News

2003 Vintage

The 2003 vintage, like that of 2002, is characterised by yields that are significantly below the long term average. The reduced yields have, however, provided us with excellent quality in all varieties. The reds are just commencing malolactic fermentation, but it is already evident that they all display lip staining colour and turbo charged flavours and aromas.

The whites demonstrate the benefits of a relatively mild late summer and autumn, possessing concentrated fruit flavours and excellent natural acidity.

There are many theories flying around the district to explain the low yields, including the effect of 10 successive years of below average rainfall, and harder pruning regimes being employed. Ian Hollick eschews the view that the low yields are a consequence of very low temperatures in 2001, at a time when the vines were setting bunch numbers for the following vintage. Whatever the theories, the low crops were common right across the cooler regions of Australia. Paradoxically the local cherry growers report their largest crop on record!

The contracted yields enabled vintage to progress at a fairly leisurely pace as there was no pressure on tank space and the vintage was largely fine and sunny. An inch of rain in mid March did cause some initial concern, but due to the small bunches, there was no splitting or disease encountered.

At this early stage the most outstanding wine in the cellar appears to be the Shiraz. The wines from Wrattonbully continue to astound us for the density of the fruit and opaque colours. The flavour profile is quite distinct from Coonawarra, showing more of the eucalypt, licorice and passionfruit skin characters often found in the better wines from central Victoria, particularly Heathcote. Despite the flavour intensity, the tannins are extremely fine grained.

We are also pretty pleased with the first crop of Tempranillo and Sangiovese from the Red Ridge vineyard at Wrattonbully. The fruit was handpicked with the "able" assistance of six visiting restaurateurs from far north Queensland, who did a sterling job despite a very early start and late finish the previous day.

All in all, 2003 has all the hallmarks of an excellent vintage, but there is just not enough of it!

Upstairs at Hollick

Sound advice indeed, and another good reason to visit is that the menu changes with the seasons.

The current menu features dishes that complement the wintery vista. Why not start with a goats cheese and chervil souffle, or perhaps a pork and fennel terrine with mustard dressing? Then move onto braised lamb shanks on couscous with tomato and olive sauce. Or perhaps something with a Spanish twist, saffron risotto with seafood and chorizo?

The winelist has also undergone change, with some notable additions. The 2001 Neilson's Block Merlot is currently available by the glass, with the Hollick back vintage list including 1991 Wilgha Shiraz and 1992 Botrytis Riesling. Recent additions in the non- Hollick selection includes the Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, NZ which has been extremely popular.

To the red list we have included great values such as 1999 Balnaves "The Blend", 2001 Zema "Cluny" Cabernet blend, and there are rarities such as 2001 Diamond Valley "Estate" Pinot Noir and the brilliant 1998 Antinori Tignanello. As always, Ian and Kent go through the arduous task of assessing all wines before they are admitted to the list.

Bookings can be made on (08) 8737 2752.

New Releases

2001 Neilson's Block Merlot

This wine has developed quite a following in only a short period of time, and is now widely regarded as among the country's best Merlots. At Cellar Door the wine already ranks among our best sellers, which if used as a barometer indicates the emerging fascination with this variety. The first vintage of this wine, the 1999 was judged by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine among the top 5 Australian Merlots. We felt that the 2000 vintage perhaps offered an extra dimension and the Merlot from the 2001 vintage has consistently been rated by the Hollick team as the best wine in the cellar from this vintage.

The colour is inky plum, and on the nose the Neilson's Block Merlot offers up scents of ripe blackberries, cherry liquer, licorice and vanilla oak notes. The palate displays an abundance of saturated fruit flavours, enhanced by a good portion of fine, silky tannins. Barrel fermented and matured in new French oak the wine displays excellent structure, and will benefit from cellaring for 10 years or more.

2003 Wilgha Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay

This is Chardonnay in its natural state -- naked Chardonnay if you like. It is an enormously versatile wine that highlights the ripe melon and nectarine flavours of Chardonnay. The absence of oak influence means that it is a lighter style of Chardonnay that does not require food as an accompaniment. The cool vintage has ensured that this wine delivers excellent fruit concentration and finishes with good natural acidity.

2002 Pinot Noir

This wine includes like its predecessor a portion of fruit from the cooler Mount Gambier region. The Mount Gambier fruit contributes vibrant red and black cherry flavours, and complements the riper Coonawarra material. As with previous vintages some of the fruit was put through whole berry fermentation for added complexity and the wine was then matured in French oak for 12 months. The oak plays a supporting role to the fruit flavours with only a small proportion of the oak used being new. Immediately appealing in its youth the wine will develop gamey nuances with medium term cellaring.

2001 Sparkling Merlot

What began as a bit of an indulgence in 1992 has culminated in the 10th vintage of this Hollick icon. It was always suggested that these wines would greatly benefit from bottle age and now with the wisdom of hind sight that we can confirm that 4 or 5 years in the bottle gives these wines enhanced complexity and a sweet fruit cake character.

The 2001 Sparkling Merlot was made in the manner of the previous vintages, with the base wine matured in older oak for 20 months before undergoing secondary fermentation and a final dosage (liqueuring) prior to release. The wine displays the lifted violet and cherry fruit flavours of the variety, some nuttiness from the liqueuring process and a fine persistent bead. As always, we suggest that everyone at least once samples it with "Ouefs Hollique".

International Journalists

This year we have received a steady flow of journalists eager to discover the secrets of Australia's wine industry success and gain a better understanding of the unique ingredients that have contributed to the distinctive wines of Coonawarra.

An indication of the growing importance of Australian wines in the Canadian market are the visits in close proximity of Jacques Benoit from La Presse in Montreal and Gord Stimmel from the Toronto Star. Mr Benoit was introduced to us as the "James Halliday of Canada", and we are certain that he was well impressed with the Ravenswood vertical presented.

Keen cyclist Christian Davies from the UK's Harpers Liquor magazine. Christian is the one in the middle of the trio, in Coonawarra's slow lane, flanked by Ian Hollick (left) and Kent Comley (right).	Also to visit was Walter Ray Isle (pictured) from the influential New York Times, tasting with Ian Hollick.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebration 2003

This year's event will be on the weekend of the 18th to 20th of October. It is a great opportunity to partake in a range of activities at each cellar door and attend the famous Sparkling Brunch and Barrel Series Auction. This year 2002 vintage Cabernet Sauvignons will be auctioned, with one of the 13 barrels on offer being ours. Last year's auction grossed in excess of $185,000 from 9 barrels with $38,000 donated to the Autism Association.

"Upstairs" on Saturday 19th, we will be serving Cassoulet and Cabernets, with music from Tabasco Jazz. Bookings for lunch can be made on (08) 8737 2752. Further details on the weekend at www.coonawarra.org

New agents appointed in NZ and USA

We are pleased to report that after a reasonable hiatus in both markets we have now appointed agents in both New Zealand and the USA. So if you wish to track down our wines in either of these countries, please drop them a line and they will point you in the right direction.

Our Australian agents red+white are opening a branch in Auckland to service New Zealand. They can be contacted on (09) 630 3930, or annecollins@redandwhite.co.nz

Grape Expectations, based in North Carolina, will be the agents for our wines in the complex 3ｭtiered US market. Phone them on (252) 291 2991, or info@grapeexpectations.biz

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