New releases...new winemaker...new year
Friday, February 3, 2012
Chris’ energy and drive while concentrating on the Dowie Doole winemaking will also be used to spread the word in the trade, both domestically and abroad. Veteran winemaker Brian Light, who has been consulting for DOWIE DOOLE since the company’s inception in 1996, will not be wandering far however and will still play an important role as a part of DOWIE DOOLE’s winemaking and tasting team.
DOWIE DOOLE’s strength lies in its high quality vineyards. All DOWIE DOOLE wines are estate grown, sourced predominantly from the California Road Vineyard (McLaren Vale), Old Rifle Range Vineyard (McLaren Vale) and the Tintookie Vineyard (Blewitt Springs). Chris states, “we have a great advantage in having access to such high quality fruit and being able to control everything from the vineyard to the bottle.”
DOWIE DOOLE’s new releases in the core range including the Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are excellent examples of these prominent McLaren Vale varieties. Chris states, “the 2010 vintage was outstanding and these wines are particularly exceptional.” The 2011 “G&T” is the third release for this popular alternative blend. This small batch wine continues to showcase the diversity in the DOWIE DOOLE range.
The new releases also include the highly anticipated 2010 Cali Road Shiraz and the 2010 Reserve Shiraz. Both wines are only made in the very best years and follow up the successful 2008 vintage. The 2010 Cali Road Shiraz is a single vineyard wine sourced from a high elevated block. “There are a few special vineyard sites that sit on ridges of chocolate, sandy loam dotted throughout McLaren Vale and California Road is one such ridge,” remarked Dave Gartelmann, Viticultural Manager of DOWIE DOOLE’s California Road Vineyard. Chris adds, “The 2010 shiraz fruit from California Road has produced a rich and powerful red wine balanced with high quality American oak.”
The 2010 Reserve Shiraz is the fifth release of this flagship wine. Fruit for the 2010 vintage comes from the California Road Vineyard, sourced from the oldest shiraz block on the vineyard. It was the first block to be replanted after the vineyard (which was an estate vineyard for the original Tatachilla winery) was pulled out during the Great Depression. Chris states, “This old vine shiraz block, combined with ancient geology of the site has produced a wine with a complex bouquet, elegant structure and most importantly beautifully length and balance. The wine offers the best of what McLaren Vale Shiraz has to offer; flavours of chocolate, dark red fruits, coffee and spice.
With a new winemaker, outstanding new releases and a contemporary new Tasting Room in McLaren Vale, DOWIE DOOLE looks forward with great anticipation and confidence in the future.
DOWIE DOOLE New Releases:
o 2009 DOWIE DOOLE Cabernet Sauvignon – RRP $25
o 2010 DOWIE DOOLE Merlot – RRP $22
o 2010 DOWIE DOOLE Shiraz – RRP $25
o 2011 DOWIE DOOLE “G&T” – RRP $25
o 2010 CALI ROAD Shiraz – RRP $35
o 2010 RESERVE Shiraz – RRP $60
DOWIE DOOLE Tasting Room:
276 California Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Phone: 08 8323 8875
Tastings by appointment only
Wine and cheese flights
Function room available for hire
Next Article
The "Big Green Shed" Sale
For the first time since its inception in 1996, DOWIE DOOLE now has its own full– time winemaker; Chris Thomas.
Chris is not new to DOWIE DOOLE however, as he has been involved with the company since 2008 while managing DOWIE DOOLE's custom crush wine processing account at Boar’s Rock. Chris graduated in Oenology from the University of Adelaide in 2003 and has a wealth of experience working for top wineries including Fox Creek and Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale and also abroad with Domaine Changarnier in Burgundy. Chris has won a host of awards for his winemaking including the Trophy for Best McLaren Vale Icon Red Wine at the 2010 McLaren Vale Wine Show for the 2007 Serafino “Sharktooth” Shiraz.Chris’ energy and drive while concentrating on the Dowie Doole winemaking will also be used to spread the word in the trade, both domestically and abroad. Veteran winemaker Brian Light, who has been consulting for DOWIE DOOLE since the company’s inception in 1996, will not be wandering far however and will still play an important role as a part of DOWIE DOOLE’s winemaking and tasting team.
DOWIE DOOLE’s strength lies in its high quality vineyards. All DOWIE DOOLE wines are estate grown, sourced predominantly from the California Road Vineyard (McLaren Vale), Old Rifle Range Vineyard (McLaren Vale) and the Tintookie Vineyard (Blewitt Springs). Chris states, “we have a great advantage in having access to such high quality fruit and being able to control everything from the vineyard to the bottle.”
DOWIE DOOLE’s new releases in the core range including the Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are excellent examples of these prominent McLaren Vale varieties. Chris states, “the 2010 vintage was outstanding and these wines are particularly exceptional.” The 2011 “G&T” is the third release for this popular alternative blend. This small batch wine continues to showcase the diversity in the DOWIE DOOLE range.
The new releases also include the highly anticipated 2010 Cali Road Shiraz and the 2010 Reserve Shiraz. Both wines are only made in the very best years and follow up the successful 2008 vintage. The 2010 Cali Road Shiraz is a single vineyard wine sourced from a high elevated block. “There are a few special vineyard sites that sit on ridges of chocolate, sandy loam dotted throughout McLaren Vale and California Road is one such ridge,” remarked Dave Gartelmann, Viticultural Manager of DOWIE DOOLE’s California Road Vineyard. Chris adds, “The 2010 shiraz fruit from California Road has produced a rich and powerful red wine balanced with high quality American oak.”
The 2010 Reserve Shiraz is the fifth release of this flagship wine. Fruit for the 2010 vintage comes from the California Road Vineyard, sourced from the oldest shiraz block on the vineyard. It was the first block to be replanted after the vineyard (which was an estate vineyard for the original Tatachilla winery) was pulled out during the Great Depression. Chris states, “This old vine shiraz block, combined with ancient geology of the site has produced a wine with a complex bouquet, elegant structure and most importantly beautifully length and balance. The wine offers the best of what McLaren Vale Shiraz has to offer; flavours of chocolate, dark red fruits, coffee and spice.
With a new winemaker, outstanding new releases and a contemporary new Tasting Room in McLaren Vale, DOWIE DOOLE looks forward with great anticipation and confidence in the future.
DOWIE DOOLE New Releases:
o 2009 DOWIE DOOLE Cabernet Sauvignon – RRP $25
o 2010 DOWIE DOOLE Merlot – RRP $22
o 2010 DOWIE DOOLE Shiraz – RRP $25
o 2011 DOWIE DOOLE “G&T” – RRP $25
o 2010 CALI ROAD Shiraz – RRP $35
o 2010 RESERVE Shiraz – RRP $60
DOWIE DOOLE Tasting Room:
276 California Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Phone: 08 8323 8875
Tastings by appointment only
Wine and cheese flights
Function room available for hire
Next ArticleThe "Big Green Shed" Sale
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