Winestate Magazine Special Edition 2015

YILGARNIA DENMARK WA ERADUS AWATERE VALLEY SEMILLON SAUVIGNON MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 BLANC 2015 WINEMAKER: WINEMAKER: Anthony & Peter Buxton Michiel Eradus Consultant: Michael Staniford COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Tropical, floral and elegant aromas. Bright and fresh green straw. Lively and Delicious, explosive and zingy palate with active fruit cocktail aromas. A delicious a structured ‘crispy’ and vital aftertaste. combination of stone fruit, guava and CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: passionfruit. This wine has a lingering Phone: +64 3 579 4472 vibrancy, and finishes with lovely lemon Email: [email protected] freshness. Web: www.eraduswines.co.nz CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +61 8 9845 3031 Email: [email protected] Web: www.yilgarnia.com.au 101 Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 101

wine w ords TIM LIGHTBOURNE INVIV O WINES - MARKETING & DIRECT OR SKYE MURTAGH Invivo co-founders Tim Lightbourne and and place in Deloitte’s Fast 50 List by 2012. back and said they really liked! So we came Rob Cameron (winemaker) first crossed One of their highest-profile campaigns has to an agreement to supply his show wine for paths in a New Zealand schoolyard. While been a collaboration with talk show king Graham and his celebrity guests. We visited they shared a cricket pitch and a band and Invivo shareholder, Graham Norton, the show a few times over the years in the room, there was no inkling then that one which kicked off with the release in 2014 of UK and met Graham afterwards to have a day they’d team up to create a winery that the first Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc. chat about the wine and what we were doing takes a decidedly innovative approach to Earlier this year, Lightbourne and Cameron as a winery. the business of making and selling wine. took Invivo’s wine blending set-up to the UK Lightbourne was a senior marketer with an so Norton could blend his own wine from How important was it for you and Rob to international FMCG company and Cameron scratch under Cameron’s guiding hand. ensure the market understood that the a flying winemaker across Europe when The 2015 Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc was the pair caught up for a beer in a London Blanc was released in September and is going to be a serious drop? pub in 2006. Talk turned to starting up a currently Norton’s tipple of choice on set. This was hugely important. We approached business back home and Lightbourne’s Graham with the idea he could choose his interest in doing something different in the How did you initiate Invivo’s relationship ultimate blend of Marlborough sauvignon wine industry from a brand perspective. with Graham Norton? blanc from across different vineyards Two years later they launched their first I first approached Graham’s show back in and sub-regions within Marlborough - all wine, a Marlborough sauvignon blanc - just 2011 asking if they would like a wine supplier with a slightly different flavour profile. We as the GFC hit, along with New Zealand’s for the program, as I knew Graham liked a thought it would add further authenticity largest sauvignon blanc harvest. Cameron glass of wine on the show and his guests having Graham involved in the project. We admits “it was touch and go for a while”, but often had a glass, too. I sent in a case of would film the process, so instead of just their “think outside the square” approach Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to a name on the label - like many celebrity saw the duo survive the start-up period Graham and his team, which they came endorsed products - we would get Graham 102 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

more involved in the winemaking process, Are there plans to release additional (gobbledygook). The campaign highlighted show him selecting the blend. His latest varieties under the Graham Norton terms such as “hints of over-ripe 2015 Sauvignon Blanc won Double Gold moniker? gooseberry” and “a lingering oak nose”. at Asia’s largest wine competition and a Not yet, but potentially down the track. A What does it all mean? Our campaign was great result in Winestate’s tasting! Graham pinot gris or pinot noir could be interesting designed to cut through this winespeak and is donating all his proceeds to the Dogs for Graham, although I think he is pretty set promote the fact that our award-winning Trust, so he has another reason for the wine on sauvignon! wines mostly taste like, well, really good to be successful. wine. For example, we had billboards “For How has Graham’s involvement helped a complex oak nose, try Pinocchio. For a expose the Invivo brand generally superb pinot drink Invivo.” The billboard How into wine and winemaking is Graham really? to additional markets and have you featured a large picture of Pinocchio. The received any other A-list orders? He enjoys his wine and is actually quite campaign is a good fit with the company’s For the first time this year we will be selling knowledgeable on wine regions. When we in Ireland. With Graham being Irish this has approach. All Rob and I ever wanted to sat down to blend his wine with him, we obviously helped. It also helped with Invivo do was make wine our mates would like to drink and, to be honest, I’ve never heard soon found out his palate is very good. He brand awareness in the UK and Australia. any of them use the kind of language picked some very subtle changes we had Even in markets where we sell and Graham most wine reviews use or even some of made to the blend. He was very focused on is not so well known, our customers have our own tasting notes! We received media making his blend - with the wine carrying loved seeing the story. We’ve had word in NZ, Canada, US, UK and Australia for his name he wanted it, like ourselves, to of some celebrities purchasing our wine this campaign. NZ Marketing Magazine be world class. In our video you see the for events over the years. As part of our featured the campaign as one of the best funny highlights with Graham, but you don’t arrangement with Graham last year, we sent of the summer. see how concentrated he was to get that The Elton John Aids Foundation over 600 blend right! bottles for their charity events. What’s the next big challenge on the table for Invivo Wines? As an Invivo shareholder, how extensive How imperative is it to be innovative We have just launched a new range of is Graham’s interest in the business with marketing strategies these days to fruit infused Wine Spritzers, so we are out overall? generate impact at home and abroad? spreading the word about these in NZ, He follows what we are up to and knew It’s very important for us to constantly Australia, Japan and Canada where they all about our crowd funding raise earlier think differently and challenge the status are currently selling. this year where we raised a New Zealand quo. We often bring in creative thinkers record $2million from the NZ public to from other industries to discuss what we From whom or where do you get your buy shares in Invivo. He helps us out are doing - like the smart guys that bring tips on new wines to try? by promoting Invivo to his social media in TedX talks to New Zealand (Google TedX My co-founder Rob is fairly on to it in followers also. As a shareholder we also talks for some inspirational stuff). These terms of his wine knowledge. He spent six send him business updates. are some very smart thinkers, and we look years making wine in Eastern and Central at creative ideas and strategies for Invivo. Europe, so he has a few unique wines to try In New Zealand, there are around 700 from the likes of Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus Will Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc be an ongoing production? wineries and we compete for shelf space and Moldova! in export markets with many thousands of Potentially. Last year was a sell-out and wineries. It’s important to stand out and tell we sold just in New Zealand only. The a story, or else you are going to struggle to What’s your favourite wine accessory? Our first trophy. Winning the Champion 2015 first orders are already flying out the be noticed - particularly if you want to have Wine of the Show at the Inaugural door. For the first time, we will be selling a premium-priced range. Anyone can sell Marlborough Wine Awards. As the only in Ireland, UK and to Australian retailers. at the lowest price, but it’s not sustainable. Marlborough Wine Show, it was pretty Who knows, it could be the Paul Newman So we try and punch above our weight to competitive. dressings of the wine industry! constantly stand out. For the 2014 release you had Graham Not every marketing campaign can stomping a barrel of New Zealand grapes involve someone of Graham Norton’s live on-air, and this year you flew the celeb stature. What’s been another blending operation to him. What’s next? winning marketing strategy that Invivo Bring him to New Zealand and get has employed? involved in the vineyard! (If customs will Last year we launched a campaign Opposite page: L-R Graham Norton, Rob Cameron let his dogs in with him.) to get rid of over-technical wine speak and Tim Lightbourne. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 103

brisbane grape vine LIZZIE LOEL THE Fortitude Valley complex known as Principales or main courses include chilli- Across the river at West End there’s been Mac and Ann (so-named because it’s braised goat with green rice, black onyx a mini explosion of Izakaya’s. Described as an arcade that runs between Ann and skirt steak with fried potatoes, frijoles and alehouses with food, Izakaya Goku opened McLachlan streets is literally packed with roasted green tomatoes and, the piece de in the heart of Boundary St earlier this year restaurants. resistance, a seafood opera of mussels, to an appreciative audience. There are glamorous fit outs and vongole, market fish, prawns, pinto beans Painted black within the two rooms - one a specialised themes - Spanish bar food at in a heady broth of tomatoes, bell peppers bar, the other a simple but cosy dining room Gordita, French Creole offerings at Papa and saffron. - seating is at high tables with comfortable Jack’s, rustic Italian at Locanda and hearty, Creme catalane is lemon-scented and stools, the menu is wide ranging and there’s Southern fried American fare at Mighty makes for a sweet finish, but so does the plenty of tipple, both Japanese and Aussie. Mighty and the Buffalo Bar. Unfortunately caramel quesadilla with sweet corn gelato Begin with a large range of sushi and not all of them made it to the end of the and cinnamon crema or you can keep it sashimi spicy Mooloolaba tuna rolls, year - Locanda, with its elegant decor and light and fresh with a lime and avocado salmon California rolls and teriyaki-seared simple but delicious food - closed after sorbet with coconut jelly and coconut kingfish with avocado and cucumber. Move a few months but the space has been migas. 12/100 McLachlan St Fortitude on to delicious, creamy-centred octopus snapped up by the Mighty Mighty crew Valley; phone (07) 0403 654 209. balls topped with fine flakes of bonito and for its third venue, Sin Vida. Colourful and some mayo. 68 Boundary St, West End; exotic, the place is styled around the Day of St Baxter is up the road in Brunswick phone (07) 3844 9607. the Dead and the accompanying three-day St on the site of the former Cafe Del ‘Ugo, Around the corner is Izakana-Yo- food and people-based fiesta. The glossary a legendary Italian run by the Robertiello Okuman, a blond wood bedecked interior is riddled with Mexican and Aztec staples family for a couple of decades. St Baxter is with a pleasant bar at which you can sit and - amaranth, Migas, Mole, pico de gallo, a Californian eatery with a bright, beachy watch the action in the glassed-in kitchen. plaintain, poblano peppers and tamale. feel and a menu mix of street food, taqueria- Giant handmade ceramic bowls hold a Entradas, tacos and primeros headline the style dishes and meats and ribs cooked on garlicky broth and soft, house-made ramen menu and there’s plenty of deliciousness to the barbaqoa. noodles. Agadashi tofu is also abundant; choose from. Beef bone broth with black Charred corn is drizzled with lime and blocks of silken tofu are coated in a fine chilli and bitter melon is served in a mug, parmesan with hints of chipotle, kingfish layer of fried rice flour then dropped into a and is a nice accompaniment for pork ceviche is cured in blood orange with dashi broth. It’s delicious and so is karaage crackling with achiote and lime, or maybe avocado, jalapeno and coriander. Fish chicken, cinnamon redolent, lightly spiced a bowl guacamole filled with white onion, tacos with cactus salsa is popular and so pieces of chicken fried to golden, crunchy coriander, tomato and jalapeno served with is the soft shell crab taco with kimchi mayo and moreish. Bento boxes and ramen house-made corn chips. and pickled cucumber. Roasted suckling noodles dominate the pared back lunch Next up ceviches and quesadilla de pork is coated in a tangy tamarind caramel menu and you can have a karaage chicken, chorizo, Mexican fried chicken and a range served in lettuce cups with an orange teriyaki or chicken schnitzel box, or ginger of soft corn tacos with diverse fillings like salad. Beef cheek mole on a celeriac puree fired pork, sashimi, tempura or sushi bento. pork belly and queso fresco with tomatillo is a rich choice as is 12-hour lamb shoulder 6/220 Melbourne St, South Brisbane; phone salsa, crumbed prawns, apple slaw and with chilli relish and a pea, mint and freekah (07) 3844 0789. jalapeno relish or pumpkin, raisins and salad. 693 Brunswick St New Farm; phone jalapeno crema. (07) 3254 0277. Above: SinVida exterior and taco dish. 104 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

melbourne grape vine HILARY McNEVIN IT IS said that human beings don’t like change but in Melbourne, when it comes to food and dining, we seem to thrive on it. We have restaurants changing identity, new precincts popping up and the cheese… we’re embracing cheese in all its lovely gooiness. The steady and popular Gill’s Diner in the CBD closed its doors late August and after a week of refurbishment reopened as Trattoria Emilia. The minor cosmetic changes include terrazzo touches, hand-made Tasmanian oak tables and marble finishes. The new incarnation is headed up in the kitchen by chefs Luca Flammia and Francesco Rota who both worked the pans in the of the CBD. The 26-level development is oysters, mussels and sea urchin, and pretty Tea Rooms of Yarck. Front-of-house just 100m from Southern Cross Station there are smaller seafood dishes from the sees Matteo Neviani, who ran the floor at and now home to a second Pho Nom, Raw Bar such as seasonal fish carpaccio South Yarra’s Da Noi for eight years. These Jerry and David Mai’s follow-on from the with peas and lemon. The room has had a three professionals have joined forces success of their first Pho Nom in CBD few cosmetic changes - lush green velvet with Gill’s owners Con Christopoulos - monolith, Emporium; Jackie Middleton cushions cover the banquettes and there who owns many dining rooms and bars and Simon O’Regan have opened their are hanging plants and ferns dotted about around Melbourne, including European, fifth Earl Canteen sandwich store in the the room. The cafe opens from 7am daily The Supper Club and Kirk’s Wine Bar - and development and other outlets include and Jones has installed a service window chef Chris Kerr with a plan to turn it into Spud Bar, Mexican mash-up Guzman Y at the front of the building for takeaway a solid, quality trattoria and they have. The Gomez, Sushia, Jaffle Jaffle and Black coffee and breakfasts on the go. Entrecote menu is heavily weighted in the new trio’s Rice which feature salads made daily. 567 City is open from 7am for breakfast, lunch home of Modena in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna Collins Street, Melbourne. and dinner, Monday to Saturday, 7 Alfred region; gnocco fritto fried pastry pillows Since it opened in January this year, Place, Melbourne; phone (03) 9654 8184. with cured meats and paté is a highlight, Entrecote in South Yarra has been a huge If you visit the Prahan Markets, you but other regions are represented in hit with locals and visitors to the area and can now discover Maker & Monger. The dishes such as tomato-braised tripe and this popularity inspired owner Jason M brainchild of cheese monger Anthony cannellini beans from southern Tuscany, Jones to open a second steakhouse and Femia and cheesemaker Rhys Burley, or the classic slow-roasted lamb in wine, cafe in the city. Entrecote City - in the from Bangalow Cheese Co & Yarra Valley anchovies and artichokes from Rome. The space that was Jones’s ticketed restaurant Dairy, Maker & Monger trades from a drinks list features a mix of quirky Italian Prix Fixe - will have all the markings of restored French food cart in the market’s and Australian wines and beers. 360 Little the South Yarra outpost. Breakfasts of Harvest Hall. The boys serve a very small Collins St, enter via Gills Alley, Melbourne; croissant, baguette and omelettes are there and specialised menu of traditional Swiss phone (03) 9670 7214. alongside lunch and dinner dishes of onion Raclette over potatoes, an all-American There’s a new food precinct in what was soup, sirloin steak (the entrecote cut) with grilled cheese sandwich, hot apple cider a very quiet part of the city in terms of herb butter sauce, salad and fries, and the and Mork Hot Chocolate. The long-term food offerings. CIMIC Group, through its Entrecote cheeseburger. But the offering plan is to own their own cheese shop within company Leighton Properties, and Investa in the city includes a crustacea bar with the market, with a cellar for ageing cheese. Office are behind The Grid development plateaux de fruits de mer (seafood platters) Prahran Market; phone +61 413 900 490. at 567 Collins St, which has brought some of varying sizes. La Grande Maree platter quality food outlets to the western side features spanner crab, scampi, prawns, Top left: Maker & Monger cheese. Above: Entrecote prawn dish. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 105

sy dne y grape vine ELISABETH KING chicken, prawn and shiitake dim sum and knee, starting with the importance of the French-inspired duck liver sausage, interior design. Grant Cheyne, the designer chicken and pork hock terrine, Coleambally responsible for Rockpool, has also done red date and Tasmanian black garlic. An the honours in the historic terrace venue East/West interpretation that truly merited with a restrained spectrum of greys and a multi-star rating. Seven dishes clustered whites. Chris Benedet, ex- Rockpool, under the title of Bigger Eats. A colleague rules the kitchen. As the name suggests, had recommended the roast duck breast, there’s plenty of Gallic overtones on the savoy cabbage, chilli and plum sauce, and menu at Missy French. Entrees range from I took the spot-on advice. The skin was a charcuterie plate through chicken liver textbook crispy and the meat succulent and parfait, mussels mariniere, beef terrine juicy without a hint of dryness. Steamed and goats curd with slow cooked leeks, Cone Bay barramundi fillet, ginger, shallot honey and beetroot. The main dishes are and soy sauce beckoned and my fellow simple - as in simply excellent. Consider diner gave it the highest possible praise - grilled corn-fed spatchcock in sorrel sauce, it really tastes like fish should. Every table pan-fried snapper with pippies, cuttlefish SYDNEY’S taste for contemporary Chinese was occupied by local office workers, and white wine veloute or duck crepinette has shifted from a trend to a flood tide. with lentils and chestnut. On the dessert Mr Wong and Billy Kwong, Kylie Kwong’s young trendies and medical staff from listing we couldn’t get past the mandarin the nearby hospital, mainly hoeing into Crown Street pioneer, which moved to and blueberry Eton mess and chocolate Potts Point late last year, spearheaded the the Canton-style barbeque pork neck, fondant with raspberry, lemon balm and passion for a more sophisticated take on molasses and honey glaze, and the slow- yogurt sorbet. Better yet, the overall bill was the storied cuisine of the Middle Kingdom. braised Chu-Hou beef cheek, kohlrabi, much less than you would expect from a China Republic, Lotus the Galeries and baby carrot and corn. The Rice Den offers chip off the Perry block. The Rice Den are just a few of the other only two desserts and I strongly advise Missy French, 22 Rockwall Crescent, successful entrants who have taken up the anyone to order both. You will finish them. Potts Point; phone (02) 8599 4912. torch on both sides of the harbour. Chefs The French toast, dulce de leche, peanut If Chinese food has taken a trip upmarket, Nelson Cheng and Roy Chan earned crumble and mascarpone has rightly so has Lebanese. There’s a Rockpool their chops in a smaller incarnation of become a local legend for its interplay of connection at Thievery - head chef Jordan The Rice Den in Chatswood and have textures and addictive tastes. Although Muhamad - who also includes Chin Chin relocated to St Leonards. A quartet of the Ovaltine pannacotta, whisky glaze on his resume. Julian Cincotta, the 2015 drawcards - paddock-to-plate ingredients, and roasted chestnut runs a close second. Josephine Pignolet Chef of the Year, helped inventive cocktails, craft beers such as Three dessert wines from Italy, Hungary to plan the menu. A smart strategy that has The Rice Den Canton Lager (created at and Australia are on offer and our choice prompted queues in restaurant-stuffed The Rocks Brewery) and a wide-ranging fell on the 2010 Margan Botrytis Semillon. Glebe Point Rd. Oh, the hummus - which wine list - has kept former fans coming A detail that should tip anyone off that the makes the supermarket variety taste like and pulled in a new crowd. On weekends, wine list follows the same high standard stiff glue. To be honest, we kept filling up demand is so high that The Rice Den takes from Alsatian rieslings from Hugel through on share plates – mum’s pickles, tabbouleh bookings for two dinner sittings. The interior pinot grigios from the Veneto and Petaluma san choy bao and kingfish nayyeh piqued design underlines the message that the Coonawarra red blends. Also on hand is a with aleppo pepper. Maybe it was the innovative listings trace their heritage to Cantonese deli, a mini-emporium stocking exposed brick walls, vaulting attic ceiling Old Canton. Rita Cheung, Roy Chan and The Rice Den’s house-made sauces and and atmospheric knick-knacks but we felt Morris Selvatico have co-ordinated aged condiments and curated selection of an overpowering yearning for meat. The timbers, industrial furniture, a polished teas. The Rice Den, 30-32 Chandos St, St waitress suggested two varieties of kebabs concrete floor with softer touches such as Leonards; phone (02) 9411 2001. - the wagyu beef shawarma with harissa, Chinoiserie wallpaper, Asian pottery and In the acting world, daughters of famous smoked garlic and peppers, and the slow bamboo steamers. The open kitchen keeps fathers are commonplace from Angelina roast lamb with fried okra and sheep’s heads turning to catch a glimpse of popular Jolie to Bryce Dallas Howard and Dakota milk yogurt. We squeezed in a dessert orders such as soft shell crab with mung Johnson. In the restaurant biz, not so of pomegranate figs with sweet labne, bean noodle hotpot and the 10-course much. Neil Perry’s daughter Josephine almonds and sesame and stole away banquet menu costing only $40 per head. has followed in her dad’s footsteps at happily into the night. Thievery, 91 Glebe When dining a la carte, the menu begins the tender age of 21 to open her first Point Rd, Glebe; phone (02) 8283 1329. under the heading - House Made Small restaurant in Potts Point - Missy French. Eats. We sharpened our appetites with Ms Perry has learned a lot at her father’s Above left: Rice Den Interior. Above top: Rice Den selection of food. 106 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

hong k ong grape vine IVY NG featuring a more eclectic selection such and wasabi sauce, pan-fried black and as Cremant d’Alsace, Spanish Godello, white peppered ox tongue, braised giant Cote Chalonnaise white and a Lebanese grouper, fried oatmeal prawns, fluffy black IF CHASING Michelin stars and fine red. Corkage is $HK300/$A54 a bottle and truffle fried rice, thick egg noodles with dining ambiance are not on the checklist, there is no service charge for parties under Belachan sauce and the must-have Hainan then Hong Kong presents a plethora of 8 people. Tip: book the second seating at chicken with rice infused with chicken fat, options for those seeking out the hideaway 8:30pm to avoid being rushed; phone +852 lemongrass and ginger. A typical bill comes kitchens of local heroes. Neighborhood is 2617 0891. to about $HK380/$A69 - $HK450/$A82 the latest creation by classically French- Every year I eagerly anticipate the return per person, depending on what you order. trained David Lai (behind On Lot 10 of the Yunnan mushrooms to the menu of There is no corkage charge and glassware and Bistronomique). At the corner of a Kin’s Kitchen, owned by local food writer is adequate - an absolute haven for food bustling courtyard, best approached from Lau Kin Wai and his son. The mushroom and wine lovers; phone +852 2893 3998. alleyway Man Hing Lane, off Peel St (utterly season from Yunnan typically spans a Model-turned-chef Esther Sham (aka obscured from its Hollywood Rd address), little over two months, starting from early chef Tata) has delighted fans with a Neighborhood is boutique dining with 15 July. Kin’s Kitchen is known for home- new dining concept; Maison Es exudes covers and bar area, with a private room style Cantonese cuisine, occasionally feminine elegance portrayed by the which accommodates maximum of 18 introducing other rustic regional dishes. A multitude of floral arrangements and motifs, people in cosy seating. As discreet as few variations on the theme of scrambled matched with pastel colours to endorse its location, the simple, elegant decor is egg, Yunnan ham and Yunnan mushroom the ambiance of a chic tearoom. Every depicted through the sleek exploitation feature, but my favourite version is the dish reflects chef Tata’s signature light of aluminium and various shades and one with the earthy and pungent Ganba touch, with influence from her Chinese textures of wood. The concise menu fungus ($HK312/$A57). For a milder roots. Recommended starters include changes weekly according to seasonal and fleshier version, try the Termite the heaven-in-a-jar coddled egg on black ingredients, but maintains Lai’s classics Mushroom ($HK208/$A38). Chef Lau’s truffle mash ($HK120/$A22) and crispy such as delicacies based on his passion signature starters include drunken abalone foie gras and fig wontons, drizzled with for innards, fish in bouillabaisse and various ($HK192/$A35 for four pieces), deep- sweet balsamic ($HK190/$A34). For a pasta creations. All the dishes can easily fried battered oysters ($HK128/$A23), lighter main course, try the Yuzu duck be shared and the menu is structured in pigeon slow-cooked in Shaoxing wine breast ($HK260/$A47) - tender duck your preferred order. Start with the black ($HK118/$A21 per pigeon) and pan-fried breast lifted by citrus Yuzu flavours, served pork rillettes with truffle, with much less fat sweet corn with soya sauce ($HK68/$A12) with shredded daikon cooked in mirin for than the traditional version ($HK160/$A29), - that modest sweet corn could be so extra freshness. The Hanger steak with follow on with the fresh burrata, with incredibly tasty! If there is only room for champignon jus ($HK290/$53) is the heirloom tomatoes and balsamic vinegar one main course, then smoked oven-baked ultimate choice for meat lovers. Packing ($HK165/$A30) and do not miss the chicken (whole chicken $HK378/$A69; half dessert and cheese courses into one, smoked eggplant caviar with Cantabrian $HK190/$A34) is a must. For a taste of go for the bruleed brie ($HK140/$A25) or anchovy, ingeniously lifted with orange traditional Cantonese home-style cooking, settle for a more conventional variation on peel chunks ($HK160/$29). Keen followers try pan-fried patties of minced pork with Valrhona chocolate fondant, with fresh mint of Lai’s cuisine will not miss his signature salted fish ($HK110/$A20) and stir-fried cream at the centre of the melting chocolate pasta dishes, updated seasonally. The bitter gourd with salted egg yolk and interior ($HK160/$A29). Never too old for current menu includes sea urchin capellini minced pork ($HK90/$A16). Corkage is Nutella! The two-course weekend brunch “carbonara” ($HK200/$A36), with creamy $HK200/$A36 a bottle; phone +852 2571 at $HK298/$A54 (or $HK388/$A70 with sea-spray in every mouthful and for fans 0913. Mimosa) offers a range of sweet and of gelatinous beef tendons, the intensely- A favourite haunt of local affluent and savoury choices. Highly recommended is flavoured baked macaroni with truffled beef wine connoisseurs is Old Bazaar by chef the home-baked muffin trio or grapefruit shank ragu ($HK185/$34). Daily meat/roast Billy Chung. The decor is a far cry from and “Thai”ger prawn cocktail in green curry and daily fish in bouillabaisse are priced posh dining and the sole attraction is chef cocktail sauce, followed by Nutella and according to market. Leave room for the Chung’s self-styled fusion south-east Asian banana soldiers served with caramelised chocolate palette ($HK75/$A14) - creamy food, and to share a glass of wine with the banana creme, or Satay Wagyu beef rich chocolate ganache on a thin, slightly chef who has developed a keen palate cheese burger. Chef Tata also moved her salty crust of crumbled chocolate cookies, for fine wine over the years of patronage famous private kitchen Ta Pantry to the utterly divine! The two wine lists are equally by local wine collectors! Some of chef same site, with maximum seating for 20; concise: one for bottle selection and the Chung’s signatures are creamy drunken phone +852 2521 8011. other a weekly list with by-the-glass options foie gras, soaked in Shaoxing wine, (around $HK120-$HK165/$A22-$A30) chilled Malayan squid served with chilli Above: Hainan chicken & truffle fried rice at Old Bazaar. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 107

adelaide grape vine NIGEL HOPKINS In a rustic touch, guests can watch their pork scotch fillet being grilled outdoors under the stars. Corner of Gerald Roberts and Jenke roads, Seppeltsfield. Open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, dinner Friday- Saturday; phone (08) 8562 8427. Head south to the McLaren Vale region and again you’ll be spoiled for choice, but none could dispute that the long- established d’Arry’s Verandah isn’t among the top choices. This is not a place where you’ll want to rush lunch, especially if you enjoy the six-course degustation menu. Don’t bother about madly sprinting from cellar door to cellar door. Sit back and enjoy the open fire, watch the mist sweep over rolling hills, admire the Dorper sheep IT’S HARD to imagine a more idyllic summer tendon, beetroot emulsion and caramelised grazing in the vineyard below – except, setting for a restaurant than overlooking a garlic. With all that produce to play with of course, they’re also on chef Peter large pond filled with ducks and other he can be forgiven for more exotic dishes Reschke’s menu as lamb bresaola, with water birds, approached from an avenue such as burnt myrtleberry meringue with lamb brain and roasted walnut mayonnaise. of giant Moreton Bay figs, with spreading heirloom beetroots, Jerusalem artichokes, Key dishes include lobster and blue lawns and formal gardens in all directions. cacao nibs and raspberry. Just don’t look swimmer crab ravioli with lobster bisque, Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens Restaurant outside at the duck pond and its adorable or chocolate and chilli braised kangaroo is housed in century-old original tearooms, inhabitants as you tuck into the cured tail with kangaroo saddle. Wines include enabling the conservatory-style restaurant duck ham with pressed confit duck leg around 50 offerings from d’Arenberg, 35 to take full advantage of its location with or the chicken and duck ballotine. Baker of them by the glass. Hopefully you have 270-degree views of the gardens. Changes assures us that the local ducks are off a limo or a helicopter on call to take you took place when the restaurant was taken limits. The good wine list includes plenty home. d’Arry’s Verandah, Osborne Rd, over by a local catering company, but of interesting and well-priced wines by McLaren Vale. Open for lunch daily; phone all of them have been positive, with the the glass. Adelaide Botanic Gardens (08) 8329 4848. restaurant now winning plaudits as one of Restaurant, North Tce, Adelaide. Open Adelaide’s burgeoning wine bar scene the best in town – one of the consequences for lunch Tuesday-Sunday, dinner Friday- just keeps on expanding, with some of of the catering company leaving BG to Saturday; phone (08) 8223 3526. the most interesting and well established function as a stand alone, independent With vineyards in Adelaide’s nearby examples opening well clear of Adelaide’s restaurant far from the presumed catering wine regions now looking gorgeous, now’s CBD. Bar Torino, on Hutt St in the south- mentality. Key to this has been the arrival the time to be heading north and south in eastern corner of the city is among the of Paul Baker as head chef. While other search of great food. If you head north to best and was recently voted Best Small chefs have to send out teams of foragers the Barossa, it’s not just Hentley Farm’s Bar in this year’s local Restaurant and to source the produce they need, Baker wine portfolio that has put the place on Catering Awards. What used to be a deli has the resource of an enormous kitchen the map but its restaurant, just up the beside popular restaurant Chianti has been garden and myriad plant varieties within a road from the equally acclaimed Fino at transformed into a sophisticated vermouth short walk of his kitchen door. Food miles Seppeltsfield. Housed in a beautifully and tapas bar, blending the best of Spanish hardly exist for this kitchen. The Botanic restored 1840s stone stables overlooking and Italian cuisine. It’s attracting everyone Gardens kitchen harvest extends from the vineyards, Hentley Farm has become from rusted-on Chianti clientele, local baby celery and borage through chicory a gastronomic landmark under Barossa- residents and CBD refugees with an often and cumquats, kale and liquorice root, born chef Lachlan Colwill. His two set frenetic front bar area that morfs into quieter to rainbow chard, saltbush, warrigal menu options (diners are advised to allow regions beyond. greens and wild garlic, all up around 60 up to four hours for the eight-plus course Grab a Matchbox toy car token to run a varieties of edible plant to choose from. Discovery menu) are seasonal and largely tab while you tuck into tapas and pintxos (if It would be easy for a chef to overplay Barossa-based, served to a possible not something larger) and demand another such an abundant hand, but Baker has 36 guests by one of seven chefs in the vermouth or something from the wine list. learnt restraint. Standout dishes include kitchen – each serving the dish they’ve just Bar Torino, 158 Hutt St, Adelaide. Open smoked tommy ruff escabeche with mussel prepared such as pink snapper with a sour Tuesday-Sunday from 11am; phone (08) custard and smoked mussels, slow-cooked pesto of verjuice and oxalis (sour sobs) with 8155 6010. Coorong angus brisket with crisp-grilled a local mettwurst paste. Above: View from d’Arry’s Verandah, overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. 108 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

European inspired. Over 10 years in the making. Love. Passion. The secret ingredients. Hand made and freshly baked. Beautifully crafted. By Blackbird. ByBlackbird44KWR By Blackbird - Shop 3, 44-46 King William Road, Goodwood, SA 5034 #byblackbird p: 0402 358 002 | e: [email protected] @byblackbird AD_By Blackbird FP ND15.indd 1 22/10/2015 10:22:57 AM

CIAO ITALIA! Italy 2016 FOOD & WINE TOUR OF ITALY 17 September - 3 October 2016 - in conjunction with The Australian newspaper & Travelrite International. Hosted by Winestate editor/publisher, Peter Simic, and managing editor, Lara Simic, the 15-night tour from mid-September features fascinating and informative visits to Rome, Umbria (Orvieto) and fabulous Tuscany (Montalcino & Montepulciano) for Brunello and Chianti, with visits to Siena and Florence. Across the way we take in the food bowl of Italy at Parma and Bologna. After all that food a side trip to seaside Portafino (Santa Margherita) gives us a break, before we move on to the spectacular Piedmont wine region (Alba), for delicious Barolo and Barbarescos. We will sample the wines, meet the winemakers and enjoy local cuisine (some at hosted winery lunches) while exploring towns and villages in the best Italian tradition. We stay in quality hotels in Rome, Siena, Florence, Parma, Santa Margherita, Alba and Milan. Included in the tour are four superb Winestate Celebration dinners at starred Michelin restaurants. Peter Simic will open doors not normally available to tourists and ensure that you have a rewarding and exciting time in outstanding surroundings. Peter’s knowledgeable and caring leadership will make this one of our best ever wine & food holidays!

PLEASE SEND ME MAGAZINE FOR: Australia 7 issues (1yr) $A69 (includes $6.27 GST) take out a subscription and save! 14 issues (2yrs) $A128 (includes $11.64 GST) Price include GST, postage and handling. New Zealand Binders Price includes Airmail. Australian residents only SUBSCRIBE TO Your attractive binder Please mark X one option: easily holds 7 issues - handy 7 issues (1 year) $A79 for quick reference! OUR COMPLETE 14 issues (2 years) $A150 Please mark X one option: PACKAGE Asia, Pacific 1 Binder $A19.80 Price includes Airmail. Please mark X: 2 Binders $A33 7 issues (1 year) $A120 This includes hard-copy and digital 3 Binders $A49.50 Elsewhere (includes GST) versions plus full on-line access to Price includes Airmail. Please mark X: Winestate’s web site and reviews. 7 issues (1 year) $A130 Prices available for overseas on application. Available only through online order, www.winestate.com.au Mr / Mrs / Miss Address Suburb State Country THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINE SINCE 1978 Over 10,000 tasted annually Post Code Phone ( ) E-mail AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE MAINFREIGHT WORLD’S GREATEST SYRAH & SHIRAZ Your subscription will start from the next issue. OVER 500 TASTED Featuring Bird in Hand Penfolds Grange Paul Jaboulet Henschke Hill of Grace I enclose my cheque for $ Torbreck The Laird Gralyn Estate payable to WINESTATE Magazine or charge my: JAPAN’S Emerging Mastercard Visa Wine Culture PINOT CENTRAL Otago’s claim to fame SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 WINESTATE VOL 38 ISSUE 5 World's greatest shiraz ChalleNge X seMilloN riVer regioNs Yarra YalleY & soUtherN ViCtoria otago, Nz September/October 2015 Vol 38 Issue 5 $12.00 AUS (inc GST) NZ $13.00 SGD $17.95 Life in the Name on card: EUR 9.95 China RMB100 spirit world US $17.99 GBP £10.95 HKD $120 CHF 15.00 The evolution of Cognac Signature Expires / 271_CoverFRONT216x297.indd 1 plus Brandy, Cognac & Armagnac Semillon & Blends 23/07/2015 3:06:55 PM Yarra Valley & Southern Victoria River Regions Otago (NZ) PRINT POST APPROVEd 100003663 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WINE BUYING GUIDE GIFT SUBSCRIPTION State Country gift subscription? Send to: 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Fax to: 08 8357 9212 Why not give a Recipient’s Name Address Suburb ( ) Phone Post Code Call us today on Please send a gift card to Me Recipient +61 8 8357 9277 or visit Also fill in your details in the section above. www.winestate.com.au Subscription form FPC ND15.indd 1 7/09/2015 2:19:21 PM

WHAT’S IT WORTH? WINESTATE’S AUCTION PRICE GUIDE Prices listed are exceptional auction highs and do not include buyer’s premium. CLARENDON HILLS 1999 $70 2001 $80 1957 $12,000 2009 $200  AUSTRALIAN Astralis Shiraz 2000 $65 2002 $80  1958 $4,100 2010 $280 WINES 1994 $200 2001 $65 2003 $80 1959 $2,000 1995 $200 2002 $85 2004 $90 1960 $1,500 Bin 60A 1996 $250  2003 $65 2005 $75 1961 $1,600 1962 $4,000 BASS PHILLIP Hill of Grace Premium Pinot Noir 1997 $200 2004 $75  1980 $280  2006 $70 1962 $1,600 2004 $550  1998 $260 2005 $65 2006 $400 2007 $85 1963 $1,200  1990 $75 1999 $260 2006 $70 1981 $220 2008 $70 1964 $1,200  1991 $90 2000 $270 2007 $65  1982 $250  2009 $75 1965 $600  1992 $95 2001 $290 2008 $55 1983 $220 2010 $70 1966 $1,000  1993 $80 2002 $300 2009 $70 1984 $220 1967 $600 1994 $110 2003 $200 1985 $280 1968 $600  1995 $80 2004 $350 GIACONDA 1986 $330 1969 $560 Stonewell Shiraz 1996 $110 2005 $230 Chardonnay 1987 $250  1970 $400 1990 $90 1997 $140 2006 $250 1990 $110 1988 $330  1971 $720 1991 $70 1998 $140 2007 Not Released 1991 $60 1989 $280  1972 $400 1992 $60 1999 $120 2008 Not Released 1992 $85 1990 $460 MOSS WOOD 1973 $450  1993 $65 2000 $120 2009 Not Released 1993 $90 1991 $400 Cab Sauv 1974 $480  1994 $55 2001 $160 2010 $200 1994 $100 1992 $350  1990 $130 1975 $460  1995 $55 2002 $145 2011 Not Released 1995 $85 1993 $300  1991 $150 1976 $850  1996 $70 2003 $110 2012 $210 1996 $140 1994 $360  1992 $120 1977 $450  1997 $55 2004 $140 1997 $95 1995 $320  1993 $100 1978 $380  1998 $85  2005 $80 CLONAKILLA 1998 $110  1996 $480 1994 $100 1979 $400 1999 $75 2007 $130 Shiraz Viognier 1999 $120 1997 $300  1995 $130 1980 $380  2000 $70 2008 $85 1990 $65 2000 $110 1998 $420 1996 $120 1981 $400 2001 $65 2009 $85 1993 $65 2001 $110 1999 $380 1997 $100 1982 $380 2002 $70 2010 $90 1994 $85 2002 $160 2001 $380  1998 $130  1983 $480  2003 $55 2011 $100 2002 $420 2004 $85 1995 $65 2004 $190 1999 $130 1984 $350 1996 $100 2005 $120 2004 $380 2000 $130  1985 $380 2005 $60 BINDI 1997 $130 2006 $110  2005 $390  2001 $130 1986 $520 2006 $60 Block 5 Pinot Noir 1998 $150 2007 $120  2006 $180  2002 $120  1987 $350 2007 $55 1997 $80 1999 $55 2008 $130  2007 Not Released 2003 $90 1988 $380  2008 $60 1998 $95 2000 $90 2009 Not Released 2008 $540 2004 $100 1989 $360 1999 Not Released 2001 $130 2010 $130 2005 $100 1990 $540 2000 $150 2002 $130 2011 $130 2006 $70  1991 $460 2001 $120 2003 $100  2012 $130 2007 $95  1992 $380  2002 $110 2004 $120 2008 $90 1993 $380  2003 $85 2005 $110 2009 $85 1994 $380 Basket Press 2004 $110 2006 $120  2010 $80  1995 $370 Shiraz 2005 $140 2007 $190  Armagh Shiraz 2011 $90 1996 $500 1990 $150 2006 $100 2008 $90 1990 $200 1997 $380  1991 $140 2007 $120 2009 $95  1991 $120  MOUNT MARY 1998 $580 1992 $95 2008 $120 2010 $90  Meshach 1992 $140  Quintet 1999 $400 1993 $110  2009 $90 2011 $75 1990 $100 1993 $110 1990 $150 2000 $420 1994 $95  2010 $95 2012 $70 1991 $85 1994 $130 1991 $120 2001 $380 1995 $100  2011 $85 1992 $80 1995 $130 1992 $110 2002 $450 1996 $180  2012 $95 1993 $70 1996 $190  1993 $95 2003 $420 1997 $90  1994 $90 1997 $140  1994 $110 2004 $460 1998 $190 BROKENWOOD 1995 $70 1998 $250  1995 $100 2005 $430 1999 $110 Graveyard Shiraz 1996 $90 1999 $180  1996 $120 2006 $520 2000 $90 1990 $90 1997 Not Released 2000 $120 1997 $120 2007 $420 2001 $95 1991 $110 Cabernet Merlot 1998 $110 2001 $140 1998 $160 2008 $620 2002 $120 1992 Not Released 1999 $95 1999 $90 2002 $200 1999 $130 2003 $100 1993 $80 2000 $65 2000 $70 2004 $160  2000 $120 2004 $110  1994 $80 2001 $110  2001 $110 2005 $120 2001 $110 2005 $110  1995 $85  2002 $90 2002 $95 2006 $160 2002 $130 2006 $110 1996 $95 2003 $90 2003 $60 2007 $95 2003 $110 2007 $85  1997 $85 2004 $110  2004 $70 2008 $160 2004 $140 2008 $85  1998 $140  2005 $85 2005 $65 2005 $120 Bin 707 2009 $85  1999 $90 2006 $70 2006 $65 2006 $120 1990 $250  2010 $100  2000 $140  2007 $100 2007 Not Released 2007 $90 1991 $250  2001 $85  2008 $95  2008 $85 2008 $95 1992 $210  THREE RIVERS/ 2002 $75 2009 $95  2009 Not Released 1993 $220  Chris Ringland 2003 $80 2010 $100  GREENOCK CREEK 2010 $85 1994 $220  Wines Shiraz 2004 $85  2011 $75 Roennfeldt Rd 2011 $120 1995 Not Released 1990 $520 2005 $85 Shiraz Chardonnay 1996 $230 1991 $690 2006 $110 1995 $280 Art Series 1997 $190 1992 $600 2007 $90 ELDERTON 1996 $260 1990 $60 1998 $260 1993 $700 2008 Not Released Command Shiraz 1997 $160 1991 $60 1999 $200 1994 $650 2009 $85 1990 $90  1998 $350 1992 $70 2000 Not Released 1995 $450 1991 Not Released 1999 $200  1993 $65 2001 $210  1996 $830 1992 $100 2000 $220 1994 $85 Bin 95 Grange 2002 $220  1997 Not Released 1993 $65 2001 $250 1995 $100 1951 $46,000 2003 Not Released 1998 $850 1994 $85  2002 $320  1996 $65 1952 $17,000 2004 $200 1999 $600 1995 $75 2003 $210 1997 $90 1953 $14,000 2005 $230  2000 $450 1996 $95 2004 $210 1998 $70 1954 $11,000  2006 $220  2001 $800 1997 $70 2005 $230 1999 $75 1955 $4,000 2007 $200  2002 $800 1998 $95 2006 $260 2000 $75 1956 $14,000 2008 $210  2003 $500 112 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRANSTHERM Cellaring Your Fine W ines in Perfect Conditions 2002 $2,000 2003 Not Released 2004 $2,000 E. Guigal La Turque 2005 $5,700 Hermitage Shiraz 2006 $2,100 1990 $800 1990 $150 2007 $3,200  1991 $850  1991 $130 2008 $3,000 1992 $270 1992 $80 1993 $240 1993 $90 Louis Roederer Chateau 1994 $300 1994 $120 Cristal d’Yquem Sauternes 1995 $500 1995 $110  1990 $550 1990 $800 1996 $260 1996 $160 1993 $220 1991 $450 1997 $450  1997 $85  1994 $340 1993 $340 1998 $700 1998 $160  1995 $300 1994 $360 1999 $850  1999 $100 1996 $440 1995 $500  2000 $420 2000 $80  1997 $450 1996 $540 2001 $520 2001 $100 1999 $340 1997 $490 2002 $450 2002 $150 2000 $340 1998 $400 2003 $850 2003 $100 2002 $300 1999 $520 2004 $560 2004 $120 2004 $240 2000 $600 2005 $600 2005 $130 2001 $900 2006 $750 2006 $130 Chateau Mouton 2002 $500 2008 $120  Rothschild 2003 $600 Gaja Barbaresco 2009 $130 1990 $650  2004 $500 1990 $330 2010 $140  1991 $550 2005 $650 1991 $220 2011 $110 1992 $230 2008 $600 1992 Not Released 1993 $550  T E 1994 $340 Domaine 1993 $210 WINESTATE INTERNATIONAL CABERNET TASTING 1995 $520 de la Romanee 1994 $260 1996 $800  Conti La Tache 1995 $210 1997 $280 1990 $7,400 1996 $300 Para Liqueur 1998 $420 1991 $1,900 1997 $380  1878 $2,200  1999 $750  1992 $1,250 1998 $300 1879 $2,500  2000 $1,150 1993 $2,200 1999 $300  1880 $1,800  2001 $450 1994 $1,600 2000 $250  1881 $1,800  2002 $500 1995 $3,500  2001 $250 1882 $1,800  2003 $600 1996 $3,100  2002 Not Released 1887 $1,200  2004 $850  1997 $1,900 2003 Not Released 1893 $1,200  2005 $1,200 1998 $2,200 2004 $310 1899 $1,200  2006 $950  1999 $5,000 2005 Not Released 1901 $700  2008 Not Released 2000 $1,500 2007 $240 1908 $600  2009 $2,000 2001 $2,000 1910 $500  2002 $3,800  Tenuta 1922 $350 Chateau Latour 2003 $2,800 Dell’Ornellaia 1925 $600 1990 $1,250 2004 $2,500 Ornellaia 1927 $290 1991 $600 2005 $5,500  1991 $320 1930 $140 1992 $350 2006 $1,700 1992 $105 1933 $140  1993 $440 2007 $1,200 1993 $125 1939 $90  1994 $460 2008 $2,400 1994 $130 1944 $80  1995 $1,200  2009 $5,000 1995 $130 1947 $75  1996 $1,400  1996 $180 1997 $650  Domaine Armand 1997 $350  IMPORTED 1998 $520 Rousseau 1998 $350  WINES 1999 $600 Chambertin 1999 $200 2000 $1,600 Clos de Beze 2000 $450  2001 $700 1990 $2,500  2001 $260 2002 $600 1991 $200 2002 $280 2003 $1,700 1992 $220 2003 $150 2004 $600 1993 $700  2004 $280  HUON HOOKE TYSON STELZER MIKE BENNIE Moet et Chandon 2005 $1,300 1994 $500 2005 $200  95 95 95 2006 $220 Cuvee Dom 2006 $1,100 1995 $560 2007 $220 POINTS POINTS POINTS Perignon 2007 $750 1996 $650 2008 $150 1980 $180  2008 $1,100 1997 $280 2009 $190 1982 $280  1998 $400 1983 $190  Chateau Petrus 1999 $800 Vega Sicilia Unico 1985 $200 1990 $5,500 2000 $320 Gran Reserva 1988 $260 1991 Not Released 2001 $700  1990 $560 1990 $320  1992 $1,300 2002 $680 1991 $420 1992 $240 1993 $1,000 2003 $600 1994 $550 1993 $260 1994 $2,800 2004 $440 1995 $420 1995 $220 1995 $4,000  2005 $1,200  1996 $360 1996 $370  1996 $2,400 2006 $600 1998 $420 1998 $260 1997 $1,000 2007 Not Released 1999 $550  1999 $190 1998 $4,800  2009 $1,100 2000 $360 2000 $190  1999 $1,250 2010 $1,100 2002 $420 2002 $200 2000 $6,000 2003 $294 2003 $190 2001 $4,500  2004 $170 Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 113 BRA042_POC_GrandeReserve_WineState_59x270_Ad_FA.indd 127/04/2015 2:34 pm

wine in v estment & collecting 2000s. Mention should also be made of our buyer enthusiasm for that cabernet- based super Tuscan Sassicaia, which also cleared well. With our auction buyer’s favourite variety, shiraz, there were good sales for Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier and O’Riada Shiraz from the late 2000s, with a continued strong performance of 2008 Kays Block 6 and a strong uptake of that somewhat hidden gem, 2003 and 2007 Koltz Pagan from McLaren Vale. LANGTON’S FINE WINE Rockford Basket Press, which has AUCTIONS been a little quiet of late, saw buyers Nov 24-Dec 1: Finest & Rare Wine take up offerings from the 2001 and Auction ’02 vintages, while Torbreck RunRig, Nov 26-Dec 3: $5 Reserve Auction 1998 through 2003, also cleared above Nov 26-Dec 3: Classic Penfolds expectation. Wendouree shiraz and Auction shiraz blends, along with Wynns Michael Dec 1-8: Finest & Rare Wine Auction from the ’90s, also cleared well. Dec 1-8: Large Format & Sparkling It would be unfair to our non-cabernet Dec 3-10: Cellar Reload Value and shiraz collectors not to mention Auction some further results, with 2008 By Farr Dec 3-10: Shiraz & Allies Auction Tout Pres Pinot Noir, Grosset Springvale Dec 8-15: Finest & Rare Wine Riesling from the 2000s, Shaw & Smith Auction M3 Chardonnay - also from the 2000s Dec 10-17: $5 Reserve Auction - and the Yangarra heavyweight 2010 Dec 15-22: Finest & Rare Wine High Sands Grenache, all catching buyer Auction ODDBINS WINE AUCTIONS attention. Dec 16-23: Cellar Reload Value (AUGUST PREMIUM AUCTION REPORT, Of the “Big Two”, Henschke Hill of Auction by GRAHAM WRIGHT) Grace is still in strong demand with good Dec 23-30: Reduced Buyer’s I was quite taken by surprise in clearances from the 1980s though to Premium Sale August, as Oddbins’ buyers displayed 2004, along with the relatively recent a very strong preference for what many 2010 Mount Edelstone. With Penfolds, ODDBINS WINE AUCTIONS consumers see as our second string Grange is in strong demand, including Dec 8 (closes November 13) variety: cabernet sauvignon - and not the imperfect offerings, along with Bins from the usual suspects, either. That 28 and 389. Well-priced bordeaux, some GRAYSWINE said, our loyal shiraz imbibers need not fine examples of chablis along with red Daily wine auctions, starting from $9 be alarmed, your variety is still firmly the burgundy and a good offering of Rhone per case, with a 30-day money back number-one preference in our market Valley classic were the highlights of this guarantee. place. Good sales can be reported month’s imported sales. Fine wine auctions end Monday- for a wide variety of styles and years, The Top 10 Hammer Prices, Australian Tuesday-Thursday each week. including well-aged Leconfield from Wine List, shows a clear return to old Port and spirit auctions end on 1998 and the two major heavyweights fashion values at the August auction, Wednesdays. - 2008 Moss Wood and 2002 Mount with Grange returning with a vengeance, Mary Quintet. Adding to this mix claiming every spot. Topping the list at CRACKA WINES were surprisingly strong clearances Live wine auctions each day. $1400 was a magnum of 1990 Penfolds for Wendouree cabernet blends and Bin 95 Grange Shiraz in its original timber their varietal, especially from the late case, followed by a 1976 Penfolds Bin 95 STERLING WINE AUCTIONS Auctions run every two weeks, 1990s and 2000s, along with a solid Grange Shiraz - RWC 1994 (minor cellar performance by Wynns Black Label from back-to-back, finishing on Wednesday scuffed label) at $861 and a magnum evening. the ’90s and early 2000s. Other worthy of 1994 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz, cabernet sales included Melton’s version also in its original timber case, which from 2007, 2008 Cullen Cabernet achieved $756. (All dates subject to change without Merlot, 2007 Hardys HRB D640 and The Top 10 Non Penfold/Henschke notice) Orlando Jacaranda Ridge from the Hammer Prices List sees the very 114 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015



wine in v estment & collecting surprising return of large-scale formats, couple of tasty spirits snuck in, too. In Kiwi blend - a 2009 Church Road along with continued interest in top spot with $130 was a 1933 Seppelt Tom McDonald Hawkes Bay Cabernet Torbreck’s flagship, RunRig. Torbreck Para Liqueur Port, followed at $100 by Sauvignon Merlot (wax capsule) which took out the top two places with a 1957 Lindemans Classic Bin 1275 fetched 70 per cent above. 1998 and 2003 RunRig Shiraz Viognier Vintage Port (HS). A 1964 Stonyfell Vintage date Aussie classics and a fetching $240 and $169 respectively. Vintage Port (level at base of neck, cellar mix of basic spirits make up the Top 10 Third spot went to a boxed magnum scuffed label), a boxed 1140ml bottle Fortified & Spirit Performers, Percent of 2000 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock of Chivas Regal 12-year-old Blended Above Top End of Guides list. In top Heathcote Shiraz at $160. Whisky and a boxed 750ml bottle of spot, fetching 15.6 percent above the With the imports, buyers mainly Johnnie Walker Swing Blended Whisky guides was a 1973 Orlando Vintage favoured fresher vintages, although all achieved $80 each. Port, followed by a 500ml boxed bottle well-matured bordeaux also appeared In terms of how far buyers were willing of Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium to still be a hit. Heading the Top 10 to go, the Top 10 Australian Performers, Rare Liqueur Muscat which went 12 Hammer Prices, Imported Wine List, Percent Above Top End of Guides List, per cent over. was a 2001 Domaine Comte Georges opens with a surprising result for a Stocks in the premium category are still De Vogue Grand Cru Musigny Cuvee magnum of 2001 Orlando Steingarten in short supply, especially with Penfolds’ Vieilles Vignes (cellar scuffed label) Riesling (cellar torn label, raised cork) products. If you are considering making at $600. Behind that, at $319, was a which went 24 per cent above. A 1987 a return on your wine investment, 1982 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2me Lindemans Bin 7400 Hunter River contact me for a free valuation. For more Cru St Julien, followed by a 1997 Louis Classic Wine Release Hunter Valley information visit www.oddbins.com. Roederer Cristal Champagne Brut Shiraz and a 2006 Greenock Creek au. (All prices quoted are exclusive of Vintage still in its original carton at $290. Cornerstone Barossa Valley Special buyer’s premium.) Special mention should be made of the Late Harvest Grenache both went 12 1966 Chateau Margaux 1er Cru Margaux per cent above. which fetched $ 211. Even in poor The Top 10 Imported Wine Performers, CRACKA WINES condition (MS, cellar stained label) this Percent Above Top End of Guides ( SEPTEMBER REPORT, by ADAM great vintage still attracts considerable table, is another surprise. While mainly MILLER, SALES & MARKETING) attention. comprising a mix of bordeaux and The start of spring has definitely been Well-respected and historic fortifieds burgundy, with our buyer’s keeping reflected in the wine choices of the dominated the Top 10 Hammer Prices, prices (as usual) well within the published Cracka consumer. It feels like an eternity Fortified Wine & Spirits list, although a guides, it’s led by a relatively unknown ago that everything we were selling was Auctioneers & Valuers of Wine www.oddbins.com.au Looking for Wine? Let Oddbins Wine Auctions show you how to buy wine in three easy steps… Oddbins Wine Step 1 - Call us about our subscriptions 08 8365 4722 Step 2 - View the wines online or posted catalogue Auctions - www.oddbins.com.au Step 3 - Set your budget & place your bids! - From 1 to 1,000 bottles Address: 33 Sunbeam Rd Glynde SA 5070 With over 30 years experience... Phone: (08) 8365 4722 Fax: (08) 8365 4788 It’s What we do Best! Email: [email protected] 116 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

wine in v estment & collecting big, rich, dense and had a minimum of much as they liked over the five days Our highest clearance rates (around 90 14.5 per cent. of our Birthday Bonanza. We have also per cent) were for three single vendor With the onset of warmer weather we been through a bit of a brand refresh. collection auctions. have seen sharp jumps in the demand for Check it out! Go to www.crackawines. Our clients seek out and pay a premium aromatic varietals like pinot gris, riesling com.au and take a look for yourself. We for outstanding provenance. This is (maybe it’s finally riesling’s year in 2015) like it. evidenced by the price of $1295 (against and prosecco in the whites and, in the $1035 paid in 2011) for 1954 Wynns reds, pinot noir and cool-climate shiraz Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon sales have shot through the roof over LANGTON’S FINE WINE AUCTIONS and $642 (against $362, paid in 2014) for the last month or two. ( MARKET UPDATE, JULY/AUGUST the 1960. This is the wine better known Speaking of sales spikes, we have 2015) as Black Label Cabernet. also seen a dramatic rise in mixed case As usual, Penfolds led the way, with 1986 Penfolds Grange Shiraz went for sales over the past two months. We two new price records - $ 5245 for $919 (last price $619 in August 2015) are talking 30-40 per cent growth in a the inaugural 1964 vintage of Bin 707 and 1998 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz very short period. We made a conscious Cabernet Sauvignon (previously $1406 for $586. decision to increase the size of our mixed paid in 2012) and $1282 for 1971 Another highlight of this period was case offering, not only putting forward Grange - no doubt reflecting its newly the 10-fold price increase obtained by a greater range, but a wider spread of re-confirmed status as arguably the the 2014 Tom and Nadege Carson’s price points and varietals. I am not sure world’s very best wine of that decade. Serrat Close Planted Yarra Valley Shiraz if this is a sign of the Cracka consumer Rockford is also running hot. From the Viognier: retail price $42, auction price becoming more adventurous, ditching unique and charming Alicante Bouchet $466. The buzz around this wine and its their favourite shiraz and sauvignon Rosè to the elegant, sparkling Black maker continues to develop. blanc in search of their next “beloved” Shiraz and the audacious Basket Press Large format bottles attracted strong varietal or if they know they love shiraz Shiraz - this is a much-loved label which suppor t reflecting their cellaring and want to see if there is a “better” sits with the two Penfolds wines in and therefore perceived investment one out there. the highest “Exceptional” tier of the potential, as well as the impact they In regards to Cracka, it’s all been Langton’s classification. Two vintages of have when served at important events. happening. We celebrated our fifth Basket Press set new records: the 1990 Some notable results for imperials birthday in style, giving all of our ($234) and the 1998 ($186) - clearly (six-litre bottles - equivalent to eight customers five days of unbelievable confirming this great Barossa shiraz as normal bottles) include $29,125 for deals and birthday vouchers to use as a firm favourite of the secondary market. 1975 Penfolds Grange Shiraz, $12,816 Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 117

wine in v estment & collecting for 1998 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon squeezing into the website to spot these bargains when and $10,718 for both the 1990 and 2001 “most wanted” Top 5 with 16 bids. they are catalogued. Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz. Penfolds Grange again “owned” the On a personal note, the time is coming We also found a buyer for a “primat” “most wanted” Top 100, with 20 bottles when premium Australian Sparkling (27 litres) of 2006 Langmeil The 1843 on the list. The big winners were the Shiraz is just a distant memory. The Freedom Shiraz, the biggest single buyers of the 1975, the perfect 40th wonder drops of Seppelts Show and bottle of wine we have ever sold. pressie, and the iconic 1986 - the gift Rockford Black Shiraz remain the great Other top prices include $182,905 for for a 30th next year. gifts from Oz to the world of wine. a set of 60 vintages (1951-2010) of Premium WA cabernet often hogs the They will sit happy in the cellar for 20 Penfolds Grange Shiraz, $616 for a 1982 limelight with Moss Wood and Cullen years and should not be consumed Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch regular stars on the “most wanted” lists. only at Christmas. Buy a supply of the Cabernet Sauvignon, $378 for a 1970 This time a new face was up in lights, the 2004 Seppelt Show Sparkling and any Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz, $327 for a 2011 Devils Lair 9th Chamber Cabernet Rockford Black Shiraz. Hold a supply ’73 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, Sauvignon. Pushed up to hammer falls and be prepared for future shock. $758 for a 2007 Chris Ringland Dry of over $120, five bottles flew off the I’ll finish on another personal note. I Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, $6058 catalogue. love Seppelt St Peters Great Western for a magnum of 2004 Chris Ringland Premium riesling is always in demand Shiraz and recently I discovered the Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz and and this September auction saw 2013 2010 Seppelt Benno Bendigo Shiraz. $1286 for a magnum of 1990 Chateau Frankland Estate Single Vineyards The full story is not clear, but it looks like d’Yquem Sauternes. (Netley Road and Poison Hill) pulling this wine - made to rival the St Peters Prices include buyer’s premium and are a dozen bids and a hammer fall of $23 - has been discontinued. Do yourself per 750ml bottle, unless noted. For more each. The bargain of the auction was a favour and check out other back information and price results please go likely the 2012 Ferngrove Cossack, vintages; quite a bit of the Benno works to langtons.com.au. which sold for under $20. through Sterling catalogues. For more Back vintage bargains coming from information visit www.sterlingwine. the Doom and Gloom 2011 vintage are com.au. All prices quoted are hammer STERLING WINE AUCTIONS starting to filter through, so stay tuned fall, before BP. (SEPTEMBER MARKET REPORT, by for a list of the over-performers from this LYNTON BARBER) low expectation year. 2009 is presenting Sterling’s latest auction results cut as a serious target for bargain hunters, GRAYSWINE through the hype to reveal the 2004 but my happiest hunting ground is still ( SEPTEMBER REPORT, by GREG Penfolds uber-premiums have real 2001. FITZSIMMONS) pulling power. The 2009 vintage was under the GraysWine has now been up and The “most wanted” stakes, as revealed magnifying glass at the recent Peel running since July and the response by the Sterling “Top 100 most popular Estate Shiraz Tasting. For the past 25 has exceeded our expectations, with an lots page”, are always a good indicator years, Will Nairn’s Peel Estate crew have upsurge in the number of visitors daily of real demand. The number one wanted put together the 20 very best of world and an increase in bidder registrations. wine was the 2004 Penfolds Block 42 shiraz and this year was very interesting. The new website brings many of Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon - with 20 As expected Penfolds Grange, Henschke the features that made Graysonline a bids jacking the final hammer price to Hill of Grace and Yalumba Octavius house-hold name. We have extended $701. A clear demonstration of real were wonderful, but there was also our buy now offer and range to over depth. This wasn’t a bidding war driven exotic flavour from Craggy Range Le 2000 new wines. We have improved by just one bottle to fight over, with the Sol and Guigal Chateau d’Ampius. The our mixed packs to include premium Top Ten in the “most wanted” stakes usual suspects, Rockford Basket Press, and regional varietal packs, these are featuring three boxed bottles of the Wynns Michael and d’Arenberg Dead all via auction from $9 starts. Our “top Block 42 and one 2004 Penfolds Bin Arm all put in very solid performances. drops” auctions have developed and 60a Cabernet Shiraz. The 60a, a tribute The smart money at auction will proven to be enormously popular, with to Australia’s greatest ever wine (not focus on the “minnows” that held their brands such as Leasingham, Penfolds, my call), was pushed up to $583 by 15 ground against these aforementioned Wolf Blass and Kangarilla Road. They determined bids. heavyweights. As always, Peel Estate have a start price of $109 and all selling Rounding out the Top Ten were the looked at ease in this company of cheaper than other retail outlets. This normal Rockford regulars with a bottle “Giants”. The list of “look for” wines type of auction has proven a winner of the 2005 Basket Press Shiraz pulling included Howard Park Scotsdale, Best’s with suppliers as they clamber to be a $105 on the back of 16 bids. As always, Bin 0, Cape Mentelle, Alkoomi Jarrah part of this steadily growing category. the Rockford name was on target and Majella. Don’t forget, you can use GraysWine’s private cellar auctions with two bottles of 2005 Rifle Range the “notify me” facility on the Sterling continue to grow through our strategic 118 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

relationships with a number of national Not a truer word has been said about out within the month, plus 15 dozen and state-based wholesalers. We get ageing wines. GraysWine has access of Bin 707 at $349 per bottle. These first offer to help clear some excess stock to some perfectly aged wines that I were only outshone by some very rare or stock that is changing distributors have personally given the GraysWine Penfolds - a bottle of 1957 Bin 50 Grange and are surplus to their requirements. 5-star guaranteed provenance. These Shiraz ($7569), 1953 Penfolds Bin 145 Recently we took the opportunity to buy won’t set you back years of storage Grange Hermitage Shiraz ($6649), 1956 some brilliant European wines, including fees and waiting for the optimum time Penfolds Rare Bin 53 Grange Shiraz Selbach-Oster, Trimbach and il Campo all to consume and include both Australian ($ 6309 ) and 1958 Penfolds Bin 46 from the one supplier and all auctioned and imported offerings. Among the Grange Hermitage Shiraz ($5209). All at a fraction of the recommended retail Australian beauties are 2005 Torbreck up, a massive $100,000 of Penfolds was price. The Trimbach Reserve Riesling, RunRig Shiraz 2005 selling at $216, 2006 sold within one sale. Just like the current which sells elsewhere for over $50, was Elderton Command Shiraz ($83.50), real estate markets of Sydney and being picked up for around $20. Other 2005 Mount Mary Quintet ($85), 2003 Melbourne, I can see a direct correlation great bargains include Joseph Drouhin Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz ($75.85) to the increasing prices being realised Macon-Lugny and Laforet Bourgogne, and 2008 Cullen Diana Madeleine for Penfolds and other Australian iconic Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fume and Cabernet Merlot ($85). From Europe, wines, as demand for these is growing Gerard Bertrand Domaine de Villemajou via one of the most comprehensive steadily and shows little sign abating Red. All these wines make for the cellars I have seen, examples include into the future. perfect lunchtime accompaniment and 1982 Chateau La Fleur-Petrus ($259), For great prices on an extraordinary can be won and delivered for under $25 2003 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia ($214), range of fine wines, followed by fast per bottle. 2004 Gaja Barbaresco ($185) and 1990 and efficient service delivery, it doesn’t Recently, at a tasting attended by Huon Chateau Talbot ($145). For those with a get better than the new GraysWine - it’s Hooke, we were talking vigorously about little bit more to spend - a 1982 Chateau worth every drop. For more information ageing wines and the optimum time in Lafleur ($1434) or a 1967 Chateau visit www.GraysWine.com.au. Prices which to drink your cellared gems when d’Yquem ($935). listed don’t include buyer’s premium. he so eloquently said: “it’s better to There has been a run on Penfolds with drink a wine too young than too old”. all our 2010 and 2008 Grange selling Introducing GraysWine Join our community of wine lovers and growers. Discover a better way to buy and sell wine. Choose from 30 day 2000+ Wines Money-Back Quick Delivery Name your Price RIGHT TO YOUR WORTH EVERY GUARANTEE DOOR BID FROM JUST $9 FOR MOST CASES DROP Find out why selling and buying wine on GraysWine is worth every drop! Contact us: [email protected] Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 119

117 TASTED 65 AWARDED SA UVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS The great lunch wine, sauvignon blanc continues to delight with Nobilo Regional Te Awanga Estate Collection Parkhill Road its obvious herbaceous overtones. In this tasting we explore the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc various styles; from zingy, grassy styles to rich tropical fruit versions. Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH1/2 2014 HHHH Slight advanced colour Whilst general consensus states that these should be drunk young Nose shows some and nice tropics on the better winemakers show that the variety can handle a few passionfruit, toasty the nose with slight development and slight herbaceousness. Lean years of aging to add secondary complexity. minerality. Palate is palate; attractively punchy and pungent varietal. $11.99 with mouthfilling flavours. $14.99 South Point Estate SAUVIGNON Central Victoria Sauvignon Blanc BLANC 2015 HHH UNDER $15 A fresh pretty little wine with nice floral 16 TASTED fragrances and soft in 8 AWARDED the mouth. $4.99 Second Left A mixed bag with some Adelaide Hills ripper scores for the Sauvignon Blanc price. The lesser wines 2015 HHH lacked concentration but Nettle-like aromas with a hint of the tropics. it was nice to see few Very crisp palate that faults overall. abounds in flavour. $7.99 BEST VALUE Loire Loire BUYS Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH Smells slightly grassy and showing some Kaiora Bay Peter Yealands BEST development and a lean Marlborough Marlborough VALUE Kaiora Bay Reserve Loire palate. $7.99 BUYS Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014 HHHHH 2015 HHHH1/2 Sauvignon Blanc A water white wine - lean Lovely pungent tropical 2014 HHH1/2 and dry and very varietal aromas leap from the Zesty fresh style with with rich passionfruit glass. The palate offers nettley/grassy varietal aromas which follow perfect balance between fragrances and very lively through on to the lovely the sweetness and the ‘tingly’ grassy/tropical even/balanced palate that intense passionfruit palate. $12.99 offers great fresh and flavours. $13.99 NZ youthful flavours. $9.99 JUDGES Nev McPike Kym Schroeter Jane Paull Wine consultant. Senior white winemaker Freelance wine consultant, Previously winemaker for the Penfolds brand. winemaker and wine at Margan Family Has been a winemaker for educator. She is a lecturer Wines in the Hunter 20 years. Has done two in sensory evaluation and Valley. Worked at vintages in California with fermentation technology Craggy Range, New Geyser Peak and Mondavi at Adelaide University Zealand for 5 years. wines. Associate judge at and a course trainer Has been heavily the Barossa wine show. for the Advanced Wine involved in white 2015 International white Assessment Course. wine making for the winemaker of the year at Regular national and last three years. the IWC. regional show judge. 120 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

var ietal tasting SAUVIGNON Yealands Estate BEST BLANC 2015 Land Made VALUE BUYS Marlborough $15-$20 Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 20 TASTED Nose had some tropics, 10 AWARDED some florals and a perfumed lift. The palate is simple, crisp and Excellent line-up for slightly acidic. $19.99 both price and quality. “Great, well-balanced, SAUVIGNON drinkable wines with the BLANC stand-outs offering great value,” said one judge. 2014 & OLDER $15-$20 11 TASTED 4 AWARDED Overall, freshness was Villa Maria Private Invivo Graham Longview Whippet an issue for most wines Bin Marlborough Norton’s Own Adelaide Hills in this group. Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHHHH Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHHH Punchy gooseberry 2015 HHHH1/2 Powerful passionfruit and citrus aromas with White, bright and aromas with lovely the slightest hints of elegant. Pretty floral/ varietal flavour profile blackcurrants. Lovely spring flower characters and excellent acid mouthfilling varietal on the nose with some backbone to carry it. flavours with nice tropical notes. Lovely Nice phenolic finish. fruit sweetness and balance between fruit $19.50 an attractive phenolic sweetness and the touch. $19.90 acidity. $18.99 Mount Riley Marlborough Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Anthony Joseph 2015 HHH1/2 Vidal Marlborough A lovely crisp, lively Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc and pungent tropical Marlborough 2015 HHHH style. Hints of citrus Sauvignon Blanc Very New Zealand with on the nose and great 2015 HHHHH its pungent floral/cut concentration of Pungent passionfruit grass aromas that carry flavours. $15 NZ bouquet with a lovely, through to the slightly seamlessly balanced, sweet palate with Taylors Adelaide palate brimming over long lingering flavours. Hills Sauvignon with tropical flavours $17.90 Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 from beginning to end Very fresh wine with Giesen Estate and showing a nice nice fruit reminiscent Marlborough phenolic grip. $18 of lemony citrus and Sauvignon Blanc passionfruit pulp. Some 2014 HHHHH balanced sweetness. Great colour, very $19 youthful pungent/floral/ passionfruit bouquet The Crossings VALUE and a lovely fresh palate BEST Awatere Valley BUYS with lingering varietal Sauvignon Blanc flavours and a tight acid 2015 HHH1/2 backbone. “A very well Eradus Wines Nice mineral character made wine,” noted one Awatere Valley to the fresh floral nose. judge. $18.99 Marlborough The palate is vibrant, Sauvignon Blanc fresh and zingy with 2015 HHHHH strong tropical flavours. The nose exhibits very $19.99 attractive New Zealand varietal pungency underscored with some bright minerality. Lovely and fresh in the mouth with good rich flavours and great acidity. $19.99 NZ Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 121

SA UVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS Jacob’s Creek Rapaura K1 by Geoff Hardy Reserve Adelaide Springs Reserve Adelaide Hills Hills Sauvignon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2014 HHH Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 Very youthful wine with 2015 HHHH1/2 Pungent bouquet; some flowery/honeysuckle Some lovely pale straw/ interesting mulberry aromas and a well- lime hues, very lifted leaf and ground balanced lightweight aromatically, bordering pepper characters palate. $17.99 on pungent, with with generous tropical a palate that offers flavours. $22 Devils Corner mouthfilling tropical Tasmania Sauvignon flavours and a high acid House of Cards The Blanc 2014 HHH finish. $20 Joker Margaret Grassy herbal intensity River Sauvignon to the nose. Soft simple Sidewood Estate Blanc 2015 HHH palate with zingy fruit Adelaide Hills Smoky nettley bouquet flavours and firm acidity. Sauvignon Blanc with quite a lively fleshy $19 2015 HHHH1/2 palate and fine flavour Great gooseberry concentration. $21 Oyster Bay aromas with hints of Marlborough passionfruit. Lovely Richard Hamilton Sauvignon Blanc texture to the palate Adelaide Hills 2014 HHH with excellent zesty Sauvignon Blanc Exotic toasty Summerhouse Villa Maria fresh flavours that have 2015 HHH development on the Marlborough Cellar Selection a touch of sweetness. Very varietal - in the gooseberry nose. Creamy Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $20 nettles and cut grass palate, great varietal 2015 HHHHH Sauvignon Blanc spectrum with well- flavours. $19.99 Typical New Zealand 2015 HHHHH Starborough Family balanced sugar/acid. $21 sauvignon blanc Intensely pungent nose Estate Marlborough SAUVIGNON characters here with a laced with some leafy Sauvignon Blanc Jane Brook Estate 2015 HHHH1/2 Margaret River BLANC 2015 refined, crisp nose of cassis-like characters Loads of pungent Sauvignon Blanc passionfruit, limes and and beautiful fresh $20-$25 stonefruits and slightly varietal flavours of passionfruit and lime- 2015 HHH like fragrances. Lovely Lovely balance between sweet warming palate. grassy gooseberries on 24 TASTED Good balance, great the long well-balanced flavour weight and the pungent passion 14 AWARDED length. $20 palate with a zingy hit of length on the seamlessly fruit and tinned pea acid to finish. $24.90 balanced palate. High varietal characters. $23 level of acidity but in The judges found this balance. $20 Hunters Jane to be a very strong Hunter Marlborough class. “These were Howard Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Picnic Adelaide Hills 2015 HHH consistently high quality Sauvignon Blanc Subdued slightly wines showing great 2015 HHH1/2 minerally aromas and a concentration of fruit Zesty punchy tropical soft, rich and ripe palate; aromas with a leafy intensity and lovely touch and a vibrant some nice fruit notes. $24.99 balancing acidity,” bright palate with lovely concluded one judge. balance of varietal SAUVIGNON flavours. $20 BLANC Simon Hackett Adelaide Hills 2014 & OLDER Sauvignon Blanc $20-$25 2015 HHH1/2 The nose is more 9 TASTED minerally than fruit- 4 AWARDED driven and has a simple but attractive soft fruit palate. $20 A strong class with a SOHO Stella couple of years ageing Marlborough Wairau River but holding up well. Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015 HHHHH Sauvignon Blanc A lovely fresh, vibrant 2015 HHHH1/2 and elegant style that’s A pungent, clean and water white in colour lean New Zealand style with loads of punchy of sauvignon blanc aromas and lovely with intense varietal bright clean flavours fruit characters, great underscored by lingering zingy acid structure and acidity. Very well- incredible flavour length. balanced palate. $24 $20 122 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

var ietal tasting Giesen The Brothers Howard Vineyard Sandalford Estate Marlborough Adelaide Hills Reserve Margaret Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc River Sauvignon 2013 HHH1/2 2015 HHHHH Blanc Semillon Pungent sweet fruit The nose is vibrant and 2015 HHH aromas with nice floral punchy with loads of A sort of caramel notes and long lively passionfruit and sweet sweetness to the palate. Nice drink. Well- citrus aromas. Lovely perfumed nose and a made and hanging in fresh bright flavours sweet fruit palate with well. $22.99 extend along the entire soft acidity. $25 length of the seamlessly balanced palate. $35 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 & OLDER $25+ 30 TASTED 21 AWARDED A classy group of highly Grove Mill Wairau rated varietal wines with Yealands Estate Valley Sauvignon good consistent scores Winemaker’s Blanc 2014 across the board from Reserve Awatere HHHH1/2 Valley Marlborough A lovely combo of the one year or older Sauvignon Blanc pungent tropics, leafy wines. “This shows that 2014 HHHHH cassis and cut grass sauvignon blancs can The nose is all nettles characters on the nose with a certain pastille which follow through handle a couple of years jubey-like sweetness. to the palate filling age.” Lovely palate, quite fresh the mouth with long, and loaded with pungent lingering, pungent Jackson Estate Palmer Margaret varietal fruit flavours that flavours. $22 Stich Marlborough River Sauvignon linger long after the wine Sauvignon Blanc Yealands Estate Blanc 2014 HHHHH has gone. $39.99 2014 HHH Single Vineyard Very aromatic bouquet Slightly subdued and Awatere Valley with tropical fruit lime-like nose and quite Marlborough characters leaning a fresh palate with some Sauvignon Blanc towards the vegetal exotic characters. $21 2015 HHHHH spectrum. Lean, fresh Pungent bouquet - and very pungent on SAUVIGNON sweeter than some the balanced palate with more floral with plenty of fruit and BLANC and pineapple-like acidity. $25 2015 $25+ characters. The palate is crisp and elegant 7 TASTED with great varietal fruit 4 AWARDED concentration and excellent acidity. $26 Top class with three five Shaw & Smith stars awarded out of the Adelaide Hills four wines reviewed. As Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHHHH one judge commented, Very pretty aromatics - “These wines showed quite tight initially and great balance of intense very varietal. Excellent purity of fruit on a palate Vavasour Awatere fruit, acids and dry, that has lovely zesty Valley Marlborough rather than sweet flavour freshness that Mt Difficulty Sauvignon Blanc flavours”. is layered with lively Bannockburn 2014 HHHH acidity. $27.99 Sauvignon Blanc Intense pungent varietal 2014 HHHH1/2 bouquet of gooseberries The nose has pungent and cut grass. A nice fruit with attractive fresh hit of acid to the leesy notes and floral soft rounded palate. nuances. Very punchy Holding up well. $21 zesty fruit flavours that are balanced with lovely creamy phenolics. $29 Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 123

SA UVIGNON BLANC & BLENDS Villa Maria Reserve Palmer Margaret Giesen The Fuder Saint Clair Pioneer Nepenthe Petraea Wairua Valley River Sauvignon Single Vineyard Block 2 Swamp Adelaide Hills Marlborough Blanc Semillon Dillons Point Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHHH Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Great colour, very fresh Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH Nose showing some Unusual perfumed floral and youthful fresh cut 2012 HHH1/2 A complexity of development. Nicely fragrances - almost grass aromas, lovely A long lingering exotic gooseberry fruit, citrus textured palate with muscat-like. Lovely palate - balanced and style with some and pungent herbaceous some soft varietal balance to the palate. even with good length of gooseberry fruit mixed notes on nose and notes. $32 Excellent concentration cut grass flavours. $25 with lovely toasty notes. palate. $26.90 NZ of varietal flavours Creamy and soft in the Sidewood Estate layered with acid and Roaring Meg Central mouth. $49.99 Saint Clair Pioneer Mappinga Adelaide nice phenolics. $29.90 Otago Sauvignon Block 3 43 Degrees Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHHH Patrick of Marlborough Blanc 2014 HHH Craggy Range Nicely pungent canned Coonawarra Sauvignon Blanc Attractive oaky style. Te Muna Road pea and asparagus Coonawarra Fumé 2014 HHH Developed creamy Martinborough aromas leading to a rich, Blanc 2014 HHH Grassy green aromas biscuity aromas and Sauvignon Blanc soft, full-bodied palate Floral sweetness to the with a certain mintiness. almost chardonnay-like 2014 HHHH1/2 that is offering good nose. Simple palate, Lovely mouthfeel; palate. $35 Fresh youthful citrussy drinking now. $25 floral and creamy with excellent tropical bouquet; a tad nice phenolics. $25 flavours. $26.90 NZ Lime Rock Coquina restrained. Good palate Craggy Range Central Hawkes Bay richness and nicely Avery Vineyard Santolin Individual Wise Wine Leaf Sauvignon Blanc weighted varietal fruit Marlborough Vineyard Yarra Series Margaret 2012 HHH with lovely crisp, fresh Sauvignon Blanc Valley Sauvignon River Sauvignon Very vegetal style acid to balance. $32 2014 HHHH Blanc 2014 HHH Blanc 2014 HHH with intense toasty Sweet gooseberry fruit Jubey tropical aromas Crisp high acid style with characters, nutty Saint Clair style with a hint of rock and nice fresh fruit a kind of oily developed oaky notes and tinned Wairau Reserve melons on the nose flavours underscored character and fresh snow vegetable-like fruit Marlborough and a very flavoursome, with bright acidity. $25 pea fruit. $28 characters. A nice Sauvignon Blanc seamlessly balanced, drink. $28 2014 HHHH1/2 varietally pure, palate. $32 Willow Bridge Singlefile Fine green fruit aromas Estate Bookends Pemberton Fumé with floral/wild flower- Peccavi Estate Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2014 HHH like nuances. Elegant Margaret River Semillon Geographe Toasty, slightly smoky palate, good freshness Sauvignon Blanc Fumé Blanc nose with developing and some complexity Semillon 2014 HHH ripe stonefruit aromas with very firm acid 2014 HHHH Nicely integrated oak on and creamy flavours. $30 spine. $33.90 NZ Bright, slightly oaked, the toasty nose. Palate style with subtle creamy is smooth, creamy and toasty aromas and the toasty. $25 soft creamy palate starting to show some development. $42 INVITATIONS NOW OPEN! Market your wines to the world! Join the Australian Wine Industry Export and Buyers mission to Verona in 2015 Vinitaly 2015 – Verona, Italy, 22-25 March 2015 The best of South Australia at the world’s The world’s premier Wine Exhibition and the ideal forum for export-ready companies and for buyers sourcing international wines. biggest international wine exhibition Market your wines and spirits to around 50,000 international buyers sourcing new suppliers from all over the world - buyers from Western and Eastern Europe and the UK, Asia, the US and South America. The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in Melbourne is the Australian representative office of Vinitaly and provides assistance to 10 - 13 April 2016 Australian wine industry professionals attending the show: - Space and stand bookings at preferential rates - Flight bookings and confirmed accommodation in Verona - Logistics - Visitor registration ICCI Melbourne also actively promotes and facilitates contact between Contact [email protected] for further details. the Italian and Australian wine industries and provides trade services for the wine industry: market research, business listings, business matching and appointment agendas. For more information contact: Level 1, 185 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia Tel: 03 9866 5433 E: [email protected] www.italcham.com.au 124 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015



85 TASTED 60 AWARDED RIESLING A high strike rate for this varietal that is revered by aficionados Settebello Watervale RIESLING ENTRIES Clare Valley Riesling but ignored by sections of the broader public. Interestingly, when 2015 HHHH 2014 & OLDER these same ‘avoiders’ are given an anonymous glass of a fine riesling Delicate bath powder-like UNDER $20 bouquet and beautifully without knowing its content they are often completely converted. textured palate with soft 8 TASTED A very nice tasting with a high level of quality and consistency. citrussy flavours and 5 AWARDED OPEN a lingering sweet fruit finish. $19 A fair group generally Rise Vineyards holding up well and Watervale Clare offering nice current RIESLING 2015 Horner Wines Valley Riesling drinking with good value 1 JUNE CANBERRA 2015 HHH1/2 Little Jack UNDER $20 Orange Riesling Unusual spicy for money. 17 TASTED 2015 HHHH1/2 characters to the Jacob’s Creek INTERNATIONAL nose. Nicely balanced 8 AWARDED A very pretty and Reserve delicate young riesling stonefruit palate; some showing faint floral sweetness but balanced Barossa Riesling 2016 The judges found this fragrances and fills the by acidity. $19 2013 HHHH1/2 Smells of grapefruit to be a solid group of mouth with very well Gotham Wines with spicy notes and RIESLING wines for this price point balanced fresh citrus Clare Valley has some aged notes flavours .”Will age and a high standard for well,” noted one judge. Riesling 2015 HHH developing. Excellent CHALLENGE those recommended. $16.99 Estery tropical nose citrus flavours with good depth and persistence with a steely lift and The lesser wines Kirrihill Regional fleshy fruit driven and a lovely acid finish. were over extracted Range Clare Valley palate. Good cellaring $17.99 or showed ‘hard’ acid Riesling 2015 HHHH potential. $15 Queen Adelaide BEST structures. Fresh lifted citrus and South Eastern VALUE BUYS pineapple aromas and Wicks Estate lovely balance between Adelaide Hills Australia Riesling 10-15 OCT the citrus and tropical Riesling 2015 HHH 2014 HHH flavours on the nicely Reserved nose with a Complex style showing textured palate. $16 slight tropical lift and a first stage of toasty BEST buttery development. VALUE nicely textured green Koonowla The BUYS apple/citrus palate. Drinking well now. 2016 Ringmaster Clare Reillys Rockridge $18 $7.99 Valley Riesling Watervale Riesling 2015 HHHH1/2 2015 HHHH Knappstein Big ripe citrus-like A powerful lift of lemons Handpicked aromas with musky and limes on the nose. Clare Valley nuances. Nice depth Tight palate with good Riesling 2014 HHH of varietal flavours on sweet fruit flavours and Spicy/cinnamon a leaner style of palate nicely balancing acidity. characters on the nose with very good backbone $16 with more spiciness on of acidity and a vibrant the stonefruit palate. drying finish. $15 $16.99 JUDGES James Godfrey Steve Warrick Richard Gawel Chief fortified Direct marketer and wine Winemaking graduate, winemaker for Treasury consultant. Formerly Roseworthy College and Wines (formerly Fosters sales and marketing first specialist lecturer in Wine Group). Senior manager for the Hamilton sensory science. 12 years as wine show judge on the Wine Group. 10 years’ educator of wine evaluation at Australian National wine experience working in Roseworthy and University of shows. Member of the McLaren Vale, Coonawarra Adelaide. Experienced wine Australian Wine Export and the Adelaide Hills. Has show judge Contributor to the P: +61 2 6286 7515 | F: +61 2 6290 1580 | E: [email protected] judging panel regulating judged at the Adelaide, Oxford Companion to Wine. the quality of wines McLaren Vale and Hobart Currently research scientist at www.rieslingchallenge.com sent overseas. wine shows. the Australian Wine Research Institute. 126 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

ENTRIES OPEN 1 JUNE CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL 2016 RIESLING CHALLENGE 10-15 OCT 2016 P: +61 2 6286 7515 | F: +61 2 6290 1580 | E: [email protected] www.rieslingchallenge.com

RIESLING Chalkers Crossing Pauletts Polish Reillys Watervale Pikes Traditionale RIESLING Hilltops Riesling Hill River Clare Riesling 2015 HHH Clare Valley Riesling 2014 HHH Valley Riesling A delicacy of roses 2014 HHHH1/2 2015 $25-$30 Simple, slightly sweet 2015 HHHH1/2 and lilacs on the nose. Vibrant varietal aromas 12 TASTED style with lemon/ Vibrant lime juice Palate has lots of and flavours in the 11 AWARDED stonefruit characters bouquet - really fresh residual sweetness with tropical spectrum and a hint of toastiness. and very varietal. Nicely grapefruit flavours. $22 with some attractive $18 structured palate that toastiness developing. A consistent class. The has both delicacy and Stone Bridge Wines Lovely depth and great judges noted that many Springton Hills power with lovely purity Clare Valley Riesling structure to this wine. of the New Zealand Eliza’s Eden Valley of riesling fruit. $22 2015 HHH Big limey finish. $24.99 Riesling 2014 HHH Good varietal aromas wines represented Reserved green fruit Kirrihill Vineyard and ripe stonefruit Stone Bridge Wines here were of high acid bouquet with lovely Selection Series flavours with cleansing Clare Valley Riesling and high residual sugar flavour intensity and Watervale Riesling acidity. $22 2014 HHH1/2 drive; hints of toasty 2015 HHHH A nose of brown lime styles - something to age. $18 Floral/lime intensity Keith Brien Wines and buttered toast look out for if you are on the nose and lively Croucher Vineyard with similar characters looking for a dry riesling RIESLING 2015 zestiness to the palate Whitlands Riesling on the full flavoured style. palate. Good acid 2015 HHH that has a lovely acid $20-$25 drive to the varietal fruit Lightly perfumed tropical persistence. $22 14 TASTED characters. $20 bouquet and intense Andrew Peace acid-driven palate with 11 AWARDED Richmond Grove citrussy flavours. $22.75 Winemakers Choice Limited Release Clare Valley Riesling Very consistent solid Watervale Clare Plantagenet 2014 HHH class that shows a Valley Riesling Juxtapose Great “Distinctively Clare - Southern Riesling very Bickford’s lime 2015 HHHH strong riesling vintage Lifted aromas and lovely 2015 HHH cordial-like.” Intense with good winemaking. open palate brimming Californian Poppy nose acidity. Has a few years over with brown and an off-dry palate; in it yet. $20 lime-like flavours and quite sweet with some balancing acidity. Very florals. $24 Saint Clair Premium drinkable! $22.99 Marlborough RIESLING Riesling 2014 HHH Ferngrove Limited Off-dry style with subtle Release Off 2014 & OLDER floral/citrus nose and Dry Frankland vibrant citrus palate. River Riesling $20-$25 Great level of acidity. 2015 HHH1/2 14 TASTED $21.50 NZ Pungent tropical aromas; 8 AWARDED almost sauvignon blanc- Rockbare The like and with a tight Clare Valley candied fruit palate. A good group without Riesling 2014 HHH Good commercial style. the class of the 2015s Lovely drinking now Maude Mt Maude $20 but there was one and for the next two Vineyard Central Otago Dry Riesling years. Nice toasty Bundaleer Stony stand-out aged example. development and 2015 HHHHH Place Clare Valley powerful acidity. $22 Vibrant nose - smells Riesling 2015 HHH Highland Heritage like fresh homemade Reserved citrus fruit Estate Mt Canobolas Artiste Eden Valley lemonade and tastes aromas and flavours and Orange Riesling Riesling 2014 HHH like it too! Lots some old stone fruit-like 2008 HHHHH Very fine citrus of residual sugar notes. $20 A top wine with aromas and delicate sweetness that breaks Koonowla Clare gorgeous golden toasty well-structured palate down the high level of BEST Paracombe development but still with lovely controlled acidity. Clean, fresh Valley Riesling VALUE lingering flavours. $29 BEST 2015 HHHH1/2 BUYS Holland Creek VALUE shows plenty of citrus intensity. $22.95 A very fresh and vibrant Adelaide Hills BUYS characters peeking Hemera Estate varietal nose with a lovely Riesling 2015 HHH through. “Should develop Highland Heritage Single Vineyard floral lift and delicately Subtle wine with for at least another Estate Nikki D flavoured, well structured potential. Delicate decade, “ suggested one Orange Riesling Barossa palate with very firm perfumed nose; hint of judge. $22 2013 HHH Valley Riesling 2015 HHHH1/2 acidity but is right for this mint and with similar Buttery complex wine A delicate mix of citrus, style. $20 flavours. $20 - very developed for its age. Very sweet herbaceousness and but has a high level of a touch of florals with acidity. $22 some very firm acidity. It has great potential to become a beautiful, classic, aged riesling. $25 128 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

var ietal tasting Soho Maren Galafrey Reserve Leconfield Old Vine Marlborough Dry Grown Mt Coonawarra Riesling Riesling Barker Riesling 2014 HHHH 2015 HHHH1/2 2015 HHH Full, developed style A leaner Germanic style Lifted green melon with brown lime aromas of riesling with a very aromas and minerally and a warm, fruit-driven pretty nose of wild palate with youthful palate with nice length flowers and grapefruit nettle-like flavours. $25 and a certain delicacy. and sweet supple Drink soon. $26 floral palate with some Plantagenet Great THE WOLF BLASS excellent acidity to Southern Riesling Patrick of support. $26 2015 HHH Coonawarra Estate FOUNDATION Intense lime nose with Wrattonbully herbal notes and nice Riesling Established 1994 varietal intensity and 2014 HHH1/2 drive to the palate. $25 “Now we are talking,” enthused one judge. Robert Stein Orange blossom Mudgee Riesling aromas and a delicate 2015 HHH and interesting flavour Very full and rounded profile. $25 for a riesling, pushes into a chardonnay style Staete Landt with its spicy peachy Auslese characters. $25 Marlborough Riesling Shaw Vineyard 2012 HHH1/2 Estate Canberra Very sweet style with District Riesling powerful buttery/toasty 2015 HHH characters and high Tight zesty green lemon level of acidity. Has both Rear L to R: Brian Walsh, Paul Clancy OAM, aromas with lemony freshness and toasty David Robinson, Peter Perrin, Paul Evans flavours and some age. $29 NZ Front L to R: Wolf Blass AM, BVK, Stephen Millar AM searing acidity. $25 Plantagenet Great Maude Mt Maude Southern Riesling An impressive record McGuigan The Vineyard East Block 2014 HHH of achievement Shortlist Eden Central Otago Pungent tropical Valley Riesling Riesling 2015 HHH bouquet and lean palate 2015 HHHH1/2 Delicate brown lime with nice length of On his 60th birthday, in September An excellent wine with aromas and a sweet citrussy flavours. $25 1994, Wolf Blass decided to establish a foundation to benefit the pristine clean nettle palate with good Australian wine industry – to reward and citrus aromas. acid balance. A nice Roaring Meg achievement and facilitate study in all Lovely palate structure quaffer. $27 Central Otago fields, viticulture, winemaking, wine with excellent flavour Riesling 2014 HHH marketing, wine business, promotion depth and great acidity. RIESLING Scented citrus nose and wine education. A touch on the warm and very citrussy/apple The Wolf Blass Foundation is a side. $29 2014 & OLDER palate with residual unique and autonomous initiative which Austins & Co $25-$30 sugar sweetness. $25 provides a range of tangible benefits to industry. It is quite distinct from all Geelong Riesling 10 TASTED Rockburn Tigermoth other industry bodies because it is 2015 HHH 9 AWARDED Central Otago private, politically and commercially Delicate citrus fruit on Riesling 2014 HHH independent, and takes a ‘whole of the nose and palate. Toasted caramel aromas industry’ approach. The Foundation High level of acidity. These older wines are and a candied fruit will, however, complement and Nice controlled flavour holding up well. Again palate with high acidity may affiliate with existing bodies for length. $25 to match. $25 NZ maximum effectiveness. this shows that riesling Over the past 20 years The Wolf Blass Clare Wine Co offers a great guarantee Mt Difficulty Foundation has provided well in excess Watervale Clare of quality overall. Target Medium of $A1 million in funds to numerous Valley Riesling Bannockburn wine industry projects including a 2015 HHH Desert Heart Single Riesling 2014 HHH unique oral and written history of the Fine powdery bouquet Vineyard Central High acid, high sugar Australian wine industry, a 10 year and gently sweet Otago Riesling style with muscaty scholarship in Wine Innovation and citrussy fruit palate. 2011 HHHH1/2 floral fruit. Nice flavour Marketing at the University of SA and Slight metallic touch. $25 A classic brown-lime profile. $29 was a key contributor to the funding of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia style with lovely green Expert Review on profitability in the hues. This wine is Australian wine industry Actions For tight and elegant and Industry Profitability 2014 - 2016. developing typical oily kerosene-like aged characters. Has intense phone +61 8 8232 5322 acidity and a drying [email protected] finish. $25.60 NZ Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 129

RIESLING Greenhough Hope Robert Stein Half Vineyard Nelson Dry Mudgee Riesling EAT Riesling 2013 HHH 2015 HHHH Developed pungent A delicate well- bouquet and lovely structured style of delicate citrussy palate. riesling very high in DRINK Some sweetness. $25 NZ acidity, even for a riesling, with lovely RIESLING $30+ length to the sweet edged varietal fruit. $35 SHOP 10 TASTED Saddlers Creek 8 AWARDED Reserve Clare Valley Riesling AFRICA Great consistency 2014 HHH1/2 here with lots more Powdery talc aromas highlights. Definitely and delicate citrus fruit flavours. Palate Wide variety better purity of fruit has lovely balance and and good balance texture. Should age very of quality between the acid and well. $36 fruit flavours. “The good South African fruit has gone into these Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling wines and it hasn’t been 2013 HHH1/2 Liquor & stuffed up,” noted one Lots of toasty judge. development and buttery complexity on Wines available Pauletts Antonina both the nose and palate Single Vineyard for a two year old. Nice warming finish. $54.99 Polish Hill River Clare Valley Riesling Patrick of 2015 HHHH1/2 Coonawarra Aged Delicate and finely Wrattonbully structured citrus/tropical Coonawarra Riesling nose. Palate has youth, 2011 HHH1/2 elegance and a lovely Slight botrytis delicacy with pure characters to the nose varietal fruit flavours and nicely textured and great acidity. A little palate, great flavours, grippy on the finish. $50 lovely acidity, developing gracefully. $39 Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Eden Robert Stein Valley Riesling Mudgee Reserve 2013 HHHH1/2 Fresh, vibrant and Riesling 2015 HHH “A hefty riesling - not for youthful riesling with the faint-hearted,” said gorgeous green hues, one judge. Lots of fleshy lime and mint aromas tropical characters. $50 and generously flavoured tropical fruit palate with nice prickly acidity to balance. $42.99 Pauletts Aged Release Polish Hill River Clare Valley Riesling 2010 HHHH1/2 “A middle aged beauty,” said one judge. Soft and fleshy with lemon curd complexity on the nose and tight, balanced palate 27 Augusta St full of flavour with lots of toasty characters. $50 Willetton WA (08) 9354 1222 130 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 131

80 TASTED 43 AWARDED PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO Often regarded as an alternative to sauvignon blanc for the lunchtime drinker, pinot gris or grigio offers a mild fruitiness that rarely offends. The best were fresh and lively, avoiding excess pressings coarseness, or in the case of the pricier wines excess oak character. PINOT GRIS/ Peter Lehmann Four Sisters Central GRIGIO Art ‘n’ Soul Pinot Victoria Pinot Grigio Grigio 2015 HHH1/2 2015 HHHH1/2 UNDER $15 A simple minerally Estery floral nose that smells of pastille lollies steely style with a 9 TASTED subtlety of refreshing with a very appealing 4 AWARDED citrus-like varietal fruit and very varietal palate characters. $14 that’s well-structured The judges were Andrew Peace with spicy honeyed peach flavours and good pleasantly surprised at Masterpeace Swan mouthfeel. $15.65 the freshness of light Hill Pinot Grigio 2015 HHH fruit here. Great value! Delicate melon aromas Pask Kate BEST Longview Vineyard and fresh zingy citrus Radburnd Sun VALUE Queenie Adelaide BUYS focused varietal Kissed Hawkes Bay Hills Pinot Grigio palate. $13 Pinot Gris 2015 HHHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Creamy pear and lychee Peter Yealands Quite a subdued nose freshness to the nose Marlborough BEST but there are some and a warm, off-dry, Pinot Gris VALUE subtle stonefruit palate with lovely floral BUYS 2015 HHH nuances. Nice fruit flavour length and a Tight and lean with creaminess to a varietal spicy finish. $19.50 subtle hints of pears on palate that reflects the the nose and a fresh excellent quality of fruit Mount Riley crisp palate. $13.99 used here. $18 Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 HHH1/2 PINOT GRIS/ Mojo Adelaide Fuller and true to style Hills Pinot Gris with oily texture, slight GRIGIO 2013 HHHH1/2 residual sugar and peach $15-$20 Strong stonefruit and pineapple fruit characters. $15 NZ characters on the 25 TASTED nose without being 12 AWARDED overpowering. Palate Taylors Clare is fresh and lively with Valley Pinot Gris Yealands BEST fruit flavours in the 2015 HHH1/2 BUYS The judges found some Estate Land VALUE citrus spectrum layered Musky and tropical on South Point Estate confusion here between Made Marlborough with slight honeyed the nose with subtle Pinot Gris South Eastern the gris and grigio 2015 HHHH1/2 notes. $18 apple juice-like fruit Australia Pinot styles. The better wines Fresh ‘Nashi pear’ flavours and a distinct Grigio 2015 HHHH bouquet with a hint of acid backbone. $19 A punchy full-flavoured showed texture and minerality and a fresh, wine that has a fine character rather than punchy and lean palate Devils Corner fragrant floral nose just simple fruit wines. exhibiting good length Tasmania Pinot and a juicy peach and of apple flavours with Grigio 2014 HHH1/2 nectarine fruit palate A couple of very good nice texture and crisp Spicy pear bouquet; with a crisp finish. examples. acidity. $19.99 savoury notes. Lovely $4.99 pear/apple fruit palate. Very sweet but has searing acidity to balance. $19 132 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

var ietal tasting Dalfarras Central Grove Mill Paracombe PINOT GRIS/ Victoria Pinot Grigio Marlborough Pinot Adelaide Hills BEST VALUE 2015 HHH Gris 2014 HHHH Pinot Gris BUYS GRIGIO Subtle, delicate peach Nice delicacy of tinned 2015 HHH aromas and a lean, fruit fragrances with Floral/pear aromas with $25-$30 clean and slightly grippy a zingy fresh citrussy hints of honeysuckle and 14 TASTED palate with stonefruit fruit palate that has a stonefruit palate that 9 AWARDED freshness. $18.80 flavour and balance and is rich and generous. structure. $22 $20 Giesen Wines Estate The better wines here Marlborough Pinot 8 Ranges Tussock Peter Lehmann H&V had increased intensity, Gris 2015 HHH Ridge Central Eden Valley Pinot particularly the 2014s. Pungent estery nose Otago Pinot Gris Gris 2015 HHH with slight candied 2014 HHHH Quite a lean style with Some of the 2015s notes and a creamy A lean, clean, crisp and subdued Nashi pear were tightly structured palate with musky/floral citrussy style of pinot fruit and fresh crisp and could improve characters. $18.99 gris showing hints of acidity. $22 pear-like fruit and a good with another year of Villa Maria Private minerally texture to the Stone Bridge Wines ageing. Some of the Bin East Coast Pinot palate. $24.95 Clare Valley Pinot lesser wines were more Gris 2015 HHH Grigio 2015 HHH generic in character Honeyed sweetness to Starborough Smoky, toasty and nutty the floral nose. Slightly Family Estate on both the nose and rather than varietal. creamy style of palate Maude Central Marlborough Pinot palate. For enjoying with floral stonefruit Otago Pinot Gris Gris 2015 HHH1/2 now! $22 Villa Maria flavours. $19.90 2015 HHHHH Bright lime hues, Single Vineyard A pretty wine with pungent pineapple Centennial Old Seddon Vineyard Arlequin Wines subtle, fresh, floral fruit aromas and up-front, Block Orange Pinot Marlborough Pinot Adelaide Hills Pinot fragrances and generous mouthfilling, tinned fruit- Grigio 2015 HHH Gris 2014 HHHHH Gris 2010 HHH palate weight with well- like flavours. $20 Citrus/pear freshness on Straw coloured wine; Slightly sweet, full- balanced fruit flavours, the nose. Quite a tight lovely green highlights. flavoured style with some spiciness and very Cockfighter’s Ghost grippy palate with some Pretty floral fragrances subtle pear and nice acid structure. $24 Adelaide Hills Pinot zingy complexity. $23 lift out the glass with attractive toastiness Gris 2015 HHH1/2 upfront stonefruit developing. $18 Soho White Very lean, green style Saint Clair Premium characters that follow Collection with a subtle bouquet, Marlborough Pinot through to the palate with its attractive PINOT GRIS/ Marlborough Pinot soft fruit flavours, solid Gris 2014 HHH mineral line. $29.90 Soft neutral nose with palate structure and fine GRIGIO Gris 2015 HHHH acidity. $22 a more generous palate Attractive florals on $20-$25 the nose with subtle Hunter’s Jane that has fresh citrussy flavours. $21.50 perfumed notes. 27 TASTED Generous palate, offers Hunter Marlborough 16 AWARDED lovely peach/floral Pinot Gris Te Kairanga flavours with a spicy 2015 HHH1/2 Martinborough Pinot touch. $20 Floral fruit-driven aromas Gris 2014 HHH More consistency and a subtle creamy Tropical nose with some across the range of Wairau River stonefruit palate that is developed characters. styles with more fruit Marlborough Pinot warm and spicy and very Nicely structured palate; well-balanced. $24.99 good flavour profile. $22 intensity and aromatics. Gris 2015 HHHH Pungent tropical aromas, Very few faults overall. almost sauvignon Logan Weemala Reschke Most of these wines blanc-like, with a punchy Orange Pinot Coonawarra Pinot were made in the leaner concentration of well- Gris 2015 HHH Gris 2013 HHH Big fruity nose with A nicely aged wine with fruit-driven grigio style balanced varietal fruit candied characters and developed stonefruit flavours. $20 rather than overworked gentle creamy peach characters. Slightly oily gris style - despite the palate with a soft finish. texture. Still has loads of name on the label! $20 acid. $23 JUDGES Marcus Hofer Nev McPike Marie Clay Cellar Manager for Lloyd Wine consultant. Winemaker, Wolf Blass Brothers Wine & Olive Previously winemaker Wines. Judge at regional Company. Has vintaged at Margan Family shows over past ten at Coldstream Hills, Wines in the Hunter years including Cairns, Yarra Valley; at Sirromet, Valley. Worked at Small Winemakers Queensland; McLaren Craggy Range, New (Stanthorpe), Riverland, Vintners and Classic Zealand for 5 years. and many others. McLaren Wines. Associate Has been heavily Previously at Lindemans judge at the Adelaide Hills involved in white wine Karadoc. Has vintaged in wine show. Previously three making for the last Tuscany & Burgundy. years on Dan Murphy’s three years. judging panel. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 133

PINOT GRIS/PINOT GRIGIO When you pay Yealands Estate Foxeys Hangout Hugel Tradition Single Vineyard Mornington Alsace France Pinot this much care and Awatere Valley Peninsula Pinot Gris 2012 HHHH Pinot Gris Gris 2015 HHH A nicely balanced, 2015 HHH1/2 Citrussy nose with a full-flavoured citrus/ attention to the land, Pungent spicy fruit minerally element and stonefruit style with bouquet and a pleasant, quite delicate fresh some underlying it’s not surprising punchy, fruit-filled stonefruit flavours. $28 honeyed sweetness palate that has a lovely and a touch of alcohol elegance to it. $26 warmth. $37.99 PINOT GRIS/ that you create the Hahndorf Hill GRIGIO Adelaide Hills Pinot Sauvignon Blanc Grigio 2015 HHH OVER $30 STAR RATINGS HHHHH Delicate fruit-driven 5 TASTED Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of nose and a fresh crisp 2 AWARDED excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. of the Year. palate with generous All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry flavours and green apple professionals and are compared in peer notes. $25 One yardstick Alsatian classes by three judges. wine here and one Main & Cherry CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Adelaide Hills Pinot excellent New Zealand a major mail-order business. Grigio 2015 HHH version. The other wines CD Cellar door price. Mt Difficulty Minerally citrus style were either advanced CDO Cellar door only. Bannockburn Pinot with a nicely textured, or over-oaked and not SO Sold out. Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 well-balanced zingy worth the price. $N/A Price not available at time of printing. Caramelised honeydew- pear/citrus palate. $25  Contact information pg 168. like aromas with a solid Saint Clair Godfrey’s RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). and very attractive Waybourne Creek Reserve BEST VALUE for $20 & under. varietal palate that has Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot For a complete list of what we tasted a slight floral element Geelong Pinot Gris 2014 HHHH1/2 and some honeysuckle Gris 2015 HHH Interesting peachy please refer to www.winestate.com.au nuances. $29 Pleasantly, alluring perfumed nose. Slight bouquet with an unusual Rockburn Central spiciness on the subtle dusty note and some oaky touches. Lovely Otago Pinot Gris fruit palate. $25 depth of fresh peach 2014 HHHH and peach flavours with An off-dry style showing Soho Jagger toasty butterscotch nice texture with good Marlborough Pinot nuances and a drying depth of toasty peachy Gris 2015 HHH acid finish. $30.90 characters. Obvious Slight candied creamy sweetness balanced by nose with a rich rounded zippy acidity. $25 palate and obvious upfront sweetness. $26 Yep! They are smiling BUT WHY? Because they are holding the awards of hard labour. A trophy, gold medals, silver and bronze too, 4 ½ star rating, Halliday scores and more. All achieved over recent months in Australia, China and Singapore with not just one wine but seven. Our website tells you more. Contact us for your nearest retailer or if you would like to place an order. In the picture – James Hastwell, winemaker and We are delighted to have been awarded the trophy Richard McGeachy, vineyard manager. for Sauvignon Blanc of the Year for Australia and New Zealand at the Winestate Wine Awards for our Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2015. www.hastwellandlightfoot.com.au We believe it’s the nurturing and preservation of the [email protected] land that is vital to our success and our commitment Wines made for eating is to put just as much in as we take out. Think Boldly Tread Lightly. YEALANDS.CO.NZ YEALANDSESTATE YEALANDS 134 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015 YDL11157 - Yealands Winestate Awards Press Ad - R01.indd 1 19/10/15 2:53 pm

When you pay this much care and attention to the land, it’s not surprising that you create the Sauvignon Blanc of the Year. We are delighted to have been awarded the trophy for Sauvignon Blanc of the Year for Australia and New Zealand at the Winestate Wine Awards for our Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2015. We believe it’s the nurturing and preservation of the land that is vital to our success and our commitment is to put just as much in as we take out. Think Boldly Tread Lightly. YEALANDS.CO.NZ YEALANDSESTATE YEALANDS Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 135 YDL11157 - Yealands Winestate Awards Press Ad - R01.indd 1 19/10/15 2:53 pm

FR OM THE PR ODUCER 45 TASTED 21 AWARDED FROM THE PRODUCER A Winemakers Federation initiative, this line-up of wines come SEMILLON & Heritage Estate from producers who are asking for you to order direct from them. BLENDS Wines Reserve Granite Belt We used our usual wine judging panel system to sort out the 3 TASTED Chardonnay 2014 HHH wines that are worth following up. Now it’s over to you! 3 AWARDED Big toasty buttery nose with figgy notes and Excellent line-up of a long, balanced, dry elegant wines with great varietal palate. $36 SPARKLING Heritage Estate finesse and showing ROSÉ 2 TASTED Wines Granite how well this variety 2 TASTED Belt Marsanne 1 AWARDED 2013 HHHH ages. 0 AWARDED Floral perfumed aromas Pokolbin Estate One nice example of a with nice dried fruit Phil Swannell fresh white sparkling. notes. Nice varietal Hunter Valley Too tired and developed expression on a textured Semillon to be recommended. palate with good tannin/ 2009 HHHHH Cannibal Creek acid balance. $22.50 A lovely example of an OTHER RED Methode aged Hunter semillon. Traditionelle Trentham Estate It’s big and warm with a VARIETALS & Gippsland Sparkling Murray Darling toasty buttery nose and Chardonnay Verdejo 2015 HHH an elegant lemony palate BLENDS 2011 HHH White florals and honey with dusty traits and 5 TASTED Yeasty savoury bouquet on the nose. Lean and dry hints of marmalade. $30 2 AWARDED and fresh crunchy in the mouth with simple lemony palate; hints of light flavours. $16 Pokolbin Estate baked bread. $28 Ken Bray Hunter Lack of winemaking Giggling Goose Valley Semillon detail with low sulphur Padthaway Viognier 2011 HHHH1/2 OTHER WHITE 2015 HHH A lovely flavoursome compounding the VARIETALS & A light and elegant semillon with some problems, saw just almond/apricot bouquet BLENDS with a pleasant dry and Giggling Goose BEST attractive aged two wines reviewed VALUE Padthaway BUYS characters developing. here with the grenache 8 TASTED fruity palate. $18 Sauvignon Blanc It is full of fruit; a blends offering the best 3 AWARDED 2015 HHHH “yummy” combo of SAUVIGNON A well-made cool lemon butter, toast, drinking option. The best here had BLANC & climate style with a melons and citrus. $25 Vinrock McLaren punchy passionfruit freshness and varietal BLENDS nose and good varietal Mistletoe Hunter Vale G.S.M. expression across a 4 TASTED palate with mouth Semillon 2014 HHH Good balance of puckering acid/tannin number of different 2 AWARDED finish. $18 2014 HHHH sweet herbal black Subtle smoky varieties. lemongrass aromas fruit characters on the Peccavi Margaret with honeyed hints and nose and palate. Some A couple of nice quaffers River Sauvignon good volume of lemon residual sweetness. $29 showing attractive fruit Blanc Semillon meringue-like flavours on characters. 2013 HHH a long crisp palate. $24 Grassy aromas with smoky notes and hints CHARDONNAY of honey. Crisp well- integrated palate. 4 TASTED 3-5 $N/A 1 AWARDED Some complexity, length and balance from the one wine recommended. 136 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

f eature tasting Vinrock McLaren Trentham Estate BEST Vale Shiraz Murray Darling VALUE BUYS 2014 HHHH Shiraz 2014 HHH A big, well-made, rich A great little quaffer with berry style with loads big tarry sweet fruit/oak of oak. Lovely purple aromas and pleasant hues, sweet fruit well-balanced palate. aromas and vibrant 3-5 $16 flavours with good tannins. 5+ $29 Mistletoe Hilltops Shiraz Viognier 2013 HHH A youthful wine with a perfumed red fruit nose and simple spicy raspberry palate. 3-5 $25 Hugo McLaren Domaine Asmara Mistletoe Hilltops Vale Grenache Private Collection Noble Viognier Shiraz 2013 HHH Heathcote Shiraz 2013 HHHH1/2 Nice quaffer with 2012 HHH Excellent citrus/apricot pleasant Christmas Powerful smoky/ aromas with sweet pudding-like fruit leathery nose with honeyed notes. Luscious characters with a savoury some Ribena-like fruit. and lively in the mouth tannic finish. $27 Similar characters on with a palate offering the palate. $35 a vibrant complexity CABERNET of sweet lip smacking flavours. $22 & BLENDS Hugo Reserve SWEET McLaren Vale Shiraz 3 TASTED 2013 HHHH WHITES & 0 AWARDED Savoury meaty bouquet FORTIFIEDS and good depth of spicy fruit flavours with 1 TASTED More attention to detail balanced drying tannins. 1 AWARDED required here. Good fruit and good Domaine Asmara winemaking! $57 Reserve Heathcote A nice example of the SHIRAZ & Mistletoe Hilltops Shiraz 2013 HHH noble style here. A spicy oak-driven BLENDS Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 style of shiraz showing 13 TASTED Some very nice floral genuine vibrant varietal nuances on the berry fruit. $45 8 AWARDED fruit nose. Still very youthful with an austere Hugo McLaren Vale Good class of well- palate that’s built for Shiraz 2012 HHH handled fruit and good ageing. $24 Nicely ageing shiraz with lovely spicy winemaking. There were fruit and chocolaty some that either had development. $25 overdone the oak usage or had used old oak. JUDGES Andrew Locke Eric Semmler Peter Simic Winemaker with Proprietor of 919 Wine Editor/publisher Winestate Rosemount Wines Company. Formerly Magazine. 35+ years’ since 1998. Previously winemaker for the experience in the wine industry. winemaker with Hardy Wine Company. Formerly founding publisher Orlando Wyndham Previously with Brown of the first US colour wine and De Bortoli Wines. Brothers and Auldstone magazine, manager of the SA He has completed Cellars. Has spent Wine Information Bureau, and vintages in the US eight years as fortified wine educator with Regency and Loire (France). winemaker for Hardys. College, in SA. Also a regular Completed the AWRI Associate judge at wine commentator on national advanced assessment Rutherglen, McLaren Vale radio and television programs. course (1993). and Riverland shows. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 137

Q UEENSLAND WINE A WARDS 2015 QUEENSLAND WINE grape varieties are potentially the best from REGIONS the Granite Belt. Varieties such as verdelho, chardonnay, shiraz, tempranillo and others AUSTRALIAN wine lovers still express like an inland “continental” climate (as surprise at the notion of wine being made distinct from a coastal mild, cool climate) in Queensland. With its image of warm where there is a hot summer, cold winter and sunny weather, tropical coastlines, beaches a definite spring to wake up vines from winter and the Barrier Reef, Queensland does dormancy. While the coldest region is the not readily present the image of cold, mild Granite Belt, the Darling Downs and South climate conditions that are needed for wine Burnett around Kingaroy, are also cold. grapes. The fact that enables Queensland to produce great quality wine is the high GUIDES TO altitude of the Great Dividing Range to the west of Brisbane and the resulting QUEENSLAND WINE cold weather. Particularly the high altitude REGIONS Granite Belt (on the top of the Great Dividing The web site for Queensland wine Range, near the New South Wales border, producers (see www.queenslandwine. about three hours from Brisbane) where com.au) lists nine regions and there are vineyards are at altitudes of 700m-1000m. guides to each on the site. In addition to Compared to other high areas such as the Granite Belt, Darling Downs and the King Valley and Tumbarumba (around South Burnett mentioned above, there is 700m-800m). In August this year there the Queensland Coastal region - divided was a significant snowfall and coastal into the D’Aguilar Ranges just north west of Queenslanders flocked to the region to see Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, it first hand. Of course the Granite Belt is Gold Coast Hinterland, Scenic Rim (south hot in summer. The soil type is rocky and west of Brisbane) and North Burnett (near arid, and the vineyard yields tend to be Bundaberg). low - the ingredients for fine wine! Certain 138 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

regional tasting JUDGES AND THEIR COMMENTS THE judging panel included chief judge Hamish Seabrook, Kirrihill Wines, Clare Valley; panel chair Andrew Locke, winemaker McLaren Vale; Cate Looney, winemaker Brown Brothers; Chris Brace, cellar manager, Brisbane Club; Allan Hunter, manager London Fields Bistro and Courier Mail columnist; Jason Froman, wine agent and distributor. WHITES fruit and freshness. There were some Verdelho: interesting varieties but all were a bit The class was a great way to start simple and lacked the brightness of the day of tasting. It was probably fruit to get to the gold status. The top EXCLUSIVE the strongest white class in the show wine was a classic style fiano that WINE and demonstrated the strength of this looked fresh, bright and varietally PARTNER variety and how it performs so well in the expressive. Producers are encouraged Queensland regions. There were many to continue to experiment with these good wines and several embracing alternative varieties as I think they will new and alternative wine making. The suit the multitude and diversity of micro standout vintages were 2014 and 2015. climates, altitudes and aspects that Queensland boasts. Chardonnay: The class was less adventurous. The REDS top wines were awarded for the complex There was a common theme among the use of oak and solids while boasting entire red classes. The 2013 vintage good fruit intensity. It’s interesting to was weak compared to the 2012 and DISCOVER ONE OF note that many wines have gone back to a lesser extent the 2014 vintage. THE HUNTER VALLEY’S to the old school winemaking of big oak STILL-HIDDEN SECRETS, and buttery characters as a response Shiraz: to consumer requests. The darling class of the mainstream JAMES ESTATE varieties. The judges were looking Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc: forward to seeing the fantastic diversity James Estate’s superb wines are The class was very interesting and and were not disappointed. It was great crafted with care and time to deliver a quite a joy to judge. The sauvignon to see that winemakers have styles sophisticated, quality wine experience. blanc styles were a touch simple ranging from classic big, boisterous Reflecting the spirit of the Hunter Valley and lacking in fruit, although it was styles to quite elegant, spicy numbers. wine tradition, our rich and diverse great to see some of the producers The quality of wines was excellent. The grape supply is one hundred percent picking their fruit early to capture the 2012 vintage wines showcased the grown and produced in the Hunter. All our wines are processed, aged and nettles and leafy notes that can make best this region has to offer. bottled onsite. sauvignon blanc fun. Tropical and broad characters in sauvignon blanc Alternative Reds: This means from grape to glass, every make the wine look bland and dry The class came up with a couple of James Estate wine is a product of care, skill, experience and a whitish. The group that stood out was absolute wonders that made the judges strong sense of “place”. semillon. The best looking wine was swoon and argue their cases strongly an aged semillon with amazing colour for their favourite wine. A tempranillo It’s time to discover James Estate - the and freshness that rivalled any other that was savoury and structural, secret of the Hunter Valley. wine in the class. More current vintage and an amazing malbec that was so semillons were fresh and bright, and very complete and balanced. It was top wines were awarded for brightness chocolatey, full of beautiful fruit and and energy of fruit. balanced perfectly with fine tannins. Alternative whites: *Winestate has split larger categories into 1210 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 The class did not throw up the diversity smaller counterparts to better reflect the + 61 2 4998 7992 951 Bylong Valley Way Baerami NSW 2333 of wines that was expected. Many of Winestate judging style and for the ease of + 61 2 6547 5168 our consumers. the pinot gris, grigio styles lacked jamesestatewines.com.au facebook.com/jamesestatewines Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 139

tra v el briefs WINSOR DOBBIN QUEENSLAND ELEGANT APPEAL THE Granite Belt has a new cellar door, with Savina Lane unveiling its tasting facility in July. The elegant tasting room is furnished with designer leather lounges and thick, hand-knotted oriental rugs, and visitors can choose to taste wines in front of a log fire on cooler days, in the sunshine on the terrace overlooking the vines or on comfortable stools in front of the long, iron-bark bar. The cellar door also features a wine accessories boutique, with an interesting range of items to enhance the wine experience. Visitors COASTAL GLAMOUR REGIONAL PIONEER are encouraged to enjoy a stroll through the ACCOR Hotels has increased its presence GOLDEN Grove is one of the Granite Belt’s vineyard where interpretive panels on each on the Sunshine Coast with the addition of most successful wineries - and the property variety give details about each vine type. the Sebel Pelican Waters Golf Resort & Spa has been farmed by the Costanzo family Fiano, viognier, tempranillo and graciano in Caloundra. The property is Accor’s fifth since the 1940s. Ray Costanzo, the third- are grown here, as well as shiraz. Petit for the region, joining Sebel Noosa, Sebel generation winemaker, recalls how the farm, manseng and montepulciano vines were Maroochydore, Grand Mercure Apartments founded by his Sicilian grandfather Mario, also planted in 2012 and will be harvested Twin Waters and Novotel Twin Waters Resort. used to grow table grapes to sell and wine for the first time in 2016. Owners Brad and Located 90 minutes by road from Brisbane was made from whatever was left over. Cheryl Hutchings are celebrating their fourth and 40 minutes from the Sunshine Coast The turning point for the Ballandean Valley year at Savina Lane, where vines have Airport, Sebel Pelican Waters Golf Resort property came in the early 1990s when a been grown for four decades. Mike Hayes & Spa is situated on a championship golf serious hail storm destroyed the entire year’s is the winemaker. The Savina Lane cellar course and offers 76 resort rooms (which crop of stone fruit and the family decided door is open Wednesdays to Saturdays include spa suites and one and two bedroom to concentrate on growing wine grapes. and most public holiday weekends from apartment options). The Sebel also offers Golden Grove opened its cellar door for 10am to 5pm. Savina Lane, 90 Savina Lane, a day spa, swimming pool plus restaurant wine tourists, tastings and sales in 1991, Severnlea; phone (07) 4683 5377. www. and bar options. Visit www.thesebel.com/ making it one of the regional pioneers, along with Ballandean Estate. Golden Grove is locations/the-sebel-pelican-waters. savinalanewines.com.au. one of only thee Granite Belt wineries to COUNTRY CUISINE have achieved a five-star rating in the 2016 DEN WITH A DIFFERENCE edition of the respected James Halliday APLIN Gardens offers affordable country BRISBANE has a new “wine drinking accommodation five minutes outside Wine Companion. Golden Grove Estate, den” with the recent opening of Grape Stanthorpe and it is also home to a recently Sundown Rd, Ballandean; phone (07) 4684 Therapy Valley, the latest venture from opened gallery/cafe. There are five rooms 1291. www.goldengrovestate.com.au. entrepreneurial wine lover Darren Davies. to choose from, starting from $115 per night The atmospheric Fortitude Valley venue including breakfast, with a choice between WINNING WAYS boasts antique chandeliers, a high-pressed ensuite and shared bathrooms. The Gallery IT IS a newcomer on the Brisbane dining metal ceiling and a cosy old cellar out the Cafe is open seven days from 7:30am-6pm scene, but Thomson’s Reserve restaurant back adjacent to the courtyard, which can and features “old-fashioned home cooking is already winning awards. The eatery is host groups of 15-60. Davies says that the using fresh local ingredients”. The eatery located at the front of the new Inchcolm Hotel wine list is “brimming with hand-crafted showcases both Australian and international & Suites, along with adjacent Socialites bar. gems and treasures from our cellar”. artworks. With free wifi on offer, it serves Think dishes like pig cheek with Hervey Bay Grape Therapy Valley, 153 Wickham St, breakfasts and lunches, as well as morning scallops and sea parsley with preserved Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, is open Tuesday, and afternoon teas. Glen Aplin Gardens, 311 lemon paint or desserts like white chocolate Wednesday and Saturday from 4pm and Stabiles Rd, Glen Aplin; phone 0408 951 honeycomb, organic blueberry curd, Thursday and Friday from noon. 071. www.glenaplingardens.com. elderflower gel and golden cherry meringue. 140 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

tra v el briefs “We base our food pairing on a classical you’ll find the ultimate in eco-conscious approach,” says general manager Daniel sustainability, with solar energy and Meek. “Rather than trying to pair new and rainwater irrigation. The resort offers wifi weird food combinations, we choose foods access, a gymnasium and steam room, that will complement each other to create a complimentary car parking and 24-hour well-balanced dish and provide maximum reception. For on-site dining there is the pleasure to our diners. We aim to deliver View on Little Hastings Street Restaurant more than just an opportunity to dine. We and Bar. There is a heated lagoon pool strive to take our diners’ senses on a journey and 25m-lap pool, theatrette and games of flavours using the best organic produce room. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas, 33A available.” The Inchcolm Hotel & Suites Viewland Drive. Noosa Heads; phone (07) was constructed during the glamorous 5665 4426. www.peppers.com.au/noosa/ 1920s, the heyday of interior design. The hotel’s recent refurbishment has carefully BUSINESS BLOSSOMS protected the building’s neo-Georgian style WISTERIA Cottage is a short drive from yet combined it with modern touches. The both Stanthorpe and Ballandean, making beautifully designed boutique property the self-contained cottages an ideal base each day. Special mid-week rates are has 50 room options, including one and for exploring the Granite Belt region. available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and two-bedroom suites. It also has Brisbane’s The rustic cottages are nestled at the Thursdays, say new owners Glenn and Terrie first loft-style hotel suites. Rates start from foot of a forested hillside with views of the Costello. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy $249 a night. The new Inchcolm is at 73 Wyberba Valley. All are made of timber with Heavenly Chocolate; selling hand-crafted Wickham Tce, Spring Hill; phone (07) 3226 cypress pine flooring and exposed beams. chocolates and gourmet goodies on-site. It 8888. www.inchcolm.com.au. is the only exclusive chocolate shop in the There are three cottages to choose from, Granite Belt and it also sells hot chocolates with split-level Daisy cottage designed FOOD FOR THOUGHT for couples, Lavender cottage is ideal for in the garden cafe. Wisteria Cottage, Pyramid Rd, Wyberba NESTLED into the hillside of Noosa National families with a double bedroom and another via Ballandean; phone (07) 4684 5121. Park, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas with two singles, while Rose cottage has a www.wisteriacottage.com.au. is a delightful Sunshine Coast escape double bedroom with a convertible sofa for foodies, with the many Hastings St for an extra couple. All tariffs are standard Above left: Thomson’s Reserve Restaurant. Above right: Wisteria Cottage heavenly chocolates. restaurants a short stroll away. At this throughout the year and include a country premium Noosa accommodation complex breakfast basket with freshly baked bread Opposite page: Sebel Pelican Waters Golf Resort & Spa. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 141

Q UEENSLAND WINE A WARDS 2015 197 TASTED 89 AWARDED QUEENSLAND WINE AWARDS 2015 This year marks the 32nd year of The Queensland Wine Industry SAUVIGNON Association’s Queensland Wine Awards, and the second year of BLANC the competition being held in conjunction with Winestate. The 3 TASTED awards are a celebration of the Queensland industry - recognising 2 AWARDED excellence in wine making and the contributions made by persons Disappointing - simple and businesses for the progression of Queensland wine. wines overall lacking varietal definition or fruit but some pleasing nettle and leafy styles scoring SPARKLING Ballandean Robert Channon awards. 11 TASTED Estate White Pearl Wines Sparkling Jester Hill Wines Chardonnay 2015 HHH1/2 5 AWARDED Distinctly varietal 2012 HHH Touchstone aromatic nose, with Light lemon citrus fruit Sauvignon Blanc This class contained hints of turkish delight. hue with clean and 2015 HHH Tropical, goosberry fruits, some good wines Clean fresh vibrant clear fresh floral citrus very aromatic. Phenolic wine with quite a lot of aromas echoed on the showing fruit balance sweetness but suitable nose. Some yeasty sweet palate. Very and complexity. to fruit and acid. $16 complexity on the Ballandean Estate sweet residual sugar but palate. A simple, clean saved by balanced fresh Twisted Gum Pink and fresh wine. $30 Messing About acidity and good texture. Moscato 2015 HHH Fiano 2015 HHHHH $20 Pink moscato style. Nice lemon pith aromas Attractive floral nose. A OTHER WHITE with slight bitter almond Riversands pretty, sweet and easy VARIETALS & and ripe pear coming Beardsmore Dry to drink wine. $25 through also. A good Sauvignon Blanc BLENDS round palate, with 2014 HHH O’Reillys Canungra 9 TASTED attractive sweet fruit Fairly neutral, ‘skinsy’ Valley Vineyard 3 AWARDED and mid-length fullness. nose with some Lona Sparkling Well made! $30 mint and leafy notes Semillon 2013 HHH Ravens Croft showing through. Clean Bright fresh apple and Unfortunately not many Wines Pinot Gris commercial style with pear skin with crisp, awards given to this some persistence and clean aromas. Clean 2015 HHHH texture. $20 crisp palate with round class. Many forward and Pear skin with crisp luscious fruit coming to prematurely advanced fresh apple aromas. Similar palate with slight VERDELHO & the fore. Good flavour wines lacking fruit and citrus texture with and freshness. Top citrus and some savoury BLENDS some good bready yeast character coming 20 TASTED character. Nice! $32.90 wines awarded for through. Nice and clean with a simple finish. $25 10 AWARDED clean, crisp and bright fruit. Producers need Summit Estate A fantastic class of Ridgemill Estate to watch the balance Pinnacle White wines to judge. It’s White Blend Eloise Vintage between acidity and great to see so many Brut Sparkling sweetness. 2014 HHH Very spicy nutmeg and Chardonnay ginger notes with layers well-made wines with 2011 HHHH1/2 of intensity. A touch a diversity of styles. Dusty citrus fruits aroma hollow in the middle Verdelho is certainly one on the nose. Lovely palate. Very complex clean ripe fruit, melon fruit, but slightly lacking of the top champion and lemon pith character. acid focus. $22 white wines of the QLD Tasty broad fruits on a Wine Industry. Top wine ripe palate. $35 was an atypical style with amazing poise and complexity. 142 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

regional tasting Robert Channon Dusty Hill Estate VIOGNIER Golden Grove Wines Verdelho Gra Fion Verdelho Semillon 2015 HHHHH 2015 HHH1/2 7 TASTED 2010 HHHH1/2 Very complex nose; Candied fruit, sherbet 3 AWARDED Great bright green spicy, slightly graphite and fairy floss aromas. colour. Toasty nose aromas with gravelly, Yeasty and estery with Banca Ridge that’s very bright and big fruit under spice and bright acid. Citrus fruit Viognier full of vitality. A toasty, great length with texture and fresh jasmine. 2015 HHH1/2 full rich wine precisely and palate richness. Clean bright fresh A clean, tight, fresh made. $20 Fresh vibrant fruit, palate. $19 wine with good balance. balanced with chalky Good varietal notes with Ballandean Estate character - a classic Mt Tamborine dusty apricots and some Semillon Sauvignon style. $28 Vineyard & mild spice. $18 Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 Winery Verdelho Spicy nose with some Moffatdale 2015 HHH1/2 Oceanview Estate ‘skinsy’ notes. Zingy, Ridge Verdelho Green tea melon fruits, Viognier 2015 HHH crisp and clean with 2015 HHHH quite sweet and simple. A bright zippy nose of fresh lively bright fruit. Waxy, nutty, spicy Bruised apples character fresh lemon sherbert. Good acid balance and nose. Quite worked with floral and fresh Dusty lemon and fruit restraint. $19 palate but with good lemon acidity, sweet but apricot flavours. Nice firm phenolics with nice cleansing. $30 and fresh. $34 Clovely Estate texture and generous Semillon 2013 HHH fruit quality. $17 Robert Channon Ballandean Estate Honey melon and Wines Verdelho Viognier 2014 HHH toasted notes on the Ballandean Estate Ravens Croft 2014 HHH1/2 Fat apricots and almond nose. Aged nicely and Opera Block Granite Wines Verdelho Spicy white peach kernel on a dusty fruit developing well but at its Belt Chardonnay 2015 HHHH melon fruit. Mineral with nose. Fat round orange peak drinking now. $22 2014 HHHH1/2 Bright melon fruits, great use of bright acid. fruit palate. Simple but A nice rich nose and white peach and Long and pithy. A nice nice drinking. $22 CHARDONNAY palate of warm tropical nectarines on the nose. delicate wine. $28 fruits. Lovely rich clean Lovely bright fruit and 20 TASTED flavours. A big ‘old acid palate with honey Summit Estate SEMILLON & 7 AWARDED school’ style. $21 texture and a savoury Verdelho 2014 HHH BLENDS finish. $25 Melon fruits and Top wine reflects Ridgemill Estate freshness; broad with 7 TASTED Chardonnay Summit Estate good texture. Bright 3 AWARDED the ripe style and 2014 HHH1/2 Verdelho citrus flavours on a firm winemaking influence. Very mild floral 2015 HHHH acid palate. $22 Many under-fruited Good flavour and and citrus nose. Nice lifted fruit nose Pleasant sweet fruit with spicy bright acid. Symphony Hill wines. The top wine smart use of oak in the characteristics on the Fine delicate palate Wines Family awarded for some awarded, but many palate. $28 of elegant fruit, well- Reserve Verdelho beautifully aged fruit, a wines had poor handling balanced and tight, with 2014 HHH and lack of attention to Sirromet Le a long finish. Delicate, Estery, buttery nose. wine of precision and Sauvage The succulent and well Tight nervy acid with poise, amazing capacity detail. Wild Chardonnay made. $30 bright fruit and richness to hold its age. 2013 HHH1/2 of texture. Long, fresh Nice peach and creamy Banca Ridge length with a touch fruit on the nose. Verdelho warm alcohol finish. $30 Complex earthiness and 2015 HHH1/2 rich oak character add Spicy lifted nose. Bright interest with continuing and tight. Firm and complexity on the nose complex palate with and palate. $89 great phenolics. Tight, long spicy palate. $18 JUDGES Andrew Locke Cate Looney Allan Hunter Andrew has been a Winemaker for Brown Born and raised full-flavoured winemaker with Rosemount Brothers’ Milawa via a parental cellar stocked Wines since 1998. Previously Winery. Previously on South Australian he was a winemaker with worked as winemaker goodness, Alan discovered Orlando Wyndham (now at Scotchman’s Hill there was more to life than Pernod Ricard winemakers) Winery and has vintaged shiraz and cabernet. Eleven and De Bortoli Wines. He in Sonoma, California. years at the award winning has completed vintages in Associate judge at the e’cco bistro as Sommelier, the US and Loire (France). Australian Inland Wine columnist for Courier Mail In 1993 he attended the Show, Victorian Wine Qweekend, Alan has a sound AWRI advanced assessment Show and the NSW Small palate and appreciation for all course. Winemakers’ Show. things vinous. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 143

Q UEENSLAND WINE A WARDS 2015 Oceanview Estate Jester Hill Wines Summit Estate Dusty Hill Estate Wild Fermented Touchstone Petit Malbec 2014 HHH Gra Fion Chardonnay Verdot 2012 HHHHH Good colour. Vibrant nose Tempranillo 2015 HHH Great deep colour with with crunchy blue fruits 2014 HHH Natural earthy nose with ripe leafy mulberry and some aniseed/fennel Simple dried fruits. Broad tight fruit and restrained aromas. Excellent seed aromas coming fruit and oak aroma. oak. An elegant palate luscious ripe palate, with through. Grippy palate Dried, light weight and longevity will see sweet seed tannins and with good concentration savoury palate. $24 this wine through. $34 a lovely long finish. $30 of flavour. $30 MERLOT & Golden Grove Clovely Estate Pyramids Road Chardonnay Leftfield Petit Wines Mourvedre BLENDS 2014 HHH Verdot 2014 HHH 2014 HHH 11 TASTED Big tropical nose of Spicy, dusty fruits Cough drop and charcoal melons and pineapples on the nose. Light, nose. Spicy notes over 3 AWARDED and ripe fruit. straightforward fruit mid-weight fruit. Light Straightforward palate palate with soft low earthy finish. $35 Awarded wines showed with a mild fruity tannin finish. $22 real fruit character and finish. $26 Pyramids Road OTHER RED Wines Bernies softness. Some wines Riversands Inland Blend Red Blend had too much oak or Way Chardonnay VARIETALS & 2014 HHH too much time in barrel 2013 HHH Mid-weight wine with Mild floral and BLENDS Ballandean Estate good flavours. Cooler however. passionfruit nose. Simple 18 TASTED Messing About fruits and earthy texture. yet balanced tropical 8 AWARDED Saperavi 2013 A simple drink now Oceanview Estate palate with some nice HHHH1/2 style. $35 Unwound Merlot citrus length. $22 Lovely spice, licorice 2015 HHH1/2 A strong class showing and chocolate bouquet TEMPRANILLO Light mid-weight red Sirromet Wines the strength of the with slight savoury fruits aroma. Savoury Signature Collection notes. Nice soft palate 8 TASTED tannins on the palate Chardonnay alternative varieties. and attractive chewy 3 AWARDED and finishing dry. $31 2013 HHH Good strong gold tannins. $42 Mild estery bananas medals across different Hidden Creek Pyramids Road and tropical fruit with varieties with very few Golden Grove Tempranillo Wines Merlot lemon pith nose. Simple Barbera 2014 HHH1/2 fruity palate with tropical faults. 2014 HHH1/2 2012 HHHHH Nice defined blackcurrant Dried spice and luscious flavours. $35 Big red fruits and spicy and blackberry nose, Golden Grove ripe fruit aromas and showing depth and true Malbec sweet herbs on the nose. palate. Mid-weight ripeness. Similar black ROSÉ 2013 HHHHH Good juicy red palate. A clean, well-made wine fruit palate with a slightly 2 TASTED Spicy blue fruits, mineral delicious drink! $24 with plenty of tannin to dry tannin finish. $25 support. $22 0 AWARDED and wet slate nose. Whiskey Gully Tight fruit palate of Republique Clovely Estate concentrated blueberries Banca Ridge Reserve Merlot A disappointing class. with charcoal and chalk Red Blend Tempranillo 2012 HHH characteristics coming 2012 HHH1/2 2014 HHH Simple, black fruits with PETIT VERDOT through. $28 Simple juicy raspberry Good fresh aroma; chocolate and mocha plum and cool fruits on 7 TASTED Golden Grove the nose. Nice light red juicy, spicy, and slightly oak and some spice on savoury. Well-made and the nose. Good juicy 2 AWARDED Nero D’Avola fruits on the palate. Well balanced. $20 palate. Well made. $35 2014 HHHH1/2 made. $28 Some good examples to Well-made and smooth. be had here. A good medium-body drink with spicy black fruit aromas and palate. $26 JUDGES Hamish Seabrook Chris Brace Jason Froman Winemaker at Kirrihill Wines of Cellar manager at the Independent wine Clare. Formerly winemaker at Brisbane club. Judge at wholesaler. Formerly Best’s Wines in Great Western, Queensland wine awards business development senior winemaker at Brown for the last three years. manager with Witches Brothers and senior winemaker at Has vintaged at Kaesler Falls Winery, after a Dorrien Estate. Judge and Panel in the Barossa Valley. business role with Chairman at Melbourne wine show Produced the Best Club Constellation Wines. 2003 and 2008, Rutherglen 2003 Wine List for 2011, 2012 Has worked in the UK to 2012, Stanthorpe 2008 to 2011. and 2013. with Waitrose, Berkman Judged at Canberra, Sydney and and Wimbledon Victorian wine shows, Ballarat, Wine Cellars. Judged Brisbane Wine awards. at Australian Small Winemakers Show. 144 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

regional tasting DURIF Pyramids Road Tipperary Estate 4 TASTED Wines Cabernet Shiraz Viognier Sauvignon 2014 HHH 2 AWARDED 2014 HHH1/2 All things Asian on the All choc mint and nose with big aromas Golden Grove creaminess over black of fish sauce, iodine Vintage Grand fruit with a big oak lift. and black bean paste. Reserve Durif Blackberry richness Luscious palate of the 2013 HHH1/2 and polished fruit with same with good fruit Lovely sweet fruity a sweet/sour tart fruit intensity. $25 lift; delicious nose and edge. $35 palate. Some spicy Girraween Estate estery character but Jester Hill Wines Shiraz Cabernet even and full. $65 Touchstone 2013 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon Nice blackberry seed Golden Grove Durif 2012 HHH1/2 with rich shiraz fruit 2013 HHH Tarry chocolate/coffee coming to the fore. Good sweet fruit with nose. Very dense and Cabernet provides crunchy seed tannins brooding. Dense rich structure on the palate on a slightly dense solid fruit with a fine grain and good length with palate. $30 tannin and fresh acid slightly spicy fruit finish. $25 overtones. $24 CABERNET & Girraween Estate Ballandean Estate Whiskey Gully Wines Ballandean Estate BLENDS Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Cabernet Black Rod Shiraz Opera Block Shiraz 15 TASTED 2013 HHH 2012 HHH 2012 HHHHH 2013 HHHH Pine needle and dried Just like a ‘Cherry Ripe’ Beautiful leafy black Attractive generous 6 AWARDED chocolate bar on the herb aromas coming fruits and some minty honey aromas. A lovely nose. Crunchy texture through on the nose. A eucalypt notes on the elegant style full of with good fruit intensity mid-weight style. Drink A diverse class of and good chewy now. $35 nose. A plush rich licorice, fine spice and wines ranging from medium tannins. $28 wine with great flavour fine grained oak. $28 length, richness and dramatically under ripe SHIRAZ balance. $30 Clovely Estate to balanced stylish Symphony Hill 28 TASTED Reserve Shiraz Wines Reserve wines. Unfortunately all Cabernet Sauvignon 15 AWARDED Clovely Estate 2012 HHHH Artisan Polyphemus Lean aroma and wines lacked the layers 2012 HHH Passito Shiraz flavours with green of complexity, poise and Aromatic red berry fruits Quite obvious that 2012 HHHHH bean overtones. Quite balance to go to the next with some fish sauce the wines of 2012 Black fruits on a lovely angular. An austere style overtones. Elegant level of gold medals. Chinese five spice and were much stronger rich dense nose. Tarry built for aging. $35 with a fresh hint of Top wines awarded for firm tannins with good than 2013 and 2014 coffee and mocha. Millawa Ranch depth and class and depth of fruit. $65 respectively. Top wines Bright fruit density with Painted Horse Shiraz great fruit. were rich, plush and a rich, long, savoury 2014 HHH1/2 SHIRAZ finish. $90 Mid-weight commercial style. Integrated oak Whiskey Gully BLENDS well-made, with good Granite Ridge Wines with structure and Reserve Cabernet oak handling and fruit Granite Rock Shiraz balance and some nice Sauvignon 10 TASTED pedigree. Producers 2009 HHHH1/2 plummy fruit notes. 2012 HHHH 4 AWARDED need to watch tannin Dark black fruits with $20 Lots of oak. Sweet and some earthy characters rich fruit on the palate Just Red Wines handling in lighter on a bright vibrant plush Mason Wines Cellar with long succulent Shiraz Viognier weighted wines with palate. Soft round tannin Collection Shiraz tannins. Attractive black 2014 HHHH some under fruited palate and still has good 2014 HHH1/2 tarry fruit makes for a Black, jammy and length. Good drinking Big complex fruit on the very intense wine. $34 plush, brooding cherry, wines lacking vitality now. $28 nose. Chewy, intense berry fruits. Lovely and freshness and some wine with good clean, Mason Wines palate density and simple winemaking varietal and balanced Cellar Collection richness. Youthful ‘cool faults. fruit. $25 Cabernet Sauvignon climate’ style of white JUDGES 2012 HHHH pepper with elegant Pyramids Road Delicious blackberry/ mulberry fruit nose. nuances. $25 Wines Shiraz Hamish Seabrook Chris Brace Jason Froman 2014 HHH1/2 Winemaker at Kirrihill Wines of Cellar manager at the Independent wine Rich long tannins with Nice menthol notes with Clare. Formerly winemaker at Brisbane club. Judge at wholesaler. Formerly density and palate rich blue fruits coming Best’s Wines in Great Western, Queensland wine awards business development richness. Good quality to the fore. Lifted, fresh senior winemaker at Brown for the last three years. manager with Witches fruit showing elegance Brothers and senior winemaker at Has vintaged at Kaesler Falls Winery, after a with a minty edge. $35 and zingy with fine grain Dorrien Estate. Judge and Panel in the Barossa Valley. business role with tannins to finish. $35 Chairman at Melbourne wine show Produced the Best Club Constellation Wines. 2003 and 2008, Rutherglen 2003 Wine List for 2011, 2012 Has worked in the UK to 2012, Stanthorpe 2008 to 2011. and 2013. with Waitrose, Berkman Judged at Canberra, Sydney and and Wimbledon Victorian wine shows, Ballarat, Wine Cellars. Judged Brisbane Wine awards. at Australian Small Winemakers Show. Special Edition 2015 WINES TATE 145

Q UEENSLAND WINE A WARDS 2015 Girraween Estate Just Red Wines Ballandean PROVENANCE CLASS Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 Daily Red Shiraz Estate Sylvaner Quite polished fruit. 2014 HHH Late Harvest 9 TASTED Blackberry with some Hints of green fruits with 2014 HHH1/2 8 AWARDED blueberry fruits on the chewy spicy character. Delicate floral notes nose. Fine oak with A bigger style of wine; of crushed white What a class to judge! Amazing wines. It good balance of tasty very aromatic with good flowers. Subtle sweet candied fruit. Long finish length. $12 white with tropical was like choosing your favourite child. The of luscious vanilla oak nuances and bright acid sparkling wines showed great consistency with a hint of spice. $24 Mason Wines Cellar ‘zippiness’. $25 except for the 2009 vintage where it Collection Shiraz Jester Hill Wines 2013 HHH Dusty Hill Estate appeared the maker changed styles for Touchstone Shiraz Coffee and mocha with Liqueur Muscat a vintage. All in all the sparklings were 2013 HHH1/2 strong oak overtones on NV HHH criticized for a touch too high dosage but Elegant blackberry the nose. Plush black Caramel characters all believed this bracket a great start. The notes with a hint of fruits palate with good with some wet wood spicy black pepper. Big tannin weight and acid overtones on the semillon bracket demonstrated the greatest tannins but succulent balance. Dark, dense nose. Subdued wood degree of consistency between vintages fruit in balance. Dense and brooding. $35 notes but with good and the wines were the most consistently but sweet and firm aged tawny characters palate with tarry spice SWEET underneath. $24 well made. It was a joy to see the colour overtones. $45 stay consistent from 2010 to 2014. The WHITES & Clovely Estate wines showed energy and vitality. The reds Mt Tamborine Leftfield Cordon were probably the most disappointing of Vineyard & FORTIFIED Cut Late Harvest Winery Black Shiraz 7 TASTED 2014 HHH the three brackets. The 2009 vintage was 2013 HHH1/2 4 AWARDED Crème brulee nose with the standout, with a depth of flavour and Elegant nose of lifted a caramel botrytis note. intensity. The 2010 was quite faulty and spicy fruit. Black pepper Clean, bright and sweet density and richness Two wines in this class plush fruit with good let the whole bracket down. The 2012 was of smoky oak. Lovely showed fresh complex acid and a bright long consistent with the 2009 vintage. integrated and balanced, characters and fine finish. $22 lighter style. $55 Clovely Estate Leftfield Semillon balance between acidity 2010 HHHH1/2 Golden Grove and sweetness. They MUSEUM Vintage Grand were held off higher CLASS Robert Channon Wines Sparkling Reserve Shiraz Chardonnay 2008 HHHH1/2 2012 HHH1/2 medals due to lack of 1 TASTED Dense rich nose, all fruit intensity and further 1 AWARDED Clovely Estate Leftfield Semillon brooding and black. Black complexity. The top 2014 HHHH pepper, spicy palate with A good older chardonnay very intense long dense wine of this class was a Clovely Estate Leftfield Semillon fruit. Touch of chewy oak great representation of that is very well made 2013 HHH1/2 tannins. $45 this style. shown here. Robert Channon Wines Sparkling Oceanview Estate Oceanview Estate Sirromet Wines Chardonnay 2009 HHH1/2 Unwound Shiraz Grand Tawny Le Sauvage The 2015 HHH 2003 HHHH Wild Chardonnay Twisted Gum Shiraz 2009 HHH1/2 Plush blue and blackberry Lovely balance of fruit 2010 HHHH fruits. Rich sweet fruit and spirit. A rich wine Big, developed and full Robert Channon Wines Sparkling palate that’s bright and with good depth, ‘very with rich ripe peach and Chardonnay 2012 HHH soft with round tannin old school’ with hints of sweet fruit characters structure. $35 licorice and aniseed. Hot in abundance. Very Twisted Gum Shiraz 2012 HHH and fiery alcohol backed well-made and very with elegant oak. $49 drinkable. $89 146 WINES TATE Special Edition 2015

AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND the wine & spirit insider Special Edition 2015 Issue 145 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 In this issue... New Releases & $ Best Value Buys Under 20 reschke.com.au Photo credit: Sara Huffen

185 TASTED 116 AWARDED NEW RELEASES A high quality tasting with semillon, riesling and aged shiraz the pick Reillys Adelaide SAUVIGNON Hills Pinot Gris of the bunch. Although rosés and merlot disappointed, elsewhere 2015 HHH BLANC & there were many wines that made the cut. Nice varietal lift to the BLENDS nose and pleasing length of fruit flavours. Great 15 TASTED with cheese! $19 8 AWARDED SPARKLING Swire & Noble Black Stump Clare Heritage Wines \"The 2015s offered Granite Belt 9 TASTED Moscato NV HHH Valley Viognier Viognier 2015 HHH reasonable drinking,\" 2010 HHHH1/2 Pretty floral fragrances 4 AWARDED and lusciously sweet A beautifully crafted \"Big, fat, rich and loud.\" agreed the judges. palate with zippy fresh mature wine showing Loads of apricot/citrus \"These are early releases A tough class to judge acidity to balance. lovely toasty/honeyed fruit with some attractive but will make great oiliness. $20 with only three wines $16.99 age complexity and an summer drinking.\" Apart amazing palate length recommended which Totino Estate Alexia that's layered, rich and Centennial from a couple of wines included a couple of Blushing Cuvee mellow. A big food Southern Highlands the 2014s were more Gewurztraminer nice moscato examples Adelaide Hills wine. $24 Sparkling NV HHH 2015 HHH difficult to recommend. where the acid balanced Lifted peach, strawberry Delicate musky the sugar. and citrus aromas. perfumed bouquet. Very Sweet palate, good varietal palate with good flavours with some citric backbone. $25 toastiness. $23.95 Wine Men of Gotham South Australia Moscato 2015 HHH Fresh and floral on the nose with a soft flavoursome palate, high in both acid and sugar. $7 OTHER WHITE VARIETALS & BLENDS 12 TASTED 6 AWARDED Handcrafted by Geoff Hardy St Johns Brook Mixed bag with the best Adelaide Hills Fiano Single Vineyard Andrew Garrett offering varietal interest. 2015 HHH1/2 Margaret River BEST Vintage McLaren Some wines here were Light, bright and fresh VALUE Sauvignon BUYS Vale Sparkling with fleshy fresh peach Totino Estate Blanc Semillon Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 over extracted thereby aromas and lovely palate Adelaide Hills Pinot 2015 HHH1/2 Fresh red berry bouquet adding bitterness. delicacy with appealing Grigio 2015 HHH Pungent grassy varietal with subtle vanilla pear flavours. $25 Very varietal and very fruit with an herbaceous oak. Lovely earthy slurpable with its lift, some flinty acidity blackcurrant flavours. delicate fragrant tropical and an attractive Quite sweet. Well- fruit and balancing minerally character. $25 handled oak. $24.99 acidity. $18.95 148 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spir it insider tasting Signature Wines Forester Estate Reserve Adelaide Margaret River Hills Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 2015 HHH Interesting cut hay/sugar Grassy citrus bouquet pea aromas. Very light and dry varietal palate Certified palate - fresh and simple with crisp acidity to but lots of flavour and a balance. $26.99 long full finish. $27 Organic Brygon Reserve Finniss River South Third Wheel Western Australia Sauvignon Australia Sauvignon Wine of the Blanc 2014 HHH1/2 Blanc 2014 HHH Easy drinking style Simple perfumed with grassy citrussy aromas and ripe tropical Year fruit, crisp acid and nice fruit palate with good flinty/mineral line with green notes. $24.99 Australia well judged residual sugar. $19.99 RIESLING Sabella Vineyards 4 TASTED 2016 McLaren Vale 4 AWARDED Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHH Harmulist South Great varietal definition Small but excellent Australia Riesling with an elegant class. \"How many years 2015 HHHH perfumed nose and have we been singing Lifted ripe lime juice- Proudly very flavoursome the praises of riesling?\" like aromas with slight palate. $14.99 asked one judge. \"So get musky notes. Big rich sponsored by on board!\" palate with more of the NASAA and ripe lime cordial flavours and quite a sweet finish. $13 Organic Times www.nasaa.com.au Harmulist Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2015 HHH Reillys Watervale Simple and sweet with Clare Valley Riesling herbal grassy aromas and 2015 HHHH1/2 Harmulist Clare zippy citrus palate. Nice A very tasty, well made, Valley Riesling acid balance. $16 wine with lovely lemon/ 2015 HHHH lime fruit showing hints A seriously good riesling Yilgarnia Sauvignon of blossoms and some - vibrant, fresh and lifted Blanc 2015 HHH spiciness. A tight acid with lovely perfumed Light fresh fruit salad spine gives the palate a lemon and lime-like fruit nose; big tropical fruit lovely fresh lift. $22 and excellent acid/sugar palate with simple balance. $16 citric finish. Excellent quaffer. $19 organictimes.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 149

NEW RELEASES NEW RELEASES Cooks Lot Tyrrell's Wines Brygon Estate CHARDONNAY Allotment No. 333 Hunter Valley Meadowbrook South 28 TASTED Orange Riesling Semillon Eastern Australia 2015 HHH1/2 2015 HHHH Semillon Sauvignon 20 AWARDED Very classy riesling with Lovely light fresh citrus Blanc 2014 HHH its beautifully elegant bouquet with a fresh, A fumé style. Smoky A very strong class! aromatic fruit nose and well balanced, elegant oak nose and developed \"The top end wines excellent spicy citrus palate showing great buttery honeyed fruit flavours. $22 texture and sweet palate. $12.99 showed great elegance fruit. Good cellaring and structure,\" said SEMILLON & potential. $23 Strategy South one judge. \"The old Eastern Australia BLENDS Forester Estate Semillon Sauvignon 'Dolly Parton' wines are 11 TASTED Margaret River Blanc 2014 HHH gone and these offer Semillon Sauvignon Oaky complexity to 11 AWARDED Blanc 2015 HHHH the slightly honeyed sophisticated drinking; Fresh lifted citrussy/ aromas. Loads of rich those who have given Very consistent and apple aromatics honey/peach flavours. up on chardonnay strong class showing with some spiciness $12.99 should take another underneath and lovely the value of semillon flinty pear flavours with The Outlaws South look.\" to add texture and clean crisp acidity. Eastern Australia Geoff Merrill flavour. There were also 5+ $23.99 Semillon Sauvignon Reserve McLaren some superb straight Thompson Estate Blanc 2014 HHH Vale Coonawarra Brygon Reserve Ripe grassy semillon Gold Label Vintage semillons! Margaret River fruit characters, some Chardonnay Reserve Margaret Vineyard Margaret oak and attractive 2013 HHHHH River Chardonnay Yilgarnia Semillon River Semillon bottle age developing. A great nose - a 2011 HHHH1/2 complexity of melons, Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc $12.99 peaches, toast and A very flavoursome, 2015 HHHH1/2 2014 HHHH cashews with a old fashioned style, Rich green pea Combination of lifted Misty Glen Hunter beautifully structured not a classic but very and asparagus-like asparagus, grassy Valley Semillon palate showing excellent good with lovely ripe aromas and a big, rich, and pear-like aromas. 2013 HHH texture and lovely peachy fruit, toasty oak yet elegant, palate Elegant palate with fresh A simple style with fresh complexity of fruit/oak complexity and honeyed loaded with tropical/ fruit salad flavours and varietal fruit, buttery/ flavours. $33 bottle age. $40 citrus flavours, great great acid balance. $35 honeyed age characters mouthfeel and lovely and zippy acidity. $25 Tempus Two Forester Estate crisp acidity. 5+ Yilgarnia Semillon Pewter Hunter Margaret River $17 2015 HHH Valley Chardonnay Chardonnay A nose of freshly cut 2015 HHHH1/2 2014 HHHH Tyrrell's Wines grass - very varietal with Very classy chardonnay Melon and peaches on Vat 1 Hunter hints of limes which with peaches and melons the nose with balancing Valley Semillon is echoed on the alert and nice oak on the nutty oak and a long 2010 HHHH1/2 palate. $19 nose. Soft and creamy complex buttery palate Excellent bright green in the mouth with toasty with lovely stonefruit colour with a beautiful Tempus Two Pewter complexity and great acid flavours. $37.99 rich creamy nose and Hunter Valley balance. $45 great classy palate full Semillon 2015 HHH Brygon Reserve of long creamy tropical Lime juice aromas; Tyrrell's Wines Lions Lair Reserve flavours and with a good subtle floral notes. Light, Hunter Valley Collection acid presence. $80 fresh, fruity palate, Chardonnay Western Australia some tropicals and zingy 2014 HHHH1/2 Chardonnay acid. $32 Lovely buttery toasty 2013 HHHH complexity to the nose Complex creamy with almond-like notes. bouquet with lemon Rich and creamy tropical melon fruit and nutty palate with great texture oak. Loads of flavour on and a long lingering the rich and beautifully finish. $23 poised palate. $15.99 JUDGES Stuart Bourne Stephen John Steve Warrick Senior winemaker Owner/winemaker of Direct marketer and wine at Chateau Tanunda. Stephen John Wines. consultant. Formerly sales Formerly winery More than 30 years’ and marketing manager for manager and winemaking experience. the Hamilton Wine Group. winemaker for Barossa Has judged at Adelaide, 10 years’ experience Valley Estate. Has 13 National, and Barossa working in McLaren Vale, years’ winemaking wine shows. Regular Coonawarra and the experience. Associate Winestate panellist and Adelaide Hills. Has judged judge at the Barossa chairman of judges at the at the Adelaide, McLaren wine show. Vintages in Winestate Wine of the Vale and Hobart wine WA, Victoria and SA. Year Awards. shows. 150 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER