Wine on the Radio - March 28, 2005

Western Australia Wine                 Margaret River Recommendations

 

Tucked away in the very corner of Australia is a wonderful wine growing area that probably doesn’t get the attention like other Australian wine region.  Meet this out-of-the-way place… Western Australia.

 

In addition to natural beauty, it produces about a quarter of the premium wine for the whole country. 

 

What makes it unique is the maritime influence of the Indian Ocean that balances the typically hot growing season weather.  This means wines that are ripe tasting and concentrated with flavor. 

 

The best know growing area is the Margaret River.  And its here that all the major varieties have taken hold… from Chardonnay to Cabernet, Shiraz to Sauvignon Blanc.  Margaret River wines are consistently well made and ready to enjoy today.

 

Fortunately, even though this is a really small wine growing area there are more and more Margaret River wines showing up on the shelves. 

 

Be on the lookout for a taste of this special faraway place.  And…

 

Pop the cork™.                               Listen to the show

Some Wines from the Margaret River . . . Our Picks and Recommendations - All Prices Approximate

Howard Park 2002 Leston Cabernet Sauvignon $14
Margaret River, Australia

Dark blood red with youthful purple hues. The essential vineyard character is immediately expressed on the nose with ripe, rich berry fruits and dark cooking chocolate aromas

Cape Mentelle 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot $16
Margaret River, Australia

Traditional vinification methods, including maturation in French oak barriques, have produced and elegant blend with Merlot adding softness to the firmer Cabernet

Cape Mentelle 2002 Margaret River Shiraz $20
Margaret River, Australia

Sweet cherry liqueur, mocha and quality oak with vibrant varietal aromas of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. Deliciously ripe fruit, powdery tannins and the lingering taste of pure Shiraz define this wine

Devils Lair 2002 Margaret River Chardonnay $21
Margaret River, Australia

Ripe, juicy style offers plenty of tangy apple, citrus and quince flavors on a bright, lively frame, finishing with bracing acidity as the flavors sail on and on, delicately tinged by spicy oak 

Leeuwin Estate 2001 Margaret River Prelude Chardonnay $36
Margaret River, Australia

The color is a brilliant pale yellow with tints of green. The nose shows freshly cut yellow-fleshed peaches with some underlying subtle barrel fermentation characters. The palate is rich and full, though tightly structured, showing a combination of poached stone fruit and sweet grapefruit flavors

 

Cape Mentelle 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon  $40

Winemaker's notes:
Layers of quintessential cabernet aromas - brambles, blackberry, cedar and a dash of bayleaf - become increasingly complex with time in the glass. The wine is generously proportioned and multi-dimensional with blackberry and dark plum flavours merging on a seamlessly textured palate. Silky tannins, quality oak and a rich core of classy fruit distinguish this fine example of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon