The 2008 RGS wines
Overview
The drought continues and everyone at the bottom of the Murray is in real strife. Most of the red fruit we were going to use this year got into trouble during the heat wave in February but were happy with the small amount of Cross Cut Cabernet we were able to produce. As a result this year we’ve also decided to release a couple of outstanding wines from the 2004 vintage we’ve been keeping for this ‘not so rainy’ year – they are the limited release 2004 Grower Shiraz and 2004 Shiraz / Cabernet Recession Red.
Both limited release wines sit comfortably in the $25.00 + quality range. They are 100% Langhorne Creek fruit and those who have been lucky enough to taste them already reckon they are as good as we’ve been able to offer in the past 23 years.
We also have available a small quantity of the outstanding 2006 Adze Malbec and a white with a serious pedigree, the 2008 Verdelho.
Tasting Notes
<click the bottles for a close up of the label>
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2008 Cross Cut Cabernet Sauvignon
Because of the relentless dry conditions, the berries were small and delivered concentrated flavours. Overall it was another good Cabernet year in Langhorne Creek. The fruit was picked before the scorcher in mid February. It is herbaceous and good for up to seven years at 14.0% alc/vol. There’s very little available however if you want a straight Cabernet, get in quickly. It continues the good run Cabernet is enjoying at Langhorne Creek.
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2004 Grower Shiraz
(LIMITED RELEASE).
This wine has been produced using the best fruit, the best wood and closed with the best corks available. It’s spicy and silky smooth, dark and solid with plenty of pepper and palate weight. It’s a really good Aussie Shiraz from a really good Shiraz vintage. (15.0% alc/vol) The wine has good bottle age however it will keep you mesmerized until 2014.
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2004 Recession Red Shiraz / Cabernet
(LIMITED RELEASE).
We’ve never offered a red blend before. Shiraz / Cabernet (70%/30%) is the traditional Australian blend and we’ve jagged an absolute beauty. The Cabernet softens the Shiraz, it’s elegant with great palate length, 15.7% alc/vol and the wine has trophy winner written all over it. We’ve named it Recession Red. It’s one of the few things you’ll be able to celebrate over the next twelve months. It too has aged beautifully in the bottle.
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2006 Adze Malbec
As most already know, it’s a fruit driven, solid, flavorsome wine with good deep colour. It’s bigger than the gold medal winning 2004 vintage Bleasdale cousin and the concentration of flavour comes from a 2 tonne / acre vintage. Great for us – not so good for the grower! It’s weighs in at 14.0% alc/vol and it will drink well now to 2016 and beyond. 2006 was an outstanding Malbec year.
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2008 Verdelho
Another serious drop from the Bleasdale stable. If you enjoyed the 2007, you’ll like this one as well. If you’re an ABC drinker (Anything But Chardonnay), you’ll enjoy the tropical fruit salad with excellent depth of peach, melon and ripe pineapple flavours, combined with balanced acidity. Drink it now, drink it chilled and drink it often we say. It’s a great summer drop ready to go right now.
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Please complete the RGS ORDER FORM and fax, email or post it to:
Ann at Calliope Vintry,
PO Box 39
Langhorne Creek SA 5255
(ph/fax: 08 8537 3113) ASAP.
When it’s gone – it’s gone. If possible, please use the credit card facility. It keeps the cost down. It won’t be processed until after the wine is sent. We hope this finds you and yours well and that you have a great year.
>> Download 2008 Tasting Notes as a PDF
>> CLICK HERE to see 2007 wines
>> CLICK HERE to see 2006 wines