WINE THAT SPIRALLED FROM ADVERSITY

Wc24Jan11

A NICE one to enjoy with gamey meats, duck or lamb.

David Ellis

BACK in 1993 when Clare Valley winemakers were suffering a desperate shortage of Shiraz and Cabernet grapes, Tim Adams Wines convinced a neighbour, Fergus Mahon to sell them his entire Grenache crop so they could create a blend that would see them through a looming grim vintage.

And in appreciation they labelled the wine The Fergus – which not only created much interest amongst consumers at the time, it’s gone on to become a staple of the Tim Adams range.

The latest release is the 2007 that’s a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro that all come together as a lip-smacker that’s generously flavoured yet soft and supple… little wonder that consumers both here and overseas can’t seem to get enough of The Fergus.

With wonderful red berry flavours and a nice spiciness from the Grenache component, at $27 it’s an ideal wine with gamey meats, duck or lamb.

AT the price, shout yourself to a bottle or two of this and in-season lobster.

ONE FOR LUNCH: Mudgee in NSW is reputedly the birthplace of Chardonnay growing in Australia, and lovers of the variety can rejoice over a glass or three of the just-released Frog Rock 2010. Lightly oaked and with  fine mid-palate flavours of apple and melon, at a well-priced $15 you can afford to shout yourself to a bottle or two of this and some in-season lobster.

FOOTNOTE: Former Victorian winemaker Trevor Mast who created the famed Four Sisters label at his Mount Langi Ghiran winery in the Grampians – and who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2006 at just 57 – has raised $14,000 for the Lovell Foundation that supports younger sufferers through an auction of rare wines from his personal collection. Langton’s Wine Online ran the auction that amongst others realised $576 for a 1985 Grange, $530 for a 1990 Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos St Jacques 1er Cru, and $289 for a double magnum 1996 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz.

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