Wine of The Week - D'Arenberg Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2004

d’Arenberg is one of McLaren Vale’s most renowned producers. Famous for their cult Shiraz, Dead Arm, they also specialize in making wine from other hot climate grapes, notably Grenache. Although the grape is normally blended with Shiraz and Mourvedre it is less frequently, as in this wonderful example, bottled as a single varietal.

The name comes from the abandoned vineyards found by Chester Osborne, d’Arenberg’s chief winemaker, while searching for more grapes. He found the hardy vines growing very well amongst the wild bracken and long grasses. The plants had survived without irrigation for nearly two decades after a government vine pulling scheme in the 1980s left many vineyards scrubbed up or left fallow in an attempt to limit production. The result are vines with exceptionally low yields producing very small concentrated grapes with intense flavor and color.

Although not registered organic, d’Arenberg’s employs minimal impact practices. Legumes are planted alongside vines in alternate rows to help draw nitrogen into the ground naturally and to help prevent the growth of weeds. Sprays are occasionally used, but only when it is necessary to protect against major crop losses. Their consumption of water is also kept to a minimum with the Grenache in the once derelict vineyards continuing to be dry grown.

With a few years bottle ageing the 2004 still has lots vibrant ripe red and black fruit. The fruity character is really at the heart of this wine, with hints of citrus, orange peel and spice coming through on the finish. The mouth feel is gorgeous, a juicy texture backed by very subtle fine tannins and a refreshing acidity that has kept so much life in this wine. It was at home beside the barbeque, a juicy garlic and herb marinated skirt steak was a mouthwatering accompaniment. Overall I thought it was a highly pleasurable and approachable wine, perfect for drinking with friends.

Felix Milner

Wine of The Week - John Duval Plexus MRV 2010

Australia is of course best known for making Shiraz, or Syrah as it is known in its traditional home in the Rhone Valley in France. The Ozzies have now also borrowed a few white grapes from the Rhone too. Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, which typically go into making white Chateauneuf du Pape, are proving very successfully on the other side of the world as well.

Prior to starting his own label in 2003, John Duval spent most of his career with Penfolds, as their Chief wine-maker since 1986. As well as producing their everyday wines, he was responsible for keeping Grange on its pedestal as one of the most famous wines of the new world.

The Plexus MRV is a terrific example of restrained wine making. 50 percent of the wine, including Marsanne and Viognier but not Roussane, finishes its fermentation and ages for 7 months in French Oak (7% new oak). This measured use allows the juice to develop incredible depth of flavour and structure not normally attributed to white wine. It has vibrant aromas of stone fruit and citrus lifting from the glass. The Marsanne and Roussane contribute flavours of pear and citrus while the Viognier adds an exotic edge of mandarins and spice, reminiscent of ginger, allspice and fennel.

We drank this wine with a spring vegetable risotto, a pairing that turned out very well. Each component helped express the other, and it was one of those rare occasions where the combination results in an experience greater than the total of its parts.

Felix Milner

Wednesday 18th In-Store Tasting: Three Brunello's & A Super Tuscan

We missed off this weeks tasting in the Cellar Club Newsletter, but don't worry we're still doing one and quite a tasting it will be.

Why not come in and stay out of the torrential rain? Sample these spectacular wines that we have on sale during our usual tasting hours, between 5pm & 8pm, see you here.

Aglieta Brunello di Montancino 2006 Retail: $79.99 Sale: $59.99

Mate Brunello di Montancino 2004 Retail: $59.99 Sale: $49.99

Ornellaia le Serre Nuove 2008 Retail $69.99 Sale: $59.99

Mate Brunello di Montancino 2005 Retail: $59.99 Sale: $49.99

Wine of The Week - Aglieta Pomo IGT 2006

The Pomo is a Super Tuscan made by the late Roberto Aglieta, who unfortunately passed away after the 2008 harvest. Aglieta’s approach was to keep intervention in the cellar to a minimum and use new oak and international varieties judiciously to only enhance the natural qualities of the terroir of Montalcino, and this masterfully light touch will be sorely missed. A blend consisting of 90 percent Sangiovese and 10 percent Merlot has stayed Tuscan at heart. The Sangiovese’s bright cherry and earthy tones are eloquently displayed on the nose. The merlot steps in on the palate with plump summer fruit, black cherries and bitter-sweet chocolate that lasts in the mouth. At the moment it is a youthful and energetic wine. The wine benefits from a little rapid oxygenation, saving a few glasses for the following evening showed what potential it has for a little bottle ageing. The boisterous element had calmed down, still expressing lots of rich fruit but with more sumptuous sweet spice and tobacco leaf forming a terrific, voluptuous long finish.

Drappier Grande Sendrée 2002

This is a prestige cuvée from a little known family run Champagne house located in the sleepy village of Urville in the Côte Des Bar, Champagne’s most southerly region, 75 to 90 miles South East of Epernay. The climate changes significantly as you make this short step south, semi continental, it has warmer Summer and Fall days while the evenings cool off retaining the grapes natural acidity. Drappier owns a 100 acres vineyard of Pinot Noir that sits on the same strata of mineral laden Kimmeridgian soil that the vines of Chablis and Sancerre grow so well on further south in Burgundy and the Loire.

The name Sendrée has an interesting history. A ferocious fire hit the Urville in the 1850s reducing the trees and shrubs to cinders. Afterwards the Drappiers planted a vineyard on the raised sloped above the village that became known as Les Cendrées (The Cinders). The family did not start bottling vintages from the Grande Sendrée until 1974 by which time an error had been made in the registration of the title of the vineyard replacing the “c” for and “s”.

The Grande Sendrée 2002 is made up of 55 percent Pinot Noir from their own vineyard and 45 percent Chardonnay bought under a long standing contract from a top grower based in Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, which as it happens is where the best Chardonnay within Champagne is cultivated.

It has all the components one would expect from a prestige cuvée. In the glass it is glistening gold with a tinge of copper. The nose displays freshly baked brioche and croissant while balanced by aromas of stewed apple and quince. The fruit follows through in the mouth in a full and rich fashion, comparable to a fat Meursault in terms of texture. It is instantly lifted by the delicate mouse from the tiny beaded bubbles of C0₂. The finish pulls away slowly, with a very elegant stoney and mineral dimension. Priced at $79.99, for this level of quality, when compared to its counterparts from the larger producing Champagne houses, it is very good value for money.