And we're back from quite a nice and relaxed weekend. On Friday we had one of our amazing wine tasting evenings and this time we focused ourselves on Australia. The brilliant people down-under are known to produce some amazing wines. These two, for example, are some of the absolute best on offer...
Robert Oatley Vineyards is the reincarnation of the Oatley family winemaking dynasty. Wine is 'in the blood' of the late founder Bob Oatley and his eldest son Sandy, leader of the family business founded upon a four decade passion for grape growing, wine making and marketing - the combination of which has seen the Oatley family rise to the top of the Australian winemaking scene. With interests spanning the world of competitive sailing, tourism, hospitality and of course, wine - the family produces wines both of immediate appeal and cellar-ability, with satisfying flavours over an elegant frame, under a variety of stylish labels including Robert Oatley, Wild Oats, Pocketwatch, Four in Hand, Montrose and Craigmoor.
Over forty years of nurturing grapevines and making wine has taught the Oatley family many lessons. Site selection is paramount, that 'sense of place', as where you choose to grow your grapes is vital to both style and quality. The Oatley approach is to overlay this philosophy with an outstanding team of grape growers and wine makers, using the best possible equipment, to allow them every chance of producing a winner. The task is clear: to craft wines that have varietal clarity, focus and which reflect their provenance - in a very modern fashion. Wines of character and integrity.
Director of Winemaking, acclaimed vigneron Larry Cherubino, achieves this via a myriad of vineyards across the length and breadth of Australia's wine regions. His winemaking team is lead from the Oatley's winery at Mudgee, with further on-location experts and facilities in Margaret River, McLaren Vale and Yarra Valley. Vineyards are tended as organically as possible and wines are made with minimal intervention, reflecting a dedication to sustainable grape growing and wine production practices.
Robert Oatley "Finisterre" Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula 2012 @ £21.95 - Buy it here!
An excellent Pinot Noir from the sought-after Mornington Peninsula, near Melbourne. The grapes are hand pricked and sorted and matured for 9 months in French Oak. Crisp, ripe, rich red fruits with complex spicy and gamey notes and a silky body.
Robert Oatley "Finisterre" Chardonnay, Margaret River 2015 @ £21.95 - Buy it here!
Reminiscent of a white Burgundy, this wine displays aromas of nectarine and lemon peel. The palate is rich and complex with citrus and melon fruit, minerality and finely integrated oak characters.
Both of these are only available in small quantities so don't even think about waiting around!
Cheers!
