In amongst a box of wines I received recently was a bottle of 2005 Mount Panorama Bathurst Shiraz. What makes this such an intriguing wine is that the grapes are grown on the side of Mount Panorama in Bathurst NSW, a couple of hours drive west of Sydney. For those of you from outside of Australia, Mount Panorama hosts Australia’s biggest motor racing event, The Bathurst 1000. This is a 1000km 161 lap race up and around the mountain that showcases Australia’s own V8 Supercars.
I knew that vineyards had been popping up around the race track for some time, Brokenwood have one up there, and I had heard that there was a winery up on the mountain somewhere midway along Mountain Straight, but hadn’t really thought much about it so receiving this wine in my batch was quite intriguing. It can get quite cold up on that mountain. I’ve stayed up there watching the race in light snow and this is in mid spring! So was this Shiraz going to have the subtle medium to light body of a cool climate Shiraz?
My wife and I felt like some wine with cheese. Usually we’d go a white wine but it was a cool evening that called for red. So I took a gamble that the 2005 Mt Panorama Shiraz would be light enough not to clash with the cheeses.
Looking at the label I couldn’t help but get the impression that it was just a little kitsch using a stylised V8 supercar to play off the great race. My impression when I see this type of thing is similar to the critter labels many of our exported wines get dumped on them… gimmicky! But I was so glad I wasn’t expecting much (this impression was unfair, not with the positive spirit of our blog, and rather wine wanker of me… see below).
I turned the cap on it and sniffed away. Mmmmmm, I could smell light cherry and peppery spice aromas along with a little mustiness from age. I knew straight away though that this may just well go with the cheeses as it was quite a light scent.
Took a sip… Ahhhhh, nice and medium-light! Lots of iddy biddy fruit flavours that didn’t last all that long in the mouth but long enough to enjoy and savour the light peppery spice towards the end of the sip. It was actually quite a well-balanced wine and my wife really enjoyed it as we sipped between nibbling on our cheese and crackers.
And absolutely no burnt rubber in the wine at all (possibly a let down)!
We saved some for the following night and decided to cook up a Thai green curry using some of the veggies from out of my own patch, including baby roma tomatoes, zucchini, butter beans, sugar snaps, green capsicum and yellow peppers. I’m actually a keen veggie gardener and am making the most of my big suburban backyard after nearly 10 years in a city apartment (see me below a few weeks ago having a beer by my young plot). I had a feeling this red wine would actually go well with this spicy dish and, of course, I was right! Very enjoyable the second night and it had opened up to express itself even more.
This 2005 Mount Panorama Shiraz probably would have been better a couple of years ago but it was still a decent and enjoyable wine at this older age. It’s a pity I only had one of these. I’ll definitely source some later vintages to have a good go at.
I’ve actually have now taken to the label design. And of the wine itself, Peter Brock would be proud, rest his soul…
Although this footage is of an F1 car doing the circuit you get a good glimpse of the vineyard at about 24 seconds in…
Author: Conrad
The Wine Wankers 
A fun post, Conrad. I can’t imagine driving a car as fast as the one in the video was going. Spectacular, and adds to the memory of the Bathurst Shiraz.
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Thanks! It ended up being quite a fun wine too.
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I busted a gut on the idea of a taste or mouth feel of burned rubber! Although during a recent wine tasting event I was at, one of the possible choices on the tasting card was ‘cat piss.’
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And that would be for NZ Sauvignon Blanc! 😉
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nice touch
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Thank you!
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Beautiful, makes me wish I was headed Down Under right now! (Of course, they would quarantine me, being a dog and all…)
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Yes, it would be solitary confinement for you I’m afraid! 😦
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Not sure I’ve seen this one in the states.
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The wine, probably not, it’s quite a boutique winery. The race, maybe not, although it is our most popular car race.
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So just a few things we need to discuss here….
I) I love a great Shiraz
2) I love Australians and one day I intend to visit your beautiful country
3) I love driving fast
4) I love cheese.
So the blog was amazing…
The only thing that seemed unreasonable was that you had wine left over for a 2nd day.
Perhaps you are not a true Aussie. My Americanized-Aussie friends would never let the bottle sit and I for one probably couldn’t either. Hmm. Things to contemplate deeply…
Keep writing! I really love your posts! Cheers!
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You’re assuming it was the only bottle we drank! 😉
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I was hoping you would say that. My faith is restored. The earth is back on its right access.
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Great post, Conrod. Isn’t there a Conrod straight in the Bathurst circuit?
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LOL, indeed there is!
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What’s an a or o between friends? I believe for now on, to me, you shall be Conrod!
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Hahaha, whatever works for ya! 😉
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any chance for a backyard vineyard? how much would it take to make a yearly bottle?
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A Greek mate of mine’s old man makes his own wine from grapes growing across his carport and back shed. Doesn’t know the variety. It’s good at getting you drunk, but you have to hold your nose! 😉
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Favorite post so far!
It unites two passions, wine and fast cars. Thank you!!
PS. Sorry there is only one f1 race left with #aussiegrit Mark Webber 😦
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LOL, cheers!
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A fun post! 🙂
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Thank you!
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You´re living it up! Hope no car went off road and screw up the vinellard. Actually this is the second time I see a vineyard.
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That would be a disaster man!
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There’s a very strong chance of me being in Aus next year – March/April. Although we’ve never spoken before, I imagine it might be fun to sample some ‘home brew’ together!
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The people we meet up with seem to disappear!
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Phenomenal use of the underused and underrated “iddy biddy”…
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“hints” just didn’t cut it! 😉
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Great post–as always!
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And thanks for stopping by, as always! 🙂
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Preferred drink for Bathurst in this home is usually beer with Tennessee Honey chasers. Next time we’re down that way, I’ll check out the wineries 🙂 Might give ME something to drink on race day. lol
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I’ve also nominated you guys for an award 🙂
http://suzjones.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/another-award-my-cup-runneth-over/
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It’s usually beer for me too during the race. A thanks so much for the award nom!
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You’re so very welcome. I’ve been meaning to ask who the dodgy bloke in your profile pic is. Certainly doesn’t look like the guy with the veggie garden.
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He’s our PR agent. 😉
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I like the idea of wine with a story as long as it is good. I am a red man myself so I really enjoyed this tasting
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I usually only write about the good times with good wine. 🙂
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Hi, Conrad. The of 2005 Mount Panorama Bathurst Shiraz sounds peppery, rich and oh-so-drinkable. “YUM – and NUMS!” (Yes, I am a true connoisseur – HA). I am intrigued by the cheeses that you paired the wine with. It appear to be a Bucheron with fresh herbs – and an aged, ripened, semi-soft cheese (like Epoisse?). What is better than trying wine? Probably nothing. Your blog is quite fabulous. Take good care – and have a great weekend. Best, Shanna
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Yes, very similar cheeses! Thanks so much for dropping in!!
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Conrad – My great pleasure. You have a great blog here. Warmly – Shanna
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Oh my god. Man can almost taste that food and wine. That is how close this was.
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LOL. Cool.
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Awesome blog! I love wine 🙂
Just wanted to let you know I nominated you for a award, you can check it out here:
http://lessaveursdemimi.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/new-blog-awards/
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Thank you so much!
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I confess I have never associated Bathurst with a good shiraz but it does give me a reason to visit the region some time.
Great post 🙂
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I thought the same thing but this was quite a decent wine.
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How can a wine lover not open a bottle of wine after reading this blog? Car race is intriguing but poor stomach cant take it. The wine and cheese however:) Beautiful country, ‘could never have enough of the wine’, stayed 4 months in Australia, loved everything:)
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Sweet! Thanks for stopping by. 😛
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Please enjoy the awards I have nominated you for as well as the intro to your blog in my Awards Ceremony post:) Keep up the awesome blog!
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Thank you so much for that, it’s an honour that you considered us. Cheers! 😛
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This post has many things I love: Wine, cheese, and gardening. I am SO glad I’m “following” you fine folks!
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And I’m so glad you are following! Thank you so much!!
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You tell the tale well!! I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to wine… I have no sense of smell so it’s all in the mouth for me… my taste buds usually don’t lie… 😉
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Thanks so much for dropping in on us. Cheers!
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I can gain weight just from reading your posts … always great.
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LOL – as long as you have fun doing it. 😉
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Mate, where’s your blog with you in the green jacket? Not coming up on search.
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Do you mean “wine wanker jackets”? Google it.
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LoL. the search on the site sucks.
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Sent ya a tweet, haha.
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Great post! and one of the few blogs that I have come across that talk about wine fun! Thanks for visiting my blog & liking a post 🙂
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Wine is loads of fun! 😉 And thank you for stopping by to check us out. Cheers!
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[…] about 50km short of Orange, and not part of the region. The reason we stopped off was because of this blog post of Conrad’s and that they had recently started following us on Twitter and on Instagram. It […]
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Reblogged this on WineWalkabout and commented:
Always nice to find the unexpected…
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I enjoy the impression of wine with a section as extended so it is good.
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