Couple of Cellar Door visits in Orange, NSW

[Willard]

I was in Orange for work last week, and as work wrapped up a touch early (how convenient), I got to see a couple of cellar doors in a short afternoon. Very brief impressions of wines from memory only.

I visited Rowlee and De Salis, Thursday afternoon meant I had each place to myself.

I went to Rowlee, as I was hunting for Nebbiolo, which wasn’t on tasting but I got a bottle for later.
Nice cellar door and the owner James took me through most of the range. I thought their Chardonnay and Pinot both very good, clonal differences showing in the Pinot range. Nicely presented cellar door and the owner James was great to chat with. Really liked it.
Nice Rose made entirely from Pinot, picked/made specifically for the Rose.

De Salis has a great spot up on the hill, superb outlook and big deck to taste wines. One of the sons, Ben, took me through the range generously, though it was almost closing time.

Sparkling BdB very good, they have long lees versions of BdB, BdN and blend, not inexpensive though.
Couple of Sauvignon Fume Blanc, textural and savoury finish.
Chardonnay across the range, strong and pure fruit, though lots of oak on the high levels needs time to bed. I got a mid-range 2016 which seemed to be a good vintage, this was still around $50, the higher levels up around $100 and need time.
I enjoyed the mid range Pinot that was more structured and bunchy. The entry level soft and fruity; the higher dark and oaky.
Couple of Bdx blends, I preferred the Franc-dominant wine to the Merlot-dominant, will see how it goes on a longer test run. Not inexpensive here though.

The following morning visited Bloodwood, by appointment only, but well worth booking if you're in the area. And it is such a beautiful spot, tasted with Rhonda through almost the whole range. Long history and lovely stories, including hosting Jancis, enjoying yabbies from the dam.

They’re on 2016 Whites and 2013/2014 reds. Whites the highlight for me.
Delicious, fuller, approachable leesy Riesling, great now or in the cellar.
Two Chardonnay, off different blocks and soil types, the standard and the Schubert, which sees a bit more new oak. I grabbed one of each to give a longer run as thought they were terrific.
Reds lesser than whites, BDX varieties plus Shiraz – I liked the Cab Franc the most and Merlot, Shiraz lesser.
Across the range better value here too.

Will

[asajoseph]

I really enjoyed my visit to Bloodwood a few months ago - enjoyed the round-table format, and enjoyed tasting with Rhonda. I actually enjoyed the reds slightly more - the Maurice was, for me, one of the better reds I tried during the whole visit.

I do wonder how much longer they'll be going - Rhonda & Stephen are such an integral part of the experience there, and when we were there they were saying the don't have any kind of succession lined up. They're not the most polished outfit in Orange (Ross Hill or Philip Shaw take the prize there), but surely they're the most characterful.

[Willard]

Yes, I really enjoyed the relaxed and personal tasting at Bloodwood too. I enjoy the characterful to the polished anyday!

We didn't get into any succession chatter, but hope they work it out, it seems a unique and terrific location.

Should have mentioned the Maurice, I agree it was very good, up the with the Franc for me. Merlot aside, they seem like they need a fair bit of time to soften even released at 5 or so years post vintage.

Will