REDBANK - SallyÂ’s Hill & SallyÂ’s Paddock Tasting Repor
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:46 am
REDBANK - SallyÂ’s Hill & SallyÂ’s Paddock Tasting Report
I first met winemaker Neill Robb in 1992 at the Victorian Wine Show in Sydney. Back then I made an entry into my diary that the SallyÂ’s Paddock blend was an exceptional wine.
As the years passed, and as styles came and went, I nearly forgot about the REDBANK wines, but last year the 2001 SallyÂ’s Paddock once again grabbed my attention. I saw Neill Robb briefly at this yearÂ’s Victorian show, although he wasnÂ’t well, he stood his guard, serving his wines with a smile. Hurriedly I tasted a couple of his reds on offer and made a note that I must look at them properly later, so I did. I can honestly say I rediscovered the Pyrenees region this year, starting with Dalwhinnie (My previous report on that winery can be read here.)
RedbankÂ’s fruit-driven, second-tier, new label, SallyÂ’s Hill (also estate) range surprised me with their very high quality. The 2002 SallyÂ’s Paddock as expected is a very serious wine. Redbank is a family owned winery in the Pyrenees region of Victoria established by Neill and Sally Robb more than 30 years ago.
My impressions of the top Redbank reds are below:
The SallyÂ’s Hill Range Reds
2003 SALLY'S HILL Pinot Noir
Colour bright cherry red. Strawberry jam on the nose with fragrant spices. After swirling, cooked beetroot and ripe cherry aromas surface. Rich and cuddly on the palate with excellent weight of fruit and tannins. Ripe strawberry flavours on the middle palate. The wine finishing with soft acid and slightly burning alcohol. I found no notable oak influence on the palate. The high alcohol of 15% vol. suggest that this Pinot was made from super ripe grapes, destined for immediate consumption. A lovely, rich and round wine that is good drinking now and over the next 3 years. Cost around AU $29.
2002 SALLYÂ’S HILL Shiraz
Colour dark cherry red with black centre. Black cherries, blood plum, aromatic dark fruits and exotic fruit scents once it opens up. A noble, smelling wine. Ripe, thick, black and seductive fruit flavours on the palate. Mouthfilling, seamlessly velvety medium to full bodied Shiraz. Sensual and temptingly smooth. Excellent balance. The fine tannins only appear later. The oak kicks in at the end providing perfect support. The ripeness level is simply superb. What a lovely drinking experience! Approachable and delicious now, it will age gracefully for 8 years. Very impressive wine from no doubt an excellent vintage for Redbank. The richness level reminded me of a good McLaren Vale Shiraz but without the hotness on the finish that I sometimes experience in Shiraz from that region. I loved it, and at around AU $26, it is superb value.
2001 SALLYÂ’S HILL Cabernet
Ah! Get some of this before the word gets out. Colour cherry red. First up there is only fresh cherry aromas on the nose. After swirling, deeper and more complex blackcurrant Cabernet aromas emerge. This wine needs airing. It changed character considerably after 2 hours. The palate is medium bodied. It is a very elegant and stylish wine that quietly grows on you. After two hours it opened up with rich berry fruits and with excellent Cabernet definition and lovely spicy vanilla oak. A rich and tasty red with fine acid and ripe tannins mixing with quality grainy oak on the finish. I drunk this wine with Italian pasta and it was a perfect match. A lovely and fresh tasting bistro style modern Pyrenees cabernet that will cellar well for 8 years. Awesome value for such a beautiful and seductive wine. I loved it, just loved it. Cost around AU $26.
2002 SALLYÂ’S PADDOCK
Now to the grand finale. The Paddock red differs greatly from the Hill series in that it is a long haul, serious and aristocratic wine. When compared to Bordeaux, this vintageÂ’s blend is easily of Second Growth level. A focused, expertly made, impressive wine that at the price will take second place to none. Tasting fresh and young, decant this, or at least let it breath a few hours. The 2002 SallyÂ’s Paddock is a very powerful wine that will accompany any hearty and flavourful food.
Grapes were hand picked from 29 years old vines from a single non-irrigated vineyard at Redbank. Wild yeast fermented, hand punched and basket pressed, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and Merlot were aged in new American and French Nevers oak. Alcohol is at 13.5% vol.
Colour dark cherry with impenetrable black centre. Red berries, black berries, fruits of the forest and clove on the nose. Lovely, ripe blackcurrant cabernet aromas emerge after swirling, mixing with cherries and dark fruits. The aromas reminded me a top class Margaux wine. The palate is extremely tight, concentrated and focused with rich dark fruits. It is a seamlessly harmonious and perfectly balanced red. Serious intensity and power. Fierce tannins and extremely high quality grainy cedar oak creep up on the finish. Superb length that lasts beyond a minute. Definitely not ready to drink, and looking somewhat closed, it is a very young and stylish red with a promising future.
Still, I recommend you try one now to see the quality but leave the rest in the cellar, as this serious and concentrated wine is destined for a long life. In my opinion it will open up and blossom in 8 years time but will last for at least another 15 years after that. According to winemaker Neill Robb, itÂ’s one his best since the magnificent 1981. The wine cost AU $50+ and it is money well spent.
To summarise my experience, I was very impressed with this range from Redbank. Many will enjoy the richness of the Hill range, the Cabernet is especially delicious, just perfect drinking. Connoisseurs and collectors should not miss the 2002 Paddock. It is a top wine. If for whatever reason you canÂ’t locate these wines, try the winery.
Cheers,
Attila
I first met winemaker Neill Robb in 1992 at the Victorian Wine Show in Sydney. Back then I made an entry into my diary that the SallyÂ’s Paddock blend was an exceptional wine.
As the years passed, and as styles came and went, I nearly forgot about the REDBANK wines, but last year the 2001 SallyÂ’s Paddock once again grabbed my attention. I saw Neill Robb briefly at this yearÂ’s Victorian show, although he wasnÂ’t well, he stood his guard, serving his wines with a smile. Hurriedly I tasted a couple of his reds on offer and made a note that I must look at them properly later, so I did. I can honestly say I rediscovered the Pyrenees region this year, starting with Dalwhinnie (My previous report on that winery can be read here.)
RedbankÂ’s fruit-driven, second-tier, new label, SallyÂ’s Hill (also estate) range surprised me with their very high quality. The 2002 SallyÂ’s Paddock as expected is a very serious wine. Redbank is a family owned winery in the Pyrenees region of Victoria established by Neill and Sally Robb more than 30 years ago.
My impressions of the top Redbank reds are below:
The SallyÂ’s Hill Range Reds
2003 SALLY'S HILL Pinot Noir
Colour bright cherry red. Strawberry jam on the nose with fragrant spices. After swirling, cooked beetroot and ripe cherry aromas surface. Rich and cuddly on the palate with excellent weight of fruit and tannins. Ripe strawberry flavours on the middle palate. The wine finishing with soft acid and slightly burning alcohol. I found no notable oak influence on the palate. The high alcohol of 15% vol. suggest that this Pinot was made from super ripe grapes, destined for immediate consumption. A lovely, rich and round wine that is good drinking now and over the next 3 years. Cost around AU $29.
2002 SALLYÂ’S HILL Shiraz
Colour dark cherry red with black centre. Black cherries, blood plum, aromatic dark fruits and exotic fruit scents once it opens up. A noble, smelling wine. Ripe, thick, black and seductive fruit flavours on the palate. Mouthfilling, seamlessly velvety medium to full bodied Shiraz. Sensual and temptingly smooth. Excellent balance. The fine tannins only appear later. The oak kicks in at the end providing perfect support. The ripeness level is simply superb. What a lovely drinking experience! Approachable and delicious now, it will age gracefully for 8 years. Very impressive wine from no doubt an excellent vintage for Redbank. The richness level reminded me of a good McLaren Vale Shiraz but without the hotness on the finish that I sometimes experience in Shiraz from that region. I loved it, and at around AU $26, it is superb value.
2001 SALLYÂ’S HILL Cabernet
Ah! Get some of this before the word gets out. Colour cherry red. First up there is only fresh cherry aromas on the nose. After swirling, deeper and more complex blackcurrant Cabernet aromas emerge. This wine needs airing. It changed character considerably after 2 hours. The palate is medium bodied. It is a very elegant and stylish wine that quietly grows on you. After two hours it opened up with rich berry fruits and with excellent Cabernet definition and lovely spicy vanilla oak. A rich and tasty red with fine acid and ripe tannins mixing with quality grainy oak on the finish. I drunk this wine with Italian pasta and it was a perfect match. A lovely and fresh tasting bistro style modern Pyrenees cabernet that will cellar well for 8 years. Awesome value for such a beautiful and seductive wine. I loved it, just loved it. Cost around AU $26.
2002 SALLYÂ’S PADDOCK
Now to the grand finale. The Paddock red differs greatly from the Hill series in that it is a long haul, serious and aristocratic wine. When compared to Bordeaux, this vintageÂ’s blend is easily of Second Growth level. A focused, expertly made, impressive wine that at the price will take second place to none. Tasting fresh and young, decant this, or at least let it breath a few hours. The 2002 SallyÂ’s Paddock is a very powerful wine that will accompany any hearty and flavourful food.
Grapes were hand picked from 29 years old vines from a single non-irrigated vineyard at Redbank. Wild yeast fermented, hand punched and basket pressed, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and Merlot were aged in new American and French Nevers oak. Alcohol is at 13.5% vol.
Colour dark cherry with impenetrable black centre. Red berries, black berries, fruits of the forest and clove on the nose. Lovely, ripe blackcurrant cabernet aromas emerge after swirling, mixing with cherries and dark fruits. The aromas reminded me a top class Margaux wine. The palate is extremely tight, concentrated and focused with rich dark fruits. It is a seamlessly harmonious and perfectly balanced red. Serious intensity and power. Fierce tannins and extremely high quality grainy cedar oak creep up on the finish. Superb length that lasts beyond a minute. Definitely not ready to drink, and looking somewhat closed, it is a very young and stylish red with a promising future.
Still, I recommend you try one now to see the quality but leave the rest in the cellar, as this serious and concentrated wine is destined for a long life. In my opinion it will open up and blossom in 8 years time but will last for at least another 15 years after that. According to winemaker Neill Robb, itÂ’s one his best since the magnificent 1981. The wine cost AU $50+ and it is money well spent.
To summarise my experience, I was very impressed with this range from Redbank. Many will enjoy the richness of the Hill range, the Cabernet is especially delicious, just perfect drinking. Connoisseurs and collectors should not miss the 2002 Paddock. It is a top wine. If for whatever reason you canÂ’t locate these wines, try the winery.
Cheers,
Attila