[South Australia] Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz Barossa 2013

Shiraz is one of my favorite grapes, the origin of Shiraz is from France Southeastern Rhône Valley, and in French it calls Syrah. It is one of the main varieties of Rhône Valley wine, but most of the wine would blend with other types of grapes. In the old time, Syrah had brought in to South Australia (New World), and then it became Shiraz in the New World region. The characteristic of this grape are dark skin, shows a robust berry flavor, black pepper, licorice, etc. aromas, it taste berry style and little spicy. This time, I tried a good value of Shiraz wine from South Australia Barossa Valley, which is Yalumba Patchwork 2013.

Yalumba established in 1849 by Samuel Smith. Until today, this winery is still own by his family and run by hid grandson Robert Hill Smith. Due the winery has excellent performance, Australian wine critic James Halliday gave a highly recommend on Yalumba winery. Moreover, It worth to mention, Yalumba has their own barrel factory, each year production has around 600 barrels. But the self-made barrels are only enough for the high end wine series, such as The Octavius. It made with 100% Shiraz from the oldest vine in Barossa and then aged in small barrel (90-100L), famous wine critic Robert Parker gave a high rated on this wine. From some reviews, people called Patchwork as Baby Octavius. Patchwork made with 100% Shiraz, from Barossa region, average age of vines is 20 – 30 years old. After nature fermentation, the wine aged 14 months in American, Hungarian and French oak.    

My Taste Note: I didn’t decant for this wine, just opened the screwcap and breathe for around 20 mins. The color is deep purple, it shows full warm fruits aromas like black cherry and blackcurrant, licorice and little of floral aromas. The taste is dry, full body, juicy with fresh acid and structure tannins, after taste find plenty of berry flavors and little bit tannins. Overall, this wine gives ripeness of fruit flavor and dense body, which shows a bold style of Shiraz.  

Shiraz (西拉) 入係我最愛的葡萄品種之一,它有一種非常吸引的野果芳香,但飲落又會有少辣, Shiraz 的來源係來先法國東南部 Rhône Valley (隆河),而法文稱為 Syrah. 它是 Rhône Valley 區主要品種之一,通常都會溝另外幾款葡萄來釀製.在很久以前有人將Syrah移植到南澳,之後所有新世界地區都改稱為 Shiraz . 它的特色帶有深色果皮,強烈野果風味,帶有黑椒,甘草,等等芳香,味道都是野果為主和有少少辣.今次我就試了一枝非常低飲的 Shiraz, 來看南澳 Barossa Valley (巴羅莎山谷) Yalumba Patchwork 2013.

Yalumba 酒莊係由英國人 Samel Smith 在1849年建立,直到現在大約160年之後酒莊依然由他的家庭擁有和孫兒  Robert Hill Smith 運作.由於酒莊一直表現優良,澳洲評酒家James Halliday都讚好.更值得一提的是,酒莊內設有自家製木桶廠,每年產量大約600個.不過自家製酒桶只係足夠提供給它們的高級酒用,比如The Octavius.這款酒用100% Shiraz 釀造,葡萄來自

Barossa 的老藤,之後在自家製小型木桶內陳年(90-100L),著名評酒家Robert Parker都給予高評.不過今次我唔係飲The Octavius,而係另一款有Baby Octavius之稱的 Patchwork. Patchwork 都係用100% Shiraz 釀酒, 葡萄都係來自 Barossa, 葡萄榭年齡大約20-30年.當天然發酵後,葡萄酒會在美國,匈牙利和法國木桶內陳年14個月.

我的品酒筆記: 這次我沒有醒酒,只係擰開樽蓋,讓酒透了大約20分鐘氣.顏色是有深紫色,它充滿野果的芳香,有車厘子和黑加侖子,再帶多一些甘草和小小花香.口感方面Dry,厚身,清爽的酸味,帶有結構的單寧.After Taste可以找到豐富的野果味道,和小小單寧.整體這款酒提供到成熟果味和濃厚Body,可以表現到Shiraz強勁的一面.

   

[France] "Wine in a can"

Last month in HK, I found this wine which is packed in small aluminum can with 187ml. It names Winestar, their concept is let people to enjoy wine in a convenient way for different occasion. This small can of wine distinguished by Red, White and Rosé, very suitable for lunch, picnic or for people can't hold liquor very well. The price is around $23~27 HKD, not expensive, we can stock dozen cans for daily drink.

My Taste Note:

Red (AOC Corbières): It blends with 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache noir. The color shows beautiful garnet red. It has strong black fruits, black pepper and different type of spices aromas come out slowly. The palate has medium body with very fresh acid and light tannins. In the mouth has full of black fruits and spices flavors.

White (AOC Corbières): It blends with 55% Malvoisie, 25% Rolle Vermentino and 20% Grenache blanc. The color shows pale yellow. The major aroma is pineapple and the rest are grapefruit and lemon, fresh style. On the palate is light body, soft acid, very easy to finish.

Rosé (AOC Languedoc): It blends with 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache Noir. The color shows orange and pink. I can only feel strawberry aroma. The palate has medium body and can find strawberry and candy flavors. Overall, this rosé is fine but after taste has little bitterness.

Overall, all 3 style of Winestar can provide pleasant aromas and taste. For myself, I like red and rosé because the palate is richer than white and the taste has more layer.  For this low price wine can be provided such a quality is worth to try out.              

上個月我在香港發現到一款葡萄酒是裝在一個小型鋁罐裡,容量是187ml.這款罐裝酒叫做Winestar,他們的概念是讓人可以在不同場合上方便一些來品嚐葡萄酒.這款小罐裝葡萄酒分為紅酒,白酒和粉紅酒,非常適合食下午飯和野餐的時候飲用或一些酒量比較差的人飲用.價錢每罐大約 $23~27 HKD比較便宜,可以買多一些方在屋裡慢慢飲.

我的品酒筆記:

紅酒(AOC Corbières) 這款紅酒是混合了40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre a和20% Grenache noir. 它的顏色帶有漂亮的石榴紅.香氣有強烈的黑色水果,黑胡椒和不同的香料慢慢出來.口感是中等酒體,酸味比較鮮明和輕輕的單寧.在口裡有豐富的黑色水果和香料味道.

白酒(AOC Corbières): 這款白酒混合了55% Malvoisie, 25% Rolle Vermentino和20% Grenache blanc.它的顏色帶有淡黃色.香氣帶有主要是菠蘿,有多一些柚子和檸檬,清爽型白酒.口感是輕酒體,輕巧的酸度,我覺得這款比較輕鬆.  

粉紅酒 (AOC Languedoc): 這款粉紅酒混合了 80% Syrah和20% Grenache Noir.它顏色帶有粉紅橙色.我感覺到它有士多啤利香氣.口感是中等酒體和可以找到士多啤利和一些類似糖果味道.整體是不錯,只是after taste有少少苦味.

整體3款酒都提供到優美和宜人酒香和味道.我本人比較喜歡紅酒和粉紅酒,因為這兩款的口感比白酒較醇厚和味道上更有層次.對於這種廉價葡萄酒可以提供到這種質素,是很直得去嚐試.

[France] The taste of history!

In my taste note, Rhône Valley wine is highly recommended. It is separated into Northern and Southern side, each appellation has their unique characteristic. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located in Southern Rhône Valley. This village is full of history, the name in English means New Castle of the Pope. Back to the 14^th century, the papal set a new Castle in Avignon (close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape). Perhaps of the history, the wine bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is embossed with papal keys. The climate is Mediterranean with dry and hot weather. Many of the vineyards are covered by mixed pebbles, sand, clay and limestone. This type of pebbles in French is called Galets, which is larger and smooth. It can retain the heat during daytime and release the heat at night to help the grapes to get fully ripen. The famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine is powerful, full bodies, with high alcohol and jammy fruit because it is mostly made with 75% of Grenache, and the rest is Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picardan and Picpoul. Red wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is permitted to blend with 13 different grapes varieties but most of the wine is blend with 3 varieties such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, only few wineries are blend with all 13 varieties.   

Brunel family owns Château de la Gardine since 1947, before that it may have a longer history. At that time, the vineyards were in a poor condition, because it was left uncultivated during World War 2. Afterward, they replanted and expended the vineyards to the present 52 ha, there are 48 ha for red wine and 4 ha for white wine. The soil of the vineyards is covering by round stones, clay, sand, limestone and pebbles. Average age of the vines are 40 – 60 years old, the oldest vines were planted in 1925. In their wine list include 5 red and 2 white wines. This time, I tried one of the red wine, Château de la Gardine Cuvée Tradition 2008. It blends with 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre,15% Syrah and 5% Muscardin. All the grapes are harvested by hand, and then go through a selection process. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tank and aged 60% in vats and 40% in 1 to 6 years old 225 liters oak for 9 to 14 months.

                      The embossed papal key on the bottle & 酒瓶刻有教皇鑰匙的圖案

                                                          (Photo from website)

My Taste Note: The wine has deep purple color. The aromas include spices, black fruits, violets and strong of lavender. In the mouth, this wine is dry, full body, like there is different of flavors in the mouth, delicate acid. After taste is a little astringent, maybe the tannic is still a bit young then at the end it has little sweet. This wine is interesting because the aromas are continuous showing out during drinking. Overall, it is a strong and powerful wine, with little spicy, in aromas and mouthfeel is very opulent.      

The bottle should have embossed papal keys but 375ml bottle didn't have it.

酒瓶應該是刻有教皇鑰匙的圖案,不過半枝裝(375ml)是沒有刻上.

                                                 Galets (Pebbles) & 鵝卵石
                                                    (Photo from Wikipedia) 

在我的筆記裡法國Rhône Valley (隆河)的酒是非常值得賞試的. 隆河是分為南北兩個區域, 每一個產區都有它們的獨特的特色. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 是位於Rhône Valley的南部. 這裡好像充滿了充滿歷史色彩,如果將 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 翻譯做中文是教皇新堡的意思.回顧到14th世紀,有一位教皇曾經在Avignon(Châteauneuf-du-Pape 附近)興建一座城堡.可能因為歷史的關係, 它們的酒瓶都刻上類似教皇鑰匙的圖案.這裡的地中海氣候,帶有乾燥和較熱的天氣.很多的葡萄園泥土都包含了鵝卵石,沙,粘土和石灰石.這種鵝卵石法文稱為Galets,外形都是大塊和平滑.它可以保留日間的熱量之後在晚上釋放走來,這樣可以幫助葡萄完全熟透. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 的紅酒出名強勁,厚酒身,酒精度偏高和果味較濃郁.因為這些紅酒的葡萄成Grenache佔了75%,其餘的用Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picardan 和Picpoul, Châteauneuf-du-pape是允許用以上13種葡萄來釀製它們的紅酒.用Grenache釀造的紅酒都會比較濃郁和多酒精.不過多數的酒莊都是只用上3款葡萄來釀製,這就是Grenache, Syrah和 Mourvèdre, 只有少數的酒莊才會真正用上13款葡萄來釀製紅酒.  

1947年Brunel家族收購了Château de la Gardine, 在他們收購之前這個酒莊還有一段很長的歷史.在收購的時候葡萄園的環境都是很差,因為在第二次大戰的期間葡萄園都荒廢了.到他們管理之後就返新和擴大葡萄園到現在52公頃,有49公頃是供給紅酒用，另外的4公頃是供給白酒用.葡萄園的泥土都是由石子,粘土,沙子,石灰石和鵝卵石覆蓋著.葡萄樹的平衡年齡是40-60歲,最老的葡萄榭在1925年種植.他們的出產包括5款紅酒和2款白酒.這次我試了他們的紅酒 “Château de la Gardine Cuvée Tradition 2008”, 用了65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre,15% Syrah和5% Muscardin來釀造.所有葡萄都是人手採摘, 然後所有葡萄會經過篩選.榨出來的葡萄汁會在不銹鋼桶內發酵,當釀成酒時60%的酒會放進大木桶內熟成,另外的40%會放進1-6年的225升的舊木桶內9-14個月.

我的品酒筆記: 酒的顏色是深紫色,香氣包括香料,黑色水果,紫羅蘭和很強薰衣草香氣.口感上是乾型紅酒,厚酒身,在口內好像感覺到很多不同的味道最後帶精緻的酸度.After Taste有少少涩可能因為單寜比較年輕,之後有輕微的甜味.這是一款有趣的酒,因為品嚐的時候香氣不斷釋放出來,使你在品酒的時候不會覺得沉悶,慢慢來發掘這款酒的特色.整體這是一款強而有力的紅酒帶有少少辣,在香氣和味覺都是非常豐富.

[South Australia] Get Ready for Christmas Party!!

The Laughing Magpie

The last wine I would like to recommend for Christmas party from Watson’s Wine Christmas promotion is a Red wine from McLaren Vale South Australia, D'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie. D'Arenberg winery was established in 1912. All the wine is made from old and low yielding vines using traditional techniques to obtain a rich fruity flavor. Their wine labels are full of creativeness, each wine has different design and drawing. Dead Arm is one of the masterpieces with 100% of Shiraz, it is worth to try but, the price is not cheap, and not suit for party use. The Laughing Magpie is made with 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier of white grape, a traditional blend from Northern Rhône. The price is less than HK $200, suit for party use. 

“The Laughing Magpie” is an Australian native bird, which has a special laughing sound. The original name is Kookaburra, this Magpie has black and white stripe feather. We could see their footprints surrounding the D’Arenderg winery. Then, it inspired the winemaker that Laughing Magpie will be good to name a blend of black (Shiraz) and white (Viognier) grapes wine. There is a winemaking procedure I need to mention, D’Arenderg is the only winery in Australia who uses old-fashion Basket Pressing for all the wines. This pressing style yields cleaner wine or juice. By spending less time to filter, it can achieve minimal interference. Then, the wine will be transferred to French and American oak barrel for aging.         

My Taste Note: The one I tasted is vintage 2008, famous Australian wine critic James Halliday rated 94 scores and wine critics Robert Parker rated 91 scores. It shows dark purple color. On the nose it has ripe fruit such as blackberry, nutmeg, mint, spices and oak. The palate has supple tannins, pleasant acid, full body and dry but Jammy. Overall, this wine is fruity, balance acid with powerful Shiraz flavors. Although, this is an easy drinking and fruity wine, but it has plenty of depth for aftertaste.    

                                                              Dead Arm

最後一枝酒我想推薦給大家在聖誕節Party享用的, 是來自南澳洲的McLaren Vale (麥克拉倫谷) D'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie. 這款酒都是在葡萄酒店Watson’s Wine的聖誕推廣內. D'Arenberg 酒莊在1912年建立. 釀造它們的酒全部都是來自老和低產量的葡萄樹和用傳統工藝來得到最濃厚的果香或味道. 它們的酒標充滿創意和想像力,每一款酒都有不同設計和圖案. Dead Arm是其中一枝代表做, 用了100% Shiraz(西拉)釀製,是很值得一試,但是價錢比較貴,不宜在Party飲用. The Laughing Magpie用了94% Shiraz(西拉) and 6% Viognier (維歐尼耶)白葡萄,這是法國北隆河(Rhône)的傳統調配. 價錢是低於HK$200,從價錢上這款酒會適宜在Party上飲用.

“The Laughing Magpie”是一種澳洲本土鳥帶有一種特殊的笑聲. 它的原名是叫Kookaburra,外形是黑色和帶有白色條紋的羽毛. 圍繞著D’Arenderg酒莊都可以見到它們的足跡. 之後它就啟發了釀酒師Laughing Magpie很適合改給這款黑(Shiraz)白(Viognier)葡萄調配酒的酒名. 在釀酒過程中,其中一項是很值得一提, D’Arenderg是澳洲唯一的酒莊會用傳統Basket Pressing(在木籃內壓渣),這種壓渣方法可以釀造出更清晰的果汁或酒,用比較少時間來過濾,可以做到跟葡萄酒最少的接觸,但是需要更多的人力. 之後就會轉到法國和美國橡木桶內成熟.

我的品酒筆記: 我是品嚐2008年,出名的澳洲評酒家James Halliday 給了94分, 評酒家Robert Parker給了91分. 這款酒帶有深紫色. 在香氣上有成熟果香例如黑莓, Nutmeg(肉荳蔻),薄荷,香料和橡木. 口感帶有柔軟單寧,宜人的酸,厚身和乾型紅酒不過它帶有Jammy的感覺. 整體這款酒是Fruity,平衡的酸度有強勁的Shiraz味道. 雖然這款酒比較容易入口和Fruity,但是After Taste有的一層一層果味慢慢顯示出來.