Parker's Wines is delighted to invite you to sample our new range of Australian wines from Victoria.

 The tasting will feature 7 wines from Connor Park Winery

 Please find below details of the tasting as well as further information about the wines featured.

 Date     Thursday 29 June 2006

 Time    6.30pm to 9pm

 Venue  Parker's Wines, 44 North Canal Road

(Clarke Quay MRT, exit North Canal Rd or Raffles Place MRT, 5 min walk)

 Cover   $18 per person (refundable upon purchase of 6 bottles of wine during the tasting)

 Offer    15% discount of retail price for all wines featured during the tasting           

  

The Winery

Connor Park is a 165 hectare rural property located on the banks of the meandering Bullock Creek, only 25 minutes from Bendigo and a comfortable 2 hour drive from Melbourne. Nestled amongst a traditional farming enterprise is one of the Regions oldest blocks of Shiraz which was planted in the late 60s. Connor Park’s belief is that quality fruit produces quality wine so the vines are tended with the same consummate care and diligence as the annual wheat harvest.  

The wines are handcrafted with the emphasis being on the quality of the fruit being delivered from the vineyard. Traditional winemaking methods are used with the least possible chemical intervention from the vineyard to the bottle. At Connor Park they love breaking with tradition, trying something new and experimenting with styles.

  

The Wines

 1)       Semillon 2005
Produced entirely from Estate grown fruit from old unirrigated vines the 2005 Semillon was kept at 10-12c, the fermentation went through well with the resulting wine a crisp balanced wine with fresh fruit flavours. Lifted citrus and lychee aromas lead you into this wine, which is full bodied yet delicate in its style. This wine is continuing to develop and improve with bottle age.

 2)       Marsanne 2002
Their first release of this rare variety shows character and style true to the Marsanne variety. The fruit was sourced from a small variety block at Lake Marmal; it was crushed and pressed in an airbag press to retain the flavours. Fermented at 12c and gently fined it has a dry lingering finish with honeysuckle and peach flavours against subtle oak background. Typically a variety that develops with maturity this is an interesting style that can cellar well.

 3)       Sparkling Shiraz 2001
Their Sparkling Shiraz base is selected from their premium Shiraz line and after spending 12 months in American oak is tiraged and left on lees for up to a further 2 ˝ years before being disgorged. A light liquering enables the full flavours of the Shiraz to be appreciated in this rather serious Sparkling Shiraz. Elegance, style and flavour abound in this complex Sparkling Shiraz. Plum, wild berries and chocolate flavours are balanced by some very subtle oak tannins with a fine bead and a dry lingering finish.

 4)        Merlot 2002
The merlot was the first crush for the season. It was rich and ripe and encouraging by the depth of colour and flavour as the juice left the crusher. The wine was aged for 12 months in a blend of 2 year old American and French barriques. Deep red in color with purple tinges, the bouquet is distinctly cigar box and liquorice. The palate displays soft plum and wild berry flavours with earthy overtones balanced by subtle oak tannins and a hint of spice lingering on the long finish.

 5)      Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Nearly classed as a late picked Cabernet the fruit for this wine was picked in the first week of May. After gentle pressing in the basket press it was hand plunged regularly to extract good colour. A bouquet of ripe cherries and grapes the palate displays spicy ripe fruit characters with peppermint and eucalyptus flavours and a trace of licorice. Brilliant crimson hues dominate the colour and persistent sweet fruit balances this medium bodied wine. The soft finish is integrated with very fine tannins.

 6)       Shiraz 2002
The fruit for the 2002 Shiraz was sourced mainly from their own vineyard with small parcels being purchased from two other local growers to supplement and add complexity to the finished wine. The season was exceedingly dry with the effects of the drought starting to take their toll. The season had a cool start but finished hot and with little or no water the vines started to stress. The fruit flavours were deep and intense. Carbonic maceration has added even more complexity to this wine. All the fruit was hand picked and has had minimal chemical intervention from vineyard to bottle. Rich crimson hues accompany the sensual deep berry flavours with traces of pepper and spice on the mid palate. Integrated with sweet vanillan oak this wine is a soft finishing wine that is drinking well now or will cellar for 5-6 years.
Robert Parker 90 points
Gold Medal at Australian Small Winemakers Show – Class 24
Silver Medal at       Ballarat Wine Show – Class G30
                              Cairns Wine Show
                              Cowra Wine Show – Class 27
Bronze Medal at Boutique Wine Show, Victorian Wine Show – Class 18

 

7)       The Honour 2001
As the pickers brought this fruit into the winery they knew they had the opportunity to produce thier first Reserve Shiraz. It was their “old” shiraz, the fruit from the original block of vines that were planted in the late 1960s. Small berries with intense flavour and colour, treated with absolute respect from the crusher to the barrell, the fruit didn’t let them down. After 18 months in oak the wine was ready, and they believe without question that this is the best Shiraz they have produced.
Dignified and opulent. Black cherry in colour with a full ripe palate which is balanced with American oak. Ripe blackberries with traces of pepper and spice complement the velvety tannins. This is a wine that will reward with cellaring.

 

  

Kindly RSVP at karin@parkers-wines.com or by phone at 6535 3987 by Wednesday 28 June.