Martinborough is one of the three main sub-regions (Gladstone and Masterton being the other two) in the Wairarapa region of the north island of New Zealand. Martinborough lies in a rain shadow between the Taraua and Rimutaka mountain ranges, making it the North Island’s driest spot. It has 4 distinct seasons, with warm days and crisp nights during the growing …
Upcoming Offering – 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, …
Upcoming Offering – 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 …
Upcoming Offering – 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 …
Upcoming Offering – 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 …
Upcoming Offering – 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. …
Upcoming Offering – 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 …
Upcoming Offering – 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 …
Upcoming Offering – 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), …
Tasting Day 3 – Best of the Best
So the kids are back in school the weather is slowly cooling down and the time for reflection is here. I’ve been thinking about the best wines we have brought into the club over the last few years, and in particular what I have enjoyed drinking this year. Here are five of the wines from the club that I thought …
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