Barossa Valley Estate
Our next stop was the Barossa Valley Estate winery which was about ten minutes along the road from Chateau Dorrien. Barossa Valley Estate was founded by a cooperative of grape growers in 1985. A few years ago Hardy's bought, if my cellar door recollection is right, half of the company.
With this cash injection, the current winery and cellar door were built. The winery grounds were rather expansive with sparkly modern facilities. On the outside the cellar door looked minimalistically modern with the local stone giving it an inviting touch. Woodern floors, a fireplace and an ultra-modern bar made the cellar door chic and cosy.
We started off by tasting the whites: the ubiquitous chardonnay, classic Barossa semillon and the stalwart Eden Valley riesling. As usual the chardonnay didn't do much for me although it was more refreshing and less cloyingly buttery than most. The semillon was a bit of a disappointment since I've associated Barossa semillon with a moresome lemon butter palette.
Unfortunately the riesling didn't sing out to me either. Finally, to round off the whites, there was a frontignac which had a balanced sweetness to it so I ended up buying a couple of bottles, be good with Asian food I dare say. There was also a rose, which like the frontignac seems to be a cellar door exclusive. This again had a balanced slight sweetness but with a bit more complexity and assertiveness in the mouth. Again I bought a couple of bottles and they should go well with any food.
Barossa Valley Estate also make a cellar door only sparkling red wine although I don't recall the varietal blend being specified. It was technically well made but it just lacked that refreshing apparent fruit sweetness that my favourite sparkling reds have. We tried some other reds but they just didn't make an impression upon me with the exception of the shiraz for which this place and every other Barossa winery and it's dog are renowned for.
The Epiphany shiraz we tried was classic Barossa shiraz with all flavours clear and present. I had to also try the more upmarket 2002 Ebenezer shiraz, of which I have a few bottles. It had all the flavours of the Epiphany and then some with the intensity turned up. However whereas the Epiphany was more approachable the Ebenezer was just that bit aloof to let you know it needed some time on its own. The lady at the cellar door confirmed my thought that it would reach another level of complexity and open up in another five years or so.
Although the whites were a bit of a disappointment they were well made, especially considering the attention the reds get. The shiraz certainly deserved it's fine reputation and the sweeter wines were a pleasant discovery. Whilst the cellar door could have done with a better view it is still a lovely place for intimate social gatherings.
With this cash injection, the current winery and cellar door were built. The winery grounds were rather expansive with sparkly modern facilities. On the outside the cellar door looked minimalistically modern with the local stone giving it an inviting touch. Woodern floors, a fireplace and an ultra-modern bar made the cellar door chic and cosy.
We started off by tasting the whites: the ubiquitous chardonnay, classic Barossa semillon and the stalwart Eden Valley riesling. As usual the chardonnay didn't do much for me although it was more refreshing and less cloyingly buttery than most. The semillon was a bit of a disappointment since I've associated Barossa semillon with a moresome lemon butter palette.
Unfortunately the riesling didn't sing out to me either. Finally, to round off the whites, there was a frontignac which had a balanced sweetness to it so I ended up buying a couple of bottles, be good with Asian food I dare say. There was also a rose, which like the frontignac seems to be a cellar door exclusive. This again had a balanced slight sweetness but with a bit more complexity and assertiveness in the mouth. Again I bought a couple of bottles and they should go well with any food.
Barossa Valley Estate also make a cellar door only sparkling red wine although I don't recall the varietal blend being specified. It was technically well made but it just lacked that refreshing apparent fruit sweetness that my favourite sparkling reds have. We tried some other reds but they just didn't make an impression upon me with the exception of the shiraz for which this place and every other Barossa winery and it's dog are renowned for.
The Epiphany shiraz we tried was classic Barossa shiraz with all flavours clear and present. I had to also try the more upmarket 2002 Ebenezer shiraz, of which I have a few bottles. It had all the flavours of the Epiphany and then some with the intensity turned up. However whereas the Epiphany was more approachable the Ebenezer was just that bit aloof to let you know it needed some time on its own. The lady at the cellar door confirmed my thought that it would reach another level of complexity and open up in another five years or so.
Although the whites were a bit of a disappointment they were well made, especially considering the attention the reds get. The shiraz certainly deserved it's fine reputation and the sweeter wines were a pleasant discovery. Whilst the cellar door could have done with a better view it is still a lovely place for intimate social gatherings.
Labels: wineries
posted by Forrest Rivers at 13:06
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