Penfolds Magill Estate

After a couple of days in the Barossa, Adelaide and the cricket called. Luckily for us, we were meeting up with a few old muckers from previous times Down Under. So, hello it was to Mike & Sue, David and Martin. Being the good eggs that they are, we headed off for a quick bite at the Magill Estate. Fantastic setting with a great view as the sun set over Adelaide.

We opted for a Degustation menu, and being a group of 6 had enough people to go off-piste and make several of our own wine selections. We gleefully got stuck into the following:

Food:
Seared scallops, iberico jamon, tomato olive oil mousse, basil and lemon crunch
Butter poached marron, liquid pea and ham, leek terrine and shellfish foam
Duck breast, foie gras, gingerbread, liquorice, pineapple and celeriac emulsion
French autumn truffle, roasted shallots, herb and mushroom consommé
Mayura wagyu, sweetcorn, legumes and leaves
Red sensation sorbet, hazelnut oil, praline and finger lime
Bread and butter pudding

Booze:
2004 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling
2006 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay
2006 Reserve Bin 06A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
1994 Magill Estate Shiraz
1986 707 Coonawarra Cab Sav
2006 Kracher Beerenauslese Riesling

One of those evenings where you wish you could pack up the tastes and take them away with you. All of it was pretty special, but the 707, IIRC, was outstanding.

Barossa V - Secret Men's Business

And so, on to the business that was both secret, and manly.

Secret Men's Business (I hope I'm able to divulge this...) is a gang of chaps from various backgrounds in the Barossa who meet up to have a glass and some food and chat about the great subjects, you know, wine, beer, sport. That kind of thing.

Thanks to our host of the previous night, Damon of the 40s cafe, Angaston, we had been invited along. Massive thanks to Damon for taking a punt on letting us crash the party. Did I mention he makes pizza? And also wine? Top bloke, do call in if you're passing.

So why would you call your club Secret Men's Business anyway? You might find some clues here. Drinking and a sense of humour too, see? Marvellous.

Anyway, we were picked up in Angaston by a bunch of likely lads, conveyed to a mini-bus outside a local school, then whisked off into the dusk on a mystery tour. Again I hope I'm not betraying any confidences (who am I kidding? No-one reads this stuff anyway!) by saying we were entertained at the Murrayvale Vineyard by Dale and Kate Tuck.

Thanks to Adrian Griscti,who sent me the minutes of the meeting from which most of the following is shamelessly ripped off.

Food was sorted by Damon. We were greeted with a cheese and fruit platter. Main course comprised Veal Shanks and vegetables served with capsicum jus. Barossa Coffee Roaster (Paul) then served freshly roasted coffee. All marvellous.

Dale spoke very well, and included the history of the property and of the vineyard in addition to the philosophy behind his wines. We tasted the following:

2005 Murrayvale Vineyard Pinot Noir (Methode Champenoise)
2002 Murrayvale Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Murrayvale Vineyard Riesling
2010 Murrayvale Vineyard Pinot Noir (barrel sample)

I didn't take notes, and sadly it was all too long ago to remember much of the detail in the tasting, but these seemed interesting wines worthy of further investigation.

Jimmy Day of Domain Day then spoke on the genesis and development of their outfit and their quest to use lesser known varieties in the highest altitude area of the Barossaand at Mt. Crawford. We tasted:

2009 Domain Day Garganega
2005 Domain Day Lagrein
2005 Domain Day Saperavi

Some really interesting flavours, and a very different experience to Barossa Shiraz.

There was a really interesting Q&A session and a lot of informed debate going on around the room afterwards. A special mention to Chris R####s who was awarded the 2010 SMB Tool of the Year Award for his comment on the Garganega: “enveloping pithy tannins”. Nice.

I can't thanks the boys enough for their hospitality. Here we were, two poms fresh off the plane and far from home, with one of the most keenly anticipated Ashes series in the offing, and being invitied into peoples homes and lives for a brief period and a fair few glasses of wine.

Secret Men's Business: I salute you!

Barossa IV - Charles Melton

Time had marched on apace, so we popped in to the verandah restaurant pre-tasting to fortify us for further hard work ahead.

Fireman Bob came up trumps again with the recommendation of the Hutton Vale lamb pie - turned out he knew the farmer! Told you he was well connected. Anyway, fabulous pie and a great glass of Voices of Angels shiraz to accompany it.

Then on to the tasting....

Rose of Virginia 2010. Deep pink with rose petal aroma and rich taste of strawberry and glacé cherries. Great.

Kirche Shiraz 2007. Deep crimson. Vanilla and spice on the nose. Plum and black pepper. Good structure.

Richelieu 2006. Red berry fruit dominates nose and palate. Less structured thna others.

Nine Popes 2008. Lifting fruity nose, obvious rhone characteristics on palate. Light but with good structure and length.

Father-in-Law Reserve 2008. Aussie shiraz nose with eucalypt, mint and spice. Sweet vanilla over a briary/red fruit base.

Voices of Angels 2008. Jammier; blackcurrant nose combined with elegant palate.

Grains of Paradise 2008. Black pepper nose. Big tannic structure on palate will give this a long life. Needs time.