Winestate Magazine Special Edition 2011

NEW ZEALAND wine company of the yearSAINT CLAIR FAMILY ESTATESETTING A FAST PACEMICHAEL COOPERHANDS UP IF YOU would like a free bottle from Winestate’s merlot, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc; and the Omaka Vineyard (13ha), established in pinot noir and chardonnay. Acquired in 2007New Zealand Wine Company of the Year for 2011. To claim your and named after a narrow strip of aged, devigorating clay soils,prize, all you have to do is complete the Saint Clair Vineyard Half The Strip Block Vineyard, in the lower Waihopai Valley, is devotedMarathon, a 21.1km trot through vineyards owned by Saint Clair, solely to pinot noir. Saint Clair is best known around the world for itsCloudy Bay, Allan Scott, Wairau River, Starborough, Morton Estate, extensive lineup of intensely aromatic, punchy sauvignon blancs,Babich, Stoneleigh, Drylands, Giesen and Whitehaven. including many single-vineyard, Pioneer Block labels. Pinot noir is seen as a major challenge, “but that is what makes it even more Judy Ibbotson, co-owner of Saint Clair, Marlborough’s largest rewarding when you get it right,” says the company’s red winefamily-owned winery, has finished the course five times. However, maker, Kyle Thompson. He predicts Marlborough’s reds are goingshe usually does it without the crowds, because each year the to go “from strength to strength”.event clashes with her presence at the London International WineFair – and Saint Clair is committed to export. Launched from the This year has brought change to Saint Clair’s winemaking team.1994 vintage, Saint Clair wines are now sold in 55 countries. When Matt Thomson, formerly chief winemaker (and Winestate’s NewSaint Clair first scooped Winestate’s trophy for NZ Wine Company Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2010 and 2008), has takenof the Year in 2010, the company passed two milestones. Judy’s the position of wine consultant. Hamish Clark, who joined thehusband, Neal, commented that it was “extremely humbling to company in 2001 as a cellar hand and laboratory manager,follow in the footsteps of Villa Maria who, over the previous 12 after working at Scotland Yard as a forensic scientist, has beenyears, have won this trophy on 11 occasions”. promoted to the position of winemaker. Clark and Thomson are now joint leaders of the production team and both their names It also marked Saint Clair’s 100th trophy. During its first seven will feature on all of Saint Clair labels.years the winery collected three trophies; the next decade broughtanother 97. When asked (presumably tongue-in-cheek) why it had At the heart of Saint Clair’s success is its system of grading itstaken so long, Neal Ibbotson replied: “While we always had the wines through a carefully designed quality assessment system.aim to produce wine of trophy standard, it took time to find superior That involves painstaking site selection and vine management,vineyard sites for each variety – the key to making top quality wine”. followed by a multitude of small-batch fermentations and theirDespite the doom-and-gloom about the international economy, evaluation for quality by a panel of nine winemakers. Their ratings,Saint Clair reports lively demand. “Sales volumes have been strong on a 10-point scale, determine each wine’s quality tier – and bonusacross all ranges and price points,” Ibbotson reports, “which have payments to the company’s growers.resulted in out-of-stock on some wines, and earlier than normalbottling of the 2011 vintage to meet orders. Based on the increasing At Saint Clair’s annual tasting of new season’s wines for itsmarket demand, we will bottle significantly more Saint Clair wine growers and staff, those who grew the best grapes, selected forthan in 2010.” New markets include Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan. its high profile Pioneer Block range, are acknowledged. A grand trophy is awarded to the grower of the fruit earmarked for the For Neal Ibbotson personally – a former farm adviser and pig flagship Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc – promotedfarmer who planted his first vineyard in Marlborough in 1978 as “New Zealand’s most internationally awarded wine”.– 2011 was a year to remember. He won the Bledisloe Medal,awarded annually by Lincoln University, near Christchurch, FINALISTS Vavasour Winesto a former student or staff member who, in the opinion of the Sacred Hilluniversity council, has made an outstanding contribution to his Villa Mariaor her chosen field, advanced New Zealand’s interests and Greystonebrought credit to Lincoln University. Based since 2006 in a $NZ10 million winery at Riverlands, onthe outskirts of Blenheim, Saint Clair draws grapes from growersthroughout Marlborough (and further north for such varieties assyrah and viognier), and also owns six sites in the region, covering140ha. These include the 13ha Doctor’s Creek vineyard in theWairau Valley, where sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and rieslingare grown; the 32ha Ben Morven Vineyard, planted in sauvignonblanc; the 14ha Awatere Vineyard, established in sauvignon blanc,chardonnay and pinot gris; the 10ha Rapaura Vineyard, planted in Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 101

on top of the worldWINE of the year C R A G G Y R A N G EIT’S SOMETHING depth. A bold, opulent style, it is muscular drive of Smith. Peabody, who for many and densely flavoured, yet also fresh and years presided over Transpacific, whichWE CAN DO vibrant, with great power and personality. specialises in liquid waste, recalls a family The winemakers’ goal is “to absolutely fill the debate around the dinner table. “They saidTHAT THE REST palate and overwhelm the senses with the they didn’t like concrete materials or trucks viscosity and intensity of fruit only possible and that the waste management businessOF THE WORLD from low-cropping, late-harvested vines”. stank. They suggested we start a family Steve Smith, Craggy Range’s wine and company making a product we all loved –CAN’T REPEAT. viticulture director, and a Master of Wine, wine,” he recalls. After 10 years scouring sums up the style of Le Sol as “a cross- the world for a suitable site, between 1999THAT A KIWI SYRAH has triumphed dresser between the lushness and ripeness and 2004, Peabody poured $NZ30 million of Australia, and the poise, balance and into the company, establishing vineyardsas Winestate’s Wine of the Year will shock elegance of the northern Rhone”. in Hawke's Bay and Martinboroughmany wine lovers. New Zealand’s 300ha of and two specialist wineries in the Bay.syrah are paltry, compared to Australia’s Craggy Range is a marriage of the The home of Craggy Range is at the base40,000ha of the same variety - shiraz. But it’s financial muscle of Terry Peabody, of the spectacular scarp of Te Mata Peak,not a total surprise. After all, the 2006 vintage based in Australia, with the expertise and with Craggy Range itself to the south-of Craggy Range Le Sol scooped the trophy east. Here, the strikingly beautiful Giantsfor runner-up shiraz at Winestate’s 2008 winery, a collection of circular and barn-Wine of the Year Awards. Now the 2009 like buildings with an acclaimed TerroirLe Sol has gone two better, by winning the restaurant, is surrounded by lakes, lawnstrophy for top shiraz/syrah and Winestate’s and chardonnay vines.supreme accolade of Wine of the Year. Launched from the 2001 vintage, Le Sol One of New Zealand’s most talked-about swiftly generated international acclaim.wines, Craggy Range Le Sol (The Soil) has Robert Parker, the powerful Americanhelped to set a new standard for the country’s critic, gave the 2002 vintage 94 pointssyrah – intensely varietal, with bottomless out of 100. “All of syrah’s characteristics – smoke, liquorice, pepper, blackberries and currants – are present in this beautifully knit, pure, concentrated 2002,” he says. Craggy Range focuses on single-vineyard wines. “For me, this is the ultimate challenge,” says Smith. “To work intensively in a vineyard, to understand it, and produce something with character that is entirely related to that special piece of land.” Le Sol is grown in the company-owned Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. The vines, densely planted in the stoniest parts of the vineyard, are an old clone of syrah, believed to have been in New Zealand since the early nineteenth century. The grapes are hand-harvested at a “supremely ripe” stage of maturity, when the berries are soft and slightly dimpled; the juice is fermented with102 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

natural yeasts; and the wine is matured for20 months in French oak barriques (39 percent new in 2009). The early vintages of LeSol were made by American Doug Wisor,who was killed in a kite-surfing accident inOctober 2004. Wisor’s key contribution toLe Sol was outlined by Craggy Range in anewsletter shortly before he died. “In 2001,Craggy was about to harvest its first syrahin what was a tricky vintage weather-wise.Years of Hawke's Bay experience had Smithready to pull it in before things got worse.Stubbornly, Wisor insisted it hang out longerto be fully ripened. Striking a compromisewith his young colleague, Smith brought inthe bulk for Block 14 Syrah [now labelledGimblett Gravels Vineyard Syrah], leavingthe rest until Wisor got the dehydration hesought. The early-picked syrah equalledmost others harvested that year, but thelater harvested Le Sol was glorious.” Today, Rod Easthope oversees thewinery’s production of Hawke's Bay syrah,Bordeaux-style reds and chardonnay.Easthope, whose parents grew grapes inthe region, graduated in 1992 with a winescience degree from Roseworthy Collegeand later made wine in the Hunter Valley,Piedmont, Burgundy, the Languedocand South Africa. Easthope finds syrahespecially rewarding. “We can makeBordeaux-style blends that look very muchlike the wines of Bordeaux. But the betterwe make syrah, the more it looks as if it hascome from us and nowhere else,” he says.Hawke's Bay syrah, Easthope believes,will be New Zealand’s third major successon the world stage, after Marlboroughsauvignon blanc and Central Otago pinotnoir. “It’s something we can do that therest of the world can’t repeat,” he says.A majestic wine, Le Sol is all latent powerin its youth. Craggy Range views 2009 asa remarkable vintage, worth cellaring for“20-plus years”.

brisbanegrapevineLIZZIE LOELFor the past couple of years Queensland of Spanish varietal from here and afar to the pungency and sharpness. Neverthelesshas welcomed with open arms a plethora choose from. The menu is divided into tapas there are plenty of delicious alternatives likeof talented southerners who have staged and the larger raciones – think chorizo and hotpots, dumpling soups and hot and colda small culinary invasion of the ‘sunshine squid grilled on the plancha, garlicky chilli noodle dishes. 91 Elizabeth St, Brisbane;state’. Matt Moran chose Brisbane to open prawns and the usual rounds of skewered phone (07) 3221 1469.his second Aria, Shaun Presland did as and barbequed meats and bread boardswell with Sake opening in a prime riverfront laden with jamon served with crusty bread. Back over to Europe and to the Emporiumlocation, Kingsley’s Steak and Crab It’s cheap and very cheerful, clattery and centre and the recently married TonyHouse is just up the river and by Christmas downright noisy when the Flamingo dancers Percuoco is dishing up a summer menu ofMelbourne’s famous Stokehouse mark are in the house. Shop B, 12 Little Stanley St, classic Italian dishes all served with a slighttwo will grace South Bank with a huge South Bank; phone (07) 3846 1201. Percuoco twist. Begin with possibly the200-plus seat venue. world’s best vitello tonnata or a classic terrine Obaltan is a new Korean barbeque in of rabbit wrapped in an almost see-through Luke Mangan has been quietly taking over the CBD that is packing in the crowds daythe world, one restaurant at a time. Currently and night. And while the menu is rustic, layer of pancetta. The veal rack is cookedunder his ownership is Glass Brasserie, and much of it you cook yourself over a over spring onions and cherry tomatoes butin Sydney, and The Palace, in South simple square rack, the room is elegant the piece de résistance is the deconstructedMelbourne, as well as his Salt Restaurants and spacious. Carved room dividers add osso bucco, slow cooked and deboned thenwhich can be found in Tokyo, Singapore, on flare as do banks of shimmery lamp shades rolled and encased in prosciutto and servedboard three P & O liners and now at the Hilton that hang from the ceiling. Each table has a on a bed of almost perfect saffron scentedSurfers Paradise. In his spare time, Mangan round stainless extraction fan poised over risotto. Dolci includes a trilogy of rhubarbconsults to Virgin Australia and pops up on the flames which ensure the room remains – a polenta and rhubarb cake, a compotethe celebrity circuit selling his cook books at an appropriate temperature. It’s a neutral and a mille foglie filled with rhubarb crèmeand gourmet food products as well as palette utilising wood, stainless and black as patisserie. Emporium 1000, Ann St, Fortitudespruiking the virtues of clean, fresh flavours accents which is a perfect back drop for the Valley; phone (07) 3852 1500.underpinned by classic French technique. colourful food and artful presentation. HighHe also brings a slight Asian influence to his backed chairs and banquette seating give Above: Luke Mangan’s Salt interior at the Hiltondishes and this is being lapped up on the Surfers Paradise.glitter strip as the mercury climbs. the impression of an upmarket restaurant and service is professional and speedy. The menu is boxed into categories – Neatly folded meat anything from ox tongue,tapas, salads, entrees, fish or meat from pork neck, belly or shin, tripe, eel, intestine,the grill and a variety of sides. There’s chickens feet, hagfish and, for the feintalso oysters, sashimi and Sturgeon caviar hearted, chicken and king prawns –allserved with the traditional garnishes, a rare sliced very fine is delivered to the tabletuna and soba noodle salad and classic ready to be seared over the flames. If yousteak tartare. He brings the classic crab think hagfish sounds scary, try eating kimomelette from Glass and weaves Europe chi, the traditional fermented cabbage sideand Asia together with lobster tortellini in dish that is typically served with absolutelya spiced coconut broth. Ranger’s Valley everything. It’s a huge part of the Koreanand Petuna salmon are some of the diet but Western palates can struggle withsprinkling of brand names and there’ssome local content with Kilcoy beeftenderloin and barramundi. Orchard Ave,Surfers Paradise; phone (07) 5680 8000 [email protected]. As South Bank braces for a plethoraof new venues slated to open late 2011and early 2012, Ole, the colourful Spanishtapas bar, slid back its big glass doorsright in the heart of the Little Stanley Staction. Head down there on a weekendevening without a booking and you may findyourself queuing but trade is brisk so thewait won’t be too long. It’s a colourful venuewith accented staff and a decent amount104 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

melbournegrapvine HILARY McNEVINMichael Lambie, most recently from the determined to open their own place, but a choice of different cuts of beef as well asrestaurant Taxi, in the city, South Melbourne’s took the time to understand the Melbourne lamb rack, chorizo and rabbit, is generousLamaro’s and Hawthorn’s The Barker Hotel market. What they’ve developed is a menu to a fault, and the clever design of what washas opened The Smith, a ‘‘gastropub’’ in full of local ingredients treated simply and once a dark warren of rooms is open, bright,Prahran. Collaborating with Scott Borg, who well, with some signature dishes already white and very appropriate. 376 Smith St,was the former director of Taxi, both men being established such as slow-roast Collingwood; phone (03) 9417 2233.have approached this business in a warm pork belly with caramelised sweet potatoand welcoming way to focus on the families mash, and cock crab with Asian mushroom One hour’s easy drive north of Melbourneand young professionals of the area as well as and wasabi salad. Jewson has loads of brings you to Kyneton - a small town with anolder couples. They are clearly setting out to experience, cooking at places like the enormous food culture, particularly as youembrace a broad community through a very River Cafe, Terence Conran’s Bluebird and drive down Piper St, home of well-knownapproachable, sleek and comfortable deco, Mezzo, as well as Soho House in his years restaurants such as Annie Smither’s Bistrotand a menu with brushstrokes that are long, in the UK. The goal is to create a good and The Royal George Hotel. There’s a new kid (restaurant) on the Piper St stretch with the recent opening of Mr Carsisi. Manager Clare Fegan and her husband, chef Matt, opened the former ice works and more recently an organic cafe early in 2011, and have been drawing crowds from far and wide since. The pair have always wanted to create a space to serve good food with strong Middle-Eastern focus while utilising the good local produce that surrounds them. The Turkish and Middle Eastern flavours are highlights on the men, which offers a good range of mezze plates, including dishes such as a delicious hummus dottedfrom Asia through to Europe, making it tricky neighbourhood cafe but the food is beyond with pomegranate seeds, plump friedto categorise but easy to navigate. Dishes cafe fare, showing quality and craftsmanship calamari with black olives or a zesty tomato,may include a confit rare breed pork belly with that are indicative of experience. They have mint and red onion salad with goat’s feta.raisin relish and choucroute, or roast breast no phone, so email, facebook and twitter are The mains are generous and dessertsand leg of duck with a crispy spring roll and the best ways to find them. 155 Fitzroy St, rich in flavours such as orange blossom,shiaoxing wine. There’s a large bar area and St Kilda; [email protected]. cinnamon, pistachio and rosewater. This isa comfortable courtyard, matched with drinks a happy restaurant, decked out in relevant,from a thoughtful wine and cocktail list. Tables The Robbie Burns hotel has re-opened timely decor with retro touches and vintageare a jumble of shapes and sizes - round, after a nine-month renovation to bring the artwork, and certainly worth the short drivesquare and communal - and are set with an much-loved Spanish restaurant and pub from the big smoke. 37 Piper St, Kyneton;assortment of mismatched dinnerware, and back to life. The Colonial Leisure Group phone (03) 5422 3769.while this is a little touch of organised chaos, bought the pub two years ago and decidedthe service and the slick approach makes it to keep the Spanish vibe that was initially Above: Mr Carsisi interior and counter.very evident, very quickly that you’re in an established back in 1982 by the previousenvironment run by seasoned professionals. owner Urbano Gutierrez. The decor and the213 High St, Prahran; phone (03) 9514 2444. extensive menu do well at translating this focus and with the appointment of chef Ivan Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, is getting a lot Saiz, who found his new job through themore interesting with partners, chef Paul Spanish consulate in Melbourne, is keepingJewson and front-of-house manager Marco it authentic on the plate. From fresh saladsPugnaloni taking what was the Waldorf such as the ensalada de atún confitado (confitDiner and turning it into Fitzrovia. The pair tuna salad, mixed leaves, radish, shallots,ran South Yarra’s Outpost for entrepreneur segmented orange with sherry dressing) toSalvatore Malatesta for two years, testing a good tapas selection as well as traditionalthe market after coming to Melbourne paellas, some delicious with cuttlefish, squidafter 20 years in London. Melbourne boy ink and aioli or more traditional with rabbitJewson and Italian native Pugnaloni were and vegetables. The grill section, which has Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 105

sydneygrapevineELISABETH KINGA rash of Central European restaurants has list, and the wine offerings are divvied and freshly squeezed orange juice) to theopened in Sydney and Melbourne lately - up between Europe and Australia. The trim wine list featuring Austrian, FrenchPolish, German, Czech and \"ethnically vague\". real clincher, though, is the buzzy, lively and Spanish bottlings. No wonder thisPlaces where you can get a good feed for a atmosphere of a full house of customers striking, yet cosy establishment, wonreasonable price. My theory is that the trend enjoying their food. A welcome change hands down as the best bar with food inis a backlash against tapas mania and the from the often solemn atmosphere you find the 2011 Sydney Morning Herald Goodsharing craze. In fact, when we visited Essen in too-cool-for-their-own-good restaurants Food Guide. The Owl House, 9 Crown St,on a Friday night, a party of 10 who hadn't of the earnest \"farm to fork\" variety. Darlinghurst; (02) 9357 5060.made reservations were turned away from thefull-to-capacity 180-seat restaurant. Essen Restaurant & Beer Cafe, 133-135 As house prices fall or stagnate in once- Broadway, Ultimo; phone (02) 9211 9805. upmarket suburbs that are now deemed Formerly Una's, a Sydney dining institution to be too far from town, the cost of apopular for rib-sticking fare, Essen has a Sharing plates has become such a runaway former worker's cottage close to Sydney'slink to the past in the person of executive fad that it's become a tough call to draw the CBD has sky-rocketed. And the hip newchef Geert Elzinga, who was also part- line between a bar with a counter menu and occupants don't want corner pubs filledowner of Una's. Since the break, though, a restaurant with a bar. The Owl House with pokies and carpets that \"hide everythe menu has become more authentically describes itself as a bar with food, even stain\". The real estate values of localGerman/Austrian with a nod to Elzinga's though it has a separate dining room. Chef boozers have soared, too, and manyhomeland of the Netherlands. John Rankin has worked in some of the best have been turned into upscale eateries, bars in New York honing his considerable especially in Surry Hills. That's where you Close your eyes and you could be in skills. It shows in his expertly edited menu will find The Carrington.a gemutlich restaurant in Germany - that features influences from Japan, China,complete with wooden tables, chairs, Italy and Spain. Small dishes may range from Two young chefs, Jaime Wirth andwheat beer and serving plates that have sashimi of bonito, soy dashi jelly, cucumber, James Miller, preside over the kitchen andthat \"Made in Munich\" aura. Many of the wasabi, daikon and miso curd to smoked eel a third partner, designer Michael Delaney,young waitresses are German and are as stuffed piquillo peppers with squid ink foam, supervised the re-fit. There's a south-of-the-efficient and friendly as you would expect. garlic chips and olive oil. border feel in the decor, which spills over to the menu designed to mimic the tapas Elzinga's cooking may be hearty, but You can chow down at the downstairs bars of San Sebastian. Classic Spanishfinesse is certainly not lacking. I ordered bar or climb up to the upstairs dining titbits such as fat albondigas (meatballs)a wurstteller and out came perfectly room. The best venue for the so-called and cuttlefish with chorizo and chickpeascooked roesti and succulent sauerkraut \"larger dishes\" that run the gamut from are right up there with the best Spaintopped by a juicy knackwurst and a pumpkin and sage spaetzle with pine nuts, has to offer. A warm summer evening,weisswurst. Diners of all ages come here spinach and fetta, to confit lamb shoulder, though, is the best time to order the coldfor the schnitzels, which are big and white eggplant puree, garlic, olives and meat platters - artistic displays of the bestvery good. So much so that they are the sweetbreads. The Owl House also helps Spanish hams and sausages. Clear anddefault choice of the large Asian clientele you to segue seamlessly from a swish clean your palate with a Spanish beer orfrom nearby Chinatown. But you really cocktail aperitif such as dry martini made wine. The Carrington, 563 Bourke St, Surryshould try to squeeze in one of the entree with Noilly Prat Vermouth or a Blood and Hills; phone (02) 9360 4714.selections from Dutch beef coquettes to Sand (a Hemingway style concoction offlammekuche, the famous sour cream Scotch, sweet Vermouth, cherry liqueur Left: Essen German/Austrian interior.speck and onion tart from Alsace to fully Right: Essen’s assorted sausage platter.appreciate Elzinga's insistence on usingfresh, seasonal ingredients. Weekly specials prevent menu ennuifor regulars - the ocean trout did a brisktrade the night I visited. The pork knucklemarinated in honey, thyme and rosemarywas a crowd-pleaser, too. And, like us,many others left room for dessert. I enjoyeda light-as-a-feather fresh fruit tart, but was inthe minority as copious quantities of appleand pear strudel and the schwarzwalder- white chocolate mousse with cherrycompote and chocolate biscuit - weredelivered to the surrounding tables. There's a first-rate beer and schnapps106 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

perthgrapevine ROD PROPERJOHNThere was the occasional biffo among patio bar and alfresco dining area with dill cucumbers, and manoushi for $9.50 –bikies in the front bar, more than a few table service – blimey, and you’ll see ideal for lunch. And if you’re really hungrycues smashed over unsuspecting heads posh dishes like seafood pie ($25), at dinner, slaughterman’s gnocci within the pool room and a scuffle or 20 in lemon and asparagus risotto ($22), beef oxtail ragu and reggiano for $22, and roastthe car park after closing, but the Hyde cheek bourguignon ($24) and Portuguese Linley Valley pork belly, celeriac pureePark Hotel will be remembered for more chicken ($25) on the menu. It’s a long and caramelised pear at $24. The winethan that. The Higgins family bought distance to bring a chook, all the way from list jolts the senses, it’s seriously different,the “Hydey” in 1979 and transformed the Portugal. The wine list is very commercial welcoming and well-priced, and expect tovery old pub into Perth’s most popular and oh-so-boring, considering the huge find some other snappy beverages - beers,entertainment venue (sans fights) while range available next door in the bottle ciders and spirits behind the bar. A tinyliving upstairs. At its peak, there was live outlet under the same ownership. Prices drinking area sits at the back of the mainentertainment in the lounge and front bar are obviously now up a notch or two, room and you may quaff a wine or cocktailseven days a week. Some of the modern live music and entertainment is ongoing, here without ordering food. Bivouac isjazz artists who played there included although it’s nothing like it used to be. TheBlossom Dearie, Helen Matthews and Hydey has lost many of its old customers inRene Geyer, and comedians Rove and the makeover but has picked up some newDave Hughes loved performing at the ones along the way. Corner of FitzgeraldHydey. In the front bar, hip hop, punk and Bulwer streets, North Perth; phonerock, grunge and Indi had a look in and (08) 9328 6166.many Perth bands got their leg-up playingtheir first gig here. The front bar counter The Macquarie Dictionary describes ameals such as bangers and mash and bivouac as a temporary camp; let’s hoperoast beef/chicken were around $5 and in the Bivouac Canteen & Bar is with us justthe cavernous lounge, the buffet was an a little longer than that. Owners Amandainstitution and the ubiquitous fish/steak, Ricciardello and Anthony Princi would rather it be known as a place of recreation,chips and salad was available for about somewhere to be fed and watered. This small, it has a 1920’s shopfront look and$20, and there were 40 different choices in small canteen/bar opened in Northbridge frugal interior, yet it has a welcoming feel.the salad bar. Families, pensioner groups, in July and offers a range of grazing dishes There’s space on the walls for local artistssporting clubs, large wedding parties, from the greater Mediterranean region. to display their work and this gives colourbusiness suits and “ladies who lunch” There’s a focus on sharing or “social dining” and lift to the minimalistic interior. Openfrequented the lounge. There were many as Anthony calls it and you’ll see influences for brunch, lunch and dinner, Tuesday toexpletives heard and tears shed when the of North Africa, Spain, Italy, Greece and Saturday. 198 William St, Northbridge;Hydey was sold to a large national chain Turkey in the dishes. How about chorizo, phone (08) 9227 0883.and morphed into a new-age hotel and potato, red pepper ragu and simmered egghuge liquor barn with only a faint heritage on toasted sourdough ($15.5) for brunch Perennially popular Tarts, a close-to-the-attachment to its past. Now it is dressed after a big night out? Then there’s ouzo city café has extended its opening time toin trendy industrial grey, the front bar has braised octopus and preserved lemon at include dinner during the week. This is abeen tarted up, there is a contemporary $11, and a plate of hommus, babaganoush, brave move in tricky times, but obviously the owners have the support of their customers, mainly locals who breakfast and lunch here regularly. The dinner fare is simple, fresh and a home-cooked style, similar to that enjoyed for years during the daylight hours. A recently acquired liquor license gives some sophistication to dinner. You can’t miss Tarts, it opens at 7am, there is always a couple of groups sitting out the front enjoying Perth’s kind weather, the food and ambience. 212 Lake St, Northbridge; phone (08) 9328 6607. Left: Bivouac interior (photographer Darren Mok). Right: Alfresco dining at the Hyde Park Hotel. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 107

adelaidegrapevineNIGEL HOPKINSAfter a period of depressing non-activity dishes to his menu such as grilled lamb’s when co-owner Andrew Turner says:the Adelaide restaurant scene has sprung tongue with beetroot and horseradish sauce, “We are not a restaurant, we’re a hotel.” Well,to life over the past year with a string of plus an aubergine hollandaise. Slow cooked you can’t actually stay there, but The Marquisnew openings that have given local diners dishes using lesser (but tastier) cuts include does revel in a hotel licence that allows aa new appetite and perhaps a glimpse of old-school French-style dishes such as beef commodious wine bar with sophisticatedthe future. Biggest and most ambitious is brisket slow-braised for six hours then grilled argon gas dispenser for up to 32 wines by thePress Food & Wine, the latest initiative from and served with macaroni cheese. Give glass, and a retail outlet defined by a “wineSimon Kardachi (Melting Pot, Melt) with Davies a day’s notice and he’ll roast a whole wall” that separates wine bar from restaurantpartners that include wine writer Tim White, side of 14-week-old suckling Berkshire pig, with around 700 wines for sale.in charge of the wine list of course, and a feast for up to 12 diners for $295. Whenhighly experienced chef Andrew Davies. he started out, Tim White says he had firm In a first for Adelaide, the wine list will be ideas on how the list would look, but as the available only on i-pads, 10 of them, which Both upstairs and downstairs sections offer restaurant evolved so did the wine list to will provide a live, real time look at what’sthe same menu but served in rather different reflect both the style of food and the expectedcircumstances. Downstairs is aimed firmly customers. The by-the-glass list is the best currently available. Bottles can be takenas the fast lunchtime crowd, seated on in town, with lots of varietal and regional away or drunk on the premises with a $10stools at high bench tables, probably interest and explanations where necessary. surcharge. The menu promises “Frenchcontent with just a Press burger and a glass Press Food & Wine, 40 Waymouth St, inspired” dishes such as rabbit and portof Geoff Merrill Cilento Sangiovese from a Adelaide; phone (08) 8211 8048. terrine or a charcuterie selection over themenu that offers both smaller, grazing style bar, or dishes such as slow-cooked eight-dishes as well as larger main courses. Hereford Beefstouw is a surprise on many hour rump with braised artichokes or a fronts. For a start it’s the first venture into 1200g cote de boeuf standing rib roast ($55) Upstairs has a different aura, with light Australia by the Danish Damgaard family, in the restaurant. The Marquis, 13 Gouger St,streaming through the original skylight and which started their series of restaurants – now Adelaide; phone (08) 7071 7700.multi-paned windows overlooking the street 15 of them, but all featuring quite distinctbelow. There are splashes of colour with blue characteristics – 40 years ago. Here the Above: •Hereford Beefstouw interior.velvet-clad booth seating and tables with local partner is (RockBare, Mojo) winemaker Left & right: Press Food & Wine interior and 6-hourcanary yellow chairs, a wall of wine glasses and cattleman Tim Burvil, who started by braised brisket with macaroni and cheese. supplying the Damgaards with wine andbehind the bar, exposed roof beams and later with Hereford beef from a farm theyceiling fans. It’s quieter and calmer, aimed bought jointly in 2007 at Lucindale, in Southmore at the business long-luncher. Yes, I’m Australia’s south-east. That partnership hasassured, they do still exist, and here they’ll now led to a restaurant housed in a statelybe looking at grilled pork belly with celeriac 1850s former Women’s Christian Temperancepuree and confit onion, or rough cut pasta Union building that features very elegantwith blue swimmer crab and tomato. Davies Danish design. The menu is meat, meat andbuys in whole beasts, be they beef, lamb or more meat, naturally featuring Hereford beefpork, and creates a “nose to tail” menu that such as a grain fed, dry-aged T-Bone – 600guses everything possible. “It would be easy at $48 and 1kg $72. A 500g, grain-fed Waygujust to use the prime cuts,” Davies says, but ribeye steak served with Japanese seaweedin his view that’s environmentally unsound – and mushrooms comes in at $125. Non-and it also gives him an excuse to add offal carnivores get a look-in with Coorong mullet and a small range of seafood dishes. Burvill has taken care of the wine, which ranges from 36 vintages of Grange to his own Old Norse Barossa Shiraz house wine, dispensed into carafes via an extraordinary stack of four, clear acrylic troughs, ensuring it’s well oxygenated by the time it reaches the glass. Beefstouw, 143 Hutt St, Adelaide; phone (08) 8232 6868. One of Gouger Street’s prime development sites has been taken by The Marquis. The bland styling inside, with a rather beige- looking dining room and lots of blonde timber, looks rather hotel-like but that’s explained108 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

how we judge WINESTATE MAGAZINETASTING CRITERIA Independence of advertising Winestate will occasionally purchase ‘yardstick’ wines to be evaluated where we believe that these are of consumer or trade interest if these have not been entered by the wineries. In order to produce the biggest and best wine magazine, Winestate includes advertising; however, this is fiercely independent of any wine tasting editorial. Wine companies are advised of the blind tasting results and it is their choice to advertise if they wish. The judges’ decisions are final and these are published according to the judges’ scores, whetherstar rating system advertising is taken or not. The judges We take care in selecting our judges. But remember: judges are human and their ownOUR TASTINGS AND PUBLISHED ratings excellent wine; bronze is 15.5 and above preference will influence their scores. We useare designed with one thing in mind: to and represents good wine. A reasonable, judges with complementary backgroundsprovide a useful and genuine balanced sound everyday-drinking wine scores 15 and a three-person panel for each flight willguide on wines to our readers. In order to (but does not gain a medal). A bland but include winemakers with technical expertiseachieve this we follow certain procedures clean wine scores 14. Below this score there and often a marketing/retail expert whoin an activity that is notoriously difficult! are unpleasant flavours. These final ‘medals’ knows consumer tastes. Often one or moreThere are regular criticisms of wine shows are then converted into a star rating system of the judges are Masters of Wine with vastand various scoring systems; here is how for publication in Winestate. A gold means 5 international experience, and most judgeswe approach our tastings. stars, silver is 4, and bronze is 3 stars. have experience at major Australian wineA wide selection of wines The biggest judging system shows. We are also aware of expertise. If we are judging a region, for example,Wines are invited from any producer, Winestate examines on average more we will have a winemaker judge from thatprovided that they meet the criteria of the Australasian wines per year than any other region because that person knows the localclass being judged. The class may be a forum - more than 10,000. Compare this to the style. We may balance that with a judge fromregional or style tasting and generally the biggest show in Australia, the Royal Melbourne outside the region and generally someonewines must be available for consumers to Wine Show, with just over 4000 entries. with broad and mature experience.purchase, although we have museum andrare wine tastings as well. how we compareAwarding scores Winestate Wine show International 100 Point Rating MedalWinestate carries out the judging Comment Gold 20 Point System Systemusing Australian capital city wine show HHHHH Outstanding High Silverprocedures; the wines are not known to HHHH1/2 Excellent Silver 18.5 - 20 93 - 100the judges. The three judges taste the HHHH Very Goodwines blind and assign a score without 18 - 18.4 90 - 92 17 - 17.9 85 - 89reference to each other. Only then do they HHH1/2 Good/Very Good High Bronze 16.5 - 16.9 83 - 84compare scores, and if there is dissension HHH 15.5 - 16.4 78 - 82they re-taste the wines and come to an Good Bronzeagreement. Scores are compiled using the20-point international system: a gold is 18.5 Wine judging is an inexact art, not a science - even at the highest levels of proficiency.and above; silver is 17 and above and is Accordingly, Winestate uses the star rating system which reflects a range, rather than a specific point score. Point systems indicate a level of accuracy that simply does not exist. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 109

wine investment & collectingAUCTION DATES Aruecptioonrts ’98 Moss Wood Cabernet fetching $78 and $138 respectively. Classic market LANGTON’S WINE AUCTIONS & LANGTON’S FINE WINE AUCTIONS staple Penfolds Bin 389 also attracted EXCHANGE (THIRD QUARTER MARKET REPORT) strong bidding with the ’96 achieving $98. December 7-14 (Melbourne) TURBULENT global markets continued December 14-21 (Sydney) to make their presence felt into the third Despite the considerable market December 21-January 11 quarter of 2011. Nervous prospective uncertainty, Penfolds Grange remains a (Melbourne) vendors eyed conditions warily, not ready strong performer. Ironically this strength January 11-18 (Sydney). to commit to selling into an uncertain may be partially a result of the volatility in wine market. July proved a challenging the market place. In the same way nervous SPECIAL EVENT AUCTIONS month with supplies of new premium wine investors have led a run on gold, so to December 2-9 Opera Australia scarce and unrealistic vendor expectations have prospective wine investors flocked to Charity Auction blocking potential sales, leading to a what many in the Australian wine industry Stock entry cut-off is 10 days prior. softening in clearance rates. Overall, view as a safe haven - the security of blue buyer participation remained steady, chip Penfolds Grange. Older vintages STERLING WINE keeping prices firm, but with a lack of new from the 1950s and ’60s were particularly AUCTIONS & EXCHANGE listings it was difficult to gain momentum. sought after, as these wines are becoming November 25 - December 7 By mid-August, an influx of fresh stock increasingly scarce. Highlights included a (consignment deadline November 21) had reinvigorated sales in both Melbourne 1953 Grange achieving $17,251 and a ’54 January 27 - February 8 and Sydney. Buyer confidence returned Penfolds Bin 12 fetching $16,100. Vintages (consignment deadline January 23). to the market, resulting in many bullish from the 1960s and ’70s also performed prices for blue chip wines. well with a 1960 Grange attaining $1560 ODDBINS WINE AUCTIONS and the classic ’71 vintage fetching $1276. Monthly live online auctions - visit Demand for Langton’s Classification The new 2006 Grange also proved to www.oddbins.com.au for dates. wines continues to grow, as seen in the be a massive drawcard as competitive late September Melbourne sale. The new buyers bid it up to $803. Sales of other GRAYSONLINE listings attracted a wider pool of buyers rare Penfolds wines also attracted strong Daily wine auctions (featuring a who were willing to bid competitively to bids with a 1963 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz range of red and white wines and secure these blue chip wines. Highlights fetching an astonishing $2186 and a regional and country-specific sales). included the 2005 Bindi Block 5 Pinot ’Penfolds Bin 60A Coonawarra Cabernet- Noir ($156) and the 2007 Clonakilla Shiraz achieving $4370. CRACKA WINES Shiraz Viognier ($213). Aged cabernet Live wine auctions every day at 1pm sauvignon remains highly sought after Interest in imported wines, particularly top on weekdays and 8pm on weekends. with the 2001 Lakes Folly Cabernet and Burgundy and classified growth Bordeaux, has grown exponentially in the past few LIQUID ASSET FINE WINE years. The stronger Australian dollar is AUCTIONS making it more economically viable to bring Fortnightly online auctions these wines into the country. Domaine de - from Thursday 8pm to Tuesday la Romanee-Conti continues to be sought 8pm. Register for notifications at after with a 2005 La Tache recently realising www.liquidasset.co.nz/register. $3150. The presence of an extremely rare bottle of 1868 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (All dates subject to change, was a wonderful high note in Sydney, without notice) fetching a remarkable $23,000, including buyer’s premium. Other highlights included 1990 Chateau Beychevelle ($168) and an 1892 Blandy Brothers Verdelho Madeira ($863). Large format bottles also attracted strong bidding with double magnums of 1997 Chateau Margaux and 1993 Trimbach Clos Ste Hune Riesling realising $2300 and $1610 respectively. Chateau Palmer also continued its ascendancy fetching $1900 for an Imperial of the 2002 vintage. The ongoing volatility in world markets, combined with the imminent threat of Greek default in the Eurozone and the deepening possibility of a double dip recession in the US, means markets will continue to be jittery.110 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

“The prices fall until everything’s sold”Daily auctions, fallingprices, buying wine hasnever been so much fun!

wine investment & collectingAustralia, despite its robust financial extended auction, beginning at 8pm. Pyrenees, Songlines, Mitchelton, Howardsystem and low government debt, is not In a short time, Cracka wines has been Park, Grant Burge, Petaluma, De Bortoli andimmune to the spreading contagion of St Hallett, with releases of both vintage andglobal uncertainty. However, the strength utilised by both private vendors - to sell new release wines going under the hammer.of the Australian dollar (so detrimental the likes of Penfolds Grange, Howard Parkto the domestic wine industry’s efforts Cabernet Merlot and Clarendon HillsAustralis One of the more interesting and unexpectedto export) does mean prices of imported - and wineries, to move slow moving yet trends noted by Cracka Wines has been thewine - including top Burgundy and classified quality stocks from their portfolios. strong popularity of non-mainstream brandsgrowth Bordeaux - are more affordable in not regularly seen on wine shop shelvesrelative terms. In addition, the demand and What has become clear over the last year and in restaurants, with everyday winestrong prices for Penfolds Grange and other is that more and more of the wine buying buyers increasingly willing to buy away fromblue chip Australian wines on the secondary public is moving towards online wine established names. Cracka Wines has hadmarket, continues to defy the doom and auctions as a place to satisfy, not only their much success selling the likes of Final Cutgloom which pervade the rest of the wine interest in vintage wines, but wines for their Wines, Toro Loco, Honeymoon Bay andindustry at the moment. With the inaugural everyday drinking needs. This can range Quails Run Central Otago Pinot Noir. Whilepinot noir auction at the end of October, and from premium Margaret River and Barossa sales on some of these lines have beenthe impending Christmas season, auction Valley offerings, to Marlborough sauvignon initially slow, upon tasting many buyers havesales for the fourth quarter look promising, blanc, Central Otago pinot noir and entry- come back for further purchases illustratingparticularly for wines from top vintages and level mainstream styles. Importantly, while how quality in the bottle is - for many Crackarecognised producers. a saving off recommended retail price is customers - far more important than any common across all product groups, Cracka mainstream brand. For more information visit www.langtons. Wines consumers show particularly strongcom.au/Magazine/TopResults.aspx. interest in premium quality products - with The mix of grape varieties sold through those offered above $15 per bottle attracting Cracka Wine auctions illustrate quite aCRACKA WINES the greatest interest. Cracka’s strict quality mainstream audience is using the channel(SPECIAL 2011 REPORT) control policy, which has seen hundreds of to service their everyday wine needs,OVER the last 15 months since launching, wines excluded from its auctions, has paid although this is supplemented by an educatedCrackawines.com.au has sold over 15,000 significant dividends with many customers clientele. So while sauvignon blanc, especiallycases through the daily wine auction channel posting testimonials online as to the quality from New Zealand, sells well - along with- with sales rising at a relatively constant rate of wines purchased through the company. the likes of Barossa shiraz - strong interestof 20 per cent per month, and some auctions in riesling and pinot noir indicate the Crackaseeing 100 cases of a single product sold. Part of Cracka’s success has surely been audience is interested in a broader range ofThe strong sales growth saw a move mid- due to the many well-regarded Australian classic varieties. For more information, visityear to two auctions on Monday to Friday, wineries now using the company to sell www.crackawines.com.au.while Saturday and Sunday still have a single quality products. This has included, among others, the likes of Coriole, Thorn-Clarke, *All quoted prices are per bottle with no Knappstein,Tatachilla, OliversTaranga, Blue buyer’s premium applicable. Auctioneers & Valuers of Wine www.oddbins.com.auOddbins Wine Looking for Wine? Auctions Let Oddbins Wine Auctions show you how Address: 33 Sunbeam Rd Glynde SA 5070 to buy wine in three easy steps…Phone: (08) 8365 4722 Fax: (08) 8365 4788 Step 1 - Call us about our subscriptions 08 8365 4722 Step 2 - View the wines online or posted catalogue Email: [email protected] - www.oddbins.com.au Step 3 - Set your budget & place your bids! - From 1 to 1,000 bottles With over 30 years experience... we do Best! It’s What112 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

wine investment & collectingSTERLING WINE and the 2005 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Rossie Shiraz Nebbiolo Marzemino selling atAUCTIONS & EXCHANGE (Trophy, Top Gold, five golds). around $17 a bottle, 1999 Charles Cimicky(SEPTEMBER REPORT) Heritage Reserve Shiraz at a hammer fallTHEWINE auction scene meets many needs. “Looking at bang for your buck, the of between $18 and $22 a bottle and 1995The focus on rare and valuable “collectable” Jacaranda Ridge was smoking at a hammer Rosemount Estate Balmoral Syrah with aor trophy wines often gets too much attention fall of $33-35 or just under $5 per major September hammer fall of just $43.- especially when every catalogue also award,” says Barber. September’s auctionfeatures mixed lots and odd numbers of low carried a large number of interesting old Barber’s best buy at the September sale?value, “good drinking wines”. German rieslings marketed by Pieroth. Some “A bottle of 1997 Duck Muck.The Wild Duck bottles were old and leaky but the majority Creek monster that was selling for over The mixed lots, usually a collection of six provided surprising value at a hammer price $1,000 a bottle sold for just $151 - granted,single bottles, can vary from private cellar well under $A5 a bottle. Another September the bottle was ullaged (VHS).” For moreleftovers to recent vintage samples. A good highlight was a collection of rare cognac. information, visit www.sterlingwine.com.au.example at Sterling Wines recently was acollection of current release NV Australian “The Remy Martin Louis XIII sold for GRAYSONLINEsparklers, which included a bottle of Jansz a bargain price of $800 - well below the (SEPTEMBER REPORT)Premium Rose. This five bottle lot sold for replacement value of approximately $1800,” GRAYSONLINE had a great period seeing$15 each. “The rap generation has made says Barber. A strong rich Pedro Ximinex sellers achieving excellent results and somebaubles and bangles, gold and glitz - a Sherry from Morla Solera No 23 sold well buyers grabbing a few bargains. The coolersubject of aspiration,” says Sterling’s Lynton in three bottle lots. With a hammer fall of weather saw sales of red wines soar asBarber. “For the fans of gold chains, Sterling between $12 and $17 a bottle, it presented customers looking for well-known brandsshamelessly packaged the ‘best of bling’ for very good value. A sleeper, which Barber added to their cellars and also purchased someits September sale. The catalogue offered a feels deserves far more attention, is the 1998 ready to drink bottles. Hundreds of lots of agedfour bottle mixed ‘bling’ lot which sported four Bowen Estate Ampelon Shiraz. wine, drinking beautifully now, sold includingtrophies and 14 gold medals.The collection of the 1995 Henschke Mount Edelstone ShirazKirrihill, Pepperjack and Shingleback cabernet “This rare best barrel wine is not seen often and a 2000 d`Arenberg Coppermine Roadsauvignons sold for a very modest $26 a bottle.” and is selling way below the estimate. Good Cabernet Sauvignon. All the Wolf Blass Black value at $100, a hammer fall of $56 must be Label blends also did very well. Barber says Sterling’s “bling” theme has a bargain,” says Barber.given a new focus to wines which might For the dinner party guests, the bestotherwise have received little attention. With Christmas just around the corner, bargains came from trusted regions withThe Sterling website promoted a selection interest in sparkling shiraz was on the rise. A the 1997 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Red Blendof wines which have bottles burdened by range of Brown Brothers sparkling reds sold selling well, while the ’02 Wolf Blass Greyhuge clusters of gold stickers. The set well with the best buy a magnum of 1997 Label Shiraz was the buy of the month whenwhich attracted most attention was the Brown Brothers MM at a mere $35. Seppelt’s a lucky bidder secured this for under $40.2004 Houghton Jack Mann (six trophies) divine 1994 Original Sparkling Shiraz was also This wine has seen highs of closer to $150. great value at $25 a bottle. Other good buys included 2000 CarleiThe Forties Old BlockTre AUSTRALIA’S LEADING FINE WINE SPECIALISTAUCTIONS VINTAGE REVIEWSEXCHANGE MARKET REPORTSVA L U AT I O N S EN PRIMEUR OFFERSPRICE GUIDES LANGTON’S MAGAZINEVINTAGE CHARTS LANGTON’S CLASSIFICATIONWINERY PROFILES OF AUSTRALIAN WINEOFFERING AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST RANGE OF FINE & RARE WINEMelbourne: Building 5, Maple Close Sydney: Unit 5, 2 Hordern Place650 Church Street Richmond VIC. 3121 Camperdown NSW 2050Ph. 03 9428 4499 Fax. 03 9428 9788 Ph. 02 9557 9100 Fax. 02 9557 9119Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 113

wine investment & collecting With this year’s Royal Wedding spiking LIQUID ASSET FINE WINE AUCTIONS Parker is having a lasting effect on demandinterest in all memorabilia, Grays saw (SEPTEMBER REPORT) and more and more of these are coming ona Bells Prince Charles and Lady Diana FOLLOWING on from the success to the market. Generally all Chateauneuf-Scotch Whisky 750ml sell for $160. This is of its first simultaneous physical and du-Pape sells well, but this time othera great investment bottle to keep for the online auction in July, Liquid Assets ran wines also exceeded expectation.The topnext generation. Several fortunate sellers another two in October and at the time lot was some 2003 Hermitage from Chavealso saw their private stocks go under the of submitting this report was still the which fetched $610 per bottle. The 1990hammer and achieve some great prices. only outfit in Australasia delivering these and ’03 Hermitage, Ermitage la PavillonA 1954 Jack Daniels Gold Medal Tennessee types of auctions. from Chapoutier were also strong - bothWhiskey sold for $378 while a 1933 Seppelts passing reserve at $500.There were plentyPara Liqueur Port achieved $280. New Zealand remains a buyers’ market of bidders for the ’98 Cote Rotie la Mouline at present, although there are definite from Guigal, which achieved $500 and a Investors took the chance to add to their signs of an upturn. Despite this, top-end 1999 Cote Rotie from Paul and Jean Luccollections. The 1990 Penfolds Bin 707 French wines generally sold well with the Jarnet made $240.Cabernet Sauvignon is always reliable and the leading clarets, not surprisingly, faringaverage sale was $210. The best buy came in best. One bottle of 2003 Chateau Latour Champagne was another highlight. Somethe form of the 1983 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange went for $1460 while the ’95 fetched 1975 Dom Perignon made over $500 andHermitage at $390, while the ’91 Penfolds $1040. Other Bordeaux to perform well three bottles of 2000 Louis RoedererBin 95 Grange achieved a high of $625. The were the 2000 and ’03 Les Forts de Cristal went for $475 each. Interest in2003 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz and the Latour, both reaching $470, the 2000 and Italian remains high, with some 2001’01 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz achieved great ’03 Chateau Pichon Baron at $330 and Tenuta Dell Ornellaia fetching $190 a bottle.sales this period. There was a good supply of $240 respectively - which was the same2001 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, with the average price achieved for some 2000 and 2006 Australian wine sales were steady withprice selling at $111, and a ’98 Penfolds Magill Chateau Pontet Canet. All these prices Penfolds Grange, as ever, at the forefront.Estate Shiraz found a buyer at $160. represent a significant improvement on This period saw $470 for some 2005 earlier this year. Grange and Liquid Assets now regularly Across the board, all the large formats are get over $400 for various vintages of thisachieving great results. Buyers couldn’t resist Burgundies are another matter and wine. Henschke Hill of Grace is also topthe opportunity to own a La Cour Pavillon continue not to sell well. Obviously the of buyer’s wish-lists and a bottle of 1996Medoc 1971, single 6L Imperial, Bordeaux, region still remains popular, but there are made $530. Elsewhere, some fun waswhich sold for over $800. Local heroes were few wines which attract serious interest had with lots of 2001 Penfolds RWT Shirazthe 2004 Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz, 3L and not many of these were presented for and all of it sold for over $100 a bottle.Double Magnum selling for $211 and the 2006 sale in the last period. Fortunately Rhone Also entertaining was a 3000ml bottle ofPenfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz at $355. For continues its dramatic rise in popularity, 2001 Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shirazmoreinformation,visitwww.graysonline.com. noted by Liquid Assets for the last 12 which was, in Liquid Assets’ opinion, a months. It seems the redoubtable Mr bargain at $240. *All prices listed include buyer’s premium.114 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

wine investment & collecting New Zealand wines still maintain good Overall, clearances were steady and the Of the large offering of Penfolds wines,clearance rates but as yet, there are few average hammer price was right in the buyers were keen on most of the Binwhich reach the higher price levels attained middle of the guides. However, buyers 389’s on offer along with Bin 707 andelsewhere. It was interesting to see the were still opting for wines in very good Grange from the 1980s (even in imperfectdemand for 2002 Trinity Hill Homage Syrah to perfect condition over those in poorer condition) and ’90s. RWT and early Stwhich, at $125, outsold the perhaps more conditions - a trend particularly noticeable Henri also piqued buyer interest. On theestablished various vintages of Te Mata with the Penfolds Grange market. Henschke front, Hill of Grace from ’84Coleraine and Stonyridge Larose.That said, through to ’96 cleared well, as did the broadthe last two wines are consistently available The soft start for Grange at the beginning of selection of vintages of Mt Edelstone.on the market and sell well in the $90-$120 the year has certainly firmed up, with Grangeprice range. Liquid Assets also sold three in good condition clearing well inAugust.The The imported section of the catalogue wasvertical tasting cases of 1997-2008 Coleraine same can’t be said for Hill of Grace, which generally a little slow in August, except forat nearly $1000 each. For more information, cleared well below expectation. Penfolds the good clearances of Champagne, wellvisit www.liquidasset.co.nz. *All prices are Bin 707 also continued its strong sale trend, priced Bordeaux and Chateau Coutet fromin $NZ and include buyer’s premium. especially with magnums from the 1990s. Sauternes and Guigal’s famed Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde. The large Italian and NewODDBINS WINE AUCTIONS Other pleasant surprises included a Zealand selection failed to excite buyers.(AUGUST REPORT) return of buyer interest in Greenock CreekFOR ALL the doom and gloom talk Roennfeldt Road Shiraz (especially from In late August, Oddbins introduced apermeating the general wine and spirits 2001), Rockford Basket Press from the new budget catalogue based on local andmarketplace, the Australian auction world 2000s (especially in original six packs) and imported wines which are generally valuedstill appears to be in a healthy condition. the Centenary of Federation magnums, at below $20. The major highlight was theOddbins’ August Premium sale was although these are still only fetching around excellent clearance of Clos Clare Rieslings.certainly full of surprises. Highlights the $50 mark. Special mention must be Other good clearances were reported forinlcuded $730 for a 1990 Three Rivers made of Wendouree wines, with August a mixed bag of Deakin Estate whites andDry Grown Barossa Valley Shiraz, $356 buyers keen on the large offering of cabernet reds, Grosset Watervale Riesling, 2001 Mrfor a magnum of 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 malbec from the 1990s, shiraz from the late Riggs Shiraz, Penfolds Koonunga Hill ShirazCabernet Sauvignon, $1201 for an ’82 2000s and the shiraz blends from the late Cabernet and Rawson’s Retreat from theChateau Cheval Blanc 1er Cru St Emilion, ’90s and mid 2000s. ’90s, 2001 and ’02 Punters Corner Cabernet$2000 for an ornamental decanter of andWild Duck’s Alan’s Cabernets from ’98.Hennessy Richard Hennessy Cognac and Good clearances were reported for early The ever popular mixed lots of reds andan old bottling of Bundaberg O.P. rum - 1990s Coriole Lloyd, ’98 Grosset Gaia, whites also did well - along with the budgetwhich went 150 per cent above the top Polish Hill Riesling from the early ’90s and importeds, Alsace rieslings, soft Rhoneend of the guides. late 2000s, ’96 Rockford Cabernet, ’92 St and Italian reds and lots of New Zealand Hallett Old Block, 2006 and ’07 Turkey Flat sauvignon blanc. For further information, Shiraz, Wynns John Riddoch and Michael visit www.oddbins.com.au. from the ’90s and ’96 Yalumba Octavius. TURN YOUR GraysOnline sells more cases of wine online thanLIQUID ASSET anyone else in Australia. We manage the marketing, INTO CASH warehousing, logistic and payment - making it the most effective but also the easiest retail channel. Call Kieran Gallagher on 02 9741 9600 or email [email protected] Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 115

WORLD FINE WINE AUCTION PRICESWiNe Producer Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage VintageFrance, Bordeauxchateau Latour 2009 2005 2003 2000 1996 1990 1982Chateau Lafite RothschildChateau Mouton Rothschild 21800 13000 13000 14400 11000 11000 33000chateau Haut Brionchateau Margaux 16000 16700 15800 26900 17600 13000-- 79900chateau La Mission Haut BrionChateau Cheval Blanc 12700 8600 - 7100 - 15000 6900 5400 -23400chateau Petrus --chateau Ausone 11600 10100 - 6200 - 10900 6000 9300 -12000Le PinVieux chateau certan 14300 12000 10600 - 11700 9000 15100 16600Chateau Brane-Cantenacchateau cos d’estournel 9300 7900 -29008100 2900 6000 16700Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou -- 13600 7500 5600 11600 5000 16500 - 11700 45500 51000 33700 57600 23100 56400 89600 22000 27100 21000 29500 7150 7300 7700 30300 39500 - NA 54800 - 20800 43900 - 81500 - 3200 1800 1400 2600 1450 2700 3100 - 800 - 700 700 1000 840 750 - 1700 3300 2400 2900 2200 2100 3050 5200 3100 2700 2600 2650 2600 1800 5300chateau Gruaud Larose 830 800 680 1500 1500 2800 4950Chateau Lascombes 1100 1200 1000 1600 900 1500 2400chateau Leoville Las cases 3800 - 3200 1900 3500 3200 4700 6500chateau Leoville Poyferre 1800 - 1300 - 1700 2400 1300 - 3800 3700chateau Montrose -- 2000 1500 7200 - 2200 1600 2800 3000Chateau Palmer 3700 - 2900 1900 3000 - 2550 - 3100 4000Chateau Pichon Baron 1500 - 1400 - 1400 2400 1600 - 4200 3100 1350 - --Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2000 1700 3000 2200 1400 8000chateau rauzan Gassies -- 700 - 600 - 600 - 1600 - 480 600 - 600chateau rauzan Segla 1100 1100 - 700 1300 1150 2400 1600France, Sauternes 2009 2005 2003 2000 1996 1990 1982Chateau d’Yquem 9000 5000 2800 5000 2700 5100 NAChateau Rieussec 600 450 -500 600 - 575 1200 1100 --chateau Suduiraut 660 660 450 - - 1000 300 - 800 - 1300France, Burgundy 2009 2005 2002 1999 1996 1990 1985DRC Romanee Conti NA 146000 70000 63000 115000 36700 - 46800 -DRC La Tache NA 50000 28700 - 49000 32500 67000 65000Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin NA 18150 13900 14900 - 12200 18000 12000 -Domaine Leroy Chambertin NA 30100 15000 - 29000 - 27000 - 10000France, Rhone 2009 2007 2005 2001 1996 1990 1978Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin NA 6200 4200 5100 3500 - 12800 NAchateau rayas cNdP reserve NA NA 9500 3800 - NA 21900 - 13000 -clos du Papes - - -- - 850 1700 - 1300 1200 550 2100 5800Vieux Telegraphe 550 750 - 625 550 400 1100 4000Chave Hermitage NA 2200 3000 2050 - 1650 9550 11500Guigal La Landonne cote rotie NA 3700 7200 --34003500 11900 21700 -Guigal La Mouline cote rotie NA 3300 4900 6600 5600 11900 5000 - 8600 --Guigal La Turque cote rotie NA 3400 5000 3600 10600 NAchapoutier Le Pavillon 3400 1800 2000 2800 1800 3900 NAPrices are in USD for 12 x 750ml. United Cellars Fine Wine Auction Prices are not intended to predict future results of wine auction prices.Wine prices, and prices obtained at auction, can vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results.NA Not Available up down - steadyAustralia, New Zealand and Hong Kong’s leading wine Merchant. Specialising in boutique, fine and rare winesUnited Cellars Pty Ltd | Phone: 1300 5UNITED | SMS: 0402 767 929 | Email: [email protected] W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

WORLD FINE WINE AUCTION PRICESWiNe Producer Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage Vintage VintageFrance, Champagne 2002 1998 1996 1995 1990 1989 1985Salon cuvee ‘S’ NA NA 4700 - 3900 6400- - NA 8000Dom Perignon Oenotheque NA NA 3250 4600 3750 NA 3500 -Krug clos du Mesnil NA 9800 11000 10600 13200 800 - NAKrug Clos d’Ambonnay NA NA 25000 33500 NA NA NAFrance, Alsace 2007 2005 2002 2001 2000 1998 1995Trimbach Clos St Hune NA 2100 - 2500 - 3900 1900 - 4800 - 4300 -Zind-Humbrecht Hengst Gewurztraminer 900 880 525 700 - NA NA 600 -Italy, Piedmont 2006 2004 2003 2001 1997 1996 1990Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo 5550 5500 - 2400- 2700 - 5900 3500 6300 - -La Spinetta Barbaresco Valeirano 1250 - 1800 1700 1800 - 1100 - NA NA -Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 2400 2900 -10501100 1500 - 2600 - 5200Italy, Tuscany 2006 2004 2003 2001 1997 1996 1990ornellaia Masseto 7300 8300 5700 - 13200 - 9200 6800 NAMacchiole 3400 5000 2100 4400 - NA NA NAAntinori Solaia 2400 2400 2500 2500 4200 1900 4200San Guido Sassicaia 3700 -- 2100 2100 - 1700 2300 1900 5200Italy, Amarone 2000 1997 1995 1993 1991 1981Quintarelli Amarone Classico 3500 3400 2400 5800 - 4900 - 4100Spain, Rioja 2006 2004 2001 1995 1994 1982Artadi Vina Pison 4500 6300 - 3200 - 2800 1300 - NAArtadi Grandes Anadas NA NA 2000 - NA 1700 NARioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial NA NA 300 - 570 530 NASpain, Priorat 2005 2004 2001 1999 1996 1995Palacios L’Ermita 4200 6700 4700 3800 2700 3200Barbier clos Mogador 1400 - 1000- 1100 850 900 480 - - -Spain, Ribera del Duero 2005 -2004 2001 1999 1996 --1995 - -- -Pingus 13000 - 14700-- 7100 - 10500 2800 9000 - -Flor Pingus 1200 1700 1250 1200 1200 - NA - --Portugal, Porto 2007 2003 2000 1994 1992 -1977 -Fonseca 700 - 1100 - 650 - 1600 - 900 - 2000 -Graham 380 690 - 650 - 730 - NA 950 -Taylor Fladgate 750 1100 880 1400 1800 1600Germany 2009 2008 2005 2001 1997 1996 1990Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling 1200 NA 1300 1300 3200 900 3200AusleseMuller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese 1100 750 - 1400 NA NA 900 NAWeil Kiedrich Grafenberg Riesling Auslese 1100 1100 NA 750 NA 1200 1300Australia, Barossa 2004 2002 2001 1998 1996 1990 1986Rockford Basket Press Shiraz NA 750 725 1100 1200 2500 NAPenfolds Grange 4950 4700 4500 4800 3800 4800 5500 -Australia, Eden Valley 2004 2002 2001 1998 1996 1990 1986Henschke Hill of Grace 5100 5300 - 6400 - 6400 - 5700 - 4200 - 4000 -Australia, Heathcote 2009 2005 2004 2000 1995 1993 1992Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz 650 950 1100 1000 - 1100 1050 - 950Prices are in USD for 12 x 750ml. United Cellars Fine Wine Auction Prices are not intended to predict future results of wine auction prices.Wine prices, and prices obtained at auction, can vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results.NA Not Available up down - steadyAustralia, New Zealand and Hong Kong’s leading wine Merchant. Specialising in boutique, fine and rare winesUnited Cellars Pty Ltd | Phone: 1300 5UNITED | SMS: 0402 767 929 | Email: [email protected] Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 117

W H AT ’ S I T WO RT H ? WINESTATE’S AUCTION PRICE GUIDE Prices listed are exceptional auction highs and do not include buyer’s premium. AUSTRALIAN 2003 $210 1995 $85 1998 $480  2000 $120  1989 $360 2001 $85 WINES 2004 $350 1996 $130 1999 $380  2001 $120  1990 $580 2002 $140 2005 $300 1997 $90 2001 $360 2002 $90 1991 $480 2003 $100 BASS PHILLIP 2006 $250  1998 $125 2002 $440 2003 $95 1992 $360  2004 $95Premium Pinot Noir 1999 $110 2004 $380 2004 $90 1993 $350  2005 $95 2000 $110 2005 $350 2005 $90 1994 $380 2006 $95 1990 $80 CLONAKILLA 2001 $110  2006 $330 2006 $65 1995 $360  2007 $100 1991 $100 Shiraz Viognier 2002 $140 2007 $75 1996 $500 2008 $95 1992 $120 1990 $65 2004 $190 2008 $85 1997 $360 1993 $100 1993 $65 2005 $120  1998 $580 THREE RIVERS/ 1994 $120 1994 $85 2006 $120 Armagh Shiraz MOUNT MARY 1999 $400 Chris Ringland 1995 $95 1995 $65 2007 Not Released 1990 $220 Quintet 2000 $420 Wines Shiraz 1996 $115 1996 $100 2008 $140  1991 $180 2001 $370 1990 $750  1997 $180 1997 $130 1992 $120 1990 $250 2002 $450 1991 $700 1998 $110 1998 $150 Meshach 1993 $110 1991 $120 2003 $400 1992 $600  1999 $140 1999 $55 1990 $110 1994 $130 1992 $110 2004 $480 1993 $650  2000 $110 2000 $90 1991 $85 1995 $130 1993 $130 2005 $480 1994 $650 2001 $180  2001 $130 1992 $80 1996 $160 1994 $120 1995 $450  2002 $145 2002 $130  1993 $75 1997 $150 1995 $100 Bin 707 1996 $710  2003 $110 2003 $110 1994 $90 1998 $220 1996 $160 1980 $160  1997 Not Released 2004 $110  2004 $120 1995 $85 1999 $130 1997 $110 1981 Not Released 1998 $850  2005 $80 2005 $120 1996 $100 2000 $120 1998 $160  1982 $150 1999 $600 2007 $120  2006 $100 1997 Not Released 2001 $140 1999 $120 1983 $150 2000 $450 2008 $80  2007 $150 1998 $130 2002 $200 2000 $120  1984 $180  2001 $850 2009 $140 2008 $90  1999 $85 2004 $145 2001 $110  1985 $170  2002 $800 2009 $100 2000 $70 2005 $120 2002 $130 1986 $210 2003 $500 BINDI 2001 $110 2006 $140  2003 $110  1987 $150  Block 5 Pinot Noir Cabernet Merlot 2002 $95 2007 $95 2004 $110  1988 $160 Shiraz 1997 $80 1990 $95 2003 $65 2005 $110  1989 $180  1990 $145 1998 $95 1991 $100 2004 $75 2006 $110  1990 $220 1991 $130 1999 Not Released 1992 $80 2005 $70 2007 $75 1991 $200  1992 $80 2000 $150 1993 $85 GREENOCK CREEK 2008 $95 1992 $170  1993 $90 2001 $120 1994 $90 1993 $180  1994 $160 2002 $110 1995 $95 Roennfeldt Rd Chardonnay Bin 95 Grange 1994 $180 1995 $95  2003 $85 1996 $100 Shiraz Art Series 1951 $45000 1995 Not Released 1996 $160  2004 $140 1997 $90 1952 $17000 1996 $200 1997 $70 2005 $120 1998 $95 1995 $370 1990 $60 1953 $14000  1997 $180  1998 $160 2006 $110 1999 $95 1996 $300 1991 $60  1954 $10000 1998 $250  1999 $90 2007 $110 2000 $85 1997 $190 1992 $75 1955 $3200  1999 $190  2000 $90 2008 $110 2001 $80 1998 $350 1993 $65 1956 $13000  2000 Not Released 2001 $95 2009 $90 2002 Not Released 1999 $180 1994 $85 1957 $11000 2001 $190  2002 $150 2003 $75 2000 $220 1995 $100  1958 $4800 2002 $180 2003 $80 BROKENWOOD 2004 $70 2001 $240 1996 $65 1959 $2000 2003 Not Released 2004 $150 Graveyard Shiraz 2002 $320  1997 $75  1960 $1400 2004 $190 2005 $130 1990 $90 ELDERTON 2003 $200 1998 $70 1961 $1600  2005 $180  2006 $130 1991 $100 Command Shiraz 2004 $280  1999 $75  1962 $1600  2006 $180  2008 $140 1992 Not Released 1990 $120 2005 $250 2000 $75 1963 $1200  2007 $160 1993 $75 1991 Not Released 2001 $80  1964 $1000 2008 $190 1994 $80 1992 $100  Hill of Grace 2002 $75  1965 $500 1995 $70 1993 $65 1980 $250 2003 $90  1966 $600 Bin 60A Para Liqueur 1996 $95 1994 $95 1981 $230 2004 $100 1967 $700 1962 $4000  1878 $1600 1997 $75 1995 $75 1982 $220  2005 $75 1968 $550 2004 $460 1879 $1200 1998 $110 1996 $95 1983 $220  2006 $70 1969 $550 1880 $800 1999 $90 1997 $80 1984 $210 2007 $85  1970 $400 Basket Press 1881 $800 2000 $95 1998 $90 1985 $250 1971 $750  Shiraz 1887 $800 2001 $80 1999 $60 1986 $340 MOSS WOOD 1972 $400  1893 $1000 2002 $75 2000 $65  1987 $210 Cab Sauv 1973 $400  1990 $150 1899 $1000 2003 $80 2001 $65  1988 $310 1974 $400 1991 $140 1901 $650 2004 $80 2002 $90 1989 $240 1990 $130 1975 $400 1992 $95 1908 $550 2005 $85 2003 $70 1990 $460 1991 $160 1976 $600 1993 $75 1910 $500 2006 $100 2004 $70  1991 $400 1992 $120 1977 $400 1994 $90 1922 $450 2007 $90 2005 $65 1992 $350 1993 $100 1978 $400 1995 $65  1925 $700 2006 $65  1993 $300 1994 $100  1979 $380 1996 $140 1927 $280 CLARENDON HILLS 1994 $340 1995 $120  1980 $360 1997 $95 1930 $240 Astralis Shiraz 1995 $340 1996 $120  1981 $390 1998 $190 1933 $180  GIACONDA 1996 $460  1997 $100 1982 $370 1999 $95 1939 $110  1994 $230 Chardonnay 1997 $320 1998 $150 1983 $410 2000 $80 1944 $90 1995 $200  1990 $110  1999 $140 1984 $360 1947 $80 1996 $300 1991 $65  1985 $400 1951 $300 1997 $250 1992 $85 1986 $550 1998 $320 1993 $90 1987 $350 1999 $260 1994 $100 1988 $350 2000 $270 2001 $290 2002 $330118 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRANSTHERMCellaring Your Fine Wines in Perfect Conditions IMPORTED Chateau Latour 2000 $400 Auction WINES 1990 $1250 2001 $380 1991 $600 2002 $500 World’s bestMoet et Chandon 1992 $280 2003 $600 wine prices Cuvee Dom 1993 $400  2004 $400 Perignon 1994 $360 2005 $950 Do you want the real wine price story? 1995 $700  2006 Not Released Do you want to check trends?1973 $360 1996 $1100 2007 $4501975 $400 1997 $360 Sterling Wine Auctions & Exchange1976 $330 1998 $520 E. Guigal La Turque has the world’s best Wine Auction sale1978 $250 1999 $600 Hermitage1980 $220 2000 $1800 price database.1982 $300  2001 $700 1990 $8001983 $180 2002 $750 1991 $480 Every bottle sold over the past1985 $220  2003 $1500 1992 $270 ten years, perfectly searchable1988 $260 2004 $600 1993 $2401990 $420  2005 $1350 1994 $300 and cross referenced.1992 $240 2006 Not Released 1995 $5001993 $220 2007 $750 1996 $260 And it’s Free! Just go to the Web site.1995 $220 1997 $320 Sterling Wine Auctions, specialists since1996 $290 Chateau Petrus 1998 $700 1992, offering full Live Online E-trading1998 $220  1990 $4800 1999 $5601999 $200 1991 Not Released 2000 $420 to clients all over the world and Old2000 $180  1992 $1300 2001 $520 Fashioned personal service.2002 $200 1993 $1000 2002 $450 1994 $1800 2003 $850 FREE Auction Catalogues Louis Roederer 1995 $1900 2004 $350 and FREE Bidder Registration. Cristal 1996 $1400 2005 $800 1997 $1000 Gaja Barbaresco Phone Lynton for a chat1990 $550  1998 $3500 1990 $330 on 08 9388 99551993 $220 1999 $1250 1991 $210 or 0418 949 837,1994 $340 2000 $5000 1992 $260 or log on1995 $300 2001 $2300 1993 $2101996 $440 2002 $2000 1994 $300 www.sterlingwine.com.au1997 $240 2003 $3000 1995 $5501999 $340 2004 $2000 1996 $300 STERLING2000 $340 2005 $3700 1997 $2602002 $320 2006 $2000 1998 $310 Wine Auctions & ExchangeChateau Mouton 2007 $1400 1999 $220 2000 $310 Rothschild Domaine 2001 $250 1990 $440 de la Romanee 2002 Not Released1991 $280 Conti La Tache 2003 Not Released1992 $230 1990 $6600 2004 $3101993 $350 1991 $1900 2005 $3201994 $340  1992 $12501995 $520 1993 $1800 Tenuta1996 $610 1994 $1500 Dell’Ornellaia1997 $280 1995 $22001998 $400  1996 $1800 Ornellaia1999 $600 1997 $1900 1991 $3202000 $1150 1998 $2200 1992 $1052001 $450 1999 $5600 1993 $1102002 $480 2000 $1500 1994 $1302003 $580 2001 $2000 1995 $1302004 $500 2002 $2800 1996 $1802005 $700 2003 $2800 1997 $3402006 $700 2004 $2000  1998 $3002007 $600 2005 $3800  1999 $240 2006 $1500 2000 $140 2007 Not Released 2001 $290 2008 $2400 2002 $240 Domaine Armand 2003 $100 2004 $150 Rousseau 2005 $150 Chambertin 2006 $170 Clos de Beze Vega Sicilia Unico 1990 $950 1991 $200 Gran Reserva 1992 $220 1990 $560 1993 $380 1991 $420 1994 $180 1994 $550 1995 $560 1995 $300 1996 $600 1996 $360 1997 $280 1998 $420 1998 $400 2003 $300 1999 $800 Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 119

185 TASTED94 AWARDEDSAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDSArguably the most popular white wine varietal in Australia and SAUVIGNONNew Zealand. This is a tasting that sorts out the men and women BLANC 2011from the boys and girls. While it is fair to say that many consumers $15 - $20are content with little or no flavour in their whites, the judges werelooking for freshness of fruit and that little bit extra intensity of 39 TASTEDflavour to please both the quaffer and the aficionado. 20 AWARDED A step-up in quality here.SAUVIGNON Spring Creek New Zealand dominatedBLANC Estate The Jumper in this group having hadUNDER $15 Marlborough a better vintage than Sauvignon Blanc Australia, which had a12 TASTED 2011 HHH tough year, showing5 AWARDED Light lifted tropical fruit, up with too many early green herbaceous notes, picked fruit wines andA commercial group good freshness and soft ferment issues.with some nice acid. $12.90highlights, where you Hunter’s Janeget what you pay for. McGuigan Bin Series Hunter Marlborough Crowded House Adelaide Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Blanc 2011 HHH 2011 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc Lemon/lime nose and a Vibrant, pale green wine 2011 HHHH1/2 fuller grapefruit/pea pod with a classical SB nose A bright and punchy palate with good sugar/ - grassy, herbaceous, varietal nose and acid balance. $12.99 canned asparagus etc. an excellent, zingy Palate is lively and fresh, palate with very primal Marlborough with excellent primary SB characters present Sounds Sauvignon fruit and soft, juicy acidity. and loads of crisp Blanc 2011 HHH Good length. $16.90 acidity to balance. Pleasant varietal lift to the A drier style. $18.20 nose. Nicely texture palate Rapaura Springs with good flavour, weight Marlborough and length. $14.99 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 HHHH An attractive, vibrant green with light, peach blossom/green capsicum aromas and lean, tight, grassy green bean palate prominent with acid. $14.99Queen AdelaideSouth EasternAustralia SauvignonBlanc 2010 HHHHA rich wine with a slightlytoasty, citrus/pineapplebouquet and interestingpalate; quite exotic withoaky-like notes.A different style. $7.99120 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

varietal tastingYealands Way Invivo Marlborough Giesen MarlboroughMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon BlancSauvignon Blanc 2011 HHH1/2 2011 HHH2011 HHHH1/2 Powerful pungent nose - Delicate hints ofOvertly herbaceous/ very New Zealand. Soft, blossoms and citrus fruitcanned asparagus juicy palate with rich on the nose. Good, pithy,aromas - very pungent. tropical fruit, zingy acidity grapefruit palate. $18.99Great, fresh liveliness and leesy notes. $18.95to the vinous palate Walnut Block Yilgarnia Denmarkwith attractive spicy Wines Collectables Sauvignon Blancgrapefruit flavours and Marlborough 2011 HHHgood, acid zing. $18.95 Sauvignon Blanc Pungent green nettle/Cable Bay Selection 2011 HHH capsicum and pea-likeMarlborough Vibrant, pungent spicy/ varietal fruit with someSauvignon Blanc tropical nose and zesty degree of texture. $192011 HHH1/2 palate, with nice varietalLovely, pungent lift and soft acid. $15.95 Mud House Estatepassionfruit varietal fruit Mount Riley Marlboroughwith a spicy lift on both Marlborough Sauvignon Blancthe nose and palate. Sauvignon Blanc 2011 HHHNice weight and good 2011 HHH Smells of guavas andacidity. $16.90 Peach blossom aromas limes with a good, zingyTwo Tracks linger with hints of palate showing nice levelMarlborough citrus. Light palate; of complexity. $19.50Sauvignon Blanc some leesy complexity2011 HHH1/2 and spice. $16.99 Saint Clair FamilyLively aromas of cut Bremerton Rebecca Estate Vicar’sgrass and capsicums. Willson Langhorne Choice MarlboroughGood palate weight and Creek Sauvignon Sauvignon Blancbalance of acid and sugar. Blanc 2011 HHH 2011 HHHVery drinkable. $17.49 A fresh, zippy wine with Some reasonableBeelgara Black good varietal punch of primary fruit weight andLabel Adelaide Hills limes and spring florals length with a high acidSauvignon Blanc throughout. $17 drive. $19.502011 HHH1/2 MartinboroughVibrant nose - some Vineyard Te Tera Ribbonwoodnettles and nice Martinborough Marlboroughherbaceousness. Palate Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blancis loaded with sweeter 2011 HHH 2011 HHHfruits with balancing Nose is cheesy and Peas and nettles on theacidity. $17.95 leesy with funky, spicy nose, and quite a high notes. Palate delivers acid palate with spicy varietal sweetness. $18 grapefruit flavours. $19.95 Twin Islands Marlborough Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 HHH Sauvignon Blanc A fragrant, spicy varietal 2011 HHH with lovely tropical Vibrant, pungent varietal fruit and good acid zing fruit, a hint of honey and underneath. $18 some soft acidity. $17 Totara Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc SAUVIGNON 2011 HHH BLANC Zesty lime bouquet 2010 & OLDER with nettle notes and $15 - $20 followed by a well-made citric palate. $18.20 16 TASTED Lou Miranda Estate 6 AWARDED LeOne Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc No surprises here; some 2011 HHH wines showed up well Nose of limes with a while others had lost hint of grassiness, and their freshness. simple palate with a citric finish. $18.95 Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 121

SAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDSKonrad Marlborough Mansion House Saint Clair Family Tinpot Hut Vavasour AwatereSauvignon Blanc Bay Marlborough Estate Marlborough Marlborough Valley Marlborough2010 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon BlancExcellent punch of 2010 HHH 2011 HHHH1/2 2011 HHHH 2011 HHHHvarietal aromas starting Pungent lemon curd nose Full flavoursome, pale A well-made wine A ripe, tropical fruit noseto develop toasty and good clean acidic straw coloured wine smelling of cut grass, with some savourycomplexity. Fresh driven palate; fresh, crisp with lovely greenish gooseberries and yeasty-like notes followedlively grapefruit palate and lively. $16.99 hues. Slightly sweaty snow peas, and a by a nicely texturedwith great zingy acid tinned pineapple aromas simple range of varietal palate, with balancingcrispness. $19.99 Jip Jip Rocks and very long melon/ flavours with delicate sweetness. $24Haselgrove First Limestone Coast guava fruit palate with floral notes. $21.99Cut Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc fabulous acidity. $21.50 Stanley Estates Old Coach RoadSauvignon Blanc 2010 HHH The Pass Awatere Valley Nelson Sauvignon2010 HHH1/2 Aromas of exotic spices, Marlborough Marlborough Blanc 2011 HHH1/2Closed nose; hints of lavender and limes. Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Broad tropical aromaspine, lime and peaches. Interesting palate with 2011 HHHH 2011 HHHH and a fleshy, full-Acid dominates toasty notes and crisp A lifted gooseberry Punchy, ripe, flavoured palate with athe palate with its acid. $18.95 bouquet and nicely tropical aromas and good punch of sweaty,slight malty-like fruit textured palate with nicely balanced palate tropical fruit flavours. $20characters. $16 Jacob’s Creek refreshing lychee-like with minerality and Wairau RiverMichael Unwin Reserve Adelaide varietal fruit flavours savoury elements to MarlboroughWines One Goat Hills Sauvignon mixed with some the broad, tropical fruit Sauvignon BlancMarlborough Blanc 2010 HHH savoury elements. $20 flavours. $22.95 2011 HHH1/2Sauvignon Blanc Simple pithy grapefruit/ Thornbury A full, rich style2010 HHH1/2 citrus style that has Sauvignon Blanc Waipara Hills with delicate savouryPunchy lively SB length and balanced with 2011 HHHH Marlborough varietal fruit showingcharacters of pea pod, zesty acidity. $18.99 A bright refreshing full- Sauvignon Blanc an herbaceous edge,green capsicum and cut flavoured style with lovely 2011 HHHH nice texture and plentygrass nicely underscored SAUVIGNON fragrant aromas, and a Great tropical punch to of length. $20by the lively acidity. $16 BLANC 2011 very long palate with the the nose with excellent $20 - $25 sweetness balanced by varietal fruit crispness on the acidity. $20.99 the palate and exhibiting 37 TASTED a touch of residual sugar 20 AWARDED sweetness. $21.90 A distinctive bracket with the best wines offering flavour, length and minerality, while others presented with wild ferment characters. “Brightness and freshness is the key,” noted one judge.DAY 1 - JUDGESNick Haselgrove Daniel Swincer Charlie SeppeltWinestate’s 2010 Australian Winemaker with Orlando Winemaker for the TintaraWinemaker of the Year. Wines for the past seven Winery (Accolade Wines).Winemaker/Director of years. Has completed Has vintaged in Burgundy,Adelaide Winemakers. the Advanced Wine Hawkes Bay, Hermitage,Former chief winemaker at Assessment Course. and the Napa Valley.Haselgrove Wines. A ‘flying Associate judge at Adelaide Associate judge in thewinemaker’ from 1993-95. wine show and has Rutherglen and McLarenJudge at Hobart for 3 years vintaged in Napa, California. Vale wine shows.and associate judge atAdelaide in 1996-97.122 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

varietal tastingWoody Nook Millbrook Margaret SAUVIGNON ”Margaret River River Sauvignon BLANCSauvignon Blanc Blanc 2011 HHH 2010 & OLDER2011 HHH1/2 Simple gooseberry/lychee $20 - $25Fragrant tropical fruit nose varietal fruit expressionand a zesty, fruit-driven with plenty of bright, 15 TASTEDpalate - full of life with refreshing acidity. $22 9 AWARDEDsome sweetness present Soho Stellaand crisp acidity. $22.50 Marlborough Contrary to popular myth,Deep Woods Estate Sauvignon Blanc sauvignon blanc canMargaret River 2011 HHH age well. Like any otherSauvignon Blanc Slightly closed nose with whites, if you have good2011 HHH hints of tropicals and fruity intensity and acid,Smells of cut grass and a full, sweet, varietal you can have excellentlemon peel with a bright, palate. $22 wines that will last.grassy, herbaceous Mills Reef Reservepalate. $20 Marlborough Trout Valley NelsonDistant Land Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon BlancMarlborough 2011 HHH 2010 HHHHSauvignon Blanc Reserved tropical fruit Fragrant, floral and fresh2011 HHH nose with fragrant esters on the nose with nice,Delicate grassy nose and bright, refreshing, lively palate of freshwith floral edges and grassy palate. $22.95 pineapple, gooseberriesgently flavoured, green Rapaura Springs and lychees wrapped inapple palate. $20 Vineyard Reserve crisp acidity. $21.99Lake Chalice MarlboroughMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc Yealands EstateSauvignon Blanc 2011 HHH Single Vineyard2011 HHH Floral/citrus nose with Awatere ValleyClosed nose - some nutty nuances, which Marlboroughtinned fruit. Bright palate are echoed on the long, Sauvignon Blancwith a well-presented lingering palate. $22.99 2010 HHHHrange of flavours. $21 Craggy Range Te Sweaty, pungent, greenLake Chalice Muna Road Vineyard melon aromas leading toThe Nest Sauvignon Blanc a well-structured, nicelyMarlborough 2011 HHH textured, tropical/grassySauvignon Blanc Sweetish, but palate. Plenty of life left2011 HHH well-balanced, with in it yet. $24.95Cut grass and lemon fragrant tropical fruit.pith bouquet, and bright, Some complexity Palliser Estaterefreshing snow pea and developing. $23.95 Pencarrowhay palate. $21 MartinboroughVilla Maria Private Sauvignon BlancBin Marlborough 2010 HHH1/2Sauvignon Blanc Good drinking for this2011 HHH summer. Smells andEstery fresh aromas tastes of ripe tropicaland subtle banana-like fruits with slight nutty-fruit flavours. Should like notes. $20.65open up well in a fewmonths. $21.99Rebecca Kennedy DAY 2 - JUDGESSenior winemaker atBoar’s Rock for the past Tom Newtontwo years. Previously she Senior white winemakerworked with Langhorne with Hardy WineCreek and Norman Company. Formerly atWines. Associate judge Stonehaven Winery. Hasat Adelaide and McLaren been with Hardys for theVale wine shows and past 20 years. For thejudge at the Riverland past three years has beenwine show. Has vintaged an associate judge atin California. the Griffith and Canberra wine shows. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 123

SAUVIGNON BLANC & BLENDSLawson’s Dry Te Kairanga Aotea Nelson Giesen The August Saint Clair FamilyHills Marlborough Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Estate Block 11 CellSauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2011 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Block Marlborough2011 HHH1/2 2010 HHH Spicy green pea aromas 2011 HHHH Sauvignon BlancLight, sweaty/floral fruit A full-bodied style with with light mintiness. A honeyed, lemony nose 2011 HHHbouquet and a well- fleshy and developing Has a good line of with a touch of toast and Pungent, sweatystructured palate with fruit salad-like fruit, and acid on the juicy, fruit a tropical palate, with an aromas. Good fleshygood, tropical intensity bright acidity. $21 palate with an attractive interesting malty character weight on the palatefrom the varietal fruit. $20 varietal presence. $25 giving good style with lovely varietalPatina Orange SAUVIGNON Nautilus Marlborough differentiation. $39.99 notes. $25.50Sauvignon Blanc BLANC Sauvignon Blanc Holm Oak Vineyards Jules Taylor2007 HHH1/2 $25+ 2010 HHHH Tasmania Sauvignon MarlboroughA fleshy, mouthfilling Vibrant gooseberry/pea Blanc 2011 HHH Sauvignon Blancwine with lovely depth 33 TASTED pod nose with a nice Perfumed floral bouquet. 2011 HHHand balance of ripe fruit 19 AWARDED kaffir lime lift. The palate Some flesh on the Gooseberry aromaswith toasty, oaky-like is quite lean and acid, slightly oily palate with with grassy notes, andnotes. $22 The judges found with some good varietal good fruit weight. $25 nice vibrancy and fleshBox Stallion this group an overall definition. $25 Saint Clair Family on the well-balancedSauvignon Blanc improvement; there was Pascal Jolivet Pouilly- Estate Bell Block palate. $25.902010 HHH stronger fruit intensity, Fume Sauvignon Marlborough Houghton WisdomPunchy tropical nose, and great freshness and Blanc 2007 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Pembertona bright and fleshy nettle texture across two Aged, toasty, lemon 2011 HHH Sauvignon Blancand citrus-like palate. $20 challenging vintages. curd-like bouquet and A well-balanced, 2011 HHHOpawa Marlborough an interesting palate - slightly acidic wine with Funky notes on theSauvignon Blanc Elephant Hill very French with lovely moderate level of varietal gooseberry nose and2010 HHH Reserve Hawkes Bay texture and great acid fruit characters. $25.50 good, fleshy palateDeveloping pungent Sauvignon Blanc length. $43.99 Saint Clair Family with some nicevarietal fruit aromas and 2010 HHHH1/2 Matilda’s Estate Estate Block 18 Snap complexity. $30flavours with nicely- Zesty lemony nose with Denmark Sauvignon Block Marlborough Wither Hills Rarangibalanced acidity. $22 creamy notes and spicy/ Blanc 2011 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc MarlboroughTe Awa Left Field toasty oak characters. A crisp linear style of 2011 HHH Sauvignon BlancHawkes Bay Great palate texture. sauvignon blanc with Pungent,-sweaty aromas 2010 HHHSauvignon Blanc Excellent varietal fruit zippy, citrussy varietal and full palate with nice Very pungent New2010 HHH with great vanillin oak fruit. It has good weight, varietal fruit and piquant Zealand characters onReserved fruit integration adding length, poise and overall acidity. $25.50 the nose. Palate hascharacters with slight, complexity. $29 elegance. $25 Saint Clair Family honeyed, bottle agegrassy green edge and Oldbury Reserve Estate Block 3 developing. $25some development. $24 Southern Highlands 43 degrees Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Family Estate STAR RATINGS  2011 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Reserve Lovely aromatics of 2011 HHH MarlboroughThree-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of spices, violets and pink Simple vinous impact Sauvignon Blancexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. candy. Very interesting with light-weight, 2010 HHHAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry and attractive characters citrussy fruit. Has weight Lovely lift of mint onprofessionals and are compared in peer on the palate with good and length. $25.50 the nose with tropicalityclasses by three judges. level of acidity. $28 coming forward on theCM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, oily palate. $34a major mail-order business. Printhie MCCCD Cellar door price. Orange SauvignonCDO Cellar door only. Blanc 2010 HHHSO Sold out. Nose has yeasty, cheesy$N/A Price not available at time of printing. characters with some spice and lime complexity Contact information pg 160. to the palate. $35 Comte Lafond RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). Sancerre France Sauvignon Blanc 2009 HHH Interesting lime marmalade nose and punchy varietal palate. It has texture and weight. $52.99124 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

varietal tastingChateau de Sancerre Wise Margaret River Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot ChardonnaySancerre France Sauvignon Blanc Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay SSauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011 HHH Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Sh2008 HHH Lemony-like varietal fruit Shiraz CCHaAbReDrOnNNeAtYMerlot Chardonnay ShirazLovely citrussy nose with with floral touches andnice flintiness. Savoury good level of acidity.palate with good depth Should age well. $18and interest. $34.99 Swings & RoundaboutsSAUVIGNON Margaret RiverBLANC Sauvignon BlancBLENDS Semillon 2011 HHH Reserved estery orange31 TASTED rind-ike aromas, which16 AWARDED are echoed on the well- structured palate. $19 Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazA solid group with the Howard Park Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirablend creating interest Miamup Margaret Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot SHCIRhAZardonnay Shirarather than straight down River Sauvignon Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnathe line flavours. Lots Barking Owl Western Blanc Semillon CABERNET MERLOTof quality from the WA Australia Sauvignon 2011 HHHcontingent, but there Blanc Semillon Quite an oaky style with Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazwere some colour issues. 2011 HHHH pear/citrus-like varietal fruit Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonn Sweaty gooseberry characters with a soft, ChardonnayBlanc Semillon ShirazQuarram Rocks aromas and nicely creamy mouth feel. $27 Chardonnay Cabernet MerlotSAUVIGNON BLANC ChardonnayDenmark Sauvignon textured palate driven Taltarni T Series SEMILONBlanc Semillon by tropical sav blanc Victoria Sauvignon Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay S2011 HHHH characters with Blanc Semillon Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShLovely lifted ‘’edgy’’ balancing sweetness 2010 HHH Shiraz Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shiraznose driven by flinty, and a long finish. $17.95 Floral fragrances Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnayherbaceous fruit with Credaro Margaret layered with tropicala well-balanced, cut River Sauvignon fruit. Some honeyed ChardonnayBlanc Semillon Shirazgrass/tropical palate. Blanc Semillon complexity to the melon/ Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot ChardonnayGreat length and very 2011 HHH1/2 citrus palate. $16.99refreshing. $14 Soft savoury fruit aromas Te Awa Hawkes Bay Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shira and lovely balance of Sauvignon Semillon Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazMatilda’s Estate mouthfilling, tropical fruit 2010 HHHDenmark Sauvignon flavours with vibrant, Muted tropical fruit nose Shiraz Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazBlanc Semillon refreshing acidity. $22 and a long, soft palate Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay SChenin Blanc Anvers Brabo of melon and citrus with Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shiraz2011 HHHH South Australia grassy notes. $20 Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazIntense floral nose with Sauvignon Blanc Warner Glen Estate Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazcut hay-like elements and Semillon 2011 HHH PBF Margaret River Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnayfresh, clean, gooseberry Delicate floral aromas Sauvignon Blanccharacters on the vibrant and nicely textured, Semillon 2010 HHH Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazpalate with great flavour candied tropical palate. Toasty oak aromas and a Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnaylength. $18 Very fresh. $12 creamy, toasty, oak/citrus Plantagenet Hazard palate with plenty of ChardonnayBlanc Semillon ShirazCredaro Beach Head Hill Western Australia breadth and length. $25 Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot ChardonnayMargaret River Sauvignon Blanc Laurance ofSauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011 HHH Margaret River White Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShiraSemillon 2011 HHHH A fresh bouquet - Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazA well put together wine slightly honeyed and a Semillon Chardonnaywith subtle toasty aromas nicely weighted palate 2010 HHH Shiraz Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazand a vibrant, nicely with mature melon Mellowing tropical Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Sweighted palate with flavours. $13 bouquet and nice range Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazdelicate, grassy/lychee Four Sisters of flavours from cut hay Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazflavours. Good finish. $16 Sauvignon Blanc to citrus peel. $31 Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shiraz Semillon 2011 HHH Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot ChardonnayRedgate Margaret Tropical fruit aromasRiver Sauvignon and good varietal fruit Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay ShirazBlanc Semillon expression on the full- Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay2011 HHHH rounded palate. $15.65A muted herbaceous ChardonnayBlanc Semillon Shirazbouquet and a lovely, Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnayclean, fresh palate - verygrassy with gooseberry- Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shiralike elements. It’s Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shirazbalanced and long. $22 Shiraz Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay Shiraz Shiraz Chardonnay Cabernet Merlot Chardonnay S Ph: +618 9750 3100 www.wisewine.com.au 75426 acorndesign.com.au Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 125

travelbriefsWINSOR DOBBINQUEENSLANDBIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ROCK SOLID Light lunches, gourmet platters and snacks are served between noon-3pmBRISBANE dining favourite Urbane recently SPRING is one of the best times of the year (think bruschettas, antipasto platters,celebrated its 10th birthday – a major to visit the Granite Belt with the annual quiches and gourmet salads, while themilestone for one of the city’s best restaurants. Primavera Festival program featuring on-site store offers a range of olives, oils, 90 days of cultural, nature-based and biscuits, ice creams, vinegars, jams, The flagship Urbane restaurant, where gastronomic experiences. relishes and herbs that the owners believeKym Machin is behind the pans, was given are the South Burnett's largest range of finea major design makeover last year and Visitors get the chance to meet the food and wine. Taste South Burnett is atthe new summer 2011 menu showcases winemakers, providores and artisans; as 67 William St, Kingaroy. Phone (07) 4162carefully sourced ingredients in dishes well as the opportunity to attend over 55 8222; www.tastesouthburnett.com.au.like snapper and cockles cooked in sake events, festivities, workshops and masterwith crab and squid paper, sorrel shoots classes from September to November. SPICE IT UPand jalapeño nage; and whole roast The festival also encompasses the Spicers Retreats, Hotels & Lodges,suckling pork with Western Australian Australian Small Winemakers Show and which operates several region gourmetmarron, crunchy potatoes, confit fennel, public tasting. For 2012 details and dates getaways in regional Queensland, hasapple and olives. visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au/ opened its first Brisbane property, pages/spring-primavera/ Spicers Balfour Hotel, which is located Next door, The Euro is, as its name in inner-city New Farm.suggests, a European-inspired brasserie ONE-STOP TASTINGwith more relaxed dining yet overseen bythe same talented team. The Euro offers TASTE South Burnett is a one-stop shop totwo dining spaces as well as informal sample some of the best wines and gourmetdining at the bar. foods produced by local farmers. The Laneway occupies an elevated Operated by Shannon and Megan Scottspace above The Euro and is Brisbane’s since mid 2010, the store at the formeranswer to Melbourne’s laneway bars; Kingaroy Cheese factory is a cellar door forserving cocktails and wines from an three local wineries and also offers tastingseclectic list, along with boutique beers of artisan cheeses, locally-producedand ciders. fudge and other local specialities, as well as serving light lunches daily. The Scotts Underneath the complex lies Sub developed a passion for the district while onUrbane, offering a cellar-like experience in a romantic weekend to the Bunya Mountainsa fabulous space flanked by 100-year-old and Kingaroy, and purchased the businessstone walls, recycled hardwood screens a couple of months after getting married.and concrete floors. Urbane is at 141Mary St, Brisbane. Phone (07) 3229 2271; “With our passion for food and wine,www.urbanerestaurant.com. coupled with our enthusiasm and desire to show off this fabulous region, we aim to showcase the very best in local and regional produce,” Shannon says. Taste South Burnett offers free tastings, sales by the glass and bottle of three local wine producers; Kingsley Grove, Bellbird Vineyards and Barambah, a range that encompasses everything from verdelho (the region’s signature grape) to ports and dessert wines. Visitorscanalsotastetheaward-winningrange of soft cheeses crafted by cheesemaker Erin Jones, of Kingaroy Cheeses, including brie and camembert styles and two fettas, while up to 20 different flavours of Kingaroy Original Fudge are on taste seven days a week.126 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

travelbriefs The boutique hotel offers accommodation in Other standouts include the Italian- surrounds. Much of the fruit comes fromnine spacious rooms featuring contemporary influenced bel cibo, long-time local favourite the family orchard, which is planted withEuropean design, just 3km from the CBD, and Salsa Bar and Grill and 2 Fish, along mangoes, bush cherries and passionfruitguest rooms have Italian bed linens, spacious with all-day diner Zinc and the venerable and jacoticoba, a rare Brazilian tree grape.bathrooms, Bose sound systems, iPod Nautilus, which was the first restaurant indocking stations, internet and comfortable town when it opened in 1955. The Atherton Cairns, meanwhile, has become a bustlingwork spaces. A small boardroom caters for Tablelands is home to Mount Uncle, where metropolis over the past two decades with ameetings of up to 16 delegates, with other North Queensland’s first and only distillery selection of top-notch accommodation andfacilities, including a dining room, library, produces a wide range of spirits and eateries. Among the stars is Tamarind, thesecluded courtyard, spacious verandah, liqueurs, including vodkas and rums (made signature restaurant of the Pullman Reef Hotelrooftop bar with city skyline and Story Bridge from local sugar cane spirit) with whisky in Casino, which features a fusion of the tastesviews and there is free on-site parking. the pipeline. Tours of the Mt Uncle Distillery and textures of Asian and Western cuisines are held daily at 11.30am, while tastings and is regarded as a dining “must do”. Open daily for breakfast, brunch andhigh tea for hotel guests, and strictly by of such exotica as Sexycat Marshmallow Shantara Port Douglas Resort and Spareservation for non-guests, The Balfour Liqueur are unsurprisingly popular with in Port Douglas (www.shantara.com.au)restaurant’s chef Tyson Buchanan can also sweeter-toothed visitors. and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairnshost private lunch or dinner for a minimum of (www.reefcasino.com.au/hotel.php) are two10 and up to 18 guests in the private dining While grapes do not thrive in the tropics, excellent places to stay in the region. Forroom, main dining room or on the verandah. there are several wineries, including de more details: www.tpdd.com.au. Brueys, where a family operation produces Rates start at $299 per room per night with full a range of tropical fruit wines, liqueurs and FRESH FROM THE SEAbreakfast, Nespresso coffees, complimentary ports using local produce from Mareeba andparking (subject to availability) and pre-dinner POPULAR Brisbane bistro Gianni’s has beencanapés each evening. Spicers Balfour relaunched as Moda, offering contemporaryHotel is at 37 Balfour St, New Farm. Phone cuisine in a courtyard setting. The menu1300 597 540; www.spicersgroup.com.au. is tilted towards fresh local seafood, changing regularly, while Barcelona-bornTASTE OF THE TROPICS chef Javier Codina melds his cultural influences - Catalan, French and Italian.WHILE most of the wineries in Tropical North The menu features adobo cooking - baking inQueensland specialise in fruit wines, the fresh clay - that seals in flavour and moisture,Port Douglas/Atherton Tablelands region resulting in the most tender and aromaticoffers a surprising selection of gourmet meat; perhaps a rack of lamb to share. Foroptions and hosts Carnivale, a festival that lovers of Codina’s paella, it is on the menuhighlights the region’s top chefs and best for Friday lunch, or by prior arrangement.produce over two weekends each May. Sourcing the freshest local produce is Port Douglas was a sleepy little village Moda’s ethos, so the chef visits the marketsuntil renegade multimillionaire Christopher most mornings to select ingredients to fuel hisSkase poured truckloads of money into his daily inspiration for the lunchtime Moda MarketMirage resort 25 years ago. Skase is long Menu, a choice of two courses for $35 pergone, but there is still a Skase’s Bar on the person. The dinner menu features choices likewaterfront named in his honour, and along rainbowtroutwithDijonmustard,broccolinitipsthe Macrossan Street, the main shopping and flaked almonds; and New England rabbitprecinct, as well as Wharf and Grant streets, with fresh gnocchi, tarragon and pistachios.you’ll find eateries offering a range ofcuisines and price points. Star restaurants, Moda is at 12 Edwards Street, Brisbane.including Harrison’s, where chef Spencer (07) 3221 7655. It is open for lunch Tuesday-Patrick, one-time holder of a Michelin star, Friday and dinner Tuesday-Saturday;cooks up innovative European-influenced www.modarestaurant.com.au.cuisine in a smart but relaxed atmosphere– and offers an excellent wine list to boot. Above: Spicers Balfour Hotel lobby and rooftop bar. Opposite page Above & left: Pullman Reef Hotel Casino exterior and pool. Right: Urbane interior. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 127

67 TASTED30 AWARDEDQUEENSLANDA much smaller tasting this time but still offers a good Clovely Estate Left Field Mt Tully Vines Annsnapshot of some of the most desirable wines coming Pinot Gris 2011 HHH Winifred Reserve Semillonout of Queensland’s cooler climate regions. Well worth A clean fresh wine with tropical Chardonnay 2010 HHHhaving a look at. flavours. A little chalky on the Tropical fruit with melon notes on finish. $20 the nose. A fruit driven style withSPARKLING good weight and freshness. $15 Robert Channon Wines1 TASTED Pinot Gris 2011 HHH Tobin Wines Isabella Peachy, ripe fruit on the palate Semillon 2010 HHH1 AWARDED and nose. Clean and fresh with Good greenish hue. Nice spice and ester. $24.50 lemongrass hints with someSirromet Wines Signature citrus aromas and flavours to backCollection Pinot Noir Jester Hill Wines it up. Finished slightly hot. $28Chardonnay 2008 HHH1/2 Touchstone VerdelhoClean and fresh showing 2010 HHH Barambah Wines Firstdeveloped yeast character, Lifted fruit, quite tropical nose Grid Rack Dried Semillongood structure and backbone with slightly earthy elements. 2010 HHHbut finishes a little short on Quite fleshy on the palate and a Nice apricot fruit on nose withflavour. $30 touch phenolic. $20 good botrytis complexity. Lovely sugar/acid balance. $29OTHER WHITE SAUVIGNONVARIETALS BLANC & BLENDS CHARDONNAY& BLENDS & BLENDS 3 TASTED9 TASTED 0 AWARDED 15 TASTED5 AWARDED 9 AWARDED SEMILLONClearly a win for the verdelho Sirromet Wines & BLENDS Chardonnay seems to do welland pinot gris varietal wines Vineyard Selection across all regions, here we seeoffering fresh and fruity Verdelho 2011 HHHH 7 TASTED the Northeners succeeding.summer drinking options. A clean varietal verdelho. 4 AWARDED Tropical fruit with some musk Robert Channon Wines notes on the nose. Clean fresh Potentially Qld can produce Chardonnay 2011 HHH1/2 palate. An inviting drink. $17 early picked semillon to rival Very pale colour with esters Clovely Estate White the Hunter Valley, but more and perfume aromatics. Fresh Label Verdelho 2011 HHH needs to be done. austere style. Its lemon zest Clean and soft tropical fruit aroma character is a perfect match to with a light firm acid palate. $14 Clovely Estate Left Field seafood. $18.50 Semillon 2006 HHHH A clean and fresh nose and Robert Channon palate. Just starting to show Wines Reserve some lovely aged semillon Chardonnay 2009 HHH1/2 toastiness. $20 Aromatic spices and nice medium weight. Fresh spices and peach flavours, softly balanced. Fresh for 2009. $35JUDGES Adam Clay Tony Hooper Neil McGuigan Penfolds winemaker in Senior white winemaker General Manager, Production the Barossa Valley. Has for Orlando Wyndham. and Wine Supply, Australian completed vintages at Bachelor of Applied Science Vintage (formerly McGuigan Marchesi de Frescobaldi in Oenology. Has worked in Wines). Has had 27 years in Chianti and Pellegrin in New Zealand, Yarra Valley experience as a winemaker California. Judge at the and the Riverland. Judged at with Wyndham Estate, Alternative Varieties show the Melbourne wine show; McGuigan Brothers, Briar and Cairns wine show. associate judge and judge at Ridge and Rothbury Estate. the Brisbane wine show. Wine show judge at National and International level.128 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

regional tastingClovely Estate Estate ROSÉ CABERNET Granite Ridge WinesReserve Chardonnay SAUVIGNON Top Block Cabernet2007 HHH1/2 1 TASTED & BLENDS Sauvignon 2008 HHHClassy wine with integrated 0 AWARDED Cassis fruit with ripe berriesoak and yeast, subtle with a lot 10 TASTED on the nose. Strong oak andof flavour. $28 OTHER RED 3 AWARDED finishes a touch lean. $25Robert Channon Wines VARIETALSSinging Lake Chardonnay & BLENDS Generally a dissappointing class SHIRAZ & BLENDSVerdelho NV HHH where the fruit struggled toLovely light fruit on the nose 9 TASTED achieve to required ripeness. 12 TASTEDand palate. Clean and fresh. 4 AWARDED 4 AWARDEDA simple drink-now style. $16.50 A good result for thoseOcean View Estate These offer great lunchtime recommended, from a varietyUnwooded Chardonnay drinking alternatives. which is very forgiving, but2011 HHH Sirromet Wines other winemaker’s need toFresh aromatics of citrus with Signature Collection step up to the plate!bright acidity. Nice pine/lime Merlot 2010 HHH1/2elements with lightly oaked Great colour and great fruit on Tobin Wines Maxstructure. $27 the nose. Fresh clean palate Shiraz 2009 HHHHBarambah Wines First Grid with good oak but lacks some Medium colour with lovely liftedChardonnay 2010 HHH body. $27 spicy fruit. Mid-weight palateSmoky oak with aroma from Clovely Estate Left Field with good overall balance. $35the green fruit spectrum and a Barbera 2010 HHHdry finish. $29 Red hues of bright raspberry Granite Ridge Wines Tobin Wines MaxGranite Ridge Wines and redcurrant aromatics. Top Block Cabernet Shiraz 2008 HHHHFirst Oak Chardonnay Palate has a chocolate texture Sauvignon 2009 HHHHH Bright red hues with red2009 HHH with ripe fruit, fine acidity and Excellent depth and purple hues. licorice and plum fruit aromas.Aromatic oak lift, with balanced complex meaty notes. $20 Lovely brambly, blackcurrant, Good weight and texture.acidity. Creamy butterscotch Clovely Estate Left Field plush, rich fruit on nose and Creamy finish with soft acidflavours with good complexity G.S.M. 2010 HHH palate. Very stylish with some and tannin structure. $35and persistence. $22 Clean fresh juicy wine with hints of spearmint to accent. $25 Summit Estate ReserveClovely Estate White Label good structure. Attractive Jester Hill Wines Cabernet Shiraz 2010 HHHChardonnay 2009 HHH medium weight palate with Sauvignon 2009 HHH Big intense colour with mulberryLemon talc, early picked style balanced but firm tannin. $20 Boot polish leather nose. fruit on the nose. Very intense.with citrus fruit. A tight profile Tobin Wines Elliot Secondary flavours of blue Palate is fruity and a touchwith fresh, talcy phenolics. $14 Merlot 2008 HHH fruit. A complex wine. $25 simple. A real fruit bomb. $30Clovely Estate Very light style with a Clovely Estate WhiteEstate Reserve savoury acidic finish. $35 Label Shiraz 2009 HHHChardonnay 2008 HHH Light crimson colour. SlightlyRestrained nose with spicy oak herbaceous fruit nose andand creaminess as highlights. palate with some white pepperA wine with finesse. $28 and dark chocolate notes and mulberry flavours. $14stewartswineco.com.au Exclusive Wine Offers Limited Releases Online Deals Earn Rewards W5inSetsatarste 9HJ4aalplmiodeiansytsChandon Vintage Brut 2005 (crown seal) VisPitenofuorldwse‘bBsiitne3f8or9’mCoarbeermnuesteuShmiroaffzer2i0n0g2s!$2499$5999$1050$1999 Johnny Q Shiraz 2008 The Marquise Chardonnay 2010 SHS10190Enquiries: P. 1300 138 838stewartswINeCO.COm.aUE. [email protected] onlineoonrldyearts:We are a real family owned wine and spirits merchant, serving Queenslanders for three generations since 1905. We havetwo stores in Brisbane and now offer the whole of Australia access to some of the best wine and spirit deals available onlineat stewartswineco.com.au - Welcome! Offer available until 30th November or until sold out. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 129

103 TASTED34 AWARDEDPINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIOI am told by my wine bar friends that this is the variety that the Tomich Hill Single“suits” drink in preference to the “girly” sauvignon blanc. This was a Vineyard Adelaidetough tasting, with only 34 making the cut. The variety is very finicky Hills Pinot Grigiowith a tendency to browning if not whistle clean, with the minimum 2010 HHHof oxidation. However, the good examples, as shown here, do offer Nice grassiness to thea lovely comparison of interesting light flavours, from austere Italian nose and a juicy softgrigio style to the more opulent French gris alternative. palate with plenty of length. $20PINOT GRIGIO Warburn Premium Four Sisters Pinot Artwine Clare ValleyUNDER $20 Reserve South Grigio 2010 HHH1/2 Pinot Grigio PINOT GRIS Eastern Australia Aromatic spicy stonefruit 2011 HHHHH UNDER $2022 TASTED Pinot Grigio nose with a lovely palate A very clean, well-made5 AWARDED 2011 HHH1/2 showing great length wine with lifted aromas 22 TASTED Bright peach and pear and tasting of sweet reminiscent of citrus 5 AWARDEDThe wines recommended bouquet with acid crisp apricots. $15.65 and jasmine and a long,here were good ones - but green apple palate - Zonte’s Footstep lingering velvety smooth Some very goodfew and far between. Too simple but long and well Doctoressa Di Lago palate with nicely examples of the style -many had stripped low balanced. $8 Langhorne Creek balanced fresh pear and but not many of them.flavour, sour acid wines. Pinot Grigio custard-like flavours. $20 Phenolic flavours add to 2011 HHH Brennan Central the mix but too many Honeyed nose smells Otago Pinot Grigio tended more towards like jasmine. Slight oily 2010 HHH1/2 the austere grigio style. palate with pear/citrus Smells of rose petals flavours. $13.99 with a lovely toasty edge Ribbonwood to it. Rich custard and Marlborough Pinot PINOT GRIGIO pear-like palate with a Gris 2010 HHHH1/2 $20 + dry finish. Good food Bright fresh wine with wine. $20 aromas of lemons and 11 TASTED Fattori Valparadiso green apples. Lovely Italy Pinot Grigio texture to the palate 4 AWARDED 2009 HHH1/2 with nice freshness and Lovely elegant wine a complex flavour profile Some very good with citrus/pear-like of sweet rich peaches examples here with the aromas and flavours of and pears. $19.95 wines showing more honey and cinnamon on texture to their palates the soft palate. $28.99 Gibson Adelaide and better fruit overall. Hills Pinot Gris 2011 HHH1/2Lou Miranda Estate Alta Adelaide Hills Aromas of pears,Leone Barossa Pinot Grigio lemons and jasmine,Valley Pinot Grigio 2009 HHH1/2 and long beautifully2011 HHHH Spicy nutmeg and apple textured mouthwateringLovely perfumed nose aromas - a tad chai latte- pear-like palate. Morewith rich pear-like like. Tight, zippy, crisp grigio than gris. $18aromas more of the peachy palate with apears on the slightly oily drying finish. $19.95 Whitehavenpalate. Has tight acid and Marlborough Pinotfruit sweetness. $18.95 Gris 2009 HHH1/2 Nuances of pears and apples on the nose with ripe, sweet pear and apricot flavours on a creamy palate. $19.95130 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

varietal tastingWither Hills Maude Central Villa Maria Prophet’s Rock Murdoch James BlueMarlborough Pinot Otago Pinot Gris Cellar Selection Central Otago Pinot Rock MartinboroughGris 2011 HHH 2011 HHH1/2 Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010 HHHHH Pinot Gris 2010 HHHAromas of ripe pears and Complex citrus blossom Gris 2010 HHH1/2 A lovely cashew nut and Spicy pear and vanillacashew nuts. Soft and and pear aromas and Lovely style with fine lemon zest nose, and a bouquet. Someoily in the mouth with similar palate, with light pear-like fruit characters gorgeous creamy textured sweetness on the softsweet citrus flavours. $18 creamy texture and with a light layering of oak lemon tart of a palate with juicy palate. Good oak balancing sweetness. $22 and underscored by crisp, just a hint of sweetness integration. $25Waipara Springs Soho Jagger lemon zest acidity. $23.99 and excellent cashew nut- Foxeys HangoutWaipara Pinot Gris Marlborough Pinot like complexity. $28 Pinot Gris 2010 HHH2010 HHH Gris 2011 HHH1/2 Tinpot Hut Brennan Central Quite an oaky noseSmells of pears with slight Aromatic lychee and Marlborough Pinot Otago Pinot Gris with the spicy oak alsocheesy characters and pear bouquet and long Gris 2011 HHH 2009 HHHH obvious on the juicy pearsweet creamy stonefruit simple pear-like palate Honeyed lemon zest Honeyed marmalade palate. $27and oak palate. $19 with herbal notes and nose and well-balanced aromas with a beautifully Nautilus oily texture. $22 palate. Pretty and sweet developed and complex Marlborough PinotPINOT GRIS Woollaston with a dry finish. $21.99 toasty pear palate that’s Gris 2010 HHH$20 - $25 Nelson Pinot Gris creamy in the mouth with Spicy pear nose and 2010 HHH1/2 Opawa Marlborough light sweetness. $30 very citrussy palate that26 TASTED Lovely lifted lemon Pinot Gris 2010 HHH Wairau River has good texture and a12 AWARDED zest aromas. Creamy Lovely fresh lemongrass Marlborough Pinot drying finish. $29 in the mouth with pear style of pinot gris - very Gris 2011 HHH Villa MariaA solid class with more and quince paste-like well made wine. $22 Nuances of nutmeg on Seddon Vineyardflavour consistency but flavours. $20 the sweet fruit nose. Nice Marlborough Pinotthere were some that Burnt Spur Saint Clair Pioneer integration of fruit and oak Gris 2010 HHHlacked balance and were Martinborough Pinot Block 5 Bull Block on the elegant palate. $25 Smells like lemonoversweet. “There is a Gris 2010 HHH1/2 Marlborough Pinot Rockburn Central cheesecake with a simplelot of lees creaminess Developed lemon Gris 2010 HHH Otago Pinot Gris lemonade-like palate andworked in here which curd-like bouquet and Very Alsace in style; lots 2011 HHH fresh acidity. $31.99sometimes works and very sweet and creamy of very soft and sweet Complex pear/citrussometimes doesn’t,” apricot palate. ‘’Good pear and marzipan aromas and juicy sweet/ JUDGESnoted one judge. dessert style,” said one characters. $23.50 sour palate showing judge. $22 some alcohol heat. $26Saint Clair Mud House PINOT GRISMarlborough Pinot South Island New $25 +Gris 2010 HHHH Zealand Pinot GrisZesty lemon to the nose 2010 HHH1/2 22 TASTEDand rich and creamy in Nutty nose with a touch 8 AWARDEDthe mouth, with sweet of lemon. Loads ofpeachy flavours mingling sweet peach flavours “More oak use in thiswith spicy oak and soft on the complex and class,” said one judge.acid. $21.50 textured palate. $22.40 “But does it justify the Kim Crawford price?” Oak createsVavasour Marlborough Pinot more interest butAwatere Valley Gris 2010 HHH1/2 consumers still need toMarlborough Pinot Toasty touch to the choose wisely.Gris 2011 HHH1/2 stonefruit aromas and aTurkish Delight and rich viscous peach palateroses on the nose, and with lovely, soft gentlelovely palate texture with oak integration. $23sweet peach flavoursand soft acid. $24Mark Robertson Stephen Bennett Steve WarrickChief winemaker for Consultant and contract Wine consultant. FormerlyCellarmaster’s Dorrien winemaker. Has spent sales and marketingEstate Winery. Formerly the past 15 years as manager for the Hamiltongroup white winemaker for consultant winemaker in Wine Group. 10 years’Beringer Blass and chief Eastern Europe, including experience working inwinemaker for Matua Valley, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldavia McLaren Vale, CoonawarraNew Zealand. Show judge and Ukraine. Judge at and the Adelaide Hills.on the New Zealand wine Romania’s International Has judged at thecircuit over 10 years. wine show (2002-2006). Adelaide, McLaren Vale and Hobart wine shows. Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 131

109 TASTED47 AWARDEDRIESLINGStrangely riesling gets talked up, particularly by winemakers and Wise Frankland River RIESLINGthe trade, as the “great white hope” yet struggles to achieve this Riesling 2011 HHH1/2 2010 & OLDERacclaim from the general public. Our trade friends tell us if you can Estery perfumed rose $15 - $20get a great glass of riesling into a consumer’s hands without telling petal bouquet and athem what it is they are hooked. Also this is one of the few whites long, interesting, sweet 11 TASTEDthat does generally improve with age. lime juice-driven palate; 5 AWARDED hints of spices and Two distinct stylesRIESLING Tahbilk Riesling RIESLING 2011 flowers. $18 obvious here - theUNDER $15 2011 HHH $15 - $20 d’Arenberg The Dry high acid with residual An elegant, delicate Dam McLaren Vale sweetness and the drier12 TASTED green/gold wine with 12 TASTED Riesling 2011 HHH fruit driven style. simple light grapefruit- Lovely lift of fruit salad Jacob’s Creek7 AWARDED like characters. $13 8 AWARDED aromas and a sweet, Reserve Barossa fruity palate with zippy RieslingGood drinking wines Taylors Promised The judges found some acidity. $15 2010 HHHH1/2with good varietal Land South nice wines amongst these Richard Hamilton Lovely delicate greencharacters for the price. Australia Riesling lower price categories. Slate Quarry hues with a fresh, 2011 HHH McLaren Vale lifted lime bouquet andHardys Nottage Hill Lifted estery fruit salad Riesling 2011 HHH some excellent varietalRiesling 2010 HHHH aromas and bright citrus Nice spiciness to the flavours on the long andLovely bouquet - like palate with a touch of citrus nose and a very light well-balanced palatea floral basket, and sweetness. $13 and elegant palate. $15.50 tasting of limes andexcellent depth of ripe Mad Fish lemons. $18.99lemony flavours with just Grandstand Rieslinga hint of sweetness from 2011 HHH Lawson’s Drythe residual sugar. $8.50 Light elegant style of Hills Marlborough riesling with lovely fresh Riesling 2008 HHHHWestbrook purity of varietal fruit. $17 The nose has lovely limeMarlborough Willoughby Park fruit, edged with toastyRiesling 2009 HHHH Jamie & Charli development and thereToasty development Denmark Riesling are some beautiful,underscoring the lemony 2011 HHH fresh citrus flavoursfruit characters. Well- Lifted estery fresh -quite sweet. $18balanced wine with varietal fruit andlovely freshness and excellent flavour profilesome zippy acidity. $14 with soft acidity. $18 St Hallet Eden ValleyMoppity Vineyards Pewsey Vale Riesling 2011 HHHLock & Key Riesling Eden Valley Riesling A big, ripe estery fruit2011 HHH1/2 2011 HHHH nose and a very lovely,Smells of apple blossom Attractive combination balanced lemonyand has a tight appley of citrus and floral-like palate. $19palate that’s high in aromas and a tight, fresh Highfieldacid, and showing good minerally lemon palate Marlboroughageing potential. $14.99 - nicely balanced fresh Riesling 2011 HHH style of riesling. $19.95 A sweeter style ofHunter’s Jane Hunter Queen Adelaide riesling with tropical fruitMarlborough Riesling South Eastern characters touched with2010 HHH1/2 Australia Riesling floral notes. $19.50Nice touch of lime juice- 2010 HHHlike characters to the nose Nose showing toastyand a soft, spicy floral development as doespalate with balancing the palate, with a goodresidual sugar. $16.90 acid backbone. $7.99132 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

varietal tastingBallast StoneCurrency CreekRiesling 2010 HHHA touch of toastydevelopment to the noseand high acid palate withlemony characters. $17RibbonwoodMarlboroughRiesling 2010 HHHLight fresh limes on thenose and lovely, fresh,Germanic style of palate.Good value. $19.95Whitehaven Plantagenet Richmond GroveMarlborough Mount Barker Limited ReleaseRiesling 2009 HHH Riesling 2011 HHH Watervale RieslingLovely developed Pungent, spicy, tropical 2010 HHHHHhoneyed botrytis nose and excellent Very stylish and freshnose and balanced, varietal fruit palate that’s lifted lime juice bouquethoneysuckle/minerally fresh and spicy. $22 and great purity ofpalate. $19.95 varietal fruit on the RIESLING palate, creating excellentRIESLING 2011 2010 & OLDER flavour profile with a$20 - $25 $20 - $25 seamless balance of acidity. $21.9914 TASTED 24 TASTED O’Leary Walker3 AWARDED 13 AWARDED Polish Hill River RieslingThe judges were “Some fabulous wines 2010 HHHH1/2disappointed with this here,” agreed the A big style smellsgroup. The 2011 vintage judges. Offering good of lemon essencewas not a classic year value for the price. with a lime lift. Somefor the variety with Overall, the 2010 lovely varietal fruitsome ferment issues. vintage was a great flavours; great depth of one in Australia. There citrus fruit charactersPauletts Polish Hill were also couple of layered with botrytisRiver Clare Valley great aged wines here sweetness. $20.99Riesling 2011 HHH1/2 showing how well this Pikes TraditionaleA fresh and delicate variety holds together. Clare Valley Rieslingstyle with elegant 2010 HHHHcordial-like citrus fruit Mt Lofty Ranges Big ripe botrytis style ofcharacters wrapped in Hand Picked riesling with some nice,tight acidity. $22 Lenswood Riesling rich, fruity notes on the 2010 HHHHH nose and well-balancedArtwine Clare Valley This wine has a lovely, fruit palate showingRiesling 2011 HHH delicate, green colour some complexity. $20.73A light, clean and simple and showing a tight,fruit salad-like style of minerally bouquet withriesling that’s high in a light and racy style ofacid. $20 palate full of gorgeous, classic riesling fruit flavours. $21.04 Special Edition 2011 W I N E S TAT E 133

RIESLINGPewsey Vale Tomich Hill RIESLING Villa Maria Reserve Bay Of FiresThe Contours Single Vineyard & BLENDS Marlborough Dry Tasmania RieslingEden Valley Riesling Adelaide Hills $25 - $30 Riesling 2010 HHH 2011 HHH1/22005 HHHH Riesling 2010 HHH Fine, delicate style, soft The nose is lifted, freshAttractive toasty Nicely restrained citrus 20 TASTED and simple in the mouth and spicy with excellentdevelopment to the lime bouquet and a tight, 2 AWARDED with nice acidity. Good tropical flavours on aaromas. Hints of orange lemony palate. Lovely Except for two, these quaffer. $26.99 tight and well-balancedblossom characters on style. $20 were an atrocious group palate. $31.50the long, soft and well- Mud House Estate of wines. The judges RIESLING Knappstein Acklandbalanced palate. $23.99 Waipara Riesling conceded that the 2011 $30 + Vineyard WatervaleTe Kairanga 2010 HHH was a difficult vintage Clare Valley RieslingMartinborough Powerful botrytis nose but they also found 16 TASTED 2008 HHH1/2Riesling 2010 HHH1/2 and great herbal palate, poor fruit selection and 9 AWARDED Barley sugar hintsFresh lime cordial nose with a hint of residual some poor winemaking. on the nose andwith hints of honeyed sugar. $21 “There were pretenders A very interesting class of some nice, creamy,notes. Stewed lemon Tohu Marlborough at this price level,” stylistically different wines. citrussy complexitypalate high in acid with a Riesling 2010 HHH said one judge. The Germanic wines on the big, flavoursomedash of spice. $21 Cool climate style, delicate offered great interest palate. $34.99John Hughes Wines green with herbaceous Heggies Vineyard with their minerality and Grosset Polish HillRieslingfreak No. 3 aromas and nicely Reserve Eden Valley honeysuckle botrytis Clare Valley RieslingRiesling 2010 HHH balanced palate. $22.95 Riesling 2005 HHHHH overtones. And the Aussie 2008 HHH1/2Lime freshness on Pewsey Vale Prima Brilliant green/gold rieslings held their own Very Germanic in stylethe nose and delicate, Eden Valley Riesling colours with intense lime with their lovely vibrant with a lovely, greenminerally palate with a 2010 HHH juice aromas showing fruit intensity. colour and somegood acid zing. $20 Delicate, minerally nose some attractive age pleasant ripe lime, and a touch of honeyed characters. Super palate - Hardys cordial-like fruit. A real characters on the fresh, spicy and elegant. HRB D644 Riesling classic. $42.99 balanced palate. $22.99 Has potential for even 2010 HHHH1/2 Reichsgraf Villa Maria further ageing. $28.95 Soft citrus focus to the Von Kesselstatt Cellar Selection nose with lovely spicy Trocken Graacher Marlborough aromatics. Excellent depth Riesling Trocken Riesling 2010 HHH of true, riesling flavours on 2007 HHH1/2 Broad style - all lime the elegant palate with its Typically German - high in juice and honeyed long, zesty finish. $30 acid with some powerful development. Good fruit and complex bottle commercial style. $23.99 Egon Muller- age, with a very drying Leeuwin Estate Scharzhof Mosel finish. $32.99 Art Series Margaret Saar-Ruwer Germany Kalgan River River Riesling Riesling 2008 HHHH Riesling 2011 HHH 2009 HHH Lovely European nose Delicate lemon blossom Light and delicate with with attractive honeyed aromas and nice, weighty, interesting characters element and a typical spicy lemon palate. $30 reminiscent of Germanic palate - soft in Taylors St Andrews marzipan. $22.99 the mouth with excellent Clare Valley Riesling sugar/acid balance. $43.99 2010 HHH Smells of citrus and apple Tamburlaine Reserve fruit with a lovely stony/ Orange Riesling minerally palate. $35 2011 HHHH Lifted spicy aromatics on the fresh and alert nose. Good spicy lemony flavours on the minerally, tight palate showing excellent length. $30JUDGES Andrew Wigan Don Young Stephen John Chief winemaker for Sparkling and white Owner/winemaker of Peter Lehmann Wines winemaker for Orlando Stephen John Wines. for the past 30 vintages. Wines. Previously More than 30 years’ Has judged at the winemaker for Botobolar winemaking experience. Sydney International, Wines and Richmond Has judged at Adelaide, and also Hunter Valley, Grove Wines. Has been National, and Barossa Rutherglen, McLaren an associate judge Wine Shows. Regular Vale, and Limestone for the Mudgee and Winestate panellist and Coast wine shows. Rutherglen Wine Shows. chairman of judges at the Winestate Wine of the Year Awards.134 W I N E S TAT E Special Edition 2011

the wine & spirit insiderSpecial Edition 2011 Issue 121 FREE COPY&new releasesINTHIS ISSUE THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A top 40 PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE best wine buys LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. under $20 Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411

490 TASTED221 AWARDEDNEW RELEASESOur biggest new releases tasting of the year sees a good number Brown Brothers Brown Brothers Kingof worthy wines that we can bring to your attention. We kicked Vintage Moscato Valley Proseccooff with a surprisingly good flight of sparkling wines which argues 2011 HHH 2011 HHHwell for summer. To this we can add some interesting white A lusciously sweet Floral blossom-like notesvarietals and blends with semillon an important element in building wine with lifted lychee on the nose and someotherwise bland sauvignon blanc. Ironically, the semillon blends aromas and a light, zesty simple, tropical fruitwere disappointing, which makes one wonder about the quality palate. $16.90 flavours. $22.90of fruit used or winemaking priorities. Finally, we were saved Brown Brothersby some excellent rieslings and chardonnays. In the red wine Vintage Moscato Mt Moriacspectrum pinot noir, cabernet and merlots disappointed, but Rosa 2011 HHH Geelong Blancgrenache and tempranillo offered nice drinking options. The old Smells of rose petals de Noirs 2006 HHHstager, shiraz, continues to show its great consistency as a safe bet, and rhubarb with a Aged, yeastyranging from good to great. flavoursome sweet complexity to the nose and creamy fruit driven and a developed, fruitSPARKLING Fox Creek Vixen Vinaceous palate. $16.90 palate with a spicy Shiraz Cabernet Burlesque Sparkling McGuigan Special edge to it. $3527 TASTED Sauvignon Cabernet Rosé NV HHH Vintage Release17 AWARDED Franc NV HHH1/2 A ruby pink crowd pleaser Sparkling Pinot Mt Moriac Geelong A big, dark, inky wine - very clean and fresh with Grigio 2010 HHH Blanc de BlancsThe judges found lots of with chocolaty prune- big berry fruit flavours Good yeasty nose and 2006 HHHgood quaffers here with like aromas and rich and a hint of residual excellent champagne-like Pleasant honeydewa few highlights. blackberry flavours with a sweetness. $24.99 flavours. Has complexity melon bouquet and nice mocha finish. $22.50 Shottesbrooke and balance. $19.99 big, aged, lemon/melonMoorilla Estate Moorilla Estate 1337 Blanc de Blanc palate. Drink now. $35Muse Tasmania Praxis Tasmania NV HHH Grampians EstateVintage Brut Rosé Vintage Riesling Crisp, lively and Muirhead OTHER WHITE2007 HHHH1/2 Brut 2011 HHH1/2 young with nice yeast Victoria Sparkling VARIETALSLovely, creamy, toasty, Youthful and lively brut complexity, good mousse Rosé 2010 HHH & BLENDSyeasty complexity to style - very attractive and crisp finish. $25 Big, broad, citrussythe nose and a very with crisp green apple Villa Maria aromas with a light fruity 19 TASTEDstylish palate, crisp and and cut lime characters, Lightly Sparkling palate. A nicely balanced 9 AWARDEDflavoursome with lovely and a lingering finish. $25 Marlborough quaffing wine. $26length and excellent Burk Salter South Sauvignon Blanc An eclectic group ofbalance between age Australia Sparkling 2011 HHH wines with a very niceand freshness. $49 Shiraz 2010 HHH1/2 Fruity honeysuckle varietal traminer, some Dark, smoky, cherry bouquet with clean, quality viogniers, a loneMoorilla Estate Muse aromas with a very fresh, gooseberry savagnin along with aTasmania Vintage oaky palate showing flavours edged by zesty few pleasant quaffers.Brut 2007 HHHH sweet stewed plum acidity. $19.95An elegant blanc flavours, drying tannins Pirramimma Gildedde blanc style with and acid. $15 Lilly Blanc Noirattractive yeasty aromas De Bortoli Emeri 2011 HHHand a firm, long and Sparkling Sauvignon Nutty notes to thewell-balanced palate Blanc NV HHH1/2 nose and a crisp appleshowing style and Aged, complex, yeasty and pear palate withfinesse. $49 aromas and complex good complexity and nutty melon flavours, a mouthfeel. $15 tad on the sweet side but very pleasant. $13136 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Yalumba Christobel's Barossa Classic Dry White 2011 HHH Smells of honey and apricots. Lots of apricot flavours and plenty of weight. Hot finish. $15.95 Paparone Riverland BULLER WINES Vermentino 2011 HHH WINEMAKERS SINCE 1921 Distinctive herbal aromas, and light and breezy on Lannogundcoe n the palate with persistent flavours. $18.99 e ang eVmicutomia’sBimbadgen Riverland Wine Winegrowers Direct win gi nsGewurztraminer Improvement Dyed in the Wool2011 HHHH Committee Sauvignon Blanc RUTHERGLEN ShirazLovely aromatics - a Alternative Semillon 2011 HHH HEATHCOTE Durifcombination of floral, Vermentino Shy nose in the green KING VALLEY Cabernet-rosewater and ginger, 2011 HHH spectrum with nicelyand a terrific mouthful Nose is lively, fragrant balanced melon palate -Merlot Petit Verdotof similar flavours and delicate. Palate has and crunchy acidity. $15with some pleasant a sweet concentration of vaila ephenolics. 3-5 $25 nutty flavours. $15 n win taile Ciavarella Oxley Estate Viognier www.bullerwines.com.au 2010 HHH Quite a developed The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 137 apricot bouquet and a hot, rich and ripe fruit palate. $18G. Patritti & Co. SAUVIGNON WinegrowersAdelaide Hills BLANC Direct Boys BlockSavagnin BLENDS Sauvignon Blanc2010 HHH1/2 Semillon 2011 HHHA light, yet complex wine. 11 TASTED Cut grass and lantanaSlight perfumed lift to the 4 AWARDED on the nose and goodfloral nose and delicate concentration ofpalate but with good No faults in this group gooseberry flavours. $15flavour intensity. $14 but overall the winesYalumba Eden simply lacked inspiration.Valley Viognier2010 HHH1/2 MarienbergFlinty, smoky characters Sauvignon Blancto the citrussy nose. Semillon 2011 HHHTangy and crisp in the A clean soft crowdmouth with great flavour pleaser with sweet ripepersistence. $24.95 tropical and herbal fruitSandalford Margaret characters. $13River Classic DryWhite 2011 HHH Four SistersTight, lemony nose Sauvignon Blancand a crisp and refreshing Semillon 2011 HHHgrassy/herbaceous Pungent canned pea/palate. $16.99 passionfruit aromas andWatershed racy zesty palate withThe Farm Margaret lingering flavours. $15.65River ClassicWhite 2011 HHHLifted orange blossomaromas and nice weight,persistence and lengthof citrus flavours. $11.95

NEW RELEASESSAUVIGNON Tempus Two Copper RIESLING Pewsey Vale St HallettBLANC Series Sauvignon The Contours Eden Valley Riesling Blanc 2011 HHH 33 TASTED Eden Valley Riesling 2011 HHHH29 TASTED Smells of tinned 19 AWARDED 2006 HHHHH Lively lemon and7 AWARDED asparagus with a Excellent class of A golden wine with a lime nose and palate; pungent edge. Lovely recommended wines beautiful nose of elegant fresh and elegant withToo many wines here balance of fruit and oak especially considering aged citrus fruits and a excellent balance forthat lacked any varietal in the mouth. $19.99 there were some difficult seamless integration of great ageing potential.character whatsoever. Geoff Merrill vintages for winemakers aged fruit and acidity on A definite one for the\"Please give us just Foothills Wickham to deal with. \"If you the palate. At its peak cellar. 5+ $19a little,\" asked one Park Sauvignon are looking for quality now with a year or twojudge. \"All we want is Blanc 2011 HHH on a limited budget, left in it yet. $29.95 Heggies Vineyardfreshness of flavour Fresh cut grass/ riesling can offer some Eden Valley Rieslingand some varietal fruit.\" capsicum aromas and outstanding buying Mr Riggs Watervale 2011 HHHHFortunately, there were a simple tropical fruit options\", said one judge. Clare Valley Riesling Lovely aromas of freshhandful of nice quaffers palate - quite sweet. $21 2011 HHHH1/2 limes with floral touches.among the group. Alkoomi Frankland Robert Stein A delicate lifted Good minerality on the River Sauvignon Mudgee Riesling floral nose with nice citrussy palate. It hasAmberley Secret Blanc 2011 HHH 2011 HHHHH minerality. In the mouth balance, freshness andLane Margaret River Zesty, pungent, Beautiful mix of orange it's big and rich and plenty of length. $23.95Sauvignon Blanc passionfruit aromas and blossom, fresh fruit ripe with lemons and2011 HHHH nicely balanced palate. salad and spicy aromas. limes and crisp acidity. Hartz Barn WinesA very nicely presented Good quaffer. $15.89 Excellent depth of pristine Another one for the Reserve Generalsauvignon blanc varietal varietal fruit with perfectly cellar. 5+ $22 Store Eden Valleyshowing excellent balanced acidity. Offers Riesling 2011 HHHHintensity of lantana, great cellaring potential. Pewsey Vale Nice nose - smells ofguava and green Eden Valley Riesling fresh cut limes andmelon-like aromas and 5+ $30 2011 HHHH1/2 citrus blossom. Crispflavours. $19.99 Lovely floral notes to in the mouth with lively the citrussy nose with lemon, lime and green just a hint of spice. Big apple-like flavours. $25 palate - nice structure andWatershed Senses balance. Excellent varietal CoobaraMargaret River flavours and a lovely Adelaide HillsSauvignon Blanc drying finish. $22.95 Riesling 2010 HHH1/22011 HHHH Just starting to developA good example of the Alkoomi Western some pleasant honeyedvariety with aromas of Australia Riesling ageing charactersherbs and canned peas, 2010 HHHH1/2 which mingle with theand good concentration A crisp zesty style citrus fruit creatingof flavours on a nicely developing nicely with complexity. $16.99structured palate. $24.95 citrus blossom and crisp lime bouquet and Heggies Vineyardd'Arenberg excellent balance of crisp Single Estate ReserveThe Broken apple fruit and lemon Eden Valley RieslingFishplate Adelaide zest acidity. Plenty of 2006 HHH1/2Hills Sauvignon flavour length. $20.36 A gorgeous toastyBlanc 2011 HHH aged riesling withLight, spicy/grassy Silkwood Pemberton Forest Hill Vineyard some nuttiness on thebouquet and simple Sauvignon Blanc Block 1 Mount nose and very big onsweet tropical fruit salad 2010 HHH Barker Western flavour. A lovely dinnerpalate. Good length. $19 Still very fresh with Australia Riesling wine. $28.95 intense herbaceous/ 2010 HHHH tropical fruit varietal Very fresh wine with Rockridge characters on nose and distinct lemony aromas. Clare Valley Riesling palate. $11 Lovely depth of crisp 2011 HHH citrus flavours on a A perfumed citrusJUD GE S - DAY 1 nicely structured palate. blossom nose and a lovely Some nice aged notes raspy lemon/lime palate. developing. $40 Very stylish. $12.99Peter Simic Stephen John Simon RoweEditor/publisher Winestate DAY 1 & 3 Now manager forMagazine. More than 35 years’ Owner/winemaker of Down Under Cellarsexperience in the wine industry. Stephen John Wines. More in Sydney. FormerlyFormerly founding publisher of than 30 years’ winemaking buying and promotionsa US wine magazine, manager experience. Has judged manager for Sip ’nof the SA Wine Information at Adelaide, National, and Save Cellars. DiplomaBureau, and wine educator with Barossa wine shows. of Wine Marketing.Regency College of TAFE in Regular Winestate panellist Twelve years in theSA. Peter is also a regular wine and chairman of judges at retail liquor industry,commentator on national radio the Winestate Wine of the including managingand television programs. Year Awards. Parade Cellars in SA.138 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingReillys Barking PINOTMad Watervale GRIGIO/GRISRiesling 2011 HHHSmoky spicy bouquet 27 TASTEDwhich flows on to a 18 AWARDEDpalate that shows niceminerality and steely \"A very solid class ofacidity. $15 quaffing wines,\" agreedStephen John the judges. These wereWatervale Riesling well-made, easy drinking2011 HHH wines. \"There was noSpicy floral nose with distinction between grissmoky overtones. Elegant or grigio,\" said one judge.palate - very crisp andvery varietal. $25Peter LehmannClassic Riesling2011 HHHPleasant spicy floralaromas and big richpalate with honeysucklefruit sweetness. Drinknow. $12Seppeltsfield ElmWalk Eden ValleyRiesling 2011 HHHA fresh, clean, elegantvarietal with some earlydevelopment and solidacidity. $19John Hughes Wines Peter LehmannRieslingfreak No.3 Pinot GrigioClare Valley Riesling 2011 HHHH2011 HHH Ripe, musky, stonefruitA lemon sorbet nose nose and a soft andand crisp lime/lemon flavoursome red apple/palate, high in acid. One guava-like palate withfor the cellar. $20 some lovely flintiness toTaylors Jaraman balance. $12Clare Valley Yalumba Y SeriesEden Valley Riesling Pinot Grigio2011 HHH 2011 HHH1/2Slightly developed Creamy/yeastypreserved lemon aromas stonefruit nose and awhich are echoed on the very Italian, savoury,crisp palate. $24.50 flinty varietal palateTrevelen Farm Great with lovely balance andSouthern Western texture. $14.95Australia Riesling2011 HHHSlatey/minerally nosewith soft lemon notesand crisp integration ofcitrus flavours. $25 The Black Chook Greystone Wines Adelaide Hills Pinot WAIPARA VALLEY CHRISTCHURCH Grigio 2011 HHH1/2 • Light, gold wine with NEW ZEALAND pungently sweet aromas and a crisp and crunchy palate. \"Excellent example of a grigio,\" said one judge. $17 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 139

NEW RELEASESGrant Burge East Cooks Lot Orange Cockatoo Ridge Pinot Windance Margaret SEMILLONArgyle Eden Valley Pinot Gris 2011 HHH Grigio 2010 HHH River Chenin Blanc BLENDSPinot Gris Powerful/pungent Quite developed for 2011 HHH2011 HHH1/2 tropical bouquet and its age. Ripe, toasty Flinty, herbal aromas with 30 TASTEDLovely soft nose - smells crisp/balanced palate. aromas and a creamy some pungency, and 7 AWARDEDof custard apples. Nicely \"Ideally served chilled on and very flavoursome a very sweet and verybalanced palate showing a hot day.\" $19.99 palate. $11.99 flavoursome palate. $18 The judges wereexcellent depth of sweet, Singlefile Run Free disappointed that therefruit flavours. $19.95 Pemberton Pinot James Oatley VERDELHO were too many simple,Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 2011 HHH Tic Tok Adelaide dull wines lackingGrigio 2009 HHH1/2 Powerful fruit nose Hills Pinot Grigio 7 TASTED freshness in this group.Tight, minerally and still with a sherbet-like 2010 HHH 3 AWARDED \"Although we do notvery young with aromas lift. Nicely textured Delicate, red apple- expect to see gold medalof ripe, tropical fruit and palate with balanced like aromas and a very \"Watch the phenolics wines here, at the verynicely focused flavours. sweetness. $19.95 flavoursome, savoury with this varietal,\" warned least we expect freshnessSome aged notes. $23 Chain of Ponds fruit palate. $17.99 one of the judges. \"It and a modicum ofThe Colonial Estate Amelia's Letter adversely affected the flavour,\" said one judge.The Harris Vineyard Adelaide Hills Pinot Bimbadgen Regions results.\" However, thereAdelaide Hills Pinot Grigio 2011 HHH Adelaide Hills Pinot were still a few good McLeish EstateGris 2011 HHH1/2 Floral nose; some white Gris 2011 HHH examples here. Hunter ValleyLifted fruit salad aromas peach and citrus. Nicely A well-made wine. Cool, Adelaide Hillsand generously crunchy textured, high acid palate. flinty nose and simple Tempus Two Semillon Sauvignonpalate with a good Lots of flavour. $20 palate with harmony, Verdelho 2011 HHHH Blanc 2011 HHH1/2flavour profile and nice Alta Adelaide Hills balance and length. $22 Pretty floral aromas Very intense citrus andtexture to it. $25 Pinot Grigio and a delicately apple-like fruit charactersSticks Yarra Valley 2011 HHH CHENIN structured palate with here, both on the nosePinot Grigio A crisp, fresh style BLANC lovely, clean and spicy and on the medium2011 HHH in the early ripeness fruit flavours balanced bodied palate. $18Restrained nose and spectrum. Hints of 5 TASTED by some nice phenolicwell-structured palate - pineapple and melon, 3 AWARDED characters. $14.99 Bird In Hand Two innice texture - very Italian. and lots of acid. $21.95 the Bush AdelaideGreat food wine. $18 Redbank Sunday The judges found these Windowrie The Mill Hills SemillonGalli Estate Artigiano Morning King Valley wines to have what they Central Ranges Sauvignon BlancSunbury Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris 2011 HHH called \"crowd pleasing, Verdelho 2011 HHH 2011 HHH2011 HHH Flinty, fresh apple off-dry flavours.\" Light, estery, tropical A soft and clean, easyFruit driven nose with aromas and a well- nose and a good flavour drinking style with citrus,toasty complexity and balanced, lightweight, Dowie Doole hit on the elegant, herbs and slight greenan elegant fruit salad-like high acid palate. Great McLaren Vale Chenin nicely textured, fruity pea characters. $20palate. $20 with food. $24.95 Blanc 2011 HHH palate. $16.99Tomich Hill Single Bay of Fires Tasmania A fairly neutral, fresh, Deep Woods IvoryVineyard Adelaide Pinot Gris 2011 HHH crunchy quaffer with McLeish Estate Margaret RiverHills Pinot Grigio Smells of creamy nashi hints of honey and citrus Hunter Valley Semillon Sauvignon2011 HHH pears - very alluring. blossom. $16 Verdelho 2011 HHH Blanc 2011 HHHLifted spicy tropical fruit Excellent fresh flavours, A beautifully balanced Intense lemonbouquet and a lovely, some sweetness in Paul Conti Tuart wine loaded with lush confectionery aromasflinty, tropical palate. $20 balance. $31.50 Vineyards Western and spicy tropical fruit and good citrussy Australia Chenin characters. $18 flavour freshness; some Blanc 2011 HHH pungency. $14.95 A big, bright, flavoursome wine with subtle sweetness and a good acid backbone. $16JUD GE S - DAY 2 Glenn James Leigh Francis Senior winemaker at Sensory Research Stephen Bennett Fleurieu Vintners and Manager at the Australian Consultant and contract Director/winemaker for Wine Research Institute winemaker. Has spent the Ducks in a Row. Glenn (AWRI). On AWRI past 15 years as consultant is an experienced senior Teaching Advisory Panel winemaker in Eastern wine show judge and is and Technical Quality Europe, including Bulgaria, the former Group Red and Panel. Associate judge, Romania, Moldavia and Group White winemaker for Adelaide wine show. Ukraine. Judge at Romania’s Foster’s Wine Estates and International wine show Group White winemaker for (2002-2006). the Hardy Wine Company.140 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingLogan Apple Tree Brokenwood ILR CHARDONNAYFlat Semillon Reserve Hunter 2011Sauvignon Blanc Valley Semillon2011 HHH 2006 HHHHH 13 TASTEDGentle, slightly A lovely complexity 8 AWARDEDperfumed bouquet, and of youthful lemon anda long and very delicate lime aromas, melding Some good varietalcitrus/apple palate. $11 with caramel-like fruit coming through development. and good use of oakSandalford Classic Palate is incredibly offering nice short-termDry White Margaret youthful for a five- drinking options.River Semillon year-old with excellentSauvignon Blanc intensity of honeyed, Ballast Stone2011 HHH lime flavours. $45 Spiralbloom SouthA pale wine with attractive Brokenwood Hunter Australia Chardonnaykaffir lime aromas and Valley Semillon 2011 HHHHcrisp, light and lemony 2011 HHHH A very nice, soft,flavours. $18.99 Lovely fresh and light approachable drink with stalky kaffir lime aromas. striking green huesAmberley Secret Good chalky texture to and great tropical fruitLane Margaret River the palate with its long expression on the noseSemillon Sauvignon and delicate grassy/ and in the mouth. PlentyBlanc 2011 HHH lemon flavours. $16.99 of length. $12Vibrant, powerful, tropical McLeish Estatefruit nose and a zingy, Hunter Valley Hugo Wines McLarenfresh palate packed with Semillon 2011 HHH Vale Chardonnayflavour. $19.99 Citrus, apples and 2011 HHH1/2 some grassiness on the Ripe melon aromas withFeet First Frankland nose, and zesty lemon/ a delicate touch of oakRiver Semillon lime palate with crisp and nice intensity ofSauvignon Blanc acidity. $23 varietal characters on the2010 HHH clean, crisp palate. $19.50Surprising amount oftoasty development Pirramimmafor a one-year-old, with French Oak McLarenslightly grassy/citrus Vale Adelaide Hillsfruit. $15.89 Chardonnay 2011 HHH1/2SEMILLON A stylish wine with its light, fresh, chardonnay7 TASTED fruit characters and3 AWARDED sweet oak. It's a fresh and lively drink. $20Some excellentexamples of both young Mitcham Estateand aged semillons here. South Australia Chardonnay 2011 HHH Lifted tropical fruit aromas and a bright, fun, tropical fruit palate. $10Steve Warrick JU DGE S - DAY 3Wine consultant. Formerlysales and marketing Phil Lehmannmanager for the Hamilton Winemaker for TeusnerWine Group. 10 years’ Wines. Associateexperience working in judge at the BarossaMcLaren Vale, Coonawarra wine show. Graduateand the Adelaide Hills. Diploma of OenologyHas judged at the from Adelaide University.Adelaide, McLaren Vale Formerly white andand Hobart wine shows. sparkling winemaker at Yalumba Wines, and also Peter Lehmann Wines. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 141

NEW RELEASES Trentham Murphy's Swings & Ciavarella Oxley Lore Chardonnay Roundabouts Estate Chardonnay142 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 2011 HHH Backyard Stories 2010 HHHH Simple, light and nutty Margaret River Great style with lovely, nose and big, advanced, Chardonnay full rich barrel ferment ripe fruit palate. Drink 2010 HHHH1/2 characters, toasty oak now. $10 Bright, fresh, delicate and beautifully presented green wine with lovely elegant varietal fruit with Thomas Goss integration between the hints of burnt match. $22 Adelaide Hills lifted, fresh, ripe melon Cowaramup Wines Chardonnay and citrus fruit, and well- Reserve Margaret 2011 HHH handled, creamy, oak River Chardonnay Nice chablis style with characters; very complex. 2010 HHHH complex fruit/oak nose Needs time. $29 Melony aromas and warm, fleshy, Bunnamagoo underscored with varietal palate. $15 Estate Chardonnay charry oak leading to 2009 HHHH1/2 a long, elegant palate Ballast Stone Lovely, complex with a well-balanced Currency Creek biscuity/barrel ferment and very complex Chardonnay aromas laced with rich flavour profile. $30 2011 HHH peach and melon fruit. Yalumba FDW7c Fresh new oak and Soft and slippery in Adelaide Hills peachy fruit on the the mouth with a great Chardonnay nose with a toasty, oak range of flavours and 2009 HHHH dominated palate. $17 soft acidity. $21.95 Gorgeous nose with hints of toffee and Cowaramup Wines candied peel and a soft, Clown Fish Margaret oily feel to the palate River Chardonnay with a complex mix of 2011 HHH fresh fruit and charry A different style with oak. $32.95 tightly wound fruit Clairault Estate characters that should Margaret River develop well over the Chardonnay next 18 months. $22.50 2010 HHH1/2 Toasty oak and rich CHARDONNAY tropical fruit aromas 2010 & OLDER and complex toasty butterscotch flavours 25 TASTED on the well-structured 14 AWARDED palate. $40 Clairault Margaret Excellent class. Some River Chardonnay great value for money 2010 HHH1/2 here. \"The safest spot to Lovely concoction and park your money if you intensity of complex are looking for a quality fruit and oak aromas and dry white,\" said one flavours. Quite warm judge. These wines have and finishing soft. $26 flavour and complexity, Bimbadgen Estate which is what you want. Hunter Valley Chardonnay Evoi Margaret River 2010 HHH Chardonnay Nice combination of 2010 HHHH1/2 clean, simple ripe Old school style with a pineapple-like fruit big, powerful, toasty, with some bottle age oak nose and incredibly characters. $22 complex sweet fruit/ Sticks No.29 Yarra butterscotch characters Valley Chardonnay dominating the lovely 2010 HHH long palate. Needs more A light, fresh style with time to shine. $42 delicate tropical/peach fruit and subtle use of oak. $35

wine & spirit insider tasting Toolangi Yarra Beelgara Estate Region Tasting Valley Chardonnay Range Rosé 2009 HHH 2011 HHH SPARKLING A big, rich, old style Lovely, fresh raspberry chardonnay with intense intensity on the nose COCK + BULL fruit and toasty oak. and fresh, sweet berry Cuvee Brut Drink soon. $25 jam flavours. $8.95 Now + AvailableWinegrowers ROSÉ Jacob's Creek Available atDirect Boys Block Cool Harvest ShirazChardonnay 24 TASTED Rosé 2011 HHH danmurphys.com.au2010 HHH 8 AWARDED Fresh aromas ofPungent orange sherbet- strawberry and cherry The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 143like aromas and an As usual a mixed bag conserve. Lots of fruitelegant, yet complex, of styles and quality. sweetness on thepalate. $15 At least some looked palate. $14.99 like rosés this time Chain of Ponds with fresh and lively Novello Adelaide styles or the lees stirred Hills Rosé 2011 HHH European examples. Very crisp and light high acid style with Watershed Shades lovely, fresh, estery Margaret River Rosé blackcurrant aromas and 2011 HHH1/2 flavours. $16 Cherry pink wine with Greedy Sheep estery perfumed aromas Margaret River Rosé and good body and 2011 HHH length to the cherry Smells of cherries and flavoured palate. $16.95 strawberries with a pleasant fresh flavour profile on the simple palate. $18 Bethany Barossa Cabernet Franc Rosé 2010 HHH Sweet, musky, rose petal bouquet and very intriguing, weighty, fruit palate. $18 PINOT NOIR 16 TASTED 3 AWARDEDAfter Hours Margaret Bunnamagoo Estate \"Not at all inspiring,\"River Chardonnay Rosé 2011 HHH1/2 according to one judge.2010 HHH Delicate, perfumed, Too many over oakedNose has lovely strawberry bouquet wines or wines thatcomplexity of spicy new - nicely balanced had green, sappy fruitoak and ripe melon fruit, palate - not too sweet characters or wereand palate has loads of with good strawberry simply just too advancedflavour. $19 flavours. $21.95 for their age.Miceli Olivia's SandalfordChardonnay Margaret River Rosé Nepenthe Adelaide2008 HHH 2011 HHH1/2 Hills Pinot NoirDistinct marzipan Very young for a vintage 2010 HHHaromas and soft and wine. Full bodied style Light, cherry aromasbuttery in the mouth with plenty of intense, with sweet vanillinwith complex, aged red fruit characters and overtones, and a vibrantnotes. $26 lovely texture. $18.99 and juicy strawberry palate. $19.99

NEW RELEASES Dalrymple Estate Willunga 100 Tasmania Pinot Noir McLaren Vale Steve Bird is known for his non-conformist 2010 HHH Tempranillo approach to winemaking and consistently pushes the A true gamey pinot 2010 HHH1/2 boundaries while paying homage to the past. Steve is nose. Nice, spicy, Cherries and licorice on unashamedly obsessive about his craft. His passion has strawberry flavours, the nose with a cheesy reaped a raft of top awards, and produced a selection of sweet oak and grippy note. Good flavours tannins. $35.95 with nice secondary New Zealand’s finest new world wines. complexity. \"It grows The Bird label is a selection of ultra premium single- Indigo Pinot Noir on you.\" $23 vineyard wines from Marlborough. Manu, which is the 2008 HHH Seppeltsfield Lagrein Maori word for “bird” is another handcrafted wine by Attractive, nutty meaty 2010 HHH1/2 Steve where he personally selects the very best grapes complexity here with Sweet, cherry nose available to achieve distinctive and memorable wines. slightly developed with a cheesy note and savoury fruit and strong beautifully intense palate Available in Australia from: tannins. $27 with blueberry fruit and Horizon Wines & Spirits, Victoria, ph: +61 41856 3567 lovely, sweet oak. $39 OTHER RED G. Patritti & Co. Waratah Wines, NSW, ph: +61 24739 8915 VARIETALS Adelaide Hills Steve Bird Winery & Vineyards Ltd & BLENDS Barbera 2010 HHH A light, fruity quaffer with +64 (0)7 927 2377 e: [email protected] www.birdwines.com 17 TASTED herbal/briary characters. 8 AWARDED \"Nice served chilled,\"144 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER suggested one judge. $16 Some interesting G. Patritti & Co. wines here among the Barossa Saperavi mid-weight old world 2010 HHH varietals. \"If you are tired Intense, brooding of the usual red varietals number with a big hit of dip into some of these licorice-like flavours on a for a change,\" suggested mouth-puckering, tannic one judge. palate. $16 Michelini Alpine Paul Conti Tuart Valleys Marzemino Vineyards Western 2009 HHH Australia Tempranillo Complexity of spicy 2010 HHHH plum/gamey aromas. Fragrances of cherries Refreshing palate and toasted almonds. with quite an alternate Excellent fruit flavours structure. \"Worth a with earthy/savoury try.\" $18.50 elements and mouth puckering tannins. $16 MERLOT Nepenthe 12 TASTED Tempranillo 3 AWARDED 2010 HHHH \"A fun wine that's full of Woodgate Manjimup life,\" according to one Merlot 2010 HHH1/2 judge, with a pretty floral/ Good concentration cherry nose and lovely, of mulberry fruit with fresh, red berry/fruit herbaceous edges, and salad-like palate. $19.99 nicely balanced by some lovely, sweet oak. $20 Riverland Wine Leconfield Improvement Coonawarra Merlot Committee 2010 HHH1/2 Alternative Lagrein Attractive Cherry Ripe-like 2010 HHH1/2 aromas and a well- Inky, rich wine, balanced savoury palate surprisingly soft with with lovely flavours and intense concentration prominent tannins. $24.95 of blackcurrant fruit complemented by some savoury elements. $15

wine & spirit insider tastingChurchview Jacob's Creek Reserved forSilverleaf Margaret St Hugo Barossa YouRiver Merlot Grenache Shiraz2010 HHH Mataro 2010 HHHHA pleasant quaffer with Dense concentratednice depth and balance aromas of ripe, sticky,of varietal fruit and black cherries and charrysweet oak. $13 oak. Beautifully structured palate with excellentGRENACHE flavour depth. $49.99& BLENDS Yalumba The Strapper11 TASTED Grenache Shiraz6 AWARDED Mataro 2010 HHH A nice earthiness to the\"A terrific class,\" nose and lovely vibrancyenthused one judge. to the medium bodied\"Lots of bright fruit and palate. $21.95freshness. An old variety Yalumba Bush Vineoffering new style Barossa Grenachedirection with the wines 2010 HHHshowing vibrant spicy Earthy fruit aromas withfruit flavours.\" a distinct gaminess and a supple, spicy, varietal fruit palate. $21.95 Seppeltsfield Grenache Shiraz Touriga 2010 HHH Gamey, licorice bouquet and savoury flavours with firm tight tannins. Built to age. $29 DURIF 5 TASTED 3 AWARDED These are big wines offering loads of flavour. Solid wine; solid class. Riverland Wine 2008 ReseRve 2008 ReseRve 2008 ReseRve Improvement CabeRnet MeRlot shiRaz Committee sauvignonPaul Conti Roccella Alternative Durif Gold & Best Australian Gold Medal, Top ofWestern Australia 2010 HHHH Blue Gold Medal and Merlot, Mondial du Class, InternationalGrenache Shiraz A big, soft, dense and in Top 100 Wines, Merlot 2010 Wine & Spirit2011 HHHH brooding wine with lovely Sydney International Competition 2011Fresh and lifted estery richness and length, Wine Competition Gold Medal,confectionery fruit and loaded with intense, 2011 Five Nations Wine Gold Medal, AWCaromas and lovely, medicinal, red cherry Challenge 2011 Vienna Internationalsweet, mouthfilling fruit fruit characters. $15 Silver Medal, Wine Challenge 2011flavours with attractive Buller Wines International Silver Medal, Top ofgamey elements. $16 Langdon Heathcote Wine & Spirit Class, International Gold Medal,Blackbilly McLaren Durif 2010 HHH Competition 2011 Wine & Spirit New Zealand WineVale Grenache Dark cherry/chocolate Competition 2010 InternationalShiraz Mourvedre nose and excellent, Wine Show2010 HHHH tight, varietal palate thatGorgeous, dark, brooding has both length andplum-like bouquet and a depth. $49.50youthful and flavoursomepalate with powerful, MAlpAS RoAd, MclARen VAle. T: (08) 8557 0000raspberry lolly fruit and CellAR dooR TASTinGS 10AM To 5pM dAily.firm tannins. $22 W W W.f oxC Re e k W ine S.C oM The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 145

NEW RELEASES Michael Unwin Grey Nomad Wines Umbrella McLaren Vale146 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER Man Beaufort Durif Cabernet Merlot 2006 HHH 2008 HHH Smells of Cherry Ripe A big, rich, full with some earthiness bodied, smoky wine and has a youthful, - old fashioned in tannic palate. At its best style with raisiny fruit now. $26 characters. $15 CABERNET Pirramimma SAUVIGNON McLaren Vale BLENDS Cabernet Petit Verdot 2007 HHH 21 TASTED Nicely developed aromas and very grippy, 5 AWARDED oaky palate. It has life and great potential. $30 The judges were CABERNET unanimous - \"An abysmal SAUVIGNON result.\" There were too 2010 many green fruit wines ageing too quickly from 18 TASTED the 2010 vintage. Only 6 AWARDED a few heads above the crowd here. It was more These were a step up about vineyard and from the blends with vintage issues rather a few nice examples, than poor winemaking. but still the judges were disappointed with Dowie Doole Second the wines overall. \"If Nature McLaren winemakers are dropping Vale Cabernet Shiraz alcohol levels does this Merlot 2010 HHHH mean fruit intensity Smells like red currant is also dropping,\" conserve and has a questioned one judge. juicy, fresh palate with good tasting, sweet Cowaramup Wines varietal fruits and nicely Reserve Margaret balancing tannins. $16 River Cabernet Sauvignon Evoi The Satyr 2010 HHH1/2 Margaret River A dark, fleshy ,fruit Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet and good Petit Verdot Merlot varietal fruit flavour Cabernet Franc intensity and length with 2010 HHH1/2 subtle use of oak. $35 Good aromatics; lifted herbal/menthol characters. Rich, full bodied palate has obvious mintiness and juicy acidity. $42 Pyren Vineyard Yardbird Union Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot 2010 HHH Intense blackcurrant aromas and lovely, fresh, cool, blackcurrant flavours. Should age well. $30

wine & spirit insider tasting Paul Conti Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 HHH Big, spicy oak and ripe berry fruit nose, and good varietal definition on the tannic palate. $20 Pyrenees Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 HHH Elegant, dark berry aromas with subtle oak and a juicy, sweet, varietal fruit palate. $28Winegrowers FernandoDirect Boys Block The FirstCabernet Sauvignon Wrattonbully Barossa2010 HHH1/2 Valley CabernetA big wine with a Sauvignon 2010 HHHyouthful nose -a little A toasty, oaky nose withlike olive tapenade. minty notes and flavoursLovely, ripe, cabernet sitting in the light, redflavours supported by berry spectrum. $39.99sweet oak. $15 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 & OLDER 25 TASTED 4 AWARDED The judges found too many bland wines here and tired ones showing early development. \"Are winemakers making wines for short term drinking which fall over early?\" asked one judge. Another judge suggested winemakers are still looking for a good vintage.Winegrowers Direct Shaw Vineyard EstateDyed in the Wool Premium CanberraCabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon2010 HHH 2009 HHH1/2Lovely depth, flesh and Still quite fresh - smellsstructure here with plum very \"wintergreen\" with afruit characters and a high acid palate displayingtouch of capsicum. $15 sweet, ripe, berry fruit and gentle oak. $22 Kurtz Family Vineyards Boundary Row Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 HHH Intense fruit conserve bouquet and a high acid/tannic palate with very rich, varietal fruit flavours. $24 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 147

NEW RELEASESDiGiorgio Family Currency Creek Chateau Tanunda Luca VineyardsCoonawarra Estate Ostrich Hill The Old Cooperage Bayliss RoadCabernet Sauvignon Fleurieu Peninsula Shiraz Mataro McLaren Vale Shiraz2008 HHH Shiraz Viognier 2010 HHH1/2 Grenache 2010 HHHRich, chocolaty nose 2010 HHH1/2 Big, rich, fruit cake-like Big alcoholic wine withand big, spicy, chocolate A fresh youthful aromas and very ripe, soft, rich, stonefruitpalate with plenty of ripe style with spicy fruit fruit driven palate with characters and sometannins. $25.99 characters and clean, strong tannins and a hot, good oak derived fresh, oak sitting on top. alcoholic finish. $24 elements. $16.99Yalumba The Has drying tannins and a Peter LehmannMenzies Coonawarra smoky finish. $17 Shiraz Grenache Dolan Family WinesCabernet Sauvignon 2010 HHH Barossa Shiraz2008 HHH St Hallett Stewed plum aromas TempranilloA big, rounded wine with Gamekeeper's and a pleasant mouthful 2010 HHHvery intense, very ripe, Barossa Shiraz of blackberry flavours Savoury fruit aromas andplum and berry fruit and Grenache with a spicy finish. $12 meaty savory flavourssome soft tannins. $52.95 2010 HHH1/2 Peter Lehmann with some pleasant, Plums and barnyard Shiraz Cabernet greenish notes. $25SHIRAZ notes mingle on the nose 2010 HHHBLENDS and in the mouth. It's soft A very pleasant blend Warrenmang Bazzani and full of flavour with a of herbaceous cabernet The Pyrenees Shiraz16 TASTED nice, acid spine. $19 characters and plumy, Cabernet 2009 HHH13 AWARDED shiraz, varietal fruit. $12 Deep, dark, squid ink Woodgate Manjimup Glendalough Estate colour with huge fruitConsistent class of Henry's Drive Shiraz Cabernet 101 Clare Valley concentration andyouthful wines with very Parson's Flat Merlot 2010 HHH1/2 Shiraz Cabernet strong oak tannins.few faults detected. Padthaway Shiraz A well-balanced slightly 2009 HHH Hold. 5+ $15 Cabernet 2008 HHHH austere spicy/minty Simple oaky style with A lovely, rich, traditional style with cabernet chocolaty elements, Aussie red with a fruit fruit dominating. good varietal fruit depth cake nose and delightful, Definitely one for the and grippy tannins. $18 spicy berry and plum cellar. 5+ $20 palate. Has strong tannins and a long finish. $30 AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards 2010 International Wine and Spirit Competition UK 2011 South Australian Wine of the Year Consumers’ Award 2011 (Museum Reds) Winestate blind tasting rated Empyrean above Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild www.reschke.com.au148 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingSeppeltsfield Shiraz Rockbare Mr Riggs The Gaffer Windance Margaret Bird's Eye ViewGrenache Carignan McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz River Shiraz Barossa Shiraz2010 HHH 2010 HHHHH 2010 HHHHH 2010 HHHH1/2 2010 HHHHLovely lift of blackcurrant Complex new oak on the A very serious, big, Excellent purple hues Youthful nose of freshand sour cherries on nose mingles with rich, brooding shiraz with with lovely sweet fruit plums and a hint of spice.the nose with a fleshy, shiraz fruit. Great palate complex toasty aromas, and oak on the nose, Excellent palate loadedCherry Ripe palate. $39 with nicely retained and a palate that offers and a grippy palate with soft, fresh berry stonefruit flavours a good mix of spices loaded with good depth fruit flavours and a long,Penny's Hill perfectly integrated with and chocolate adding of luscious varietal pleasant finish. $14.95The Specialized some lovely, sweet complexity to the stewed fruit. It's elegant andMcLaren Vale Shiraz vanillin-like oak. $21.95 stonefruit flavours. $22 balanced. $22Cabernet Merlot Paul Conti2010 HHH Mariginiup ShirazA big, bold wine with 2010 HHHHpleasant, perfumed Nose has attractive,plum aromas and a sweet, new oak and richsimilar palate. Quite fruit with nice ripe fruitwarm. $22 and oak derived flavours. A well-balanced wineSHIRAZ 2010 with good mouthfeel. $28 Pyren Vineyard29 TASTED Block E Pyrenees15 AWARDED Shiraz 2010 HHHH A big, bold, oldPick and choose your fashioned style that haswines well here advised length and balance withthe judges as 2010 was lifted ripe Christmasa very mixed vintage; cake-like fruit and dryinggreat wines from fruit oak astringency. $30picked before the heatand ordinary ones fromfruit picked afterwards. wine-ark FOR COLLECTORS OF FINE WINE11 SITES NATIONALLY ○ CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE ○ BUY VINTAGE WINE www.wine-ark.com.au 1300 946 327 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 149

NEW RELEASES VOKT10500 Shaky Ground Bendigo Wine Estate Kurtz Family Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2010 HHH Vineyards Boundary Jewels in the Crown. Shiraz 2010 HHH Simple red berry/rhubarb Row Barossa Shiraz Simple dusty nose and nose and pleasant, 2009 HHHH TOP 40 BEST BUYS nice length of soft, licorice jubey, berry fruit flavours Plumy nose with UNDER $20 flavours with a warming, on a soft palate. $22 butterscotch notes alcohol finish. $9.99 and an excellent palate “AN EXCELLENT WINE” Penny's Hill of elegant fruit, lovely Winegrowers Direct Cracking Black sweet oak and a warming Winestate Magazine Dyed in the Wool McLaren Vale Shiraz alcohol finish. $24 Shiraz 2010 HHH 2010 HHH She Oak Hill Estate 2010 Queen Adelaide Lovely sweet oak/fruit \"A huge wine for the Heathcote Shiraz aromas and excellent brave hearted,\" said 2009 HHHH SaUvigNON BlaNc depth of varietal fruit/oak one judge. Masses of Deep purple wine with flavours. A keeper. $13.30 jammy fruit and licorice nose and palate showing “A rich wine with a slightly toasty, citrus/pineapple Songlines Estates complexity. $22 nice integration and bouquet and interesting palate; quite exotic Leylines McLaren balance of ripe, sweet, with oaky-like notes. A different style.” Vale Shiraz Willunga 100 varietal fruit and fresh 2010 HHH McLaren Vale Shiraz new oak. $25 WINESTATE WINE OF THE YEAR SPECIAL, DECEMBER 2011 Sour cherry notes to the 2010 HHH Brookland Valley WINESTATE ANNUAL, JANUARY 2012 rhubarb nose and huge, An elegant, fresh and Verse 1 Margaret ripe fruit pastille palate; spicy style with nice River Shiraz 2010 Queen Adelaide lovely oak use. $20 varietal fruit and sweet 2009 HHH1/2 oak behind. $23 Ripe cherry berry nose PiNOT gRigiO and cool climate, peppery Chateau Tanunda palate with excellent “Pears and citrus on the nose and a sweet, The Chateau Single balance and a nice finish flavoursome palate. Crowd pleaser.” Vineyard Bethanian to the wine. $18 Shiraz 2010 HHH Redman Coonawarra WINESTATE, JULY/AUGUST 2011 Soy sauce and mocha Shiraz 2009 HHH1/2 aromas with some Youthful wine - lovely, Queen Adelaide earthiness and big, soft rich, plum cake nose. fruit flavours. $28 Well-structured palate SPaRkliNg BRUT with rich fruit flavours, Normans Old Vine firm acidity and grippy “Zesty citrus nose and nice yeasty/green apple McLaren Vale Shiraz tannins. $22 palate with a good level of acidity.” 2010 HHH Eldredge Blue Chip Mulberries and sour Clare Valley Shiraz WINESTATE MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 cherries on the nose and 2009 HHH1/2 big, bold, fruit flavours Oak driven style smelling 2010 Queen Adelaide with a soft finish. $30 of butterscotch with a youthful mid-weight RiESliNg Richard Hamilton palate showing some Centurion fruit sweetness. $25 “Nose showing toasty development as does McLaren Vale Rockridge Cellar the palate, with a good acid backbone.” Shiraz 2010 HHH Selection Clare Valley Rich Christmas cake Shiraz 2009 HHH WINESTATE WINE OF THE YEAR SPECIAL, DECEMBER 2011 aromas and a big, rich A pleasant quaffer. and soft Aussie style of Aromas and flavours150 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER palate. $65 of plums with rhubarb notes and toasty oak SHIRAZ 2009 complexity. $18 Marienberg Shiraz 33 TASTED 2009 HHH 20 AWARDED A light red with charry oak nose and spicy plum A solid albeit not a palate showing smoky/ spectacular group of shiraz buttery notes. $13 wines. \"Most of these G. Patritti & Co. were built for drinking in Old Gate McLaren the next year or so rather Vale Shire Shiraz than for cellaring.\" 2009 HHH A big, bold, tannic wine Koonara Ezra's Gift with ripe, jammy fruit Coonawarra Shiraz and charry mocha oak. 2009 HHHH Simple rich fruit and 3-5 $18 new oak aromas with a hint of mint and nice mix of savoury/spicy/mocha characters and shiraz fruit flavours. $30