Mornington/Geelong Visit

The place on the web to chat about wine, Australian wines, or any other wines for that matter
Post Reply
User avatar
dave vino
Posts: 1505
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 6:23 pm

Mornington/Geelong Visit

Post by dave vino »

Mornington Peninsula and Geelong quick visit. (the drive up Arthurs Seat is amazing for the view).

Eldridge – nice Chardonnay’s, the pinot range had one done by clone (MV6) which was a bit different as opposed to vineyard/block etc. The other Pinot on tasting was a blend of the clones. Lighter more delicate flavours with good length were the characteristic across the range.

Main Ridge – Chardonnay is superb (very Giaconda-like imho). Pinot Half Acre and Acre were very nice. The Acre seeming to have more fruit but the Half Acre better length and back palate.

Paringa – Estate Pinot was great, couldn’t see the value in the Reserve at $90. Had lunch there on a tip from Rosalie at Main Ridge. Had a glass of the Estate Pinot with it (Twice cooked, crackling pork belly, shaved jamon, pomme salardaise, spinach, apple puree, jus) it was sensational. The Pinot just came to life with the food, it took on a whole different character and complexity. The pinot’s here are a lot more fruit forward than Main Ridge and Eldridge.

Kooyong/Port Phillip Estate – Only had the normal stuff left (new release in Oct 1). Actually thought the SavBlanc was very nice. Rest of the range was nice but nothing with the wow factor.

Quick dash back to Main Ridge to pick up some wine for dinner in Torquay along with a Paringa Estate PN, as well as some Red Hill Cheese across the road.

Geelong – was mainly an afterthought since I was in the area. (so probably didn’t do it justice)

Scotchman’s Hill – Quite enjoyed the Riesling there, very full and nice tartness. Enjoyed the CabSav which I think is sourced near Bannoockburn? (could be wrong). But then I had the Cornelius Syrah which was a really interesting wine, it had heaps of character, nice fruit and just a hint of something I couldn’t put my finger on (bacon fat/smoke meat?)

Had brekky at Orange in Barwon Heads, which was great.

Bellbrae – this was on the way back to Melbourne so I had a quick stop and enjoyed their SavBlanc nice tart flavours with a bit of residual sweetness. The also had a nice Moscato made with Muscat grapes from Rutherglen, not as cloying as Innocent Bystander. Also had a nice shiraz with nice cool climate characteristics. and a sparkling cabsav but wasn’t for tasting, but I grabbed a bottle to try it.

User avatar
Daniel Jess
Posts: 214
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:45 pm
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Contact:

Post by Daniel Jess »

Merrick's Estate make an excellent shiraz - try to visit if you can next time (if you haven't before). If you can get the 2000 still, it's well worth it!
WineBox Co. - - conquer the world, one grape at a time - -

User avatar
Leigh
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 8:32 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by Leigh »

Howdy All,

I am off to the Mornington Peninsula in December along with a visit to the Geelong region (Pettavel winery for a long lunch). Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Leigh
WINE - NECTAR OF THE GODS!

crackers
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:41 pm

Post by crackers »

I would seek out Willow Creek, good Chard & Pinot at different levels. I heard Kooyong is opening up a new cellar door/rest should be a great new place to visit on the Mornington strip, wonder if they will put the single vinyard wines up for tastings once opened. :?:

User avatar
dave vino
Posts: 1505
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 6:23 pm

Post by dave vino »

Kooyong CD is not yet operational (but when it is, it will be huge!! think Tempus Two in HV). Port Phillip CDing both (same winemaker different vineyards iirc) I just got mine delivered which is pretty good from MP on Saturday to Sydney by Tuesday.

crackers
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:41 pm

Post by crackers »

Has anyone tried the 2006 Kooyong single vineyard Pinots yet, the 2005 were a great bunch looking forward to the 2006.

User avatar
Daniel Jess
Posts: 214
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:45 pm
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Contact:

Post by Daniel Jess »

crackers wrote:Has anyone tried the 2006 Kooyong single vineyard Pinots yet, the 2005 were a great bunch looking forward to the 2006.


I admit I didn't enjoy the 06 Kooyong Pinot Noir. Far too green for me.
WineBox Co. - - conquer the world, one grape at a time - -

User avatar
griff
Posts: 1906
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:53 am
Location: Sydney

Post by griff »

Daniel Jess wrote:
crackers wrote:Has anyone tried the 2006 Kooyong single vineyard Pinots yet, the 2005 were a great bunch looking forward to the 2006.


I admit I didn't enjoy the 06 Kooyong Pinot Noir. Far too green for me.


Haven't tried the single vineyards. Tried the 06 Kooyong and it was Very good. Didn't find it green to be honest. Found it lacked a wow factor though but it may come in a few years?

cheers

Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?

Whino
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:07 pm

Mornington

Post by Whino »

On all my visits to the Mornignton Peninsula I have always been drawn to Tuck's Ridge and have not once been dissapointed. They have a wonderful range of estate wines and a sensational range of single vineyard wines. Infact the Buckle Pinot 2006 was the top Pinot in the country in Halliday and the Buckle Chardonnay the top chardonnay from the region.
The tasting staff and the tasting experience is the best I've ever enjoyed if somewhat pushy at times. I have even eaten in the cafe and the food is wonderful. A must visit.

pstarr
Posts: 373
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:51 pm
Location: Canberra
Contact:

Post by pstarr »

Visiting David and Wendy Lloyd at Eldridge is good. I like the area and they do a good job of talking about what they are trying to do with their wines (and they make a good gamay).
Paul.

User avatar
Leigh
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 8:32 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by Leigh »

Thanks for all the info. I am slowly working up an Itinery for the trip. My brother who is a wine lover is also coming along for the ride.

Cheers
Leigh :D
WINE - NECTAR OF THE GODS!

crackers
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:41 pm

Post by crackers »

Just read the other day that Willow Creek have a new wine maker, ex stonier Geraldine McFaul, she has made some good pinot at Stonier so be interesting to see what she can do with the Willow creek grapes.

Post Reply