On the move in Adelaide and beyond

The last two days have been incredible. Yesterday, we chartered planes for the 30 minute trip to Kangaroo Island, located just southwest of Adelaide. We spent the day touring the island with the help of Cape d'Estaing, the island winery that specailizes in Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. After searching for wild kanagroos and taking in a breath-taking view of the high cliffs of the north side of the island, we headed to Cape d'Estaing WInery for a tasting and Bar-B-Que. Cape d'Estaing has 25 acres divided evenly between Cabernet and Shiraz. The vineyard is a very short distance to the ocean, so they get a constant breeze that helps the fruit ripen evenly and longer. Several in our group enjoyed the 2001 Cabernet, but for me, the 2003 Shiraz and the very limited production 2004 Admiral's Reserve Shiraz topped my list. Kangaroo Island is a very special place and the owners are wonderful people. After the Bar-Que, we took a short drive on the beach (where the van got stuck) and then headed back to the airport for the flight home.

Today's schedule started with a tasting and brunch with Lengs & Cooter Winery at Stamps Restaurant. Both Karel Lengs and Colin Cooter are long time home winemakers. They met through a wine-making club back in the 1980's, and they started their winery in 1993. The winery is located in the Clare Valley, which is a cool climate valley which has the reputation for producing outstanding Rieslings. And, in fact, Lengs & cooter's 2006 Watervale Riesling is outstanding. Made in a dry style, as most Aussie Rieslings are, this is a great wine to serve as an apperitif, with seafood or Asian cuisine. The three Shiraz's included the great value 2004 Victor Shiraz, along with the 2003 Clare Valley Old Vines Shiraz and the 2003 McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz. And, for lunch, we happened to be served a wonderful Kangaroo tenderlion.

After lunch, we headed to the office of Geoff Weaver, a white wine specailist who in my opinion produces wonderful Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs. Geoff was the chief winemaker for BRL Hardy before leaving to start his own winery. His winery is located in the Adelaide Hills and he does all the vineyard work himself. Geoff's 2005 Riesling was delicious, and as expected, the upfront, lush, rich 2005 Sauvignon Blanc was a hit. I hope to have both of these wines in the store as soon as I return to the states.

Our last stop of the day was to one of my favorite wineries of the Grateful Palate portfolio, Hazy Blur. The Italian immigrant, Ross Tramboli, is making outstanding, ultra-rich, exciting Shiraz from several different appellations within South Australia. The winery is located in the Adelaide Plateau, just outside the city of Adelaide. It is hard to describe the energy and excitement that Ross has for his wines, and his passion for life is just as exciting. He went out of his way to make sure that everyone was having a good time, and we had the opportunity to barrel-sample his entire 2005 wines. We then tried the 2004's, which are currently released. Ashe's has both the 2004 Baroota Shiraz (Baroota is the northern most AVA in the South Australia region) and the 2004 Barossa. The wines were accompanied by a pig roast and fireworks! It was a great way to end the day. If you love big, rich, deep, penetrating reds, then this is your winery. The wines are big, but they are well-balanced and complex.

Tomorrow we are off to the Barossa Valley. I will check back in soon.

Comments

[Frack]

Kangaroo tenderloin?