Does Tower in the Hunter have a CD (open & tasting?) mor

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 8:05 am

We've got tomorrow & Saturday up in the Hunter, and apart from catching up on a few regulars, I was toying with visiting Tower Estate - wondering whether they had a CD and were open. Also, anyone been recently enough to know if Lakes Folly is still open or are they now sold out?

Thanks all,
Graeme

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:21 am

Graeme,

Tower definitely has cellar door sales, not sure about Lakes Folly.

Grant Dodd · Post by **Grant Dodd** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:01 pm

Tower Estate definately has cellar door sales,open 7 days. Lakes Folly do also,though not sure about opening times.Only two wines on tasting there though.

Cheers

jezza · Post by **jezza** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:47 pm

Graeme;

I haven't noticed the "SOLD OUT" sign at Lakes as I go to work but I will make a point of looking tommorrow morning.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 12:27 am

The Tower estate opens 7 days from 10 am to 5 pm. (02)49987989

Lake's folly opens Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.(02) 49987507

Gives them a call if in doubt.

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 12:02 pm

The news from Lakes is that they are still selling both wines from the 01 vintage, and what good wines they are! Jeremy Oliver has bestowed upon the red his WOTY award, and they were selling copies of his new 2004 (blue) Annual at CD. I bought a couple of bottles of the red (for $43ea), which is very smooth and polished, with lovely balance and a fragrant nose of spicy berries. I thought the Chardonnay was very good - if they continue in this vein then Tyrrells will have a challenger to Vat 47's claim as the Hunter's top Chardy.

Tower Estate were pouring a respectable range of wines, with the 02 Hunter Shiraz being the pick of them for my money. Can't get too excited about the 02 Orange reds (sangiovese, barbera, & merlot). Others in Clare have done better with 2002 riesling, and the 03 Adelaide Hills SB is clearly an early drinker, given it's modest acidity. At $40 the Coonawarra cabernet is simply overpriced.

Tyrrell's 2003 whites are reasonable quality wines, most destined for fairly early consumption to show ther best (which they state in their own notes), and which consequently look a little expensive, especially considering the Vat 47 has shot from $30 to $35!

And by the way, isn't it time that Broke Road actually got a decent surface instead of the quilt arrangement of patched potholes it presents at the moment? Sheesh...

cheers,
Graeme