Wines of the Week
Ceres Hill White Label Barbera 2011 & Rymill Coonawarra Brut
"I hope no one likes it," may be considered a very strange comment to have been made by Hunter Valley wine maker Andrew Margen about his White Label Barbera 2011, that is, of course, if you didn't also hear his follow up comment, "so I can drink it all myself."
White Label
Barbera 2011
Well, unfortunately for him but fortunately for all lovers of a good wine, Andrew will miss out. This is a wine you can take to with enthusiasm after you've sampled it for the first time. It is pleasantly medium bodied, rich and ripe dark berry flavoured and with some earthiness and a bit of spice to the palate. With its long tannins and natural high acidity it fits naturally as a truly outstanding wine.
The fruit for this vintage was harvested from the Ceres Hill vineyard, this, their family vineyard, is right next to their Broke winery. Ceres Hill in 1998 was the first planted with Barabera vines in the Hunter Valley. The original Italian stock came from Mudgee's Montrose vineyard. White Label wines are considered Margan Family Winegrowers' outstanding vintages and this one fits the mold.
Priced at $40 enjoy it can be enjoyed with with the heartier beef dishes including, with Winter just around the corner, a meaty steak pie. It is little wonder Andrew declared that he prays he “could achieve exactly this every year” and it explains his desire that no one will like it so he can keep all his 2011 Barbera to himself, but his wish simply won’t be fulfilled.
A Glass For Lunch
Sandrine Gimon, Rymill Coonawarra’s Senior Winemaker, is another who has added the word <em>favourite</em> to their Rymill Coonawarra Brut. He said, “I have a soft spot for sparkling after my vintages in Champagne,” says Gimon. She can brag about having trained at Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and studied in Reim neither of which are mean feats.
She declared that, “As soon as I tasted the Coonawarra fruit on coming here, I knew that stunning sparkling wines could be created here too.” The Brut is a blend of 82% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir and is made in the traditional method. This wine is one all about characteristics that shine and flavour. It comes in at $25 a bottle and is the perfect bubbly for a special occasion or for your next celebratory toast.
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