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I finally get a minute to sit down to write about Wednesday's wine tasting in the AGA Shop. This time Bubble Brothers took us along to a tour along the South coast of Australia. Aaron Drummond (Global Brand Manager) & Ryan Morgan (Export Sales UK & Ireland) of the Rathbone Wine Group joined Billy, Julian and Chris of Bubble Brothers.
12 wines were on the list and we worked our way through them - slowly but surely. Both, Aaron and Ryan knew their wines very well and ha
d a lot to say about them - spiked with anecdotes and lots of little stories. The evening was informative, relaxed and I am still in hope that one of you guys out there will buy me one of the lovely AGA's soon :-)
Anyway, enough dreaming, here are the wines:
1. Next of Kin Sauvignon/Semillon (Margarete River) 2009, €12.95
Typical bouquet of Sauvignon, clean cut finish. Had better ones, but also worst ones....nothing to write home about. Saying that, it had a long finish
2. Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Pinot Grigio 2008, €13.95
Somethings should be left to the experts, and Italy definitely is the better master of Pinot Grigio. Almost metallic (and I mean metallic - not minerals) aroma, slight pear comes through to the end. Although I like a good Pinot Grigio, this one will not find its way into my wine shelf.
3. Mount Langi Ghiran Edge Riesling, 2007, €18.50
Clean pale colour, bouquet was quite flat, dry crisp finish. Very good Riesling although I think, Riesling is a wine best made by Germany and Austria (and I am not the greatest fan of German and Austrian wines). According to Ryan, Germans make a sweet Riesling...can't agree. Riesling is a dry wine and shouldn't be mingled with
4. Little Yering Chardonnay (Yarra Valley) 2008, €12.95
This wine was the first ever planted in the Yarra Valley in 1838......and that fact is the most interesting about the wine. A chardonnay as a million others....nothing to write home about. When I mentioned to Aaron that I 'hate' Chardonnay, he found the word a bit harsh....so I re-phrased....I dislike it immensely (Chardonnay that is).
5. Next of Kin Chardonnay (Margaret river) 2008, € 12.95
And another Chardonnay...and a much better one. 15% alcohol might have helped this wine along a bit. Lovely fruit flavour without being sweet, more body than the wine before. Wouldn't be too upset if someone brings a bottle along
6. Xanadu Estate Chardonnay (Margaret River) 2008, €18.50
And of course, another Chardonnay (it really was an Australian night). If you like Chardonnay, you will love this wine. It's the big brother of the wine before - all grown up. Lovely colour, clean, fresh finish....good wine..
7. Little Yering Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley) 2008, € 12.95
Colour could confuse you as a dark rose rather than a bold red. Ripe berries but with a slight bitter aftertaste. Might need a bit more time to get to its full potential.
8. Yering Station Pinot Noir 2005, €18.50
This wine was released only last year. Dirty red colour, deep rich bouquet, more savoury and all grown up compared to the Little Yering we had before. One of the better Pinots.
9. Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River) 2007, € 12.95
Dark ruby rich colour (if we gave a prize for the colour, this wine would win hands-up), bouquet reminds me of Cherry Brandy (memories from my youth came crushing down on me). Needs a long time to develop - so better open it 2-3 hours before drinking
10. Yering Station Shiraz/Viognier (Yarra Valley) 2006, € 18.50
Released last year, the wine has a smokey red colour and an elegant and smooth - almost sweetish finish.
11. Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz (Grampians) 2005, € 13.95
Warm red colour, bouquet transfers you to late summer nights, slight spicy, long dry finish, silky and smooth
12. Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz (Grampians) 2004, € 18.50
Almost blackish red colour, dry blueberry aroma with a lot of character. Stored in new French oak and old American oak, this wine is a delight to drink and that's why I ordered a case :-)
Bubble Brothers offered on the night 20% off if you ordered 1 case (12 bottles) and the real treat was, we could mix & match.....which I did....happily :-)
All grapes of these wineries are hand-picked and they go for quality rather than quantity (I am not mentioning any other Australian vineyards :-) and I understand why Bubble Brothers are happily promoting Rathbone Wines....
12 wines were on the list and we worked our way through them - slowly but surely. Both, Aaron and Ryan knew their wines very well and ha
d a lot to say about them - spiked with anecdotes and lots of little stories. The evening was informative, relaxed and I am still in hope that one of you guys out there will buy me one of the lovely AGA's soon :-)Anyway, enough dreaming, here are the wines:
1. Next of Kin Sauvignon/Semillon (Margarete River) 2009, €12.95
Typical bouquet of Sauvignon, clean cut finish. Had better ones, but also worst ones....nothing to write home about. Saying that, it had a long finish
2. Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Pinot Grigio 2008, €13.95
Somethings should be left to the experts, and Italy definitely is the better master of Pinot Grigio. Almost metallic (and I mean metallic - not minerals) aroma, slight pear comes through to the end. Although I like a good Pinot Grigio, this one will not find its way into my wine shelf.
3. Mount Langi Ghiran Edge Riesling, 2007, €18.50
Clean pale colour, bouquet was quite flat, dry crisp finish. Very good Riesling although I think, Riesling is a wine best made by Germany and Austria (and I am not the greatest fan of German and Austrian wines). According to Ryan, Germans make a sweet Riesling...can't agree. Riesling is a dry wine and shouldn't be mingled with
4. Little Yering Chardonnay (Yarra Valley) 2008, €12.95
This wine was the first ever planted in the Yarra Valley in 1838......and that fact is the most interesting about the wine. A chardonnay as a million others....nothing to write home about. When I mentioned to Aaron that I 'hate' Chardonnay, he found the word a bit harsh....so I re-phrased....I dislike it immensely (Chardonnay that is).
5. Next of Kin Chardonnay (Margaret river) 2008, € 12.95
And another Chardonnay...and a much better one. 15% alcohol might have helped this wine along a bit. Lovely fruit flavour without being sweet, more body than the wine before. Wouldn't be too upset if someone brings a bottle along
6. Xanadu Estate Chardonnay (Margaret River) 2008, €18.50
And of course, another Chardonnay (it really was an Australian night). If you like Chardonnay, you will love this wine. It's the big brother of the wine before - all grown up. Lovely colour, clean, fresh finish....good wine..
7. Little Yering Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley) 2008, € 12.95
Colour could confuse you as a dark rose rather than a bold red. Ripe berries but with a slight bitter aftertaste. Might need a bit more time to get to its full potential.
8. Yering Station Pinot Noir 2005, €18.50
This wine was released only last year. Dirty red colour, deep rich bouquet, more savoury and all grown up compared to the Little Yering we had before. One of the better Pinots.
9. Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River) 2007, € 12.95
Dark ruby rich colour (if we gave a prize for the colour, this wine would win hands-up), bouquet reminds me of Cherry Brandy (memories from my youth came crushing down on me). Needs a long time to develop - so better open it 2-3 hours before drinking
10. Yering Station Shiraz/Viognier (Yarra Valley) 2006, € 18.50
Released last year, the wine has a smokey red colour and an elegant and smooth - almost sweetish finish.
11. Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz (Grampians) 2005, € 13.95
Warm red colour, bouquet transfers you to late summer nights, slight spicy, long dry finish, silky and smooth
12. Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz (Grampians) 2004, € 18.50
Almost blackish red colour, dry blueberry aroma with a lot of character. Stored in new French oak and old American oak, this wine is a delight to drink and that's why I ordered a case :-)
Bubble Brothers offered on the night 20% off if you ordered 1 case (12 bottles) and the real treat was, we could mix & match.....which I did....happily :-)
All grapes of these wineries are hand-picked and they go for quality rather than quantity (I am not mentioning any other Australian vineyards :-) and I understand why Bubble Brothers are happily promoting Rathbone Wines....
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