I taste the Turkey Flat portfolio each year and I am always delighted with the style and integrity loaded into these wines. this year my eye was caught by a new label (an inaugural release), sitting demurely at the front of the collection, sporting a neat little label and also displaying an unthreatening price. Apparently I cannot hide my emotions when tasting wine – one look at my face tells others whether I like the wine or not. I could never play professional poker. This Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne blend, which sees a generous slug of new oak and is sourced from the Bethany and Stonewall Parishes of Barossa, is a staggeringly adroit creation. It has come from nowhere into pole position in this class and it also allows us to wallow in its glory at an affordable price. Well done Turkey Flat – I rarely get this excited about debut releases
I taste the Turkey Flat portfolio each year and I am always delighted with the style and integrity loaded into these wines. this year my eye was caught by a new label (an inaugural release), sitting demurely at the front of the collection, sporting a neat little label and also displaying an unthreatening price. Apparently I cannot hide my emotions when tasting wine – one look at my face tells others whether I like the wine or not. I could never play professional poker. This Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne blend, which sees a generous slug of new oak and is sourced from the Bethany and Stonewall Parishes of Barossa, is a staggeringly adroit creation. It has come from nowhere into pole position in this class and it also allows us to wallow in its glory at an affordable price. Well done Turkey Flat – I rarely get this excited about debut releases
Johann Fiedler moved to Bethany in 1843. It was here on the banks of Tanunda Creek where he planted an experimental garden, orchard & 72 varieties of grapes to see what would thrive best. Fiedler, a muse to generations of Barossa viticulturists and winemakers, inspired the planting of three white varietals; Marsanne, Roussanne & Viognier.
2015 Vintage Tasting notes
Sugar levels and flavour development came together his year for the earliest picked parcel in 26 years of production. Each component during harvest displayed distinct varietal character, great phenolic development, good colour & lifted acidity.
A layered & thought-provoking blend inspired by the whites of the Rhone Valley. The underlying rich medley of fresh & roasted stone fruit is topped with a toasty note of spice-laced crumb. Balanced with a restrained zesty lingering hit of ginger on the finish.
The Turkey Flat Barossa Valley White blend is sourced from the Bethany and Stonewall regions of the Barossa. Traditional to the Turkey Flat style the Marsanne was picked early & pressed lightly. The viognier was handpicked, chilled, crushed & saw 48 hours on skins before pressing. The Roussanne was a little riper when handpicked and subsequently whole bunch pressed.
Download: Tasting notes and info pack.
Reviews and Awards
2015 Barossa Valley White - in Matthew Juke's Top 100 Australian Wines!
2015 Barossa Valley White - give it a go
Formerly known as Butchers Block White, the three varieties here - marsanne (63 percent), viognier (19 percent) and roussanne (18 percent) - aren't new to the region, but remain obscure to the masses. Although often solo, the trio is a regular style, too, each parcel here seeing a range of winemaking techniques, including oak treatment to add body and palate distinction, the flavours revealing spiced apple, white peach, creamy notes and delightfully refreshing acidity to finish.
Value: give it a go
Best with: richer, creamy sauced chicken
4 1/2 stars
Tony Love, the Adelaide Advertiser, Taste. Wednesday 20 April 2016
2015 Barossa Valley White - really good drinking
Well, well, well. Old dog, new tricks? Not really, considering the tricks are pretty old, but interesting to see skin contact fermentation, extended time on lees and oak barrel maturation used here for this white blend of marsanne, roussanne, viognier. Gasp! Technique of orange wines! Serious consequences! The grapes are from Turkey Flat’s Bethany and Stonewall vineyards. At $25 this is humming for interest and drinkability. Woof! Rich scents of almonds, dried apricot, coconut, ripe citrus fruit. In the palate, washy, juicy, with a tangy trim of acidity set under the yummy slosh of appley-pear-like fruit character, and finishes the wine mouthwatering. It’s got lots of flavours bouncing around, though not overly complex, and yet never fails to be delicious/refreshing. Really good drinking.
Mike Bennie Wine Front