Wirra Wirra Cellar Door
Check out Part 1 of my review of the Wirra Wirra wines and cellar door.
Wirra Wirra is one of the very well known icon wineries from McLaren Vale. The cellar door is large and inviting and is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable staff – always a good start. The original owner (Greg Trott) was known for his fierce commitment to McLaren Vale wine industry but also had a sense of quirkiness. This comes out in some of the names of their wines – such as the Catapult Shiraz. You know it that there is a full size catapult at the cellar door.
Another feature of the cellar door and winery complex is the bell. This bell is 3/4 of a tonne and was rescued from a wreckers yard and they got it from a Norwood Jesuit Church. This bell is called the Angelus Bell and also forms the name for the signature Cabernet from the winery. This bell is now some what an icon in its own right and the bell is rung at the start and end of each McLaren Vale vintage and other suitable celebrations.
The cellar door has BBQ’s available for those that want to BYO food and an excellent covered area. You can purchase wines by the glass at the cellar door so why not spend an afternoon with friends at a well known McLaren Vale winery.
Anyway what about the wines……
2011 Original Blend ($24)
The story of the Wirra Wirra success must always have the tale of the “Church Block”. The original Church Block was a Grenache and Shiraz blend taken from the vines from the Bethany Chapel vineyard near the winery. The blend moved from this McLaren Vale classic to the current Cabernet based blend. After much feedback from the wine drinking public in the know about the Original blend caused the thinking that this blend needed a come back. This wine is available at the cellar door but I suspect that the quality and price will see a wider appeal. The aromas show the red fruits of Grenache and the pepper of Shiraz while the flavors show off the red and black fruits of the two varieties and an intriguing spice blend. Tannins are there but there is a soft finish. For me forget the current day Church Block and got for the Original.
2011 Esperenza Tempranillo ($35)
A new lable for cellar door customers only and is a play towards the Spanish alternate varieties. With this Tempranillo why not – the aromas have bright cherry and the funky mushroom characters. The flavors showed an almost dirty forest floor character with the cherry and mushroom taking centre stage.
2011 Esperenza Monastrell ($35)
Most wineries in McLaren Vale either call this variety Mourvedre or Mataro – but the Spanish call it Monastrell. The earthyiness shows as expected on the nose with an interesting licorice finish. The flavors had the marks of the variety – cherry, meaty and earthy. In this case the wine was significantly liter than expected. This light character may be a product of the wet and difficult 2011 Vintage.
2007 Church Block ($20)Good to see an older release from the winery at the same price as the current installment. However I was disappointed. The aromas were closed and the flavors were stewy and very short. Not for me.
Cork Church Block
2010 Church Block ($20)
Lifted fruits and what I consider to be typical Church Block with integrated oak with the nice fruit. The problem I have with this wine is not the value or the price point but just when I try it I am just not inspired to drink a second glass. For me the Church Block is an average wine that has been a great marketing success for Wirra Wirra but I just do not look forward to the next sip. Sorry guys this one is just not for me.
Wirra Wirra Catapult
2010 Catapult Shiraz ($24)
The addition of a small amount of Vioginer can make such a difference in a wine and this one shows this addition can be balanced and not over done. The aromas are lifted with hints of apricot but mainly fresh plums. The flavors continue with the lifted theme – there is lots of fresh fruit compote with some cardamon mixed in for good measure. The acid oak and fruit is balanced and lingering. For me worth the price up from the Church Block.
2010 Woodhenge Shiraz ($30)
In a word dark. From a good vintage and it shows with aromas of plum essence and lifted cedar from the oak. The flavors were lighter than expected on the mid palate but the tannin structure is very good and it leaves you with a lingering plum experience.
2010 Sparrow Lodge Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
Another of the cellar door only wines and another reason to check out their cellar door. Straight away the cassis and mint aromas are alluring that just continues into the flavors. I like the fact there is little green character in the wine so the fruit was ripe when picked. Well done to the Wirra Wirra team for this one. The wine comes from the gap between Church Block and The Angelus wines so a mid tier wine was warranted.
Absconder Grenache
2010 The Absconder Grenache ($65)
Cellar door only and made from 90+ year old vine fruit from Blewitt Springs and McLaren Vale fruit. The aromas are alluring with perfume and spiced red fruits – good enough to eat. The flours show layers of depth with red fruits and tannins structured all over the place. This is why I am in love with McLaren Vale Grenache – when done properly. This wine is just so impressive and not only wether the asking price but also the time effort and money just to visit the cellar door just to have the honor of tasting this wine – let alone aging able to the purchase such a wine. One of the best Grenache wines I have ever tasted.
2008 RSW Shiraz ($80)
With oak maturation for nearly 2 years and 40% of that oak being new barrels one seances this wine would be about strength. My expectations were met with concentrated fruit that is balanced with the tannin structure from the oak and fruit tannins. In a word – depth.
2009 The Angelus Dead Ringer Cabernet Sauvignon ($65)
This is a classical Cabernet that would give any Australian Cabernet a run for it’s money – so move over Coonawarra. As for the Absconder and the RSW this wine is all about strength and character. One for all the Cabernet drinkers out there that should not be missed.