New Wines from New Places Explore Porongurup, Sondagsklook and The
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KLWines.com | 800.247.5987 August 18, 2014 Explore Porongurup, Sondagsklook and the Freycinet Coast with our eclectic selections and Direct Imports from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. AUGUST 18, 2014 FEATURES 2 Mount Trio, Kerrigan + Berry, Sittella 3 Oakridge and Hermanuspietersfontein (HPF) 4 Looking Good: The View from Down Under Expanding the Paradigm: New Wines from New Places By Ryan Woodhouse There is nothing really wrong with finding a wine you really like, and land has an insatiable appetite for these elegant, then drinking that same wine over and over again. But I think that cool climate wines. Trying to wrestle away just a wine is also about exploration. Some of the strongest, most evocative few wines for international export is quite tricky moments happen when you experience an aroma or flavor that is new to and usually quite expensive, too. However, we have you, or unique in the world; something that makes you say, “Wow, that’s managed to do a great deal with the folks at Spring- really interesting!” I believe that this is likely to happen more frequently vale for some of their Melrose Vineyard Pinot Noir. when you step out of your safety zone and take a walk on the wild side. Springvale Estate has been farmed by the Lyne Who knows what you might experience! family since 1875. Their first vines were planted in 1986 and the Melrose Vineyard was planted At K&L we are often asked, “What’s good?” or “Can you recommend in 1998. If you haven’t tried one of these cool something that is really nice?” While we work tirelessly to find and climate Tazzie Pinots yet, now is your chance. present wines that we believe are of high quality, “nice” and “good” are innately subjective: what is good to me might not be good to you. So, for 2013 Springvale “Melrose Vineyard” Pinot many years I have tried to talk to people about wine using language more Noir Freycinet Coast Tasmania* ($15.99) like: interesting, complex, classic, unusual; words that are at least little A single vineyard Pinot produced in a juicy, more, if not entirely, objective and descriptive. More importantly, they easy-drinking style. This wine is bright, might help you to begin a journey of discovery. fresh, fruit-driven, and very soft and lush. While the fruit undergoes a very light In this newsletter, we’ll mainly focus on our new selection of Direct extraction to limit the tannin levels, the Import wines from some of the lesser-known places around the southern wine is highly aromatic, with lots of floral, half of the globe. I hope you can find some wines that are at least intrigu- rose petal and strawberry notes on the ing enough to try, even if you have never heard of Cabernet Franc from nose. On the palate, ripe cherry, straw- Sondagsklook, Riesling from Mt. Barker, Verdelho from Swan Valley or berry, cake spice and raspberry coulis; Pinot Noir from the Freycinet Coast. halfway between great Cru Beaujolais and Springvale Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot. Such a great Speaking of the Freycinet Coast, I am really excited to introduce you summer and fall wine, it’s really versatile, to our first direct import from Tasmania: Springvale Vineyards. The and can be enjoyed with grilled chicken, problem with getting wines from Tasmania is that the Australian main- fish or just by itself on a warm evening. Key: *Direct Import RP Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate WS Wine Spectator ST Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar JH James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion Top photo: Hermanuspietersfontein’s Bergblokke, or “Mountain Block,” Sondagskloof, South Africa Mount Trio Vineyards Just when you think the acidity wins the Sittella Estate A brand new Direct Import for us, this highly argument, the lingering aftertaste reveals the Sittella was a revelation for me while spend- anticipated project was named one of James fruit once more.” ing some time in the little-known (yet very A Halliday’s Top 10 “Dark Horses,” or up-and- historic) Swan Valley region of Western Kerrigan + Berry coming wineries, of 2014. This small estate is Australia. The region was founded in 1834, RIC F A collaboration of veteran winemakers owned and managed by veteran winemaker predominantly producing fortified wines. Michael Kerrigan (Hay Shed Hill) and Gavin Gavin Berry and his wife. Together they make Sittella’s winemaker Colby Quirk produces Berry (Mount Trio). The grapes are hand- wines from their own lovingly hand-tended some magnificent, rich, pure wines from 20 acres in the Porongurup subregion of the selected from parcels of old vines in both Mt. Swan Valley and Margaret River. I person- Great Southern in Western Australia. The Barker and Margaret River. These wines show ally thought Sittella’s wines were the best D SOUTH A focus here is on purity of fruit, balance and the absolute pinnacle of what Western Austra- I stumbled across in Swan Valley, and the AN drinkability. These wines represent excep- lia can produce. We received a small allocation critics seem to agree, since the winery has won D tional value, especially since we are cutting of these truly spectacular wines. many wine shows and tasting competitions out the middlemen and buying direct from 2009 Kerrigan + Berry Cabernet Sauvignon, regionally and nationally. James Halliday rates alan the estate. Mount Barker-Margaret River* ($49.99) Sittella as an “Outstanding/Five Star” winery. ZE 2012 Mount Trio Cabernet Sauvignon- Exceptional Cabernet. Highly aromatic, 2013 Sittella Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon W Merlot Great Southern* ($11.99) This is an blackcurrant, blueberry, anise, cigar box and Margaret River* ($14.99) Super fresh and crushed mint. The palate echoes these charac- , NE, unbelievable value in Cabernet, hard (if not zesty. Lots of juicy, freshly grated citrus, A teristics with wonderfully fine, silky tannins, I impossible) to beat from anywhere in the crushed herbs, wet stone and lime blossom. perfect weight and elegance. So concentrated AL world at this price point. Lots of juicy, rich A seriously refreshing wine with great texture and flavorful, yet quite ethereal on the palate. TR fruit, with structure and Cabernet character from the Sémillon component, plus driving S giving balance and focus to the unctuous Truly magnificent wine. 96 points JH. energy and vibrancy from the cool, coastal AU generosity. Scary good for the money! Sauv Blanc fruit. 2013 Mount Trio Sauvignon Blanc Great 2013 Sittella Verdelho Swan Valley Western Southern* ($11.99) Fantastic Sauvignon Australia* ($14.99) In college, I once found Blanc at an everyday price. The nose shows a few closeout cases of Swan Valley Verdelho lime, fresh-picked herbs and white flowers. in a random liquor store that became our The wine is delicate and very refreshing, with house wine! Swan Valley has a long history citrus flavors echoing the nose across the of growing Verdelho for fortified wines, crisp, zesty palate. Fantastically drinkable similar to that of its native Madeira. This wine, and easy to love at this crazy low price! 92 however, is crisp and dry with some citrus points JH. flavors and fleshier ripe stone fruits. It is soft and generous in texture, with gentle acidity 2011 Mount Trio Shiraz Porongurup keeping it fresh and long on the palate. Western Australia* ($15.99) This is a beautifully pure, rich, expressive Shiraz from 2010 Sittella Estate Cabernet Sauvignon immaculately farmed vineyards. 94 points JH: Margaret River* ($19.99) From Sittella’s “Good color; an impressive wine at all points Wilyabrup estate in Margaret River, and along the way, with a peacock’s tail display made in small lots, this wine shows ripe black of black cherry, spice and licorice embraced currant, dark forest fruits and dark chocolate by warm, fine tannins, oak playing a largely Driving in the Great Southern. character, with subtle mint and tobacco. unseen role. Will cellar well, but there’s no This is serious and powerful Margaret River reason not to drink it today.” 2012 Kerrigan + Berry Riesling Mount Cabernet at a very reasonable price thanks to our Direct Import program. 2012 Mount Trio Riesling Porongurup Barker* ($24.99) Laser focused, intense Western Australia* ($15.99) Porongurup is Riesling from an old hillside block in Mt. 2012 Sittella Shiraz-Grenache-Tempranillo becoming increasingly known for exceptional Barker. The Langton vineyard was planted Swan Valley Western Australia* ($19.99) A aromatic whites. The Mount Trio Riesling is back in the early 1970s and produces fruit of unique blend of varieties that all do extremely crisp and refreshing, with citrusy notes and stunning depth, concentration of flavor and well in Swan Valley. This wine captures the perfectly pitched acidity. It is a style that can minerality. The wine is tightly coiled before richness and power of Swan Valley fruit, be enjoyed now or with bottle age, and pairs releasing a cascade of flavors. The whole citrus while retaining lots of freshness and spice. A with a variety of fresh seafood. 94 points JH: spectrum, green apple, feijoa, river stone; medium-bodied wine showing exotic berry “The voluminous and complex bouquet sets ground quartz, even? Unbelievable persistence fruits, spices, truffle, sandalwood and cracked the scene for the palate, where citrus and and linear intensity on the palate. World-class peppercorns. A great accompaniment to apple flavors grapple with crunchy acidity. dry Riesling. 96 points JH, 90 points RP. grilled or cured meats. 2 Find all your wine accessory needs at KLWines.com Oakridge Vineyards 2012 Oakridge “Whitsend & Oakridge Our first Direct Import from Oakridge really Vineyard” Shiraz Yarra Valley* ($24.99) turned some heads. These wines are very much 94 points JH: “Bright, clear crimson-purple; AU it has a particularly fragrant bouquet and a the antithesis of what many people think of S when they think of Australian wines.