Good evening/morning
Short and sweet this week – not short on the good stuff though!
First cab off the rank, we’ll have Mac Forbes in attendance this evening. Mac has been pushing his own barrow for a few years now (previously he was winemaker at Mount Mary amongst other notable posts!), and he and Tony Fikkers have been carving out a great niche. The latest releases do nothing to tarnish the reputation!! Mostly single vineyard representations with a couple of multi vineyard wines to complement, Mac is as passionate about the Yarra Valley as ever. Just released Chardonnay (Woori Yallock) and Pinot Noirs (Yarra, Gruyere and Woori Yallock) from 2008 are the backbone of the line up, while the off dry Strathbogie riesling from 2009 and the 2007 Hugh Cabernet will add further interest. Tonight, from 5pm until 7pm, in store, FREE!
While on the tasting bent, a quick reminder of our Champagne/Sparkling tasting later in the month. Wednesday November 25 is the day, 7.30pm, Mt Rael, $40pp, only about 20 spots left. Wines from the superstars of Champagne plus the pick of the Italian, Spanish and Australian crops. If this doesn’t get you in the festive mood, nothing will! Please reply to this email or call the store on 5962 6699 to confirm your place.
And a follow up to the Mud Factory invitation that you should have received yesterday. If you are keen to get along next Saturday night to knock off some quality early Christmas shopping and sample a few tipples along the way, please be sure to RSVP to help with catering arrangements. Thanks!
New arrivals this week include:
TeMata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2007 - another gem from this superlative Hawkes Bay producer. This is a ‘one out of the box’ red Bordeaux blend from NZ that checks in at a fraction of the price of decent examples from France. Ripe red and black berry fruits complemented by dried thyme and tobacco with a note of mocha and dark spice, super fine tannins and a velvet like palate. Plenty of oomph and yet it just caresses the palate. I’ve tucked a dozen away for myself, and I rarely do that! Now or in 5 years+++ Ripping wine. I reckon with a Coonawarra tag it’d command another 20 bucks, Bordeaux at least an extra 50! Â Â $46
De Bortoli - the revolution continues! 2008 Gulf Station Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as 2009 Nouveau Shiraz. The Nouveau Shiraz ($14) would have to be one of the most enjoyable new releases on the Aussie wine scene. Made with classic Beaujolais in mind, this has a wonderful spicy, fruit driven fragrance which is followed by a lightish palate of red fruits that has real complexity (not sugar driven) and intrigue. And the Chardonnay and Pinot under the Gulf Station label have to be amongst the pick of sub $20 varietal wines in the country. For both, it’s not that they have extraordinary complexity, it’s more that they have the level of complexity and varietal definition that you would expect of a $20-25 wine, for $17.50. Hard to knock!
Redgate Bin 588 Cabernet Blend 2007 – another success story from this very strong Margaret River vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon driven with drops of merlot and shiraz, it shows effortless ripeness and density of fruit with supple tannins. Flat out bargain at $20 a pop
Serrat Chardonnay 2008 - last week it was the pinot noir (it’s gone nuts, but there’s still a few dozen to be had!!), this week we’re loving the chardonnay. Stone and citrus fruits, gentle gunsmoke, meal and spice – classic ingredients for a really good, leanly proportioned Yarra Chardonnay. $30
Temple Bruer Shiraz Malbec 2008 - organic, preservative free and tasty! The third of those adjectives is rarely associated with the first 2! Â Plums, cherries and blackberries to the fore, licks of cinnamon,coffee and chocolate, and a surprisingly long, fleshy palate. Lovely balance. A Trophy at the Aust/NZ Organic Wine Show for Best Red Wine is no surprise. $20
Enzo Boglietti Barbera d’Alba 2007 – quality Barbera is something that anyone who gets in to wine with balance and sheer enjoyability must try! This is the perfect starting point – we’ve had a good crack at examples from Marcarini and Mauro Molino from the 2007 vintage, and this one follows suit. Enzo Boglietti holds portions of some of the best vineyards in Barolo, but his Barbera from the hills around Alba is almost as enticing. Packed with rich, ripe red and black fruits without any sign of heavy handedness, medium bodied and continuing the theme of this email, as silken as they come. Spring has to be about eating slightly lighter foods than the heavier winter dishes that have seen us through the colder months, and this wine measures up perfectly to lamb or pork with bean salads. Â $34
And due to popular demand, a few pearlers have arrived again – Pittnauer Blaufrankisch (rose $25 and regular red table wine $42), Villa Wolf Pinot Gris $23, Jamsheed La Syrah $21 and Printhie Chardonnay $16!
To order any of these new arrivals, please call the store on 5962 6699 or reply to this email.
Free freight on dozens to Melbourne. Subsidised freight for dozens elsewhere in Australia and for lesser quantities in metro Melb.
Tasting tonight – Mac Forbes from 5pm!
Enjoy the weekend
Cheers!