A tasting put on by wine agent Alto Vino made up primarily of Australian wine, (with some New Zealand) and a Champagne house (a very good Champagne house) thrown in for good measure. The tasting took place at the new Iron Gate Wine Management event centre, let's take a look at both the wines and the venue ...
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| The outside of the new Iron Gate Private Wine Management office and event space |
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| The room to the right of the door is a small anteroom, where Alto Vino has set up a nice nibblies table |
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| Through the curtain to the main room |
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| The main room is poshly decorated and makes for a relaxing place to taste |
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| A look from the other side of the room |
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| The Champagne bar pouring wines by Dumangin - and manned by Gilles Dumangin (more on his wines in a moment) |
The Wines ...
starting with the Champagne:
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| Dumangin Le Rose 1er Cru ($57.60) 50% of the production of this house is Rose - 47% Chardonnay / 37% Pinot Noir / 16% Pinot Meunier 4 years on lees, "this is my signature wine" - Gilles Dumangin ... raspberry, lemon, nice acidity, easy drinking, shows great finesse with a raspberry finish. (**** 1/2) |
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| Dumangin 2004 Le Vintage ($79.90) 54% Chardonnay / 46% Pinot Noir, 9 years in bottle; shows the complexity of an older vintage great biscuity/brioche notes. Gilles calls this a "Great year" (****+) |
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| Dumangin L'Extra Brut 1er Cru ($61.45) "I created this wine for me because of Thai food and oysters, foods I like to eat" - Gilles 5 years in bottle ... big acidity, big minerality, long finish (****) |
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| Dumangin Le Cuvee 17 ($48.90) One-third of each grape: Pinot Meunier / Chardonnay / Pinot Noir earthy yet fresh and fruity with a nice mineral note. (****) |
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| GillesDumangin - with his "Signature Wine" |
Australia and New Zealand:
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| Fromm 2010 La Strada Pinot Noir ($49.70) - New Zealand Great red berries and fruit, very apporachable even with those earthy tannins; this one is quite easy and gentle to drink (****+) |
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| Dry River 2009 Pinot Noir ($120.75) - New Zealand Raspberry and violets with a lovely chalky acidity (****) |
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| By Farr 2011 Sangreal Pinot Noir ($83.60) - Australia Very Pinot-esque with an earthy cranberry and good acidity (****) |
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| JJ Hahn 2010 Reginald Shiraz / Cabernet ($21.95) - Australia Chocolate, strawberry, white pepper; juicy but with restraint ... Good fruit, well-balanced: this wine was the best value at the show (****+) |
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| Maxwell 2010 Lime Cave Cabernet ($53.50) - Australia Great mouthfeel with cocoa, earhty and raspberry notes; great balance of acidity and tannins. (****+) |
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| Jasper Hill 2009 La Pleiade Shiraz ($93.30) - Australia Nice spicy cherry which holds this wine together with balance and acidity (****) |
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| Kalleske 2012 Pirathon Shiraz ($29.95) - Australia A beauty of a cherry nose leads to a powerful cherry palate seasoned with white pepper; It has great balance of tannins and acidity - Another good value wine for under $30 - this one's alluring (****+) |
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| Kalleske 2009 Greenock Shiraz ($54.40) - Australia Raspberry jam on both the nose and palate; rich and delicious (****+) |
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| Kay Bros. 2008 Block 6 Shiraz ($94.20) - Australia Chocolate, raspberry and vanilla dominated - this one's big, rich and full (****+) |
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