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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Collective Barossa – Barossa & Eden Valley Family Wineries Cellar Door

13 03 2010

I know this is a Blog about McLaren Vale but I strongly believe that we should look at wines and wineries outside our region – if for no other reason but to see what others are doing.  This visit to the Barossa was motivated by 2 other things.  Firstly, I have considered opening a cellar door on behalf of a select number of small McLaren Vale producers and I was curious how Collective Barossa was set up.  Secondly, Marie (the person behind this new cellar door) and I have been conversing on Facebook and did want to meet this person.

Collective Barossa with Marie

I am very glad I did visit as it was great to catch up with Marie and the wines were very good.  The 4 family based wineries are:-

  • GUMPARA WINES: Established 1999. Annual production 500 cases.Vineyards : Light Pass/Stockwell. Situated: Light Pass.  Gumpara Blog.
  • KARRA YERTA WINES: Established 2006. Annual production 350 cases. Vineyards: Moppa/Kalimna/Eden Valley. Situated: Flaxman’s Valley.  Karra Yerta Wines web site, blog and Facebook Fan Page.
  • KURTZ FAMILY VINEYARDS: Established 1996. Annual production 4000 cases.Vineyards : Light Pass/Stockwell. Situated: Stockwell.  Kurtz Family Vineyards Web Site.
  • SMALLFRY WINES: Established 2005. Annual production 1200 cases.Vineyards : Eden Valley/Vine Vale. Situated: Angaston.  Smallfry Wines Web Site.

I highly recommend their blog and facebook fan page to find their location and to get to know these small wineries.

The cellar door is inviting – when you find it.  At the time of the visit there was no real signs showing where they are.  As a side note another visitor during my time there was to assist in working with the council to get sign approvals.  Marie, who holds the fort on most occasions is a real down to earth character and know it is her doing that not only was I there for the visit, but it has ensured that I will return on my future Barossa visits.  Te cellar door is also the front of a German Museum that will provide interest to many a visitor – particularly to those with partners and kids that don’t want to taste wine.

Collective Barossa Cellar Door

It should also be noted that not all wines from the 4 wineries are available at any 1 time.  I tried 12 wines on this visit.  Anyway, I should talk about the wines:-

Karra Yerta Wines

2009 Eden Valley Riesling ($A25)

This is what Riesling is all about limes and some lemon with an uplifted perfume nose and acid that just goes on all day! Oh how I love this wine style – Eden Valley just makes some classic Riesling.  Everybody should be drinking this wine to just understand how good Riesling can be.  Take some of this and just eat it with lashings of fresh seafood.

2006 Eden Valley Riesling ($A25)

Can Eden Valley Riesling age I hear you ask.  Don’t let me influence you – just try some of this wine and it will do all the talking.  The wine has just come out of the “dumb phase” where one is not sure – to this infusion of kerosene, citrus peel, quince and again great acidity.  If you are not convinced after tasting this wine then aged whites are just not your thing.  The wonderful layered complexity of the wine means it would match up well with any creamy sauced chicken dishes.

NV Sparkling Shiraz 2009 Disgorged ($A35)

Hold the fort – if I was impressed with the Rieslings then this wine just blows me away!  They disgorge only 20 dozen each year of this unfiltered, bottle fermented ripe red and black fruit with an aged component to it.  Not a sweet wine and the tannins really combine well with the rest of the wine to leave your mouth feeling great and asking for more – and who would I be to not comply!

2006 Shiraz Cabernet (A$25)

Firstly it is good to see a wine with a little more age on it that the normal 2008′s I normally see.  Secondly, a big plus on the old Shiraz Cabernet blend – so many wonderful wines were made from this blend in the 80′s only to be put on the back burner when the varietals of the 90′s came through.

The nose showed a little green capsicum herbaceousness on the nose combined with lots of good blackberry style fruit.  The palate is just an infusion of blackcurrents, blackberries and mulberries with the gentleness of the oak coming through.  What a stunner and I am surprised at the price point for this wine.

Gumpara Wines

2008 Old Vine Semillon ($A18)

Straight away the lemongrass hits you before you can even get your nose to the glass and then red apples combined with peas adds to the intrigue.  On the palate you get pears and almost honey wafts though and then a good citric acid lengthy finish.  Some of the vines for this wine are 90 years old and they are dry grown.  This would be one of the best Semillons I have had since I tried their 2007 Semillon last year.  The wine would age gracefully but I am not sure I can leave it alone.

2006 Reserve Shiraz ($A32.50)

26 months in American oak and it shows with vanillian characteristics everywhere, but the wine is not over oaked for me.  There is wonderful Mulberries and cherries here all wrapped up in the oak spiciness and I like it!   Classy wine that has a number of years ahead of it – as long as you can keep your hands off it.  Bring on a thick juicy Wychwood Meat rump steak – don’t worry about the side dishes, just the steak.

NV Tawny Grenache ($A32.50)

A note on these fortifieds – they are in a beautifully shaped 500 mL and also can be purchased in a wooden boxed 3 pack.  I have one of these on display near my home bar.

Oh – not much else I can say.  A deeply coloured blend of creamy raisins wrapped in toffee on the nose and honeyed and spiced apricots with a almost grainy tannin finish.  Not a sweet finish as the spirit washes it all away.  You bring this and I will bring a plate of vintage cheddar cheese and afterwards some glacied ginger (a dedication to my departed grandmother who just loved glacied ginger).

NV Liquor Semillon ($A32.50)

This wine looks like honey and that theme follows all through the wine.  You can smell and taste quince and figs to go with the honey.  To round off the flavors are pear and slightly burnt caramel.  Layers of yummyness here.  You bring this wine and I would be there with some Woodside Cheese Goats Brie with water crackers and thinly sliced pear and nashi.

NV Liquor Frontignac ($A32.50)

A glass full of the most lovely and complex raisins, prunes and liquid fruit cake!  There is a creamy mouthfeel here.  This wine really needs to go with a full flavoured sweet tart or a Christmas Pudding.

Smallfry Wines

2009 Eden Valley Cabernet/Grenache Rose ($A18)

Nice rose coloured wine that does not disappoint.  Rose petals and figs on the nore and the flavors are floral with typically Grenache red fruits.  A very pleasant wine that makes me want to break open a bottle or three with some of my friends on a Sunday afternoon.

2008 Late Harvest Riesling ($A15 375 mL bottle)

Cut canes and thus raisining some of the fruit during the 2008 heat wave lead to this wine’s existence.  The wine is just like drinking a slightly sweet but higher viscous white grape juice.  It would match well and/or in a chocolate and orange trifle smothered with whipped cream.

Kurtz Family Vineyards

2005 Boundary Row Shiraz ($A24)

Wow a 2005 red as the current release.  I was looking forward to this straight away.  The wine did not disappoint.  As the wine gets close to you nose you get a sense of the red fruits (mulberry, raspberry and the usual plums) wrapped in an envelope of white pepper.  The flavors are mulberry and plums with pepper, spices and a hint of violets.  This just says bring on another steak!


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McLaren Vale Wines – Pirramimma

14 02 2010

Pirramimma Road Sign

Pirramimma is one of the McLaren Vale originals, but seems to have suffered that in relative terms little is known about them in the wine drinking public.  In the last year their has been a shift in the company with one of the partners buying out the other.  Since this time they have included the Sparkling Range, Katunga Range, Grey Nomad Range, a sweet white and a range of cleanskins (under the guise of an Export Clearance Sale).  Not including the cleanskin wines, there is over 30 wines now for tasting at this cellar door.  You can check out the wines and other winery information on the Pirramimma Web Site.

Pirramimma Cellar Door Entrance

Check out my Cellar Door Map to find the location of the cellar door.  Their full contact deatils are on the Cellar Door Contact Details Listing.  The cellar door has just been given facelift recently, however these have not changed the old world charm.  The original white washed walls and hessian ceilings remain – it is worth checking out.

Pirramimma Cellar Door

Two of the wine ranges were not tried in this tasting.  Firstly, the Stocks Hill Range has a history of being value for money easy drinking styles that are true to variety.  The Stocks Hill Shiraz has graced my glass on many occasions.  The other range not tried was the Grey Nomad range which was made for another market and has just been released for tasting at the cellar door.  Also note that I have not reviewed their cleanskins.

Sparkling

The sparking range is a new offering from Pirramimma.  All wines are $A18 each or for a limited time $A120/dozen plus a wine cooler.  There are 6 bubblies – Viognier (reviewed below), Riesling, Chardonnay, Rose and 2 reds.

NV Bardot Sparkling Viognier ($A18 or cellar door special $A120/doz + Wine Cooler)

The nose was grapey with the usual apricot tinge on the palate.  The wine is obviously made as a light drinking style for the weekend party / celebration market.  I would not classify these as food wines but as fun drinks to be shared with friends.

Pirra

The Pirra range is a good initiative to produce low alcohol wines.  I am not sure if the wines are made from early picked grapes or are de-alcoholised – probably a combination of both.  The cellar door is offering the white for $A80/case and the red (grenache shiraz) for $A70/case.

2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($A14)

The nose showed passionfruit characters which normally indicate ripe McLaren Vale fruit which makes me think this wine has had some de-alcoholised treatment.  True to the variety the palate was a fresh infusion of cut grass and passionfruit – all these characters are light, which should be expected of a “light style”.

Katunga Range

A new range of wine with 2 offerings – both are reviewed below.

2006 Grenache Tannat Shiraz ($A20)

Well I was looking forward to tasting this wine.  The use of Tanant – a wine grape known for producing extremely tannic wines and mixed with my 2 favorite red wine grape varieties, sparked my interest.  The nose had interesting violets and quince (possibly from the Tannat) combined with the red fruits you would expect from Grenache.  The heavy palate started with star anise and quinces, satsuma plum and pepper on the mid palate, then a strong tannic finish.  Interesting to try, but not really for me.  I am not sure if time will dumb down the “bigness” in the wine so you would need strongly flavored foods to match with this wine.

2008 Shiraz ($A20)

The packaging does not let you into the fact that there is a little addition of 5% Viognier to this wine (indeed the packaging laws don’t require the winery to put any wine variety that is less than 20% of the whole makeup).  the makeup is apparent on the nose of the wine with some lifted apricot tones mixed with plums and pepper.  The palate starts with sweet mulberries and through the mid palate brings in some liquorice complexity intermingled with cedary tannins.

Bring on some seared kangaroo fillet with lots and lots of sauted mushrooms with just a hint of brandy added.

White Label Range

This range has been the main thrust of the top end wines from Pirramimma for as long as I can remember and I look forward to each new release.

2004 Old Bush Vine Grenache ($A20)

This has been my favorite of this range for a few years.  The old bush vine vineyard is only a stones throw from my home and I check out their progress as I drive past then every week.  The wine is quite true to variety and being a 2004 vintage means it is usually older and approachable than a number of other winery Grenache offerings.  All the red fruits you want and expect from Grenache with a nice hint of spices plus soft oak influences.  I am thinking here of a rack of lamb smothered with a red wine jus with a side of crispy beans.

2006 Petit Verdot ($A25)

Now here is an interesting wine and I strongly suggest any visitor to the cellar door try this wine – please.  It is easy to shrug this wine off as it is an unusual variety amongst a large number wines being offered for tasting.  The perfumed nose is reminiscent of blackberries infused with violets and the palate is a clone of Mulberries and cherries mixed with vanilla and finishing with dry dusty tannins.  Yeah, even if this wine does not ring your bells it is different enough to expand your tasting experience.  By the way, this wine could cope with the many varied flavors of a Chinese banquet.

2006 Shiraz ($A25)

The wine is typical of the main variety found in McLaren Vale, but not as fresh and flavorsome as many other of this variety around.  I would spend my money on other wines from this winery.

2004 Tannat ($A25)

A 2004 offering a straight varietal that has a reputation for being very tannic – well I have to try this one!  The nose is an interesting infusion of black cherries and quince followed on the palate with more interesting quince, dark fruits and dry grainy tannins.  In terms of a food match – well it has to be something really, really big – I will leave that one to you.

Super Premium Range

2004 ACJ Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Petit Verdot ($A50)

The company flagship and it has a deserved reputation for being a fine wine.  The nose is all black fruits (blackberries and blackcurrents) with violets.  The palate is blackcurrent with fine and lingering tannins.  If you like red wine, there is a good chance you will like this wine.  Definitely a food wine, why not try it with roast beef (baked with garlic and pepper) – cooked to your liking.  Remember to make mine medium and I will be there.

Fortifides

2002 Fortified Shiraz ($A18 500 mL bottle)

Yes I admit that I have consumed a few bottles of this wine in the last year.  I enjoy the spiced red fruit infusion that is a lingering sweet but tannic finish that almost dries the palate.  The thought of a plate of cheddar cheese, water crackers, quince paste and raisins is making my mouth water.

NV 12 Year Old Liqueur Port ($A15)

Every thing about this wine screams good value.  This is quite classy in the glass – nutty caramel with rancio characters that leaves the drinker wanting more.  What a nice winter warmer.

Digby Old Tawny Port ($A36.50)

There is layers of complexity here from the grainy tannins, lovely sweet fruit and all the aged rancio flavors you really need.  This is really an enjoyable mouthful and bring on sharing this with your loved one in front of an open fire!


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