Anyone who has visited Victoria's Mornington Peninsula will know it is one of the most scenic wine regions in Australia. Rolling vine covered hills, dense native bushland and a stunning ocean backdrop, makes the Mornington Peninsula region a must see destination for any wine lover visiting Victoria. However look beyond the spectacular surroundings and you will find some seriously good wine.

Surrounded by Port Phillip Bay, Bass Strait and Western Port Bay, the Mornington Peninsula lays claims to being one of Australia's only true ‘maritime' wine regions. Situated at a latitude of around 38°, it is also officially classified as a ‘cool climate' region. This unique combination allows cool climate varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to flourish without many of the problems often associated with cool climate winemaking.

In this edition we take a look at some standout wines from the Mornington Peninsula, with new releases from Red Hill Estate, Quealy and Dexter. We also include a special discounted offer on the 2006 Crabtree 'Picnic Hill' Shiraz from the Clare Valley, along with the highly acclaimed 2007 Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot (96 Points - James Halliday) from Margaret River.

We hope you enjoy this edition,

The ASA Wine Society,

If you wish to place an order please click on the 'add to cart' button or phone 1800 088 022.

2006 Crabtree Picnic Hill Shiraz - $16.90

Nestled in the heart of the famous Watervale district of Clare Valley in South Australia, it is little wonder that the small Crabtree winery is producing some stunning wines. All of the fruit is handpicked from hand pruned vines and the wines are made by a very experienced and talented winemaker in Kerri Thompson. 

We are delighted to be able to offer members a very special offer on the 2006 Crabtree Picnic Hill Shiraz which impressed us at a recent tasting of the Crabtree range. This is a balanced, medium-bodied wine displaying subtle spice and licorice notes, perfectly balanced by some juicy, blackberry fruit flavours. Some soft, subtle tannins round off a wine of exceptional length and balance. Normally selling for $22, this wine is available at the special price of $16.90. 

"93 Points. A full-blooded (though medium-bodied) wine with delicious plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit, the palate having a juicy mouthfeel, the tannins ripe and fine. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Drink 2018 $22 Date Tasted Feb 09" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010 Edition.

"The 2006 vintage conditions were ideal, resulting in rich, balanced flavours and lovely length. The gentle actions of the basket press and a year in French oak hogsheads have helped produce a wine that combines varietal flavours with robust tannins. It will develop well for many years and we recommend decanting as the wine grows older. Cellaring 5 – 7 years" - Crabtree Wines.

2008 Quealy Balnarring Chardonnay - $16.90

Winemaker Kathleen Quealy is one of Australia's leading female winemkers, having established the T'Gallant winery back in 1990. After selling T'Gallant to Fosters, Kathleen purchased the Balnarring vineyard and winery in 2004 which is now home to her own 'Quealy' label. The wines under the 'Balnarring' label offer an approachable, modern style which is clearly demonstrated in this unoaked style Chardonnay which at the great price of $16.90 delivers sensational value drinking.

"94 Points. Bright straw-green; an intense fruit-driven wine, nectarine and grapefruit flavours with considerable textural complexity despite the absence of oak, and drive through the long finish. Unoaked chardonnay doesn't come better than this. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. Drink 2014 $18 Date Tasted Dec 09" - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.  

"Bright gold colour, with vibrant aromas of fig, peach and cashew. The palate is full and soft with creamy characters and great length." - Quealy Vineyards.

2008 Red Hill Estate Shiraz - $26.90

Mornington Peninsula Shiraz generally offers an elegant alternative to the richer style Shiraz produced throughout much of the country. This is an outstanding new release from Red Hill Estate, with grapes sourced from Merricks North and Main Ridge vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula. With a 96 point rating from James Halliday, this wine is likely to sell out quickly.

"96 Points. Bright crimson; the enticing bouquet does not disappoint on the palate; a lovely example of medium-bodied cool grown shiraz with a panoply of red and black cherry fruit, spice and silky tannins. Screwcap. 13.7% alc. Drink 2023 $30 Date Tasted Dec 09" - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.  

"This wine was fermented in open stainless steel tanks, gently pressed and then transferred to French oak barriques (30% new). Some material was allowed to stay on skins for a few days after fermentation prior to pressing. The wine then matured for 12 months, during which it completed its malolactic fermentation. This treatment maximises the fruity Shiraz flavours and gives soft tannins in balance with the wine. This wine was fined with a tiny amount of egg white, and given a light polish filter. It was bottled in late 2008 and sealed with a screwcap." - Notes from Red Hill Estate. 

2008 Dexter Mornington Chardonnay - $36.90

Dexter Wines is the project of Tod Dexter who has several decades winemaking experience in the Mornington Peninsula, most notably as head winemaker at Stoniers and then Yabby Lake. Suffice to say, Tod brings some real winemaking pedigree to his new venture which is reflected in the exceptional quality of his new Dexter releases. 

"95 Points. There’s a touch of volatility here, I think, that makes for a slightly edgy and interesting lead in to the smell of lemon, nectarine, citrus blossom and gentle spicy oak. It’s fine, tight and citrussy with an engaging dry flintiness and has a lightly smoothing gloss of cashew cream to balance it out. There’s a sort of lemon sherbet flavour (only not so sweet) on the finish that’s very attractive. It’s a stylish wine with Burgundian styling, and one for drinking rather than showing (off). And yes, I’m supposed to be tasting, but I kept drinking. A good sign that" - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.

"Hand picked fruit is gently whole bunch pressed into a tank and settled overnight. It is then transferred into French oak barriques (20% New, 80% second, third and fourth use) and inoculated with a neutral yeast. Fermentation is relatively vigorous and complete within two weeks. The wine is left on lees until bottling with filtration in February, 10 months after harvest. Aromas of lemon, white peach, apple and pear combine with subtle oak. Subtle flavours reflective of the aromas - particularly lemon, pear and elegant oak. The wine has a soft middle palate with good length and a clean finish." - Tod Dexter.

2007 Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot - $26.90

The 2007 vintage for reds in Margaret River has been highly acclaimed. A warm and dry spring followed a warm to hot summer period resulted in an extremely fast vintage. In fact, the vintage period of 23 days was the shortest in Margaret River's history. This has resulted in reds that are bold in varietal expression with rich fruit that powers over hearty tannins.

This is one of the finest Margaret River Cabernet Merlot blends we have tasted from the 2007 vintage, and at $26.90 a bottle is a relative bargain.

"96 Points. Fragrant and pure black and redcurrant aromas lead into a precise, beautifully structured medium- to full-bodied palate, with emery board tannins drawing out the finish, as does cedary oak; very good line, length and balance. Screwcap. 14% alc. Drink 2027 $32 Date Tasted Sep 09" - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.

"The Cabernet and Merlot grapes are sourced from several select vineyard sites. These sites are located more centrally around the township of Margaret River and north to Cowaramup in an endeavour to capture ripe fruit flavours yet retain the distinctive perfume of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. The key selection criteria are soil based and our best sites consist of lateritic gravels over a clay loam base. Our flagship Isa vineyard, just south of Margaret River provides the backbone of Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot. It signature perfume is ever present in the wine - year in and year out." - Notes from Stella Bella.