains are quick and reliable, and far less expensive than the famous shinkansen bullet trains. Above: Robata-style dining with long paddles at Restaurant Syushi Ozeki. 82 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

JAPAN is very different to anywhere else on SuntorY Yamazaki the globe and visitors will discover many quirky attractions in and around Osaka - Distillery Japan’s third city. Japan is known for its sakes and beers but Surprises I discovered included staying has also emerged as a leading producer of in a French auberge overlooking the rice whisky. The Suntory company is the biggest fields in rural Sakurai; a paddle-wheeled producer and hosts fascinating tours and ship called the Michigan on Japan’s tastings. Go behind the scenes (tours are largest inland lake, a discount store with conducted in several languages), then its own monster ferris wheel, an open-air sample the product. art gallery featuring the works of European masters and meetings with dozens of Umemori Honten Japan’s cute-as-a-button regional and business mascots. Dress up in Japanese chef’s gear and then learn how to prepare your own sushi And what about the chance to stroll the - from the ground up. What could be a old streets and temples of Kyoto dressed kitsch experience is fascinating. The tutors in traditional Japanese garb; ride a are animated and friendly, and teach the mountain cable car or learn to create sushi difference between the several species of at sushi school? fish. You get a certificate at the end if your sushi passes muster. A few years ago, Japan was regarded as an expensive destination for Australians, Auberge de but nowadays hotels and meals are cheaper than at home, particularly if you Plaisance Sakurai enjoy ramen noodles and simple dishes in taverns, known as izakayas. The setting is purely Japanese with rice fields and mountain views, but this Travel around Japan is easy - the luxury hotel around an hour from Osaka public transport, particularly railways, are is modelled on a classic French resort multilingual. hotel; right down to the degustation menu for dinner which features a Japanese take Among the many highlights of my recent on French ingredients including foie gras. trip as a guest of Kansai Gastronomy Tourism Promotions: Top left: Crab sign in downtown neon-lit Osaka. Right top to bottom: Traditional tea ceremony in Sakai, a range of sake from Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, buffet lunch at Ginsyari Geko Tei, sake brewer Ozeki. March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 83

Nara Park Visit traditional temples and join local Japanese folk on their weekend promenades through this beautiful park, but also be prepared to be hassled by the resident deer population, which relies on tourists for its food. The park is home to hundreds of roaming deer, considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods. Nara’s nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have been designated as a natural treasure. Don Quijote Dotonburi In the heart of neon-lit Osaka, this discount store offers a uniquely Japanese experience and is a great spot to pick up last-minute gifts. It carries an absurdly wide range of products, from groceries to electronics, clothing to high-end watches, cosmetics to chocolates. The store in Dotonbori is open 24 hours a day - and it has its own trademark yellow ferris wheel. Ride to the top for sweeping views of downtown Osaka. Top: Downtown neon-lit Osaka. Middle: Friendly deer in Nara Park. Bottom: Historic Himeji Castle. Opposite page left: Welcoming statue and signage outside an Osaka restaurant. Opposite page top: A selection of sushi from the Umemori Sushi School. Opposite page right: Neon-lit downtown Osaka. 84 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

\" the setting is purely japanese with rice fields and mountain views, but this luxury hotel around an hour \"from osaka is modelled on a classic french resort hotel. March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 85

THE FACTS Himeji Castle Qantas flies direct between Sydney and The largest and most-visited castle in Osaka Kansai three times a week with Japan, this dramatically beautiful castle economy return fares starting from $1156 complex in the city of Himeji dates back per person. www.qantas.com.au to 1333. It was listed in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in the The writer was a guest of Kansai country and has a fascinating history. Gastronomy Tourism Promotion Council and associated companies, including Sakamoto Keihan Holdings and JR West. Pick up the Osaka-Kansai Gourmet Food Map Cable Car when you arrive for some helpful regional itineraries. www.kansaibishoku.net/en Take in some spectacular views from the Sakamoto Cable, a funicular railway The Hotel Vischio by Granvia is a in Otsu. The line opened in 1927, as an recently opened, centrally located and eastern route to Enraku-ji, a famous temple affordable hotel choice in the busy on Mount Hiei. This is the longest funicular Umeda precinct of Osaka, just a short line in Japan and a charming step back walk from JR Osaka Station. www. in time. hotelvischio-osaka.com/en. Kyoto Tower Top left: Couple dressed in traditional Japanese Take in some superb views from the kimonos, Kyoto. top of the 131m tall Kyoto Tower, which opened in 1964 just across the road Lake Biwa from Kyoto Station. The tower is on top of a commercial building, which contains Lake Biwa is a large freshwater lake in souvenir shops, restaurants and a hotel, Shiga Prefecture, north-east of Kyoto. It as well as public baths in the basement. is known for its fish, migratory water birds Head undergound to a food hall and bar and wetland regions. Around the lake are area that offers a wide range of traditional historic sites, including the 17th-century dishes, craft brews and the chance to Hikone castle and the 8th-century Buddhist taste several sakes. Perhaps sample some temple complex Enryaku-ji. The modern anago (conger eel) or try some revered Lake Biwako Hotel at Otsu overlooks the melt-in-your mouth omi beef. lake and is home to the excellent Ohmi teppanyaki restaurant. The stylish Michigan Most visitors will want to sample matcha paddle steamer (Michigan is the sister state and wagashi, traditional Japanese of Shiga) offers luxury cruises. sweets, and possibly enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. Throw in delicious meals in Robata noodle bars, those cute mascots that you find everywhere in Japan, fast wifi and a Restaurant surprise around every corner and you have an excellent gourmet tourism destination. Syushi Ozeki Owned by the Ozeki sake brewery, this Hokkaido-style restaurant in Kobe serves a wide range of fish, meats and vegetables cooked over flames, robatayaki style, and then served to diners by a female chef using long paddles. Fun and inexpensive - and best matched with sake. Hiei Garden Museum This mountain-top outdoor art gallery near Kyoto is set in gorgeous gardens with life- size replicas of works by Monet and Renoir as nature and art co-exist. 86 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

204 TASTED 101 AWARDED NEW RELEASES Pretty much a 50/50 result here with the best half of the wines Bream Creek recommended. Unlike other buying guides it shows that we are Tasmania Sauvignon particular with what we recommend. With us not everyone is Blanc 2017 HHHH a winner, which means that the wines we do recommend are Vibrant and fresh stalky worthy of your attention. In this judging there was no clear herbal fragrances with standout category but both good wines and everyday quaffing a good length of zippy wines across the board. green tropical fruit flavours finishing on the SPARKLING Claymore Wines Rockridge Estate savoury side. $31 Joshua Tree Clare Clare Valley Riesling Rockridge Estate 4 TASTED Valley Riesling 2018 HHH Clare Valley 2 AWARDED 2018 HHHH Delicate floral/citrus Sauvignon Blanc A shy nose but shows fragrances with an 2018 HHH1/2 The judges expected some pretty florals and attractive, well balanced, Pungent passionfruit more from the vintage has delicate mouth- bright upfront lime bouquet and a lively sparklings - only the wateringly fresh line of driven palate. 3-5 palate with good length sparkling reds got flavours in the lemon $15 of crunchy varietal through. and lime spectrum. flavours with a tight acid Cooper Burns Eden Brash Vineyard spine. $15 Fox in the Hen 5+ $20 Valley Riesling Single Vineyard Rapaura Springs House South Margaret River Rohe - Blind River Australia Sparkling Eldredge Wines 2018 HHH Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 Spring Gully Clare A lively style that's an 2018 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc Dark jubey berry Valley Riesling exotic mix of spices, An intense flavoursome 2018 HHH1/2 bouquet and robust 2018 HHHH limes and citrus blossom fruit driven sauvignon A very powerful up-front upfront sweet plum A well-made, full with mouth-watering blanc with just enough wine with loads of and licorice flavours. A flavoured wine with acidity. 5+ $25 savoury elements to honeyed passionfruit pleasant easy drinking robust spicy lemon keep it in check. Nice characters and enough style. $18 aromatics and good Pokolbin Estate perfumed lift to the nose acid to keep it all in acid/fruit balance on Pokolbin Hunter and crunchy acid on the check. $30 Gartelmann Wines the vibrant and elegant Valley Riesling palate. $22.95 Rapaura Springs Bull Hunter Valley palate. 5+ $20 2018 HHH Due South Great Paddock Vineyard Sparkling Shiraz Smells of grapefruit Southern Sauvignon Marlborough 2018 HHH Patrick of with a hint of citrus Blanc 2018 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Young spicy plum nose Coonawarra Estate blossom and has a very Alive and vibrant with 2018 HHH1/2 and a palate with nice Coonawarra citrussy flavour profile. an intense lift of fresh A powerful perfumed balance between off- Wrattonbully asparagus on the nose tropical bouquet with dry red and light spritz Riesling 3-5 $25 and nice amount of fruit more of the same characters. $35 on the palate with good echoed on the palate. 2018 HHH1/2 SAUVIGNON line of acid to balance. Has a nice savoury finish RIESLING A hint of lime cordial on BLANC $14 to it. $34 the nose with nuances Glover Family Yilgarnia Great 10 TASTED of ripe apples and a tight 13 TASTED Vineyards Zephyr Southern Sauvignon 7 AWARDED confectionery palate Marlborough Blanc 2018 HHH with nice minerally 8 AWARDED Sauvignon Blanc Fresh lift of green Solid easy drinking 2018 HHHH aromatics which follow group with more crowd notes. 5+ $25 Powerful, pungent, through on to the lightly pleaser styles rather passionfruit nose and a tropical palate. $19 than trophy winning Eldredge Wines A mixed result that was big flavoursome palate wines. Blue Chip either good or not good! that makes a huge Clare Valley Riesling \"The best had depth of impact. \"A lot of wine,\" 2018 HHH1/2 flavour and well-handled commented one judge. Lifted citrus aromas acid along with obvious $23.99 NZ with some tropicals varietal flavours, as underneath and a vibrant it should be with this lime driven palate with variety,\" noted one good crunchy acidity. judge. 3-5 $30 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 87

NEW RELEASES PINOT GRIS/ Due South Great Follow us and keep up GRIGIO Southern Semillon to date with all our latest Sauvignon Blanc wine info, tastings and 7 TASTED 2018 HHH1/2 events on facebook, 3 AWARDED A very perfumed lift twitter and instagram. to the nose and a Three easy drinkers with straightforward but Winestate Magazine the rest lacking depth. full flavoured palate @WinestateEd of asparagus over Amadio Wines passionfruit. $14 88 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Pinot Pokolbin Estate Phil Grigio 2018 HHH1/2 Swannell Hunter A pretty sweet fruit style Valley Semillon showing layers of floral 2018 HHH1/2 and savoury characters Lemon blossom aromas supported by a fine line with a mineral thread of acidity. $22 and a tight and lively citrussy palate with a Trentham The Family hint of butterscotch. $25 Murray Darling Pinot Grigio Yilgarnia Great 2018 HHH Southern Semillon Smells of cooked pears Sauvignon Blanc with a peppery lift and 2018 HHH a fresh uncomplicated Candied lemon bouquet peach/pear palate. $16 with a pungent note and an upfront full Marley Farm flavoured tropical fruit Adelaide Hills Pinot palate. $17 Gris 2018 HHH Quite a zippy fresh style OTHER WHITE with a savoury element. VARIETALS & Has floral fragrances BLENDS and a very crunchy palate. $25 7 TASTED 2 AWARDED SEMILLON & BLENDS There were just two worthwhile wines out 6 TASTED of this group. Some of 4 AWARDED the older vintage wines were past their 'use-by- A very young group date' with a few that of wines. Some nice showed winemaking blends ready for faults. summer quaffing. There was one semillon that Alex Russell Wines has potential to become alejandro Riverland a beautifully aged wine. Vermentino 2018 HHH Pertaringa Lakeside Lifted slightly pungent White Meritage citrus nose. Palate is South Australia zesty and alive with Semillon Sauvignon crunchy green apple and Blanc 2018 HHHH pear flavours. $30 Nose is a vibrant mix of flinty limes and La Villa Tasmania pungent stonefruits Savagnin 2018 HHH with an excellent Lifted floral fragrances length of fresh citrus with herbal nuances. and cut grass flavours. Very crisp tight palate A classic! $15 with mouth-watering acidity. $32

wine & spirit insider tasting CHARDONNAY Cooper Burns Trinity Hill Gimblett Eldredge Wines Alex Russell Wines & BLENDS Adelaide Hills Gravels Chardonnay Kitty Clare Valley alejandro Riverland Chardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 Sangiovese Rosé Graciano 2018 HHH 14 TASTED 2018 HHHH Aromas of honey and 2018 HHH Smells like a blueberry 8 AWARDED A lovely creamy oak peach blossom with Light lifted strawberry pie with a sweet, slightly nose with hints of apple oak sitting on top and a bouquet and fresh and perfumed, fruit palate. Generally, the 2017s blossom and loads of very tight crunchy green lively green strawberry Still very youthful. $30 were best exhibiting oak on the crunchy and stonefruit palate. $40 NZ palate. High acidity. Trentham The Family solid flavours and good complex palate with the $20 Murray Darling varietal character. The fruit to carry it. $30 Scotts Creek Retreat Nebbiolo 2017 HHH 2018s are still very Devlin's Mount South Australia Mollydooker Wines A youthful tannic style young and generally South Australia Chardonnay Serenity McLaren showing savoury borderline. Chardonnay 2018 HHH Vale Merlot Rosé characters laced with 2017 HHHH A solid full-bodied 2018 HHH sweet herbs and drying A nicely balanced style with a warmth of A confectionery sweet tannins. $16 flavoursome chardonnay stonefruits on the nose strawberries and cream GMH South with a sweet lift of and fresh stonefruit nose and palate. \"One Australia Red stonefruit aromas and flavours. $18 for the punters.\" $25 Meritage 2017 HHH subtle but \"yummy\" CDO Lifted red fruit bouquet up-front fruit varietal ROSÉ with slight porty flavours. $18 OTHER RED element and complex 9 TASTED VARIETALS & layers of plum and herb Brash Vineyard 3 AWARDED BLENDS flavours. $20 Single Vineyard Salena Estate Ink Margaret River A tough class! \"Too 14 TASTED Series Riverland Chardonnay much winemaker 6 AWARDED Touriga 2016 HHH 2017 HHHH intervention here Very spicy red fruit nose Pretty floral/stonefruit resulted in forced Generally fresh is best with a perfumed lift and fragrances with some wines,\" commented with this group. \"Many nice spicy herbal varietal oak pushing through and one judge. \"Some wines of these have not been flavours. $25 has a lovely light linear here were pushed designed for the long palate with a zesty acid into the dry spectrum haul,\" said one judge. backbone. $34.95 resulting in high acid, \"Some winemakers hard wines.\" need to watch storage Glover Family issues.\" SANGIOVESE Vineyard Zephyr Swings & Marlborough Roundabouts Swings & 4 TASTED Chardonnay Backyard Stories Roundabouts Novus 2017 HHH1/2 Margaret River Rosé Margaret River 1 AWARDED A solid example of the 2018 HHHHH Malbec 2018 HHHH Twinwoods Margaret variety with aromas of Pretty \"Argyle\" pink wine Bright black fruit bouquet Just one good example River Chardonnay almond meal, nougat with delicate strawberry with violet-like fragrances here. 2017 HHHHH and pears and flavours and citrus blossom and nice depth and Nose is a lifted of sweet stonefruits. bouquet and a long crisp length of savoury cherry Pokolbin Estate complexity of lemon $32.99 NZ palate with \"yummy\" flavours with a robust Belebula Hunter curd and fresh pears. Ross Hill Pinnacle mouth-watering water tannin structure. $26 Valley Sangiovese The palate is lively Orange Chardonnay melon/strawberry 2017 HHHH with a zesty lift of 2017 HHH1/2 flavours. $34 GMH Family Nice integration of red stonefruit flavours Beautiful butterscotch Selection South fruits, Bonox and spice and some underlying bouquet with nutty Australia Red Blend on the nose. Seamless citrus characters. An notes. Full bodied palate 2018 HHH balance between the uncomplicated wine. $25 has some stonefruit Aromas of dried fruit, acid and tannins on flavours and plenty of cranberries with a herbal acid. $35 edge and minty plum the palate. 3-5 $28 flavours. Has balance and depth. $20 JUDGES - DAY 1 Thomas Darmody Natalie Cleghorn Peter Pollard Assistant winemaker at Winemaker with Senior Winemaker at Taylors Wines. Has a Bachelor the Yalumba Wine Angas & Bremer Wines. of Viticulture & Oenology Co since 1998. Completed vintages with from the University of Associate judge at Californian Wineries Geyser Adelaide. Previously a cellar the Barossa Wine Peak, Sonoma Valley, and door assistant at Elderton Show, Stanthorpe Peter Lehmann in the Wines and Wolf Blass. Small Winemakers Barossa Valley. Previously Previously a product expert and Adelaide wine the Winemaker at Simeon at Dan Murphys. Committee show. Wines. Completed member of Clare Valley wine AWRI Advanced Wine show. Assessment course. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 89

NEW RELEASES TEMPRANILLO PINOT NOIR La Villa Cease & Di Lisio Covert Claymore Wines & BLENDS Desist Tasmania McLaren Vale London Calling Clare 10 TASTED Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Cabernet 4 TASTED 7 AWARDED 2017 HHH 2015 HHHH Malbec 2017 HHH 1 AWARDED A lean mean style Minty aromas lift off the Choc mint nose with Another flight with just Consistent class of with a \"playful\" balance cassis/cigar box nose hints of beetroot that one wine making it generally cool climate between fresh cherries with rich blackcurrant shows up on the cassis through. wines with whole bunch and smoky herbal fruit filling the palate fruit palate. Some nice techniques evident. The elements. $38 with flavour and tannins. $22 Gapsted Wines High judges differed in their showing a solid tannin Finniss River Country King Valley preferences; a factor Rapaura Springs spine. $30 Currency Creek Tempranillo that showed up in the Reservoir Vineyard McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 HHHH results. Marlborough Pinot III Associates 2017 HHH Very youthful jubey Noir 2017 HHH Renaissance Lovely chocolaty black blackberry bouquet with Rapaura Springs An interesting McLaren Vale fruit fragrances and fresh and lively flavours Rohe - Southern complexity of sour Cabernet Sauvignon flavours. Good line of raspberries and Valleys Marlborough cherries, mint, pepper Merlot 2017 HHH1/2 of tannins and nice strawberries and some Pinot Noir and herbs with long acid Nice freshness to the acidity. $25 attractive spiciness. 2017 HHH1/2 finish. $50 chocolaty varietal fruit Yilgarnia Great $20 Both the nose and nose with an attractive Southern Cabernet palate are a lovely mix of CABERNET line of crisp dark berry Sauvignon GRENACHE & sour cherry fruit, herbs SAUVIGNON & fruit flavours. $28 2015 HHH BLENDS and spices and a light BLENDS Monterra McLaren Slight savoury dash of pepper. $40 Vale Cabernet meatiness to the nose 3 TASTED 34 TASTED Sauvignon with a tight palate that 1 AWARDED Koonara Cape Banks 15 AWARDED 2016 HHH1/2 has smoky and herbal Once again only one Razortooth Vineyard Smells of cassis and elements. $24 wine made the cut. Mount Gambier Too many wines here mint with hints of Twinwoods Calcannia G.S.M Pinot Noir showing premature dark chocolate. Grippy Margaret River Clare Valley 2016 HHH1/2 development. \"The tannic palate has Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache Shiraz Gamey meaty bouquet vintages here are not \"yummy\" sweet red 2015 HHH Mourvedre with vanilla oak notes. the problem,\" said one fruit flavours. $25 A grippy earthy red 2017 HHHH Sweet/sour flavours judge. \"The problem Brash Vineyard fruited cabernet that's Red fruit fragrances with herbal elements seems to be with Single Vineyard full of flavour and laced with blackberries. and obvious oak. $25 picking time issues Margaret River developing tarry/leathery Great tannic grip to the matched by winemaking Cabernet Sauvignon aged notes. $30 palate with spicy plum Gapsted Wines that didn't handle the 2016 HHH1/2 Twinwoods Optivus flavours and peppery Tobacco Road King fruit well often resulting Pretty blue fruit Margaret River notes. $35 Valley Pinot Noir in overworked wines.\" fragrances with a violet/ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH floral lift and chocolate 2015 HHH Berry fruit fragrances; Di Lisio Argento and cola characters An attractive blend of hints of tobacco and McLaren Vale over sweet black fruit sweet fruit, charry oak forest floor notes with Cabernet Merlot flavours. $39.95 and some leafy notes complex red berry 2017 HHHHH Finniss River Barrel with hints of pepper and flavours. $16 Chocolaty black fruit Select Currency mint. $45 bouquet with lovely Creek Cabernet Finniss River Block Trentham Estate lift of mint and round Sauvignon 1 Reserve Currency Grown Murray full-bodied palate with 2015 HHH1/2 Creek Cabernet Darling Pinot Noir flavours of spicy dark Complex aromas of Sauvignon 2017 HHH berry fruits, some dried fruits and oak 2015 HHH Herbal nose with raisined notes with a with leafy elements Dark chocolaty aromas strawberry fruit chocolaty thread. $20 and a full flavoured, with a menthol lift fragrances and slightly slightly earthy, good followed by a full- sweet strawberry Brand & Sons fruit palate. $85 bodied chocolaty fruit flavours. $18 Icon Coonawarra Due South Great palate. $65 Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Cabernet Patrick of Monterra Adelaide Cabernet Franc Sauvignon Coonawarra Estate Hills Pinot Noir Merlot 2017 HHH Coonawarra 2017 HHH 2016 HHHH1/2 Rich purple wine with Cabernet Sauvignon Smells of blackcurrant An intense full-bodied meaty aromas and 2014 HHH fruit jubes with similar crimson red wine with hints of black fruits Nose is a pleasant characters echoed rich lifted blackcurrant and sweet, spicy and mix of dark chocolate, on the grippy, slightly fruit characters, minty/ peppery palate. $14 berries and violets which sweet, palate. $25 menthol notes and is echoed on the vibrant nuances of forest floor palate. $29 and earthy elements. $125 90 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting SHIRAZ & Trinity Hill Gimblett Pertaringa BLENDS Gravels Syrah Undercover 2018/2017 2017 HHH1/2 McLaren Vale Attractive peppery lift to Shiraz 2017 HHH 25 TASTED the perfumed fruity nose Peppery black fruit and a straightforward fragrances and quite 12 AWARDED palate with fruity crunchy purple fruit flavours. $40 NZ flavours with chewy Disappointing! \"A GMH Winemaker's tannins. $22 reflection of the vintage Reserve South Claymore Wines where the wines appear Australia Shiraz Dark Side of the one dimensional rather 2018 HHH Moon Clare Valley than offering layers,\" Nose shows some blue Shiraz 2017 HHH said one judge. \"A fruits, hints of mint and A soft rounded sweet number offered good, a slight feral note with fruit driven style with rather than great, a light bright fruit driven some rustic characters drinking showing more palate. $20 and good use of oak. $25 cool climate characters lacking the richness of Dalberti Charcoal Haha Hawkes Bay Monterra McLaren Schubert Estate The fruit.\" Burner Great Syrah 2018 HHH Vale Shiraz Hatchling Barossa Western Shiraz Vibrant peppery fruit 2017 HHH Valley Shiraz Hand Crafted 2017 HHHH1/2 fragrances with a fresh A solid straightforward 2016 HHHHH by Geoff Hardy A robust and luxurious lively dark fruit palate sweet fruited shiraz with Deep crimson red wine McLaren Vale Shiraz deep crimson wine with showing some peppery excellent oak and nice with lovely upfront 2017 HHHH1/2 lovely purple highlights. notes. $24.99 chewy tannins. $25 ripe spicy fruit aromas A crimson wine with Has rich dark fruit Due South Great showing a hint of a peppery blackberry characters laced with Southern Shiraz SHIRAZ cigars and has \"friendly\" bouquet, a perfumed lift pepper and spices and 2017 HHH 2016 & OLDER plush purple fruit and dash of spice. Bright a hint of mint. Great Rich and flavoursome flavours seamlessly spicy berry fruit flavours tannin structure. $16 with brooding meaty 33 TASTED integrated with some and lovely tannin balance Schwarz Wine Co. aromas and lifted oak 16 AWARDED nice tannins. $32 to the well-structured Barossa Valley sitting over savoury fruit palate. $30 Shiraz 2017 HHHH flavours. $14 A mixture of strong A rich robust crimson Shingleback wines and borderline varietal - silky smooth Haycutters McLaren examples. \"Oak balance in the mouth and Vale Shiraz was an issue here with loaded with ruby red 2017 HHH some wines,\" said one fruit characters and A lovely lift of purple judge. \"While others savoury/Bonox-like fruit with a dash of appeared 'dead-on- elements. $35 pepper and spice and a arrival' rather than solid tight and crunchy exhibiting the richness fruit palate. $18 and vibrancy of the McPherson Wines better wines.\" Central Victoria Shiraz Mourvedre 2017 HHH Cherries and plums on the nose with a good depth of peppery plum and oak flavours. $21.99 JUDGES - DAY 2 Natalie Cleghorn Thomas Darmody Winemaker with Assistant winemaker at Peter Simic the Yalumba Wine Taylors Wines. Has a Editor/publisher Winestate Co since 1998. Bachelor of Viticulture & Magazine. More than 40 Associate judge at Oenology from the University years’ experience in the the Barossa Wine of Adelaide. Previously wine industry. Formerly Show, Stanthorpe a cellar door assistant at founding publisher of Small Winemakers Elderton Wines and Wolf the first US colour wine and Adelaide wine Blass. Previously a product magazine, manager of show. expert at Dan Murphys. the SA Wine Information Committee member of Clare Bureau, and wine educator Valley wine show. with Regency College, in SA. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 91

NEW RELEASES Tenafeate Creek Cooper Burns Judgement One Barossa Valley Tree Hill Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHH 2016 HHHH Big, bold, sweet fruity Developing spicy plum style that's developing aromas with a meaty nicely and has hints edge and lovely palate of cola and spicy texture with attractive elements. $40 berry fruit over oak sweetness. 5+ Cordelia McLaren $100 Vale Shiraz 2016 HHH Tenafeate Creek Dusty oak nose with Yattalunga One Tree some plums underneath Hill Shiraz and a firm tannic palate 2015 HHHH with plenty of acid. $50 Savoury meaty characters on the sour Grandeur Wellington plum nose with a hint Cellar Reserve of mint. Quite a minty McLaren Vale Shiraz palate with enough 2016 HHH savouriness to keep it in Subtle perfumed fruit check. $60 nose developing some tarry age with a firm Schubert Estate Schubert Estate seamlessly balanced Bouvet Ladubay Bouvet Ladubay Goose Yard Block Lone Goose Barossa palate. $70 Saphir Saumur Vin Tresor Saumur Vin Barossa Valley Valley Shiraz de Loire Brut de Loire Brut Shiraz 2015 HHHHH 2015 HHHH Di Lisio Catalyst 2016 HHHH 2015 HHH A deep crimson wine Sweet plum and McLaren Vale Shiraz A pleasant mix of Spicy nose with that is a lovely soft blueberry bouquet with Grenache 2015 HHH nectarines, cashews and Hessian-like complexity developing melange spicy notes and nice Aromas of candied floral aromas. Sweet and a drier crisp green of sweet blackberries, length and density of fruit and cigar box oak and \"frothy\" in the mouth apple palate. €29.99 EU licorice, spices and oak perfumed/spicy fruit with lifted jubey fruit with big bead and toasty Joseph Mellot La that is all wrapped up in flavours with chewy and chocolaty oak honeyed flavours. Chatellenie Sancerre lovely tannins with a good tannins. $98 flavours. $40 €19.99 EU Vin de Loire backbone of acid. $160 Domaine De Sauvignon Blanc Geoff Merrill Bush Patrick of Tenafeate Creek La Grezille La 2017 HHH Vine McLaren Vale Coonawarra Estate Vincenzo One Tree Galopiniere Anjou Attractive floral/candied Shiraz Grenache Wrattonbully Shiraz Hill Shiraz Cabernet Blanc Vin de Loire orange nose and nicely Mourvedre 2013 HHHH 2014 HHH Chenin Blanc balanced full flavoured 2013 HHHH1/2 Lovely mix of black Lifted leafy and 2003 HHH1/2 palate with a crisp finish. Red currants and mint fruits and perfumed oak licoricey aromas with Sweet toffee apple nose €19 EU lift off the nose and aromas with a firm, lean good depth of purple with sherry-like notes Joseph Mellot Le shows a slight savoury and clean blue fruits fruit flavours balanced and rancio flavours laced Troncsec Vin de edge. Bright fresh plum palate. \"One for the by the acid. $55 with spices, honey and Loire Fumé Blanc and mint flavours on cellar,\" said one judge. nuts. \"Different but 2017 HHH the palate with some VAL DE LOIRE good.\" $16.68 Muscat-like fragrances drying oak and lingering 5+ $29 and tight crisp candied tannins. $28 7 TASTED minerally/lemon palate. Grandeur Wellington Patrick of 5 AWARDED Some complexity. €19 EU Bin 69 McLaren Vale Coonawarra Joanna Shiraz 2016 HHHH Wrattonbully Shiraz Interesting line-up of Dense chocolaty 2013 HHHH drinkable wines without bouquet with sweet Great crimson colour faults. There was one spicy plum notes that with pretty lifted oak curio \"orange\" wine carries through on to and blueberry fragrances which was more sherry- the palate. Ageing and excellent vibrancy of like than Chenin and beautifully. A keeper. sweet fruit flavours with split the judging panel. lovely tannins. $45 5+ $30 Farmilo McLaren Schubert Estate The Vale Shiraz Gosling Barossa 2016 HHHH Valley Shiraz Elegant aromas of 2015 HHH1/2 mulberries, spices and A dense solid shiraz mint with great depth with lovely depth of of varietal flavours with plum fruit characters and acid, fruit and tannins showing a nice touch seamlessly balanced. $50 of spice with a savoury finish. $55 92 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Botter Prosecco Veneto Sacchetto Fili Prosecco La Vuelta Spanish Cava Tussock Jumper Italy Prosecco NV DOC Veneto Prosecco NV Catalunya Brut NV Pinot Grigio 2017 Good yeast autolysis blending Mellow lemon candy bouquet Green apple nose with dried Just a hint of grapefruit on the with the fresh lemonade-like and creamy smooth lemony herbs and some aged notes. nose with a delicate varietal aromas. Silky smooth in the palate. Good sugar/acid Palate is juicy and sweet and palate. $15.99 mouth with a preserved lemon balance. $19.99 tasting of roasted nuts and flavour profile and light herbal pineapple. $12.99 Coles Liquor Group notes. $19.99 Coles Liquor Group Phone: 1300 300 640 Phone: 1300 300 640 Coles Liquor Group Email: customerservice@ Coles Liquor Group Email: customerservice@ Phone: 1300 300 640 liquorlanddirect.com.au Phone: 1300 300 640 liquorlanddirect.com.au Email: customerservice@ Web: www.liquorland.com.au Email: customerservice@ Web: www.liquorland.com.au liquorlanddirect.com.au liquorlanddirect.com.au Web: www.liquorland.com.au Web: www.liquorland.com.au BEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND $U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. TO QUALIFY (NZ $25 & UNDER) Some wines may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others 1 Wines must have first been recommended will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal comprises the best wines currently available, from big- tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate 2 Wines from designated regional tastings Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives are eligible provided they are widely available. credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines 3 All wines must be currently available from that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much the winery, or be readily available in the more expensive cousins. marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 93

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Haha Marlborough St Andrews Imperial Whispers South Eastern Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Reserve South Eastern Australia Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2017 Maturing well, this lively, Australia Chardonnay 2017 Enjoyable young, this medium- fully dry wine was grown 2018 Toasty buttery fragrances with bodied wine was grown in the in the Waihopai and Wairau Peachy aromas with subtle hints of botrytis-like apricot Awatere and upper Wairau valleys. Medium-bodied, it oak nuances and a refreshing notes which follow through to valleys and partly (35%) has vibrant, herbaceous and palate with nice balance of the palate. $5 barrel-aged. Bright ruby, it tropical fruit flavours, crisp and flavours. $6.99 is cherryish and plummy, punchy. Good value. $18 (A) Coles Liquor Group with distinctly spicy notes, Phone: 1300 300 640 a hint of herbs and some Haha Wine Company Ltd Coles Liquor Group Email: customerservice@ savoury complexity. $25 (A) Phone: +64 6 833 7814 Phone: 1300 300 640 liquorlanddirect.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: customerservice@ Web: www.liquorland.com.au Haha Wine Company Ltd Web: www.hahawine.co.nz liquorlanddirect.com.au Phone: +64 6 833 7814 Web: www.liquorland.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.hahawine.co.nz CABERNET CHALLENGE XIV - 2019 One of the world’s biggest tastings of Cabernet and Bordeaux blends! Come and sample nearly 500 of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon and blends from Australia and around the world! Thursday 4 April 2019 from 6 - 8:30 pm. National Wine Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide Come and join us for this fabulous event. Over 500 bottles available to taste. Winestate subscribers are entitled to one free ticket & must call to claim your ticket. Additional guests are welcome at a cost of only $50 per person! Phone: 08 8357 9277 94 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Tussock Jumper Spain Casa Santos Lima Quinta Warburn Estate 1164 Warburn Estate 1164 Tempranillo 2017 Das Setencostas Beiras Riverina Lagrein 2016 Riverina Montepulciano Red Blend 2012 Tarry, earthy and savoury 2017 Bright purple wine with candied style showing hints of Brooding dark fruit and spicy plum nose and spicy red fruit Savoury complexity to the blue fruit characters with chocolate bouquet with flavours with greenish notes. nose with a bright juicy blue some dense tannins. $17 generous but subtle layers $15.99 fruit, licorice and spicy flavour black fruit flavours with profile. Good for its age; still Warburn Estate mouth coating tannins. $17 Coles Liquor Group incredibly youthful. $14.99 Phone: 02 6963 8300 Phone: 1300 300 640 Email: [email protected] Warburn Estate Email: customerservice@ Coles Liquor Group Web: www.warburnestate.com.au Phone: 02 6963 8300 liquorlanddirect.com.au Phone: 1300 300 640 Email: [email protected] Web: www.liquorland.com.au Email: customerservice@ Web: www.warburnestate.com.au liquorlanddirect.com.au Web: www.liquorland.com.au the wine & spiritA U S T R A L I A N & N E W Z E A L A N D Issue 162 | March/April 2019 Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care is Peter Simic E-mail: [email protected] taken in compiling the contents of this publication, but Managing Editor Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411 Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] Administration Vicki Bozsoki E-mail: [email protected] Graphic Designer WINESTATE is published six times a year by Winestate Publishing Pty Ltd. Naomi Fry E-mail: [email protected] WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD, Telephone (08) 8357 9277 Marketing Manager 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212 Copyright 2019 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. E-mail [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, Website www.winestate.com.au Tasting Coordinator photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any Sophia Clements E-mail: [email protected] 95 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 95



contact details BAROSSA AND EDEN VALLEY Haha Wine Company Ltd Robert Stein Wines NZ RECENT RELEASE Barossa Boy Wines Phone: +64 6 833 7814 Phone: 02 6373 3991 Coal Pit Vineyard NZ Phone: 08 8565 7550 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 27 693 6111 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hahawine.co.nz Web: www.robertstein.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.barossaboywines.com.au Warburn Estate Te Pa Family Vineyards Ltd NZ Web: www.coalpitwine.com Eden Hall Wines Phone: 02 6963 8300 Phone: +64 3 570 5192 Kono LP Ltd NZ Phone: 0400 991 968 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: + 64 3 546 8648 Email: [email protected] Web: www.warburnestate.com.au Web: www.tepawines.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.edenhall.com.au CENTRAL & WESTERN VICTORIA ITALIAN & SPANISH Web: www.kono.co.nz Greenock Estate Wines Cosmo Wines Phone: 08 8563 2898 Email: [email protected] 919 Wines NEW RELEASE Email: [email protected] Web: www.cosmowines.com.au Phone: 0417 997 414 Bouvet Ladubay Web: www.gewines.com Grampians Estate Email: [email protected] Phone: +33 241 838 394 Kalleske Wines Phone: 03 5354 6245 Web: www.919wines.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8563 4000 Email: [email protected] Coles Liquor Web: www.bouvet-ladubay.fr Email: [email protected] Web: www.grampiansestate.com.au Phone: 03 9829 5111 Brash Vineyard Web: www.kalleske.com Kimbarra Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: 0427 042 767 Murray Street Vineyards Phone: 03 5352 2238 Web: www.coles.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8562 8373 Email: [email protected] Gapsted Wines Web: www.brashvineyard.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.kimbarrawines.com.au Phone: 03 5751 9100 Dalberti Web: www.murraystreet.com.au Kings of Kangaroo Ground Email: [email protected] Phone: 0427 041 146 Schwarz Wine Company Phone: 03 9712 0666 Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 0417 881 923 Email: [email protected] Hastwell & Lightfoot Web: www.dalberti.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.kkg.com.au Phone: 08 8323 8692 Domaine De La Grezille Web: www.schwarzwineco.com.au Silver Spoon Estate Email: [email protected] Phone: +33 0241 593 463 Stage Door Wine Co. Phone: 0412 868 236 Web: www.hastwellandlightfoot.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 0400 991 968 Email: [email protected] Hemera Estate Web: www.domainedelagrezille.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.silverspoonestate.com.au Phone: 08 8524 4033 Gapsted Wines Web: www.stagedoorwineco.com.au CHARDONNAY Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5751 9100 Thorn-Clarke Wines Gralyn Estate Web: www.hemeraestate.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8564 3036 Phone: 08 9755 6245 MARLBOROUGH Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.thornclarkewines.com Web: www.gralyn.com.au Greywacke Schubert Estate BEST VALUE BUYS La Villa Wines Phone: 03 572 5425 Phone: 08 8431 1457 Coles Liquor Phone: 0418 642 722 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 9829 5111 Email: [email protected] Web: www.greywacke.com Web: www.schubertestate.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.lavillawines.com.au Web: www.coles.com.au Lake Chalice Wines NZ Kono LP Ltd NZ Twinwoods Estate Phone: +64 3 572 9327 Phone: + 64 3 546 8648 Phone: 0419 833 122 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.lakechalice.com Web: www.kono.co.nz Certified Organic Wines We’re true believers that the best wines McLaren Vale, South Australia are created naturally organic, from the ground up. Just like ‘paddock to the plate’ is to food, our growing philosophy is ‘soil to the bottle’—organically. organichill.com.au March/April 2019 W I N E S TAT E 97

aftertaste ELISABETH KING YOU’RE SOAKING IN IT - WINE BATHS MAKING A SPLASH The most infamous wine bath in Australian history was the legendary opera singer Dame Nellie Melba’s dunking in 152 bottles of sparkling wine at the winery that became Seppelts Great Western. THE recent movie, Mary Queen of Scots, “certain Californian beauties know the tonic But over the past couple of years a new wave has been criticised for a string of historical effects of wine baths”. Apparently, the girls of wine spas, offering even more luxurious inaccuracies. But the fresh complexion of bathed first in warm water and when their baths and treatments has reinvigorated Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan, in the title role pores were opened “they enter a wooden tub the wine bath trend. In Spain, the Aire de could have prompted a scene indisputably containing a cask of red wine for 15 minutes”. Barcelona takes you through the spa’s historic rooted in fact. Following her upbringing in A regular habit that was “very refining and 17th century bath circuit, including hot and France, the ill-fated monarch was famous for refreshing to the skin”. cold baths in the ancient Roman style, a full her luminous complexion and was a fan of body massage and a final soak in a bath white wine baths to maintain an all-over glow. Just before World War I, beauty articles in the filled with the Spanish varietal, Ribera del US and the UK reported that French women Duero, one of the country’s most complex The practice certainly wasn’t new. washed their hair in wine - white for blondes and flavourful reds. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, often and red for brunettes. During the hostilities applied wine directly to the skin to heal a it was deemed too extravagant to fill a bath Aire has opened an outpost in New York. wide range of ailments in the fourth century with multiple litres of wine, so beauty lovers The wine experience here involves a soak in BC. The Spartans bathed baby boys in red were advised to sponge their faces with red a mixture containing an alcohol-free extract wine to make them strong. In ancient Thrace, or white wine. Sour claret, it seems, was from “extra strong” mattonera grapes and a the European region now divided between thought to have the most clarifying effects grapeseed oil massage. Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, women believed on the complexion. that bathing in wine was “the elixir of youth”. The UK’s first-ever wine spa, Ella Di Rocco, The most infamous wine bath in Australian is a Tuscan-inspired retreat in West London. Mary, Queen of Scots belief in the beautifying history was the legendary opera singer The 90-minute ritual begins with a foot soak effects of wine probably stemmed from a Dame Nellie Melba’s dunking in 152 bottles packed with rose petals, mint and lemon, holistic wellness philosophy dating back to of sparkling wine at the winery that became followed by a body scrub made from red wine medieval times. Those in search of a beneficial Seppelts Great Western. Twenty years leaves. The crowning moment is the stone treatment in an era when doctors knew ago, another dip in bubbly sparked world wine bath filled with 60 per cent sangiovese more about astrology than the human body headlines. At the Portobello Hotel in West and 30 per cent merlot red wines, hot water preferred to steep themselves in the leftover London, a favourite bolthole of models, movie and concentrate of virgin grape juice. You residue of wine-making - the tannin-rich pulp stars and musicians, it was rumoured that get a glass of red to drink and breadsticks to and pips of the grapes. supermodel Kate Moss and her then-beau nibble on in case the urge to drink the “bath Johnny Depp had ordered a champagne water” becomes too strong. Bathing in wine was a hot trend in the bath costing $1500. They supposedly took 19th century when indoor plumbing was the plunge, but while they were out a maid For a more authentic Italian experience, haphazard or non-existent even in the great emptied the bath of its 36 bottles of the there’s the Adler Thermae Spa in Tuscany, cities of the world. An early fake news story finest French. In 2012, also in London, the where the signature treatment is a grapeseed was circulated in several US newspapers in Cadogan Hotel revived the champagne bath oil massage and a brunello wine bath for two. 1859, and centred on an American tourist who idea as a Valentine’s Day treat. The property’s The spa in the Hotel Gellert in Budapest, an spotted a sign in Paris offering wine baths for designated bathtub could hold 120 bottles Art Nouveau jewel, sports the hottest natural the equivalent of 75 cents. In a too-neat twist, and the most expensive choice was Dom springs in the Hungarian capital - 43C - and he knew the attendant at the bathhouse who Perignon Vintage at a cost of $45,000. an anti-ageing vinotherapy treatment. But had been a slave back home but was a free for sheer spectacle you can’t go past the man in Paris. I suppose you throw the wine Vinotherapy as a serious modern beauty Mendoza region of Argentina where two away afterwards, queried the Yankee traveller. trend was developed by Mathilde and luxury spas, Entre Cielos and Cavas Wine “Oh no, they send it downstairs for the poor Bertrand Thomas in 1996 in - where else? Lodge, offer wine baths and massages in people, who bathe for 25 cents,” replied his - Bordeaux. The couple opened their first the shadow of the Andes. acquaintance. Then it’s thrown away, said the spa, a 30-room hotel overlooking a vineyard, tourist. “No indeed, we’re not so extravagant and now operate seven other spas around Do wine baths work? There’s some science as that; we just bottle it up and sends it to the world using their wine-inspired skincare behind the theory which hinges on resveratrol, ‘Merica for champagne’.” range, Caudalie. Their version of the wine ritual a buzzy ingredient in the beauty world, which harks back to the original medieval idea of gives wine its antioxidant qualities. But the In 1890, long before the Hollywood film using extracts, vines, leaves and other tannin- new breed of wine spas are very focused on industry made California the global epicentre rich leftovers from the wine-making process. sheer indulgence and that’s what’s kept the of fads and trends, a local journalist revealed idea alive for thousands of years. next issue: A really diverse issue hitting most of the major states across Australia with the Best of the West, Wines of NSW and McLaren Vale judgings and our Kiwi cousins taste the wonderful North Island and all the latest new release wines too! 98 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2019

MEMBER EVENTS Where it all began... APRIL 2019 Schubert Estate is located on some of the most sought-after pieces of dirt in the Barossa Cabernet & Bordeaux Night Valley - a special patch of five blocks terroir National Wine Centre, Adelaide Thursday 4 April, 2019 (6 - 8.30pm) in Marananga in the Western Barossa. Tickets: [email protected] “The vines grow on red-brown loam over JAPAN, Tokyo - 2019 - Japan Wine & Gourmet Exhibition clay, ironstone and shale on a slightly 17-19 April, 2019 elevated ridge of about 300 metres.” Details at: www.wineandgourmetjapan.com The terroir of the vineyard site leads to a Email: [email protected] strong expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz - wines that are opulent, concentrated and MAY 2019 rich, packed with black fruit, chocolate and licorice aromas, expressive tannins and Mainfreight International Worlds Greatest Shiraz Challenge XIV structured for aging. National Wine Centre, Adelaide The wines have won many international Friday 24 May, 2019 (6 - 8.30pm) Tickets: [email protected] awards. Today Schubert Estate has a “Five Star” rating for its Sentinel brand in AUGUST 2019 Winestate magazine’s World’s Greatest Emerging & Alternative Varietals Shiraz & Syrah Challenge 2018. National Wine Centre, Adelaide The flagship wines - The Goose-yard Block Friday 2 August, 2019 (6 - 8.30pm) Shiraz and The Gander Reserve Shiraz also Tickets: [email protected] regularly receive high scores. SEPTEMBER 2019 www Winestate Wine of the Year 2019 Subscriber Tasting Discover our wines at: National Wine Centre, Adelaide Friday 27 September 2019 (6 - 8.30pm) Adelaide City Cellar Door Tickets: [email protected] Open weekdays 9.00am - 5.00pm 26 Kensington Road, Rose Park SA 5067 NOVEMBER 2019 Phone 08 8431 1457 HONG KONG - Winestate Wines of Australia Barossa Valley Cellar Door HK Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Open Thursday to Sunday, 10.00am - 4.30pm 7-9 November 2019 261 Roennfeldt Road, Marananga SA 5055 Details at: www.hktdc.com Phone 08 8431 1457 HONG KONG - Winestate Corporate Tasting Event November 7-9 2019 www.schubertestate.com More details mid-2019 Email: [email protected] JOIN US TODAY! By becoming a Winestate Member you will receive complimentary tickets to our events!

Some call it an obsession. But what’s wrong with being passionate about something that’s more cherished now than the day it was produced? Stored safely, at the right humidity and away from harmful light, Vintec’s state-of-the-art wine cabinets offer the perfect conditions to keep your pride and joy safe until you’re ready to take one for a spin. WINE PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY