Description
This is a unique opportunity to secure yourself rare, bottle aged Wendouree wines from the exceptional 2006 and 2005 vintages.
S T O C K I S L I M I T E D !
The hallmarks of the extraordinary Wendouree wines to me are fruit power, concentration (more old world savoury fruit rather than overt sweet fruit – all wines are at 13% alcohol) and firm, tightly wound minerally tannins. All the hard work has been done for you here – the wines have been perfectly cellared for over a decade and are drinking beautifully now .. with plenty of structure and life to reward cellaring into the next decade.
A bit of background ….
The iconic and historic Wendouree vineyard was planted in the Clare Valley in 1893 and is renowned for its full bodied reds which are often described as “iron fist in a velvet glove”. Minuscule yields from ancient (many untrellised) bush vines of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, mataro and malbec. Stephen George has been winemaker there since 1981 and described the vineyard as “…an incredible place – even in severe drought the vineyard is green when the rest of Clare is irrigating madly – the dry grown vineyard roots have burrowed down so deep over the years to find water and all the trace elements needed..” Andrew Caillard MW commented: “.. the wines are strongly recognisable with the emphasis on fruit power concentration and weight. The tannin structure are tightly knit and incredibly muscular”.
In the Wendouree Museum Release 6 pack you will receive the following:-
1 x Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
1 x Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2006
2 x Wendouree Shiraz Malbec 2006
2 x Wendouree Malbec 2005
About the wines:
Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon 2006:
A straight Cab Sav from 1971 Western, and 1920 Eastern vineyard plantings.
“Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon derives from the cool central and western areas of the historic Wendouree vineyard. The cooler central block with its smaller berries is known for its “spicy characters and very firm almost astringent tannins”. The western side brings “floral” notes and a softer structure. Consultant winemaker Stephen George – together with Lita and Tony Brady – make a wine that profoundly articulates the individual character of this unique and important vineyard site. After vinification in open fermenters, the wine completes fermentation and remains in stainless steel untilNovember before maturation in new (about 25%) and used French oak for 12 months. This is a very muscular cellaring style with dark chocolate mint fruit characters and fine sinewy tannins.” Andrew Caillard MW.
93+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, October 2015. “Dark, brooding, menthol and choc-mint, with a bonox kind of flavour in the mix. It’s full bodied, choc full of drying tannin, has firm acidity, plenty of flavour and a rugged tannic finish. Certainly in evolution. Another decade required, I’d say. Drink 2025-2036”
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2006:
A blend of Shiraz and Mataro in equal proportions, from 1893 Central, and 1919 Eastern vineyard plantings and 1920 Eastern Vineyard bush vines.
“Wendouree Shiraz Mataro with its deep colour, core of blackberry liquorice fruit and iron fisted tannins belongs to a stable of wines which profoundly articulate vineyard character, regional provenance, the personalities of winemakers present and traditional winemaking practice. The Shiraz comes from the oldest dry grown vineyard plantings. The fruit is generally “bigger berried and medium bodied” compared to other blocks. However the particularity of house style remains a constant due to the high skin to juice ratio and the exceptionally high seed content in the fruit (especially Shiraz). The wine is matured in new (20%) and used Seguin Moreau oak for 12 months. Consultant winemaker Stephen George plays ‘devil’s advocate’ through the critical period of assemblage and bottling.” Andrew Caillard MW
94 points, James Halliday, Aust Wine Companion, October 2010: “Full red-purple; rich and luscious dark berry fruits and some meaty characters run through the full-bodied palate, the tannins ripe and plentiful. A robust wine needing at least five years before you touch it. Drink to 2031”
Wendouree Shiraz Malbec 2006
A blend of Shiraz (75%) and Malbec (25%) from 1893 and 1898 Central and 1919 Eastern vineyard plantings.
“Wendouree Shiraz-Malbec, with plenty of blackberry/plum/mulberry and menthol-like fruit, fine, rusty, almost unyielding tannins, is a strong, firm “maturation style” wine with plenty of lasting power. The Shiraz component derives from the same vineyard plots, including bush vine material. Parcels of very old vine Malbec bring further distinctiveness. The wine, like all other blends in the Wendouree stable, is never more than 4500 litres in production. The wine is vinified in open fermenters and matured for 12 months new and used French oak. Vigneron Tony Brady believes the old vines get to “seed maturity at lower Baume levels”. This is a house style that is true to its origins and heritage.”Andrew Caillard MW
96 points, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, October 2010: “More purple than the Shiraz Mataro; consistently with the colour, has more drive and focus; the mouthfeel and length of the medium- to full-bodied palate are excellent, with almost juicy fruit sparking off the fine-grained tannins. Great now, great in another 15 years. Drink to 2026”
Wendouree Malbec 2005
A straight Malbec from a 1920 Eastern vineyard planting. Is this the finest ever expression of Malbec? This will be drinking magnificently.
* Sold as is no refunds or returns accepted on these aged wines*
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