Summer News 2011
Dear Friends,
While writing this newsletter on a recent plane trip to Perth, the usual newsy bits were being scribbled down when the film “Red Dog” came on. This film epitomises the characters of Australia and our love of dogs. Over the years we've had many winery dogs. In the early days visitors were greeted by Black Dog, followed by Spot, Bob and Molly, they all made our visitors welcome. Sadly Black Dog, Spot, Bob and Molly are no longer with us. The 1st draft of this newsletter featured Molly our 16 1/2 yr old terrier poodle x, who had made an amazing recovery from major surgery.
Unfortunately she suddenly became very unwell, all the love and care was not enough. Good golly “Miss Molly” you have left us with so many fond memories. We have, however a new addition, the lovely Kelpie x “Webber” here to greet you.
Life at Turkey Flat has been typically interesting as always. Two new staff and another baby. This takes the tally to 12 babies since Turkey Flat was founded in 1990. Melinda Atyeo commenced as an Administration and Cellar Door assistant and Heather Ryan has joined the vineyard/bottling team working alongside her brother Neil and his wife Pauline. Jodhi is home with baby number 2, Freya Grace, born September 27th.
Winter 2011 has come and gone and we have received plenty of lovely soaking rain. The vineyards are now springing to life. It is the prettiest time of the year, the young shoots lit by the soft spring sunlight. We eagerly await flowering and ripening and look forward to the 2012 vintage. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Barossa Valley, please keep this in mind when booking your next holiday and do drop in and see us at the cellar door.
We are in the process of re-vamping our website and we are sure you will find it much easier to use. To coincide with the launch of our new site we are offering free freight for purchases of 1 dozen lots. We also wish to expand our wine and food matching section, we plan to add a couple of new recipes each month. If you have a favourite Turkey Flat wine and food match please share it with us and with your permission of course we can, from time to time post them on to our Turkey Flat website.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all,
Christie & Peter
New Releases
2011 Butchers Block White
The 2011 Butchers Block White is a blend of 56% Marsanne 32% Viognier and 12% Roussanne produced from fruit grown in our Stonewell and Bethany vineyards.
The grapes for the 2011 Butchers Block White were harvested at optimum ripeness resulting in a complex and richly structured wine.
This blend offers an alluring nose of fresh apricots, and candied citrus peel with lifted aromas of orange blossom with nutmeg and toasted barrel nuances.
A textural wine, flavors of pear and green apple are enhanced from partial barrel fermentation in French oak hogsheads. Extended lees contact has further contributed to the mouth-feel and structure of this wine.
2010 Butchers Block Red
The Butchers Block is a traditional Barossa blend made with grapes selected from the Turkey Flat vineyards, including some from the original old vine plantings. It is a blend of Shiraz, grenache and Mourvédre (Mataro), with the proportions of each variety varying from vintage to vintage. The 2010 vintage of Butchers Block is a blend of 53% Shiraz, 31% grenache and 16% Mourvèdre.
Each varietal component of this wine was vinified separately in open fermenters and subsequently aged in both hogsheads and larger format French oak for approximately 18 months. The result is an intense warm, earthy full-bodied red with seamless oak integration.
The nose is floral with hints of five spice, dark plum, cherry and blackcurrant. The palate is generous, displaying juicy sweet lifted fruits with a firm palate structure. An elegant and restrained wine with a velvety finish.
2010 The Last Straw
Inspired by the rare and luscious vin de paille of France’s Rhône Valley, this is the sixth release of this sweet white, made from 100% Marsanne grapes. A slightly lighter and crisper style than previous vintages, this sweet wine is not only suited to traditional desserts; served as an aperitif it will drink well with savoury dishes & tapas such as green olives stuffed with white anchovies, Manchego with quince paste or try with salt cod fritters.
NV Sparkling Shiraz
A few of our finest batches of Shiraz are selected and matured in seasoned French oak for up to three years before being tiraged in the traditional
Champagne method. Dark ruby red, subtle and complex aromas of plums, cherry, blueberry, panforte, dark chocolate and earth follow onto a full-bodied and intensely-flavoured palate.
Rich yet refreshing, it has fine, soft tannins and complex flavours. Serve chilled with Peking Duck.
Other Current Releases
2011 Rosé
Alluring pink/salmon in colour the 2011 Rosé is fresh and vibrant with uplifted aromas of raspberry, watermelon and cherry which deliver succulently on the palate with refreshing flavour and crisp, lively acidity. A well balanced and complex Rosé to be enjoyed over the next 12 months.
2009 grenache
The 2009 vintage produced some exceptional grenache, rich in colour and
tannin structure. The result is a vibrant grenache which displays primary
fruit characters of fresh raspberry and plum. A balanced and elegant wine,
with a pleasantly warming palate of sweet spice and clove. More savoury
characters of fennel and black pepper give way to a lingering fine tannin
finish. This wine will age gracefully with careful cellaring of up to 10 years.
2009 Mourvèdre
The 2009 Mourvèdre is a well structured and layered wine with a palate of fresh mulberries, white pepper and liquorice .The nose offers a bouquet of plum, sandalwood, anise and violet integrated with earthy, secondary fruit. The French oak contributes to the fine grape tannin that lingers on the palate. Enjoy now or cellar for a further 10 years.
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2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
This intensely varietal Cabernet sourced from the “Black Flat” vineyard, is infused with eucalypt from the old gums that grow along the creek bed. Red currant, cedar and subtle tobacco on the nose gives way to a long palate of fine firm tannin, wood spice and wild fennel. This strictly limited release will improve with careful cellaring of up to 15 years.
2009 Shiraz
The 2009 Shiraz shows bright and generous fruit character with lively
acidity. Extended pre and post ferment maceration has given the wine a fine
tannin finish. The 100% French oak adds depth and length of flavour to the
structure supporting a palate of blackberries, cedar and nutmeg.
A complex and restrained wine which benefits from decanting to reveal depth
and purity of fruit whilst young, promising great aging potential.
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2008 Single Vineyard Shiraz
We have selected the best barrel of Shiraz from our Bethany Road, Stonewell Road & Koonunga vineyards. Each are located in quite different geological positions within the Barossa Valley and demonstrate the wonder and diversity of nature that makes up the Barossa terrior. There are noticeable differences between their soil types, climate, rainfall patterns and local native ecosystems. We do not yet know all of the elements responsible for the unique qualities of these undeniably different wines.
If these wines break the mould of Barossa Shiraz it is only because the region itself is diverse, both in nature and in culture. We hope they provide enjoyment for they are both a celebration of the place they each come from, and the finest examples of Turkey Flat Barossa Shiraz.
NV Pedro Ximenez
Pedro Ximénez is a grape variety which has been grown in the Barossa for over a hundred years. Sourced from one of the original old vineyards,
we allow the fruit to raisin, concentrating the natural sugars and flavours. The grapes are then crushed, fortified with fine brandy spirit,
pressed and matured in French oak where the new vintage joins a 13 year old solero. This rich, sweet wine is the perfect way to end an evening with desserts or cheese.
