Visit to Helm Wines, Canberra District

[tpang]

Couple of weekends ago, I was up/down (depending on your perspective) in Canberra and naturally visited a couple of wineries before lunch at Poachers Pantry. One of my stops was at Helm Wines which uses a converted school house as its cellar door and makes some very nice Rieslings.


Helm Classic Dry Riesling 2011
($30) Very pale colour, a trait I consistently noted for this vintage in this region. Lovely soft aromatics of white grapefruit and pamelo. This represents a classic example of balancing bright acidity without compromising feminine citrus flavours of lemon and grapefruit. Very nice, best enjoyed young. Drink now.

Helm Premium Single Vineyard Riesling 2010
($48) A shade more colour compared to the 2011 Classic. A very fine wine exuding aromas of crushed rock, talc, and lemon. This has finesse in its combination of steely, solid acidity with robust citrus flavours that persist on the finish. Potentially a 15-year wine but I tend to drink my Rieslings young. Drink now – 2030?

Helm Sauvignon Blanc 2009
($25) It’s quite a shame that this cellar door-only wine is also the last release. The fruit for this wine was sourced from neighbours who have sold-up and the vines have since been pulled out. An eye-opening experience tasting this, and I am able to draw many parallel lines with the wines of Sancerre. Aromas of lanolin, lemon rind and melon skins, ripe flavours perfuse the mouth mounted on a solid backbone of acidity. An expressive wine that embodies the coolness of Sauvignon Blanc and I’m very impressed that this quality of wine can be achieved in Australia.

Helm Chardonnay Unwooded 2011
($25) In comparison, I am less convinced of the potential for Chardonnay in this region. This is a nice, crisp Chardonnay with good fruity flavours but falls short on the finish for me. I really wanted to taste more, but it was as though my roller-coaster ride just ended and I had to rejoin the queue.

Helm Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
($32) The 2007 release is a sexy chat noir with a sleek coat of pure blackberry fruit flavours rubbed down with some eucalypt. A full-bodied wine that easy to enjoy armed with robust fruit flavours and dry tannins. Drink now - 2022. I don’t know the production for this but apparently there are about 50 cases remaining as of Feb 2012.

Helm Premium Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
($52) A classic Cabernet Sauvignon with shades of its European cousins. This wine is of an intense, dark ruby colour with plenty of dark berry fruit powdered by a dash of chocolate dust. Attractive flavours are supported by an even slate of young solid tannins and the long finish is very sleek. Drink to 2035. The 2009 vintage will be released in Nov 2012.

Helm Cabernet Shiraz 2008
($35) Another cellar door-only offering that is pet project of Ken and his daughter. Forward notes of blackcurrants, pepper and blueberries, this is a well-knitted wine that represents that is good about Australia Cab Shiraz. It makes for easy drinking and can surely be enjoyed by all. Very attractive fruit flavours lying comfortably on a bed of plush tannins. Drink now – 2017.

[porschemad911]

Thanks for the impressions, so many wineries I need to visit in my local Canberra region!

[GraemeG]

Helm is a unique experience, at least when hosted by the proprietor; here are my impressions from 5 years ago:
https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=8156
I think it's a terrific winery.
GG

[KMP]

Helm is a unique experience, at least when hosted by the proprietor; here are my impressions from 5 years ago:
https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=8156
I think it's a terrific winery.
GG

Agree. The wines can be very special and if you have Ken serving and you don't get his display of how to open a screwcap bottle, make sure you ask for a demo.

Mike