The Winter reds edition...

With Winter officially here, it is appropriate that this edition of the AMA(SA) Wine Society newsletter features some red wines ideal for enjoying during the cooler months.

One of the standouts in this edition is the newly released 2008 Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz. This Eden Valley Shiraz delivers extraordinary value, with last year's release selling out within a couple of months of its release. In their newly released The Big Red Wine Book, wine writers Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh declare this wine "easily one the year's stars". We have limited stocks of this wine to offer members so be quick to avoid disappointment.

Also featured in this edition is the new vintage from Ulithorne of their Frux Frugis Shiraz; a stunning McLaren Vale that has gained a strong following since its first release some five years ago. If you are a fan of big, flavoursome South Australian reds and are yet to discover the delights of Ulithorne, we encourage you to do so.

We also have an extremely limited offer on the 2006 Mount Mary Quintet Cabernets. Considered one of Australia's finest wines, we have less than two dozen bottles of this wine to offer members.  

We hope you enjoy this edition,

AMA(SA) Wine Society

Ph - 1800 088 022. 

2008 Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz - $16.90

Torzi Matthews is a super impressive winery based in South Australia's Eden Valley wine region. Proprietors Domenic Torzi and Tracey Matthews produce two example of Shiraz from their Mt McKenzie vineyard; The Frost Dodger and The Schist Rock, named after the clay covered shaley schist rock bed the vineyard sits on.   

The 2008 Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz has just been released and has already received some great reviews, with Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh declaring it "easily one of the year's star" in 'The Big Red Wine Book'. The previous vintage of this wine sold out within months of its release and with the extraordinary value for money it offers, the 2008 version is likely to do the same.   

"We're not sure how they do this quality at this price, but take advantage of it while it lasts. This year's release is incredibly perfumed and substantial, with notes of violets and blackberries, spice and smoke. It has juiciness and weight, a touch too much acid, but so much sweet, fragrant fruit flavour that no one will be complaning. Easily one of the year's stars. Eden Valley. Alcohol 14.1%. Cork. Score: 93 Points" - Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book, 2009/10. 

2008 Pencarrow Pinot Noir - $19.90

Finding a good quality Pinot Noir for under $20 is no easy task. Finding a good quality Pinot from arguably New Zealand's finest Pinot regions is even harder. Pencarrow is made by Palliser and whilst technically an entry level range the quality on offer here is very impressive.

The first sign of this wines quality is its dark and intense colour. The nose is fragrant with aromas of sour cherries and raspberries. The palate is deliciously approachable yet has some weight behind it; offering raspberry and Turkish-delight like flavours with some firm tannins in support. This is a lovely drinking Pinot that well and truly delivers at this price point.

"The 2008 season in Martinborough with mid summer warmth and a favourable ripening period has produced a classical pinot noir. This Martinborough pinot noir was made with traditional Burgundian techniques including a pre-fermentation maceration, which allows wild yeast to initiate the fermentation and a post-fermentation maceration to ensure the complex tannin structure. After pressing it was matured in French oak casks for 9 months. Good red colour. Intense ripe fruit flavours of classical red and black berry fruits with a supple savoury note backed by pleasant oak characters. The palate is full, round and lingering with fine balance." - Winemaker notes from Palliser.

2006 Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz - $44.90

We are huge fans of Ulithorne of the McLaren Vale, believing it is one of the finest small producers in Australia. Each vintage they produce a superb example of McLaren Vale Shiraz for their ‘Frux Frugis’ Shiraz. The 2006 Frux Frugis Shiraz has just become available and once again follows in the footsteps of previous vintages; displaying stunning spicy aromas and hints of cigar box characters. The typically flavoursome and lush palate displays a beautiful touch of elegance with delicious ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit.  

"Brilliantly balanced, with dense black fruit, acres of spice, plantations of coffee beans and kilos of dark chocolate, this cult wine has more length and concentration than ever and it's also under screw cap for the first time, which is great news for all." - Tyson Stelzer & Matthew Jukes, Taste Food & Wine 2009.

"Best New Release. Generous, creamy nose and a long, sweet palate with excellent balance of sweet fruit flavours, oak tannins and acidity. Rating: " - Winestate Magazine.

“This Shiraz wine exhibits spicy lift with oak notes of vanilla and clove. The palate is concentrated with ripe spicy flavours and underlying ripe berry fruits. The finish is long with firm concentrated tannins. The wine will develop complexity with long term cellaring. This is the first vintage of Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz to be bottled with a Stelvin closure.” – Notes from Ulithorne. 

2008 The Fix Shiraz - $12.90

We are always on the lookout for great value wine to offer members and we think this one fits the bill perfectly. The Fix is made by Ben Jeanneret (of Jeanneret Wines) who is not only an extremely capable winemaker, but also has claims to being the youngest winery owner in the Clare Valley.

‘The Fix’ Shiraz is a wine borne from opportunity rather than design. Deep into the 2008 vintage, Ben came across a small parcel of McLaren Vale Shiraz that found itself homeless. After some quick negotiations, the fruit was transported to the Clare Valley where this wine was produced.

This wine has aromas of sweet plum and blackberry with a chocolate background. The palate offers flavours of dark chocolate, subtle liquorice and a touch of savouriness supported by some soft tannins. It is all wrapped up with a deft touch of American oak. This is a sensational value red wine, which at this price, is difficult to fault.

2006 Mount Mary Quintet Cabernets - $124.90

Mount Mary Vineyard is a family owned, single vineyard estate located in the heart of Victoria's Yarra Valley. Established in 1971 by Dr John and Marli Middleton, Mount Mary was one of the first vineyards planted in the resurgence of the Yarra Valley as a premium grape growing region. Whilst Dr John Middleton passed away in mid-2006 he will always be remembered as one of the greats of Australian winemaking.

We are delighted to offer members extremely limited stocks of the 2006 Mount Mary Quintet. The Quintet is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc, Malbec and Petit verdot.  

"This Quintet has all of the classic flavours expected of the blend: cassis, blackberry, cherry, herbs and chocolate. The palate is full of very fine tannins with a roundness that is well balanced with acidity. The farewell is very clean and persistent. This Quintet is as close as we have come in recent years to meeting our ideals. This could be described as achieving high flavour concentration over a broad spectrum of flavours whilst maintaining an elegant, almost delicate, balance which avoids the pitfalls of excessive tannin or alcohol." - Notes from Mount Mary

"Mount Mary commands a mythical status among wine collectors. Quintet is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend. The vineyard faces due north and captures optimum sunlight during the growing season. New French Oak plays an underlying role in the style." - Andrew Caillard MW.