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| Australian Stickies |
Tuesday October 29, 2002 |
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Speaker: Pip Hoare, Australian Wine Bureau
Dessert wines in Australia are considered to be a liquid equivalent of concentrated sunbeams, the nectar of the Gods, a flowing river of gold. Dessert wines have long reigned supreme as the perfect match for many an Aussie's sweet tooth. The Australian pet name for these dessert wines is stickies.
The two dozen attendees were asked to vote for favorite in each flight. The notes are a combination of the speaker and Ron Kapon, Co-Director of the NY chapter.
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| Flight I: Dry Aperitif |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
The Hill of Content "Benjamin's Blend" 2000
A Western Australian blend of 48% Chardonnay, 26% Sauvignon Blanc & 26% Semillon- Melons, peach, grapefruit, lemon & citrus made for an very interesting combination. Ron found it an excellent value. |
N/A |
$16.00 |
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Grant Burge "Barossa Vines" Barossa Chardonnay 2000
A well-balanced wine without too much oak. Another excellent value with pure fruit and a warmth & intensity. Since these two wines were not part of the Stickies category, no votes were taken.
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N/A |
$11.00 |
| Flight II: Riesling |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Wirra Wirra "Late Picked" McLaren Vale Riesling 2000
Apricot & marmalade, ripe stone fruit aromas- 100% Riesling, straw gold color; good acid/sugar balance. |
11 |
$20.00
375ml |
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D'Arenberg "The Noble" McLaren Vale Riesling 1998
14.9% residual sugar, 100% botrytis affected. Intense, lemon, peach, tropical citrus and honeysuckle, quince, cumquat and dried apricot flavors. Beerenauslesen style.
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13 |
$30.00
375 ml |
| Flight III: Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Peter Lehman Barossa Botrytis Semillon 1999
Deep golden color with greenish tinges; citrus and apricot aromas; finishes long. Can age for 5-10 years; no oak used |
2 |
$17.00
375ml |
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DeBortoli "Noble One" Botrytis Semillon 1998 - New South Wales
Previously (pre-EEC) known as Sauternes. Light gold in color, fresh apricots, mango, nectarine and sweet candied orange peel. Aged in French oak for 12 months. |
14 |
$27.00
375ml |
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Angove's "Floreate " Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 1996 South Australia
Honeyed wood character, rich fruit on the nose. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, not botrytised.
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8 |
$14.00
375ml |
| Flight IV: Port Style Fortified Wines |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Hardy's Whiskers Blake Tawny Port
Aged 8 years in small oak casks, fortified. Color is rich with olive hues. Nose recalls chocolate & coffee. |
10 |
$10.00 |
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Wyndham Estate "George Wyndam" Old Tawny Port
Aged up to 5 years in small oak casks. Full berry fruit bouquet and subtle tangy character.
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14 |
$10.00 |
| Flight IV: Muscat |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Chambers Rutherglen Muscat
Grape used is known as Brown Muscat. Picked semi-raisined, then partially fermented, fortified and aged. .Light to medium color, bouquet of fruitcake and roasted nuts. There are two higher level Muscats available in the $50 to $150 price range. No vote taken as there was only 1 wine in the flight. |
N/A |
$20.00
375ml |
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Overall vote taken for the whole tasting. People asked to vote for two favorites- DeBartoli "Noble One" Botrytis Semillon 1998 was the winner by a large margin, followed by the Chambers Rutherglen Muscat and Angove's "Floreate" Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 1996
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