McLaren Vale Wines – Minko Wines

20 11 2010

Nestled into the main street of Willunga is a little gem that is Minko wines.  This old world building is the working home of Margo who was just voted the 2010 Outstanding Cellar Door Person Award – well done Margo.  You can also get a number of fine foods, coffee, olive oils and a couple of times a week wonderful fresh bread.  The wines are made from grapes sourced from the company vineyards in Mount Compass which is outside the McLaren Vale region but they get a mention here because because of the cellar door location.

Minko Wines Cellar Door

I was impressed to see a Vinturi being used to serve the wines.  The Vinturi is a wine aerator that provides the wine with air integration like they have been open for a considerable time.

Minko Wines - Inside the Cellar Door

They also offer a wine flight with 3 Pinot Noirs complete with tasting notes and a tasting platter of Pate, Cheeses, smoked semi dried tomatoes and crackers all served in the side garden setting.  All for the low sum of $10 per person and then you have the option to buy 2 of each Pinot in a 6 pack for $135 compared to $150 normally.

2006 Trio – Sparkling Pinot Noir / Chardonnay / Pinot Gris ($A15)
An interesting aroma of Lychees and honey mead.  The flavours start with stone fruits and green apple and leaves you with a lychee finish.  The wine is neither sweet or dry and thus can be drunk in many settings with and without food.  How about a French Onion Tart.
2009 Pinot Grigio ($A18)
The aromas were a little closed but there was a hint of stone fruit.  The flavours are dominated by the stone fruits of nectarines.  There is a softness here with just a little sweetness.  I can see a wild rocket, cherry tomato and red onion salad with a pan fried salmon fillet.
2010 Unwooded Chardonnay ($A18)
Lots and lots of rockmelon aromas that continued in the flavour profile.  There is alot of acid here that leads to citrus note across the whole palate and then leaves a fresh grapefruit finish.  I found this a very different wine that sparked my interest – this does not happen often with unwooded chardonnay.  The acids scream seafood – so with a twist lets try it with crab stuffed into chicken breast fillets.
2010 Late Picked Pinot Gris ($A18)
Starting with orange peel aromas, I was concerned that this was going to be a very sweet wine and was concerned that my palate was going to explode with sugar and then I was going to struggle with the red wines to come.  Well I should not have been concerned as the wine was not cloying at all – the acids here were enough to clear the palate of the sugars.  Flavours of orange and apricots leads one to think about Mum’s Apricot Crumble.
2008 Pinot Noir ($A25)
Quite aromatic with violets and sour cherries with a savory finish.  Flaours just remind me of a fresh berry compote with just a little sour cherry thrown in.  As expected this is a lighter style wine which made me think of a match with runny soft goats cheese with fresh crusty french stick.
2005 Pinot Noir ($A25)
The aromas just leapt of of the glass well before I got the glass anywhere near my nose – just like I was crushing fresh cherries and raspberries with some savory oak notes on the finish.  Like the aromas I also got an immediate understanding of complexity here.  Cherries mixed up with some small amounts of mushroom compost and then wrappd up in a spiced beetroot envelope.  I do not normally drink Pinot Noir but I bought some of this to take home with me and I am thinking one of my home made pizzas with lots of mushrooms, smoked mussels, sausage with chunks of Fetta.
2006 Pinot Noir
Not normally for tasting – this wine is part of the Pinot Noir Wine Flight as already outlined.  This wine to me shows why Piont Noir can be such a fickle variety as it showed some savory cherries but none of the complexity and fruit power of the previous 2 wines.
2006 Merlot ($A18)
For a variety I am not overly fond of, this was an interesting find with aromas of violets, plums and blackcurrents.  The flavours showed not only ripe cherries but with the clever use of oak there was lots of spice and a cigar box finish.  Try it with Chicken in red wine
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($A18)
Interestingly this wine started as the usual Cabernet and I though – well here we go again just another Cabernet.  By the time I was finished I realised I was so wrong.  On top of the blackcurrents one expects from the variety I got the eucalyptus and menthol that I really get these days.  These note leads me to straight away think of roast lamb with mint sauce to go with the wine.
2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($A28)
Different again – this time I get a real meaty aroma to go with blackcurrent and the cigar box from oak treatments.  The flavours are full of berries with a dusty tannin finish.  The fruit here makes me think of herb crusted lamb loin chops.
NV Sparkling Merlot ($A18)
Lots of sweet fruits (but not too sweet) with blackcurrents dominating.  The tannins are light and the finish is refreshing.  There is enough complexity here to say this is a serious wine made for fun.  Can be drunk at any time with almost anything – not just the Xmas turkey smothered in cranberry sauce.


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McLaren Vale Wines – Middlebrook Estate

23 10 2010

Middlebrook Estate Cellar Door & Function Centre

Middlebrook is a McLaren Vale restaurant and function center that specialises on Weddings (where the Rotunda comes into it’s own).  I have been visiting the cellar door on an infrequent basis since 1986 and the inside of the function center has seen many changes for this McLaren Vale function institution.

I can still remember my first visit when I was introduced to Duris (see below) and it was just so different I was not sure about it on the first try – so I asked for another taste.  Well the look from the lady working the cellar door indicated she thought this was a request of some drunk.  Anyway, I did get another taste and then there was no complaints as I walked out with a case of this very unusual liqueur.

Now days the wines seem to be made to suit the catering for the masses at wedding functions ie lighter bodied and sweet wines.  If this is their aim they do well – so well that a number of the wines were not available for tasting as they were in limited quantities and those remaining were reserved for future functions.

To me all I really care about is to see they keep making Duris!

Middlebrook Estate Gazebo

N/V Cogno Brothers Cuve Brut ($A10)

A nice clean and neutral bubbly that is popular for the wedding parties that utilise the facility.

2005 Cogno Brothers “Cin Cin” Pinot Grigio ($A15)

Shows that aging of this variety does not make much sense.  There were developed characters here with most of the fruit flavors almost gone.  There was also a slight bitter after taste.  Life is too short………

2008 Middelbrook “Contessa” Unwooded Chardonnay ($A15)

After the disappointment of the Pinot Grigio and then to be offered an unwooded Chardonnay, I started to think this was going to be a long, long tasting!  Well I was wrong again.  This wine showed really nice dried peach aromas (maybe some residual sulphur coming through).  The flavors were peach again plus some apricot that provided an interesting textural mouthfeel.  I could see why this wine was only available for functions as it would just evaporate on a hot day with a few people at a gathering.

N/V Middlebrook Ma Cheri Moscato ($A15)

As expected there was loads of grapey sweetness with some bubbles added – again a walk in start at most functions.

2008 “Cin Cin” Sangiovese ($A15)

Macerated cherries that were dropped and rolled around on the ground – if you can imagine this and add some oak tannins and this is what I was tasting.  Sangiovese and value for money means a match for many menus at such a function house.

2006 Cogno Brothers Family Selection Merlot ($A15)

Mulberries and cherries in an obvious tannic mix and a dry finish.  Merlot oh Merlot you are still not my style of wine.

2006 Cogno Brothers Family Selection Barbera ($A15)

This wine was all about drinking spiced fruit cake.  All the aromas and flavors brought one back to this fruit cake recipe.  I can see a lot of people liking this style.  Matching food with this would be challenging to ensure the flavors are complimentary.

2006 Cogno Brothers Family Selection Shiraz ($A15)

So typical of a lot of Shiraz one finds around.  Sweet fruit (plums & Cherries) aromas that evolve into the plum fruit that is Shiraz.  The overall wine experience is a little lighter than what I would consider “normal” and again I can see a lot of people liking it for that reason.  It also works well as this wine would suit many different food styles – just like the differences at a function.

2005 Joseph Cogno “Il Padrino” Cabernet Shiraz ($A20)

The aromas were closed but this does not give a clear indication of what is to come.  The flavors are well balanced between black fruits, soft tannins and good acid length.  Again this good old Aussie blend does good things.  The wine has length but is not too heavy – again a theme for this winery.

N/V Middlebrook Duris ($A25)

Again a treat that has been bringing me back to Middlebrook Estate in McLaren Vale since 1986.  A Honey Cumquot Liqueur that has great length and citrus character.  The flavors start with the honey and continue onto the citrus that is the cumquot (probably best described as a mix of mandarin and lemons).  There is a hint of complexity here that seems like the cumquot peel.  This blend has less obvious alcohol than what I remember from previous tastings, but the overall effect is not diminished.   Other than drinking it straight after a meal, my best use has been as an integrate part of the fruit mince used for the Xmas pudding and Fruit Mice Pies.  I macerate the dried fruits in Duris, Brandy and fortified wines that are handy.

Wines not taste or not availiable:-

Cobbity Cooler range

Cogno Brothers Deluxe Rose (sparkling)

Cogno Brothers “Black Harvest” Sparkling Grenache

Cogno Brothers Frontignan Spaetlese

Cogno Brothers Bin 77 Fruity White

Cogno Brothers Camden Gold

Cogno Brothers La Morra Rose

Cogno Brothers Cobbitty Classic Red (sweet)

Cogno Brothers “Black Harvest” Still Grenache

Middelbrook Scenario (Viognier Chardonnay)


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McLaren Vale Wines – Possoms Wines

15 10 2010

First of all I thought Possum wines was born from a couple of folks that liked possums – well that maybe the case but the name came from parts of the names from the founding couple.  Dr John Possingham and Carol Summers.  They have 2 vineyards.  30 Ha in Blewitt Springs on the rolling sandy hills with some vines over 80 years old.  Another 30 Ha are in Willunga – between town of Willunga and Sellicks Beach.  The 2 different vineyards produce wines of very different charachter.

Their winery is on Adams Road near the Blewitt Springs vineyard and a full time winemaker is now employed.  Cellar Door tastings can be arranged by appointment.  Their web site is www.possumswines.com.au.

As a general comment I was surprised at the vast range of wines – some of them form older vintages than are normally found for sale in McLaren Vale.  Also, I found their wines were good value.  I was surprised at how good most of the wines were – particularly for the price, so I would recommend checking them out.

Anyway, now for the wines…….

2008 The Springs Unwooded Chardonnay ($A10 or $8 on dozen buys)

What value here – particularly with dozen buys.  The price probably reflects that Chardonnay can be difficult to sell at the moment.  There are melon and peaches here that are not over the top like some of these style wines can be.  There was a level of bitterness apparent on the after taste that made me think of sulphur.  Not for me but for those that are price conscience then “drink up”.

2008 Viognier ($A15)

Blewitt Springs fruit has produced a very pleasant drink that is true to the peach and apricot flavors and aromas one expects from this variety.  I was particularly happy with the acid length of this wine.  To me this shows excellent value for money and would be a good one to drink cold on a hot day and sharing it with friends.

2008 Two in the Pouch White ($A13 or $A10 on Dozen buys)

A blend I have not tried too many times and I was not disappointed.  The value for money quotient here was very high.  A well made wine with good varietal characters for this price – I had to look twice at the price list to make sure I had not mad a mistake.  The stone fruit of peaches and nectarines are hear in spades.  Again a wine more made for casual consumption instead of food – why not and “pass me a glass”!

2010 Dr Johns Single Vineyard Pinot Gris ($A28)

A new label that shows the new direction of the marketing people.  Different labels and almost no reference to Possoms wines on the label.  It must be that possms are not fashionable!

One of the better Pinot Gris wines I have tried.  Made from Blewitt Springs fruit the wine has really good passionfruit and acid length characters.  I was also pleasantly surprised that the wine was quite dry.  So good with a warm chicken salad dish – just right for the coming summer months.

2006 Willunga Chardonnay ($A13)

This wine has seen a bit of French oak and is just starting to show some developed citrus peel characters combined with nectarines and this really good nutty finish.  The wine probably is getting close to it’s time so drink it right now.

2009 Pink Possum ($A15)

This Cabernet Sauvignon Rose has the usual strawberries and cream aromas and flavors with an added effect from Turkish Delight on the nose and cherries added on the palate.  This wine has a dry finish – much drier that I expected from the aroma.  Bring on Sunday lunch with Willunga Almond Dukkah some Coriole EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and some fresh crusty bread – oh and maybe some friends to share it with.

2008 Two in the Pouch Shiraz/Cabernet ($A13 or $10 for dozen buys)

There is fruit here from both the Willunga and Blewitt Springs vineyards.  The Blewitt Springs component shows through particularly with the aromas of peatyness that combines with both red and black fruits.  The flavors are initially dominated by sweet cherries and plums with some spices and some chocolate on the finish.  At this price give me a bottle or 2 at any BBQ as it will go with charred meats.

2006 Grenache (A$15)

A lighter that expected offering from the Blewitt Springs vineyard.  The peatyness comes through again on the nose with red spicy fruits – Yum.  The flavors are a medium bodied mixture of raspberries, cherries & spice with just a hint of oak.  Sorry, it is unlikely I will be sharing this.

2008 Willunga Shiraz ($A15)

I found the aromas somewhat closed – all I got was a hint of vanilla.  The flavors are a meld of plums, mixed spice, chocolate and licorice.  Not a classical McLaren Vale offering but at that price …….

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($A20)

Well how interesting is this – a 2005 red wine being offered for $20!  A proportion of the wine was made from 80 year old vines at the Blewitt Springs vineyard.  As readers of the Lonely Grape would know that Cabernet Sauvignon is not always my favorite wine variety – but this was different.  So much so I left the tasting with some.

The aromas have the traditional blackcurrent fruit but there was also blackberry and an interesting tobacco leaf hint.  The flavors were rich black fruits, this tobacco again and spices to leave a lingering finish.  All I could think about as I tasted this was eating pork chops with this (I had pork chops last night with another Cabernet last nigh and it was a wonderful match).

2006 Possums Vineyard Shiraz ($A25)

This Blewitt Springs wine was the real deal and I have tasted a lot of comparable McLaren Vale wines for much more money, so this wine has to be seen as good value.

The aromas were of fruit cake with a touch of vanilla and some fresh plums on the side.  The flavors just showed such layered complexity – the usual peatyness of Blewitt Springs, the typical McLaren Vale plums, cinnamon spice with a lingering chocolate finish.  Just “Yum” in a bottle – yes I took some of this home as well.  I can feel a steak coming on…..

Not Tasted

2006 Dr Johns Single Vineyard Shiraz ($A35)


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McLaren Vale Wines – Gemtree

9 10 2010

 

Salopian Inn - Gentree's Cellar Door

 

Gemtree shares it’s cellar door with Dowie Doole – at the Salopian Inn – check out my review of Dowie Doole.

The cellar door offers wine flights with cheese & lavosh breads and 6 wines.  The wines are from both Gentree & Dowie Doole with either 6 reds or 5 whites and the sparkling red.  You also get tasting notes of the wines and a run down of information from the cellar door staff.

For those visiting during winter there is an open fireplace for that wonderful warmth you get from smoldering wood.

Gemtree is getting a name for promoting organic and in particular biodynamic wines and it will be interesting seeing their development in the coming years.

2010 Moonshine Savagnin ($A16)

A biodynamic vineyard producing a wine variety that I have hardly tried before – well this was an interesting start.  The interest continued as I thoroughly enjoyed this wine.  There was lots of stone fruits here (peaches and nectarines) that makes way for a lingering acid finish.  My understanding is that this variety is of interest in Australia as the grapes produce a good flavor / acid balance in hotter climates.  I must say this wine makes me want to know more about the variety.  The great acid balance in the wine makes me think it would go well with tomato based sauces and pasta.

2009 Citrine Chardonnay ($A16)

Who said Chardy is dead?  Another reasonably priced Chardonnay that has good oak integration (from 100 days in oak) – all the melons, cedar and acid one expects from this variety.  Again the McLaren Vale region and chardonnay makes a good mix – I still wonder why McLaren Vale tries to make white wines of inferior quality.

2009 Luna Raja Tempranillo ($A25)

Bring on the biodynamic vineyards – this wine exhibits some of what is good about Tempranillo – earthy, spices and a lovely tannin structure.

2009 Bloodstone Shiraz ($A16)

Straight away the aromas showed over ripe and even stewed fruit.  This theme continued onto the flavors sweet plums, black cherries with a tannic finish.  Keep your money – there are better wines for this price.

2008 Uncut Shiraz ($A19)

Ripe fruits shown by the licorice, anise and plum aromas followed by ripe plums and black fruits with a distinct licorice finish.  Another 2008 red wine that shows how difficult this vintage was.

2009 The Red Phantom Red Blend 1 ($A25)

When they say a red blend they mean it – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot.  I get aromas of Floral (mainly violets) – quite probably from the Petit Verdot.  Then the aroma profile of herbecous with with real green capsicums – all from the Cabernet.  The cabernet dominates in the flavor spectrum – blackcurrents, little mint and some greenness.  The finish is so dry it leaves you teeth feeling like they are fir coated.

2007 White Lees Shiraz ($A45)

Now here was a surprise – the aromas are dominated by violets.  Not what I expected from Shiraz – particularly from McLaren Vale Shiraz.  There is just lots and lots of complexity here – layers of fruit, tannin structure and French oak characters.  Leave this alone for a few years and try it with seared Kangaroo.

2008 Petit Verdot ($A25)

The floral notes I quite often find in this variety are here again.  I also get plums, pepper and just a little blackberry.  For those Petit Verdot fans out there this is one to try.

Not Tasted

2007 Obsidian Shiraz


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McLaren Vale Wines – Dowie Doole

3 10 2010

Dowie Doole & Gemtree Cellar Door

Dowie Doole has their cellar door combined with Gemtree Wines in one of McLaren Vale‘s historic landmarks – the Salopian Inn.  The Salopian Inn has been famous for it’s high quality food using regional Fleurieu produce.  Under new management this historical McLaren Vale landmark now is not only the home to a quality regional produce dining experience, there is a wine list sourced by a Master of Wine, the home for Vale Ale (a new beer branded around McLaren Vale) plus the combined cellar door.

Salopian Inn

Check out the Lonely Grape cellar door map for the location of this cellar door.

2009 Second Nature Sauvingnon Blanc ($A18)

This wine was unusual for it’s restrained aromas unlike the norm for this variety.  When you drink it there is the usual cut grass and the ripe passionfruit that is typical for the riper fruit sourced from McLaren Vale.  It is not for me but I can see the wine being a big seller so why not!

2008 Tintookie Chenin Blanc ($A30)

Dowie Doole is known for this variety and is up there with Coriole as McLaren Vale’s quality producer of wine from this often frowned upon variety.  The aromas were restrained – almost like the wine is moving from a fruit based phase to a more mature style.  Thus I was looking forward to drinking this wine.  The flavors were like drinking essence of Nashi pear with a lingering acid length.  There is plenty and body here to still have a long life.  The wine did not disappoint – it does show what Chenin Blanc can do.

2009 Merlot ($A22)

Here is the typical Merlot mulberries here in abundance with some mild influences of cedary oak.  There is 10% Cabernet Sauvignon here that gives the wine some extra backbone that I suspect the wine would not have had without it.  The softness here will appeal to many people, but me ……..

2009 Garnacha & Tempranillo ($A25)

I was looking forward to this wine as the boys from Qwoff spoke of it so highly – by the way Garnacha is Grenache and a very different G & T indeed.

The red fruits of the 65% Grenache really shows through on the nose and the 35% Tempranillo’s earthyness is the dominant flavors.  As should be the case with Grenache based wines the tannins are soft but still structured.  I have not had this blend before and I hope this is not the last time.  Roll out a wood fired oven backed pizza.

2008 Second Nature Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Merlot ($A18)

Sweet black fruits here in both aromas and flavors with just a little oak.  Maybe the product of a very difficult vintage but the sweet fruit character was not in line with what I would look for in a red wine, so this one is not for me.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($A22)

Minimal aromas were followed by an interesting black cherry flavor that I was not expecting from a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The rest of the flavors were typical of Cabernet – blackcurrent and dusty oak integration with a nice length.  This is a nice Cabernet at the price point and would go well with a Rogan Josh.

2008 Shiraz ($A25)

All the elements of a McLaren Vale Shiraz are here – plums plus the spices of pepper, cardamon.  There is a slightly bitter finish – maybe indicating high alcohol.  Again something did not seem right with the overall potential enjoyment of this wine – the elements are there but the whole does not do justice to what the variety can do in McLaren Vale.

2008 California Road Shiraz ($A35)

Hold the fort – this single vineyard wine is such a large jump in quality and after the previous wine, my faith is restored!  The aromas were plums, plums and more plums with that hint of dusty oak.  Flavors were just like “essence of McLaren Vale Shiraz in a glass”.  Plums again with vanilla characters that move apart for the dusty tannins to make their entrance.  There is length here and not just the tannins – the fruit just seems to go on and on for miles.  This was definately the best wine I tried from this stable and it is worth every cent.  A high quality steak with a porchini mushroom sauce would be a spectacular combination.

Not tasted

2006 Reserve Shiraz

N/V Moxie Sparkling Red

2006 Sticky Bits Botytris Semillon


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Lonely Grape TV Episode # 52 – Two Fortified Wines

1 10 2010

I just had to share with you 2 very interesting fortified wines – Dyson Wines Liqueur Chardonnay made from 1990 Vintage Chardonnay from Alan’s block in Maslin’s Beach and the second a Liqueur Mead from Maxwell Wines.  Maxwell’s are the largest producer of Mead (fermented honey) in the Southern Hemisphere.  I hope you enjoy watching them as I did bringing this to you.


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McLaren Vale Wineries – Maxwell Wines Part 1 Whites, Meads & Fortifides

19 09 2010

Maxwell Wines

I first visited Maxwell Wines during my McLaren Vale winery adventures in the mid 80′s and this visit brings back fond memories.  In those days the parents of the current owner ran the winery and cellar door.  Dad was serving me and we got to the mead and in particular the spiced mead.  As you will note below the spiced mead should be consumed warm and he was heating up the mead.  Then Mum came in and started abusing the old man, told him he was a “silly old coot” and that he had done it all wrong (as the mead had started to boil).  This was in the days that their facility was on Kangarilla Road where the Oxenberry Farm cellar door and Tim Geddes winery is today.

Old Mead Wine Barrels

This McLaren Vale winery has been making class wines particularly their range of red wines (which I will review next week) and is also known for making excellent mead (fermented honey).

The cellar door facility (location shown on my cellar door map) is has a warming interior including an open fire place.  The glass panels next to the tasting bar show over the winery and overlooks the old Shiraz vines next to the winery.  Weddings and other functions are held there and a weekend food option is about to start – I will comment more in Part 2 of this review.

I have known Helen, the new cellar door manager for a number of years and make sure you say hello and when you visit tell her that the Lonely Grape sent you.

White Wines

2010 Little Demon Verdelho ($A15)

With aromas of tropical fruits and apricots combines with melon and apricot flavors that has a richness which makes me think there is a fair level of residual sugar here masked by a good acid finish.  I would not consider this a food wine but a wine that would be drunk amongst friends on a Friday night after work.

2009 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay ($A22)

Good to see a chardonnay with some oak – no nakedness here.  Good stone fruit characters of nectarines and peaches matches well with the minimal oak influences.  The finish has a creamy textural feel that compliments the wine so well.  I am told Chardonnay is making a comeback and with wines such as these who needs the single dimensional of some many of the top selling white wines being sold in Australia these days.  It would be a pleasure drinking with with a creamy chicken pasta dish.

Meads

Fermented honey called mead is dated back to the Vikings who considered mead as an aphrodisiac and would drink the honey mead period or the Honeymoon.  Maxwell’s have been making this wine since the 1980′s and have, what I believe, is the largest mead production in the Southern Hemisphere.  I have been drinking these wines sine the 80′s and they have been consistently good.  I have tried a number of mead’s before and they do not come close to the quality seen here in McLaren Vale.

Honey Mead ($A14)

Made to be drunk chilled.  There are floral marmalade aromas that lend into the not as sweet as expected apricot honey aromas.  Why not try this wine as an alternative on a hot summers day.

Spiced Mead ($A14)

This mead is made to drink warmed but not not boiled ( I have used ceramic cups heated in a microwave).  The mead is infused with cinnamon and cloves and this moves through in spades on both the aromas and flavors.  particularly the aromas that just attach the senses.  Cold night, warm spiced mead, open fire and the one you love – I know it is a cleachae but in my mind it would work!

Liquor Mead ($A14 375 mL)

This little bottle packs quite a punch.  The aromas are wonderfully complex with the expected honey but there is coconut and cumquats here as well.  When consumed there is an immediate warming effect that is enhanced by spiced sweetness.  I use this an addition to one of my favorite creamy pasta and chicken dishes.

Fortifieds

White Port ($A24)

I was looking forward to this as I have not had a good white port for quite a while.  Well after trying this one I am still to try a good white port for quite a while.  The aromas provide an interesting start with a mixture of raisins, treacle and citrus peel.  But that was it – the flavors were limited and very short.  A miss for me on this one.

There are a number of excellent red wines at Maxwell Wines and I will review them next week.  So until then – Salute.


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McLaren Vale Wines – Dyson Wines

21 08 2010

Sitting here drinking a glass of Dyson’s GPR 2002 Clarice Cabernet Sauvignon and wondering what to write about this winery and I turned the bottle around and read the back label ……

“Dyson Wines

“I trust in Nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility.  Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the end of time”

- Robert Browning

Allan at his Cellar Door

For Allan Dyson this is the spiritual essence that defines each bottle of wine produced on his 15 acre vineyard, which is tucked in by the ocean just west of the McLaren Vale wine region on the Fleurieu Peninsula.  Here since 1977, Allan has worked with Nature to create a perfect environment for his hand-made wines.  The vines are dry grown and emerge from a carpet of deep clean straw mulch which conserves moisture, cools the soil and provides a rich haven for the colonies of earthworms that have been introduced to enrich the growing environment.  It’s as old-fashioned as Nature itself.  The hand-picked fruit is almost bursting with flavor and is processed using traditional methods of basket-pressing and open fermentors.  The Cabernets are hand plunged, while the Chardonnay and Viognier are pressed ever so gently before being cold fermented in a temperature controlled Barrel Room.  Finally, wines that display classic varietal flavors rich in colour and balanced by firm, even tannins are aged in classic fine-grained French oak bariques.  These wines are as bold or as delicate as the palate desires.  It’s the way all wine used to be made – and we like it that way!

“Nature at it’s best” – Allan Dyson”

Dyson Vineyards

The above just says it all.  Allan is such an interesting man to talk to and one gets a sense of passion to assist nature to produce one of it’s drinks – wine.  He firmly believes that wine is made from grapes and that is what the winemaker should strive for – to make wine that is true to the nature of the grape.  He aligns himself with nature by nurturing his vineyards, looks after the soils, uses dry grown ideals.  Also all is done at the winery – hand picking (into buckets that are cooled before processing), basket pressing, cold ferments, oak maturation, bottling and bottle aging.  Allan also believes the industry has lost it’s way somewhat and that we need to go away from these big fruit bombs with massive oak and produce more restrained wines that can be consumed while eating food and not making one want to curl up and go to sleep.

Allan has also been putting together some very interesting condiments that he sells from the cellar door.  These include:-

  • Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Chilli Infused Cold Pressed Olive Oil
  • Lemon Myrtle Cold Pressed Olive Oil
  • Wood Aged Balsamic Vinegar
  • Sweet Chilli & Quandong Sauce
  • TMC (Tomato, Mustard & Chilli) sauce

These are in 375 mL bottles with the oils for $15 and sauces for $8.

The Dyson Wines web site is www.dysonwines.com

Now for the wines:-

In a few months there will be a Chardonnay/Viognier blend that Allan is quite excited about and a new Cabernet will be seen soon.  Also, interestingly, there looks like some Chardonnay vines are soon to be grafted to Tempranillo.  Something else to watch with interest in the coming years.

Sparkling White Sable ($A14)

The grapes for this wine do not come from the Dyson vineyard.  It is made as a semi dry, fruity and easy drinking style that just walks out the cellar door during the warm months.

Sparkling Shiraz ($A14)

As for the Sparkling White above this wine is made from non-Dyson vineyard grapes.  It is not too sweet and is just made for easy summer drinking.  Not what I would call a food wine, but something to enjoy with friends, and at this price why not.

2008 Grand Privilege Reserve Viognier ($A20)

The aromas were restrained but the flavors were somewhat of a surprise.  There is not the normal apricot one gets from a lot of wines from this grape.  The wine shows Allan’s vision of showing the grape characters.  To go with this is some yeastyness and a rich mouthfeel and a good acid balance.  A wine that could go a few more years yet.

2006 Grand Privilege Reserve Chardonnay ($A20)

A 2006 Chardonnay being the new current release wine – how interesting.  The wine had the same restrained aromas as the Viognier but the flavors are all melons and a little stone fruit.  The French oak adds a lovely complexity and structure to the wine that indicates the wine still has a few years left.

2002 Grand Privilege Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($A22)

Again, an aged wine as the current release.  This just shows Allan’s commitment to not releasing his wine until he thinks the wine is starting to show it’s best.  You only get this at the small wineries.  The aromas were restrained berries, cedar and violets.  Flavors were just like eating Cabernet berries without the sugar and some soft oak.  The wine is just a soft infusion of berry and oak and it drinks so well.  I can see this wine appealing to many a wine drinker and would go with many a meal – from the Chicken Minions (I had with it tonight) through to pizza or pasta.

Ambra Liqueur ($A20)

This is 16 year old Liqueur Sauvignon Blanc that has been sitting in old Sherry barrels in the cellar door.  Allan just siphons some off for bottling as required.  The wine is not fined or filtered and is such an interesting drink.  The flavors are like burnt caramel and is not as sweet as I had expected.  The layers of flavors are there for the drinker to see – worth the effort to check out this point of difference.

Dyson Old Sherry Barrels

Liqueur Chardonnay 375mL ($A20)

Another way to sell Chardonnay – 1990 Chardonnay at that.  The wine coats the glass as it also coats the tongue with strong almost burnt toffee flavors that is not as viscous as I was expecting.  Another different (in a good way) wine that should be checked out.  I look forward to sharing my bottle with friends.


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McLaren Vale Wines – Chapel Hill

15 08 2010

Chapel Hill Barrel

Chapel Hill has come a long way since I first remember visiting the old Chapel in the late 1980′s.  The Chapel was built in 1865 and was a Christian Bible Church and a parish school and now the central part of the cellar door and art gallery complex portion of what is the whole of Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Cellar Door

In this area of McLaren Vale, I suspect it is part of the Seaview subregion, there is a winery, cellar door, art gallery and what is called The Retreat.  The Retreat is a high class accommodation getaway that has function space for corporate functions, cooking classes, weddings etc.  It is famous for high profile cooking classes that all over look some of the Chapel Hill vineyards.

The Chapel

The cellar door not only provides the visitor with a large selection of wines but also seasonal produce produced at the retreat.  You can find such delights as Olive Oil, Dukkah, Verjuice and preserves.  Bring on some fresh crusty bread and I can feel a meal coming on!

Chapel Hill Art Gallery

The latest bottlings show a new direction for the labels from the 4 ranges of wines – The Foundation Series, Il Vescovo, McLaren Vale and Vicar.  The new labels look classy and puts them in good stead for the new few years.

Well I suppose I had better talk about the wines…….

2009 Il Vescovo Savagnin ($A22)

Sourced from the cooler climate Kangarilla vineyard and is my first taste of this emerging variety.  Straight away this was different as I got a restrained orange blossom aromas with nectarine and tropical fruit flavors backed with some good acid.  An interesting wine and I really want to taste more Savagnin to better understand this variety.

2009 Il Vescovo Pinot Grigio ($A22)

My experience with this variety has not been overly positive, but this wine made me think I should have a kinder mindset to Pinot Grigio.  There were hints of grass, lemongrasss and lychees on the nose and really interesting Guava flavor.  Jury still out but still deliberating.

2008 Verdelho ($A16)

A lighter style with a slight fruit salad aroma through to some melons on the palate.  There seemed to be a hint of residual sugar here in an attempt to lift the wine.  I suggest this wine would be one that a number of people either love or hate.  Does the 2008 vintage for a white wine mean this wine has not been a good seller.

2009 Unwooded Chardonnay ($A16)

Naked Chardy – I get quite concerned about this style.  In an attempt to reverse the trend of over oaked styles we have had to endure about 10 years of going the absolute opposite.  This is a good clean wine with a real nice citrus (acid) finish.  This wine is a good seller but for me bring on a balanced chardonnay that includes some oak character.

2008 McLaren Vale Chardonnay ($A25)

Straight away I could tell I was onto something here.  Barrel fermented soft wood characters mixed with some ripe fig aromas led to a spicy, creamy, yeasty melon mouthful.  I just enjoyed this wine and it was the standout white wine here.  Why would one go for so much of the average white wine in the country (alot of it labeled SB) when such a wine is offered.  The complex flavors here go well with complex foods such as a caramelized onion tart with roasted cherry tomatoes and seasoned sliced chicken breast.

2009 Il Vescovo Rose ($A22)

Made from Sangiovese fruit from their Kangarilla Vineyard (not in McLaren Vale and cooler climate).  The aromas were like smelling the red roses from my backyard (sorry I do not know the Rose variety) and flavors of sour cranberries and plenty of acid to cover the 2.1 g/L sugar.  For the Rose drinkers this wine has good structure and would be worth finding.  It would work with Chinese Fried Rice or a cheese platter on a Sunday while watching the footy.

2009 Il Vescovo Tempranillo ($A22)

This Adelaide Hills offering is a relatively soft blend of Mulberries and Cherries with not alot of tannins but has a savoury finish.  My first thoughts was this was a surprise as a number of Tempranillo wines I have been tasting are “stronger” wines and that this has a similar tannin structure of Merlot.  I am thinking a big bowl of pasta with a tomato based sauce and sitting around the table with the family to “share the spoils”.

2009 Il Vescovo Sangiovese ($A22)

Quite a difference with this wine after the last one – the aromas were almost meaty and transformed into a cherry tannin mix that wants to coat the tongue and teeth.  There are more wines of this variety popping up around McLaren Vale and I would say this wine is true to it’s variety and one to check out particularly to be enjoyed with food.

2008 GSM ($A18)

Aromas of violets, plum and some perfume from the Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre components to this wine are a good start.  The flavors show some up front sweetness (probably from the ripe fruit expected from this hot vintage) and flows through to some typical Mourvedre strength with a few tannin layers.  I enjoyed the Mourvedre tones to this wine but the fruit sweetness makes the wine a little disjointed.

2008 McLaren Vale Bush Vine Grenache ($A30)

Of course I was looking forward to this wine – it is my favorite McLaren Vale grape.  I was not disappointed from this offering from vines planted in 1926 and 1959.  All the red fruits combined with nutty and complex spice nuisances from the old wood barrels this wine has been aged in.  Oak plays a supporting role to such lovely fruit that anybody who comes to McLaren Vale should try this wine style.  Bring on the slow cooked lamb shanks and there is no way I would share this wine with you.

2009 McLaren Vale Mourvedre ($A30)

Here was where I was blessed – this wine was bottled but not available at the time of my visit.  Due to comments on their Facebook page I knew this wine was around – so I asked and Amelia (cellar door manager) organised a bottle for me to try.  I am so glad I was awarded this favor as the wine was a pleasure.  This variety either on it’s own or as a blender brings serious stuff.  There are wonderful floral and mulberry aromas and flavors with lovely complex spices and dry, dry tannins.  The tannins are so dry that it seems like they are drying your teeth.  The 15% alcohol was not noticeable either on the nose or palate, which also indicated there is complexity here.  The wine needs more time to settle down, but I can see it lasting many years in the bottle – if we let it.  I am thinking of a marinated kangaroo stir fry, with some gamey complexity, as a wine match.

2008 McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon ($A30)

An interesting mix of smoky blackberries and blackcurrents on the nose.  The flavors are mulberry based fruit with licorice complexity and drying tannins.  This wine probably suffers from being the next in the lineup after 2 such wonderful wine (for my palate).  This wine stands the McLaren Vale Cabernet test well, but it is not my favorite variety at the moment.  As I drank this I could see a big bowl of Hoisin Beef with Singapore Noodles complementing the wine and vice versa.

2008 Parsons Nose Shiraz ($A16)

An interesting play here – a lower price wine with an unusual name, in an attempt to bring in more sales.  A certain well known wine writer has given this wine a 92 point score, so it sparked my interest, even though the 2008 vintage was at best challenging.  Straight away I got the unusual scent of blueberries with some star anise and cinnamon.  There is a particular shiraz clone that give some blueberry character, so I guess this is it.  The flavors were dark plums and I was very happy there was no stewed fruit or over oaked character.  I do not rate this as a 92 point wine, however this is quite good everyday drinking, so I guess it has met the criteria.  Bring on plated of different BBQ’d sausages smothered in onions.

2008 McLaren Vale Shiraz ($A30)

Wow – a very interesting roasted almonds aroma combined with some of the blueberries I mentioned above, just draw me in.  The flavors are just what one expects from classic McLaren Vale Shiraz – almost sweet plum fruit combined with the cedar oak with tannins from both the oak and the grapes themselves.  What more can I say but pass on the plate overlapping rump steak and use the wine as the “vegies”.

Wines not tasted

Vicar Shiraz ($A60) & Devil Tawny Port ($A30)

The Vicar is only available for tasting on weekends and the Devil was just being bottled.  I have previously tried these wines (before I took notes) and they both are good wines with a following that means selling these wines at the cellar door is not difficult.


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McLaren Vale Wines – Tapestry

7 08 2010

Tapestry Vineyard Views

I understand the wine under this label is made at Boar’s Rock Winery in McLaren Vale and rumor has it that little wine was made in 2010 as they are reducing their stocks plus concentrating on the functions side of the business.  The facility has great vineyard views and plenty of balcony to view them from.  There is also wide grasses spaces with a BBQ and a bench table at the rear of the complex – which would be good for families to take in the open spaces and the views.  During summer they serve Antipasto platters for lunches and during winter they have cheese platters available.

Tapestry BBQ Area

The winery used to be known as Merrivale with the vineyard being established in 1969 and wines made in 1971 with the current owners (Gerrard Industries) taking ownership in 1997 with the Merrivale label being phased out.  A second vineyard in Bakers Gully was also purchased in the 90′s.  You can check out their web site at www.tapestrywines.com.au.

2008 Tapestry Riesling ($A16)

The kerosene aromas with hints of limes is a dead give away for Riesling.  The wine is not strongly flavored but there is some limes and ginger there.  A good acid finish is the best part of the wine – a wine that is a pass for me.

2010 Tapestry Sauvignon Blanc ($A18)

Grapes for this wine were sourced from the Adelaide Hills (Gumeracha).  Not as grassy as the usual Sauvignon Blanc offerings.  I get a wine that is strong Gooseberries and some passionfruit with a soft acid finish.  I would not call this a food wine but one to drink with friends – just because you can.

2009 Tapestry Verdelho ($A18)

Not much here for me – either aromas or flavors.  Another miss from me.

2009 Tapestry Chardonnay ($A18)

By this time I was a little worried but my faith was restored!  The restoration started with barrel fermentation and 9 months oak maturation and continues with cream and melon aromas.  The wine finishes with a well balanced peaches and cream combined with a savory finish.  I am thinking of Salt and Pepper Squid with some Chilli Jam to go with this wine.

2007 Tapestry Late Picked Riesling ($A16)

This was a surprise as the wine had some pleasant aged Riesling character with a slight citrus note – not a sweet single dimensional wine based on sugar.  I am thinking of a nice curry – maybe a Butter Chicken or a Rogan Josh.

2009 Tapestry Rose ($A16)

This Shiraz based Rose has wonderful aromas of strawberries and cream and after such a pleasant start the wine goes down from here and the flavors do not meet the expectations after sampling the aromas.  Another miss for me.

2009 Old Vine Grenache ($A25)

From a difficult vintage good things can grow.  All the things one looks for in Grenache are here – red fruits, floral, perfume and cedar notes for the complex aromas.  This continues onto the flavors showing balance between the fruit and smart use of what I suspect was large and old oak barrels.  Simply put – I like this wine and look forward to consuming my purchase with roast lamb.

2008 Tapestry Shiraz Viognier ($A25)

Shiraz was co-fermented with Viognier skins to produce this wine as a variant of the plain Shiraz wines, and by using the Viognier skins then a different wine is produced with no new grape requirements.  The Viognier gives a lift to the aromas where stone fruit is layered over the sweet Shiraz fruit.  The flavors are dominated by the plums of Shiraz but one can tell the Viognier is there.  The tannins are drying on the palate.  Give this one a try – I suspect that a number of people will love the wine and a number of people will pass on this one.  When I consider this offering against the Grenache then this wine is a pass for me.

2008 Tapestry Bakers Gully Vineyard Shiraz ($A20)

This wine was made for the American market and I am concerned that by doing this we are dumping substandard wine that does not meet the usual standards of McLaren Vale to overseas markets – no wonder our wines are not seen as quality if this is what we send.  This wine is just loads of jammy over ripe fruit – another pass here.

2007 Tapestry Shiraz ($A25)

There is ripe plum fruit here – though not anywhere near the same extent as for the Bakers Gully Shiraz.  The flavors are sweet (like fairy floss) with some pepper, but reverts to jammy on the finish.  Not going well here as this is a pass also.

It should be noted that there is a $5 charge to taste the Reserve wines, with the fee refundable if a purchase is made.

2006 Tapestry Reserve Fifteen Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon ($A45)

The aromas were restrained but the flavors are a step up.  There is a mix of blackberry and blueberry with hints of vegetative capsicum notes combined with complex spices (not the least being Star Anise).  The french oak is obvious but not overpowering – the fruit weight does it justice.  I can almost taste the rich rabbit pie to go with this wine.

2007 Tapestry Reserve The Vincent Shiraz ($A45)

The best fruit from the Bakers Gully Shiraz fruit sees 100% new American oak for 24 months.  Based on this introduction I was expecting the vanilla oak monster to be appearing.  Sure there are vanilla aromas and flavors but they are not overpowering.  The aromas also have licorice and the spice mix of cardamon and nutmeg.  The flavors have intense fruit that combined with the oak characters and spices combine into a complex and lingering effect.  What a step up from the other Shiraz based wines from this stable.  This wine is pretty good now but let it live in the bottle for another 5+ years and it will only get better.  Right now I would drink this with lightly seared Kangaroo Loin steaks with a stir fry of seasonable vegetables.

N/V Tapestry Sparkling Merlot ($A22)

Readers of the Lonely Grape would know I am a fan of sparkling reds – normally of the Shiraz based wines.  So I was interested, but unsure what this wine was going to show.  The aromas and flavors showed lots of mulberries, with some spices and apparent sweetness (though not too much).  As one would expect there are soft tannins here that combine nicely with the other characters.  Again, there would be alot of people that would enjoy the softness and the sweetness (hello to my sister – she would like this), however for this money there a number of other options.


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