Walking out of the tasting room I remarked that it was just as well we’d planned a sightseeing diversion before the next winery because the palate (and the mind, for that matter) needed time to clear after what we’d just encountered.
We stopped at the lookout at Quarry Hill (spectacular views over the Polish Hill River area) and the Sevenhill Cellars, where Madam had a wander while I sat in the car trying to gather my thoughts before the next flurry of activity which was going to feature a succession of more five-star wineries.
A tough task, but we weren’t planning on a return visit that would allow me to visit the ones we missed this time.
We pulled up outside Neagles Rock for long enough for me to alight so Madam could continue over to investigate the adjacent Tourist Information Centre, leaving me to negotiate my way past the extremely friendly winery dog and make my way into the Cellar Door.
Tasting kicked off with the NV Chardonnay Pinot Noir ($19), an everyday drinking style that’d be worth investing in if we drank more of that style. Unfortunately we still have 4/6 of last year’s bubbly purchase on hand, but anyone who drinks this style regularly should find it worth checking out.
Predictably, the 2007 Riesling ($19) was yet another classic Clare Riesling and the 2007 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc ($19) was also excellent though I was inclined to disagree with the suggestion that Clare does the style just as well as it does Riesling, but maybe I’m biased towards the straight variety rather than the blend.
Personally, I found that every Riesling I tried in the area fitted into the same recognisable regional style and the wines, while showing subtle variations, were consistently superb expressions of the style. Most of the Semillon Sauvignon Blancs were very good wines though I didn’t pick up the same consistency of style.
Or maybe it’s just a case of Hughesy loves Riesling.
Moving into the reds, the 2008 Sweet Dorothy Cabernet Rose ($19) was, as the name suggests, a sweeter style than most I’d tried, but that wasn’t a problem as far as I was concerned. Perfect summer drinking (yet again).