Winestate Magazine May June 2020

regional tasting Allandale Winery Grove Estate Kosciuszko Ross Hill Isabelle Brangayne Of Hilltops Grenache Sommita Hilltops Tumbarumba Orange Cabernet Orange Tristan Shiraz Mourvedre Nebbiolo Sangiovese Franc Merlot Orange Cabernet 2018 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 2015 HHH 2018 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Shiraz A very good wine with Great depth of fresh Very true to style and A rich bouquet of Merlot 2016 HHH1/2 an excellent blend of berry fragrances and a according to one judge, berries with hints of Nose still quite closed varieties. It’s complex and very flavoursome and “Should be rewarded for pomegranate and lovely but the palate is more toasty with some alcohol sweet, soft berry fruit still being alive!” $22 impact of rich berry fruit open with a solid block warmth. Great with palate. $60 flavours that carry across of fruit flavours and salmon! 3-5 $35 CABERNET the entire length of the tannins. 5+ $35 Lowe Mudgee SAUVIGNON palate. 5+ $25 Nashdale Lane Zinfandel BLENDS Legacy Orange 2017 HHH1/2 Cooks Lot Orange CABERNET Tempranillo Vibrant raisined sweet 8 TASTED Cabernet Merlot SAUVIGNON 2018 HHHH aromas with mineral 8 AWARDED 2019 HHHH Understated but true to tones and generous An attractive, heavier, 12 TASTED style with a rich balance Christmas cake-like Very consistent result style seamlessly here with the blends 12 AWARDED working well together. of fruit and oak aromas flavours. 3-5 $75 “Cabernet is like integrated and shows and long lingering plum blotting paper,” said great concentration of flavours across the Topper's Mountain one judge. blackberry and plum fruit “Here is where the palate. 5+ $55 New England characters. 5+ $23 Mudgee region really Nebbiolo shines,” agreed the Audrey Wilkinson 2015 HHH1/2 Iron Gate Estate judges! Winemakers An elegant, firmly Primera Mudgee & Selection Hunter structured wine with Hilltops Cabernet Vinifera Organically Valley Tempranillo “grapey” aromas, grippy Sauvignon Merlot Grown Mudgee 2019 HHH1/2 fruit flavours and a lean 2019 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon Spicy berry aromas and finish. $40 A tight fruit package 2017 HHHHH a berry driven palate with subtle use of oak with oak in a supporting Moppity Vineyards to balance, slight smoky Deep ruby, purpled role. A nice quaffer. $40 Hilltops Grenache tinges and a long finish. edged, wine – a Shiraz 2018 HHH seamlessly balanced “A great wine bar 5+ $38 and varietally expressive Iron Gate Estate wine,” according to one Primera Hilltops judge. It’s bright, plush Iron Gate Estate style with loads of rich and sweet. $30 Primera Mudgee berry fruit characters, Tempranillo & Hunter Valley delightful perfumed 2019 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon Peppery plum and Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 nuances and a crisp A fruity combo of berry finish. 5+ $45 berry bouquet with a Vinifera Organically and cherry aromas. bright zingy fruit palate Grown Mudgee Warming palate with and a tight tannin Tempranillo grippy fruit flavours. Gooree Park Wines finish. 3-5 $35 2018 HHH Age will open it up. Crowned Glory Good concentration Mudgee Cabernet Centennial of rich dark plum fruit 5+ $45 Sauvignon Vineyards Reserve characters with nice touch 2016 HHHHH Orange Barbera of spices. 3-5 $38 Good example of what 2018 HHH1/2 Walter Wines one judge referred to Deep mauve hues with Iron Gate Estate Iron Gate Estate Federation Hill as a, “Superior well berry fruit nose showing Primera Hunter Fenix Mudgee Single Vineyard aged old-fashioned hints of dates Palate is Valley Tempranillo Mudgee Cabernet style of cabernet”. It a rounded fruit package. 2018 HHH Sauvignon Merlot has lovely musky berry A big oak driven style 2017 HHH1/2 aromas and an open 3-5 $33.99 with smoky plum fruit Classic mulberry/oak and flavoursome palate. and drying tannin finish. nose with some obvious Peter Drayton Wines Cabernet Sauvignon oak on the lean palate 5+ $40 5+ $50 and quite grippy tannins. Anomaly Hunter Shiraz 2018 HHHHH Vinifera Organically A deep purple wine with 3-5 $30 Grown Reserve Valley Barbera a nose that is pungent Mudgee Cabernet 2018 HHH1/2 Capital Wines Sauvignon Caramel-like aged 'The Foreign and peppery and a 2015 HHHH1/2 Minister' Canberra palate showing a very An elegant and characters developing on Sangiovese successful combination Logan Orange seamless integration of the nose with super, oak 2016 HHH Cabernet Merlot varietal fruit, powerful dominated palate. Needs An elegant red fruited of the two varieties: 2016 HHH1/2 oak and very good aged wine with light smoky plums from the shiraz characters that are all pasta! 3-5 $36 notes and a solid finish. – berries from the Nicely ageing wine with nicely wrapped up in $27 plum/nectarine fruit vibrantly fresh acidity. cabernet. 5+ $75 characters and firm 5+ $50 tannins. Plenty of flavour here. 5+ $28 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 51

WINES OF NSW LMB Wines Mudgee Ross Hill Tom Moppity Vineyards Tamburlaine Cabernet Sauvignon & Harry Orange Reserve Hilltops Organic Wines Point 2018 HHHH Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 65 Orange Cabernet Very pure primary fruit 2018 HHH1/2 2017 HHH Franc 2018 HHHH nose with menthol-like Super powerful black A fine estery bouquet Subdued nose; typical notes and delicious fruit style of cabernet. with soft red fruit flavour hints of tomato berry flavours with Lovely ruby/purple profile and a tight finish. characters. Berry/ lashings of oak. Lots of colour. Showing plenty of pomegranate flavours; potential. 5+ $28 potential. 3-5 $25 3-5 $80 good use of residual sugar to balance. CABERNET FRANC, 3-5 $30 MERLOT, MALBEC & Tamburlaine BLENDS Organic Wines Point 65 Orange Malbec 11 TASTED 2018 HHHH 10 AWARDED A good example of the varietal with spicy fruit A large range of blends mix on the nose and a from the tight to the firm oaky palate with open styles with good stonefruits behind. quality winemaking on show. 5+ $30 PepperGreen Estate Lowe Mudgee Southern Highlands Merlot 2017 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark gamey nose with 2018 HHHH good fruit weight on the Clean fresh fragrances firm palate with a good of blackberries with tannin grip to the finish. a broad spectrum of Brangayne Of Orange Orange 5+ $35 fruit flavours laced with Merlot 2018 HHHHH PepperGreen Estate grippy tannins. Age will soften it. 5+ $35 Incredible ruby colour Single Vineyard with purple hues. Inner City Highland Heritage Very varietal bouquet Southern Highlands Winemakers Estate Generations Merlot 2018 HHH Indenture Hilltops Walter Wines Orange Cabernet and a dark brooding Federation Hill palate that is intense Guava hints on the nose Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Sauvignon over dark berries. Huge 2018 HHHH Mudgee Cabernet 2018 HHH with black berry fruit Sauvignon flavours. Good ageing concentration of fruit Almost mauve- 2014 HHHH Subtle aromas and an flavours. 3-5 $38 like hues here and Ruby red wine with elegant frame of fruit to potential. 3-5 $35 nicely matured aromas exhibiting a strong and a warming palate the palate. Needs time Canobolas Smith Logan Weemala spicy berry bouquet with great persistence to open up. 3-5 Central Ranges with intense blackberry of varietal fruit flavours. $CDO Reserve Orange Merlot 2017 HHH Cabernet Franc A softer style with flavours across the 5+ $35 2014 HHHH1/2 upfront stewed fruit- palate. 5+ $35 Tamburlaine Organic like varietal characters Wines On the Aged caramelized and a firm drying finish. bouquet with hints of $20 Grapevine Orange berries and delightful Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 HHH aged red berry flavours across the entire length of Nose has hints of mint the palate. Lots more left Capital Wines over berries with good 'The Backbencher' varietal expression on the in it yet! 3-5 $100 Canberra Merlot 2017 HHH palate. 5+ $20 Cassegrain White Herbaceous lift to the Label Rylstone attractive nose and dry STAR RATINGS  Zappa Wines New Orange Hilltops grippy tannic palate with England Australia Merlot Cabernet subtle fruit notes. $27 Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. 2018 HHH 2018 HHHH Ross Hill Reserve All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Sweet mulberry aromas Generous mulberry Orange Merlot professionals and are compared in peer and well-rounded palate aromas with some 2017 HHH classes by three judges. showing elegant fruit leafiness all of which Old fashioned oak driven CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, with a tidy finish. is echoed on the long style with some varietal a major mail-order business. palate with good use of fruit underneath and CD Cellar door price. 5+ $24 oak to balance the fruit. powerful acidity. CDO Cellar door only. SO Sold out. 5+ $25.95 5+ $80 $N/A Price not available at time of printing.  Contact information pg 97. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au 52 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting SHIRAZ Tamburlaine Organic Tempus Two Uno Ben's Run Vineyard BLENDS Wines Wine Lovers Hunter Valley Shiraz Limited Release Orange Shiraz Pinot 2018 HHHHH Broke NSW Shiraz 6 TASTED Noir 2019 HHH Seamless integration of 2018 HHHH1/2 Very attractive aromas chocolate, prunes and Dark chocolaty nose 5 AWARDED of plums and berries black cherry aromas with good integration of with a lovely violet lift. An interesting with soft and fleshy Well-structured and sweet spices and fruit combination of shiraz flavours. 3-5 $22 well-balanced cherry and lovely flavour mix of and pinot varieties that and sweet spice palate chocolate, cassis fruit and the judges thought Tempus Two Uno with minty complexity. raspberries with peppery worked well. 'Bainton' Hunter notes. 5+ $NA Valley Shiraz Pinot 5+ $150 Tempus Two Copper Noir 2017 HHH Midnight's Promise Moppity Vineyards Hunter Valley Shiraz Genuine shiraz fruit Hunter Valley Shiraz Nouveau Hilltops Pinot Noir fragrances with musky 2019 HHHH1/2 Syrah tinges and an elegant Intense licorice-like 2018 HHHH1/2 fruity palate. $150 bouquet with floral/violet Typical shiraz varietal nuances and tasting of nose of plums and 2018 HHHH dark cherries and plums cherries with juicy dark An elegant fruit package with more of the licorice fruit laden palate showing of spicy berries and SHIRAZ characters seen on peppery elements and ripe cherries with stalky 2019 & 2018 the nose. Silky smooth hazelnut-like complexity. tannins and a ‘bitey’ tannins. $24 finish. 3-5 $35 20 TASTED 5+ $30 20 AWARDED Briar Ridge 'Dairy Cassegrain Edition Hill' Single Vineyard Gooree Park Noir Central Ranges A very strong and Hunter Valley Shiraz Mudgee Shiraz Syrah Pinot Noir consistent class with 2018 HHHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 very expressive fruit Elegant floral bouquet A bouquet of dark Delicious example of a wines. Lots of higher laced with hints of black cherries and chocolate shiraz/pinot blend, crisp rated wines with a cherries, sweet spices with bacon notes. Silky and drying, with shiraz diversity of styles and hazelnuts. Great smooth in the mouth with a tad more obvious. ranging from big, varietal fruit flavours; mouth-coating flavours, out-there styles to the all boysenberries and loads of chocolate and 3-5 $32 restrained, elegant and a warm alcohol finish. fragrant ones, yet each Centennial at a high-quality level. mulberries with spicy 3-5 $22 Vineyards Reserve sweetness. 3-5 Orange Shiraz $60 Viognier Ross Hill Jack's Lot 2017 HHH1/2 Orange Shiraz The nose is pungent and 2018 HHHH1/2 perfumed. Excellent fruit The dark purple colour sweetness to the palate. suggests rich fruit Has plenty of potential. aromas and it delivers! The juicy chocolaty/ 5+ $34.99 licorice palate is loaded with flavour and will improve further with cellaring. 3-5 $25 Unique in Australia, Inner City Winemakers is within walking distance of Newcastle’s CBD and beautiful working harbour. Here locals and visitors alike can sample our unique range of wines at our cellar door and winery. All our staff have had an active role in the creating of the wines all the way from blending the wine styles to creating the label design so we all share the same passion in what we do. We are open for wine sales and tastings Wednesday to Sunday 10am ’til 5pm. Phone: 02 4962 3545 We are a truly boutique winery and cellardoor and Mobile: 0413 655 441 the first to start operating a winery and cellar door in Address: 28 Church Street, a city location. Wickham, New South Wales, 2293 Our wines show consistent quality as show by ongoing www.innercitywinemakers.com.au awards in winestate. May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 53

WINES OF NSW McGuigan Personal Reserve Oldman Hunter Valley Shiraz 2019 HHHH1/2 A big, beautifully balanced, wine with dense dark berry and plum-like fruit, some well managed spicy oak and good volume of fine tannins. 3-5 $70 LMB Wines Mudgee Shiraz 2018 HHH Vibrant spicy fruit, graphite like oak characters and plenty of acidity. $28 Inner City Highland Heritage Cumulus Rolling Nashdale Lane Capital Wines 'The Winemakers Estate Generations Orange Shiraz Colour Series Frontbencher' Indenture Orange Shiraz 2018 HHHH Orange Shiraz Canberra District Hilltops Shiraz 2018 HHHH Richness of aromas 2018 HHH Shiraz 2016 HHHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 Lovely complexity ranging from red Intense dark cherry Great varietal profile Savoury fruit aromas of fresh black cherry cherries to dark plums nose. Smooth in the here displaying spicy with light vanilla fruit, a squirt of black with chocolaty notes mouth with chocolaty black fruit, forest floor overtones and a rich prune juice, a dash of and the same richness dark fruit flavours. characters, mushroomy chocolaty/sour cherry chocolate and a whiff of on the palate. 3-5 complexity, chocolaty palate with a background red roses. $CDO $15.99 3-5 $35 elements and cigar box- of spices and nicely like oak. 3-5 $27 framed by the tannins. Iron Gate Estate Logan Wines Ridge SHIRAZ Saddler's Creek of Tears Orange 2017 & OLDER 5+ $35 Shiraz 2018 HHHH A soft and appealing 24 TASTED package of blue and 23 AWARDED black fruits, nice creamy Primera Mudgee & texture, some ripe Alessandro Reserve Hunter Valley Shiraz tannins and minty notes. An excellent strong Hunter Valley Shiraz Centennial 2018 HHHH class showing 2017 HHHHH Vineyards Reserve Savoury impression of 3-5 $50 very good varietal Both the nose and Murrumbateman rhubarb and beetroot to expression and great palate deliver an Shiraz 2018 HHHH the nose with mouth- diversity of style. intense and careful “Typical NSW shiraz filling peppery fruit stream of cherries, aromas,” noted one of flavours. Just needs more plums, prunes, licorice the judges. Lots of dark time. 5+ $40 and spices and finishes cherries and licorice with Logan Wines Ridge Logan Orange Shiraz off with warming of Tears Mudgee 2017 HHHHH a palate more spicy than Allandale Winery Shiraz 2018 HHHH Gorgeous spicy peppery alcohol conclusion. fruity. 5+ $33.99 Single Vineyard Smells of cherries, 3-5 $65 Hunter Valley Shiraz licorice, sweet spices lift to the nose with and violets with meaty constrained cherry Tempus Two Copper 2018 HHHH prune-like flavours and notes and some roasted Tempus Two Uno HV Hunter Valley A delightful nose of rose mouth-coating tannins. Hunter Valley Shiraz Shiraz 2018 HHHH petals and cherries with coffee-like characters. 2017 HHHHH 5+ $50 The elegant palate is Loads of hazelnut-like Very minty nose with oak overtones and palate seamlessly balanced characters on the nose spicy complexity and loaded with fruit and backed by cherry fruit lovely length of sour balancing oak. Nice long with well-integrated and chocolate. Delicious flavours. 3-5 $28 mouth-coating plum and cherry-like flavours on a finish. 3-5 $45 Saddler's berry flavours carrying robust palate. 3-5 Alessandro Reserve all the way to the finish. $35 Hunter Valley Shiraz Logan Wines Ridge 2018 HHH1/2 of Tears Orange 3-5 $150 Strong licorice/chocolate- Shiraz 2017 HHHHH like characters to the Spicy peppery nose the richness of complexity to the plum/ which is echoed on the cherry bouquet. The palate. 3-5 $65 palate is bright and firm with varietal fruit seamlessly merging with spicy oak and white pepper characters. 5+ $50 54 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting De Bortoli Wines Centennial Canobolas Smith Regional Classic Vineyards Hilltops Reserve Orange Gundagai Shiraz Shiraz 2017 HHHH Shiraz 2014 HHHH 2017 HHHH1/2 Syrupy cherry bouquet Sweet and spicy plum- A lovely intensity of dark with smoky notes and like fragrances and lively spicy fruit fragrances loads of licorice and juicy palate with flavours in with a big hit of black cherry flavours the savoury spectrum boysenberry jam–like laced with fine powdery and has a good tannic flavours and a long tannins. 5+ $24.99 grip. $100 lingering fruit driven RidgeView finish. 3-5 $21.95 Gooree Park Wines 'Impressions' Crowned Glory Hunter Valley Shiraz Lowe Block 8 Mudgee Shiraz 2013 HHHH Mudgee Shiraz 2017 HHHH Great aroma profile – all 2017 HHHH1/2 “For such a richly spicy, chocolaty and Subtle fruit aromas with coloured wine the nose earthy with spritzig-like herbal touches and very is still surprisingly quite red cherry flavours appealing sour cherry subdued.” The palate, benefitting nicely from flavours layered with however, is rich open the age. $50 chocolate and fine-grained and flavoursome. Cumulus Alte tannins. Warm on the Orange Shiraz finish. 5+ $35 3-5 $40 2017 HHH1/2 Red cherries dominate Ross Hill Pinnacle Inner City the nose with a bright Highland Heritage Orange Shiraz Winemakers “energetic” cranberry Estate Mt Canobolas 2017 HHHH1/2 Indenture Hilltops driven palate and tannins Orange Syrah Aromatic spicy cherry Shiraz 2017 HHHH in the background. 2017 HHH nose with hints of mint A melange of plums, A touch of chocolate to and quite a gentle but cherries and spices on 3-5 $22.99 the sour cherry aromas very varietally expressive the nose with earthy/ Centennial with tart mulberry and palate with vanilla oak meaty elements and Vineyards Reserve boysenberry flavours. notes and juicy acidity. juicy palate full of sour Orange Shiraz cherry flavours. $40 2017 HHH1/2 3-5 $32 3-5 $45 A mix of cherry fruit RidgeView characters with a hint of Walter Wines Lowe Block 5 'Impressions' chocolate on the nose Federation Hill Mudgee Shiraz Hunter Valley Shiraz and spicy licorice on the Single Vineyard 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHHH palate. $29.99 Mudgee Shiraz Lovely fragrances of Distinctive black cherry Moppity Vineyards 2013 HHH licorice, black fruits and and chocolate bouquet Reserve Hilltops Cola/licorice-like bouquet violets and a richness of with a spicy oak underlay Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 with a firm chocolaty/ plum and cherry flavours and very good juicy Chocolate and black toffee palate. Drink with a savoury element, palate with great fruit cherry characters lift soon! $35 linear acid and fine weight. 3-5 $40 off the nose and give tannins. 3-5 $75 excellent depth of STAR RATINGS  Moppity Vineyards flavour to the palate. $80 McGuigan Escalier Hilltops Berton Vineyards Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Personal Reserve Shiraz 2014 HHHH Limited Reserve excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Vanessa Vale Cherry and chocolate Gundagai Shiraz All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Hunter Valley Shiraz aromas with earthy/ 2017 HHH professionals and are compared in peer 2017 HHHH1/2 savoury nuances and Dense inky licorice nose classes by three judges. “A high-octane shiraz!” bright blue fruit palate and a bold balanced CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, according to one judge with subtle framing of palate with well-delivered a major mail-order business. with typical Hunter spicy oak. 3-5 $130 fruit flavours. $22 CD Cellar door price. shiraz aromas. Palate CDO Cellar door only. has masses of fruit that SO Sold out. is well matched by the $N/A Price not available at time of printing. juicy fruit. 5+ $80  Contact information pg 97. 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 2020 W I N E S TAT E 55

travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN YARRA VALLEY, SOUTHERN VICTORIA AND TASMANIA DISCOVERING THE LITTLE barbecues, a fire pit, two-person kayaks new facility is the brainchild of Yarra Valley GEMS and fishing gear as well as two-day car hire winemaker Garry Mills. supplied by Drive Car Hire with pick up and WHILE the Yarra Valley is home to several drop off from either downtown Hobart or the “I want people to come and immerse glitzy cellar doors like Oakridge, De Bortoli, airport. From $1,160 per couple. The Get Me themselves in a working winery, enjoy the Yering Station and TarraWarra, there are also Outta Here deal including a three-night break process as much as I do and see how we some boutique discoveries to be made. with breakfasts, all inclusions as above and create the wines they are drinking in front three days of car hire, from $1515 per couple them,” Mills said. At Seville's Payne's Rise the cellar door and the Stay Calm and Be Spoilt on Bruny is in the original 1860s homestead and with three nights in 4.5 star accommodation, “We wanted to bring the winery to the you can sample wine under shady elms including breakfast provisions, arrival in style people in an urban, easily accessible and oaks. Sit under the trees at Five Oaks with Above and Beyond Seaplanes from environment. It’s a place to come and relax, Vineyard, then duck around the bend to Hobart to Quarantine Bay – a 200-metre stroll learn and imbibe.” Elmswood Estate, where antipasti is on to your waterfront pod, three days of car hire hand to complement the wine. Just down with your car pre-delivered, and a three-hour From the 2020 vintage, all Jamsheed wines the road is pretty Morgan Vineyards, where Pennicott Wilderness Journey including are being made on site. Jamsheed serves an you can taste estate cider as well as lunches. The cruise explores the spectacular array of new release and library wines from handmade wine. Killara Estate is a relaxed rugged coastline of Bruny, taking in Australia’s a climate-controlled cellar as well as beers, family-friendly stop for wine, food and hill highest sea cliffs and joins the search for cider and spirits. “We will be hooking up a views, while Soumah of Yarra Valley features seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea number of taps to serve wines by the litre, northern Italian-style wines and a trattoria. birds. From $2,893 per couple. beers and other tasty goodies,” says Mills. STAY IN A POD For details of all three packages visit Food is provided by the pizza crew at Wolf www.freespiritpods.com/bruny-island-tour- and Swill from their wood-fired pizza oven. FREE Spirit Pods on Bruny Island, Tasmania, from-hobart The menu is not just restricted to pizza, is a delightful get-away-from-it-all destination. however, with sliced meats, snacks and a The pods are set in native bush land with URBAN WINERY more extensive menu provided. Upstairs in shore walks and lots of wildlife. Now the the split-level building there is more of a ‘dive folk behind Free Spirit Pods have created MELBOURNE has its first independent fully bar’ feel with comfy couches, vintage lamp three different tour packages that start and functioning urban winery with the opening lighting and a free pool table. end in Hobart and include transport and of Jamsheed Urban Winery in a converted accommodation. The trio of two- and three- warehouse in Preston. The urban winery is Jamsheed Urban Winery is on the corner of night packages are available through to a light-filled space where the winemaking Albert St and Dundas St, Preston, 20 minutes December 1, 2020. process happens right in front customers from Melbourne’s city and five minutes from seated in a spacious wine bar, sipping on Thornbury train station. It is open from 5pm It's Beautiful Bruny Day deal includes two Jamsheed wines, tucking into wood-fired Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from nights' accommodation in a luxury waterfront pizza and enjoying the sights, sounds noon Saturday and Sunday. pod at North Bruny including breakfast and aromas of an operational winery. The supplies, the use of all facilities including 56 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

travelbriefs RISING FROM THE ASHES LIVELY LUNCH HANGOUT NAUTICA A NATURAL CHOICE IT was almost two years between the time CYGNET, a 40-minute drive south of RYDGES Geelong has opened the doors to a fire ripped through Martin and Karen Hobart, is a lively little spot with arguably a new dining experience, Nautica Pool Bar & Spedding's two-hatted Mornington Peninsula more cafes per head than anywhere else in Kitchen, featuring indoor and alfresco dining restaurant Ten Minutes by Tractor and the time Tasmania. It is a hugely popular weekend and a bar. Under experienced executive it reopened late last year. The Speddings have destination with several cellar doors close chef Eddie Basich, Nautica features a menu taken time to add and improve, with the 1930s by, including Sailor Seeks Horse, Two Bud inspired by fresh, locally sourced produce orchard cottage expanded to add space for Spur and Elsewhere. and a cocktail menu boasting favourites like another 30 diners, along with a private dining negroni and French martinis, alongside fresh room for 24, a new cellar, reached by spiral The town's long-time favourite eatery, the twists on the classics, like the blood orange staircase, and an outdoor terrace for summer. Red Velvet Lounge, recently changed hands mojito and pomegranate spritz. The menu The former cellar door is now a restaurant bar and reopened today under the ownership of ranges from rolls and bowls to larger plates, and there is a new tasting facility. chef Ben Wood and partner Kate Sullivan, pizzas and a range of meats from the grill, who is running front of house. Previously a designed for sharing. There is also a feasting Head chef Adam Sanderson, who had been vegetarian restaurant, the latest incarnation menu (for groups of four or more) designed overseeing the winery's more casual bistro, of the RVL aims to offer something for to take guests on a journey through some of Petit Tracteur, returns to man the pans with everyone, opening seven days a week for Nautica's best dishes, including yellowfin tuna five- and eight-course menus built around all-day breakfasts and lunch, for takeaway ceviche with lemon oil, fennel and capers and local produce. Guests have the option of the pizzas on Thursday night and for dinner on chicken schnitzel, celeriac and apple slaw “concise” tasting menu ($145 per person), the Fridays and Saturdays. There will be lunch and fries. The restaurant seats 130 people “seasonal” tasting menu ($195 per person) specials like house-made beetroot tortellini and includes a 26-seat private dining room, or a selection of three courses from the à la with burnt butter, walnuts, local pears and Ms Nautica, for corporate and private events. carte menu ($105 per person). Think dishes blue cheese. The all-day breakfast menu like kangaroo en croute with roast cauliflower, features familiar dishes like scrambled General manager Grant Melville says: or perhaps blue swimmer crab croustade with eggs with bacon and steak sandwich with “Nautica has been designed to present hotel togarishi crème fraiche. chips, but there are also several vegan guests and the local community a great new and vegetarian options, or you can opt for option for delicious dining, weekend drinks, The fire in February 2018 swept through a simple toasted sandwich. after work catch-ups, corporate events and sheds and a storage area, leading to the parties – it is the perfect place for a long lunch, evacuation of diners and the loss of vintage The wine list features Huon Valley and client meeting or a relaxed sundowner. wines and old tractors. The Speddings say Channel locals like Elsewhere, Chatto, rebuilding the restaurant, with an extra 30 Kate Hill and Hughes & Hughes along “Located steps from the hustle of the seats, has enabled them to “re-imagine” the with interesting interstate choices from Geelong CBD, guests can expect a relaxed original restaurant. The new fit out includes Alpha Box & Dice, Battle of Bosworth and menu, a space inspired by the coast and vertical timber, stone, olive suede banquets, some European imports, while I can also a calendar full of events including Martini hints of brass, a black spiral staircase to the recommend the very good milkshakes. Mondays, Eat Happy Tuesdays, FOMO new wine cellar, and a solid oak dining table Guests can eat indoors, where there is a Fridays and Saturdaze.” More information: in the private dining room. bright new decor, or in the courtyard. www.nauticageelong.com.au “Our kitchen team forage and gather from The Red Velvet Lounge, 24 Mary St, Cygnet. Top: Food from Ten Minutes by Tractor & cellar door. the coastline, the rolling hills, and our kitchen (03) 6295 0730. Bottom left: Interior of The Red Velvet Lounge. garden in Main Ridge, which gives us the Bottom right: Interior of Rydges Geelong. opportunity to discuss and generate ideas Opposite page, top: Soumah of Yarra Valley. for dishes and continually evolve our menu,” Opposite page, bottom: Interior of Jamsheed Urban Sanderson said. Winery. The long wine list, the creation of owner Martin Spedding and head sommelier Xavier Vigier, contains over 500 wines. The short wine list provides a selection of over 20 wines by the glass and a wide curated range of gins and other spirits. Ten Minutes by Tractor, 1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge, (03) 5989 6455 www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au. May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 57

102 TASTED 75 AWARDED SOUTHERN VIC TORIA & TASM ANIA A nice selection of cool climate wines here from Southern Kilgour Wines Single Hickinbotham Victoria and Tasmania. Here we see freshness and vibrancy with Vineyard Geelong Of Dromana length of flavour in a mid-weight spectrum. As expected great Bellarine Pinot Gris Mornington results for pinot noir and chardonnay but some good results 2019 HHHH Peninsula Pinot Gris across other varietals also. Ripe tropical fruit notes 2018 HHH to the citrus nose A pungent spicy pear with honeyed notes. bouquet. Fleshy in the Interesting style of mouth with quality fruit palate; good texture and flavours. $25 richness. 3-5 $30 RIESLING SPARKLING OTHER WHITE Innocent Bystander Tamar Ridge VARIETALS Yarra Valley Arneis Tasmania Pinot Gris 5 TASTED 2 TASTED 2019 HHH 2018 HHHH 5 AWARDED 2 AWARDED 3 TASTED A complexity of green A fresh bright wine with apples, citrus and figs a floral lift to the nose Cool climate Tasmanian A couple of aged 3 AWARDED with a floral lift and and a crunchy green wines with variable versions but still bright acidity. $25 apple-like palate with results; some showing great vibrancy. All very nice examples good acid drive and nice developed wines, Well done! to be had here. Worth PINOT GRIS/ texture. $28 others austere but seeking out! GRIGIO generally crisp and Yarravale Ballewindi clean with distinctive Reserve Yarra 9 TASTED Mornington acidity. Valley Sparkling Bream Creek 7 AWARDED Peninsula Pinot Gris Chardonnay Pinot Vineyard Tasmania 2019 HHH1/2 Forest of the Echoes 2008 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc A variable class of Delicate fruit aromas Tasmania Riesling A complex sparkling 2019 HHHH attractive mid-weight with some oaky nuances 2019 HHHH1/2 with attractive aged Bright intense good drinking wines and good length of Pretty floral fragrances characters, aromas of gooseberry and guava- with some oak nuances fleshy citrus driven with zesty citrus figs and brioche and like aromas and lovely and showing plenty of flavours. 3-5 $23 characters. Nice acid a creamy palate with concentration of tropical character. driven palate with well- persistent flavours. fruit flavours lifted with Bream Creek balanced phenolics, green overtones. $31 Oakridge The Parish Vineyard Tasmania a lime/lemon flavour 3-5 $65 Yarra Valley Pinot Pinot Grigio profile and slatey Soumah 'Hexham Gris 2019 HHHH1/2 2019 HHH elements. $24.99 Josef Chromy Vineyard' Yarra A flinty mineral-like Good example of the Roaring Beach Valley Viognier character to the nose variety with plenty of Bream Creek Tasmania Sparkling 2019 HHHH with spicy citrussy lifted, crisp and spicy Vineyard Tasmania Pinot Noir A lifted ripe apricot nose aromas and a delicate pear characters. $31 Riesling 2019 HHHH Chardonnay and lighter style of palate balance of flavours with Bright floral bouquet NV HHH with a nice mineral more of the spicy citrus with a zesty lift and a Open lifted fruit bouquet expression, stonefruit characters evident on Jones & Jones spicy citrus palate with developing toasty notes flavours and a phenolic the palate. $23 Invercarron nice interplay between and a firm, fresh citrusy grip. 3-5 $40 Tasmania Pinot Gris the residual sweetness palate. $29.99 2019 HHH and the acid. $31 Honeyed fruit nose with a fig-like note and a soft yet powerful palate. 3-5 $32 JUDGES Anthony De Amicis Steven Paul Garry Baldwin Winemaker for Tamar Manager for Winemaker for Southcorp Ridge, Devil's Corner and Oakdene Wines. Wines. Has spent the past Pirie, sparkling wines, Completed AWRI 17 years with Southcorp part of the Brown Family and WSET Advanced training through the ranks Wine Group. Has judged Wine Assessment to assume his current at Melbourne, Alternative Certificates. Judge at position. Varieties and Tasmanian Victorian wine show wine show in 2020. and associate at Previously worked at Galli Geelong, Ballarat and Estate in Heathcote and Cairns. Zilzie wines in Victoria. 58 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

varietal tasting Devil's Corner Steels Gate Shantell Rob Dolan White Resolution Tasmania Vineyard Yarra Label Yarra Valley Riesling 2019 HHH Valley Chardonnay Chardonnay A riper style of riesling 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHH with tropical honeyed Hints of green herbs on Toasty creamy bouquet aromas and long intense the nose and a firm taut with some aged notes citrus flavours. $34 palate with good drive and a stonefruit palate of spicy toasty flavours. with oak in support. $30 Riversdale Estate 'Cygnus’ Tasmania 5+ $30 Crittenden Riesling 2019 HHH Subtle lemon nose with Nazaaray Estate Peninsula hints of ginger. Tight Mornington Mornington fruit driven palate with a Peninsula Peninsula mineral thread. $35.99 Chardonnay Chardonnay 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHH Bream Creek A riper style with fruit in Fleshy and juicy tropical Vineyard 'Old Vine' the tropical spectrum, fruit style of chardonnay Reserve Tasmania some fleshy savoury with some nice Riesling 2019 HHH elements and hints of spiciness. 3-5 $34 A softer style with floral/ stonefruits. 3-5 $45 citrus aromas, upfront Yes Said The Seal fruit flavours and firm Bream Creek Devil's Corner Crittenden Estate Bellarine Peninsula acidity. $48 Vineyard Tasmania Resolution Tasmania The Zumma Chardonnay Chardonnay Chardonnay Mornington 2018 HHH CHARDONNAY 2018 HHHHH 2017 HHHH1/2 Peninsula Nose is spicy and toasty Fresh citrus bouquet Intense fruit lift to the Chardonnay with a persistence of 27 TASTED with some good 2018 HHH1/2 spicy stonefruit flavours. 20 AWARDED quality varietal fruit Slight pungency to Lovely aftertaste. $38 on the palate that is the restrained fruit One outstanding 2019 nicely balanced by the nose and silky smooth fragrances and good Leura Park Estate example with the other well-handled oak and in the mouth with a weight and intensity 'Block 1 Hand ‘19s needing more showing layer upon freshness of pear fruit to the green tropical Picked Reserve' time to develop. The layer of complexity. flavours and supported palate. $57 Bellarine Peninsula 2018 vintage was a ripe by some lovely spicy oak Chardonnay year with a number of 3-5 $36 characters. 5+ $34 2018 HHH wines showing alcohol Riversdale Estate Preece Yarra Valley An older riper style; overtones. “They offer 'Crater' Tasmania Jack Rabbit Chardonnay creamy, peachy and great drinking,” said Chardonnay Vineyard Bellarine 2018 HHH1/2 oaky with nice aged one judge. “But not 2018 HHHHH Peninsula Enticing citrus lift to the elements. $45 great longevity.” With Brilliant pale straw Chardonnay nose and a precisely the older vintages colour with lifted floral/ 2018 HHHH defined palate with Yarravale Reserve there was greater grapefruit fragrances A well put together some in built richness. Yarra Valley variability with a couple and toasty oak. wine with a classic $20 Chardonnay of good examples Amazingly light palate chardonnay nose and a 2016 HHH while others showed for a chardonnay. smooth balanced fruit/ Oakridge The A leaner wine with obvious development. “Should age very well,” oak palate developing Parish Yarra Valley bright lifted stonefruit according to the judges. some complexity. Chardonnay characters showing spicy Soumah 'Hexham 2019 HHH herbal nuances. $36 Vineyard' Yarra 3-5 $49.99 5+ $38 A nougat character Valley Chardonnay Soumah 'Equilibrio' to the nose with 2019 HHHHH Yarra Valley Bass River crisp apple/grapefruit ROSÉ Lifted toasty oak Chardonnay 1835 Gippsland freshness to the palate. aromas with a funky 2018 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay 6 TASTED element and an oaky Nice primary fruit aromas 2018 HHHH 5+ $28 palate with good of citrus and lemon 5 AWARDED crunchy citrus fruit curd laced with toasty Complex confectionery Soumah 'Upper flavours pushing notes. Well-focussed peach aromas and richer through supported by a varietal fruit flavours on style of palate with Ngumby Vineyard' lingering line of acidity. the textured palate with Yarra Valley The judges found good oak freshness. good flavour weight Chardonnay this to be generally a 3-5 $40 and length and an oaky dry class of “pretty 3-5 $80 finish. 3-5 $50 2019 HHH wines”. “For higher Easy drinking style; scores we need to has texture, length and see some texture and Innocent Bystander creamy complexity of savoury overtones,” Yarra Valley stonefruits. 3-5 $40 commented one judge. Chardonnay 2018 HHH1/2 Kilgour Wines Single A finer style with a lifted Vineyard Geelong citrus bouquet and a Chardonnay firm palate with vibrant 2019 HHH stonefruit flavours. Bright spicy oak lifts off the nose with nicely 3-5 $25 textured crisp citrus palate. 5+ $50 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 59

S O U T H E R N V I C TO R I A & TA S M A N I A PINOT NOIR Soumah 'Hexham 2019 Vineyard' Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 9 TASTED 2019 HHH 4 AWARDED Mulberry bouquet with spicy lift and lovely, There were too many slightly stewed, cherry sour and sappy wines flavours. 5+ $40 here according to the judges. The better PINOT NOIR wines showed good 2018 & OLDER colour, texture and vibrant ripe fruit. 23 TASTED 15 AWARDED Innocent Bystander As far as the judges Devil's Corner Tamar Ridge Yarra Valley Pinot were concerned Resolution Tasmania Reserve Tasmania Noir Rosé macro-climates defined Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2019 HHHH the results here with 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHHH1/2 Lovely fragrances of differing temperature Rich aromatic combo An abundance of fragrant sweet red berries and conditions, some of plums, cherries and raspberry-like aromas a soft smooth palate cooler, some warmer spices. Luscious in the with a nice spiciness. of simple berry fruit than others. “The 2018 mouth with brooding fruit A lightly formed palate flavours with a nicely vintage was a difficult characters. It has warm with good length of textured palate. $20 one with ripe flavours spiciness and a tannic lovely spicy cranberry Myrtaceae Selwyns rather than precision,” finish. 3-5 $34 flavours and fine tannins. Fault Port Phillip noted one judge. “A Rosé 2019 HHH1/2 few here showed 5+ $65 Pale salmon pink wine ripe stewed fruit with a pungent note to characters.” the savoury fruit nose and a clean, sound, Rob Dolan White bright fruit palate. $25 Label Yarra Valley Hirsch Hill Estate Pinot Noir Yarra Valley Pinot 2018 HHHH Noir Rosé 2019 HHH Leura Park Estate Stewed strawberry A well-made wine with a Bellarine Peninsula aromas with a spicy bright lifted fruit bouquet Pinot Noir perfumed lift. Tight and and clean crisp red fruit 2019 HHHH1/2 crunchy in the mouth flavours. $22 A lovely young pinot with good overall fruit Josef Chromy with pure primary fruit flavours. 5+ $35 Roaring Beach characters reminiscent Tasmania Rosé of sour cherries with Bream Creek 2019 HHH fine dusty tannins in Vineyard Reserve Pretty lifted strawberry support and a good level Tasmania Pinot Noir fragrances and upfront of acidity for a long life. 2018 HHHH sweet red berry An oak driven pinot flavours. $23.99 5+ $42 Jones & Jones Invercarron Ballewindi with very good primary Tasmania Rosé fruit underneath. Plenty 2019 HHH Mornington of acid and mineral Musky peach-like nose Peninsula Pinot Noir with a tight and crunchy 2019 HHHH complexity. Needs more lifted red fruit palate. $32 time. 3-5 $65 Perfumed spicy dark fruit aromas and long, nicely textured, palate Kings of Kangaroo Crittenden Estate Ground \"Thirteen31\" Cri de Coeur bright with “pinosity” Jack Rabbit Yarra Valley Pinot Mornington and has a lengthy oak Vineyard Bellarine Noir 2018 HHHH1/2 finish. 5+ $28 Peninsula Pinot Noir Bright blue fruit bouquet Peninsula Pinot Noir 2018 HHHHH with violet nuances. 2018 HHHH Upfront oak bouquet Powerful palate, velvety Light stewed cherry fruit Kilgour Wines Single with fragrant cherry smooth in the mouth fragrances with a hint of Vineyard Geelong notes and a powerful with a rich balanced Pinot Noir and beautifully textured concentration of fruit, spice and a clean bright palate showing excellent oak and tannins. palate generous with fruit 2019 HHH “pinosity”, lots of flavours. 5+ $80 A clean sound and rich spiciness and plenty of 3-5 $55 wine with dense cherry/ oak. 5+ $45 berry fruit and high level of acidity. 3-5 $40 60 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

varietal tasting Tamar Ridge Single Hickinbotham Yarravale Yarra Yes Said The Seal Block Tasmania Of Dromana Valley Cabernet Bellarine Peninsula Pinot Noir Mornington Merlot 2014 HHH Shiraz 2018 HHH 2017 HHHH Peninsula Pinot Noir Dark leafy fruit bouquet Big chunky savoury oak Nose is a complexity 2016 HHH and medium bodied driven shiraz with dark of stewed plums and Very ripe dark and palate with a density earthy fruit characters. spices with an attractive brooding varietal with of spicy fruit flavours. $42 palate, soft in the mouth, perfumed oak and silky with good weight of fruit. tannins. $50 3-5 $30 Jack Rabbit 5+ $100 OTHER REDS Yarravale Reserve Vineyard Bellarine Yarra Valley Merlot Peninsula Shiraz Steels Gate Estate 3 TASTED 2013 HHH 2018 HHH Blend Yarra Valley 2 AWARDED Nice lifted primary fruit, Aromas of black olives Pinot Noir plenty of oak and a hint mix with the oak and fruit 2018 HHH1/2 of mint. An elegant and has rich dark fruit Lovely lifted fruit sitting wine. 3-5 $36 flavours. 5+ $45 in the dark spectrum A couple of nice with stalky/leafy notes, alternative reds Hirsch Hill Estate silky tannins and bright showing good varietal SHIRAZ/SYRAH Yarra Valley Shiraz acidity. 5+ $32 character. 2017 HHH 10 TASTED Menthol berry bouquet Bream Creek with an upfront fruity Vineyard Tasmania 9 AWARDED palate, plush texture and Pinot Noir soft tannins. $25 2018 HHH1/2 Hickinbotham A consistent class Bright confectionery Of Dromana with more austere Hirsch Hill Estate berry bouquet with a Mornington fruit characters or with Reserve Yarra Valley simple but pleasing Peninsula Lagrein excess oak overtones. Shiraz 2017 HHH palate lively with 2018 HHHH “Let the fruit express Dark floral fruit crunchy red fruits. Lovely long lingering itself,” suggested one fragrances. Silky smooth red with dark fruit judge. in the mouth tasting of 3-5 $42 characters, bright minerally blue fruits. florals, earthy elements, Devil's Corner Mt nice tannins and bright Oakdene Bellarine 3-5 $40 acid. $30 Peninsula Geelong Shiraz Amos Tasmania Yarravale Reserve 2018 HHHH1/2 Pinot Noir Deep coloured, dark Hickinbotham 2017 HHH1/2 Yarra Valley fruited, shiraz with Of Dromana Tempranillo great concentration A lovely cool climate 2015 HHH1/2 of oak with plenty of Mornington style of pinot with a earthiness, attractive Peninsula Shiraz savoury berry/oak nose Juicy rich dark berry peppery spicy notes 2016 HHH fruit with loads of spice, and some meatiness. and a spicy oak/dark fruit some earthiness and Confectionery berry fruit palate. 3-5 $65 5+ $24 with subtle cedary oak hints of menthol-like and eucalypt/menthol characters. 5+ $36 Rob Dolan notes. 3-5 $35 True Colours Yarra Valley Pinot Noir CABERNET & 2018 HHH MERLOT A savoury style with BLENDS Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Syrah bright lifted fragrances 5 TASTED 2017 HHH1/2 and a delicate fleshy palate. 5+ $24 3 AWARDED Leafy, meaty nose with a lift of fruit and jubey fruit flavours, supporting Bass River 1835 oak and a green edged Gippsland Pinot finish. 3-5 $25 Noir 2018 HHH A mixed group of Nose is a combination varietals, blends and Yarravale Reserve STAR RATINGS  of sour cherries and cola vintages making it Yarra Valley Shiraz with fleshy cranberry difficult to categorize. 2014 HHH1/2 Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of flavours. $50 excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Youthful, fresh and All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Bream Creek bright. Good spicy red professionals and are compared in peer Yarravale Reserve Vineyard Tasmania classes by three judges. Yarra Valley Pinot Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, attractive spiciness, CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Noir 2016 HHH a herbal edge and earthy a major mail-order business. Stewed-like fruit Merlot notes. 5+ $36 CD Cellar door price. characters with 2018 HHHH1/2 CDO Cellar door only. warming spiciness Nose is a lovely SO Sold out. and some secondary expression of Rob Dolan White $N/A Price not available at time of printing. characters. $36 blackcurrant fruit with Label Yarra Valley  Contact information pg 97. herbaceous/leafy Shiraz 2018 HHH elements and earthy Lovely aromatic RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). notes. Great palate peppery fruit fragrances BEST VALUE for $20 & under. texture with lengthy and attractive light briary fruit flavour bodied mulberry palate. For a complete list of what we tasted intensity. 5+ $36 please refer to www.winestate.com.au 3-5 $35 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 61

travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS VENTURE INTO THE NEVER \"Hospitality is a massive part of who we are “Southern Ocean Lodge worked closely NEVER at Never Never, so we can’t wait to open the with many small businesses on KI, from doors and host people for the very first time.” the gin distillers at KI Spirits and Southrock TAKE a leading boutique wine producer; add Lamb to the students at the Parndana a craft distiller and distillery and a gourmet Tom Harvey, CEO of Chalk Hill Wines, is School, and each made the experience of pizza producer and you have the newest excited to see the vision he and his family Kangaroo Island a genuinely memorable drawcard in McLaren Vale. had for the site finally come to fruition. The one for our guests. Harveys are fifth-generation wine makers and Adelaide distillers Never Never Distilling have worked in the area since the mid-1800s. “We are immediately committed to rebuilding Co. have opened their distillery door as part the lodge, and to taking a leading role in of the Chalk Hill Collective. The collaborative “The Chalk Hill Collective really is a feast whatever ways we can to help rebuild the experience also features the Chalk Hill Wines for the senses – the world’s best gin tasted tourism industry on Kangaroo Island. cellar door and Vera Pizza Oztalia (VPO), a side-by-side with stunning wines and a range casual food offering from the operators of of amazing Italian food in arguably the most “We have been overwhelmed by the McLaren Vale’s pizzateca. The experience will scenic place in the region,” says Tom Harvey. outpouring of support and are aware there are combine three of South Australia’s wine, spirit many small businesses on KI which depend and food offerings in one 500-capacity site. Never Never Distillery is located at Chalk Hill on tourism for their livelihood, and island Collective, 56 Field Street, McLaren Vale and residents who have lost their homes. Never Never’s focus will be on bringing opened in February. a range of exciting gin experiences to the “To immediately assist the community, heart of McLaren Vale, including interactive LUXURY LODGE TO REBUILD we have matched a personal contribution distillery tours, hands-on tasting experiences with that of Southern Ocean Lodge to and production masterclasses for both ONE of the major casualties of the fires a number of organisations to a total of novices and enthusiasts alike. The structure that swept through the Adelaide Hills and $100,000, including the KI Mayoral Relief itself has been architecturally designed and Kangaroo Island over summer was the and Recovery Bushfire Fund and the South is dominated by an expansive covered deck complete destruction of South Ocean Lodge, Australian Country Fire Service. that showcases spectacular 300-degree Kangaroo Island’s iconic luxury resort. The views of the region. flagship property of Baillie Lodges was There is no date yet for the reopening destroyed on January 3, fortunately without of the lodge. \"McLaren Vale has always been a dream for any injuries to guests or staff. Never Never, so much so that we put its iconic HUSBAND AND WIFE landscape on our label right back when we “Buildings, furniture and fixtures can all be WINEMAKING DUO were distilling in the back of a shed in Royal replaced; our incredible lodge team cannot, Park,” says George Georgiadis, managing and we are truly grateful for this silver lining,” WINEMAKER Charlotte Hardy (of Charlotte director of Never Never Distilling Co. said owners James and Hayley Baillie. Dalton Wines) and husband Ben Cooke (of Cooke Brothers Wines) have opened “When we first met the Chalk Hill team, we “We're very conscious that at this moment a winery and tasting room in Port Elliot’s knew there would be an opportunity to create of loss, it's not all about us at Southern Factory 9 complex. an incredible site where you can enjoy a gin, Ocean Lodge, but about the KI community wine and delicious meal while looking out over as a whole, which has suffered losses as Since launching in 2015, Charlotte Dalton the Mount Lofty Ranges. a result of the bushfires which reached has been a key member of the Basket Range around 40% of the island. low-intervention winemaking community but now she and Cooke have moved from the Adelaide Hills to the Fleurieu Peninsula. The couple bought a shack in Goolwa and moved there in November with their two young children. The new site will be the first cellar door for both brands. It was previously home to mixed-use creative space The Joinery. The warehouse has been split into two areas: a winery out back and cellar door out front. Despite the Fleurieu setting, Hardy’s fruit will still be sourced from the Adelaide Hills. 62 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

travelbriefs A SEA LINK TO KI markets and roadside outlets selling jams, Escapod. Cadole (a product of Escapod) is relishes, hand-made breads, traditional part of The Vineyard Retreat at Blewitt Springs SEALINK is offering free return ferry transfers cured and smoked meats, rich cheeses and and is a self-contained pod that is fitted with for two people who book their car plus a more. Australia's best almonds are grown at 5-star luxuries. Escapod aims to bring quality caravan or camper trailer on a Kangaroo Willunga, and the olive oil produced here is accommodation to regional areas and is Island SeaLink ferry between May to now compared favourably to Italy's finest. designed to bring guests closer to nature. September 15. Kangaroo Island, the third Cadole Avalon, a studio suite with a king bed, largest island in Australia behind Tasmania Follow the Produce Trail from Mount overlooks old vine shiraz and grenache vines and Melville Island, is located southwest Compass to find fresh blueberries, and has three outdoor decks. There is real log of Adelaide and only a short 45-minute organically grown pheasants and quail, wood fire in winter and a rainwater-fed shower. cruise from the mainland. SeaLink's South venison, marron (a freshwater crayfish), The name comes from typical buildings in Australian marketing manager Julie-Anne strawberries and jams, rainbow trout and the Beaujolais region of France: charming, Briscoe said: “Kangaroo Island is a popular authentic French-style goat's curd and feta dry-stone huts in among the vines. Other escape for families and retirees who make cheeses, or thick, rich Jersey-milk cream properties on site include The Strand and up the majority of people towing caravans and traditional farmhouse cheddars. Ardmore, one-bedroom guest houses. The and camper trailers to the island. Highland and Manhattan offer two bedrooms, Up and down the rugged coastline, weather- each with their own en-suite. See www. “Kangaroo Island is so big that a few days beaten fishermen harvest all manner of thevineyardmv.com.au/stay/cadole-avalon is simply not enough. You really need a seafood from the gulf's unspoilt waters. Prized week or longer to explore and experience King George whiting, garfish, tommy ruffs Top: SeaLink ferry to Kangaroo Island. everything the island offers. It's so easy and mulloway, squid, crayfish and crabs – Middle right: Interior of Cadole Avalon, McLaren Vale. and cost effective to do in a caravan or whatever variety is in season, they soon find Below right: Exterior of Cadole Avalon accommodation. camper trailer, so it's of no surprise that their way to local restaurant tables. Opposite page, top: Never Never gin flight. Kangaroo Island is a leading destination for Opposite page, bottom: Charlotte Dalton. caravanning and camper trailer holidays.” Markets include Myponga (open Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10am–4pm), Bouncing back after bushfires, Kangaroo Port Elliot Market (first and third Saturday Island has spectacular coastal scenery, of each month), Victor Harbour Farmers stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, Market (Saturdays 8am-12.30pm), Willunga fascinating wildlife, and many attractions. Farmers Market (Saturdays 8am-12.30pm) Visitors can stop in at boutique distillery, and Goolwa Wharf Market (first and third Kangaroo Island Spirits, for some gin, Sunday of each month 9am-3.30pm). vodka and liqueur tastings and savour the many amazing dining experiences ESCAPE IN A POD from the hatted restaurant Sunset Food and Wine, to a la carte restaurants the A NEW luxury accommodation option has Zone Restaurant at the Ozone Hotel and been welcomed on the Fleurieu Peninsula: Reflections Restaurant at the Mercure KI Cadole Avalon at the Vineyard Retreat by Lodge. SeaLink car and passenger ferries operate daily departures from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island return. For further information see www.sealink.com.au FOLLOW THE PRODUCE TRAIL MCLAREN Vale is synonymous with wine, but the region also has a strong farming tradition with vineyards nestled among almond and olive groves. You'll find regular May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 63

162 TASTED 140 AWARDED McLAREN VALE The so called \"middle palate of Australia,\" has done it again with Richard Hamilton OTHER RED a great consistent result of quality wines. Here we see wines 'Almond Grove' VARIETALS & with genuine flavour that can match the Barossa with rich, ripe McLaren Vale BLENDS fruit. Not surprisingly shiraz continues to be the hero, but watch Chardonnay out for grenache and blend wines which seem to have made a 2019 HHH 15 TASTED home in the region. Nose of melons and limes with tropical notes 13 AWARDED and simple but enjoyable SPARKLING Dyson Wines 'The Dyson Wines flavours. $20 A strong group. Lots Journey' Single 'The Awakening' of variety from the 2 TASTED Vineyard McLaren Single Vineyard ROSÉ youthful fruit vibrancy 2 AWARDED Vale Sparkling Pinot McLaren Vale styles to the more A good example of a Noir 2018 HHH Viognier 2018 HHH 4 TASTED complex savoury ones. sparkling white and Pale pink wine with light Syrupy honeydew melon 3 AWARDED “These wines showed a great example of a mousse, yeasty aromas, bouquet and perfumed very good varietal sparkling red. complex flavours and apricot flavours with Solid group generally, expression,” said one crisp acidity. $55 zippy acidity. $25 exhibiting the modern judge. Ekhidna McLaren fresh dry styles of rosé. Vale Sparkling OTHER WHITE CHARDONNAY Hand Crafted Shiraz NV HHHH1/2 VARIETALS Patritti Blewitt by Geoff Hardy Intense savoury plum 3 TASTED Springs Estate McLaren Vale Nero nose; true to the variety 4 TASTED 3 AWARDED McLaren Vale Rosé D'Avola with nicely developed 3 AWARDED 2019 HHHH 2018 HHHHH sweet and sour fruit A small but strong Bright pink wine, an Lifted aromatic jubey flavours with the residual A solid group of class with some great aromatic lolly sweet fruit fragrances and sugar giving lovely contrasting styles. examples of style. raspberry bouquet and bright well-balanced lusciousness - good a vibrantly fresh berry palate that looks in great tannin balance. $45 Haselgrove Beresford Classic palate with sweetness shape and is packed Alternative Series McLaren Vale giving it body. $14 with flavour, soft tannins McLaren Vale Fiano Chardonnay and crunchy acidity. 2019 HHH1/2 2019 HHHH1/2 Varney Wines An aromatic floral, Full on sweet 'Entrada' McLaren 3-5 $30 confectionery fruit nose tropical aromas and a Vale Grenache Rosé with richness of peach seamlessly balanced 2019 HHH1/2 Shaw Family and apricot flavours with palate of cashew-like Light fresh red fruit Vintners savoury notes. $24 oak, peachy fruit, bright aromas, flavoursome 'Moonraker' hit of acidity and a mix of stonefruit flavours McLaren Vale Merlot Arakoon McLaren lemony finish. $25 with savoury nuances 2018 HHHH1/2 Vale Viognier and dry finish. $25 Savoury black olive 2017 HHH1/2 Kalamanda Reserve bouquet with a lift Developed savoury McLaren Vale Haselgrove of plum fruit and a notes to the nose Alternative Series generous palate of with sweet stonefruit McLaren Vale vibrant fruit flavours, aromas. Good Grenache Rosé stalky notes, bright acid persistence of sweet/ 2019 HHH and soft tannins. $22.50 sour flavours. $16 Delicate nose with Chardonnay pretty rose petal Blackbilly McLaren 2017 HHHH fragrances and fine Complex and pungent delicate strawberry Vale Sangiovese palate. $24 2018 HHHH1/2 tropical fruit fragrances Savoury oaky aromas with flavours in the citrus and stonefruit with subtle fruit. The oaky characters carry spectrum with a vibrant through to the palate line of acid. 3-5 $19 and are balanced by fresh red fruit characters laced with drying tannins. 3-5 $25 64 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Shingleback Cockfighter's Ghost GRENACHE Grounded Cru The Ethereal One 'Kitchen Garden' Single Vineyard ‘Cru’ McLaren Vale McLaren Vale McLaren Vale McLaren Vale 13 TASTED Grenache Grenache 2019 HHH Mataro Sangiovese 12 AWARDED 2018 HHHH Zesty youthful wine 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHH1/2 Deep purple wine with with good depth and Soft seductive style with A “moody” savoury A very strong class. bright fruit fragrances persistence of dark beetroot-like intensity style of wine with lifted “Very little oak influence and a rich complexity cherry/savoury fruit. $21 to the nose and a floral varietal fruit, loads of here that allows the of spicy plum and berry lift. Generous spicy oak, tight tannins and fruit to express itself flavours on the palate. d'Arenberg The plum flavours, good tart acidity. $25 unimpeded,” said one Derelict Vineyard oak integration and fine judge. “These showed 3-5 $28 McLaren Vale great regional character tannins. 3-5 $25 Cockfighter's Ghost and retained freshness Patritti Section Grenache 2018 HHH Single Vineyard from getting the wines 181 McLaren Vale Quite meaty/savoury McLaren Vale out there rather than Grenache characters on the nose Nebbiolo keeping them in the 2018 HHHH with juicy dark fruit 2017 HHH1/2 winery!” Intense spicy plum flavours. 3-5 $29 A well-made varietal bouquet with smoky that is youthful, dry and bacon notes and ripe Hastwell & Lightfoot savoury with spicy fruit red berry flavours filling 'G' McLaren Vale and a pretty floral lift. $25 up the elegant palate. Garnacha 2017 HHH A pleasant quaffer De Lisio McLaren 3-5 $40 with a musky violet Vale Sangiovese lift to the nose, sweet 2018 HHH Sew & Sew fruit flavours and silky Chocolaty nose with 'Contour' McLaren tannins. $25 retained softness to Vale Grenache the berry fruit palate 2018 HHHH Beresford Estate nicely matched by the Oaky nose with some McLaren Vale tannins. $25 red fruits underneath Grenache 2015 HHH and generous zesty fruit Mellow aged aromas Dyson Wines palate with oak a little with high impact of 'The Muse' Single dominant for now. $40 licorice fruit flavours on Vineyard McLaren a warm palate. $40 Vale Sangiovese Grounded Cru Haselgrove 2018 HHH ‘Cru’ McLaren Vale GRENACHE Alternative Series Dense inky chocolate Grenache BLENDS McLaren Vale cake of a nose, firm 2017 HHHH Montepulciano acid driven palate, Classy leafy cherry fruit 18 TASTED syrupy fruit and strong nose with good use of tannins. $38 oak. Palate is a well- 17 AWARDED balanced combination 2019 HHHH of savoury fruit Spicy plum aromas Ekhidna McLaren characters. $28 with a minty lift. Vale Cabernet Franc Very consistent group, “Interesting,” youthful 2017 HHH Mr Riggs The but mixed results. “The and juicy fruit palate with Tarry nose with “Bonox” Magnet McLaren scope for style here is leathery notes and tannic notes and strong tarry Jericho Blewitt Vale Grenache huge ranging from big flavours. “Drink with Springs McLaren flavoursome blends finish. 3-5 $26 fillet of mastodon!” Vale Grenache 2017 HHHH to the more elegant $27.50 grenache focused d'Arenberg The 2018 HHHHH Nose is an alluring mix styles,” noted one of spices, raspberries judge. Conscious Biosphere A nose of exotic spices and vanilla with a and perfumed mulberry McLaren Vale Petit Hither & Yon fruit with soy notes. seamlessly balanced rich Sirah Aglianico Old Jarvie The 2016 HHHH Widowmaker Complex palate with a yet elegant spicy fruit palate. 3-5 $30 Dark dense inky nose McLaren Vale core of ripe mulberry and raspberry-like fruit flavours with a thick chewy Tannat Mataro and balancing acid and Blackbilly Old palate and very powerful Shiraz Cabernet Vine McLaren Vale concentration of Petit Verdot tannins. 3-5 $62 Grenache youthful flavours. Still a 2017 HHH Hogs In The Woods 2016 HHH1/2 baby! 5+ $29 Bright purple wine, McLaren Vale alluring savoury Grenache A soft pleasant wine 2019 HHHH with prune characters to Haselgrove nose and very well Stewed rhubarb-like the nose and flavours in Alternative Series integrated palate. A aromas with a youthful McLaren Vale keeper. juicy berry fruit palate the slightly syrupy berry 5+ $30 that’s varietally pure. spectrum. 3-5 $25 Sangiovese Excellent overall balance. 2019 HHH1/2 Prune/cola-like aromas 3-5 $18 with generous sweet fruit flavours, some beetroot notes and some spiciness. 3-5 $26 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 65

McLAREN VALE Jericho GSM Grounded Cru ‘Cru’ Haselgrove 'Switch' CABERNET & McLaren Vale McLaren Vale G.S.M. McLaren Vale BLENDS Grenache Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre Complexity of stewed Mourvedre 30 TASTED 2019 HHHH rhubarb and plum 2018 HHH Spicy berry bouquet with fragrances. Acid Sweet herbal lift to the 23 AWARDED cherry cola nose with a perfumed/floral lift driven palate; great similar characters on the Great cabernets here - and vibrant sweet berry expression of fruit licorice edged palate. $40 true to the variety and flavours on the soft juicy flavours. 3-5 $28 Arakoon Full Bodied with great consistency palate with a drying oak Red McLaren Vale overall. The winemakers finish. 3-5 $25 d'Arenberg d'Arry's Grenache Shiraz were not pushing the Original McLaren Mataro 2017 HHH wines too hard and d'Arenberg Vale Grenache A soft sweet style with the results were here The Bonsai Vine Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 developing leathery to see. “There were McLaren Vale Dense musty medicinal prune elements very few oaky or over Grenache Shiraz aromas, deep intense softened by the tannins. alcoholic wines which is Mourvedre concentration of $18 great,” said one judge. 2017 HHHH stewed fruit flavours Ekhidna McLaren “McLaren Vale can Dark dense brooding and drying tannins. Vale G.S.M. produce great cabernets bouquet with inky/ 2017 HHH which will also cellar leathery notes and 3-5 $20 Soft and mellow savoury well,” said another. elegant flavours style that’s at its peak Red Knot by dominated by the shiraz Richard Hamilton with ethereal leafy notes Shingleback fruit. Holding up well. 'Coltons' GSM and good line of acid. 'Classified' McLaren McLaren Vale $27.50 Vale G.S.M. 3-5 $29 Grenache Shiraz Ekhidna McLaren 2018 HHHHH Mourvedre Vale Grenache A classic example of d'Arenberg 2018 HHH Shiraz 2017 HHH Pertaringa Rifle & GSM, almost purple in The Ironstone An attractive quaffing Developing spicy vanilla Hunt McLaren Vale colour with an elegant Pressings McLaren style with leafy dark bouquet with ageing Cabernet Sauvignon and lightly savoury Vale Grenache fruit and a high level of fruit flavours, bright acid 2017 HHHHH nose. It is creamy in the Shiraz Mourvedre acid. $22 and soft tannins. $30 mouth with a complexity 2017 HHHH Varney Wines of delicious flavours. Nicely aged raspberry Sew & Sew GSM McLaren Vale Deep purple wine that $19 cherry and strawberry 'Sashiko' GSM Grenache Shiraz has great presence with Pertaringa Two aromas. Nicely McLaren Vale Mourvedre good cabernet aromas Gentlemen's GSM structured, soft, well Grenache Shiraz 2017 HHH and a palate that is both McLaren Vale integrated palate with Mourvedre Candy stick and coffee elegant and complex Grenache Shiraz aged fruit. $75 2018 HHH aromas with oak with a huge varietal Mourvedre Powerful tarry herbal dominating the savoury/ impact and an oak driven 2019 HHHH1/2 nose and quite a savoury sweet fruit. “A curio!” finish. 5+ $40 A youthful yet complex Patritti Merchant palate with plenty of wine with full-on GSM McLaren Vale alcohol and acid. $25 3-5 $30 chocolaty/licorice aromas Grenache Shiraz Beresford Classic Haselgrove and sweet licorice fruit Mourvedre McLaren Vale G.S.M. 'Protector' McLaren flavours well balanced by 2018 HHH1/2 Varney Wines 2016 HHH Vale Cabernet the oak and soft tannins. A dense ripe fruit driven 'Entrada' GMT An oak driven style ageing Sauvignon blend with youthful McLaren Vale nicely and underlaid with 2018 HHHH1/2 3-5 $22 strawberry/vanilla Grenache Mourvedre sweet tarry fruits. Drink A purple wine with aromas. Great balance Touriga 2018 HHH soon. $25 almost black hues and an and structure to the Very seductive wine intense cassis bouquet palate. 3-5 $24 with soft ripe varietal with a fresh leafy lift that fruit but without is echoed on the well- appearing overripe. $25 balanced and complex palate with obvious oak. 5+ $40 JUDGES Andrew Jericho Peter Simic Currently winemaker for Editor/publisher Duncan Lloyd Jericho Wines. Previously Winestate Magazine. Winemaker at Coriole winemaker at Maxwell More than 35 years’ Vineyards. Formerly Wines since 2013. experience in the wine with Logan Wines, Previously with Mollydooker. industry. Formerly Mudgee. Vintages Part of the McLaren Vale founding publisher of completed in Chateau Scarce Earth selection panel. the first US colour wine Neuf du Pape (Rhone) Judge at Clare and Riverland magazine, manager of and locally Mosswood wine shows. the SA Wine Information (Western Australia) Bureau, and wine and Josef Chromy educator with Regency (Tasmania). Associate College, in SA. judge at the Mudgee wine show. 66 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Pertaringa Tipsy Pertaringa Tipsy Pertaringa Richard Hamilton Grounded Cru Hill McLaren Vale Hill McLaren Vale Understudy McLaren 'Hut Block' McLaren Inc McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Vale Cabernet Vale Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHHH1/2 2016 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Sauvignon 2016 HHHH Very intriguing Dark red wine with 2018 HHHH 2017 HHHH Amazingly still youthful distinctive honeycomb complexity but also A rich generous varietal. A rich deep purple for a four-year-old wine characters on the juicy still has youthfulness. Nose resembles Black varietal that has good beautifully integrated fruit nose with those Vibrant varietal fruit Forest cake with good intensity, integration and and showing excellent characters carrying characters with plenty depth of cassis fruit complexity of bright fruit winemaking skills. $45 through to the palate of spicy oak, savoury flavours and dark olive and oak. 5+ $22 with a strong presence nuances and hints of notes. 3-5 $22 Red Knot by of tarry tannins. $295 oyster shell. 5+ Shingleback 'D Shingleback $295 Shaw Family Block Reserve' McLaren Vale d'Arenberg The Vintners 'Monster McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon Coppermine Road Fat'n Skinny Pitch' McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 HHH1/2 McLaren Vale Pickers Choice Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHHH Bright lifted leafy/minty Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale 2018 HHHH Nice sweet varietal fruit plum rich aromas with 2017 HHHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon Oak evident on the nose lift to the nose with vibrant cassis flavoured Intense tannic wine; Tempranillo with an herbal edge. savoury licorice notes palate and silky tannins. thick and rich with inky 2018 HHHH Great complexity of and a youthful, juicy and red fruit characters Vibrant crimson wine blackcurrant-like fruit well-balanced palate. 5+ $15 with austere licorice/ and cigar box-like oak, spicy bouquet and pastille flavours with 5+ $55 Birds Eye View hints of the forest floor, good depth of savoury minty notes. 5+ McLaren Vale chewy tannins and an fruit flavours on a tight $22.50 d'Arenberg The High Cabernet Sauvignon acid finish. 5+ $75 chewy tannic palate. Trellis McLaren Vale 2018 HHH1/2 $20 Haselgrove First Cabernet Sauvignon Deep inky rich bouquet Cut McLaren Vale 2016 HHHH with great depth and Cabernet Sauvignon Complex aged aromas intensity of varietal fruit 2018 HHHH with a spicy spike. showing a slight green Aromatic intensity Big tannic palate, very edge. 3-5 $18 of red currants and a drying, with ageing very varietal stonefruit fruit and powerful oak. palate with firm tannins and drying oak finish. 5+ $20 5+ $23 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 67

McLAREN VALE Patritti Merchant Kalamanda Reserve Fat'n Skinny McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Pickers Choice Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 2016 HHH Tempranillo Barbera Dense tarry/black olive Nose of sweet fruit and 2017 HHH bouquet and licorice/ lifted florals. Nicely aged Nutty savoury tobacco-like flavours ripe fruit palate. At its complexity with dark with an interesting peak! $25 earthy fruit, chalky funkiness. 3-5 $24 tannins and an acid Beresford Estate finish. $20 Patritti Blewitt McLaren Vale Springs Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Morgan Simpson McLaren Vale 2016 HHH Barcore McLaren Cabernet Shiraz Velvety rich wine with Vale Shiraz Mataro 2017 HHH1/2 oak tending to mask 2017 HHH Mellow leafy aromas on the intense and ageing Mid-weight style with the nose and the juicy varietal fruit. 5+ attractive raspberry palate is tending to be $40 fruit, menthol notes and dominated by the shiraz some toastiness. $22 fruit. 5+ $16 SHIRAZ Hastwell & Beresford Classic BLENDS Lightfoot 38 Days McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 8 TASTED Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH1/2 2016 HHH Haselgrove Haselgrove 'The 6 AWARDED Big tannic style with 'The Ambassador' Cruth' McLaren Vale developing briary fruit Single Vineyard Shiraz 2018 HHHHH A pleasant showing a violet lift. “A McLaren Vale Shiraz Another lovely straightforward crimson good drink!” $50 2018 HHHHH understated shiraz that red cabernet with Bright and fresh class Lovely fleshy creamy has lovely structure, seamless integration just lacking a touch of SHIRAZ raspberry fruit here, texture and balance of cassis fruit, oak and complexity. 2019 & 2018 a bit shy on the nose with good length and acid. 3-5 $25 for now but the palate intensity of powerful Haselgrove 'Cul- 27 TASTED is ripe with generous dark plum-like fruit Grandeur Wellington Stor' McLaren Vale 25 AWARDED flavours and shows a underscored with toasty Bin 62 McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet nice delicate touch of oak. $150 Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Great consistent class of oak. $85 Richard Hamilton 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 high scoring wines. “We Haselgrove 'Col 'Little Road' Dense red currant A pot pouri of blue fruits, see a trend to more Cross' Single McLaren Vale Shiraz bouquet with plenty of licorice, currants and malt medium weight styles Vineyard McLaren 2018 HHHH1/2 rich sweet fruit on the with a firm and drying with lower alcohol levels Vale Shiraz More understated palate carrying the acid tannic backbone. $40 and a few verging on 2018 HHHHH power here too! and tannins. $35 green fruit,” noted one A powerful beautifully Deep concentration of Hither & Yon Old judge. “Also, very few layered wine – quite raspberry and black plum Ekhidna McLaren Jarvie The Enforcer are showing new oak understated with fruit aromas and flavours Vale Cabernet McLaren Vale Shiraz characters; whether this reserved dark spicy fruit with good use of oak and Sauvignon Malbec Mataro is the new style or lack showing a hint of green crisp acidity. $22 2017 HHH 2019 HHH of finance – meaning and pencil shaving-like Attractive sweetness Easy drinking that these are aimed at oak with silky smooth to the red currant fruit commercial style with shorter time drinking.” tannins. $90 balanced by the oak and bright, fresh and lifted acidity. $27.50 mulberry fruit. $30 Patritti Merchant McLaren Vale Shiraz Clarence Hill Mr Riggs Three 2018 HHHHH Reserve McLaren Corner Jack Beautifully structured Vale Cabernet McLaren Vale Shiraz wine with lovely texture Sauvignon Cabernet Merlot and shows aromas of 2017 HHH 2018 HHH blue fruits, violets and A mellow complexity Blue fruit characters vanilla oak with spicy of sweet stonefruits, tempered by light herbal leathery-like characters mushrooms, lifted notes with bright line of to the dark fruit filled perfume and acidity. acid. $17 palate. $24 5+ $45 68 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Leconfield McLaren Shaw Family Patritti JPB Jericho S3 McLaren BY: Geoff Hardy Vale Shiraz Vintners McLaren Vale Shiraz Vale Shiraz Barbara Hardy 2018 HHHH1/2 'Windjammer' 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 McLaren Vale Shiraz Brooding briary McLaren Vale Shiraz Very oaky style – all A bouquet of potpourri 2018 HHH bouquet with a touch 2018 HHHH chocolate and mocha and violets. Nicely Slight herbal/green edge of the forest floor-like Malty chocolaty with a hint of licorice and weighted palate with to the mocha nose with characters that is bouquet with a pleasant a delightful perfumed very fine tannins and good mix of plum and echoed on the palate uncomplicated savoury/ floral lift with soft chewy crisp acidity. $25 oak flavours. $22 with the tannins building meaty/dark fruit palate tannins. $60 Hastwell & Lightfoot nicely and a good line of showing a nice tannic Richard Hamilton Sands of Time Hand Crafted acid. $26 grip. $22.50 'Centurion' McLaren Vale Shiraz by Geoff Hardy Haselgrove 'Catkin' Mr Riggs The Gaffer 126-Year-Old Vine 2018 HHH1/2 McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz Very traditional style 2018 HHH 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHHH 2018 HHHH with a big jammy fruit Good depth and A lovely complex style Brooding chocolaty dark Plenty of lifted cedar/ nose with powerful sour concentration of savoury that is a spice box of fruit nose and a lovely vanilla oak characters cherry flavours balanced earthy fruit with some oak aromas laced with textured palate with but has attractive by oak. $35 and silky tannins. $30 blueberry fruit and has good vinosity and some brooding blue and black Mr Brightside by Mr fleshy peppery spicy nice savoury tannins. $25 varietal fruit sitting Riggs Preservative Haselgrove 'Il fruit flavours with big Grounded Cru ‘Cru’ underneath. $75 Free McLaren Vale Padrone' McLaren angular tannins. $40 McLaren Vale Shiraz Red Knot by Shiraz 2019 HHH Vale Shiraz Karrawatta Ace of 2018 HHHH Shingleback Nicely focussed varietal 2018 HHH Trumps McLaren Attractive blue fruits 'Classified' McLaren characters of cherries Slight green notes to Vale Shiraz blending nicely with Vale Shiraz and plums with a violet the red berry/vanilla 2018 HHHH1/2 malty-like oak. Has 2018 HHH1/2 lift. $20 oak nose. Great flavour Big ripe old school style chewy tannins and A medium bodied style Red Knot by profile. $45 of shiraz with lovely dark underscored by a good showing great poise! Shingleback fruit, hints of mint and line of acid. $28 Has rich briary fruit, McLaren Vale Shiraz SHIRAZ 2017 fig-like nuances with Patritti Lot Three good toasty oak and 2018 HHH a herbal underlay and McLaren Vale Shiraz grainy tannins. $19 Earthy red fruit bouquet 27 TASTED loads of toasty oak. $54 2018 HHHH Pertaringa and elegant palate with 22 AWARDED Birds Eye View A big ripe chewy shiraz Undercover good fruit expression McLaren Vale Shiraz with brooding dark fruit McLaren Vale Shiraz and tannin complexity. A strong class showing 2018 HHHH persistence, cedary oak 2018 HHH1/2 $15 more elegance Nose is a floral mix with and an overall violet-like An herbal nose with Shingleback overall from a cooler cherries and blueberries floral lift. $40 hints of cedar oak and 'Haycutters' vintage. “The best had with lovely velvety an opulent fleshy dark McLaren Vale Shiraz more fleshiness and smooth and persistent fruit palate; a touch 2018 HHH richness and less oak,” fleshy fruit palate with chocolaty. $22 Blackberry-like nose commented one judge. some solid oak. $18 with a pretty violet lift “Buy with confidence!” and bright spicy red fruit flavours. $18 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 69

McLAREN VALE Organic Hill Grounded Cru Inc The Gate by Shingleback 'Davey SHIRAZ Bio-Dynamic McLaren Vale Shiraz Shingleback Estate' McLaren 2016 & OLDER Preservative Free 2017 HHHH1/2 McLaren Vale Shiraz Vale Shiraz Vegan McLaren Vale Nose has great 2017 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 11 TASTED Shiraz 2017 HHHHH concentration of A complexity of spices, Firm and fleshy style 11 AWARDED Lovely dark dense cherries, spices and fruit and earthiness on of wine brimming A consistent class briary/forest floor fruit herbs. Very good weight the nose with bright, over with raspberries, of bigger, richer fragrances laced with and length to the palate light, jammy sweet cherries and spices with wines exhibiting spicy oak that follows that’s loaded with dark flavours. Acid and oak in piquant acidity. $25 good integration and through to the palate. fruit flavours and well- balance. $40 Arakoon Big, Fat & complexity. “There It has a lovely tannin handled oak. $50 Clarence Hill Red Gutsy McLaren Vale are still good ageing profile and a lingering Mr Riggs McLaren Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 HHH possibilities here,” finish. $40 Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2017 HHHH Fresh raspberry aromas suggested one judge. Shingleback 2017 HHHH1/2 Dark fruit aromas and dark fleshy sweet Cockfighter's Ghost 'Unedited' McLaren Briary/forest floor threaded through with fruit flavours with subtle Single Vineyard Vale Shiraz bouquet with spicy menthol and licorice use of oak. $20 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 HHHHH elements and an opulent characters. Fleshy Maxwell Silver 2016 HHHH1/2 A very well-made wine palate offering mouth- in the mouth and Hammer McLaren A voluptuous wine that showing controlled filling sweet ripe blue tasting of rhubarb and Vale Shiraz is long and rich with a power and excellent fruit flavours with dusty cranberries. $45 2017 HHH juicy complexity of wild concentration of briary/ oak and good tannin James Haselgrove Stalky herbal bouquet raspberries, spices, black fruit characters length. $50 Futures McLaren with malty notes and cherries nicely matched on the nose and palate. Pertaringa Yeoman Vale Shiraz sweet lifted shiraz fruit by some good cedary Good oak and silky- McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 HHHH flavours. $22 oak and a firm tannin smooth tannins. $69.95 2017 HHHH1/2 Old school style with Blackbilly McLaren structure. $25 Grounded Cru ‘Cru’ The nose gives off spicy masses of fruit and Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz aromas with light green loads of oak. Smells and 2017 HHH Morgan Simpson 2017 HHHH1/2 herbal notes and the juicy tastes of cranberries and Bright, estery, Reprieve McLaren Beautifully structured soft palate has seamless raspberries with a nice confectionery fruit style Vale Shiraz wine with understated balance between the spiciness. $50 with a pretty violet lift and 2016 HHHH1/2 power – more of an old fruit, toasty oak and crisp d'Arenberg The hint of vanilla oak. $25 Spicy varietal fruit school style of shiraz with acidity. $250 Dead Arm McLaren Sew & Sew nose with a dash of bright herbal/lantana-like Patritti Old Gate Vale Shiraz 'Sashiko' McLaren cinnamon. Bright cherry fruit, cedary oak and McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 HHHH Vale Shiraz fruit palate, smooth chewy tannins. $28 2017 HHHH Good weighty 2017 HHH in the mouth with the Grandeur Wellington Lovely finely structured rounded shiraz with an Oak driven wine with strong oak characters Bin 69 McLaren Vale wine showing attractive abundance of dark fruits, toasty oak aromas pushing through. $45 Shiraz cool fruit characters, malty-like oak, some and ripe flavours in 2017 HHHH1/2 nice spiciness, silky toasty smoky notes and the “Bonox-like” Lovely dark chocolaty/ tannins and crisp acidity. a tannic finish. $75 spectrum. $25 mocha bouquet with a $20 Pertaringa Over the dash of cedar and great Beresford Classic Top McLaren Vale persistence of dark fruit McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2017 HHH flavours on a soft and 2017 HHHH A very structured wine juicy palate balanced by Dark mulberry bouquet with good presence of the toasty oak. $35 verging on briary. dark varietal fruits and Maxwell Ellen Street Firm and fleshy in the chocolaty oak. $40 McLaren Vale Shiraz mouth with lively dark Mr Riggs Burnt 2017 HHHH1/2 fruit flavours. Very old Block McLaren Vale A lovely over-the-top old school. $25 Shiraz 2017 HHH school style that’s rich Ekhidna McLaren Rounded fleshy shiraz, and ripe with beautifully Vale Shiraz smooth in the mouth integrated ripe plum 2017 HHHH and tasting of dark fruits fruits and sweet vanilla Mulberry-like fragrances and malty oak. $50 oak characters and with nice thread of balancing tannins. $40 spices and herbs with a balanced, weighty and fleshy sweet fruit palate. $27.50 70 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Shingleback 'D Ekhidna Rechner Clarence Hill STAR RATINGS  Block Reserve' McLaren Vale Shiraz Reserve McLaren McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 Vale Shiraz Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of 2016 HHHH1/2 Olive-like characters 2016 HHH excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Well-controlled power to the nose with Nicely ageing old All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry here and exhibiting peppermint note verging school style. Loads of professionals and are compared in peer reserved dark tarry fruit on eucalypt. Nice mix oak derived flavours classes by three judges. characters with black of dark fruit/tobacco with hints of figs and CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, pepper nuances, lifted flavours. $85 rhubarb. $45 a major mail-order business. spicy oak and huge Shaw Family Jericho McLaren CD Cellar door price. tannins. $55 Vintners 'The Vale Shiraz CDO Cellar door only. Grounded Cru Inc Figurehead' McLaren 2016 HHH SO Sold out. McLaren Vale Shiraz Vale Shiraz Subtle dark fruit $N/A Price not available at time of printing. 2016 HHHH 2016 HHH1/2 fragrances with plum  Contact information pg 97. A nose of red cherries, A delicious complex mix fruit flavours and good spices and a touch of of wild cherries, briary weight of tannins. $48 RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). cedar. Excellent dark fruit, malt and mocha with De Lisio Covert BEST VALUE for $20 & under. fruit flavour profile to the “easy” tannins. $100 McLaren Vale fleshy palate with chewy De Lisio Krystina Shiraz 2015 HHH For a complete list of what we tasted tannins. $50 McLaren Vale Shiraz Spicy fruit nose with please refer to www.winestate.com.au Pertaringa Yeoman 2014 HHH1/2 a slight greenness McLaren Vale Shiraz A mature shiraz with underneath and ripe 2016 HHHH briary/forest fruit nose sweet flavours. Good Good primary fruit and loads of complex acidity. $30 characters layered with flavours in the rhubarb/ soft chewy tannins and fig spectrum. $45 starting to show some tarry development. “Has poise!” $250 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 71

42 TASTED 33 AWARDED FLEURIEU & KANGAROO ISLAND In this tasting we see the cool climate cousins of McLaren Vale OTHER RED CABERNET coming to the fore. In some ways these wines could be seen as VARIETALS & SAUVIGNON & more European than Australian with vibrant mid-weight flavours BLENDS BLENDS across the board. A great alternative drink. 6 TASTED 13 TASTED 4 AWARDED 10 AWARDED SPARKLING Bay of Shoals ROSÉ The better wines here “The higher scoring Kangaroo Island showed bright fruit wines were those that 1 TASTED Savagnin 3 TASTED and obvious varietal showed ripe fruit and 1 AWARDED 2019 HHHH 3 AWARDED characters. tannins whilst others Grassy fresh aromatics were austere and One youthful example and nicely textured Small consistent group Hofer Family Wines angular,” said one judge. showing good acid/sugar green herbal palate of quality wines; a mix Southern Fleurieu “However, there was a balance. showing just a hint of of dry and sweet styles. Montepulciano good strike rate overall tropical fruits and good 2018 HHHH from the elegant style Bay of Shoals acid line to balance. $28 Angas & Bremer Savoury old-world wines.” Traditional Method False Cape 'Willson Langhorne Creek style of wine with Kangaroo Island River' Kangaroo Rosé 2019 HHHH lifted fragrances of Mosaic Royal Cuvee Chardonnay Island Riesling Pretty pink wine with Maraschino cherries. Reserve Langhorne 2016 HHH 2019 HHH1/2 delicate rose-petal/ Good palate weight Creek Cabernet Estery floral/citrus Delicate citrus aromatics violet aromas and with nicely building Sauvignon bouquet with nice with light toastiness and nicely textured palate, tannins. $25 2016 HHHH1/2 flavour profile and good firm lemon/lime flavours. lots of interest with Beautifully ageing mousse. $30 Needs time to evolve. persistent red currant Karrawatta The sweet mocha-like oak $20 flavours. $18 Meddler Langhorne bouquet and a delicious WHITE Bremerton Special Creek Malbec mouthful of sweet fruit VARIETALS Release Langhorne Bay of Shoals 2018 HHHH and savoury oak flavours Creek Fiano Kangaroo Island Lifted blue fruit bouquet seamlessly balanced by 9 TASTED 2019 HHH1/2 Rosé 2019 HHH with light rosemary/ the tannins. $NA 6 AWARDED Honeyed floral Smells and tastes of sage-like herbal notes. fragrances and nicely fresh strawberries with Lots of lengthy varietal A group of very textured, medium fleshy sweetness well fruit flavours and youthful wines showing bodied, citrus driven balanced by the acid. $25 smooth tannins. $54 freshness and good palate. Good acid varietal character that spine. $24 Lulu Belle Fleurieu Hofer Family Wines the judges thought Bay of Shoals Peninsula Rosé Langhorne Creek should age well. Kangaroo Island 2019 HHH Lagrein Sauvignon Blanc Broad savoury nose and 2018 HHH1/2 Clarence Hill 2019 HHH palate with a citric edge, Dark concentrated Adelaide Aromas of cut grass subtle fruit and good chocolaty prune nose Chardonnay with tropical touches acid backbone. $26 with leathery notes. 2019 HHHH which follows through to Firm tannic palate with Flowery citrus/melon the fresh palate. $25 dense fruit flavours. $25 bouquet with a hint of Bay of Shoals fig. Rounded palate; Kangaroo Island Angas & Bremer mouth-filling flavours Riesling 2019 HHH 'The Creek' starting to develop light A pretty lifted bouquet Langhorne Creek complexity. $18 and a fresh and elegant Red Blend citrusy palate. Needs 2018 HHH time. $28 Nice mix of red/blue fruits with estery floral nuances and good phenolic/acid balance. $20 72 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Bremerton Tamblyn Karrawatta SHIRAZ & Bremerton Selkirk Langhorne Creek Christo's Paddock BLENDS Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 10 TASTED Lovely concentration 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 9 AWARDED of dark fruit and baked A well made leafy Dark brooding cabernet earth-like characters herbaceous blend. A with lively plum/violet A strong class. “Nice with plenty of dusty hint of mulberries and varietal characters dark varietal fruit tannins and nice cassis fruit on the nose supported by some characters here with acidity. $22 and spicy peppery chewy tannins. $54 mainly ripe tannins and Beklyn Currency complexity to the soft Howlin' Gale judicious use of oak,” Creek Shiraz palate. $18 Category 5 commented one judge. 2018 HHH1/2 False Cape Langhorne Creek “A wine with great 'The Captain' Cabernet Sauvignon Angas & Bremer poise,” according to one Kangaroo Island 2016 HHH1/2 Langhorne Creek judge. Has subtle dark Cabernet Sauvignon A lovely wine that is Shiraz Cabernet floral fruit balanced with 2018 HHHH ageing gracefully and Sauvignon creamy oak. $45 Attractive aromatics has blue fruits, good 2018 HHHH1/2 Tail Spin Langhorne of cassis, plums and oak, light floral notes Heady minty mulberry Creek Shiraz chocolate with a rich and and earthy elements. fragrances with light 2018 HHH lively palate; good tannic $18.33 herbal touches and A luxuriously rich shiraz structure and a fruity Howlin' Gale cedary-like oak. Smooth full of fresh raspberry- finish. $39 Category 5 in the mouth with good like fruit and nicely Karrawatta Langhorne Creek intensity of fresh lifted building tannins. $16 Spartacus Cabernet Sauvignon blue fruit flavours and False Cape 'Ships Langhorne Creek 2015 HHH1/2 chewy tannins. $20 Graveyard' Cabernet Sauvignon Fragrant and leafy on the Kangaroo Island Shiraz Malbec nose with lengthy cool Karrawatta Joseph Shiraz 2018 HHH 2018 HHHH dark plum flavours and Langhorne Creek Fresh herbal bouquet A riper style of cabernet grippy tannin structure. Shiraz 2018 HHHH and elegantly structured with nice herbal edge $18.33 Bright confectionery palate with a ripe tannin to the dark varietal fruit Tail Spin bouquet of mulberries profile. $25 characters. Fleshy in Langhorne Creek and violets. Fleshy in Howlin' Gale Force the mouth with grippy Cabernet Sauvignon the mouth with good 10 Langhorne Creek tannins. $92 2018 HHH integration of fruit, Shiraz 2015 HHH Clarence Hill A powerful mix of tannins, oak and acid. $54 Gently maturing tarry Adelaide Cabernet mulberries, licorice and shiraz with blue fruits Sauvignon mint with violet notes and Clarence Hill sitting under lots of oak. 2017 HHHH chewy tannins. $16 Adelaide Shiraz $22.50 Choc mint nose with Gotham Langhorne 2017 HHHH meaty elements and Creek Cabernet Aromas of roasted subtle oak and some Sauvignon coffee and dark fruits good minty varietal 2018 HHH with savoury/bacon-like flavours laced with Slight earthy red oak tending to dominate savoury tannins. $18 currant aromas and the firm blue fruit palate. flavours with malty $18 notes and persistent tannins. $20 Angas & Bremer Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2017 HHHH Fresh red berry bouquet and fleshy blue/black fruit flavours with lots of oak and chewy tannins. Nice mature characters developing. $25 JUDGES Steve Warrick Nick Haselgrove Matt O’Leary Wine marketer with Winestate’s 2010 Australian Chief winemaker for 20 years experience Winemaker of the Year. Savitas Wines in the in McLaren Vale, Owner/Winemaker of Barossa Valley. Formerly Coonawarra, Adelaide Nick Haselgrove Wines. Senior Winemaker Hills and Margaret Former chief winemaker for Wolf Blass Wines. River. Extensive wine at Haselgrove Wines. A Judge at the Barossa judging experience at ‘flying winemaker’ from wine show. Panelist the Adelaide, Hobart 1993-95. Judge at Hobart at the Advanced Wine and McLaren Vale wine for 3 years and associate Assessment Course. shows. judge at Adelaide in 1996- 97. Extensive International export activities. May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 73

travelbriefs WINSOR DOBBIN NORTH ISLAND (Gisborne, Auckland & Northland) F RO M FAR M YAR D TO the lake on two stand-up paddleboards or shopping spots and just steps away from GLAMPING a two-man kayak. The 70-hectare property Britomart - home to some of New Zealand's also offers excellent hiking and biking on 10 most revered brands and eateries. As part of SEVERAL New Zealand farmers have kilometres of flat and hill tracks. The main the hotel's new SO Fashion package guests moved into the tourism industry by providing tent houses a master bedroom with a queen- can take a ride in SO/ Auckland's Bentley or accommodation in private glamping sites. size bed, en-suite bathroom and open-air luxury corporate car to visit a choice of top Richie Clark of Manutuke, near Gisborne, shower. Next door is a circular “bell tent” with shopping locations such as Ponsonby and is one of those hospitable landowners, a a queen-size bed, and a separate cylindrical Newmarket. Once back at the hotel guests member of the Canopy Camping Estates building housing an eco-toilet. Overlooking can then pop upstairs for a cool cocktail at portfolio. Canopy Camping sets up and the jetty and lake, there’s a partly enclosed rooftop bar HI-SO overlooking the Waitemata manages glamping sites for private owners. kitchen, an open-air claw-foot bathtub and Harbour before heading to Harbour Society a seating area. Prices start from NZ$280 for an indulgent three-course dinner. SO Enclosed in a horseshoe of lush, green hills per night. See www.canopycamping.co.nz/ Fashion also includes a one-hour facial or on the shores of a little lake and wetland, manutuke-eco-retreat. massage treatment at SO/SPA. you’ll find Manutuke Eco Retreat, a peaceful oasis just a short drive from the world-class TRADITIONAL CULTURAL The package is available for one to two surf breaks, luscious wines, and wine and EXPERIENCE adults and includes: a two-night stay, buffet food festivals that the Gisborne/Eastland breakfast, spa facial or massage treatment, region is known for. The twin-tent glamping FROM the traditional hangi (underground a three-course dinner, and Bentley or luxury site is built on a raised platform above Te oven) to foraging for ingredients harvested car transfers to Auckland's best fashion Wai Repo O Te Arai Awa (the wetland of Te from the land and water, there are many ways destinations. The package is priced from Arai River), is furnished with sustainability to experience the culinary traditions of New NZ$950 for two nights, dependent on dates and eco principles uppermost in mind. It is Zealand’s Mãori people. The Mãori people of travel, and is subject to availability. off-the-grid, powered only by the sun. There’s possess a tradition of food and hospitality a yoga platform at the top of the hill, and a that is uniquely their own and which boasts SO/ Auckland is home to the popular HI- huge four-person hammock for relaxing, flavours found nowhere else in the world. SO rooftop bar, with expansive views over daydreaming and taking in the panoramas Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island, to the Pacific Ocean beyond. Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour is the while chef Marc de Passorio helms the venue for a new cultural experience Waka kitchen at Harbour Society restaurant. To Richie Clark, whose family have farmed at on the Waitemata that blends history and book the SO/Auckland fashion package visit Manutuke since 1882, sees the retreat as a tradition with an authentically inspired combo www.so-auckland.com/offers/so-fashion. place to reconnect with nature in a restorative, featuring a waka (traditional canoe) voyage healing environment. and Mãori cuisine experience hosted by Big UNSPOILED ISLAND Foody company. As the hosts tell tales of GETAWAY “Exposure to nature makes us healthier, the ancient waka migration across the vast happier and more creative,” he says. “Our Pacific Ocean to the shores of Aotearoa, HELENA Bay is one of the most beautiful guests are encouraged to turn off technology, their guests enjoy spectacular views of bays along a coastline of breathtaking, slow down, focus on engaging their senses the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and dine on sheltered sandy coves in the Northland and tune in to the natural surroundings.” Mãori cuisine featuring hangi and seafood region. The luxury Helena Bay development dishes seasoned with native herbs and here took several years to complete, and Pastimes and activities here include yoga spices. See www.thebigfoody.com/private- the complex includes a Turkish hammam, or visiting the little island in the middle of tours/auckland-new-zealand-private-tours/ a gym and a swimming pool – all designed wakaonthewaitemata. to blend seamlessly with the surrounds. The surrounding property includes a farm, 3km of IT’S SO AUCKLAND pristine coastline with four private beaches, and extensive gardens and planting. DESIGNER lifestyle hotel, SO/ Auckland, has created a new fashion experience for guests Helena Bay is one of the many inlets, coves who want to indulge their love of shopping, and bays that form the unspoiled Tutukaka spa and gourmet culture on their next visit Coast, on the north-east perimeter of New to New Zealand. Situated in the heart of the Zealand’s North Island. The lodge has been city, the boutique SO/ Auckland hotel is only designed to meet the highest expectations of a short drive from some of Auckland's best comfort and style for those who seek peace, privacy and the opportunity to be close to the 74 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

travelbriefs unspoiled beauty of nature, whilst enjoying producing wines from mainly cabernet NEW HOTEL FOR THE NORTH a very sophisticated level of hospitality. It is sauvignon, merlot, malbec, cabernet franc easily accessible from Auckland and guests and chardonnay. Most wineries and vineyards ACCOR, New Zealand’s largest hotel can choose to arrive by helicopter on a on Waiheke have cellar doors, many with operator, has introduced a new level of scenic 45-minute flight or by road with an on-site cafés or restaurants that can be style to the popular North Island destination easy 2 ½-hour drive via Whangarei. Helena explored on dedicated wine tours or even by of Rotorua with the launch of its newest Bay caters for a maximum of 10 guests bike or scooter, making the island the perfect premium hotel, the Pullman Rotorua. As the accommodated in villa suites. All include getaway for wine and food lovers. first international five-star hotel to open in super king beds, waterfront balconies, in- New Zealand’s popular Bay of Plenty region house complimentary movies channel and Waiheke’s compact size makes the island – a tourism mecca famous for its geothermal Netflix, minibar facilities, a microwave and a perfect destination for a day trip or attractions - Pullman Rotorua is targeting high- Nespresso coffee machines. weekend break. Wineries like the Provencal- end domestic and international travellers. The style Mudbrick offer uninterrupted views of new-build hotel provides guests with a choice Guest facilities are generous and include a Rangitoto Island in the Waitemata Harbour, of five accommodation options - superior king gym, saunas, a 25-metre heated swimming and a chance to view Auckland’s cityscape rooms, superior twin rooms, deluxe rooms, pool, library, three lounge areas, both informal from afar. Stonyridge, nestled amongst a deluxe twin rooms and executive suites. and formal dining areas and an outdoor fire swathe of olive groves, is dedicated to pit. Gourmet cuisine is inspired by fresh producing New Zealand’s finest cabernet “Pullman Rotorua is perfectly suited for produce gathered daily from the estate’s blends. Batch Winery offers tastings in a travellers, especially families, couples vegetable gardens and orchards, and meat fine example of outstanding contemporary and business leaders looking for a world- supplied from the farm. Dining can be enjoyed New Zealand architecture, while you can class stay and a touch of luxury in one in front of one of the roaring log fires or on fine dine at elegant Tantalus Estate or taste of the country’s most attractive tourist the terrace looking out to the Pacific Ocean. and nibble at relaxed Te Motu. destinations,” said senior vice-president of The wine cellar includes over 240 selections operations for Accor New Zealand, Fiji and and over 2,100 bottles of New Zealand and There are plenty of accommodation French Polynesia, Gillian Millar. international wines. See www.helenabay.com. options on Waiheke to suit all styles and budgets, including a wide selection of “The city has beautiful forests and lakes for WAIHEKE BECKONS unique, bespoke accommodation delights. mountain biking, luging and water sports, Sitting above the expansive sun-kissed spas for relaxation and wellness, and WAIHEKE Island is just a short and scenic bay and white sandy beaches of Oneroa, renowned geothermal attractions. No matter 40-minute ferry ride from the centre of the closest of Waiheke’s towns to the what visitors are in Rotorua to experience, Auckland. Its many vineyards and golden incoming and outgoing Auckland ferries, is we’re in the centre of it all at the Pullman and sand beaches make it a magical destination The Boatshed. With five guest suites, two we’re addressing a need at the top end of for food and wine lovers. Surrounded by the cottages and the newly opened owner's the market, which wasn’t being met before.” waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine villa, the Boatshed is a modern take on Park, Waiheke Island has been a long-time the Kiwi bach (holiday shack) and offers The 130-room hotel offers guests haven for free spirits, artists and Auckland an iconic luxury Kiwi experience. panoramic views of the city and lake area families on beach holidays. and features a bar and gym as well as an In the heart of Oneroa, The Oyster Inn executive lounge experience. The Pullman’s These days, Waiheke is the favourite island is a quirky seafood restaurant where modern brasserie, Barrel & Co Bar and get-away for Aucklanders attracted by visitors can shop and stay all in one place. Grill focuses on locally sourced produce, a beautiful white sandy beaches and historic The three guest rooms are simple yet premium grill selection and an impressive sites, a thriving food scene, an eclectic mix of elegant and the on-site restaurant offers craft beer and local wine menu highlighting artists, an extensive list of boutique and luxury a tantalising selection of freshly caught every winemaking region in New Zealand. accommodation and some of New Zealand’s seafood with the top local produce. Those Opening rates at the new Pullman Rotorua most coveted vineyards and wineries. The wanting to arrive at the Oyster Inn in style start from NZ$349 per room per night. island’s dry, sunny microclimate has inspired can take a seaplane from Auckland’s city the development of vineyards and wineries. harbour with Auckland Sea Planes. The Opposite page: Manutuke canopy camping tent. With approximately 216 hectares of vines seaplane also flies regularly into Man o-War Top left: Helena Bay Lodge coast. and 30 producers, Waiheke is known for Bay for lunches at the beachside vineyard Above right: Balcony view at Pullman Rotorua. restaurant. May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 75

38 TASTED JUDGED BY 38 RECOMMENDED Michael Cooper NORTH ISLAND Winestate’s New Zealand editor Wairarapa, Gisborne, Auckland & Northland is author of the internationally acclaimed Wine Atlas of New Zealand and the annual New Zealand Wines: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide. In the 2004 New Year Honours, Michael was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wine writing. Hawke's Bay - which has its own, separate regional tasting - Matawhero dominates winemaking in the North Island. This tasting focuses Irwin Gisborne on the North Island’s small wine regions – Northland, Auckland, Chardonnay Gisborne and the Wairarapa (including its famous sub-region, 2017 HHHHH Martinborough). Together, the four regions account for just seven This powerful, lush per cent of the national vineyard area but are the base of nearly 30 wine was grown in per cent of the country’s wine producers. the Tietjen Vineyard and fermented and Their regional strengths shone through in the tasting, with matured in a 2:1 mix of Northland and Auckland both standing out for powerful, ripe syrah. American and European Gisborne underlined its long-term strength in full-bodied, rich, well- oak casks (30% new). rounded chardonnay; and the Wairarapa reinforced its reputation Pale straw in hue, it is for notably savoury, complex pinot noir. a bold style, fleshy and rich, with strong, ripe Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available stonefruit and toasty in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). oak flavours, showing excellent weight and SPARKLING CHARDONNAY complexity. $60 Thomas Waiheke Palliser Estate Island Chardonnay 2 TASTED 8 TASTED Martinborough 2018 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay This powerful wine was 2 RECOMMENDED 8 RECOMMENDED 2018 HHHH1/2 barrel-fermented and Pale yellow, this lees-aged for over a Palliser Estate Most North Island fragrant, full-bodied wine year. Straw/pale gold, Méthode The Rose regions (apart from the is fresh and vibrant, it is mouthfilling and 2017 HHHHH Wairarapa) do not have with concentrated, concentrated, with fresh This outstanding ‘cool-climate’ conditions ripe stonefruit acidity, strong, ripe sparkling rosé (called for winegrowing, so flavours, seasoned stonefruit flavours and The Rose), was made it’s no surprise that with toasty oak, and biscuity, smoky notes entirely from pinot noir. chardonnays grown in good complexity. Best adding complexity. Still Pink/pale orange, it has Auckland, Northland and drinking 2021+. $43 (UK) youthful, it’s worth strong peach, strawberry Gisborne are typically The Landing Bay of cellaring to 2022+. $46 and spice flavours, crisp weighty, generous, Islands Chardonnay Coopers Creek and dry, yeasty notes ripe and rounded. That 2017 HHHH1/2 Select Vineyards Big adding complexity, and gives the wines loads of Estate-grown in & Buttery Gisborne excellent harmony and drink-young appeal, but Northland and matured Chardonnay length. $55 the best are also very for a year in French oak 2018 HHHH ageworthy. barriques, this generous, For those who want to bright, light yellow wine “relive the 80s”, this is drinking well now. Full- is a bold chardonnay bodied and lively, it has style, fermented and strong, ripe stonefruit aged for 11 months in flavours, showing good American oak barrels complexity, fresh acidity (33% new). Bright, light and a lingering finish. $40 yellow/green, with a fragrant, toasty bouquet, Thomas Waiheke it is mouthfilling, with Island Blanc de Gris balanced acidity and 2018 HHHH1/2 strong, youthful, peachy, This vivacious bubbly toasty flavours. Best was made from pinot drinking 2021+. $25 gris and flora. Slightly sweet, with fresh, delicate pear, lemon and apple flavours, a touch of complexity, appetising acidity and a lingering finish, it’s a distinctive, slightly muscat-like wine, offering delicious summer drinking. (From Batch Winery.) $46 76 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting Matawhero Single The Elder The Landing Bay of Pencarrow Matawhero Church Vineyard Gisborne Martinborough Pinot Islands Pinot Gris Martinborough House Single Chardonnay Gris 2018 HHHHH 2019 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard Gisborne 2019 HHHH This distinctive wine Showing very good 2019 HHHH Chenin Blanc This softly mouthfilling was estate-grown and depth and drive, this Priced right, this is a 2018 HHHH1/2 wine is already drinking hand-picked at Te Muna, Northland wine was punchy, very fresh and From young vines at well. Bright, light tank-fermented and hand-picked and made lively wine. Medium to Patutahi, this vigorous, yellow/green, it has partly matured for eight in an off-dry style. Pale full-bodied, it has strong, very harmonious wine is strong, ripe stonefruit months in seasoned straw, it is a lively, ripely herbaceous already delicious. Bright, flavours, slightly spicy French oak barrels. medium-bodied wine flavours that linger well. light lemon/green, it is notes, gentle acidity and Scented, mouthfilling with clear-cut varietal (From Palliser Estate.) mouthfilling, with good a rich, creamy-smooth and vibrantly fruity, it has characters, fresh acidity $22 (A, UK) intensity of fresh, ripe, finish. $23 strong pear, lychee and and strong pear and tropical fruit flavours, spice flavours, lees-aging spice flavours. Best OTHER fractional sweetness Coopers Creek notes adding complexity, drinking 2021+. $27 WHITES balanced by appetising Gisborne balanced acidity and a acidity, and strong Chardonnay long finish. Still youthful Matawhero Single 4 TASTED personality. $25 2018 HHH1/2 and tightly structured, Vineyard Gisborne 4 RECOMMENDED Enjoyable young, this it should be at its best Pinot Gris Waiheke Road barrel-fermented wine 2021+. $42 (A) 2019 HHH1/2 A small but diverse Hawke's Bay is fragrant, with plenty Morepork Vineyard Still unfolding, this pale, class, revealing the Raumati of ripe, peachy, slightly Northland Pinot Gris freshly scented wine North Island’s ability to 2017 HHH1/2 toasty flavour and a well- 2019 HHHH1/2 is medium-bodied, produce delicious white Probably in full stride, rounded finish. $18 Hand-picked at Kerikeri, with good depth of wines from varieties this rare blend of chenin this classy young wine pear, lychee and spice slightly outside the blanc (50%), albarino Pencarrow is full-bodied, scented flavours, lively acidity mainstream, such as (25%) and verdelho Martinborough and lively, with very and an off-dry finish. gewürztraminer, albarino (25%) was partly oak- Chardonnay good drive and depth $23 and chenin blanc. aged. Pale straw, it is 2019 HHH1/2 of stonefruit and spice medium-bodied, with Fresh and full-bodied, flavours, a slightly oily SAUVIGNON Dry River lively, peachy, slightly this gently oaked wine texture and a dryish, BLANC Lovat Vineyard spicy flavours, showing has lively, peachy, lingering finish. Best Martinborough good complexity and citrusy flavours, slightly drinking 2021+. $24 2 TASTED Gewürztraminer depth. (From Awaroa buttery notes, balanced Palliser Estate 2 RECOMMENDED 2018 HHHHH Winery.) $45 acidity and lots of drink- Martinborough Highly perfumed, this young appeal. Best Pinot Gris voluptuous, youthful ROSÉ drinking 2021+. (From 2019 HHHH1/2 wine was partly (30%) Palliser Estate.) $25 (UK) This Alsace-style pinot barrel fermented. 3 TASTED gris is full of potential. Already very expressive, 3 RECOMMENDED PINOT GRIS Bright, light lemon/ it is powerful and sturdy, green, it has mouthfilling with rich, ripe stonefruit Contrary to the pinot 5 TASTED body, with strong, ripe and spice flavours, a noir-based rosés seen 5 RECOMMENDED peach, pear and spice hint of ginger, gentle widely further south, flavours and a slightly sweetness and a very those grown in the New Zealand pinot gris sweet, crisp, persistent harmonious finish. Drink North Island are made vary widely in style, finish. Best drinking now or cellar. $55 (A, mostly from merlot, from sturdy to light- 2022+. $31 (UK, US) UK, US) offering vibrant, peachy, bodied, dry to medium. spicy flavours, with hints This tasting unearthed Coopers Creek of strawberries and several impressive Select Vineyards apricots. examples, all of which Bell-Ringer offer great drinkability. Gisborne Albariño Coopers Creek 2019 HHHH1/2 Kumeu Rosé Palliser Estate Fresh, lively and full- 2019 HHHH Martinborough bodied, this partly Full of drink-young Sauvignon Blanc barrel-fermented wine charm, this West 2019 HHHH1/2 is finely balanced, with Auckland rosé is a 2:1 Delicious drinking strong, citrusy, peachy, blend of malbec and from now onwards, spicy flavours and a merlot. Bright pink, with this strongly varietal dry finish. Offering fresh, floral aromas, it wine has generous, great drinkability, it’s a is lively and medium- passionfruit-like drink-now or cellaring bodied, with strawberry flavours, combining proposition. $22 and spice flavours, a hint excellent ripeness and of peaches, balanced vibrancy, and a mouth- acidity and a dry finish. wateringly crisp finish. $18 $28 (A, UK, US) May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 77

NORTH ISLAND Matawhero Single Palliser Estate Dry River Awaroa Waiheke Vineyard Gisborne Martinborough Lovat Vineyard Island Syrah Pinot Rosé Pinot Noir Martinborough 2017 HHHH 2019 HHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 Syrah 2016 HHHHH Fresh and lively, this This attractive, pale This elegant, supple red If you think syrah only medium to full-bodied pink rosé was made is well worth cellaring. thrives in NZ from red was hand-harvested from pinot noir. Very Deep ruby, it has a good Hawke's Bay north, and matured for a year fresh and lively, it is concentration of ripe try this arresting in French oak barriques. medium-bodied, with cherry, plum and spice Martinborough red. Fragrant, with hints of delicate watermelon and flavours, with nutty and Barrel-aged for eight spices and olives, it has spice flavours, a hint savoury notes adding months, and bottled strong plum and spice of apricot, appetising complexity, and good unfined and unfiltered, flavours, fresh acidity, acidity and a smooth tannin backbone. $59 (A, it is densely coloured savoury notes adding finish. $23 UK, US) and invitingly fragrant, complexity and good with spice and potential; best drinking The Landing The Elder liquorice aromas. Full- 2022+. $45 Bay of Islands Martinborough bodied, it has notably Rosé 2019 HHH1/2 Pinot Noir concentrated, vibrant The Landing Bay of Thomas Waiheke Pale pink, this Northland 2017 HHHH1/2 plum, spice and black Islands Syrah Island Syrah rosé is a blend of merlot Bright ruby, this pepper flavours, buried 2015 HHHHH 2018 HHHH and syrah. Medium to attractively perfumed tannins and obvious Still youthful, Estate-grown at the full-bodied, it has peach, red was estate-grown potential; best drinking this impressively Batch Winery, this spice and strawberry at Te Muna and aged 2023+. $78 (A, UK, US) concentrated is a highly drinkable, flavours, a hint of apricot for 10 months in French The Landing Bay of Northland red will youthful, supple red, and a dryish, very oak barrels. Refined and Islands Syrah be very long-lived. fresh and full-coloured. smooth finish. $27 supple, it is medium to 2017 HHHHH Matured for 18 months Medium-bodied, it has full-bodied, with ripe This very ageworthy in French oak barriques vibrant, plummy, spicy PINOT NOIR cherry, plum and spice Northland red was (30% new), it is flavours, fresh acidity flavours, showing very hand-picked and fragrant, with dense and savoury, nutty notes 4 TASTED good depth, savoury matured for 18 months blackcurrant, plum adding complexity. Best 4 RECOMMENDED and nutty notes adding in French oak barriques. and spice flavours, a drinking 2022+. $56 complexity, balanced Deeply coloured, it hint of liquorice, and a Martinborough set the acidity and a long finish. is full-bodied, with a finely structured, long early pace with pinot Best drinking 2022+. savoury, spicy fragrance finish. $40 noir in New Zealand, $63 (A) and concentrated Waiheke Road with a series of exciting blackcurrant, spice and Waiheke Island wines in the mid-late Pencarrow plum flavours, showing Syrah 1980s. Today, with Martinborough Pinot excellent structure 2017 HHHH1/2 mature vineyards and Noir 2018 HHH1/2 and complexity. Best Grown at Te Whau winemakers, the wines Ruby hued, this fragrant drinking 2022+. $40 Vineyard, this is are better than ever. red has good depth of a fragrant, very cherry, plum and spice ageworthy red. Dry River flavours, fresh acidity Deeply coloured, it Martinborough Pinot and slightly savoury, is mouthfilling and Noir 2018 HHHHH nutty notes adding well-structured, with This elegant, very complexity. Drink now- youthful, plummy, youthful red is deep 2022. (From Palliser spicy flavours, fresh ruby, with a finely Estate.) $31 (A, UK) acidity, and excellent scented bouquet. Full vigour and depth. Open of potential, it has SYRAH 2022+. (From Awaroa deep cherry, plum and Winery.) $45 spice flavours, a hint of 6 TASTED tamarillo, savoury notes 6 RECOMMENDED adding complexity, fresh acidity and a very Cabernet sauvignon harmonious, persistent and merlot dominated finish. Open 2023+. $97 Auckland’s red wines (A, UK, US) 20 years ago, but syrah is now more widely planted. Northland boasts just 0.2% of the country’s vineyard area, but is the home of some exciting syrahs, and those from Waiheke Island are similarly perfumed, dark and concentrated. 78 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

regional tasting OTHER REDS Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne 4 TASTED Merlot 2019 HHH1/2 4 RECOMMENDED This vibrantly fruity red was grown at Patutahi. Awaroa Waiheke Full-coloured, with Island The Dan plummy, slightly earthy 2017 HHHH1/2 aromas, it is full-bodied, This distinctive red is a with ripe blackcurrant, youthful blend of syrah plum and spice flavours, (50%) and cabernet fresh acidity and a sauvignon (40%), with smooth finish. $23 small amounts of merlot and malbec. Matured for a year in French oak barriques (100% new), it is deeply coloured, fragrant and full-bodied, with good density of blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, hints of olives and herbs, savoury, nutty notes adding complexity and good tannin backbone. $75 Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Guido in Velvet Pants Kumeu Montepulciano 2017 HHHH This characterful, savoury West Auckland red is full-coloured and mouthfilling, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum, red berry and spice flavours, oak complexity and good tannin backbone. Best drinking 2021+. $28 Waiheke Road Waiheke Island Cabernet Merlot 2017 HHHH From Awaroa Winery, this red was grown in the Te Whau vineyard. Based mostly on cabernet sauvignon (49%) and merlot (36%), with smaller amounts of cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot, it is a youthful, ageworthy wine. Full-coloured, it is generous, with very good depth of fresh blackcurrant, herb and spice flavours, firm and youthful, and considerable complexity. $45 May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 79

MICHAEL COOPER RECENT RELEASES Central Otago’s scented, supple pinot noirs and white wines Greystone Organic from Waipara, in North Canterbury, shone in the latest batch of Waipara Valley New Zealand Recent Releases. Fans of organic wine will find rich North Canterbury pickings, as several of the top wines have certified organic status. Chardonnay The tasting also unearthed some great value whites, from Nelson 2018 HHHHH and Marlborough. Already very expressive, Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available this organically certified in export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). wine was hand-picked, barrel-fermented  and matured for 11 months in French oak barriques (20% new). Bright, light yellow, it is weighty and fleshy, with concentrated, ripe, peachy, slightly citrusy flavours, fresh acidity and a finely textured, long finish. Best drinking 2021+. $43 Aurum Organic Aurum Mathilde Bald Hills Greystone Organic Walnut Block Central Otago Pinot Organic Central Bannockburn Waipara Valley Nutcracker Noir 2018 HHHHH Otago Pinot Noir Central Otago Single North Canterbury Marlborough Certified organic, this 2017 HHHHH Vineyard Pinot Noir Pinot Gris Sauvignon Blanc is a very ageworthy Built to last, this densely 2016 HHHHH 2019 HHHHH 2019 HHHHH red. Estate-grown at packed red was estate- Maturing very gracefully, Full of youthful vigour, Certified organic, this Lowburn, it was hand- grown, French oak-aged this fragrant, deep ruby, this is an Alsace-style classy Wairau Valley harvested, matured for for a year (20% new) elegant red was hand- pinot gris – sturdy, wine was hand-picked a year in French oak and bottled unfined picked and matured for vibrantly fruity and and 30% barrel- barrels (20% new), and unfiltered. Deep a year in French oak rich. Pale straw, it fermented. Bright, and bottled unfined ruby, it is mouthfilling, barriques (33% new). is mouthfilling, with light lemon/green, it and unfiltered. Deeply with youthful plum and Still unfolding, it is strong, pure peach, is fleshy and dry, with coloured, it is fragrant, spice flavours, vibrant full-bodied and vibrantly pear and spice flavours, strong, ripe, tropical fruit fresh and full-bodied, and concentrated, and fruity, with ripe cherry, a sliver of sweetness, flavours, slightly creamy with concentrated, a fairly firm finish. Best plum and spice flavours, and a well-rounded, notes, and excellent vibrant plum, cherry and drinking 2022+. $55 nutty, savoury notes lingering finish. Open complexity and texture. spice flavours, complex adding complexity, fresh mid-2021+. $29 Drink now or cellar. $25 and savoury, and a well- acidity and good tannin Rockburn Central (A, UK, US) structured, lasting finish. backbone. Best drinking Otago Pinot Noir Best drinking 2022+. $38 2022+. $46 2018 HHHHH ½ Delicious from the start, this fragrant, Aurum Organic sweet-fruited, very Central Otago Pinot harmonious red was Gris 2018 HHHH1/2 grown principally Fresh, full-bodied and at Parkburn, in the lively, this youthful wine Cromwell Basin, with a was estate-grown, hand- small component (12%) picked, tank-fermented from Gibbston. Deep and lees-aged for eight ruby, it is scented, full- months. Light lemon/ bodied, vibrantly fruity green, it has good and supple, with rich intensity, delicacy and cherry, plum and spice vigour, with pear and flavours, seasoned with lychee flavours, a hint French oak (33% new), of spices, and an off-dry and a finely poised, long finish. Best drinking finish. Best drinking 2021+. $28 2022+. $50 (A, UK) 80 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

recent releases Bald Hills Friends Greystone Waipara Jackson Estate  Bald Hills Last and Lovers Valley North Stich Marlborough Light Bannockburn Single Vineyard Canterbury Pinot Sauvignon Blanc Bald Hills Kirameki Central Otago Single Bannockburn Noir 2018 HHHH1/2 2019 HHHH1/2 Bannockburn Vineyard Riesling Central Otago Rosé Finely perfumed, this Opening out well, this Central Otago Single 2017 HHHH 2019 HHHH1/2 very graceful, deep ruby ripely scented Wairau Vineyard Pinot Gris Attractively scented, this Made from pinot noir, red has ripe cherry, Valley wine is a classic 2017 HHHH medium-bodied wine this pale pink, floral wine plum and spice flavours, sub-regional style. Probably at or near has citrusy flavours, has strong strawberry, fresh acidity and supple Sweet-fruited, it is crisp its peak, this is a a hint of passionfruit watermelon and spice tannins. Strongly varietal and dry, with very good full-bodied, tightly and very good depth. flavours. Vivacious, with and very harmonious, weight, harmony and structured, distinctly Slightly sweet, with good delicacy, it is a it should be at its best depth of passionfruit/ cool-climate style of some toasty, bottle-aged dryish style with fresh 2021+. $43 lime flavours. Fine value. pinot gris, with lively notes, it’s drinking well acidity and excellent Greystone Waipara $21 (UK) acidity and good now. $30 harmony. $30 Valley North Jackson Estate intensity of citrus fruit, Greystone Organic Greystone Canterbury Vintage Widow pear and spice flavours, Pétillant Naturel Sauvignon Blanc Syrah HHHH1/2 Marlborough Pinot fresh and dryish. $30 2019 HHHH Barrel Fermented Still youthful, this Noir 2016 HHHH1/2 Closed with a crown 2019 HHHH1/2 distinctive red was Finely textured, this seal, the first bubbly Already drinking well, hand-picked, matured elegant red was from this North but worth cellaring, for 15 months in French hand-harvested in the Canterbury producer this is a ripely scented, oak barrels, and bottled Southern Valleys and was made from riesling mouthfilling wine from unfined and unfiltered. matured for 10 months and “bottled prior to North Canterbury. Deeply coloured, it is in French oak barriques. fully completing its Fermented and matured fragrant and supple, with Deep ruby, it is fragrant first fermentation, for six months in old concentrated flavours of and supple, with very allowing carbon dioxide barriques, it is fleshy plums and spices, a hint good density of cherry, to be produced by and sweet-fruited, with of olives, oak complexity plum and spice flavours, the natural sugars concentrated tropical and fresh acidity. Best savoury and complex. found in the grapes”. fruit flavours, slightly drinking 2022+. $61 Delicious now, it should Certified organic, it was toasty notes adding Hawkshead be at its best 2021+. made with “no added complexity, and a Gibbston First Vines $45 (UK) sulphur”. Light straw, smooth finish. $29 Central Otago Pinot Pegasus Bay it’s a distinctive wine, Noir 2018 HHHH1/2 Merlot Cabernet crisp and lively, with This elegant Gibbston 2018 HHHH1/2 plenty of peachy, citrusy red was estate-grown Still very youthful, this flavour, yeasty notes and barrel-aged for eight Waipara Valley, North and a dry feel. $43 months. Ruby hued, with Canterbury blend a floral, ripely scented of merlot, cabernet bouquet, it is mouthfilling sauvignon, cabernet and supple, with ripe franc and malbec berry and spice flavours, was matured for 18 hints of herbs and nuts, months in French oak oak complexity and barriques. Full-coloured, fine-grained tannins. An it is mouthfilling, ageworthy wine, it’s with concentrated, already drinking well. $65 vibrant blackcurrant, Jackson Estate plum, herb and spice Shelter Belt flavours, showing Single Vineyard good complexity, Marlborough finely balanced tannins Chardonnay and obvious cellaring 2017 HHHH1/2 potential. Open 2022+. Offering fine value, this $33 wine was estate-grown in the Wairau Valley and 75% barrel-fermented. It has a fragrant, slightly creamy bouquet, leading into an elegant, sweet-fruited wine with vibrant, citrusy, peachy flavours, biscuity, savoury notes adding complexity, and a very harmonious, lingering finish. $24 (UK) May/June 2020 W I N E S TAT E 81

MICHAEL COOPER Loveblock Central Loveblock Greystone Vineyard Volcanic Hills ½ Otago Pinot Noir Marlborough Ferment Pinot Noir Hawke's Bay 2019 HHHH Sauvignon Blanc 2018 HHHH Chardonnay Haha Hawke's Bay Delicious young, this 2019 HHHH This gentle, light ruby 2018 HHHH Syrah 2019 HHH1/2 single-vineyard red was Estate-grown in the red was estate-grown This barrel-fermented Fresh, lively and hand-picked at Bendigo lower Awatere Valley, and hand-picked at wine was grown in the youthful, this charming and partly (50%) barrel- this punchy, partly Waipara, in North inland Crownthorpe Hawke's Bay red aged. Bright ruby, it is barrel-fermented wine is Canterbury, and district. Bright yellow/ includes a splash of perfumed and supple, fresh and weighty, with fermented in the green, with a toasty, cabernet franc (9%). with vibrant, ripe, sweet- good intensity of ripe, vineyard with indigenous slightly creamy bouquet, Full-coloured, it has fruit flavours to the fore, tropical fruit flavours, a yeasts. Matured in old it is sweet-fruited, with vibrant plum and black in a very charming style. touch of complexity, and barrels, it is savoury and generous stonefruit pepper flavours, a hint $32 (A, UK, US) a dry, appetisingly crisp supple, with moderately flavours, balanced of liquorice, fresh acidity finish. $22 (A, UK) rich, delicate flavours, acidity, and lots of drink- and very good depth. Pask Gimblett nutty notes adding young appeal. $29 Best drinking 2021+. Gravels Chardonnay complexity, fresh acidity Volcanic Hills $25 2018 HHHH and good potential. Marlborough Renato Nelson Pinot Showing good Open mid-2021+. $76 Sauvignon Blanc Gris 2019 HHH1/2 complexity, this Renato Nelson 2019 HHHH Drinking well in its Hawke's Bay wine Chardonnay Punchy and finely youth, this straw hued/ was barrel-fermented 2018 HHHH balanced, this Awatere pale pink wine was and oak-aged for nine This mouthfilling, Valley wine is freshly grown on the coast, months. Light straw in generous wine was aromatic and intensely at Kina, and at Upper hue, it is fragrant, with estate-grown on the varietal, with very good Moutere. Full-bodied, balanced acidity and coast, at Kina, and flavour depth and a it has strong, peachy, generous, ripe, peachy, barrel-fermented. Bright, crisp, dry, lengthy finish. spicy flavours, with a biscuity, mealy flavours. light lemon/green, it is $23 hint of strawberry, and Best drinking 2021+. full-bodied, with strong, Walnut Block an off-dry finish. $20 $22 (A) ripe stonefruit flavours, Nutcracker Volcanic Hills seasoned with toasty Marlborough Marlborough Pinot oak, balanced acidity and Viognier 2016 HHHH Gris 2019 HHH1/2 good complexity. $26 Probably at its peak, Grown in the Awatere Renato Nelson this hand-harvested, Valley, this fresh, full- Sauvignon Blanc barrel-fermented wine bodied wine has ripe 2019 HHHH is bright, light gold, with peach and pear flavours, Very fresh and lively, this bottle-aged complexity. hints of spices and medium to full-bodied Full-bodied, it has ginger, and a dryish wine has good intensity strong, peachy, slightly finish. Enjoyable young. of ripe, tropical fruit toasty flavours, fresh $23 flavours, a herbaceous acidity and a dry finish. undercurrent and a crisp, Certified organic. $32 dry finish. Vibrant and punchy, it’s drinking well now. $18 Visit our website and keep up to date with all our latest wine info, news, competitions, tastings and events. Become a subscriber to enter into our exciting regular competitions. www.winestate.com.au 82 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND May/June 2020 Issue 167 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A In this issue... PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 New Releases & Best Value Buys Under $20 STAY AT HOME & DRINK WINE SUPPORT WINESTATE RECOMMENDED WINERIES, STOP COVID-19 & ENJOY YOUR QUARANTINE.

283 TASTED 210 AWARDED NEW RELEASES A great example of the consistency across the board with these Tomich Woodside SAUVIGNON new release wines, with even the marginal wines not making Vineyard Adelaide BLANC the cut due to small issues rather than major ones. To have Hills Gruner Veltliner 210 wines awarded is a great testimony to the winemakers. 2018 HHHH 15 TASTED Jewel in the crown this time was the 2018 shiraz class where Toasty fruit nose and 9 AWARDED one judge commented “rarely have I seen a class of wines at developing citrus/lime this level - with absolutely no faults.” Also at the highest level flavours on a textured Lots of quaffers here! were the alternative red varietals showing a major shift to mid and balanced palate with The better wines weight wines (along with some nice varietal pinots) and the cleansing acidity. $25 had greater varietal ever reliable cabernet wines. But good wines abound in all Ricca Terra ‘Bronco expression, freshness categories. Buster’ Riverland and varietal intensity. Fiano Greco Arinto “The three styles of Vermentino pungent, vegetal and 2019 HHH1/2 riper tropical ones were Pleasant dried fruit- all represented,” said like aromas and well one judge. balanced “white fruit” palate with a cleansing acid structure. $22.50 SPARKLING Reillys Clare Valley Waybourne Geelong Smith & Sheth Delta Hatters Cuvée Shiraz Sparkling Pinot Gris CRU Hawke’s Bay Hill Marlborough 11 TASTED 2017 HHHH 2019 HHH Albarino 2019 HHH Sauvignon Blanc 7 AWARDED Ripe plum bouquet An aperitif style with Bright fruit nose with an 2019 HHHH1/2 with a savoury edge savoury fruit fragrances herbal edge. A mix of A delightfully savoury A mix class of diverse and good balance and a crisp and clean dry and savoury flavours nose with hints of wines and styles. between the varietal palate. $20 with a crisp finish. $NA nettles and tropical fruit “Dosage (sugar) must fruit and oak tannins. Jones Winery and showing lovely be balanced with acid Drying finish. $25 OTHER WHITE & Vineyard J6 creamy complexity and CO2 structure,” Steels Gate Home VARIETALS & Six Generations to the palate with noted one judge. “As Block Yarra Valley BLENDS Rutherglen Muscat elegant varietal flavour usual the high scorers Blanc de Blanc Sec 2019 HHH expression. $27 NZ here were balanced.” 2017 HHH1/2 7 TASTED Obvious Muscat fruit Howard Park Toasty yeast nose 7 AWARDED characters on both the Miamup Margaret Tomich Woodside with honeyed notes nose and palate. Great River Sauvignon Vineyard Sparkling and similar characters Small but consistent wine for Asian food. Blanc Semillon T Adelaide Hills echoed on the crisp and class of mixed varietals $20 2018 HHHH Chardonnay Pinot dry style palate. $45 and mixed flavours. “A RedHeads Rusty A bright, fresh and Noir NV HHHH Azahara Victoria diverse bracket of well Roof Langhorne attractive blend with Light salmon pink wine Sparkling Rosé made and interesting Creek Fiano a nice mix of cut with good depth of NV HHH wines, many of which 2019 HHH grass and stonefruit bubbles, a fresh fruity Developed jammy would go well with A nose of hay and characters and some nose and a delicate strawberry compote of food,” said one judge. herbs with some very floral notes. $28 flavour profile. Prosecco- a nose with red berry interesting herbal flavours. Yilgarnia Single like in style. $25 flavours. $15 Mitchelton Estate Needs food! $25 Vineyard Denmark, Gapsted Wines High Single Vineyard Robinvale North Great Southern Moorilla Estate Country King Valley Nagambie West Victoria Kerner Sauvignon Blanc Praxis Tasmania Prosecco NV HHH Roussanne 2015 HHH 2019 HHH1/2 Sparkling Riesling Lifted green fruit aromas 2019 HHHH Lifted flinty perfumed An austere grassy 2018 HHHH and a crisp and crunchy Subtle citrus aromas fragrances and good varietal style with a Powerful and lifted palate with light citrus with nutty/oily characters depth of varietal fruit tightly wound nose and yeasty aromas with flavours. $20 and a long, rounded and flavours. $20 good intensity of fruit good depth of varietal nicely balanced palate flavours. $19 fruit flavours and that is rich yet dry. $25 nice yeast autolysis overtones. $29 84 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Smith & Sheth CRU PINOT GRIS/ La Bise ‘Field Blend’ Reillys Museum Leconfield ‘Old Wairau Marlborough GRIGIO Adelaide Hills Pinot Release Clare Valley Vines’ Coonawarra Sauvignon Blanc Gris Arneis Fiano Riesling Riesling 2019 HHH 2019 HHH 12 TASTED 2019 HHH 2016 HHHHH Slight smokiness to the Slightly pungent fresh 8 AWARDED An elegant wine with Nicely aged, golden nose and lime and ripe herbaceous aromas with fragrant floral aromas hued, riesling with very apple flavours with racy tropical nuances to the Two styles here ranging and a creamy and lightly pure varietal fruit aromas acidity. $26 firm palate. $NA from crisp and light tropical palate. $25 and nicely evolving citrus Mike Press Adelaide grigio style to the fuller, based flavours on the SEMILLON Hills Sauvignon more complex, richer, Tomich Woodside long, beautifully textured Blanc 2019 HHH skin contact gris styles. Vineyard Adelaide palate with its crisp acid 6 TASTED Fresh lemony bouquet “Often these styles do Hills Pinot Grigio line. 5+ $40 3 AWARDED and good length of crisp not reflect what is on 2019 HHH passionfruit-like flavours. the label,” noted one A fuller style with a nice Castelli Estate Great The two major areas for $13 judge. mix of tropical fruit and Southern Riesling semillon and SSB blends Due South Single a hint of limestone-like 2019 HHHH dominated here, as is to Vineyard Denmark, Delta Marlborough characters. $25 A pristine clean, be expected. Great Southern Pinot Gris age-worthy style with Sauvignon Blanc 2019 HHHH Kirrihill Piccoli Lotti attractive lightly spiced Due South Single 2019 HHH Fragrant aromas of Adelaide Hills Pinot fruit fragrances and Vineyard Denmark, A slightly reserved nose pears and apples with Grigio 2019 HHH a crisp and lively fruit Great Southern with floral notes and a a long, well balanced, Reserved nose and palate. 5+ $26 Semillon Sauvignon sweet, straightforward creamy palate bright subtle palate with slight Blanc 2019 HHHH palate. $14 with attractive varietal flinty citrus fruit and Kimbarra Grampians Powerful herbaceous Scarpantoni flavours. $20 NZ honeyed nuances. $27 Riesling 2019 HHHH aromas and huge School Block White Fragrant floral lift to crisp fruit impact on McLaren Vale Karrawatta Sophie’s Kilgour Wines Single the nose and excellent the palate. “Spot on,” Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills Pinot Vineyard Geelong varietal palate with said one judge. “Great Semillon Chenin Grigio 2019 HHHH Pinot Gris 2019 HHH flavours of citrus, limes winemaking,” said Blanc 2019 HHH Lovely textured style A sound, attractive and and apples and a crisp another. $14 A pleasant, nicely with understated uncomplicated tropical acid finish. 5+ structured quaffer more savoury characters, firm fruit style offering good $30 Yilgarnia Single in the tropical fruit crisp fruit and attractive drinking. $30 Vineyard Denmark, spectrum. $15 creamy complexity. $30 Chaffey Bros Wine Great Southern Saint Clair Family RIESLING Co Tripelpunkt Eden Semillon Sauvignon Estate Pioneer Richard Hamilton Valley Riesling Blanc 2019 HHH1/2 Block 21 Bell Adelaide Hills Pinot 9 TASTED 2019 HHH1/2 Attractive grassy Block Marlborough Gris 2019 HHH 6 AWARDED Tight youthful green gooseberry bouquet Sauvignon Blanc A full-bodied broad apple style of riesling with a lean and green 2019 HHH toasty style with nice The judges thought this with crisp acidity, palate that’s all nettles A pungent passionfruit weight and richness of was, overall, a strong crunchy phenolics and a and herbs. $17 bouquet with a crunchy fruit. $20 class of age-worthy drying finish. $26 acid driven palate. wines. “These are crisp Saddler’s Creek $26.90 NZ Distant South and lively now but will Chaffey Bros Wine Hunter Valley Saint Clair Family Tasmania Pinot also repay with further Co Dufte Punkt Semillon 2019 HHH Estate Pioneer Grigio 2019 HHH cellaring,” said one Eden Valley Riesling A very young tight Block 18 Snap Simple and elegant with judge. Gewurztraminer Semillon, will open up Block Marlborough tropical fruit characters Kerner 2019 HHH1/2 with age and has good Sauvignon Blanc showing a slightly sweet Broad spicy aromas cellaring potential. 2018 HHH edge. $23 and a slippery textured A wine in the greener palate with juicy, mouth- 3-5 $26 spectrum; all nettles watering, Turkish Delight and gooseberries with flavours $26 grassy notes $26.90 NZ JUDGES - DAY 1 Dave Matthews Eric Semmler Formerly Winemaker Proprietor of 919 Wine Steve Warrick at Rosemount and Company. Formerly Wine marketer with Boar’s Rock and Group winemaker for the Hardy 20 years experience Winemaker for Treasury Wine Company. Previously in McLaren Vale, Wine Estates. Vintages with Brown Brothers Coonawarra, Adelaide in Tuscany and California. and Auldstone Cellars. Hills and Margaret Judged in Australia and Has spent eight years as River. Extensive wine overseas. Currently with fortified winemaker for judging experience at Francois Freres group of Hardys. Associate judge at the Adelaide, Hobart cooperages. Rutherglen, McLaren Vale and McLaren Vale wine and Riverland shows. shows. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 85

NEW RELEASES CHARDONNAY Beresford Classic Ulupna Due South Single Sandalford Estate McLaren Vale Viviana Ferrari Vineyard Denmark, Reserve Margaret 32 TASTED Chardonnay Collection Great Southern River Chardonnay 24 AWARDED 2019 HHHH ‘Promenade’ Chardonnay 2019 HHH Nose of fine white McLaren Vale & 2019 HHH A savoury style with A consistent class of florals sitting over Goulburn Valley Subtle orchard fruit plenty of creamy oak wines here. “There stonefruit aromas with Chardonnay characters and upfront and nice white stonefruit were the fruity/balanced a full, textured, varietal 2016 HHHH drying tannins on a characters. $35 oak group of styles and palate and oak adding Nicely evolving wine, nicely textured palate. Saddler’s Creek the fruit driven ones complexity. $25 with developed toasty/ $14 Alessandro Reserve showing great purity of Lerida Estate ripe fruit aromas and Distant South Tumbarumba fruit,” noted one judge. Cullerin Canberra graceful ripe peach Tasmania Chardonnay “Some were quite District Chardonnay flavours with an oaky Chardonnay 2019 HHH simple in terms of fruit 2019 HHHH finish. $18 2019 HHH A reserved earthy nose depth but very drinkable Nicely textured and well Tomich Icons of Delicate lifted floral/ and nicely controlled none-the-less but there rounded style with lovely Woodside Q96 citrus bouquet and citrus/melon palate and were also others that balance and intensity Adelaide Hills “alluring” oak on the grippy tannins. $36 suffered from excess of citrus fruit, fig like Chardonnay citrus driven palate. $23 Mount Avoca or poorer quality oak characters and toasty 2016 HHHH Bowen Estate Organic Estate intervention. oak. $38 A drier style with ripe Coonawarra Pyrenees buttery nose showing Chardonnay Chardonnay Howard Park Flint Merricks Estate toasty aged notes 2019 HHH 2019 HHH Rock Great Southern Mornington and controlled, nicely Oak obvious for A fleshy and eminently Chardonnay Peninsula developing, dried fruit/ now with citrus and drinkable chardonnay 2018 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay citrus flavours. $60 stonefruits underneath. with tropical fruit and A lovely nose 2018 HHHH Lake Chalice The Will settle with time. subtle toasty oak. $37.50 reminiscent of whipped Zesty citrus bouquet Raptor Marlborough $24.50 Mortimer’s of cream and citrus. A well- with a tropical lift and Chardonnay Eden Hall Eden Orange Reserve constructed palate with elegantly flavoured 2019 HHH1/2 Valley Chardonnay Orange Chardonnay great intensity of tropical palate with good flavour Dusty toasty bouquet 2019 HHH 2019 HHH and melon fruit and well intensity and gentle use and creamy citrus length Nicely integrated fruit and A generous ripe style handled oak in a support of oak. $40 to the palate with ripe oak aromas with light with reserved, lightly role. $28 melon fruit and attractive citrus notes and a chalky perfumed, tropical fruit oak. $22.99 NZ mineral palate. $30 and sweet toasty oak. $45 Saint Clair RT by Randal Tomich Mortimer’s of Big Aussie Wine Co. Family Estate Adelaide Hills Orange Chestnut Mildura Chardonnay Omaka Reserve Chardonnay Garth Orange (1L) 2018 HHH Marlborough 2018 HHH1/2 Chardonnay Fleshy and well-rounded Chardonnay Elegant aromas 2019 HHH oak/fruit style with some 2018 HHHH1/2 and flavours, lightly Lightly perfumed citrus supporting residual A beautiful amalgam of perfumed, showing bouquet with a whiff of sugar. $15.99 quality chardonnay fruit both intensity and oak and a dry powdery Kosciuszko that is in the grapefruit/ restraint with minimal palate. $30 Tumbarumba citrus spectrum, some use of oak. $26 Cloudbreak Adelaide Chardonnay very classy creamy oak Saint & Scholar Hills Chardonnay 2018 HHH and a good line of upfront Adelaide Hills 2019 HHH Lifted zesty citrus nose tannins. $37.90 NZ Chardonnay A very pleasant drink – with honeyed notes 2017 HHH1/2 simple and understated and muted tropical Zesty honeyed citrus with nice fruit and well flavours. $22 nose with a silky smooth handled $35 palate, fleshy sweet fruit flavours and a seductive finish! $25 JUDGES - DAY 2 Dave Matthews Michael Marcus Formerly Winemaker Winemaker for Majella Peter Simic at Rosemount and Wines. Associate judge Editor/publisher Boar’s Rock and Group at the Limestone Coast Winestate Magazine. Winemaker for Treasury wine show. Previously More than 35 years’ Wine Estates. Vintages winemaker at Wynns experience in the wine in Tuscany and California. winery, and Lindemans industry. Formerly Judged in Australia and Karadoc, then Katnook founding publisher of overseas. Currently with winery. the first US colour wine Francois Freres group of magazine, manager cooperages. of the SA Wine Information Bureau, and wine educator with Regency College, in SA. 86 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Trinity Hill Lost Trinity Hill Lost Akarua Rua Central OTHER RED Garden Hawkes Bay Garden Hawkes Bay Otago Pinot Noir VARIETALS & Chardonnay Rosé 2019 HHH 2019 HHH1/2 BLENDS 2018 HHH Pale pink wine, subtle Attractive pinot fruit Old school style of fruit aromas and flavours overtones to the nose. 25 TASTED chardonnay with ripe and crisp racy acidity. Complex palate that will 24 AWARDED tropical fruit, toasty oak $29.95 evolve to show classic A very strong and and butterscotch notes. pinot flavours. 3-5 consistent class with $29.95 PINOT NOIR $25 NZ a diverse range of varieties and styles. Karrawatta Anth’s 16 TASTED Cloudbreak Adelaide “It is no longer just Garden Adelaide 13 AWARDED Hills Pinot Noir about cabernet and Hills Chardonnay 2019 HHH1/2 shiraz,” noted one judge. 2018 HHH A solid group with the Youthful colour, herbal “There are a lot of Good intensity of best wines showing notes to the nose and winemakers producing tropical and citrus fruit varietal expression and good light varietal fruit interesting wines from characters with some pinot grape tannins flavours with a slight other varieties offering nice pungency. $46 in their structure. tannic finish. $35 contemporary food “However some of matching.” ROSÉ these simply had the Smith & Sheth CRU wrong oak,” noted one Kawarau Hawke’s Castelli Empirica 7 TASTED judge. Bay Pinot Noir ‘BV’ Frankland River 4 AWARDED 2018 HHH1/2 Tempranillo Sweet vanillin oak sits 2018 HHHHH “There were a few Trinity Hill Lost on top of attractive red A good drink, well made wines here that were Garden Hawkes Bay currant-like varietal fruit. with solid aromas of too broad lacking in Pinot Noir Tannins need time to dark red fruits and sweet vibrancy and freshness Mike Press Single 2019 HHHH unwind. 3-5 $NA oak and a medium which is a surprise for Vineyard Adelaide Sweet lifted varietal bodied palate with lovely a young vintage,” said Hills Pinot Noir nose and nicely rounded Buller Wines The integration of youthful one judge. ”However 2018 HHHH1/2 textured palate with Nook Victoria Pinot varietal fruit and oak most colours were good Well-maintained vibrant good depth of herbal Noir 2019 HHH tannins. $44 and the better ones had crimson wine made in fruit flavours and drying Developed aromas and good dry texture.” a savoury style with tannins. $29.95 cherry flavours with a lifted fruit nose and Lerida Estate hints of earthiness and Kirrihill Piccoli rich cherry/berry fruit Cullerin Canberra attractive oak. $20 Lotti Clare Valley flavours. Good palate District Pinot Noir Sangiovese Rosé structure. $18 2019 HHHH Lerida Estate 2019 HHH1/2 Big plum driven nose Josephine Lake Great food wine with Akarua with mid-weight George Single red currant-like fruit Bannockburn Pinot varietal fruit flavours Vineyard Canberra characters showing Noir 2018 HHHH1/2 reminiscent of red District Pinot Noir a floral lift and tannin “A big muscular pinot,” currants with seamless 2019 HHH provide length. $27 according to one judge. oak balance. $38 Fragrant plum bouquet Has a toasty/savoury Saint Clair Family and powerful oak and Saint Clair Family fruit and oak nose and Estate Pioneer fruit tannin driven palate Estate Origin a powerful mouthful Block 22 Barn Block with evolving fruit. $75 Marlborough Pinot of dark roasted oak Marlborough Pinot Gris Rosé 2019 HHH flavours. Needs time to Noir 2018 HHHH Hints of red fruits with settle. 5+ $45 NZ Nicely maturing varietal Mortimer’s of citrus crispness and slight fruit aromas with a rich Orange Chestnut green edge - starting to Delta Marlborough and rounded palate Garth Orange Pinot age. $19.99 NZ Pinot Noir offering flavours of Noir 2016 HHH 2019 HHHH toasty oak and fragrant A well aged savoury Chaffey Bros Vibrant crimson colour fruit. $37.90 NZ style with attractive Wine Co Not Your with perfumed berry Lake Chalice The herbal elements. At its Grandma’s Ros nose and youthful berry Falcon Marlborough peak now! $36 Barossa Valley Rosé flavours with attractive Pinot Noir 2019 HHH herbal notes and crisp 2019 HHH1/2 Attractive fruity nose and acid edge. $20 NZ A youthful bright pleasant red currant-like crimson savoury style flavours with savoury with berry overtones nuances. $22 and fresh crisp acidity. $18.99 NZ The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 87

NEW RELEASES Hand Crafted Buller Wines Smith & Sheth Gapsted Wines Cat Amongst The By Geoff Hardy Balladeer Rutherglen CRU Hawke’s Bay Tobacco Road King Pigeons Fat Cat Adelaide Hills Durif Durif 2018 HHHH Cabernet Franc Valley Sangiovese Barossa Valley 2018 HHHH1/2 A massive full-bodied 2018 HHH1/2 Barbera 2018 HHH Grenache A bright crimson Aussie style; bright Dense cassis aromas Good varietal aromas; 2019 HHHH1/2 baby, unyielding at the crimson hues with with a floral whiff and sweet and herbal. Dark A bright pristine moment but will relax in dense stewed fruit nose blackberry and mulberry fruit palate with oak clean purple varietal time. It has masses of and solid ripe plum palate supported by well adding complexity. $16 showing minimal use tightly coiled spicy fruit palate. $29 handled oak. $NA of oak. It has a volatile characters, plenty of Cat Amongst The Michelini Wines Scarpantoni confectionery nose depth and nice richness. Pigeons Fat Cat Italian Selection McLaren Vale Gamay and an abundance of A keeper. 5+ $30 Barossa Valley Alpine Valleys 2018 HHH lovely fresh varietal fruit Mataro 2018 HHHH Sangiovese A very approachable, flavours. $29 Ricca Terra Riverland Savoury velvety nose 2018 HHH1/2 lighter, contemporary Aglianico and nicely maintained An attractive quaffer style with gentle berry Oxenberry Farm 2019 HHHH sweet varietal fruit with with very good varietal nose and savoury Doringo Valley Nice red berry supporting oak and good fruit characters and light flavours. $25 McLaren Vale fragrances with an tannin definition. $29 and fleshy, yet supple, Grenache herbal lift and medium Hand Crafted tannins. $25 Hare’s Chase Cellar 2018 HHHH1/2 bodied stonefruit palate By Geoff Hardy Hand Crafted Reserve Barossa Velvety berry nose with with stylish tannins. A Limestone Coast By Geoff Hardy Valley Cabernet quince-like notes. Soft delicious food wine. $27 Montepulciano Limestone Coast Franc 2018 HHH and generous in the 2018 HHHH & Adelaide Hills A wine with plenty of mouth with excellent Ricca Terra Riverland An abundance of ripe Lagrein character; interesting depth and freshness Nero D’Avola poached dark cherry-like 2018 HHH1/2 mix of herbal and of varietal fruit flavours 2019 HHHH fruit characters layered A big tannic wine with sweet green fruit with a spicy mineral A fresh, attractive, with fine tannins and loads of dark roasted characters. $38 “tail.” $20 lighter wine with a crunchy acidity. $30 meat and black olive-like Stage Door Wine toasty herbal nose and Hand Crafted elements. A keeper. $30 Ekhidna McLaren Co. ‘Three Piece’ a lovely profile of juicy By Geoff Hardy Jones Winery & Vale Cabernet Franc Barossa Valley sweet mulberry and Adelaide Hills Tannat Vineyard Rutherglen 2017 HHH G.S.M. 2019 HHHH blueberry fruits. $27 2018 HHHH Durif 2017 HHH1/2 Plenty of sweet herbal A berry nose with toasty Dark inky wine with ripe A monster of a wine aromas and flavours aromas. Soft in the Witches Falls Wild red fruit nose and a huge with a tarry fruit bouquet with a chary oak finish. mouth and tasting of Ferment Granite Belt grippy tannic palate with and huge tannic $27.50 spicy berries with a dark Malbec 2019 HHHH well retained vibrant structure to the palate edge and layered with Mellow mulberry fruit and balancing oak. with plenty of flavour. Jones Winery & toasty oak. $25 aromas and quite an Vineyard Rutherglen austere berry driven 5+ $30 5+ $35 Malbec 2017 HHH palate with herbal/cedar Mr Riggs Adelaide RedHeads Rusty Well-aged mellow characters and plenty of Montepulciano Roof Adelaide Hills bouquet and an tannins. 3-5 $40 2018 HHHH Barbera 2019 HHH amalgam of sweet oak Loads of sweet oak A generous crowd and developing fruit GMH By Geoff Hardy sitting on top of a pleaser in the dark flavours. $35 Red Meritage South dark concentration of plum spectrum with Australia Petit berry and stonefruit approachable tannins. GRENACHE Verdot Cabernet characters. Quite firm Sauvignon Merlot and tannic. $30 3-5 $25 14 TASTED Malbec 2018 HHHH Ricca Terra ‘Bullets Hand Crafted 7 AWARDED Deep dark red wine with Before Cannonballs’ By Geoff Hardy lifted, slightly stewed, Riverland McLaren Vale Nero The judges found this fruit nose and a light Tempranillo Lagrein D’Avola 2019 HHH to be a group of good savoury palate. Will Aglianico Nero A nose of blueberries wines and not so reward with more time. d’Avola Durif with austere fruit good ones. “The best 2019 HHH1/2 flavours and drying had obvious varietal 3-5 $15 A very youthful blend tannic finish. $30 characters whilst a with sweet herbal number were either RedHeads Blue Belle notes to the nose and non-varietal or were over Adelaide Graciano a complexity of sweet oaked,” said one judge. 2018 HHHH stonefruit flavours. Soft nicely integrated $22.50 varietal fruit fragrances with some well focussed dark cherry and roasted oak flavours. $25 88 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Richard Hamilton Pure Vision Organic Saint Clair Family ‘Coltons’ GSM Adelaide Plains Estate Pioneer Block McLaren Vale Merlot 2019 HHH1/2 17 Plateau Hawke’s Grenache Shiraz Attractive cassis/ Bay Cabernet Merlot Mourvedre blackberry aromas 2018 HHH 2018 HHHH with tarry notes and an The wine is a powerful A lifted savoury nose elegant complexity of amalgam of savoury oak with some tarry notes berry flavours. $17 and sweet dark berry and a generous and fruit. 3-5 $37.90 softly textured mulberry Saint Clair Family NZ palate. Drinking well Estate Pioneer Block now. $22 17 Plateau Hawke’s Hare’s Chase Bay Merlot Barossa Valley Pertaringa By 2018 HHH Cabernet Shiraz Geoff Hardy Two Lifted evolved nose of 2017 HHH Gentlemen’s GSM smart oak and red fruits Big old-fashioned wine McLaren Vale with similar characters with loads of ripe, Grenache Shiraz on the palate. $37.90 NZ earthy, dark berry fruit Mourvedre and drying tannins. 2019 HHH1/2 CABERNET A youthful and vibrant SAUVIGNON 3-5 $38 red with bright crunchy BLENDS cherry aromas and a CABERNET Scarpantoni Castelli Estate lightweight sweet spicy 8 TASTED SAUVIGNON Brothers Block Frankland River fruit palate. $22 4 AWARDED McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 31 TASTED Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHHH1/2 Calcannia Clare 2013 HHHHH A savoury style with a Valley Grenache 25 AWARDED A delicious old-fashioned dry herbal bouquet and Shiraz Mourvedre style of cabernet with excellent depth of plum– 2018 HHH1/2 “The best here had the The judges thought dark savoury characters like flavours sitting in the An attractive medium synergy of varietals this to be a very strong – all earthy and olive like ripe fruit spectrum with bodied wine with a working well together,” class of exciting wines. and layered with sweet warming alcohol and seamless balance agreed the judges. “Across the vintages ripe fruit and fine grain, balancing tannins. $38 between red cherry fruit it shows that cabernet mouth-coating, tannins. Howard Park and vanillin oak. $28 Claymore London can age beautifully,” Miamup Margaret Calling Clare Valley said one judge. “Great 5+ $35 River Cabernet Ekhidna McLaren Cabernet Malbec to see diverse styles Majella Coonawarra Sauvignon Vale Grenache 2018 HHHH1/2 from early release wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHHH1/2 Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 Subtle fragrant cassis which show freshness 2017 HHHH1/2 A perfectly integrated Soft red berry fruit aromas with a perfumed and varietal expression Attractive minty lift to wine - “No edges characters with a lift. Tightly focussed to the classic oak aged the herbal nose. Great here,” noted one judge. spicy lift and oak in palate has good depth complex ones,” said drive and persistence Herbal nuances to the the background. Very of dark currant and ripe another. “However of sweet blackberry and nose and excellent approachable. $30 mulberry fruit flavours it still requires great blueberry fruit flavours depth of flavours with with fine grained winemaking to achieve layered with drying oak tannins across the mid- MERLOT tannins. 3-5 $22 balance where no tannins. $35 palate. $28 particular attributes Koonara Ambriels 5 TASTED Smith & Sheth dominate.” Gift Coonawarra 2 AWARDED CRU Cantera Cabernet Sauvignon Hawke’s Bay 2016 HHHH1/2 “Merlot should highlight Cabernet Sauvignon Mature dusty sweet the plush red fruits Tempranillo aromas with an herbal typical of the variety,” Cabernet Franc lift and nicely aged commented one judge. 2017 HHH1/2 complexity of flavours “Too much oak negates Sweet mature dark berry in both the primary the benefits of the bouquet with a roasted- and secondary range. variety.” like note. Huge tannic Drinking beautifully right palate with solid dry red now. $40 flavours. 5+ $NA The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 89

NEW RELEASES Finniss River Maison Blue Reillys Clare Valley SHIRAZ Vineyard Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon BLENDS ‘Block1’ Currency Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 HHH1/2 Creek Cabernet 2018 HHHH A ripe stewed fruit 7 TASTED Sauvignon Lifted fruit nose layered nose and a well aged, 6 AWARDED 2016 HHHH1/2 with oak and has a long, dark plum, palate with A big beautifully aged well structured palate a soft tannin finish. At A small class but a good cabernet that has both with upfront oak and its peak! $25 one. “From the nice power and balance with mouth coating tannins. commercial styles to seamless integration Pure Vision Organic the aged complex ones of lovely blue fruits, 3-5 $85 Adelaide Plains – with lots of diversity Cabernet Sauvignon in-between,” said one strong tannins and some Ekhidna McLaren 2019 HHH judge. “In most cases alcohol. 5+ $65 Vale Cabernet Still a baby! Bright the blends looked well Sauvignon purple hues, lifted berry integrated.” Mr Riggs Outpost 2017 HHHH fruit nose and soft Coonawarra Lovely lift of plum-like approachable palate. Lerida Estate Cabernet aromas. Slippery and $17 Murrumbateman 2018 HHHH soft in the mouth with Single Vineyard “A rich, stylized and seamless balance Beulah Wines Canberra District well balanced cabernet between the oak and Blackwood Valley Shiraz Viognier that will appeal to the fruit. At its peak! Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 HHHH1/2 many,” said one judge. $27.50 2018 HHH An elegant, medium Plenty of bright dark Savoury meaty aromas bodied blend showing berry fruit, sweet oak Saddler’s Creek Burge Family and lovely retained fruit a lovely concentration and tannins. $25 Alessandro Reserve Winemakers flavours with appropriate of inky plum fruit, lifted Langhorne Creek Limestone Coast use of oak. $18 spiciness a dash of Grounded Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon pepper and some fine, Inc McLaren Vale 2017 HHHH 2016 HHHH Taylors Heritage restrained, tannins. $75 Cabernet Sauvignon Dusty oak nose with a Light mintiness to the Clare Valley 2018 HHHH plummy lift. Plenty of aged fruit aromas. Cabernet Sauvignon Mr Riggs The Chap Lovely varietal definition oak on the velvety soft Palate is big and soft 2018 HHH McLaren Vale & of blackcurrants and palate with flavours of and offers a mouthful of Herbal nose with light Coonawarra Shiraz black olives with the oak stewed fruits and strong lovely sweet varietal fruit licorice notes and a Cabernet kept nicely in check and tannins. $65 flavours. $NA leaner palate in the 2013 HHHH chewy mouth coating greener spectrum. $29 A big, matured, full- tannins. $45 Grandeur Wellington Leconfield bodied, dark chocolaty Cellar Reserve style with burnt fig-like Sandalford Estate McLaren Vale Coonawarra Katnook Estate confectionery characters Reserve Margaret Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon and a big tannic spine. River Cabernet 2017 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 Coonawarra $100 Sauvignon Savoury fruit laced with Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 HHHH oak sweetness on both Oak driven aromas with 2018 HHH Jones Winery & Good depth of retained the nose and the palate, some mintiness and Vineyard J6 Six sweet varietal fruit with soft tannins and pure varietal fruit flavours Excellent balance, on Generations Jimmy’s characters with plenty warming alcohol. $90 both the nose and Block Rutherglen of strong oak and some with the oak nicely in palate, between the Shiraz and Friends tight gritty tannins. check. 3-5 $35 2019 HHH sweet oak and cassis Vibrant lifted spicy red 3-5 $45 fruit. 5+ $40 fruit nose and palate Tomich Hill Due South Single with hints of roasted Coonawarra Vineyard Denmark Honey Station SEA oak-like characters. $25 Cabernet Sauvignon Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon Antiquarian Clare 2016 HHHH Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH Claymore To Pimp Valley Cabernet An austere savoury 2017 HHH1/2 Big ripe fruit driven A Butterfly Clare Sauvignon wine, holding up well, Oak dominates the nose cabernet layered with Valley Shiraz Mataro 2018 HHHH has dense stewed fruit and is prominent on the lashings of mocha-like 2018 HHH A big traditional Aussie aromas, sweet fruit palate but nice cassis oak. $4.99 A good, solid and well style that has very flavours and plenty of fruit underneath. Good balanced wine with dark ripe fruit, plenty tannins. 3-5 $25 tannin structure. $14 spicy plum fruit, earthy of oak and interesting notes and cigar box characters reminiscent Taylors Jaraman oak. $22 of “prunes and Clare Valley & pudding.” $59 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH1/2 Choc-mint bouquet with licorice overtones and a fresh and powerful palate with silky smooth tannins. $32 90 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Mr Riggs Baxters Lerida Estate Kimbarra Block McLaren Vale Canberra District Grampians Shiraz Shiraz Cabernet Shiraz 2019 HHHH 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHH Bright crimson wine. A lovely lifted amalgam Aromas of mulberries Floral fragrances show of dark berries and and mocha with a ripe inky notes and the savoury toasty oak. The confectionery fruit palate lifted jammy fruit driven tannins are plentiful and and sinewy tannins. $30 palate has a whiff of oak. firm. Some time needed $26.50 here to integrate and Mortimer’s of soften. 3-5 $32 Orange Jules Orange Lerida Estate Shiraz Cabernet Cullerin Canberra Krondorf Old 2016 HHH District Syrah Salem Barossa A beautifully evolving 2019 HHHH Valley Shiraz wine – long and A solid style with a nice 2018 HHHH1/2 elegant with inky berry concentration of vibrant Lifted dark berry bouquet characters and toasty varietal red fruit, savoury with licorice elements and oak. $75 oak and long grippy the primary fruit intensity tannins. $38 carrying through to the full SHIRAZ 2019 and flavoursome palate Pure Vision Organic with its approachable 6 TASTED Adelaide Plains tannins. $34.99 6 AWARDED Shiraz 2019 HHH Subtle dark plum fruit Grounded Cru Inc A consistent and strong characters and upfront Hare’s Chase Eisenstone Nitschke McLaren Vale Shiraz group. Looks like there chewy tannins. Needs Ironscraper Barossa Road vd. Greenock 2018 HHHH1/2 is lots of potential for food! 3-5 $17 Valley Shiraz SV901 Barossa A long, well constructed, this vintage in the 2018 HHHHH Valley Shiraz ripe shiraz with a great future. The wines ranged GMH By Geoff Hardy A big rich, somewhat 2018 HHHHH generosity of sweet from those offering good South Australia beefy, style with intense A beautiful shiraz with dark plum-like varietal drinking now to those Shiraz 2019 HHH rich red fruit nicely great purity of varietal fruit, balancing oak and with ageing potential. A light, fresh and matched by the savoury fruit reminiscent of wild a lovely long and soft “cheerful” style of shiraz oak characters. Needs raspberries and dark finish. $50 with vibrant raspberry- more time to come cherries with a whiff like varietal fruit. $20 together. Good cellaring of spices. A wine with potential. $35 great focus and texture. Mount Avoca Dalys Kirrihill EB’s ‘The Cottage Victoria Squire’ Clare Valley 3-5 $100 Shiraz 2019 HHH Shiraz 2018 HHHHH Richard Hamilton A lovely “accessible” This elegant and ‘Little Road’ and well-defined seamlessly balanced McLaren Vale Shiraz medium bodied wine has excellent 2018 HHHH1/2 shiraz showing great generosity of dark A big powerful wine yet freshness. $22 plum varietal fruit it has a certain elegance. characters with sweet Lovely integration SHIRAZ 2018 toasty caramel oak in between the rich sweet a supporting role. Very inky red fruit and some 40 TASTED well made. $45 spicy elements nicely framed by the oak. $22 34 AWARDED Leconfield McLaren Vale Shiraz Mount Avoca A very strong, 2018 HHHH1/2 Eisenstone Headspace Pyrenees consistent and well- Lovely rich concentration Greenock SR801 made group of wines. and volume of inky Barossa Valley “Very rarely have I seen red fruit characters Shiraz a class of wines at this with subtle handling 2018 HHHH1/2 level– with absolutely of the savoury oak and Lovely expression no faults,” enthused showing a big tannin of shiraz fruit here one judge. “Many structure. Needs some that is reminiscent of wines showed excellent age. $26 wild raspberries and quality of fruit with the black cherries and is Shiraz 2019 HHHH appropriate amount seamlessly integrated An elegant cool climate of oak to balance.” with some very classy style of shiraz; youthful A pleasing level of oak. A solid wine. $75 and well made with drinkability across the tannins quite grippy for board. the moment. Needs time. 3-5 $NA The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 91

NEW RELEASES Yilgarnia Single Eisenstone GMH By Geoff Bowen Estate Honey Station SEA Vineyard Denmark, Stockwell SR 805 Hardy Winemaker’s Coonawarra Shiraz Shiraz 2017 HHHH Great Southern Barossa Valley Reserve South 2018 HHH A dense and aromatic Shiraz 2018 HHHH Shiraz 2018 HHHH Australia Shiraz Inviting spicy peppery dark fruit and oak An oak driven style with Reserved red fruit 2018 HHH bouquet and a dark and bouquet and a long, the attractive perfumed nose and a tightly A light commercial style evolved tannic palate. $34 rich and well-balanced berry fruit tending to be coiled palate showing with slightly stewed seamlessly integrated overpowered by the oak, a compote of red fruit varietal fruit. Long, rich Sandalford Estate palate. $4.99 for the moment with flavours. Needs time to and soft in the mouth. Reserve Margaret the tannins somewhat open up. 3-5 $75 $15 River Shiraz Reillys Dry Land upfront and chalky. $24 Heartland 2018 HHH Clare Valley Shiraz Claymore Dark Side Buller Wines The Langhorne Creek Savoury nose with nice 2016 HHHH Of The Moon Clare Nook Heathcote Shiraz 2018 HHH red fruit intensity to A monster of a wine Valley Shiraz Shiraz 2018 HHH1/2 Lovely richness of the acid driven, grippy with evolved characters 2018 HHHH Beefy savoury aromas dark briary fruit, some tannic, palate. $35 of black plums, figs and A big brooding style with dark plum fruit spiciness and good tar. Generous nose and with excellent ageing flavour intensity pushing alcoholic length. $19 Karrawatta Dairy massive palate structure. potential. Has an through the oak on the Bellevue Estate Block Adelaide Hills abundance of lovely palate. $20 McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2018 HHH 5+ $32 varietal fruit and some 2018 HHH Nicely maturing wine earthy complexity. $25 “One for the lovers with lifted spicy red fruit Finniss River Mr Riggs Piebald Tomich Hill McLaren of oak.” A solid, well characters and plenty of Vineyard Reserve Adelaide Hills Syrah Vale Shiraz made, wine with big rich oak. $38 ‘Block 5’ Currency 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 flavours. $19.99 Creek Shiraz A very inviting, soft and Red berry compote Gapsted Wines High Tomich Icons of 2016 HHHH elegant wine that is of a nose with good Country King Valley Woodside H888 Sweet and savoury; perfectly integrated and length of ripe juicy fruit Shiraz 2018 HHH Adelaide Hills Shiraz generous and ripe with maturing nicely with a flavours and roasted- A powerful wine with 2018 HHH vibrant ageing fruit. gritty tannin structure. $30 like nuances. $25 vibrant fruit fragrances, a Slightly austere shiraz Has great intensity, Saint & Scholar supple fleshy fruit palate of savoury dark fruit persistence and Adelaide Hills Shiraz Tomich Woodside and persistent tannins. with sweet charry oak in complexity. 3-5 $65 2018 HHHH Vineyard Adelaide $20 support. $60 Rich spicy red berry Hills Shiraz Calcannia Clare Hastwell & Lightfoot aromas and good fleshy 2018 HHH1/2 Valley Shiraz SHIRAZ 2017 & Sands of Time length of plum and berry Pretty lifted berry 2018 HHH OLDER McLaren Vale Shiraz flavours underscored by aromatics with a hint of Ripe plum bouquet 2015 HHHH nice savoury oak. $30 savoury oak and a big and sweet vanillin oak 32 TASTED Showing lovely charry/ Saint & Scholar mouthful of fruit flavours supporting lovely fruit 21 AWARDED chocolaty development Saving Grace with some oak. $30 flavours. $28 with a pretty perfumed Adelaide Hills Shiraz Griffin Adelaide Hills A mixed result here with lift, sweet oak and fine 2018 HHHH Gapsted Wines Shiraz 2018 HHH the judges finding the powdery tannins. $35 A sweet/sour style of Ballerina Canopy An easy drinking, soft, wines from the 2016 shiraz that offers good Heathcote Shiraz red fruited commercial vintage were more Honey Rossa drinking now or has 2018 HHH1/2 style of shiraz. $28 consistent that those Classic SA Shiraz cellaring potential. Lots A seamlessly balanced, Taylors Heritage from 2017. “The 16s had 2017 HHH1/2 of varietal fruit with just well made, wine with Clare Valley Shiraz more expressive fruit, A soft seamlessly a hint of oak. $45 dark earthy characters 2018 HHH whilst the 17s had more balanced wine with McLaren Vale III mixing with plum fruit A pleasant commercial tannin overtones from rich fleshy red fruits Associates Squid and toasty oak. $31 style rich with dark what was a cool vintage and savoury elements. Ink Reserve Single berry fruit, some nice showing both oak and Good length of tannins. Vineyard Estate Mr Riggs Idle Lane spiciness and cola grape tannins,” said one $4.99 Grown McLaren Vale McLaren Vale Shiraz notes. $29 judge. “However many Shiraz 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 Saddler’s Creek of the 2017 shiraz are Beresford Classic A big oak driven wine A dusty extracted red Hunter Valley Shiraz ready for drinking now.” McLaren Vale Shiraz with nice spiciness and fruit style with fruit-cake 2018 HHH 2017 HHH1/2 plenty of dark plum like complexity, savoury Soft red fruit aromatics Nicely structured style fruit making a complex oak and dominating with dusty oak notes with well-integrated and powerful shiraz. tannins. $35 and a medium bodied berry fruit and savoury palate. $32 oak and laced with soft 3-5 $65 Mortimer’s of supple tannins. $25 Orange Chestnut Garth Orange Shiraz Castelli Estate Great 2018 HHH1/2 Southern Shiraz Rich inky black fruit 2017 HHH1/2 bouquet and generous A bright acid driven dark plum/berry flavours shiraz showing earthy with nicely balanced sweet plum fruit and phenolics. $38 fine-grained powdery tannins. $34 92 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Scarpantoni Saddler’s Creek Hastwell & Lightfoot McLaren Vale Shiraz Alessandro Reserve Sands of Time 2017 HHH Hunter Valley Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz Nice richness and 2017 HHH 2016 HHH density of red cherry Fresh red plum fruit, well Dark plum fruit with fruit with sweet oak and integrated and supported mature tarry characters chocolaty elements. by the attractive sweet and fine mouth-coating $15 oak. $65 tannins. 3-5 $35 Tomich Hill Valley Grandeur Wellington Koonara RSV CONNECT ON SOCIAL Barossa Valley Cellar Reserve Coonawarra Shiraz WITH WINESTATE Shiraz 2017 HHH McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 HHH Reserved raspberry- 2017 HHH Beautifully aged www.facebook.com/Winestate-Magazine like fruit with obvious A savoury oak driven wine with a delicious twitter.com/winestateed spiciness, some savoury wine; beefy and tarry complexity of sweet fruit oak and edgy tannins. $25 with hints of inky red and oak. Drinking well www.instagram.com/winestate/ Mr Riggs Abundance fruit characters. $90 now! $40 McLaren Vale Shiraz Maison Blue Ekhidna ‘Rechner’ Follow us and keep up to date with all our 2017 HHH Nezha Conquers McLaren Vale Shiraz latest wine info, tastings, competitions and Soft, supple and the Dragon King 2016 HHH events on facebook, twitter and instagram. approachable wine with Barossa Valley Big and tannic with lovely creamy texture Shiraz 2017 HHH earthy sweet fruit and seamless fruit/oak A well made shiraz with underscored by savoury integration. $27.99 reserved dark fruit and toasty oak. $85 Majella Coonawarra slightly angular tannins. Shiraz 2017 HHH Needs time. $90 A generous, sweet and Burge Family flavoursome wine with Winemakers Barossa aromatic spicy fruit and Valley Shiraz pleasant aged notes. $30 2016 HHH Heartland Directors’ An oak driven style with Cut Langhorne hints of raspberry fruit. Creek Shiraz Still showing big drying 2017 HHH tannins. $NA Still showing plenty of Buller Wines lifted spicy peppery red Balladeer Rutherglen fruit characters with Shiraz 2016 HHH some sweet oak. $33 Cool climate, spice driven, The Thief? Barossa wine with hints of cola Valley Shiraz and some “interesting” 2017 HHH tannins. $29 An austere fruit nose with a spicy lift and a palate that is dark, dense and concentrated. 3-5 $33 STAR RATINGS  Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry professionals and are compared in peer classes 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 97. RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 93

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 BEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND Ulupna Viviana Ferrari Windy Creek Estate Swan $20NEW ZEALAND Collection ‘Promenade’ Valley Grenache 2018 McLaren Vale & Goulburn Lifted raspberry confectionery UND&ER Valley Chardonnay 2016 intensity to the nose with Nicely evolving wine, a simple but attractive juicy (NZ $25 & UNDER) with developed toasty/ sweet fruit palate that has a ripe fruit aromas and savoury edge and underscored Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit graceful ripe peach flavours by chewy tannins. $12 Insider. Some wines may - if they are still with an oaky finish. $18 available - remain in the next issue’s Best Windy Creek Estate Value Wines listing. Others will sell out, or be Ulupna Winery Phone: 08 9296 1057 replaced by higher-rated wines. Phone: 03 9533 8831 Email: [email protected] The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines Email: [email protected] Web: www.windycreekestate.com.au listing comprises the best wines currently Web: www.ulupnawinery.com.au available, from big-name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much more expensive cousins. TO QUALIFY 1 Wines must have first been recommended in Winestate Magazine style or new release tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. 2 Wines from designated regional tastings are eligible provided they are widely available. 3 All wines must be currently available from the winery, or be readily available in the marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. the wine & spiritA U S T R A L I A N & N E W Z E A L A N D Issue 167 | May/June 2020 Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care is Peter Simic E-mail: [email protected] taken in compiling the contents of this publication, but Managing Editor Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411 Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] Administration Lyn Hannam E-mail: [email protected] Graphic Designer WINESTATE is published six times a year by Winestate Publishing Pty Ltd. Naomi Fry E-mail: [email protected] WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD, Telephone (08) 8357 9277 Marketing & Sales 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212 Copyright 2020 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. E-mail [email protected] Debra Silver E-mail: [email protected] This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, Website www.winestate.com.au Tasting Coordinator photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any Ashlea Lowke E-mail: [email protected] 94 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

S CS CAARRPAPANNTTOONNI I 4040ESTEASTTEAGTEROGWRNOW- FNA-MFIALMYIMLYADMEADE CeCleeblreabtrinatgin4g04Y0eaYresaorsf oFfamFaimlyiWly iWneimneamkiankgining iMn cMLacrLeanreVnaVleale 191797-92-0210919 CellaCr eDlloaroDr ToaosrtiTnags&tinSga&lesS: aMleos:nMdaoyn-dFaryid-aFyri9daamy 9-a5mpm- ,5wpmee,kweneedk&enpdu&blipcuhbolilcidhaoyslid1a1y:3s01a1m:30-a4m:30-p4m:30pm ScarpSacnatropnani tDorniiveDMrivceLMarecnLaFrleant SFAlat5S1A715, 1P7h1:,0P8h8: 30883803188360e1m86aiel:msaliel:ss@[email protected]

ADELAIDE on the scene KORKED LOUNGE BAR ‘Running on cool climate Syrah’ 3 DIVETT STREET, PORT ADELAIDE SA 2396 State Highway 50 ~ RD5 ~ Hastings 4175 Ph: 0413 044 056 Hawke’s Bay ~ New Zealand. Elegant Sensuous Intimate Phone: 06 879 7778 ~ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.trinityhill.com Phone: +64 3 4485059 or +64 274279108 Cellar Door Wine Tasting in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels, Address: 36 Hillview road, Alexandra, New Zealand everyone welcome. Open 7 days Website: www.judgerock.co.nz Sidewood Restaurant & Cellar Door Phone: +61 8 8388 1157 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sidewood.com.au Set amongst a stunning mix of eucalyptus, landscaped gardens and lawns, the Sidewood Restaurant & Cellar Door is only a 25 minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD. Sidewood’s wines can be enjoyed with wood-fired pizza in the gardens, sampled with bar snacks in the tasting room or paired with the al la carte restaurant menu. Restaurant & Cellar Door: Open 6 days. Closed Tuesdays. • Street address: 6 River Road, Hahndorf SA 5245 Winesave INNER CITY WINEMAKERS Phone: 03 9028 2763 Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 4962 3545 Website: www.winesave.com Mobile: 0413 655 441 Address: 28 Church Street, Premium wine preservation Wickham, NSW 2293 and accessories. www.innercitywinemakers.com.au Let us take you away from the everyday to enjoy your private touring experience in the Yarra Valley, with Chauffeurdrive Yarra Valley, Melbourne. Experience fine wine, champagne, cheese, chocolate, food and wine dining experiences, matched cheese and wine, smoked cheese, olives, gourmet food hampers, seasonal local produce only found in the Yarra Valley, tastings all for that special someone or group tasting experience with Chauffeurdrive Yarra Valley, Melbourne. Private Wine Tour Experiences Yarra Valley Ph: 1300 481 188 www.chauffeurdrive.com.au Smith & Sheth Oenothèque The Smith & Sheth Oenothèque has something for all ~ Cellar Door, Wine Lounge, Wine Studio wine lovers. Come in for a tasting of our exceptional CRU wines or peruse our Wine Lounge menu in the www.smithandsheth.com ~ [email protected] evenings offering wines from around New Zealand and #2 The Courtyard, Village Exchange, the world. Check out our Heretaunga Wine Studio for 4 Te Aute Road, Havelock North an exclusive tasting experience! For Tastings and Sales, visit our cellar door at The Winning Post Motor Inn, 101 Church Street, Mudgee. ph: 0417 451 102 email: [email protected] www.charnwoodestate.com.au We have to wash over 32,000 wine glasses each year ... so you don’t have to. Subscribe to Australia’s Leading Wine Buying Guide phone +61 8 8357 9277 or on-line www.winestate.com.au 96 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

contact details MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE Plantagenet Wines WINES OF NSW Hare’s Chase CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Phone: 08 9851 3131 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Allandale Winery Web: www.hareschase.com.au EkhidnaWines (McLarenValeWines Pty Ltd) Web: www.plantagenetwines.com Phone: 02 4990 4526 Phone: 0499 002 633 Email: [email protected] Majella Wines Email: [email protected] Sandalford Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.allandalewinery.com.au Phone: 08 8736 3055 Web: www.ekhidnawines.com.au Phone: 08 9755 6213 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Briar Ridge Vineyard Web: www.majellawines.com.au Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.sandalford.com Phone: 02 4990 3670 Phone: 08 8323 8706 Email: [email protected] Merricks Estate Email: [email protected] Silkwood Estate Web: www.briarridge.com.au Phone: 03 9613 4202 Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Phone: 08 9776 1584 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Capital Wines Kyeema Vineyard Web: www.merricksestate.com.au Jericho Wines Web: www.silkwoodestate.com.au Phone: 02 6230 2022 Phone: 0410 519 945 Email: [email protected] Mount Avoca Email: [email protected] Singlefile Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.capitalwines.com.au Phone: 03 5465 3282 Web: www.jerichowines.com.au Phone: 0409 108 166 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cassegrain Wines Pty Ltd Web: www.mountavoca.com Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/ Richard Hamilton Web: www.singlefilewines.com Phone: 02 6582 8347 Phone: 08 8323 8830 Email: [email protected] Scarpantoni Estate Wines Email: [email protected] Talisman Wines Web: www.cassegrainwines.com.au Phone: 08 8383 0186 Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.talismanwines.com.au Colmar Estate Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Phone: 0419 977 270 Morgan Simpson Wines/Songvaar P/L Thompson Estate Email: [email protected] Trinity Hill NZ Phone: 0417 843 118 Phone: 08 9755 6406 Web: www.colmarestate.com.au Phone: +64 6 879 7778 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.morgansimpson.com.au Web: www.thompsonestate.com Cumulus Vineyards Web: www.trinityhill.com Phone: 1800 233 580 Shingleback Wine Windy Creek Estate Email: [email protected] NZ RECENT RELEASE Phone: 08 8323 9919 Phone: 08 9296 1057 Web: www.cumulusvineyards.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.shingleback.com.au Web: www.windycreekestate.com.au BEST OF THE WEST Zarephath Wines Highland Heritage Estate Aurum Wines Ltd NZ Phone: 08 9853 1152 Phone: 0409 867 698 Phone: +64 3 445 3620 Calneggia Family Vineyards Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 9368 4555 Web: www.zarephathwines.com Web: www.highlandheritageestate.com.au Web: www.aurumwines.co.nz Email: [email protected] Web: www.cfvwine.com.au SOUTHERN VICTORIA & Inner City Winemakers Bald Hills NZ TASMANIA Phone: 02 4962 3545 Phone: +64 3 445 3161 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.innercitywinemakers.com.au Web: www.baldhills.co.nz Castelli Group Bream Creek Vineyard Iron Gate Estate Loveblock Vintners Ltd (NZ) Phone: 08 9364 0400 Phone: 03 6231 4646 Phone: 02 4998 6570 Phone: +64 9 365 1471 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.castelliestate.com.au Web: www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au Web: www.irongateestate.com Web: www.loveblockwine.com Flowstone Brown Brothers Midnight’s Promise Estate Walnut Block Wines NZ Phone: 0487 010 275 (The Brown Family Wine Group) Phone: 02 9235 3947 Phone: +64 3 577 9187 Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5720 5500 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.flowstonewines.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.midnightspromise.com.au Web: www.walnutblock.co.nz Web: www.brownbrothers.com.au Gilbert Wines Nashdale Lane Wines NORTH ISLAND NZ Phone: 08 9851 4028 Jack Rabbit Vineyard Phone: 02 6365 2463 Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 52512433 Email: [email protected] Batch Winery Partnership Ltd T/As Web: www.gilbertwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.nashdalelane.com Thomas Estate Web: www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au Phone: +64 09 372 3223 Happs Wines PepperGreen Estate Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 9755 3300 Kings of Kangaroo Ground Phone: 02 4877 1070 Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 9712 0666 Email: [email protected] The Landing Wines Ltd NZ Web: www.happs.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.peppergreenestate.com.au Phone: +64 21 439 200 Web: www.kkg.com.au Email: [email protected] Heydon Estate Margaret River NEW RELEASES Web: www.thelandingvineyard.com Phone: 08 9755 6995 Leura Park Estate Vineyard Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 5253 3180 Burge Family Winemakers BEST BUYS Web: www.heydonestate.com.au Email: [email protected] (Wilsford Group PTY LTD) Web: www.leuraparkestate.com.au Phone: 08 8524 4644 Ulupna Winery Paul Conti Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 9533 8831 Phone: 08 9409 9160 FLEURIEU & KANGAROO ISLAND Web: www.burgefamily.com.au Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.ulupnawinery.com.au Web: www.paulcontiwines.com.au Belvidere Winery Castelli Group Phone: 08 8363 2861 Phone: 08 9364 0400 Windy Creek Estate Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 9296 1057 Web: www.belviderewinery.com.au Web: www.castelliestate.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.windycreekestate.com.au Eisenstone Wines Phone: 0417 827 851 Email: [email protected] Web: www.eisenstonewines.withwine.com The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 97

aftertaste ELISABETH KING SCHNAPPS TO IT SOMEONE gave me a bottle of butterscotch stood still, of course, and also make whisky, reigns supreme as it has for decades, with schnapps for Christmas. To be honest, it gins and a seasonal cumquat liqueur. more than 500,000 sipping it regularly. Then took me a couple of months to open it as I it’s a long way down to second placegetter, don’t have a sweet tooth. A friend spotted As Dan Murphy’s website points out, the best Kahlua, with about 165,000 regular drinkers. the Wildbrumby label in my drinks collection schnapps in the world comes from Austria, Bracing Jagermeister comes in third. and said – “You know, this is really good”. Switzerland, Germany and France. One of the How right he was. The distillery in the Snowy best places to trial as many as possible within As you would expect there’s a gender divide Mountains has become a standard-bearer a relatively tight driving distance is the Tirol. between liqueur faves even though the total for this sweeter take on hard liquor, which is Craft distillers in the Austrian region have been of 1.5 million regular liqueur drinkers is almost especially popular in the US, Australia and making schnapps since the 18th century and evenly split between men and women. No the Netherlands according to data. 2500 of the local manufacturers boast permits surprises that men are the main drinkers of from the Empress Maria Theresa, mother of Jagermeister - 78.7 per cent compared to Sweet-flavoured schnapps such as peach France’s ill-fated queen, Marie-Antoinette. 21.3 per cent of women. But there’s a much became a bit of a craze in the US and Australia smaller gap when it comes to Baileys - women in the mid-1980s. In a single year from 1984 Schnapps is tailor-made for cold weather at 58.1 per cent and men at 41.9 per cent - and to 1985, De Kuyper Original Peachtree sales and the Tirol’s mountainous landscape was Kahlua - women at 57.7 per cent and men at in the US zoomed from 85,000 to one million fertile ground to develop the art. A few years 42.3 per cent. cases. The Dutch stalwart also had three other ago, I toured the Tirol Schnapps Route which varieties of schnapps in the US top 10 - Original takes you past dozens of artisan distilleries. Older drinkers tend to be loyal to one brand, Apple Barrel, Peppermint and Mountain The locals are very friendly and eager to tell but Gen Z imbibers aged 18 to 24 consume Strawberry. The on-going success of many you details that the area processes 5 million two or more brands in an average four-week of the same varieties is confirmed by a quick kilos of fruit every year to produce hand-crafted period, says Roy Morgan. And together with look at the shelves at Dan Murphy’s, where schnapps. Names to search out include Millennials, they are far more likely to drink peppermint, butterscotch, peach and apple Schnappsbrennerei Rochelt in Fritzen and cocktails, representing the sweet spot for the schnapps still hold sway over 50 bottlings on Feindestillerie Kossler in Stanz. leading liqueur and schnapps brands, notes offer and De Kuyper Peach and Butterscotch the researcher. schnapps routinely garner 5 star reviews. Germany’s Black Forest is another bucket list destination for schnapps lovers. Located Circling back to Wildbrumby, the brand is a Following my late discovery, I have been within its 6000 square kilometre expanse, you’ll fusion of Austrian and Australian expertise. Co- enjoying butterscotch schnapps in different find about 14,000 licensed distilleries making founderBradSpauldingwasrearedintheNSW ways. Sipping over ice, spooned over schnapps from apples, plums, raspberries, and Victorian fruit belt and met his Austrian ice-cream and adding it to coffee and hot pears and many other fruits. Many operate wife, Monika Landegger, while working as a chocolate. Not too much, though, because in the half-timbered houses the region is ski instructor in Kitzbuhel. Her family have most are 15 to 21 per cent alcohol by volume renowned for. To make a day of it without driving distilled schnapps for many generations and or stronger. Martini-like cocktails and shooters too far, head for Oberkirch on the western side Brad beefed up on the Austrian tradition before are also among the most popular ways to of the forest which is home to 800 distilleries. the couple opened Wildbrumby in 2005. enjoy its sweet flavour, notably in layered The Distillery Gruner Baum has been owned shooters where it sinks to the bottom of the by Johannes Muller-Herold’s family for 10 Sourcing their berries, stone fruit, apples glass because of its sugar content. generations. He has lived in Switzerland and and pears from Tumut, Batlow and the Snowy New Zealand and produces traditional and Mountains area, Wildbrumby has built up a Apart from Wildbrumby, Baker Williams contemporary flavours such as elderberry, cult following for their butterscotch schnapps, Distillery in Mudgee has also carved out chocolate and chilli. limoncello, apricot schnapps and Devil’s a strong reputation among Aussie makers Tongue - a silky schnapps made from pink lady of butterscotch schnapps. The company If you are really pushed for time, make a apples and infused with fresh chilli and herbs. was founded and is named after its owners, beeline for Schoellmann’s Bar & Kitchen in As good with fresh oysters as it is lending a husband-and-wife team Nathan Williams and Offenburg. There’s nothing old world about kick to a hot chocolate on a wintry evening. Helen Baker. Following careers in corporate this modern, sleek venue, but the vast terrace jobs in the US and Australia, the couple offers panoramic views of the countryside decided to set up their enterprise in 2011 after and you can choose from a huge lineup of Nathan had honed his distilling skills. locally-made schnapps. Baker Williams first product was butterscotch Australians are also keen liqueur drinkers, schnapps and it was a hit from day one. Many reports Roy Morgan Research. More than fans think it is the best version of the trendy 8 per cent of Australian adults - 1.5 million liquor on the market. Nathan and Helen haven’t people - down at least one liqueur in the average four weeks. Baileys Irish Cream With all the uncertainty that the current situation brings we put forward the following tastings for the next issue. n e x t i s s u e : With the help of the wine industry (and our desire to help them) we hope to bring you the following; Sweet Whites & Fortifieds, Inland Rivers, Organic Wines, Emerging & Alternative Varietals, Adelaide Hills, World’s Greatest Shiraz Challenge, South Island (NZ), Gin, Vodka & Whisky. An amazing line up that we hope you will enjoy. 98 W I N E S TAT E May/June 2020

MEMBER EVENTS COVID - 19 ALERT MAY 2020 *Normally we would have a series of trade and consumer Worlds Greatest Shiraz Challenge XV tastings scheduled across Australia at major function venues National Wine Centre, Adelaide but with the current social distancing and event rules in place To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) this is clearly impossible. Event postponed due to COVID-19. It seems pointless to flag future possibilities at this stage when we don’t know when things will return to normal or rules will be relaxed. We regret not being able to give you more information, particularly to those sponsors, our valued members and supporters who love attending our events. Stay safe and healthy and as things evolve we will keep you updated. JUNE 2020 - event cancelled due to COVID-19 Top Wine China China National Convention Center, Beijing 3-5 June 2020 Details at: www.topwinechina.com JULY 2020 Emerging & Alternative Varietals Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) Event postponed due to COVID-19. SEPTEMBER 2020 Winestate Wine of the Year 2020 Subscriber Tasting National Wine Centre, Adelaide To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) Tickets available mid-2020 - TBA. NOVEMBER 2020 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards Lunch (Australia) Adelaide Convention Centre Date to be advised By Invitation only (Trade Only and VIP Guests) Invitations sent September 2020 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards Lunch (New Zealand) Date and venue to be advised By Invitation only (Trade Only & VIP Guests) Invitations sent September 2020 APRIL 2021 Wine & Gourmet Japan 14-16 April, 2021 Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Details at: www.wineandgourmetjapan.com JOIN US TODAY! By becoming a Winestate Member you will receive complimentary tickets to our events!

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