Winestate Magazine March April 2015

regional tastingFolium Reserve Spy Valley Envoy Stoneleigh Latitude Vavasour Villa MariaMarlborough Pinot Johnson Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Marlborough Pinot Cellar SelectionNoir 2012 HHH Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 HHH Noir 2012 HHH Marlborough PinotPurple-flushed, weighty Noir 2012 HHH Light ruby. Supple, with Ruby hued, with fresh Noir 2012 HHHand full-flavoured, with Full, bright colour. fresh, lively cherry, plum, spice and dried Full-coloured and fresh,rich plum and spice Tightly structured, plum, spice and herb herb flavours. Medium- with good depth ofcharacters, a hint of vibrant wine, with very flavours. Medium- bodied style, lively and plum, cherry, spice andherbs and an earthy good depth of youthful bodied, with a spicy oak sweet-fruited, with dried herb flavours, andstreak. Powerful, funky cherry, plum and spice influence and gentle moderate depth and ripe, supple tannins. $26wine that generated flavours, but two judges tannins. $23 complexity. $31 (A, US) (A, UK, US)some panel debate. $39 found the oak influenceGiesen Marlborough too assertive. $60 (A,Pinot Noir 2013 HHH UK, US)Ruby hued, full-bodiedred, with moderatelyconcentrated, ripe,plummy flavours, atouch of oak complexityand an appealingfreshness. $26 (A)Giesen SingleVineyard SelectionClayvin MarlboroughPinot Noir 2012 HHHBright ruby, vibrantlyfruity and supple.Attractive, sweet-fruitedand smooth red, drinkingwell now, with somesmoky complexity.$60 (A)Giesen The BrothersMarlborough PinotNoir 2012 HHHElegant, with cherry,spice and dried herbflavours showinggood depth and somebottle-aged complexity.Drinking well now. $33(A, UK, US)HighfieldMarlborough PinotNoir 2011 HHHLight ruby, moderatelyconcentrated red, withsome maturity. Sweet-fruited, with a touchof earthy complexity.Certified organic. $40 (A,UK, US)Saint Clair Vicar’sChoice MarlboroughPinot Noir 2013 HHHFresh, lively, sweet-fruited red, partly barrel-aged, with satisfyingdepth of plum and spiceflavours, showing atouch of complexity.Medium-bodied, withdrink-young charm. $23(UK) March/April 2015 W I N E S TAT E 101

M I C H A EL C O O PE RThe latest releases feature exceptional white and red wines from the Villa Maria Cellarfavourably warm, sunny and dry 2013 vintage. Among the top picks Selection Hawke’sare two very stylish chardonnays from Waiheke Island and Hawke’s Bay SyrahBay, a trio of distinguished pinot noirs from Central Otago and 2013 HHHHHMartinborough, and a quartet of refined, densely packed reds - two Bold, purple-flushed red,syrahs, a merlot and a cabernet merlot - from Hawke’s Bay. grown in the Gimblett Gravels (60 per cent)Prices shown are approximate New Zealand retail. Wines available and Bridge Pa Trianglein export markets are shown as (A) Australia, (UK) and (US). (40 per cent). Dense and ripe, with richly varietal, blackcurrant and spice flavours, a savoury, nutty complexity (from 17 months in French oak barriques, 30 per cent new), and good tannin backbone. Well worth cellaring and great value. $26 Villa Maria Maude Mt Maude Villa Maria Reserve Villa Maria Reserve Reserve Gimblett Vineyard Wanaka Gimblett Gravels Gimblett GravelsCable Bay Reserve Gravels Hawke’s Reserve Central Hawke’s Bay Merlot Hawke’s Bay SyrahWaiheke Island Bay Cabernet Otago Pinot Noir 2013 HHHHH 2013 HHHHHChardonnay Sauvignon Merlot 2013 HHHHH Bold, youthful hue. Highly fragrant,2013 HHHHH 2013 HHHHH Beautifully fragrant, Refined and rich, densely colouredPowerful, highly complex Powerful, very youthful estate-grown red, with beautifully ripe red, grown in thewine, showing real blend of cabernet from vines planted blackcurrant, plum and Gimblett Gravels. Verydepth through the sauvignon (75 per cent) at Wanaka in 1994. spice flavours, supple concentrated, youthfulpalate. Mouthfilling, with and merlot (25 per Deep ruby, with tannins, savoury, and silky-textured,generous, ripe, peachy cent). Deeply coloured, fresh plum, spice earthy, nutty notes with vibrant plum andand mealy flavours, with vibrant, well- and cherry flavours, adding complexity, and black pepper flavours,slightly buttery and nutty, ripened blackcurrant, showing lovely excellent harmony. a hint of licorice, finelyand a finely textured, plum and spice flavours, richness, harmony and Classy, classic young integrated oak, andlong finish. Best drinking nutty, concentrated complexity. An obvious merlot, likely to be notable depth and2016+. $65 and firmly structured. candidate for cellaring; long-lived. $50 complexity. Still aLowburn Ferry A ‘serious’ wine with open 2017+. $50 (A, baby; open 2017+. $50Home Block Central long-term cellaring UK, US)Otago Pinot Noir potential. $50 Palliser Estate2013 HHHHH Palliser Estate MethodeClassy young red, Martinborough Traditionnelle 2009deeply coloured and Pinot Noir 2013 HHHHHmouthfilling, with HHHHH Powerful, pale strawlovely depth, poise and Lovely, finely scented, blend of equal portionsharmony. Savoury and silky-textured wine, of Martinborough pinotsupple, with beautifully deep, ripe and very noir and chardonnay.ripe cherry, plum and savoury. Youthful, Rich, peachy, yeasty,spice flavours, showing full-coloured red with slightly toasty flavours,excellent texture concentrated, vibrant faintly buttery, livelyand complexity. Best cherry, plum and spice and lasting. Verydrinking 2017+. $55 flavours, impressive generous, with(A, UK) complexity and good impressive complexity. tannin support. Best $49 (A, US) drinking 2016+. $54 (A, UK, US)102 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2015

recent releasesTrinity Hill Cable Bay Waiheke WINESTATEGimblett Gravels Island ChardonnayChardonnay 2013 2013 HHHH1/2 SeUvBSeCRnIBtERsHHHHH Full-bodied, with rich,Very refined, with ripe stonefruit flavours Sunday 8 March, 2015a highly fragrant and mealy, slightlybouquet, showing buttery notes adding Braai in the Barossaindigenous yeast complexity. Powerful,complexity and concentrated wine, South African Wine comes to Southbiscuity oak. Youthful, youthful and well Australia!with concentrated, worth cellaring. $47very ripe, grapefruit- Charles Wiffen The Louise, Barossa Valley.like flavours, a Marlborough Tickets only $75gentle seasoning of Chardonnay 2013French oak and a HHHH1/2 Contact [email protected] textured, rich, Delicious drinking fromrounded finish. Already now onwards, this is NO FREE TICKETSdelicious. $35 (A, UK) a full-bodied, sweet- fruited wine, with Friday 10 April, 2015½ strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, hints of Cathay PacificAurum Blanc de butter and toast, finely Cabernet & Bordeaux BlendsBlancs Vintage integrated oak and2008 HHHH1/2 good weight, texture National Wine Center, AdelaideDistinctive, bone-dry and harmony. Fine Tickets available NOWstyle from Central value. $24Otago chardonnay, Lowburn Ferry Winestate subscribers receive one free ticketdisgorged after six Skeleton Creek upon requestyears on lees. Crisp Central Otagoand zesty, with good Pinot Noir 2013 Friday 29 May, 2015intensity of lively, HHHH1/2citrusy flavour, yeasty Deep, bright ruby. Mainfreight Internationaland toasty notes Enticingly floral, with World’s Greatest Shirazadding complexity, and vibrant cherry, plumexcellent vigour and and spice flavours, Challenge Xlength. $39 good concentration and a subtle seasoning National Wine Center, AdelaideBrennan Gibbston of oak (French,Central Otago 18 per cent new). Tickets available NOWPinot Noir 2011 Savoury, youthful Winestate subscribers receive one free ticketHHHH1/2 wine, already delicious,Deep ruby, fragrant but likely to be at its upon requestred with concentrated, best 2016+. $45 (A)ripe plum, spice, Winery Entry Forms available atdried herb and nut Maude Central www.winestate.com.auflavours, woven with Otago Pinot Noir or email Peter Jacksonfresh acidity. Savoury 2013 HHHH1/2 [email protected] complex, with Very graceful red, Ph +61 8 8357 9277excellent harmony and grown at severala long finish. $45 sites, including Mount Maude Vineyard atByrne Northland Wanaka. Deep ruby,Syrah 2013 perfumed and silky,HHHH1/2 with rich cherryDeeply coloured, very and plum flavours,youthful red, with oak complexity andhighly concentrated excellent depth andblackcurrant, plum harmony. Best drinkingand spice flavours, 2016+. $38 (A, UK, US)showing excellentripeness and varietaldefinition. Elegant,with fine-grainedtannins and goodcellaring potential. Finevalue. $32 March/April 2015 W I N E S TAT E 103

MICHAEL COOPERPencarrow Trinity Hill Martinborough Gimblett GravelsPinot Noir 2013 Syrah 2013 8 Ranges TussockHHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 Ridge CentralDeeply coloured, Deeply coloured, with Otago Pinot Roséwith a fragrant, ripe, a fragrant bouquet 2014 HHHHsavoury bouquet. of ripe plums and Instantly appealing,Sweet-fruited and spices. Still very bright pink wine, grownsupple, with cherry, youthful, with vibrant at Alexandra. Very fresh,plum and spice blackcurrant and crisp and lively, withflavours, showing black pepper flavours, vivacious strawberryexcellent complexity showing excellent and spice flavours, aand harmony. A top concentration, well- sliver of sweetness andvintage. (From Palliser integrated oak and finely balanced acidity.Estate.) $29 (A, UK) fine-grained tannins. Delicious drinking this Best drinking 2016+. summer. $25 $35 (A, UK) Sculptureum Villa Maria Cellar Alexander Dusty Cezanne Syrah Selection Gisborne Road Martinborough 2013 HHHH1/2 Albarino 2014 Pinot Noir Boldly coloured HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH Matakana red, fragrant, Weighty, with deep, Ruby hued, sweet- fresh and full-bodied. vibrant citrus fruit fruited red with cherry, Strongly varietal, with and pear flavours, plum and spice flavours. concentrated plum and excellent drive through Savoury and nutty, black pepper flavours, the palate and a dry, with good complexity slightly earthy notes lingering finish. Tightly (15 months in French adding complexity structured and youthful, oak barriques) and ripe, and balanced tannins. with impressive finely balanced tannins. Ageworthy red, complexity (10 per cent Drink now or cellar. Fine offering fine value. $30 barrel-fermented) and value. $26 cellaring potential; open AlexanderElephant Hill Terrace Edge Liquid Sculptureum The 2016+. $30 MartinboroughHawke’s Bay Geography Waipara Rodin Blend 2013 Villa Maria Merlot 2011 HHHHMerlot Malbec Valley Riesling HHHH1/2 Single Vineyard Deep, youthful colour.2013 HHHH1/2 2013 HHHH1/2 Classy Matakana red, Ihumatao Auckland Mouthfilling and supple,Deeply coloured blend, Delicious, distinctly blended from cabernet Gewurztraminer with strong, vibrantgrown in the Gimblett medium style, with franc (60 per cent), 2014 HHHH1/2 blackcurrant, plumGravels and the Bridge strong, citrusy flavours, merlot (35 per cent) Perfumed and weighty, and spice flavours,Pa Triangle. Powerful hints of passionfruit and carmenere (5 per with concentrated, ripe well-integrated oakyoung red, with fresh, and honey, gentle cent). Full-coloured, lychee, pear and spice (French and American)ripe, concentrated sweetness balanced savoury and earthy, flavours, showing and good complexity.plum/spice flavours, by lively acidity, and with distinct overtones excellent delicacy and Generous red, maturinghints of dark chocolate excellent richness and of Bordeaux. Sweet- richness. Youthful and gracefully. $27and nuts, and good harmony. Drink now fruited, with excellent slightly gingery, with Aurum Vintagetannin backbone. Well or cellar. Great value. concentration and fractional sweetness, Rosé 2011 HHHHworth cellaring to $19 (A) complexity. Already an oily texture and Pale pink sparkling,2017+. $34 Trinity Hills delicious and well- good potential. Best blended from Central Gimblett Gravels priced. $30 drinking 2016+. $25 Otago pinot gris and Marsanne Viognier Villa Maria pinot noir, and disgorged 2013 HHHH1/2 Reserve Gimblett after three years on its This is one of New Gravels Hawke’s yeast lees. Mouthfilling Zealand’s first Bay Malbec 2013 and dryish, with good marsannes (blended HHHH1/2 complexity, vigour and with 31 per cent Powerful, dark, purple- intensity of berryish, viognier). Fleshy and flushed red, still very gently spicy and yeasty sweet-fruited, it is youthful. Full-bodied, flavours. $34 weighty and savoury, with a strong surge of Bent Duck Bay of with concentrated plummy, spicy flavour, Islands Chardonnay stonefruit flavours, woven with fresh 2013 HHHH slightly buttery and acidity, fine-grained Buttery, sweetly oaked nutty, and good tannins and obvious bouquet, leading into complexity. Drink now cellaring potential. a full-bodied, softly or cellar. $35 (A, UK) Open 2016+. $50 structured Northland wine with concentrated, citrusy, peachy, toasty flavours. Upfront style, already drinking well, but still developing. $25104 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2015

recent releasesCable Bay Five Hills Craggy RangeWaiheke Island Gimblett GravelsMerlot Malbec Vineyard Hawke’s2013 HHHH Bay Rosé 2014Full-coloured, with a HHHHfresh, spicy bouquet, Very pale pink blend ofstrong plum/spice merlot (principally) andflavours and oak- syrah, fermented to fullmatured complexity. dryness in old FrenchRefined, savoury and oak barrels. ‘Serious’lingering, with good style, mouthfilling, withcellaring potential. $47 peachy, spicy flavours, hints of strawberryCable Bay and apricot, and goodWaiheke Island complexity. BestSyrah 2013 HHHH drinking mid-2015+. $30Deeply coloured andmouthfilling, with Craggy Rangegenerous, ripe, plum and Te Muna Roadblack pepper flavours. VineyardGood varietal character, Martinboroughwith savoury notes Pinot Gris 2014adding complexity (16 HHHHmonths in French oak) Weighty, fully dryand supple tannins. Best style, with youthful,drinking 2016+. $47 ripe stonefruit flavours and hints of pears andCatalina Sounds spices. Rich, finelyMarlborough Pinot textured wine, alreadyGris 2014 HHHH drinking well. $27Scented, mouthfilling,harmonious wine, with De Vine Reserveripe peach, pear and Waipara Pinot Grisspice flavours, showing 2014 HHHHvery good delicacy Fragrant, peachy, spicyand depth, and a dry, bouquet. Mouthfilling,smoothly textured with strong, ripefinish. Drink now or stonefruit, pear andcellar. $25 (A) spice flavours. Alsace- style, with gentleCatalina Sounds sweetness and excellentMarlborough depth and harmony.Sauvignon Blanc Drink now onwards.2014 HHHH Fine value. $20Sophisticated, sweet-fruited wine, with Domain Roadmelon, lime and slight Vineyard Centralpassionfruit flavours, a Otago Pinot Gristouch of complexity (6 per 2013 HHHHcent barrel-fermented), Fleshy and mouthfilling,and a crisp, dry, lingering with generous stonefruitfinish. $23 (A) and pear flavours, a touch of complexity andCharles Wiffen a dryish, slightly spicy,Marlborough finely textured finish.Riesling 2011 Drink now or cellar. $25HHHH (A, UK)Scented bouquet, withbottle-aged, toasty notesadding complexity.Medium-bodied, withstrong, citrusy flavours,hints of passionfruitand lime, and a slightlysweet, crisp finish.Drinking well now. $20 March/April 2015 W I N E S TAT E 105

MICHAEL COOPERElephant Hill Palliser Estate Walnut Block ½ Byrne NorthlandHawke’s Bay Le Martinborough Nutcracker Rosé 2014 HHH1/2Phant Blanc Pinot Gris Marlborough 8 Ranges Tussock Bright pink/pale red2013 HHHH 2013 HHHH Chardonnay Ridge Central field blend of syrahDelicious now, this Weighty wine, with 2013 HHHH Otago Pinot Gris (70 per cent) andis a single vineyard, peachy, citrusy flavours, Youthful, single- 2014 HHH1/2 chambourcin (30 perTe Awanga blend of hints of ginger and vineyard Wairau Valley Dryish style from cent). Mouthfilling, withpinot gris, viognier and spice, and good wine, fully barrel- Alexandra, with very red berry and spicegewurztraminer. The concentration and fermented. Mouthfilling, satisfying depth of flavours, fresh andbouquet is gently spicy; vigour. Youthful, off-dry slightly toasty and citrusy, slightly appley vibrant, and a tightlythe palate mouthfilling, style, for drinking now or buttery, with strong and spicy flavours, structured, dryishwith strong, ripe, cellaring. $29 (A, UK) grapefruit and peach showing excellent finish. Good drinkingpeachy, spicy flavours Palliser Estate flavours, fresh acidity freshness and vigour. this summer. $22and an off-dry finish. Martinborough and very good depth Good drinking this Cable Bay WaihekeVery user-friendly. $24 Riesling and potential. Certified year. $25 Island ViognierMartinborough 2013 HHHH organic. $30 (A, UK) Alexander Raumati 2014 HHH1/2Vineyard Ripely scented, Walnut Block Martinborough Fruit-driven style,Martinborough generous, medium Nutcracker Pinot Noir Rosé partly barrel-matured,Terrace Sauvignon style, with passionfruit, Marlborough Pinot 2014 HHH1/2 with mouthfilling bodyBlanc 2014 HHHH lemon and lime flavours, Noir 2013 HHHH Bright, light pink. and vibrant peach, pearMouthfilling, ripely and moderate acidity. Mouthfilling, sweet- Mouthfilling, fresh, and lychee flavours,herbaceous style, Forward, ripe and fruited and savoury, with dryish and smooth, slightly toasty andshowing some oak rounded. Delicious generous cherry, plum with berry, spice and nutty. Best drinkingcomplexity (25 per cent young. $23 (A, UK) and spice flavours, good slight apricot flavours, mid-2015+. $35barrel-fermented). Fresh Trinity Hill complexity and a supple, showing a touch of Charles Wiffenand full-bodied, with very Gimblett Gravels finely textured finish. complexity. $24 Marlboroughgood depth of melon/ The Gimblett Already drinking well. Aurum Central Sauvignon Blanclime flavours, subtle oak/ 2013 HHHH $40 (A, UK) Otago Rosé 2014 2014 HHH1/2lees-ageing notes and Vibrant, full-coloured Walnut Block HHH1/2 Mouthfilling, tightlya lingering finish. Good blend of cabernet Nutcracker Pale pink rosé, made structured and‘food’ wine. $23 (A) sauvignon (40 per cent), Marlborough from pinot gris juice, youthful, with crisp, merlot (30 per cent) Sauvignon Blanc held on the skins for ripe passionfruit/lime and cabernet franc 2014 HHHH four days. Freshly flavours and firm acid (29 per cent), with a Mouthfilling, with fresh, scented and full- spine. Best drinking splash of petit verdot. ripe passionfruit and bodied, with good mid-2015+. $21 Youthful and finely lime flavours, crisp, dry depth of peach and De Vine textured, with fresh, and finely balanced, and slight apricot flavours, Marlborough strong blackcurrant, very good vigour and and a well-rounded Sauvignon Blanc plum and spice flavours, depth. Sweet-fruited, finish. Certified 2014 HHH1/2 ripe, supple tannins and youthful, distinctly organic. $26 Freshly scented, full- good complexity. Open Wairau Valley style, Aurum Mathilde bodied wine with very 2016+. $35 (A, UK) probably at its best mid- Pinot Noir 2012 good depth of tropical Villa Maria Private 2015+. Certified organic. HHH1/2 fruit flavours, crisp Bin Hawke’s $24 (A, UK) Ruby hued, medium acidity and a finely Bay Organic Wooing Tree Beetle to full-bodied Central balanced finish. Priced Gewurztraminer Juice Central Otago red, matured in sharply. $17 2014 HHHH Otago Pinot Noir French oak barrels for Domain Road Already drinking well, 2013 HHHH 18 months. Moderately Central Otago this is a fleshy, full- Deep ruby, with an concentrated cherry, Pinot Noir 2012 bodied wine, with invitingly scented plum and slight nut HHH1/2 strong, ripe lychee bouquet. Fruit-packed flavours, showing Youthful, tightly and spice flavours, and supple, with fresh, some savoury structured red with finely balanced, dryish strong cherry and plum complexity. $55 plummy, nutty and intensely varietal. flavours to the fore, a Bent Duck Bay of flavours, a hint of Fine value. Certified gentle seasoning of oak, Islands Chardonnay tamarillo, fresh acidity organic. $16 and plenty of drink-young 2012 HHH1/2 and good complexity. appeal. $28 (A, UK) Bold, ‘upfront’ style Best drinking 2016+. Wooing Tree from Northland, with $38 (A, UK) Central Otago Rosé mouthfilling body 2014 HHHH and strong, peachy, Bright pink, floral, toasty, slightly buttery mouthfilling, vibrantly flavours. Drinking well fruity rosé, made from now. $25 pinot noir. Delicious watermelon and spice flavours, with a sliver of sweetness, balanced acidity and loads of drink- young charm. $25 (A, UK)106 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2015

recent releasesDunnolly Single MartinboroughVineyard Family Vineyard Te TeraEstate Waipara Sauvignon BlancValley Pinot Noir 2014 HHH1/22013 HHH1/2 Medium-bodied,Bright ruby, sturdy ripely herbaceousNorth Canterbury wine, fresh and lively,red with fresh, ripe, with moderatelymoderately rich plum/ concentrated melon/spice flavours, a hint of lime flavours, leesydried herbs, and some notes adding a touchsavoury complexity. of complexity and aWorth cellaring. $35 (A) well-rounded finish.Fancrest Estate Good drinking throughWaipara Valley 2015. $18 (A)Pinot Noir Mills Reef Reserve2010 HHH1/2 Marlborough PinotDeep, bright colour. Noir 2013 HHH1/2Fresh, slightly leafy Youthful, ruby hued,bouquet, leading into medium-bodied red,a mouthfilling, still sweet-fruited, withyouthful wine, with fresh, vibrant plum,moderately ripe plum, cherry and spicespice and herb flavours, flavours, some nutty,showing very good savoury complexity anddepth and some savoury gentle tannins. Bestcomplexity. $42 (A) drinking 2015. $25Greylands Ridge Miro WaihekeCentral Otago Belle Island SyrahRosé 2014 HHH1/2 Viognier 2010Bright, light pink HHH1/2Alexandra wine, Densely coloured, withmade from pinot noir. a slight whiff of volatileMouthfilling, fresh and acidity. Concentrated,lively, with attractive red with ripe plum/spiceberry and spice flavours, flavours, a hint ofbalanced acidity and a licorice, leathery anddry finish. $20 nutty notes addingGreylands Ridge complexity, and someCentral Otago maturity showing. $61Blanc de Noir Moana Park2014 HHH1/2 Hawke’s BayAlready drinking well, Chardonnaythis is a single-vineyard 2013 HHH1/2white wine, made from Mouthfilling, slightlypinot noir and partly creamy and buttery wine,oak-aged. Mouthfilling, fully barrel-fermented.it has good depth of Peachy and toasty,citrusy, slightly spicy with some complexityand nutty flavours, a and lots of drink-youngtouch of complexity appeal. $23 (A)and a slightly creamy Morepork Vineyardfinish. $22 Northland PinotHaha Hawke’s Bay Gris 2014 HHH1/2Pinot Gris 2014 Full-bodied, off-dryHHH1/2 style, with clear-cutEasy-drinking style, varietal character andmouthfilling, vibrantly satisfying depth offruity and smooth, pear, lychee and spicewith very good depth flavours. Attractivelyof pear and lychee scented, with a slightlyflavours, and a dryish, oily texture, goodslightly spicy finish. freshness and vigour,Priced right. $16 and a smooth finish. Best drinking mid- 2015+. $24 March/April 2015 W I N E S TAT E 107

MICHAEL COOPERMount Brown Villa Maria Private Villa Maria  Mount BrownWaipara Valley Bin East Coast Private Bin Waipara ValleyPinot Gris Gewurztraminer Gisborne Viognier Fancrest Estate Sauvignon Blanc2013 HHH1/2 2014 HHH1/2 2014 HHH1/2 Waipara Valley 2014 HHHMouthfilling, gently Perfumed, Mouthfilling and soft, Pinot Noir Ripely scented, freshsweet and smooth, mouthfilling, clearly with fresh, peachy, 2009 HHH and crisp, with goodwith ripe stonefruit varietal wine, with slightly buttery flavours Ruby hued, with depth of passionfruit-flavours, showing moderately rich, ripe and a dry finish. moderate development like flavours. Alreadysome richness, fresh lychee and spice Enjoyable young, with showing. Mouthfilling, very ‘open’ andacidity and good flavours, gentle a creamy texture and with distinctly leafy expressive. Drink thisharmony. Easy-drinking sweetness and a good depth. $16 notes on the nose summer. $16 (UK)wine, priced sharply. seductively smooth Wooing Tree and palate, but also Terrace Edge$16 (UK) finish. Delicious Blondie 2014 good flavour depth and Waipara ValleyRussian Jack young. $16 HHH1/2 complexity. $39 (A) Sauvignon BlancMartinborough Villa Maria White wine (with a Moana Park 2014 HHHPinot Noir Private Bin East hint of pink) from Gimblett Road Fresh, herbaceous2013 HHH1/2 Coast Pinot Gris Central Otago pinot Syrah 2013 HHH style, medium-bodied,Ruby hued, with 2014 HHH1/2 noir. Fresh and slightly Full, bright colour. with lively gooseberry/a slightly smoky Full-bodied and slightly sweet, with vibrant Fresh, plummy, lime flavours, crispbouquet. Mouthfilling, sweet, with good strawberry, peach and spicy and supple, in a and nettley, and partialwith youthful plum/ depth of fresh, ripe, spice flavours, offering medium-bodied style, (30 per cent) barrelspice flavours, peachy, slightly spicy very good depth and enjoyable young. fermentation adding asavoury notes adding and gingery flavours. charm. $28 (A, UK) $23 (A) touch of complexity.complexity (partly Enjoyable young. Fine $17 (A)barrel-aged) and ripe, value. $16supple tannins. Veryeasy to enjoy. Finevalue. $20 CHEERS TO ANOTHER YEAR! A record-breaking number of people visited this year’s Cellar Door Wine Festival! Thank you to our visitors, exhibitors and sponsors in contributing to the great success of the event. For information on how you can exhibit at the 2016 Festival, contact [email protected] SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY 2016! ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE108 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2015



SOUTH -AUSTRALI- A

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALANDMarch/April 2015 Issue 140in this issue COMPLIMENTARY COPYWhiskies of theWorld The Wine & spirit Insider is aNew Releases Promotional guide from the liquor trade to the consumer. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411andBest BuysUnder $20Drumsara Wines pull off world’s highest wine launch at Mt Everest www.drumsara.com

WHISKIES OF THE WORLD31 TASTED28 AWARDEDWHISKIES OF THE WORLDGreat consistency here from these highly spirited drinks. There are Blended Chivas Regal Goldthe blends which can range from mixers to the elite bottles that can Scotch Signature 18 Yearcompete with the top malts for quality and then the malts which Whisky Old Blended Scotchare the movie stars of the product. Generally, the longer the aging Whisky 40% HHHHthe higher the price, and often the quality also. Watch out for some 3 TASTED A lovely clean freshAustralian versions which offer a quality alternative. 3 AWARDED product showing very good length of velvetyIrish Whisky Limeburners Barrel Sullivans Cove Whilst single malts get smooth flavours with M88 Western American Oak the publicity, this shows good wood and age1 TASTED Australia Single Single Cask 47.5% that the best blended integration. $951 AWARDED Malt HHHH1/2 Tasmania Single whiskies are of a very A well-rounded product. Malt HHH1/2 high standard containing Single MaltA youthful lighter whisky, Big dark chocolaty nose A lighter youthful style some very old material. Whiskyeasy to drink. that opens up to toffee with delicate aromas Under $100 and coffee characters. and soft well-balanced Chivas Royal SaluteVom Foss Cooley, Palate is sweet, smooth palate with good length The Sapphire Flagon 14 TASTED8 years, 40% Ireland and complex with quite of flavours. $150 21 Year Old Blended 11 AWARDED(250mL) HHH a lot of age and good Sullivans Cove Scotch Whisky 40%Very pleasant lifted wood. $130 Double Cask 40% HHHH1/2 An excellent solid classfloral nose with a hint Limeburners Barrel Tasmania Single A lighter, well-balanced, of single malt whiskies.of caramel. Smooth M98 Western Malt HHH style. Some pleasant \"Lots of variety hereand sweet in the Australia Single Big broad nose and maltiness on the to choose from,\" saidmouth. $42.40 Malt HHHH well-rounded spicy nose and a very fine one judge. \"With great Rich mocha bouquet and peaty palate. New Age soft well-rounded examples of highlandsAustralian a big sweet explosion style. $110 palate with very well and lowlands.\"Whisky of flavour in the mouth integrated peat/fruit/ with lots of very good wood flavours. $139.99 Auchentoshan Three4 TASTED wood and a very good Wood Scotland4 AWARDED drying finish. $200 Chivas Regal Extra Single Malt HHHHH Blended Scotch A charming old styleA high standard showing Whisky 40% HHHH single malt whisky - soft,how far Australian A very well-balanced long and full of flavour.whiskies have come. whisky showing great Has malty/caramel length, good age and fragrances and excellent wood integration with age/wood integration on some quite sharp the palate. An outstanding whisky flavours. $73 product. $84.99 Premium Single malts, spirits Oils and Balsamics, available to try before 5/01/2015 10:40 am you buy and in a size to suit you. Take on the Vom Fass experience today. West Lakes Shopping Centre, West Lakes, SA 5021 | vomfass.com.au112VF0121T2h-ePrWintiAndeve&rtisSepmiernitt -IVNomSFIaDssE- ORils Vinegars Spirits - CMYK - ver01.indd 1

wine & spirit insider tastingTalisker 10 Year The Macallan Fine Glenlivet The French Glenfarclas Glenfarclas HighlandOld Single Malt Oak Single Malt Oak Reserve 15 Year Highland Malt Aged Malt Aged 40 YearsHHHH1/2 HHHH1/2 Old Single Malt 25 Years Single Malt Single Malt ScotchA rich elegant product Beautiful bouquet - smoky, Scotch Whisky 40% Scotch Whisky 43% Whisky 46% HHHHHwith delighftul peaty, peaty and nutty. Palate HHH1/2 HHHH1/2 An incredible over-the-malty and spicy aromas. showing some excellent A soft style with good Big smoky aromas with top complex aged singlePalate showing some flavours with good age and age and nice depth of fresh wood integration malt Scotch whisky.good rancio characters perfect wood integration intense flavours on the and youthful complex Beautifully rich and spicyand lovely length and and a long lingering spicy dry well-balanced palate palate with beautiful on the nose with a hugebalance of malty flavours. finish. $85 with a woody finish. $90 drying flavours, gutsy palate showingFirm oak finish. $79.99 pleasant sweetness, a big sherry influence.Glenfarclas Glenfarclas Single Malt good new wood and a Great silky smoothHighland Malt Highland Malt Aged Whisky spicy finish. $191 mouthfeel. $459Aged 10 Years Single 8 Years Single Malt $100-$200 Glenlivet SingleMalt Scotch Whisky Scotch Whisky 40% Glenfarclas Highland Cask Edition40% HHHH1/2 HHHH 5 TASTED Malt Aged 15 Years Morinsh 15 YearA rich, complex and Smooth sweet and 5 AWARDED Single Malt Scotch Old Scotch Whiskysilky smooth whisky well-balanced product Whisky 46% HHHH 56.3% Single Maltwith rich and intense with peat/tomato bush- A great line-up of An elegant lean young HHHH1/2smoky elements, good like aromas and palate outstanding whiskies product with some light A light spicy young stylenew wood integration, showing good new reflecting the style of the spicy/nutty aromas and with a very pleasantexcellent age characters wood integration. $73 distillery with the age nice warm peaty/malty nose and a well-and just a hint of dryness and the quality of oak nuttiness on a well- balanced palate with aon the finish. $82 Dalwhinnie reflecting the price! rounded palate. $112 seamless progressionArdbeg The Ultimate 15 Year Old Single of flavours finishing withIslay Single Malt Malt HHHH Glenfarclas 105 Glenfarclas Highland more of the spiciness.HHHH1/2 A lighter style of single Cask Strength Malt Aged 21 Years $249.99Big warm smoky Islay malt with subtle aromas Single Malt Scotch Single Malt Scotch Glenlivet Singlemalt aromas - all bacon, and youthful well- Whisky 60% Whisky 43% HHHH Cask Editioniodine and gun powder balanced palate with soft HHHH1/2 Elegant product with Tervie 14 Year Oldwhich is echoed on the flavours and some good Big peaty bouquet with light aromas and a soft Scotch Whiskyinteresting and very spirit. $79.99 good sweetness and a well-balanced palate 60.2% Single Maltdifferent palate. \"Not rich mouthfilling palate with smooth age HHHH1/2for the faint hearted,\" Glenrothes Select full of complex spicy complexity and a good Spicy floral characterswarned one judge. $85 Reserve Single toffee flavours laced wood profile. $154 lift off the nose andGlen Morangie The Malt HHHH with good depth of showing good fruit/woodQuinta Ruban Port Complex smoky bacon- age and excellent oak. Single Malt integration. PowerfulCask Single Malt like bouquet and light Finishes spicy. $133 Whisky palate entry withHHHH1/2 sweet palate with some Over $200 youthful mouthfillingA traditional style - light underlying complexity Highland Park 18 flavours and good woodand well-balanced with and nice rancio Year Old Single Malt 4 TASTED finish. $259.99excellent quality of elements. $80 HHHH1/2 4 AWARDED Glenfarclaswhisky characters. Great A light elegant style. A Highland Malt Agedrancio, mouthfilling Bowmore Legend little herbal on the nose Real character whiskies 30 Years Single Maltdrying sherry-like flavours Islay Scotland with a spicy presence here, again reflecting the Scotch Whisky 43%and warming spirit. $85 Single Malt HHH1/2 and velvety smooth style of the distilleries HHHH1/2 A lovely Islay style with sweet flavours that concerned. Price is a An amazing nose - rich a rich malty bouquet linger along the length relative factor. \"If you with nutty, cola, spicy, and some very rich of the well-structured spend the money you rancio aromas - \"Wow\". peaty flavours on the palate. $160 won't be disappointed,\" A very complex but seamlessly balanced said one judge. elegant palate, well- palate. $64.99 rounded and velvety soft in the mouth. Beautiful age. $372Russell Johnson Steven Matthews judgesCEO of Russell Johnson Lecturer in hospitalityConsulting. Formerly wine division studies at Regency Stan Obsttechnical manager at Beringer College of Tafe. Former corporate projectsBlass Wine Estates. 8 years Former general manager at Tarac Australiaexperience as production manager manager of Earl of Pty Ltd. Has been awith Seagram Spirits. Adelaide Zetland Hotel, and lecturer on distillationWine Show judge in brandy class. malt specialist. at the University of Adelaide and has judged the brandy class at the Adelaide Wine Show. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 113

223 TASTED117 AWARDEDNEW RELEASESWine bars take note; a good range of alternative reds and whites were Sirromet Winesacknowledged here, offering some diversity to our drinking patterns. Vineyard SelectionFor this tasting chardonnay also performed well along with 2013 wines Granite Beltemulating the high strike rate of the 2012s in previous tastings. Verdelho 2014 HHH Attractive floral fragrances and elegant green citrus flavours with sherbety acidity. $21Sparkling Other White Seppeltsfield Oakover Wines Brookwood Estate Varietals & Barossa Vermentino White Label Western Margaret River10 TASTED Blends 2014 HHH1/2 Australia Classic Semillon Sauvignon3 AWARDED Aromas of pears and Dry White 2014 HHH Blanc 2014 HHH 13 TASTED nectarines and an A lift of tropical fruit A simple quaffer withThe judges were 9 AWARDED attractive fresh, light and with slight grassy notes. nice depth and length ofdisappointed with this flavoursome palate with a Clean, fresh and fruity candied fruit and spicyflight finding too many An interesting line up crunchy acid finish. $22 in the mouth. Great citrus characters. $22stale and 'rubbery' with a good mix of Tamburlaine Organic quaffer. $12.99wines. \"These wines varietal wines showing Orange Marsanne Paul Conti Tuart Margrainshould be vibrant and fresh lively characters. 2014 HHH Vineyards Western Martinboroughfresh,\" noted one judge. Smells of marmalade Australia Chenin Gewurztraminer Chalice Bridge The and spices and has a Blanc 2014 HHH 2014 HHHJohnston Christina Estate Margaret ripeness of fresh fruit on Warm floral/peach Powerful aromatic nose;Adelaide Hills Pinot River Semillon the palate. $33 aromas and lovely soft floral and musky. BigNoir Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc approachable citrus sweet palate, full and soft2011 HHHH 2014 HHHH palate with tropical in the mouth. $38 NZLight delicate floral A clean cut wine with a touches. $16aromatics with hints bright herbaceous nose Brygon Reserve Sauvignonof hay and similar dominated by sauvignon Hummingbird Series Blanc &characters echoed on blanc. Generous flinty Margaret River Blendsthe fresh clean palate. A minerally flavours. Great Semillon Sauvignonlovely quaffer. $24 quaffer. $20 Blanc 2014 HHH 34 TASTED Herbaceous/asparagus 12 AWARDEDSouth Point Estate aromas and simpleSouth Eastern well-balanced palate Good wines are fewAustralia Moscato with a nice minerality and far between here.2014 HHH to it. $19.99 \"Too many simplyThe nose is all rose petals lacked varietal fruit orand Turkish Delight with showed warm regionala lovely lusciously sweet fruit characters ratherpalate. $4.99 than cool climate zippy acid structures,\" notedChestnut Grove one judge. \"We areSparkling simply not going to giveManjimup Pinot it away to boring non-Noir Chardonnay descript wines.\"2010 HHHSimple spicy blue fruitaromatics and tastingof black fruits and milkchocolate. $45114 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Neve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH Aromas of lemons and limes mingle on the nose with a delicious palate full of complex flavours. $6.99Alta Chapter 12 Kaiora BayAdelaide Hills MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc2014 HHHH 2014 HHHLight varietal definition Light varietal definitionof citrus and cut grass of citrus and cut grassaromas with a generous aromas with a generousand flavoursome varietal varietal palate. $9.99palate showing good Gotham Wineslemon minerality. $20 Adelaide HillsBrookwood Estate Sauvignon BlancMargaret River 2014 HHHSauvignon Blanc Simple citrus nose with2014 HHHH a slight tropical touchFresh vibrant varietal and racy lightweightlift to the green pea-like palate with crunchynose with an excellent acidity. $14seamlessly balanced and Possingham &very flavoursome palate. Summers AdelaideNice flintiness. $22 Sauvignon BlancChalice Bridge The 2014 HHHEstate Margaret A fresh fruit salad noseRiver Sauvignon and simple candied fruitBlanc 2014 HHH1/2 palate with good level ofA well-made, easy acidity. $18drinking, wine with fresh Taylors Adelaidelifted fruit aromas and Hills Sauvignongood varietal definition Blanc 2014 HHHon a well-balanced Good varietal example.palate. $20 Smells and tastes ofGrant Burge Kraft lemons with a hint ofAdelaide Hills tropical fruits. $18Sauvignon Blanc Deviation Road2014 HHH1/2 Adelaide HillsAttractive floral aromas Sauvignon Blancshowing a tropical lift 2014 HHHand a rich, warm fruit Simple flavoursomeand well-balanced palate wine that's a combo– a very stylish quaffer. of ripe stone fruit with$24.95 tropical and citrus characters. $21 Brangayne of Orange Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2014 HHH Estery herbaceous aromas and a palate loaded with simple flavours. Great food wine. $22 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 115

NEW RELEASESChain of Ponds South Point Estate Deviation Road Taylors Promised Bird in Hand ClareBlack Thursday South Eastern Adelaide Hills Pinot Land South Valley RieslingAdelaide Hills Australia Pinot Gris 2014 HHH Australia Riesling 2014 HHHSauvignon Blanc Grigio 2014 HHHH Slightly sherbety lemon- 2014 HHHH Fresh, tight and fruity2014 HHH Light salmon pink wine like bouquet and an A stylish wine that's all with good rieslingSimple well-balanced with a delicate floral lift elegant and lean lemony limes and lemons with characters and a longwine. Good concentration to the nose with some palate. $28 a hint of musk. Nice lingering finish. $25of fresh varietal fruit lovely fresh juicy flavours flinty length to the well-characters. Nice acidity to wrapped in lingering Riesling structured palate. $13 Peter Mertes Goldfinish. $22 acidity. $4.99 Reillys Watervale Edition Mosel Cooks Lot Orange 14 TASTED Clare Valley Riesling Riesling 2013 HHHPinot Gris/ Pinot Gris 2014 8 AWARDED 2014 HHHH Slightly sweeter styleGrigio HHH1/2 Some very nice 2014 Light fresh citrus nose; exhibiting characters of Citrussy aromas blend rieslings here with fragrances of lemon ripe limes with botrytis-13 TASTED with herbaceous excellent firm acidity zest. Palate offers a like notes. $9.995 AWARDED characters. Very alert across the board offering mouthful of excellent varietal palate with crisp good ageing potential. varietal fruit flavours ChardonnayA very mixed group crunchy acidity. $20 with good length ofof wines. \"This variety Sirromet Wines Springton Hills acid. $22 21 TASTEDneeds to show lifted fruit Vineyard Selection Wines Eliza's Eden The Wine Society 15 AWARDEDimmediately,\" said one Granite Belt Pinot Valley Riesling 2014 Premium Selectionjudge. \"If you have to Gris 2014 HHH HHHH1/2 Clare Valley Riesling A strong class withlook for it then it's failed.\" Musky perfumed nose A classic riesling - nose 2012 HHHH excellent aroma and with the acid slightly is reminiscent of lemon Very varietal bouquet flavour structures. TheGibson Bridge dominating the peach- sherbet. Has a very of green apples with well-handled oak is aMarlborough Pinot like palate. $21 stylish palate with lovely a citrus lift. Nice bottle major feature here.Gris 2014 HHHH lime/citrus flavours development showingA floral nose with showing hints of candied on the soft palate but Taylors Promisedmusky nuances. Soft fruit. Has balance and still has plenty of acidity. Land Southand flavoursome in the structure. $18 $14.99 Australia Unwoodedmouth with a touch of Cooks Lot Orange Chardonnay 2014sweetness balanced by Riesling 2014 HHHH1/2good length of acid. $30 HHH1/2 A very attractive A delicate style with a peaches and cream freshness of lime zest bouquet threaded and flowers. Good palate through with melon weight. \"A very classy notes. Soft seamlessly wine,\" thought one integrated palate with judge. $20 hints of vanilla and Bellarmine spices. A delightful Pemberton Dry quaffing style. $13 Riesling 2014 HHH Fresh and citrussy with Alkoomi Black Label hints of orange blossom Frankland River and a pretty, prickly acid, Chardonnay 2013 palate. $24 HHHH1/2 Interesting funky notes to the lifted complex aromas. Great texture and style on the lovely sweet nectarine palate with its brioche-like background. \"Very classy wine,\" said one judge. $24DAY 1 & 2 - judges Stephen John Andrew Locke Owner/winemaker of Andrew has been a John Gledhill Stephen John Wines. More winemaker with Rosemount Fifth generation grape than 30 years’ winemaking Wines since 1998. Previously grower. Formerly experience. Has judged he was a winemaker with Rosemount, McLaren at Adelaide, National, and Orlando Wyndham and Vale winemaker for Barossa wine shows. De Bortoli Wines. He has 4 years. Previously Regular Winestate panellist completed vintages in the US winemaker at and chairman of judges at and Loire (France). In 1993 he Hickinbotham Wines the Winestate Wine of the attended the AWRI advanced in Clarendon and five Year Awards. assessment course. years with Mitchelton Wines (Nagambie).116 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Taylors Clare Valley Chalice Bridge The Adelaide Hills Estate Margaret Chardonnay 2014 River Chardonnay HHH1/2 2013 HHH A fresh lifted hit of fruit Minerally flinty salad aromas and some fragrances and a citrussy solid juicy fruit flavours palate with a tight crisp with a delicate touch of entry and nicely handled oak on the finish. $18 oak. $20A.C Byrne & Co Le Gartelmann Sarah Chestnut GrovePremier Margaret Elizabeth Hunter Estate ManjimupRiver Chardonnay Valley Chardonnay Chardonnay2014 HHHH 2014 HHH 2013 HHHA lovely complexity Bright and simple An elegant quaffer withof aromas smelling of varietal fruit style its buttery fruit nose andcashews, vanilla and showing a good fruit/ lovely creamy stonefruitstonefruits leading to acid balance on the palate. $20an elegant zippy acid palate. $30varietal palate. $12.99 Tamburlaine Reserve Grant BurgeSirromet Wines Orange Chardonnay SummersVineyard Selection 2014 HHH South AustraliaGranite Belt Aromas of grapefruit ChardonnayChardonnay with a hint of peaches. 2013 HHH2014 HHHH Creamy in the mouth Smoky oak dominatesAn attractive lightweight with a nice level of the nose and carriesquaffing style showing acidity. $33 through to the palate.a fresh light varietal fruit Rockbare McLaren Some stonefruit flavourslift with some buttery Vale Chardonnay evident. $28notes and good acid 2014 HHHspine. $21 Big ripe buttery style. Chalice Bridge TheTaylors Jaraman Good varietal fruit Quest MargaretMargaret River Clare aromas and flavours River ChardonnayValley Chardonnay with plenty of lively 2013 HHH2014 HHHH acidity. $20 A well-balanced coolBright clean style of Moppity Vineyards climate style with lemonchardonnay in the Tumbarumba and peach charactersmelon/grapefruit Chardonnay and zippy acidity. $30spectrum with a light 2013 HHHtouch of oak and lovely Flinty leafy notes to the Roséflavours, texture and nose. Tight and crisp inlength. $24 the mouth with candied 6 TASTED fruit notes. $30 2 AWARDED Tall Timber Estate Grown Manjimup Only a couple made the Chardonnay grade showing freshness 2013 HHH and balance, the others Creamy and tropical on were overly acidic and the nose with simple with tired fruit. fruit-driven palate making it a pleasant K1 by Geoff Hardy quaffer. $14 Adelaide Hills Rosé 2014 HHHH Lovely aromas of Turkish Delight, raspberries and rose petals. Elegant earthy/savoury fruit palate. Quite dry and very stylish. $20Greg Fitzsimmons Cooks Lot OrangePrivate Cellar-Fine Wine Rosé 2014 HHHManager, Graysonline. Former Smells of strawberriesretailer at Theo’s liquor, then and spicy cherries. GoodTucker Seabrook, Key account balance of fruit/sugar/management  at Taylor’s Wines, acid on the palate. Crispand state manager of Craggy finish. $20Range NSW.  Greg has studiedwine marketing and hospitalitymanagement. Currently completingthe WSET diploma. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 117

NEW RELEASESPinot Noir Other Red Blackbilly McLaren Cabernet Varietals & Vale Grenache Blends9 TASTED Blends Shiraz Mourvedre3 AWARDED 2012 HHH 6 TASTED 11 TASTED Spicy meaty nose. 6 AWARDEDThe judges commented 6 AWARDED Palate well-structuredthat there were a handful and balanced. Nice Small but solid class ofof nice solid bright Some great examples weight of red fruit and consistent quaffing winesvarietal fruit wines here. of interesting alternative subtle tannins. $22 offering good drinking. red varietals.Moppity Vineyards Merlot Clarence HillLock & Key Reserve CabernetTumbarumba Pinot 10 TASTED Langhorne CreekNoir 2014 HHHH 4 AWARDED Cabernet BlendRipe strawberries lift off 2012 HHHHthe nose and excellent “Some great merlots Red fruits, vanilla anddark fruits fill the mouth here,” agreed the judges. spices evident on thewith flavour. Good tannin “What is going on?” nose with a smokystructure adds some asked one. These are well bacon note. Tight toastygrip. $20 worth chasing up. palate with good length and structure. $40Coppabella Seppeltsfield Bird in HandTumbarumba Pinot Barossa Tempranillo Adelaide Hills Chalice Bridge TheNoir 2014 HHH1/2 2013 HHHH1/2 Merlot 2013 HHHH Estate MargaretBright lifted cherry A lovely intensity of figs A lovely nose exhibits River Cabernetbouquet with gamey/ and raisins on the nose. aromas that are Merlot 2013 HHH1/2earthy notes. Palate Excellent weighted reminiscent of Cadbury’s A big, juicy and sweetis simple, clean and palate loaded with fruit and nut chocolate. blend full of brightfresh with racy cherry sweet red fruit flavours The palate is rich and fresh blackberry fruitflavours. $20 and underscored with grippy. $35 with layers of grippy savoury tannins. A very tannins and warmingCooks Lot Bin II Seppeltsfield stylish wine. $30 Pure Vision Organic alcohol. $20Orange Pinot Noir Barossa Grenache Bird in Hand South Australia2013 HHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Adelaide Hills Nero Merlot 2013 HHHH A.C Byrne & CoBrooding and complex Incredible depth of D'Avola 2013 HHHH Soft, rich and stylish Margaret Riverwith zesty beetroot/ crimson hues and a Spicy black fruit with excellent weight of Cabernet Merlotplum fruit characters and lovely intensity and bouquet with chocolaty lovely Satsuma plum-like 2013 HHHgrippy tannins. Needs freshness of dark elements. Very fruit, good acid and soft Attractive earthytime. $20 fruits on the nose with flavoursome licorice-like approachable tannins. $18 characters to the nose confectionery sweet palate that’s soft in the with sweet rich black flavours. Great example mouth. Good drinking Moppity Vineyards fruit flavours. $9.99 of the variety – an now. $35 Lock & Key Hilltops excellent drink. $27 Reillys Barking Merlot 2013 HHHH Oakover Wines Mad High Trellis A simple but generous White Label Great star ratings  Clare Valley wine with plums and Southern WA Grenache Shiraz chocolate on the nose Cabernet MerlotThree-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of 2013 HHH1/2 and lovely rich palate 2012 HHHexcellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Lifted Cherry Ripe with grippy tannins. Rich chocolate/mintAll wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry aromas and a huge, oak- Needs time! $20 aromas and sweet fruitprofessionals and are compared in peer dominated palate. Some palate that has balanceclasses by three judges. sweet licorice characters Chestnut Grove and structure. $12.99CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, with velvety tannins. $16 Estate Manjimup Hollick Wines Stocka major mail-order business. Bird in Hand Merlot 2013 HHHCD Cellar door price. Adelaide Hills A light fresh quaffer Route WrattonbullyCDO Cellar door only. Montepulciano with red fruits, chocolaty CoonawarraSO Sold out. 2013 HHH oak, some acid and soft Cabernet Sauvignon$N/A Price not available at time of printing. Lovely rich balanced tannins. $20 Shiraz 2012 HHH varietal characters of figs, Rich cedary bouquet and Contact information pg 136. chocolate and spices; tight toasty oak palate loads of flavour. $35 with sweet fruits and RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). good tannins. $24.50 Hollick Wines Tannery Road Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012 HHH Nicely balanced wine with lifted spicy red fruit characters edged with dark chocolaty notes. $29118 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

“Wtheellb,awsteakrndoocfkfe”d – Sir Edmund Hillary, 1953, after conquering Mt Everest.Drumsara breaks record for world’s highest wine releaseFollowing in Sir Edmund Hillary’s footsteps, The freshly-launched Ventifacts Block Pinot NoirDrumsara Wines reached new heights by launching recently won a silver medal in the UK Internationalthe 2012 Ventifacts Block Pinot Noir on September Wine Challenge award and is now available in good28 2014 in the shadow of Mt Everest. At 17,323ft this wine shops and restaurants across New Zealandbreaks the previous record by 470ft. High altitude pilot and the world.Jason Laing, pictured here at the Kala Patthar Landingin the Himalaya mountain range, says ‘Its another Ph +64 27 224 7447 Fax +64 3 441 3960New Zealand first for the region and quite fitting [email protected] www.drumsara.comfor a high-end wine to have a high-altitude launch.’

NEW RELEASESCabernet Reillys Barking Moppity Vineyards Shiraz Tudor CentralSauvignon Mad Clare Valley Lock & Key Hilltops Blends Victoria Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 HHHHH21 TASTED 2012 HHHH1/2 2013 HHH1/2 7 TASTED A lovely shiraz with11 AWARDED Great depth of colour Aromas reminiscent 3 AWARDED great colour and stylishA mixed bag with with rich sweet oak of stewed rhubarb sweet fruit/toasty oaka strong list of aromas sitting on top and cookie dough! Generally disappointing fragrances. An elegantrecommended wines. of the Cherry Ripe-like Big blackberry palate with viognier classy palate with rich\"The 2012s were great fruit. Oak dominates with soft tannin overwhelming the shiraz; juicy sweet fruitbut the 2013s are the palate but it's full of structure. $20 a little goes a long way. flavours and ripe chewylooking good too, and flavour and underscored Bird in Hand tannins. $12.99are showing good fruit with lovely sweet Adelaide Hills Mollydooker Rockbare McLarenand oak balance with tannins. $16 Cabernet Sauvignon Enchanted Path Vale Shirazless extraction evident,\" Clarence Hill 2013 HHH McLaren Vale 2013 HHHHHcommented one judge. Adelaide Cabernet Earthy briary aromas Shiraz Cabernet Superb sweet perfumed Sauvignon layered with cherries and 2013 HHH1/2 black fruit bouquetMollydooker 2013 HHHH blackcurrants. Soft and A nice blend, good - delicate and fresh.Gigglepot McLaren A soft generous well- oaky palate. $35 colour, great nose and Palate is jam-packedVale Cabernet made wine with a tight Moppity Vineyards a serious palate with with soft ripe flavoursSauvignon fresh oak lift to the nose Hilltops Cabernet some lovely flavours. A and has a lovely2013 HHHHH and mouthfilling spicy Sauvignon well-made wine. $75 mouthfilling texture. AA beautiful, big, vibrant fruit flavours with supple 2013 HHH very classy number. $23and complex cabernet tannins. $18 An elegant wine of fresh McKellar Ridgewith years ahead of it. The Pond South blackberry-like fruit, Canberra ShirazIt is brimming over with Eastern Australia sweet oak and lovely Viognier 2013 HHHsuperb rich jubey fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon soft tannins. $30 Simple berry fruit noseand layered with chewy 2013 HHHH Pertaringa and plump spicy fruittannins and lovely fresh Fresh blackberry fruit Understudy McLaren palate with a firm tanninoak. $50 aromas with minty Vale Cabernet structure. $30 notes and fresh oak. Sauvignon A complex and toasty 2013 HHH Brygon Reserve palate with an excellent A blackberry nose Mirror Image richness of flavour. $6.99 with hints of mint and Margaret River cedar and flavoursome Shiraz Cabernet blackcurrant cordial-like 2012 HHH palate. $22 Complex spicy fruit/ Mojo Coonawarra oak aromas and a spicy Cabernet Sauvignon elegant palate. Good 2013 HHH fruit weight and Lifted varietal nose balance. $17.99 with violet notes and an elegant cedary oak Shiraz 2013 palate. $18 Sirromet Wines 31 TASTED Signature Collection 22 AWARDED Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignon The judges found this 2013 HHH to be an excellent class A clean fresh of 'super' wines. uncomplicated wine Another great year for with light varietal fruit, reds after 2012. Back to some violets and soft back quality. tannins. $35 Brookwood Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 HHH Soft, long and complex. Lovely red fruit/violet varietal characters and cigar box oak to balance. $32120 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting E OF THE Y MERLOT CAT E G O RY WIN AR EAR WI Hemera Limited Release Barossa NE Merlot 2012 YE OF THEMollydooker Blue MollydookerEyed Boy McLaren Velvet GloveVale Langhorne McLaren Vale ShirazCreek Shiraz 2013 HHHH1/22013 HHHHH Beautifully restrainedGreat rich colours and a sweet/spicy oaknose with intense spicy fragrances edged withfruit aromas. Excellent red currant charactersvibrant palate full of rich and huge, rich butvarietal fruit flavours, controlled flavourssoft velvety tannins with a warming alcoholand has a long lingering finish. $185finish. $50 Bird in Hand Two in the Bush Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHHH A lovely rich Aussie shiraz with lifted stylish black fruits layered with sweet oak, grippy tannins and nice warming alcohol. $20 Moppity Vineyards Hilltops Shiraz 2013 HHHH A wine brimming over with big ripe cherry berry fruit layered with chocolaty oak characters and balanced by firm tannin structure. $30Mollydooker 1516 Barossa Valley WayCarnival of Love Lyndoch 5351McLaren Vale Shiraz2013 HHHH1/2 P. 8524 4033 ~ F. 8524 4533A lovely lifted peppery [email protected] bouquet and agorgeous rich velvety www.hemeraestate.com.aupalate with the fruitseamlessly balanced The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 121by toasty oak and softtannins and finishingquite hot. $75

NEW RELEASES Chalice Bridge The Garners Heritage Shiraz 2012 Seppeltsfield Quest Margaret Wine Strathbogie & Older Barossa Shiraz River Shiraz Ranges Shiraz 2012 HHHH 2013 HHHH 2013 HHH1/2 13 TASTED A lovely well-made jubey A huge shiraz style Rich powerful and very 7 AWARDED fruit bomb with nice loaded with robust dark ‘slurpable’ with spicy Solid class of mixed weight and juicy texture. brooding fruit characters aromas and ripe jammy quality wines from many Well-integrated soft and layered with spicy fruit palate with a firm different regions with tannins with a good level chocolaty notes and tannin structure. $28 the best wines showing of acidity. $30 edgy tannins. $30 Pertaringa Over the retained vibrancy and Top McLaren Vale freshness. Rusty Mutt Wines Gotham Wines Shiraz 2013 HHH McLaren Vale Shiraz Langhorne Creek A fresh and elegant Rockbare Tideway 2012 HHH1/2 Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 shiraz with nice red Seaview McLaren Spicy aromas with Soft spicy red fruits lift berry fruit and a tight Vale Shiraz an intense peppery off the nose and there acid backbone. $40 2010 HHHH1/2 lift and a tight chunky is some attractive fruit Pertaringa Powerful complexity of black cherry palate sweetness on the Undercover toasty oak and stewed underscored with firm palate. $14 McLaren Vale Shiraz fruit aromas. Delightfully tannins. $26 2013 HHH elegant palate with aShingleback Vin Vale Mojo Barossa Valley Huge, hot and jammy good spicy depth of Reillys Dry LandMcLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 and rich with ripe flavours and a firm acid Clare Valley Shiraz2013 HHHH A big Aussie style of brambly varietal fruit spine. Ageing 2012 HHH1/2Bright powerful black shiraz with ripe cherry characters. $22 beautifully. $45 Aromas of cherries,cherry fruit and oak berry fruit and some Pure Vision Organic Clarence Hill spices and licorice withcharacters dominate the great oak and soft South Australia Reserve McLaren a sweet cherry palatenose. Excellent flavour tannins to balance. $18 Shiraz 2013 HHH Vale Shiraz showing attractivedepth on the palate with Excellent colour, stylish 2012 HHHH drying tannins. $29the tannins building shiraz fruit and fresh Nose has lifted ripenicely. $14.99 oak with a spicy/herbal berry fruit aromas with Blackbilly McLaren profile. $18 a dusting of oak and a Vale ShirazBellevue Estate Gotham Wines lovely long and soft 2012 HHHMcLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz spicy red varietal fruit Quite porty on the nose2013 HHHH 2013 HHH palate. $40 and a soft ripe floralA huge monster of Silky smooth style with fruit palate with subtlea wine with massive slightly porty-like fruit tannins. $22colour and a 'super' characters and velvetypalate with m soft tannins. $14 The Landingsmouthfilling fruit and Reillys Barking Mad Reserve McLarenoak and a crisp acid Clare Valley Shiraz Vale Shirazfinish. $19 2013 HHH 2012 HHH Meaty characters on the A wine of simpleMoppity Vineyards Totino Adelaide Hills nose and 'sticky' jammy blackcurrant fruits withLock & Key Hilltops Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 fruit palate; ripe and spicy peppery notes andShiraz 2013 HHHH Rich spicy/earthy rounded. $16 earthy tannins. $19.95Choc mint and doughy blackcurrant fragrances Alta Adelaide Hillscharacters on the and beautiful rich spicy Shiraz 2013 HHH Sweet Whitenose with a gingery fruit palate with the Simple blackberry-like & Fortifiedlift. Seamlessly earthy notes following fruits, some spicybalanced fruit/oak through. $20 elements and lovely soft 4 TASTEDflavours with good tannins. $20 1 AWARDEDtannin backbone. $20Grant Burge Miamba Other than the one wineBarossa Shiraz awarded - forget it! \"Get2013 HHHH a contract winemaker,\"An excellent example advised one judge!of a ripe Aussie classicwith spicy red fruits Margrainand tight, seamlessly Martinboroughbalanced sweet fruit/ Botrytis Cheninvanilla oak palate. $28 Blanc 2014 (375ml) HHH1/2 Luscious wine, Graves- like in style, showing dried apricot characters and powerful botrytis complexity with the acid to balance. $38 NZ122 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER



BEST BuysReillys Barking Mad Spy Valley Marlborough Brygon Reserve Huia MarlboroughWatervale Clare Valley Riesling 2013 Hummingbird Series Sauvignon Blanc 2013Riesling 2014 Fleshy, medium-dry style Margaret River Semillon Maturing well, with fresh,Light fresh citrus nose; with citrus, orange peel, Sauvignon Blanc 2014 strong citrus, melon andfragrances of lemon zest. honey and wax aromas. Herbaceous/asparagus lime flavours and a crispPalate offers a mouthful of Finely balanced, with very aromas and simple well finish. Certified organic. $25excellent varietal fruit flavours good ripeness and depth. $25 balanced palate with a nicewith good length of acid. $16 minerality to it. $19.99 Huia Vineyards Spy Valley Wines Phone: +64 3 572 8326Reillys Wines Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Brygon Reserve Wines Email: [email protected]: (08) 8358 0480 Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 865 556 Web: www.huia.net.nzEmail: [email protected] Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz E: [email protected]: www.reillyswines.com.au W: www.brygonreservewines.com.auBest VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND$U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. To Qualify Some wines may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others 1 Wines must have first been recommended will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal comprises the best wines currently available, from big- tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate 2 Wines from designated regional tastings Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives are eligible provided they are widely available. credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines 3 All wines must be currently available from that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much the winery, or be readily available in the more expensive cousins. marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable.124 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Hunky Dory Marlborough Toi Toi Marlborough Toi Toi Reserve Spy Valley MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc 2014 Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc 2014Mouthfilling, with ripe, tropical Light and crisp, with citrusy, Blanc 2013 Mouthfilling, crisp andfruit flavours and a lengthy, limey flavours showing a lively, with strong, riperounded, well balanced touch of complexity and good Fresh and sweet-fruited, with melon and green capsicumfinish. Certified organic. $18 freshness and depth. $18 good weight and depth of flavours, showing good ripe, tropical fruit flavours. vigour and weight. $22Huia Vineyards Marlborough Wine Ltd t/aToiToi Slightly toasty, bottle-agedPhone: +64 3 572 8326 Wines notes starting to emerge. $22 Spy Valley WinesEmail: [email protected] Phone: +64 2 193 5849 Phone: +64 3 572 9840Web: www.huia.net.nz Email: [email protected] Marlborough Wine Ltd t/aToiToi Email: [email protected] Web: www.toitoiwines.co.nz Wines Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Phone: +64 2 193 5849 Email: [email protected] Web: www.toitoiwines.co.nz The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 125

BEST BuysTohu Single Vineyard Falconhead Marlborough Oakover Wines White Pasqua Le CollezioniMarlborough Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Label Western Australia Delle Venezie Italy PinotBlanc 2014 Mouthfilling, with fresh, ripely Classic Dry White 2014 Grigio 2013Aromatic, lively, freshly herbaceous, moderately A lift of tropical fruit with A hint of spice and some yeastherbaceous style, grown concentrated flavours and a slight grassy notes. Clean, on the nose and simple cleanin the Awatere Valley. dry finish. Priced right. $16 fresh and fruity in the mouth. palate with gentle acidity. $17Appley and limey, with Great quaffer. $12.99some riper, passionfruit Morton Estate/The Wine Portfolio Alepat Taylornotes, good palate weight Phone: +64 7 552 0795 Oakover Wines Phone: (03) 9487 2599and a lengthy finish. $20 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 9374 8000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mortonestatewines.co.nz Email: [email protected] Web: www.alepat.com.auTohu Wines Web: www.oakoverwines.com.auPhone: +64 3 520 9230Email: [email protected]: www.tohuwines.co.nz Trade Enquiries Welcome126 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Trentham La Famiglia Spy Valley Marlborough Brygon Reserve Brygon Reserve WinesPinot Grigio 2013 Gewurztraminer 2013 The Bruce Margaret River Bin 868 Margaret RiverNose has some complexity Aromatic and mouthfilling, Chardonnay 2013 Chardonnay 2013with a sweet lychee lift. Very with strong, ripe stonefruit, Lots of oak here but has the A citrussy style with someexpressive floral palate with ginger and spice flavours and fruit to match. Herbal aromas complexity developing.a good level of acidity. $15 a well-rounded finish. $25 and herbal/citrussy flavours Creamy palate texture with a lean acid finish. $19.99 and nice acidity. $19.99Trentham Estate Spy Valley Wines Brygon Reserve Wines Brygon Reserve WinesPhone: (03) 5024 8888 Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Phone: 0419 865 556 Phone: 0419 865 556E: [email protected] Email: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]: www.trenthamestate.com.au Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz W: www.brygonreservewines.com.au W: www.brygonreservewines.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 127

BEST BuysWise Guy Spy Valley Marlborough Gartelmann Veronica Mount Riley LimitedMargaret River Chardonnay 2013 Hunter Valley Rosé 2014 Release The BonnieChardonnay 2014 Very fresh and lively, in a A pretty nose; subtle Marlborough Rosé 2014Nose and palate a pleasant vibrantly fruity style with floral/strawberry aromas. Spicy, slightly savoury aromascombination of melons, strong, citrusy, peachy, Delicate fruit palate with which follow through to thecitrus and tropical fruits slightly biscuity flavours spicy herbal touches. $20 slightly floral palate. $17.95with good acidity. $17.99 and crisp acidity. $25 Gartelmann Wines Mount Riley Wines LtdBrygon Reserve Wines Spy Valley Wines Phone: (02) 4930 7113 Phone: +64 3 577 9900Phone: 0419 865 556 Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.gartelmann.com.au Web: www.mountriley.co.nzW: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nz CABERNET CHALLENGE V 2015One of the world’s biggest tastings of Cabernet and Bordeaux blends! Come and sample nearly 400 of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon and blends from Australia and around the world! Friday 10 April 2015 from 6 pm - 8 pm National Wine Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide WINESTATE SUBSCRIBERS ARE ENTITLED TO ONE FREE ENTRY. Additional guests are welcome at a cost of only $50 per person! Contact Winestate on 08 8357 9277 or [email protected] to claim or order your ticket.128 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 11/02/2015 4:15:57 PM AD_Cabernet Challenge V Invite QPH_MA15.indd 1

K1 by Geoff Hardy Reillys Barking Mad Reillys Barking Mad Clare Totino Estate AdelaideAdelaide Hills Rosé 2014 High Trellis Clare Valley Valley Shiraz 2013 Hills Shiraz 2013 Grenache Shiraz 2013 Meaty characters on the Rich spicy/earthy blackcurrantA very nice delicate style Lifted Cherry Ripe aromas and nose and 'sticky' jammy fruit fragrances and beautifulwith a balanced complexity a huge, oak dominated palate. palate; ripe and rounded. $16 rich spicy fruit palateof spicy fruit, residual Some sweet licorice characters with the earthy notessugar and acidity. $20 with velvety tannins. $16 Reillys Wines following through. $20 Phone: (08) 8358 0480Wines by Geoff Hardy Reillys Wines Email: [email protected] Festival City WinesPhone: (08) 8388 3700 Phone: (08) 8358 0480 Web: www.reillyswines.com.au Phone: (08) 8349 1200E: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy. Web: www.reillyswines.com.au Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.aucom.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 129

BEST BuysJames Estate The Estate Reillys Barking Mad The Pond South Eastern Serafino BellissimoHunter Valley Cabernet Clare Valley Cabernet Australia Cabernet Adelaide Primitivo 2013Sauvignon 2011 Sauvignon 2012 Sauvignon 2013Dense and inky on the nose; Dark chocolaty nosetraces of berries and black Great depth of colour with rich Fresh blackberry fruit aromas underscored with spicyolives. Not overly complex sweet oak aromas sitting on top with minty notes and fresh black fruits and nice balance,palate; nice berry fruit of the Cherry Ripe-like fruit. Oak oak. A complex and toasty weight and brambly lengthand medium tannins. $16 dominates the palate but it's palate with an excellent to the palate. 5+ $20 full of flavour and underscored richness of flavour. $6.99 with lovely sweet tannins. $16 Serafino WinesJames Estate Reillys Wines Aldi Stores Phone: (08) 8323 0157Phone: (02) 6547 5168 Phone: (08) 8358 0480 Phone: (02) 9675 9382 Email: [email protected]: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Web: www.serafinowines.com.auWeb: www.jamesestatewines.com.au Web: www.reillyswines.com.auWINESTATE Winery Entry Forms available at www.winestate.com.au or email Peter Jackson [email protected] Ph +61 8 8357 9277SeUvBSeCRnIBtERs Sunday 8 March, 2015 Friday 10 April, 2015 Friday 29 May, 2015 Braai in the Barossa Cathay Pacific Mainfreight International Cabernet & Bordeaux World’s Greatest ShirazSouth African Wine comes to South Australia! Blends Challenge X The Louise, Barossa Valley. National Wine Center, Adelaide National Wine Center, Adelaide Tickets only $75 Tickets available NOW Tickets available NOWContact [email protected] Winestate subscribers receive one free Winestate subscribers receive one free ticket upon request NO FREE TICKETS ticket upon request130 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

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

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

Very Special ExperiencesFollowing great success of previous wine tours toFrance, Italy and Spain, Peter Simic and the staffat Winestate Magazine have arranged for a seriesof very special visits in the historic and impressivefine-wine areas of France. We will visit vineyardsthat are rarely open to the public and samplespecial vintages and meet people responsible fortheir skillful production. It will be a unique time tomeet the characters and expand our knowledge inmost enjoyable and pleasant surroundings.Comfortable Tour HotelsWe have carefully selected well-located four andfive-star hotels (with top class comfort and verycomfortable Michelin ratings) that provide highquality and good value for money. All the hotelshave clean, comfortable rooms with privatefacilities. Some of the hotels will provide anenjoyable “European style” experience, rather thanthe uniformity of standardised modern hotels. Inset image: Deutz Champagne House © Thomas Raffoux 2005.DDaayy99 SSuunnddaayySSeepptteemmbbeerr2200,,22001155 Marseille Day 14 Friday September 25, 2015 BordeauxToday we travel south along the Rhone Valley to Marseille for a two-night Today the tour group will return to the Medoc to visit wineries and tastestay at the four-star Grand Hotel Beauvau, Vieux Port. We will visit wineries in wines in the southern regions of Margaux and St Julien. Peter Simic will leadthe southern Rhone Chateau Neuf du Pape region and taste some distinctive the group on visits to a range of top-level producers and guide us thoughand delicious grenache and syrah blends under Peter Simic’s guidance. enjoyable and informative, structured tastings. The regions are home toRestaurants and wine bars will be recommended for an evening at leisure. Chateau Margaux, Chateau Beychevelle, Palmer, Brane Cantenac and ChateauDay 10 Monday September 21, 2015 Marseille Talbot among others. We return to Bordeaux for an evening at leisure. Good-A leisurely, free day to enjoy Marseille. Take a side trip to Aix en Provence or quality restaurants will be recommended.relax in nearby Cassis. This evening we will enjoy a Celebration Dinner at a Day 15 Saturday September 26, 2015 BordeauxMichelin-starred restaurant, at which Winestate’s Peter Simic will showcase Today we will visit the right bank St Emilion and Pomerol regions to the east of Bordeaux. The regions are home to many fine producers that includethe best wines from the regions we have visited. Cheval Blanc, Troplong Mondot, Vieux Chateau Certan, Canon, Pavie, Petrus and Latour Pomerol. Their wines are based mainly on merlot, with cabernetDay 11 Tuesday September 22, 2015 Toulouse franc and cabernet sauvignon also involved. Peter Simic will introduce us to some of the most important producers and guide us through structuredAfter breakfast we will travel west to the modern city of Toulouse for a one tasting sessions. There will be some free time in the delightful small town of St Emilion.night stay at the four- star Grand Hotel de l’Opera. We will enjoy a wineryvisit in the vast Languedoc wine-producing region, noted for high-volumeproduction and rapidly improving quality. We will stop in the medieval townof Carcassonne for sightseeing at leisure. Day 16 Sunday September 27, 2015 BordeauxDay 12 Wednesday September 23, 2015 Bordeaux A free day for relaxation or further exploration. We will come together forAfter breakfast, we travel west to the famous Bordeaux region. Bordeaux, our Farewell Celebration Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, with locallocated on the grand Garonne River just after it joins the Dordogne River, is the wines carefully selected by Winestate’s Peter Simic. We will celebrate thesixth-largest city in France and is the centre of the most renowned wine region success and enjoyment of our time in France with Peter. It will be a mostin the world. On the outskirts of Bordeaux we will visit the famous Chateau enjoyable evening.Climens First Growth Barsac winery before checking into the wonderful Day 17 Monday September 28, 2015 Departurefive-star Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa (Michelin’s highest rating hotel in After breakfast the tour group will be transferred to Bordeaux airport for anBordeaux) for a five-night stay. This evening we will enjoy the CelebrationDinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, hosted by Winestate’s Peter Simic. Air France flight to Paris to connect with Singapore Airlines flights to Australia.Day 13 Thursday September 24, 2015 Bordeaux Day 18 Tuesday September 29, 2015 AustraliaThis morning we travel north to the left bank of the Gironde to spend a Early morning arrival in Australia and the tour concludes.day of exploration in the Pauilliac and St-Estephe regions. Pauillac is thehome of top rate producers such as Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Relax and enjoyLatour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lynch-Bages and Pontet Canet.Cabernet Sauvignon is the prominent variety here, often blended with someMerlot and Cabernet Franc.

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

Our new Business Class is our most versatile yet, with window seats thatoffer you privacy with a view. You’ll find extra space for work, entertainmentand relaxation, and larger-than-ever, fully flat beds for a restful sleep. Andthere’s always someone nearby to anticipate your needs.The new Business Class. cathaypacific.com/newbusinessclassOur new Business Class is being progressively introduced on our Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Aircraft deployment varies and availabilityis subject to operational requirements.

contact detailsBAROSSA AND EDEN VALLEY Paringa Estate Festival City Wines Oakover Wines Phone: (03) 5989 2669 Phone: (08) 8349 1200 Phone: (08) 9374 8000Parous Wines Australia Email: [email protected] Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.au Email: [email protected]: 0437 159 858 Web: www.paringaestate.com.au Web: www.oakoverwines.com.auEmail: [email protected] Flox WinesWeb: www.parous.com.au Redgate Wines Phone: (03) 9464 7299 Reillys Wines Phone: (08) 9757 6488 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8358 0480Pernod Ricard Australia Email: [email protected] Web: www.floxwines.com.au Email: [email protected]: (02) 8874 8354 Web: www.redgatewines.com.au Web: www.reillyswines.com.auEmail: Katherine.Candy@pernod-ricard. Wines by Geoff Hardycom Saint Clair Family Vineyards Phone: (08) 8388 3700 RockBare Phone: +64 3 578 8695 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8388 7155The Colonial Wine Company Email: [email protected] Web: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy. Email: [email protected]: 8524 5030 Web: www.saintclair.co.nz com.au Web: www.rockbare.com.auEmail: [email protected] The Niche Wines MARLBOROUGH SeppeltsfieldWeb: www.colonialwinecompany.com.au Phone: (08) 8563 0555 Phone: (08) 8568 6237 Email: [email protected] Ara Wines (see Winegrowers of Ara) Email: [email protected] & WESTERN VICTORIA Web: www.thenichewines.com.au Phone: +64 9 375 8560 Web: www.seppeltsfield.com.au Email: [email protected] Estate Thompson Estate Web: www.arawines.com Springton Hills WinesPhone: (03) 5354 6245 Phone: (08) 9755 6406 Phone: (08) 8337 7905Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Giesen Wines New Zealand Email: [email protected]: www.grampiansestate.com.au Web: www.thompsonestate.com Phone: +64 3 344 6270 Web: www.springtonhillwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Winery Wines by Geoff Hardy Web: www.giesen.co.nz Totino NomineesPhone: (03) 5352 3868 (08) 8388 3700 Phone: (08) 8349 1200Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Saint Clair Family Vineyards Email: [email protected]: www.montara.com.au Web: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au Phone: +64 3 578 8695 Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.au Email: [email protected] ITALIAN AND SPANISH Web: www.saintclair.co.nz NEW ZEALAND RECENT RELEASESCHARDONNAY 919 Wines Tohu Wines Villa Maria Estate Ltd Phone: 0417 997 414 Phone: +64 3 520 9230 Phone: +64 9 255 1754Aldi Stores [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: (02) 9675 9382 Web: www.919wines.com.au Web: www.tohuwines.co.nz Web: www.villamaria.co.nzWeb: www.aldiliquor.com.au Alepat Taylor NEW RELEASES ROSÉAnvers Wines Phone: (03) 9487 2599Phone: (08) 8323 9603 [email protected] Aldi Stores Artwine Pty LtdEmail: [email protected] Web: www.alepat.com.au Phone: (02) 9675 9382 Phone: 0411422450Web: www.anvers.com.au Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Email: [email protected] Azienda Agricola La Cedraia Web: www.artwine.com.auMorambro Creek Wines +39 (0)143 329881 MollydookerPhone: (08) 8723 1065 Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 8323 6500Email: [email protected] Web: www.lacedraia.it Email: [email protected]: www.morambrocreek.com.au Web: www.mollydookerwines.com.au136AD_SuWbscIriNbe Eto SWiTneAstaTteE(glasMseasr)cQhP/HA.pinrdidl 21014 We have to wash over 32,000 wine glasses each year ... so you don’t have to. Subscribe to Australia’s Leading Wine Buying Guide phone +61 8 8357 9277 or on-line www.winestate.com.au 11/11/2014 11:06:09 PM

Hahndorf Hill Winery Morton Estate/The Wine Portfolio Exporting wine to Asia?Phone: (08) 8388 7512 Phone: +64 7 552 0795 Find it very time consumingEmail: cellardoor@hahndorfhillwinery. Email: [email protected] and/or a bit confusing?com.au Web: www.mortonestatewines.co.nz For help, contact:Web: www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au Mount Riley Wines Ltd DAN TRAUCKI – DirectorWines by Geoff Hardy Phone: +64 3 577 9900 Phone/Fax: +61 8 8382 4920Phone: (08) 8388 3700 Email: [email protected] Mobile: +61 (0)408 801 795Email: [email protected]. Web: www.mountriley.co.nz Email: [email protected] Visit our website for our full rangeWeb: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy. Oakover Wines of services: www.wineassist.com.aucom.au Phone: (08) 9374 8000 Email: [email protected] Your wine, our ports.TOP 40 Web: www.oakoverwines.com.au AustraliaAldi Stores Reillys Wines Export Customer Service- 1300 134 096Phone: (02) 9675 9382 Phone: (08) 8358 0480 Equipment and Logistics - 1300 135 801Web: www.aldiliquor.com.au Email: [email protected] Import Customer Service- 1300 132 813 Web: www.reillyswines.com.au New ZealandAlepat Taylor Outbound - 0508 222 444Phone: (03) 9487 2599 Serafino Wines Inbound - 0508 333 [email protected] Phone: (08) 8323 0157Web: www.alepat.com.au Email: [email protected] No matter what. Web: www.serafinowines.com.auBird in Hand www.hamburgsud-line.comPhone: (08) 8389 9488 Spy Valley WinesEmail: [email protected] Phone: +64 3 572 9840 Correction- in the Winestate Annual 2015 issue theWeb: www.birdinhand.com.au Email: [email protected] wrong bottle image was published. Web: www.spyvalleywine.co.nzBrygon Reserve WinesPhone: 0419 865 556 Tohu WinesEmail: [email protected]. Phone: +64 3 520 9230au Email: [email protected]: www.brygonreservewines.com.au Web: www.tohuwines.co.nzFestival City Wines Trentham EstatePhone: (08) 8349 1200 Phone: (03) 5024 8888Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.festivalcitywines.com.au au Web: www.trenthamestate.com.auGartelmann WinesPhone: (02) 4930 7113 Wines by Geoff HardyEmail: [email protected] (08) 8388 3700Web: www.gartelmann.com.au Email: [email protected]. auHuia Vineyards Web: www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.Phone: +64 3 572 8326 com.auEmail: [email protected]: www.huia.net.nzJames EstatePhone: (02) 6547 5168Email: [email protected]: www.jamesestatewines.com.auMarlborough Wine Ltd t/a Toi Toi WinesPhone: +64 2 193 5849Email: [email protected]: www.toitoiwines.co.nz Gumpara Mader Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2012 HHHHH A well-made wine with a creamy fruit cake of a nose followed by a ripe and enticingly flavoursome palate. Quite oaky but very spicy with nice depth of sweet varietal fruit. $50 March/April 2014 W I N E S TAT E 137

aftertasteELISABETH KINGMAJOR PLAYERS JOSTLING TO SATISFYTHE YEN FOR WINEALMOST a year ago the wine industry was over the next four years. But until 2010 when cheaper but good qualityabuzz with the news of Australia’s imminent the recent contraction has affected wines became more widely available.free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan which all wine-producing countries and Japan hasrecently came into effect. Under the terms of become the “new China”. Japanese women are leading the way saysthe deal, the 15 per cent tariff on Australian wine market tracker Vinitrac. Fifty-five per centwine will be phased out over seven years. Over 50 countries, including Australia, export of regular wine drinkers are women in contrastVirtually all commentators singled out Chile wine to Japan. France is the major player, to 45 per cent of men. Over half of Japaneseas the role model to emulate. The South controlling nearly 33 per cent of the Japanese wine lovers prefer red wines, compared to 38American country had negotiated an FTA wine market. Chile, Italy and Spain fill the per cent who mainly drink white wines. Roséwith Japan several years earlier and has number two, three and four rankings. The US has also surged strongly and now accountsseen wine exports increase to 14 per cent ranks fifth with nearly 12 per cent of the market. for over 10 per cent of total wine sales.of the Japanese wine market, in contrast to California accounts for the lion’s share of USAustralia’s four per cent. exports but even Washington State producers The Japanese also have a strong preference sold more than 41,000 cases to Japan in 2014, for their favourite varietals - cabernet With our long-term economic partnership valued at more than $US3.1 million. sauvignon (36 per cent), merlot (25 perwith Japan, a more level playing field cent), pinot noir (22 per cent) for reds andappeared to be little more than a rubber Even though drinking sake is viewed as chardonnay (45 per cent), sauvignon blancstamp for Australia to carve out a bigger slice traditional and peaked in the mid-1970s, (23 per cent) and riesling (15 per cent) forof the growing Japanese wine market. After wine consumption in Japan remains low - whites. Sparkling wines are gaining ground asall, Japan is Australia’s second-largest trading only three per cent of total beverage sales. an everyday rather than a celebratory tipplepartner, with the two-way goods and services Beer is far and away the biggest seller. But and imports of sparkling wine increased bytrade between the two nations reaching $72.2 a new report from the European Union ranks close to 20 per cent from 2012 to 2013.billion in 2013/14. Japan as the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner for wine, led by France, Italy and The Japanese equivalent of dollar shops Even though Japan has a highly protected Spain. The report also offers glimpses of an - 100Yen shops - have become a majoragricultural market, Australia has built up a even brighter future, pinpointing the US and presence as income disparity has widenedsignificant trade of $41 million in wine exports Australia as the most serious competitors in Japan. Value is important when it comesto make Japan our sixth largest market. to European dominance. to wine buying patterns, too, with 58 perAlthough this pales in comparison to other cent of Japanese wine drinkers buyingexported foods such as beef ($1.4 billion), It’s long been known that young people from supermarkets. Regular Japanese winecheese ($343 million), fruit and vegetables are the trendsetters when it comes to wine drinkers prefer to pay about $10 for every day($114 million), grains ($574 million), seafood drinking. But the EU report claims that 50 per wines says Vinitrac. That doesn’t mean that low($190 million) and sugar ($225 million) - cent of the Japanese population drinks wine at to mid-range wines are the be-all-and-end-all.totalling $4 billion. least once a week. Like the rest of the world, FollowingtheAbegovernment’sneweconomic the Japanese now love a bargain and 70 per policies in 2013, the luxury wine market has Unfortunately for Australia other major cent of Japanese consumers are looking for also experienced significant growth.competitors have been closely tracking value when making wine purchases. A wine’sthe growing popularity of wine in Japan. country of origin is a key factor with Japanese And there’s always South Korea. AustraliaParticularly since the crackdown on rampant wine drinkers, with 54 per cent saying it is has also negotiated an FTA with the Seoulgift giving has dampened wine sales in China. “important” or “very important”. government, phasing out a 15 per cent tariffChina remains the number-one Asian market on wine. Over 80 Aussie wine producersfor Australian wines by a very wide margin Japan now ranks 15th worldwide for wine currently export to Korea, making Australia the- accounting for over $210 million in annual consumption and demand has grown strongly sixth largest wine exporter to the country. Yetsales - but a 12 per cent decline over the past since 2010. But there have been - ahem again, the same five nations who have alsoyear has prompted a re-think. - hiccups along the way. There was a mini- been operating in a tariff-free environment in wine boom in Japan in the mid-1990s. The South Korea are the ones to beat - France, The Middle Kingdom will remain a major principal driver of growth was red wine and Chile, Italy, the US and Spain.focus, of course, because Australia has the media strongly backed the move to morealso negotiated an FTA with China, phasing Westernised drinking habits. But around 1997out the 14 per cent tariff on Australian wines consumption fell and stayed in the doldrumsnext issue: From the wilds of South Africa through to the best of the West and onwards to Adelaide Hills, Central & Western NSW and the North Island of NZ; you’ll definitely want a drink after digesting these great tastings! But you can always finish with the sweet whites and fortifieds tastings too.138 W I N E S TAT E March/April 2014

h

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