The collection of Wines have shipped to all of Canada, and in the hands of all Hemispheres Wine Guild Members. With our new updates we would like to encourage members to discuss the wines they have tasted so far, plans for the cellar or any great food pairings you may have.
The Summer 2012 Offering brings you wines from the Adelaide Hills region of Australia.This wonderful mix of wines is sure to please all palates.
SCOTT WINES SHIRAZ/SANGIOVESE 2010
Sam Scott has been able to capture something quite difficult, when producing red wine in Australia. He has created a successful food wine! This wine juxtaposes the two seemingly odd bedfellows of Shiraz and Sangiovese. The Shiraz provides the softness and aromatic lift while the Sangiovese adds the structure and savoury complexity. This wines shows notes of cocoa, black olives, plums and spice with a slightly resinous complexity. The palate is medium to full bodied with medium grained tannins and very little noticeable oak influence. Should have capacity to age nicely. Drink 2013-2020. 4 ½ stars.
ROBERT JOHNSON SHIRAZ 2006
While technically just outside of the Adelaide Hills boundary I couldn’t help but slip this wine into the mix. The cool slopes (~400m) of this Eden Valley vineyard provide the fruit for this classic Australian Shiraz. The wine is just starting to get into its’ stride and shake off the restrained shackles of youth. Notes of chocolate, licorice, espresso and blackberries abound. The palate is full bodied with fine-grained tannins and an important acidic lift. The flavours are numerous and ethereal, changing the longer that you leave the wine in the glass. Cool-climate Shiraz making at it’s best. Drink now to 2017. 5 stars.
TUPELO PINOT NOIR 2009
I have to admit that many Pinot Noir wines I drink outside of Burgundy tend to be one-dimensional. They lack the aromatic profile and textural appeal of their French counterparts. However, this wine from Tupelo succeeds where many fail. The aromas are a subtle mix of dark cherries, subtle oak, earthy complexity and restrained fruit. The palate is quite full bodied with a pleasing tannic structure and savoury length. Small batch processing of high quality Adelaide Hills’ fruit along with some inclusion of whole bunches (stems) is the key to this wine’s appeal. An impressive effort with good potential to age. Drink now to 2017. 4 ½ stars.
SOMERLED CHARDONNAY 2010
The best examples of Adelaide Hills Chardonnay can rank with the best examples from any region in Australia. The cool central hills and careful slope selection is key to producing a sophisticated example of the variety. This wine shows a vibrant array of aromas ranging from roasted cashew nuts, ripe nectarines, toasty oak and a lively citrus lift. The palate is full bodied with layers of complexity and finesse. A classic example of Chardonnay from Robin Moody (ex Penfolds winemaker) who shows what 40 years of experience can do. Drink now to 2020. 5 stars.
SCOTT WINES FIANO 2011
Fiano is a relatively unknown white grape outside its home of in Southern Italy. However, its thick skin and small berries make it an ideal candidate for high quality winemaking in the Adelaide Hills. The aromas show medium intensity with notes of honey, hazelnut, cloves and lemons. The palate is full bodied with waxy intensity and a long crisp finish. This is a well made, unoaked style with excellent length and some potential to age. The Scott Fiano recently took a trophy at the Adelaide show for good reason! Drink now to 2016. 4 ½ stars.
ROBERT JOHNSON VINEYARD, ALAN AND VEITCH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010
I think some of the best white wines in the world are the result of barrel fermenting Sauvignon Blanc e.g. Bordeaux, Margaret River, Pouilly Fumé. I feel this is an excellent style for the Adelaide Hills to differentiate itself from the multitudes of unoaked Sauvignon Blancs coming from New Zealand. The wine shows a complex range of aromas including pears, gooseberries, natural yoghurt, buttered toast and lemon peels. The palate is medium to full bodied with subtle oak nuances and a creamy yet crisp finish. Some nicely restrained winemaking here. This wine shows some capacity to age. Drink now to 2018. 4 ½ stars.
TUPELO PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2009
I have always been a fan of dry rosé made from Pinot Noir and this wine reminds me why. It has a wonderful blend of strawberry and raspberry aromas with just a hint of earthiness. The palate shows classic Pinot Noir balance with that important mid palate weight, (without utilising residual sugar). The grapes were harvested quite early (~20 Brix), crushed and left to cold soak for 48 hours before light pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel. The result is a delicate and balanced rosé with excellent food pairing potential… a summer drinking winner! Drink now to 2014. 4 stars.
DEVIATION ROAD LOFTIA VINTAGE BRUT 2010
Australian born Kate Laurie is a classically trained (Champagne) winemaker and her skills are evident here. The blend is made up of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay selected from the high altitude (600m) southern facing vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. The base wine went through malo-lactic fermentation prior to extended ageing on lees in the bottle. The result is a finely textured and balanced sparkling wine showing excellent bead and subtle complexity. Flavours of fresh bread, granny smith apples and strawberries abound with a crisp hazelnut finish. The 2009 vintage recently won the best sparkling wine in Australia at the 2012 Sydney International show, and this vintage shows similar promise. Drink now to 2022. 5 stars.