Banjos Run Cabernet Merlot 2009 & Usual Suspects McLaren Vale Shiraz 2010
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Banjos Run
Cabernet Merlot
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Three years ago Bill Hall retired after more than 40 years in real estate in
Sydney to re-settle in the pleasant Southern Highlands of NSW - not to take up
bowls or bridge, but to go into business again, buying and rejuvenating an old
vineyard and putting out his own wine label.
And his Banjo's Run, named after a horse owned by his daughter who also resides
in the Highlands, is already proving a hit with lovers of cool-climate wines,
finding itself onto wines lists in select local restaurants and even in Sydney,
and with cellar door sales increasing weekly as word gets around.
Bill tends to the vineyard at Exeter himself, and interestingly uses a number of
different winemakers to make his wines on contract, rather than taking a one
maker makes-all approach. He's already got a couple of Chardonnays, a Pinot
Noir, Cabernet Merlot, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and
a spritzy Cabernet Franc Merlot from his old vineyard, that's flourishing under
his care in this growing boutique cool-climate region so close to Sydney.
The 2009 Cabernet Merlot combines ripe blackcurrant fruit and plum jam flavours
with nice savoury tannins, and is a delightful wine to enjoy with winter-time
beef dishes, or any-time Thai foods; its good buying at $24 a bottle from his
cellar door ($264 a case plus freight) - give Bill a ring on 0408 228 724 to
discuss this and others in his range, or go onto www.banjosrun.com.au
One For Lunch:
Hesketh's 2010 Usual Suspects McLaren Vale Shiraz is a wine to enjoy now, or to
pop away in the cellar for anything up to another five or six years.
A wine that's had time in both American and French oak, it's generous with
flavours of ripe blackberries, milk coffee, cocoa and dark chocolate, and a
little hint of typical Shiraz white pepper. Pay $19.95 and match this lovely
drop with a hearty Spaghetti Bolognaise.
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