Couple of Cellar Door visits in Orange, NSW
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:49 am
I was in Orange for work last week, and as work wrapped up a touch early (how convenient), I got to see a couple of cellar doors in a short afternoon. Very brief impressions of wines from memory only.
I visited Rowlee and De Salis, Thursday afternoon meant I had each place to myself.
I went to Rowlee, as I was hunting for Nebbiolo, which wasn’t on tasting but I got a bottle for later.
Nice cellar door and the owner James took me through most of the range. I thought their Chardonnay and Pinot both very good, clonal differences showing in the Pinot range. Nicely presented cellar door and the owner James was great to chat with. Really liked it.
Nice Rose made entirely from Pinot, picked/made specifically for the Rose.
De Salis has a great spot up on the hill, superb outlook and big deck to taste wines. One of the sons, Ben, took me through the range generously, though it was almost closing time.
Sparkling BdB very good, they have long lees versions of BdB, BdN and blend, not inexpensive though.
Couple of Sauvignon Fume Blanc, textural and savoury finish.
Chardonnay across the range, strong and pure fruit, though lots of oak on the high levels needs time to bed. I got a mid-range 2016 which seemed to be a good vintage, this was still around $50, the higher levels up around $100
and need time.
I enjoyed the mid range Pinot that was more structured and bunchy. The entry level soft and fruity; the higher dark and oaky.
Couple of Bdx blends, I preferred the Franc-dominant wine to the Merlot-dominant, will see how it goes on a longer test run. Not inexpensive here though.
The following morning visited Bloodwood, by appointment only, but well worth booking if you're in the area. And it is such a beautiful spot, tasted with Rhonda through almost the whole range. Long history and lovely stories, including hosting Jancis, enjoying yabbies from the dam.
They’re on 2016 Whites and 2013/2014 reds. Whites the highlight for me.
Delicious, fuller, approachable leesy Riesling, great now or in the cellar.
Two Chardonnay, off different blocks and soil types, the standard and the Schubert, which sees a bit more new oak. I grabbed one of each to give a longer run as thought they were terrific.
Reds lesser than whites, BDX varieties plus Shiraz – I liked the Cab Franc the most and Merlot, Shiraz lesser.
Across the range better value here too.
Will
I visited Rowlee and De Salis, Thursday afternoon meant I had each place to myself.
I went to Rowlee, as I was hunting for Nebbiolo, which wasn’t on tasting but I got a bottle for later.
Nice cellar door and the owner James took me through most of the range. I thought their Chardonnay and Pinot both very good, clonal differences showing in the Pinot range. Nicely presented cellar door and the owner James was great to chat with. Really liked it.
Nice Rose made entirely from Pinot, picked/made specifically for the Rose.
De Salis has a great spot up on the hill, superb outlook and big deck to taste wines. One of the sons, Ben, took me through the range generously, though it was almost closing time.
Sparkling BdB very good, they have long lees versions of BdB, BdN and blend, not inexpensive though.
Couple of Sauvignon Fume Blanc, textural and savoury finish.
Chardonnay across the range, strong and pure fruit, though lots of oak on the high levels needs time to bed. I got a mid-range 2016 which seemed to be a good vintage, this was still around $50, the higher levels up around $100
and need time.I enjoyed the mid range Pinot that was more structured and bunchy. The entry level soft and fruity; the higher dark and oaky.
Couple of Bdx blends, I preferred the Franc-dominant wine to the Merlot-dominant, will see how it goes on a longer test run. Not inexpensive here though.
The following morning visited Bloodwood, by appointment only, but well worth booking if you're in the area. And it is such a beautiful spot, tasted with Rhonda through almost the whole range. Long history and lovely stories, including hosting Jancis, enjoying yabbies from the dam.
They’re on 2016 Whites and 2013/2014 reds. Whites the highlight for me.
Delicious, fuller, approachable leesy Riesling, great now or in the cellar.
Two Chardonnay, off different blocks and soil types, the standard and the Schubert, which sees a bit more new oak. I grabbed one of each to give a longer run as thought they were terrific.
Reds lesser than whites, BDX varieties plus Shiraz – I liked the Cab Franc the most and Merlot, Shiraz lesser.
Across the range better value here too.
Will