Lonely Grape – Wineries & Wines of Mclaren Vale

Click on the video below to watch the second episode of Lonely Grape TV where I review 2006  Beresford McLaren Vale Shiraz and a 2007 Bent Creek Black Dog Shiraz.  These wines were tasted as soon as the wines were opened.  Next episode of Lonely Grape TV will discuss the effect of allowing such wines to breathe, where these 2 wines were consumed a few days after opening.

Please leave any comments below.

As the photo below shows the road sign and cellar door is best described as rustic (they both look the same they did when I first visited Tinlins 25 years ago).

Tinlins Road Sign

Tinlins Cellar Door

Tinlins can be found on the main road between McLaren Vale and McLaren Flat as shown on the cellar door location map.  Their contact details can be found on the Cellar Door Contact Details Page.

All wines are available for tasting, though some maybe put off the squat plastic cups that are supplied.  The lables on the bottles are generic – no mention of grape varieties (or proportions of varieties) or vintage – something I found very strange on my first couple of visits (many years apart).  Another tip so you don’t get caught is that this McLaren Vale cellar door does not accept credit cards or have Efpos facilities – they only deal with cash payments.  I normally do not have alot of cash on me and I use credit ot Efpos for most of my purchases – yes I was caught on my last visit.

I did not taste all the wines so I will only be commenting on some, however the wine list and prices can be found in Tinlins Price List

Reviewed Wines

Dry White

This is a blend of a number of grape varieties and I found the wine had a chemical aroma and after taste.  I could not determine what varieties were present.  The wine was very dry and if this was to your liking I would suggest this be drunk very cold (to help reduce the chemical aromas and flavours).  The wine was not unpleasent but neither was it pleasent and I would not be going back for more of this.

Claret

The Claret (as well as the “Burgandy”) is a Grenache / Shiraz blend.  This batch (as I cannot call it a vintage) was better than the last one I tasted about 18 months ago.  Typical generous fruit flavours but with a slightly bitter finish.  I was assured that this wine had a good following, but not quite to my liking.

Dry Red

This is a Shriaz based wine and the best table wine from Tinlins.  A little lighter than normally assocciated with McLaren Vale Shiraz and was a little short on the palate.  Pleasant to drink in a bulk wine sort of way.  I had a cask of this last winter as cooking wine – though I am not sure how much went into the cooking!

Cream Sherry

One of Tinlins best sellers and I can understand why.  This wine is smooth, not too sweet and easy to drink.  Last winter I had a cask of this and was my drink when I got home from the public transport commute from the city – I needed a drink after spending an hour with the “Great Un-washed” (thanks Neil for the quote).

Muscat

The muscat is also popular as it is a sweet light style Muscat, with the typical rasin flavours that is also easy to drink.  I can imagine many a local drinking this one after dinner by the open fire.

Ginger Wine

This has a strong aroma of ginger – in fact that is all you can really smell and taste.  I bought some of this to help ward off the winter colds – did not work, but a good excuse.  The wine reminds me of my youth drinking Green Ginger Wine mixed with scotch – ouch I can still feel the hangover.

Click on the video to watch the first episode of Lonely Grape TV, where I review the 2009 Lazy Ballerina Viognier & the Fox Creek 2007 Shiraz, Grenache, Mouvedre.

Particularly as this is the first episode of Lonely Grape TV it would be great to know what you think of it so I would appreciate it if you would let me know what you think of the video.

Here I was thinking I had the next few weeks worth on McLaren Vale Wine blogs organised when I was checking a few of different web sites and I stumbled upon a new cellar door opening on 5th September.  As I had just released my McLaren Vale Cellar Door Map and was happy to have all 60 cellar doors updated on the map, I thought I needed to visit this cellar door, even if only to update the map.  Well seeing that Sunday 6th September was Fathers Day, I thought some self indulgence was appropriate, and I visited Maximus Wines.  The wines were very impressive so it was truly a Fathers Day treat.

The Cellar Door and barrel store is found on Foggo Road (just past Foggo Wines) on the right hand side of the road, as can be seen on the Mclaren Vale Cellar Door Map.   There was some confusion of the Cellar Door location as there was no Maximus Wines sign at or on the cellar door (the owners are still waiting approval for signage by the local council).

Maximus Wines Cellar Door

As you would expect on opening weekend, the cellar door is somewhat a work in progress, with a lot of things planned for the location.  The tasting area is well set out so there is no reason to check it out.  Please be aware that the cellar door is open on the first weekend of the month.  Check out their web site at www.maximuswinesaaustralia.com.au.

The view from the balcony is quite special and the word is that the owners are looking at serving food in the future and I for one will be sitting on the balcony when they do.  Check out the panoramic views on the video below:-

The owners have been producing wine since 2007 and to date have concentrated on selling wine to the high end of the restaurant trade so the brand has not been seen in wine stores.  Thus the cellar door is the only way to get hold of some of these gems.  On the first showing at the Mclaren Vale Wine Show last year they won a number of awards and their wines have been given raves from some wine writers.

And now the wines:-

White Wines

2009 Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris ($A25)

The wine was fermented with the natural yeast and left on the lees for a good time.  The nose showed tropical fruit appeal with the palate continuing the tropical theme with considerable (though not unpleasant) acid finish.  Definitely a food wine and I could think of nothing better than a plate of BBQ octopus salad while sitting in my backyard with a group of friends.

2009 Premium Viognier ($A25)

A dry wine showing nashi pear and subtle wood characterson the nose with both the nashiand wood (french oak) combining well when you sip it.  There is a hint of apricot on the finish to round out another good fruit wine.  Sipping this with chicken breasts seared and then poached in a cream and Liqueur Mead sauce combined with some quickly blanched string beans (so they are still crunchy) while sitting in front of the warm fire and sharing with the family – comfort food at its best.  Thinking of this makes me feel almost disappointed that winter in McLaren Vale is over.

Red Wines

2009 Rose ($A20)

Over the last 5 years I have started to drink more Rose style wines.  A lot of Rose tend to be like lolly water – well this is not one of them.  Free run Tempranillo juice has been blended with a touch of Grenache to produce a dry wine that shows strawberries and rose water aromas with a mouthful of distinct strawberry and maraschino cherry flavours.  Try this one with a loaf of crusty bread and some Edith’s Goat Cheese from Wrights (found at Coriole Winery) and some home made pickles (we are using a zucchini pickle I made from our vegie garden produce).

2007 Premium GSM ($A25)

A blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Shiraz and 5% Mourvedre is once again a McLaren Vale winner.  The cherries of the grenache, mixed with the plum of the shiraz  combine with the perfume strength of the mourvedre is a delight as the soft McLarenVale tannins abound with the roundness caused by the American oak treatment.  The day I tasted this wine I saw a quote that was something like – a winemakers skill in using oak is like the great Italianchef who can use garlic in their food without you knowing or it leaving a strong taste in your mouth as you leave the restaurant.  When I heard this I immediately thought of this wine as there is some good oak treatment but it does not overpower the fruit or the soft McLarenVale tannins.  I took some of this home with me but I am not going to share it – sorry!

2007 Premium Old Vines Grenache ($A25)

Made from 65 year old bush vine grenache.  Yet again Grenache shows it does not like to be bound by trellising – just let it grow.  It maybe more difficult to prune and pick the fruit but the wine quality makes up for it.

The first thing that stuck me about this wine was how light it was, but still a brick red colour.   After fermentation, the wine was left on skins (without pumping over or any other mixing) for six months contributing to complexity but softening the wine colour.  Do not let the colour fool you this wine packs plenty.  The usual dark cherries and plums with a hint of raspberrymixed with the soft McLaren Vale tannins and oak characters from old oak treatments.  I can think of no better way to drink this but with a loved one while eating a seared duck breast covered by a reduction sauce and grilled fresh figs (as suggested by Rowland – the company owner and cellar door host).

2007 Premium Shiraz ($A25)

Fruit, fruit and more fruit – what another pleasure.  A glass full of dark fruit (plums and cherries) with a hint of cranberry plus the usual soft tannins and complex American oak treatments.  I maybe talked into sharing this one while eating some roast rump of beef (say from Wychwood Meats check out their meat and their recipes).

Other Notes

It should be noted that a Cabernet Sauvingon will be available in December (it has been bottled and put down to rest from the shock on bottling) and a Tempranillo will be available early next year.

Special deal – if you purchase any 3 wines, at the cellar door, they will add an engraved Riedel glass for only $A10 (normal retail of $A35).

This week I though we might go for a change in pace and review a new concept for the McLaren Vale area.  The concept is loosely based on the TV series The Amazing Race and it provides the visitor an opportunity to see some of Mclaren Vale in quite a different way.

Check out my video review as well:-

The trail starts at the McLaren Vale Visitors Centre (which is on the left hand side of Main Road as you enter McLaren Vale).  The first part of the trail guide has a series of clues that you can use to find the location of the first McLaren Vale Amazing Taste Trail winery.  The clues are a mixture of references to buildings, landmarks and roadsigns (including winery signs).  I thought the clues were of moderate difficulty and should be solvable, particularly if there is more than 1 person working on the clues keeping an eye on their surroundings and not just driving.  Once at the first participating winery, the individual stamp/sticker you have entitles you to a 10% saving on wine purchases.  Your task is not over as you will also need to answer a question about the winery you are at (note that the question in on the clues sheet).  Once the question is answered correctly and you can trade in you clues/question sheet for the next set of clues to assist you to get to the next participating winery.  Also, remember to get your passport stamped at the winery.  You follow the new clues to the next winery continuing the routine for the 4 wineries.

The route suggested by the quiz does not provide you with the direct route to the next winery.  However, it does provide a route that will show off a lot of the scenic beauty of the Mclaren Vale region.  Currently there are 4 participating wineries and the route you are taken around shows a wide area of McLaren Vale and if interested you could visit other wineries along the trip.

When you have visited the 4 participating wineries and collected the stamps you can go back to the McLaren Vale Visitors Centre and leave the passport butt which put you into a quarterly draw for a mixed dozen of McLaren Vale wines.  The driver is also entitled to a free coffee at the Visitors Centre Cafe.

So what do you get for the investment of $10/group + $2.50 per participating person? 

• You get a quiz based set of directions to 4 wineries in the McLaren Vale region. The tour is self paced and is an entertaining day out. 
• 10% discount at the 4 participating winery cellar door.
• Free coffee for the driver (at the Visitors Centre).
• Participate in the quarterly draw of a mixed wine dozen.

I see this has a couple of great options for a wine tour of McLaren Vale.

• Use the concept to have the whole family(even the non wine interested people) involved in working out where to go and so there is little or no resentment from family members who do not want to go on a wine trip.
• A team building exercise either as 1 group or as separate groups competing against each other (ie the first to visit the 4 wineries and return back to the visitors centre).

So why not bring the family down to McLaren Vale for a day of involved family fun while solving the quiz or bring a work group out for some teambuilding fun – and maybe just taste some excellent wine and use the discount to purchase some of the wines you like – and I am sure there will be wines you will like when you try along the way.

Now I hear you ask – “What happens if I/we get lost?”  Well the GPS co-ordinates for the next winery is provided and if you don’t have a GPS then a phone number is provided so you can ring to get directions.  These can be found on the quiz clue sheet, labled as the escape hatch.

The next question I hear is – “Where can I get more information and buy The Amazing Taste Trail from?”.  Well you could goto the web site at www.amazingtaste.com.au.  However, for the readers of the Lonely Grape I can organise the passport and individual stickers and send them to you so send me an e-mail on barkerwine@bigpond.com.

Hoffmann's Cellar Door

Current Shed Restaurant

Hoffmann's Courtyard

The cellar door also sells some chutneys and sauces made at the Current Shed.

Now the wines:-

White Wines

2008 Sauvignon Blanc Blend ($A18)

This wine is 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Semillon.  This in an unashamedly drink now, drink cold, wine.  There is a persistent and pleasant Nashi Pear character on the nose and this comes through on the palate.

2008 Chardonnay ($A18)

A small proportion of this wine was fermented in new french oak.  The amount of oak treatment is just right – any more and it would have been reminiscent of the “drinking oak with your Chardonnay” days from the 80’s.  The wine shows stone fruit on the nose and in the mouth with a nutty lingering complexity.  There is no creamy characters that I was expecting so I assume that malolactic acid fermentation did not occur, or only minimally, in the wine.  This is definitely a food wine and I would try it with  home made Pea and Ham soup.

Red Wines

2007 Merlot ($A23)

I do not normally like straight Merlot wines – but was this a surprise!  The wine has the usual soft tannins but the oak treatment is complimentary to the soft tannins.  The secret to this seems to be the use of old american oak.  There is plenty of blackberry and dark cherries on the nose with spice on the palate with a mocha finish.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($A23)

This wine is made from grapes from the estate vineyard of the famous Reynell clone and is partially fermented in french oak.  It has all the typical cabernet characters.

2006 Shiraz ($A23)

The wine I tasted was opened just prior to pouring and so was not representative of the true wine.  The wine had a closed nose and was thin in the mouth.  Some characters of blackberry and chocolate were present.  I tasted this wine a number of months ago and was impressed enough to buy it. 

2006 Shiraz Cabernet ($A23)

The Australian blend of Shiraz and Cabernet so popular in the 70’s and 80’s but went out of favour when the trend was for varietal wines.  This was a pitty as the blend seemed to work well – the ripeness of the shiraz complimented the lack of a mid pallate of the cabernet (the “donut” character).  It is good to see some examples of the blend finding it’s way back into production.  The wine is 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet and the base wines were the same as the varietal wines above.  The wine shows rich ripe fruit and silky tannins combined with the black fruits of blackberry and blackcurrents.  A classy wine that I just had to bring home with me.  Sitting here writing this I am thinking of Individual Beef Wellingtons with using Wychwood Meat rump steak, Maggie Beer Pate and local button mushrooms wraped in pastry, creamy mashed potato, green beans and some broccoli from my vegi garden.  My mouth is watering just thinking about the combination.

Cellar Door Special Offer

1 bottle of each wine (6 in total) for $A95, a saving of 27%  from the single bottle price.

The Woodstock property has been in the Collett family since 1973, however the property was originally established as a vineyard (and named as Woodstock) in 1905.  In 1982 Scott Collett took over the estate with the first Woodstock wines being released in 1983.  The property has extensive vineyards (tendered by Scott Collett), a winery (run by Ben Glaetzer), a cellar door, a restaurant (called a Coterie), a native garden with a wildlife sanctuary and a children’s playground (complete with a resident concrete crocodile).  With these options for the visitor it could be seen as the complete wine tourist destination – the kids can play in the playground and check out the gardens and sanctuary, the driver can relax in the gardens or grab a bit to eat and the wine drinker can do all of the above.  One can even borrow a Bocce set for a friendly game with your family and friends.  Check out their website at www.woodstockwine.com.au.

Woodstock Complex

Woodstock Kids Playground

Woodstock Crocodile

The Coterie was one of the first (if not the first) winery restaurant in the Mclaren Vale wine region and has a great reputation for food quality and service.  They also have a live Jazz Band playing at the Coterie every Sunday – what a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday with the people that matter most – your family and friends.

Woodstock is found on Douglas Gully Road, Mclaren Flat – click on this link to see a map (remember to click on the Woodstock name on the left side of the map).  The cellar door is open daily 10am to 5pm.

The wines are split into 3 ranges:-

1. Bistro Series – this range is for drinking now.
2. Varietal Series – a range trying to be typical of the variety or style.
3. Flagship Series – old vine material that is classical.

It should be noted that all the wines reviewed have had the Stelvin Lux closure.  Some museum stocks have cork closures.

Bistro Series

2008 Riesling Traminer ($A18)

 Approximately 28% Gewurztraminer in this wine and provides some perfumed (floral) and cinnamon characters.  I was concerned that this wine may be a sweet commercial wine – you know the one that is just sugar in the glass so to cater for the sweet toothed visitors to the cellar door, however I was pleasantly surprised that the wine was not too sweet.  Have this one with spicy Asian food as the Gewurztraminer characters work well with this style.

2008 Semillon Sauvigon Blanc ($A18)

 The wine has 75% Semilon (of the BVRC32 clone) and has a tropical fruit aroma with a light palate of passionfruit.  A good wine to share with friends on a warm Sunday afternoon. 

2009 Grenache Rose ($A18)

 The wine has quite a distinct perfume nose with a floral and sweet stewed plums when drunk.  There is quite a lot of sugar but has the acid to go with it.  A strong seller at the cellar door – where once tasted there is a compulsion to buy.  I would drink this one very cold on a hot day, and if they were luck, I would share it with friends. 

2005 Shiraz Cabernet ($A18)

 This wine is lighter in style that I would consider usual, however all this means is that the wine is for current drinking.  It has all the usual characteristics of cherries and berries with a long spice finish.  Drink this one with Spaghetti Bolognese.

Varietal Series

2008 Riesling ($A20)

 The first thing I asked about this wine was where were the grapes from.  I was somewhat surprised to hear that the vineyard was close to the cellar door.  This was a surprise because Riesling is generally a grape variety that does not do well in the Mclaren Vale region.  The aroma was reminiscent of older wines with kerosene overtones.  When drunk the wine shows distinct lemon and limes.   A BBQ octopus salad would be a good choice to eat with this wine. 

2008 Chardonnay ($A20)

 The wine has a 5% oaked component and is all the better for it as the complexity is enhanced by the wood treatment.  There is the usual peach flavours with a slightly smoky finish from the wood.  Drink this one with a creamy chicken pasta dish – YUM.

2007 Grenache ($A20)

 As readers of the Lonely Grape will know that I an a big fan of this grape variety from Mclaren Vale.  This wine did not quite meet my expectations.  The wine is unusually un-oaked, an in my view does not provide the expected structure.  The cellar door staff indicated that the wine has increased in complexity during the last 12 months.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($A22)

 The wine was a little closed on the nose but had a good mouthfeel with some blackcurrent and berry finish.

2006 Shiraz ($A22)

 What a surprise – another good priced Mclaren Vale Shiraz full of berries and spice coupled with some good oak treatment.  Enjoy this one with with an Osso Bucco. 

2006 Botrytis Semillon ($A20/375ml)

 Definite honey mixed with citrus peel and nutmeg with enough acid for the wine not to be cloying.  This style has not been popular but try this with Christmas Pudding or a plate of blue cheese, dried fruit and water crackers and you may just be convinced. 

2006 Vintage Fortified Shiraz ($A20/375ml)

 What a joy this is to see another of the few producers making such a wine style.  Strong flavours of black olives and an almost tarry finish means this is one to put away for a number of years for it to develop into a beauty.  Drinking this makes me think of a room full of cigar smoking men passing the port (was that to the left..?). 

NV Muscat ($A20/375ml)

This is a mixture of local and Rutherglen wines and is another surprise.  Described as liquid raisins in a glass.  Flavours of orange zest and Christmas pudding.  Do yourself a favour and try this one.

Flagship Series

2006 “The Stocks” Shiraz ($A60)

 Vanilla oak on the nose and pallet from the good use of new American oak barrels.  The fruit is from the original planting of shiraz and is dry grown – with 2006 being a good vintage one would expect this to be a classy wine and it delivers.  If you can justify the cost get sone and put it away for 5+ years for a Mclaren Vale Shiraz classic.  I can visualise this in 2014 with a thick juicy Wychwood Meats rump steak (maybe with some vegetables) – and nobody would be sharing this one!!!!! 

NV Very Old Fortified ($A45)

Yum, Yum and Yum.  Made from grenache from the original plot and has an average age of 20+ years – with a 35 year old base wine.  A classy mouth full of toffee and roasted nuts.

I have to admit that I have been a fan of Hugo Winery wines from the Mclaren Flat area of Mclaren Vale for a long time.  I first visited their cellar door when it was at a different location.  Returning to their impressive new cellar door provides a sense of warm welcome and a frequent smiling face.  The cellar door is the furthest from Mclaren Vale for the Mclaren Flat wineries (see location on the map).  The cellar door is open 7 days per week (9:30 am – 5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon – 5 pm Saturday and 10:30am – 5pm Sunday).   The web address is www.hugowines.com.au.

Hugo Wines Cellar Door

The cellar door has a lawn area in the front with a rosemary hedge walkway from the carpark to the front door.  As you walk along checking out the rosemary you can lift your eyes to your left to find a typical rolling vineyard.  Apart from the welcoming smile upon entering the cellar door their is open fire readily stoked during the cold months and an ongoing small display of local art & craft items (all for sale).

Hugo Wines Vineyard

And now for the wines:-

White Wines

It should be noted that the white wines were not tasted at “just out of the fridge temperature” but were only slightly colder than room temperature.  Thus the wines will have a different character than would be found when drunk colder.  

2004 Sauvignon Blanc ($A14)

 This had an aroma of gooseberry and some tropical fruits on the palate.  Not overtly herbaceous and the acid finish was well balanced (ie not too much acid).  This wine would be well consumed without food but with a group of friends on a sunny Sunday afternoon. 

2008 Unwooded Chardonnay ($A12)

 The aromas were closed (ie I could not smell alot) with a definite citrus character when tasted – probably a mixture of lemons & grapefruit.  This wine would go well with a grilled seafood salad. 

2008 Chardonnay ($A16)

 This wine is oaked but only 30% of the wine has had the oak treatment (new french oak), and is not one of the older style over oaked chardonnays.  This was my favourite white wine from Hugo’s as there is an extra level of complexity caused by the oak maturation and the buttery overtones of the malolactic fermentation.  The wine has tropical fruit aromas with a hint of melons on the palate combined with a buttery mouthfeel and creamy finish.  There is plenty of acid in this one so with all the elements the wine could be cellared – but why wait!

Red Wines

2006 Grenache/Shiraz ($A16)

 Plum & spice on the nose with the vanilla of the oak coming through.  Good stewed plum fruit characters of the grenache and the spiciness of the shiraz work well together (a Mclaren vale regional favourite).  The wine is mainly fruit driven but there is oak elements to aid complexity.  I could drink this at almost any time but it would go well with a Shepard’s pie. 

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (A$19)

 A glass of this is a glass of blackberries with hints of clove & cinnamon spice combined with the toasty flavours from the good use of french oak.  There was not allot of aroma on this one but, if you enjoy this varietal, then what is in the glass is worth a try. 

2006 Shiraz ($A19.50)

 The nose is all plum, spice and vanilla (from the oak).  The good fruit shows plums and spice (cloves) is well supported by the obvious (but not overdone) American Oak.  Drink this one in a few years with something slow cooked (eg beef ragu).

2004 Reserve Shiraz ($A33)

 This older wine is made from 40+ year old dry grown vines and is definitely up a few notches of the quality stakes from the other shiraz.  The bottle I tasted was only just opened and thus needed some time to develop in the bottle or glass (so make sure you decant this or at least give it some time open before serving) – but it was obvious to see the quality fruit and treatment (such as partial barrel fermentation to increase complexity).  I did get some freshly cracked pepper on the noise with a full mouthfull of dark cherry & spice with the vanillian taste of american oak.  Fine tannins and complex flavours indicates this will be a long living wine.  Keep a few to drink with roast beef .

Grand Tawny ($A18 375ml bottle)

The first appearance shows a light liquid with tawny tinges.  What you get on both the aroma and palette is a fine wine – full of nutty aromas, with a rich mouthfeel and a lingering after taste.  These tawny styles are not made that often by the smaller wineries due to the high costs of carrying such aged wines plus the sales volumes have decreased for them.  However, it is a pleasure it is to find such wines being sold.  Some of this with a rich chocolate mud cake would be a wonderful way to finish a meal.

Freight Free

It would be a good time to get some of these wines before September 1st as Hugo Wines has a freight free offer until then.  For domestic customers only, you can enjoy freight free on 6 or more bottles to capital cities or for 12 or more to country areas.

Olive Oil

Hugo wines have also won awards for their Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  None was available at the time of this tasting however I have tasted a previous vintage and found it excellent.