Irvine

News - Merlot Musings

07 October 2009

Irvine Stars at Aqua

Thanks to the graciousness of our friend and distributor Martin Apell, I experienced one remarkable evening at Ritz-Carlton Hotel Wolfsburg, during my recent visit to Germany.

The restaurant Aqua in the Ritz-Carlton is a Three Michelin Star rated restaurant with Sven Elverfeld as Master Chef and Jurgen Giesel as Head Sommelier.

The nature of service and choice is fascinating. The table has to choose one of two menus for all to participate and then the Head Sommelier arranges the wines to match. This makes every course an adventure as well as a surprise, and is quite intriguing.

As would be expected, the whole meal was a dining theatrical with great food, great wines and great service. But surprise after surprise!

No. 1. No need to write down the names of the wines – we were presented with an empty wine bottle on which the label had the whole list

No. 2. The wine list – the whole 36 pages – was presented to me just before leaving

No. 3. The greatest surprise of all – IRVINE WINES ARE ON THE LIST!! The Meslier Brut – because of its unique style, flavour and crisp apple character.

Then The Baroness is also listed – for sheer excellence. Fantastic!

This made me feel humble but absolutely delighted, and so I thank Martin most sincerely for his kindness, especially sharing the evening with his staff as well.

So when you visit Wolfsburg to pick up your new Volkswagen, just pop into the Ritz-Carlton Aqua for a total experience and Irvine Meslier Brut to celebrate! Then a Baroness Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc to finish!

11 September 2009

Irvine Barossa Merlot scores 91 with WINE 100

Our 2005 Barossa Merlot scored 91 Points from WINE 100, which is Australia’s leading independent wine guide.

Tyson Stelzer wrote: With an explosion of fruitcake and plum flavour, layered with cinnamon and spice, this is a full-flavoured merlot that tastes
like it should hail from much higher up Jim Irvine’s Grand Merlot tree!
Savoury tannins and great length bring some order to this maelstrom.

11 September 2009

The World's Best Wines 2008

Our Grand Merlot 2005 has been name as one of the world's best wines in 2008 as chosen by the judges of the world’smost respected wine competition, the International Wine Challenge.

The judges had the following notes: Fragrant, ripe, black plum nose with attractive spicy oak. Fruity with sweet plum, chocolaty oak and fine tannins.

25 June 2009

Name the King

The King of Merlots….Name the King!

2005 was a great Year in Eden Valley. The 2005 Grand Merlot will be released soon and we think it’s the BEST yet. How great was 2005?
It was SO great we had a very small parcel of fruit from God’s Little Acre (yes, that is the actual name of the vineyard) that was so sublime, superb, sensational and stunning that we have made a Supreme Merlot, a Magical Merlot, a King of Merlots a Petrus de Astralis, a Herculean wine, a monster Merlot …….. as you can see we need help with the name!
So far we have:
Hercules
Rex de Merlot
Merlot Rex
King Merlot
Dionysus
Hestia

Why don’t you name it for us? The person who emails us the best name will be rewarded with a bottle of this rare wine, valued at $250. The competition closes on 31st July 2009. Email your wines name with your details to merlotbiz@irvinewines.com.au

12 June 2009

Another Great Result

You knew it was good, we knew it was good but now Oz Clarke has put The Baroness in the Top 50 wines of the World!
Renown wine expert Oz Clarke has selected The Baroness to be in his Top 50 wines in his new book “250 Best Wines 2010”
Stocks are extremely low so if you’d like to taste one of the Top 50 wines in the world order now

03 June 2009

NEWS FLASH – ALBARINO HAS CRASHED!

Albarino Crash

But only as a name – the wine is still beautiful! And 2009 is waiting to go.

Last Friday the Albarino makers were told by the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation that any wine submitted to them with the name Albarino (as of Friday, 8th May) would need to have documentary proof that it was made from proven Albarino grapes.

So the identified variety currently in Australia really is Savignin Blanc – a very obscure variety indeed, and seldom made into the lovely dry white we know as “Albarino”.

So what name will AWBC accept? What name will the “Albarino” producers accept? Currently the thought is Albarin Blanco, and no doubt in future this would be shortened down to Albarin. However this name seems to lack appeal.
This is very much up in the air at this moment, and we have our 2009 “__???___” in bottle waiting.

Looks like we have to ditch the Albarino labels, reprint when we know the acceptable name, and pay for labeling the stock – all because the AWBC will not allow a “sunset” clause for the 2009 “Albarinos” – funny how they can allow three++ years when dealing with French demands but not even one when dealing with Australian producers!

Be this as it may, the current and future producers of “the almost was” wine are busy working at finding another name suitable to consumers as well as themselves.
After all “Savignin Blanc” is just too confusing alongside of “Sauvignon Blanc”, and Traminer is a no-no as far as consumers go.

So the beavers are at work.

If a name is not found quickly, then I guess we will just have to call ours “Irvine’s White” and give the story on the back label.

In whatever way, the wine will be just as beautiful from Eden Valley as ever it was.
Looking forward to getting the 2009 to you just as soon as we can.

Thanks for waiting.
Joanne & Jim Irvine

01 April 2009

Opening 375ml Grand Merlot 2004 bottles

We have discovered a difficulty in opening the lovely 375ml Grand Merlot 2004 bottles.

The cause is not realizing that the neck band would make it difficult to screw the top off.

So the Cure: Run a knife around the neck just where the neck band touches the bottom of the screw-cap. This will make the separation easier.

Production Cure: For 2005 Grand Merlot 375ml we will lift the neck band so that it sits on the bottom of the screw-cap.

This way we will only have a tiny overlap where the seal at the back fits.

We apologise for this small inconvenience, but the problem will be rectified with the next release.

03 February 2009

Joanne Irvine Named 2009 Winemaker of the Year

Joanne Irvine Named 2009 Winemaker of the Year

(pictured: Joanne Irvine with mother Marjorie, father James and partner Peter Carr)

The 2009 Declaration of Vintage held at Tanunda in the Barossa Valley on Sunday, 15 February was a particularly special event for the Irvine family. With father James Irvine among the Barons of Barossa wine fraternity at the ceremony, Joanne Irvine was presented with the 2009 Winemaker of the Year award by Grand Master Stephen Henschke.

Joanne’s winemaking skills have been acknowledged both national and international in recent times, however this prestigious award was given to her by the Barons of Barossa in recognition of her work with varieties such as Zinfandel and Albarino, which are quite new in Australia.

In 2006 Joanne received a gold medal and the international trophy for her 2003 Irvine Zinfandel Reserve, which saw her go on to be awarded the Red Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge.

Last year at the Barossa Wine Show Joanne’s Albarino 2008 was awarded Best Dry White Wine in Class 5 (Bruce Thiele Memorial Trophy) and Top Gold Medal.

Apart from winemaking for the Irvine label, Joanne also heads the consulting team of Wine Wise, with clients throughout Australia, many with their own awards as a result of her efforts.

20 October 2008

Irvine wins Best Dry White trophy

Irvine wins Best Dry White trophy

Joanne Irvine is thrilled to have won the Barons of the Barossa Bruce Thiele Commemorative Trophy at the Barossa Wine Show for Best Dry White Wine variety or blend on only the second release of an Irvine Albarino. The first release, 2007, was an instant success with you our customers and was awarded gold at last years' Barossa Wine Show just missing out on the trophy. The awarding of the trophy this year only cements the success of this variety as part of the Irvine brand.

Following on from Joanne being awarded Red Winemaker of the year at the 2006 International Wine Challenge for her Zinfandel Reserve she has a growing reputation for making alternative varieties which has only been enhanced by this win.

On a more personal note Joanne was equally honoured to have received the inaugural Barons of the Barossa Bruce Thiele Commemorative Trophy in honour of Bruce Thiele whom she knew well and deeply respected. Like Jim, Bruce Thiele was a Baron of the Barossa and highly regarded by the entire Barossa winemaking community so much so that the Barons of the Barossa created this award in his memory making it an even more prized trophy in what is becoming a very crowded trophy cabinet.

22 August 2008

Grand Merlot takes to the field for Australia

Following on from that fine rugby tradition the Tri Nations tournament between Australia New Zealand and South Africa is the Tri Nations Wine Challenge. First established in 2003 one judge from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia choose seven wines for each of the 15 categories from their respective countries.

Wines are chosen by invitation only making this a unique contest and the 2002 Grand Merlot has been invited to be part of the Australian team up against these friendly rivals.

It is indeed an honour and a privilege that the Grand Merlot has achieved this honour although not out of the blue as Grand Merlot has been building a world wide reputation for years now gaining world’s best wine awards from various countries on various occasions.

So the challenge has been set. We know the wine is up to it s as the Grand Merlot laces up its boots and readies itself to take the field we wait for the judges’ first whistle. Stay tuned.

22 August 2008

Rooms to Rent

Rooms to Rent

The more the merrier here at Irvine Wines where the Fireback finches decided to join the Irvine team by taking up residence in the almond trees just outside the Irvine Wines offices on the Springhill vineyard.

You’ll notice from the photograph that there are a number of nests in the tree and that’s where the Fireback Finches call home. These wonderful little birds only enhance the beauty and character of South Australia’s Eden Valley. Being only small birds (smaller than a sparrow) they dart around in the native bushes planted around the vineyards and are a joy to watch. The males are the show offs with their vibrant red colourings hoping to woo a mate. I wonder if that would work with the other sort of red we produce here at Springhill. Irvine Merlot as a method of picking up members of the opposite sex, now there’s a thought. Anyone prepared to do the research we would love to hear the results and may even contribute to the research.

Anyway I digress.

The commitment to the natural environment at Irvine Wines is paramount to the way we view our role as grape growers here at Springhill. From when the property was first purchased by Jim and Marjorie some 20 years ago where it had been used as a diary with very few trees to the present day where as well as vineyard there are trees and the all important native under storey shrubs so vital as a habitat for the Firebacks to thrive. And thrive they do as the photo’s will attest.

One of the wonderful aspects of country life is the rhythm of the seasons while the grapes are dormant and pruned in neat rows waiting to burst back to life the grass is a vibrant green from the welcome winter rains creating such a stark contrast. As the sun when shinning, offers some welcome warmth we take some time to notice that our little friends the Firebacks are getting more active. They’re telling us that spring is on its way and before we know it vintage will be here again and along with some baby finches another Grand Merlot will be born. And here’s a cheer to that.

20 May 2008

Fabulous occurrence

We had quite an occasion in April when through the courtesy of Reid and Stephen of Kaesler Wines, two young Frenchmen called to visit. They were Jean Moueix and Casper, from the famous firm Ets JP Moueix, owners of Chateau Petrus.

The wines of Chateau Petrus have recognition as being “the World’s Best Merlot”, and so it was a very special pleasure to show a range of Grand Merlots in the tasting.

The Grand Merlots they found fascinating, not only with the style but also the fact that Petrus vineyards are much the same size as our own at Irvine.

1992 World’s Best in Switzerland, 1997
1997 New World’s Best Red Wine, Germany 2006
2002 The coolest vintage ever
2004 The current release
2005 The release in two year’s time

So quite a snapshot of Grand Merlot.

Then onto the commercial wines lead by “The Baroness”, Irvine Merlot, Merlot Cabernet Franc and Springhill Merlot, to give an appreciation of just what Irvine is doing.

Then just to fascinate (and frighten), the two 1998 Grand Merlots.

Why two? Well on the bottling day of the 1998 we had the usual super deluxe cork used but also had a few dozen put under screw cap as well.

This really fascinated the “pair from Petrus”, who after much deliberation still felt that they enjoyed the cork sealed wine more so than the screw cap sealed wine.

Very understandable in so much as very few people have ever had the opportunity to taste such premium quality wine under two different seals side by side. In fact, the wine tastes quite different one to the other in spite of being exactly the same wine in both bottles.

What then is the difference?

Firstly, there is the need to watch out for personal preference versus any perceived quality difference. There is no doubt that under cap the wine seems fruitier and fresher, both in palate and bouquet. However, personal preference now starts to take place.

Under cork we see the “expected maturation” in bouquet and palate with less fruit and perhaps more readily recognised acidity. Slightly more, not big differences, but still noticeable.

Thinking of cork as a plug from a tree and realising that cork then influences the taste, the realisation that what I had grown used to as “maturation” characters was mostly? Cork wood flavour, really did astound.

This comparison is even more easily seen in white wines, as you can guess.

So what seems to be a “slow down” in maturation and retention of fruit could be mostly cork flavour.

Once you get over the traditional approach to maturation the beauty of the fruit retention by the screw cap is most noticeable. However, it then becomes very much a personal preference indeed.

In summary then, it was great to meet a member of the Moueix family, for I have followed the name and the company ever since tasting Petrus for the first time in the late 1970s.

23 November 2007

BARONS AND CHILDREN. WINES FROM THE NEXT GENERATION.

Barossa wine fraternity Barons of the Barossa of which Jim is a member celebrated a new round of inductees at a gala dinner in the Barossa the other night. The theme of the evening was family where food prepared by Baron Maggie Beers’s daughters Saskia and Elli was served with wines made by Barons and their children our own Jim and Joanne Irvine included.

The Barons of the Barossa have some iconic names amongst their ranks that along with their children and the wines they have produced were the highlights of the dinner. Such luminaries as Peter Lehmann and his sons David (David Franz Wines) and Phillip who has recently gone to work at the winery bearing his fathers name. Colin Glaetzer creator of E & E Black Pepper Shiraz who has for some time been making wine under his own Glaetzer label and his son Ben, Stephen and Johann Henschke and the menu created by Saskia and Elli Beer. What a fantastic line up of Barossa talent.

Barons come from all walks of life – not just winemaking or viticulture but are recognised for their services to the Barossa community. Barons are also responsible for promoting the Barossa in all ways to protect the traditions and heritage of the Barossa.

The Irvine Wines presented on the night – just to make you jealous were:

  • Sparkling Merlot served with Streaky Bay Oysters and Duck & Sherry Pate with melba toast. We try not to be too parochial here at Irvine Wines but Streaky Bay oysters from here in South Australia are surely the best.

  • 2007 Albarino served with Ceviche of scallop with apple & radish salad & lime mayonnaise. South Australian squid salad with agresto sauce. Brandade of salt cod with asparagus spears and crostini. The Albarino is a fresh lively stunner. There is some out in the market mainly in restaurants in Melbourne but sadly we have none left.

  • It was the favourite tipple after work here at Springhill but when we realised how popular it was we had to stop drinking it so that you could have some as well.

  • 2005 Zinfandel Reserve. Joanne’s pet project Zinfandel was accompanied by Rabbit & pistachio terrine with pear chutney and mizuna. Pigeon salad with thyme, juniper and roasted garlic. Mushroom and prosciutto tartlet. Such as fantastic match. Joanne is thrilled by the 2005 vintage and in her words she reckons she has ‘nailed it with this one’. Get some soon.

  • The softness of fruit and the silkyness of the palate of the 2002 Baroness worked exceptionally well with braised Coorong angus beef crepinette with rare roasted wagyu fillet and bone marrow sauce.


The dinner continued on with more great food and wine but that was it for the Irvine wines. The last wine I have to tell you about is the 1998 Peter Lehmann Shiraz Vintage Port. What a way to end the night!

We are always keen to see and try what goes well with our wines so if you have a particular recipe that matches well with Irvine wines please let us know and we will love to post it on the website. Send it to jonathan@irvinewines.com.au

20 December 2006

CHECK YOUR CELLAR - 1997 Grand Merlot wins one of Germany’s top wine awards

Mundus, Germany’s most important wine competition and the largest tasting under the direction of the OIV worldwide, has given one of its highest accolades to Irvine Wines. More than 4,400 entries from 33 countries were submitted to the international jury.

This is a tremendous win, not just for Irvine bit for the Barossa, Eden Valley in particular, and for Australia. Being awarded “World's Best Overseas Dry Red” shows that Barossa has a world class Merlot that can hold its own with Shiraz and others.

So now is the time for you to take a look in the dark corners of the cellar and see if there is a 1997 Irvine Grand Merlot in your cellar and taste what a world’s best dry red is like. Let us know your thoughts about the wine and we will post your tasting notes on the website.

A tip from Jim, decant the wine and allow at least 3 hours before drinking.

07 September 2006

BEST RED WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2006

Following on from the excitement of the winning of the Best Zinfandel Trophy in the International Wine Challenge, Joanne Irvine has been awarded the best "Red Winemaker of the Year" at the awards dinner held at Londons Grosvenor House Hotel. We were advised that Jo was in the running for this great honour but could only hope for the best result. Proud to be awarded the trophy for World's Best Zinfandel she was ecstactic to receive this additional accolade.

No doubt Joanne's experience in the USA wineries has played a large part in winning the International Zinfandel Trophy, for it was this work in California that set her on the Zinfandel path.

While the variety is rare in Australia (with only about a dozen Zinfandel makers), Zinfandel is to USA what Shiraz is to Australia.

Being awarded "Red Winemaker of the Year" comes out of this Zinfandel success when combined with the other awards to Irvine Wines at this year's Wine Challenge:

Irvine Zinfandel Reserve 2003 Gold Medal and Trophy
Irvine The Baroness 2002 Silver Medal
Irvine Merlot 2004 Bronze Medal
Irvine Grand Merlot 2002 Bronze Medal
Irvine Merlot Cabernet Franc 2002 Seal of Approval

Joanne has been making these wines for quite some years now for Irvine Wines while guiding her Wine Wise consulting company.

Taken all round then, these outstanding results are great - great for Barossa, great for South Australia, great for Jianne and Irvine Wines.

Once again well done Jo.

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