The 2008 Andelmonde

The Standish Wine Company

Having a bad day? Recommendation – have a glass of Andelmonde and within 30 seconds it will be the best day you have ever had! Never met Dan’s parents, but thank you for producing a genius!

Flavours: Liquefied earth, spiced minerals and sundrenched ironstone are precociously bound with taut flavours of crème de mure, smoked cedar and roasted herbs.

Wine Down Valuation: In my line of work I see many great wines, but rarely do I get offered a wine as good as this.

Cellaring: Not sure I can. This is so good, I can’t limit you to a time it’s just not fair.

Food Matching (click for recipe):

The 2006 Relic

The Standish Wine Company

My new saying in life is “be good, be honest and drink a wine made by Dan Standish”. You may not be the best sportsman, singer, actor or artist, but at least you can tell your friends you drank a bottle from Standish.

Flavours: Beautifully balanced its fragrant notes of acacia petal, crème de cassis and parfait amour is supported by an underlying swath of Szechuan pepper, Guatemalan cocoa and damp limestone.

Wine Down Valuation: If there is ever a wine to rekindle your passion for wine, this is it! This wine is too good to share with even the best of friends.

Cellaring: Knowing this is in your cellar, the future will be kind to you!

Food Matching (click for recipe):

The Standish 2006

The Standish Wine Company

Was I born to sell wine? Not sure! Was Dan Standish born to make it, absolutely! Dan is considered a new kid on the block, but is odds on to make it! Knowing Dan’s philosophy (only use the best grapes) this wine will be impossible to buy in years to come.  The others will be thinking “if only”, while those who follow will be enjoying this amazing drop.

Flavours: Tightly wound with its cards close to the vest, deep-set aromatics of coal, pressed currant and black truffle are foiled by redolent tones of tilled soil, beef broth and slow roasted meats.

Wine Down Valuation: Can you spend a $100 and get more enjoyment from wine, I don’t think so! Mark my words, this wine will become one of the Icon wines of Australia. Cheers to us who won’t miss out!

Cellaring: Selfish – drink it! Generous – leave it to your estate! I will be enjoying this wine tonight and, when my 2 year old child decides to get married.

Food Matching (click photo for recipe)

2001 Epis and Williams Cabernet Sauvignon

We have discovered something very very special….

There are so many great Cabernets in Australia but a few slip off the radar, and it is only when you are lucky enough to be “ right place right time” that your passion is rekindled.  One such Cabernet was experienced by a small group of us who visited the Great little vineyard of Domaine Epis (Macedon)  last week.

Alec brought the Laurie Williams  Kyneton  vineyard back in “86 and knew then that this plot was something  very  Special.

 Alas ,  the 2001 Epis/ Williams Cabernet is proof of THAT  decision. 

 15 months in French Oak , it is a glass coating opaque crimson colour, that expresses perfume of cedar, tobacco, cassis liqueur, spice box and black currant.  Soft velvet tannins,  opulent and mouth filling ,this baby has enough structure to evolve over the next 10 years.

This 2001 is a GREAT OZ  CABERNET.   

Members price @ $65 pb  is sensational value  $700 per doz. Is even better.

Forester Estate 2005 Chardonnay

Just had a bottle of this amazing Chardonnay. What a drink for $25… This wine will convert red wine only drinkers it has great palate structure with a zesty citrus/mineral palate with refined varietal flavour while a ever present oak factor and it’s obvious thye lees stirring adds texture and secondary flavour characters. More flovours then your local fruit shop with tropical melon, lychee and ripe citrus  aromas. Need a bottle or a case with a 10% discount give us a call. 1300winedown

Urban Thirst

Have you checked out the Urban Thirst Cocktails, such a great summer thirst quencher, go to http://www.urbanthirst.com to view their products, my personal favourite is the margarita slush mix, (yes I can finally face tequila again). We have 10% off all Urban Thirst Products for month of December if you order through our website (www.winedown.com.au)

Samuels Gorge 2006 Shiraz

The 2006 Shiraz is one of the greatest wines that I have tried. Justin and the team at Samuels Gorge are not only amazing people but the three reds they produce are a must buy and should have a place in everyone’s cellar. The wine show cases the matrix of fruit flavour they get from targeting specific idiosyncratic vineyards across the Vale. The signature Mulberry and dark berry fruit spectrum is particular evident in this year. A powerful wine with fine but firm tannins, it will evolve beautifully over the next 10 years; it could do with a year to soften initially though. Justin, hat’s off to you, a great wine that we will forever recomend and sadly that every bottle drank means there is one less to buy. Do yourself a favour and try these wines, and if you have a bucket list a visit to Samuels Gorge must be on it.

Hann 2008 Barossa Shiraz Cabernet

This week I was offered to try the Hann 2008 Barossa Shiraz Cabernet from the wholesaler and I thank him for that.  Having tried Hanns Prestiage range before, I am already a fan, but this wine has me for life. Not only is it great for mid week drinker but it is that wine to hit the restaurants for a night out to impress your friends that may or may not know much about wine.

A little spicy number with the dark fruits of Blackberrry lingering the whole way through. This doesn’t dissappoint with the length and it’s impression of what the Barossa in all about. You can now purchcase from the shop at $20 a bottle so give us a call on 1300 WINE DOWN or +613 9889 4643

Fraser Gallop Cabernet 2004

Last night I had the pleasure of enjoying a bottle of Fraser Gallop Cabernet 2004 and hats off to you Mr Keith Mugford. This wine is fruit driven (plums, blackberries and blueberries), well structured with fine integrated tannins and by no means robust, it can be enjoyed on its own or with any quality red meat. From Day 1 (2003), the guys at Fraser Gallop knew that only the best treatment produces the best wine. This wine is dry grown, hand-picked and put in French oak to mature. This young vineyard is producing wine equivalent to Latour, Rothschild and Margaux and the 2007 vintage recently winning best Bordeaux blend over ten pound at the London Wine decanter awards. We know the Fraser Gallop Cabernet 2004 is something very special and under stelvin will develop slowly, at $30 a bottle you can buy up and enjoy now or in 25 years time. Call us on 1300 WINE DOWN (1300 946 336) or email us on sales@winedown.com.au if you have any queries about this phenomenal wine.

Background

Twenty five years ago we began the business of building up what we believe to be the finest place to buy wine in Melbourne. From the start, we knew the ingredients; a range of classic Australian unparalleled in all of the city, wines imported from undiscovered producers of fantastic quality and people with the knowledge and enthusiasm to champion the cause of good wine.

Today we continue to believe in the same things. As wine stores are slowly being transformed into one faceless chain we believe there is an ever-growing need for the individual and specialist store. Wine Down remain passionate advocates of wines from all over the world that offer value, character and substance. As an independent we are under no obligation to buy any particular producer’s wines. We don’t offer big brands of no discernible merit other than a large marketing budget; we simply choose wines that we like, wines that speak of place and individuality.

Over the twenty five years that have passed we have been key players in the market for fine wines, selling everything from First Growth Bordeaux to cult wine from Australia all at competitive prices. So, if you have some loose change and want a case of Run Rig or you are interested in old vintages just give us a call on 1300 946 336 or 1300 WINE DOWN.