I confess!
The purpose of our craft is essentially a self-ingratiating pursuit of perfection. Demanding enormous self-belief and plenty of hope. Hope that others share your excitement, are aligned to your conception of how good wine should taste, and happy to stump up the necessaries to buy a case or two to keep you going. I suppose that’s why they call it the art of winemaking.
In that context, the inspiration for these wines is distinctly different. Derived from a higher perspective and the great realisation that winemakers don’t save lives. We just make drinks. A moment of clarity.
And as much as I’ll never waiver from my obsession to make great wines, it’s equally important to make good honest wines as well. Tasty, delicious wines from a good place at a good price. Easy on the pocket and ready to drink without any need for pomp and ceremony.
THE WINES
There’s a reason cheap ‘bubbles’ is often served ice cold. It kills whatever flavour there is and numbs the palate…which is often a better outcome that having to taste the stuff. Whilst South Australia may not rank amongst the world’s greatest regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, what is does grow has plenty of flavour. And therein lies the secret to this delicious wine – a bright and effervescent wine that tastes good and is perfect for necking with friends at any time of the day for any occasion.
Australian winemakers democratised Chardonnay around the world in the late ‘80’s. We made people smile with bright tasty wines delivering a pitch perfect balance of fresh fruit, hints of soft creamy oak and crisp refreshing acidity. An unbeatable combination for an everyday drink, and the pathfinder for this wine. The warm days and cool nights of late summer in the Barossa are brilliant conditions for ripening Chardonnay. Sunshine drives flavour delivery in this wine, with oak taking a spot in the back row of the bus.
This Barossa Riesling is an invitation to savour the remarkable moments that life has to offer. Let each glass be a reminder to cherish the present and revel in the beauty of life’s profound moments. Share a bottle with friends and family, or simply enjoy over a quiet evening of self reflection.
It’s incredible what a bit of warmth can do for Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown in good dirt and with a consistent dose of sunshine, Barossa Cabernet ditches the leaner, greener more astringent characteristics of cooler climate peers to become richer and more flamboyant. Call it a vinous muffin top delivering just enough curves to make a really delicious drink. Now I know that some Barossa Cabernets can taste like some Barossa Shiraz. But not this one. It’s all about balance. Ensuring varietal integrity is never compromised in the pursuit of flavour and satisfaction.
Barossa Shiraz comes with a certain expectation of flavour and satisfaction delivery, and I don’t aim to disappoint on either front with this wine. Just like trying to get thoroughbred horses to run slow or West Indians to bowl slow, you have to allow Barossa Shiraz to fully express itself. Plenty of plums, spices and dark fruits on the palate, a nice line of fine tannin and gentle acidity to finish. Let the fruit shine and go easy on the oak. There is good reason this collab of region and variety is Australia’s first choice red wine.
Merlot gets a bum wrap no matter who you talk to. The winemaking illuminati stare down their noses at the stuff. And just about every punter has seen ‘that movie’. But it won’t stop me making Merlot because I reckon it’s a perfect fit for Moments of Clarity. Stuff what the experts say and the people think. This is a flavoursome and ‘soft a baby’s behind’ red that hits the spot. Look above and beyond the white noise and fill your boots.