Offer No. 386
- 12th November
In this Issue...
- 2007 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz
- 2007 Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz
- 2007 Tatiarra Caravan Of Dreams Shiraz Pressings
- 2006 Penna Lane Shiraz
- 2007 Primo Estate Shiraz Sangiovese
- 2006 Zontes Footstep Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec
- 2008 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
- 2008 Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling
- 2000 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage
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NICKS WINE MERCHANTS
IN-STORE TASTING DATES
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Armadale 12 - 4pm
Doncaster 12 - 2pm
Saturday November 15th
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2007 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz
2007 Mr Riggs Shiraz
2006 Greenstone Vineyard
Heathcote Shiraz
2006 Glen Eldon Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Oddfellows Velvet
Sledgehammer Shiraz
2006 Grand Nicolet Cotes du Rhone
2008 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Sevenhill Inigo Riesling
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Saturday November 22nd
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2006 Langmeil The Freedom Shiraz
2006 Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz
2005 Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz
2006 Elderton Shiraz
2007 Dalrymple Pinot Noir
2008 Dog Point Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Brown Magpie Pinot Gris
2008 Vavasour Redwood Pass
Sauvignon Blanc
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| View here for store locations... |
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| Elements of a Vineyard
The Year
Notes sourced from 'The Wines and Vineyards of France' by Louis Jacquezin and Rene Poulain
Nature is capricious and at times disconcerting. Why should a fruit tree like the vine, which remains in the soil for so many years, give a product which changes in flavour so greatly according to the year, while those annual plants which are grown and grubbed up each season are generally of a much more uniform quality? The flavour of bread rarely changes, whereas the same vine is capable of giving very different wines. Clearly it is the meteorological conditions of the year which play the greatest role in these variations. Everyone knows that a year with a great deal of sunshine is the forerunner of a good vintage, whereas a wet summer will only produce minor wines, but things are far from being so simple and many factors enter to confuse the issue.
Warm weather which helps the formation of sugar and limits acidity makes supple wines, but humidity which dilutes the various substances produced by vegetation also produces wines with little acidity and softens them. So it is the question of a balance between sun and rain which in the long run determines the character of a year. It must be conceded that if hot years are the best ones, it is the regularity of the sunshine which is of the greatest importance. The daily average counts more than seasonal bursts of heat. Steady fine weather, relatively dry, is better than great contrast.
It has often been noted that an early flowering and a late harvest produce a fine year - in other words, a long cycle of vegetation. For this reason, at least in northerly vineyards, low reserves of water at the end of winter are considered a good sign: the spring is fine and the shoots will burst early. On the other hand, in the warmer climates, the grower hopes for sufficient humidity in the soil at the beginning of spring since it is drought which is so greatly feared.
In the second stage of the vine's vegetation, the grower hopes for dryness in the daytime, but with heavy dews in the morning and evening, and a few light showers alternating with high temperatures. At this time he is especially wary of invasion by cryptogamic diseases. A burning sun concentrates the juice, dries up the pulp and results in a flabby wine which will age badly. That is why certain glorious summers have given rise to hopes which have quickly proved false.
It is above all during those days just before the harvest that the weather is of paramount importance. It is obvious that if the season has been a bad one no great vintage can be expected, but even if the weather has been favourable up to the last minute nothing is assured until the grapes are actually in the pressing room. Hail which rips the bunches is the worst danger and yet the weather that brings it - hot and wet - is the very kind which is best for a good harvest. Rain immediately before the harvest or even when the picking is in progress will dilute the sugar content and quite definitely have an adverse effect on the quality.
With all these hazards it will be understood why a truly great year is so much of a rarity; it also helps to explain and forgive the permanent and time-honoured grouses of the peasants during the long summer. Their anxious mien and great concern when they see those black clouds are understandable when one realises that for them the game is played out in the skies. Their ruin or their prosperity is in the balance from the day the shoots appear until the grapes are indoors. It is only when the last load has been brought in that anxiety is at an end and the traditional gaiety of the harvest can only start when the vintage is completed.
To Continue Reading About The Elements of a Vineyard go to www.nicks.com.au > More Information > Resource Archives > Elements of a Vineyard
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Buy Online...
Top Wines Still Available... 
2007 Tatiarra Culled Barrel Shiraz
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
Rating: 96 Value:
This Underdog Continually Affirms The Iron Integrity Behind The Tatiarra Label To Be Recognised As One Of The World's Greatest Shiraz Producers Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson mauve purple hue. Perfumed nose of plum, spice and liquorice allsorts followed by a cedar end note. The palate is unexpectedly powerful at this price point. Mouthfilling flavours of blackberry and black pepper over a very spicy back palate. Fine grained slightly chalky tannins exceptional aftertaste of liquorice, spice and black pepper.
Cellar 5 - 8 years (2013 - 2016)
Alc/Vol: 15.5% |
Bottle
Price | $24.99 | Dozen
Price | $297.00 | 
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Bottle
Price | $24.99 | Dozen
Price | $288.00 | |
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Bottle
Price | $10.99 | Dozen
Price | $131.88 | |
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 2005 Chateau Fayau Cadillac (750ml)
Region:Appellation Cadillac Controlee, France
Value: 95 Value: An exceptional wine from a great Sauternes vintage Bright golden colour with pale gold hue. Lifted nose, showing excellent botrytis character of honey, apricot and spice, with impressive intensity. This is from one of the very best vintages in Bordeaux and is reflected by the palate which offers the weight, texture and mouthfeel of a Sauternes. Luscious texture. Flavours of honey, honeycomb and apricot followed by a hint of toffee and spice. Mouthfilling - rich clean finish. Very long aftertaste of honey, honeycomb and apricot.
Cellar: 3 - 4 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 12.5% |
Bottle
Price | $29.99 | Dozen
Price | $354.00 | 
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Also Avaliable:
2005 Chateau Fayau Cadillac (375ml)Bottle
Price | $16.99 | Dozen
Price | $201.00 |
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RATING: 98 VALUE: 
REGION: Heathcote, Victoria
In the last Vintage Direct, we featured one of the red wine give aways of the year, the 'reject' wine from the Domaines Tatiarra - 'Culled Barrel' ($24.99). Tatiarra's Cambrian Shiraz is produced from exactly the same fruit, but sells for nearly twice the price. The difference between the two wines in quality and finesse remains marked, and is evident when tasting the contents of barrels before grading, blending and bottling. The cause of these differences partly lies in the barrels themselves and in the mysteries of the barrel maturation process. Wooden barrels were invented by Iron Age Celtic tribes who probably observed that a boat was essentially a water-tight half barrel. Being as skilled with iron as they were with timber, they built a 360 degree version with iron hoops to hold it together. Barrels proved to be more managable and robust storage vessels than traditional earthen ware and were soon employed for the transportation of almost every kind of commodity - from flour and salt, to gunpowder and nails (even cash money!) With the modern advent of cardboard, glass, plastic and steel containers, barrels were gradually displaced, assured of an ongoing role only thanks to historical coincidence and a curious fact: Certain beverages are uniquely enhanced by exposure to oak. The contribution of oak flavour to wine styles such as Shiraz, has become so desirable that some producers consider the barrel to be the most important wine making tool. Of the 200 species of the oak genus, only three are preferred for use in winemaking. These are found in different European and American forests and are further classified by location of the forest and also by cooperage (barrel maker). Each cooper has his own formula for barrel production. Recently, coopers have learnt that levels of certain desirable oak compounds can actually be controlled by seasoning regimes, bending techniques, toasting times and temperatures. These compounds are gradually extracted from barrels during maturation, influencing the bouquet, taste and/or mouthfeel and overall complexity of the finished wine. To help winemakers achieve more consistent results, homogenisation underpins modern barrel production. But as with any natural product, some variation is inevitable. This is one aspect which accounts for the differences between Tatiarra's wines, for which a matrix of French and American oak barriques are used including Dargaud and Jaegle, Saury, Taransaud Francois Frere Bossuet and A.P. Johns. The range of aromas offered by this mix can include spice, vanilla, coconut, cedar, floral, fruit, vegetative, tea leaf, leather, cream, nutty and smoky characters to mention but a few. As new barrels are purchased and introduced with each vintage, the challenge presented to the winemaking team is to 'tweak' rather than radically alter the oak 'flavour' regime in order to achieve a seamless integration of fruit and oak, then create a blend that is greater than the sum of its parts. Both are art forms in themselves. In the hands of a skilled winemaker, a successful outcome can be compared to the signature style of a great artist - that which is repeated with panache, universally recognised as 'great' and ultimately distinguishes their work from their contemporaries,The Cambrian Shiraz Represents Tatiarra's Purest Expression Of Heathcote's 500 Million Year Old Cambrian Terroir. Vintage conditions: Over the last few months we've tasted verticals of Tatiarra from 2002 2007 and are enthralled by the consistency and the aging capacity that each vintage clearly demonstrates. Although the 2007 growing season was difficult due to the extreme drought conditions, great wine was still produced at Tatiarra. Viticulturist Bob Wilson uses radio controlled moisture probes to monitor root moisture content, whilst manipulating bud numbers, canopy cover and crop levels. The team's skills were fully tested, however they managed to maintain tension and avoid stressing the vines a tough ask even under ideal conditions. The 2007 Tatiarra releases are of extraordinary quality, but in very short supply.Tasting note: Opaque black purple colour with black purple hue a saturate of colour. The nose delivers a superb sniff with violet top note followed by blackberry, spice, vanilla and fresh liquorice with a subtle oak and black pepper end notes. The palate flavours are explosive loaded with layers of black pepper, blackberry, spice and liquorice, totally mouthfilling outstanding length and depth. Fine grained dryish, but balanced tannins. Exceptionally long aftertaste of blackberry and liquorice allsorts. A magnificent example and a vinous testament to the ability of the viticulturalist and winemaking team to produce an exceptional result in a tough year.
Cellar 10-12 years (2018-2020)
Alc/Vol: 15.5%
Rec.
Retail | $44.40 | Bottle
Price | $39.99 | Dozen
Price | $474.00 | |
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Wine Spider Analysis: 2007 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz 
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| colour |
viscosity |
brilliance |
depth |
aroma |
faults |
varietal |
intensity |
| 10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
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| complexity |
concent'ion |
fruit |
length |
aftertaste |
balance |
tannins |
acid |
| 9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
How does Winespider work? View here.
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| 2007 Tatiarra Caravan of Dreams Shiraz Pressings |
| Heathcote, Victoria |
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RATING:
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99 |
VALUE:
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CELLAR:
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10-15 years (2018-2023) |
ALC/VOL:
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15.50% |
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 The megastar of the Tatiarra Collection is scarce as hens teeth this year due to the drought but a total concentrate of flavour. A formidable result given the year and a vinification that with the right management approach great wine can be produced from a great site every year - in fact it is the defining expression of great terroir.
Another triumph for the Tatiarra team!
A total saturate of black purple colour. Top note of vanilla followed by liquorice allsorts, spice, blackberry and black pepper. Explosive palate a sensation of wonderfully ripe blackberry, plums and black pepper meshed with liquorice allsorts and vanilla. A wine of incredible length, depth and balance. Fine grained perfectly balanced tannins. Exceptionally long aftertaste of blackberry, plum and black pepper.
Extremely Limited Stocks
- Limit 6 Bottles Per Person
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Rec
Retail:
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A$66.52 |
Bottle
Price:
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A$59.99 |
Dozen
Price:
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A$N/A |
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| 2007 Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz |
| McLaren Vale, South Australia & Heathcote, Victoria |
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RATING:
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99 |
VALUE:
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CELLAR:
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8-10 years (2016-2018) |
ALC/VOL:
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15.50% |
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 The Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz is a 50/50 blend of the best two barriques from the Tatiarra Vineyard in Heathcote and the two best barriques that Ben Riggs produced from McLaren Vale.
Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson purple hue. The nose is perfumed lifted aromas of freshly picked violets, black pepper, spice and white pepper. A superb sniff and expressing the power of Heathcote overlaid with the refinement and elegance of McLaren Vale. The palate continues to reflect the elegance yet remains integrated and very forceful. Mouthfilling palate with exceptional length. Very strong flavours of black pepper, plum and blackberry over a background of black cherry and plum. Very fine tannins, exceptional balance. Very long aftertaste of plum, liquorice, blackberry and black pepper.
Extremely Limited Stocks
- Limit 6 Bottles Per Person
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Rec
Retail:
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A$66.52 |
Bottle
Price:
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A$59.99 |
Dozen
Price:
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A$N/A |
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| 2006 Penna Lane Shiraz | | Clare Valley, South Australia |
| RATING: | 96 | VALUE: | | CELLAR: | 3 - 4 years (2011 - 2012) | ALC/VOL: | 15.00% |
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|  Nearly twenty years ago, Ray and Lynette Klavins purchased 35 acres of derelict land 10 kms south of Clare, adjacent to vineyards owned by Mitchell and Kilikanoon. With the help of family and friends, the property was cleaned up and four acres of Cabernet was planted in 1994. Ray (a former Southcorp and Knappstein Wines vigneron) teamed up with Stephen Stafford-Brookes to produce their first wine in 1998.
This latest Shiraz from Ray Klavins is an Impressive Effort. The wine has been matured for 22 months in new and old American oak and bottled without filtration. Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue showing excellent cling. The nose delivers strong varietal lift, with plum and spice top note followed by a vanilla end note. Palate flavours of plum, spice and vanilla are enhanced by a black pepper back palate. Fine dryish but balanced tannins. Strong aftertaste of black pepper and spice with vanilla persisting.
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Retail: | A$27.49 | Bottle
Price: | A$24.99 | Dozen
Price: | A$288.00 | |
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| 2007 Primo Estate Il Briccone Shiraz Sangiovese |
| McLaren Vale, South Australia |
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RATING: |
94 |
VALUE: |
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CELLAR: |
3 - 4 years (2011 - 2012) |
ALC/VOL: |
14.50% | |
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 The backbone of Italian Chianti, the Sangiovese grape was introduced to Australia by the CSIRO in the late 1960's and first commercially championed by Coriole Vineyards in McLaren Vale where it was planted in 1985 with the aim of being a contrasting style to the region's signature variety, Shiraz. There are now around 200 Australian vineyards experimenting with the varietal. The 'Il Briccone' (meaning 'The Rogue') is a blend of approximately 65% Shiraz and 35% Sangiovese.
An excellent example of the blend
Very deep, practically opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Top note of dark cherry, spice, plum and blackberry with liquorice end note. The structure is balanced, the two varietals work well with the Sangiovese providing a dark cherry component which is enhanced by fine, drying but balanced tannins. The wine is dry, but still holds its fruit quality.
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Rec
Retail: |
A$24.30 |
Bottle
Price: |
A$17.99 |
Dozen
Price: |
A$215.88 |
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| 2006 Zonte's Footstep Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec | | Langhorne Creek, South Australia |
| RATING: | 92 | VALUE: | | CELLAR: | 2 - 3 years (2010 - 2011) | ALC/VOL: | 14.50% |
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Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Top note of blackcurrant, spice, liquorice and dark chocolate. Joosy palate with flavours of ripe plum, blackcurrant, liquorice and cedar. Fine grained tannins. Excellent length and depth. Soft finish. Long aftertaste of liquorice and cedar. | Rec
Retail: | A$15.96 | Bottle
Price: | A$12.99 | Dozen
Price: | A$150.00 | |
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| 2008 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc | | Marlborough, New Zealand |
| RATING: | 93 | VALUE: |  | CELLAR: | 1 - 2 years (2009 - 2010) | ALC/VOL: | 13.00% |
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|  An elegant Sauvignon Blanc,
showing plenty of varietal character.
Bright pale straw colour with water like hue. Delicate aroma of gooseberry, passionfruit and tropical fruit over a light grassy end note. The structure is elegant, with flavours of ripe gooseberry and passionfruit. There is a hint of lemon on the back palate. Aftertaste of passionfruit and gooseberry.
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Retail: | A$29.62 | Bottle
Price: | A$24.99 | Dozen
Price: | A$297.00 | |
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| 2008 Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling | | Eden Valley, South Australia |
| RATING: | 94 | VALUE: | | CELLAR: | 4 - 5 years (2012 - 2013) | ALC/VOL: | 11.50% |
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Bright pale straw colour with water like hue. Lifted nose of orange blossom and spice, followed by a touch of lime and tropical fruit. The palate displays flavours of ripe orange blossom, lime and tropical fruit. Clean acid finish. Aftertaste of lime, orange infusions and tropical fruit. | Rec
Retail: | A$22.79 | Bottle
Price: | A$16.99 | Dozen
Price: | A$201.00 | |
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 UK Gift Shop
Through our connections in the UK we have established a gift service with a wide range of great gift ideas available for delivery to your family and friends in the UK throughout the year. Anything from a bottle of Scotch to a case of Grange can be ordered. There is also a wide selection of gift packs and mixed dozens available which can viewed by selecting any of menu selections.
All stocks are presently in the UK and available for immediate dispatch. All pricing is fully inclusive of delivery to the recipient's door anywhere in the UK (including Scotland and most of Ireland). Gift wrapping is also available for an additional charge of A$15.00 per case/parcel.
Go Here for more information
Gifts can be ordered on-line via our website or by e-mailing us at sales@nicks.com.au Alternatively you can place orders via phone on 03 9848 1153 or 1800 069 295. When placing orders please ensure you have the full delivery address details on hand including postcode and contact telephone number of the recipient. The postcode is particularly important to ensure efficient delivery. If you have any queries or special requests please don't hesitate to contact us. Orders can be made to suit any budget or individual requirement.
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| 2000 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Champagne |
| Reims, France |
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RATING:
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96 |
VALUE:
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CELLAR:
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2 - 3 years (2010 - 2011) |
ALC/VOL:
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12.50% |
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 This is the sixty-seventh release of Moet & Chandon vintage since the launch of the first Vintage in 1842. Made from a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir & 16% Pinot Meunier.
A magnificent Champagne!
The mousse is as good as it gets, lasting almost 30 seconds after being poured, and is followed by a very fine, very persistent bead. Deep straw base wine with green tinge. Top note of biscuit, followed by yeast lees and cashew showing excellent yeast autolysis character complexity. Flavours of biscuit and yeast lees over a background of cashew and lemon. Excellent length, clean acid finish. Very long aftertaste of yeast lees, citrus and biscuit.
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Rec
Retail:
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A$131.81 |
Bottle
Price:
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A$95.00 |
Dozen
Price:
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A$1,128.00 |
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