Sherbrooke Sips with R&R: Australia
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010Winery: Rosedale
Vintage: 2007
Location: Australia
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: Shiraz - 100% from Barossa Valley
Tasting: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This wine had such a cool name, that it was hard to resist. Cat Amongst the Pigeons. You have to give it to the Aussies for coming up with the neatest names for wines. You can almost picture a stealth like cat just waiting for a pigeon to make the wrong move.
The Rosedale Winery, located in the Barossa Valley in Australia has been lauded for a number of their wines. In particular Nine Lives Shiraz for 2006 and 2007 was given a whopping 92 points and 91 points respectively by Robert Parker, Wine Advocate. At the 2009 Sydney International Wine Competition the 2007 Nine Lives received the ‘Blue-Gold Award /Top 100.
The Barossa Valley and Shiraz. They just go hand in hand. Some of the top Shiraz out of Australia has come from this area. The big spicy fruit forward shiraz that we have all associated with this beautiful country. Barossa Valley is located just 1 hour north-east of Adelaide in South Australia. The countryside is scattered with old vineyards, churches and stone cottages. If you want to go there for a visit, there are many hotels and B&B’s that would welcome you with open arms. This area is Australia’s most visited tourist designation. At Rosedale Wines we believe that “Great Wines start in the Vineyard” and the Barossa Valley sets the stage for some of the best Shiraz grapes in the world. With its rich soils and Mediterranean style climate, the result is red wines with rich character and white wines with crisp and revitalizing finishes.”
With high ratings from the internationally acclaimed Wine Advocate, Robert Parker Jr, Rosedale Wines is attracting attention from all over the world and currently exports to the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, New Zealand and Asia.
“Rosedale Wines have allowed winemakers scope to experiment and develop new styles, tastes and blends. This has encouraged the development of approachable and affordable wine styles which have been instrumental in the growth of such brands like Cat Amongst the Pigeons.”
As mentioned, the Barossa Valley is best known for its Shiraz. Due to strict quarantine restrictions in the 1800s, the vineyards did not suffer from phylloxera or the many other diseases that have caused horrendous damage. There are vines in the Barossa Valley that are ancient and produce highly concentrated and full-bodied wines that are full a big juicy flavours.
The name was given to the area by explorer Colonel Light based on the supposed similarity of the Barossa Range to a similar range in Spain. The region is most notable for its red wines, particularly those made from Shiraz. But there are other grape varieties, both red and white that play an important role in the wine industry of Barossa.
The region generally about three hundred metres above sea level, but the altitude of many of the vineyards is much higher. In the lower and warmer areas, red wine predominates while on the cooler higher slopes Riesling is common. In fact the Barossa abuts the Eden Valley wine region which is regarded as one of the premier regions for Riesling.
The history of the region is linked to the influence of the German immigrants who were encouraged to settle in the region by local landowner George Angas. Many of these migrants were Lutherans from Silesia, who were suffering persecution in their homeland. By the 1850s viticulture was well established in the valley. Among these migrants were Johann Gramp who planted the first vineyard of the region at Jacobs Creek in 1847 and Joseph Seppelt, whose name lives on in a famous Australian wine brand name.
Now let’s open this wonderful wine. The colour… dark rich purple/red. I would positively decant this wine for at least 45 - 60 minutes and let that wonderful jam and spice come to the forefront. What you will notice with this wine is how well is goes with so many types of food. Not just beef and barbequed food, but also cheeses and lamb.
Food Pairing:
Beef (roasted, BBq’d, braised), strong cheeses; lamb; bison (roasted, BBQ’d) bison/beef burgers.
CSPC: 58073
Price:
$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)
*Price subject to change without notice. Price correct at time of printing.






































