Armadale Cellars - Current Staff Favorites

OUR CURRENT FAVOURITES: July - August 2008

Phil's Favourite:

"A stunning wine, deep, dark, smooth and rich - an exceptional buy”

Chateau de Carles 2004

Fronsacs can some times be the ugly ducklings of the right bank. With lots of Cabernet and Malbec in its vineyards, and old-school methods in its cellars, the AOC, produced rough and rustic wines however it’s just starting to hit it straps producing much more powerful merlot dominant wines.

Deep, dark, smooth, richly fruited, and very polished in the glass. After decanting you see the wines true colours of earth and extra “funk” alongside a set of very ripe tannins. Its flavours are broader, more Merlot oriented than Cabernet franc (with touches of Malbec).

Cellaring potential: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years

Armadale Cellars: Special $45.95 (mixed/straight dozen). ADDED BONUS -Buy a mixed dozen - and get a Spiegelau Soiree decanter (valued at over $50.00) absolutely free!

So you can start drinking and decanting almost immediately… Delicious!

Luke's Favourite:

"Success! This wine is ‘glugable’ any which way you can taste it - with food, friends and family. Excitement in a bottle!”

Bernard Baudry
Les Granges Chinon 2006

Les Granges (The Farm) - This is from younger vines (10-15 years old) planted on alluvial and gravel soils on the alluvial terraces in the Loire Valley, France. The grapes are picked by hand as late as possible, the aim to produce an intense vibrant wine. This wine is meant to be consumed young; it is a fresh and juicy Chinon that offers oodles of cherry & smoke. Typical Cabernet Franc characters, amazing black China tea tannins alongside dead sexy blackberry and mocha flavours. It has excellent flesh and a long, fresh finish. It will cellar for at least 5 years although it is delicious now.

Brilliant with a Beef and Bourgogne Pie or even Pot roasted spatchcock with steamed winter vegetables’ and a nut browed butter….. Yum!

Cellaring Potential: 5 - 7 years.

AC Special Web Price: $27.55 (Mixed/straight dz).

Greg's Favourite:

"This wine is totally seductive. Be warned!”

Paradigm Hill L’Ami Sage

The flavours of red cherries and raspberries combined with delicate floral aromas in the fresh fruit. This wine was stored in 30% new French oak for 17 months [Taransaud, Sirugue and Gillet] and has a backbone and a lot of texture. The wine presents as an inviting red/ruby colour with brilliant clarity. Fresh fruit aromas of raspberry and cherry mix with meaty savoury and earthy character lasting right through to the back palette and beyond. Complexity and length with excellent tannin structure mirror the balanced acidity and enticing weight on the palate culminating in a clean finish.

Paradigm Hill is just at the beginning of their wine journey and with every vintage getting closer and closer to the styles of Pinot's homeland they are one to watch. Serve with casseroles or Minestrone soup.

Cellaring potential: Approachable now, will benefit with 3-5 years cellaring

AC Special Web Price: $41.35 (Mixed/straight dz).

Josh's Favourite:

"This wine is a cracker! It was recently voted Australian Gourmet Traveller ‘Best Import under $25’, but here at AC we’ve known how good this wine is for some time - having been exclusive with the winery for a while! Intriguing nose, seductive texture and exceptional finish"

Domaine du Meteore Les Leonides 2004

This wine is from the (newish) Faugeres appelation of Languedoc (France). Domaine du Meteore (the vineyard is planted on a meteor crater) is a small producer from the region, whose key feature is a slatey schist soil.

A blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre and Carignan, this wine has been made without any oak influence. An intriguing nose of wild strawberry and thyme, seductive velvet texture and juicy, red berry flavours paired with a dry finish. Delicious.

Cellaring potential: 3-5

AC Special Web Price: $18.35 (Mixed/straight dz).

Luke B's Favourite:

"An elegant wine, but not without authority"

Woori Yallock Pinot Noir - 2006

A light but intense ruby colour leads the nose toward elegant and even pretty aromas of rose petals, perfume, warm cherries and some mulchy undergrowth. Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice), red cherries, plum and a hint of vanilla from the perfect oak handling are the moreish flavours on the palate.

The palate is delicately structured, but assertive with its fine tannins and linear acidity.

Enjoy with slow roasted pork belly and roasted root vegetables.

Cellaring Potential: 3 - 5 years.

AC Special Web Price: $45.95 (Mixed/straight dz).

Anthony's Favourite:

"Enjoy with lamb chops and a smile, knowing what tremendous value for money this wine is!"

La Croix Rouge 2003

La Croix is a quality co-operative based near the ancient city of Carcassonne. It is a blend of Merlot and Carignan with juicy/berry fruit, bramble and spice on the nose and palate with long lasting berry after taste. A great glugging wine (low tannin) and lovely value.

The French call this style of wine a ‘country wine’. Whatever you call it, it’s a great example of a tasty medium-weight wine.

Cellaring potential: Enjoy now

AC Special Web Price: $12.95 -
Web Special*: Buy 12 bottles get the 13th free -
*Must mention this web special when ordering