WYKwinos Report No. 18

Date/Time: 22nd July 2011, 7:00 p.m.

Place: Fantaxia Restaurant樂逍遙

1st Bottle D’ARENBERG D’ARRY’S ORIGINAL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE
Varietal: Shiraz Winery/Producer: D’Arenberg Wines
Type: Red Year: 2008
Cost: $19.95 Region: Australia
Food to pair: LCBO #: 942904
Remarks: A classic blend, showing the roots of its consistency, even in a challenging vintage; the bouquet straddles the line of fresh red fruits and savoury Provençal herbs beautifully; the palate is generous and soft, with an underlying structure providing freshness and contrast to the sweet fruit.
2nd Bottle PIKES TRADITIONALE RIESLING
Varietal: Riesling Winery/Producer: Pikes Vintners Wines
Type: White Year: 2009
Cost: $19.95 Region: Australia
Food to pair: pan-seared scallops and green beans LCBO #: 66894
Remarks: Pure, vibrant and very lively Riesling from Pikes Vintners, one of Australia’s Riesling specialists. This peach- and lime-scented number is equally enthralling on the palate. Dry, racy and fruity, with wonderful verve. Cellar it 3-5 years or enjoy it tonight with pan-seared scallops and green beans.
3th Bottle RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Varietal: CABERNET SAUVIGNON Winery/Producer: Negociants International
Type: Red Year: 2008
Cost: $19.95 Region: Australia
Food to pair: LCBO #: 606624
Remarks: Last year we advised that you should buy the best piece of lamb you can afford, roast it up and serve it with this little beauty – though of course we were talking of the 2007. Same advice applies here, though. It tastes chocolately, gravelly, curranty and pure. It’s got class and grunt, is beautifully balanced and the flavours persist long after you’ve swallowed. Quality wine – fit for a fine Saturday night.
4th Bottle PLUNKETT FOWLES STONE DWELLERS MERLOT
Varietal: Merlot Winery/Producer: Plunkett Fowles Wines
Type: Red wine Year: 2008
Cost: $19.95 Region: Australia
Food to pair: LCBO #: 221838
Remarks: Notably fragrant, with a savoury red fruit mix on the bouquet; there is a large volume of fruit on the palate with varietal cassis and black olive intersecting flavours; the alcohol works well.
5th Bottle WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE SHIRAZ
Varietal: Shiraz Winery/Producer: Treasury Wine Estates
Type: Red wine Year: 2008
Cost: $19.95 Region: Australia
Food to pair: LCBO #: 208322
Remarks: Deep colour; a fragrant burst of cherry, plum and spice on the bouquet leads into a palate that moves into more powerful black fruits and licorice, the tannins round and soft.
菜單 舞影香車 霧影朝霞
龍抱仙姬 洋蔥扒大鴨 翠玉葡提

Additional Notes:

d’Arenberg d’Arry Original Shiraz Grenache 2007

A classic blend, showing the roots of its consistency, even in a challenging vintage; the bouquet straddles the line of fresh red fruits and savoury Provençal herbs beautifully; the palate is generous and soft, with an underlying structure providing freshness and contrast to the sweet fruit. Screwcap.
14.5% alc. Rating 92 Drink 2015 $19.95 Date Tasted Feb 10

Winery: Nothing, they say, succeeds like success. Few operations in Australia fit this dictum better than d’Arenberg, which has kept its almost 100-year-old heritage while moving into the 21st century with flair and elan. As at last count the d’Arenberg vineyards, at various locations, have 24 varieties planted, as well as 120 growers in McLaren Vale. There is no question that its past, present and future revolve around its considerable portfolio of richly robed red wines: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache being the cornerstones, but with over 20 varietal and/or blend labels spanning the gulf between Roussanne and Mourvedre. The quality of the wines is unimpeachable, the prices logical and fair. It has a profile in both the UK and the US

that far larger companies would love to have, underlined by Wine & Spirits Magazine (US) accolade of Winery of the Year in ’09. Exports to all major markets.

Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2009

Pale straw-green; a gently flowery bouquet then a very precise, pure and penetrating palate, lime, lemon and slatey mineral notes driving through to the finish. Screwcap.
12% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2022 $23 Date Tasted Dec 09

Winery: Owned by the Pike brothers: Andrew was for many years the senior viticulturist with Southcorp, Neil was a winemaker at Mitchell. Pikes now has its own winery, with Neil presiding. In most vintages its white wines, led by Riesling, are the most impressive. Planting of the vineyards has been an ongoing affair, with a panoply of varietals, new and traditional, reflected in the 2007 plantings of an additional 4.3 ha of riesling (26 ha in total), 3.5 ha of shiraz and a first-up planting of 1.24 ha of savagnin. The Merle is Pikes’ limited production, flagship Riesling. A recent mini-vertical tasting shows just how good the wine is. Exports to Canada, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Cyprus, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and China.

Yalumba Ringbolt Margaret River Cab Sav 2008

A fine example of lightly leafy cabernet supported by vibrant pure red and black fruits, and a little olive thrown in for good measure; the palate is fleshy and focused, with plenty of gravelly tannins providing structure to the sweet fruit on offer; long and clearly defined to conclude. Cork.
13.5% alc. Rating 92 Drink 2018 $24.95 Date Tasted May 10

Winery: Family-owned and run by Robert Hill Smith, Yalumba has long had a commitment to quality and has shown great vision in its selection of vineyard sites, new varieties and brands. It has always been a serious player at the top end of full-bodied (and full-blooded) Australian reds, and was the pioneer in the use of screwcaps. While its estate vineyards are largely planted to mainstream varieties, it has taken marketing ownership of viognier. However, these days its own brands revolve around the Y Series and a number of stand-alone brands across the length and breadth of SA. Yalumba has been very successful in building its export base. Exports to all major markets.

Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Strathbogie Ranges Merlot 2008

Notably fragrant, with a savoury red fruit mix on the bouquet; there is a large volume of fruit on the palate with varietal cassis and black olive intersecting flavours; the alcohol works well. Screwcap.
15% alc. Rating 92 Drink 2016 $24.95 Date Tasted Sep 09

Winery: Plunkett Fowles is the new face for two families committed to building a prominent inter- national wine business. The co-managers, Sam Plunkett and Matt Fowles, are in their late 30s and late 20s, with both winemaking and business skills. The two families have had a long association with this dry, cool, granitic region, which has given them a deep understanding of their extensive vineyards (chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, merlot, riesling, semillon, viognier, gewurztraminer, verdelho, savagnin, tempranillo and lagrein). They are committed to a strategy of selling wine that exceeds the expectations for any given price point. Exports to the UK, the US and other major markets.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008

Deep colour; a fragrant burst of cherry, plum and spice on the bouquet leads into a palate that moves into more powerful black fruits and licorice, the tannins round and soft. Screwcap.
14% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2028 $20 Date Tasted Sep 09

Winery: Large-scale production has not prevented Wynns from producing excellent wines covering the full price spectrum, from the bargain basement Riesling and Shiraz through to the deluxe John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Michael Shiraz. Even with steady price increases, Wynns offers extraordinary value for money. The large investments since 2000 in rejuvenating and replanting key blocks under the direction of Allen Jenkins, and skilled winemaking by Sue Hodder, has resulted in wines of far greater finesse and elegance than most of their predecessors. Exports to the UK, the US and Canada.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *