Winery Feature: Wirra Wirra Vineyards - McLaren Vale, SA

With Paul Ippolito

The name, Wirra Wirra is an Aboriginal one that translates to the phrase “amongst the gums”. The Wirra Wirra winery located in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia was first purchased by cousins Greg and Roger Trott in 1969. Since then the Wirra Wirra wine experience has truly been set in motion and not looked back since. Today, the Wirra Wirra brand name denotes one of Australia’s most recognised  wineries with its array of high quality, well crafted and yet relatively affordable wines.

Having recently had an opportunity to taste some of their newly released wines, the whites from the Adelaide Hills region and McLaren Vale reds, both from the RGT Collection of Wirra Wirra, a range named in honour of its founder, the late Richard "Greg" Trott, it was timely for me to convey my impressions to you about some seriously good wines are on the market from Wirra Wirra.

Respected Wirra Wirra winemaker Samantha Connew and newly appointed CEO, Andrew Kay are justifiably proud of these new releases. What comes through as a theme across the wines are the legacy of the late founder Greg Trott's way of doing things which was all about passion, having fun, knowing when to be serious, being not afraid to be unique and inspiring such in the making of quality wine.

Here are my thoughts on the new releases.

Hiding Champion Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Stunningly aromatic, gorgeously so. Resonating tropical fruits abound. Hints of capsicum and gooseberry also ensue. A really wonderful fruit driven wine that says drink me now. Soft and well rounded, with lively fresh acidity on the finish. Deliciously drinking. Try it with ceviche of kingfish.

Drink Now. About $22.

The Lost Watch Riesling 2007

Tight and minerally at first, full of wet stones. Then it opens up with pear and lemons and a delightful toastiness. Elegant and soft acidity with a delicious well rounded mouthfeel. Quite balanced for a young Adelaide Hills wine but has the goods for a long future. Try it with seafood risotto.

Drink to 2017 plus. About $17.

The 12th Man Chardonnay 2006

Quite a big upfront blustery well oaked Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. Classic stonefruits and honeydew melon characters. Barrel fermented as well. Quite a robust fullsome wine yet with a soft creamy finish that makes it attractive drinking on its own or with grilled quail.

Drink Now to 2010. About $26.

Catapult Shiraz Viognier 2005

Pure spicy blackberry and plums abound. Aromatically so with a touch of apricot and a hint of earthiness. A silky mouthfeel with tight fine tannins, good well melded oak all integrating with the fresh ripe fruit characters to provide a highly drinkable well blended red wine. Try this with oven roasted lamb shanks.

Drink Now to 2012 plus.  $23 - Cellar Door Only.

Woodhenge Shiraz 2005

Deep rich and ripe black and red fruits. Think blackberries, mulberries, spicy plums and raspberries. Satiny smooth well melded oak, firm but integrated. Seamless tannins, finely tuned. A delicious mouthfeel, velvety fruit but balanced with fresh acidity giving it vitality. Black liquorice, dried herbs and a hint of aniseed add to its complexity and provide a savoury dimension, but it remains a very solid robust fruit focussed wine with a long future ahead of it. Try it with Wagyu beef.

Drink to 2020 plus. About $30. 

Read more of Paul Ippolito’s wine writing at www.paulippolito.com.au

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