Out Of The Bottle

With David Ellis

2009 Shaw Semillon Sauvignon Blanc & 2007 Cabernet Malbec

A one-time sheep station in the now-Canberra wine region is proving that it’s equally at home producing fine wines as it was when it once produced some of Australia’s finest wool.

Shaw Estate Vineyard is a 280ha property at Murrumbateman, and with 32ha of this devoted to vines is the largest privately-owned vineyard in the Canberra wine region.

And interestingly its showing that its not just the Hunter that can create some of NSW’s best Semillons: a 2009 Shaw Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is a rewarding drop with beautifully intense crisp lemony and passionfruit flavours from the 85-per cent Semillon component, and herbaceousness from the Sauvignon Blanc.

Although planted just over ten years ago, Shaw Vineyard is turning out some rewarding wines, with Graeme Shaw saying Canberra’s cool nights help vines retain acidity, while its warm days assist full fruit ripeness and intensity of flavour.

Pay $22 for the Shaw 2009 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy with an end of summer prawn salad served with a home-made mayonnaise-based dip and warm crusty baguettes.

One For Lunch

Western Australia’s Houghton has dedicated a 2007 Cabernet Malbec to its late-1800’s winemaker, Charles William Ferguson.

And doubtless if he was around today, Charles would be delighted with the compliment, and the quality of the wine: 2007 was a good year for reds in WA, and this one – predominantly Cabernet from Frankland River with the touch of Malbec from Mt Barker – has resulted in a wine with great fruit flavour and  nice oak. At $49 enjoy with special-occasion steak and bacon tournedos.

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