Winestate Magazine May June 2015

Wicks Estate regional tastingAdelaide HillsRiesling 2014 GANTLEYS RESTAURANTHHH1/2Citrus/lemon rindelements exhibited onthe nose and carryingthrough on to thebalanced palate with acidfreshness. $18NepentheWinemaker SelectAdelaide HillsGruner Veltliner2014 HHH1/2A very interesting wine; abig style for this particularvariety with some punchyaromas and loads offlavour. $25Ceravolo Adelaide Wicks EstateHills Cortese Adelaide Hills2014 HHH Sauvignon BlancBright lifted floral bouquet 2014 HHHH1/2and a long seamless A great example of a Hillspalate and well-balanced sauvignon blanc with itsresidual sugar. $20 gooseberry-driven noseFox Gordon Abby and beautifully texturedAdelaide Hills and seamlessly balancedViognier 2014 HHH palate loaded with pureA lifted aromatic style varietal flavours. $18with passionfruit notes Wolf Blass Goldand typical varietal Label Adelaide Hillsoiliness on a tropical Sauvignon Blancpalate. $22.95 2014 HHHH1/2Nepenthe Tight, lean style ofWinemaker Select sauvignon blanc withAdelaide Hills excellent purity of varietalViognier 2014 HHH fruit shining through onElegant floral aromatics the nose and a palate thatand nicely balanced well- is long and balanced andtextured palate showing full of flavour with a goodquality oak. $25 acid spine. $24.99Sauvignon Tomich Wines GANTLEYS RESTAURANTBlanc & Gallery Collection Queenstown, New ZealandBlends Wing & A Prayer P: +64 3 442 8999 | F: +64 3 442 7007 Adelaide Hills22 TASTED Sauvignon Blanc E: [email protected] AWARDED 2014 HHHH www.gantleys.co.nz A fine wine with great LOWBURN FERRY WINESThere were some varietal expression on Central Otago, New Zealandexcellent examples the nose and oodles of P: +64 3 445 0846here showing purity of tropical flavours. \"Will E: [email protected] with good varietal appeal to many,\" thought www.lowburnferry.co.nzexpression but there one judge. $16were also many that Nepenthe Altitudewere dull and flat. Adelaide Hills\"Yeast selection was a Sauvignon Blancdeterminant here,” said 2014 HHHHone judge. \"Great to see An interesting stylea balanced sugar level.\" showing subtle tropical characters and exhibiting some good complexity underscored by lean crisp acidity. $21.99 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 101

ADELAIDE HILLSNepenthe Petrea Pinot Gris/ The Lane Block 2 Bird In Hand Wolf Blass GoldAdelaide Hills Grigio Adelaide Hills Pinot Nest Egg Adelaide Label AdelaideSauvignon Blanc Gris 2014 HHH Hills Chardonnay Hills Chardonnay2014 HHHH 13 TASTED Subtle floral/nectarine 2012 HHHHH 2013 HHHHA solid wine sitting at 6 AWARDED nose with an abundance A complex and intriguing A toasty oak nose with athe greener end of the of spicy fruit flavours on wine that's jam-packed serious, oak-driven palatespectrum; showing its \"You can see the the palate. $25 full of oak - but well- - very creamy texturecool climate origins. discrepancy between chosen oak and still has with some melon andThe palate oozes subtle serious winemakers Eagle & The VBBAEULSYUTSE plenty of lovely peach and honey-like characterstropical flavours. $32.99 and those who are on Fool Adelaide melon-like varietal fruit coming through. $24.99Tempus Two Copper the fashionable band- Hills Pinot Gris pushing through. $85 Penfolds CellarSeries Adelaide Hills wagon,\" commented 2013 HHH Reserve AdelaideSauvignon Blanc one judge. \"There is A medium bodied creamy Nepenthe Ithica Hills Chardonnay2014 HHH1/2 still the confusion wine with apricot kernels Adelaide Hills 2013 HHHHInteresting wine with between gris and grigio and peach characters and Chardonnay 2013 Good concentration ofattractive Burgundian styles; make what your a background of honey. HHHH1/2 varietal fruit evident;smokiness. \"This is not vineyard makes rather $18 Some really beautiful ripe peaches, figs and melonsyour typical sauvignon than choosing styles.\" varietal fruit and lovely all present with someblanc,\" noted one Mojo Adelaide creamy oak set against an well-handled oak addingjudge. $30 Bird In Hand Hills Pinot Gris excellent acid backdrop. complexity. $34The Lane Block 10 Adelaide Hills Pinot 2013 HHH \"The wine is benefiting Wicks EstateSingle Vineyard Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 Bright and simple with from yeast lees contact,\" Adelaide HillsAdelaide Hills Lovely example of the subtle pear-like characters said one judge. $32.99 Chardonnay 2014Sauvignon Blanc variety - fragrances of laced with wild honey K1 by Geoff Hardy HHH1/22014 HHH rose petals lift off the notes. Finishes clean. Adelaide Hills \"Interesting!\" Shows aYeasty Vegemite nose and ripe pears and $18 Chardonnay 2014 lot of oaky richness andcharacters on the slightly green plum flavours fill HHHH complexity mixed withpungent nose with the mouth. Finishes with Chardonnay Elegant floral bouquet tinned pear-like fruithoneyed/gooseberry nice length of acidity. $28 with a dash of hazelnuts. characters. $18flavours. $25 20 TASTED Silky smooth palate has Bird In HandNepenthe Petrea Tomich Wines some buttery qualities Adelaide HillsAdelaide Hills Gallery Collection 12 AWARDED and tastes of peaches Chardonnay 2014Sauvignon Blanc Rhyme & Reason and guavas. $35 HHH1/22013 HHH Adelaide Hills Pinot A very strong class - the Subtle oak nose creatingA subtlety of grassy Grigio 2014 HHH1/2 hero of the region with nutty aromas and aherbaceousness on Lifted pear-like aromatics winemakers showing generously oaked palatethe nose and tropical on the nose and some respect for the fruit but without being in yourfruit flavours. Good acid pretty Turkish Delight-like and restraint on oak. face. Hot finish. $42spine. $32.99 flavours with a bright acid \"Chardonnay needs time d'Arenberg The finish. $16 in the Hills with the site Lucky Lizard reflecting the style,\" said Adelaide Hills Hesketh Lenswood one judge. Chardonnay 2013 Adelaide Hills Pinot HHH1/2 Grigio 2014 HHH McGuigan Shortlist A sound well-balanced Simple, no frills style Adelaide Hills wine; a tad angular with floral and vanilla-like Chardonnay around the edges with a aromas and hints of rose 2013 HHHHH complexity of crisp pear petals on the palate. $25 Subtle aromas of and melon flavours. $25 nectarines and cashews and a seamless, beautifully poised, palate with flavours of vanilla, cinnamon and caramel with a gentle touch of oak. $28.99judges Alex Trescowthick Leigh Ratzmer Charlotte Hardy Winemaker for Winemaker for the Hills’ Winemaker at Wine Nepenthe Wines. region Wicks Estate Architect, consulting Associate Judge at Wines. Has completed ten group. Judge at Barossa Adelaide Hills Wine vintages in the Adelaide Valley and Adelaide Hills Show and previously Hills, Barossa and Austria. wine shows. Previous Rutherglen. Has Associate judge at Adelaide winemaker at The Lane, vintages in Napa, Jura Hills and National Cool Chateau Giscours, and Rheinhessen. Climate wine shows. Bordeaux and Craggy International panelist at the Range, NZ. 2003 Kamptal (Austria) Pinot Noir forum.102 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

regional tastingThe Lane Block Amadio Adelaide VISIT US.1A Adelaide Hills Hills Merlot Rosé EXPERIENCE THEChardonnay 2013 2014 HHHHHH1/2 Bright raspberry red WHOLE RANGE.Bright and elegant with colour with subtlea delicate floral lift to the strawberry aromas,nose and lovely flavours creamy palate and lightof ripe peaches, melons flavours. $17and hints of honey.$20 Pinot NoirWolf Blass White 17 TASTEDLabel Piccadilly 5 AWARDEDChardonnay 2013HHH1/2 Disappointing group!Good fruit/oak balance The top wines showedhere. Nice palate texture freshness and good useand length showing some of juicy fruit charactersvery attractive stonefruit but the rest were justnuances. $34.99 dried out and lacking in varietal definition.Penfolds ReserveBin 13A Adelaide Tomich WinesHills Chardonnay Woodside Vineyard2013 HHH Adelaide Hills PinotToasty, oak dominated Noir 2013 HHHHHchardonnay, for now, but Excellent \"pinot-ness\" ofshould age well. $100 cassis and cherries on the nose and lovely smartRosé varietal palate - more cherries and some forest7 TASTED floor characters. \"Very3 AWARDED pinot noir,\" enthused one judge. $25The better wines herewere made in a drier Wicks Estatestyle which was good Adelaide Hills Pinotto see but there were Noir 2013 HHHH1/2too many last minute The nose shows somethoughts, according to interesting stalkyone judge, rather than characters supportedwinemakers showing by attractive primarya genuine and serious fruit aromas and has aattempt to make a rosé. generous, well-balanced, palate with velvety softTomich Wines tannins. $20Gallery CollectionUp, Up & Away Tomich WinesAdelaide Hills Rosé Icons of Woodside2014 HHHH Vineyard 1777Bright strawberry-like Adelaide Hills Pinotaromas and a well- Noir 2013 HHH1/2balanced strawberry and Quite a complex stylecream style of palate. with savoury fruit, goodA popular easy drinking acid and very good tanninstyle. $16 structure. Nice balance and length. $40Bird In Hand Sew & Sew Adelaide www.gartelmann.com.auAdelaide Hills Pinot Hills Pinot Noir 701 Lovedale Road, LovedaleRosé 2014 HHH1/2 2012 HHH1/2 Hunter Valley, NSW 2320, AustraliaGenerous well-balanced Pleasant cassis fruitstyle with weight and bouquet, full raspberry/texture and showing blackberry palate, notgood red fruit characters overly varietal but, \"A nicewith a nice level of ride,\" according to onetannins. $25 judge. $33 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 103

ADELAIDE HILLSd'Arenberg The Nepenthe Altitude Howard Vineyard K1 by Geoff Hardy ShirazFeral Fox Adelaide Adelaide Hills Amos Adelaide Hills Adelaide Hills BlendsHills Pinot Noir Tempranillo 2013 Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon2010 HHH HHHHH 2013 HHH1/2 2013 HHHH 5 TASTEDBlackberry and mulberry Lovely mélange of Big whiff of green A lean and slightly leafy 2 AWARDEDaromas with menthol rhubarb, blackberry tobacco on the nose style with a mix of darktouches. Sound palate; and cassis-like aromas against an earthy fruits, tobacco, spice \"It was the young andplush and varietal. $30 with subtle oak in the background; similar and some well-placed the fresh versus the old background. These characters on the weighty oak with a tight tannin and tired,\" commentedOther Red characters are echoed palate. $60 structure. $35 one of the judging panelVarietals & on the palate with some Bird In Hand about these blends.Blends great fruit and supporting Fox Gordon The Adelaide Hills tannins. $21.99 Dark Prince Cabernet Sauvignon Wicks Estate10 TASTED Adelaide Hills Nero 2013 HHH1/2 Eminence Adelaide7 AWARDED Hahndorf Hill Winery D'Avola 2013 HHH Fennel and aniseed Hills ShirazSome very interesting Blueblood Adelaide Complexity of black characters on the nose Cabernet 2012varietals here! \"Some Hills Blaufrankisch jelly bean/aniseed and good palate length HHH1/2do well in the Hills; 2013 HHHH aromas and generous with a big dollop of ripe A 'serious' wine withsome don't. Watch this Nice fennel and licorice varietal flavours. \"Worth berry fruit flavours. $42 brooding dark fruits andspace!” characters on the nose pursuing.\" $24.95 Howard Vineyard some green/menthol and bold, generous, red Amos Adelaide Hills notes with a heavy touchCeravolo Adelaide fruit palate with lovely Bird In Hand Cabernet Sauvignon of chewy oak. $60Hills Barbera 2013 fine grained tannin Adelaide Hills Nero 2013 HHH1/2HHHHH structure. $40 D'Avola 2013 HHH A beautiful ripe plum and Hahndorf HillDark fruit intensity to the Generous amount of berry fruit bouquet with Winery Compatriotsnose and a beautifully oak here but has the a good concentration of Adelaide Hills Shirazbalanced, medium-bodied fruit to carry it. Subtle opulent varietal/berry fruit Cabernet Sauvignonpalate with excellent fruit aromas and a balanced flavours. $60 Merlot 2013 HHHdrive; it's all raspberries palate. $42 Basket Range Wine Opulent juicy blendand mulberries with fine Adelaide Hills brimming over with freshtannins. Good cellaring Bird In Hand Cabernet Sauvignon primary fruit and wrappedpotential. $20 Adelaide Hills Merlot 2012 HHH1/2 in great tannins. $35 Montepulciano Attractive nose; cabernet 2013 HHH characters show through Shiraz Pleasing dark fruit nose with a generous, juicy and tarry palate with and well-balanced palate 20 TASTED menthol notes and mouth with silky tannins. $25 10 AWARDED puckering tannins. $42 Wolf Blass White Label Adelaide Hills The 2013 wines showed Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon that vintages qualities Sauvignon & 2012 HHH with the judges finding Blends A nice combo of tobacco very few faults, although leaf, gum tree and ripe there were some wines 10 TASTED cherry characters with submerged by the oak. 7 AWARDED loads of fine grainy The Hills produce mid- tannins. $40 weight reds so subtle The 2013 vintage was Bird In Hand Nest oak use is required and strong with nice varietal Egg Adelaide Hills fruit concentration the definition and fresh fruit Cabernet Sauvignon key. flavours. A solid class. 2010 HHH Brooding dark fruit, Wicks Estate tobacco touches and Adelaide Hills syrupy development. Still Cabernet Sauvignon in good shape. $120 2013 HHHH1/2 Raspberry aromas with a nice mintiness coming through. Lively and juicy in the mouth and retaining lovely varietal flavours with a seamless tannin/oak backbone. $20104 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

regional tasting Bird In Hand Two in the Bush Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHHH A subtlety of raspberries and blackberries on the nose and a drying, high alcohol, palate with loads of fruit and chocolaty tannins. $23 K1 by Geoff Hardy Middle Hill Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHHH A solid wine with some powerful dark fruit aromas and great varietal flavour concentration on the harmoniously balanced palate. $25Wicks Estate Sidewood MappingaAdelaide Hills Shiraz Adelaide Hills Shiraz2013 HHHHH 2013 HHHHDark brooding fruit Lifted, spicy, darkbouquet with a bright fruit fragrances andspicy lift. Soft in the mouthfilling dark spicymouth and full of plum/ fruit flavours with longberry flavours with a lingering tannins andbackbone of aniseed and some well-handledspices and a good level of oak. $55oak. $20 Hahndorf Hill Winery Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHH 'Serious' brooding fruit bouquet and some lovely fruit hanging from a great structural backbone. $25 Sidewood Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHH Pretty fruit nose with slightly green edge. Soft, round and flavoursome in the mouth. Tannins nicely in check. $25Alta Chapter 1. K1 by GeoffAdelaide Hills Shiraz Hardy Middle Hill2013 HHHH1/2 Adelaide HillsVery approachable style Shiraz 2012 HHHthat's fresh with bright Lifted bright berry fruitred fruit aromas and has aromas and flavours. Aa good fruit concentration wine that shows plenty ofon the vibrant palate. promise! $25Tannins are still quite Wolf Blass Goldgrippy. Time! $20 Label Adelaide Hills Syrah 2012 HHH A powerful oak-driven May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 105 style of shiraz but the varietal fruit still shines through. $28 Nepenthe Gate Block Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2012 HHH Green capsicum-like characters on the nose with similar characters on the well-structured palate. $31.99

73 TASTED58 AWARDEDS W EE T W H I T E & F O RT I F I EDA very strong strike rate here for our annual “sweeties” tasting, Noble Dog Ridge Noble Rotwhich shows that the Antipodes has ample sunshine to get the Botrytis McLaren Vale Noblefruit ripe. However, that’s not all of the story as winemakers still Wines Semillon Zibibbo NVhave to make the wine amidst mould issues at picking, acid and (375ml) HHH1/2sugar balance determinations, and with fortifieds, spirit handling. 7 TASTED An attractive andFor the few remaining winemakers who take the plunge, all 6 AWARDED complex wine with lovelycredit to them! amber hues and apricot/ These wines were marmalade elements onLate Harvest Hunters Dessert Hollick The Nectar described as botrytis the nose and palate. $25 Wine Marlborough Coonawarra Riesling wines and they clearly12 TASTED Riesling 2014 HHHH Semillon 2013 met that description. Margrain Botrytis7 AWARDED A beautifully complex, HHH1/2 \"The level of rich botrytis Selection but wonderfully youthful, Smells of oranges with a was attractive but MartinboroughA range of styles here botrytis riesling that has dash of lemon peel and most lacked the bottle Chenin Blancbut the judges were excellent fruity aromas has a well-balanced, oily, development to lift the 2014 HHHa little disappointed; and zesty citrussy palate with great apricot flavours. The lighter A classic botrytis stylehowever one flavours. $21.90 NZ complexity. $25 coloured ones will be - lemony charactersoutstanding wine saved Pertaringa Penfolds Cellar worth ageing,\" said one are layered with apricotthe day. Autumn Harvest Reserve Barossa judge. elements. Great acid. Adelaide Riesling Valley Viognier $38 NZGiesen The Brothers Gewurztraminer 2014 HHH Yealands EstateMarlborough Late 2013 HHH1/2 A lovely wine with zesty Single Vineyard TamburlaineHarvest Sauvignon A delicious complexity of sweet apricot fruit and a Awatere Valley Reserve OrganicBlanc 2012 (375ml) apricots laced with nutty clean acid finish. $25 Marlborough Noble Noble ChardonnayHHHHH characters obvious on Bass River 1835 Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHA very attractive, very both the nose and the Gippsland Ice 2014 (375ml) HHHH A lifted bouquet andsweet wine ideal to seamless palate. $18 Riesling 2014 HHH Quite elegant with the great length of apricot-likeserve with the sweetest Reillys Cane Cut A delicate wine with botrytis sweetness nicely botrytis flavours. $35of desserts. This late Clare Valley Riesling sweet citrus fruit balanced by lemon green-harvest wine exhibits 2013 HHH1/2 balanced by some like varietal characters GMH Sweet Whitelovely zesty fruit wrapped A lovely limey nose and powerful lemony and has a long lingering South Australiain creamy complexity. great length of delicious acidity. $40 acid finish. $22.95 NZ Noble 2010 (375ml)$32 NZ citrus based flavours. HHH $19 Saddler's Creek Creamy malty aromas Wines Supreme and a very sweet and Botrytis 2013 HHHH simple but attractive Very sweet but it is flavour profile. $20 balanced by some lovely complex fruit characters with the slightest of hair oil-like nuances in the mouth. $36judges Dean Kraehenbuhl Bill Hardy Neil Jericho Formerly senior fortified Corporate oenologist for Accolade Former General winemaker for the Wines (formerly Constellation). Manager of Taylors Southcorp group, with 28 years’ winemaking experience Wines. Former 44 years’ winemaking in places such as McLaren Vale, winemaker for experience. Also Wine Western Australia and France. Brown Brothers in Educator at Barossa Has judged internationally (France North East Victoria. Tafe. Regular Winestate and Japan), and been an associate Regular fortified fortified wine judge. or senior judge at more than 20 wine judge. state and regional wine shows in Australia.106 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

varietal tastingVintage Morris Mia WINESTATEFortified Rutherglen Aged Amber Apera eSUvBSeCRnIBtERs6 TASTED NV HHHHH4 AWARDED A lovely dry, steely, Friday 29 May, 2015 austere wine. \"TopThree very good wines colour,\" commented one Mainfreight Internationalhere, \"But way too judge. Has wonderful World’s Greatest Shirazyoung,\" added one complexity of aged ranciojudge. \"Come back in characters and nutty Challenge X15-20 years.\" warmth. A classic Aussie style. $39.95 National Wine Centre, AdelaideMorris RutherglenVintage Fortified Morris Rutherglen Tickets available NOW2005 HHHH1/2 Pale Flor Apera Winestate subscribers receive oneA beautifully authentic NV HHHH1/2vintage port with good Warm, clean and free ticket upon requestfruit and genuine vintage elegant with genuineport flavours and overall flor characters. The long Wednesday 24 June, 2015structure. Heady spirit palate shows lovelywith drying tannins and a dryness and exhibits a Wine of the Year Trade andlong clean finish. $25 delicate touch of apple- Subscriber Tasting like nuances. $19.95Baileys VP140 Trenton InternationalVintage 2012 HHHH 919 Reserve St Peter's Business Park NSWVery deep colour with Riverland Pale Dryan elegance of fruit Apera NV HHHH1/2 Tickets available NOWcharacters on the nose Powerful flor yeast Winestate subscribers receive onewith some nice drying aromas; nutty and freshspirit on the perfectly with a bone dry palate free ticket upon requestbalanced palate. $29.99 that is elegant but also full of flavour with a Friday 4 September, 2015919 Limited Release drying finish. ExcellentRiverland Vintage aperitif style. $30 Wine of the YearFortified 2009 HHHH Subscribers TastingA very good vintage port Banderra Estatestyle with excellent spirit Central Ranges National Wine Centre, Adelaidelift to the nose and nicely NSW Cream Olorosointegrated fresh fruit and NV HHH Tickets available NOWclean spirit. $50 A commercial style that is Winestate subscribers receive one clean, elegant and simpleKalleske JMK and is a touch sweet. free ticket upon requestBarossa Valley $19Shiraz VP 2014 Winery Entry Forms available at(375ml) HHH Tawny www.winestate.com.auA young gem with good or email Peter Jacksonfruit, great mouthfeel and 22 TASTED [email protected] warming spirit. 19 AWARDED Ph +61 8 8357 9277Quite tannic. $23 A strong class rangingApera from young to very old.(Sherry) \"Bloody good wines across the board,\"4 TASTED enthused one judge.4 AWARDED \"There is a resurgence in the great skill of usingA good representation of spirit, ripe fruit anddry, medium and sweet balanced oak.\"sherries (Apera) fromAustralia. These wines Penfoldsshould be encouraged. Grandfather Rare\"Don't go overseas for Tawny NV HHHHHyour sherries, these are A huge wine withas good as you can get excellent tawny hues andanywhere,\" advised one green highlights. Lovelyjudge. rancio and spirit lifts off the delightful nose. Has a superb palate with an excellent drying spirit bite to it. $19.99 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 107

SWEET WHITE & FORTIFIED919 Riverland Shaw Family 919 Reserve Tokay Morris Rare OldClassic Tawny Vintners Ballast Collection Riverland (Topaque) Premium RutherglenNV HHHHH Stone Old Tawny Classic Tawny Topaque NVAn excellent lighter style NV HHHH1/2 NV HHHH 7 TASTED HHHH1/2of tawny that offers easy An elegant style with Both age and freshness 7 AWARDED A wine with lovelydrinking and is showing medium amber hues on the nose and intensity, fullness andsome great aged/rancio and excellent green palate has clean spirit \"Stunning class,\" agreed age. Loads of rancioflavours supported by tinges. It is loaded with seamlessly integrated the judges. \"Great characters lift off thesome excellent warming fresh oak, drying tannins with elegant fruit and toffee, cold tea and nose and the palate offersspirit. $30 and warming spirit with nutty oak. $30 butterscotch characters; a big mouthful of intenseSeppeltsfield Para good rancio/Hessian-like Penfolds Club superb. Clever toffee and chocolaty/Grand Tawny age. $NA Reserve Classic winemaking using spirit mocha flavours. $75NV HHHHH Grant Burge 10 Year Tawny NV HHH1/2 to dry out the sweetA top wine with Old Tawny Port A sweet, fruity and quite fruit.\" Baileys Foundersfabulous spirit and NV HHHH1/2 youthful tawny with a Series Classicsherry-like characters on Colour bordering on lighter spirit-driven nose Morris Rutherglen Topaque NV HHHHthe nose and an elegant brick red. A lovely and drying finish to the Grand Liqueur A bigger more viscouspalate with good level touch of rancio on palate. $19.99 Tokay NV (500ml) liqueur style that showsof rancio without being the nose and an Wolf Blass Red Label HHHHH nice freshness. Excellentover the top. Lovely excellent sweet palate Australian Tawny A gorgeous incredibly colour with attractivedrying finish. $35 with some lovely NV HHH rich and viscous style toffee/butterscotchMorris Cellar oak handling adding A clean and elegant showing great age and characters. $29.99Reserve Rutherglen complexity. Great tawny with good rancio characters that areGrand Tawny finish. $29.99 warming spirit and nice layered with developed Morris Cellar OneNV HHHHH Gralyn Estate drying finish. $11.99 toffee and raisin-like Rutherglen ClassicA big rich Christmas Margaret River Wolf Blass Yellow elements. $50 Liqueur Topaque NVpudding of a wine that's Swan Valley Tawny Label Australian HHHHdeep amber in colour NV HHHH1/2 Tawny NV HHH Morris Rutherglen A classic commercialwith a lovely lift of Excellent tawny hues, Complex nose; hints of Rare Liqueur wine - true to style withmocha on the nose quite an oaky and rancio. Freshness on the Topaque NV HHHHH genuine sweet fig andand great fruit, oak and complex tawny with palate gives the wine Very deep green cold tea-like charactersnice nuttiness on the lovely aged/rancio aromas great drinkability. hues with wonderful on the nose and palate.palate. $50 and a very rich and sweet $15.99 marmalade and fig-like Excellent freshness. $35Seppeltsfield Para palate showing good Morris Black Label aromas and a deliciousRare Tawny rancio purity. $55 Rutherglen Tawny complexity of fruit, wood MuscatNV HHHHH Saltram Mr. NV HHH age and tannins on theDark and deep and Pickwick's Rare Simple, youthful and lusciously flavoursome 13 TASTEDshowing extreme age Tawny NV HHHH1/2 fruity. It appears very palate. $75 11 AWARDEDand therefore high Fine, restrained and young and has a touch ofvolatility. It has fabulous delicate with a lovely tannin. $16.50 Morris Rutherglen Another world class line-rancio and spirit and fresh lifted bouquet and a Banderra Estate Classic Liqueur up of fortified muscats.young oak with excellent fantastic palate that Lucien Central Tokay NV HHHH1/2 These beautifully agedflavours length and dry starts sweet and finishes Ranges NSW Tawny Excellent green hues with wines are unique tofinish. $69 perfectly dry from the NV HHH yellow tints. A bouquet Australia and there spirit and rancio. $74.99 Dark creamy liqueur-like is very lifted with a lovely should be one on every Grant Burge Aged nose and big sweet concentration of toffee/ shelf! Tawny NV HHHH Vegemite flavours with raisin-like characters all of A clean lifted oaky nose balancing spirit. $19 which are echoed on the Lauriston Show and quite a youthful and Penfolds Father palate. $21.25 Muscat NV HHHHH elegant palate that is Grand Tawny Big and rich with some quite sweet with good NV HHH 919 Reserve great aged/rancio rancio and some nice Light, simple and well- Collection Riverland characters. Raisined spirit. $16 structured tawny with Classic Topaque aromas lift off the nose. Morris Rutherglen good oaky dryness. NV HHHH1/2 The excellent sweet Classic Tawny $19.99 Beautiful buttery caramel palate is perfectly NV HHHH Basket Range Wine bouquet with typical fish balanced and layered A big style with excellent Artful Dodger oil and tea leaf nuances. with fresh oak and bitey development and lovely Adelaide Hills The stylish palate has lots spirit. $27.99 creamy/malty harmony Tawny Port NV HHH of age but also exhibits a obvious on the palate Deep amber hues with lovely freshness. $40 919 Reserve which shows a good deal lovely nutmeg and Collection Riverland of oak dryness. $21.25 cinnamon fragrances. Classic Muscat Sweet palate. Good dry NV HHHHH finish. $25 Gorgeous caramel, butterscotch, molasses and tea leaf characters on the nose. Luscious palate with lingering toasty caramel flavours balanced by tannins and alcohol. $40108 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

Morris Rutherglen Morris Cellar One varietal tastingGrand Liqueur Rutherglen ClassicMuscat NV (500ml) Liqueur Muscat BEYONDHHHHH NV HHHH THEThis wine has it all - it A youthful number with CONVENTIONALis rich and complex and excellent colour, sweetseamlessly balanced with lifted aromas and some ’great rancio characters, very concentrated varietalnice wood influence and flavours on the dryingexcellent fruit creating palate. $35super concentrated Saddler's Creekflavours. $50 Wines Exclusive Muscat NV HHHHMorris Old Young, simple andPremium Rutherglen genuine muscat with anRare Liqueur Muscat excellent balance of fruit,NV HHHHH coffee and chocolateAmazingly powerful characters with nice oakand intense aromas and dryness. $36flavours here. It has Campbellsendless sweet raisined Rutherglen Muscatfruit layered with coffee, NV HHH1/2chocolate and toffee A very good young wineelements. $75 with a lifted nose and a lovely palate that'sBaileys Founders uniquely RutherglenSeries Classic brown muscat. $18Muscat NV HHHH1/2 Morris RutherglenA real Rutherglen classic Classic Liqueurwith lovely fresh muscat Muscat NV HHH1/2fruit blended with dry Quite youthful with niceberry-like characters. The bitey spirit and very good,palate is sweet but with genuine, muscat flavourslovely complexity and has with a pleasant warmingan excellent drying tannic finish. $21.25finish. $29.99 Grant Burge 10 Year Old Muscat NV HHHGralyn Estate A light simple varietalArtizan Margaret - sweet, rich andRiver Swan Valley technically perfect withRare Muscat NV great freshness. $30HHHH1/2Excellent rancio liftobvious on the nose anddelicious rich chocolatyfruit on the lusciouslysweet palate that hasa lovely long lingeringsweet finish. $90 star ratings  The Adelaide Convention Centre welcomes the world to its new state-of-the-art facilities.Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Find out more about our brand new building atexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. adelaidecc.com.auAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industryprofessionals and are compared in peerclasses by three judges.CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters,a major mail-order business.CD Cellar door price.CDO Cellar door only.SO Sold out.$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Contact information pg 144. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under.For a complete list of what we tastedplease refer to www.winestate.com.au May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 109

travelbriefsWINSOR DOBBINNORTH ISLAND(Gisborne, Auckland & Northland)LUXURY LIVING BEST OF THE BEST Traveller Magazine very highly, so we’re delighted to be recognised by its globalThere are several big-name brand hotels Lovers of fine wine and food have long readers as the best hotel in the region.”in Auckland, but it is an idiosyncratic made the pilgrimage to Huka Lodge at Just 25 suites, most directly on the banksboutique hotel in the suburbs with only 10 Taupo, one of the first luxury lodges in the of the Waikato River upstream from Hukasuites that pips them all to be the No.1- world. Falls, are located within 7ha of manicuredrated place to stay on TripAdvisor. grounds. It is a truly spectacular setting Late last year, Huka Lodge was named with 18 Junior Lodge Suites, one Lodge Mollies, a small luxury boutique hotel, is best hotel in Australasia and the South Suite, the four-bedroom Owner’s Cottagelocated just moments from Auckland’s CBD Pacific  in the internationally respected and the two-bedroom Alan Pye Cottagein the heritage suburb of St Mary’s Bay and annual reader awards of Conde Nast offering a range of accommodation options.is a member of the Luxury Lodges of New Traveller Magazine. Huka Lodge celebrated British-born chef Paul Froggatt has workedZealand group. its 90-year anniversary during 2014 and at Gidleigh Park Hotel, Bernard Loiseau remains a popular destination for dignitaries en Bourgogne and at the Chateau de With the vibe of a cosy private home, and celebrities while maintaining a friendly Courcelles and serves up five-courseMollies offers elegant accommodation, charm. “For many years Huka Lodge has dinners nightly, matched to an excellentfine dining on demand and is known for warmly welcomed guests from around wine cellar. Huka Lodge is a sister propertyits gracious service. Blending Victorian the world, authors, actors, royalty and to Dolphin Island, Fiji and Grande Provencecharm with contemporary art and antique discerning travellers in search of a private Estate, South Africa. All three propertiesfurnishings, Mollies is popular with guests haven in one of New Zealand’s most comprise The Huka Retreats and are theseeking a romantic retreat close to the city beautiful locations,” said Louise Smythe, vision of founder entrepreneur Alex vanand businessmen. The Huka Retreats director of sales Heeren. See www.hukalodge.co.nz. and marketing. “We regard Conde Nast Each suite has sea, garden or city viewsand guests can indulge in the day spa,relax in the lounge or cocktail bar, or strollthe gardens. For a change of pace, thedesigner boutiques and cafes of Ponsonbyand Herne Bay are a short walk away.Mollies’ suites are spacious and wellappointed, with quality linens, king-sizebeds and marble ensuite bathrooms. Thetop of the range are the premier suites,while on the top floor, the Mollies Suite isa penthouse with two private balconies,spa bath and panoramic harbour views.All suites come with a large flat screenLCD HD television with satellite channels,DVD player, complimentary wifi, bluetooth-capable sound system, minibar and teaand coffee making facilities, in-roomsafe and airconditioning and that raritynowadays - a nightly turndown service.Mollies serves a la carte breakfasts and aseasonal dinner menu featuring fresh NewZealand flavours and modern internationalcuisine. Mollies Spa is located on the topfloor and offers a full suite of spa servicesand relaxation treatments. Mollies Hotel isat 6 Tweed St, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland;phone +64 9376 3489. www.mollies.co.nz.110 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

travelbriefsA new future STROKE OF GOOD FORTUNE “Significant shaping of the coastal track and modification of farm gates for easierThe Devon Hotel, considered the leading Delamore Lodge is a luxury retreat on cycle access has been undertaken,”hotel in the New Plymouth and Taranaki Waiheke Island - just a 35-minute ferry Hancock says. “This coast section of the trailregions, has recently undergone a ride from downtown Auckland - which will always be more challenging for riders.”complete refurbishment and is now part has attracted worldwide attention for itsof the Heritage Hotel Management group eye-grabbing swimming pool. The infinity ONE-STOP SHOPPING swimming pool overlooking the Hauraki The hotel’s 102 rooms, reception and Gulf is now rated among the world’s best The Gisborne Wine Centre is a one-stoplobby were all given a facelift to match the with TripAdvisor and CNN including the shop for anyone visiting the region thatrecently opened state-of-the-art conference lodge in its list of the world’s extraordinary wants to sample local wines.centre, which can hold events for up to 750 pools for 2015. The lodge opened 10 yearspeople theatre style and 450 for a formal ago and guests have included Hollywood Located in the city’s inner harbour, the winebanquet. actress Hilary Swank, Police guitarist Andy centre is just a short walk from the CBD and Summers and pop singer Alanis Morissette. many of the region’s best hotels, motels and The hotel offers a range of well-equipped The lodge is particularly popular with restaurants. An extensive range of Gisbornemodern hotel rooms, many with sea or travellers from the US, Britain, Australia, wines are available for tasting each week,mountain views and is within walking Japan and a growing Chinese market. The highlighting the diversity of the brands anddistance to the CBD and the coastal boutique resort has four guests suites and varietals produced in the region. Gisbornewalkway, where guests can use the hotel one two-bedroom apartment, guest lounge, wines, along with locally brewed beer, aremountain bikes to explore the popular trail central courtyard with a sweeping stairway also served by the glass or bottle to beat their leisure. There is also a restaurant linking to the tropical rock pool and waterfall, enjoyed overlooking magnificent harbourand lounge bar, heated outdoor swimming, a deep, cave-like Jacuzzi, sauna, and a wine views. The Gisborne Wine Centre Cafe offersspa pools and off-street parking for over cellar with award-winning wines. Delamore a selection of locally produced platters and60 vehicles on the 1.2ha landscaped site. Lodge, 83 Delamore Drive, Oneroa; phone pastries, along with fresh juices and roasted +64 9 372 7372. www.delamorelodge.com. coffee, and the retail store boasts that it “We are delighted to have such an iconic offers the most comprehensive range ofmid North Island hotel and conference TRAIL CHALLENGE Gisborne wines available in New Zealand. Itvenue join the group,” said Ronni Ronalde is also the departure point for daily regionalof Heritage Hotels. “The region is a Travel publishers Lonely Planet named the wine tours.strong commercial destination and has a Rimutaka Cycle Trail as one of the world’slot to attract both the leisure visitor and hottest new travel experiences for 2015. The centre is at Shed 3, 50 The Esplanade,conference delegate,” says Ronalde. Gisborne, and is open Monday-Wednesday The 115km trail, runs alongside the Hutt noon-6pm, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday New Plymouth is the major city in the River, across the Rimutaka Ranges via a noon-7pm and noon-9pm on Friday; phoneTaranaki region on the North Island’s historic rail trail, and through the Wairarapa +64 6867 4085.west coast of New Zealand. The city is a countryside to the Pacific coastline.convenient mid-point between Auckland Above: Gisborne Wine Centre.and Wellington. In praise of the trail’s varied landscapes, Bottom: The Devon Hotel. Lonely Planet said: “Wellingtonians are wont Opposite page: Huka Lodge. Meanwhile, the group has introduced to boast about their beautiful surrounds, fromcomplimentary internet for hotel guests mountains to the sea. This new trail showsin its Heritage Hotels and CityLife Hotels, off some of the best of it.”including Heritage Auckland and CityLifeAuckland. The Devon Hotel, 390 Devon The Rimutaka Cycle Trail was openedSt East, New Plymouth; phone +64 6759 as part of the Nga Haerenga - The New9099. www.devonhotel.co.nz or www. Zealand Cycle Trail - in October 2013 asheritagehotels.co.nz. one of the network’s Great Rides. The newest part of the experience is the coastal section from Ocean Beach to Orongorongo, which has recently been upgraded, says David Hancock, general manager of Destination Wairarapa. May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 111

70 TASTED40 AWARDEDUPPE R N O R T H I S L A NDGisborne, Auckland & NorthlandThe warmth of New Zealand’s most northern regions favours Villa Maria Single CHARDONNAYred-wine production, and the panel found many impressive Vineyard Ihumataosyrahs, merlots and cabernet sauvignon-based blends, mostly from Gewurztraminer 9 TASTEDAuckland and Northland. However, Gisborne’s strength lies in 2014 HHHH 6 AWARDEDwhite wines, and the tasting included numerous top examples of Estate-grown at A strong class, reflectingchardonnay – especially – pinot gris, arneis, albarino, verdelho, Mangere, in Auckland, the exceptionally sunnygewurztraminer and viognier. this pale, perfumed wine and dry, but not hot, is weighty, very fresh 2013 ripening season inPrices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available and smooth, with well- the upper North Island.in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). defined lychee and pear flavours. Refined and Mahurangi RiverPINOT GRIS Ashwood Estate Coopers Creek SV youthful. $30 Winery Field of Grace Gisborne Pinot Gris The Little Rascal Villa Maria Reserve Chardonnay7 TASTED 2013 HHH Gisborne Arneis Single Vineyard 2013 HHHHH4 AWARDED Pale straw, with a spicy 2014 HHHH1/2 Ihumatao Verdelho Stylish Matakana bouquet, mouthfilling Scented, full-bodied and 2013 HHHH wine, mouthfilling,A small, solid class, body, a slightly oily dry, with concentrated, Aromatic, slightly spicy complex and savoury.dominated by Northland- texture and ripe, peachy ripe, tropical fruit flavours, bouquet. Mouthfilling, Concentrated and sweet-grown wines from the flavours, showing good finely balanced and crisp and lively, with fruited, with grapefruit-notably early-ripening depth. Fermented in lingering. One judge youthful, ripe, citrusy like flavours and a finely2014 vintage. large, 2500-litre oak ovals. scored it five stars. $25 flavours and a powerful, structured, lasting finish. Ready. $21 Coopers Creek dry finish. $30 Ageworthy style, ratedKapiro Vineyard SV Bell-Ringer Villa Maria highly by all judges. $60Northland Pinot Gris Kainui Road Gisborne Albarino Cellar Selection2014 HHHH Northland Pinot Gris 2014 HHHH Gisborne AlbarinoFragrant, weighty, 2014 HHH Fragrant and mouthfilling, 2014 HHH1/2Alsace-style pinot Scented and fleshy, with ripe, tropical fruit Mouthfilling, freshgris with fresh, ripe with ripe, slightly sweet flavours, appetising and lively, with finelystonefruit, pear and flavours of nashi, melon acidity, and excellent balanced, moderatelyspice flavours, showing and pear, showing good depth, balance and crisp, dry flavours,excellent delicacy and delicacy and depth. $25 vibrancy. $25 showing a touch of barrel-richness, and an off-dry Villa Maria Private ferment complexity. $26finish. Drink now or OTHER Bin Gisborne Mahurangi Rivercellar. $27 WHITES Viognier 2014 HHHH Matakana Albarino Fleshy and creamy- 2014 HHHMarsden Bay of 13 TASTED textured, with some Tightly structured, withIslands Pinot Gris 9 AWARDED richness of ripe, firm acidity and fresh, dry,2014 HHH1/2 stonefruit flavours and a citrusy, peachy flavoursFleshy and finely This class of 13 was dry, well-rounded finish. that linger well. $32balanced, with peachy, a truly mixed bag, A great buy. $16 Paroa Baygently spicy flavours, featuring wines from 10 Sauvignon Blancshowing very good depth, different varieties, but 2014 HHHa sliver of sweetness and the judges found several Crisp, tight, livelyfresh acidity. $27 highlights, reflecting Northland wine. Weighty, the favourably dry 2014 sweet-fruited style, harvest in Gisborne. showing good vigour, varietal definition and freshness. $29 Shipwreck Bay Northland Flora 2014 HHH Fresh, full-bodied, slightly sweet wine, balanced for easy drinking, with ripe, peachy, gently spicy flavours. (From Okahu Estate.) $20112 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

regional tasting Mahurangi River Shipwreck Bay CABERNET Awaroa Requiem Field of Grace Northland Rosé SAUVIGNON & 2013 HHH Chardonnay 2014 HHH BLENDS Full-coloured Waiheke 2013 HHHH Pale red, syrah-based Island blend of cabernet Full-bodied and creamy- rosé with lively, berryish 5 TASTED sauvignon (65%), merlot textured, with fresh, flavours and a finely 3 RECOMMENDED (25%) and malbec (10%). concentrated, peachy balanced, smooth finish. A small but solid class, Strong, plummy, spicy, fruit flavours and finely Attractive, easy drinking. showing cabernet slightly herbal flavours, integrated oak (20 per (From Okahu Estate.) sauvignon’s ability with well-handled oak cent new). $39 $20 to produce good, and ripe tannins. $61 Bordeaux-like reds in Paroa Bay MERLOT & the north, given free- OTHER REDS Chardonnay 2013 BLENDS draining soils. HHH1/2 9 TASTED Upfront style from 5 TASTED Mahurangi River 6 RECOMMENDED Northland with sweet- 3 RECOMMENDED Winery Reserve fruit characters and Cabernet Sauvignon In the relative warmthAshwood citrusy, slightly oaky A small but rewarding 2013 HHHH of the Auckland andEstate Gisborne flavours, showing very class, in which merlot Dark, youthful Matakana Northland regions,Chardonnay 2013 good depth. $39 underlined its suitability red with concentrated, a wide selection ofHHHH1/2 for Auckland’s heavy ripe blackcurrant, plum red-wine varieties canFragrant, complex Villa Maria Single clay soils, especially in and spice flavours. be cultivated. Thebouquet. Mouthfilling, Vineyard Ihumatao dry growing seasons like Savoury and complex, judges found goodwith youthful, ripe Chardonnay 2013 2013. with a seasoning of examples of cabernetstonefruit and buttery, HHH1/2 toasty, nutty French oak franc, montepulciano,toasty notes adding Restrainted, youthful Mahurangi River (85% new) and good chambourcin, pinotagerichness. Barrel-fermented wine, estate-grown at Matakana Merlot cellaring potential. $60 and malbec.style, with good weight Mangere, in Auckland, Cabernet Sauvignon Peacock Sky Leand concentration. $29 and barrel-fermented. Malbec 2013 HHHH Coté de la Colline Paroa Bay Bay ofVilla Maria Fresh, citrusy, peachy, Full-coloured Auckland 2013 HHH1/2 Islands CMCReserve Barrique slightly spicy flavours, red with fresh, strong, Firmly structured 2013 HHHH1/2Fermented Gisborne showing very good plummy flavours, Waiheke Island blend Concentrated, youthfulChardonnay 2013 balance and depth, showing good ripeness, of cabernet sauvignon Northland blend ofHHHH1/2 with gentle, nutty, fine-grained tannins, (63%), cabernet franc cabernet franc (51%),Smoky bouquet, with mealy notes adding and well-integrated (26%) and malbec (11%). cabernet sauvignona distinct hint of ‘burnt complexity. $35 oak (French and Strong, ripe blackcurrant, (38%) and malbec (11%).match’, leading into a American). $35 plum and spice flavours, Strong, ripe blackcurrant,weighty, rich palate with SWEET with hints of herbs, andvibrant grapefruit, peach, WHITES Marsden Bay good cellaring potential. spice and red berryspice and nut flavours, of Islands The flavours, with toast andfresh acidity, and some 1 TASTED Winemakers 3-5 $42 cigar box notes addingchalky, minerally notes. 1 AWARDED Daughter Merlot complexity. Well worthWorth cellaring. $37 (A) 2013 HHHH cellaring. 5+ $40 Ashwood Estate Deeply coloured Late Harvest Northland red, Coopers Creek Gisborne Pinot Gris mouthfilling and firm, SV Huapai Guido 2013 (375 ml) HHH with strong blackberry, in Velvet Pants Full-bodied style with plum and spice flavours, Montepulciano a gentle splash of good complexity and a 2013 HHHH sweetness, ripe, peachy perfumed bouquet. $32 Lively, medium-bodied, flavours, a slightly oily buoyantly fruity red, texture and a rounded Peacock Sky estate-grown in west finish. Drinking well Waiheke Island Auckland, with fresh, now. $28 Merlot Malbec ripe, berryish, slightly 2013 HHHH spicy flavours, gentle ROSÉ Dark, rich blend of merlot tannins and good (84%) and malbec concentration. $29 7 TASTED 1 AWARDED (16%). Weighty and Marsden Bay firmly structured, with of Islands A disappointing class, concentrated blackcurrant Chambourcin in which most of the and plum flavours, hints 2013 HHH1/2 wines lacked the charm, of dried herbs and spices, Deeply coloured, full- freshness and vibrancy and obvious cellaring bodied red with very of rosés from further potential. 5+ $45 good depth of ripe, spicy south. flavours and gentle tannins. Fresh, easy drinking. $28 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 113

NORTH ISLANDWaitapu Estate Reef Sailfish Cove Awaroa Melba Okahu Syrah Kainui RoadPoint Pinotage The Cabernets Peach Syrah 2010 HHHH Northland Syrah2010 HHH1/2 2010 HHH 2013 HHHHH Estate-grown, this 2013 HHHMaturing well, this Moderately mature Highly fragrant, deeply Northland red is maturing Finely balanced,Northland red offers Northland blend of coloured Waiheke well. Full and moderately mouthfilling red withstrong, plummy, slightly cabernet franc (70%) Island red. ‘Serious’ but youthful in colour, it fullish colour, well-herbal and nutty flavours, and cabernet sauvignon delicious red with lovely has strong, savoury, integrated toasty oak,with the rustic, earthy (30%), handled in French weight and depth of nutty flavours, showing and fresh, moderatelynotes typical of pinotage, and American oak. plum and spice flavours, excellent balance and concentrated plum, spicesome savoury complexity Mouthfilling, with berry, youthful and lasting. length. $35 and pepper flavours. $35and a smooth finish. $30 spice and dried herb Should be long-lived.Peacock Sky flavours, showing good Waiheke Road SyrahWaiheke Island Pure depth, and ‘barnyard’ 5+ $61 2013 HHHHMalbec 2012 HHH notes adding complexity. Dark and fleshy, withDark, medium-bodied $18 Goldie Reserve strong plum and spicered with strong berry and Syrah 2013 flavours, hints of herbs,plum flavours, showing SYRAH HHHH1/2 olives and licorice, andsome savoury, spicy Powerful, rich, vibrant ripe, chewy tannins.complexity, and a firm 14 TASTED Waiheke Island red with (From Awaroa.) $34finish. $42 7 RECOMMENDED good weight, strong, fresh, plum and spice Syrah is a fast-rising flavours and supple star in northern regions, tannins. Well worth but the wines were cellaring. 3-5 $60 a mixed bag. Several were green-edged and Awaroa Waiheke rustic, but the best Island Syrah were distinctly classy, 2013 HHHH revealing excellent Fragrant and deeply ripeness and depth. coloured, with good weight and ripe, plum and black pepper flavours, strong and smooth. Youthful, strongly varietal style that lingers well. $34 star ratings  Mahurangi River Winery ReserveThree-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Syrah 2013 HHH1/2excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Deeply coloured, floral,All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry very fresh and vibrantprofessionals and are compared in peer Matakana red withclasses by three judges. blackberry, plum andCM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, spice flavours, ripe,a major mail-order business. supple tannins and aCD Cellar door price. savoury oak influenceCDO Cellar door only. (French, 65% new). $60SO Sold out.$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Contact information pg 144. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under.For a complete list of what we tastedplease refer to www.winestate.com.aujudges Michael Cooper Corey Hall Simon Fell Winestate’s New Zealand editor Co-owner of the Gem The Auckland- is author of the internationally and Harwood Hall based winemaker acclaimed Wine Atlas of New brands, Corey was for Thornbury Zealand and the annual New previously senior Wines, owned by Zealand Wine: Michael Cooper’s winemaker for Matua Villa Maria, Simon Buyer’s Guide. In the 2004 Valley, and is a senior frequently judges New Year Honours, Michael judge at competitions on competition and was appointed an Officer of the in New Zealand and magazine panels. New Zealand Order of Merit for Australia. services to wine writing.114 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

regional tastingMay/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 115

MICHAEL COOPER M I C H A EL C O O PE RA memorable tasting, reflecting the generally high standard of the2013 – especially - and 2014 vintages. Highlights included superbexamples of pinot gris, oak-matured sauvignon blanc, merlot andsyrah from Hawke's Bay; outstanding Marlborough gewurztraminerand sauvignon blanc from 2014; and a top-flight Central Otagorosé, Martinborough pinot noir and Waiheke Island syrah.Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines availablein export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US).Spy Valley Envoy Church Road Clearview EnigmaMarlborough McDonald Series 2013 HHHHHGewurztraminer Hawke's Bay Pinot Dense, classy Hawke's2014 HHHHH Gris 2014 HHHHH Bay blend of merlotAttractively perfumed, Opulent, seductively (80%), malbec (10%) andweighty, rich wine, scented wine, handled cabernet franc (10%),estate-grown in the with some indigenous grown at Te Awanga;Waihopai Valley, hand- yeast fermentation in matured in French andpicked and fermented old French oak cuves. American oak barriques.in small oak vessels. Powerful (14.5% alc/ A powerful, sturdyFleshy, medium style vol), weighty, rich (14.5% alc/vol) wine,with concentrated, and complex, with it has bold, youthfulpeachy, spicy flavours, concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spicehints of ginger and honey, stonefruit and spice flavours, with hints ofgood complexity and flavours, a faintly nuts and coffee, anda well-rounded, very honeyed influence, and ripe, fine-grained tannins.harmonious finish.Best an oily texture. Delicious Savoury, complex,drinking 2016+. $32 (A) from the start. $27 notably concentrated. $59Terra Sancta Church Road Grand Church Road Grand star ratings Bannockburn Pinot Reserve Hawke's Reserve Hawke'sNoir Rosé Bay Sauvignon Bay Syrah Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of2014 HHHHH Blanc 2013 HHHHH 2013 HHHHH excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill.This ‘serious’ yet Very powerful, rich, Highly refined, beautifully All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industrydelicious Central Otago youthful wine, estate- scented and supple professionals and are compared in peerrosé was hand-picked grown in the Redstone red, estate-grown in the classes by three judges.from blocks grown for Vineyard, in the Bridge Redstone Vineyard, in CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters,rosé and fermented to Pa Triangle, hand-picked the Bridge Pa Triangle, a major mail-order business.dryness. Bright pink, and barrel-fermented. and French oak-matured CD Cellar door price.it is full-bodied and Strong, ripe, peachy, for 18 months. Boldly CDO Cellar door only.vivacious, with strong, spicy and slightly coloured, with dense, SO Sold out.fresh strawberry, plum toasty flavours, with very ripe plum and black $N/A Price not available at time of printing.and spice flavours, leesy hints of fig and quince, pepper flavours, silky  Contact information pg 144.notes adding complexity, impressive concentration tannins and a lasting,and a poised, very long and complexity, and a finely textured finish. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years).finish. $27 (A) rounded finish. Best Best drinking 2017+. $44 BEST VALUE for $20 & under. drinking 2016+. $44 For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au116 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

recent releasesMan O’ War Saint Clair Pioneer Brancott Estate Church Road Clearview OldDreadnought Block 2 Swamp Letter Series R Hawke's Bay Olive BlockWaiheke Island Block Marlborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 HHHH1/2Syrah 2012 HHHHH Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 Youthful, generousFragrant and deeply 2014 HHHHH 2013 HHHH1/2 Estate-grown in the cool, Hawke's Bay blend ofcoloured, with a Classy stuff. Weighty, fleshy and inland Matapiro district, cabernet sauvignonspicy, nutty bouquet. Mouthfilling, dry wine smooth, with strong, this top value wine has (46%), merlot (38%),Mouthfilling, finely with pure, searching vibrant peach, melon and fresh, ripe, tropical fruit cabernet franc (11%) andtextured and complex, flavours of ripe melons spice flavours, a herbal aromas. Full-bodied, malbec (5%), grown atwith ripe blackcurrant, and limes, and a slightly undercurrent, and a sweet-fruited and dry, Te Awanga (mostly) andplum and black pepper salty note adding subtle seasoning of oak it offers concentrated in the Gimblett Gravels.flavours, a slightly earthy complexity. Lovely adding complexity. Stylish passionfruit and lime Deeply coloured,streak and a long, spicy poise, vibrancy and wine, still youthful; best flavours, woven with mouthfilling and smooth,finish. Concentrated, length. $27 (UK) drinking 2016+. $33 lively acidity. A distinctive with strong, ripeyouthful wine, with Bridge Estate wine, well worth blackcurrant, plum, herbsupple tannins and ½ Merlot Cabernet cellaring, it’s already and spice flavours, oakexcellent depth and 2013 HHHH1/2 delicious. $20 complexity and obviousharmony. $55 (A, UK) Aurum Central Fragrant, concentrated, potential. $39The Elder Otago Riesling youthful Gisborne blend, Loveblock Clearview ReserveMartinborough Pinot 2010 HHHH1/2 from vines planted in Marlborough Cabernet FrancNoir 2013 HHHHH Highly fragrant bouquet, 1985, oak-matured for Gewurztraminer 2013 HHHH1/2Finely scented, showing bottle-aged 18 months. Deeply 2011 HHHH1/2 From vines nearlypowerful, weighty red, complexity. Full-bodied coloured, with rich, ripe Estate-grown at a 30 years old, this Tefrom a site overlooking style (13% alc/vol) with blackcurrant, plum and hill-top site in the Awanga, Hawke'sTe Muna Valley. generous, lemony, spice flavours, a hint of lower Awatere Valley, Bay red is dark andYouthful, dense, spicy slightly spicy and toasty dark chocolate, and fine- this richly perfumed, full-bodied, with richand savoury, with good flavours, good acid spine grained tannins. Stylish, Alsace-style wine is blackcurrant, plum, spicetannin support and and a dryish, lasting harmonious wine, well fleshy, with delicious and herb flavours, freshexcellent ripeness, finish. Drinking well worth cellaring. $42 depth of peachy, spicy, acidity, toasty oak addingcomplexity and now. $26 Church Road Grand slightly gingery flavours. complexity and a goodharmony. Best drinking Aurum Madeleine Reserve Hawke's A medium style, it is backbone of tannin. Best2017+. $62 UK) Central Otago Pinot Bay Chardonnay intensely varietal and drinking 2017+. $49 Noir 2013 HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH1/2 probably at its peak. Savoury and earthy, Powerful wine, with $27 (A) Coal Pit Tiwha rather than fruit-packed, accentuated smoke and Church Road Central Otago Pinot this is a distinctive ‘gunflint’ notes in the McDonald Series Noir 2013 HHHH1/2 Cromwell Valley red. Full- bouquet. Weighty, with Hawke's Bay Fragrant, mouthfilling, bodied, it is an ageworthy bold, ripe stonefruit and Chardonnay 2013 supple red from the style with rich, ripe toast flavours, impressive HHHH1/2 Gibbston sub-region. cherry, plum and spice complexity, faintly buttery Smoky bouquet, leading Deeply coloured, flavours, good tannin notes and excellent into a mouthfilling wine with good weight and support and excellent harmony. Best drinking with deep, vibrant, generous, youthful, well- complexity. $85 2017+. $44 grapefruit-like flavours, a ripened cherry, plum and Church Road subtle seasoning of oak, spice flavours. Savoury, Hawke's Bay Pinot and a long, harmonious complex wine, likely to be Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 finish. Rich, elegant at its best 2016+. $42 Richly scented, weighty and sweet-fruited, with wine (14.5% alc/vol), excellent freshness, grown at Matapiro. delicacy and depth. Drink Alsace-style, with rich now or cellar. $27 peach, pear and lychee flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness, gentle acidity, and a slightly oily, well-rounded finish. Delicious young. $20 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 117

MICHAEL COOPERMan O’ War Spy Valley Envoy Terra Sancta Estate Waimea Nelson Church RoadGravestone 2013 Marlborough Bannockburn Pinot Gris Hawke's BayHHHH1/2 Chardonnay 2013 Central Otago Pinot 2014 HHHH1/2 ChardonnayYouthful, very ageworthy HHHH1/2 Noir 2013 HHHH1/2 Mouthfilling, medium-dry 2014 HHHHblend of sauvignon blanc Tight, elegant, very Fragrant, full-coloured, style with strong, peachy, Fragrant, citrusy, biscuity,(70%) and semillon youthful wine, estate- sweet-fruited red with spicy, gingery flavours, slightly smoky bouquet.(30%), grown at the grown in the Waihopai cherry, spice, dried herb showing good texture Full-bodied, youthful,eastern end of Waiheke Valley, hand-picked and nut flavours, showing and richness. Fleshy and barrel-fermented wineIsland and partly barrel- and barrel-aged for 20 excellent ripeness, rounded, in a generous, with citrusy, peachy,fermented. Mouthfilling, months. Fresh, complex complexity and depth. Alsace style, drinking well slightly buttery flavours.with fresh, ripely bouquet, leading into a Powerful, complex from the start. $20 Good weight, depth andherbaceous flavours, a very refined wine with wine with good density. (A, UK) complexity. Best drinkinghint of toasty oak, and delicate, citrusy, peachy, Youthful, but already 2016. A top buy atexcellent concentration, slightly spicy flavours, drinking well. $35 (A, UK) Waimea Nelson $19.95drive and complexity. seasoned with toasty Terra Sancta Lola’s Sauvignon Blanc Church RoadBest drinking mid-2016+. oak, and good acid spine. Block Bannockburn 2014 HHHH1/2 Hawke's Bay Merlot$33 (A, UK) It’s built to last; open Pinot Gris Weighty and punchy, Cabernet MalbecSaint Clair Pioneer 2017+. $40 (UK) 2014 HHHH1/2 with an array of crisp, 2013 HHHHBlock 12 Lone Spy Valley Fleshy, mouthfilling, tangy melon, capsicum, Powerful, youthfulGum Marlborough Marlborough barrel-fermented wine lime and passionfruit blend of merlot (86%),Gewurztraminer Gewurztraminer with generous, ripe, flavours, punchy, vibrant, cabernet sauvignon2014 HHHH1/2 2014 HHHH1/2 stonefruit and spice strong and lingering. $20 (9%) and malbec (5%),Exotically perfumed, Exotically perfumed flavours and good oak-aged for a year.weighty and smooth, mouthfilling and very complexity. Dryish style, (A, UK) Deep, bright colour, withwith a gentle splash of softly structured. Rich, with excellent harmony substantial body (14.5%sweetness (19 grams/litre ripe lychee, pear, peach and length. $27  alc/vol) and bold, riperesidual sugar), luscious and spice flavours, in an blackcurrant, plum andstonefruit, lychee and intensely varietal style, Vavasour Aurum Central spice flavours, showingspice flavours, and a delicious young. Fine Marlborough Pinot Otago Pinot Noir some complexity. Bestsoft, rich finish. Delicious value. $25 (A, UK, US) Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH drinking 2017+. A topyoung. $27 (UK) Spy Valley Finely scented, classy This is a mouthfilling, buy. $20Saint Clair Pioneer Marlborough Pinot young wine with supple, savoury red with Church RoadBlock 15 Strip Block Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 mouthfilling body and ripe cherry, plum and McDonald SeriesMarlborough Pinot Powerful, with excellent intensity of spice flavours, showing Hawke's BayNoir 2013 HHHH1/2 impressive weight and vibrant stonefruit and excellent complexity and Sauvignon BlancPerfumed, weighty, depth of ripe stonefruit, spice flavours. Off-dry depth. It’s worth cellaring, 2014 HHHHWaihopai Valley red with ginger and spice flavours, style, youthful and but already drinking well. Still very youthful, this is agenerous, ripe cherry, a slightly oily texture and persistent. $23 (A, UK) $35 (A) sweet-fruited, full-bodiedplum and spice flavours, a dryish, well-rounded, wine with concentrated,showing excellent harmonious finish. Brancott Estate ripe, tropical fruit flavours,concentration and Delicious young. $25 (A, Terroir Series slightly creamy notes andcomplexity, fine-grained UK, US) Awatere Valley a dry, tight finish. $27tannins and a lengthy Spy Valley Marlborough Clearview Capefinish. Best drinking Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Kidnappers2016+. $38 Riesling 2014 2014 HHHH Hawke's Bay SyrahSaint Clair Pioneer HHHH1/2 Lifted, clearly herbaceous 2014 HHHHBlock 20 Cash Dry style (2.6 grams/ bouquet. Fresh, crisp This deeply colouredBlock Marlborough litre residual sugar), and lively, with strong, red was grown at TeSauvignon Blanc hand-picked and partly ripe, tropical fruit and Awanga and matured in2014 HHHH1/2 oak-fermented. Powerful, herbaceous flavours, seasoned oak barriques.Fresh, strong, slightly weighty wine with deep, threaded with tangy It’s a powerful, weighty,grassy aromas, leading citrusy, slightly spicy acidity. Intensely varietal sweet-fruited wineinto a vibrantly fruity, flavours, a minerally wine, with good impact. with a strong surge ofcrisp, fully dry wine with streak and a finely poised, $19.95 blackcurrant, plum andripe herbaceous flavours. tangy, persistent finish. black pepper flavours,Typical Wairau Valley Distinctive and well worth Brancott Estate gentle tannins and greatstyle with excellent drive trying. $25 (A, UK, US) Terroir Series drink-young appeal. $27and length. $27 Staete Landt Southern Valleys Annabel Marlborough Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 Sauvignon Blanc HHHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Delicious young, this full- Weighty, youthful, bodied, smooth wine was single-vineyard wine, fermented and matured grown at Rapaura, in the in large French oak cuves Wairau Valley. Fresh, ripe, and given a full, softening concentrated passionfruit/ malolactic fermentation. lime flavours, with a Mouthfilling, it has strong, dry, finely textured, long ripe, peachy, slightly finish. $22 buttery flavours, showing very good harmony and depth. $19.95118 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

recent releasesClearview Two Loveblock Central Map Maker Pasquale Waitaki Spy ValleyPinnacles 2013 Otago Pinot Noir Marlborough Valley Pinot Noir Marlborough NobleHHHH 2012 HHHH Chardonnay Pure 2012 HHHH Riesling 2014Rich, vibrantly fruity Sturdy, deep ruby red 2014 HHHH Floral, graceful and (375ml) HHHHHawke's Bay blend of with ripe, concentrated, Weighty, well-rounded supple red, with fresh, Fragrant, honeyedmalbec and cabernet plummy flavours and wine, hand-picked, barrel- ripe cherry and plum bouquet, leading intofranc, estate-grown hints of cherries, spices fermented and bottled flavours that linger well. a fresh, medium-on the coast, at Te and nutty oak. Powerful, young. An excellent ‘Feminine’ style, ruby bodied wine, peachy,Awanga, and matured firmly structured, drink-young style, fleshy hued, with gentle tannins, spicy and sweet.in seasoned French and youthful wine, well worth and forward, with citrusy, finely integrated oak and Botrytis-enriched, withAmerican barriques. cellaring. $40 (A) peachy, slightly nutty good potential; open complexity from partialFull-coloured, with fresh, Loveblock flavours and some 2016+. $49 barrel fermentation,ripe blackcurrant, plum Marlborough Bone complexity. (From Staete Poverty Bay and moderate acidityand spice flavours, firm Dry Riesling Landt.) $20 Merlot Cabernet giving strong drink-youngtannins and good density. 2011 HHHH Moutere Hills 2013 HHHH appeal. $25Drink now or cellar. $31 Toasty, bottle-aged Nelson Pinot Gris Fleshy, ripe Gisborne Te Kairanga aromas lead into a 2014 HHHH red from vines planted MartinboroughDeutz Marlborough mouthfilling, fully dry This fleshy, Alsace-style in 1985 at Bridge Estate, Riesling 2014 HHHHCuveé Rosé wine with rich grapefruit wine was estate-grown, barrel-matured for 18 Tightly structured,2009 HHHH and spice flavours, a hand-picked at 25 brix months. Fresh and estate-grown wine withFairly mature style but minerally thread and a and partly barrel-aged. vibrantly fruity, with ripe, good intensity of lively,still lively, with rich long, harmonious finish. Ripely scented, it is a blackcurrant and plum citrusy, slightly spicystrawberry, peach and Still very lively, it’s finely balanced, medium- flavours, an earthy streak, flavours. Full-bodied,spice flavours, toasty drinking well now. $27 (A) dry style with strong, a gentle oak influence fresh, dryish andand crisp, and good Loveblock peachy, spicy flavours, and excellent depth. $30 minerally. Approachablecomplexity. Ready. $33 Marlborough hints of ginger and Sacred Hill Halo now, but well worth Sauvignon Blanc apricot, and a long finish. Hawke's Bay Merlot cellaring. $23 (UK)Jackson Estate 2014 HHHH Already delicious. $23 Cabernet SauvignonStich Marlborough Weighty, ripe style with Moutere Hills 2013 HHHHSauvignon Blanc strong, lively, passionfruit- Nelson Pinot Noir Deep, purple-flushed2014 HHHH like flavours, hints of 2013 HHHH blend of merlot (95%)Fresh-scented, pineapples and spices, Floral, berry and spice and a splash of cabernetmouthfilling and dry, in a fresh, balanced acidity aromas lead into a ruby sauvignon, grown in thetypical Wairau Valley style and a lingering finish. hued, full-bodied, savoury Gimblett Gravels andwith crisp, tropical fruit Lots of youthful impact. red with generous, barrel-aged. Full-bodiedflavours, lively, tangy and Certified organic. $27 (A) well-ripened cherry, and fleshy, with warmstrong. $21 (A, UK, US) Man O’ War Exiled plum, spice and nut red berry and spice Ponui Island Pinot flavours, showing good flavours, gentle tanninsKina Cliffs Nelson Gris 2014 HHHH complexity. Best drinking and good density.Pinot Gris Already very expressive, 2016+. $32 Enjoyable now; best2014 HHHH this pale straw wine was Moutere Hills Sarau drinking 2016+. $28Hand-harvested in a grown on Ponui Island, Reserve Chardonnaycoastal vineyard, this at the eastern end of 2013 HHHH Saint Clair Te Kairangais a full-bodied, Alsace- Waiheke Island. Gently Single vineyard Nelson Marlborough Martinboroughstyle wine, partly (10%) honeyed, it is a medium- wine, barrel-matured Riesling 2014 HHHH Sauvignon Blancbarrel-aged. Pale straw, sweet style with fresh for 18 months, with a Tight, elegant wine, fresh 2014 HHHHit is weighty and fleshy, acidity woven through its fragrant, toasty, buttery and medium-bodied, Full-bodied, dry style,with fresh, generous, peachy, spicy flavours, bouquet. Powerful, with strong, citrusy estate-grown, withslightly sweet flavours of which show good vigour ‘full-on’ style with flavours, hints of ginger vibrant, youthfulripe stonefruits, a hint of and richness. Drink now concentrated, peachy, and spice, and very good passionfruit and limespice, gentle acidity and a or cellar. $33 (A, UK) toasty, slightly gingery vigour, poised and depth. flavours, a minerallywell-rounded finish. Drink Man O’ War and honeyed flavours, Youthful, off-dry wine, streak, and a tightlynow or cellar. $25 Valhalla Waiheke good complexity and well worth cellaring to structured, lingering Island Chardonnay strong personality. Ready 2016+. $22 finish. Drink now-2016.Kina Cliffs 2011 HHHH to roll. $55 Spy Valley $22 (A)Nelson Pinot Noir Probably at its peak, this Pasquale Waitaki Marlborough2012 HHHH is a distinctive wine, Valley Chardonnay Pinot Noir RoséSturdy, full-coloured red nutty and toasty, with 2012 HHHH 2014 HHHHwith substantial body firm acid spine. Bright, Lemon-scented, Pink/pale orange,and concentrated red light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and smooth, mouthfilling, fresh andberry and spice flavours. mouthfilling and complex, with very good weight smooth, with strongSweet-fruited and with rich, citrusy, peachy and flavour depth, a peach, spice andsavoury, with good depth, flavours and a fractionally subtle oak influence, firm watermelon flavours,structure and complexity. honeyed, tight, dry finish. acid spine and buttery, showing complexityDrink now-2017. $30 $42 (A, UK) mealy notes adding from partial barrel complexity. Drink now or fermentation. $25 (A, UK) cellar. $45 May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 119

MICHAEL COOPERTerra Sancta Waimea Nelson Zephyr Marlborough Clearview Te Man O’ War MerlotMysterious Diggings Gewurztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Awanga Sauvignon Cabernet FrancCentral Otago 2014 HHHH 2014 HHHH Blanc 2014 HHH1/2 Cabernet SauvignonPinot Gris Youthful, tightly Weighty, with good Crisp, medium-bodied 2012 HHH1/22014 HHHH structured wine with intensity of fresh, Hawke's Bay wine with Full, slightly developedYouthful, full-bodied mouthfilling body, lively ripe melon, lime and fresh, youthful melon/ colour. Mouthfillingstyle, hand-picked at acidity and strong, capsicum flavours, lime flavours, showing a and generous, withBannockburn, with peachy, spicy flavours, long and tangy. Single touch of barrel-ferment a distinctly herbalconcentrated, ripe, with hints of ginger and vineyard wine, grown in complexity, and good thread running throughpeachy, slightly citrusy apricot. Shows good the lower Wairau Valley. vigour and length. $20 its strong, smooth,and spicy flavours, richness and potential. $25 (A, UK) Jackson Estate blackcurrant-like flavours,showing a touch of $23 (UK) Homestead seasoned with nutty oak.complexity, and a fresh, Waimea Nelson ½ Marlborough Pinot Drink now onwards. $29dryish, lengthy finish. Gruner Veltliner Noir 2013 HHH1/2 (A, UK)$22 (A) 2014 HHHH Brancott Estate Mouthfilling, supple Map MakerWaimea Nelson Full-bodied, fresh and Living Land Series red, estate-grown in the Marlborough PinotClassic Riesling dry (4 grams/litre residual Marlborough Pinot Wairau and Waihopai Noir 2014 HHH1/22014 HHHH sugar), with peachy, Gris 2014 HHH1/2 valleys and partly barrel- Estate-grown at Rapaura,Tight and youthful, in a slightly spicy flavours, Certified organic, this is a aged. Full-coloured, this is a deep ruby, floralmedium-bodied style woven with appetising full-bodied, off-dry wine with generous cherry, red with ripe cherry andwith fresh, lively peach, acidity, and good vigour with good depth of fresh, plum and dried herb plum flavours, generouspassionfruit and spice and intensity. Drink now citrusy, slightly peachy flavours, showing a touch and smooth, and aflavours, mouth-watering or cellar. $23 (UK) and spicy flavours, and of complexity, gentle gentle seasoning of oak.acidity and an off-dry (13 Waimea Nelson a smooth, harmonious tannins, and drink-young Enjoyable young, but alsograms/litre residual sugar) Sauvignon Gris finish. Already drinking appeal. Priced right. $23 worth cellaring. (Fromfinish. Best drinking 2014 HHHH well. $19.95 (UK) Staete Landt.) $262016+. $20 (UK) Weighty and fleshy Brancott Estate Kina Cliffs Nelson Map Maker (14.8% alc/vol), with Terroir Series Pinot Noir MarlboroughTwo Degrees generous, ripely Awatere Valley 2013 HHH1/2 Sauvignon BlancCentral Otago Pinot herbaceous, melon/ Marlborough Pinot Ruby hued, mouthfilling 2014 HHH1/2Noir 2013 HHHH lime flavours, hints of Gris 2014 HHH1/2 and smooth, with ripe Estate-grown at Rapaura,Deeply coloured, this stonefruit and ginger, Full-bodied, medium-dry plum, cherry and spice this is a full-bodied, ripe,single-vineyard, Cromwell and a smooth, dryish (5 style with ripe, peachy, flavours, showing some tropical fruit-flavouredBasin red is mouthfilling grams/litre residual sugar) spicy flavours, a hint of savoury complexity. Still wine, in a fresh, non-and sweet-fruited, finish. Ready. $23 (UK) ginger, and good depth. developing; open mid- herbaceous style withwith strong, youthful, Waimea Nelson Well-balanced for early 2016+. $30 good weight and depthplummy, spicy flavours, Viognier 2014 HHHH drinking. $19.95 Kina Cliffs Nelson and a well-rounded finish.showing some savoury Scented and smooth, in Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (From Staete Landt.)complexity, and fine- a fleshy, finely textured Terroir Series 2014 HHH1/2 $18grained tannins. Delicious style with strong, peachy Southern Valleys From a single, coastal Martinboroughyoung, it’s also well flavours to the fore, a Marlborough Fumé site, this fresh, medium- Vineyard Manuworth cellaring. $39 (A) slightly creamy texture Blanc 2014 HHH1/2 bodied wine is strongly Riesling 2014 and an off-dry (8 grams/ ‘Sweaty’ aromas, leading varietal, with strong, HHH1/2 litre residual sugar) finish. into a fresh, full-bodied lively melon, lime and Ripely scented, easy- Delicious young. $23 wine with ripe, tropical green capsicum flavours, drinking style of riesling, Zephyr Marlborough fruit flavours, showing a threaded with crisp, tangy with youthful, slightly Riesling 2013 HHHH touch of oak complexity, acidity. $22 sweet (15 grams/ Tight, youthful wine, off- and a crisp, dry finish. Loveblock litre residual sugar), dry, with good vigour and $19.95 Marlborough Pinot moderately intense intensity of lemon/lime Clearview Te Gris 2014 HHH1/2 flavours of citrus fruits, flavours, slightly toasty Awanga Chardonnay Full-bodied and creamy- pears and peaches. Drink notes emerging, and a 2014 HHH1/2 textured, with smooth, now or cellar. $28 (A) lengthy finish. $25 (A, UK) Grown on the Hawke's dryish, peachy, gently Martinborough Zephyr Marlborough Bay coast and fermented spicy flavours (13% Vineyard Te Tera Riesling 2014 HHHH in tanks (mostly) and gewurztraminer), hints Sauvignon Blanc Youthful, single-vineyard barrels, this is a full- of lemons and apples, 2014 HHH1/2 wine from the lower bodied, citrusy, slightly and drink-young appeal. Aromatic, punchy, Wairau Valley. Finely buttery wine, with a Certified organic. $27 (A) medium-bodied style with poised, medium-dry touch of complexity and fresh melon and green style, with strong, citrusy, very good depth. It’s capsicum flavours, leesy slightly spicy flavours already enjoyable; drink notes adding a touch of and good harmony. $25 now or cellar. $21 complexity, appetising (A, UK) acidity, and lots of youthful impact. Ready to roll. $18 (A)120 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

recent releasesMoutere Hills Single Saint Clair Vicar’s Stoneleigh  Saint Clair Vicar’sVineyard Nelson Choice Marlborough Marlborough Choice MarlboroughRiesling 2014 Chardonnay 2014 Chardonnay 2013 Brancott Estate GewurztraminerHHH1/2 HHH1/2 HHH1/2 Living Land Series 2014 HHHGrown on the Waimea Highly attractive, drink- Easy-drinking style, fresh Marlborough Full-bodied, fresh andPlains, this is a finely young style, fruit-driven, and smooth, with good Sauvignon Blanc smooth, with good depthbalanced, lively, light- with vibrant, peachy body and depth of citrusy, 2014 HHH of vibrant lychee, peachbodied wine (under 10% flavours and a hint of slightly buttery flavours, Certified organic, this is a and spice flavours andalc/vol), produced in a sweet oak. Fresh and hints of sweet oak and a medium-bodied, strongly a dryish, well-roundedmedium style. It has moderately complex. creamy texture. Drinking herbaceous wine with finish. Enjoyable young.good depth of fresh, $19 well now. $17 fresh melon and green $19peachy, spicy flavours, a Saint Clair Vicar’s Te Kairanga capsicum flavours, crisp Sanctuaryhint of apricot, and gentle Choice Marlborough Martinborough Pinot and lively. $19.95 Marlboroughsweetness balanced by Pinot Gris Gris 2014 HHH1/2 Martinborough Sauvignon Blancappetising acidity. $29 2014 HHH1/2 Full-bodied style (14% Vineyard Te Tera 2014 HHHPasquale The White Finely balanced, dry style alc/vol), with satisfying Pinot Gris Full-bodied and vibrantlyRose 2012 HHH1/2 (3 grams/litre residual depth of citrusy, peachy 2014 HHH fruity, with fresh, tropicalPale pink, distinctive sugar), mouthfilling flavours and a tight, Mouthfilling, fresh and fruit flavours to the fore, aWaitaki Valley blend of and fresh, with vibrant, slightly minerally, spicy smooth, in an easy- herbaceous undercurrentpinot noir (90%) and peachy, gently spicy finish. Youthful, dryish drinking style with peach, and a crisp, dry finish.dolcetto (10%). Drinking flavours, moderate acidity wine with fresh acidity, lychee and spice flavours, Priced right. $15well now, it is full-bodied, and a slightly creamy likely to be at its best a slightly creamy texture (A, UK)with peachy flavours, texture. Enjoyable young. mid-2015+. $22 (A) and an off-dry finish. Tiki Marlboroughhints of spices and $19 (A) Tiki Hawke's Bay Drink now-2016. $18 Pinot Noirapricots, lively acidity and Saint Clair Chardonnay 2014 (A) 2014 HHHvery good depth. $29 Vicar’s Choice HHH1/2 Massey Dacta Full of drink-young charm,Pasquale Marlborough Highly enjoyable in its Marlborough this ruby hued red isWaitaki Valley Sauvignon Blanc youth, this full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc full-bodied, sweet-fruitedGewurztraminer Bubbles wine offers very good 2014 HHH and smooth, with gentle2012 HHH1/2 2014 HHH1/2 depth of ripe, peachy, Crisp, lively, single- tannins and vibrant, ripeVery cool-climate feel, Just what the label says, slightly spicy flavours, vineyard wine from the cherry/plum flavours towith substantial body with an appealing vivacity with a fresh, well-rounded lower Wairau Valley. the fore. $24 (UK)and strong, tight, citrusy, and smoothness. Ripely finish and a touch of Full-bodied, with good Torea Marlboroughgently spicy flavours. herbaceous, with slightly complexity from ‘subtle’ depth of fresh, tropical Pinot GrisStill very fresh and worth leesy, nutty notes adding French oak handling. fruit and herbaceous 2014 HHHcellaring. $27 interest, and a lingering $20 flavours. Good value. $15 Fleshy, pale straw winePasquale Waitaki finish. $19 (A) Two Degrees with plenty of peachy,Valley Passito 2012 Spinyback Nelson Central Otago Rosé (A, UK) slightly sweet flavour(375ml) HHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH1/2 Pasquale Waitaki and a creamy texture.Distinctive North Otago 2014 HHH1/2 Pink/pale red, this Valley Viognier Smooth, easy drinkingblend of riesling (60%) Freshly herbaceous refreshing, pinot noir- 2012 HHH during 2015. $16and pinot gris (40%), aromas, leading into a based rosé is floral and Still fresh, medium-picked early, ‘dried for vibrant, green-edged style vibrantly fruity, with lively, bodied wine, citrusy andconcentration' and barrel- with tangy melon and ripe, berryish flavours, slightly peachy, with afermented. Powerful green capsicum flavours, a sliver of sweetness restrained oak influence(14.6% alc/vol), with showing good vigour and balanced by appetising and lively acidity. Drinklemony, sweet flavours, depth. (From Waimea acidity, and good now or cellar. $33firm acidity and a slightly Estates.) $15 (UK) immediacy. $25 (A)‘spirity’ bouquet. $25 Spy Valley Waimea Nelson star ratings Sacred Hill Halo Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013Hawke's Bay Syrah Merlot Malbec HHH1/2 Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of2013 HHH1/2 2013 HHH1/2 Ruby hued, fresh and excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill.Medium-bodied Full-coloured, purple- supple, with moderately All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industryGimblett Gravels red flushed blend of merlot concentrated cherry, professionals and are compared in peerwith deep, bright colour. (76%) and malbec (24%), plum and spice flavours, classes by three judges.Fresh, vibrantly fruity barrel-aged for over a gentle acidity, and CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters,and smooth, with ripe year. Sturdy, with strong, some nutty, savoury a major mail-order business.plum and black pepper youthful, berryish, spicy complexity. Drink now CD Cellar door price.flavours, seasoned with flavours, a hint of dark onwards. $25 (A, UK) CDO Cellar door only.toasty oak, gentle tannins chocolate and a fairly firm SO Sold out.and an almost pinot noir- finish. $25 $N/A Price not available at time of printing.ish appeal. $30  Contact information pg 144. 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 2015 W I N E S TAT E 121

CANBERRA RINITEERSNLATIIONNGAL CHALLENGE 12-17 October 2015JUDGING RIESLINGS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD· Judges from Northern and Past recipients of the Wolf Blass Award: Southern Hemisphere To a person or organisation in Australia or New Zealand who has· Riesling Master Class October 16, 2015 made a major contribution to Riesling development and promotion..· Riesling Seminar hosted 2003 Guenter Prass AM by Charles Sturt 2004 Clare Valley Winemakers Association University Wagga Wagga Peter Lehmann AM October 16, 2015 2005 Brian Barry OAM Wendy Stuckey· Awards Presentation 2006 Ken Helm AM Ceremony and 2007 John Vickery OAM Celebration of Riesling 2008 Louisa Rose at Hyatt Hotel Canberra 2009 Andrew Hood October 16, 2015 2010 Jeffrey Grosset 2011 Nick Walker· Trade & Consumer David O’Leary Tasting October 17, 2015 2012 Brian Croser AO 2014 Colin Gramp AM Entries open for the Riesling Challenge June 1, 2015. Canberra International Riesling Challenge PO Box 241, Deakin West, ACT 2600 Tel: +61 2 6290 1505 | Fax: +61 2 6290 1580 E-mail: [email protected] www.rieslingchallenge.com

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALANDMay/June 2015 Issue 141In this issue... The Wine & spirit Insider is a Promotional guide from theNew Releases liquor trade to the consumer.Best Value Buysunder $20 Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 Look for this symbol inside...NEW ZEALAND DIVERSITY AT ITS BEST Available exclusively from THE WINE FIX - www.thewinefix.com.au

156 TASTED100 AWARDEDNEW RELEASESLed by a diverse flight of sparkling wines and champagne, a very Taltarni Tache Kirrihill Regionalnice new releases line-up with lots to try and examine. Chardonnay Chardonnay Pinot Range Clare Valleyis really coming back to the fore in Australia, with more appropriate Noir Pinot Meunier Riesling 2014 HHHHoak handling and fruit timing, and this shows in the results. Also 2011 HHH A stylish numbernoted were the excellent wines in the cabernet and shiraz classes, Developed strawberry- with attractive greenalong with an interesting range of diverse red varietals and a few like aromas and a melon and citrus fruitclassy rieslings. savoury palate with alert characters, subtle acid backbone. $24 perfumed notes and lovely acid presence. Other White $16 Varietals &Sparkling Farnese Fantini Blends Cuvee Cococcliola11 TASTED Brut NV HHH1/2 12 TASTED9 AWARDED Smells of Turkish 8 AWARDED Delight and tastes ofAn excellent class of strawberries showing Excellent rieslingboth champagnes and subtle sweetness and examples here asAustralian sparkling has balancing acidity. well as nice semillonwines. “And we also $24 contribution.give a nod here to Corte Carista VBBAEULSYUTSEprosecco which has an DOC Italy Proseccoemerging market here NV HHH1/2in Australia,” said one Developed toastyjudge. “All wines here nose and nice depthare true to style and of creamy mouthfillingcountry in general.” youthful flavours with balancing acidity. $9.99Henriot Souverain Farnese Fantini Gran Gartelmann Mudgee Patrick of Pauletts HelmsfordChampagne France Cuvee Italy Brut Hunter Valley Coonawarra Clare ValleyBrut NV HHHH1/2 Rosé NV HHH Sparkling Shiraz Estate Grown Semillon 2013A complex toasty Fresh apple aromas 2013 HHH Riesling HHHHnose with fresh with creamy notes and Fresh primary fruit 2014 HHHHH Beautiful ripe grassy/green scented fruit well-structured palate aromas with a spicy lift A great wine with a fine red apple aromas andunderneath. Long with some secondary and a sweet and simple aromatic nose; smells a fresh lychee fruitcreamy palate has complexity. $24 palate. Clean acid line. of limes and lemons palate with a hint ofexcellent flavours and Champagne Pierre $30 with perfumed notes. development and longshowing some age Pailland Bouzy Hollick Coonawarra Palate is flavoursome zippy acid spine. $22 CDwith nice lively acid Grand Cru France Sparkling Merlot and bright with greatbackbone. $85 Brut NV HHH 2012 HHH persistence of lime/ Kirrihill VineyardHenriot Champagne Nice grassiness on the Mature dark fruit citrus characters. Lovely Selection SeriesFrance Blanc de nose with marzipan bouquet and a grippy freshness. $25 Clare Valley RieslingBlancs NV HHHH1/2 notes and nicely palate with prominent 2014 HHH1/2Delicate toasty structured apple/citrus tannins and sound fruit A lifted perfumedchardonnay fruit aromas palate. $69 quality. $30 bouquet. “Like Nana’swith yeast complexity. handbag,” suggestedTight well-structured one judge. Soft, creamypalate shows a broad and fruity in the mouth.range of flavours $20and lovely creamymouthfeel. $110124 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingCapel Vale Regional Farnese Pipoli Greco Brash Vineyard Pinot Gris/ ChardonnaySeries Pemberton Fiano 2013 HHH Single Vineyard Grigio &Semillon Sauvignon A pretty scented wine Margaret River Blends 17 TASTEDBlanc 2014 HHH1/2 with a delicate subtly Sauvignon Blanc 12 AWARDEDGrassy and herbaceous sweet palate giving 2014 HHH1/2 6 TASTEDaromas with a nicely little white flower-like A nicely structured cool 2 AWARDED Excellent wines withweighted zesty spicy flavours. $24 climate style smelling of the well-balanced oakpalate with nice balance cut grass and hay with A simple group with a styles offering whatand texture. $24.95 Sauvignon green melon flavours couple just sticking their the judges describedRhythm Stick Wines Blanc & peeking through. $22.95 heads above the pack! as “world class wines”.Red Robin Single Blends Mother of Pearl “Great texture, lengthVineyard Clare Sauvignon Blanc Pocketwatch Central and complexity -Valley Riesling 8 TASTED 2014 HHH Ranges Pinot Grigio approachable now but2014 HHH 5 AWARDED A lovely light quaffer 2014 HHH can age well also.”Nose is lifted and spicy; with reserved Very light perfumedgood intensity of citrus A class of light wines herbaceous aromas and fruit bouquet and some Paringa Estatearomas. Soft palate with with few faults. “Mainly subtle flavoured palate. residual sweetness on The Estatesimple fruit flavours. for drinking rather than $19 the palate. $16.95 Mornington$19.90 thinking,” suggested one Domenic Basket PeninsulaRhythm Stick Wines judge. Case Adelaide Hills Mojo Adelaide Hills ChardonnayRed Robin Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris 2013 HHH 2013 HHHHHSingle Vineyard Knee Deep Margaret 2014 HHH Slightly oily scented Good marriage of oakClare Valley Riesling River Sauvignon Another simple quaffer nose and ripe stonefruit and fruit here. The2014 HHH Blanc Semillon with soft tropical fruit flavours on a nicely wine is complex andA tight stylish cool 2014 HHHH characters and subtle textured palate. $18 intense with gorgeousclimate style with fresh Powerful aromatic citrus notes. $10.99 peach/melon fruit andvarietal fruit of limes and tropical/canned pea-like Hollick The Bard excellent, subtle, oakcitrus. $25 bouquet and a long Coonawarra use on the long and clean palate full of fresh Sauvignon Blanc seamless balance. $35 passionfruit and citrus 2014 HHH flavours. $22 Smells of guavas and passionfruit and has a ripe palate with loads of acid. Easy drinker. $19 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 125

NEW RELEASES K1 by Geoff Hardy Farmer’s Leap Adelaide Hills Padthaway Chardonnay 2014 Chardonnay HHHH 2014 HHH1/2 Ripe buttery fruit here Toasty oak and tropical with fresh toasty oak fruit lift off the nose and and complex nutty notes. sweetish oaky palate The palate is beautifully with some melon fruit. soft and rounded in the Needs time. $22.95 mouth. $35 Alpha Domus Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2013 HHH1/2 Soft toasty bouquet with hints of cashews and melons. Very flavoursome with plenty of wood and crisp acidity. $37.50 NZ Jip Jip Rocks Paringa Estate Padthaway Unoaked Peninsula Chardonnay 2014 Mornington HHHH Peninsula Reserved tropical fruit Chardonnay aromas and a fleshy, 2013 HHHH well-structured, palate A complex funky nose with nice depth of and well-structured, flavour and showing nicely textured, palate nutty complexity. $20.95 full of savoury fruit characters. Made more in a European style. $25 Mt. Monster VBBAEULSYUTSE Elmfield South Limestone Eastern Australia Coast Chardonnay Chardonnay 2014 HHHH 2014 HHH Lifted varietal nose all A quaffer of fresh melon green melon fruit with fruit and subtle oak. cashew nut complexity. Simple, varietal and Palate offers nice length faultless. $3.99 of fresh zippy tropical Claire Creek South melon flavours. Eastern Australia $16.95 Chardonnay 2014 HHH One Road VBBAEULSYUTSE Lots of interest here South Australia with lovely savoury fruit and nice acid backbone. $4.99 Chardonnay 2014 HHH1/2 Has elegance and depth with fresh lifted melon/ cashew characters and nice oak influence. Consumer friendly style. $6.99126 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingBowen Estate Coal Pit Tiwha Water WheelCoonawarra Gibbston Central Bendigo MalbecChardonnay Otago Pinot Noir 2013 HHHH2014 HHH 2013 HHH Briary bush aromas withSoft sweet melon A big flavoursome herbal hints and lovelyaromas and good depth and interesting wine. structured palate layeredto the savoury palate Delicate fruit aromas with intense blackberryshowing subtle oak and a cherry/raspberry flavours and sweet oak.use. $23.50 palate. $42 NZ $19 Reillys WinesBurnbrae Jilly’s Pick Other Red Dry Land ClareOrange Chardonnay Varietals & Valley Sangiovese2014 HHH Blends 2013 HHHHA subtlety of peaches Spicy blackberryand pears on the nose 15 TASTED characters withand a supple palate excellent savourywith expressive fruit 7 AWARDED elements. Subtleflavours. $30 aromas, soft lingering flavours and nice tanninRosé A very mixed group. structure. $22 However as one judge5 TASTED commented this is, Farnese Casale2 AWARDED “An evolving and Vecchio diverse category worth MontepulcianoA small class of simple considering if you are 2013 HHHHeasy drinkers. looking for something A dense inky wine with different. Nice to see powerful black berryHollick Wrattonbully some Italian producers aromas and lovelyShiraz Rosé in the line-up”. palate texture with spicy2014 HHH raspberry flavours andEstery confectionery grippy tannins. $24aromas and soft slipperypalate with pretty redfruit flavours. $16Reschke Pierre DeRonsard CoonawarraMerlot Rosé2014 HHHVery flavoursomeProvence style withsubtle cranberryand strawberry fruitcharacters. $23Pinot Noir5 TASTED2 AWARDEDExcept for a couple of Whistling Kiteexceptions these wines Riverland Petitwere generally lacking in Verdot 2014 HHHHvarietal character. Dense sooty bitumen bouquet with intenseGMH Adelaide dark cherry flavoursHills Pinot Noir edged with violet2013 HHH nuances and supportedLovely combination by cigar box oak. $30of black and red fruitcharacters with subtlewood and firm tannins.$20 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 127

NEW RELEASESHeritage Estate Grenache & Reillys Wines CabernetWines Reserve Blends Saignee Clare SauvignonGranite Belt Valley GrenacheTempranillo 9 TASTED Sangiovese 19 TASTED2014 HHH TempranilloA big hit of charry oak on 6 AWARDED 2014 HHH 12 AWARDEDthe nose with a complex A simple lighteroaky driven palate. $25 Always a solid reliable style with some very An excellent classGMH Meritage class when old vine fruit pretty sweet red fruit showing both goodSouth Australia and good winemaking is characters. $22 concentration of varietalPetit Verdot Merlot involved. characters along withCabernet 2013 HHH Tenafeate Creek elegance. “Great ageingAn elegant example of Robert Oatley GSM One Tree Hill potential,” agreed thethe style with a leafy GSM McLaren Grenache Shiraz judges.nose and tight earthy/ Vale Grenache Mourvedre 2014fruity palate. $20 Shiraz Mourvedre HHH Clarence Hill Robert Oatley 2014 HHHH1/2 An appealing GSM style Reserve Cabernet Margaret RiverFarnese Vigneti Huge estery aromas that’s soft, fresh and Langhorne Creek Cabernet SauvignonZabu Chiantari Nero with dense inky flavoursome and made Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 HHHHD’Avola 2013 HHH complexity and a firm for early drinking. $25 Cabernet Franc Cassis and black fruits liftOld World style of well-structured palate Merlot 2012 HHHHH off the nose with a firmwine with exotic with good length of fruit Willunga 100 Inky crimson wine with well-structured palatesavoury characters and lovely soft tannins McLaren Vale intense jubey bouquet showing good flavourand lots of secondary and offers excellent Grenache and subtle cigar box oak. intensity and dryingdevelopment. $24 cellaring potential. 2013 HHH An elegant, flavoursome tannin structure. $22.95 Delicate, reserved and well-structured Ballast Stone 5+ $22.95 raspberry-like aromas palate that is still very Monster Pitch and some very soft fresh and lively for a McLaren Vale Blackbilly McLaren jubey fruit flavours. $23 3-year-old. $40 Cabernet Sauvignon Vale Grenache Willunga 100 2013 HHHH Shiraz Mourvedre Cabernet McLaren Vale Lovely perfumed 2012 HHHH Blends Cabernet Shiraz bouquet smelling Easy drinking style; 2013 HHH1/2 of violets. Lots simple but satisfying. 5 TASTED A well-made spicy, fruit- of cassis fruit Strawberry jam nose 2 AWARDED driven style with slightly characters on the and big rich well- green tannins and very elegant and stylish structured palate with Apart from these two light use of oak. $23 palate. Cellaring loads of fruit flavour. $22 wines the judges were potential. disappointed with these Eagle & The VBBAEULSYUTSE blends. Too many of 5+ $17 Fool Reserve them lacked freshness McLaren Vale and showed grippy Grenache Shiraz tannins. 2013 HHH1/2 Fresh lifted spicy varietal nose and a lovely soft savoury palate showing a great range of flavours. $18judges - Day 1 Stephen John Duane Coates Owner/winemaker of Winemaker for Cleggett’s, Steve Warrick Stephen John Wines. More Coates & Raydon Estate Direct marketer and wine than 30 years’ winemaking Wines. Duane has a consultant. Formerly sales experience. Has judged Masters of Oenology and marketing manager at Adelaide, National, and from Adelaide University for the Hamilton Wine Barossa wine shows. and has gained overseas Group. 10 years’ experience Regular Winestate panellist winemaking experience working in McLaren Vale, and chairman of judges at in Burgundy, the Northern Coonawarra and the the Winestate Wine of the Rhone Valley regions in Adelaide Hills. Has judged at Year Awards. France, and the Douro Valley the Adelaide, McLaren Vale in Portugal. and Hobart wine shows.128 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Pertaringa Rifle Yarrawood Tall Shiraz Elmfield South & Hunt Adelaide Tales Yarra Valley Blends Eastern Australia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Cabernet 2013 HHHH 2013 HHH 6 TASTED 2014 HHH Earthy mushroomy notes Savoury/delicatessen 6 AWARDED A lovely uncomplicated to the jammy nose. characters on the nose wine with lifted berry Lovely pure varietal fruit and tight sweet red A solid class of wines aromas and lively berry expression on the palate palate. Needs time. $26 - all recommended flavours offering great balanced with a subtle with the 2013 vintage drinking. $3.99 use of oak. $40 Songlines Estate wines showing great Jip Jip Rocks Bylines McLaren consistency. Padthaway Shiraz Eagle & The VBBAEULSYUTSE Vale Cabernet Cabernet 2013 HHH Fool Reserve Sauvignon 2013 Burnbrae Mudgee Big porty nose and Coonawarra HHH Shiraz Viognier excellent depth of solid Cabernet Sauvignon Developing jubey 2013 HHHH prune-like fruit flavours 2012 HHHH mulberry fruit, fine Powerful spicy fruit with furry tannins. $20.95 Obvious minty cabernet grippy tannins and a hint and sweet oak aromas. Peter Lehmann aromas and very dry, of sweet oak. $30 Supple palate with Research Road well-structured palate mouthfilling flavours and Barossa Shiraz with excellent varietal Brash Vineyard fine grippy tannins with Cabernet 2013 HHH expression and nice new Margaret River a warming finish. $25 Blueberry and oak oak. Time. 5+ Cabernet Sauvignon aromas and firm tannic $18 2013 HHH Passing Clouds palate with well- A confectionery nose Graeme’s Blend balanced berry flavours.Bowen Estate Capel Vale of black jubes with an Bendigo ShirazCoonawarra Regional Series intense jammy fruit Cabernet 2013 3-5 $30Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River palate. $40 HHHH2013 HHHH Cabernet Sauvignon Some earthiness on theA lovely big wine with 2013 HHH1/2 The Colonial Estate nose laced with ripegreat structure and Flavoursome and Exile Barossa Valley red berry fruit aromas.loaded with cassis fruits, well-structured with Cabernet Sauvignon The grippy tannictannins and quality oak. beautifully rich varietal 2010 HHH palate has intense fruitIt just needs a little more fruit and sweet oak. Evolving mulberry/cedar flavours. $31time. $33 “Almost Amarone-like,” aromas and an advancedK1 by Geoff Hardy said one judge. $26.95 mid-weight palate with Willunga 100Adelaide Hills firm tannins. $60 McLaren ValeCabernet Sauvignon Hollick The Bard Shiraz Viognier2013 HHHH Coonawarra 2013 HHH1/2Rich and powerful but Cabernet Sauvignon Soft and mellow aromasan easy drinking style. 2013 HHH with a perfumed edge.Perfumed fruit bouquet Nose has hints of forest A medium bodied palateand grippy tannic palate fruit, violets and oak with spicy fruit and nicewith nice oak to balance with a savoury palate tannin presence. $23it. $35 and grippy tannins. $24 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 129

NEW RELEASESShiraz Farmer’s Leap Hollick Shiraz Taltarni T Series Willunga 1002013-2012 Padthaway Shiraz 2013 HHHH Pyrenees Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013 HHHH1/2 A classy wine showing 2013 HHH1/2 2012 HHH30 TASTED Dense cassis/berry great colour and has Excellent spicy red berry A big old school Aussie22 AWARDED aromas with some beautiful concentration of fruit aromas and tight shiraz with excellentSolid class of big pretty florals. Beautifully red berry fruit seamlessly well-structured palate fruit pastille nose andflavoured wines structured palate integrated with charry with an elegance of fruit seamless palate. $23with excellent fruit with long, savoury dark new oak. $25 and fresh oak flavours.expression. “These fruit characters, sweet Tenafeate Creek $17 Peter Lehmannwill put a smile on oak and a bright acid Basket Press One Jip Jip Rocks Futures Barossaeveryone’s face,” finish. $22.95 Tree Hill Shiraz Padthaway Shiraz Shiraz 2012 HHHsuggested one judge. Passing Clouds 2013 HHHH 2013 HHH1/2 Oak and red fruits onThe 2013s are coming Bendigo Shiraz 2013 Powerful ripe jammy Old school style with a the nose and nicelyup to compete with HHHH1/2 fruit with excellent big rich concentration of concentrated raspberry/the ’12s; both offering A savoury nose that’s oak influence. It has a jammy fruit on the nose plum palate. $26intense flavours, all meaty and gamey. huge nose and quite a and a palate borderingseamless balance and The palate is big porty palate. “One for on the porty. $20.95 Shanahans Winesageing potential. and powerful and the brave,” said one Clarence Hill Silence is Golden is full of dark plum judge. $25 Reserve McLaren Barossa ValleyOld Faithful fruit expression with Bowen Estate Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2012 HHHTop of the Hill excellent oak handling to Coonawarra Shiraz 2012 HHH1/2 Rich raspberry nose andMcLaren Vale Shiraz balance. $31 2013 HHHH A stylish complexity of spicy Christmas cake-2012 HHHHH Peter Lehmann Nose is a concentration red berries and charry like flavour intensity with“It’s all class,” was one VSV 1885 Barossa of oak, forest fruits and oak on the nose and earthy notes. $29.95judge’s description of Valley Shiraz 2013 gamey notes and has palate with subtle spicesthis wine. It has great HHHH1/2 lovely red berry and and soft tannins. $40 Songlines Estatecolour, excellent varietal Fresh, appealing and mulberry flavour profile. K1 by Geoff Hardy Songlines McLarenfruit and fresh new oak consumer friendly A classic Aussie. $33 Middle Hill Adelaide Vale Shiraznow all it needs to really exhibiting great crimson The Colonial Estate Hills Shiraz 2012 HHHshine is some time in hues, deep spicy aromas Exile Barossa Shiraz 2013 HHH An oak-driven shirazthe cellar. $50 and a fleshy flavoursome 2012 HHHH Pungent primary fruit with perfumed peppery berry palate with a lovely Huge oaky wine but has characters mix with nose and well-structured structure. $60 equally big jammy plum lovely earthy perfumed varietal palate. $50 Old Faithful Café fruit to match. Lovely notes. $25 Block McLaren nose and a seamless, Songlines Estate The Colonial Estate Vale Shiraz 2012 flavoursome and Bylines McLaren Mungo Park Barossa HHHH1/2 warming palate. $60 Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2012 HHH An interesting wine that 2013 HHH This wine offers a big smells of sweet wild Very oaky style but mouthful of flavour raspberries and has a some plum characters built around savoury rich, soft and somewhat showing through on the seasoned oak. $55 funky palate with firm nose and on the soft grippy tannin. A classic palate. $30 Shiraz Aussie style. $50 The Colonial Estate 2011 & Older Ballast Stone Explorateur Old Windjammer Vine Barossa 5 TASTED McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2013 HHH 3 AWARDED 2013 HHHH Dark plum fruit aromas Lovely easy drinking with lovely ripe flavour A couple of wines style with a perfumed concentration. Needs here were showing berry bouquet and time to shine. $30 their age but the best a more-ish savoury K1 by Geoff Hardy have maintained their palate. Good flavour Adelaide Hills Shiraz freshness and varietal concentration and nice 2013 HHH characters. oak. $17 Ripe plum aromas and huge jammy palate with loads of flavour and strength. $35130 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingOld Faithful Café Preston Peak Bucket Patrick of PertaringaBlock McLaren Vale List Granite Belt Coonawarra Botrytis Autumn HarvestShiraz 2011 HHHH Shiraz 2010 HHH1/2 Riesling 2010 HHHH Adelaide RieslingA lovely savoury style A complex and nicely A luscious botrytis Gewurztraminerwith tarry dark fruit aged leathery nose with bouquet and intense, thick 2013 HHHaromas and flavours a well-aged dry red-style and mellowing quince and Raisined/tropical fruitwrapped in zesty acidity, palate showing earthy marmalade-like flavours aromas and a lusciouslysweet toasty oak and overtones. $38 with nice level of drying sweet fruit palate withchewy tannins. tannins. $49 plenty of acidity to Patrick of balance. $18 5+ $50 Coonawarra Estate Grown star ratings  Shiraz 2010 HHH An excellent style Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of of shiraz ageing well excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. but still showing fruit All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry freshness. $29 professionals and are compared in peer classes by three judges. Sweet White CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, & Fortified a major mail-order business. CD Cellar door price. 3 TASTED CDO Cellar door only. 2 AWARDED SO Sold out. $N/A Price not available at time of printing. A couple of very nice  Contact information pg 144. examples here. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.auNEW SATYR By Sileni EstatesA distinctive new range from Sileni Estates showcasing the diversity of New ZealandAvailable exclusively from THE WINE FIX - www.thewinefix.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 131

PLEASE SEND ME MAGAZINE FOR:AUSTRALIA & NEW take out a subscription and save! Australia SUBSCRIBE TO OUR COMPLETE ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE 7 issues (1yr) $A69 (includes $6.27 GST) PACKAGE which 14 issues (2yrs) $A128 (includes $11.64 GST) includes hard-copy and digital Price include GST, postage and handling. versions plus full on-line access to Winestate’s web site and reviews. New Zealand Binders Available only through online Price includes Airmail. Australian residents only order, www.winestate.com.au Please mark  one option: Your attractive binder easily holds 7 issues - handy for 7 issues (1 year) $A79 quick reference! 14 issues (2 years) $A150 Please mark  one option: Asia, Pacific 1 Binder $A19.80 Price includes Airmail. Please mark : 2 Binders $A33 7 issues (1 year) $A120 Elsewhere 3 Binders $A49.50 Price includes Airmail. Please mark : (includes GST) 7 issues (1 year) $A130 Prices available for overseas on application. Home WineMaster Price includes Airmail. Please mark : Complete Software Programme V11 $A89 Upgrade to V11 $A34.95 Subscription Update* (1 year) V10 $A29 Subscription Update* (2 years) V10 $A49 *Requires software programme. Mr / Mrs / Miss Address MARCH/APRIL 2015 WINESTATE VOL 38 ISSUE 2 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 10,000 tasted annually Suburb State Country Phone ( ) AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE Post Code E-mail barossa ItalIan & spanIsh central & western vIctorIa rosÉ chardonnay MarlboroUGh (nZ) Your subscription will start from the next issue. 176 ITALIAN Cocktail I enclose my cheque for $ Credentials AND SPANISH PROSECCO’S SPARKLING FUTURE payable to WINESTATE Magazine or charge my: Mastercard Visa Marlborough’s high profile wines Name on card: PRINT POST APPROVEd 100003663 March/April 2015 Australia’s iconic wine estate Vol 38 Issue 2 $12.00 AUS (inc GST) ON WITH THE NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 US $17.99 Gbp £10.95 SHOW EUR $9.95 China RMB100 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 plus Rosé • Chardonnay & Blends • Central & Western Victoria Barossa Valley & Eden Valley • New Releases Signature Expires / Send to: 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Fax to: 08 8357 9212 268_CoverFRONT_215.5x297.indd 1 16/02/2015 11:59:46 AM GIFT SUBSCRIPTION GIFTSUBSCRIPTION Recipient’s Name Tel: 08 8357 9277 Address www.winestate.com.auConditions: Offer is limited to the first 70 new Suburb State Country subscribers in Australia only. Recipient must Post Code Phone ( ) be over 18 years of age. Please send a gift card to Me Recipient Also fill in your details in the section above.

Join Peter Simic, Editor/Publisher of Winestate Magazine and Travelrite International for the FRANCE2015 WINE TOUR TO September 12 to September 29, 2015 Two and a half wonderful weeks with Peter Simic, exploringthe best of French wine regions including visits to Champagne, Burgundy, Dijon, Lyon, the Rhone Valley, Marseille, Toulouse and Bordeaux. MAGAZINE

Tour leadership by Peter Simic FRANCE2015 WINE TOUR TOPeter Simic, your tour guide, is an ideal host for Great fun exploring and discoveringthis trip. With a background in publishing and the fine wine regions of France withwine education over 30 years, his wine knowledgeis vast. In addition to being the founding editor/ Winestate’s Peter Simicpublisher of Winestate, Peter was formerly thefounding publisher of Wine & Spirit (US), managerof the SA Wine Information Bureau, and wineeducator with SA Regency College. He is also aregular wine commentator in newspapers and onradio and television. Peter recently led a number ofhighly successful wine tours: the Winestate toursto France in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2011,the QE2 Winestate cruise in 2001, the Winestatetours to Italy in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2010 and theWinestate tour to Spain, 2000, 2004 and 2009.Tour Itinerary Day 5 Wednesday September 16, 2015 Dijon After breakfast the tour group will travel south to Dijon for two nights, stayingDay 1 Saturday September 12, 2015 Departure at the four-star Mercure Dijon Centre Clemenceau hotel. Dijon is capital of the Burgundy wine region and is famous for mustard and other culinary delights.Tour members depart Australian capital cities and travel on Singapore It sits at the north of the region comprising the Cote de Nuits in the northAirlines overnight services to Paris. It will be possible for tour members to and Cote du Rhone in the south, with the town of Beaune in the middle.depart Australia on an earlier day – accommodation will be offered at the Burgundy produces ethereal, silky, cool-climate elegant wines of pinot noirParis hotel for clients arriving early. Please call for details. and chardonnay grapes in regions such as Romanee Conti, Chambertin,Day 2 Sunday September 13, 2015 Paris Vouget and Chassagne Montrachet. The exploration will commence afterOn arrival early morning at Paris airport, the tour group will be met and lunch with a vineyard and cellar visit combined with a structured tasting ledtransferred to the centrally located, four-star Millennium Hotel Paris OperaHotel. After time to freshen up we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the main by Peter Simic.sights of Paris with a local guide. Lunch will be at leisure before we return tothe hotel for check-in. Peter Simic will host a Welcome Drinks Party before Day 6 Thursday September 17, 2015 Dijonrecommending interesting nearby restaurants for dinner. This morning we will visit a prestige winery and enjoy tastings with Peter Simic. The afternoon will be free for wine bar exploration in this fabulous town, or a quiet rest. This evening we will enjoy a Celebration Dinner at aDay 3 Monday September 14, 2015 Reims Michelin-starred restaurant hosted by Winestate’s Peter Simic with superbAfter breakfast the tour group will travel by private coach to Reims, the capital wine and food from the region.of the Champagne wine region, for a two-night stay at the four-star Holiday Day 7 Friday September 18, 2015 LyonInn Reims Centre. The Champagne vineyards are located south of Reims, with After breakfast the tour group will travel to Beaune, the delightful main townthe main producers near Reims and around the villages of Epernay and Ay, in the Burgundy wine region. There will be time for individual sightseeingclose to the banks of the River Marne. There are approximately 27,500 hectares and early lunch before we continue south to visit a prominent Beaujolaisof vines in the Champagne region, with more than 19,000 producers. Only producer to taste the Gamay Beaujolais variety at its source. Late afternoon,about 10 percent of the vines belong to the great international producers. we travel on to Lyon, the second largest city in France, superbly located atThe tour will commence with visits to the vine-growing areas and to some the junction of the Soane and Rhone rivers. It is a lively cultural city withof the very best producers. We will meet the winemakers and enjoy a a history extending back beyond Roman times. Today it is an importantseries of tastings under the guidance of Peter Simic. We will travel to our centre for scientific research, higher education and high-tech industries.tour hotel late-afternoon for check-in. Good quality local restaurants will be Late afternoon, we will check in for two nights at the four-star Mercure Hotelrecommended for dinner. Carlton. Interesting restaurants will be recommended for dinner.Day 4 Tuesday September 15, 2015 Reims Day 8 Saturday September 19, 2015 LyonAfter breakfast we will travel to Epernay and Ay for a full day of vineyard visits. A full day of exploration in the Rhone Valley, where the familiar shiraz (syrah),We will drive through the vines along the picturesque ‘Champagne Route’ so well-known in Australia, is the main variety. Famous names include Guigal,and visit two of the region’s main producers. We will meet the winemakers Chapoutier and Paul Jaboulet. We will visit some of the finest producers ofand sample a range of the best crus. Local restaurants will be recommended this great variety from Cote Rotie and Hermitage. Good quality restaurantsfor dinner. will be recommended for dinner in Lyon.

Very Special ExperiencesFollowing great success of previous wine tours toFrance, Italy and Spain, Peter Simic and the staffat Winestate Magazine have arranged for a seriesof very special visits in the historic and impressivefine-wine areas of France. We will visit vineyardsthat are rarely open to the public and samplespecial vintages and meet people responsible fortheir skillful production. It will be a unique time tomeet the characters and expand our knowledge inmost enjoyable and pleasant surroundings.Comfortable Tour HotelsWe have carefully selected well-located four andfive-star hotels (with top class comfort and verycomfortable Michelin ratings) that provide highquality and good value for money. All the hotelshave clean, comfortable rooms with privatefacilities. Some of the hotels will provide anenjoyable “European style” experience, rather thanthe uniformity of standardised modern hotels. Inset image: Deutz Champagne House © Thomas Raffoux 2005.Day 9 Sunday September 20, 2015 Marseille Day 14 Friday September 25, 2015 BordeauxToday we travel south along the Rhone Valley to Marseille for a two-night Today the tour group will return to the Medoc to visit wineries and tastestay at the four-star Grand Hotel Beauvau, Vieux Port. We will visit wineries in wines in the southern regions of Margaux and St Julien. Peter Simic will leadthe southern Rhone Chateau Neuf du Pape region and taste some distinctive the group on visits to a range of top-level producers and guide us thoughand delicious grenache and syrah blends under Peter Simic’s guidance. enjoyable and informative, structured tastings. The regions are home toRestaurants and wine bars will be recommended for an evening at leisure. Chateau Margaux, Chateau Beychevelle, Palmer, Brane Cantenac and ChateauDay 10 Monday September 21, 2015 Marseille Talbot among others. We return to Bordeaux for an evening at leisure. Good-A leisurely, free day to enjoy Marseille. Take a side trip to Aix en Provence or quality restaurants will be recommended.relax in nearby Cassis. This evening we will enjoy a Celebration Dinner at a Day 15 Saturday September 26, 2015 BordeauxMichelin-starred restaurant, at which Winestate’s Peter Simic will showcase Today we will visit the right bank St Emilion and Pomerol regions to the east of Bordeaux. The regions are home to many fine producers that includethe best wines from the regions we have visited. Cheval Blanc, Troplong Mondot, Vieux Chateau Certan, Canon, Pavie, Petrus and Latour Pomerol. Their wines are based mainly on merlot, with cabernetDay 11 Tuesday September 22, 2015 Toulouse franc and cabernet sauvignon also involved. Peter Simic will introduce us to some of the most important producers and guide us through structuredAfter breakfast we will travel west to the modern city of Toulouse for a one tasting sessions. There will be some free time in the delightful small town of St Emilion.night stay at the four- star Grand Hotel de l’Opera. We will enjoy a wineryvisit in the vast Languedoc wine-producing region, noted for high-volumeproduction and rapidly improving quality. We will stop in the medieval townof Carcassonne for sightseeing at leisure. Day 16 Sunday September 27, 2015 BordeauxDay 12 Wednesday September 23, 2015 Bordeaux A free day for relaxation or further exploration. We will come together forAfter breakfast, we travel west to the famous Bordeaux region. Bordeaux, our Farewell Celebration Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, with locallocated on the grand Garonne River just after it joins the Dordogne River, is the wines carefully selected by Winestate’s Peter Simic. We will celebrate thesixth-largest city in France and is the centre of the most renowned wine region success and enjoyment of our time in France with Peter. It will be a mostin the world. On the outskirts of Bordeaux we will visit the famous Chateau enjoyable evening.Climens First Growth Barsac winery before checking into the wonderful Day 17 Monday September 28, 2015 Departurefive-star Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa (Michelin’s highest rating hotel in After breakfast the tour group will be transferred to Bordeaux airport for anBordeaux) for a five-night stay. This evening we will enjoy the CelebrationDinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, hosted by Winestate’s Peter Simic. Air France flight to Paris to connect with Singapore Airlines flights to Australia.Day 13 Thursday September 24, 2015 Bordeaux Day 18 Tuesday September 29, 2015 AustraliaThis morning we travel north to the left bank of the Gironde to spend a Early morning arrival in Australia and the tour concludes.day of exploration in the Pauilliac and St-Estephe regions. Pauillac is thehome of top rate producers such as Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Relax and enjoyLatour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lynch-Bages and Pontet Canet.Cabernet Sauvignon is the prominent variety here, often blended with someMerlot and Cabernet Franc.

FRANCE2015 WINE TOUR TOSeptember 12 to September 29, 2015The price for the 15-night tour is $10,275 per person twin-share.Single supplement is $1,950 per person.The land-only price for the tour (no flights) is $9,135 per person twin-share.International and general travel taxes and fuel surcharges are additional.At November 2014 they were approximately $950 per person.Included in the tour price:• Return economy-class air travel from east coast Australian capitals to Paris and return from Bordeaux via Paris. Long-haul travel will be on Singapore Airlines. Please call for other departure cities. Passengers will be able to travel early or extend their stay in Europe at no extra airfare.• Accommodation in four and five-star hotels with private facilities. Hotel taxes and service charges.• Breakfast daily and four special celebration lunches and dinners.• Entry and tasting fees and special services at vineyards in each of the regions visited. Sightseeing and general entry fees as detailed in the itinerary.• Tour leadership by Peter Simic, editor/publisher of Winestate Magazine.• Tour management by Travelrite International Pty Ltd, with an experienced staff member travelling with the group.• A Travelrite International travel bag.Not included in the tour price:• Passport and visa fees.• International airport and general travel taxes.• Travel insurance.• Sightseeing and general expenses not specified in the itinerary.• Items of a personal nature.• Additional travel arrangements – these will be quoted for separately.General information and booking conditionsInternational touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stairclimbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have alevel of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without theneed of assistance from others.TOUR OPERATOR: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 REFUNDS: The tour is based on arrangements that The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned,005 817 078) is the tour operator. do not allow for any refunds in respect of sightseeing, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between accommodation, meals, airfare or other services not the transportation companies or firms and the purchasersTOUR PRICES: The tour prices are based on airfare, general utilized after the tour has commenced. of these tours. Baggage is at owners risk throughout thetransport, accommodation and other costs at foreign tour. The contract between passenger and Travelriteexchange rates at October 2014. Travelrite International TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All passengers will need to be in International shall be construed in accordance with thereserves the right to alter the tour price or modify the tour possession of a valid passport. Passengers holding other laws of the State of Victoria.if any of these factors change, giving any passenger who than an Australian passport should check requirementshas booked the right to withdraw with a full refund of with Travelrite International. HOW TO BOOK: Bookings can be made by completing amonies paid. No alteration to the tour price will be made booking form and sending it with a deposit of $500 perwithin 65 days of departure from Australia. BAGGAGE: Economy class passengers qualify for a 20kg. person to: airline baggage allowance.DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS: A deposit of $500 per person Travelrite International Pty Ltdis required at the time of booking. Full payment will be CHANGES TO THE TOUR ITINERARY: Travelrite Intern- 423 Whitehorse Roadrequired 65 days before departure. ational reserves the right to make changes to the tour Balwyn, Victoria 3103 itinerary to fit in with operational requirements. AnyCHANGES: After confirmation of travel arrangements, one change to the itinerary will be replaced with similar Further information can be obtained by telephoningchange to travel arrangements will be provided free of arrangements with an equal or greater value.charge. Subsequent changes to travel arrangements will Toll free: 1800 630 343incur a fee of $ 25 for each change. RESPONSIBILITY: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 Phone: (03) 8803 6868 005 817 078, ATAS A10538) is the tour organiser. Neither Fax: (03) 9836 8068CANCELLATIONS: Cancellation advised more than 65 Nationwide News Pty Limited nor any of its subsidiaries, Email: [email protected] from the date of departure from Australia will incur a nor any of its newspapers have any involvement in the www.travelrite.com.aucancellation fee of $ 300 per person. Cancellations advised tour, and have no liability of any kind to any person in65 days or less from the date of departure from Australia relation to the tour. Travelrite International acts only ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL: Travelrite Inter-will result in the loss of all monies paid. Travel insurance is as agent for passengers in making arrangements with national Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-establishedstrongly recommended to cover the cost of cancellation carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result, we travel company which has been marketing throughoutfees that could result from a death in the family, illness, etc. cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, Australia for over 30 years. It has two ATAS No A10538 whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers accredited offices at Balwyn and Heathmont which areMINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS: The tour has been priced or other persons providing services in connection with the also accredited with IATA. As such they directly representon the basis of a minimum number of passengers having tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. the major airlines of the world and all major domestic andbooked on the tour 65 days prior to departure. Travelrite We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, international hotel, tour and transport operators. TravelriteInternational reserves the right to cancel the tour if loss, delay, change of schedule, or any other events that International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australianinsufficient passengers have booked by 60 days prior to are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.departure, giving a full refund of all monies paid, or offering war, terrorism, flood, fire. Civil disturbance, acts of God,arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified price. acts of Government, or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial actions.

BEST BuysCorte Carista DOC Simon Gilbert G & Co Brygon Reserve Flying Cooks Lot Allotment No.Italy Prosecco NV Orange Pinot Gris Riesling High Margaret River 689 Orange SauvignonDeveloped toasty nose Gewurtraminer 2014 Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Blanc 2014and nice depth of creamy Subtle fruit bouquet; hints of Excellent gooseberry/melon Minerally pear/peach nose withmouthfilling youthful flavours melons and some florals. Soft bouquet with an herbaceous a fruity palate, some phenolicwith balancing acidity. $9.99 pleasant palate with a savoury lift. Crisp and lean on the palate complexity and good acidity. finish. $18 with lovely flavour profile and $20Aldi Stores depth. $19.99Phone:+61 2 9675 9382 Gilbert by Simon Gilbert Cooks Lot WinesEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 2 6373 1371 Brygon Reserve Wines Phone: +61 2 9550 3228Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au E: [email protected] Phone: +61 419 865 556 Email: [email protected] W: www.gilbertfamilywines.com.au E: [email protected] Web: www.cookslot.com.au W: www.brygonreservewines.com.auBest VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND$U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. To Qualify Some wines may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others 1 Wines must have first been recommended will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal comprises the best wines currently available, from big- tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate 2 Wines from designated regional tastings Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives are eligible provided they are widely available. credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines 3 All wines must be currently available from that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much the winery, or be readily available in the more expensive cousins. marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 137

BEST BuysCooks Lot Allotment No. Eagle & The Fool Adelaide A.C Byrne & Co Margaret Cooks Lot Allotment No.666 Orange Pinot Gris Hills Pinot Gris 2013 River Semillon Sauvignon 589 Orange Semillon2014 A medium bodied creamy wine Blanc 2014 Sauvignon Blanc 2014Lean varietal nose of pears with apricot kernels and peach Smells like pea pods and Lots of fruit intensity to thiswith some mineral notes. Nice characters and a background of nettles with some citrus nose and strong varietalbright stonefruit flavours with a honey. $18 nuances. Lovely crunchy palate statement on the palate withfragrant floral edge. $20 with a noticeable level of nice mineral texture, fresh acid Eagle and the Fool acidity. $9.99 and a lingering finish. $20Cooks Lot Wines Phone: +61 408 101 203Phone: +61 2 9550 3228 Email: [email protected] Aldi Stores Cooks Lot WinesEmail: [email protected] Web: www.eagleandthefool.com.au Phone: +61 2 9675 9382 Phone: +61 2 9550 3228Web: www.cookslot.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Web: www.cookslot.com.au138 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Due South Denmark One Road South Australia Mt. Monster Limestone Sandalford Margaret RiverSemillon Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 2014 Coast Chardonnay 2014 Rosé 20142014 Has elegance and depth with Lifted varietal nose all green Big cabernet-like aromas and aLemon curd characters on the fresh lifted melon/cashew melon fruit with cashew nut seductive palate with excellentnose and intense mouthfilling characters and nice oak complexity. Palate offers nice savouriness, intensity and gripflavours on the thirst quenching influence. Consumer friendly length of fresh zippy tropical and brimming over with flavour.palate. $15 style. $6.99 melon flavours. $16.95 “Very Margaret River”, thought one judge. $20Due South (Yilgarnia) Aldi Stores Morambro Creek WinesPhone: +61 8 9845 3031 Phone: +61 2 9675 9382 Phone: +61 8 8723 1065 Sandalford Wines Pty LtdEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 9374 9374Web: www.yilgarnia.com.au Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Web: www.morambrocreek.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.sandalford.com The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 139

BEST BuysEagle and The Fool Brygon Reserve Oakover Wines White Eagle and The FoolReserve McLaren Vale Hummingbird Series Label Western Australia Reserve CoonawarraBarossa Grenache Margaret River Cabernet Cabernet Merlot 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Shiraz 2013 Shiraz Merlot 2012 Lifted varietal expression toFresh lifted spicy varietal nose Spicy perfumed bouquet and the nose and flavoursome Obvious minty cabernetand a lovely soft savoury palate a lovely smooth palate bright jubey fruit palate; lively and aromas and very dry, wellshowing a great range of with fruit and nicely controlled balanced. $13 structured palate with excellentflavours. $18 tannins. “Very gluggable”, noted varietal expression and nice one judge. $19.99 Oakover Wines new oak. 5+ $18Eagle and the Fool Phone: +61 8 9374 8000Phone: +61 408 101 203 Brygon Reserve Wines Email: [email protected] Eagle and the FoolEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 419 865 556 Web: www.oakovergrounds.com.au Phone: +61 408 101 203Web: www.eagleandthefool.com.au E: [email protected] Email: [email protected] W: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Web: www.eagleandthefool.com.au140 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Deep Woods Estate Simon Gilbert G & Co Brygon Reserve Sandalford MargaretShiraz Et Al Margaret Mudgee Shiraz Sangiovese The Bruce Margaret River Shiraz 2012River Shiraz Blend 2013 Barbera 2013 River Shiraz 2012 Pretty perfumed nose with a lovely cherry fruit lift. LovelyA really lovely wine - long and A nicely balanced youthful Powerful caramel-like oak silky palate; sweet and slipperylayered and aromatically perfect style with a very berry drives this wine at the moment with elegant varietal fruit andwith masses of black fruit on bouquet showing slight smoky giving it savoury characters some gravelly tannins. It’sthe palate showing a stalky complexity developing with but the dark brooding fruit is stylish and polished.kick, licorice elements, smoky similar characters on the pushing through. $19.99oak and dusty tannins. $20 palate. “Softer than you would 5+ $20 expect”. $18 Brygon Reserve WinesFogarty Wine Group Phone: +61 419 865 556 Sandalford Wines Pty LtdPhone: +61 8 9282 5480 Gilbert by Simon Gilbert E: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 9374 9374Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 2 6373 1371 W: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Email: [email protected]: www.fogartywines.com.au E: [email protected] Web: www.sandalford.com W: www.gilbertfamilywines.com.au Issue 141 | May/June 2015Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care isPeter Simic E-mail: [email protected] taken in compiling the contents of this publication, butManaging Editor Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] WINESTATE is published seven times a year by Winestate Publishing Pty Ltd. WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD, Telephone (08) 8357 9277Vicki Bozsoki E-mail: [email protected] 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212Graphic Designer Copyright 2014 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. E-mail [email protected] This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, Website www.winestate.com.auLisa McPike E-mail: [email protected] photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to anyMarketing ManagerPeter Jackson E-mail: [email protected] CoordinatorMadeline Willoughby E-mail: [email protected] The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 141



SOUTH -AUSTRALI- A

contact detailsADELAIDE HILLS Domaine Naturaliste by Bruce Dukes Vinaceous Festival City Wine & Spirits Phone: +61 8 9755 1188 Phone: +61 8 89221 4666 Phone: +61 8 8349 1200Australian Vintage Limited/McGuigan Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8172 8333 Web: www.domainenatraliste.com.au Web: www.vinaceous.com.au Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.auE: [email protected]: www.avl.com.au Fifth Estate Wines CENTRAL AND WESTERN NSW Gartelmann Wines Phone: +61 41985 1269 Phone: +61 2 4930 7113Ceravolo Premium Wines Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] Colmar Estate Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8336 4522 Web: www.fifthestatewines.com.au Phone: +61 419 977 270 Web: www.gartelmann.com.auEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.ceravolo.com.au Knee Deep Wines Web: www.colmarestate.com.au Hollick Wines Pty Ltd Phone: +61 8 97556776 Phone: +61 8 8737 2318Hahndorf Hill Winery Email: [email protected] Gartelmann Wines Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8388 7512 Web: www.kneedeepwines.com.au Phone: +61 2 4930 7113 Web: www.hollick.comEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au Millbrook Estate Web: www.gartelmann.com.au Morambro Creek Wines Phone: +61 8 9525 5796 Phone: +61 8 8723 1065RockBare Email: [email protected] Pankhurst Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8388 7155 Web: www.millbrookwinery.com.au Phone: +61 2 6230 2592 Web: www.morambrocreek.com.auEmail: [email protected] E: [email protected]: www.rockbare.com.au Oakover Wines Web: www.pankhurstwines.com.au Paringa Estate Phone: +61 8 9374 8000 Phone: +61 3 5989 2669Sidewood Estate Pty Lty/Ashwood Estate Email: [email protected] Ross Hill Wines Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8389 9234 Web: www.oakovergrounds.com.au Phone: +61 2 6365 3223 Web: www.paringaestate.com.auEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.sidewood.com.au Paul Conti Web: www.rosshillwines.com.au Patrick of Coonawarra Phone: +61 8 9409 9160 Phone: +61 8 8737 3687Wicks Estate Wines Email: [email protected] Rowlee Wines Pty Ltd Email: [email protected]: +61 8 8389 9100 Web: www.paulcontiwines.com.au Phone: +61 438 059 108 Web: www.patrickofcoonawarra.comEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.wicksestate.com.au Pepperilly Estate Web: www.rowleewines.com.au Paulett Wines Phone: +61 8 9389 9383 Phone: +61 8 8843 4328BEST OF THE WEST Email: [email protected] NEW RELEASE Email: [email protected] Web: www.pepperilly.com Web: www.pauletts.com.auAldi Stores Adelaide WinemakersPhone: +61 2 9675 9382 Red Gully Wine Phone: +61 8 8323 6124 Whistling Kite VineyardsEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 427 086 684 Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 8584 9014Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.adelaidewinemakers.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.redgully.com.au Web: www.whistlingkitewines.com.auBrygon Reserve WinesPhone: +61 419 865 556 Sandalford Wines Pty Ltd NORTH ISLANDEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 9374 9374Web: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Email: [email protected] Aldi Stores Longfellows Wine Export Web: www.sandalford.com Phone: +61 2 9675 9382 Phone: +61 3 9428 5444Clairault Wines Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: +61 8 9755 6655 Singlefile Wines Web: www.aldiliquor.com.auEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 410 321 321Web: www.clairaultwines.com Email: [email protected] Bowen Estate Mahurangi River Winery & Restaurant Web: www.singlefilewines.com Phone: +61 8 8737 2229 Phone: +64 9 425 0306Deep Woods Estate Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: +61 8 9756 6066 Streicker Wines Web: www.bowenestate.com.au Web: www.mahurangiriver.co.nzEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 9755 6225Web: www.deepwoods.com.au Email: wineclairaultstreicker.com.au Web: www.clairaultstreickerwines.com.au Friday 29 May, 2015 Wednesday 24 June, 2015 Friday 4 September, 2015 Mainfreight International Wine of the Year Trade and Wine of the Year World’s Greatest Shiraz Subscriber Tasting Subscribers Tasting Challenge X Trenton International National Wine Centre, Adelaide National Wine Centre, Adelaide St Peter's Business Park NSW Tickets available NOW Tickets available NOW Tickets available NOW Winestate subscribers receive one freeWinestate subscribers receive one free Winestate subscribers receive one free ticket upon request ticket upon request ticket upon requestPlease register at www.winestate.com.au for invitations and updates! Subscribers are entitled to one free ticket for each subscriber event. To order tickets please contact Peter Jackson [email protected] W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

contact detailsVilla Maria Estate Ltd Grant Burge Wines take out a subscription and save! AustraliaPhone: +64 9 255 1754 Phone: +61 8 8563 3700 7 issues (1yr) $A69 (includes $6.27 GST)Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.villamaria.co.nz Web: www.grantburgewines.com.au 14 issues (2yrs) $A128 (includes $11.64 GST)NZ RECENT RELEASE BEST BUYS Price include GST, postage and handling.Coal Pit Vineyard Aldi Stores New ZealandPhone: +64 272 691 389 Phone: +61 2 9675 9382 Price includes Airmail.Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Please mark  one option:Web: www.coalpitwine.com Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au 7 issues (1 year) $A79Foley Family Wines NZ Limited Brygon Reserve Wines 14 issues (2 years) $A150Phone: +64 3 572 6424 Phone: +61 419 865 556Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Asia, PacificWeb: www.thesociety.co.nz Web: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Price includes Airmail. Please mark :Loveblock Wine Cooks Lot Wines 7 issues (1 year) $A120Phone: +64 9 3733574 Phone: +61 2 9550 3228Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] ElsewhereWeb: www.loveblockwine.com Web: www.cookslot.com.au Price includes Airmail. Please mark :Man O’ War Vineyards Due South (Yilgarnia) 7 issues (1 year) $A130Phone: +64 9 303 9677 Phone: +61 8 9845 3031Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Home WineMasterWeb: www.manowarvineyards.co.nz Web: www.yilgarnia.com.au Price includes Airmail. Please mark :Pernod Ricard New Zealand Eagle and the Fool Complete Software Programme V11 $A89Phone: +64 9 336 8368 Phone: +61 408 101 203 Upgrade to V11 $A34.95Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Subscription Update* (1 year) V10 $A29Web: www.Pernod-Ricard-nz.com Web: www.eagleandthefool.com.au Subscription Update* (2 years) V10 $A49 *Requires software programme.Two Degrees Wine Fogarty Wine GroupPhone: +64 3 443 5316 Phone: +61 8 9282 5480 Mr / Mrs / MissEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.twodegrees.co.nz Web: www.fogartywines.com.au AddressSaint Clair Family Vineyards Gilbert by Simon Gilbert SuburbPhone: +64 3 578 8695 Phone: +61 2 6373 1371Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] State Country )Web: www.saintclair.co.nz Web: www.gilbertfamilywines.com.au Post Code Phone (SOUTH AFRICA Morambro Creek Wines E-mail Phone: +61 8 8723 1065Vinotime Email: [email protected] Your subscription will start from the next issue.Phone: +61 405 589 287 Web: www.morambrocreek.com.au I enclose my cheque for $Email: [email protected]: www.vinotime.com.au Oakover Wines payable to WINESTATE Magazine or charge my: Phone: +61 8 9374 8000SWEET WHITE AND FORTIFIED Email: [email protected] Web: www.oakovergrounds.com.au919 WinesPhone: +61 417 997 414 Sandalford Wines Pty LtdEmail: [email protected] Phone: +61 8 9374 9374Web: www.919wines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.sandalford.com Mastercard Visa Name on card: Signature Expires / Your wine, our ports. Send to: 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Fax to: 08 8357 9212 Australia GIFT SUBSCRIPTION Export Customer Service- 1300 134 096 Recipient’s Name Equipment and Logistics - 1300 135 801 Import Customer Service- 1300 132 813 Address New Zealand Outbound - 0508 222 444 Suburb Inbound - 0508 333 666 State Country ) No matter what. Post Code Phone ( www.hamburgsud-line.com Please send a gift card to Me Recipient Also fill in your details in the section above. May/June 2015 W I N E S TAT E 145

aftertasteELISABETH KINGHow May We Serve You? -Gourmet Meals and Wines On The Fly In the recent sci-fi movie Project Almanac Emirates beat out all contenders last Arisaka, heads a team of 15 JAL in-a group of teens find plans for a temporal October to win Saveur magazine’s Culinary flight staff who have achieved sommelierrelocation device. That’s time machine Travel Award for Best In-Flight Dining: certificate status. In blind tastings eachto most of us. They build the miraculous Business and First Class for the second year, they select from a group of over 1000contraption and use it for a range of feel- year in a row. The judging panel singled wines submitted by producers from all overgood activities such as winning the lottery the Dubai-based carrier’s seven-course the world. One of the top wine events lastand acing a uni chemistry exam. We’ll meals plated on Royal Doulton china and year was the 2014 Beaujolais Nouveaugloss over some of the unforeseen ripple gourmet ingredients as the deciding factor. promotion. Passengers in executiveeffects such as accidents and doomed lounges in Japan and first and businessrelationships. I am sure that my time travel Another UAE airline, Etihad Airways, class travellers on selected routes weretrip would only result in an acute attack of completely eschews the airport kitchen invited to sample some of the season’senvy or nostalgia. for its elite travellers. On board chefs on finest from Pierre Ferraud & Fils. selected routes do much of the cooking The year for my big adventure would in the galley kitchen just before serving. Etihad has teamed with Tourism Australiabe 1947 and I’d be tricked out in evening The focus is on Arabic fusion cuisine to quadruple its marketing spend for 2015clothes for the inaugural flight of the such as Moroccan lamb tagine and Asian to $12 million to promote Australia to globalLockheed Constellation Queen of the Air, delicacies like shio koji salmon. leisure and business travellers. The airlinethe most lavish commercial passenger flew more than 20 of the world’s leadingplane ever built. With billionaire Howard Tom Aikens, the English Michelin-starred food and wine influencers to AustraliaHughes in the cockpit for the LA to New chef, works alongside international chefs of in November as part of the RestaurantYork run, my fellow high-flyers, including the same calibre for Qatar Airways, where Australia campaign for a nationwide tour.Hollywood royalty such as Cary Grant and nothing is re-heated on an oblong tray inVeronica Lake, would slump back in the the pointy end. The mezze entrees have a Unfortunately, they were a little too earlyplush seats and check when the solicitous cult following and are artistically arranged to be served by one of the airline’s 13 newflight attendants were ready to make up on plates, as is the in-demand Iranian in-flight butlers. Trained at the Savoy Butlerthe large beds for the night. But it’s the mixed grill. Academy in London, the elite squad worksfood and wine that would really be worth in Etihad’s new three-room passengerslipping back nearly 70 years for - caviar, Singapore Airlines has an exclusive spaces on its A380 aircraft known as Thefilet mignon and baked Alaska sluiced Book The Cook service, which allows you Residence. Luxury wine and food servicedown with 16 cases of Dom Perignon. to select the gourmet main course of your standards are a key part of VIP guest care choice 24 hours before departure. Georges for the pampered duos ensconced in these Frequent flyers will probably never reprise Blanc’s Michelin 3 Star touch is evident palaces in the air.the days when flying was this romantic and even in the airline’s Asian-inspired dishesgourmet meals were cooked from scratch such as nigiri sushi, sates and crabmeat Wine isn’t grabbing all the limelight onon board. But at least they can still enjoy noodle soup. We’ve talked about Qantas the drinks cart. Delta Air Lines now stocksfirst-rate food and wines as a graceful and Emirates wine selections elsewhere regional craft beers on its US flights fromthrowback to an era when flying inspired in this issue but Singapore Airlines serves well-known brands such as the Brooklynawe, not frustration. around 194,000 bottles of champagne Brewery and Samuel Adams. Other major each year on its global network. American airlines have introduced small- Let’s start with the food. I once flew on batch bourbons. Airport bars are alsoan Eastern European airline where the In fact, SIA is the only major airline improving stateside with many hiringcannelloni resembled cat food wrapped to serve the two prestige cuvees, Dom mixologists to teach bartenders new waysin lino. And, let’s be honest, you fly on Perignon and Krug Grande Cuvee, in to mix and serve cocktails. After downing aa heavily discounted ticket to get to the tandem. Just before Christmas, the airline couple of expertly-made Mojitos even flyingdestination, not for the quality of the meals. sent out a press release announcing that in coach won’t seem so grim.It’s only when airlines have to justify the high business class passengers could now askpremiums on business and first class fares for Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus NV - agedthat gastronomic offerings that mimic the for more than five years.fare served on the Constellation come upfor your delectation. Japan Airlines is another Asian carrier overweeningly proud of its wine service. Noted Japanese wine journalist, Fumiko An international tasting of cabernet & Bordeaux blend varietals wings its way to you next issue. Plus,n e x t i s s u e : Clare Valley, Tasmania, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Fleurieu, and South Island (NZ).146 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2015

h

Introducing the new State-of-the-Art Wine Cellars Transtherm ‘Prestige’ Range Designed by French sommeliers, handmade in France10 YEAR A+ BODY WARRANTY UP 67% TO LESS ENERGY*For minimalist look, professional handle is removable. New ‘CASTEL’ 3-Zone lpabroedl ucectortriisifgyoiinfnFgrtehnactha The Professional Wine Storage Choice For Your Home*compared to previous range, based on room temperature of 25°C. Discover the new ‘Prestige’ range: transtherm.com.au