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F I N E   W I N E   M E R C H A N T S   S I N C E  1 9 6 3

 

 

1030 Burke Road
Balwyn 3103
P +61 03 9817 2257, 9817 5352
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www.boccaccio.com.au

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A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE WINES OF GARY MILLS FROM JAMSHEED FAME

Boccaccio e-newsletter 14th March

Hi everyone,

If there was a NAB Rising Star for Wine for 2009/10 then Gary Mills would be a definite finalist. Furthermore, I would go so far as to say that he would be odd on to win the award. He is one of the hottest winemakers’ (let me state that it is not in looks, but in winemaking talent J) in Australia at the moment and is current release reds and Riesling, are at the top of the tree in regards to quality. Whilst we have featured some of his 2008 releases separately in our e-newsletter in the past couple of months, this week we bring them all together and add his just released and very spectacular 2009 Great Western Riesling. It must have been so spectacular fort James Halliday sent out a ‘tweet’ with these kind words ‘barrel-fermented (old oak), lees contacted, and no acidification is a must a $26.50. So my advice, if you like Shiraz and Riesling, do yourself a favour and buy some of the Jamsheed wines.

Also this week is a small focus on some very good 2007 vintage reds plus the fantastic wines of Brian Croser’s relatively new Tapannapa venture.

Cheers,

Anthony D'Anna

Boccaccio Cellars

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/anthonydanna


THIS WEEKS FEATURE RELEASE:

JAMSHEED NEW RELEASES: THESE WINES DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION

Jamsheed Great Western Westgate Riesling 2009

40 year old Riesling vines, handpicked at perfect maturity, whole bunch pressed, handled with great care and respect, barrel fermented, left on lees for 8 months in large old barrels and then bottled in October.

Jasmine (or some sort of white flower), spice, subtle aniseed and rich lime and grapefruit, yet for those typical Riesling descriptors, it’s quite different to most Australian offerings. It has weight, softness and a lightly chalky texture in the mouth, yet remains crisp, dry and minerally throughout. Almost has what you might call an earthiness (old oak perhaps?). No questions asked of the length and balance. Bravo Gazbo and take a bow Westgate vineyard. Drink : 2010 - 2019 95 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

JAMSHEED GREAT WESTERN WESTGATE RIESLING 2009 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $24.99 A BOTTLE.

Jamsheed Gruyere Yarra Valley Syrah 2008

I’ve loved all of the 2008 Jamsheed Syrah releases. If we awarded star rating to wineries - Jamsheed would have just moved into a 5 star rating.

Beautiful texture. Complexity. Length. And structure. What more do you need to know? It’s in the cool climate, spicy, stemmy style, but it’s ripe and balanced, clean and characterful. Terrific oak handling, supportive but not overdone. No alcohol heat. Fabulous. Drink : 2009 - 2016 95 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

JAMSHEED GRUYERE YARRA VALLEY SYRAH 2008 (C) IS AVAILABLR WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $34.99 A BOTTLE.

Jamsheed 'Garden Gully' Great Western Shiraz 2008

If you’ve ever visited Seppelt at Great Western then the chances are that you’re familiar with the Garden Gully vineyard. It’s on the main highway almost neighbouring Seppelt, and Garden Gully’s old weathered vines (planted in the 1950s) have always looked like likely suspects. Problem is (I’m told) that it’s a drastically frost-prone vineyard.

 

This Jamsheed version of a Garden Gully syrah had 50 percent whole bunches included in the ferment, a 40 day maceeration, was fermented with wild yeast, matured in all-French oak (only 20 percent of it new) and was racked by gravity. Naturally, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is beautiful handling, to say the least.

It’s a beautifully textured, medium-weight, fully-ripened, silken wine. A wine of real class, and balance. A knockout in many ways - for its quality. Dark cherries and plums, sap and spice. A touch of earthiness, and a touch of leatheriness too. I love its length, it’s weight, the feel of it on my tongue. It doesn’t over-reach, it just ‘is’, Drink : 2012 - 2021 94+ points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

JAMSHEED GARDEN GULLY GREAT WESTERN SHIRAZ 2008 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $34.99 A BOTTLE.

Jamsheed Silvan Yarra Valley Shiraz 2008

’ll add some details on this Jamsheed Silvan Syrah at a later date, but I need to get some thoughts down before it’s all run out. I know that it’s made with 100 percent whole bunches and was wild yeast fermented, and I suspect that it was also matured in larger format French oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered and most of the work in the winery was done by gravity. It’s grown on the Monbulk red soils. It’s small scale winemaking and it’s turned out a very exciting wine. Gary Mills is the winemaker. He’s done a stunning job with this wine.

 

It will become clear, if it hasn’t already, over the next few weeks that the 2008 vintage in the Yarra Valley was an exciting one for the region’s reds. A watershed of types.

It starts meaty and spicy and builds in dark, peppery flavour as it travels along, though the style and thrust of it makes it more than a sum of its parts. Dark cherries and violets, licorice and hay. Gorgeous texture. A fan of flavour through the finish, and then nutty, spicy, sappy tannins. The acidity is perfectly judged. It has texture, complexity, personality and length. In world terms, the price is a steal. This is a wine of cool climate beauty. Drink : 2010 - 2020 95 points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

JAMSHEED SILVAN YARRA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2008 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $34.99 A BOTTLE.


OTHER WINES ON OFFER:

A FOCUS ON THREE GREAT 07 CABERNETS’

Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Goodness me, some of these 2007 vintage wines are very concentrated. Here’s another one that needed at least a day’s breathing (in bottle) before coming round.

 

Beautiful smelling wine - blackberry, Cassis, licorice and cedar wood with a light floral perfume. It’s full bodied and very dense with rich chocolate and blackcurrant flavours - concentrated and strong. The tannins grip firmly, initially with a black tea bitterness to them, but given time do relax somewhat and settle back into the wine. No shortage of length or intensity. A brooding and moody Balnaves. Drink : 2014 - 2024 94 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

 

Balnaves now command a five star rating from James Halliday which is now suprised considering the quality of the last five vintages of Cabernet that Balnaves have produced. - Anthony D'Anna

 

Drawn from a little over 16 hectares of estate plantings, the majority of the grapes are sold to other leading Coonawarra winemakers. The '96 won the trophy for Best Varietal Cabernet in Show at the 1998 Royal Sydney Wine Show, and the '98 is every bit as good. – James Halliday

BALNAVES COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $29.99 A BOTTLE.

Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

2009 Perth Royal Wine Show - 15 September 2009 Gold Medal and Trophy 'Best Cabernet Sauvignon'

2009 Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia - 14 September 2009 Gold Medal

2009 Royal Adelaide Wine Show - 12 September 2009 Silver Medal

 

Another stunning 2007 vintage Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has all the characteristics of first class Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium purple in colour; the nose is a well balanced mix of blueberries,, cassis, dark plum, cigar and cedar. The palate is complex and refined with lovely dark red fruits that lead the palate on a seamless and lengthy journey. This is up there with the best Cabernet Sauvignons produced from the 2007 vintage. 95 points Anthony D'Anna

 

Vasse Felix was the first winery to be built in the Margaret River. Owned and operated by the Holmes à Court family since 1987, the winery and vineyard have been carefully developed. Recent acquisitions of a neighbouring vineyard and property within the Wilyabrup subregion will ensure the dynamic Virginia Willcock will have the ability to craft wines of the highest calibre for many years to come, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay leading the way. There are two ranges: at the top, Heytesbury; then a full suite of classic varietals. Exports to all major markets. James Halliday

 

Established in 1967 the Vasse Felix estate vineyard is planted in the heart of the Wilyabrup sub region - The nucleus of premium wine production in Margaret River.

 

Low yielding, dry grown vines planted on some of the world’s oldest soils enjoy long, warm growing seasons and cooling summer breezes from the nearby Indian and Southern Oceans. This moderating effect is responsible for creating wines of exceptional concentration and intensity whilst retaining elegance and finesse – these cooling summer breezes from two oceans are unique to the South-West corner of Western Australia.

 

“Ancient soils and cooling sea breezes from the Southern and Indian Oceans provide the Vasse Felix vineyards with ideal conditions to craft consistent, elegant and complex wines with pronounced varietal character and aroma.”

First released in 1972, the Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the earliest wine to emerge from the internationally recognised wine region of Margaret River and is enjoying its 34th consecutive vintage this year.

VASSE FELIX MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $29.99 A BOTTLE.

Cape Mentelle Trinders Cabernet Merlot 2007

This has 'Quality' tattooed across its forehead. It tastes of bay leaf and capsicum, spice, cocoa and dusty, gravelly red berried fruits. It's medium bodied with firm, chalky tannins and, while it seems a little tough as a youngster, age will be kind to it - we're quite sure. Drink 2011-2017 $32) 92 points Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2009/10

 

On Wednesday night we had a Cape Mentelle Masterclass and showcased a number of wines. Views on each wine differed greatly, some preferring the coolers years to years such as 2004 and 2007. For me, this wine was a clear standout, especially considering the sub $25 retail. Quite a perfumed nose with hints of vanilla, spice, gravel and mulberry. The palate is fresh and very well balanced, with lovely dark red fruits. It is classic Margaret River Cabernet Merlot and I would have no problems laying this wine down for a decade or more. 93 points Anthony D'Anna

Blend 57% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot, 3% other. The majority of the vineyard soils comprise laterite gravel loam over a deep clay subsoil, the preferred profile for these varieties in Margaret River. All vines are vertically shoot positioned and managed to ensure balanced growth during the season. After destemming and light crushing, individual vineyard batches were fermented on skins for 10-15 days. At the desired balance of fruit and tannin extraction, each batch was gently basket pressed, with harder pressings kept aside. Once sugar dry, batches underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless tanks before being racked to oak barriques. Alcohol 14% Acid 7g/L pH 3.45 Ph

CAPE MENTELLE TRINDERS MARGARET RIVER CABERNET MERLOT 2007 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $23.99 A BOTTLE.

THE FANTASTIC WINES FROM

BRIAN CROSER

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2006

Perhaps the best of this line. It has an abundance of savoury, mellowed complexities from time in barrel and bottle. It's soft and elegant, with fine tannins and supple texture, superb balance and length. 15+ years. 94 points & 5 stars  Gourmet Traveler WINE, February 2010

 

The nose shows attractive red berry-spice aromas, and very fine tannins persist with the fruit on a medium-weight palate. Highly Recommended WineWise Vol. 25, No. 5., December 2009 Lester Jesberg (Editor)

 

Elegant and harmonious, this is silky in texture, with lovely blueberry, currant, plum and spice flavors playing out with refinement and style, finishing with a meaty, savory note. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2020. 1,400 cases made —H. S. 93 Points Wine Spectator, Nov 2009 Harvey Steiman

 

Tapanappa acquired the 30 year-old Whalebone Vineyard in 2002 and completely renovated it onto a new trellis supporting a shoot thinned vertical canopy. The old Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc vines of the Whalebone Vineyard have responded magnificently. After a thirty-year struggle the vine roots have penetrated the deeper limestone layers and are extracting a balance of moisture and nutrient to sustain a meagre crop of 4 tonnes/hectare. The vines have sufficient canopy and root system to fully ripen the harvest relying only on natural rainfall.

 

The 2005/2006 growing season was normal except for a hotter than average January. After veraison in January, the ripening months were moderate and cooler than average. In 2005/2006 the heat summation for Whalebone Vineyard for the 7-month growing season was 1394°C days against the average of 1377°C days. In nearby Coonawarra the 2006 heat summation was 1431°C days, only pushed above the long-term average of 1376°C days by the hot January.

 

Whalebone Vineyard has consistently proven to be cooler than Coonawarra in prior and subsequent vintages (see www.tapanappawines.com.au and scroll down from Vineyards to Whalebone Vineyard, Wrattonbully to Climate). The paradox is that despite being cooler Whalebone Vineyard ripens each variety earlier and more completely than Coonawarra, probably because of the protection it receives from the crest of the Naracoorte Ranges to the west and the much reduced wind speeds from the Great Southern Ocean from the southwest.

 

The still air, cool night, warm day temperature regime of the Whalebone Vineyard particularly suits Shiraz in its support role for Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc also performs well at the Whalebone Vineyard, which is not surprising given the similarity of the soil, geology and climate to that of St. Emilion in Bordeaux where it excels. The moderate ripening months of vintage 2006 allowed Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Shiraz (30%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) to be picked between the 29th of March and

the 1st of April in dry, sunny and cool autumn conditions. The 32 year-old vines of the Whalebone Vineyard yielded the meagre crop of 2.5 tonnes/hectare in 2006. The average analysis at harvest was 25.5 Brix, the pH was 3.5 and the acid 6.5gpl as tartaric.

TAPANAPPA WHALEBONE VINEYARD CABERNET SHIRAZ 2006 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $64.99 A BOTTLE.

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2008

Interesting to see Tapanappa using 50% new oak with this wine, when Petaluma use 100% and charge a hell of a lot more for their Tiers Chardonnay, which isn't necessarily any better a wine. The 2008 Tapanappa is quite complex yet bright on the nose, with savoury, nutty accents of grapefruit, melon and lemon. The palate is surprisingly luscious, with a counter balance of good, mouthfilling structure for chardonnay, which is altogether contradicted by a very refined, restrained cool-climate fruit profile. It finishes very long, and should age particularly well. 95 points Australian Wine Journal, 4th of February 2010 Chris Plummer

 

The hand-harvested Chardonnay from this seminal Adelaide Hills vineyard, first planted by Brian Croser in 1979, stood out for all of our Chardonnay judges for its purity and length. Both Louise and Tom noted "almonds" and "nuts", while straw, peach and lemon grass were some of the other notes. Andrew praised its "grain" and "completeness".  The Adelaide Review Hot 100 SA Wines, November 2009 Andrew Jefford

 

Lively, refined and beautifully focused, showing citrus, pineapple and green berry flavors that linger on the deft, complex finish. Best from 2011 through 2018. 1,500 cases made.H.S. Wine Spectator, Nov 2009 Harvey Steiman

 

An impressively powerful, concentrated wine with grapefruit and cedary oak aromas already quite complex and rich. Intense, tightly structured, long and powerful in the mouth. Still a baby. Drink now to six years. 95/100. Food: Roast chicken Sydney Morning Herald Good Living, 18th of August 2009 Houn Hooke

 

In 1978 Brian Croser selected the Piccadilly Valley in the centre of the Adelaide Hills because it provided the best terroirs in which to grow Chardonnay for the Petaluma Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for the sparkling wine Croser. The Tiers Vineyard was the first vineyard planted in the Adelaide Hills since the 19th century. It is in the centre of the Piccadilly Valley at 450 meters elevation and is on the same site where Brian and Ann Croser live and where the Petaluma Winery was built in 1978.

 

The Tiers Vineyard has 3 hectares of 28 year-old Chardonnay on closer spacing of 3,330 vines/hectare with vertical canopy, the first Australian mainland vineyard on this hand-labour intensive configuration. Another 1.5 hectares of the oldest vines on the Tiers were recently pulled out to make way for Dijon Chardonnay Clones 95 and 96 on devigorating rootstocks. These vines were planted on still closer spacing of 1.5m x 1.5m, or 4440 vines/hectare. The fruiting wire of the new vines has been reduced to 0.5m from the ground, from 0.8m in the older plantings, to take ripening advantage of ground warmth at night. The fruit from this newer planting of 1.5 hectares is blended with the older vine fruit in Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay.

 

The Piccadilly Valley is the coolest and highest rainfall viticultural sub-region in South Australia, with an average heat summation for the growing season of just 1172ºC days and an annual rainfall in excess of 1200 mm. The mean temperature of the hottest month (January) is 17.7ºC. The Piccadilly Valley is a homo-clime of Dijon in Burgundy. The soils in the Tiers Vineyard are free draining red-brown clay loams with a high content of clay (50%+) and rock fragments. The 1600 million year-old Calc-silicate parent-rock of the soil was brought to surface by an ancient fault line, and it exists only beneath the Tiers Vineyard and small portions of the neighboring properties. From 2005 Ann Croser, the owner, has agreed to divide the crop of the Tiers Vineyard between Petaluma and Tapanappa. Tapanappa selects its Tiers Chardonnay fruit from the thinner and rockier soils on the top of the slope and Petaluma harvests the belly of the slope.

TAPANAPPA TIERS CHARDONNAY 2008 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $69.99 A BOTTLE.


HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS:

Tahbilk Marsanne 2008

This is such a consistent performer that in assessing a new vintage the main feature I’m looking for is length of flavour - the flavour profile itself is very similar each year.

 

That said, this release is blessed with such a mound of spicy, peachy, floral fragrance that I wondered if the palate itself would turn out to be a little more full-on than normal. It’s not really - but it is delicious. It’s fresh and relatively crisp, its flavours of lemons, fennel and peach punching through to long-ish, linear finish. There’s a lot about this release that seems like classic Tahbilk marsanne, which makes me think that it will have an excellent cellaring life. For me though - I would drink it over the next five years. Drink : 2008 - 2015 92 Points Cambell Mattinson, The Wine Front

 

This is a Tahbilk built to age. Whilst we all know how well Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz can age (decades in good vintages), this stellar wine has a long life ahead of it. Still quite tight and backwards, it has all the ingredients there to age for 8 to 10 years (and maybe many years more). 93 points Anthony D'Anna

 

Quite backward bouquet with honeysuckle and apple in evidence; tightly wound, yet quite generous on the palate, with a fine line of minerality following through to the conclusion. Screwcap. Rating 91 Drink 2015 James Halliday

 

A winery steeped in tradition (with National Trust classification), which should be visited at least once by every wine-conscious Australian, and which makes wines - particularly red wines - utterly in keeping with that tradition. The essence of that heritage comes in the form of the tiny quantities of Shiraz made entirely from vines planted in 1860. In 2005 Tahbilk opened its substantial wetlands project, with a series of walks connected (if you wish) by short journeys on a small punt. Exports to the UK and the US. James Halliday

 

Hallelujah, a screwcap to protect one of the best but least recognised varietal cellaring specials. James Halliday

TAHBILK MARSANNE 2008 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $9.99 A BOTTLE.

AND THE STUNNING 2005 TAHBILK REDS OFFERED AT AN AMAZING $12.99 A BOTTLE

Tahbilk Shiraz 2005

Both Tahbilk Cabernet and Shiraz have always been good value, good quality wines, but we shouldn't take them for granted: they're Aussie gems. If you haven't had one for a while, it's time you rediscovered them.

 

Seems a bit softer and cuddlier than usual, but it's still full of that immensely attractive cherry-plummed, earthen flavour that the estate is famous for. It's tannins don't get in the way, but there's enough of them, and the smear of eucalypt-like flavours gives it a welcoming sense of lift. Lovely wine. Mattinson has already nabbed himself a case of this. Drink 2009-2015. 91 points Cambell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2009/10

 

No.62 The Top 100 Red Wines at $20 or less - Cambell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2009/10

Bright red-crimson; a full-flavoured but elegant wine, with an abundance of black cherry and blackberry fruit; best for many years; extract perfectly managed. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 93 Drink 2020 $19.75 Date Tasted Aug 08 James Halliday

TAHBILK SHIRAZ 2005 (S) IS AVAILABLE FOR A SPECIAL PRICE OF $12.99 A BOTTLE WHILST STOCKS LAST.

Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

You either like Tahbilk’s reds or you don’t, but for those generally in favour … this is a lovely release. Well-structured, well-flavoured, drink-now or drink-later Aussie red wine. It tastes of blackcurrant, earth, cedarwood and eucalypt, and, while there’s lots of savoury appeal here, there’s a hit of smooth sweetness running right through the centre. Classic Tahbilk red, really. Rated : 93 Points Alcohol : 14.5% Price : $18 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2009 - 2016 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

 

Top 100 Reds Under $20 - #1 in The Big Red Wine Book (2009/2010) and #2 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Corporate slogans aren’t really our bag, but Tahbilk uses ‘A Priceless Inheritance’, and we reckon that’s about spot-on. The epitome of a well-structured, well-flavoured, drink-now or drink-later Aussie red wine. It’s not over the top, but it’s not wimpy, either. It tastes of blackcurrant, earth, cedarwood and eucalypt, and, while there’s lots of savoury appeal here, there’s a hit of smooth sweetness running right through the centre. It is a 100 per cent classic Tahbilk red. The makers – and Australian wine in general – should be very proud of it. Drink 2009–2016. Price: $18. Alcohol: 14.5%. Seal: Screwcap. Value * * * * * Score: 93 Points; The Big Red Wine Book; Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh.

 

Established 1860 at Nagambie Lakes, Tahbilk is one of Australia’s most scenic and historic wineries, with a tradition of producing one of Victoria's most reliable Cabernet Sauvignon. Tahbilk is blessed with an abundance of old vine plantings, including small, precious parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to 1949. The back label for our latest Cabernet Sauvignon release states "The nose and palate exhibit an intense mixture of eucalypt and spice combined with blackberry undertones whilst the finish is long and flavoursome, balanced with fine grape tannins." Whilst I was not responsible for writing the label, I couldn’t agree more – although I would have woven mint, tobacco and hints of capsicum amongst the descriptors. Still, it’s what your nose and palate tells you that counts! Tahbilk

TAHBILK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR A SPECIAL PRICE OF $12.99 A BOTTLE.

A WANTED WINE FROM HEATHCOTE

Wanted Man Heathcote Shiraz 2008

Wanted Man has fast become one of the top few Heathcote producers. Pure, ripe, silken and sweet-fruited. A beautifully presented wine. It tastes of eucalypt, toast, blackberry and iodine, and when its tannins kick in they come juicy and flavoursome and fine. Easy to drink, easy to like, easy to be impressed by. Drink : 2009 - 2014 91 points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

 

One sniff of this deep purple wine and — wham! — you’re transported straight to Heathcote. Nowhere else produces shiraz with such an amazing combination of cool, sandalwood-drenched perfume and warm blackberry fruit. Max Allen

With hand picked grapes from low yielding vineyards, the vines for this wine are grown on the white quartz and Cambrian soil of Victoria's Heathcote region. All estate grown, the fruit has benefited from a warm summer, resulting in ripe, and fleshy fruit. With hints of bramble, plum and lush blueberries on the nose, this wine is rich and approachable. Hints of spicy fruitcake and candied fruits lead to a pleasant and fruit rich palate of plums and stewed fruits, all underpinned by a velvety texture and mouth feel. Silky tannins allow easy drinking now however, the wine may develop some complexity with age. Matured in French oak barriques after wild and cultured yeast fermentation on skins, this wine can be enjoyed with chicken dishes, slow cooked or barbecued meats and pastas with tomato based sauces.

WANTED MAN HEATHCOTE SHIRAZ 2008 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $29.99 A BOTTLE.

YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BUY 08 RICE SHZ

The Story Rice Vineyard Grampians Shiraz 2008

Another single vineyard release from Rory Lane and I think at the moment it is slightly better than the Westgate wine (in saying that, they are both A grade wines). Awesome wine, awesome effort. For me close to being faultless for Grampians Shiraz and this for me, eats the current batch of St Peters' Shiraz. 95+ points Anthony D'Anna

 

It’s fragrant and perfumed with juicy mixed berry fruits, spice and delightful cocoa and vanilla oak. Smooth and mouth-filling with abundant sweet fruit, spice and sumptuous suede-like tannins. The acidity is fresh, but unobtrusive, just enough to pull in the waist of all that fleshy ripe fruit, but discreetly. Pulsating length, closing with spice, and a firm, but ripely stalky aftertaste. Touch and go for an even higher rating. Superb. Drink : 2011 - 2018 95 Points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

 

Here is a bit of background info on the 08 The Story releases.

 

It's coming to that time of year again when we get our new wines in order to release. This year we will be releasing 3 Shiraz wines, first to out loyal mailing list customers At the end of August and then to the general public, retailers and Restaurants in November.

 

Our Grampians Shiraz Blend this year is titled 'Wilderness' to represent our move towards more natural winemaking processes and equipment - the use of indigenous yeasts for all ferments and the use of wooden fermenters which I believe give softer and more integrated tannin structures and have better insulative properties to maintain fermentation temperatures. Wilderness also represents my move into the unknown of self-employment, to fend for myself finally as a full-time Story person. This blend is of 4 vineyards, and is a dark, yet mid-weight shiraz with exciting aromatics and lovely balance. A seductive little number.

 

We also have 2 Single Vineyard releases in very small quantities. We again have a Westgate Vineyard shiraz, showing its lineage from our 2006 release with typical blackberry and cassis drive, good acidity and lovely texture. We also will release our first Shiraz from Rice's Vineyard, a warmer site near Stawell, which is more earthy, with riper, bigger tannins and hints of minerals flecked through the aroma. Both are regional, yet distinctly different and I think showcase two distinct terroirs.

THE STORY RICE VINEYARD GRAMPIANS SHIRAZ 2008 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $39.99 A BOTTLE.

& DON’T FORGET THE STUNNING STANDARD 2008 THE STORY GRAMPIANS SHIRAZ

The Story Wilderness Grampians Shiraz 2008

This is Rory's entry level Shiraz and he has labelled this one 'Wilderness' as it was the first wine he made being self-employed and more towards natural processes. Good move on both parts. This is a super wine for the price and much in the vain of the 2006. Think thick and juicy, with lovely lifted fragrant dark red fruits. Whilst it might be dense, it is still light on it's feet and lovely purity and freshness. Drink now or cellar for eight years. 93 points Anthony D'Anna

 

Our Grampians Shiraz Blend this year is titled 'Wilderness' to represent our move towards more natural winemaking processes and equipment - the use of indigenous yeasts for all ferments and the use of wooden fermenters which I believe give softer and more integrated tannin structures and have better insulative properties to maintain fermentation temperatures. Wilderness also represents my move into the unknown of self-employment, to fend for myself finally as a full-time Story person. This blend is of 4 vineyards, and is a dark, yet mid-weight shiraz with exciting aromatics and lovely balance. A seductive little number.

THE STORY WILDERNESS GRAMPIANS SHIRAZ 2008 (S) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $19.99 A BOTTLE.

GREAT ENTRY LEVEL DRINKING PINOT NOIR

Kooyong 'Massale' Pinot Noir 2008

Love Massale and Clonale by Kooyong; they always seem to hit the spot.

Red fruits, earth/mineral and a little meatiness. Fresh and light in the mouth with fine powdery tannin - light and breezy yet serious. It’s big on style and expansive on the finish. Very highly recommended (just in case you missed the enthusiasm). .Drink : 2010 - 2015 92 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

KOOYONG MASSALE PINOT NOIR 2008 (C) IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $23.99 A BOTTLE.

A GREAT VALUE COTE DU RHONE

Domain de la Chartreuse Cote du Rhone Rouge 2006

Vintage 2006 was a good year in the Rhone Valley and it shows with this wine. Quite pure and fragrant with dark cherries, rich cassis, plums, spice and acidity. A great value sub $20 Rhone Valley red. Anthony D'Anna

 

Grower Profile: One of the oldest Domaines in Châteauneuf du Pape, once owned by the Monks who were the first to create this distinctive wine. It is super unctuous with a great density and a deep emphasis on well matured Grenache with great longivity. The Côtes du Rhone is a superbly made wine full of charm and good balance - perfect enjoyable drinking.

 

The Carthusian Order planted their grapevines on the small hills surrounding this 13th century monastery. The vineyards are located on soils dating from the end of the lower cretaceous to the upper cretaceous periods. On an impervious marly layer are found prevalently various types of soil, but always sandy.

 

The vineyards of Valbonne are part of the appellation Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages.

 

During the last 25 years, the association has almost restored, with new varietals, the vineyards which the Carthusian Order cultivated.

 

In fact, the grapevines planted by the Carthusian community had been abandoned completely after their departure in 1901. The inventory done in 1907, at the time of its sale at public auction, mentioned 17 hectares of grapevines, of which at least 3 hectares were of the pinot variety, according to the conserved plans.

 

The mention of a still leads us to think that this vineyard was also intended for the production of alcohol which went into making Grande Chartreuse liqueur. Also recovered were some large barrels, which can still be admired in a cool and humid cellar dating from the 13th century.

 

Abandoned after their departure in 1901, the vineyard disappeared almost entirely. Starting in 1977, the beautifully located grapevines were replanted. Today, a little over 16 hectares are cultivated and the viticultural domain of the old Carthusian monastery is nearly completely restored.

 

Climate, soils and varietals are the components of any viticultural domain. The local climate is very different from that of the surrounding Mediterranean region. Encircled by forest, the vineyard of Valbonne benefits from a certain freshness, which confers to the wine its elegance and aromatic finesse.

 

The soils of Valbonne are characterized by their exposure (horseshoe-shaped small hills), by the forest environment (hygrometry, regularization of temperatures), and by the numerous terraces of light and stony chalky-sandstone.

 

Varieties:Grenache (50%), for the roundness, the fullness and the fruit. Syrah (50%), for the color, tannins and its aptitude for ageing.

 

Location: A Northeastern exposure. Grapevines on terraces and small hills. Its privileged location, at the heart of a magnificent forest, constitutes an closed environment with a unique climate.

 

Soil: Is constituted of chalky-sandstone, dated from the lower cretaceous period of the secondary era (240 million years). The soil is of a homogeneous structure and texture.

 

The age of the vines: The Grenache: 25 years The Syrah: 25 years

 

Cultivation: Grapevines are cultivated traditionally, some with natural grasses. Debudding and thinning are done in summer. Production: 40 hl/ha.

 

Vintages: 100% hand-picked, bunches are harvested in light wooden boxes, the grapes are then sorted on tables in the cellar.

Shipped to Australia in a temperature controlled container.

DOMAIN DE LA CHARTREUSE COTE DU RHONE ROUGE 2006 IS AVAILABLE WHILST STOCKS LAST FOR $16.99 A BOTTLE.


 PLEASE NOTE: (S) SCREWCAP, (C) CORK


 

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