 |
|
|
THE VINEYARD | FINE WINES | WINE REVIEWS
Rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves, wild thyme underfoot, the Campaspe river meandering along the valley - you could be in Tuscany or Provence. But, just over an hour from Melbourne, the 60-acre Redesdale Estate vineyard is in the southern part of the Heathcote wine region, in Central Victoria, Australia. It offers a working vineyard and olive grove, a haven for lovers of good wine, good food and peaceful luxury. The Heathcote region, located in Central Victoria, is the epitome of style in the Shiraz stakes. Wines of this region consistently deliver a more refined and elegant example of the variety that has firmly placed Australia on the international wine-producing map. The region has a mix of small, well established, highly rated producers and a rapidly expanding series of larger vineyards.
‘Redesdale Estate is one of a growing number of small Heathcote wineries making the best of a soil and climate ideally suited to great red wines, especially Shiraz’. Redesdale Estate vineyard was established in 1982 in the cooler southwest of the Heathcote wine region on the banks of the Campaspe River in Central Victoria. The terrain is volcanic and particularly harsh, has very little topsoil and deep sedimentary rock. With this terroir the vines naturally struggle. Dry climate vineyard practices further intensify the fruit flavours. The mature vines yield a limited production of wine with intense flavour and exceptional purity of variety, which are handpicked and crafted with a passion for excellence. After some years of selling the grapes, in 1999 it was decided to produce wine for the Redesdale Estate label. The wines are made under contract by Tobias Ansted at Balgownie Estate.
James Halliday featured Redesdale Estate in his 'Ten of the Best New Wineries' in 2005. Two wines only are made - a Shiraz and a Bordeaux-style Cabernets blend. The wines show distinctive regional characters and complexities. Both are aged in new and one-year-old French oak barriques and are stored for a minimum of 18 months after bottling, prior to release. Since the 2001 vintage, the wines have received top ratings by the well-known Australian wine writer, James Halliday. A contract for supply to Qantas International as red wine of first choice for their business class is indicative of the recognition for quality the Redesdale Estate wines are gaining. Released for the first time late 2002, they are stocked by leading Sydney, Melbourne and regional restaurants and provedores. They are also available at cellar door and by email.
REDESDALE ESTATE SHIRAZ The Shiraz from mature vines is incredibly voluptuous, rich and dense, the flavour taking in black cherry, plum, prune, blackberry, bitter chocolate and anise/spice. Redesdale Estate is recognised as a recent proponent of this style. REDESDALE ESTATE CABERNETS The Cabernet/Cabernet Franc wine proves the compatibility of the Heathcote region to growing Bordeaux varieties and, like the Shiraz, shows pure, defined varietal characters. SHIRAZ 2001 Heathcote SHIRAZ 2002
SHIRAZ 2003 Shiraz 2003
This glass-staining youngster smells of blackberry pastilles, currants, spice and subtly fragrant oak. A seamless palate is beautifully concentrated, finishing with fine tannins and a deliciously sustained aftertaste. Cab Sauvignon-Cab Franc 2003 Very deep, almost opaque black crimson colour with deep black crimson hue. Lifted aromatic nose of cedar, blackcurrant, spice and liquorice allsorts. Mouthfilling palate, superbly balanced with no sign of any green vegetative fruit. Flavours of spice, blackcurrant, liquorice and cedar emerge. Excellent weight and mouthfeel. Perfectly balanced with velvet tannins. Very long aftertaste of liquorice and spice.
For more information regarding wine and products click here The Vineyard | Olive Oil | Come & Stay | Location | Order Wine | Contact Us |
