My range of white wines is not as well known as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
etc. This does not alter the desirability of my wines. The grapes are crushed,
basket pressed and fermented in stainless steel and occasionally the Marsanne
and Viognier are fermented in oak barrels and allowed limited lees contact.
Marsanne
Marsanne originated in the Northern Rhône and is often used for blending
both with red varieties such as Shiraz and with white varieties such as
Roussanne and Viognier. Our block of Marsanne was planted on harsh stony soil
and the initial crops were very small courtesy of the soil depth and prolonged
drought when the vines were being established. Picked early it has youthful
fruitiness but harvested later it is a particularly deep coloured wine with a
heady aroma and hefty palate. Intense fruit aromas and flavours are the hallmark
of this wine.
2005 Marsanne
Harvested slightly early this wine is fresh and lively with honey and
marzipan aromas. The mouth feel is full and caressing and continues on to a long
sensuous back palate. Complements full flavoured fish dishes such as salmon or
Thai curries.
Viognier
Viognier is planted in France mainly south of Lyons and in the Northern
Rhône. Wine from Viognier grapes is high in colour and alcohol and particularly
perfumed having full flavours prominent among them being dried apricot.
2005 Viognier
Temperamental weather patterns forced early harvest this year. 2005 Viognier
with lemon and green hues is a lighter slightly more acidic wine with hints of
apricot blossom and violet aromas but the overwhelming apricot flavours on the
palate denote this as a true varietal.
2006 Viognier (sold out)
Excessively high temperatures during late February and early March increased
the sugar content and colouring of the grapes dramatically. 2006 Viognier with
rich golden colour and high alcohol and long acid backbone explodes in the mouth
and lingers for pure enjoyment.
Roussanne
Roussanne is a light delicate white wine from the lesser-known white grape
of the Rhône duo of Marsanne and Roussanne.
2005 Roussanne
This wine tingles and teases on the tongue. The heady aromas of fresh herbs
and citrus please and tantalise. This is a long flavoursome drink with crisp
acidity.
All my red wines are fermented for a prolonged period in open vats and hand
plunged. They are then basket pressed and aged in French oak barrels for at
least 18 months with the exception of the Grenache that because of its potential
to oxidise easily is bottled after 6 months.
Shiraz
Probably the most famous Rhône Valley grape is Syrah known in Australia as
Shiraz. The wine made in my winery shares the pepper and spice associated with
the French wines where other Australian varietals have more sweet fruit and
chocolate.
2003 Shiraz
The drought conditions are now crippling. Post Christmas heat with no water
saw us watching as grapes fell from the vines. The distressingly low tonnage of
fruit produced a limited quantity of richly coloured deeply flavoured wine with
tannins that will provide added complexity with careful aging.
2004 Shiraz
With drought conditions worsening fruit flavour intensity increased and crop
level fell. This years Shiraz has dark cherry colours, fulsome pepper and spice
flavours and concentrated fruit. A strong acid backbone with fine firm tannins
on the palate follows through to a lingering hazelnut finish.
Grenache
Grenache is one of the most widely grown grapes worldwide. It is made into
wines ranging from the light dry refreshing Rosé of southern France, through
easy drinking light reds of Spain to the dense reds requiring long cellaring of
Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Here it has been made from low yielding vines into a
lighter dry red style.
2003 Grenache (sold out)
This deep rose coloured Grenache has relatively high alcohol, raspberry and
blueberry aromas, light spicy tannins and a sweet lasting finish.
Ballandean Gold (sold out)
This fruity semi-sweet white wine has a rich golden colour and silky palate that
ensures easy drinking and intense enjoyment. Serve chilled.
Sweet Rosé
A light fruity style semi-sweet Rosé - perfect for sipping in our warm summer
weather. Cherry flavours and a soft mellow palate will appeal to discriminating
drinkers. Serve chilled.
Classic Dry Red
In true Chateauneuf-de-Pape style this wine is a blend of different vintages of
both red and white wines. The fruity aromas and palate pleasing earthy texture
with a superb acid finish ensure maximum enjoyment
Merlot Cabernet Shiraz
The fruit for this wine grew in our own and our neighbour’s vineyards –
"friend’s vintage". An attractive bouquet of fresh red fruits and spice with a
well balanced long acid backbone and a long flavoursome finish, excellent for
drinking now or as an accompaniment to spicy foods. Sunday BBQ lunch special.
Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre
This blend of grapes was made famous in Australia.
2003 G.S.M. (sold out)
Each grape contributes to make a decidedly complex wine. From Grenache come
brightness, the soft fruit nose and the smooth mellow mouth feel. The cherry
spiced flavours, typical full body and length of palate of Shiraz is marked and
the earthy complexity, breadth, depth and longevity of Mourvèdre ensure many
years of enjoyable drinking. A chewy wine.
Plum Mead
I also have stone fruit trees and bee hives hence the liqueur style Plum
Mead. Fermentation of plums with honey as a sweetener has led to the overt honey
and plum aromas in the wine that almost assault the olfactory senses. On the
palate the well-integrated acid from the plum fruit carries the liqueur style
wine to a long crisp finish. As an alternate long drink with lemonade and a
sprig of mint it is just the thing for hot summer days.
BLACK HAMBURG MUSCAT
57 years ago a block of Black Hamburg Muscat grapes was planted on this
property. They are dry grown and relatively low yielding. They are principally
used for Liqueur Muscat. But I have also produced a Rosé wine style using these
and other grapes.
Liqueur Muscat
Maturation of wine, made from fruit of very old non-irrigated vines, in
large oak barrels produces an intense aroma of raisiny fruit and a full, rich,
well-rounded, sweet palate with well balanced acids that carry this wine now and
well into the future. Drink with rich desserts or traditionally after dinner.
Liqueur Muscat "Solera 1995"
Aged in a small oak ‘Solera’ system the lusciousness and complexity of this
liqueur is unsurpassed. Heady dark velvety aromas, balanced acids and long,
long, long palate sipped gently with my Great Grandmother’s ‘Christmas Cake’ –
what bliss – especially at Christmas in July on the Granite Belt.
Port of Peace
This tawny style port has been blended and aged in small and large oak for
an average of 15 years. The sweet velvety palate and smooth finish contribute to
an exceptional after dinner drink.
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