The Auswine Forum

I bought a case of this earlier in the year when it showed really well at a Blacktongues tastings winning by a mile, 7 Most votes and 5 Next votes.

I've since done a bit of research on the vineyard as it's in one of my favourite areas, McLaren Vale. Only tiny with four acres on the hillsface up Noons way. Even at four acres there's micro differences and he picks four times, vinifies seperately and assembles at bottling. Impressive stuff for such tiny production.

Thought it time to have another look now that it's had a few months to settle in the cellar and it really surprised again. I think this just shows what micro viticulture can achieve in lesser vintages.

On the nose there's lovely blackberry intensity with dark chocolate and nicely handled oak. The palate like the 2002 has a lovely silky feel with blackberry, plums, dark chocolate, it's rich but without the unbalancing sweetness that afflicts some rich shiraz and after 24 hours breathing savoury notes appeared. Finishing with nice grip, rated very good and a pleasure to drink. Glad I grabbed a case.

707 wrote:I've since done a bit of research on the vineyard as it's in one of my favourite areas, McLaren Vale. Only tiny with four acres on the hillsface up Noons way. Even at four acres there's micro differences and he picks four times, vinifies seperately and assembles at bottling. Impressive stuff for such tiny production.

Hello Steve,

Actually, I would have thought the opposite would be more impressive.

I suspect this is the primary reason we buy wines from tiny producers... because their care in the vineyard and in the shed produces results in the bottle.

Also, thanks for the note. I am a fan of Marius too.

Adair

You can probably have it both ways, it's a scale thing.

At just four acres there must be the temptation to get the whole lot off in one go rather than do four picks and four ferments. He's obviously doing this to get the best possible wine rather than just making A wine.

I know plenty of small (much bigger than four acres) vineyard owners who do one pick although if they studied their sites they should probably break it down into smaller chunks.

Big companies tend to work in a similar way but whole vineyards at a time.

I also found this wine very good.

The palate to me also showed some interseting troical fruit notes, not bad just another level of complexity.

Good Stuff!

707 wrote:You can probably have it both ways, it's a scale thing.

At just four acres there must be the temptation to get the whole lot off in one go rather than do four picks and four ferments. He's obviously doing this to get the best possible wine rather than just making A wine.

I know plenty of small (much bigger than four acres) vineyard owners who do one pick although if they studied their sites they should probably break it down into smaller chunks.

Big companies tend to work in a similar way but whole vineyards at a time.

Interesting and very related article here in Sydney in Good Living by Huon Hooke yesterday. He said that the reason why Coonawarra has been so ordinary (over-ripe and under-ripe in the same wine) is that they picked vineyards as a whole as opposed to understanding the different ripening times of different parts of the vineyard.

Kind regards,
Adair

707 wrote:I know plenty of small (much bigger than four acres) vineyard owners who do one pick although if they studied their sites they should probably break it down into smaller chunks.

Do you buy their wines?

This is becoming the 707/Adair thread!

The penny has dropped in Coonawarra with massive (correct term) vineyard renovations, replantings etc and more care in management and picking. I think we'll finally see the true potential of Coonawarra coming through in the next decade. Guys like Majella have made some of the bigger companies take notice.

Do I buy from small producers who do one pick? Yes I do because the wine in the bottle is interesting and value at the pricepoint. Could they make better wine with a Marius type approach? Probably could in many cases but they need to have the time, inclination and often $ to make the change.

As years go by I get stronger and stronger on site and viticultural practices as the keys to great wine rather than vine age and winemaking. Don't get me wrong however, the last two are important but can't function without the first two.

I'll throw in another - clones. More on this later.

707 wrote:This is becoming the 707/Adair thread!

As years go by I get stronger and stronger on site and viticultural practices as the keys to great wine rather than vine age and winemaking. Don't get me wrong however, the last two are important but can't function without the first two..

Steve,

I am in violent agreement with you. Check this out ....http://tinyurl.com/a6z62

TORB wrote:Check this out ....http://tinyurl.com/a6z62

I started reading this but soon thought I better do so out of work hours.

Adair

Ric, excellent article, maybe you should put it up as a new topic as many people won't get to it hidden under a TN.

707 wrote:Ric, excellent article, maybe you should put it up as a new topic as many people won't get to it hidden under a TN.

Thanks Steve, done!

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2002 Marius Shiraz, eventually buying seven bottles (five left). How does the 2003 compare to that earlier wine?

Thanks and regards, Staybaker.

Staybaker,

I was hoping that someone else would answer your question as I do not want to be seen as 'spruiking my wares' but I think that I can confidently say that if you enjoy the 2002, then the 2003 will not disappoint you.

I reckon that 707's TN is spot on.

Cheers,
Roger

Thanks for that, Roger! I guess a visit to my retailer is in order ...

Cheers, Staybaker.

Staybaker wrote:Thanks for that, Roger! I guess a visit to my retailer is in order ...

Cheers, Staybaker.

try gavin.. winesearcher has him listed as having some in stock.

c

Anonymous wrote:

Staybaker wrote:Thanks for that, Roger! I guess a visit to my retailer is in order ...

Cheers, Staybaker.

try gavin.. winesearcher has him listed as having some in stock.

c

hello

I do indeed, available from me, from the web site, or whizz me a PM or email.

Forum members get good pricing too!

BTW I agree with the above, excellent wine indeed!