McLaren Vale Wines – Pirramimma

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Lonely Grape

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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Lonely Grape Episode #22

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Lonely Grape

Check out the second part of my home bar tasting of the d’Arenberg 2002 The Custodian Three Soils Limited Release Grenache.

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McLaren Vale Wines – Pertaringa Wines

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Lonely Grape

Pertaringa Cellar Door

I have been going to Pertaringa for a number of years – partially because it was close to my favorite 1980’s and 90’s cellar door (Noons) and partially because of the wonderful red wines.  So with this visit, with my father in law in tow, I was quite excited to be visiting this revamped cellar door again.  I remember the shed from all those years ago – well this has long gone.  In it’s place is new and bright with lots of clean lines and the jewel in the cellar is the lovely decking area next to the cellar door.  If the decking could talk, I suspect there would be many a story from the happenings on that deck!

Pertaringa Decking

Directions to get to the cellar door can be found on  the Lonely Grape Cellar Door Map.

Their web site is www.pertaringa.com.au .

And now the wines:-

2009 Scarecrow Sauvignon Blanc ($A18)

The wine has 10% Adelaide Hills fruit added to the McLaren Vale fruit.  Sauvignon Blanc is produced widely in McLaren Vale with quite varied results.  This is one of the better ones.  The nose has herbaceous tints mixed with the usual cut grass but there is an overarching green apple crispness about it all.  The palate continues on the same vain with really good acid length, some minerality and just a slight hint of passionfruit.  Bring on a plate of whole grilled or baked fish – preferably caught off some of Australia’s best beaches along the McLaren Vale area coast.

2008 Bonfire Block Semillon ($A18)

This cellar door only offering saw new french oak for a third of the volume (3 months) plus there was some extended lees aging as well.  The nose shows this oak treatment with some cedary overtones with hints of green tea and vanilla and a citrus peel finish.  The mouthfeel shows a complexity and more viscous coating on the palate.  The oak is obvious but not overpowering and the citrus/green tea finish (due to lots of acids).   An unusual offering for McLaren Vale that has enough complexity for BBQ’d Pork Spare Ribs.

2007 Two Gentlemens Grenache ($A26)

made from fruit from 15 year old and 40 year old grenache.  This is lusciousness in a glass – lots of red fruits particularly cherries and a hint of spice on the nose.  The experience continues seamlessly from the nose to the palate with the same red fruits (though a little more strawberry), cherries and spice.  Now this is why McLaren Vale grenache should be revered in McLaren Vale – so difference to say the Barossa!  Charred BBQ meats come to mind with a glass or six of this wine.

2007 Stage Left Merlot ($A20)

45% of this wine comes from the Geoff Hardy K1 vineyard in the Adelaide Hills and is only available at the cellar door.  This wine is true to variety – plums all the way and a wonderful mid palate plus finishing with dry dusty tannins.  I am thinking lamb dishes with this wine.

2006 Understudy Cabernet Petit Verdot ($A18)

Has 20% Petit Verdot and this proportion makes a statement with the wine.  The nose has the cabernet back fruits combines with the violets one expects from Petit Verdot.  The palate is rich with blackberry and black current with the violet undertones continuing.  The tannins are well integrated with the rest of the wine.  Maybe a Moroccan Lamb Tagine with this wine.

2007 Undercover Shiraz ($A22)

The wine has spent 16 months in seasoned American and French oak.  The result is full of plums and black fruits on the nose and palate.  Good acid and soft tannins also lead to a long finish.  I would recommend to drink this wine soon with something that takes a long time to cook – braised lamb shanks or Osso Bucco.

2007 Over The Top Shiraz ($A39)

I must indicate I have a history with the Over The Top Shiraz – my wife and I  had a wine based ceremony where we had the 2000 Vintage of this wine as part of the ceremony!  So you can see I do like this wine.

About 20 months in oak – 70% French Oak and 60% new and thus shows a cedary oak influence on the nose with the main influence being plums and black fruits.  The wine has wonderful length on the palate  starting with blackberries and maybe even some beetroot action.  Combined with the oak brings a serious mouthfull of a wine.  Kepp it in the cellar for a number of years yet (as I will) and I am thinking of Beef Wellington as I write this review.

2007 Rifle & Hunt Cabernet ($A35)

As 2007 was a drought year about 30% of the fruit for this wine came from the K1 vineyard (Adelaide Hills).  All the things you expect from a good cabernet are here – blackberries / cassis on the nose and palate.  The fruit is almost sweet (though a dry wine) making one think of mixed spices from a Christmas cake along with a long finish of grainy tannins.  Another example of how improved Cabernet Sauvignon wines have come from those I tasted in the mid 80’s.  Lets try it with a big slice or six of roast beef and bring on the Yorkshire Pudding!

2009 Moscato ($A18)

At only 7.5% alcohol and slightly spritzig this wine is just like drinking sparking grape juice with hints of orange peel mixed in.  Very refreshing and screams to be drunk on hot days with lots of friends around.

NV The Full Fronti ($A26 500 mL bottle)

An average age of 20 years and made from the Frontinac grape, I say bring it on.  There is an alcohol tingle on the nose with lots of nuts (brazil & almonds) with a toffee finish.  The palate is engulfed with this wonderful infusion of caramel, nuts, toffee, acid and what a viscosity.  Don’t try to match this with food but share with a loved one by an open fire – and just see what happens………………

Other Wines

Cleanskins are also available (not tasted) – $A80/doz – 2009 Verdelho, 2009 Riesling, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2007 Shiraz Cabernet or for $A105/doz – 2007 Shiraz, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Petit Verdot.

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Lonely Grape TV Episode #21

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Lonely Grape

My latest wine tasting at my home bar drinking d’Arenberg 2002 The Custodian Three Soils Limited Release Grenache – Part 1.  This special release was recently purchased from the cellar door for $60 – a bargain for an interesting set of wines made from the same grape and in the same way – to highlight the difference soil types can make.  d’Arenberg have been growing grenache since 1927 so they know a thing or two about this variety.  I hope you enjoy the tasting.

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McLaren Vale Wine – d’Arenberg Wines (Part 3)

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Lonely Grape

Welcome to the third and last installment on the wines I tasted from d’Arenberg’s cellar door.  There is about 35 wines available so I do not recommend trying them all in one go (even when I was spitting the wine out I took 2 cellar door visits to get through them).

d'Arenberg Cellar Door

This session was to taste The Jump Stump range, the remaining red stripe range (1 white & 5 reds) plus the sticky range.  I must say the overall range was again fun to try and it is always a joy to visit such a cellar door.

The Stump Jump Range

The Jump Stump range is made with fruit that does not meet the requirements of the red stripe range.  The first in the range was the red blend and this has been a fruit driven value for money bottle of wine.  I was quite surprised at how far the range has expended.

So if do not continually repeat myself this range had light aromas and flavours, they are fruit driven and are consistently value for money.  They can be consumed with friends with or without food.  I wont go for food matches as they do not necessarily need food to bring out the flavours.

2008 The Stump Jump Sauvignon Blanc ($A11)

A combination of McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills fruit.  The nose has a slightly grassy tone with the palate being an expected light mixture of tropical fruits (mainly passionfruit).

2008 The Stump Jump Riesling ($A11)

One of the few Rieslings found in McLaren Vale.  I found the nose some what challenged but got a hint of rose water.  The palate is what you would expect from a slightly sweet Riesling style – smooth, clean, hints of citrus and a slight sweetness (5.5 g/L sugar) to coat the mouth.  Definitely one for the Sunday afternoon sessions.

2008 The Jump Stump Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Marsanne Roussanne ($A11)

This is known as the Jump Stump White Blend at the cellar door as to read out the full name takes some time.  The nose is again challenging but I found some citrus tones.  The palate has crisp citrus acidity with stone fruit overtones.  The finish was slightly bitter – not enough to be unpleasant.

2008 The Jump Stump Lightly Wooded Chardonnay ($A11)

Again slightly closed nose but did have the usual melon & peach overtones that continued right onto the palate.  The small volume of wine that has undergone barrel fermentation has had a wonderful effect on the dimension of this wine by adding the creaminess and spice that makes this wine drink far about the price would suggest.  I found this the best of the whites from this range.

2008 The Jump Stump Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre ($A11)

I have good memories of first trying this wine so I was looking forward to trying this vintage, and I was not disapointed.  The nose was a fruit compote of red fruits, black cherries and hints of spice and perfume.  The palate continued the theme of fresh (not stewed) berries with a spicy hint and then finishing with light powdery tannins.  A BBQ wine if I have ever tasted one.

2008 The Jump Stump Sticky Chardonnay ($A11 375 mL bottle)

The smell of ripe cumquots mixed with sweet syrup lychees.  The palate has stone fruit (peaches and apricots) with a lighter finish than I expected.  Even though the wine is very sweet there is plenty of acid to ensure it is not cloying.

Red Stripe Range

2008 The Hermit Crab Viognier Marssanne ($A15)

This wine has McLaren vale and Adelaide Hills fruit.  The aromas had the expected apricot from the Viognier plus an unusual pear meets cut straw finish.  When I first put this one in my mouth I was taken by the sweet stone fruit (though the wine is dry) with a citrus finish with just a hint of spice.  There is a lingering finish on this wine that takes it time to move on.  The hint of spice combined with the fruit (but dry) aspects of the wine leads me to a match of Green Chicken Curry.

2007 The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon ($A18)

Straight up you get a sense of the vineyard with a real chalkiness on the nose and finishes with long dry (fine tannin) finish.  In between is the black berry combination of black current and blackberries.  There is a balance between the fruit and oak – which is good from a young cabernet.  I had a Beef in Black Bean sauce dish during the week that would have been well matched with this wine.

2007 The Love Glass Shiraz ($A25)

This is a cellar door exclusive wine that is mainly shiraz but has small amounts of a number of other varieties (cabernet, merlot, grenache, tempranillo etc).  The nose was full on fresh plums with a vegetative hint of capsicum, and of course the obligatory shiraz pepper.  The palate was a compote of spicy plums and violet flowers that finished long.  The developed flavours of a beef or pork ragu would work well here.

2006 The Galvo Garage Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc ($A29)

At the cellar door this is known as The Blend!  The dark fruits hit the nose well before the class gets close to the nose and there is a cedary lift at the back of the nose.  The black fruit there continues with a real concentration of blackberry cassis so much so that the mouthful is “juicy”.  There is a wonderful structure of fruit, fruit tannins and oak tannins – bring it on with a thick juicy Wychwood Meats grain fed beef T Bone steak!

2008 The Wild Pixie Shiraz Roussanne ($A29)

The nose was “heavy” in a complex sort of way sure there is the usual shiraz fruit here but there is another layer of complexity here.  I found it difficult to describe – maybe tar meets meat in a pleasant sort of way.  The palate is plums all the way to a lifted cedar oak fine tannin finish.  This wine has structure but needs time to bring all the flavours – either by decanting and a long breathe or leave it in the bottle for a few years.  I do not recommend this food match often but give it a go with a plate of strong flavoured cheeses (like a Woodside Cheese Wrights Edith goats milk that is ash rolled), some cured meats and a big stick of fresh bread (like what I normally pick up at the Willunga Farmers Market).

2007 The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier ($A29)

The nose is cranberry meets my Grans spicy fruit cake blended with some apricot juice.  The palate is full of sweet plum characters (though it is a dry wine style) with a floral lift and a dry dusty tannin finish.  Put this one away for a few years before even considering getting the best from it’s contents.

The Stickies

For all of these wines just pick one to go with the traditional Christmas pudding.

2008 The Noble Pranksters Chardonnay Semillon ($A20)

The nose was a little closed – possibly from being a bit cold on serving.  What I did get was the typical apricot and lemon curd.  The palate was immediately coated with the thick viscous offerings of apricots, lemons, limes and quince.

2008 The Noble Mud Pie Viognier Pinot Gris Marsanne ($A20)

The moment I got this near me I knew it was different.  The nose was full of pears and nashi, which continued over to the palate – very sweet and luscious but there is plenty of acid to ensure the sweetness in not cloying.  I liked this so much it graced my family table last Christmas with my home made Xmas Pudding!

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Lonely Grape TV #20 Shottesbrooke Wines

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Lonely Grape

Hi there – This episode is of a wine tasting from Shottesbrooke Wines Cellar Door. Check out my review of their Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot – both their signature wines.

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McLaren Vale Wine – d’Arenberg Wines (Part 2)

Posted on January 23, 2010 by Lonely Grape

d"Arenberg Road Sign

This is part 2 of reviewing the wines from d’Arenberg Wines – they have far too many wines for 1 tasting.  Part 2 does not cover them all either – I will just have to go back this week to try the remainder of the wines at the cellar door.

The cellar door area also has a collection of vintage winery and vineyard equipment, which can make for interesting viewing.

Vintage Vineyard Equipment

2008 The Feral Fox Pinot Noir ($A30)

Made from Adelaide Hills fruit with lots of red fruits (particularly strawberries) on the nose and palate.  The palate also showed sour cherries and soft tannins with quite a long finish.  I am not normally a Pinot Noir fan however this one that could change my mind.  Well done d’Arenberg team.

How about duck breast with sweat & sour cranberry chutney to go with this wine?

2006 The Custodian Grenache ($A18)

True to the variety this grenache shows lots of red fruits (both on the nose and palate).  On drinking it also showed red current flavors, silky smooth tannins and an interesting sour cherry/tannin finish.  As readers will know I have a thing for McLaren Vale grenache and this could quite easily be a frequent visitor to my home bar.  Bring on a big plate of Broccoli Beef Noodle Stir Fry to have with the wine.

Also note that d”Arenberg has released a museum release of a series of three 2002 Custodians from separate vineyards that fave different soil types – the $60/pack is very reasonable for a museum release.  I will do a video tasting of this 3 pack in the coming weeks.

2006 The d”Darry’s Original Shiraz Grenache ($A18)

This wine has been made now for many vintages (the 2006 is the 64th consecutive vintage) and I remember about 25 years ago the wine was not very popular even though the quality has always been high.  Today this has turned around with the original “Red Stripe Wine” being a big seller.  Also note this wine is frequently available in bottle shops for less than the above price.

The nose is a marriage of pepper, spice, cedar (from the oak), and red fruits.  The palate has sour cherries dominant red fruits with pepper running down the palate onto the long finish.  At this price point (and possibly cheaper) the 2006 vintage Red Stripe is punching above it’s weight!  I am thinking of wood oven fired pizza to bring out the best in the Red Stripe.

2006 The Footbolt Shiraz ($A18)

A typical shiraz nose of black fruits and pepper.  The palate is an infusion of plums blackcurrants with a good acid length combined with soft tannins.  I have also seen this wine cheaper at liquor stores and particularly at the lower price is a good buy.  Try a grilled skirt steak to complement the wine.

2006 Cadensia Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre ($A25)

The Cadensia project is a McLaren Vale initiative to promote the region’s Grenache and Grenache based blends as regional champions.  I applaud this initiative and I believe McLaren vale Grenache is a joy for the initiated.

There was a little alcohol tingle on the nose (indicating reasonably high alcohol), some perfume from the Mourvedre enveloped around plum characters.  As expected spicy stewed plums dominate the soft palate with grainy tannins on the lingering finish.  I like this very much – even better with a steaming bowl Beef & Black Bean Sauce.

2007 The Twenty Eight Road Mourvedre ($A25)

Mourvedre is not normally produced as a varietal wine but instead blended such as the previous wines.  Thus the Twenty Eight Road is one of the unusual items that d”Arenberg is known for.

Perfume on the nose is the character normally found with this variety and it is here in spades.  It is a dry wine but the palate shows almost sweet fruit compote of cherries and plums combined with integrated oak into a lingering finish.  If this is what straight Mourvedre is like then we should make more of it!  How about trying it with Beef Bourguignon?

2005 The Sticks and Stones Tempranillo Grenache Shiraz ($A29)

Not just unusual names but also unusual blends.  The earthiness typical of Tempranillo comes through on the nose.  As for the above wine the palate shows a fruity sweetness with the spiciness expected from Grenache and Shriaz and finishes with long fine tannins.  A big plate full of pan fried mushrooms with a vina cotta reduction would be a treat to have with this wine – bring it on.

2007 The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsault ($A29)

First of all the definition of Cenosillicaphoba is the fear of an empty glass!  I have not tried Sagrantino before – so I was looking forward to this – even before I heard the name.

An unusual fruity nose and the sweet fruit palate is shown again with red fruits (predominately cherries) with grainy tannins on this long finish.  This wine was by far the biggest wine so far on the list – lots of fruit and tannins and probably needs more time to bring together.  When ready let try a slow cooked beef with red wine, garlic and rosemary.

2006 The Ironstone Pressings ($A60)

I found the nose a little closed but had hints of cherries, plum and chocolate.  The palate was multi layered – a fruit layer of intense red cherries, plums with spice overtones.  The next layer has herbs and flowers with the final layer of minerals, tannins and good acid.  The wine needs many years of maturation to be at it’s peak – whenever you drink it then please decant and let breathe for a few hours before serving with a Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Maderia Sauce.

2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz ($A60)

The nose was a little closed – maybe the bottle was only opened for a short period.  There was hints of pepper with plum and cherries.  Rhe red fruits (plums and cherries) continue on the palate with essences of licorice and black olives.  Lots of oak tannins that are almost chewy.  Another wine that needs a considerable amount of time and please decant and let breathe for a couple of hours before serving with Individual Beef Wellingtons.

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Lonely Grape TV Episode #19

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Lonely Grape

A video tasting of 3 reds from the Backyard Shed Cru 6 pack (www.tastemclarenvale.com.au). Marius Simpatico Shiraz, Inkwell Shiraz and Genders McLaren Park Shiraz.

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McLaren Vale Wine – d’Arenberg Wines (Part 1)

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Lonely Grape

This cellar door and restaurant have a deserved reputation for quality of service, great regional food and McLaren Vale wine plus a glorious view of McLaren Vale.

d'Arenberg Cellar Door & View

The winery and the Osborne family are local icons and from a purely personal perspective with a long departed family member being a part of my beloved Norwood Football Club Hall of Fame – what more could you ask for!

There are so many wines available from the d’Arenberg Cellar Door that I will review the wines tasted from the one cellar door visit in 2 blog posts.  This one has the whites, sparkling and fortifieds.  Part 2 will have the reds tasted.

2009 The Broken Fish Plate Sauvignon Blanc ($A19)

McLaren Vale seems to be doing OK with this variety and this is no exception.  The nose shows the hotter vine characteristics of tropical and passionfruit.  The palate has an overall fruit sweetness (not sugar sweetness) with lots of stone fruits, tropical overtones and finishes well with good acid.  Bring on a Sunday lunch with friends for a bottle or 6 of this wine.

2008 The Dry Dam Riesling ($A15)

McLaren Vale is not known for producing quality Riesling – d’Arenberg is not known for keeping to conceptual rules.  The vineyard for this wine can be seen from the cellar door.  The wine is just starting to move into a “sleeping phase” where all the good Rieslings come out the other side being a wonderful concoction which is nothing like what the original wine was like.  The wine is starting to show some kerosene aromas with the palate showing citrus (mainly limes).  I found this wine surprisingly good and all I could think of while trying it was a big plate of Salt & Pepper Squid.

2008 The Money Spider Roussanne ($A20)

The somewhat closed nose opens up to a tropical palate with a real nectarine back palate that finishes with a wonderful acid packed length.  I have not had a lot of experience with this variety but I enjoyed this wine and consider it a definite food wine.  I would try this with a farmhouse chicken casserole with lots of leeks, capsicum and carrots with a big side of creamy mashed potato.

2008 The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne ($A15)

This wine was everything I expected.  A wine driven by ripe apricots and lots of acid.  I suspect the wine would divide the d’Adenberg followers – some will really like this wine and others would not touch it with a barge pole.  And for me – well you will just have to guess.  For those that like the wine should think about a vegetable lasagna to accompany this offering.

2007 The Olive Grove Chardonnay ($A15)

Peaches on the nose, peaches on the palate, light integrate wood overtones including a creamyness on the back palate.  An enjoyable lighter style chardonnay that is worthwhile checking out while you are eating Alfredo pasta style dishes.

2007 The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay ($A25)

Now this chardonnay is a step up in quality.  The nose is somewhat woody with a mouthfull infusion of peaches and cream and a long long acid length.  I was surprised that there was no Malolactic Acid fermentation as the wine was quite creamy.  this says to me good fruit integrated with wonderful oak.  This has enough strength to go with a Chicken Kiev.

2008 The Last Ditch Viognier ($A20)

Well what a pleasant surprise.  I wondered why a Viognier was last on the list.  Well some of this wine has been through a barrel ferment and the complexity of that component comes through is layers of stone fruit, toasty, yeasty and again a long acid finish.  A robust wine that would go well with a couple of more years of cellaring.  If you had to drink it now then try a creamy moussaka – there is enough flavor and acid to cut through classic.

NV The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Chambourcin ($A28)

Readers of the Lonely Grape will realise that I am a sparkling red fan.  I have had this wine before and thought it was too sweet – probably to overcome the things that Chambourcin variety lacks, but I though I should try this to review for the blog.  The nose indicated sweet fruit and palate was also sweet, with some oak influences and an almost candy like finish.  A pleasant drink but to sweet for me.  I understand that the wine is a good seller from the cellar door once people try the wine.  As always try a sparkling red with roast turkey served with cranberry sauce.

2005 The Vintage Fortified Shiraz / Chambourcin ($A30)

I have had the pleasure of trying some d’Arenberg Vintage Fortifieds and I was looking forward to this one.  My recollection indicated these were not the same wines I tasted at the McLaren Vale Wine Show tasting as this wine did not quite have the depth I remember.  There was the expected alcohol tingle on the nose with licorice dominance and brandy overtones.  The palate was softer than expected with lots of licorice and a hint of plums on the finish.  Surprisingly approachable now and could see the next decade with ease.  Please pass the vintage cheddar and water crackers with a glass of this one.

NV Nostalgia Tawny ($A30 – 375 mL)

With the wonderful tawny colour comes expectation and making my mouth water with expectation.  Boy was I not dissappointed – with a nose of fruit cake and the pleasant alcohol tingle.  The palate is immediately covered in a viscous mix of nuttyness, fruit cake and  raisins.  The mouth is coated for what seems like an age – what a joy.  After dinner consumption is suggested.

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Lonely Grape TV Episode #18

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Lonely Grape

Video tasting of 3 wines available through http://www.tastemclarenvale.com.au. La Curio Grenache, Five Geese Grenache Shiraz and Arakoon Sellicks Beach Shiraz.

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