Wine of the Month

by Tania Shirgwin

We promised to bring you a little information on some of the Barossa's fabulous wines. So here it is. The first edition of Wine of the Month, written by one of the Barossa's acclaimed Winemakers, Caroline Dunn. For the July edition, Caroline reviewed Pindarie Wines at which Caroline spent a few hours yesterday (Saturday 17th July) sampling great wines, views and fabulous hospitality. Thanks to the team at Pindarie Wines for being our first "Wine of the Month".


Pindarie Wines by Caroline Dunn

Pindarie, out on the Western Ridge of Gomersal Road, is a relative newcomer to the Barossa Valley, open to visitors for only the past nine weeks. It’s a little off the beaten track but can easily be reached by taking the Gomersal Road exit linking the Sturt Highway to Tanunda. And it’s well worth the visit.

Pindarie is family owned and operated by former Penfold’s viticulture guru Wendy Allan, and husband Tony Brooks, ex jackaroo, farm manager and lover of old buildings. Together they manage the vineyards, their mixed farm enterprises, including sheep, olives and cereal crops, and the wine business; all while raising their three children. Tony is also responsible for the meticulous renovation of the historic old stone buildings on the property.

Housed in a renovated grain room, the Cellar Door, along with heritage stables and working farm buildings are set on top of rolling hills facing southeast over a stunningly picturesque valley of vineyards. This is not just another Cellar Door; it inspires feelings of authenticity, artisanal dedication and attention to detail.

Tony and Wendy’s viticultural philosophy is all about sustainability, assuring the balance of nature is maintained in the vineyard and supporting their strong belief that all good wines begin in the vineyard. In conjunction with winemaker Mark Jamieson, they produce a range of Mediterranean-style wines. One of their star performers, an elegant blend of Mediterranean varietals, is our featured wine this month.

2008 Pindarie “Bar Rossa” Tempranillo Sangiovese Shiraz

Made from grapes entirely grown at Pindarie, the “hero” of this exotic wine is the Tempranillo, which makes up 70% of the blend, along with 20% Sangiovese and 5% Shiraz. Tempranillo is a variety originating from Spain, which is more recently showing itself to be a strong contender as the next great Barossa red. At Pindarie, Tempranillo is planted on shallow rocky limestone soils to control its vigour and concentrate flavour. The Tempranillo is co-fermented straight from the vineyard with Sangiovese, a Central Italian variety well suited to the stonier red-brown soil over limestone at Pindarie. Tempranillo’s acid levels tend to plummet as the grapes ripen, so it marries extremely well with Sangiovese, which holds its acid very well. A splash of Shiraz completes the blend by rounding it out and softening the tannins. Maturation of the wine was entirely in aged French oak for 9 months, with intentional care taken to preserve the fruit integrity, enhancing soft, savoury tannins without over-oaking.

This is a delicious medium-bodied wine showing lots of dark cherry and blueberry fruits tempered with savoury notes and warm, heady spices and underscored with base notes of tar and earthiness. A clean, concentrated wine with just enough fleshiness to balance the fine grainy tannins contributed by the Sangiovese. A wonderful persistence of fruit and tannin makes it the perfect companion to Mediterranean dishes with robust flavours. At $23 a bottle, it’s great value.

For more information visit www.pindarie.com.au

Pindarie Wines, Rosedale Road, Gomersal

08 8524 9019

email: pindarie@pindarie.com.au