Tasting Notes and Price List June 2016

Transcription

1 Tasting Notes and Price List June 2016 De Beaurepaire Wines is a family-owned single-estate producer of French-style wines. The grapes are sourced exclusively from our 53 hectare vineyard at Rylstone, which is 50 kilometres south-east of Mudgee. Temperatures similar to Tasmania, and limestone-rich, alkaline soil-structures (rare in Australia) produce growing conditions nearly identical to Champagne and Burgundy in France. The wines are produced by selected top wine-makers to reflect these exceptional conditions. Our objective is to produce wines which are elegant, structured, very food-friendly and capable of substantial bottle improvement over time.

2 2013 Le Chevalier Merlot Cabernet Petit Verdot RRP: $27/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) This wine is a blend of three classic Bordeaux varieties - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Merlot for middle palate and depth, Cabernet for brightness and acid and Petit Verdot for colour and grip. Australia s most famous blend, Penfolds Grange, is an example of blending and the art of the Winemaker being much like a Chef. Combining characteristics of each ingredient to form a partnership that enhances each component for an effect that is greater than the sum of the parts. Le Chevalier takes its name from the Knights of our heritage defending the borders of France and Burgundy. Merlot: 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon: 40%, Petit Verdot: 20% Alcohol 13.6% Winemaker: Jacob Stein Tasting notes The colour is a vibrant red with purple hues and displays ripe red berry and blackcurrant aromas. The palate is long with berry, chocolate and spice characters with integrated French oak, and has a soft, ripe, balanced tannin finish. When matching food and wine, transitions should be factored in, and to this end this wine can be an excellent solution for the central part of your meal covering at least two courses. This wine is well suited to classic beef, game or lamb roasts or stews like Côte de Boeuf or Pauillac Lamb. Stronger cheeses like Roquefort, Camembert and Brie work well with the tannins.

3 2015 Le Marquis Cabernet Sauvignon RRP:$27/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) *Painting is of our ancestor, Marquis Jean-Baptiste Joseph de Beaurepaire, Knight of Malta and Saint-Louis, born % Cabernet Sauvignon which produces brightness and acid for a full palate. Fermented traditionally in open vats with 15% whole berries. The final maturation is in 2 and 3 year old French barriques for 12 months. Winemaker: Jacob Stein The Year Started dry with summer rains, with dry, hot temperatures preharvest producing good ripening of fruit. Tasting Notes Deep crimson with medium tannins showing excellent length. The palate has dense forest fruit, cassis and dark chocolate flavours with a blueberries and blackberries bouquet. Cellaring Extended bottle improvement and oak generate cellaring potential up to 20 years. The rarer a steak, the more it will lessen the tannins of youthful Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to medium-rare steaks, pork tenderloin or lamb chops will work well with the bright acidity together with a spicy or rich sauce with a selection of broccoli rabe, grilled radicchio, roasted brussel sprouts and a luxurious mash with plenty of butter and cream. A chef s favourite is a spice encrusted barbequed butterflied leg of lamb which included salt, rosemary and cumin in the spicy mix. Curries and other spicy dishes like Mexican will also pop in the mouth with a great Cabernet Sauvignon.

4 2016 Pinot Noir preview A preview of what s in store for the 2016 vintage 2016 Blanchefleur Pinot Noir Between 1181AD and 1190AD, Chrétien de Troyes, the inventor of the modern romance novel wrote the first recorded story of the legend of the Holy Grail. It followed the trials and tribulations of the young knight, Percival, on his quest to find the Fisher King and the Holy Grail. On his journey he rescues and fall in love with his mentor s niece, Blanchefleur de Beaurepaire who was under siege at her castle. This Pinot Noir is a return to De Beaurepaire Wines Burgundian roots and is a nod to a truly legendary romance. Due to the similarity of the soils and temperature (i.e. the terroir) between our estate vineyard at Rylstone and the Burgundy region, what better way to reflect what is past is present and will be into the future. Available in late 2016.

5 2015 Le Bourbon Rosé RRP: $27/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) Le Bourbon takes its name from the Commandant Beaurepaire (Bourbon) Rose, which has light pink, fragrant flowers with flecks of purple and scarlet. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, retaining good acid levels and emphasising flavour. Alcohol: 13.5% The Year: The 2015 Vintage Season started off dry, but summer rains put a premium on careful canopy management. Tasting Notes: It has a clear, bright colour and presents aromas of red berries and fresh rhubarb. On the palate, it has a soft and subtle strawberry and citrus core with a clean, off-dry full palate with real length and persistence. : This wine will work with a robust selection of seafood and vegetables, like smoked salmon or grilled prawns and roast red peppers, yet matched with a salad niçoise. Other possible matches include Coq au Vin and pork rillettes. A slowcooked ratatouille with plenty of olive oil will similarly work well on your palate. Rosé is also perfect with fresh berries.

6 2015 Billet Doux Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc RRP: $27/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) In France from 1670, Billet Doux were sent between lovers sharing their desires and affection, much like the romantic combination of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc found in this traditional French viniferous liaison. The Semillon cools the passionate Sauvignon Blanc producing a perfect love match for your palate. A traditional crisp, dry blend found in the Graves district of Bordeaux. The blend is endowed with vibrant acidity and grassy aromas from the Sauvignon Blanc and the structure and mouthfeel from the Semillon. The wine is 93% cool climate Semillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc, retaining good acid levels and flavour. Pale straw in colour. Alcohol: 11.5% The Year Started dry, but summer rains made careful canopy management vital. The Palate Tropical notes and a lingering crisp finish. Tasting Notes The bouquet has fresh lemon/lime notes with herbaceous hints. Cellaring Will improve in the bottle for at least 4 years. Beautifully matched with fresh seafood, antipasti and fresh goat s cheese or grilled scallops served with a dash of lime juice, fresh ginger and coriander. For vegetarians, works wonders with buffalo mozzarella, vine ripened tomatoes, basil and olive oil.

7 2015 La Comtesse Chardonnay RRP: $27/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) *Painting is of our ancestor, Comtesse Marie-Louise de Beaurepaire, by Louis Michel Van Loo, 1766 The limestone rich sandy-loam alkaline soils of our ultra-cool climate estate vineyard are very closely aligned with the terroir of the Chablis appellation of Burgundy, where great French Chardonnays are made. This wine has been crafted in the Chablis-Chardonnay style to produce a wine acceptable to even the most refined palate, hence its name, La Comtesse. An elegant, rich and complex wine, with a soft mouth feel and a crisp, clean finish. Alcohol: 14% The Year Started dry, but summer rains made careful canopy management vital. The Bouquet and Palate Aromas of honeydew melon, ripe nectarine and quince with a hint of lemon zest and vanilla oak follow through onto the palate. Cellaring Underlying oak structure for extended cellaring. Like the Chablis-appellation of Burgundy, our vineyard resides on an ancient coast line accentuating Chardonnay s perfect match with all kinds of raw shellfish, and especially oysters, and fish (like sashimi and sushi). Simply cooked shellfish dishes such as spaghetti alla vongole or moules marinieres. Alternatively, think snails or pawns in garlic butter, or fish pies or stews with creamy sauces. Vegetarian terrines and smooth vegetable-based soups for the nonmeat eater.

8 2009 Victor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon RRP: $45/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) Victor is the pinnacle of De Beaurepaire Wines and is a true Reserve with a minimum 7 years from bottling to release. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented traditionally in open vats, the final maturation was in 2 and 3 year old French barriques for 15 months prior to bottling in July/August Alcohol 13.7% Tasting Notes A full bodied, yet elegant cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon with complex aromatics of classic eucalypt, menthol blackcurrant and earthy elements. A full varietal palate of cassis, spicy coffee and cedar with fine-grained lengthy tannins and a long flavoursome finish with. A stellar vintage producing remarkable fruit. Despite the flavour intensity, it is a structured and elegant wine. Juicy tannins, intensity and length yet kept in check by the fact that the fruit is grown in a cool climate which balances natural acids with sugars. There is none of the often herbaceous character in this wine (nor in our other cabernets), as we have focussed on achieving full ripeness in the vineyard. Allow this wine the benefit of decanting. It will pay dividends as you watch the butterfly emerge over time. An investment in cellaring will also reward as well. Best have a few on hand. Roasted pork, lamb or beef dishes that capitalise on caramelisation of fats and juices with a sturdy well-made jus (or gravy) will sing hallelujah! Accompany with the sweetness of quality roasted potato and onions and you will be in epicurean heaven. Wonderful with a rich paté pre or post dinner.

9 2009 Leopold Shiraz-Viognier RRP: $45/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) Leopold is another pinnacle wine produced by De Beaurepaire Wines. It is held back for a minimum of 5 years before being released to the market. : A traditional blend of the Côte Rôtie Appellation of the northern Rhône Valley, where it is customary to add a small proportion of Viognier to enhance the scent and stability of the Shiraz (Syrrah). Think 100 point wine producer, Marcel Guigal's La Turque and La Mouline. Shiraz: 95%, Viognier: 5% Alcohol: 14% Tasting Notes Bouquet is complex with rich mulberry, liquorice and black berry aromas. Rich berry fruit driven palate with soft, smooth tannins with hints of the white pepper. Traditional co-fermentation (as required by law in the Côte Rôtie AOC) in open vats and maturation in a combination of new and seasoned French hogsheads form an alliance between well integrated oak and fruit tannins to give a lingering, soft finish. Will benefit from cellaring out beyond 2019, however as it is a Reserve and already 6 years of age, it already demonstrates many of the great characteristics of a well-aged wine. Decant. Vin et Gastonomie A simple pan seared pork tenderloin with a soy and maple syrup glaze, and stir fried broccolini would be delicious. Also, venison, ripe cheese, terrine and pasta.

10 2013 Coeur d Or Botrytis Semillon RRP: $35/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) Gold Medal & Top Australian Dessert Wine, 2015 Six Nation Wine Challenge, October Points, 4.5 Stars (Huon Hooke, September 2014) Best Semillon Dessert Wine in NSW & Overall Top 10 Semillon Wine in NSW (Huon Hooke, September 2015) : Coeur d'or ("Heart of Gold") Botrytis Semillon, is a very luscious but refreshing Dessert Wine made from Botrytised Semillon grapes picked on our vineyard in early April It has been lightly matured in premium French oak. 100% Semillon Alcohol: 10.5% Tasting Notes: "Deep golden colour with an amber tint; malt and toffee aromas plus marmalade, and the wine appears to be quite aged. It's very sweet and deliciously fruity in the mouth, with freshness and clean acidity in proper balance with the other elements. Lovely wine, forward-developed and now mature". Huon Hooke Golden yellow in colour, aromas of quince, apricot and floral notes. A rich palate with a long lingering finish. This is supposed to be a dessert wine, but the beautiful residual sugars and rich palate means it could replace your entire dinner.. However, it is a perfect combination with cheese plates and any dessert. Enjoy - we do!

11 2013 Blanc de Blancs (Sparkling Chardonnay) RRP: $30/bottle (5% discount Half Case, 10% discount Full Case) Blanc de Blanc Champagnes are the pinnacle of Champagnes in France - they are regarded as the finest and most delicate of all. They are made from 100% Chardonnay grapes (rather than Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier). However, awareness is low as the supply of Chardonnay grapes in the Champagne region is limited and as such, reserved for Champagnes that are priced into the stratosphere. The most famous examples of Blanc de Blanc's from Champagne are Salon (the most expensive champagne in the world), Krug's Clos du Mesnil, Tattinger's Comtes de Champagne, Pol Roger's Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart. 100% chardonnay grapes and is made through the traditional Charmat Methode. Alcohol: 13% Tasting Notes A sparkling wine with a very fine bead (small bubbles), elegant finesse and lingering citrus fruit on a dry palate. Fresh and lively. A wine for all occasions, yet best fits a lovely pre-dinner drink or, even better, a celebration or party.