Wine Australia 2006 - Ten To Check Out
July 9th, 2006
Wine Australia is this coming weekend in Sydney and with hundreds of exhibitors, even those of us who are going on all four days will probably not get to see all the producers on show.
With that in mind, here are ten producers that caught my eye and that I think are worth taking a look at. Of course there are many more that are very worthy, so please feel free to post any of your own recommendations in the comments.
Bass Phillip Wines (Gippsland, Victoria) - STAND: 560A
Phillip Jones of Bass Phillip is considered by some to be the best, and perhaps the most Burgundy influenced producer of Pinot Noir in Australia.
Castagna (Beechworth, Victoria) - STAND 561A
At the last Wine Australia two years ago, I tried to engage Julian Castagna in conversation without success. Perhaps I just caught him on a bad day, but the quality of the wines speak for themselves.
Charles Melton Wines (Barossa Valley, South Australia) - STAND 472A
Home to one of my favourite Australian Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre blends (Nine Popes) and one of my favourite Rose wines (Rose of Virginia) the wines are well worth trying.
Curly Flat Vineyard (Macedon Ranges, Victoria) - STAND 528A
Right among the very top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers in Australia recently.
Hoddles Creek Estate (Yarra Valley, Victoria) - STAND 562E
The producers of what have to be some of the best value wines on the market today. Yarra Valley Chardonnay and Pinot with style and interest, both providing change from $20.
Petaluma (Coonawarra, South Australia) - STANDS 414, 431 & 455
It will be interesting to see what happens to Petaluma with the recent departure of Brian Croser, who had been at the helm for 30 years - but the quality across the range at the moment is superb.
Pierro (Pemberton, Western Australia) - STAND: Not Listed
The Chardonnay can be polarising with its monumental stature and the LTC blend is almost the opposite with its delicate structure.
Pirie Tasmania (Tasmania) - STAND 525A
The new venture from Andrew Pirie, who was one of the founders of the Tasmanian wine industry through establishing Pipers Brook in the mid 1970s. I haven’t tried these new wines, but am looking forward to doing so.
Tyrrell’s (Hunter Valley, New South Wales) - STAND 438A
A Hunter Valley institution and home to some of the most underrated wines in Australia. Their Vat 1 Semillon is a national treasure.
Woodlands (Margaret River, Western Australia) - STAND 516
A winery that has a large buzz surrounding it in the past couple of years through some excellent reviews from wine critics and positive feedback from various wine forums. They are sure to be a popular stand based on some exceptional reviews for four of their wines from Jeremy Oliver in the past few weeks.
July 10th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
There was no doubt that a bit of a cult status surrounded Bass Phillip wines when they first came on the market. Unfortunately Phillip Jones wines were largely unavailable for many years, despite the good press he was receiving. They could be had in certain restaurants, but not from any wine retailer that I knew of.
There was the odd taste at wine shows, but it can be difficult to form an opinion at such venues. When I eventually tracked down a bottle, it was a tad disappointing, though it wasn’t the premium or reserve wine.
I have the opinion that his marketing is very clever, but still I would like to see his wines, premium and/or reserve, in a flight of wines of the same reputation.
There must be something about Beechworth, for I had a similar problem to you at Castagna, when I went to see Rick Kinzbrunner at Giaconda. I will never forget his first words to me, “How did you find me?” It got no better from there. This was before he was really famous.
I agree with you about Tyrells wines. They do deserve better recognition. The semillons are always outstanding across the range and I certainly have a soft spot for their shiraz, it’s absolutely unique.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:37 am
Hi Tanked,
Thinking back, I have had a fair number of disappointing wines and vintage variation from Bass Phillip wines as well (here is a good chance to take a cheap shot at Burgundy that I won’t use).
I’m not sure if he’ll show his Reserve and Premium Pinot (or if they’ll even be under the table) - but my thoughts behind including him in this ten is that I think he will be a source of some interesting conversation and probably some slightly unique “out-there” style wines (I think he may be showing his Gamay).
August 12th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
The Premium was on the table, the Reserve was under the table along with his excellent Gerwertz. Strong line up and after a few dissapointing experiences i must admit his wines were A grade.
August 20th, 2006 at 4:01 am
Cam,
A quick note on Wine Aus.
Beechworth: Castagna’s wines were excellent, if a little difficult to access for the crowds of sommeliers. For good priced Beechworth Smith’s Vineyards showed cracker wines without the price attitude of the rest of Beechworth. Star Lane Shiraz was a belter!
Bass Phillip: I find it less than simple to analyse Bass Phillip wines. They do my head in! I want so very badly to love these wines, but find the concept of the reserve etc to be challenging. Maybe this is Phillip’s agenda. You can’t open a bottle and not be moved to an opinion. I have had bottles of extraordinary complexity & character, but I have also had bottles of a less-than-pleasant nature.