Impressions from a wine show with producers from Australia and New Zealand. Overall, the quality level was very high among the wines at the show, with both Australian and New Zealand wine producers. It is interesting that so many are adopting a more modern style in their winemaking. The jaminess, which is still there, has a stringency and, in some cases, a gracefulness and elegance. Also interesting was that 130 out of 180 producers lack a distributor in Sweden. Especially considering the quality they displayed. BKWine Magazine reporter Anders Åhlén reports.
Many of the wines I tasted feel like they could be aged for another 10-15 years, even if they are drinkable already today. Something that was also confirmed by many of the exhibitors.
Here is a selection of the wines I tried.
Corryton Burge, Barossa, Australia
Their Corryton Burge Percival Norman 2020 Barossa Shiraz was impressive. At this level, they perform really well. The wine costs about 30 euro in Australia.
Château Tanunda, Barossa, Australia
We’re talking shiraz here. Even the more straightforward wines were of good quality. But when we go up in quality, things really happen. Their Chateau Tanunda 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz was absolutely divine. But it was topped by a leaner and incredibly elegant Chateau Tanunda 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz.
Keep an eye on this producer.
Alexander Daniels Wines, Southern Fleurieu, Australia
High quality. Power but also elegance, especially in the top wines.
Tasted the following:
Nangkita Merlot 2021 Premium Edition. Amazing elegance. Incredibly well-balanced wine. Can probably be aged for a long time, but already very enjoyable today. Nangkita is the name of a vineyard.
Nangkita Shiraz 2021 Premium Edition. Australia really can make quality Shiraz. This was an absolutely fantastic wine. Very typical Shiraz, but with great balance and elegance. Will develop and become even better.
Felton Road, Central Otago, New Zealand
Classic producer with very good wines. Their new Felton Road Pinot Noir MacMuir was a fun surprise. A wine worth keeping an eye on. For around 75 euro, it is quite an expensive wine, but it actually lives up to expectations. McMuir is a 5.1-hectare vineyard.
Pegasus Bay Winery, Wairarapa, New Zealand
Very interesting to be able to compare the new vintage 2022 against 2014, both with Pegasus Riesling and Pegasus Pinot Noir. Paying some 10 euro more for a mature and well-developed wine feels like a relatively small and well-worth investment in this context.
Schubert Wines, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand
I am never disappointed with Schubert. Schubert Block B Pinot Noir and Schubert Marion’s Vineyards Pinot Noir are expensive, but maintain a very high level in terms of quality. They are absolutely delicious to drink.
But then you also have to be prepared for New Zealand pinot noir. That means a lot of barrels and a lot of fruit. But so nicely done.
Langmeil Winery, Barossa, Australia
The Langmeil Barossa Orphan Bank 2019 Shiraz was really good. Very typical Australian Shiraz, and with elegance.
Glaetzer Wines, Barossa Valley, Australia
Anaperenna and Amon-Ra are wines that previously impressed me a lot. Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz impressed with both power and elegance. A wine that can be drunk now but gets so much better with age. Here I had the chance to compare the 2018 and 2016 vintages of Glaetzer Amon-Ra. In my opinion, 2018 is clearly superior, what a wine! There is so much shiraz here, but at the same time an elegance and complexity that just sings.
