Bounders' Diary Part Two

Here's the second instalment from the Bounders' trip to Australia ...

Wednesday 23rd February - Barossa Valley

Peter Lehmann Wines
Stand-out wines were the 2005 Margaret Barossa Semillon which had just won at the Royal Sydney Wine Show, 2005 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling and the 2006 Stonewell Shiraz (Andrew Wigan said next to the ’98 best he had seen). Also worth a mention the Lehmann Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz.

Tony – last few bottles of Wigan 04 still in our warehouse (Eight Golds to its name and counting …)

LEHMANN WIGAN RIESLING EDEN VALLEY 04

And although we’ve stocked Black Queen before we’d recommend this red sparkler if that’s what you’re looking for – from McLaren Vale and highly original:

REDHEADS TOMAHAWK SPARKLING RED NV

Relaxed lunch with Andrew Wigan (great bloke), Tanya, Jeff and Paul. They made us feel welcome and Ailsa’s egg and bacon pie and rhubarb pudding were lovely. Andrew gave us the tour including the Semillon vines with misting devices to encourage botrytis.

Thursday 24th February - Barossa Valley and Clare Valley

Yalumba
Scott Washington took us on the tour and tasting including the only cooperage in the Southern hemisphere, as well as being the oldest family owned vineyard in Oz. The Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvee was one of the wines of the trip. Also good the Virgilius Viognier, Barossa Eden Valley Bush Vine Grenache, the Cigar Menzies 2007 and The Signature. The Patchwork was still tasting fantastic.

We’ve worked with Yalumba, Henschke and Grosset over the years although no wines in stock now. However, from the Barossa we do have an amazing old-vine Grenache from Langmeil who have vines going back to an 1843 ... incredible!

LANGMEIL BAROSSA GRENACHE 2010

Henschke Eden Valley
Tour and tasting with Melanie Keynes. Drove up to see the Hill of Grace Vineyard and the Gnadenberg Church both there since the 1860s. First vintage was 1865. Biodynamically produced wines. Beautiful old winery. Stephen Henschke popped in to introduce himself too. Stand out wines were the Louis Semillon 2008, Julius Riesling 2010 and the Mount Edelstone 2007. Tried Hill of Grace 2006 although the Hill of Roses 2006 was just as good at a third of the price.

Grosset Clare Valley
Tour and tasting with Jeff Grosset. Very excited about the 2011 vintage - could be his best since 1982 … Can complete his Riesling production in 10 days! Stand-out wines were the Polish Hill Riesling 2010 and Springvale Riesling 2010.

Skillogalee, Clare Valley
This was the find of the trip. Cellar door is an old stone cottage built in 1851 by a Cornish miner. Run by Dave and Diana Palmer who moved from the UK in 1989 and their son and daughter. Self-contained winery, hand-picked grapes, gentle ten-hour pressing. Tour and tasting with Dave … a lovely chap. Well-priced wines selling aound the £12 mark. Good Riesling, Gewurtz and Rosé, Take Two Shiraz Cabernet 2007 and the 2007 Shiraz good also. Stayed at Skillogalee house that night: a beautiful place.

Friday 25th February - Clare Valley

Jim Barry Wines
Tour with John Barry in his old Mercedes - as good a ride as a 4x4. Enjoyed a glass of Riesling overlooking the Armagh Valley. Tasting with his brother Peter. Two great blokes. The Lodge Hill Riesling just won best Riesling at the Royal Sydney Wine Show.

Pikes
Tour and tasting with Neil Pike. Nice guy with a boisterous black Labrador puppy. Enjoyed the EWP Shiraz 2001, the 2010 Merle Riesling and the 2010 Pikes Riesling. Good range.

Neil Pikes wines in stock – Clare Hills, Prospectors (Clare) and Lenswood (Adelaide Hills) are exclusively made for us :

PROSPECTOR'S RIESLING VIOGNIER 2010
CLARE HILLS SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC 09
LENSWOOD HILLS PINOT NOIR 09(IWC Gold medal winner)
PIKES EWP SHIRAZ 06 (97 Points James Halliday)

And the few last cases (5!) of his rare Tempranillo :

CLARE HILLS TEMPRANILLO 08

Saturday 26th February - Adelaide Hills

Bird in Hand
Tour and tasting with Justin Nugent. Climbed to the top of the old grain silos for wonderful views of Adelaide Hills. Produce their own olives and olive oil which are excellent. Good range of wines including the 2009 Nest Egg Chardonnay and 2008 Nest Egg Shiraz.

In stock now:

BIRD IN HAND NEST EGG CAB SAUV 2007 (packed in wood – last two cases)

Saturday night in Adelaide with Al Withers (ex Laithwaites) and chums. Checked out the Adelaide Fringe Festival at The Garden of Unearthly Delights. Had a great Thai meal, visited some interesting bars and took a walk down the infamous Hindley Street.