Wines can be a great way to bring people together, even make new friends! Unless you’re a lone drinker like me, I only do it because I never know how to share my wine. No judgement there.
(Non-wine related – Wine glasses tho) After days of trying to find the right wine glasses to restock, as I keep on breaking mine, i came across these fancier ones.
A specific type of red wine glass, the bordeaux glass, is taller than traditional red wine glasses, yet the bowl is not quite as large. It is designed for full bodied, heavier red wines such as Cabernets and Merlots. The tallness of the glass allows the wine to proceed directly to the back of the mouth to maximize its flavor. Another style of red wine glass, the burgundy glass, is designed for lighter, full-bodied wines such as Pinot Noir. It is not as tall as the Bordeaux glass, but the bowl is larger than the Bordeaux glass, directing the wine to the tip of the tongue to taste its more delicate flavors.
I was gifted with the opportunity to come on board with James Estate Wines as a Cellar Door Staff. We showcased our wines at the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show 2016 this past August. The show was a big hit with the crowd from locals and visitors to Sydney. Well of course we can’t forget the wines. Crowd pleaser at amazing prices and deals. The Parklea Cellar Door will be opening soon as we just got some good news! Stay tuned folks, the Hunter Valley will be coming to you in Sydney! no need to travel that 2.5hrs each way 🙂
A couple if months ago the Cellar door in Pokolbin on Hermitage Rd have opened up a kitchen, providing amazing dishes that included pizza! My favourite of all foods. The pizza dough itself is an amazing thing I have ever put in my mouth, and trust me I have put a lot of stuff in their before. The dough is super fresh, airy, light and addictive, topped with all your favourites from meat extravaganza to vegetarian. I also got the bread and trio dips which to my surprise it was the same bread at the pizza. Gobbled that down with no complaints! The dips itself is pure god-like heaven taste. I scoped some onto the pizza too because I couldn’t help myself.
Also, there are a guest house situated right on the property of the Cellar Door in Pokolbin. 5 bedrooms with 2 en-suite bathrooms, up to 10-12 people, Large rooms to fit everyone, with great comfortable beds, washer and dryer, large kitchen (full furnished) and a beautiful long dining table and a brand spanking new BBQ outside. If i haven’t won you over already, it is PET FRIENDLY!
Do not hesitate to contact Lisa E: lisa@kingland.com.au P: 0422 426 835 for any bookings.
James Estate Wines have recently launched their new range ‘Fern Hill’, it comes in a red, white and a NV brut.
2014 Fern Hill Staghorn
Upon trying this, I was a bit skeptical with the taste of the wine, as I have tried red blends and never really liked any blends. Thinking it would be ‘ok’ or a ‘cheapy’ taste, it actually was really pleasant and very enjoyable. The Staghorn is a blend of my two favorite grapes, Shiraz and Merlot. Shiraz 60% and Merlot 40% to be exact. Medium-Full bodied, the flavors are well balanced, you definitely get the spice of the Shiraz but also the smooth finish of a classic Merlot. Delightfully charred notes of cedar oak and dark plum in color. Would be a great to grab a bottle to BBQ wine or a dinner with friends.
2015 Fern Hill Elkhorn
This Sheila is a total beaut. She’s soft, light and an easy going gal. A Fern Hillrange and a blend of Chardonnay 60%, Semillon 30% and Verdehlo 10%. It is definitely very refreshing white, light dry finish, fresh fruit notes, honey, tea-like where it’s easy to drink but with a pleasurable note. would be great for this hot Summer or after a long days work. If you’re thirsty, just careful, it maybe too easy to drink 😛
Non-Vintage Fern Hill Athyrium
Super simple and elegant bubbly, this Blanc de Blanc is not overly heavy in the bubbles that I have had in the past with those harsh that tickles the back of your throat when you are trying to swallow. I brought a friend along to the Cellar Door in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and this was the first on the list to try. He isn’t much of a wine drinker just purely because he never had the exposure to it from his friends. He loved it, being basically a first time drinker it just shows how well made this and other James Estate products are. The Athyrium is dry (but semi-dry to me, I find it to be a little easier to drink), beautiful notes of citrus and fresh honey dew. I LOVE a good dry white and it is enough of dryness for my liking. 100% Chardonnay.
2014 Little Sweet One – Vitai
This is a beautiful Muscato style wine made from Semillon grapes. Sweet, I find it to be a bit more fuller bodied (on the tongue much more less sweet than a dessert wine) with a little bit of a spritz to the palate. Sometimes a ‘normal’ Moscato wine is too sweet after a glass and doesn’t go down well anymore. The Little Sweet One would be perfectly paired with a cheese platter and grapes, just think about it, close your eyes, imagine you laid back on the sun lounge, sunglasses on, sun in the sky, no clouds, perfect cool breeze, cheeses and dips in arms reach whilst sipping on a cold glass of The Little Sweet One. This will always be a better alternative choice to any cheap moscato, birthdays, bbqs, and dinner parties.
2015 Semillon Blanc
This Semillon Blanc is a gorgeous dry white that the Hunter Valley has to offer. Light and refreshing, picked from a single block. Giving off an array of fresh notes of lemon and grapefruit. Much lighter in notes than the Reserve Semillon range that I have tried also. There is a extensive difference in those delicious aromas. It is dry, little bit acidic on the tongue, with lovely fruit notes. This bottle would pair well with simply boiled prawns or shellfish to accompany and enhance the flavours of the dish.
2015 Verdhelo
I quite like the Verdelho, it was lovely and refreshing. I have never had a Verdelho that is so aromatic and full of flavors. From the scent of a beautiful bouquet of flowers to fresh ripe fruits, banana to bubblegum with the lightness of green tea. It is so easy to drink, lightly dry and would pair well with spicy Thai food. I went off and bought a different branded Verdelho (Hunter Valley region also) and it wasn’t quite the same, not as sweet(not in a moscato way) but this is definitely not lacking in personality. This Verdelho should be on YOUR list next to try!
2011 Aged Released Reserve Semillon
The Semillon Reserve is dry, and with the Reserve is undeniably the better option. Full bursts of flavors from fresh citrus of its youth but also the complexity and toasty-ness that has developed from being aged. The Reserve Semillon 2009 winning the Gold-Blue medal at the Sydney Wine International Competition 2013, you can see now that it would be a nice drop.
I tried the 2014 Reserve months before trying the 2011. Its very similar the 2014 has nice smokey, cigar note, acidic at first, dry, with the 2014 it was hand picked.
2012 Chardonnay
Like any stunning Chardonnay this would have to be added to the list. It shows off its matured fruits with a honeyed peach note and light oak note and dry finish. Less acidic than the Semillon Blanc, nice and dry. 3 months in French Oak where it gives you a lovely light woody charred note with every sip.
The 2013 Reserve Chardonnay is the one to have! Amazing sip, with melon notes, buttery, well-balanced oak notes. It has been in 5 different tanks and 5 different barrels, which includes 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months in other oak barrels to give you that well rounded notes of charred oak in the Chardonnay.
2013 Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is my absolute favorite out of The Estate range. At first, with a fresh bottle just freshly cracked open it was rough. Full bodied and heavy on the tongue. I did leave it for a couple of days later so I can share it with a friend, and you can really taste the difference after the wine has been oxidised and releases stunning notes of dark plum, wildberries with a well balance smokey notes of freshly cracked black pepper, and I mean a lot of it too. Petit Verdot is not very popular so if you get the chance and grab yourself one, as long as you’re into full bodied, spicy and peppery reds.
2014 Shiraz
This Shiraz it is a true blue and how it is supposed to be. Full bodied, spicy – peppery, smokey, nice oak note, plummy hue, plum/blueberry notes, and grippy on the palate, nice and fleshy also.
2011 Merlot
This Merlot is lightly sweeter on the palate, great for bbqs, oaky, smooth and would go great with a gamey meal/duck.
2013 Pinot Noir
2013 Dwyer Homestead McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz
This McLaren Vale grown Shiraz grapes compared to the next one below have two different tastes. They are harvested in McLaren, then shipped to James Estate in the Hunter, crushed/pressed, fermented and bottled the same way as the Hunter Valley grapes. Barrelled for 6 months in Franch Oak with a beautiful meaty/fleshy bite. The two wine quality are intensely distinctive. South Australia are known to produce world winning Shiraz grapes and I would say that this is the better choice of Shiraz if you are a true Shiraz lover. It is more robust, vibrant plum hue, full bodied, pepper and dark chocolate notes. Obviously showing off its characteristics of a genuine Shiraz, or should I say, Syrah.
2013 Ben Braggie Vineyard Hunter Valley Reserve Shiraz
This Shiraz isn’t as bad but comparing it to the McLaren Vale grape, then of course I would prefer McLaren Vale. This is still full bodied but I find it to be lacking a bit of ‘personality’, notes of plum, black pepper, mild spice, licorice and a beautiful french oak finish.
2013 Hunter Valley Fume (60% Semillon & 40% Sauvignon)
This Fume is an excellent white, I find this to be a bit more lemony, fuller white than others, citrus notes, buttery and oaky. Barrelled in NEW French Oak for 6 months before bottling.
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