Grampians Cellar Doors

[shirazphile]

Did a couple of cellar doors in the Great Western area of the Grampians. I did not take any notes as I was on my way back home from a work trip, thus the decriptions of the wines will be light on. My thought are below:

Best's
You can smell the history in this place. The cellar door is located in the old horse stables in front of what is now the winery. I also love the self-guided tours of the historic cellars (free of charge).The lady serving me was very friendly and knowlegable about the winery/wines. Spoke to Viv Thompson, who was quite friendly as well. Advised the only reason they are not currently part of the First Families of Wine was the high cost of participation. Such a shame.
The wines:
2016 Great Western Riesling
A different style to the Clare. Smelt minerally on the nose which extended to the palate. There was also some slate and florals thrown in. Lovely acide structure. Will cellar a treat.
2014 Chardonnay
Sold out of the 2015 Chardonnay, so was served this wine. Cashew and grapefruit on the nose. There was grilled fruit and lemon pith on the palate. Lovely mineral finish.
2015 Pinot Noir
This was a pleasant surprise given that this is not a region known for Pinot Noir. Classic strawberry and cherry on the note, which also carried through to the palate. Forest berries intertwined on the palate as well.
2013 Dolcetto
Never had a Dolcetto before. Similar to Sangiovese in taste profile. Nice boysenberry , plum,and earthen flavours.
2014 Bin 1 Shiraz
Best Bin 1 I have had in a while. Succulent blueberry, blackberry and plum flavours. Some lovely black pepper notes complete the picture. Long finish.
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Nice cool climate style. Medium bodied with with classic tobacco, blackcurrant. Nice structure.
2013 Bin O Shiraz
High quality wine. Classic Grampains shiraz. Purple fruit flavours, mint, and cloves. Tight and savoury. Requires time, but it is all there.

It is safe to say I was very impressed with the wines at Best's.

Seppelt Great Western
Good to see this magnificent facility has been saved. Not happy the fruit will be trucked to the Barossa Valley to make the wine. Even the cellar door person who served me has concerns about the quality of wines going forward for this reason. He also advised that the current vintage St Peters Shiraz (2013) is made from fruit from the vineyard in front of the winery. This may not be the case in vintages from 2016 onwards.
The wines:
2016 Great Western Riesling
More citrussy than the Best's riesling. Had a bit of spice with Granny Smith flavours. Had some marmalade flavours to boot. Not quite as good as the Best's riesling.
2015 Jaluka Chardonnay
More rich than I expected, but in a good way. Single vineyard wine off the famous Drumborg vineyard. A bouquet of white flowers and citrus. Nectarine, cashews, cream, fig, and melon palate frame the wine with a mineral finish. Will cellar a treat. Very happy I bought a six pack a few months ago.
2014 Pinot Noir
Wow, Burgundy in a bottle. Forrest fruits aromas, with banyard, undergrowth, earthen flavours filling the month. Long finish. Excellent wine. The cellar door person advised most of the Pinot Noir fruit from the Drumborg vineyard goes into sparkling base, but some is kept aside for a still Pinot Noir.
2014 Chalambar Shiraz
Best Chalambar Shiraz I have had for many years. 90% Grampians fruit. Lovely red fruits intermingled with black pepper. Savoury but with intensity. Will cellar for many years.
2013 St Peters Shiraz
Brilliant wine. Flavour to burn. Blackberry and floral nose. Black fruits, nutmeg, spices, and meaty complexity within a medium body. Cracked black pepper completes the picture. Lovely mineral texture.

[Phil H]

Thanks for the notes, I have been following Chalambar for years, and have recently been interested in their Chardonnay & Pinot. I haven't tasted much of Best's, maybe I should seek some out.

[swirler]

No Drumborg wines tasted? I'd be very disappointed to travel all the way there and not taste that, although you did taste St Peter's. Was the Drumborg sold out?

[shirazphile]

I did not taste the Drumborg Riesling or Chardonnay. Was in a bit of a hurry to get home. The Jaluka Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are both from the Drumborg vineyard though.

[swirler]

Drumborg chardonnay and riesling are fantastic wines. Pity you ran out of time.

[sparky]

I've just come back from a couple of days around the Grampians and there are a couple more I'd add to the list if you've got a couple of days in the area (which I'd highly recommend). Ararat is a great little town and if you get sick of wineries, there are haunted asylums, great nature trails and parks and plenty to do in such a beautiful region.

Montara is just on the outskirts of Ararat with fabulous views across to Mt Langi. Leigh and Simon the winemakers are lovely gents with a wealth of knowledge. I can't comment on the finished wines, but the barrels we were looking at were very smart, so I'd suggest well worth further investigation.

Clayfield is a bit further out to the west at Moyston, looking out to the hypnotic Grampians. Small and by appointment and if you don't like Shiraz, possibly not for you. If you do like Shiraz however... To get an idea of the quality of conversation and attention you'll get if you make the trip there, have a look at their website.

Langi Ghiran is iconic. Go there.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I very much enjoyed visiting the few cellar doors in Great Western, specifically Best's, Seppelt Great Western (especially the underground cellars), Garden Gully, and Mount Langhi Ghiran - it was quite a while ago but I have fond memories of them. A few thoughts:

- There was a cleanskin at Best's that was made from the incredible mix of varietals in their nursery block, some of them unidentifiable.
- Seppelt's offered every retiring Australian Prime Minister a locked cellar in their underground tasting room.
- Garden Gully's Sparking Shiraz was a really nice drop, I should have bought a bottle instead of trying to source back in Sydney. I heard that they were no longer operating.
- At Mount Langhi I was particularly impressed with the 1998 'Joanna' Cabernet, a wine that I don't think they make anymore.

Anyway, thanks for the notes.

Cheers................Mahmoud.

[phillisc]

Hi Moira, good to see you on the forum again...knowing you Grampians is probably an overnighter on the deadly treadly

Am going through this part of the world shortly and will get to Bests, Seppelts and Langi...can't wait.
Cheers
Craig

[sparky]

Hi Moira, good to see you on the forum again...knowing you Grampians is probably an overnighter on the deadly treadly

Am going through this part of the world shortly and will get to Bests, Seppelts and Langi...can't wait.
Cheers
Craig

Haha Craig A little far for a day trip on the bike, but I do admit to taking my trail shoes for a little dawn adventure up One Tree Hill in Ararat. Highly recommended for the sunrise behind Mt Langi on one side and the view across to the Grampians on the other.