Seasoned News from Pepper Tree "The Grind' Spring 2010

ISSUE 4 • SPRING 2010

WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR FINALIST GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE

WINE REVIEWS Exclusive Offers RESTAURANT REVIEW Silo

WINE WRITER REVIEWS James Halliday Campbell Mattinson

UPCOMING FUNCTIONS Central Coast Members’ Dinner Budburst Luncheon 1

WELCOME

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES

Welcome to Pepper Tree’s third edition of “The Grind – Seasoned News from Pepper Tree”, as we like to keep you up to date as the seasons pass, we hope you enjoy this fresh new look for Spring!

Pepper Tree Wines is moving into a new era, having achieved a number of excellent reviews by some highly accredited wine critics - James Halliday and Campbell Mattinson. We have also been recognised as a finalist in a number of categories by our local region at the recent Hunter Business Chamber Awards, and to place the icing on the cake, our very own Chief Winemaker Jim Chatto, has been named a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller WINE, “Australian Winemaker of the Year” in the August/September issue.

In this issue we review a number of new release wines which will be exclusively available at some amazing prices to members of the Pepper Tree Wine Club. We also have an exciting calendar of events for members and their guests in store for the remainder of 2010. If you are interested in attending any of our functions, please let us know as they do book out fast.

We would also like to congratulate our Winemaker Jim and his family for the safe arrival of the latest addition to the Chatto family – Billie Beatrix Chatto, born Saturday 26th June 2010.

We hope you enjoy the latest issue of “The Grind – Seasoned News from Pepper Tree!”

VIC Blue Chillies, Melbourne Left Bank at River Side, Melbourne The Leveson Melbourne NSW Zest Restaurant, Sydney The Point Restaurant, Port Stephens Bamboo Restaurant, Casuarina QLD Pethers Rainforest Retreat, North Tamborine Sonomas of Sandgate, Brisbane

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS Pepper Tree Wines and individual employees have recently been recognised for their commitment and achievements after receiving a number of nominations for various awards and have been appointed as a finalist for each nomination.

Sandra Brown – Director and Commercial Manager is a finalist for the 2010 Alumni Award for Leadership run by the University of Newcastle. The Alumni Award for leadership commenced in 2009 to recognise Alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made significant contributions as leaders in business, commerce, industry or public service.

Pepper Tree Wines was a recent finalist in a number of categories in the 2010 Hunter Business Awards including the Small Business Excellence and Customer Service. Tristan Jones – Marketing & Direct Sales Manger was also acknowledged as a finalist for the Young Achiever of the Year Award.

We are also excited to announce that Chief Winemaker Jim Chatto has been named as a finalist in the 2010 Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year Award.

Jim is featured in the August/September 2010 issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine.

“An intuitive mind, an eye for talent and infectious enthusiasm have defined an exceptional career and earned the respect of some of the industry’s biggest names.” NICK BULLEID MW

Tristan Jones - Marketing & Direct Sales Manger

The Australian Winemaker of the Year Award “salutes the viticulturists and winemakers whose painstaking attention to details, dogged persistence and creative flair carries on the traditions of the Australian wine industry making distinctive, individualistic, memorable wines”. The Australian Winemaker of the Year will be announced at the presentation dinner in September 2010.

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IN THE WINERY WITH JIM CHATTO

WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR FINALIST GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE

NO SLEEP FOR THIS WINEMAKER HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW

With vintage over things finally start to settle down to normal; you get to sleep 8 hours a night and even have weekends off. Not for this Winemaker, we recently had our second child, a little girl called Billie Beatrix. So now with two daughters under 18 months, I am looking forward to the break that next vintage promises! Just kidding both are an absolute delight (even at 4am).

The 2010 Hunter Wine Show was on again in August and Pepper Tree achieved fantastic results including: 4 gold medals; 2007 Coquun Shiraz , 2009 Coquun Shiraz, 2009 Limited Release Chardonnay and 2009 Limited Release Semillon. 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals.

To top off such a wonderful showing we were awarded the Ed Jouault Trophy, for the best “One Year Old White Wine of show” with our 2009 Limited Release Semillon!

Each wine entered in an Australian show is tasted and scored by three judges and three associate judges. Each judge gives a score out of 20, the three scores are added up to give a total out of 60 (only the judge’s scores go towards the final score). A gold medal is 55.5 points and up, a silver medal is 51-55 points and bronze medal is 46.5-50.5 points.

Trophies are awarded when the top gold medals from a number of classes are tasted against each other to come up with a champion wine in the category applicable (the trophy).

IN THE VINEYARD & WINERY Spring has almost sprung - the vines are awakening from their winter dormancy. The buds are swelling and soon the vineyards will be green once again. It is the one time of year we really want good rainfall to give the vines the boost they will need to ripen the year’s crop.

The end of winter sees the winery crew busy blending and bottling the previous year’s reds.

This is a fun and rewarding time - we spend hours in the tasting lab; tasting, discussing and fine tuning the fruits of our labour. Though these wines are largely made by this stage, there is always opportunity to improve. In winemaking it is the little one percenters that really make the difference.

– Jim Chatto

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WINE REVIEW 2008 ‘Venus Block’ Reserve Orange Chardonnay The name ‘Venus Block’ has been given to this wine as the land was once run by a woman by the name of Venus who kept the land as a grazing property for many years.

Situated at our high altitude vineyard in Orange, the ‘Venus Block’ is 800m above sea level,

ensuring a long ripening season, perfectly suited to Chardonnay. The result is an intense cool climate Chardonnay with flavours of stone fruits, fig and melon seductively integrated with barrel ferment complexity. A crisp and elegant style of Chardonnay, showing great purity of fruit.

2010 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Rating 95 points | Drink to 2016 AWARDS Best Chardonnay One Year Old Trophy - GOLD, 2009 Riverina Wine Show GOLD – 2009 Rutherglen Wine Show GOLD – 2009 Orange Region Wine Show SILVER – 2009 International Wine Challenge

Click on wines to purchase

Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $30

Club Bottle $26 | CLUB CASE SPECIAL $270

2009 Limited Release Wrattonbully Tempranillo The 2009 Tempranillo is vibrant red in colour with an explosive nose of dark cherries and sarsaparilla, followed with lifted hints of spice and fresh tobacco leaf. The beautifully medium bodied wine is pure and vibrant packed with mineral, spice and fruit. The fine tannin structure provides length and definition to the bright savoury fruit.

ABOUT TEMPRANILLO Tempranillo is a black grape variety widely used to make a full-bodied red wine. Native to Spain this grape tends to ripen several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes. Tempranillo wines can be consumed young however the savoury fruit characters will further develop with bottle age.

FOOD MATCH Accompany the Pepper Tree Tempranillo with a traditional Spanish Tapas style meal including Spanish olives, grilled lamb & marinated mushrooms.

Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $25

Club Bottle $21

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WINE REVIEW 2008 ‘14 Shores’ Reserve Wrattonbully Merlot The name “14 Shores” has been derived from the fourteen ancient shorelines that mark the retreating ocean from what is now the Naracoorte Range in Wrattonbully. These shorelines, now hills, harbour the famed red ‘Terra Rossa’ topsoil over free draining Gambier Limestone. These tough well drained soils provide tiny crops of intensly flavoured Merlot.

Concentrated flavours of black and red berry fruits with subtle peppermint and spicy oak.

Classically medium bodied with ripe sweet mid palate fruit balanced well by subtle French oak complexity. Fine ripe tannins provide good structure and a long finish.

REVIEWS

Campbell Mattinson, Big Red Wine Book - “Merlot of the Year” “Even merlot-hating Mattinson sat up straighter when he tasted this wine. This isn’t your average Merlot. It’s characterised by grainy, savoury, grippy tannin, though it also boasts a delicious spread of blueberry, mulberry and blackcurrant-like fruit flavours. Smoky cedary oak completes a sophisticated show. Stand-out wine.”

95 points | Drink 2012 - 2017 Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $35

Club Bottle $29.50

If you are not sure if you are a member or you would like to enquire about membership click here

Wine Club Case Specials 2008 ‘Venus Block’ Reserve Orange Chardonnay 2010 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Rating 95 points | Drink to 2016 Detailed Tasting Notes

2004 Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Rating 92 points | Drink to 2015 Detailed Tasting Notes

2006 ‘Elderslee Road’ Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Rating 93 points | Drink to 2026 Detailed Tasting Notes

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CLUB CASE SPECIAL $270 $90 SAVING Cellar Door Bottle $30 Club Bottle $26

CLUB 6 PACK SPECIAL $247.50 $82.50 SAVING Cellar Door Bottle Price $55 Club Bottle $46.50

CLUB CASE SPECIAL $315 $105 SAVING Cellar Door Bottle $35 Club Bottle $29.50

Staff Profile; Introducing Sandra

Wine Writer Reviews Elderslee Road Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – not yet released Rating 96 | Drink 2040 | RRP $35 The Gravels Reserve Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2008 Rating 96 | Drink 2023 | RRP $35 Alluvius Reserve Hunter Valley Semillon

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion

2009 – out of stock, 2010 vintage available Rating 96 | Drink 2020 | RRP $32 Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon

Sandra is the Director & Commercial Manager of Pepper Tree Wines and has been with the company going on 10 years. You will often find Sandra enjoying life with a fishing rod in hand or running in the Hunter Valley fun run!

James Halliday is a respected wine critic and

2009 - out of stock, 2010 vintage available

vigneron with a career spanning over 40 years.

Rating 96 | Drink 2022 | RRP $22

The 2011 Australian Wine Companion results have been released and mark the best year

Venus Block Reserve Orange Chardonnay

for Pepper Tree, once again receiving a 5 star

2009 – not yet released

winery rating as well as 10 wines rating 94

Rating 95 | Drink 2017 | RRP $30

points and above, 5 of those wines scoring a remarkable 96 points!

What do you like most about working at PTW? The atmosphere and working with people whom are enthusiastic and passionate about their work.

What is your favourite Pepper Tree Wine currently available?

The 14 Shores Merlot.

What do you believe Pepper Tree’s greatest strength is?

The staff, the wines, the location – it’s a complete package.

What has been your greatest achievement?

After working at Pepper Tree for 10 years I still love the place.

What is your favourite restaurant to visit in the Hunter Valley?

So many to chose from – can’t pick just one. Leaves and Fishes is good for a relaxed lunch!!

What is your favourite holiday destination – outside of the Hunter Valley?

Hawaii – but this may change after I have been to Broome & Darwin later this year.

What is your greatest weakness?

Packets of chips – yummy!!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Socialise with friends, lay in the pool or at the beach and go fishing with my hubby.

What has been your most enjoyable members function?

The Gala dinner is always the most enjoyable but the cruises are relaxed and fun - during and after the cruise.

Are you currently in training for another fun run?

According to Tristan (aka bootcamp trainer from hell) I am.

The Pebbles Limited Release Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2008 - out of stock

RATING GUIDE

Rating 95 | Drink 2023 | RRP $25

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Outstanding winery capable of producing wines of very high quality, and did

Pepper Tree Wrattonbully Coonawarra

so this year. Also will usually have at least two

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

wines rated at 94 points and above”.

Rating 94 | Drink 2020 | RRP $18

94-100 points “Outstanding. Wines of the

Pepper Tree Wrattonbully Shiraz 2008

highest quality, often with a distinguished

- out of stock, 2009 vintage available

pedigree.”

Rating 94 | Drink 2020 | RRP $18

RATINGS

Strandlines Grand Reserve Wrattonbully

Calcare Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008

Sauvignon 2008 – not yet released

– not yet released

Rating 96 | Drink 2028 | RRP $35

Rating 94 | Drink 2028 | RRP $65

Campbell Mattinson - The Big Red Wine Book 2010 / 2011 Award winning wine critic Campbell Mattinson and wine publisher Gary Walsh, share their knowledge on more that 1000 reds, across all prices and styles. Having just released the third issue of The Big Red Wine Book – this marks the first year that an award has been given for the year’s Best Merlot. Pepper Tree Wines was excited to receive the award - Campbell Mattinson states that our Pepper Tree Reserve 2008 “14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot “demanded it!”.

Wines rated 95-100 points are “Exceptional. Money is the only deterrent to filling our houses with it. Fit for a special occasion.”

14 Shores Reserve Wrattonbully Merlot 2008 Rating 95 Drink 2012 – 2017 Strandlines Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2008 Rating 95 Drink 2014 – 2025

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RESTARANT REVIEW - Silo Silo is a spectacular harbour side destination which offers modern Australian cuisine based on formal French techniques. The relaxed Parisian bistro oozes effortless style, sophistication and opulence that has become a favourite among many Novocastrians.

This sophisticated, boutique, harbour-side restaurant and bar has been operating for six years and is owned and run by Manager Mark Seery, Chef David Cartwright, Bar Manager Paul Davies and Assistant Manager Therese Cubis. The dedication of this foursome shows through the quality of food, service provided and by the repeated awards recently achieved.

Seared Sea Scallops With Braised Pork Belly, Carrot Puree And Pickled Shimeji Mushrooms 12 large Japanese scallops, roe removed Brine 200g caster sugar 300g sea salt 3 cloves 6 black peppercorns 3 bay leaves 2 litres water Carrot Puree 25g butter 3 eshallots, peeled 6 carrots, peeled 2 garlic cloves 250ml chicken stock Pork Belly 200g pork belly 3 bay leaves 1 onion 500ml chicken stock 1 carrot 500ml veal stock 1 celery stick 1 garlic clove Half bunch of thyme Pickled Shimeji Mushrooms 250ml mirin 1 chilli, chopped 1 cm ginger, chopped 25g caster sugar 35ml white vinegar 1 punnet of shimeji mushrooms

Winemakers Dinner 1. For the brine bring all the ingredients to a boil, cool and place pork belly in brine solution for 12 hours. For the carrot puree sweat eshallots and garlic in butter, add carrot and cook for 10 minutes. Add chicken stock and cook carrots until soft. Puree and pass mixture through a fine sieve.

Join Pepper Tree’s Winemaker Luke Watson at the award wining Silo Restaurant for a Winemakers Dinner with a difference.

Head

Chef

David

Cartwright

from

Silo Restaurant has matched a six course 2. Drain pork belly from brine solution.

Sweat vegetables in saucepan for 10 minutes.

Add both stocks and bring to a boil. Add pork belly and cover with grease proof paper and simmer for one and a half hours or until belly becomes soft to touch. Remove from stock and cool, ready to be portioned.

3. For the pickle, heat all the ingredients except mushrooms, adding the mushrooms once mixture has cooled.

degustation with a selection of Pepper Tree’s award winning wines. Creating the perfect atmosphere for discovery!

Date: September 9 Time: 6.30 for 7pm Cost: $90 (Tickets Limited) Bookings Essential

4. To serve, place portioned pork belly skin side down in a pan to crisp skin. Heat carrot puree, season scallops and sear in pan for 30 seconds both sides. Place scallops on plate and spoon puree in the middle. Arange pork belly and shimeji mushrooms and garnish with fine herbs. Serve with your favourite sauvignon blanc.

18/1 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW

Serves 4

P 02 4926 2828 E mark@silolounge.com.au www.silolounge.com.au

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UPCOMING FUNCTIONS S e p t e mb e r Central Coast Members Dinner Friday 10th October 2010 Onda Restaurant, Terrigal, Central Coast $90 per person O c t ob e r Budburst Luncheon Saturday 2nd October 2010 The Chapel on the Pepper Tree Estate $90 per person Semillon Experience Sunday 10th October 2010 Members Tasting Lounge Pepper Tree Wines $25 per person N ov e mb e r Sydney Harbour Cruises Friday 12th November & Saturday 13th November 2010 Sydney Harbour $98 per person QLD 2010 Showcase Members Dinner Friday 19th November 2010 Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, Marina Mirage, Gold Coast $115 per person D e c e mb e r Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If you are interested in attending any of the above functions we recommend booking ASAP as they do sell out fast!

To book or enquire about any of the above events please CLICK HERE to e-mail or FREECALL 1800 655 965

FUNCTION REVIEW Brisbane Members’ Dinner 2010 The Pepper Tree team once again enjoyed a wonderful evening indulging in great food and fabulous wine at the recent Brisbane Members’ Dinner held on the 9th July! The famous Era Bistro provided a great culinary experience matched perfectly to a range of our award winning wines. Era continues to prove why they have been awarded a Chef ’s Hat and have been our restaurant of choice now for the last three years.

With the continued growth of members in the Queensland area and the great feedback we constantly receive from members who attend our functions, we have decided to return to the sunshine state in November for a second dinner. We will be showcasing a range of award winning wines at Glass Restaurant, Marina Mirage, Gold Coast on 19th November, 2010.

Please let us know if you are interested in attending, as tickets won’t last long!

Semillon Experience Visit Hunter Valley Wine Country over the weekend of Friday 8th to Sunday 10th October 2010 to join in with a “Celebration of Semillon”.

Hunter Valley Semillon & Seafood is a weekend long celebration showcasing over 150 Hunter Valley Semillons, Hunter Valley seafood producers, local restaurants, oyster and Semillon bars, seafood cooking demos and more!

The main event features on Saturday 9th October at Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Broke Rd, Pokolbin. Click here for more details on this event.

Join Pepper Tree Wines as we continue the celebration on Sunday 10th October!

Members and their guests are invited to sample some of our award winning range of Semillon along side an exquisite range of fresh Sushi or gourmet Oysters created by Executive Chef Daniel Hunt of Roberts Restaurant.

Sample our highly awarded Semillons including a look at our Museum Limited Release 2009 Hunter Valley Semillon – recently awarded GOLD at the Hunter Valley Wine Show and receiving James Halliday rating of 96 points!

The “Semillon Experience” will be available between 10:30am – 2:30pm on Sunday 10th October.

Call 1800 655 965 or email to book your time. Bookings are essential – limited seats available.

Tickets: $25 per person Location: Pepper Tree Wines, Members Tasting Lounge Date: Sunday 10th October 2010

Budburst Luncheon Saturday 2nd October 2010 Enjoy a casual gourmet lunch at The Chapel prepared by the famous Roberts Restaurant in the stunning grounds of the Pepper Tree Estate.

Tickets $90.00 per person To book call 1800 655 965 or click here to email your interest

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REGION

VINTAGE

RRP BTL

CLUB BTL

“Strandlines” Cabernet Shiraz

Wrattonbully

2006

65.00

55.00

330.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wrattonbully

2004

55.00

46.50

247.50

Hunter Valley

2010

32.00

27.50

330.00

Orange

2008

30.00

26.00

270.00

Wrattonbully

2008

35.00

29.50

354.00

VARIETAL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

CASE QTY

TOTAL

6 PACK

GRAND RESERVE RANGE

12 PACK

RESERVE RANGE “Alluvius” Semillon “Venus Block” Chardonnay “14 Shores” Merlot “The Gravels” Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2008

35.00

29.50

354.00

"Coquun" Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2009

45.00

38.00

456.00

“Elderslee Road” Cabernet Sav

Wrattonbully

2006

35.00

29.50

315.00

“Calcare” Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra

2007

35.00

29.50

354.00 12 PACK

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE Orange

2005

32.00

28.00

336.00

Semillon

Silenus Sparkling

Hunter Valley

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Verdelho

Hunter Valley

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Viognier

Wrattonbully

2009

22.00

19.00

228.00

Chardonnay

Hunter Valley

2009

22.00

19.00

228.00

Tempranillo

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

Merlot

Wrattonbully

2008

25.00

21.00

252.00

Classics

Wrattonbully

2008

25.00

21.00

252.00

Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2009

35.00

29.50

354.00

Orange

2008

25.00

21.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

252.00 12 PACK

VARIETAL RANGE Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Verdelho

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Pinot Gris

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Unwooded Chardonnay

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Chardonnay

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Merlot

Varietal

2008

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2008

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00 12 PACK

DESSERT & FORTIFIED WINES Botrytis Semillon Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc

Hunter Valley

2005

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2006

25.00

21.00

252.00 FREIGHT $10 PER CASE TOTAL $

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