NEW FINDS AND OLD FRIENDS

Transcription

1 R AW E N E R G Y I N A G L A S S AUSTRALIA NEW FINDS AND OLD FRIENDS SIX MIXED CASES. BOTTLES FROM 6.95 AZAPR15 thewinesociety.com/australia

2 ENERGISED AUSTRALIA I ventured down under last year to visit growers old and new to The Society and I am delighted and excited to present my first offer as your Australian wine buyer. The only problem I faced was not over what to include but what to omit! There was an audible buzz (typically over craft beer) in bars from Margaret River to Yarra Valley around such topics as old vines, whole-bunch fermentation (or not whole-bunch fermentation, that is the question), terroir, a return to basics, new technology, clones, field blends, new varieties the discussions never stop! The result of all this healthy debate? A wonderful, and wonderfully diverse, range of wines for every wine lover to enjoy. Young Aussie winemakers, such as Gary Mills at Jamsheed, Mike Aylward at Ocean Eight and Mac Forbes, have returned home from pilgrimages all over the winemaking world full of new ideas and techniques and are making elegant, lowintervention wines, often from overlooked hidden-gem vineyards. Alongside these young guns are the experienced winemakers who are using all their skills gained in large commercial wineries to make the most of the freedom their new small-scale quality-over-quantity boutique wineries allow. Look out for the wines of David Hohnen, Stephen Pannell and Geoff Weaver in Adelaide Hills. This highly competitive atmosphere is also bringing out the best in the producers that The Society has been working with over many years, and the wines of Bleasdale, Cullen, Tahbilk and Wirra Wirra, to name but a few, have never been better. REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA Western Australia 1. Margaret River & Geographe 2. Great Southern South Australia 3. Clare Valley 4. Barossa Valley 5. McLaren Vale 6. Langhorne Creek 7. Coonawarra Victoria 8. Grampians 9. Nagambie Lakes 10. Yarra Valley 11. Mornington Peninsula Perth 1 Western Australia MAC FORBES & THE BLIND SPOT RANGE Mac is our man on the ground down under with an enviable contact list of growers right across Australia. This allows him first dibs on some excellent cuvées which he bottles exclusively for members under the Blind Spot label. There really are some excellent bargains to be found here. VICTORIA Here cooler-climate sites are giving the wines a new-found elegance. Discover delicious shiraz, pinot and cabernet of the highest order and bright, fresh whites. 2 South Australia 3 4 Adelaide Melbourne Tasmania New South Wales Victoria TO NAVIGATE THIS EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES WE HAVE SPLIT THE OFFER INTO FIVE PARTS: SOUTH AUSTRALIA The country s powerhouse but we look beyond the big-brand blends and uncover a world of terroir expression from Barossa to Coonawarra. WESTERN AUSTRALIA I avoided the mobs of roos to discover some exceptional riesling, chardonnay and cabernet-merlot blends. MIXED CASES We celebrate Aussie shiraz, Blind Spot value and combine some favourites into a mouthwatering selection that showcases Australia at its finest. Sydney If you haven t had an Australian wine in a while give it another shot. You really are missing out! Sarah Knowles Society Buyer

3 MAC FORBES & THE BLIND SPOT RANGE Mac Forbes is our man on the ground in Australia and continues to perform miracles, sourcing outstanding wines for our Blind Spot label that offer authentic expressions of Australian regional styles at affordable prices. This year s stellar selection includes a new vibrant pinot noir from cooler sites in the Yarra Valley, an aromatic Margaret River semillon-sauvignon blend, and light, spicy Gundagai shiraz. We also feature two of Mac s own fine wines which really are at the cutting edge of the new-wave Australian wine movement combining complexity with elegance. WHITES Blind Spot Margaret River Semillon- Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Aromatic fresh and dry, this is a classic SSB blend from Margaret River at a great price. Exceedingly gluggable! 12.5% ref AZ-AU bottle 95 dozen Blind Spot Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2014 This Victoria chardonnay has great purity with lemon and apple perfume. Crisp and refreshing on the palate with a long citrusy finish. 12.5% ref AZ-AU17191 Blind Spot King Valley Pinot Gris 2014 King Valley is in Victoria and known locally as Little Italy after the high number of Italian wine families that settled here. Plenty of green-apple and pear flavours on this easydrinking crisp white. 12.5% ref AZ-AU17211 NEW Mac Forbes Hoddles Creek Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2013 Hoddles Creek is Mac s highest vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley and is on deep, red volcanic soils. This focused, structured chardonnay has a pure line of lime-like acidity. With age this will develop baked-apple and lemon aromas, and toasty notes, from the French oak ageing, will emerge and soften the crisp finish. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 324 dozen SEE BACK PAGE FOR MORE MIXED CASES This year s stellar selection includes a new vibrant pinot noir from cooler sites in the Yarra Valley,... THE BLIND SPOT CASE A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following: WHITE Blind Spot Margaret River Semillon- Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Blind Spot Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2014 Blind Spot King Valley Pinot Gris 2014 ref AZ-MX1549 REDS Blind Spot McLaren Vale Grenache- Shiraz-Mataro 2013 This GSM blend continues to grow in popularity and this year s cuvée is particularly enticing with plenty of blackberry and blueberry fruit and a nice soft palate. 14% ref AZ-AU bottle 95 dozen Blind Spot Gundagai Shiraz 2013 Gundagai is a new wine region on what was called the south-west slopes of New South Wales. This is a much lighter, spicier style of shiraz with enticing plum and cherry flavours. 13% ref AZ-AU17171 RED Blind Spot Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2014 Blind Spot McLaren Vale Grenache- Shiraz-Mataro 2013 Blind Spot Gundagai Shiraz NEW Blind Spot Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2014 New to the Blind Spot range, this really overdelivers. Pinot is something of a Mac Forbes specialty and this is a cool-climate, elegant style with bright redcurrant and cranberry aromas. White pepper develops on the palate, where the tannins are silky and well integrated and the fruit flavours persist on the finish. A great addition to the range. 12.5% ref AZ-AU17611 Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2013 Woori Yallock is high up in the cooler Upper Yarra Valley and ideal for pinot noir. The 2013 has a raw cranberry and redcurrant perfume with crunchy fine tannins and fresh, crisp acidity. A wine with great precision and intensity that will age wonderfully. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 468 dozen To order thewinesociety.com/australia smartphone app

4 VICTORIA Victoria was my first stop in Australia last year, and it set the bar pretty high for the rest of the trip Victoria was my first stop in Australia last year, and it set the bar pretty high for the rest of the trip. The focus was on elegance and the wines were charming and eminently enjoyable. Cooler-climate sites are being hunted down and are highly prized, and winemakers are embracing a more traditional approach to winemaking which is refocusing the emphasis on the grapes and viticulture rather than on tinkering in the cellar. WHITES Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Viognier 2014 Bright fresh aromatic style, with plenty of apricot and white-peach flavour. This wine has been on a roll in recent vintages. 14% ref AZ-AU17871 Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Marsanne 2012 Crisp, precise marsanne from this historic winery which makes by far Australia s best example of this Rhône grape. Although delicious now this wine also ages exceedingly well, developing almond and waxy aromas. Now to % ref AZ-AU17411 Ocean Eight Verve Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2012 Mike Aylward only makes around 900 cases of this chardonnay from his small but perfectly formed winery in a converted stable. Taut and fine, showing what Australia chardonnay can really deliver. The Granny Smith apple and lemon flavours are well balanced by the fine oak that develops on the finish. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 240 dozen REDS Billi Billi Grampians Shiraz 2012 Elegant spicy black-fruit nose, good blackberry and plum flavours on the palate with a touch of pepper on the finish. Balanced and refreshing, this is a great example of modern shiraz from Victoria. 14% ref AZ-AU bottle 107 dozen Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Central Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 An elegant cabernet with cassis, cedar and leather notes on the nose and some classic mint/eucalyptus developing in the glass. The tannins are fine but firm, balanced by the core of black-fruit flavours and the long complex finish. Decant an hour or two before serving to really make the most of the perfumed nose. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 155 dozen NEW Jamsheed La Syrah 2013 A very modern expression of Australian shiraz, far removed from the fruit bombs of old. Fresh sour-cherry and blackberry notes, with spice and gravel developing on the fine palate. A lovely textured, fine syrah from cool older sites in Victoria. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 162 dozen NEW Kooyong Massale Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2013 Sandro Mosele, the winemaker at Kooyong, focuses on making pinots that have a true sense of place. This cooler-climate Mornington pinot shows great tart redcurrant fruit, but with plenty of leather and wet-soil flavours adding great depth to this wine. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 204 dozen The Society s Exhibition Victoria Shiraz 2011 Specialists Mount Langi Ghiran make this elegant, fine and spice-driven shiraz for us. Charming cherry and plum flavours on the spicy nose, blackcurrant and black pepper developing on the taut finely tannic palate. A great wine that really overdelivers. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 210 dozen TO ORDER

5 SOUTH AUSTRALIA The heartland of the Australian wine industry, South Australia is sometimes unfairly associated solely with branded wines. Dashing around in a tank of a car (a Holden) you can really see how complex the many sub regions are, the sheer number of small producers, and the intricacies of the local terroir. From the rolling hills of Adelaide to the deep red plains of Coonawarra, the landscape and wines are varied in style but consistently excellent....the landscape and wines are varied in style but consistently excellent. WHITES The Society s Unoaked Australian Chardonnay Made by Paul Smith at Wirra Wirra exclusively for The Wine Society, this unoaked chardonnay has clean tropical fruit on the nose, pineapple and lemon on the palate and a good refreshing style. 12.5% ref AZ-AU bottle 83 dozen NEW Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2014 Fresh lemon and quince aromas, citrus and spiced pear on the palate. A great dry, fresh, very easy-drinking white from one of The Society s longest-term suppliers. 12% ref AZ-AU bottle 90 dozen 88 Growers Barossa Semillon 2012 A fruity, easy-drinking white which is fermented in stainless steel, with no oak influence, and bottled early to capture freshness. 12% ref AZ-AU bottle 95 dozen NEW Bleasdale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2013 This is a great apple, lemon and matchstickscented modern Australian chardonnay. Fermented in French oak with wild yeasts, this wine has plenty of character and a long intense fruit-driven finish. 12.5% ref AZ-AU17461 Heggies Eden Valley Chardonnay 2012 Aged in French oak, this is rich and creamy with complex flavours of baked-apple, lemon and lime. Rounded structure with a fresh-fruit-driven finish. Now to % The 2013 follows ref AZ-AU bottle 155 dozen Henschke Grandfather vines NEW Geoff Weaver Lenswood Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014 This is a great example of the elegance that can be achieved in Adelaide Hills with sauvignon. With fine gentle grapefruit and lemon flavours, this wine is fresh, vibrant but not OTT. A sophisticated alternative to the more intense Kiwi sauvignons. Drink this year and next. 12% ref AZ-AU bottle 179 dozen NEW Shaw and Smith M3 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2013 Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW began planting vineyards in cool-climate sites in the Adelaide Hills in the 1980s. Since then they have pioneered a more restrained style of Australian wine and the M3 chardonnay has been their flagship. With a great perfume of lemon, vanilla and chalk, this wine has great elegance. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 288 dozen REDS The Society s Australian Shiraz With rounded tannins, plenty of juicy berry flavours and subtle black-pepper spice on the finish, this exclusive blend is made by Langhorne Creek experts Bleasdale especially for The Society. 14.5% ref AZ-AU bottle 83 dozen Grant Burge Benchmark Shiraz 2013 A lovely fruity, plump shiraz which makes for excellent everyday drinking. Matured in French and American oak for nine months which adds roundness and complexity. 14% ref AZ-AU bottle 87 dozen Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz- Cabernet 2013 Made by talented winemaker Adam Eggins in the beautiful Clare Valley, this wine has a ripe and generous blackberry and blackcurrant nose with vanilla overtones. Juicy and soft with intense dark fruit and mocha flavours developing on the finish. Perfect for barbecues, ribs and roasts. 13.5% ref AZ-AU bottle 90 dozen To order thewinesociety.com/australia smartphone app

6 SOUTH AUSTRALIA WESTERN AUSTRA I finished my trip in Perth and drove down to Margaret River at dusk. This isn t the best time of day to make the journey due to the local kangaroos who are most active as the sun sets! The roos (which I was delighted to learn are called a mob when in a group) were not the only perils: while I was there an almighty storm blew through the region knocking over power lines, meaning that a number of my tastings were conducted by torch light. Vines ready for pruning AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ MIXED CASE A six-bottle case with free delivery containing a bottle of each of the following: Blind Spot Gundagai Shiraz 2013 The Society s Exhibition Victoria Shiraz 2011 Grant Burge Benchmark Shiraz 2013 ref AZ-MX1548 The Society s Australian Shiraz Leeuwin Siblings Margaret River Shiraz 2012 Billi Billi Grampians Shiraz However, the risks were well worth the trip. Western Australia has always produced a number of truly fine wines that age gracefully. Howard Park makes a return with a stunning cellarworthy riesling and look out for Leeuwin s new Siblings Shiraz which really offers plenty of bang for your buck! WHITES Madfish Great Southern Riesling 2014 Intense citrus burst on the nose, with plenty of juicy ripe lime flavours and a mouthwatering, whistle-clean finish. A great example of the quality of riesling currently coming out of Great Southern. 12% ref AZ-AU bottle 107 dozen Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 A classic Coonawarra cabernet with ripe but firm tannins to support the pure black-fruit core. This estate is home to the Hamilton family one of the original winemaking families in Australia and has long been renowned for its cabernet sauvignon. 13.5% ref AZ-AU17441 NEW Bleasdale The Broad-Side Langhorne Creek Shiraz-Cabernet- Malbec 2012 This blend of 43% shiraz, 37% cabernet sauvignon and 20% malbec delivers a juicy blackberry-powered nose, with a concentrated palate backed by ripe tannins and a refreshing finish. 13.5% ref AZ-AU17421 Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Church Block 2012 The 2012 of this popular cabernet-shirazmerlot blend is full-bodied, smooth and juicy with black-fruit and mint aromas. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 131 dozen SC Pannell McLaren Vale Tempranillo- Touriga 2013 Stephen Pannell is one of the best and brightest of the new generation of Australian winemakers. This Iberian-inspired red has great character with generous strawberry and raspberry fruit on the nose. Savoury notes and plum flavours develop on the concentrated palate with a long finish. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 240 dozen NEW Henschke Henry s Seven Barossa SGM 2012 This blend of shiraz, grenache, mourvèdre and a touch of viognier is made using younger vines in the same vineyard as the worldfamous Hill of Grace. Dark crimson in colour with strawberry, blackcurrant and plum aromas on the nose. On the palate it has a very dense core of rich berry fruit, black olive and mocha, which are balanced by fresh acidity and crunchy tannins. Decant. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 264 dozen NEW Howard Park Great Southern Riesling 2010 An Australian cellar classic that ages beautifully. Razor-sharp freshness is well balanced by intense lemon and lime flavours. Wet flint and mineral depth develop on the finish, and will intensify with age. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 167 dozen Hay Shed Hill Margaret River Chardonnay 2013 The Hay Shed Hill vineyards were established in 1975 in the Willyabrup Valley high on the gravel ridge. Only the free-run juice is used to make this elegant wine, which shows classic lemon and green-apple notes. It is aged in French oak for 11 months which has added complexity and weight to the wine. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 167 dozen TO ORDER

7 IA Western Australia has always produced a number of truly fine wines that age gracefully. McHenry Hohnen Calgardup Brook Margaret River Chardonnay 2012 Made by local legend David Hohnen, of Cloudy Bay and Cape Mentelle fame, this is an exceptionally classy and elegant chardonnay from his Calgardup Brook vineyard in the southern reaches of Margaret River. The cooler vineyard site is reflected in the lemon citrus notes on this fresh, crisp chardonnay. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 216 dozen Robert Oatley Finisterre Mudgee Chardonnay 2013 Larry Cherubino only makes a few hundred cases of this wine each year. 100% is aged in new and used French oak barrels which shows on the toasty notes well balanced by generous apple and pear flavours. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 228 dozen REDS Pitchfork Margaret River Cabernet- Merlot 2012 Made by Hay Shed Hills in the Margaret River, this perfumed wine has blackcurrant and plum fruit with a hint of spice, which coupled with the firm tannins and fresh acidity makes this a pretty classy wine at an everyday price. Now to % The 2013 follows. ref AZ-AU16971 Plantagenet Omrah Great Southern Pinot Noir 2013 Textbook pinot noir: redcurrant and cherry scented with leather notes developing in the glass. Fresh acidity, fine tannins and plenty of red-berry fruit and spice on the palate. A great full-flavoured but elegant wine. Drink this year and next. 13.5% ref AZ-AU17791 NEW Leeuwin Siblings Margaret River Shiraz 2012 A new wine from Leeuwin that represents excellent value. Bright blackberry and plum fruit with a hint of black-pepper spice, and balanced fine acidity gives this shiraz an edge and drinkability more common in the Rhône. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 162 dozen Hay Shed Hill Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Classic Margaret River cabernet: pure cassis with a hint of eucalyptus on the nose. Fresh vibrant flavours, rounded tannins and intense blackberry with herbal notes developing on the finish. A great wine, which would benefit from decanting. Enjoy now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 174 dozen NEW Leeuwin Estate Prelude Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot 2010 A classic blend from a great producer in a wonderful vintage! Cassis and cedar notes developing crunchy black-fruit flavours and tannins on the firm but ripe palate. The intense fruit lingers on the finish and suggests this wine could age well for a few years still. Now to % ref AZ-AU bottle 240 dozen Cullen Margaret River Cabernet- Merlot 2012 Bright strawberry and cranberry aromas with fresh herbaceous notes developing in the glass. Intense cherry and red-berry fruit on the palate with fine but firm tannins and fresh acidity. This is one of Margaret River s, if not Australia s, most consistent fine wines and deservedly has something of a cult following. Will improve over the next 10 years, but is nonetheless delicious now, especially when decanted. 13.5% ref AZ-AU bottle 240 dozen FREE UK DELIVERY WHEN YOU ORDER AT LEAST 12 BOTTLES OR IF YOUR ORDER IS 75 OR MORE To order thewinesociety.com/australia smartphone app

8 MIXED CASES FREE UK DELIVERY THE EVERYDAY AUSTRALIAN REDS CASE A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following: Blind Spot Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2014 Blind Spot McLaren Vale Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro 2013 Grant Burge Benchmark Shiraz 2013 Pitchfork Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot 2012 Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Bleasdale The Broad-Side Langhorne Creek Shiraz-Cabernet- Malbec 2012 ref AZ-MX THE EVERYDAY AUSTRALIAN WHITES CASE A 12-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following: Blind Spot Margaret River Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2014 The Society s Unoaked Australian Chardonnay Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Marsanne 2012 Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon Growers Semillon 2012 ref AZ-MX THE AUSTRALIAN MIXED DOZEN A 12-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following: WHITE Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Viognier 2014 Bleasdale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2013 Hay Shed Hill Margaret River Chardonnay 2013 Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Verdelho-Sauvignon 2014 Blind Spot Margaret River Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2014 RED Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Church Block 2012 Leeuwin Siblings Margaret River Shiraz 2012 Warner s Corner Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Central Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Bleasdale The Broad-Side Langhorne Creek Shiraz-Cabernet- Malbec 2012 Pitchfork Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot 2012 ref AZ-MX SEE PAGES 3 AND 6 FOR MORE MIXED CASES This offer is open until Sunday 17th May, 2015 while stocks last. THE BEST OF AUSTRALIA MIXED CASE A six-bottle case containing a bottle of each of the following: WHITE Ocean Eight Verve Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2012 Geoff Weaver Lenswood Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014 McHenry Hohnen Calgardup Brook Margaret River Chardonnay 2012 RED SC Pannell McLaren Vale Tempranillo-Touriga 2013 Kooyong Massale Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2013 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot 2010 ref AZ-MX1552 Key - bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap new vintage 109 THE SOCIETY S PROMISE Uncork with confidence The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise To order thewinesociety.com/australia CHALLENGE 2014 WINE CLUB OF THE YEAR