WINE
Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermit’s Block Individual Vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz Hunter Valley, NSW RRP $45 www.wombatcrossing.net The 2009 Hermit’s Block Shiraz was presented at the 2013 Vinitaly Wine Fair through Winestate’s participation in a Master Class, in which it was ranked among the top-scoring Australian wines. This vintage won a trophy and top gold at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show for the best 100% Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine, and a trophy and top gold at the 2012 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. Wombat Crossing Vineyard is the smallest winegrower in the Hunter Valley, specializing in Shiraz and Chardonnay wines. The Shiraz vineyard (1.7Ha) was established in 1995, with the grapes originally allocated to other Hunter Valley winemakers’ premium wine produced under their own labels. The Napier family acquired the vineyard in 2003 and began producing wines under its own label at Tower Estate. In recent years the owners have upgraded the vineyard and Jeff Byrne has undertaken the winemaking.
Wombat Crossing Vineyard Malloch’s Block Individual Vineyard Hunter Valley Chardonnay Hunter Valley, NSW RRP $28 www.wombatcrossing.net The vineyards at Wombat Crossing were originally planted to the Hunter traditional varieties of Semillon and Shiraz. After Ian Napier acquired the property in 2003 he was determined to make a Chardonnay. In keeping with the philosophy of only making wine from grapes grown at the vineyard, he removed some 2.5Ha of Semillon and planted 1Ha of Chardonnay on the east-facing slope. Vintage 2009 was an excellent year in the vineyard where the fruit reached full ripeness before harvesting. Pale straw with green hues, this wine has stone fruit aromas with a hint of nutmeg and spice from its short stay in a combination of new and older French 220L oak. The palate shows a generously flavoured wine with rock melon and stone fruit flavours, rich mid-palate and lingering finish. The wine suits foods such as goat cheese tart, poached chicken, and veal.
Koonara Angel’s Peak 2008 Coonawarra Shiraz Coonawarra, SA RRP $17.95 www.koonara.com Henry Albert and Alice Jane Reschke came to Coonawarra in 1906. More than 100 years later, the family is still there with not only the cattle business but also the vineyards. Wine became a focus in 1988, with public sales commencing in the late 1990s. The winery has gone on to be featured in several international wine events – truly a rising star of the Coonawarra. The Angel’s Peak Coonawarra Shiraz has retained an excellent crimson-purple hue and deserves its two gold (one at Limestone Coast Wine Show 2011) and silver medals. The oak contribution is obvious but by no means excessive. It adds to the mouth-feel without impinging on the blackberry and plum fruit and finishes with soft tannins. It is rated excellent by Winestate magazine with 4.5 stars.
Wine offers Wombat Crossing Vineyard: 10% discount on 12-bottle case price for Police Association members. Free delivery to Adelaide metro area, slightly extra to country SA. Minimum dispatch 12-bottle case lots (mixed cases okay). Order via website (www.wombatcrossing.net), phone (02 6574 7357), e-mail (wines@wombatcrossing.net) or 530 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, NSW, 2320. Koonara Wines: 10% discount on Angel’s Peak Shiraz and free freight for Police Wine Club members. To receive the discount, buyers need only indicate that they are members. Order via website (www.koonara.com).