Clonakilla an Australian Classic and some classy Friends...
30 October 2007
In this weeks edition of EEC electronic we brave the cold in Canberra (a town that's about to get hot & fiesty) and share some of our favourite wines shown at our recent Tenth Birthday Bash Tasting...
First we start off in our Nations capital with a legendary wine made by Tim Kirk at Clonakilla and a couple of others following suit, produced by Tim’s right hand man…
Clonakilla wines have moved to iconic status within Australia, with Tim Kirks Shiraz Viognier now one of Australia's most awarded and sought after wine. The 2006 vintage continues the trend...
2006 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
" Exceptionally powerful, rich and concentrated; a full-bodied, lush velvety texture and mouthfeel; black fruits and spice... To 2026 96/100" - James Halliday's Wine Companion 2008
Keep a close eye on this up and coming producer from the Canberra District. Ravensworth was started by Bryan Martin, a Wine Science Graduate from the Charles Sturt University and a teacher of food and wine related subjects at various educational institutions including the Australian International Hotel School. His main job, however, is as assistant winemaker to Tim Kirk at Clonakilla Winery. An impressive training ground indeed. The new releases from 2006 are particularly impressive and are great value from this esteemed region.
2006 Ravensworth Shiraz Viognier
No mistaking the cool climate origins of this wine. Intense perfume, full of dark fruits, exotic spice, licorice, and hints of cedary oak. The extravagance of the Viognier is clearly present, but beautifully integrated. Lovely weight in the mouth, not heavy, not light, with the sweet and savoury flavours combining to spectacular effect, showing complex flavours of red and black berries, savoury spice, leather, anise and vanilla. Supple and textured throughout, finishing long and dry with fine, smooth tannins to finish.
2006 Ravensworth Sangiovese
Picked mid-April and cold-soaked for 7 days prior to natural fermentation. The ferments were allowed to get quite warm (32C) before pressing after 22 days. This is great stuff. Rich and ripe with vibrant red cherries, dried herbs, licorice and spice on the nose. Sweet, ripe varietal fruit fills the mouth with plenty of underlying savoury and leather and fine dry tannins to finish. Unmistakably Australian in style yet showing the hallmarks of great Sangiovese of Europe. The best of both worlds and terrific value.
Check out some more wines from Clonakilla...
Lastly, for those who were able to attend our Tenth Birthday Bash tasting last Saturday will know what a huge day it was and hopefully remember some of the great wines we had on show. For those of you whom were unable to attend, here are a few of the staff’s picks still at the special prices offered on the day.
2005 KT & The Falcon Watervale Riesling
Kerri Thompson makes some stunning riesling and after breaking rank from Leasingham, you would expect her new label KT (obviously focusing on riesling) to shine. Well what do you know? The '07 single vineyard Watervale is one thing (yum) but the wine in question here is made ala Germanic. Showing lush and exotic fruit expression, it is sourced from a Biodynamic, single vineyard located in the township of Watervale. The hand picked fruit from the Churinga Vineyard is sourced from 20 year old vines and was harvested later in the season to enhance the richness of fruit flavour.
2006 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro
Scott Wasley from the Spanish Acquisition's lastest influx of Portugese wines have blown us away, and this little number is a great example of the fresh clean styles this country is capable of producing. The wine possesses a good combination and balance of floral, fruity aromas, typical of well-ripened grapes from the Loureiro variety. It has an excellent body, a smooth, yet slightly crisp taste, a fruity palate and a persistent length. Bring on the Tommy Ruff...
2005 S.C. Pannell Shiraz Grenache
"The only surprising piece of the background is that it took (and admittedly still reasonably youthful) Stephen Pannell (and wife Fiona) to establish their winemaking and consulting business. Steve Pannell radiates intensity, and experience backed by long experimentation and thought, has resulted in wines of the highest quality from the first vintage. This is a label which is quite certain to become thoroughly iconic in the years ahead." JAMES HALLIDAY, Australian Wine Companion 2008
2003 Fattoria Zerbina di Marzieno
A perennial staff fave...
"Sometimes the impact of a winery is so positive that it enriches a whole area with its qualtiy, consistency and continuity. This is true of Fattoria Zerbina, and Cristina Geminani, who has given so much - even more then she realises - to Romagna and continues to do so... Further proof of this can be found in the ease with which the Marzieno 2003 has returned to the heights of Italian winemaking following the ineviatable sacrifice of the 2002 vintage. This is a blend of sangiovese with small additions of cabernet and merlot. Tidy and low-key, it focuses directly on the texture of plentiful, stylish tanninsand confidently austere fruit, with a dynamic palate and long finish. Welcome back to this wine and its splendid Three Glasses." Gambero Rosso - Italian Wines Slow Food Editore
2006 Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Pinot Noir
"This wine represents fine Pinot expression. Forever changing in the glass and bottle this is a dynamic wine. Restrained and fine, savoury and restrained sweetness, this Pinot has wonderful balance and a combination of dark cherry and savoury characters. I think this is not a typical Aussie Pinot." Mac Forbes
Enjoy!
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