Words from a Wine Glass

We caught up with a small group of friends recently, all of whom have travelled.  ‘Extensively’ would not be quite right but they get about.  The discussions revolved around where in the world we had all seen (not that we have seen that much of it) but it quickly came back to how much of Australia we haven’t seen.  For my wife and I, it even got down to how much of Tassie (our home state) we are yet to explore.

Our friends know my interest in wine and the subject came up about the wine regions in Australia.  They all assumed I had been to them all.  When I mentioned how I had been to all except any of the regions in New South Wales, they were a bit shocked to say the least. One of the couples had been and, yes, they spoke of the more “well known” region in NSW, but they were very complimentary about Mudgee and surrounds.  Yep, Mudgee.  They said it just seemed more personal and intimate and not so touristy.

I know I’ve mentioned this before but, thanks to Dave Cumming of Define Wine, I now have more of an appreciation of the wineries of the Mudgee area and the wines being produced.  It is indeed on list of places we must visit, and sooner rather than later.

The first thing that captured my attention was the age of this wine.  It doesn’t resemble a five year old wine, certainly not when it comes to the colour and aromas.  It seems so fresh on both counts (apart from a slight earthy aroma on the nose).  There is a sweet fruit (blackcurrant?) note on the nose with a complimentary cedary oak character too.

There’s a lot to like with the flavours even if it is only medium bodied (and I mean this in a good way).  Rich black fruits, a plummy mid palate (I like this in a wine) and a licorice/fennel sort of influence as well as it trails off on a long, smooth finish.

Bearing in mind this is a quality, premium wine designed to be drunk with a bit of age, expect some tannin (quite delicate but showy) and oak at this point in it’s youth.  They are simply part of the structure of the wine and, at this adolescent part of its life, it’s doing very well considering.  To be fair to it and yourself, give it some time in a decanter.  Otherwise, may I suggest you buy some for your cellar.  It will reward patience.

Robert Stein Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $50     Source: Sample thanks to Robert Stein Wines and Define Wines

I caught up with a mate yesterday.  Admittedly, it had been a while mainly due to us both taking different paths in our lives a few years back but we always kept in touch in one way or another.  Anyway, we got talking and naturally wine came up in the conversation and, well, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather!  He said, and I quote, “I don’t like shiraz anymore, it’s just too strong for me.”  Now I accept that tastes change over time  but, as he reeled off the wines he “used to drink”, I had to tell him that things have changed since he last had a shiraz.  As it turns out, the timing of our catch up was perfect.  He and another mate are riding their motorcycles to New South Wales soon for one reason and one reason only; wine.  The Hunter Valley is one of their destinations and now Gartelmann Wines is on their list of places to visit.  I suggested he try all of their wines, but I specifically recommended he try this shiraz.  It’ll bring him back to the ‘shiraz’ fold for sure.

Definitely plums and blackberries on the nose with just a slight minty aroma.  Rich and dense flavours on the palate.  Dark fruits, blackcurrants are the fruits to look out for with something like plum pudding/black forest cake (but nowhere near as sweet) in there too and the oak has been very well played.  Tannins are a touch influential but thankfully the fruit is juicy and bold and this just adds to the nice long finish.  A really good wine!

Gartelmann Wines Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks to Gartelmann Wines and Define Wine

I would love to see the look on a winemaker’s face and her/his reaction and excitement at finding a barrel or two of something just that little bit special.  A wine that shows that extra ‘something’ about their vineyard.  I wonder if they would yell out to others to come see and taste, or would they look around furtively to see if anyone is looking then joyously jumping while punching the air before composing themselves and taking another sip just to check it again.

With all due respect to Tim Stevens, Winemaker at Huntington Estate, I don’t reckon he did any sort of jumping when he tasted a sample of this wine while in barrel.  Whichever way he decided to ‘celebrate’ his discovery,  he made the decision that,  “there were a couple of barrels” he “couldn’t blend away and so bottled (them) separately as a ‘Bin’ wine.”  Good decision Tim and thank you.

Looks divine, smells delicious, tastes great!  That about sums up this wine but there is more to it than that.  Allow me to continue.

The deep and dense colour from the core to the cusp got my attention immediately.  Swirl it about and that density is evident even on the nose, although a better word is probably richness.  Black fruits and plums are the obvious aromas for me and there’s some oak on show here too.  On the palate the oak is a little bit more obvious, but the lush blackberry and plum fruit are up to the challenge while a spicy element adds a nice touch.  To finish things off, it’s smooth and long with a creamy sort of mouthfeel. The tannins aren’t shy either.  This just shows how it portends well for it’s future development.

These “…small parcels of wine that offer an interesting difference to the core range of wines” could well prove to be a popular player in the Huntington Estate range.  I wouldn’t be at all surprised.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $32     Source: Sample thanks to Huntington Estate and Define Wine