travelbriefs wife Nicola added Margaret River’s iconic to know the lodge could not have more momentum here,\" Crawford said. Cape Lodge Hotel to their Australian lifestyle suitable and capable custodians than the Hesperia director Kyle Jeavons said portfolio through their Tattarang company. Forrest family who will be able to take the guest experience to even higher levels the hotel will be a perfect alignment with Set on 40 acres of lawns, gardens and of performance across all aspects of its the precinct. vineyards, Cape Lodge is a significant operations,” Peter Larsen said. landholding in the heart of one of the \"The Courtyard by Marriott will deliver an world’s most acclaimed wine regions, Z1Z’s diverse portfolio features hospitality, inviting experience that is suitable for the centrally located to the town sites of food and beverage, fashion, and sport, precinct and the broad range of users it Margaret River, Dunsborough and including iconic Australian brand RMWilliams, will attract,\" Jeavons said. Yallingup in Western Australia. Indiana Tea House at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach, The Swan Brewery in Perth, and the proposed The hotel is slated to feature 150 Originally opened in 1993 as a six-room Ningaloo Lighthouse Resort near Exmouth on guest rooms, feature an all-day dining luxury bed and breakfast, the Lodge Western Australia’s North-West Cape. restaurant with a semi-open kitchen underwent an extensive renovation and concept, a café and bar. refurbishment in 2003 to evolve into one of NEW MARRIOTT OFFERING the finest accommodation offerings in the FOR PERTH UNIQUE STAY IN HISTORIC Margaret River region. MILL THE fast-expanding Murdoch Health and Today Cape Lodge is considered one of the Knowledge precinct in Perth will be home THE Premier Mill Hotel is a beautifully best lodges in Australia. to a new-build Courtyard by Marriott hotel. restored, iconic former flour mill in the country town of Katanning, 300km south- The property features 22 rooms and a Marriott International has signed an east of Perth and on the doorstep of the five-bedroom luxury private residence agreement with local developers Hesperia Great Southern wine region. as well as a range of dining, leisure and to introduce the Courtyard by Marriott brand conference facilities, and the Cape Lodge to one of Western Australia’s fastest growing The 22 guest rooms are all different and Restaurant which overlooks the main lake commercial and residential catchments. include some within the 100-year-old grain with al fresco decking. silo, which was constructed from local jarrah. \"We are thrilled to be working with Hesperia Think grain shutes, flywheels and pulleys. The acquisition by Tattarang includes an to bring the Courtyard by Marriott brand eight-acre private vineyard that was planted to Perth,\" said Richard Crawford, vice The property dates to 1891 and is on the in 1998 and produces premium sauvignon president for hotel development, Australia, luxury side of the ledger with king-sized beds, blanc and shiraz for the hotel. New Zealand, and Pacific. fluffy towels, quality amenities and HD TVs. Tattarang Chief Investment Officer John \"Murdoch is a large-scale health Wines from the Great Southern are well Hartman said Cape Lodge has been and knowledge precinct and the represented on the hotel lists in The Dome an essential component in establishing signing of Courtyard by Marriott Perth Café and Cordial Bar. Margaret River’s international reputation for Murdoch further underscores Marriott unique, luxury experiences for national and International's continued effort in A range of packages are available. See international visitors. expanding into urban growth corridors www.premiermillhotel.com outside of Australia's capital cities.\" “We see significant opportunity to further Top: Exterior of Cape Lodge. develop the core guest experience at Cape Located 10 minutes from Perth CBD and Above: Exterior of Premier Mill. Lodge, including the potential integration of 25 minutes from Perth Airport, Courtyard by Opposite page top: Interior of luxury property The premium wellness services and a refocusing Marriott Perth Murdoch will offer proximity to Tempest. of the vineyard resources, which can further existing institutional and corporate demand underwrite a global quality lifestyle precinct generators including Western Australia's in the heart of Margaret River,” Hartman said. largest tertiary hospitals, Murdoch University, the South Metro TAFE Campus and one of Hartman said the group’s property division Perth's fastest growing districts. Fiveight had acquired the hotel, with its lifestyle division Z1Z to deliver all hotel and \"With two Courtyard by Marriott hotels associated operations. The property has already open in Australia, and five more been owned by Peter and Joelle Larsen for in our pipeline, it is very satisfying to the last 14 years. see the Courtyard brand gaining such “While selling this iconic property is bittersweet for us, we are very pleased May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 51
BEST OF THE WEST 102 TASTED 82 AWARDED WINES OF THE WEST A nice line-up of WA wines ranging from the warmer Swan SSB & SBS Valley and Geographe regions to the cooler Great Southern, BLENDS Mount Barker and Pemberton southern ones, with the eponymous Margaret River in between. This is a great snapshot 9 TASTED of what is \"best in the west.\" As usual sauvignon blanc based 9 AWARDED wines, chardonnay and cabernet performed best with an honorable mention for shiraz. All wines in this group were recommended. Nice clean, fresh and crisp wines. SPARKLING RIESLING SAUVIGNON Saracen Estates BLANC Margaret River 1 TASTED 3 TASTED Sauvignon Blanc 3 TASTED Semillon 2021 1 AWARDED 3 AWARDED HHHH 95pts 3 AWARDED Smells like a fresh cut A well-handled sparkling Solid result from these nectarine with zesty from an unusual variety. cool climate rieslings. lemon notes. Nice Rivendell Estate balance of citrus and Margaret River floral flavours. Good Sauvignon Blanc acidity. $24 Semillon 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Vineyard 28 Singlefile Another strong flight of Abbey Vale Lifted floral notes on Wildwater Sparkling Single Vineyard atypical styles ranging Margaret River the restrained nose Pignoletto Mount Barker from the lean and green Semillon Sauvignon with tight citrus driven Geographe Great Southern to the fruity. Blanc 2021 flavours on a crisp Sparkling 2020 Riesling 2021 HHHH 94pts palate. $22 HHH 90pts HHHH1/2 96pts Woody Nook Limited Poached lemon-like Forester Estate Brioche nose with Attractive green hues Release Margaret fragrances with some cut Lifestyle Margaret nice balance of acid with a pretty floral River Sauvignon grass and nutty notes. River Semillon and sweetness on the bouquet and long Blanc 2021 Smooth citrus flavours. Sauvignon Blanc palate. $35 generous lemon/lime HHHH1/2 96pts Plenty of acid. $25 2021 HHH1/2 92pts flavours with a floral Lovely lifted tropical fruit Rivendell Estate Pretty lifted florals with OTHER WHITE edge, some zippy acidity fragrances with grassy Margaret River yeast driven notes. VARIETALS & and a lingering after- notes. Palate has full-on Semillon Sauvignon Good acid/sweet BLENDS taste. $35 flavours of quinces, Blanc 2020 balance supporting the Silkwood Estate nectarines and traces of HHHH 94pts citrus palate. $25 2 TASTED The Walcott mint. Good, sweet/acid Classic asparagus Cape Mentelle 1 AWARDED Pemberton Riesling balance. $28 and fresh cut grass Margaret River 2021 HHHH 94pts characters here Sauvignon Blanc Good to see a chenin. Citrus nose with floral Rivendell Estate with honeyed notes Semillon 2021 The variety used to be and herbal nuances. Margaret River and some phenolic HHH1/2 92pts huge in WA in the past. Good length of lime/ Sauvignon Blanc complexity. $18 Interesting nettle and floral flavours with some 2020 HHH1/2 92pts lawn clippings nose Swings & tight acidity. $28 A nose of cut grass, with green apple/ Roundabouts Gilbert Wines JMG snow peas and some lime generosity to the Backyard Stories Great Southern florals that is echoed palate. $26 Margaret River WA Riesling 2021 on the palate. Long life Chenin 2021 HHH 90pts ahead! $25 HHH1/2 92pts Attractive stonefruit-like Floral fragrances with aromas and flavours Cape Mentelle fresh quince and with mouth-watering Margaret River peach-like flavours on a acidity. $25 Sauvignon Blanc full-bodied palate. Long 2021 HHH 90pts finish. $34 Subtle grassiness to the nose with restrained lime flavours and a nice phenolic touch. $30 52 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Choosy Beggars Singlefile The Below & Above RiverBank Estate Rosabrook Wines Margaret River Vivienne Denmark Single Vineyard Eric Anthony Margaret River Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Great Southern Pemberton Margaret River 2021 HHH 91pts Semillon 2021 Chardonnay 2019 Chardonnay 2018 Chardonnay 2021 Very lifted sweet HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 95pts HHH 91pts strawberry fragrances Lean zesty lemon style, Layered flinty stonefruit/ A generous and Aromas of butterscotch and generous mouth- very crisp and refreshing citrus/savoury oak flavoursome style of and cashews with filling strawberry with mouth-watering nose. Great phenolic chardonnay. Nice struck flavours of melons and flavours. $26 acidity. $16 foundation to the match-like notes to the oak. $35 Cape Mentelle balanced palate with nose and a complex Margaret River Rosé Bunkers Lefthanders generous mouth-filling palate with a subtlety of Plantagenet Wyjup 2021 HHH 91pts Margaret River flavours. Interesting flinty fruit flavours. $40 Collection Mount Clean fresh Maraschino Sauvignon Blanc wine! $100 Forester Estate Barker Chardonnay cherry bouquet and Semillon 2021 Bettenay Wines Margaret River 2020 HHH 91pts subtle fruit flavours with HHH 91pts Reserve Margaret Chardonnay 2020 Soft and oaky with balancing acidity. $28 Aromatic layers of River Chardonnay HHHH 94pts green highlights. Some florals and limes with 2020 HHHH1/2 A creamy chardonnay dried herb characters OTHER RED good mid-palate flavour 96pts layered with peaches, and a long, sweet finish. VARIETALS & concentration. $20 Nose is all limes, apricots and nutty $70 BLENDS stonefruit and tropical oak characters. Lifted Cape Mentelle fruit layered with oak. aromas and generous Silkwood Estate The 13 TASTED Margaret River Palate is rich and flavours. $35 Walcott Pemberton 9 AWARDED Sauvignon Blanc complex and generous Forester Estate Chardonnay 2019 Some nice solid wines Semillon 2020 with flavour and has a Yelverton Reserve HHH 91pts across various varietals HHH 91pts long lingering bone-dry Margaret River Subtle nutty nougat and and styles. “Read Nice tinned pea/ finish. $30 Chardonnay 2018 peachy butterscotch between the lines asparagus style with HHH1/2 93pts characters with nice here!” advised one some citrus on the nose A complex flinty style phenolics. $30 judge. and palate. $26 that is a lovely potpourri of oak and peach aromas ROSÉ Bettenay Wines CHARDONNAY and flavours. $77 Margaret River Gralyn Estate 6 TASTED Merlot 2020 17 TASTED Reserve Margaret 5 AWARDED HHHH1/2 96pts 12 AWARDED River Chardonnay Inviting savoury, meaty 2018 HHH1/2 93pts A solid and consistent and peppery bouquet Generally, a solid group A nose of ripe mangoes group of different styles and a very generous with just a few misses. with more flinty-like showing freshness and palate with gamey/ “The 2021s and 2020s characters sitting on top vibrancy. savoury elements that missed out were of some subtle fruit. $90 mixing with stewed using the wrong oak,” Swings & Choosy Beggars plum and prune-like fruit. suggested one judge. Roundabouts Margaret River Rosé Some massive tannins. “While some others Backyard Stories 2021 HHH1/2 92pts were on the green fruit Margaret River Pretty lifted strawberry 5+ $30 spectrum which was Chardonnay 2021 aromas with generous a shame.” The 2019s HHH1/2 92pts strawberry flavours and along with the 2018s Fruit in the ripe peach a fresh lingering finish. offered great drinking spectrum and layered $16 now and had more with toasty oak, zesty cellaring potential. acid and some citrus Abbey Vale notes. $50 Margaret River Rosé Singlefile 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Family Reserve Aperol spritz-like aromas Great Southern with a generous and Chardonnay 2021 complex flavour profile. HHH1/2 92pts An interesting wine. $25 Tropical/ripe mango aromas and flavours with Rivendell Estate some flinty elements and Margaret River Rosé balancing acidity. $60 2021 HHH 91pts Swings & A lift of strawberries on Roundabouts the nose with delicate Margaret River fruit flavours and a Chardonnay 2021 warming finish. $25 HHH 91pts Refreshing citrus driven style with plenty of new oak and a high level of acidity. $26 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 53
WINES OF THE WEST Singlefile Vineyard 28 Plantagenet Wyjup Rivendell Estate Saracen Estates Great Southern Geographe Dolcetto Collection Mount Margaret River Margaret River Malbec 2021 2021 HHH 91pts Barker Pinot Noir Cabernet Shiraz Cabernet Merlot HHHH1/2 95pts Bright brambly bouquet 2020 HHHH 94pts 2019 HHHH 95pts 2017 HHH1/2 92pts Deep purple wine and a purple fruit Dark cherry nose with A long, dark and A well-structured berry with nose showing palate with big savoury a hint of oak and sour brooding licorice-like fruit driven wine – great good varietal definition tannins. $30 cherry-like flavours on blend with oak tending length and showing just of peppery plums. a well-balanced palate to dominate the varietal a hint of herbs. $26 Concentrated dark fruit Rivendell Estate with a long finish. $70 fruit. Nice tannins. $22 flavours on the well- Margaret River Brash Road Vineyard Singlefile Great constructed palate. $25 Frankland River Swings & Single Vineyard Southern Cabernet Woody Nook Killdog Tempranillo Shiraz Roundabouts Margaret River Sauvignon Merlot Creek Margaret 2020 HHH 90pts Backyard Stories Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 HHH 91pts River Tempranillo Some dark cherry fruit Mount Barker Syrah 2020 Dark berry/cherry fruit 2020 HHHH 94pts with forest floor/leafy Pinot Noir 2021 HHHH 94pts characters with leathery- Oak driven wine layered elements and chewy HHH 91pts Medium bodied purple like layers and silky with plum and rum-like tannins. $36 A melange of raspberry hued wine with simple tannins. $25 characters with chewy and sour cherry fruit, raspberry and blackberry tannins and a savoury Below & Above cola, spices and fine fruit characters showing CABERNET finish. $24 Single Vineyard tannins. $45 violet nuances. $60 SAUVIGNON RiverBank Estate Pemberton Merlot Choosy Beggars Rebellious Swan 2017 HHH 90pts Below & Above Margaret River 21 TASTED Valley G.S.M. 2021 Smells of rum and raisin Single Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 17 AWARDED HHH1/2 92pts chocolate with soft Pemberton 2019 HHHH 94pts Bright lifted cherry slightly stewed fruit Pinot Noir 2018 Leafy blackcurrant This is a variety that WA aromas and a nicely flavours. Drink now. $40 HHH 91pts bouquet and flavours does very well. “Very structured plum palate, Black cherry fruit aromas of plums and cherries solid group of wines some spiciness and PINOT NOIR and flavours with hints with fine tannins and a with great fruit and well- chalky tannins. $25 of mint and chewy savoury finish. $16 handled oak,” enthused Singlefile 6 TASTED tannins. $40 one judge. “The wines Great Southern 4 AWARDED that failed tended to be Tempranillo 2021 CABERNET either too green or had HHH1/2 92pts Most of the pinots BLENDS too much oak for the Dark cherry nose with here were in the darker level of fruit involved.” a peppery lift and more spectrum, fuller in style 5 TASTED pepper on the generous and good drinking but 5 AWARDED Plantagenet Wyjup sweet fruit palate. $25 some lacked layering Collection Mount Woody Nook complexity. A solid and consistent Barker Cabernet Limited Release flight. “A good Sauvignon 2019 G & T Margaret Mount Trio Great level of ripeness HHHH1/2 96pts River Graciano Southern Pinot Noir and nice blending Earthy leathery bouquet Tempranillo 2020 2019 HHHH 94pts arrangements,” said with a floral/violet-like HHH1/2 92pts A bigger style of pinot one judge. lift and well-integrated Deep ruby wine with with a generosity of characters on the palate attractive plum and lifted red berry fruits of cherries and plums raspberry fruit characters edged with forest floor/ and cedar oak with minty and a hint of pepper and barnyard notes. $20 medicinal notes. $80 spices. $28 JUDGES Victor Zghiban Matt O'Leary Shaughn Jenkins Winemaker at Dorrien Chief winemaker for Direct Sales Manager, Estate. WSET graduate, Savitas Wines in the Maxwell Wines. Completed level 3. Previously Barossa Valley. Formerly WSET Diploma Course, with Blackstone Senior Winemaker along with Spanish and Constellation for Wolf Blass Wines. French Wine Scholar Course. (California). Judge at the Barossa Has his own wine education wine show. Panelist website. Has previously at the Advanced Wine worked with Villa Maria and Assessment Course. Gibbston Valley (NZ). 54 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Saracen Estates Abbey Vale Rosabrook 'Dear Twinwoods Estate SHIRAZ/SYRAH Margaret River Margaret River Father' Reserve Optivus Margaret & BLENDS Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River River Cabernet 2017 HHHH 95pts 2019 HHHH 94pts Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon 2016 14 TASTED A leafy, leathery, forest Lovely bouquet of 2019 HHH1/2 92pts HHH1/2 92pts 11 AWARDED floor-like medium bodied plums, figs and cigar Deep ruby wine layered A lovely wine – dark, cabernet with velvety box oak with good with blackcurrant fruit brooding, layered Overall, a good solid smooth tannins in concentration of dark and herbs well framed and complex with an flight of wines. “These support. $35 fruit flavours and by the tannins. $35 alluring concentration of are more vintage Saracen Estates balancing tannins. $25 James Busby flavours. $45 dependent,” said one Reserve Margaret Woody Nook 'Vineyard Series' Rivendell Estate judge. “The 2019s are River Cabernet Gallagher's Choice Margaret River Margaret River showing off the cool Sauvignon 2017 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon climate characters well, HHHH 95pts Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 HHH1/2 92pts 2020 HHH 91pts whereas the 2020s Dark, brooding and 2018 HHH1/2 93pts A lovely drink with good A velvety smooth were variable and some earthy with subdued Interesting wine; intensity and length of cabernet with a good of the older wines were aromas and a palate complex and layered, herbal blue fruit aromas dense core of varietal starting fade.” offering a mouthful smelling of coffee and flavours. $40 fruit characters. $32 of dark sweet berry liqueur with rum and Swings & Brash Road Vineyard Brash Road Vineyard flavours. $65 raisin flavours. $65 Roundabouts Single Vineyard Single Vineyard Bettenay Wines James Busby Backyard Stories Margaret River Margaret River Margaret River Margaret River Margaret River Cabernet 2020 Syrah 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon HHH 91pts HHHH 95pts 2018 HHHH 94pts 2020 HHH1/2 92pts 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Lift of violets on the Sweet and spicy blue Stalky black fruit Bright, light and lifted A riper style of cabernet dark fruit nose - showing fruit fragrances that fragrances with meaty berry fragrances and with blackcurrant fruit some richness to the follow through onto the nuances and more flavours with a dash of characters and hints of silky palate. $50 long lingering palate smallgoods savouriness spice and fine tannin leather and tobacco. $55 Gralyn Estate with its fine tannins. $45 echoed on the chewy structure. $25 Twinwoods Estate Reserve Margaret palate. $45 Ringbolt Margaret Optivus Margaret River Cabernet Abbey Vale Bettenay Wines River Cabernet River Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Margaret River Barrel Select Sauvignon 2020 Sauvignon 2017 HHH 91pts Shiraz 2020 Margaret River HHH1/2 92pts HHH1/2 92pts Still has some dark HHHH 94pts Cabernet Sauvignon Aromas of berries, herbs A medium bodied varietal fruit characters Deep ruby wine with a 2018 HHHH 94pts and violets with leafy wine with sweet and evident with cigar-like jubey blue fruit profile, A plush varietal fruit blueberry flavours tinged leafy dark fruit varietal oak notes. $120 a dash of pepper, hints wine that is, “A pleasure with tobacco oak. $30 characters and silky of cola and good tannin to drink!” An intense tannins. $48 structure. $25 bouquet and soft cassis/ plum palate developing nicely. $65 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 55
WINES OF THE WEST Swings & Plantagenet Wyjup Gralyn Estate CONNECT ON SOCIAL Roundabouts Collection Mount Margaret River WITH WINESTATE Margaret River Barker Shiraz 2019 Rare Tawny NV Shiraz 2020 HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 95pts www.facebook.com/Winestate-Magazine HHHH 94pts An austere tannic wine A very rich but fresh twitter.com/winestateed Bright lifted peppery with just a suggestion style. Great colour cherry varietal fruit of nice plum fruit and showing a green rim; www.instagram.com/winestate/ characters. Quite oak. $80 smelling and tasting savoury on the palate of prunes and raisins Follow us and keep up to date with all our with a fine tannin Twinwoods Estate with nice nuttiness and latest wine info, tastings, competitions and spine. $26 Margaret River delicious hints of orange events on facebook, twitter and instagram. Silkwood Estate Shiraz 2016 peel. $60 The Walcott HHH 90pts Pemberton Shiraz A subdued nose with 2019 HHHH 94pts a delicate hint of An alluring spicy/ fruit. Palate shows peppery cool climate forest floor/leathery style of shiraz with a characters. $27 silky-smooth mid-weight palate. $30 FORTIFIED Gilbert Wines Reserve Great 2 TASTED Southern WA Shiraz 2 AWARDED 2019 HHH1/2 92pts A fresh and juicy shiraz Two fantastic examples style layered with blue from the same company fruits, spices and black – a great fortified pepper elements. $40 producer worth seeking Woody Nook Single out. Vineyard Margaret River Shiraz 2020 HHH 91pts A spicy oak driven wine with some nice blue fruits sitting underneath. $36 Brash Road Vineyard Single Vineyard Margaret River Syrah 2020 HHH 91pts A very well-balanced wine with a sweet and spicy blue varietal fruit profile. $45 Gralyn Estate Gralyn Estate Reserve Margaret Artizan Margaret River Shiraz 2018 River Rare Muscat HHH 91pts NV HHHHH 98pts A lighter “shaded fruit” A beautiful and alluring style with a lolly-like rose-petal of a nose and sweetness and licorice showing great presence notes. $120 and richness of raisined Twinwoods Estate fruit flavours seamlessly Single Vineyard wrapped in some great Margaret River acidity. $95 Shiraz 2017 HHH 91pts Quite a linear style that is all blue fruits and bacon bone-like oak with some lingering sweetness. $29 56 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
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travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS WONDERFUL WILLUNGA native bushland, Ultimate Winery indoor and outdoor kitchen, bathroom, FARMER’S MARKET Experiences has released a list of the and floor to ceiling windows. best places to stay among the vines in HOME to one of the oldest Farmer's 2022. Two to choose from: Bella and Mila. Markets in Australia, McLaren Vale has The two are approximately 150 metres become synonymous with fresh fruits and In McLaren Vale, family owned, and from each other, separated by gum vegetables, delicious gourmet delicacies operated Gemtree Wines came up trees. Prices start from $229 per night and unique handmade crafts. trumps. off season. With farmer's markets, artisan markets Gemtree is dedicated to producing For those with more expensive tastes, and country craft markets - there's a hive of organic and biodynamic wines and the two ultra-luxe CABN X accommodation community activity in the region year-round. Gemtree Biodynamic Hut, located at the pods start from $595 per night. cellar door, provides guests with a deeper Willunga Farmers Market was the first understanding of biodynamic viticulture, The Gemtree tasting room is open farmers’ market to be established in South with the one-kilometre Gemtree Ecotrail seven days from 11am-5pm (excluding Australia and is now considered one of meandering through regenerated natural Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing the best. bushland, offering an Day). www.gemtreewines.com immersive connection ‘Meet the grower and taste the region’ to the surrounding land is the theme for this market, held every that inspires Gemtree's Saturday in the grounds of the Willunga guiding philosophies. High School. With more than 60 stalls selling fresh primary produce from regional Stay on the property in farms and Fleurieu Peninsula products an off-grid, self-contained shoppers experience all that is fresh and CABN, surrounded by seasonal. The market celebrated 20 years bushland, beneath towering in February. ancient gums. Spend a warm evening watching THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE the sunset from the outdoor ULTIMATE GETAWAY bath, sunken into the deck. FROM luxury glamping and picturesque The CABNs feature a cottages to eco-stays nestled amongst king-sized bed, fireplace, 58 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
travelbriefs STAY AT ESCA ceiling windows overlooking Inman Valley COMINGS AND GOINGS to the Southern Ocean. VISITORS to the Fleurieu Peninsula, THERE is change afoot in the greater one of South Australia's top wine Think automated blinds and energy- Fleurieu area. Several new cellar doors and wilderness regions, have a new efficient design. have received government grants to accommodation option. expand or redevelop including Oliver’s Each suite offers a selection of Taranga in McLaren Vale and Kangaroo ESCA, which opened in April, is the complimentary alcoholic and non- Island Spirits, with a focus towards first of a range of pod suites that will alcoholic beverages with a coffee pod education. Paxton Wines has also eventually be rolled out nationally. machine and Italian percolator, provided released a new tasting experience with with freshly ground coffee and recyclable a strong dedication on organic and The launch property, an ideal base pods, as well as a selection of teas. biodynamic philosophy. for anyone wanting to explore the many wineries of McLaren Vale while staying There are breakfast goodies and The Randall Wine Group (RWG) has in a remote location, contains two luxury provisions for an aperitivo (sunset drinks continued its purchasing portfolio adding stand-alone suites, self-contained and and nibbles) as well as built-in outdoor McLaren Vale brand Penny’s Hill/Black suitable for couples in the Inman Valley, barbecue, outdoor soaking bath, firepit Chook to the mix. RWG owns close to 3500 just one hour from Adelaide between and fully stocked firewood supply. hectares of vineyards in regions across Victor Harbor and Yankalilla. South Australia, including the Barossa, The team behind ESCA, formerly Riverland, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, The suites are architecturally designed known as Escapod, features several Currency Creek, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and crafted to appeal to high-end tourists Adelaide-based trailblazers in the and Eden Valley. and are off grid without compromising on tourism, architecture, and construction luxury. They sit in a rural location on 200 industries, headed by Steve Kernaghan, Previous page top: DoBee Honey at Willunga acres with sweeping views. who is ex Tourism Australia, Qantas, Farmers Market. South Australian Tourism Commission, Previous page bottom: Exterior of a CABN at Each 60sqm suite includes an al fresco Journey Beyond, and Great Southern Gemtree Wines. area, separate stone outdoor terrace, Rail. Rates start from $480 per night at Top and middle: ESCA accomodation. open-plan kitchen, dining, lounge, and esca.com.au Above: Exterior of Paxton Wines. bedroom with double-glazed floor-to- May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 59
208 TASTED 184 AWARDED McLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS One of our favourite regions, Adelaide's south never fails OTHER WHITE to disapoint. Always a good supplier of flavoursome wines VARIETALS & these last few years has seen a rise in more mid-weight styles, BLENDS including alternative reds and whites. Here we also saw a great flight of rosé wines and not surprisingly grenache, which this 17 TASTED region does best! 17 AWARDED SPARKLING Excellent line-up of alternative varietals 4 TASTED showing how far these have come. “These 3 AWARDED exude their varietal character and some of A very solid class of the fumé styles show “old school” styles; well additional attention to made with good mousse winemaking,” enthused and great mouthfeel. one judge. Scarpantoni Black d'Arenberg The Haselgrove Tempest McLaren Money Spider Alternative Series Vale Sparkling McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Shiraz NV Roussanne 2021 Fiano 2021 HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts Rich shiraz, ageing Very flavoursome golden A really pretty wine – nicely with a ripe and wine with intense sweet very delicate and very spicy plum bouquet and musky melon aromas drinkable with elegant a veritable explosion of and a rich varietal fruit riesling-like citrus sweet red flavours with palate with great acid. characters, some good fresh acid and a sweet Promises complexity zingy acidity and nice finish. $28 with ageing. $22 grippy element. $24 Argento Langhorne Watkins Langhorne Watkins Langhorne Creek Fiano 2021 Creek Sparkling Creek Sparkling HHHH1/2 96pts Brut Rosé 2021 Blanc de Blancs A full-bodied lemon HHHH 94pts 2021 HHH1/2 92pts meringue pie of a wine. Candy sweet aromas Nose is a richness of Hints of ginger biscuits and well-balanced melons and apples and on the nose and a grassy palate with great has flavours of apples complex and interesting mouthfeel and a long and melons with fresh creamy palate. Offers lingering finish. $25 acidity. $25 delicious drinking! $25 JUDGES Nigel Catt Andrew Jericho Sid Pachare Agent for Radoux Coopers Winemaker at Jericho Assistant Winemaker, and partner Ocvitti Wines. Previously Watkins Family viticulture. Formerly senior a winemaker at Wines. Seven years in winemaker Andrew Garret Maxwell Wines since hospitality as chef and wines and consultant for 2013. Previously with sommelier. Twelve Padthaway Estate and Mollydooker. Part of the years in winemaking Middleton wineries. Six McLaren Vale Scarce industry. Associate vintages in France and the Earth selection panel. judge Langhorne US. Judged at McLaren Vale Judge at Clare and Creek Wine Show. Wine Show. Riverland wine shows. 60 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Ulithorne Dona Scarpantoni MV Bay of Shoals Wines Geoff Merrill Watkins Classic McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Kangaroo Island Reserve McLaren Langhorne Creek Blanc 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Arinto 2021 Vale Chardonnay Rosé 2021 HHHH1/2 96pts 2021 HHHH 94pts HHHH 94pts 2017 HHHHH 98pts HHHHH 98pts Interesting example of a Beautiful vibrant Refined floral/perfumed A big rich chardonnay, A lovely complex wine – fumé Bordeaux-like style floral/tropical fruit bouquet with hints of still fresh, with a nose salmon pink with orange of white. Has stonefruit fragrances and nice citrus and stonefruits that is big and vibrant tints. The nose is a characters, creamy leesy citrus complexity to the and balanced sweet and smells of orange vibrancy of strawberries, notes and oak giving palate with great acid tropical flavours. $28 marmalade. Tastes of rhubarb and beetroot complexity. Drinking line. $14 apples and mandarins with fresh and lively well now. $20 Scarpantoni The Bio Project with good oak berry/rhubarb flavours. Angas & Bremer School Block White McLaren Vale Fiano integration. $40 $20 Langhorne Creek McLaren Vale 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Orbis Wines Pinot Grigio 2021 Sauvignon Blanc An Ovaltine-like Morgan Simpson McLaren Vale HHHH 95pts Semillon Chenin character to the nose Wines Two Clowns Tempranillo Floral aromatics on the Blanc 2021 and a well-rounded McLaren Vale Rosé 2021 vibrant nose. Rich and HHHH 94pts funky style palate. Chardonnay 2019 HHHH1/2 96pts earthy in the mouth with Grassy herbaceous-like Interesting! $25 HHH1/2 92pts Lively aromatic floral fruit flavours. Very aromas with passionfruit Cashew and peaches complexity of strawberry quaffable. $20 notes that follow Zonte's Footstep lift off the nose and and cherry aromas. through onto the crisp Lady of the Lake has generous flavours Great berry and apple Watkins Pilot Wild acid palate. $15 Fleurieu Viognier filling the creamy flavour profile with Fleurieu Sauvignon Fox Creek McLaren 2021 HHH1/2 92pts palate. $20 herbal elements. Good Blanc 2021 Vale Chenin Blanc Nose has a Champagne- mouthfeel. $30 HHHH 94pts 2021 HHHH 94pts like character with a Watkins Classic More of a fumé style Fresh lemon sherbet flavoursome mix of Langhorne Creek with light floral mineral of a nose and well- apricots/mangoes on the Chardonnay 2021 bouquet and a lengthy balanced palate with palate. $30 HHH 91pts palate offering good fresh apple flavour A lighter style showing drinkability. $25 profile. Great food Bay of Shoals Wines good varietal fruit wine. $23 Kangaroo Island characters. An enjoyable Zonte's Footstep Sauvignon Blanc drink. $20 Lady Marmalade 2020 HHH1/2 92pts Fleurieu Vermentino Complex developed ROSÉ 2021 HHHH 94pts aromas with a tropical and A pleasant drink – very stonefruit flavour profile 13 TASTED fresh with honeyed fruit and lots of acid. $25 10 AWARDED characters and some racy acidity. Great palate Bay of Shoals Wines An excellent line-up of length. $25 Kangaroo Island rosés. “Finally, we are Fox Creek McLaren Riesling 2020 seeing the best wines Vale Vermentino HHH 91pts made as designated 2021 HHHH 94pts Marmalade-like nose rosés rather than just Lifted citrus nose with with typical kero notes afterthoughts,” noted floral nuances and light developing. Good one judge. “These were fresh lime/stonefruit depth of juicy citrus made in the vineyard flavours with a zesty flavours. $28 and not afterwards!” acid backbone. $26 Bay of Shoals Wines CHARDONNAY Kangaroo Island Albarino 2021 5 TASTED HHHH 94pts 3 AWARDED A pretty wine – very racy acid dominated style A mixed group of with lovely pine/lime “polarised” styles from nose and musky fruit the light and watery to flavours. $28 rich and flavoursome. May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 61
McLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Mr. Riggs Fleurieu Angas & Bremer Watkins Pilot Morgan Simpson Watkins Pilot Peninsula Rosé 2020 Langhorne Creek Langhorne Creek Wines Plan B Meritage Quartet HHHH1/2 96pts Rosé 2021 Ruscello Sangiovese McLaren Vale Langhorne Creek Pretty pink wine with HHH 90pts 2020 HHHH1/2 Mataro 2015 Merlot Blend 2020 attractive grassiness Subdued rhubarb-like 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts and bubblegum aromas with fresh and Blood red wine with Nose still has lively fruit A solid nose layered sweetness. Good crisp simple rhubarb driven good meaty/red fruit aromas. Soft and velvety and complex with funky acidity, great mouthfeel flavours. $20 nose; slightly dusty in the mouth with lovely forest floor flavours and plenty of length. but in a good way. Oak integration between the showing roast meat-like Very drinkable. $28 OTHER RED driven palate over fresh sweet fruit, tannins and notes. $25 Bay of Shoals Wines VARIETALS & blueberries with chewy acid. Aging well. $18 Richard Hamilton Kangaroo Island BLENDS tannins. $25 Cockfighter's Ghost Farm Twelve Single Rosé 2021 Bec Hardy Wines Single Vineyard Vineyard McLaren HHHH 94pts 18 TASTED McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Vale Mourvèdre Interesting wine – big 17 AWARDED Mourvèdre 2020 Sangiovese 2018 2020 HHHH 94pts hit of musky-like aromas HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts Earthy chocolate cake coupled with red berries The judges found this An aromatic complexity Restrained yet complex of a nose. Plenty of oak and a very fresh sweet to be a consistent class of minty gamey earth floral nose and a on the palate – for now fruit palate. $25 of interesting varietals. characters with a delicate floral palate. - with good tannins. Will Shingleback “This region really suits big, bold, generously Plenty of acid with age well. $38 Haycutters McLaren the Mediterranean flavoured, tannic palate softening tannins. Still Ulithorne Magnum Vale Rosé 2021 varieties; both in in the savoury spectrum. fresh offering enjoyable Opus McLaren Vale HHH1/2 92pts the vineyards and in Will cellar well. $30 drinking. $25 Nero D'Avola 2019 Fragrances of rose petal the lifestyles of the Angas & Bremer Heartland Sposa e HHH1/2 92pts with a delicate floral fruit winemakers involved!” The Creek Sposa Langhorne Very attractive perfumed driven palate. Has good said one judge. Langhorne Creek Creek Lagrein bouquet with some drinkability. $18 Red Blend 2019 Dolcetto 2021 earthy complexity and Haselgrove Cockfighter's HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts an oak dominated Alternative Series Ghost Single Nice blend with an Deep purple wine with palate. $35 McLaren Vale Rosé Vineyard McLaren interesting array of an intense lifted berry d'Arenberg The 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Vale Barbera 2019 aromas and flavours. bouquet and “thick” Twenty Eight Road Subtle aromas HHHHH 98pts Good use of oak with meaty flavours with McLaren Vale reminiscent of freshly Intense earthy berry some lovely tannins. great tannins. $25 Mourvèdre 2018 mown lawns with good bouquet with some “Reminds me of the Heartland Langhorne HHH1/2 92pts length of gentle fruit beautiful floral notes. Aussie Burgundies of Creek Dolcetto A big wine with flavours. $24 Quite a masculine style old.” $20 2020 HHHH 94pts aromatic herbal red The Bio Project palate with generous Earthy/barnyard fruit nose and a McLaren Vale rich sweet flavours, characters obvious on very tannic palate. Monastrell Rosé firm acid and soft the nose with fresh “Definitely needs 2021 HHH1/2 92pts tannins. $25 sweet fruit flavours on food!” $32 A vibrancy of nectarine/ the balanced palate. $25 strawberry/red apple- Fox Creek like fruit characters Limited Release with great acidity to McLaren Vale Nero balance. $25 D'Avola 2021 Ulithorne Epoch HHHH1/2 96pts McLaren Vale Rosé A good primary wine 2021 HHH1/2 92pts with confectionery Bright pretty pink wine, sweet dark berry aromas lovely sweet fruit nose and a rich, strong and and light fruit palate with engaging varietal palate a sweet finish. $27 loaded with tannins. $29 The Bio Project By Shingleback McLaren Vale Rosé 2020 HHH1/2 92pts Good depth of apple/ peach aromas and nice freshness to the apple/ watermelon driven palate. $25 62 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Cockfighter's Ghost Zonte's Footstep Fox Creek Single Vineyard Madrugador Fleurieu Postmaster McLaren McLaren Vale Tempranillo 2021 Vale G.S.M. 2021 Nebbiolo 2017 HHHH 94pts HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts Dense inky black fruit Inviting aromas of Very lifted earthy nose fragrances and intense red fruit and spices. and brilliant varietal fruit driven flavours with Soft, youthful and palate with up-front a huge well-structured approachable rhubarb fruit and great tannin palate. Cellar it! $35 and plum driven palate. structure. $25 $29 The Bio Project Blackbilly McLaren Bec Hardy Wines McLaren Vale Vale G.S.M. 2020 Pertaringa Stage Tempranillo Blend HHHH 94pts Left McLaren Vale 2020 HHHH 94pts Rich sweet style with Merlot 2021 Very nice nose and obvious oak and some HHH1/2 91pts lovely palate that is a complexity coming Leafy mulberry aromas balance and fresh red through. Good body and with elegant fruit on fruits, plenty of oak and mouthfeel. $25 the palate. Lots of acid soft tannins. $25 Clarence Hill Red and tannins. Needs Label McLaren Vale cellaring! $25 Rusty Mutt Conejo Ulithorne Specialis Watkins Pilot Bright G.S.M. 2020 Joven McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Red Langhorne HHHH 94pts Watkins Pilot Real Tempranillo 2021 Tempranillo Creek Grenache Solid, rich and slightly Langhorne Creek HHHHH 98pts Grenache Graciano Sangiovese 2021 dusty aromas. Merlot 2020 Quite a meaty nose 2019 HHHH 94pts HHHHH 98pts Straightforward palate HHH1/2 91pts with marmalade-like Complex layers of A fresh vibrant pale red with good use of sweet Savoury nose; all notes – very Rioja-like! florals, fruit and blend with bright red oak. A nice wine. $40 prunes and figs with Soft and fresh in the meaty aromatics. Well fruits and spices lifting off Clarence Hill Red a fleshy berry fruit mouth with a vibrancy of balanced palate with the nose and a youthful Label McLaren Vale palate. Great example fruit flavours and good engaging tannins and and high acid somewhat G.S.M. 2019 of the variety. $25 tannin/acid balance. $35 good acid. $35 green palate with a long HHHH 94pts The Bio Project life ahead. $25 Dark and dusty fruit Richard Hamilton By Shingleback Fox Creek Limited Jericho Wines nose and still has a Lot 148 McLaren McLaren Vale Release McLaren McLaren Vale youthful minty palate Vale Merlot 2020 Tempranillo Blend Vale Tempranillo Grenache Shiraz with nice cigarbox-like HHH 90pts 2019 HHHH1/2 2021 HHH 91pts Mourvedre 2020 oak. $40 An oak driven wine; 96pts Quite complex aromas HHHH1/2 97pts Watkins Pilot some plums and A lovely wine – soft, for a young wine. Well- A big wine with a spice Symmetry savoury characters with uncomplicated and very made and seamlessly jar of a nose and a Langhorne Creek firm grippy tannins. $26 enjoyable. Loads of floral balanced. $29 classy, well-balanced G.S.M. 2020 fruit, lovely oak tannins palate with juicy fruit, HHH1/2 92pts TEMPRANILLO and some leathery GRENACHE sweet oak and well- Quite a funky nose- all & BLENDS elements adding BLENDS integrated tannins and a mint and eucalypt with complexity. $25 long grippy finish. Still a the same characters 7 TASTED Vale Organics 16 TASTED baby! $27 echoed on the peppery 7 AWARDED McLaren Vale 15 AWARDED Rusty Mutt Rocky palate. $25 Tempranillo 2019 Ox McLaren Vale Ulithorne Nova “This variety is well HHHH1/2 96pts Excellent bracket. “A G.S.M. 2020 Duo McLaren Vale suited to this region A generous well-made great blend of varieties HHHH1/2 96pts Grenache Shiraz producing tempranillo tempranillo with a which complement each A great blend, deep red 2019 HHH1/2 92pts wines as good as any complexity of minty other,” said one judge. with a generous spicy Nose not giving much from Rioja. red fruit, some herbal “Strangely the blends plum bouquet and a away. Palate is firm, nuances and lots of are lighter than the flavoursome complexity warm and tannic with an tannins. Very quaffable - straight grenache wines, to the sweet, rich and interesting texture. $35 needs food. $25 but also had added vibrant palate. $35 Haselgrove Switch complexity from the d'Arenberg d'Arry's McLaren Vale G.S.M. other varieties.” Original McLaren 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Vale Grenache “Complex and Shiraz 2019 mysterious.” Oak HHHH1/2 96pts driven aromas and nice A subtle minty integration of fruit and complexity of aromas oak flavours. $40 and a firm drying tannic palate with stalky complexity. “An interesting time on skins,” suggested one judge. $22 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 63
McLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Grandeur Wellington Artisan McLaren Vale G.S.M. 2018 HHH1/2 92pts Well-made wine with big rich sweet nose and a complexity of vanilla/oak and fruit flavours. $28 Red Knot Classified McLaren Vale G.S.M. 2021 HHH 91pts Ripe plum aromas with minty nose and youthful fruit palate with grippy tannins. $18 Richard Hamilton Shingleback NX By Merrill Grumpy Rohan Family After Morgan Simpson Colton's McLaren GEN McLaren Vale Gramps McLaren Dark McLaren Vale Wines Row 42 Vale G.S.M. 2020 Grenache 2021 Vale Grenache 2018 Grenache 2019 McLaren Vale HHH 91pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHH 91pts Cabernet Sauvignon Minty chocolate-like A pretty wine – well A very pretty grenache Funky characters on 2018 HHHHH 98pts fragrances with nice made – very youthful – well-made and the nose and some Sweet cassis and berry balance of rhubarb-like but approachable with a seamlessly balanced fruit sweetness on the nose with a leafy note flavours. $26 vibrancy of blueberries with an abundance of palate. $28 and tobacco hints. d'Arenberg The and plums and a dash rhubarb-like fruit and Interesting palate, quite Ironstone Pressings of cinnamon with soft a massive amount of CABERNET & complex with great McLaren Vale G.S.M. tannins. $25 oak. $25 BLENDS varietal fruit presence 2018 HHH 91pts Blackbilly Old and velvety tannins. Quite a minty Vine McLaren Vale 32 TASTED $20 green nose with a Grenache 2020 27 AWARDED Heartland One straightforward oak HHHH 94pts Langhorne Creek dominated palate. $76 A good wine with a Solid but mixed results Cabernet Sauvignon pungent nose showing with general consistency Shiraz 2016 GRENACHE Bec Hardy Wines stalky notes and a lively across the board. HHHHH 98pts Pertaringa Two complexity of stalky “This region gives you A lovely, aged cabernet 10 TASTED Gentlemen's flavours. $25 generous flavours which that ticks all the boxes. 9 AWARDED McLaren Vale Organic Hill won’t let you down,” Very varietal aromas Grenache 2020 Founders Release said one judge. “You layered with beautiful Another excellent HHHH1/2 96pts McLaren Vale know what you are secondary characters class! “These were Varietal aromas Grenache 2021 getting!” and a silky-smooth fuller in flavour than the reminiscent of plums HHH1/2 92pts flavoursome palate. $79 blends with well-crafted and red apples with a Very young and tannic Bay of Shoals Wines Argento McLaren winemaking,” said one complex palate loaded with stewed Rhubarb- Kangaroo Island Vale Cabernet judge. “This region with great sweet and like fruit characters and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020 produces great grenache spicy fruit flavours and medicinal nuances. $50 2019 HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts fruit; a yardstick for nice tannins. $25 Richard Hamilton “Awesome nose!” A A soft rich and warming Australian grenache.” Watkins Burton's Vineyard lifted sweetness of wine – still very Pilot Uncanny Single Vineyard violets, lavender and young with aromas of Watkins Pilot Langhorne Creek McLaren Vale mint on the nose with blackcurrants, aniseed Uncanny Langhorne Grenache 2020 Grenache 2020 a complex oak driven and violets and layers Creek Grenache HHHH1/2 96pts HHH1/2 92pts palate bordering on of minty chocolate and 2021 HHHHH 98pts Soft and enjoyable wine Good varietal wine that savoury with a funky cassis fruit flavours. A lovely big, sweet with a blackcurrant nose is both elegant and edge. $30 “Stunning!” $25 wine with great showing Ribena-like powerful with red fruits, spicy red fruit varietal nuances and a lovely herbal notes and some characters. Lovely, lifted sweet and juicy palate warmth. $38 aromatics and a soft and laced with fine tannins. flavoursome palate with $25 a great finish. $25 64 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Bec Hardy Wines Bec Hardy Wines Watkins Classic Visit our website and keep Pertaringa Pertaringa Langhorne Creek up to date with all our latest Understudy McLaren Understudy McLaren Cabernet Sauvignon wine info, news, competitions, Vale Cabernet Vale Cabernet 2020 HHH1/2 92pts Sauvignon 2020 Sauvignon 2019 Dense licoricey tastings and events. HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts nose with broad and An excellent balance Classic aromatic complex flavours and Become a subscriber to enter between the lifted complexity of oak lingering in the into our exciting regular florals, fresh varietal blackberry jam and background. $20 competitions. fruit and lovely violets with a varietally Richard Hamilton spiciness with funky defined and well- Hut Block McLaren Follow us and keep up to complexity and mouth- balanced palate. $25 Vale Cabernet date with all our latest watering acidity. $25 Haselgrove Sauvignon 2020 wine info, tastings and Clarence Hill Protector McLaren HHH1/2 92pts Reserve McLaren Vale Cabernet Heady meaty aromas events on facebook, twitter Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 with a varietally pure and instagram. Sauvignon 2019 HHHH 94pts palate that shows a fair HHHH1/2 96pts Interesting nose of ripe whack of tannins. $26 Winestate Magazine Nose shows a nice red fruits and dried figs. Lake Breeze @WinestateEd lift of fruit with spicy Rich cassis fruit palate Langhorne Creek elements adding with substantial sweet Cabernet Sauvignon www.winestate.com.au complexity. Palate has oak. Ageing well. $40 2020 HHH1/2 92pts a complex array of red Lake Breeze Wines Lifted minty nose fruits and spices. Old Arthur's Reserve beautifully integrated school style. $70 Langhorne Creek with the spicy oak. Fox Creek Jim's Cabernet Sauvignon Palate is funky, oaky and Script McLaren Vale Malbec Petit Verdot complex. $28 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 HHHH 94pts Cockfighter's Ghost Merlot Cabernet Perfumed floral Single Vineyard Franc 2016 fragrances with hints of McLaren Vale HHHH1/2 96pts cigar box. Great palate Cabernet Sauvignon Meaty savoury bouquet structure with generous 2019 HHH1/2 92pts with a lift of rich red savoury flavours. $48 Big ripe style with sweet fruits. Well-structured Shingleback D Block raspberry bouquet and palate still offering Reserve McLaren silky-smooth varietal vibrant red fruit Vale Cabernet palate with lots of flavours with plenty of Sauvignon 2019 tannins. $25 tannins. $29 HHHH 94pts Mr. Riggs Sulis McLaren Vale Fresh youthful Langhorne Creek III Associates confectionery nose Cabernet Sauvignon Renaissance and very good, well- 2019 HHH1/2 92pts McLaren Vale balanced, varietal Complex spicy licorice Cabernet Sauvignon palate with some leafy aromas with herbal Merlot 2021 characters. $55 elements. The palate HHHH 94pts Bec Hardy Wines is fresh, complex and Vibrant aromas of spicy Pertaringa Tipsy fruity. $25 blueberries with a Hill McLaren Vale d'Arenberg The High simple but elegant red Cabernet Sauvignon Trellis McLaren Vale berry and blackcurrant 2019 HHHH 94pts Cabernet Sauvignon palate. $30 Broad dark fruit aromas 2018 HHH1/2 92pts Shingleback Davey with a violet lift and A density of cassis Estate McLaren Vale lovely berry fruit flavours fragrances and an aged Cabernet Sauvignon with good length of funky palate with lots 2020 HHHH 94pts grippy tannins. $295 of acid and lingering Dense licorice aromatics Bec Hardy Wines tannins. $22 with an herbal lift. Quite Pertaringa Tipsy Grandeur Wellington a tannic palate with Hill McLaren Vale Artisan McLaren upfront fruit flavours and Cabernet Sauvignon Vale Cabernet firm acidity. $25 2018 HHHH 94pts Sauvignon 2018 Angas & Bremer Lovely deep earthy/ HHH1/2 92pts Langhorne Creek forest floor characters Leafy cabernet nose Cabernet Sauvignon on the nose and a and a fresh blackcurrant 2019 HHHH 94pts pleasant ripe fruit palate at the green Quite an inky earthy palate with good tannin end of the spectrum. bouquet and a dense structure. $295 Enjoyable! $30 palate with good concentration of varietal flavours. Both fresh and funky! $25 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 65
McLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Watkins Cellar Watkins Classic Doc Adams Single Pilot Wine Co. Bird's Eye View Reserve Currency Langhorne Creek Vineyard McLaren McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Shiraz Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2020 Vale Shiraz 2020 Shiraz 2020 2020 HHH 91pts Sauvignon 2016 HHHHH 98pts HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Interesting nose showing HHH1/2 92pts A berry bomb of a nose A very “pretty” shiraz Excellent example hints of pine needles Delicate fruit aromas with an explosion of with generous varietal of an Aussie style with a slightly sweet/ with sweet herbs and fresh blue fruits. An fruit fragrances and of shiraz that has an sour palate. $16 meaty touches and a interesting complexity a very lengthy and abundance of lovely well-balanced ripe fruit of spicy raspberries on seamlessly balanced pure varietal fruits Red Knot Classified palate. $35 the palate with a balance palate layered with laced with attractive McLaren Vale Shiraz of oak. Will age well. fruit, spices and dried sweet oak. $33 2020 HHH 91pts Vale Organics $20 herbs. $50 Richard Hamilton A big rich blueberry McLaren Vale Little Road McLaren bouquet leading to a Cabernet Sauvignon Scarpantoni Vale Shiraz 2020 fresh spicy red fruit 2020 HHH 91pts California Rd HHHH 94pts palate. $18 Lovely aromatic wine of McLaren Vale Shiraz The nose is rich, herbal red berries, mulberries 2020 HHHHH 98pts and spicy and it is Shingleback and sweet spices with An amazing big old creamy smooth in the Davey Estate grippy tannins. $25 school style of shiraz mouth with sweet fruits McLaren Vale Shiraz with a fabulous nose and elegant oak. $26 2020 HHH 91pts Heartland Directors' and lovely silky-smooth Argento McLaren Slightly dusty fruit Cut Langhorne palate loaded with dark Vale Shiraz 2020 nose and a huge Creek Cabernet plum flavours and rich HHHH 94pts uncomplicated palate Sauvignon 2018 with oak. $25 Soft, simple and starting with lots of young fruit. HHH 91pts to develop some aged Give it time to meld Spicy red currant Orbis Wines Whole notes. Has subtle together. $25 bouquet and a sweet Bunch McLaren cherry/plum fruit, hints richness of fruit flavours Vale Shiraz 2021 of aniseed and a dash of Zonte's Footstep with a tannic grip. $37 HHHH1/2 96pts pepper. $25 Chocolate Factory A well-made wine with Zonte's Footstep McLaren Vale Shiraz Angas Plains Estate a lively fruit bouquet Nature's Crux 2020 HHH 91pts Special Reserve and a youthful and Fleurieu Shiraz 2021 Quite a complex wine Langhorne Creek flavoursome palate with HHH1/2 92pts with lifted fruit/oak Cabernet Sauvignon a good tannin structure Raspberry-like aromas aromas and subtle fruit 2014 HHH 90pts and some well-handled with a hint of mint and flavours. $30 Funky earthy nose and oak. $37 good length of juicy fruit palate still showing flavours with obvious SHIRAZ 2019 some fruit vibrancy. acid. $35 Good for its age. $40 Orbis Wines Original 24 TASTED McLaren Vale Shiraz 22 AWARDED SHIRAZ 2021 HHH1/2 92pts 2021-2020 A thick, rich and ripe The judges agreed style of shiraz layered this was a very strong 19 TASTED with red fruits, oak class – as it should be 15 AWARDED sweetness and fine from this region with tannins. $37 2019 being a great A solid group with some Pensilva Estate vintage. “Here we real highlights. “There McLaren Vale Shiraz see a consistency of is a clear difference 2020 HHH1/2 92pts ripe flavours without between old school Attractive excessive heat or and modern styles,” straightforward style winemaking intervention said one judge. “Old with youthful varietal along with appropriate school offers big fruits, some spiciness oak balance,” said one flavours and lots of oak, and lingering tannins. judge. “These rival the whereas new school $20 best in the world!” “Buy has brightness and Leconfield McLaren them now!” advised freshness with softer Vale Shiraz 2020 another. tannins – each has its HHH1/2 92pts place!” A good straightforward shiraz with some eucalypt on the nose and a slightly spicy green palate. $28 66 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Bec Hardy Wines Shingleback James Haselgrove Reserve McLaren Haycutters McLaren Future's McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 Vale Shiraz 2019 Vale Shiraz 2019 HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts Nose offers red fruit Great colour here with A well-made shiraz fragrances with peppery/ fresh fragrances of red with a subtlety of red spicy notes and an berry fruits with hints fruit aromas and some abundance of lovely of rhubarb. Great palate straight-forward varietal varietal fruit flavours is ripe and complex fruit flavours. $75 well integrated with with generous soft fruit the oak and a lingering flavours. $18 Richard Hamilton finish. $50 Centurion 126-Year- Old Vine McLaren Zonte's Vale Shiraz 2019 Footstep Age of HHHH 94pts Enlightenment An attractive style at the McLaren Vale Shiraz spicy end of the spectrum 2019 HHHHH 98pts with some sweet/sour Lightly pungent aromas elements and slightly with some dried meat- green oak. $80 like characters and Zonte's Footstep interesting complexity of The Gate McLaren Haselgrove Catkin Blackbilly McLaren Lake Doctor gamey earthy flavours Vale Shiraz 2019 McLaren Vale Vale Shiraz 2019 Langhorne Creek with cigar box oak and HHHH1/2 96pts Shiraz 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Shiraz 2019 softening tannins. $75 A great example of HHHH1/2 96pts A pleasant wine with HHHHH 98pts Haselgrove the variety with a mix Lifted jubey red berry subtle use of coconut-like “A really nice First Cut McLaren of herbal and berry fruit fragrances with a oak characters and some straightforward style of Vale Shiraz 2019 fragrances and subtle well-balanced palate that alcohol warmth. $25 shiraz,” said one judge. HHHH1/2 96pts intensity of varietal fruit/ exhibits an elegance of Bec Hardy Wines Fleshy and rounded with Earthy red fruit bouquet oak flavours. Velvety sweet and spicy fruits Pertaringa Yeoman plum and raspberry-like with a stalky element tannins. $39.95 and soft tannins. $40 McLaren Vale Shiraz fruit characters and and good rounded plum Wines By Geoff Bec Hardy Wines 2019 HHH1/2 92pts dusty/earthy notes. $30 palate with forest floor Hardy Handcrafted Pertaringa Generosity of rich ripe Bec Hardy Wines complexity and some McLaren Vale Undercover McLaren aromas and a spiced Barbara Hardy elegant tannins. $23 Shiraz 2019 Vale Shiraz 2019 plum palate still showing Nature Foundation HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts good acid freshness. McLaren Vale Shiraz Subtle red fruit The subdued nose not $250 2019 HHHHH 98pts aromas with nutmeg- giving much away but Fox Creek Red A very good, well-made like nuances and a has a very solid varietal Baron McLaren Vale fuller style with subtle generosity of plum and fruit driven palate. $25 Shiraz 2019 spicy plum aromatics red berry fruit flavours Vale Organics HHH1/2 91pts and a flavoursome with juicy acidity. Very McLaren Vale Shiraz Plum fruit fragrances richness of jubey sweet drinkable! $30 2019 HHHH 94pts with a herbal edge and fruit and chocolate cake A lifted lightweight style a simple lightweight flavours with a sweet of shiraz sitting in the palate which has lots of finish. $20 spicy/menthol spectrum acid in support. $18 Bec Hardy Wines and offering good Morgan Simpson Pertaringa mouthfeel. $25 Wines Basket Press Over the Top Mr. Riggs McLaren McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz Vale Shiraz 2019 2019 HHH 91pts 2019 HHHHH 98pts HHHH 94pts Overt oak driven style A rich and slightly earthy Nose shows subtle with caramel-like nose with a subtlety of hints of spicy red characters and a sweet cured meats and plum fruits with a very finish. $22 fruit. Nicely rounded good, elegant palate Angas & Bremer in the mouth with with subtle oak and Langhorne Creek generous complexity of balancing tannins. $32 Shiraz 2019 ripe fruit flavours. $40 Clarence Hill Red HHH 90pts Label McLaren Vale Simple plum fruit and Shiraz 2019 vanilla oak nose and HHHH 94pts a nice grippy ripe fruit Smells of ripe plums and palate. $25 spicy peaches and has a long lingering oak driven palate with tight tannin structure. $40 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 67
McLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Heartland Directors' Shingleback Ulithorne Familia Rusty Mutt Original Ivyburn First Cut Langhorne Unedited McLaren McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Shiraz Minister McLaren Creek Shiraz 2019 Vale Shiraz 2018 Shiraz 2018 2018 HHHH 94pts Vale Shiraz 2018 HHH 90pts HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Generous upfront fruit HHH1/2 92pts A straightforward oak Fresh lifted bramble-like A complex combination fragrances and lively A powerful well aged driven shiraz; lovely aromas and complex of gamey/mushroom-like richly flavoured palate shiraz that has fine hints of plums and blackcurrant driven aromas with an elegant with good use of oak and tannins and elegant some medicinal notes palate with sweet and well-balanced red balancing tannins. $35 spiciness. Drinking well highlighted. $37 oak and great tannin berry palate showing Fox Creek Short now. $35 structure. Plenty of life subtle sweetness. $40 Row McLaren Vale Grandeur Wellington SHIRAZ 2018 left in it yet! $79.95 Haselgrove Col Shiraz 2018 Gen 69 McLaren Ulithorne Dona Cross McLaren HHHH 94pts Vale Shiraz 2018 26 TASTED McLaren Vale Shiraz Vale Shiraz 2018 Oaky nose with a HHH1/2 92pts 22 AWARDED 2018 HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts mineral-like thread and Good spicy nose Another great class Still showing beautiful Attractive secondary a rich and flavoursome with hints of cola and of shiraz wines. “Age purple highlights with characters on the chocolaty/fruit cake lingering acidity gives here has created extra lovely rich floral red fruit blackberry/plum nose. of a palate. Plenty of freshness to the red fruit complexity at the fragrances and a long A generous creamy tannins. $38 flavours. $45 expense of vibrancy,” elegant and complex chocolaty palate with Ulithorne Antiqua Ulithorne Immortelle said one judge. “The palate with a creamy meaty/savoury elements. McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz best here showed finish. Good cellaring Needs food. $90 2018 HHHH 94pts 2018 HHH1/2 92pts insightful use of oak potential. $30 Ulithorne Avitus Interesting nose An aromatic complexity to match the big fruit Zonte's Footstep McLaren Vale Shiraz showing funky of funky, earthy and flavours, without Z-Force McLaren 2018 HHHH 96pts characters with a pure tar-like characters with overdoing it, as has Vale Shiraz 2018 Nose opens up nicely varietal palate that is generous blue fruit happened in the past.” HHHH1/2 97pts with varietal fruit and in the savoury/meaty flavours. $55 Complex savoury nose has lovely fresh varietal spectrum. $50 Ulithorne Prospera Shingleback D Block with spicy secondary flavours with good Ulithorne Astrum McLaren Vale Shiraz Reserve McLaren characters developing. tannin integration. $85 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 92pts Vale Shiraz 2018 A full bodied, complex 2018 HHHH 94pts Plums and herbs lift off HHHHH 98pts palate with acid giving Grandeur Wellington Restrained red fruit nose the nose with generous Great intensity of a lively lift. Will age Artisan McLaren with delicate spicy notes flavours and great unadorned blue fruit well. $75 Vale Shiraz 2018 and a complex berry fruit tannin structure on the aromas and good HHHH1/2 94pts and spicy oak palate. palate. $55 length of nicely Lifted bouquet that’s Grippy yet subtle. $55 Ulithorne Paternus focussed fruit flavours both fresh and complex Limelight McLaren McLaren Vale Shiraz seamlessly integrated with hints of earthy red Vale Shiraz 2018 2018 HHH1/2 92pts with the oak and the fruits. The palate is firm HHHH 94pts A simple, elegant and firm tannins. $55 and grippy with vibrant Fresh red fruit aromas soft shiraz with earthy fruit and juicy acid. $30 mingle with cigar box red fruit characters. and leather notes. Has plenty of cellaring Generous red fruit palate potential. $85 with silky mouthfeel. Ulithorne Unicus $100 McLaren Vale Shiraz Bec Hardy Wines 2018 HHH1/2 92pts Pertaringa Yeoman Confectionery sweet McLaren Vale Shiraz berry bouquet and 2018 HHHH 94pts seamless integration Ruby red wine with a of raspberry fruit and complex nose and a sweet vanillin oak. $85 generous fruit cake-like palate. A well-made varietal. $250 68 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Haselgrove Ulithorne Frux Scarpantoni Ulithorne Dona Morgan Simpson Ambassador Frugis McLaren Vale School Block Red McLaren Vale Shiraz Wines Barcore McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHHH McLaren Vale Grenache 2018 McLaren Vale 2018 HHH1/2 92pts 94pts Shiraz Cabernet HHHH1/2 96pts Shiraz Mataro 2017 A still closed nose and Brambly bouquet with Merlot 2020 Inky nose with dried HHH1/2 92pts medium weight palate forest floor nuances. Big HHHH1/2 96pts fruit-like notes and a A lifted aromatic still with plenty of tannin generous oaky palate A great food wine with rich ripe sweet fruit bouquet, lovely and soft and acid. Needs more with dark fruits pushing savoury/meaty aromas. palate with good oak in the mouth with lots time! $90 through. $150 Complex palate structure integration and plenty of of rich sweet flavours. with lovely lifted tannins and acid. $27 $20 Old Faithful BT Watkins Cellar perfumed fruit flavours McLaren Vale Shiraz Reserve McLaren showing apricot-like Bec Hardy Wines Angas Plains Estate 2018 HHH 91pts Vale Shiraz 2014 notes. $16 McLaren Vale Shiraz Langhorne Creek A ruby red, oak bomb of HHHH 94pts Angas & Bremer The Tempranillo 2019 Shiraz Cabernet a wine with interesting Charming vibrancy of Creek Langhorne HHHH 94pts Sauvignon 2012 funky/forest floor blue fruit aromas and Creek Shiraz Plenty of red fruits and HHH1/2 92pts characters. $70 great velvety smooth Cabernet 2019 mixed herbs obvious on A generous funky fruit fruitcake of a palate. Still HHHH1/2 96pts the nose with a lively 10-year-old, drinking well SHIRAZ has plenty of acid. $35 Inky and tarry on the palate, tight tannins and now with a couple of 2017 & OLDER nose and a cherry filled firm acid spine. $30 years left in it yet. $60 Morgan Simpson palate with fruit cake-like 7 TASTED Wines Reprieve elements. Great tannin Cockfighter's Ghost 7 AWARDED McLaren Vale Shiraz structure and some Single Vineyard The 2016 HHH1/2 92pts mintiness. $20 Legend McLaren A very solid class with Lifted blackberry Fox Creek JSM Vale Shiraz the results showing how fragrances and a well- McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet Merlot well the wines can age developed palate with Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 HHHH 94pts from this region. “Great subtle but intense Cabernet Franc 2019 A well-aged blend with food wines,” said one flavours. $45 HHHH1/2 96pts ruby red hues, lovely judge. An abundance of plum lifted fragrances and Bay of Shoals Wines fruit fragrances and a well- well-integrated palate Scarpantoni Block 3 Kangaroo Island balanced fruit focussed with a long sweet McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2017 palate with good acid finish. $25 2017 HHHHH 98pts HHH 91pts balance and great tannin A big oaky blockbuster A lovely hue on this structure. $29 d'Arenberg The but has plenty of lively wine, subdued nose Ulithorne Chi Laughing Magpie fruit to carry it. Nose with good palate McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz shows cinnamon, weight and acid/tannin Grenache 2019 Viognier 2018 currants and plums and balance. $25 HHHH1/2 96pts HHH1/2 92pts the palate has a spicy Nose is a lively Herbal characters vibrancy to it. $35 SHIRAZ aromatic mix of plums, prominent on the nose BLENDS florals and eucalypt with soft plum and Angas Plains Estate with an excellent beetroot-like flavours and PJs Langhorne 10 TASTED balance and length of nice fresh acidity. $32 Creek Shiraz 2016 10 AWARDED mulberry and plum-like HHHH 95pts fruit flavours. $50 Beautifully aged wine. Excellent consistent Nose has hints of group. “Very thoughtful STAR RATINGS red fruits with good winemaking obvious integration of the fruit here with good reasons Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of and the oak on the for creating these excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. palate. $25 blends,” noted one All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry judge. “Shiraz is a great professionals and are compared in peer Cockfighter's Ghost backbone than can take classes by three judges. Single Vineyard other varietals to create CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, McLaren Vale Shiraz wines of even more a major mail-order business. 2017 HHHH 94pts complexity.” CD Cellar door price. Sweet, rich and CDO Cellar door only. generous chocolaty style SO Sold out. of shiraz. “Makes you $N/A Price not available at time of printing. want to keep coming Contact information pg 87. back to it!” said one judge. $25 RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 69
44 TASTED JUDGED BY 44 RECOMMENDED Michael Cooper NORTH ISLAND Winestate’s New Zealand editor Wairarapa, Gisborne, Auckland & Northland is author of the internationally acclaimed Wine Atlas of New Zealand and the annual New Zealand Wines: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide. In the 2004 New Year Honours, Michael was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wine writing. About 20% of New Zealand’s total vineyard area lies in the Palliser Estate CHARDONNAY more populous North Island, where most regions have an Martinborough ‘intermediate’, rather than ‘cool’, climate for viticulture. Hawke's Sauvignon Blanc 6 TASTED Bay, the dominant North Island region, has a vineyard area 2021 HHHHH 98pts 6 RECOMMENDED almost double that of the combined plantings of the four other Full of youthful vigour, regions - Auckland, Northland, Gisborne and the Wairarapa. this highly aromatic A small but very strong Hawke's Bay is renowned for its rich, elegant chardonnays, wine is full-bodied, with class of Hawke's Bay savoury, Bordeaux-style reds from merlot and cabernet intense tropical fruit and and Martinborough sauvignon, and perfumed, spicy syrahs. The tasting also yielded herbaceous flavours, wines, ranging in style superb examples of barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, slightly leesy notes from powerful, lush gewürztraminer, sweet white wine, rosé and malbec. adding complexity, and creamy-textured, Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines and a crisp, sustained to elegant, intense and available in export markets are shown as (A) Australia; (UK) finish. Best drinking mid- tightly structured. and (US). 2022+. $30 (A, UK, US) Askerne Hawke's Church Road 1 SAUVIGNON Church Road Church Road Bay Sauvignon Single Vineyard BLANC Grand Reserve McDonald Series Blanc 2021 Terraces Hawke's Bay Barrel Fermented HHHH 94pts Chardonnay 2019 5 TASTED Barrel Fermented Hawke's Bay Handled entirely in tanks, HHHHH 98pts 5 RECOMMENDED Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc this full-bodied wine Still youthful, this 2019 HHHHH 98pts 2019 HHHHH 98pts includes 5% sauvignon powerful, yet elegant New Zealand sauvignon Still unfolding, this wine A classic example of gris. Light lemon/ and tightly structured blanc is synonymous was estate-grown, the region’s wood-aged green, it is mouthfilling, wine was grown in with Marlborough’s mostly in the Bridge Pa sauvignon blancs, with good intensity of the lower Tuki Tuki herbaceous, fresh and Triangle, hand-harvested this wine was hand- fresh, ripe, peach and Valley and fermented frisky, distinctly cool and fermented with harvested, fermented passionfruit-like flavours, and matured in French climate wines. In the indigenous yeasts in with indigenous finely balanced acidity oak casks (27% new). relative warmth of the French oak barrels (20% yeasts and matured in and a dry, smooth finish. Bright, light yellow/ Hawke's Bay region, new). Fragrant, it is seasoned oak barrels. $22 (A, UK) green, with a fragrant, sauvignon blanc yields a bright, light yellow/ Ripely scented and Pencarrow slightly smoky, complex a different style – green, weighty, sweet- mouthfilling, it has rich, Martinborough bouquet, it is full-bodied, weighty and rounded, fruited and complex tropical fruit flavours, Sauvignon Blanc with strong peach and with ripe, tropical wine, with rich, ripe, gently seasoned with 2021 HHHH 94pts grapefruit flavours, fruit flavours that tropical fruit flavours, oak, good complexity, Freshly aromatic, this finely integrated toasty respond well to barrel balanced acidity and a balanced acidity and a full-bodied wine is oak, vibrant acidity and maturation. long finish. Best drinking dry finish. Open and punchy, with good obvious potential. Open mid-2023+. $33 expressive, it’s drinking intensity of vibrant 2024+. $100 well now. $25 tropical fruit flavours and a herbaceous undercurrent. Crisp, dry and lingering, it’s enjoyable now. (From Palliser Estate.) $23 (A, UK) 70 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Linden Destination Sileni Lodge Grand Marsden Bay of GEWURZTRAMINER Linden Estate Series Hawke's Bay Reserve Chardonnay Islands Pinot Gris Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2019 2019 HHHHH 98pts 2021 HHHH1/2 2 TASTED Albariño 2020 HHHHH 98pts Still unfolding, this 96pts 2 RECOMMENDED HHHH1/2 96pts This distinctive wine hand-harvested, Delicious young, this Attractively scented, was hand-harvested barrel-fermented wine Northland wine was Askerne Reserve this characterful wine in the Esk Valley and is mouthfilling and partly (40%) barrel aged. Hawke's Bay was estate-grown, hand- matured for over a year savoury. Bright, light Bright, light lemon/ Gewürztraminer harvested and partly in French oak casks. It yellow/green, it has green, with a fragrant, 2021 HHHHH 98pts (40%) barrel-fermented. has a fragrant, slightly concentrated, vigorous gently spicy bouquet, This classy wine is Bright yellow/green, biscuity and creamy stonefruit flavours, it is mouthfilling and sturdy, with deep, it is full-bodied, crisp bouquet, leading into a seasoned with toasty generous, with fresh, peachy, spicy and vigorous, with full-bodied, sweet-fruited oak, fresh acidity and a lively peach, pear, lychee flavours, showing strong, peachy, vaguely palate, with grapefruit persistent finish. Best and spice flavours, a impressive delicacy honeyed flavours, gently and peach flavours, drinking 2023+. $35 hint of oak adding depth and concentration, a seasoned with oak, well-integrated oak, Pencarrow and complexity, a hint of slightly oily texture, and a lively, basically gentle acidity and a well- Martinborough sweetness and a finely and a gently sweet, dry finish. Drink now or rounded finish. Savoury Chardonnay 2020 balanced finish. $26 well-spiced, lasting cellar. $25 and finely textured, it’s HHH1/2 96pts finish. Still youthful, but a drink now or cellaring Enjoyable young, this VIOGNIER already delicious, it’s a SWEET proposition. $45 barrel-fermented wine drink now or cellaring WHITES Palliser Estate is fresh and full-bodied. 2 TASTED proposition. $30 Martinborough It has generous, ripe, 2 RECOMMENDED 1 TASTED Chardonnay 2020 peachy fruit flavours Askerne Hawke's 1 RECOMMENDED HHHHH 98pts to the fore, with hints Askerne Hawke's Bay Gewürztraminer Unfolding well, this rich, of toasty oak, a slightly Bay Viognier 2021 2021 HHHH1/2 Askerne Hawke's elegant, hand-picked creamy texture and a HHHH1/2 96pts 98pts Bay Noble Semillon wine was fermented rounded finish. (From Already drinking well, Fresh, youthful and 2018 (375ml) and lees-aged for 10 Palliser Estate.) $28 this fragrant, weighty intensely varietal, this HHHHH 98pts months in French oak Askerne Hawke's wine was hand-picked richly perfumed wine This seductive, casks. Fragrant, with Bay Chardonnay and fermented in French was aged on its yeast delicious, amber hued slightly smoky aromas, it 2021 HHHH 95pts oak casks (25% new). lees for six months. dessert wine was is fleshy, with deep, ripe Fragrant and full-bodied, Bright, light lemon/ Bright, light lemon/ matured for eight stonefruit flavours, finely this hand-picked wine green, it is fleshy and green, it is softly months in barrels (25% balanced toasty oak has very good depth of sweet-fruited, with mouthfilling, with new). Full of personality, adding complexity, fresh ripe stonefruit flavours, rich, vibrant stonefruit concentrated lychee and with a richly honeyed, acidity and a slightly fresh, lively acidity, and flavours, gently peach flavours, hints of complex bouquet, it creamy, persistent toasty, buttery notes seasoned with toasty ginger and spices, and is mouthfilling, with finish. $46 (A, UK, US) adding complexity. Still oak, and a smooth an off-dry, well-rounded strong peach, apricot very youthful, it should finish. $25 (UK) finish. $25 (A, UK) and honey flavours, open out well from mid- Marsden Bay of finely integrated oak and 2023 onwards. $25 Islands Viognier ALBARIÑO a sweet, oily, lasting 2020 HHHH1/2 finish. $35 PINOT GRIS 96pts 1 TASTED This powerful, vibrantly 1 RECOMMENDED 2 TASTED fruity wine was hand- 2 RECOMMENDED picked and aged in seasoned oak barrels. Askerne Hawke's Bright, light yellow/ Bay Pinot Gris 2021 green, it is full-bodied HHHHH 98pts and sweet-fruited, with Full of personality, this concentrated, peachy is a weighty, fleshy, flavours, oak-derived Alsace-style wine. complexity, balanced Estate-grown and partly acidity and a dry finish. (20%) barrel-fermented, Worth cellaring. $25 it is already delicious, with rich, ripe, peachy, spicy, slightly gingery flavours, showing good complexity, and a long, off-dry, rounded finish. Fine value. $23 (A, UK) May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 71
NORTH ISLAND ROSÉ Church Road 1 Askerne Dr John Church Road 1 Askerne Reserve Single Vineyard Hawke's Bay Single Vineyard Hawke's Bay 2 TASTED Redstone Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon Redstone Merlot Merlot Cabernet 2 RECOMMENDED Sauvignon 2019 Cabernet Franc 2019 HHHHH 98pts Franc Cabernet HHHHH 98pts Merlot 2020 This powerful, weighty, Sauvignon 2020 Askerne Sérieux This powerful, youthful HHHH1/2 97pts lush red was estate- HHHH1/2 97pts Hawke's Bay Rosé red was estate-grown in This stylish red is a grown in the Bridge Pa Well worth cellaring, this 2021 HHHHH 98pts the Bridge Pa Triangle blend of cabernet Triangle and matured in deeply coloured blend of This vivacious, and matured in French sauvignon (41%), French oak casks (41% merlot (46%), cabernet distinctive rosé is a oak barriques (55% cabernet franc (38%), new). Boldly coloured, it franc (29%), cabernet blend of mourvedre new). Dark, sturdy and merlot (20%) and is a robust, very ripe style, sauvignon (24%) and a (48%), carmenere savoury, it is a bold style malbec (1%), barrel- with bold berry, plum and splash of malbec was (44%) and petit verdot of cabernet sauvignon, aged for a year (50% spice flavours, a hint of matured in oak barrels (8%), partly (28%) with dense blackcurrant, new). Full-coloured, liquorice, nutty oak adding (35% new). Full-bodied, barrel fermented. plum, spice, liquorice it is mouthfilling, complexity and supple it has generous, ripe, Bright pink, it is and nut flavours, and youthful and savoury, tannins. Likely to be long- plummy, spicy flavours, fragrant, fresh, full- the structure to be with rich, well-ripened lived, it should be at its showing good complexity, bodied and vibrantly long-lived. Best drinking blackcurrant, plum and best 2024+. $120 supple tannins and a fruity, with strong, yet 2026+. $120 spice flavours, and a Church Road Grand smooth finish. Best delicate strawberry, Linden Destination backbone of ripe, supple Reserve Hawke's drinking 2024+. $35 watermelon and spice Series Hawke's Bay tannins. Best drinking Bay Merlot Cabernet flavours, and a fully Cabernet Sauvignon 2025+. $50 Sauvignon 2019 Sileni Cut Cane dry, well-rounded 2020 HHHHH 98pts HHHHH 98pts Grand Reserve finish. $25 This powerful, very Church Road This powerful, lush wine Hawke's Bay ageworthy red was McDonald Series is already delicious. Merlot 2018 Church Road Gwen grown at Ohiti and Hawke's Bay Dark and youthful, it HHHH1/2 97pts Hawke's Bay Rosé matured for a year in Cabernet Sauvignon is concentrated, with This powerful red 2020 HHHH 94pts French oak barriques. 2018 HHHH1/2 vibrant blackcurrant, (15.5% alc/vol) was Light pink, with a hint Deeply coloured, 96pts plum, spice and nutty made by ‘cutting of orange, this merlot- with a fragrant, Estate-grown in the oak flavours, showing the bunch canes, based rosé is still fresh spicy, slightly herbal Bridge Pa Triangle, this excellent ripeness and allowing the fruit to and lively. Probably at bouquet, it is sturdy, full-coloured, generous complexity, good tannin shrivel prior to harvest its peak, it is medium- with concentrated red is mouthfilling, backbone and a long, [which] concentrated bodied, with very good blackcurrant, plum, herb with deep, ripe plum very harmonious finish. the juice within’. Dark depth of peachy, spicy, and spice flavours and and spice flavours Best drinking 2024+. $40 and robust, it is very slightly strawberryish a well-structured finish. to the fore, hints of Church Road ripe tasting, with flavours, and a dry finish. Full of youthful vigour, blackcurrants and herbs, McDonald Series bold, vibrant, berryish, $25 it’s well worth cellaring and a smooth finish. Hawke's Bay Merlot plummy flavours, a hint to 2025+. $65 Drink now onwards. $28 2017 HHHHH 98pts of liquorice and a very CABERNET Developing a Bordeaux- smooth finish. $50 SAUVIGNON & MERLOT & like complexity with age, BLENDS BLENDS this deeply coloured, SYRAH elegant, harmonious red 4 TASTED 5 TASTED is drinking well now. 5 TASTED 4 RECOMMENDED 5 RECOMMENDED Full-bodied and fleshy, 5 RECOMMENDED it has ripe blackcurrant, Cabernet sauvignon Merlot ripens ahead plum and spice A small but highly performs well in of cabernet sauvignon flavours, fresh acidity, impressive class, Hawke's Bay, when in Hawke's Bay, and savoury notes adding illustrating how syrah planted on warm, free- in favourably warm, complexity, supple is thriving not only in draining, stony sites dry years like 2019 tannins and a long finish. Hawke's Bay, yielding and north-facing hill and 2020 can yield Fine value. $28 perfumed, rich, spicy slopes. The favourably powerful, ripe, almost reds, but in other, warm, dry 2019 and lush reds that couple warmer regions, such 2020 vintages have drink-young appeal as Northland, north of produced some with obvious potential Auckland. standout reds. for cellaring. 72 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
regional tasting Church Road 1 Marsden Bay of Church Road 1 Marsden Bay of Marsden Bay of Single Vineyard Islands Vigot Single Vineyard Islands Tempranillo Islands Cavalli 2020 Syrah 2019 Syrah 2019 Gimblett Gravels 2020 HHHH1/2 HHHH 94pts HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Hawke's Bay Malbec 96pts This full-coloured, This delicious young Delicious now, but also 2020 HHHHH 98pts This elegant, age-worthy purple-flushed red is perfumed and very age-worthy, this This classy, Northland red was Northland red is a graceful. Estate-grown in Northland red was co- concentrated red avoids matured for a year in blend of chambourcin the Bridge Pa Triangle, it fermented with viognier the rusticity often French oak barriques (50%), merlot (30%) was matured in French skins and French seen in New Zealand (30% new). Full- and pinotage (20%), oak casks (28% new). oak-matured (30% malbecs. Matured in coloured and fragrant, matured in French Dark and rich, it has lush new). Full-coloured, French oak casks (41% it is mouthfilling, with oak casks (30% new). blackcurrant, plum and it is mouthfilling and new), it was bottled youthful, berryish, Still very youthful, spice flavours, a hint of supple, with strong, unfined and unfiltered. spicy flavours, very it has a fresh, spicy liquorice, nutty oak adding vibrant blackcurrant, Fragrant, with dense, fresh, ripe and strong, bouquet, strong, complexity, and a rich, plum and spice flavours, purple-flushed colour, savoury notes adding plummy, spicy flavours, smooth-flowing finish. A and savoury notes it is mouthfilling and complexity, and obvious lively acidity and good lovely mouthful. $120 adding complexity. Best vibrant, with very potential. Best drinking tannin backbone. Best Church Road Grand drinking 2024+. $30 youthful blackcurrant, 2024+. $25 drinking mid-2023+. Reserve Hawke's plum and spice Sileni Pacemaker $24 Bay Syrah 2019 Te Puna Northland flavours, showing good Grand Reserve Pencarrow HHHHH 98pts Syrah 2021 complexity, fine, supple Hawke's Bay Martinborough This highly fragrant, HHHH1/2 96pts tannins, and impressive Cabernet Franc 2018 Pinot Noir 2019 powerful, savoury red Already delicious, this richness and harmony. HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts was estate-grown in the is a refined, youthful Best drinking 2024+. Drinking well now, this Drinking well now, but Bridge Pa Triangle. Deeply red. Matured for $120 full-coloured red was also worth cellaring, coloured and still purple- nine months in old Church Road grown in the Bridge Pa this strongly varietal flushed, it is mouthfilling, French oak barrels, McDonald Series Triangle. Mouthfilling, red was matured for 10 sweet-fruited and supple, it is deeply coloured Hawke's Bay fleshy and savoury, it months in French oak with concentrated plum and full-bodied, with Tempranillo 2018 has good concentration casks (25% new). Ruby and spice flavours, oak concentrated, vibrant HHHH1/2 96pts of ripe red berry and hued, it is graceful complexity, and a finely plum/spice flavours, Maturing well, this spice flavours, oak and supple, with ripe textured, long, spicy showing intense varietal savoury, supple red complexity, supple cherry, plum and spice finish. Drink now and over character, supple was estate-grown in the tannins and a well- flavours, nutty oak the next decade. $40 tannins and a long, Bridge Pa Triangle and rounded finish. $40 adding complexity, Church Road well-spiced finish. Best aged for 14 months in Church Road and a very harmonious McDonald Series drinking 2024+. $60 French oak barrels (25% McDonald Series finish. (From Palliser Hawke's Bay Syrah new). Full-coloured, it Hawke's Bay Estate.) $33 2019 HHHHH 98pts OTHER RED is sweet-fruited, with Marzemino 2018 The Luminary Maturing well, this VARIETALS & generous, ripe berry, HHHH 94pts Palliser Estate powerful red was BLENDS spice and nut flavours, Probably at its peak, Martinborough grown in the Gimblett oak complexity and this lively, characterful Pinot Noir 2020 Gravels (principally) and 9 TASTED supple tannins. Drink red is from a variety HHH1/2 93pts the Bridge Pa Triangle, 9 RECOMMENDED now or cellar. $28 cultivated in the north This charming, very blended with malbec Marsden Bay of Italy. Estate-grown in easy-drinking red was (14%), and matured for Tempranillo, the of Islands the Bridge Pa Triangle, estate-grown and 18 months in French and star grape of Rioja, Chambourcin 2019 it was matured for barrel-aged. Bright Hungarian oak barrels is starting to yield HHHH1/2 96pts 14 months in French ruby, with a fresh, (22% new). Dark and classy, savoury reds From a highly rated oak casks (21% new). slightly spicy bouquet, invitingly fragrant, it is in the North Island, French hybrid, this Full-coloured, it is it is mouthfilling and mouthfilling, with rich, with excellent depth Northland red was mouthfilling, with strong supple, with gentle, ripe plum, spice and and complexity. matured for 16 months plum and spice flavours, ripe fruit flavours, a black pepper flavours, Chambourcin is a in French and American gently seasoned with touch of complexity oak complexity, supple French hybrid well oak casks (30% new). oak, fresh acidity and and a very smooth tannins, and excellent known in Muscadet Full-coloured, it is still good harmony. $28 finish. $28 depth and harmony. for its bold, crimson very fresh and lively, Great value. $28 hue, and in Northland with strong plum and produces generous, spice flavours, a hint of dark, flavour-packed liquorice, and supple wines. tannins. Slightly syrah- like, it’s a drink now or cellaring proposition. $24 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 73
35 TASTED 35 RECOMMENDED MICHAEL COOPER RECENT RELEASES Marlborough stood out in the latest tasting of recently released Carrick Organic RIESLING wines from New Zealand, as the source of top-flight examples of Bannockburn chardonnay, pinot gris, bottle-fermented sparkling wine and pinot Central Otago 3 TASTED noir. The tasting also uncovered several mid-priced, high-quality Chardonnay 2020 3 RECOMMENDED wines, including pinot gris and chardonnay from Hawke's Bay, and HHHH 95pts riesling and merlot/cabernet from the Waipara Valley, in North This steely, youthful, Carrick Organic Canterbury. distinctly cool-climate Bannockburn wine should be long- Central Otago Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available lived. Certified organic, Riesling 2020 in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). it was hand-picked, HHHHH 98pts barrel-fermented (15% Certified organic, this CHARDONNAY Church Road new), and oak-aged for lovely, vigorous young Gwen Hawke's Bay over a year. Light gold, wine was hand-picked, 6 TASTED Chardonnay 2020 mouthfilling and lively, fermented with 6 RECOMMENDED HHHH1/2 96pts it has crisp, peachy, indigenous yeasts and Crafted as an ‘elegant’ mealy flavours, showing handled entirely in Pegasus Bay style with moderate very good vigour and stainless steel tanks. Virtuoso Waipara alcohol (12.5% by vol), depth, firm acid spine Light lemon/green, it Valley North this subtle, Chablis-like and a lingering finish. is invitingly scented, Canterbury wine was hand-picked Best drinking 2024+. with intense, lemony, Chardonnay 2019 earlier than most $36 (A, UK) slightly appley and HHHHH 98pts chardonnays from Church Road peachy flavours, gentle A real conversation Church Road. Bright, Hawke's Bay sweetness, crisp acidity, piece, this very light lemon/green, it Chardonnay 2021 and a long, tightly ‘complete’ wine was is mouthfilling and HHHH 94pts structured, finely poised harvested from vines vibrant, with youthful, Bargain-priced and finish. Drink now or over 30 years old and citrusy, peachy flavours, ‘unashamedly just a little cellar. $28 (A) lees-aged for a year in showing good intensity bit old school’, this wine Main Divide North oak puncheons. Bright, and vigour, and a poised, is given a full, softening Canterbury light yellow/green, with persistent finish. Best malolactic fermentation. Riesling 2019 a fragrant bouquet, it mid-2023+. $25 Fresh and full-bodied, HHHH1/2 96pts is mouthfilling, with Church Road it is sweet-fruited, with Offering great value, searching stonefruit McDonald Series generous stonefruit this is an elegant, flavours, highly complex Hawke's Bay flavours, showing good attractively scented and savoury, and a Chardonnay 2020 complexity, and a well- wine. Bright, light lemon/ rounded, very long HHHH1/2 96pts rounded finish. Already green, it is vigorous, finish. Already delicious, Offering fine value, enjoyable, it should be with youthful, peachy, it should be at its best this flavour-packed at its best mid-2013+. citrusy flavours, showing 2024+. $65 wine was hand-picked $19 excellent delicacy, depth and fermented with and harmony, a hint of Spy Valley indigenous yeasts in oranges, and a crisp, Envoy Johnson French oak barrels. gently sweet finish. (From Chardonnay 2017 Bright, light yellow/ Pegasus Bay.) $21 HHHHH 98pts green, it is full-bodied, Stoneleigh Approaching its peak, with strong, vibrant, Marlborough this distinctive wine peachy flavours, toasty, Riesling 2021 was estate-grown and savoury notes adding HHH1/2 92pts hand-harvested in the complexity and a Enjoyable from the Southern Valleys and lingering finish. Best start, this light-bodied barrel-fermented. Bright, mid-2023+. $25 wine is finely poised, light yellow/green, it is with gentle sweetness mouthfilling, with deep and very good depth of stonefruit flavours, lemony, appley flavours. gently seasoned with $17 toasty oak, slightly buttery notes, excellent complexity, fresh acidity and a finely balanced finish. $35 (A, UK, US) 74 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
recent releases PINOT GRIS Church Road SAUVIGNON OTHER ROSÉ McDonald Series BLANC WHITES 6 TASTED Hawke's Bay 3 TASTED 6 RECOMMENDED Pinot Gris 2021 3 TASTED 1 TASTED 3 RECOMMENDED HHHH1/2 96pts 3 RECOMMENDED 1 RECOMMENDED Spy Valley Slightly honeyed, this Church Road Marlborough bright, light lemon/green Church Road Church Road Hawke's Bay Rosé Pinot Gris 2021 is weighty, rich and Hawke's Bay McDonald Series 2021 HHHH 95pts HHHHH 98pts slightly sweet, in the Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay Bright pink, this is a Full of personality, this classic style of Alsace. 2021 HHHH 95pts Viognier 2019 full-bodied style of rosé. weighty, Alsace-style Already delicious, it Estate-grown principally HHHH1/2 96pts Drinking well now, it has wine, grown in the has a distinct touch in the cool, inland Rich, rounded and strong red berry, peach, Southern Valleys, was of complexity and Matapiro district, this ready, this characterful, strawberry, apricot and handled in tanks and concentrated, peachy, bright, light lemon/green single-vineyard wine spice flavours, with a large, seasoned oak spicy flavours. Best wine is aromatic and was estate-grown in touch of tannin and a barrels. Bright lemon/ drinking 2023+. $25 full-bodied. It has good the Bridge Pa Triangle fresh, slightly off-dry green, it has an inviting, Wild Earth intensity of vibrant, ripe, and matured for 10 finish. $19 ripely scented bouquet. Central Otago passionfruit and lime months in French oak Brancott Estate Mouthfilling, with rich, Pinot Gris 2021 flavours, crisp and dry. barrels. Bright, light Reserve Wairau vibrant pear, peach and HHHH1/2 96pts $19 yellow/green, it is full- Marlborough Rosé spice flavours, it shows Instantly appealing, bodied and fleshy, with 2021 HHH1/2 93pts very good complexity, this regional blend was Satellite by Spy generous, ripe stonefruit Ready to roll, this with gentle sweetness grown in the Cromwell Valley Marlborough flavours, a hint of honey, gently pink wine has and a lasting, very Basin (84%) and Sauvignon Blanc very good complexity good depth of peach, harmonious finish. Best Gibbston (16%), and 2021 HHHH 94pts and a smooth finish. strawberry and spice drinking 2023+. $25 (A, mostly (64%) fermented Priced sharply, this $25 flavours, a hint of tannin UK, US) in neutral oak barrels; partly estate-grown wine and an off-dry finish. Church Road the rest was handled was harvested in the SPARKLING $18 Hawke's Bay in tanks. Light lemon/ Wairau and Waihopai WINES Stoneleigh Pinot Gris 2021 green, it is mouthfilling, valleys. Bright, light Marlborough Pinot HHHH1/2 96pts with concentrated, lemon/green, it is fresh, 2 TASTED Noir Rosé 2021 Already delicious, this vibrant, peachy, spicy punchy and strongly 2 RECOMMENDED HHH1/2 93pts Alsace-style wine was flavours and a crisp, dry varietal, with good Bright pink, this estate-grown in the finish. $30 intensity of tropical Deutz Marlborough attractive wine has very relatively cool, elevated, Church Road fruit and herbaceous Cuvée Blanc de good depth of fresh inland Matapiro Vineyard. Gwen Hawke's Bay flavours, crisp, lively Blancs 2018 strawberry and spice Attractively scented, it Pinot Gris 2020 and finely balanced for HHHHH 98pts flavours, lively acidity is sturdy and vibrantly HHHH 94pts current consumption. This classy, chardonnay- and a smooth finish. fruity, with rich, ripe Drinking well now, this $17 (A, UK, US) predominant blend Good value. $17 peach and pear flavours, is a medium-bodied, is hand-picked and a touch of sweetness, subtle style of pinot Stoneleigh Wild matured for up to three gentle acidity, and loads gris. Estate-grown at Valley Marlborough years on its yeast lees. of drink-young charm. Matapiro, it is fresh Sauvignon Blanc Bright yellow/green, $19 and lively, with strong 2021 HHH1/2 93pts it reveals excellent pear, peach and spice Fermented with richness and complexity, flavours, gentle acidity indigenous rather than with strong, peachy, and a fully dry finish. cultured yeasts (hence citrusy, yeasty flavours $25 the ‘Wild Valley’), this and a crisp, dryish, Main Divide bright, light yellow/green persistent finish. $30 North Canterbury wine is mouthfilling, Pinot Gris 2020 with strong tropical fruit Church Road HHHH 94pts and herbaceous aromas Hawke's Bay Blanc Drinking well now, and flavours, and a de Blancs Méthode this delicious wine green-edged, smooth Traditionnelle 2017 is ripely scented and finish. $18 HHHH1/2 97pts mouthfilling, in an This distinctive wine Alsace style with is from chardonnay, fresh, generous fruit hand-picked in a cool, flavours and a slightly coastal vineyard. sweet, smooth, very Elegant, vigorous and harmonious finish. (From tightly structured, it is Pegasus Bay.) $21 aromatic, with very good intensity of youthful, citrusy, yeasty, complex flavours, crisp, dry and lingering. $45 May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 75
MICHAEL COOPER PINOT NOIR Church Road Satellite by Spy Church Road Grand Reserve Valley Marlborough Hawke's Bay Syrah 8 TASTED Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 2020 HHHH 95pts 8 RECOMMENDED Pinot Noir 2019 HHH1/2 93pts Bargain-priced, this HHHH1/2 97pts Drinking well in its full-coloured red has Spy Valley Envoy Well worth cellaring, this youth, this bright ruby a perfumed, spicy Johnson Southern youthful, single-vineyard red has a floral, slightly bouquet. Mouthfilling, Valleys Marlborough red was hand-harvested spicy bouquet. Medium it is strongly varietal, Pinot Noir 2017 at Lowburn, French to full-bodied, it is with plummy, peppery HHHHH 98pts oak-aged for 16 months, vibrantly fruity, with very flavours, showing From vines planted in and bottled unfined and good depth of fresh excellent depth, 1995 in the Outpost unfiltered. Full, bright berry, plum and spice savoury notes adding Vineyard, this delicious ruby, it is mouthfilling flavours, showing a complexity, supple wine was hand-picked and savoury, with strong, touch of complexity, and tannins and a finely and barrel-aged for over ripe cherry and spice supple tannins. $24 (A, poised finish. Best a year. Deep ruby, with flavours, seasoned with UK, US) drinking mid-2023+. some development nutty oak, very good Stoneleigh Wild $21 showing, it is enticingly complexity and a finely Valley Marlborough Main Divide North fragrant, mouthfilling balanced finish. Best Pinot Noir 2021 Canterbury Merlot and supple, with drinking 2023+. $40 HHH1/2 93pts Cabernet 2019 concentrated cherry, Spy Valley This good value red HHHH 95pts plum, spice and nut Marlborough was fermented with Drinking well now and flavours, showing Pinot Noir 2020 indigenous yeasts offering good value, this excellent complexity HHHH1/2 97pts – hence the ‘Wild’ Waipara blend of merlot, and harmony. $55 (A, This elegant, finely Valley. Bright ruby, it is cabernet sauvignon, UK, US) poised, ageworthy red mouthfilling, vibrantly malbec and cabernet Brancott Estate was estate-grown in the fruity and supple, franc was barrique-aged Letter Series T Southern Valleys and with cherry, plum and for a year. Full-coloured, Marlborough matured for 11 months spice flavours, some it is mouthfilling, with Pinot Noir 2020 in French oak barrels. savoury notes adding ripe, plummy, spicy HHHH1/2 97pts Full, bright ruby, it is complexity, and a flavours, showing some Already drinking well, fragrant, mouthfilling and smooth finish. Enjoyable savoury complexity, this single-vineyard supple, with very good young, it should be at its supple tannins and red is sturdy, rich and complexity and depth of best mid-2023+. $18 good harmony. (From rounded, with generous, cherry, plum, spice and Pegasus Bay.) $21 very ripe fruit flavours nutty oak flavours. Best OTHER REDS and a seductively drinking 2024+. $33 (A, STAR RATINGS smooth finish. $25 UK, US) 3 TASTED Akarua Rua Central 3 RECOMMENDED Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Otago Pinot Noir excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. 2021 HHHH 95pts Church Road All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Full of drink-young Hawke's Bay Merlot professionals and are compared in peer charm, yet also a wine of Cabernet Sauvignon classes by three judges. substance, this red was 2019 HHHH 95pts CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, grown at Bannockburn Offering great value, a major mail-order business. and Pisa, and matured this merlot-dominated CD Cellar door price. in old oak barrels. Deep, blend (92%) was CDO Cellar door only. bright ruby, it is fragrant, grown mostly in the SO Sold out. with strong, ripe cherry, Bridge Pa Triangle $N/A Price not available at time of printing. plum and spice flavours and oak-aged for a Contact information pg 87. and supple tannins. $27 year. Full-coloured and (A, UK) fragrant, it is mouthfilling RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). Carrick Unravelled and sweet-fruited, BEST VALUE for $20 & under. Organic Central with rich, well-ripened For a complete list of what we tasted Otago Pinot Noir blackcurrant, plum and please refer to www.winestate.com.au 2021 HHHH 95pts spice flavours, a hint of Already enjoyable, this liquorice, considerable Bannockburn red was complexity and good barrel-aged for seven tannin backbone. From months. Full, bright a top vintage, it’s well ruby, with a fragrant, worth cellaring. $19 spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with fresh acidity, finely balanced tannins, and generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. $27 (A, UK) 76 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
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insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND May/June 2022 Issue 178 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 In this issue... New Releases & Best Value Buys Under $20
175 TASTED 137 AWARDED NEW RELEASES Another most interesting New Releases tasting across two Bream Creek Dinny Goonan days. The winemaking skill certainly comes to the fore here Vineyard Tasmania Wines Outlier Otway especially with the so called “alternative varieties” for both red Sauvignon Blanc Hinterland Riesling and white wines. Whilst sauvignon blanc and pinot gris/grigio’s 2021 HHH1/2 92pts 2021 HHHH 94pts were a general disappointment, across the board all other A delicate and very A vibrant and interesting categories excelled with both viticulture and winemaking. Lots pretty quaffer with wine with subtle to choose from. Choose well! grassy/herbaceous layers of white fruits characters on both the and florals with a hint SPARKLING Rymill Coonawarra Watkins Riverland nose and palate. $33 of sweetness. Good Coonawarra Sparkling Moscato cellaring potential. $49 12 TASTED Sparkling Brut 2018 2021 HHH 91pts PINOT GRIS/ 7 AWARDED HHHH1/2 97pts Mild floral/citrus bouquet GRIGIO Bec Hardy Wines A mixed group of both Pungent and developed and a fresh and lively Clare Valley Riesling neutral and complex yeasty aromas with uncomplicated palate. 3 TASTED 2021 HHH 91pts wines with the better a lively and bone-dry $20 1 AWARDED A full-bodied wines showing good palate with mouth- flavoursome wine with fruit and winemaking filling tart and tangy Watkins Langhorne Just one nice drinking zesty citrus fruit, some skills. flavours. “Makes me Creek Sparkling example here. floral and fresh herbal hungry!” commented Blanc de Blancs elements. $25 Sidewood Isabella one judge. $25 2021 HHH 91pts Lapstone Estate Rose Adelaide Hills UMAMU Estate Mac Perfumed musky/floral Ringstone SEA Dinny Goonan Wines Sparkling Rosé 2015 Ann Margaret River fragrances and a pretty Pinot Grigio 2021 Single Vineyard HHHHH 98pts Sparkling 2019 palate; gentle and HHH 90pts Otway Hinterland A serious wine, pinky/ HHHH1/2 96pts sweet. $25 Smells of garden herbs Riesling 2021 bronze in colour with Yeasty herbaceous and flowers with a HHH 91pts an intense and complex complexity to the nose SAUVIGNON palate that is simple and Subdued nose with bouquet. Palate is bone with slightly green BLANC off dry. $11.99 delicate spiciness. dry with a sherbet-like notes. Soft and creamy More varietal liveliness and a delicate in the mouth. A very 8 TASTED RIESLING expression on the zingy savoury/herbal flavour satisfying drink that is 2 AWARDED fresh palate. $30 profile. $35 developing nicely. $38 7 TASTED Tenafeate Creek One The judges found too 5 AWARDED OTHER WHITE Tree Hill Sparkling many bland wines VARIETALS & Shiraz NV HHHH here. There were very Mixed group of pleasant BLENDS 94pts few faults, but judges drinking wines, the best “Sombre, serious and expected more varietal showing true varietal 10 TASTED complex – a voice from character. characters. 10 AWARDED the past,” described one judge. Rich, dark Catalina Sounds Sidney Wilcox An excellent class of chocolaty fruit with mild Marlborough Reserve South wine styles across the tannins and acidity.$30 Sauvignon Blanc Australia Riesling spectrum of varieties. Jean Geiler AOC 2021 HHH1/2 93pts 2021 HHHH 95pts “A nice range of Cremant dÁlsace A pungent varietal Fragrant floral bouquet different wines with Cremant Riesling NV bouquet and a light with honeyed/tropical many offering a good HHH 91pts minerally palate with notes and a complexity partnership with fresh A lean crisp aperitif style intense sauvignon blanc of stonefruit/citrus Asian style food,” with tight lime-like fruit flavours. $25 flavours with a long commented one judge. and some floral touches. warm finish. $25 $21.99 Bream Creek Vineyard Tasmania Riesling 2021 HHHH 95pts A very pleasant riesling with spicy lifted lemon drops of a nose and well-balanced fruit driven palate evolving nicely. $33 80 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER
wine & spirit insider tasting Sidewood Estate Sidney Wilcox White Adelaide Hills Field Blend South Pinot Blanc 2021 Australia White HHHH 94pts Blend 2020 Lifted floral stonefruit HHH1/2 92pts aromas and a long “Very delicate and pure and complex palate style,” noted one judge. with lovely tangy fruit Nice minerality under flavours. “Easy to the pome/citrus fruit enjoy.” $25 characters. $25 Artwine Spanish Yalumba The Virgilius Berrigan Wines CHARDONNAY Dinny Goonan Wines Queen Reserva Eden Valley Shining Rock Otway Hinterland Single Vineyard Viognier 2019 Vineyard Adelaide 25 TASTED Chardonnay 2021 Adelaide Hills HHHH1/2 96pts Hills Gruner Veltliner 11 AWARDED HHHH1/2 96pts Albarino 2021 A rich and complex 2021 HHHH 94pts A big “energetic” HHHH1/2 97pts wine with great Honeyed toasty The judges were chardonnay. Rich nutty A long and complex balance and good marmalade nose and confused about the lack peach aromas with food wine – great cellaring potential. full-bodied palate with of fruit in some of the some funkiness and with a seafood Yeasty/citrus/floral very generous citrus wines. “If you want to a rich full flavoured platter! Herbaceous aromas and mouth- peel/pear flavours and a be un-oaked go that savoury palate, it is confectionery aromas watering floral savoury thread. $29.95 way; if you want to be fresh, lively and tight. “A and a stonefruit driven grapefruit flavours with Two Nurses oaked then you have to modern style.” $35 flavour profile with crisp acid. $50 Pyrenees Viognier have riper, vibrant fruit Taylors Wines mineral elements. $40 Briar Ridge 2020 HHHH 94pts to support the oak,” Jaraman Adelaide Inner City Stockhausen Subtle sweet melon and commented one judge. Hills Clare Valley Winemakers Signature Hunter stonefruit aromas and “Here we saw too many Chardonnay 2021 Hilltops Fiano 2021 Valley Semillon an off-dry palate with lean wines with oak not HHHH 94pts HHHH1/2 96pts 2021 HHHH1/2 gentle honeyed/toasty in balance, however the Honeysuckle nose with A crisp style that 96pts tropical fruit flavours. best wines were very nutty oak intensity. according to one judge, Aromas of capsicum, $33.95 impressive!” Attractive complexity to “Screams for seafood!” snow peas, cut grass Flavabom Field the fruity palate, great Enticing subtle apricot and honey. Palate is White South UMAMU Estate mouthfeel and lively bouquet and great both elegant and rich Australia White Margaret River acidity. $26 balance and texture at the same time with Blend 2021 Chardonnay 2018 Beresford Classic to the peachy/yeasty a very lengthy finish. HHH1/2 92pts HHHH1/2 97pts McLaren Vale palate. $32 “Super interesting food Zesty citrus nose with Elegant, stylish, super Chardonnay 2021 wine.” $35 subtle toastiness. Palate tight and restrained HHHH 94pts is fresh, simple and style. “So fresh for its A well-integrated, delicious with a long age!” Classic spicy/ seamlessly balanced, “tingling” finish. $25 stonefruit nose and very refreshingly zippy style. Cassegrain Wines attractive seamlessly Floral peach, savoury Edition Noir Hilltops balanced palate with a and herbal elements Fiano Viognier 2021 savoury finish. $60 with racy acidity. $30 HHH1/2 92pts A lovely nose of lychees and peaches with a broad tangy stonefruit/ herbal palate showing a mineral thread. $32 JUDGES - DAY 1 Natalie Cleghorn Oliver Budack Senior winemaker Restaurant supervisor at Brian Miller at Katnook Estate. Victor’s place and Varney Sales and Marketing Previously a Wines. Previously a restaurant Manager for Bendbrook winemaker with manager for Maxwell Wines. Wines. Consults to several the Yalumba Wine A certified sommelier, has Australian wineries and Co since 1998. worked in the hospitality was a member of the Associate judge at the industry for over 30 years in Export Tasting Panel of the Barossa Wine Show, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Australian Wine & Brandy Stanthorpe Small Fiji and Australia. Associate Corporation. Also, a former Winemakers and judge in the 2019 McLaren Brand Manager with Adelaide wine show. Vale wine show. Seppelt Wines and stints with Richard Hamilton Wines and Mitchelton. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 81
NEW RELEASES Inner City ROSÉ OTHER RED Berrigan Wines Winemakers Hilltops VARIETALS & Shining Rock Tumbarumba 5 TASTED BLENDS Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 5 AWARDED Adelaide Hills HHHH 94pts 5 TASTED Sangiovese 2021 An aromatic mix of A strong class of nice 5 AWARDED HHHH1/2 96pts spicy stonefruit and dry, minerally and Tarry and spicy plum oak. Creamy in the approachable wines. Very strong flight nose and a very mellow mouth, plenty of oak of wines with great cherry, plum and with attractive savoury Flavabom South intensity of flavours marzipan palate with elements. $35 Australia Rosé 2021 without being jammy. herbal notes and obvious Krinklewood HHHH1/2 96pts Well done! but balanced tannins. “It Broke Fordwich “Very easy to enjoy,” definitely needs food!” Chardonnay 2021 with floral and peppery Cassegrain Wines HHHH 94pts strawberry aromas and 3-5 $34.95 Edition Noir Orange Cool, stylish, light a balance of fruit and Merlot 2019 weight, oak driven savoury characters on PRESS + BLOOM HHHH 95pts style with some herbal the long evolving palate. McLaren Vale A classy, stylish and notes and delicate Hints of meatiness and Montepulciano 2020 elegant cool climate orange blossom-like tropical notes. $25 HHHH1/2 96pts merlot with spicy licorice characters. $36 Simple fruity and spicy aromas and herbaceous Sidewood Mappinga Rymill Coonawarra style of wine – true chocolaty flavours. $35 Adelaide Hills Coonawarra Rosé to style. Ribena and Chardonnay 2019 2021 HHHH 94pts Zonte’s Footstep mulberries lift off the HHH1/2 92pts Subtle rose petal nose Splitting Hares nose and it has a cool Spicy perfumed oak with hints of fruit. Fleurieu Tempranillo dark fruit palate. Offers nose and lean savoury Interesting palate – quite Grenache 2021 great cellaring potential. palate; oak tending to intense flavours of HHHH1/2 96pts dominate the fruit for raspberry, vanilla bean Deep purple wine 5+ $28 now. Needs time. $38 and ginger. $20 bordering on black with Cassegrain Wines dark chocolaty fruit Bec Hardy Wines White Label Dinny Goonan Wines fragrances. Palate is McLaren Vale Tumbarumba Otway Hinterland very juicy and fruity with Mourvèdre 2020 Chardonnay 2021 Rosé 2021 savoury/bacon bone HHHH 94pts HHH 91pts HHHH 94pts notes. Great food wine. A big tannic wine with Pretty spicy/peppery A pretty pink rosé – light, spicy and licorice-like nose. Palate has upfront delicate and elegant with 3-5 $30 characters on the acidity, some smokiness sweet floral fragrances nose and palate edged and a long finish. $27.95 and enticing complexity Taylors Wines Taylor with some dried herb Briar Ridge to the palate. $25 Made Limestone elements. $30 Stockhausen Signature Hunter Beresford McLaren MERLOT & Valley Chardonnay Vale Rosé 2021 BLENDS 2021 HHH 91pts HHH1/2 92pts Oak driven, old Pale pink wine with 6 TASTED fashioned, style but has delicate aromas and 5 AWARDED an abundance of lovely flavours of strawberries flavours. $35 and red currants and Another good class that Truffle Hill herbal nuances. pleasantly surprised Pemberton the judges. “Some very Chardonnay 2021 Watkins Classic nice licorice/aniseed-like HHH 91pts Langhorne Creek complexity here,” noted Lifted hazelnut and floral Rosé 2021 one judge. aromas with a classy HHH 91pts and complex savoury Confectionery musk Coast Clare Valley style palate. $45 stick of a nose and Malbec 2021 Allegiance Wines layers of fruit, herbs and HHHH1/2 96pts Levrier by Jo Irvine Unity Tumbarumba spices on the palate. Art Collection Chardonnay 2021 $20 A very savoury, complex Barossa Merlot HHH 90pts and meaty wine. Lovely A lightweight with fresh purple hues, peppery Cabernet Sauvignon cut grass characters, Cabernet Franc 2018 subtle use of oak and earthiness to the nose HHHH 95pts medium acidity. $60 and nice balance of blue fruits and black pepper Beautifully balanced wine ageing nicely giving on the flavoursome it lovely complexity. palate. 5+ $25 Smells of mince pies! Plenty of peppery fruit flavours. 5+ $35 82 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER
wine & spirit insider tasting MATARO & PRESS + BLOOM Kurtz Family Beresford Estate BLENDS Barossa Valley Vineyards McLaren Vale Mataro 2021 Unwooded Grenache 2016 4 TASTED HHHH 94pts Barossa Valley HHH1/2 92pts 4 AWARDED Attractive style – all Grenache 2021 Chocolaty nose with a bright and fresh HHHH1/2 97pts peppery lift and a mature Small but solid class of with attractive dark A big ripe wine – but not and complex, “antique wines offering loads of fruits and chocolaty/ jammy. Lovely black and shop” of a palate with flavour. molasses characters blue berry fruit bouquet big tannins. $50 adding complexity. with dark and crunchy Levrier by Jo Irvine Starrs Reach tangy fruit flavours Z Wine [RUSTICA] Art Collection Vineyard Single 5+ $28 wrapped in vibrant Barossa Valley Barossa Merlot 2018 Vineyard Riverland acidity. More joven in Grenache 2021 HHHH 94pts Mataro Durif 2021 Z Wine [RUSTICA] style. $22 HHH 91pts Ripe and earthy black HHHH1/2 96pts Barossa Valley Watkins Pilot Green herbaceous fruit fragrances and a Deep purple wine that Mataro 2020 Uncanny aromas and a big rich long chocolaty/licorice is rich, inky and complex HHHH 94pts Langhorne Creek spicy plum palate with a driven palate. Drinking with a surprisingly Both elegant and robust Grenache 2020 drying finish. $25 well now with more in it perfumed/spicy fruit with earthy/fruity aromas HHHH1/2 96pts yet. 3-5 $35 nose and flavours of and fresh red and black Deep dark red wine with Tenafeate Creek Watkins Pilot Real blueberries, aniseed and fruit flavours with silky an inviting spicy cherry One Tree Hill G.S.M. Langhorne Creek spices with good tannin smooth tannins. and dark chocolate nose 2021 HHH 91pts Merlot 2020 support. 3-5 $26 and a grippy ripe fruit/ Smells like licorice HHH1/2 93pts 5+ $28 prune-like palate with a with a big soft ripe fruit Seamlessly balanced high level of acidity. $25 palate showing peppery wine with blue fruit- Singlefile Small Tenafeate Creek complexity. $30 like characters and Batch Great Dry Grown One Tree chocolaty/black olive-like Southern Mataro Hill Grenache 2020 Beresford Classic complexity. $25 2020 HHHH 94pts HHHH 95pts McLaren Vale G.S.M. Watkins Pilot Nose is all blackcurrants Spicy leafy aromas on 2020 HHH 91pts Meritage Quartet with a violet-like lift. the nose with a sweet Tarry characters obvious Langhorne Creek Palate is big and savoury complexity of black olive on the nose followed by Merlot Blend 2020 with excellent balance and brandied cherry-like a savoury palate with HHH 91pts between acid and flavours. $30 tart acidity. $30 Deep purple minty tannins. $59 Watkins Pilot chocolaty wine with Uncanny Langhorne PINOT NOIR meaty elements and GRENACHE & Creek Grenache massive tannins. Time! BLENDS 2021 HHHH 94pts 9 TASTED A classy young varietal 7 AWARDED 5+ $25 10 TASTED with spicy dark berry 9 AWARDED bouquet and a stylish fruit Another consistent palate underscored with flight of wines here, Very big wines here nice, sweet oak. $25 more flavoursome than more in the traditional Fox Creek elegant. “Many of these style rather than the Postmaster McLaren were fruit driven, and more modern mid- Vale G.S.M. 2021 predictable rather than weight one. “Never-the- HHH1/2 93pts innovative,” said one less this was a strong A grippy young wine judge. “These wines class of impressive with dark berry and were lovely to drink but wines,” noted one judge. cherry fruit characters could have been taken supported by a good further.” tannin structure. $29 JUDGES - DAY 2 Yuan Yuan Serena Monghen Export Manager, Cellar Door & Wine Club Brian Miller Wines by Geoff Hardy. manager Sidewood wines. Sales and Marketing Masters degree in WSET level 3 graduate. Manager for Bendbrook International Wine Involved in Sidewood Wines. Consults to several Business. Focus labels and tasting notes Australian wineries and on Asian market. descriptions. was a member of the Completed WSET Export Tasting Panel of the diploma in 2021. Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation. Also, a former Brand Manager with Seppelt Wines and stints with Richard Hamilton Wines and Mitchelton. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 83
NEW RELEASES Kings Creed Schoolhouse Adelaide Hills Coonawarra Pinot Noir 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon HHH 91pts 2020 HHHH1/2 Plums and licorice 96pts on the nose with a A classy young thing balance of cranberry with aromas reminiscent and pomegranate of blackcurrants, tomato flavours. $35 leaves and tobacco. The palate has a solid Nanny Goat structure with great Vineyard Central varietal fruit and masses Otago Pinot Noir of oak. 5+ $80 2020 HHH 91pts Artwine Saint Big flavoursome oaky Wild Game Wine The Yalumba The Rymill Coonawarra Vincent Single wine; some serious blue Duke Coonawarra Signature Barossa Coonawarra Vineyard Adelaide fruits, high acidity and Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Hills Pinot Noir 2021 grippy tannins. $40 2014 HHHHH 98pts Shiraz 2018 2019 HHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 97pts Complex aromas with a HHHH1/2 96pts 96pts Nose is a lifted melange Nanny Goat subtlety of spicy fruits. Oaky aromas dominate Earthy fruit fragrances of beetroot, cherries, Vineyard Super The beautifully mature the spicy perfumed with some smokiness spices and oak. The Nanny Central and complex palate fruit nose and has a from the oak leading to a savoury palate is all Otago Pinot Noir offers loads of rum and beautifully evolving leafy light tannic palate full of umami with a nice 2020 HHH 91pts raisin chocolate bar-like black fruit palate with classy, sweet/minty fruit meaty complexity. A An oaky/tannic wine flavours. Still has more great use of vanillin oak flavours that finish quite great food wine. $40 with sour cherry fruit life in it yet. $26 and firm tannins. $65 savoury. $25 Sidewood Signature and olive characters ‘Abel’ Adelaide Hills adding complexity. $65 Watkins Cellar Taylors Wines Estate Gralyn Estate Pinot Noir 2021 Reserve Currency Limestone Coast Reserve Margaret HHHH 94pts Lapstone Estate Creek Cabernet Clare Valle Cabernet River Cabernet Blue fruit aromas Ringstone SEA Sauvignon 2016 Sauvignon 2020 Sauvignon 2018 laced with forest floor Pinot Noir 2021 HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts characters and has a HHH 90pts “A very impressive wine” A big impressive and A velvety smooth warm and lively savoury/ Big, soft and velvety – big, intense and stylish. brightly fresh cabernet cabernet with a meaty palate with a long for a pinot with intense Musky dark fruits lift off rich with varietal fruit, generosity of black fruits, finish. $45 cherry/chocolate the nose and follows chocolaty oak and aniseed, mint and spices Dinny Goonan Wines characters. $11.99 through to the palate minty notes with herbal and funky mushroom/ Otway Hinterland with its mouthfilling elements and a perfumed forest floor characters Pinot Noir 2021 CABERNET & flavours in the savoury lift. 3-5 $22 adding complexity. HHH1/2 93pts BLENDS spectrum. $35 Singlefile Single A Ribena-like nose and Beresford Limited Vineyard Frankland 5+ $120 big tangy fruit flavours 24 TASTED Release McLaren River Great with some sweetness, 23 AWARDED Vale Cabernet Southern Cabernet The Musician by nice spiciness and Sauvignon 2016 Sauvignon 2020 Majella Coonawarra moderate acidity. $35 Excellent quality HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Cabernet Sauvignon overall showing great Caramel-like nose with A big, soft and oaky Shiraz 2020 consistency right across hints of prunes and an wine with lovely HHHH 94pts the board. “The only outstandingly generous presence of dark A savoury tannic style issue was the very Christmas cake of cherry fruit and stewed with chocolaty/cassis young 2021 wines a palate with chalky blackcurrants, licorice nose and a lean palate made for early drinking – tannins, moderate elements seamlessly layered with dark fruits, faultless but not built for acidity and an amazingly integrated with the cigar herbs and spices. Long ageing,” said one judge. long lingering finish. $80 box oak. $39 finish. 5+ $19 “Vinocide!” suggested another. The quality of Fox Creek McLaren the older wines shows Vale Cabernet how well this variety Sauvignon 2020 ages. HHHH 94pts A big hit of chocolaty, cherry and licorice-like aromas with similar characters echoed on the well balanced, well integrated palate. $23 84 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER
wine & spirit insider tasting Sidewood Beresford Estate SHIRAZ & Allegiance Wines Rymill Coonawarra Stablemate Adelaide McLaren Vale BLENDS Unity Barossa Valley Coonawarra Hills Cabernet 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021/2020 Shiraz 2020 Shiraz 2020 HHHH 94pts 2018 HHH1/2 93pts HHHHH 98pts HHHH1/2 96pts Nose is a mix of plums Seamlessly balanced 23 TASTED Great leathery/prune-like Elegant blackberry and cherries with a wine with great aged 23 AWARDED bouquet with a rich ripe bouquet with a richness of plum and complexity. Prune/black A very consistent group palate that has complex perfumed lift and mulberry flavours and cherry fruit characters of flavoursome wines. layers of flavour. Great young and stylish black forest floor elements with smoky oak. $50 “Most were young and varietal fruit and a very fruit palate with well- adding interest. $22 intense,” noted one long finish. Starting to age integrated soft tannins Patrick of judge. “Some were beautifully. 5+ $100 brightened up by the Taylors Wines Taylor Coonawarra soft and full and ready acid. $25 Made BDX Clare Méthode to drink now, whilst Tenafeate Creek Valley Coonawarra Cab Nouveau others were firm with Basket Press One Sidewood Estate Cabernet Merlot Coonawarra oak in balance and Tree Hill Shiraz 2020 Adelaide Hills Malbec Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon worth ageing for future HHHH1/2 97pts Shiraz 2020 Franc 2019 2021 HHH1/2 92pts development.” Young purple wine HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH 94pts Medicinal notes to the bordering on black with A very interesting cool A minty green bouquet blackcurrant nose with Haselgrove The Lear a restrained spicy oak climate shiraz with and a big bold cassis highly tannic/oaky palate McLaren Vale Shiraz bouquet and a huge medicinal black fruit driven palate with slight with balancing acid. 2020 HHHHH 98pts mulberry driven palate characters and nice green elements and a Time! 5+ $32 Velvety soft, lusciously with an equal amount earthiness underneath. long drying finish. $25 chocolaty, shiraz with of slighty smoky oak to “Love to see it in five Patrick of spicy vanilla elements on balance. 3-5 $30 years!” said one judge. Beresford Classic Coonawarra the nose and generous McLaren Vale Méthode fruit characters on the Red Hill Estate 5+ $26 Cabernet Sauvignon Cab Eucalypt palate with silky smooth Heathcote 2019 HHHH 94pts Coonawarra tannins and good level Shiraz 2021 Cape Jaffa An uncomplicated Cabernet Sauvignon of acidity. $90 HHHH1/2 96pts Wines Epic Drop varietal that is all spicy 2021 HHH1/2 92pts Flavabom Vine Dried A dark, grippy and Wrattonbully Mt blue fruits, black pepper A light and very South Australia serious wine with an Benson Shiraz 2020 and cedar oak with elegant cabernet with Shiraz 2021 abundance of beautiful HHHH1/2 96pts lovely bright acidity. $30 restrained cassis fruit, HHHHH 98pts blue fruit characters, A full-bodied wine with some vanillin oak and A very well made, very plenty of vanillin oak and plenty of sweet ripe fruit Taylors Wines obvious tannins. $32 young wine – “That is a mocha notes. Juicy in that is nicely balanced by Jaraman pleasure to drink!” The texture with a nice tannic the acid and developing Coonawarra Clare Thomson Estate bright berry bouquet grip. 3-5 $25 interesting leathery aged Valley Cabernet Toolunka South exhibits a floral/violet characters with a peppery Sauvignon 2019 Australia Cabernet lift and has a very Briar Ridge lift. 3-5 $29 HHHH 94pts “polished” sweet A cool stalky wine but Sauvignon 2021 varietal fruit palate. $25 Stockhausen Schoolhouse has a “big feel!” Prunes HHH 91pts Signature Hunter Coonawarra and herbs on the nose “A serious young wine Valley Shiraz 2021 Shiraz 2020 and nicely integrated that need time to HHHH1/2 96pts HHHH1/2 96pts and well-balanced shine!” All blackcurrants A well-made clean green Black and inky wine palate. $34 and cedar oak. 5+ style of shiraz with a with a perfumed lift to $18 stalky/leafy bouquet that the nose and an intense follows through to the mix of fruit, spices and Bec Hardy Wines The Composer by palate and combines licorice on the palate Pertaringa Tipsy Majella Coonawarra with some lovely with a long lingering Hill McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon spiciness. 3-5 $40 finish. 3-5 $80 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 HHH 91pts 2019 HHHH 94pts A slightly stalky green Krinklewood God’s Hill Barossa Minty chocolaty nose fruit driven cabernet Broke Fordwich Valley Shiraz 2021 with a lavender lift. Dry offering good cellaring Shiraz 2021 HHHH 94pts and tannic in the mouth; potential. 5+ $25 HHHH1/2 96pts Nose of black olives nice balance of stewed A classy young thing and dark chocolate dark fruit flavours. $295 Zonte’s Footstep that is an attractive mix and a stylish, but very First Off The Rank of black and red fruits youthful, primary fruit Lapstone Estate McLaren Vale with plenty of spices, palate. “Just needs Ringstone SEA Cabernet Sauvignon chocolaty oak and a some age.” 3-5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 HHH 91pts great acid backbone $NA 2020 HHH1/2 93pts Young and firm with with a lengthy finish. A big full-bodied wine lovely bright varietal fruit Thomson Estate Old that tends to be more nicely balanced by the 3-5 $42 Pumphouse South oak. 3-5 $35 savoury than fruity and Australia Shiraz shows well-handled 2021 HHHH 94pts spicy oak. 3-5 A peppery plum $11.99 complexity to the nose and an approachable peppery cassis palate with a spicy lift and leathery notes. 3-5 $18 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 85
NEW RELEASES Allegiance Wines Lapstone Estate Haselgrove Bella Haselgrove Batch The Tiger McLaren Ringstone SEA Vigna McLaren 187 Shiraz e di Piu Vale Shiraz 2021 Shiraz 2020 Vale Shiraz 2019 South Australia HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts HHHH1/2 97pts Shiraz Grenache Gamey oaky aromas A Cherry Ripe bouquet Cool and stylish but Mourvedre 2019 and interesting with a meaty edge big in flavour with an HHH1/2 92pts smoked meat/olive-like and a palate offering a elegance of dark jubey A big brooding blend savouriness to the palate. mouthful of soft, sweet fruit fragrances and with dark chocolaty “Still a baby!” noted one fruit flavours. $11.99 velvety smooth in the aromas and a huge judge. 3-5 $25 mouth with a lively palate with a richness of Dinny Goonan Wines balance of peppery fruit fruit and oak. $25 Deadly by Peerick Single Vineyard flavours. $30 Beresford Estate Pyrenees Shiraz Otway Hinterland McLaren Vale Shiraz Merlot 2021 Shiraz 2020 Wild Game Wine The 2019 HHH1/2 92pts HHHH 94pts HHH1/2 92pts Dame Coonawarra Developed licoricey Easy drinking bright A mature, medium Shiraz 2014 aromas with a savoury blend with spicy bodied, easy drinking HHHH1/2 96pts chocolaty palate. Nicely peppery nose and wine; a great combination A soft and gracefully maturing “old school” vibrant varietal fruit of varietal fruit and herbs. aged shiraz that is wine. $50 palate with a rose petal holding up very well. Bec Hardy Wines lift and a dash of pepper. 3-5 $32 Smells of currants and Pertaringa Yeoman $35.95 kitchen spices with a McLaren Vale Shiraz Zonte’s Footstep mature and balanced 2019 HHH1/2 92pts Allegiance Wines Chocolate Factory integration of flavours. Geoff Merrill Jacko’s Fragrant floral nose with The Artisan McLaren McLaren Vale Shiraz Amazingly fresh. $24 McLaren Vale Shiraz leathery notes and a Vale Shiraz 2021 2020 HHH 91pts Fox Creek Short 2016 HHHH 94pts big, heavy and mature HHHH 94pts Smells of plums with a Row McLaren A rum and raisin traditional style of A generous velvety richness of fruity/meaty/ Vale Shiraz 2018 chocolate bar of a wine palate. $250 smooth wine with earthy flavours following HHHH1/2 96pts – it’s rich and mature Cimicky Wines ICON subtle spiced characters. through on the palate. A stylish wine that is still with a big firm tannin Barossa Shiraz 2016 Smells of fruit cake with youthful and lively. Has a structure and a lingering HHH1/2 92pts a perfectly balanced 5+ $30 lovely balance between finish. $30 “Another old school palate. $40 the dark varietal fruit Beresford Classic wine.” Soft, rich and SHIRAZ & characters and the dusty McLaren Vale Shiraz mature with dried fruit Berrigan Wines Mt BLENDS oak. Still has plenty of 2018 HHHH 94pts characters, peppery Benson Shiraz 2020 2019 & OLDER acidity. $38 A fresh and lively notes and firm tannins. HHHH 94pts Peerick Reserve wine intense with $175 Distinctively olive-like 21 TASTED Pyrenees Shiraz sweet and spicy dark By Merrill Saint aromas and a big 17 AWARDED 2019 HHHH 94pts fruit characters with a Nic Fleurieu Shiraz generous licorice/prune A big old school style Ribena-like character to Cabernet 2019 palate. Will evolve very A class of consistent of shiraz with bold, the finish. $30 HHH 91pts nicely with some age. quality wines with dense fruit characters Zonte’s Footstep Spicy dark fruit the younger ones laced with umami-like Super Trooper fragrances and young 5+ $24.95 performing better savouriness. Ageing Fleurieu Shiraz intense palate. “Big in overall. “Some of these beautifully. $39.95 Cabernet 2019 everything, including Taylors Wines were very big in flavour, HHH1/2 93pts acid!” $25 Taylor Made Clare albeit well balanced,” A mature wine with an Watkins Cellar Valley Shiraz 2020 said one judge. abundance of purple/ Reserve McLaren HHHH 94pts “Generally, the oak use blue fruit characters Vale Shiraz 2014 Dark and spicy on the was appropriate, but balanced by the acid and HHH 91pts nose with a pleasant, a few suffered from tannins. $25 A grippy aged shiraz still nicely structured and excess tannins.” Cassegrain Wines vibrant with hints of dark what one judge called a Edition Noir Orange berries and plums. $35 “cuddly” palate. $25 UMAMU Estate Hilltops Shiraz Minnow Creek Margaret River Viognier 2019 McLaren Vale Shiraz The Pinnacle Shiraz 2019 HHH1/2 93pts 2018 HHH 90pts McLaren Vale Shiraz HHHHH 98pts A serious young wine Fruit cake-like aromas 2020 HHHH 94pts Typical cool climate with a fruit cake-like with big, bold and sweet Young and juicy with shiraz with a leafy nose and a long, lean stewed fruit flavour an abundance of dark mulberry bouquet and spicy palate with a profile. $29 peppery fruit and spicy and a dash of pepper tannic grip. $35 oak with grippy tannins. and a vibrant inky PRESS + BLOOM “A serious wine!” $25 concentration of flavours McLaren Vale Shiraz with oaky complexity. 2018 HHH1/2 93pts Taylors Wines “Very polished wine!” A mature old-fashioned Jaraman Clare Valley $38 style of shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz exhibiting dried fruit- 2020 HHHH 94pts like characters with A big, flavoursome, chocolaty nuances. $27 full-bodied style with an earthy fruit nose and big hit of sweet fruit flavours with nice use of oak. 5+ $34 86 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER
NEW RELEASES contact details FORTIFIEDS ADELAIDE HILLS MCLAREN VALE, Geoff Merrill Wines LANGHORNE CREEK, Phone: 08 8381 6877 3 TASTED Art Wine Pty Ltd FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Email: [email protected] 3 AWARDED Phone: 0411 422 450 Web: www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au Some fantastic Email: [email protected] Australia Heidrun Estate (Rohan) Gralyn Estate examples here showing Web: www.artwine.com.au Phone: 0420 650 730 Phone: 08 9755 6245 the lovely stylistically Corryton Burge (Burge Family Wine Email: marketing@heidrungroup. Email: [email protected] typical butterscotch and Estates) com.au Web: www.gralyn.com.au caramel aromas and Phone: +61 8 8563 7575 Web: www.heidrungroup.com.au Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd flavours. Email: [email protected] Doc Adams Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 08 8323 8706 Web: www.corrytonburge.com Phone: 0419 807 165 Email: [email protected] Gralyn Estate Hahndorf Hill Winery Email: sales@docadamswines. Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Margaret River Phone: 08 8388 7512 com.au Levrier by Jo Irvine Pedro Ximenez NV Email: cellardoor@ Web: www.docadamswines.com.au Phone: 08 8562 3888 HHHH1/2 97pts hahndorfhillwinery.com.au Geoff Merrill Wines Email: [email protected] Nose reminiscent of Web: www.hahndorfhillwinery. Phone: 08 8381 6877 Web: www.levrierwines.com.au burnt toffee with a com.au Email: [email protected] Sidewood Estate Pty Ltd sweet but light, not Mt Bera Vineyards Web: www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au Phone: 08 8389 9234 cloying, palate full Phone: 08 8389 2433 Grandeur Wellington Email: [email protected] of delicious, toasted Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8383 0866 Web: www.sidewood.com.au caramel/apple pie-like Web: www.mtberavineyards.com.au Email: [email protected] Starrs Reach Vineyard flavours with a finish Paracombe Premium Wines Web: www.grandeurwellington. Phone: 0419 034 087 that goes on and on. $60 Phone: 08 8380 5058 com.au Email: [email protected] Galway Pipe Email: [email protected] Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.starrsreach.com.au Australia Grand Web: www.paracombewines.com Phone: 08 8323 8706 Wild Game Wine Tawny NV Vinteloper Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 261 075 HHHH1/2 97pts Phone: 0415 297 787 Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Email: [email protected] Lovely balance between Email: [email protected] Orbis Wines Web: www.wildgamewine.com.au the butterscotch and Web: www.vinteloper.com.au Phone: 0466 986 318 Yalumba & Hill-Smith Family barley sugar-like aromas Email: [email protected] Vineyards with a very syrupy BEST OF THE WEST Web: www.orbiswines.com.au Phone: 08 8561 3563 sweet palate rich with Shingleback Wine Email: [email protected] flavours in the chocolate, Bettenay Wines Phone: 08 8323 9919 Web: www.yalumba.com caramel and black tea Phone: 08 9755 5539 Email: tastingroom@shingleback. Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd spectrum. $36 Email: info@bettenaysmargaretriver. com.au Phone: 08 7286 3088 Galway Pipe com.au Web: www.shingleback.com.au Email: [email protected] Australia Rare Tawny Web: www.bettenaysmargaretriver. Watkins Family Wine Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au NV HHHH 94pts com.au Phone: 0415 571 574 Smells of crème caramel Gralyn Estate Email: [email protected] NORTH ISLAND NZ with a sweet complexity Phone: 08 9755 6245 Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd of spicy, coffee and Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 7286 3088 Linden Estate Winery NZ roasted almond flavours. Web: www.gralyn.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 0279 004 749 Finishes quite dry. $100 Rivendell Winery Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au Email: sales@lindenestatewinery. Phone: 08 9755 2000 co.nz Email: [email protected] NEW RELEASES Web: www.lindenestatewinery.co.nz Web: www.rivendellwines.com.au Singlefile Wines Pty Ltd Art Wine Pty Ltd NZ RECENT RELEASES Phone: 0409 108 166 Phone: 0411 422 450 Spy Valley Wines NZ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Web: www.singlefilewines.com Web: www.artwine.com.au Email: [email protected] Cassegrain Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Phone: 02 6582 8347 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cassegrainwines.com.au Dinny Goonan Wines Phone: 0438 408 420 Email: [email protected] Web: www.dinnygoonan.com.au May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 87
on the scene E | [email protected] W | russellandsuitor.com.au russellandsuitorwines russellandsuitor Killara Distillery is located on 26 acres in the heart of the Coal Valley near VINEYARD EST. 1985 ELEVATION 890m Richmond and offers complete a Garden to Glass experience. Started in 2016 by second generation Australian distiller Kristy Lark, to create hand Ph: (02) 6363 5602 craftedTasmanian spirits including Single Malt Whisky, Apothecary Gin, Email: [email protected] Tasmanian Vodka and seasonal liqueurs. Tours and tastings availableThurs-Sat and other times by appointment. Web: www.highlandheritage.com.au Group booking, distillery school and private tastings available. Killara Distillery [email protected] 32 Ogilvie Lane, RichmondTAS 7025 IG: @killara_distillery www.killaradistillery.com PH: 0405090203 Gourmet Luxury Gift Hampers for personal or corporate gifts. Looking for collaboration opportunities to boost your bottom line, we would love to hear from you. Phone: 1300 284 684 Email: [email protected] Website: www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au Reillys Wines Cellar Door & Restaurant ‘Running on cool climate Syrah’ 2396 State Highway 50 ~ RD5 ~ Hastings 4175 A proudly South Australian owned and operated winery since 1993. We specialise in producing Hawke’s Bay ~ New Zealand. premium red and white wines sourced from our Phone: 06 879 7778 ~ Email: [email protected] estate vineyards in the Clare Valley. www.trinityhill.com Phone: (08) 8843 9013 Cellar Door Wine Tasting in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels, Email: [email protected] Website: www.reillyswines.com.au everyone welcome. Open 7 days Artwine Cellar Door 72 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside SA 5244 Ph: 0400 270 584 • Email: [email protected] Cellar Door Open Daily 11am to 5pm • www.artwine.com.au We are leaders in the production of new-emerging varieties and offer you a unique seated tasting experience with varieties you may not have tried before. Magnificent views and local produce platters served daily. We look forward to welcoming you! ALPINE VALLEYS HUNTER VALLEY MARGARET RIVER SingleVineyard Small BatchWines Available online All wines available in our online store @ goldmanwines.com.au [email protected] @goldmanwines For Tastings and Sales, visit our cellar door at The Winning Post Motor Inn, 101 Church Street, Mudgee. ph: 0417 451 102 email: [email protected] www.charnwoodestate.com.au 88 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
on the scene CORNIOLA WINES Corniola Wines is nestled in the heart of the famous Yarra Valley wine region in Victoria. YAR A VALLEY Experience the smaller, family owned and operated winery and Cellar Door. We are pleased to offer you our current range of wines made from hand-picked Estate grown fruit and from selected vineyards, with the focus being to create affordable wines of premium high quality. 100 Wills Rd, Dixons Creek VIC 3775, Australia Phone: 03 5965 2393 Opening Hours: 10:30am – 5:00pm, Monday - Sunday WWW.CORNIOLAWINES.COM.AU DO YOU WANT OVER 500K PEOPLE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS? PERFECT FOR ALL: • Cellar Doors • Restaurants • Online Liquor Stores • Wine, Whisky or Gin Bars • Accommodation / Bed & Breakfast PUT YOUR BUSINESS HERE GRAND MILLESIME Contact Debra for details Australia's Burgundy Specialist. Visit our Phone: 08 85379277 website for a huge range of wine from Bourgogne to the finest Grand Crus. Email: [email protected] Well over 1000 different products always available including old vintages. • Online store • Distillery • Restaurant • WineTour Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Email: [email protected] • Bar • B&B Website: www.grandmillesime.com.au FOARGYOIFUT GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION! Do you know someone who would love Winestate Magazine as much as you do? Call us today on +61 8 8357 9277 or visit www.winestate.com.au May/June 2022 W I N E S TAT E 89
aftertaste ELISABETH KING OVEN RULES - PLANNING FOR THE BEST RESULTS WITH winter fast approaching, many people when you read that intel, welcome The Goldilocks rack placement is the middle are thinking of using their ovens more often. to the club. When you Google of the oven and a no-brainer when it comes Popping something in the oven after a hard professional oven cleaning up to baked goods because it’s where the oven day’s work, baking to de-stress or using its pops millions of results from all temperature is most even. cook-ahead benefits when entertaining are parts of the English-speaking major boons when it comes to relaxing and/ world. Even though I admitted that I rarely use or saving time. Ovens are also a godsend for many of the settings in my oven, I use it even anyone who hasn’t acquired much expertise Yet if you don’t bother cleaning during the summer months. For starters, beyond basic cooking skills. the oven as much as you should, cooking in the oven is a hands-off process. a potential fire isn’t the only risk. Over time, You can prepare dishes well ahead for I consider myself a seasoned user of my food and grease stick to many components brunches, lunches and dinners, which has double wall oven, but I was pulled up short of the oven from the racks to the elements if become more of a benefit as more people recently when I received a landmark study it’s electric and they will burn every time you work from home. Oven cooking is also a from Smeg , the Italian appliance maker. A use the oven. Continuously cooking in a dirty gentler way of coaxing out the flavours of huge 49 per cent of Australians surveyed oven can also create carbon-based fumes simple ingredients such as green beans admitted to not fully understanding how to and excess smoke - the leading causes of rather than steaming. I have even prepped use the majority of settings on their oven. oven fires. They also affect the taste of food, soups in the oven. Any vegetable that can be cause the oven to be less efficient and create pureed, along with onions and garlic, can be Guilty as charged. I rarely pay attention to unpleasant odours in the kitchen. cooked until fork-tender in the oven. Simply the functions on my oven - Rapid Heat, Base whizz until smooth in a food processor and Heat, Bake/Pizza, Maxi Grill and more. I am You would think that advice to use oven mitts mix with hot stock. also often behind the eight ball when it comes or a thick teatowel when removing things from to considering the individual requirements of theovenwouldn’tbeneeded.ButtheAustralian Reverting back to the Smeg study, the what I am cooking. I am not alone. Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that researchers came up with other interesting minor burns in the home are common and facts about how Aussies use their ovens. Smeg’s research also discovered that ovens and stoves are major danger zones after Married people are more likely to set their 64 per cent of Aussies surveyed set their BBQ accidents and hot water. Children, older ovens at 180 degrees Celsius fan forced ovens to 180 degrees Celsius fan-forced no people and men aged 15 to 39 years suffer than singletons (31% vs 25%). Parents with matter what they are cooking. We claim that the most from at-home burns, says the AIHW. children under 18 are also more likely to adopt we want to learn more, though, with nearly this default position by contrast to those who half of respondents saying they would like Oven mitts are as cheap as chips, so don’t don’t have children - 42 percent vs 22 per cent. to find out more about the different settings be tempted to pick up any cloth or fabric to on their ovens. I guess that’s easier than remove a dish from the oven. Reaching into the Where you live also has a bearing on the saying we can’t be bothered. Nearly every back of the oven can also cause minor burns if common Aussie practice of using the same manufacturer of ovens offers detailed you don’t take care and “brush” a shelf. Always 180-degree setting. NSW residents lead the instructions online and offline on how to make sure mitts or teatowels are not only thick pack with 33 per cent most likely to take the maximise the use of their products. There’s but also dry to prevent any mishaps. easy route, by contrast to Victorians (24%) and also a host of videos on YouTube with titles South Australians (19%). Thankfully, there is such as - 5 Steps to Operating an Oven, We’ve all been there, especially when not really much to worry about says Canstar, How to Use an Oven for the First Time and entertaining. I am talking about overloading one of Australia’s leading comparison sites, How To Use an Oven Safely. the oven. This common habit not only who advise that if you aren’t sure what you are increases cooking time, it can also affect the doing set the oven at 180 degrees as a good The last one should be mandatory viewing. circulation of heat in the oven and produce base line temperature and keep an eye on the There are over 20,000 house fires in Australia very uneven results. dish without opening the oven door. After all every year and cooking is the most common that, I think I need a glass of wine. cause. Range top cooking with pots and There’s a good reason why recipes tell pans is the main culprit, but dirty ovens you where to place a dish in the oven. The cause one in five house fires. temperature in many ovens isn’t uniform and as an element in an electric oven cycles on Cleaning the oven ranks as one of the and off, the heat rises and the upper part of most hated of household chores. Ideally, the oven becomes hotter. Great for a dish that homeowners and tenants should clean their needs a browned top but not for pizzas and ovens at least every 12 weeks or twice a roastedvegetableswhichneedmoreheatfrom month if they are in heavy use. If you cringed the bottom of the oven closer to the element. n e x t i s s u e : Snuggle up, relax and enjoy these great tastings of delicious sweet whites & fortifieds, Wines of Victoria, Clare Valley, Inland Rivers, Cabernet & Blends & Organic/Biodynamic wines. 90 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2022
www.winestate.com.au SPECIAL EDITION 2014 WINESTATE VOL 37 ISSUE 7 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 11,000 tasted annually MARCH/APRIL 2016 WINESTATE VOL 39 ISSUE 2 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews MAY/JUNE 2018 WINESTATE VOL 41 ISSUE 3 BEST OF THE WEST MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS WINES OF NSW NORTH ISLAND, NZ THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE WINE OF THE YEAR AWARDS RIESlINg QUEENSlAND SAUvIgNON blANc PINOT gRIS/PINOT gRIgIO WINE oF BAROSSA ITALIAN & SPANISH CENTRAL & WESTERN VICTORIA ROSÉ CHARDONNAY MARLBOROUGH (NZ) Serious about special edition 2014 SAUVIGNON 6T9h-EPaygEe AR MAKING THE special feature BEST 150OF IT the best wines, winemakers & wine companies of the year Celebrating from australia & new zealand years! 237 PERSISTENCE &Italian Spanish pays off 176 tasted QUEENSLAND PrINT POST APPrOVED 100003663 Special Edition 2014 WINE AWARDS PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 March/April 2016 PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 May/June 2018 C O LELDEICTTI OONR S Vol 37 Issue 7 Vol 39 Issue 2 Vol 41 Issue 3 $9.95 AUS (inc GST) NEW FEATURE TASTING $12.00 AUS (inc GST) $12.00 AUS (inc GST) NZ $10.95 SGD $14.95 FRom ThE PRodUcER NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 US $14.99 gbP £8.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 EUR 9.95 China RMB100 EUR $9.95 China RMB100 EUR $9.95 HKD $120 HKD $120 INR 1000 RUB 700 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 CHF 15.00 China RMB100 CHF 15.00 BGN 25.00 plus Rosé • Chardonnay & Blends • Central & Western Victoria plus Sauvignon Blanc & Blends Riesling Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio Barossa Valley & Eden Valley • New Releases • Marlborough (NZ) plus Wines of NSW • Best of the West • McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Queensland From The Producer Best Wine Buys Under $20 Fleurieu & Surrounds • North Island (Gisborne, Auckland & Northland) NZ 266_CoverFRONT 216x297.indd 1 12/11/2014 9:49:00 PM 275_CoverFRONT_215.5x297.indd 7 18/02/2016 11:52:46 AM 289_CoverFRONT_215.5x297_FINAL.indd 1 13/04/2018 11:13:20 AM THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 10,000 tasted annually SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 WINESTATE VOL 39 ISSUE 5 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 100% Independent Panel Reviews SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 WINESTATE VOL 33 ISSUE 5 ANNUAL 2017 WINESTATE VOL 40 ISSUE 1 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE WINESTATE’S BEST WINES OF 2016 IN REVIEW WORLD'S GREATEST SHIRAZ CHALLENGE XI SEMILLON RIVER REGIONS YARRA YALLEY & SOUTHERN VICTORIA OTAGO, NZ A Grape For World's greatest shiraz ChalleNge V seMilloN riVer regioNs Yarra YalleY & soUtherN ViCtoria haWKes BaY, Nz WORLD’S GREATEST All Reasons 780SHIRAZ CHALLENGE TASTED SPAIN’S NATIVE WHITE GRAPE VARIETY KOSHU COUNTRY Reinvention of an ancient A L L Uo fAR Elsace Japanese grape Vin2t0a1g6e Report OVER 450 TASTED 285 FASFTUanRd IOUS Featuring NEW Penfolds Grange RELEASES ANNUAL Wolf Blass Edition 2017 Bird in Hand September/October 2010 Henschke Hill of Grace Vol 33 Issue 5 Torbreck The Laird $9.95 AUS (inc GST) Pertaringa The Yeoman UK £3.95 NZ $10.95 PRINT POST APPROVED PP565001/00129 Annual 2017 PRINT POST APPROVED 100003663 September/October 2016 THE NEXT PRINT POST APPROVEd PP565001/00129 Penfolds Grange Vol 40 Issue 1 Vol 39 Issue 5 FRONTIER $14 AUS (inc GST) $12.00 AUS (inc GST) Otago's Pinot Noir THE IDEALS OF AN ICON NZ $15 SGD $19 NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 Wonderland US $17.99 GBP £11.95 US $17.99 GBP £10.95 Home Away FROM HOME EUR 9.95 China RMB120 EUR 9.95 China RMB100 FROM DOWN-UNDER TO THE BIG US OF A HKD $150 CHF 20.00 ZAR 250 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 plus Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria River Regions The pick of the crop from over 10,000 tasted plus Brandy, Cognac & Armagnac • Semillon & Blends • Semillon & Blends Hawkes Bay (NZ) Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria • River Regions • Otago (NZ) includes: best of styles, new releases & regional reviews of 2016 278_CoverFRONT216x297_FINAL.indd 1 27/07/2016 12:48:53 PM 236_CoverFRONT216x297.indd 1 28/07/2010 1:10:26 PM AUSTRALIA & NEW take out a subscription and save!ZEALANDWINE BUYING GUIDE PLEASE SEND ME MAGAZINE FOR: SUBSCRIBE TO OUR COMPLETE PACKAGE Australia which includes hard-copy and digital versions plus full on-line access to Winestate’s web site and reviews. 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Life gets so hard and they just start to break This country was founded But there’s only so much by hard-work on the land any man or woman can take But after years of toil, Before life gets so hard our mates need a hand. and they just start to break Our world is unsettled Let’s not take for granted, and it’s taking it’s toll what our farmers provide And though our farmers are tough, It’s time to say thank you it’s breaking their soul and stand by their side. Our mates in the bush... So to all of our farmers, we can’t hear them shout. their families and friends From getting squeezed at the farm gate, We need you, we’re with you, between floods and drought it’s far from the end They’re strong and they’re proud And to my fellow aussies and they work to provide that live far from the gate They get kicked in the guts For our mates in the bush... and take it all in their stride It’s time to donate! It’s time to donate. ruralaid.org.au
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