The Auswine Forum

I opened a bottle of Irvine Baroness last night that was obviously faulty. I rang the winery this arvo and Jim Irvine answered the phone, no sooner had I mentioned what I was ringing about and he was asking where he could send a replacement bottle.

No fuss, very interested in getting a customers opinion and very nice to talk to - top marks for public relations !

I was lucky enough to be invited by a mate to a personal wine tasting with Jim Irvine last week when he was in Sydney doing some promotional work. He said he is getting back more focused and stronger on board to his own wine since he has been too busy consulting for other vineyards such as the highly successful "Thorn-Clarke" lablel who's "2002 Shotfire Ridge" received a 94/100 RPJ rating! He was the nicest guy, very down to earth and I was lucky enough to get an autograph! Too bad I didn't have a bottle of '92 Merlot around for him to sign!

We managed to try his Merlot Brut (amazing, not too sweet and not too bubbly either and very smooth), Grand Merlot 98 & 99 (both of them were stunning and thier age showing such great wines with even heaps more potential). He was saying his daughter spent many years in the USA and getting alot experience and exposure to Zinfendel and she has been in charge of getting the Irvines into high quality Zinfandel. Not the light American style but the rich type. We were lucky enough to try his deep full fruity and spicy flavoured 2001 Zinfandel Reserve! They are almost out of this vintage and he said his daughter give him funny looks when he takes one for sampling since there is not much of it left! But the good news is the next release is due out in a few months.

The amazing result and interesting twist was the The Baroness II which is a NV Blend of Merlot, Cab Franc & Cab Sav from various vintages from '98-'01 from some excellent grapes. I was not just floral and blueberry like on the nose but a smooth medium blend with a good balance of spicyness, sweetness and oak. I would definately buy this hands down! Was lucky enough to get to bring the rest of the bottle home and it was an instant hit with my wife who is not into overly bold wines, too bad the remaining amount was only enough for 1 glass each! I just have to find out where to get it from!

Sounds like a good time Dazz. I must make a mental note of getting hold of some of the 98 and 99 merlot, they sound grand (excuse the pun).

I got my release of Baronness I from Gavin here at Auswine, perhaps he will be selling the number II release ? Sounds like I should get hold of a bottle to try it.

markg wrote:Sounds like a good time Dazz. I must make a mental note of getting hold of some of the 98 and 99 merlot, they sound grand (excuse the pun).

I got my release of Baronness I from Gavin here at Auswine, perhaps he will be selling the number II release ? Sounds like I should get hold of a bottle to try it.

Number II available here at your friendly local neighbourhood wine retailer!

Thanks for that guys, will be getting some soon!

FYI - I did a search on the Baroness on Google and found this tasting note:

N.V. Irvine The Baroness II Blend
This remarkable wine carries alot of character starting with the purple/garnet colour that is dark and discerning. The wine itself has alot more restraint than that though,as its aromas are very fresh with characters of sweet blueberry, aniseed oil, floral and lavender and a hint of cedar-berry character. The palate shows just the same amount of elegant control with sweet black fruits marbling with a sweet cinnamon, cedar and earthy characteristics blending well with the everpresent aniseed on the length and finish. The acid and fruit is there partnering perfectly the spiciness, sugar and oak, although the length diminishes quicker than i hoped, it is a fine display of vinicultural art.
- Stuart Olsen, WineOrb Cellarmaster