I was lucky enough to be invited to the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne recently as a guest of Jacob’s Creek. Although the evening tennis was a great way to finish off the experience, the day actually started early when we all met up around midday for a special lunch where we got to sample some great wine from Stoneleigh out of Marlborough in New Zealand.
So, lunch on the Yarra River at Pilgrim restaurant and there’s a small handful of wine journalists and writers from respected publications… and me, the wine blogging social media dude. Funny! It’s always a bit of a laugh when I first explain The Wine Wankers to people who’ve never heard of us before.
After a bit of mingling we all sat down at a table to formally taste each of the Stoneleigh wines. We heard some interesting facts while we sat there –
- NZ Sauvignon Blanc makes up 34.7% of the Australian bottled “White” wine market
- NZ Sauvignon Blanc is growing at 5.89% in Australia vs year ago
- Average price paid for NZ Sauvignon Blanc in Australia is $11.97
- Stoneleigh has 9.4% share of the NZ Sauvignon Blanc market in Australia
- This equates to Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc holding a whopping 3% of the Australian bottled white wine market!
- Average price paid for Stoneleigh in Australia is $13.32
- Premium Rose category grew 26.9% volume and 32% value (MAT 21/12/14)
I, like most of those at the tasting, were quite impressed with the wines we sampled. The Latitude range of both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir stood out. The 2014 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc was dry and flinty with a lovely tang zipping across tropical fruits and melon while the 2013 Latitude Pinot was quite complex with obvious oak that seemed to dance smoothly across creamy cherries with a smoky nutty surprise that lasted in the mouth. Yum stuff!
The Stoneleigh Rapaura range was a treat too with a 2013 Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc being a complex version of the Marlborough style with enough acid to hold the wine together beautifully for many years. With a lovely mouth feel there was passion fruit laying across honeydew and grapefruit like flavours. The 2012 Rapaura Pinot gave off beautifully inviting aromas and delivered quite rich and smoky fruit flavours. Polishing off the lovely 2014 Pinot Rosé with lunch was a treat!
After the indulging long lunch we all boarded the Jacob’s Creek boat and headed up river to the tennis stadium, Rod Laver Arena, and into the Jacob’s Creek tent where we were greeted by a long table containing the whole of the Jacob’s Creek range, about 50 or so wines. Apparently this was a special and rare occasion and even the company employees rarely see the whole range in one place. To me, I just saw exploration and fun… it was “pour your own” after all… 😉
There were so many wines I really enjoyed. I’m a big fan of the multi-award Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills so I was pretty chuffed to see that two other special release wines had been added to the range, that being a Yarra Valley chardonnay and one from Margaret River.
The 2013 Adelaide Hills Reserve was a tasty wine. It’s such a well made Chardonnay that sits right in the sweet spot of being a lovely crisp fruit driven chardy while still showing some toasty old style characters. It’s definitely made to please and each time I have it I can always see why it does so well at the shows. The 2013 Yarra Valley version displayed the balanced acid that the Yarra is known for while the 2013 Margaret River version was a lovely fruit driven chardy. A good experience.
Now a lot of people bag-out the Jacob’s Creek bubbles but for their price they are great value and that’s why the best selling sparkler in Australia is from Jacob’s Creek. The bubbly range is quite extensive and my nose got a bit tingly after a while (I think that was the bubbles). I even thought both the sparkling white and pink Moscato were good wines for those who like that style. What a surprise and a delight the sparkling Sauvignon Blanc was. So much tantalizing flavour and one of the journalists even said to me that he thought it was his favourite wine on the table. I’ve hit Jacob’s Creek up for a delivery of their bubblies. I want to give the range a more ‘in-depth’ sampling… 😉
There were some great reds on the table too! I’m a fan of the Double Barrel range, a Cabernet and a Shiraz. These wines have been finished in whiskey barrels. Does this actually make a difference? A lot of people think the wines are just a gimmick but they sell extremely well. Some of the wine writers at the event told me that some of them got to try the before whiskey barrel version up against the finished product and they say there is obvious added complexity. Anyway, I like them and sense an almost dusty earthy character that rides over the lovely fruit characters in both wines. The Cabernet is definitely my favourite.
The 2010 Reeves Point Shiraz from Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia was a lovely more-ish red wine and the super premium Heritage range of wines, especially the Johann Shiraz Cabernet and 2008 Centenary Hill Shiraz, were an absolute delight. Both these wines are complex and sit long in the mouth after each sip. I liked the Centenary Hill so much that they found me a bottle to have with my dinner but everyone around me made me share. It didn’t last long.
And then there was the tennis… awesome front row seats… but plastic cups… 😦
One of the best things about the event was that not only did we get to meet the wine makers we also got to meet the contract grape growers. These people turned out to be wonderfully passionate people who clearly put their hearts into their craft.
Sadly, I did see some negativity come out of all this. When engaging about the event on social media I got a few people who dissed it all because these are commercial brands. As a wine lover who is so into discovery I don’t close my mind to any wine but there are those out there that do. Their loss because as most of us at the event agreed, the Stoneleigh and Jacob’s Creek ranges are well made and, when putting yourself into the shoes of a general wine consumer, I can see why they are brands that a lot of people are into.
Author: Conrad Grah
Does wine from a plastic cup taste any different than when in a glass? 🙂
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Unfortunately yes. Both the shape and the plastic really seem to stuff with the aromas and hence the flavour profile.
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^^Wine from a plastic cup absolutely tastes different!
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Yep, it’s the shape and the plastic that stuffs with the aromas and taste.
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I’m going to have to try out the Jacob’s Creek! I’m currently sipping on 19 crimes right now…and not out of a plastic cup, but totally in my pajamas, which is how I prefer to imbibe!
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PJ’s totally wins! 😉
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Thanks man!
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Too bad some people had to rain on what sounds like a fun event. Just ignore ’em! 🙂
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It was harmless stuff but a little closed minded and a lot of wine snobbery.
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“dry and flinty” There’s a new phrase I learned today. Lucky you to be picked to go to the Jacob’s Creek event. Not only did you have good wine to taste, but front row seats at the tennis! 😀 Maybe plastic cups because maybe a tennis ball would come whizzing right at you in the stands…
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They took one look at me Mabel and thought “he’s a thrower, give him plastic”! 😉
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Can I just say I want your life?!? Front row at the first tennis major of the year and by the sounds of it a fantastic wine tasting. Amazing! Sorry to hear some people took a negative attitude to you attending and sharing the event. While the standard Jacobs Creek we get here in Canada isn’t to my taste, I would imagine they have a great range with depth and complexity. You don’t get to be a large award winning winery by producing plonk. Thanks for sharing your day at the tennis and for introducing the greater range of Jacobs Creek & Stoneleigh.
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Trust me, you don’t want to wish my life upon yourself… 😉 Thanks Meaghan and you know I love your work! 😛
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Hmmm, so many wines so little time.
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Well, that was totally true. I had to pick and choose. I’m not the best time manager.
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Great post on many points- tasting notes, event review and personal thoughts on the whole shebang. I was a wine buyer for many years and many customers dissed the “value” wines…I had two things to say: we can’t all afford to buy hoity-toity all the time and don’t knock it until you try it! Thanks for the post.
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Good points, thanks!
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Fully agree on the brands bit, they serve a great purpose, and if they were poorly made then they wouldn’t be so successful! Great write up mate!
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Yep, that’s true Mike. Cheers dude!
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Sounds like a great day! Nothing wrong with Jacobs or Stoneleigh – good value! Interesting stats on Sauvy blanc. Recent media, especially from my neck of the woods (Western Australia), would have us believe that it was on the consumption decline.
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Yeah, I was surprised by the stats too but they sent them to me in an email after the event too so I’ve got to take their word for it.
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Definitely! I enjoy wines from both these ‘brands’. 🙂
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Excellent Norah… Salud! 🙂
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I must look further for Jacob’s Creek, I have only seen the low end here – or do they keep all the good stuff in Australia?
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Not sure what range you would have but look around and you may be surprised.
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I have only seen plonk!
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Reblogged this on VinoVagando – chat about wine and food and commented:
Great post!
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Thank you!
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Way to go, Conrad: awesome outing (despite the plastic cups) and very nice tasting opportunity! Thanks for your notes: I am a Marlborough SB fan, so appreciate your insight.
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I’d say the Stoneleigh range would be one of your easier Marlborough SBs to find.
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Seems I need to go back to Melbourne area …
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Yeah, why not!
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Seems you had a difficult day, but glad to see that you were able to meet the challenge. In my area of the US, I only see the entry-level wines from Jacob’s Creek … but no Stoneleigh. Cheers to your noble efforts!
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Winesearcher shows quite a lot of entry level Stoneleigh and Latitude ranges in the US but not sure if that’s your area. Anyway, if you do come across the better ranges of Jacob’s Creek or Stoneleigh they are worth the try. Cheers!
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Thanks for the info. The inventory I checked is a place I call The Alcohol Warehouse … has a huge inventory of beer, wine, & spirits!
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Reblogged this on IdealisticRebel's Daily View of Favorites.
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That’s great, thanks!
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Sounds like some true wine wankers had to put their two bits in- can’t abide by wine snobs. Glad you were able to be a part of such an exciting event!
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Yeah, first thing I thought too was “wankers”. Ironic. 😛
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Wow! I suppose if ever invited to an event such as this, again. You may consider packing your own glass?
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One look at me with a glass and they’d jump me for sure! 😉
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Wow! That sounds like a really really fun day!
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Yep, a great day with good people.
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I’m glad to read this positive review of these brands. I like them, they are easy to find and reasonably priced. I always feel a bit boring if I buy them though – no longer.
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Nah, definitely not boring. You’ve been liberated. 😛
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I’m a bit of a Cab Sav man myself, I also like a good single malt whiskey, is the Double Barrel worth a shot or will I be disappointed?
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Definitely worth trying but if you’re expecting obvious whiskey notes you’ll be disappointed. The Cabernet is just a nice Cabernet with some interesting characters. Enjoy!
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as always – even in a plastic cup – i’m jealous 🙂
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Yeah, the plastic cup was a small sacrifice. 🙂
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I don’t like wine at all, but I had Jacob’s Creek at a food show at it was quite delicious. It was mixed in a cocktail or sorts, but still enjoyable.
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Glad you enjoyed it, cheers.
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I don’t mind the pink Moscato at all. I’m a sucker for the sweet ones.
And you totally lost out that night at the tennis with all the action on the outer court. 😉
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I remember you rubbing that in on Facebook when I posted the tennis photo from the event. 😛
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Me? I would never do something like that 😛
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