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On The Vine Winter 2013 1

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O n t h e V i n einside:

Zinfandel

Warming Reds

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Winter 2013

theEnds 7th September 2013

2 On The Vine Winter 2013

We have noticed big changes in the last few months’ tastings, especially in the way winemakers are now making

sauvignon blanc and semillon/sauvignon blanc blends with the use of oak fermentation, lees contact/stirring and to

a lesser extent wild yeast fermentation. We have included a few here for you have a look at and there will be more

‘in your face’ wines surfacing soon and we’ll keep you informed. As we are now in the heart of a chilly wet winter,

there is a big bunch of reds that we recommend in this newsletter and apart form the usual great shiraz, cabernet

sauvignon and pinot noir, we reckon you’ll be excited by Ben Glaetzer’s juicy Langhorne Creek blend and the

ridiculously spicy Zinfandel from California. Keep warm and enjoy!

Cheers! Rod Properjohn

Welcome

T h e P a n e lRod ProperjohnRod began in the wine industry 35 years ago as a Wine Advisory Officer for the Wine Industry Association of WA and gravitated from there into lecturing at the Association’s Wine Education Centre, in which he is still involved. He also ran wine classes for Technical and Further Education. He was a wine columnist for the Western Mail and Daily News papers and later on with the magazines West Coast, Scoop, WineState, Spice, Menu and Cravings. He is also a Regional Wine Show judge and the writer of our newsletter.

Steve PerrySteve has been expertly advising and educating Perth’s western suburbs in wine since 1985. He was a director of legendary Cottesloe Wine Store - John Coppins until 1997 and now leads the team at fine wine store- Swanbourne Liquor Barons. He has travelled extensively around the wine-growing regions of Australia and NZ and has been the Chairman of the Panel for over 10 Years.

Peter BradbeerPeter has been in the wine industry for over 30 years, always tasting and assessing wines for sale and for his own drinking. He has been Wine Show judging and consulting to a major Australian wine company. Being on other professional wine panels gives him a broad view of what is out there, but it is always changing. Peter’s view is you never stop learning.

Michael DicksonFor Michael wine started as an interest, then became a vocation and after 20 years in the wine industry as both a retailer and wholesaler, remains a passion. What keeps that passion alive is the increasing range of new and interesting wines from grape varieties and regions around the world that are becoming available to us.

Kristy SchmidtKristy is an impassioned wine lover who has spent many years employed in the Australian wine industry and has undertaken a Bachelor of Wine Marketing through the University of Adelaide. Apart from spending time writing content for her blog, the aussie oenophile, Kristy also writes for several wine publications in a freelance capacity.

Paul (Ed) EdwardsEd has managed fine wine stores in London, Sydney and Perth. He led Hyde Park Cellars to win the NSW Liquor Store of the year award in 2001 before studying and passing the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Diploma in 2005. He now operates his own business teaching WSET qualifications in Perth. In 2008 he was the WA representative in the national final of the prestigious , Negociants ‘Working with Wine’ fellowship. He regular sits in Peter Forrestal’s Wine Panel and is committee member of the Wine Communicators of Australia WA Chapter.

Stef BiagiSince joining the wine trade 12 years ago Stef has been a part of the management team for 6 fine wine stores in WA (including 2 Liquor Barons stores), and has a loyal customer base who track him down for recommendations. He has completed all of the wine courses at the Wine Education Centre and furthered his education by regularly exploring Australia’s wine regions. He most enjoys finding gems from boutique vineyards and is responsible for sourcing, cataloguing and preparing all wine for the Panel tastings.

Anthony ReynoldsAnthony is a qualified Winemaker that brings much technical winemaking knowledge to the panel. He has worked both as a viticulturist and Winemaker for over 10 years, predominantly in the Margaret River Wine Region. Anthony has also worked and/ or travelled through many of the Worlds leading winemaking areas including France, Germany, Italy and South Africa. A recent city change has seen Anthony move back to Perth as the new owner and manager of Liquor Barons Dalkeith.


Zinfandel

Joel Gott 2011 California Zinfandel (USA)Not common in Australia, but ‘Zin’ is very big in the States. Although this is a dry red, the variety also comes in different forms over there. This is a cracker, we like the distinctive spicy aromas of cloves and nutmeg and the dry tannic medium-weighted blueberry palate that extends to a refreshing acid finish. Great value for a Californian wine, the high Oz dollar has helped! Hop in with the biggest spiciest beef ribs you can find, you’ll love the combination.

$1799each by themixed 6pk

$19.99 single

Domäne Wachau 2011 Terrassen FederspielGrüner Veltliner (Aut)From the steeply-terraced vineyards of Wachau and made from the most popular variety in Austria, grüner veltliner, this has a classical medium body with citrus traits, a dollop of spice and a long dry mineral-crisp finish. Sommeliers love ‘gru-vee’ as it is compatible with many foods and easy to recommend. Try it with grilled fresh sardines on toasted sourdough where the wine’s acidity cuts through the oiliness of the fish like a rapier.


$24.99 single

DNA fingerprinting reveals it’s origins to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski as well as Tribidrag and the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Italy. The grape is planted in over 10 percent of California’s vineyards.

Les Jamelles 2011 Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc (Fr)This is one of the top wines in the Les Jamelles range from the Languedoc-Rousillon region in southern France. The fruit is sourced from several growers throughout the Pays d’Oc and delivers a full red wine with plum, licorice and a little savoury sour cherry and it has gentle massaging tannins. A drink-soon style and is best with a cassoulet, the classic pork sausage, duck and bean stew of the region. Good value here.


$16.99 single


Bussell 2012 Grace Sauvignon Blanc SemillonBright straw in colour, this Margaret River wine has an intense exotic tropical-fruited aroma of lychee, guava and pineapple. The palate is a well-rounded mix of fresh zingy sweet fruit, a smidge of lemon for balance and a long cleansing finish. Vibrant youngster with a lot of dash and daring, just like the heroic Grace Bussell herself, whom the wine is named after. Serve with locally-caught fresh herring.

Pemberley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc on LeesWe appreciate the labelling and know what to expect with lees (sediment) playing a part. It’s a brilliant mid-straw colour with wafting lemongrass and tropical fruit aromatics and has a fluffy cotton wool lees texture on the palate that continues to a drying crispness. A glorious wine that is beautifully balanced and is suited to many light seafood dishes. Pleasure to drink.

Willow Bridge 2012 Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc SemillonFrom the beautiful hilly Ferguson Valley a little east of Bunbury, this modern blend has the characteristics we look for. There are lemon aromatics and flavours, some grassy herbal notes, lots of zing and zip and a refreshing finish. Although a small part of the blend was fermented in oak barrels, it’s not so obvious in the wine. Open and serve with pasta and eggplant, tomato, basil and capers.


$14.99 single

Vasse Felix 2012 ChardonnayThis new release has all the classical winemaking techniques thrown at it and will settle down and drink beautifully with a couple of months in the bottle. It has citrus aromatics along with nutty oak and the palate is well-worked with mealy biscuity characters, grapefruit, spiciness and good length to a drying acid finish. Serve with barbecued chicken with a squeeze of lemon.


$26.99 single


$17.99 single


$18.99 single

white wines


Villa Maria 2012 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)A sauvignon blanc close to Marlborough best and from a winery celebrating its 50th vintage. Lively fresh young savvy with herbal, capsicum and citrus aromatics through to a typical gooseberry-fruited tangy palate with green melon and lime juice. Best to drink this in its youth and the Kiwis love the style with deep-fried whitebait. Why not cook up a batch?

Harewood Estate 2012 Great Southern ChardonnayWe see very few wines from James Kellie that we don’t enjoy, he doing fine things at his Denmark Great Southern winery. This is mid-straw and lemony in colour and although slightly closed on the nose, it offers intrigue and ignites interest. It is a subtle intro to a leesy textural mouthfeel, the zing of grapefruit, tempered spicy oak and a glorious crisp finish. Open a bottle as you serve salt and pepper squid caught off the southern coastline.

Forest Hill 2012 Estate RieslingFrom 46 year old dry-grown vines, the oldest in the Great Southern and the wine is pure quality. Light and bright, it is redolent of lemon blossom and has a very long palate with sabre-like acidity that will ensure it ages over a long period and a crunchy acid persists on the finish. Enjoy it now if you wish and especially with pan-fried battered whiting, crisp fries and a garden-fresh salad.


$19.99 single


$21.99 single


$24.99 single

white wines Howard Park 2012 Great Southern RieslingThe Great Southern region is almost as revered as the Eden Valley and Clare in SA for riesling. It’s the floral aromatics, the precise purity of the citrus fruit and the distinctive minerality and acidity on the finish that makes our wines attractive. Add to that a great aging ability and you have a complete white wine. This has all these qualities and is magic with a plate of sweet crunchy prawns, now or in six years time.

Leeuwin Estate 2012 Art Series Sauvignon BlancThere’s a lovely balance in this wine which elevates it above the norm. Yes, it is young, vibrant and fresh, has citrus and tropical fruits, herbal characters, subtle barrel-ferment character and crisp acidity but it is the mouthfeel and harmonious nature of the wine that attracts. Serve with grilled yabby drizzled with an Asian-inspired lime-juice sauce.

Shaw and Smith 2012 M3 ChardonnayThis Adelaide Hills cool-climate wine from an excellent vintage exudes quality from its mid-straw colour, pear and subtle butterscotch nose to its beautifully balanced palate of melon, nectarine and cashew nut complexity. The palate flavours, although delicate, are precise and persist to a long acid finish. A contemporary style of the highest quality, try with ravioli and pumpkin stuffing.

Cullen 2011 Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc SemillonThis is made from grapes grown in a certified biodynamic organic vineyard and fermented with indigenous yeasts and partly in French oak barrels. It’s out there. A mid-straw colour, it has a lemony aromatic lift and a waft of smokiness. The palate is light, has a herbal influence and some tart citrusy acid on the finish. Team up with a herb omelette and a green salad.


$25.99 single


$26.99 single


$29.99 single


$47.99 single


Heartland 2010 Dolcetto & Lagrein.These two red varieties are generally associated with the north of Italy and light fruity very quaffable red wines. This wine by Ben Glaetzer from Langhorne Creek fruit is much the same, but more of a generous Aussie fruit-bomb style. You’ll notice powdery tannins, blackcurrant and blood-red plums and the lift of spice along with a velvety texture. Different and great value. Lovely drink with beef and tomato stuffed ravioli.

Bird in Hand 2011 Two in the Bush ShirazFrom the cool Mt Lofty ranges just west of Adelaide and from a wet vintage so you might expect a light herbal style of red. No, this has some weight, good spicy characters, decent oak, sturdy tannins and fine balance. You won’t see mulberry or ripe plummy fruit, however but there is a pungency of white pepper and that’s fine as it’s a different style. Serve with plump pork sausages and a big dollop of caramelised fried onion.

Flametree Embers 2011 Cabernet SauvignonAlthough Embers is Flametree’s everyday drinking label, there’s more to this Margaret River cabernet. It’s a deep red colour with blackberry fruit and black olive on the nose and a strong middleweight palate of firm tannins, black fruit, chocolate and drying acidity. More time will help it to soften. Drink with lamb shanks braised in tomato and garlic.

red wines $1599

each by themixed 6pk

$17.99 single


$19.99 single


$19.99 single

Ata Rangi 2011Crimson Pinot Noir (NZ)From the famous Ata Rangi winery in Martinborough that is renowned for its pinot. This is the second label made from younger vines and although it doesn’t have the seductive power of it illustrious sibling, it is still a snappy wine. Cardinal’s red in colour it exhibits ripe red berries and cherry on the nose and an intriguing spicy palate with sandy tannins and crisp acid finish. Spring lamb with this.


$32.99 single


O’Leary Walker 2010 ShirazFrom both the Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, this combines the mintiness of Clare shiraz and the fleshy plummy fruit of McLaren. Toss in some sweet vanilla-like oak and the magic skills of David O’Leary and Nick Walker along with a great vintage and you end up with a very decent red wine. For drinking over the next five years and with a hearty beef stew with lots of garlic, tomato and fresh veg.

Vasse Felix 2010 ShirazThis is like a prize fighter dressed in a tuxedo, elegant and gracious on the outside, firm and strong underneath. A ruby-coloured wine, it has aromatic red fruit, notably raspberry and mulberry and a fresh floral lift. The palate is a middle-weight mix of fine sandy tannins, red berries and vibrant acidity. Oak is older and sits quietly in the background, adding subtle complexity. Serve with a fillet of beef and béarnaise sauce.

Majella 2010 Coonawarra Cabernet SauvignonProbably Coonawarra’s most consistent label at present and this is a doozey from a great vintage. It has the lot, an intense colour, blackcurrant and choc spearmint, classy oak, dry chalky tannins, super balance and length. Will age beautifully and serve with some crusty spit-roasted lamb when you finally open a bottle. Don’t miss this; it’s a classic for stocking the cellar.

Three Drops 2011 CabernetsHere’s a wine that epitomises cool-area ( Mount Barker) cabernet from its vibrant ruby red/mauve colouring to its grippy acid finish. In between there are the aromatics of blackcurrant and green olive and a medium-weighted palate of drying tannins, herbal fruit and vanilla oak. Cabernet franc supports cabernet sauvignon in the wine which will age at least for another six years. Serve with a slow-roasted shoulder of lamb.

Tintara 2009 Chapter 3 McLaren Vale ShirazA traditional label that dates back to 1861 and later to the Hardy winemaking family, which gave it its clout. This is typically deep coloured and has dusty earthy components combined with plum and dill spice on the nose. Chalky drying tannins take over in the dark chocolaty middle-weight palate that extends to a firm finish. Keep it traditional and partner with a quickly seared back-strap of kangaroo.

red wines $1999

each by themixed 6pk

$23.99 single


$22.99 single


$24.99 single


$32.99 single


$37.99 single

8 On The Vine Winter 2013Specials end 7/9/13. While stocks last. Pics for illustration purposes only. Prices inclusive of GST. OTV Magazine published by Liquor Barons Co-Op Ltd.

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