Out Of The Bottle

With David Ellis

McWilliam 1877 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

McWilliam's have released their 2005 flagship 1877 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, a classic wine for that classic very special occasion or celebration.

Labelled 1877 after the year that Samuel McWilliam planted his first vines at Corowa in the NSW Murray Basin, this latest release has been created from premium fruit from some of the best vineyards at Heathcote in Victoria, Hilltops in NSW and South Australia’s Coonawarra.

First crafted in 1998 in homage to six generations of winemaking at McWilliam’s, the wine’s had extraordinary success on the show circuit, in its brief seven-year history notching-up eight trophies and 56 gold medals.

The 2005 is wonderfully rich with blood plum, black spice, mint and cassis from the Cabernet Sauvignon component, and softness and a beautifully savoury finish from the Shiraz contribution.

Worth the $85 price to make that very special occasion all the more memorable.

One For Lunch

We've long been unabashed fans of Lillypilly’s unusual Red Velvet that was launched by Robert Fiumara and his late brother Dominic in 1985 – a time when eyebrows were raised at the mere suggestion of an Australian-made red that was both slightly sweet and (horror of horrors) intended to be served chilled for quaffing at summer parties or barbecues.

And even more adventurous was the blend, not one or two varieties brought together in the bottle, but an amazing twelve that many had never even heard of: Merlot, Carignane, Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel, Saint Magaire, Tarrango, Durif, Touriga, Mondeuse, Chambourcin, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2009 is as good as the blend’s ever been, a light quaffer to enjoy chilled – or even with ice cubes and soda water – and its only $13.50. Give it a try.

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