NSW alternates (ie not Hunter) - whats your fave?

DerekJ · Post by **DerekJ** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:38 am

Seems to me there are some great wines (and great wines sourcing fruit) from the "new" cool regions in NSW like Orange, Hilltops, Canberra, Tumbarumba.

To date, the best Chardys I have sampled this year have been from Tumbarumba - Hungerford Hill 2005, and Penfolds Bin 311.

There are some great cabernets coming from Orange too.

Whats your fave? Or do they not tickle your taste buds like the usual regions from SA, VIC, WA?

707 · Post by **707** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:40 am

Is Canberra NSW?

KMP · Post by **KMP** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:33 am

707 wrote:Is Canberra NSW?

No, ACT. But not all the wineries are in the ACT - link.

Several years ago, Miranda and I drove from Canberra to Tumut (I lived there as a teenager) via Yass. We planned to drop in on all wineries on the way. NONE, let me repeat that, NONE were open! Even the bottle shops in Yass had a poor slection of the local wines. And the tourist info center in Yass? Correct CLOSED. Bloody useless.

I was impressed with Orange several years ago, and wouldn't mind a return visit. Mudgee? Never been impressed in over 30 years (not cool climate). Tumbarumba? Haven't tasted anything from there. Played cricket there a few times, thou.

Mike

DerekJ · Post by **DerekJ** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:48 am

707 wrote:Is Canberra NSW?

Smart ass

"Canberra District" then, as the region is officially called. Stupid name, as most wineries are not in Canberra, nor even the ACT. Most are near Murumbateman and Yass, which are both in NSW, so there!

Ratcatcher · Post by **Ratcatcher** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:18 pm

I've read lots of good reviews about Chalker's Crossing's wines and I like the McWilliams Barwang reds, so I'm interested in the Hilltops region.

Never actually tried the Chalkers Crossings though as nobody in Tas seems to stock them. I almost ordered a dozen from cellar door a year or so ago but never went though with it.

I've tried a couple of Mudgee's. They were OK but I wasn't super impressed.

marsalla · Post by **marsalla** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:05 pm

If there was a passionate competant winemaker/viticulturist in Tumbarumba the region would be making some of the best pinot in Australia. It hasnt got it yet, and with the slow withdrawal of the big companies from NSW, (Fosters, Constelllation, Orlando) it will be harder for the small operators to get off the ground, (fruit sales often underpin small wine producers)

Young is good, mudgee and orange are overated, and Canberra is already there(Clonakilla is the benchmark for what it does)

winetastic · Post by **winetastic** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:04 pm

There are some excellent value for money wines coming out of Mudgee, lots of vineyards out that way and well worth a weekend (or entire week) trip.

Some producers I like: Frog Rock (Premium Shiraz/Cab), Thistle Hill (Pinot - Fruit sourced from Orange), Farmer's Daughter (Shiraz/Cab) and di Lusso (Italian Varietals).

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:44 pm

Wot?????

No one has mentioned the Southern Highlands and their "unbelievable" wines. :twisted:

seddo · Post by **seddo** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:08 pm

Ratcatcher - can vouch for Chalkers Crossing - great cab's especially 03

cheers
Seddo

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:43 pm

KMP wrote:
707 wrote:Is Canberra NSW?
Several years ago, Miranda and I drove from Canberra to Tumut (I lived there as a teenager) via Yass. We planned to drop in on all wineries on the way. NONE, let me repeat that, NONE were open! Even the bottle shops in Yass had a poor slection of the local wines. And the tourist info center in Yass? Correct CLOSED. Bloody useless.
Mike

KMP

This sounds very strange. What time of week was it? Tuesday, Wednesday or a weekend?

I was visiting there not long ago and there were heaps to choose from. Several, like Clonakilla, are open 7 days.

I like Canberra District alot but I find NSW as a whole problematic. I would say the Riverina is my favourite because of its botrytis and value.

Chalkers Crossing are great. Lovely winemaker. She is really wonderful to talk to.

Hilltops and Tumbarumba seem to be the next big thing. For quality anyway, perhaps not the touristy thing that the Hunter has going. I hope I get to try more of the wines from these regions later this year. So many wines on my to do list though.

Billy B

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:33 am

Winburndale from Bathurst (yes Bathurst) make a few great wines. They were the winery at a recent degustation dinner I went to and I have to say I was surprised and impressed. One to look out for in the future.

GraemeG · Post by **GraemeG** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:42 am

TORB wrote:Wot?????

No one has mentioned the Southern Highlands and their "unbelievable" wines.

All the pinot gris lovers will rise to its defence, I'm sure...

Although, soil fertility notwithstanding, there might be the odd respectable wine. Bring on the Cote d'Mittagong.
cheers,
Graeme

DJ · Post by DJ » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:47 am

Canobolas Smith at Orange has never failed to impress whenever I have had their wines. For me its in the category of "I must buy more of these." Canobolas Smith seems to be a bit warmer than Bloodwood as they get greater ripeness in their reds. That being said Bloodwood's white and sparkling are excellent and some vintages of the reds are very good.

winetastic · Post by **winetastic** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:43 am

Sharkey wrote:Winburndale from Bathurst (yes Bathurst) make a few great wines. They were the winery at a recent degustation dinner I went to and I have to say I was surprised and impressed. One to look out for in the future.

I will second those sentiments, tried their wines at a wine show in sydney, bloody fantastic for the price.

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:45 pm

In 2001 I happened to spend a few days visiting wineries in Mudgee and I felt that the wines of Huntington Estate were by far the best. They had depth and character. At the time I didn't find any other wineries of interest. I am of course talking about wines from Mudgee, not wines shipped in from other areas.

I've only had one wine from Tumbarumba, a Hungerford Hill chardonnay and it was quite good.

A 2000 Barwang Cabernet that I had recently was pretty decent. It needed decanting and and breathing.

Then there are the lovely desert wines from Griffith.

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