I had the pleasure of attending the annual Yalumba premium wine dinner at the Eastern Suburbs Ruby Club.
The event was hosted by John Fordham who had previously been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division of the 2010 Australian Day Honours for his services to media, sport and entertainment management, wine journalism and the community. Guest speakers on the night were Phil Kearns and Jane Ferrari. Phil Kearns is a former Australian rugby union player. He represented Australia 67 times and was captain of on 10 occasions. Jane Ferrari is a winemaker at Yalumba, but is also a major crusader for Yalumba, circling the world, promoting Yalumba and the Barossa Valley in general. She’s jeans, boots and a laid back straight talker, with a taste for Barossa Shiraz and an open soul. There’s no fake or frippery with Ferrari – when she preaches the Yalumba gospel, you realise that she’s doing it because she’s passionate about the place; she leaves the distinct impression that she wouldn’t waste her breath on anything she didn’t wholly believe in herself.
Wines on the night
Jansz Tasmania Premium NV Rosé
This wine is rich with the creaminess of the mousse while the Pinot contributes strawberry notes that fill the palate. The fruit flavours give length to the wine and fresh natural acid provides balance and a refreshing finish. Awesome aperitif.
Nautilus Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
The palate is medium to full bodied with ripe fruit tannins and oak combining to give great structure and length. The primary components showing in the wines youth will further integrate and develop over the next five years as the wine matures.
Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2008
Lifted ginger spice is layered on the palate with mineral texture and complex apricots and white oatmeal flavours. The trademark Viognier lusciousness is clearly evident, which is unctuous and complex while at the same time shows restraint which should ensure good cellaring. Great with food – full style.
Heggies Vineyard Eden Valley Chardonnay 2008
The palate is fine and rich offering pear, quince and nashi melded with a creamy nougat fullness giving a lengthy finish. This is a fine Heggies Chardonnay; like it’s predecessors, it can be enjoyed now or be cellared to gain further complexity. Not for the faint-hearted, quite an oaky Chardy.
Yalumba FDR 1A Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2006
A stunning dense, purple red in colour and offers lifted spices and clove aromas, with intense sweet berry fruit and smokey oak and cedar from the barrel fermentation. The palate is enormous with sweet fruit, licorice and anise flavours that finishes with fine tannins. This is a beautifully big, structured wine built for longevity. Lots of life left in this one. Only made on the best years.
Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2005
Deep dark red in colour this wine displays aromas which are dense and curranty, yet pure and bright. The nose shows lifted florals, violets and choc mints. The palate is brooding and serious with dark chocolate hazelnuts and warm generosity. The Signature finishes with long fine powdery tannins. Impressive wine, ready to drink now.
Yalumba Single Site Fromm vineyard Lyndoch Shiraz 2005
Hand-picked grapes from individual sites in the Barossa. This wine displays colours of dark purple-red with an earthy, dense and black nose offering juicy cherry and plum fruit against a spicy background. The palate demonstrates flavours which last long and strong with red plums and earthy, minerally tannins that linger. A delight to try, especially good with some soft cheese. Grab it if you see it, they haven’t made much.
Overall the night was a complete success, very entertaining with some great one liners thrown in by Jane and Phil. The 100+ attendees loved every minute. A real eye opener for the Barossa Valley lover. Bring on next year.
DD