Greg Trott had a vision – one part of the vision is now shown in the Wirra Wirra legacy (Greg is now deceased) and the other was for his beloved McLaren Vale.  His views can be summarised in the below inscription.

Greg Trott Inscription

This week I will review the White Wines and the Sweet Wines.  Next week I will review the red wines and the cellar door in general.

2011 Scrubby Rise Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and Viognier ($15)

Interestingly the Semillon was dominate here, both with the aromas and the flavours. So this wine is all about the grassiness and hay with just a hint of the tropical fruits that warmer climate Sauvignon can bring. Not the most complex of wines, but this is not what the Scrubby Rise range is for – this is a drink now on a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends.

2011 Scrubby Rise Unwooded Chardonnay ($15)

A short lived wine that just does not give you a sense of wanting to come back for more. For me I am not enjoying the unwooded Chardonnay movement – give me a little Chardy oak every time!

2011 Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc ($22)

From the Adelaide Hills and is definitely a step up. There are green passionfruit and grassy aromas with a finish of wet hay. The flavours are typical with all the passionfruit and grass finish. There is an interesting melon character on the mid palate which makes me think there is a little Chardonnay added.

2012 The Last Watch Riesling ($20)

An Adelaide Hills offering that shows florals (mainly honeysuckle) and the acidity of green apples on the nose. Flavours show a little residual sugar with florals and lingering citrus acids. This wine is a lot softer than the Clare Valley Rieslings that I am enjoying at the moment and I suspect many people will enjoy it.

2008 The Last Watch Riesling ($20)

Great to see a winery keeping some Riesling back for a few years and actually having it for tasting so many people can experience the difference a few years can make to this classic white wine. The nose I’d dominated with lime rind aromas. The flavours show he slight kerosine, developed citrus peel on the mid palate with a pleasant finish of lemon rind. This is a good example of a slightly aged wine and will not appeal to all – but it does to me.

2011 The 12th Man Chardonnay ($31.50)

Made from Adelaide Hills fruit and yes, there is oak involved. The aromas were based around clean melon and cedar oak balances all wrapped up in an interesting bacon fat sensation. The oak is not overpowering on the rest of the flavours. The acid levels are excellent and the whole deal just lingers for so long. Yes folks this wine is so much better for the oak treatment.

2011 Mrs Wigley Grenache Rose ($18)

The fairy floss aroma made me think this wine was just going to be about the sugar. How wrong I was. The flavours showed some bitterness but this actually added complexity to the wine. The spiciness of the Grenache comes through as well. From a difficult vintage this wine will appeal as soon as the warmer weather kicks back in.

N/V The Anthem Sparkling Shiraz ($27.50)

The result of 7 different vintages being blended with some Vintage Port added to give that final touch.  Aromas of licorice, a gambit of spices and a sense of depth.  Flavours of spiced plum with hints of licorice and a real richness on the back palate (from the Vintage Port).  This wine was brought back after production being ceased – all because of the drinking public demand.  We are richer for this change.

2010 The Empire Series Botrytis Semillon ($30)

A 500 mL bottle filled with goldness from Adelaide Hills fruit.  All the apricots one expects but there is a hay aroma indicating the Semillon heritage.  The palate is not cloying even though there is a lot of sugar here.

2007 Sparrows Lodge Vintage Port ($28)

Packaged in a 375mL bottle.  Half of the wine was fortified while still on skins and the other half after pressing – adding complexity.  The wine is all about licorice and alcohol.  Lots of flavour here and lighter than expected.

N/V The Empire Series Muscat ($30)

In a word – luscious!