Top Drops.

As regions around Australia work their way through the 2008 vintage, we bring you our top eight new releases

WORDS BY ROBERTA MUIR

1. Catching Thieves Cabernet Merlot 2006 This McWilliams label from Margaret River has a reputation for over-delivering and this juicy, fruity dry red is no exception. AU$14.99.

2. Bridgewater Mill Pinot Grigio 2007 is dry but lifted and their first release of this Italian varietal features the winery’s striking new labelling. AU$20.

3. d’Arenberg The Cadenzia GSM 2005 Full-bodied and fragrant with lots of red berries, dark spice, roasted black tea and mulberry. AU$25. See interview below.

BRIGHT SPOT
We spoke to Chester Osborne from McLaren Vale winery d’Arenberg about the 2008 vintage.

Was it an early vintage this year?
Last year was the earliest on record for McLaren Vale. This year we started harvesting Chardonnay in early February, a week earlier than average.
Why?
Rainfall mainly. Intense early rains provided a good reserve through the dry months, then more good rain just before the vines flowered.
What else is different about this year’s vintage?
The vines are more vigorous (because of good ground moisture). They flowered and the fruit set quicker – so we ended up with more fruit than last year. You could forget that we’re in drought, everything looked fantastic.
How did the extreme weather leading up to vintage affect it?
Last November was the hottest on record ever, which kept the berry size small (great for quality). Ripening began earlier than usual and we had some excellent rain in late December, so when high January temperatures caused them to ‘shut down’, the fruit was already ripening.
Which varieties should we look out for from the 2008 McLaren Vale vintage?
We were very happy with the quality of our old vine shiraz and cabernet and our grenache vineyards last year, despite it being a tough season. This year everything looks better, and the same is true of our marsanne, viognier and riesling.

4. Mr Riggs Sticky End Viognier 2007 is inspired by the Italian ‘passito’ style, a great sticky with a little botrytis character and loads of typical fragrant apricoty viognier character. Crisp over the palate and sticky to the end! AU$22.

5. Beelgara’s sq3 wine cube 2007 Bottle-quality rosé in a sleek new three-litre wine cube. Wine-in-abox just got sexy. AU$24.95.

6. De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2007 Soft and easy-drinking red with just enough cherry and ‘barnyard’ notes. It’s not often you get a pinot noir worth drinking at this price point. AU$14.99.

7. Logan Vintage ‘M’ Cuvee 2006 Cool climates produce the best sparkling winesand this one from Orange, NSW, is pale pink with strawberry and biscuit aroma anda crisp dry finish. AU$35.

8. Hamelin Bay Rosé 2007 A great lolly-pink colour with loads of sweet berries on the nose and a great dry finish. AU$20.

VIVA ITALIA!

Melbourne’s love affair with Italy continues with the opening of Locanda. Comprising dining room, delicatessen and bar, it offers a taste of Italy any time of the day. As the only venue in Melbourne using the new Enomatic Wine System, Locanda offers premium wines, such as the iconic Grange, by the glass. Cnr Little Bourke and Exhibition sts, Melbourne, tel: +61 (3) 9635 1246.