The Event: Wine Australia Winter Trade Tasting with Mark Davidson

The Date and Time:  Tuesday February 7, 2017   11AM to 4PM

The Event: Wine Australia Winter Trade Tasting with Mark Davidson

The Venue: Verity

The Target Audience: wine writers and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: there was a catalogue with prices indicating availability or N/A. There were 55 wines.

The Quote/Background: Tables were arranged by type – alternative varieties, aromatic whites, chardonnay, pinot noir and grenache, cabernet blends, and shiraz blends (largest). There was a seminar of 14 wines led by Mark Davidson and a team of six local sommeliers. Sixty people attended this seminar; the names of the wines have been folded in to the listing below.

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines, and some I could not get to because of the tables and crowds.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Tahbilk Goulburn Valley Marsanne 2010  **BEST WHITE TODAY** [not listed at LCBO]

-Domaine Naturaliste Rebus Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $32.95

-Kalleske Pirathon Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013 $33.42

-Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2012 N/A

-Vasse Felix Heytesbury Margaret River Chardonnay 2015 +111368 $69.95

-Cullen Diana Madeline Margaret river Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010 N/A

-Luke Lambert Yarra Valley Syrah 2012  N/A   **BEST RED TODAY**

-Rockford Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 2008 +195254 $94.95 [oldest wine today]

-Bindi Quartz Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2015  $121.23

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Tahbilk Goulburn Valley Marsanne 2016 +117945 $18.95

-Jansz Premium Tasmania Cuvee NV +566828 $26.95

-Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014  +489906 $22.95

-Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 +686543 $43.95

-Tahbilk Glulburn Valley Viognier 2016 $18.95

-Vasse Felix Filius Margaret River Chardonnay 2015 +106103 $24.95

-Bindi Dixon Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir 2012 $84.65

-Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 +606624 $21.95

-Ulupna Limited Edition Goulburn Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $36.95

-Ulupna Royal Phoenix Goulburn Valley Shiraz 2015 $45.95

-Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Heathcote Shiraz 2013 $102.11

-Kay Brothers Hillside McLaren Vale Shiraz 2012 $52.92

-Mitolo GAM McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $52.95

-Langmeil Valley Floor Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014 +140912 $27.95

-Glaetzer Bishop Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 +627869 $39.95

-Ochota Barrels Sense of Compression Adelaide Hills Grenache 2015 $86,95

-Yalumba The Octavius Barossa/Eden Shiraz 2012 $129.95

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-O'Leary Walker Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2015 $27.55

-Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015 $32.95

-Alpha Box & Dice Golden Mullet Fury McLaren Vale Semillon Viognier 2014 +237446 $20

-Tyrrell's Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2012 +930495 $55.95

-By Farr Tarrside Geelong Pinot Noir 2014 $82.72

 

The Food: platters of international gourmet cheeses, crispbreads, preserves, and grapes.

The Downside: once the seminar was over, the tables were moved back. But there was still so little room that it was difficult to get to all the wines, pour and then spit and dump.

The Upside: most of the discussion came from the sommelier panel, and this was very refreshing.

The Contact Person:  anne.popoff@wineaustralia.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

Chimo! www.deantudor.com