Ok brief summary of the weekend, but will have to post more later (this week is awful work-wise for me!)
Standout of the trip was Neagles Rock.
Just a beautiful range of wines, particularly the riesling (great depth & acid, whereas most others were very one-dimensional and tasted like lime juice - eg knappstein) and the Shiraz (what a change from the fruit bomb over oaked examples that pop up more commonly from other regions/producers - only bought two, but could easily drink this and enjoy it everyday). The Cabernet was brilliant too.
The cellar door guy was pleasant and smiled throughout, despite a group of 20+ turning up unannounced (we tried to call before we got here, but had no phone reception - WTF?? who seriously takes a group of 20 and doesn't have the courtesy to prearrange it/warn the CD BEFORE the day???)
Disappointment of the trip was Kilkanoon, who seemed to be too busy talking to their buddies (about 6 people in the CD at that time, compared with the many more people at other CDs) to serve or even acknowledge us. We left after standing at the bar looking wistfully at their selection for 5-10 mins.
Jeanneret had a fair crowd and Richard (Tricky Dicky) was playing to it well. My favourite was the sparklign grenache, but they had a cheapie $10 Riesling (?) called 'cowboys and indians' that was very popular amongest the crowd.
Foodwise, the sevenhill pub meal was my favourite, close second being an egg and bacon sandwich from a disturbingly lavender take out in main street clare called 'elan clare'. Epic was closed on Sunday, as was Tara's of auburn! That sandwich was a godsend.
Skillogalee had some lovely wine, but their lunch was a little overrated, and made me think of the star of greece, and wondered whether the reputation had outgrown the food quality? My didning partner had been there several times before and was also disappointed. Girl at the CD with the dreadlocks was great thoguh - very professional and friendly as we waited for our tabel to come up. Their 'the cabernets' was the pick at Skillogalee.
Sevenhill was warm and inviting as always, and the Inigo Shiraz was my favourite there, although their cheapie College red ($12) was yummy too.
Tasting charge-wise, Knappstein was $5 for the top-level wines (recouped on any purchase), as was Skillogalee (but you had to buy a top level wine at $40 for the riesling and $60 for the single contour cabernet, which i was not tempted to spend on). Except of course if you'd said you had bought one before. Then they gave you the taste for free?! Apparently spending $60+ on lunch was no enough to warrant a taste.
Accomodation - The bentley pub/motel was ok for $75/night, but have heard better can be had for the same price elsewhere.
Our second night was at Lemontree cottage in auburn ($215/ night in wine, port, chocolate, full breakfast and the whole place to ourselves).
Highly recommend that. I think it was about $350 for 2 nights (but we could not stay mon night also).
So that was a bit longer than my brief notes! had a great time overall
