Wine of the Week
First Creek Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay & Mandala Pinot Noir 2011
With only 12 years of history, First Creek Winery from the Hunter Valley fits clearly within the up-and-coming category, and it would have to be one of the valleys more exciting as well.
In 1996 Greg Silkman branched out on his own and established Allanmere Wines. Prior to that, and, after finishing his science degree at Newcastle University, he bought, in partnership, the Tamburlaine Winery. It was likely Greg would find himself in this career with his family being involved in the hotel industry on the New South Wales coast from as far back as he can remember.
In 1997 with a number of partners Greg purchased land at Pokolbin and set up First Creek Wine. In 2001 their first product came onto the market.
Currently there are three generations of the Silkman family running the company, with their chief Winemaker being Liz Silkman (nee Jackson) who has been in the role since 2009. Liz is Greg's daughter-in-law.
They have just released a Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay which is outstanding in the range on offer. This is a classic Chardonnay with a wonderfully seamless blend of white peach, lemon and rock melon on the palate and with beautifully intense creamy structure.
This wine may be enjoyed with whole snapper and with a side of roasted scalloped potatoes, tomatoes and onions, all thoroughly basted in garlic, parsley and lemon. The wine comes in at $40 a bottle.
A Glass For Lunch:
Located in Victoria's Yarra Valley is Mandala and they have just released an attractive, delicate and soft Pinot Noir 2011. The Company produced this one from their Yarra Junction Vineyard (80% of the fruit) and from their Dixon's Creek vineyard (20%).
Only the best 70% of the fruit was retained and used in the production of this wine to meet Mandala fastidious standards. Expect a hint of cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit flavours on the palate, fine oak tannins, agreeable acidity and savoury and earthy notes.
Coming in at $28 it goes well with roast duck served with chutney or a fruity sauce.
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