Wines Of The Week
Margan Merlot 2011 from Broke in the Hunter Valley, NSW & sparkling Midnight Cuvee 2009 from the Pyrenees near Melbourne
What was a less than an ideal start to a growing season turned out to produce an excellent Merlot. The season was one of mildew for the growing period and several severe storms which destroyed much of the leaf canopy and ripped away some of the fruit as well.
That all happened to Andrew Margan on his vineyard at Broke in Hunter Valley, NSW in 2011. The upside, according to Margan, was that the fruit harversted had a wonderful concentration of tannins, colour and flavour that has all been replicated in the Margan Merlot 2011.
The interesting thing about the vines at the Margan vineyard was that they were grown from root stock rather then being grafted. Andrew said the locals were sceptical but he is glad he grew the fruit this way as he has been well rewarded by the quality of the fruit and hence wine.
Andrew's 2011 Merlot has a marvelous, fresh, fruit-driven palate with forward mulberry and plum flavours and a dainty spice. This vintage can be enjoyed immediately or put down in the cellar to let it develop the Hunter regional earthy complexity.
A wine to complement a meal of spaghetti and meatballs or a meatloaf soaked in tomato and costs $20.
A Glass For Lunch
It was the French Champagne houses Charles Heidsieck & Krug who founded the Blue Pyrenees in 1963 in the region of the same name located 180km to Melbourne's north-west. They have done wonders with their signature sparkling Midnight Cuvee.
The havesting of the fruit of their 2009 vintage, their latest, continued the tradition of being picked by hand under the luminosity of a full moon. This was done to avoid any damage to the fruit if harvested during the heat of the day.
This is a great drop at $32 to be served well chilled at any celebration. Try it with creamy scrambled eggs topped with caviar on a warm crunchy baguette for a weekend brunch.
