Australian Wine Tasting at Café Maxx
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 06:30 PM
This Event has been read: 996 times.
A man cannot make him laugh - but that's no marvel; he drinks no wine.
SHAKESPEARE, Henry IV Part 2
This event is our kickoff for the 2012 Wine Tasting series at Cafe Maxx, so from here till the end of November we will be hosting a wine tasting at Cafe Maxx on every other Wednesday night at 6:30pm.
Our world-wide wine tour will begin this year in one of my favorite wine producing countries, Australia.
The state of the Australian wine industry could be in dire straits if it were not for a few of its leading brands still making fine progress not only in quality but in sales from other countries- like China. The Chinese have a love affair with Penfolds and to the extent that they have a wine that is named Binfolds that is wildly popular in China.
The US market has been incredibly soft with high end Australian wines but the value end of the marketplace is still showing strong growth here and even though the plethora of $50+ wines from Australia are no longer available, there is still a ton of choices in the $15-$25 price range like these that we are showing tonight and we also have a few top level wines to show you that Australia is among the world's leading wine producers today in terms of quality also.
Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio produces 1/3 of all the wine that is exported from Australian and they cover the entire range of wines from everyday grocery store brands like the Little Penguin to the most prestigious wine made in all of the land down under- Penfolds Grange. Although we will not be pouring Grange tonight, we have an annual event where we showcase the new release of Penfolds Grange- this year it is Friday July 20th.
Tonight we will taste through a range of wines from Treasury Wine Estates Portfolio to show the diversity of this portfolio and how they really do cover all the bases when it comes to price, quality and value. The line-up starts with one of the most exciting white varietals made in Australia today, Riesling from the cool Adelaide Hills appellation and ends with one of my favorite wines from this portfolio, Grange's alter Ego, Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz. Chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. The fee for this event is $35 + tax, for reservations call 954-782-0606.
Australian Wine Tasting at Cafe Maxx
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
6:30 PM
Tasting Line-up:
Penfolds Riesling Bin 51 2009
Price: $19.50 Sale $17.16 Case $199
(89 Points) Penfolds- 2009 Bin 51 Riesling was sourced from two Eden Valley vineyards. Medium straw-colored, it gives up a stellar nose of spring flowers, mineral, and citrus. Crisp, flavorful, dry, and well-balanced on the palate, it will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well through 2017. Wine Advocate # 186, Dec 2009
Penfolds Chardonnay Bin 311 2008
Price: $25.50 Sale $22.44 Case $260
(88 Points) The 2008 Bin 311 Chardonnay from Tumbarumba spent 8 months in seasoned French oak. It displays a reticent perfume of mineral, baking spices, poached pear, and apple. Medium-bodied with a steely personality and flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and green apple, it will drink well for another 4-5 years. Wine Advocate # 186, Dec 2009
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir 2006
Price: $35 Sale $30.80 Case $357
(90 Points) The red wines start with the 2006 Pinot Noir “Cellar Reserve”. A mere 1,200 cases were produced of this wild yeast fermented Pinot, all of which is destined for restaurants. Dark ruby-colored, it reveals an enticing perfume of red plums, kirsch, and raspberry. Medium-bodied, it has layers of spicy flavors, elegance, and excellent balance. It will evolve for 3-4 years and drink well through 2020. Penfolds, arguably Australia’s most famous winery, continues to perform at a high level under the leadership of Head Winemaker, Peter Gago. Wine Advocate # 173, Oct 2007
Rosemount GSM Show Reserve 2006
Price: $30 Sale $26.40 Case $306
(89 Points) Velvety and round, with an open texture. Currant and blackberry flavors pick up hints of loamy earth as they linger. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2014. 4,200 cases imported. –HS Wine Spectator Issue: Oct 15, 2009
Penfolds Kalimna Shiraz Bin 28 2008
Price: $25.50 Sale $22.44 Case $260
(90 Points) Matured in older American oak, the 2008 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz reveals a deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of ripe cherries, blackberry preserves and crushed blueberries with some hints of baking spices and slightly burnt toast. Rich, ripe, full bodied and generous in the mouth, it has a medium level of rounded tannins, very crisp acid and a long finish. Drinking well now, it should remain good to 2017. eRobertParker.com #199, Feb 2012
Rosemount Syrah Balmoral 2004
Price: $45 Sale $39.60 Case $459
(90 Points) The 2004 Balmoral Syrah is 100% Shiraz aged for 18 months in American (80% new) and French oak. Purple-colored, it delivers an expressive perfume of cigar box, cocoa, violets, incense, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied and sweetly-fruited, it has layers of savory blue and black fruit flavors, enough structure to evolve for several more years, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it from 2011 to 2019. Wine Advocate # 186, Dec 2009
Penfolds Shiraz St Henri, 2007
Price: $72 Sale $63.36 Case $765
(93 Points) Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2007 St Henri Shiraz is a little closed at this stage, revealing subtle earthy notes over crushed blackberries, pencil lead, toast, game, smoky bacon and tree bark. Medium bodied, elegantly fruited and still very tight-knit, the palate offers beautiful purity structured with firm chewy tannins and very crisp acid that should see it through a long life. Consider drinking it 2013 to 2022+. eRobertParker.com #199, Feb 2012
Penfolds Bin 389 Shiraz Cabernet 2009
Price: $52.50 Sale $46.20 Case $536
Created by the legendary Max Schubert - creator of Penfolds Grange - Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Poor Man's Grange' or 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange.
First made in 1960, this was the wine that helped to build Penfolds solid reputation with red wine drinkers. Combining the structure of Cabernet with the richness of Shiraz, Bin 389 also exemplifies Penfolds skill in balancing fruit and oak.
Chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. The fee for this event is $35 + tax, for reservations call 954-782-0606.
