As per usual, I have a backlog of notes to write up. Many of these wines come from the much maligned 2011 vintage – and again, when it comes to 2011 reds made in South East Australia, it pays to be discriminating and a little choosy. But don’t write off the vintage. This article, by a Queensland sommelier, made its way into my inbox this morning. The most worrying quote? “Generally I would avoid most wines produced in 2011.” The only exception given was WA. No Hunter Valley. No mention of whites. No mention of individual producers. Not good.
Here’s what Dominic Torzi had to say about the vintage in Eden Valley:
“2011 was certainly a roller coaster ride which was the coolest I have experienced during my efforts of producing wines and certainly taught me to be more vigilant in the approach.”
He’s come out on top with this release. In fact, to my tastes, there’s an increased elegance to the wine. I’ve loved past Schist Rocks but this may even be my favourite. It’s more medium bodied than ever with the generosity of cherry and blue fruits balanced and given complexity by cool vintage herbs and the 30% whole bunches included in ferment. It’s perfumed and floral – extremely pretty – with plenty of pepper spice and terrific structure. Top notch length too. I’ll leave the last word to someone who has been critical of the 2011 vintage in certain regions; wine writer Philip White:
“This beauty seems to have taken some of the worst of the wettest vintage in history (I think that’s official now) and used it to become more French than Barossan. But you wouldn’t find a Frenchman doing this for $18.”
Very Good
Region: Eden Valley
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $18
Tasted: June 2012
I’ve seen plenty of good, characterful wines from the 2011 vintage. Much less disappointments than I had expected.
Likewise Jesse. Some less impressive wines for sure but there’s still lots of good gear out there from 2011.
Hi Jeremy, I just bought and shared this wine with my work colleagues and really enjoyed it (as did they!). Thank you for bringing it to my attention. The last glass I drank had a small quarry of sediment in it, maybe the 30% whole bunches weren’t taken out after the ferment after all! Now I’m looking forward to the Longhop 2011 Shiraz you have recommended.
Ha! A bit of sediment is good roughage I reckon
Glad you enjoyed it Andrew. Dom’s turned out some great gear over the last few vintages. He’s on a roll I reckon. Hope you like the Longhop Shiraz 2011. Let me know.
cheers
J