The dynamic personality that is Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds made a visit in his hectic schedule to Northcote Manor. A dinner and a lunch were selected to present wines from the diverse portfolio of Penfolds. My own experience of these wines is that at any price point they never disappoint. Their own philosophy is “the right style, the right grape, the right oak, the right bottling time and a little patience ensures a selection of internationally acclaimed wines to suit everyone’s palate.” I could not agree more.
The assembled wine trade, journalists and wine educators were shown a selection of white which included, Yattaran Chardonnay 2001 and in the reds St Henri Shiraz 2000 and by comparison the 1990 vintage, finishing with RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001. oak used varies from French and American depending on the style required and also in the amount of the wine that is treated to new oak. The RWT has 65% matured in new and 35% in one-year-old, whereas the St Henri spends 14 months in large, old oak vats, a more fruit driven style.
The proceedings ended with a superb lunch and again more wines, a pleasant Eden Valley Riesling pre-lunch and the Reserve Bin a Chardonnay served with a piece of wild Scottish salmon garnished with mussels and cockles set on a white butter bean sauce. The main course of Bowland forest lamb was served with Margill Estate shiraz 2001 and the renowned Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. As I sat at the table with Peter he treated us to the 1990 St Henri shiraz as a comparison.
The local cheeses were served with the latest release of the legendary Grange 1999, a pure shiraz, as in some vintages there is little cabernet sauvignon added. A stunningly complex and involved wine, hints of liquorice, anise, malty savoury oak and warm blackberry fruit, drinking well now, but has an aging capacity of 20-30 years. It is a testimony of the nature of this wine that Peter Gago and his team were in London and Zurich recently offering to re-cork old bottles of Grange to ensure they remain in peak condition. Peter was flying off to Dubai after lunch for another presentation before returning to Australia.