STEAK A CLAIM ON THIS GSM

Wc06Aug12

A HEARTY steak with mushroom or pepper sauce ideal with this.

David Ellis

THE Barossa Valley’s Kurtz Family Vineyards has created an interesting and full-flavoured Boundary Row label 2008 GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro) created from fruit off vines ranging from a youthful ten, to a more-mature 85 years of age.

Fourth generation of German descent, Steven Kurtz is both grower and winemaker and used minimal irrigation to all vines on his vineyards at Light Pass just east of Nuriootpa, while also pruning for low yields that would give him both maximum quality and varietal characteristics.

Blending 52% Grenache, 31% Shiraz and 17% Mataro (also know as Mourvedre) has resulted in a wine that’s got lovely spice and black pepper aromas on pouring, and a palate of full-on sweet berry fruits.

Nicely priced at $18 for its quality and enjoyability, its one to enjoy now with a hearty steak coupled with a mushroom or pepper sauce, or to put away to simply get better over the next four to five years.

WINEMAKER’S choice with this one: artichoke and goat’s cheese tart.

ONE FOR LUNCH: DOMAINE Chandon is best-known for its exceptional sparkling wines, but its cool-climate vineyards in Victoria’s Yarra Valley also produce stand-out Sauvignon Blanc fruit as well.

Chandon’s Senior Winemaker, Dan Buckle has blended this fruit from the 2011 vintage with that from the company’s Strathbogie Ranges and Goulburn Valley to create a wonderfully drinkable Sauvignon Blanc with typical ripe citrus, guava and tropical notes that are reflected on the palate as well, together with juicy acidity.

Pay $24.95 and enjoy it, as Dan suggests, with an artichoke and goat’s cheese tart.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )