As previously intimated, Auburn lies at the southern end of the Clare Valley, which is basically a string of townships with Clare lying at the northern extremity, so I’d planned a strategy that worked on covering the southern end on the first day, then going on to Clare and working south on the other two. One day would cover the eastern side of the Main North Road with a trip through Polish Hill River to Mintaro and on the second day I planned to work along the western side of the highway.
With that plan in mind, we started by heading to Taylors which I figured, being a larger concern, would be less liable to be affected by Cup Fever.
As usual, when the tasting room attendant offered two glasses I explained that Madam was the designated driver and that one glass would be sufficient since she’d be taking a sip now and then once I’d identified something that she might like.
Of the five ranges on offer, I ignored the Promised Land ($13) and 80 Acres ($15) which are widely available and frequently discounted, working through the Estate ($18), Jaraman ($24.50 whites, $29.50 reds) and St Andrews ($35 whites, $60 reds) ranges.
The whites were all good, the Riesling offering everything you’d expect from a high quality Clare Riesling, and I particularly liked the Estate Gewurtztraminer and the two Chardonnays, but the reds were uniformly outstanding. Madam was particularly taken with the St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon which she liked more than a certain nameless but quite pleasant drop we’d encountered at twice the price. We don’t get to try a lot of $60 wines, but from our (admittedly limited) experience the St Andrews reds punch well above their weight.
Back in the car we headed past Eyre Creek (closed, as expected) towards O’Leary Walker, which I’d hoped to visit, only to find it closed due to cellar door renovations, which I guess have to be done some time and on to Mintaro Cellars (closed, racing suspected) before deciding we might as well head back to base to catch the race ourselves.
As it turned out we should have checked the starting time more carefully since we turned on the TV in time for the end of the presentations. At least it gave me some time to work on the trip diary before a stroll along a section of the Riesling Trail, a sauna for Madam and a light supper washed down with the complimentary bottle of Annie’s Lane Riesling that was waiting for us on arrival.