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qantas inflight guide to
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Editor’s lEttEr
a place or a thing that strikes a chord.
The inspiration for the Qantas Inflight
Guide To Wine grew from the airline’s
enthusiasm to support and promote
Australian wine and its producers.
Over the years, Qantas has built up one
of this country’s most enviable cellars
enabling it to choose from an array of
premium wines when picking drops to
match chef Neil Perry’s menus on both
domestic and international flights.
It was a natural progression to then
create the Qantas Inflight Guide To Wine to showcase many
of the fine wines the airline has sourced from producers
throughout Australia. It’s also an opportunity to introduce
the people who create the menus and select the wines for
your trip and to speak to some of the winemaking families
whose delicious drops feature within these pages.
We must stress that the Qantas Inflight Guide To Wine
is not your inflight wine list, more a useful overview of a
collection of some of Australia’s top wines.
We hope, after perusing the following pages,
you’ll take this guide with you and be inspired
to drink more Aussie drops.
Inspiration can stem from innumerable and varied sources. It might be a smell, a colour or a sound that triggers an idea, or perhaps a person,
judy sarris Editor, Gourmet Traveller WINE.
Editor Judy Sarris Creative Director Sabine Schmitz Deputy Editor/Copy Editor Connell Nisbet
Tasting Notes Peter Bourne, Bob Campbell MW Features Nick Ryan Designer Bernhard Schmitz Editorial Assistant Louise Butta Cover Photography
Ben Dearnley Production Controller Fiona Olsson Digital Pre-press Specialist John Ruperto Associate Publisher Homes & Food Group Neale Whitaker
Publishing Director Men’s, Specialist & Custom Titles Phil Scott PBL Media Chief Executive Officer Ian Law
Qantas Airways LtdQantas Inflight Services, 203 Coward Street, Mascot, NSW 2020Qantas Wine and Beverage Manager Claudia Lill (02) 9691 1569
Advertising Enquiries Bernard Mills (02) 9691 1694Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre 13 11 31
Qantas Reservations 13 13 13
This Qantas Inflight Guide to Wine is complimentary to Qantas passengers and was developed by Qantas Inflight Services.
Published by Qantas Airways Ltd, ABN 16 009 661 901 and by ACP Magazines Ltd ABN 18 053 273 546. 54-58 Park St, Sydney, NSW 2000.
©2009 All rights reserved. Printed by Quality Print Group Pty Ltd, 45 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood NSW 2148.
Articles express the opinions of authors and not necessarily those of Qantas or ACP Magazines Ltd.
TASTING PANEL 6CENTRE OF SERVICE ExCELLENCE 8WINE SERVICE 9FOOD WITH NEIL PERRy 10QANTAS 187ML PROGRAM 11AWARD WINNERS 12LABEL TALk 14WHy WE TASTE WINE 15MEET THE PRODuCERS 17TASTING NOTES 22WINE INDEx 48CONTACTS 50C
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6 gourmet traveller wine
qantas wine panel
Wine delivers inspiration in many different places and many
different forms. It can come walking between the rows of a
special vineyard or among the resting barrels tucked deep in a
crypt-like cellar. It can come from the countless characters that this
business brings your way or, perhaps most importantly of all, at the
bottom of a truly great bottle.
The inspirational nature of wine is something with which
the Qantas Wine Panel is well acquainted. Tom Carson is group
winemaker for Yabby Lake Vineyard in the Mornington Peninsula,
Stephen Pannell runs SC Pannell in McLaren Vale and Vanya
Cullen is the bio-dynamic winemaker at Margaret River’s Cullen
Wines. They have all worked with some of the greats over the years
and have been inspired by so many.
“For me, it’s James Halliday,” says Carson. “His passion,
generosity and tireless commitment to the Australian wine industry
has always been an inspiration for me.”
For Pannell and Cullen, inspiration can be found on the slope of
Burgundy’s famed Côte d’Or in France. “The late Gérard Potel from
Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in Volnay was always an inspiration for
me,” says Pannell. “His experience and foresight were amazing and he
had an uncanny ability to make great wine in difficult vintages.”
Cullen nominates a women who shares her heartfelt commit-
ment to bio-dynamics as an ongoing inspiration. “Anne-Claude
Leflaive’s quest to find natural remedies indigenous to each
vineyard is really admirable,” she says.
Their list of inspiring wines makes enticing reading too.
“I remember tasting a 1978 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape,”
The Qantas Wine Panel discuss the wines, winemakers and wine regions
that most inspire them.
Shining Lights
Tom Carson (above) and Vanya Cullen (right) bring many years of experience to the Qantas Wine Panel.
7gourmet traveller wine
recalls Carson, “and being completely speechless with its greatness and
the fact that it was 100 per cent grenache.” Pannell rates the 1999
Artadi Viña El Pisón Rioja from Spain. “It completely changed my
expectations of how great tempranillo could be.” While Cullen opts
for the 2005 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles,
hailing it as “a premier cru that delivers a grand cru experience”.
Not surprisingly, Cullen says Burgundy is the region that
continues to inspire her, while Pannell recalls a vintage in Barolo,
Italy, spent drinking great nebbiolo and indulging in the white
truffles which make that part of Piedmont very inspiring.
But Carson takes a broader view and puts the challenge out
to our own industry. “All of Australia’s wine regions need to
continually inspire wine lovers around the world with their vision,
diversity and, above all, the individuality of each and every
wine produced in that region.” v
McLaren Vale’s Stephen Pannell (right) completes the team.
8 gourmet traveller wine
Elevating Excellence
Enjoying a glass of stellar wine is the final stage of a long,
quality-controlled process, from vineyard cultivation through
to winemaking and presentation. The same can be said for the quality
of service customers receive on Qantas flights. The high standard of
customer service delivered by Qantas cabin crew is the end result
of a well-honed training program which has set the benchmark for
customer service the world over.
The Qantas Centre of Service Excellence is an inspirational,
5000-square metre facility in the heart of Sydney and will provide
the stage for service excellence training and development for years
to come. Once the home of Engineering apprentice training, the
Centre has a rich history of learning. Exposed beams and concrete
floors retain its heritage, whist innovative design provides a
contemporary setting for forward-thinking and learning.
Within the Centre, dedicated customer experience zones have
been created to simulate the varying stages of interaction between
staff and customers, from the award-winning Qantas First Lounge
with signature Marc Newson furniture; the International Business
zone featuring a fully flat A380 Skybed seat to the QantasLink and
Domestic zone. Most importantly, for wine-lovers at least, is the
Epicurean wing. The wing includes a dedicated wine room that is
the hub of the Sommelier in the Sky wine training program.
Qantas’ ongoing commitment to excellence in training is an
inspiration to all the staff who take part. This inspiration fuels the
enthusiasm and professionalism of check-in staff, ground crew and
flight attendants. The attention to detail they experience at the
Centre of Service Excellence is consistent throughout the program
and is reflected in the service customers receive on board. At the end
of the day, the real beneficiary of all this training will always be the
customer. So sit back, peruse the wine list and avail yourself of the
most highly trained flight attendants in the sky. v
Qantas’ recently opened Centre of Service Excellence is a world-class training
facility exemplifying the airline’s ongoing commitment to customer service.
QUALITY SERVICE
gourmet traveller wine 9
Since the earliest days of air travel one
drink has been an integral part of the
whole flying experience – Champagne.
It’s with great pride that Qantas serves
the legendary Taittinger Comtes de
Champagne in Qantas First. A pinnacle
of the blanc de blanc style made entirely
from chardonnay, Comtes de Cham-
pagne is produced in only the best
vintages, using fruit sourced from grand
cru vineyards of the Côte des Blancs.
Only the first pressing of this prized fruit
is destined for Comtes de Champagne,
helping to shape a style that is renowned
for its purity and elegance. The wine
then rests for almost a decade in the cellars of the 13th-century
abbey of St Nicaise in Reims. The result is an extraordinary wine, one
of the few prestige cuvees produced by a house still in family hands,
and the ideal accompaniment to a journey in Qantas First.
Customers in Business also enjoy a unique Champagne experi-
ence with the exceptional Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, considered
by many to be among the best non-vintage Champagnes. It’s a
consistent expression of the house style defined by the late Daniel
Thibault, one of the greatest chef du caves of his generation. Fine
floral top notes are anchored by rich aromas of brioche and spice and
lead to a palate notable for its complex core and energetic freshness.
Yet another reason why, when a flight attendant offers you a
glass of Champagne, the answer can only ever be “Yes”. vOccasionally Qantas will offer other Champagne brands due to supply
availability and government regulation in overseas ports.
Settle in for some of the finest Champagne in the world, as the Qantas Wine Program
has gone the extra mile to ensure your inflight experience is second to none.
Bubbling with Pride
Experts take flight Keep a close eye on your flight attendant’s lapels and your vigilance may be rewarded with a greatly
enhanced food and wine experience. If you spot a bunch of shiny silver
grapes, it means you’re in the capable hands of a graduate from the Qantas Sommeliers in the Sky program – an innovative and exhaustive wine education course that ensures Qantas flies with some of the best palates in the sky. Developed in association with Wine Australia’s online education program, Australia: World Class, the Sommeliers in the Sky training ensures the flight attendant’s wine knowledge reaches a level comparable to that of top restaurant sommeliers. Only graduates of the Advanced level of the course wear the coveted silver badge.
WINE SERVICE
If you spot a bunch of shiny silver
10 gourmet traveller wine
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Secret Ingredients
A kitchen without inspiration is a very barren place indeed so it’s
a good thing that Neil Perry knows where to find it. And he
must have found plenty for this year he celebrates the 20th birthday
of his signature Rockpool restaurant, the opening of Rockpool Bar
& Grill in Sydney and his 12th year as Qantas consultant chef.
“My dad was my earliest inspiration. He was a butcher, and a
great cook, too. The trips to Chinatown he’d take me on opened my
eyes to the diverse and wonderful world of food,” he recalls.
And all these years later Perry’s still finding it. “These days my
inspiration comes from my travels to places like Spain, France,
Thailand and China as well as my ridiculously large collection of
cookery books,” he says. “I’m also constantly inspired by my peers,
great chefs like Thomas Keller, Heston Blumenthal, Alice Waters, and
all the terrific chefs that have worked with me in my restaurants.”
Obviously, it’s important to always be on the look out because
you never really know when inspiration can strike. “It could be in a
smell you encounter in a dim, smoky corner of a Sichuan restaurant
in Beijing. It could be a colour, a texture, a memory or even just a
certain feeling. Inspiration is everywhere and in everything.”
It can even come nestled among the daily deliveries. “Say a box
of beautiful sweet tomatoes have just come in, we’ll sample them
and start the process of creating a new dish then and there.”
Perry appreciates the importance offering the same opportunity
to those he works with. “You have to lead by example and make
yourself someone worthy of being an inspiration to start with.
There are so many great young kids out there busting to learn so
simply live, cook and work with integrity and let them learn by
watching. Treat both your fellow workmates and the produce you
use with great respect, and it will be reciprocated.” v
Restaurateur and Qantas chef Neil Perry reveals the rich array of inspirations which
continue to fire his creativity in the kitchen.
FOOD + WINE
gourmet traveller wine
Freedomof Choice
While lots of swirling, sniffing, spitting and seriously animated
discussion goes into selecting the wines that fly in Qantas
First and Business, just as much thought and effort goes into the
wine program for Economy. Once a sadly neglected component of
international airline wine lists, Qantas has dedicated significant time
and energy in creating an Economy offering that leads the world in
more ways than one.
Qantas flies 5.5 million 187ml wine bottles a year for service in
Economy and has now ensured that each and every one of them will
be recyclable PET plastic instead of glass. That equates to a weight
difference of 120 grams per bottle, between the heavier glass to the
lighter plastic. This 120 grams may not sound like a lot, but multiply
it by 5.5 million and it means 660,000 fewer kilos are flying each year
and a lot less fuel is burned up too. Sometimes the little things can
make a big difference.
But weight savings would be quickly eliminated if those bottles
were never emptied so exhaustive planning has gone in to making
sure the wine offering is of the highest quality and that customers are
able to enjoy the widest selection possible. Wines like St. Hallet
Poacher’s Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Wirra Wirra Scrubby
Rise Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Viognier were early indicators that
Economy drinking was becoming much more interesting.
In recent times some of Australia’s most exciting wineries have
worked with Qantas. This
includes Frankland River’s
critically acclaimed Fern-
grove with a sauvignon
blanc semillon blend from
wunderkind winemaker
Kim Horton, the sassy
Skuttlebutt Shiraz Caber-
net blend from cult label
Stella Bella, Coriole’s
Redstone Shiraz and the
Barwang Cabernet Merlot
from the cool-climate
Tumbarumba region.
Even industry icons
such as O’Leary Walker,
Grant Burge and Broken-
wood have come on board
proving that no matter
where you’re sitting on
your next Qantas flight
a good glass of wine is
guaranteed. v
As Qantas continues to expand its exciting array of wines in the 187ml format the big names of Australian
wine can’t wait to get on board.
11
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12 gourmet traveller wine
rewarding talent
It’s easy to be inspired by the many achievements of the talented
people within the wine industry and in the last 12 months or so
there’s been a whole raft of notable award winners that have given
plenty of reason for wine lovers to get excited.
One of the more highly sought prizes is the title of Len Evans
Tutorial Qantas Dux. Described by James Halliday as “the most
exclusive wine school in the world”, the Tutorial takes a dozen
extremely promising wine professionals, winemakers, sommeliers,
marketers, and immerses them in an intensive series of encounters
with the world’s greatest wines.
“I think I’m still inspired five months later,” says the Qantas
Dux of the 2008 Tutorial Larrisa Bray. “I defy anyone not to be when
you get to taste such a staggering line-up of classic wines.”
Taking a moment out from the rigours of vintage at her family
winery, Aldersyde in the Perth Hills, Bray even admitted that the
Tutorial can almost be too inspiring. “It takes a while to come back
to earth after an experience like that,” she confesses. “For weeks
afterwards every tasting I did seemed a bit of a let down. You have
to work hard to remind yourself you actually live in the real world.”
Bray may have to remind herself of that fact all over again when
she jets off this year on the Business Class flight she receives for
finishing the Tutorial as the Qantas Dux. “We’ve just planted some
grenache and mourvedre so I’m heading to Châteauneuf- du-Pape
to see how they work with them there.”
Maybe the trip will be as life-defining as it was for the 2007
Qantas Dux, Sue Bell, winemaker at Stonehaven. “I had just left my
job in a big company winery before I headed for France and really
wasn’t sure what I was going to do next,” Bell recalls. “But the trip
gave me the chance to spend time in Bordeaux, which reinforced
how much I love cabernet, and visiting Burgundy did the same
thing for my passion for chardonnay. So it was then that I decided
I’d go out and start my own label with a Coonawarra cabernet and
a chardonnay from Tasmania.”
Add 2006 Qantas Dux Liz Jackson, chief winemaker for First
Creek, to the mix and you have a very impressive trio who lend
serious weight to the theories that women have greater natural tasting
abilities than their male counterparts.
But the influence of the late, great Len Evans extends even
further still. At last year’s Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of
the Year Awards industry stalwart Robert Hill Smith of Yalumba was
announced as the recipient of the Len Evans Award for leadership.
It was an especially appropriate announcement considering the
exceptional contribution Hill Smith has made to the Australian
wine industry and the longstanding friendship that Evans had
enjoyed with the Hill Smith family.
It was a doubly successful evening for Yalumba with their hugely
talented chief winemaker, Louisa Rose, taking out the major
award, Winemaker of the Year. The event also identified a star on
the rise, with Taylors’ senior winemaker, Helen McCarthy, winning
The recipients of Australia’s top wine awards are an ongoing source of inspiration as every
year new talent emerges, challenging our perception of quality and innovation.
Winning Ways
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13gourmet traveller wine
the Kemenys Medal for the up-and-coming winemaker of the year.
Her innovative work with the Taylors Jaraman range was a significant
factor in winning this award.
The honour roll of other recent award winners includes
Australian Sommeliers Association president Ben Moechtar who
was Dux of the Court of Master Sommelier examinations, and
Lincoln Riley who received the Judy Hirst Award as sommelier of year
and his list at Melbourne’s Taxi Dining Room was recognised as the
country’s best at the 2008 Australia’s Wine List of the Year awards.
To all these exceptionally talented people, we say thanks for
inspiring us. And may you continue to do so. v
Above: Taylors’ Helen McCarthy. Right: Yalumba’s Robert Hill Smith and Louisa Rose.
Top: Len Evans Tutorial duxes Larissa Bray (left)and Sue Bell (right). Left: Taxi Dining Room sommelier Lincoln Riley.
14 gourmet traveller wine
LABEL TALK
Have you ever perused a wine list and wondered where on earth
some of these names come from? And while it’s probably true
that a few of them are the blurrily brainstormed results of long
lunches, the stories behind many have even more interesting origins.
Surprisingly, a handful are even inspired by kids. Take Giant
Steps’ elegant cabernet blend Harry’s Monster, a wine so named
because its label is a very striking, but not all that scary, creature
drawn from the imagination of vigneron Phil Sexton’s son Harry.
Perhaps he should meet winemaker Dean Hewitson’s daughter
Harriet, who also has her own wine, the grenache-based blend Miss
Harry. A popular wine with punters but controversial at home, it
meant Hewitson had to create another wine known as Ned & Henry
just to appease his miffed sons.
Chester Osborn at d’Arenberg is another who has turned to his
kids for free marketing advice. His two young daughters adopted a
pair of kookaburras and gave them the endearing, if ornithologi-
cally inaccurate, name ‘laughing magpies’. Osborn instantly realised
they’d also inadvertently given him the perfect name for a decadent
and ravishingly fun blend of black-berried shiraz and white-berried
viognier – The Laughing Magpie.
But inspiration can be found in less innocent places too.
Torbreck’s rambunctious Dave Powell struck up a friendship with
Tim Johnston, the proprietor of the cult Paris wine bar Juveniles.
Powell created a grenache, shiraz and mataro blend, Cuvée
Juveniles, exclusively for the wine bar. It’s now available to the rest
of the world and can transport you to both the Barossa Valley and
the heart of Paris at the same time.
Perhaps Charlie Melton had been drinking at Juveniles when he
decided to name a wine in honour of the Rhône Valley appellation
Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Drawing on a very loose grasp of the French
language, Melton came up with a label called Nine Popes. Much
later someone pointed out the actual translation is “The Pope’s New
Castle” by which time Nine Popes was already a big hit.
While Melton turned to the early days of the Catholic Church,
other producers have tapped into a source even more ancient, using
names from local indigenous languages. McLaren Vale’s Wirra Wirra
means “amongst the gum trees”, Yalumba is the local aboriginal word
for “all the land around”, and Mt. Langhi Ghiran means “the home of
the black cockatoos”, which are spread through central Victoria. v
Truth in labelling takes on a whole new meaning when you consider some of the fascinating names gracing our top drops.
What’s in a Name?
www.gourmettravellerwine.com.au
For many people wine
service in restaurants
still seems a dark and
mysterious art. Wine lists
can be dense and daunt-
ing tomes, page after
page of unpronouncea-
ble names and expensive
bottles that you have no
way of knowing will be
to your liking. If this is a
situation in which you
find yourself, the best
thing to do is seek out the
sommelier.
It’s also worth noting
that it’s not just the finest
restaurants in which this
service is available. Many
Qantas cabin crew have
completed sommelier-
level training courses so
keep an eye out for their
‘silver grapes’ badges and ask for their advice.
A good sommelier is one in whom you can completely place
your trust, someone whose prime motivation is to ensure that you
have the best dining experience possible. A bad sommelier is one
who’s just trying to offload as much of the dodgy Bulgarian merlot
they’re stuck with as they possibly can.
Discuss the dishes that interest you on the menu and the kind
of wines you usually enjoy then let the sommelier distill this
information into the best wines for the situation. Even those with a
keen interest in wine can benefit from this kind of interaction
because the sommelier will be intimately acquainted with the
kitchen’s capabilities, will have tasted all the dishes on the menu as
well as the wines on the list and may suggest spectacular pairings
that others might not consider.
And when a small taste of your wine is offered before it’s served
this is your opportunity to work with the sommelier to ensure you
get the wine you want in peak condition. You’re looking for faults in
the wine, and remember, even screwcapped bottles can be faulty, so
feel free to point out anything amiss. Even if you can’t quite put
your finger on what’s not right, or the wine’s just not what you were
expecting, discuss your concerns with the sommelier and see what
else they might suggest. But remember that working your way
through the most expensive wines on the list until you find one you
like is likely to have you thrown out onto the street! v
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Heightened Experience
Sampling a requested wine before accepting it isn’t a meaningless custom. It’s an opportunity
to ensure your wine is in peak condition.
WHY WE TASTE WINE
17gourmet traveller wine
The Tyrrell FamilyFor 150 years there have been Tyrrells
infusing other Tyrrells with a deep and
abiding love of the vine. “I’m a bit of a
sucker for history,” says Chris Tyrrell, who
along with his sister Jane and brother John carries the unbroken
line of family involvement into a fifth generation.
“I love going back over all the old vineyard books and comparing
the vintages that my grandfather would have experienced with what
we’re working with now. We’re also blessed with some great old
wines that when you get the chance to taste them really bring those
reports of old vintages alive.”
Chris’ dad, Bruce, knows better than anyone that all that time in
the vineyard and hanging around the winery can be intoxicating
even if you’re too young to touch a drop, because just as Chris has,
he too followed his father into the fold. “A place like this isn’t your
business,” says Bruce. “It’s your life.”
Bruce’s father Murray was a major figure, not just in the history
of Tyrrell’s Wines but in the Hunter Valley as a whole, doing more
than most to champion the region and its unique wine styles. He
was a man with a big personality, and he drew others like it around
him, making the winery a pretty inspiring place to be.
“It was growing up here surrounded by so many great characters
and that’s what inspired me to get involved,” recalls Bruce. “Even
when I went off to agricultural college, I’d be straight back here
getting stuck in as soon as holidays started.”
But Bruce keenly understands that a place like Tyrrell’s Wines
needs to remain inspiring for subsequent generations. “You see
some people get dragged into family businesses and they resent it
for life. I’d never want to do that to my kids.”
Talk with his kids and it’s clear there’s no chance of that.
Ask the best winemakers what inspires their success and invariably they will point to past generations or vinous luminaries.
Tipping their Hats
qantas wine suppliers
big shoes bruce Tyrrell, and his family (from left) Chris, John, Jane and wife Pauline.
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hunter Valley
hUNTeR VALLeYLoCATeD: Two hours north of sydney, New south Wales.ViNeYARD AReA: Approx. 4300 hectares.KeY VARieTies: semillon, shiraz, chardonnay.oTheR RegioNAL NAMes To LooK FoR: McWilliams, Thomas, Pooles Rock, Meerea Park, Tower estate.
18 gourmet traveller wine
Iain Riggs, BrokenwoodFor a not overly tall man Len Evans cast a very
big shadow and few know that better than
Iain Riggs. As chief winemaker at Broken-
wood, Riggs was well aware that although
Evan’s influence spread across the entire
Australian wine scene it was particularly
keenly felt in the Hunter Valley that he called home.
As a senior judge at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, which Evans
chaired for years, Riggs saw first-hand how Evans’ dedication to the
uniquely Australian wine show system helped create an industry
that would wow the world. Now as Chairman of the Wine Show and
a trustee of the annual Len Evans Tutorial, Riggs helps to ensure
Evans’ inspirational legacy lives on.
“He could dissect a wine like no one I’ve ever seen,” says Riggs.
“He had the greatest palate I’ve ever encountered and an ability to
pull a wine apart in his head, assess its major components and put
it back together, knowing just what was right and wrong with it.”
Riggs has done more than anyone to ensure that kind of
exploration of great wines remains a strong force in the Hunter
Valley. He’s at the hub of many of the Hunter’s most dedicated
tasting groups and has vigorously encouraged a younger generation
of the Valley’s winemakers to taste as widely as they can.
And his 27-year tenure at Brokenwood has seen the place turn
into a de-facto winemaking academy with the likes of Wirra Wirra’s
Samantha Connew, Shadowfax’s Matt Harrop and Sarah-Kate
Dineen at Maude in Central Otago all having benefited from
working alongside the unassuming Riggs.
Evans would be pleased to know he’s left the Hunter Valley
in very capable hands.
qantas wine suppliers
TWo LegeNDsLeft: iain Riggs on the brokenwood property. below: Len evans, an inspiration to so many.
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hUNTeR VALLeYLoCATeD: Two hours north of sydney, New south Wales.ViNeYARD AReA: Approx. 4300 hectares.KeY VARieTies: semillon, shiraz, chardonnay.oTheR RegioNAL NAMes To LooK FoR: McWilliams, Krinklewood, Margan, Tulloch.
hunter Valley
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The Henschke FamilyThe weight of history and tradition can be a burden for some while
others draw from it the inspiration to make their own mark. It’s
clear that Barossan winemakers Stephen and Prue Henschke have
their feet planted firmly in the latter camp.
Following in the footsteps of four earlier generations and
extending a winemaking tradition that spans more than 140
vintages, Stephen Henschke is acutely aware that he is in a position
of both privilege and responsibility. “Sometimes you feel you’re like
a curator of a museum,” he says. “You realise just how important it
all is as you get older and you become very aware how crucial it is to
preserve it while still finding ways to build on what you have.”
Growing up in a place like this it could have been easy to take for
granted, but Stephen was given the chance to work with a man at
the forefront of a revolution in Australian wine, his father Cyril.
“My father was inspirational in the way he recognised the potential
for table wines in this country while everyone else was making for-
tifieds,” he says. “He made his first single-vineyard table wines in the
early 1950s and had completely stopped making fortifieds by the
end of the decade. People said he was mad, but history has proved
him right. It’s that kind of thinking we want to pass on to our kids.”
Eldest son, Johann, works as a winemaker alongside his father
and spends considerable time in the
vineyard with his mother, too. This
close-quarters observation has real
benefits. “Watching the hard work
they put in to this place is something
I find inspiring,” he says. “And when I
travel the world visiting the great
wine regions and estates, it’s fantastic
to learn how well respected Henshcke
is. The fact that some of the world’s
finest winemakers put us in the same
class brings home how important it is
for us to continue the legacy.”
FAMiLY TiesThe henschkes (from left), stephen, Justine, Andreas, Prue and Johann.
eden Valley
eDeN VALLeYLoCATeD: 1.5 hours north-east of Adelaide, south Australia.ViNeYARD AReA: Approx. 2200 hectares.KeY VARieTies: Riesling, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon.oTheR RegioNAL NAMes To LooK FoR: Pewsey Vale, Mountadam, Peter Lehmann, heggies Vineyard.
20 gourmet traveller wine
Rob Bowen, HoughtonThere have been many wines inspired by individuals who have
made great contributions to the industry, but few examples of this
type of bottled recognition can be more appropriate than
Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon. This superlative
Margaret River red was named in honour of agricultural scientist
Dr John Gladstones, predominantly because the region from which
it comes would most likely be farm land if it hadn’t been for his
tireless and extensive research.
It was Gladstones’ exploration of the region’s potential for
viticulture back in the 1960s that inspired the first wave of regional
pioneers, such as the Cullens and Pannells, to establish vineyards
in the area. He also conducted the definitive research on the
relationship between viticulture and environment in Australia and
was, last year, duly recognised with the wine industry’s highest
honour, the Maurice O’ Shea Award. So obviously no ordinary
wine was going to cut it.
“Dr John Gladstones’ research continues to remain extremely
relevant and his findings are truly ingrained in our minds, resonating
every time an exceptional berry, displaying distinct varietal and
terroir characters, is tasted,” says Houghton’s senior winemaker Rob
Bowen. “That’s why we decided in 1999 to name our best 100-per-
cent Margaret River cabernet sauvignon in his honour.
“His forward thinking, intelligence, integrity and drive for
discovery are most admirable traits and the wine is our way of
thanking him for broadening our knowledge.”
Gladstones even has some hands-on involvement with the wine,
reviewing it before release and writing the tasting notes for the back
label. That must be a bit of added pressure for Bowen but he takes it
in his stride. “It’s an honour to strive each year, to craft the most
varietal, balanced and the most outstanding Margaret River
cabernet we can in admiration of this remarkable gentleman.”
FoReVeR gRATeFULRob bowen (above) acknowledges a debt of gratitude to Dr John gladstones (left).
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Margaret River
qantas wine suppliers
MARgAReT RiVeRLoCATeD: Three hours south of Perth, Western Australia.ViNeYARD AReA: Approx. 5000 hectares.KeY VARieTies: Cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, semillon, sauvignon blanc.oTheR RegioNAL NAMes To LooK FoR: Moss Wood, Cullen, Leeuwin estate, Voyager estate, Pierro, Cape Mentelle.
21gourmet traveller wine
The Thomson Family, Crawford RiverWorking a sheep and cattle
station his great-grandfather had established back in 1884, Crawford
River’s John Thomson found himself in search of inspiration. He
wondered if this property tucked into the far south-western corner
of Victoria had any other tricks up its sleeve, if this place he knew so
well had the capacity to surprise him. A long-held interest in wine
set him off exploring the potential for viticulture and the deeper he
delved the more a bold new idea took shape.
“I’d probably call it more gut feel than inspiration,” he says.
“Although there weren’t really any plantings all that nearby, Coona-
warra isn’t that far away and they were doing alright with cabernet.
The Drumborg vineyard isn’t far either and that’s always done well
so I just thought we might be able to make a go of it here too.”
As it turns out that gut feeling was amazingly accurate and since
the vineyard was planted in 1975 it has risen rapidly to prominence
with riesling proving to be the real star. It currently sits alongside
the wines of Grosset and Petaluma as the only examples of
riesling on the Langton’s Classification of great Australian wines.
These days Thomson has his daughter Belinda working beside
him and even though she’s made wine all over the world, she still
finds her greatest inspiration at home. “It’s Dad’s knowledge of this
vineyard that just blows me away,” she says. “With what I learned
at university I can put together all the statistics and numbers and
vineyard data we have but it still can’t tell me as much about what
we’ve got here as he can.
“His is an instinctive approach based on continually tasting his
way through the vineyard. There’s no substitute for the experience
he’s gained walking down these rows for more than 30 years.” v
WiNNiNg TeAM Right: John Thomson and his winemaker daughter belinda work the Crawford River vineyards together.
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henty
heNTYLoCATeD: 3.5 hours west of Melbourne, Victoria.ViNeYARD AReA: 200 hectares.KeY VARieTies: Riesling, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon.oTheR RegioNAL NAMes To LooK FoR: seppelt Drumborg, Tarrington, hochkirch.
22
top Wines from the
Qantas cellar
Qantas is proud to be able to showcase more than 250 premium wines each year. tasting notes for 125 of these wines appear on the following pages. ask your flight attendant which of these wines are available on your
flight, then sit back and enjoy.
WinetastingNotes
the notes
Peter BourneWine writer and educator peter Bourne is widely
acknowledged as an independent expert. he has vast experience
as a national and international wine-show judge.
BoB camPBell mwGourmet Traveller WINE’s new Zealand editor and master of Wine
Bob campbell is an international wine judge and commentator.
he provided us with this guide’s new Zealand tasting notes.
nsW = new south Wales
Qld = Queensland
sa = south australia
tas = tasmania
Vic = Victoria
Wa = Western australia
key
For a quick reference to wines served in Qantas First and Business,
see “Index to Wines Served Onboard”, page 48.
Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight. 23
2007 Dominique Portet Sauvignon Blanc – Yarra Valley, VicQuite aromatic with a lime-blossom freshness and hints of gooseberry, passionfruit and freshly cut grass. The palate is rich and textural, almost creamy with white peach flavours and a sparkling finish that’s clean, tight and bone dry.
AUSTRALIAN WHITES
2006 Brokenwood Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay – Beechworth, NSWAn intensely flavoured chardonnay with ripe peach, fig, toffee, nut and marzipan creating a multi-layered bouquet. The palate is equally vigorous and fulsome, topped off with a burst of lemon-fresh acidity.
2006 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, VicThe Reserve Chardonnay has aromas of ripe nectarine, melon and guava meld with nougat, grilled nuts and crème caramel characters. The palate is rich and refined, its intense peaches-and-cream complexity tamed by a touch of toasty oak and a thread of acidity on the finish.
2006 Cullen Chardonnay – Margaret River, WACullen produces some of Australia’s most serious wines. Aromas of peach, fig and pink grapefruit leap from the glass, with a hint of roast almond, lime marmalade and wild ferment funk. A medium-weight wine with a flavour that flows gracefully to an impressive finish.
2003 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon – Hunter Valley, NSWThis is Brokenwood’s premium white wine and is an Australian icon. The bouquet is of dry toast and candied honey with hints of lime marmalade. It’s quite taut but has a biscuity complexity with a zap of lemon-fresh acidity.
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2008 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling – Clare Valley, SAThis release confirms Jeffrey Grosset’s right to the title of Australia’s Riesling King. Sweet citrus aromas and mineral characters exude subtle spice, while flavours of ripe apricot and lemon sorbet dance with the fresh grapefruit acidity.
2006 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay – Beechworth, VicMade in very small quantities, this cult Australian chardonnay is a challenging, complex wine. Rich, almost tropical fruit characters of guava, rockmelon and fig dominate the nose, with biscuit, butter and toasted almond adding depth and interest.
2007 & 2008 Grosset Rockwood Riesling – Clare Valley, SA These are made exclusively for Qantas Business. The 2007 has aromas of fresh lime, apricot and pink lady apple, and a lemon-fresh palate. The 2008 has floral aromas of sweet citrus fruits, white peach and passionfruit. The palate is tightly structured with piercing acidity.
2006 Freeman Fortuna – Hilltops, NSWUniversity lecturer Brian Freeman traded the chalk for secateurs. This is a complex amalgam of classic and new white varieties blended to form a clean, fine, flavoursome wine with subtle savoury flavours, a soft, almost creamy texture, and a refreshing zing of citrusy acid on the finish.
2005 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, VicThis stellar chardonnay is one of Australia’s most exciting. It offers an abundance of fig and ripe melon and peach flavours, enhanced by hints of buttery malolactic characters and a discreet background of sweetly spiced oak.
25Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2008 Grosset Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – Clare Valley & Adelaide Hills, SAA deliciously crunchy, savoury dry white. Semillon gives it backbone, with exotic fruit flavours of guava, nectarine and lychee coming from the sauvignon. Lean, fresh acidity entwines the two components for a slaty finish.
2004 & 2005 Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay – AustraliaThe fruit sourced for Hardys’ top chardonnay is multi-regional, creating a complex potpourri of grapefruit, rockmelon and nectarine, with hints of roasted cashew nut and malt extract. The rich yet restrained palate shows a gentle amalgam of pure fruit.
2008 Henschke Lenswood Coralinga Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SAThe 2008 Sauvignon is surprisingly restrained with lots of lemon blossom, gooseberry and freshly cut grass aromas. Fresh, vibrant and zesty, the palate flows seamlessly to a lemon-bright and long-lasting finish.
2007 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc – Western AustraliaHoward Park is a maturing West Australian star. Half the fruit for this crisp sav blanc is sourced from Margaret River and half from Pemberton, along the south coast of the state. It offers cool citrus, grassy edges and tropical nuances, while bright acid adds freshness.
2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay – Margaret River, WAFor over 25 years, Art Series has led the way for Australian chardonnay. “Peaches and cream” is the most apt description of this oh-so-drinkable drop. Add crushed nuts and fresh nougat and you have a wine of great character.
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2006 Mesh Eden Valley Riesling – South AustraliaFruit from the upper Eden is split in two: half goes to Jeffrey Grosset, half to Yalumba. After processing, the parcels are blended. Citrus blossom, grapefruit and wet stone aromas lead to a tight, linear palate which flows through to a lingering, lemon sorbet finish.
2008 Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling – Clare Valley, SAA stand-out young wine from what has turned out to be a terrific South Australian riesling vintage. It has a classic Watervale district perfume with some savoury aromas and a steely mineral background. Ripe citrus is bedded in a lively acid crunch – dense and smoothly cut.
2006 O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling – Clare Valley, SADavid O’Leary and Nick Walker did their time with big wine producers before joining forces. Both love riesling, as this wine attests. Spicy citrus aromas interplay with lime marmalade and warm toast. Apricot and pink grapefruit flavours flow to a refreshing acid finale. Delicious.
2007 Millbrook Viognier – Perth Hills, WAMillbrook hits the top rung of quality across a number of wine styles. This is a fuller-bodied take on the viognier theme, achieving textural allure and mouth-filling presence. Plenty of apricot, honeysuckle and nutty flavours follow through right to the finish.
2008 Leura Park Estate 25 d’Gris Pinot Gris – Bellarine Peninsula, VicA subtle, premium pinot gris with fresh, floral aromas of honeysuckle, guava and bosc pear. Much leaner and tighter than many gris, it’s quite precise, with hints of poached pears and wild honey and a long, clean and satisfying finish.
27Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Petaluma Viognier – Adelaide Hills, SAThis wine shows the refinement of good Condrieu. Ripe apricot, cumquat and almond meal aromas lead a palate that is dense and intense yet in no way fat or clumsy. Judicious use of French oak frames and shapes the exuberant fruit.
2005 Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling – Eden Valley, SAAt four years of age this wine retains a remarkable vitality with floral/citrusy aromas and hints of warm toast and lime marmalade developing. The palate is building depth, weight and complexity yet remains clear and bright with a delightful lemon-sorbet finish.
2008 Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Gewürztraminer – Eden Valley, SARecently, the Eden Valley has had success producing increasingly popular gewürztraminer. Aromas of lychee, rose and musk lead to a spicy, sensuous palate and a clean citrus finale.
2006 Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling – Eden Valley, SADrawn from the mature Woodbury vineyard in the upper reaches of the cool Eden Valley, this wine’s bouquet is of aromatic honey, sweet limes and spring blossom. The flavours are delicate with a fine seam of citrus-fresh acidity carrying the wine to a satisfying conclusion.
2005 & 2006 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay – Adelaide Hills, SA The 2005 is elegant and refined; the pure white peach and ripe fig flavours shine through, with toffee, nougat and oak in the background. The ’06 shows concentration and texture, with stone fruit and a twist of flinty citrus and savoury cashew.
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2003 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling – Eden Valley, SAWhen Pewsey Vale was planted in the 1950s its rows were contoured around a hillside block. Six years old on release, this premium riesling shows bottle-developed complexity with dry toast, lemon curd and marmalade notes and citrus acidity.
2008 Pizzini Pinot Grigio – King Valley, VicThe King Valley is well placed to deliver the zesty style that typifies classic pinot grigio. This has a fresh mineral and floral fragrance, which is heady with ripe pear. The palate is brightly lit with fine acids, which keep things fresh. It finishes on a crisp pear-skin note.
2008 Rochford Pinot Gris – Macedon Ranges, VicGrapes for this bright gris come from Rochford’s elevated Macedon vineyard. Plenty of spice and fragrance is brought to the table, with ripe pear, apple, citrus and custard apple. The palate delivers classic pear-drop flavour and a balanced textural richness.
2007 SC Pannell Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SAA razor-sharp sauvignon. Exotic aromas of guava, lychee and passionfruit are given extra zest with a squeeze of lime juice. The palate walks a careful tightrope, at first lean and linear, then opening out to trumpet its bright fruit and tight, acid-fresh finish.
2008 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Pinot Gris – VictoriaA restrained and well-made example of this popular cool-climate south-west Victorian variety. Fresh-cut ripe pear and apple aromas are gently laced with savoury minerals. The palate delivers full flavour balanced with a fine, fresh, acid-driven texture.
29Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2008 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay – Adelaide Hills, SAA top-notch chardonnay, where sensitive winemaking helps weave a mosaic of flavours – pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, fresh nougat, preserved lemon, poached nectarine and grilled almonds, with a fine thread of citrus-fresh acidity. Long, fine and complex.
2008 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SAThe Shaw + Smith is regarded by many as THE benchmark Australian sauvignon blanc. Aromas of fresh gooseberry and passionfruit burst from the glass backed by a whiff of freshly cut grass. The palate echoes that of the nose with tropical-fruit flavours adding depth and richness.
2006 Stella Bella Chardonnay – Margaret River, WAThis is surprisingly restrained. Sure, it’s loaded with rich, ripe chardonnay fruit – peach, honeydew melon and black fig spring to mind. Peel back a layer and you’ll find nougat, warmed cashew nut and preserved lemon flavours with a gentle grip of silky tannins.
2007 Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – Margaret River, WAThis blend offers exotic aromas of ruby grapefruit, dusty blackcurrant and spiced lemon rind. Bold, citrus-fresh flavours dominate the palate along with lots of freshly cut grass, passionfruit and a decisive thrust of citrusy acid.
2005 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula, VicThis reserve wine is all about fruit purity, with intense peach, grapefruit and apple enlivened by a hint of sweet spice and rich, malty oak. The palate is deep yet finishes fresh, with a zesty acidity and a gentle core of tannins sustaining the finish.
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2005 Tarrawarra Estate Reserve Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, VicClare Halloran is an artistic winemaker and her chardonnay is a masterpiece: intricate and complex but in no way overworked. Toffee and nougat support the intense fig and ripe stone-fruit flavours, while a background of oak adds texture, structure and a lingering finish.
2006 Tim Adams Riesling – Clare Valley, SAThis won the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and Qantas Airlines Award for Best Riesling at the 2006 Hyatt International Riesling Challenge. It shows loads of sweet citrus fruit aromas, with orange blossom and sweet spice notes, and is clean, tight and everlasting.
2005 Tower Estate Riesling – Clare Valley, SATower Estate is in the Hunter Valley but it sources premium wine from all over Australia. Clare Valley is famous for riesling and had a stunning vintage in 2005. This is a great mix of region, variety and vintage, showing intense lime, subtle spice and great length.
2007 Vasse Felix Classic Dry White – Margaret River, WAFresh citrusy aromas abound with clean notes of passionfruit and fresh herbs and a hint of lanolin-like creaminess. The palate is surprisingly deep and long, with a real sense of balance and harmony. A deliciously quaffable white just made for a sunny day.
2006 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay – Margaret River, WAThe Heytesbury name is reserved for the top chardonnays and cab savs at this pioneering estate. The 2006 is an intense chardonnay, with complex layers of white peach and pear. The palate ripples in tightly woven layers, finishing with poise.
31Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Vasse Felix Semillon – Margaret River, WASensitive use of oak sets the tone as citrus and tropical fruit aromas interplay with the intense, sweetly spiced bouquet. The palate reflects the generosity of the nose, its rich, creamy texture the ultimate key to the power and length of this superb semillon.
2007 Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – Margaret River, WAFrom one of the star producers of Margaret River. Mouth-watering aromas of freshly cut grass and passionfruit are mirrored by the brightly flavoured, lush and juicy palate. The finish is crisp, clean and delightfully refreshing.
2006 Yabby Lake Vineyard Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula, Vic The bouquet is of candied fruit, poached nectarine and apple jelly with a touch of smoky spice. The palate follows suit, its generous flavours restrained by a clean cut of pink grapefruit acidity. Encore, encore.
2007 Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier – South AustraliaWinemaker Louisa Rose’s vast experience with viognier shows in this benchmark wine. Apricot, honey and exotic musky perfumes abound against a background of spicy oak. The palate is rich but well-defined, with depth and intensity that will see it develop for several years.
2007 Yalumba Wild Ferment Chardonnay – Eden Valley, SAModern Australian chardonnay is poles apart from the big, fat and oily styles of the past. This sweetly spicy wine has subtle aromas of nectarine and apple and a touch of yeast-derived funk. The clean, lean palate has a hint of cinnamon and toasty oak. Stylish stuff.
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AUSTRALIAN REDS 2007 Bass Phillip The Estate Pinot Noir – Gippsland, Vic Phillip Jones is a cult hero and pinot noir is his forte. The 2007 has fragrant sweet-strawberry and redcurrant aromas and a hint of animal-like funk. It’s concise with a vibrancy driven by a bright acidity and fine textural tannins.
2006 Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz – Hunter Valley, NSWRipe plum flavours intermingle with savoury sour cherry and dusky-spice characters in this truly seductive drop. This iconic wine already has a hint of the Hunter’s trademark earthy complexity, and will age consistently for at least a decade.
2004 Charles Melton Nine Popes – Barossa Valley, SACharlie Melton pioneered the blending of Rhône trio grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre in Australia. The charcuterie-laden bouquet flows to a rich palate of dark plum, raspberry compote, pickled walnut and licorice, with a swathe of spicy oak. A classic Barossa red.
2006 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz – Hilltops, NSW Tim Kirk’s classy shiraz sees sweet spice and red berry aromas combine with a hint of Asian perfume from a small quantity of viognier skins added to the ferment. The palate is ultra-clean, with soft fruit flavours held in check by fine-grained tannins.
2005 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier – Canberra District, NSWTim Kirk makes Australia’s greatest shiraz viognier; the 2005 may be his personal best. Cherry, raspberry and pepper aromas interplay with sensual gamy characters and hints of Moroccan spice. The minuscule amount of viognier adds a floral dimension, giving a graceful finish.
33Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2004 Coriole Vineyards Shiraz – McLaren Vale, SAWinemaker Mark Lloyd’s style is Italianate, his reds more earthy and savoury than McLaren’s usual fruit bombs. Plum, warm earth and sour cherry greet the nose here, plus a hint of licorice and dark chocolate. The palate is flavoursome but not heavy, with a layer of dusty tannins.
2006 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – Margaret River, WAA classic Bordeaux blend and the epitome of great Australian cabernet. Delicate and tightly held aromas of blueberry and cassis combine with sweet spice and savoury herbs while the palate is subtle, fine and lingering.
2004 d’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon – McLaren Vale, SAChester Osborne’s top cabernet is as traditional as they come. Its blackcurrant and mulberry aromas interplay with sweet vanillin oak and dusty complexity. The palate is lush with rich, dark berry fruit and an overlay of bitter chocolate.
2004 d’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier – McLaren Vale, SAD’Arenberg’s Chester Osborn loves to experiment with wine styles. His fashionable northern Rhône blend has a sumptuous palate, with dark berry, sweet spice and a generous lift of oak, making this a “drink- me-now-and-often” red.
2005 Ferngrove Dragon Shiraz – Frankland River, WAShiraz performs wonderfully in the Frankland River subregion. Exotic spices – cinnamon, star-anise and allspice – mesh easily with the wild raspberry and sour cherry flavours that have a light dusting of cedary oak. A gentle but extremely satisfying finish.
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2005 Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon – Frankland River, WAThis benchmark cab sav is aptly named; its explosive bouquet offers magnificent perfumes of dark berry, sweet spice and dusty cedar. A sumptuous palate, mouth-filling texture and velvety tannins make Majestic a splendid, stylish wine.
2006 Frogmore Creek Pinot Noir – Southern TasmaniaThe colour is pale and the body quite light but it’s a wine of intense flavour. The aromatics are of crushed strawberries, white cherry and damson plum with a hint of mushroom-like complexity. Soft and smooth, it’s the epitome of the inherent grace of great pinot.
2002 & 2004 Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra & McLaren Vale, SA The ’02 is fully mature; an amalgam of blackcurrant and black olives with a hint of mint and Bordeaux-like leafiness. The ’04 is still evolving with bolder dark berry flavours and a lick of spicy, cedar tannins.
2006 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, VicWinemaker Phil Sexton has created Australia’s most inspired cellar door at his Yarra vineyard. This rich pinot noir is also inspired, with dense aromas of raspberry, cherry and damson combining with smoky oak and earthy sous bois.
2004 Hardys Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WARich blackcurrant and mulberry fruit flavours intermingle with sweetly spice oak and hints of bitter chocolate. It’s a firm wine yet without excessive tannins, which gives a powerful and positive note to the finish.
35Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2004 & 2005 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon – Eden Valley, SA The 2004 has a savoury bouquet of cassis and mulberry with hint of tomato leaf and mint. The palate is taut, with muscular tannins. The 2005 has aromas of fresh herbs, spearmint, blackcurrant and blueberry, and a savoury palate.
2006 Hewitson Miss Harry Dry Grown and Ancient – Barossa Valley, SAA modern take on the grenache shiraz mourvédre blend, this is a fresh regional statement. Complex dark spices gently frame toasty oak, leading to a superb, even structure and ripe dark berry, seamless tannins and a plum-skin finish.
2005 Henschke Johann’s Garden Grenache – Barossa, SAThis Côtes du Rhône-style red oozes sweet, ripe plum, raspberry and mulberry flavours with hints of licorice, cedar and exotic spices. Super concentrated and complex, it has layers of velvety tannins that help sustain the extremely long and pleasurable finish.
2005 Henschke Mount Edelstone – Eden Valley, SA Like Hill of Grace, this carries all the poise and finesse of the relatively cool Eden Valley region. Dense, deep dark berry aromas interplay with hints of mocha chocolate, smoky oak and fresh licorice. The palate is savoury, complex and intense.
2005 Hillcrest Premium Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, VicThe Hillcrest vineyard has been revitalised with organic principles and the aid of cult winemaker Philip Jones. This fine, fragrant pinot has a luxurious bouquet of ripe cherry, forest floor, cool earth and hints of spicy oak. It’s smooth and elegant with a touch of funk.
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2004 Jacob’s Creek St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SAThis well-travelled Bordeaux variety has found a perfect home in Coonawarra. A hint of mint and charry oak support cassis and berry aromas. A generous palate holds similar fruit, with fine tannins drawing to a satisfying conclusion.
2005 Jasper Hill Cornella Vineyard Grenache – Heathcote, VicThe dense bouquet is smoky, spicy and lush, with loads of plum, dark chocolate and warm earth aromas. The palate is big and bold yet swerves away from any excess, the finish delightfully rich and chewy without being clumsy or bitter.
2004 Knappstein Enterprise Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Clare Valley, SAThis shows the savoury depth and intensity of the year. Black fruit intermingles with the Clare’s hallmark warm earth and aniseed characters, swathed in a shroud of sumptuous, sweet cedary oak to create a solid, almost chewy red.
2004 Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WACassis, dark chocolate and mint combine with savoury nuances of cigar box and aniseed. Rich on the palate, the interplay of fruit and tannins gives both sweet and savoury characters. See page 20 for more about Houghton wines.
2004 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SAKatnook’s 2004 cab sav is among Coonawarra’s best, with a rich compote of blackcurrant, mulberry and blackberry and the winery’s trademark malty oak overlay. The balance of fruit and oak tannins provides a firm backbone that balances the potent palate.
37Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, VicThe Ferrous Block is planted on ironstone soil with low vigour and great depth and concentration. Winemaker Sandro Mosele overlays this dense fruit with spicy oak to create an exceptional wine with dark berry flavours, a fine tannin structure and a minerally character.
2006 Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SAThe Leconfield style is all about elegance and restraint – and this 2006 has both. Spearmint and cassis aromas greet the nose with just a whiff of spicy oak. The dense core of dark berry fruit is enmeshed by a filigree of silken tannins helping the wine flow to a long conclusion.
2004 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WAThis shows all the characteristics of a Margaret River cabernet with blackcurrant aromas and hints of eucalypt, cedar and tomato leaf. Dark-berry flavours combine with star anise, vanillin oak and dusty tannins for a savoury complexity.
2004 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SAMore full-bodied than mainstream Coonawarra cabernets, the 2004 Majella is now opening up to reveal masses of mulberry and blueberry flavours, a lick of sweet oak and ample dense, chewy tannins on the finish. It is a distinct and bold cab sav from a respected name.
2004 & 2006 Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz – Grampians, VicA textbook example of cool-climate shiraz – and has been for over 20 years. Both vintages have a tight bouquet of upfront white pepper, which slowly unravels to reveal dense dark berry. Almost impenetrable flavour is bound by savoury, fine-grained tannins.
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2007 Paringa Estate Estate Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, VicA premium wine with aromas of cherry, mocha spice and a whiff of earthy mushroom-like complexity. The palate is quite opulent but will open up to reveal all the character and complexity of Paringa’s uniquely sited sunbowl.
2004 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz – South AustraliaPerhaps the most undervalued red in the Penfolds portfolio, Bin 28 is the epitome of a classic shiraz. The bouquet is bold with lots of dark berry fruit and dense, chewy tannins. The palate shows similar characters to the nose, with a touch of licorice and warm earth.
2004 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz – South AustraliaBin 389 is a textbook South Australian red. It’s a traditional blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz given the Penfolds treatment: powerful fruit flavours in the dark berry spectrum combined with lots of tannin extract, both from skin and oak.
2004 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon – South AustraliaThe rich, ripe blackcurrant bouquet is enlivened by wafts of sweet Asian spices, fresh vanilla pod and dusty cedar. It’s dense, lush and opulent with oodles of dark berry flavours and a hint of blackberry jam and Christmas pudding. Sinewy tannins add depth and length.
2004 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon – South Australia A year spent in new American oak embellishes the fruit with sweet vanillin flavours and a dense mocha richness. It has oodles of dark berry fruit and suggestions of blackberry jam and Christmas pudding. A major wine in the traditional Penfolds super-potent mould.
39Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2004 Petaluma Shiraz – Adelaide Hills, SASpicy aromas of cinnamon, star-anise and clove, with a core of dense, dark fruit. A high note of floral apricot perfume, from the minuscule addition of viognier, adds both complexity and interest. There’s a sweet middle palate and a dry, savoury, long finish.
2001 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz – Barossa, SAShows all the hallmarks of great Barossa shiraz – dark chocolate, ripe plum, licorice, cinnamon and nutmeg with a dash of five-spice, burnt toffee and sweetly spiced oak. For all its power and potency, this is a red of amazing style and finesse.
2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SAStylistically, RWT is diametrically opposed to its American-oaked stablemate, Grange. It’s an intense, bright-fruited shiraz of great grace and style. Compact yet in no way clunky, with raspberry, dark plum and blackberry flavours and a lift of exotic spice and aniseed.
2006 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet – SAIn 1976 Penfolds produced the first Koonunga Hill. Now, 30 years later, they have recreated that wine and released a special ’76 edition. Rich mulberry, cassis and dark-cherry flavours intermingle with savoury notes of dried herbs and a whiff of roasted malt.
2001 Petaluma Coonawarra – Coonawarra, SADescribed, somewhat cheekily, simply as Coonawarra, Petulama’s benchmark red is a sophisticated Bordeaux-like cab sav and merlot blend. It has a bouquet of damson plum, cassis and dusty cedar. The palate is an amalgam of concentrated fruit and finely honed tannins.
TasTiNgs
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2004 Saltram Winemaker Selection Cabernet Sauvignon – Barossa Valley, SAAs part of the Foster’s wine portfolio, Saltram has been given a major quality upgrade in recent years. This is a classic cab sav, made on founder William Salter’s home turf, now flush with cassis, mint and a soft-yet-sturdy tannic frame.
2006 SC Pannell Grenache – McLaren Vale, SA This lush, juicy grenache is a vinous joy. It shows great character and complexity. Intense dark cherry and mulberry flavours form its heart with a generous lick of mocha chocolate, encased by an elaborate framework of fine-grained tannins. A wine of immense depth.
2005 SC Pannell Shiraz Grenache – McLaren Vale, SAStephen Pannell’s shiraz grenache shows remarkable character and complexity, with dense and concentrated fruit flavours at its heart, surrounded by an intricate framework of firm, finely textured tannins. An amazing wine of immense weight and inherent style.
2004 Sexton Giant Steps Vineyard Harry’s Monster – Yarra Valley, VicCassis, blackberry and mulberry fruit greet the nose, with hints of cherry, chocolate and cranberry. The rich, opulent palate mingles these with beef stock and spice.Vintages from 2005 are bottled under the Giant Steps label.
2004 Spinifex Indigene – Barossa Valley, SAYoung gun Peter Schell may look to the future rather than the past, however the fruit for his shiraz mataro (mourvèdre) blend comes from ancient vines – its satin texture indicative of mature fruit and subtle winemaking. Berry aromas lead to a licorice palate.
41Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2005 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SANamed after St Hallett winemaker Stuart Blackwell, this shiraz sits – only just – below the iconic Old Block. Licorice, tar and leather flavours wrap around a core of rich dark berry. Bold and powerful, the palate is controlled by sweet vanillin oak and fine tannins.
2004 St Hallett Old Block Shiraz – Barossa, SAOld Block is a legendary Barossa shiraz, and has been for almost 20 years. The 2004 follows the vintage’s lead with sweet spice and raspberry flavours alongside blackberry and sweet licorice characters. Full, fine tannins lead to a seemingly everlasting finish.
2006 TarraWarra Estate MDB Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, VicAn impressive pinot from a great vintage with the depth, richness and intensity that only comes from mature, old-vine fruit. Dark berry flavours abound with an earthy chocolaty character and an overlay of dusty oak. With only 1,100 bottles made, this wine is a rare treat.
2002 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon – Clare Valley, SACool years in warm regions make for excellent wines. Cassis and blueberry flavours with a touch of bouquet garni give way to classic Bordeaux-like cigar box characters, with a lick of Clare Valley warm earthiness adding a regional stamp.
2006 Torbreck Cuveé Juveniles – Barossa Valley, SADave Powell originally made this Rhône-style blend for Parisian wine bar Juveniles. The mix of grenache, mourvèdre and shiraz is bottled young, without a stick of oak. Sweet red berry dominates the nose, while the palate is as rich and fruity as grandma’s Christmas cake.
TasTiNgs
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2005 Torbreck The Struie Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SAFruit from an old shiraz vineyard in the Eden Valley adds depth to the unbridled potency of the Barossa component to create this bold but stylish red. Sweet prune and pickled plum aromas overlay intense briary, smoky characters with hints of nutmeg, clove and Christmas pud.
2004 Wirra Wirra Vineyards Woodhenge Shiraz – McLaren Vale, SAA super-rich bouquet of ripe boysenberry and wild blackberry mingles with sweet, spicy plum cake and licorice allsorts. The flavours are compact and tightly knit, with a firm framework of finely wrought tannins controlling the finish.
2004 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec – Langhorne Creek, SAA standard bearer for this famous name in Australian wine, blended from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and malbec. Crafted with modern hands and an eye on tradition, it is rich with dark fruit, mint, leaves and earthy, sweet tannins.
2005 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SAThis historic iconic winery is in stunning form, as evidenced by its flagship cabernet. Ripe cassis, dark berry, mint and oak lead to an elegant palate. Impressive tannin depth and good balance make this one of Australia’s great cabernets.
2007 Yabby Lake Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, VicThis wine reflects the terrific 2007 vintage on the Peninsula. Tight and bright aromatics of redcurrant and raspberry with a hint of cedar. The palate is still quite elemental but it’s all there – lush fruit, spicy oak and a gentle squeeze of sinewy tannins.
43Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache – Barossa, SAThe Barossa has a cache of dry old grenache vines, many untrellised and grown as ‘bush vines’. Ripe plum and raspberry jam aromas meld with mocha and hints of smoked meat, leading to a generous palate. Velvety tannins add a delicious chewiness to the finish.
2002 Yalumba The Octavius – Barossa, SAYalumba’s top Barossa shiraz has a bouquet of wild blackberry, black plum, coconut and cherry, overlaid with a veneer of charry oak, aniseed and baked brick. The chalky tannins are prominent, but the intensity of the fruit from the cool vintage provides superb balance.
2005 & 2006 Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, SAThe ’05 shows incredible depth and intensity with flavours of dried cranberry, dark cherry and damson plum and a hint of five-star spice. The ’06 is richer with ripe plum and mulberry aromas and a dash of fresh mocha and exotic spices.
2006 Yalumba Hand Picked Tempranillo Grenache Viognier – Barossa, SAFor conservative Yalumba, this is cutting-edge. In Spain, grenache is blended with tempranillo (as garnacha), but adding viognier is a first. Dense black fruits lead to cherry, ripe apricot and smoky oak aromas, and on to a juicy palate.
2006 Yering Station Shiraz Viognier – Yarra Valley, VicA sumptuous combination of ripe cherry and raspberry fruit with a dash of sweet apricot nectar from the viognier. The palate is both lush and plush built around a dense core of juicy fruit, enmeshed in a fine framework of silky tannins. The finish is supple and ethereal.
TasTings
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2004 and 2005 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon – Riverina, NSWSpot on with ripe Roquefort, this is Australia’s benchmark dessert wine. A rich peaches-and-vanilla-cream character is intensified by the botrytis, leading to a luscious, lingering conclusion.
2002 Lillypilly Family Reserve Noble Blend – Riverina, NSWA blend of sauvignon blanc, semillon, muscat of Alexandria and riesling. Botrytis, aka noble rot, results in a bouquet of butterscotch, candied citrus peel, ripe apricot and cumquat and a hint of toffee. Super-rich texture fills the mouth; gentle acidity cleanses the finish.
2006 Lillypilly Noble Blend – Riverina, NSWA core of sauvignon blanc blended with semillon, muscat of Alexandria and riesling provides irrestible aromas of candied citrus peel, butterscotch, cumquat and ripe apricot. A sublime honey-rich texture fills the mouth, while citrus acidity cleanses the finish.
2008 Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling – Clare Valley, SAStephanie Toole has challenged the way Australians think about dessert wines with a riesling-based technique that sees fruit cut and allowed to hang on the vine to concentrate the flavour. Lots of fresh pineapple and apricot, checked by lemon-bright acidity.
AUSTRALIAN SweeT wINeS
2006 Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon – Riverina, NSWThe gold medal winner at this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show has a rich bouquet of apricot and mango with a hint of butterscotch and panettone. The palate has apricot, custard apple and golden syrup flavours cut by a distinct Seville marmalade character.
45Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Series Liqueur Muscat – Rutherglen, VicA caramel-rich bouquet of orange marmalade, dried fruit and rose leads to candied fruit, toffee and roasted almond flavours. The finish balances sweetness, acid, alcohol and barrel-aged rancio characters.
Grant Burge 20-Year-Old Tawny – Barossa Valley, SAIt has taken Grant Burge two decades to enter the Barossa elite – about the same time it’s taken his tawny to mature in its old oak barrels. Its rich bouquet is of dried fruit and walnut with a hint of complex rancio character. The harmonious finish is pleasantly dry.
Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Muscat – Rutherglen, VicAn intricate bouquet of brandied prune, spiced plum, crème caramel and a dusty spice cupboard greets the nose here, while the texture has a dense, treacle-like consistency. The gently warming finish seems pleasantly endless.
Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Tokay – Rutherglen, VicTime in oak gives this tokay its deep olive-green hue. Molasses, cold tea and crème caramel flavours are lifted by a touch of aniseed and five-spice. Qantas won Best First Class Fortified
Wine at the prestigious 2008 Cellars in the Sky awards.
Penfolds Bluestone Aged 10 Tawny – Barossa Valley, SA This classic tawny boasts a bouquet of crème caramel, boiled fruitcake and roasted chestnut, while its warm surge of a finish delivers a dusty rancio character. It is mellow, mild and deeply satisfying – a delicously restorative beverage to enjoy inflight.
AUSTRALIAN foRTIfIed wINeS
46
2007 Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, South IslandA poised sav blanc with classic Marlborough flavours of red capsicum, lemongrass and currant bud. It achieves an exquisite balance between fruit/alcohol sweetness and acidity to give a long, dry finish.
2008 Twin Island Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, South IslandOne of the best wines from a bountiful Marlborough vintage with bright, intense and focused flavours of gooseberry, green capsicum, cut grass plus a hint of currant bud. A fresh and lusciously tangy wine.
2008 Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris – Marlborough, South IslandStrong pear and quince fruit flavours plus a fresh brioche character. A bold pinot gris that gains extra weight, warmth and a silken texture from a generous level of alcohol. An off/dry style with a pleasantly dry finish.
new zealand whites
2008 Saint Clair Pinot Gris – Marlborough, South Island Produced from grapes from Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere Valleys, the wine emphasises fruit flavour, although a small portion was fermented in oak barrels to add weight and texture. Pear and apricot flavours with a hint of sweetness balanced by fresh acidity.
2007 Saint Clair Riesling – Marlborough, South IslandA Marlborough riesling made in a classic Kiwi style with a suggestion of sweetness to balance the crisp, mouth-tingling acidity. It’s a concentrated wine with pronounced lime and citrus flavours in addition to an intriguing hint of mineral salts.
TasTings
47Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Church Road Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon – Hawkes Bay, North IslandRespected Bordeaux producer Cordier helped evolve this wine from a simple, fruity style to a richer, more complex and savoury red. The result bears more than a passing resemblance to good Bordeaux.
2006 Framingham Montepulciano – Marlborough, South IslandThis classy Italian grape variety has transplanted well to Marlborough’s cool growing conditions. It retains appealing spice and perfume while gaining an extra dimension of wild herbs and an exuberant freshness. A complex red with character.
2006 Peregrine Pinot Noir – Central Otago, South IslandA classic regional wine, which offers attractive cherry and plum flavours enhanced by a seasoning of oak and wild thyme character. Rich and smooth, this was made from a vintage that produced many charming and seductively fruity wines.
2007 Spy Valley Pinot Noir – Marlborough, South IslandThis is the best-ever vintage of Spy Valley Pinot Noir, boasting bright plum, cherry, licorice and spicy oak flavours with a smooth, almost chewy texture. It’s a concentrated wine with a character that reflects its unique site in the Wairau Valley.
2006 Wither Hills Pinot Noir – Marlborough, South IslandA dense yet elegant wine with an array of fruit flavours including dark cherry, plum and a suggestion of violet. Perfectly balanced and beautifully structured, it has a lingering finish. An impressive pinot that surely ranks as one of the region’s best.
new zealand reds
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QANTAS FIRST2007 Bass Phillip The Estate Pinot Noir – Gippsland, Vic .......................................... 322006 Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz – Hunter Valley, NSW ...................... 322003 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon – Hunter Valley, NSW ............................... 232004 Charles Melton Nine Popes – Barossa Valley, SA ............................................... 322005 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier – Canberra District, NSW ...................................... 322006 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, Vic ................................. 232006 Cullen Chardonnay – Margaret River, WA ........................................................ 232006 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – Margaret River, WA ......................................................................................... 332006 Freeman Fortuna – Hilltops, NSW .................................................................... 242006 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay – Beechworth, Vic ............................... 24 2006 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, Vic .............................. 342005 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, Vic ...................... 242008 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling – Clare Valley, SA ................................................... 242008 Grosset Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – Clare Valley & Adelaide Hills, SA ........... 25 2004 & 2005 Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay – Australia ..................................... 252004 Hardys Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WA ................. 342004 & 2005 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon – Eden Valley, SA ....... 352005 Henschke Johann’s Garden Grenache – Barossa, SA .......................................... 352008 Henschke Lenswood Coralinga Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SA .............. 252005 Henschke Mount Edelstone – Eden Valley, SA ................................................... 352005 Hillcrest Premium Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, Vic .............................................. 352004 Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WA ................... 362005 Jasper Hill Cornella Vineyard Grenache – Heathcote, Vic ................................. 362006 Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, Vic ................................ 372004 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon – Margaret River, WA ............. 372005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay – Margaret River, WA .......................... 252006 Mesh Eden Valley Riesling – South Australia ..................................................... 262008 Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling – Clare Valley, SA ..................................... 262007 Paringa Estate Estate Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, Vic ......................... 382005 & 2006 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay – Adelaide Hills, SA .................... 272004 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon – South Australia .................................. 382004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SA ........................................................ 392006 Petaluma Viognier – Adelaide Hills, SA ............................................................. 272001 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SA ....................................... 392008 Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Gewürztraminer – Eden Valley, SA ................................................................................................. 272003 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling – Eden Valley, SA ........... 282004 Saltram Winemaker Selection Cabernet Sauvignon – Barossa Valley, SA ......... 402007 SC Pannell Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SA ............................................. 282005 SC Pannell Shiraz Grenache – McLaren Vale, SA .............................................. 402008 Seppelt Drumborg Vineyard Pinot Gris – Victoria ............................................ 282004 Sexton Giant Steps Vineyard Harry’s Monster – Yarra Valley, Vic .................... 402008 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay – Adelaide Hills, SA ......................................... 292004 Spinifex Indigene – Barossa Valley, SA ............................................................... 402007 Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – Margaret River, WA .......................... 292004 St Hallett Old Block Shiraz – Barossa, SA .......................................................... 412006 TarraWarra Estate MDB Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, Vic .................................... 412005 Torbreck The Struie Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SA ................................................ 422006 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay – Margaret River, WA .............................. 302004 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec – Langhorne Creek, SA ...................................................................................... 422005 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SA .......................... 422007 Yabby Lake Pinot Noir – Mornington Peninsula, Vic ......................................... 422002 Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz – Barossa, SA ..................................................... 432007 Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier – South Australia ........................ 312005 & 2006 Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir – Yarra Valley, SA ............................ 43
QANTAS BUSINESS2006 Brokenwood Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay – Beechworth, NSW ...................... 232006 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz – Hilltops, NSW ....................................................... 322004 Coriole Vineyards Shiraz – McLaren Vale, SA ................................................... 332004 d’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon – McLaren Vale, SA ............................................................................................ 332004 d’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier – McLaren Vale, SA ........... 33 2007 Dominique Portet Sauvignon Blanc – Yarra Valley, Vic ..................................... 232005 Ferngrove Dragon Shiraz – Frankland River, WA .............................................. 33 2005 Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon – Franklin River, WA ......................... 34
index to wines served onboard
49Please ask your flight attendant which wines are onboard this flight.
2006 Frogmore Creek Pinot Noir – Southern Tasmania ............................................. 342002 & 2004 Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra & McLaren Vale, SA ................................................................... 342007 & 2008 Grosset Rockwood Riesling – Clare Valley, SA ....................................... 242006 Hewitson Miss Harry Dry Grown and Ancient – Barossa Valley, SA ................ 352007 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc – Western Australia .......................................... 252004 Jacob’s Creek St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SA ......................... 362004 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SA ................................... 362004 Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet Sauvignon – Clare Valley, SA ......................... 362006 Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SA ............................................ 372008 Leura Park Estate 25 d’Gris Pinot Gris – Bellarine Peninsula, Vic .................... 262004 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon – Coonawarra, SA ............................................... 372007 Millbrook Viognier – Perth Hills, WA ................................................................ 262004 & 2006 Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz – Grampians, Vic ........................... 372006 O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling – Clare Valley, SA ...................................... 262004 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SA ....................................... 382006 Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling – Eden Valley, SA ..................................... 272004 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz – South Australia .......................................... 382004 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon – South Australia .................................. 382006 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet – South Australia ........... 392001 Petaluma Coonawarra – Coonawarra, SA ......................................................... 392004 Petaluma Shiraz – Adelaide Hills, SA ................................................................ 392005 Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling – Eden Valley, SA ..................................... 272008 Pizzini Pinot Grigio – King Valley, Vic ............................................................... 282008 Rochford Pinot Gris – Macedon Ranges, Vic ...................................................... 282006 SC Pannell Grenache – McLaren Vale, SA ......................................................... 402008 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc – Adelaide Hills, SA ........................................ 292006 Stella Bella Chardonnay – Margaret River, WA ................................................. 292005 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz – Barossa Valley, SA ................................................ 412005 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula, Vic ............................... 292005 TarraWarra Estate Reserve Chardonnay – Yarra Valley, Vic .............................. 302002 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon – Clare Valley, SA .............................. 412006 Tim Adams Riesling – Clare Valley, SA .............................................................. 302006 Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles – Barossa Valley, SA ................................................... 412005 Tower Estate Riesling – Clare Valley, SA ............................................................ 30 2007 Vasse Felix Classic Dry White – Margaret River, WA ........................................ 302006 Vasse Felix Semillon – Margaret River, WA ....................................................... 312007 Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – Margaret River, WA ..................... 312004 Wirra Wirra Vineyards Woodhenge Shiraz – McLaren Vale, SA ....................... 422006 Yabby Lake Vineyard Chardonnay – Mornington Peninsula, Vic ...................... 312006 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache – Barossa Valley, SA ........................................... 432006 Yalumba Hand Picked Tempranillo Grenache Viognier – Barossa, SA .............. 432007 Yalumba Wild Ferment Chardonnay – Eden Valley, SA .................................... 312006 Yering Station Shiraz Viognier – Yarra Valley, Vic .............................................. 43
SWEET AND FORTIFIEDBaileys of Glenrowan Founder Series Liqueur Muscat – Rutherglen, Vic ................... 452006 Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon – Riverina, NSW ............................................ 442004 & 2005 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon – Riverina, NSW ................... 44Grant Burge 20-Year-Old Tawny – Barossa Valley, SA ............................................... 452002 Lillypilly Family Reserve Noble Blend – Riverina, NSW ................................... 442006 Lillypilly Noble Blend – Riverina, NSW ............................................................. 442008 Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling – Clare Valley, SA .................................. 44Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Muscat – Rutherglen, Vic ..................... 45Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Tokay – Rutherglen, Vic ....................... 45Penfolds Bluestone Aged 10 Tawny – Barossa Valley, SA ............................................. 45
NEW ZEALAND WINES2006 Church Road Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon – Hawkes Bay, North Island ........... 472006 Framingham Montepulciano – Marlborough, South Island .............................. 472007 Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, South Island ........................ 462006 Peregrine Pinot Noir – Central Otago, South Island .......................................... 472008 Saint Clair Pinot Gris – Marlborough, South Island ......................................... 462007 Saint Clair Riesling – Marlborough, South Island ............................................. 462007 Spy Valley Pinot Noir – Marlborough, South Island .......................................... 472008 Twin Island Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, South Island ............................. 462008 Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris – Marlborough, South Island ................. 462006 Wither Hills Pinot Noir – Marlborough, South Island ....................................... 47
50 gourmet traveller wine
contacts
BAILEYS OF GLENROWAN(03) 5766 2392, www.baileysofglenrowan.com.auBASS PHILLIP(03) 5664 3341BROKENWOOD(02) 4998 7559, www.brokenwood.com.auCHARLES MELTON WINES(08) 8563 3606, www.charlesmeltonwines.com.auCHURCH ROAD WINERY+64 6 844 2053, www.churchroad.co.nzCLONAKILLA(02) 6227 5877, www.clonakilla.com.auCOLDSTREAM HILLS WINERY1300 651 650, www.coldstreamhills.com.auCOOKOOTHAMA(02) 9362 9993, www.nuganestate.com.auCORIOLE VINEYARDS(08) 8323 8305, www.coriole.comCULLEN WINES(08) 9755 5277, www.cullenwines.com.auD’ARENBERG(08) 8329 4888, www.darenberg.com.auDE BORTOLI(02) 6966 0100, www.debortoli.com.auDOMINIQUE PORTET(03) 5962 5760, www.dominiqueportet.comFERNGROVE(08) 9855 2378, www.ferngrove.com.auFRAMINGHAM WINES+64 3 572 8884, www.framingham.co.nzFREEMAN VINEYARDS(02) 6384 4299, www.freemanvineyards.com.auFROGMORE CREEK WINES(03) 6248 5844, www.frogmorecreek.com.auGEOFF MERRILL WINES(08) 8381 6877, www.geoffmerrillwines.comGIACONDA VINEYARD(03) 9583 1202, www.giaconda.com.auGIANT STEPS/INNOCENT BYSTANDER WINERY(03) 5962 6111, www.innocentbystander.com.auGRANT BURGE WINES(08) 8563 3700, www.grantburgewines.com.auGROSSET WINES(08) 8849 2175, www.grosset.com.auHARDYS 1800 641 637, www.hardys.com.auHENSCHKE(08) 8564 8223, www.henschke.com.auHEWITSON(08) 8443 6466, www.hewitson.com.auHILLCREST VINEYARD(03) 5964 6689, www.hillcrestvineyard.com.auHOUGHTON WINES(08) 8392 2222, www.houghton-wines.com.auHOWARD PARK WINES(08) 9336 9600, www.howardparkwines.com.auJACOB’S CREEK(08) 8521 3000, www.jacobscreek.comJASPER HILL(03) 5433 2528, www.jasperhill.comKATNOOK ESTATE(08) 8737 2394, www.katnookestate.com.auKNAPPSTEIN WINES(08) 8841 2100, www.knappstein.com.auKOOYONG WINES(03) 5989 7355, www.kooyong.comLECONFIELD(09) 8323 8830, www.leconfieldwines.comLEEUWIN ESTATE(08) 9759 0000, www.leeuwinestate.com.auLEURA PARK ESTATE(03) 5253 3180, www.leuraparkestate.com.auLILLYPILLY ESTATE WINES(02) 6953 4069, www.lillypilly.comMAJELLA WINES(08) 8736 3055, www.majellawines.com.auMESH WINE(08) 8112 4210, www.meshwine.com
MILLBROOK WINERY(08) 9525 5796, www.millbrookwinery.com.auMORRIS WINES(02) 6026 7303, www.morriswines.comMOUNT HORROCKS(08) 8849 2243, www.mounthorrocks.comMOUNT LANGI GHIRAN(03) 5354 3207, www.langi.com.auNAUTILUS ESTATE+64 3 572 9364, www.nautilusestate.comO’LEARY WALKER WINES(08) 8843 0022, www.olearywalkerwines.comPARINGA ESTATE(03) 5989 2669, www.paringaestate.com.auPENFOLDS(08) 8568 9389, www.penfolds.comPEREGRINE WINES+64 3 442 4000, www.peregrinewines.co.nzPETALUMA(08) 8339 9300, www.petaluma.com.auPETER LEHMANN WINES(08) 8563 2100, www.peterlehmannwines.com.auPEWSEY VALE VINEYARD(08) 8561 3200, www.pewseyvale.comPIZZINI WINES(03) 5729 8278, www.pizzini.com.auROCHFORD WINES(03) 5962 2119, www.rochfordwines.comSAINT CLAIR FAMILY ESTATE+64 3 578 8695, www.saintclair.co.nzSALTRAM ESTATES(08) 8564 3355, www.saltramwines.com.auSC PANNELL(08) 8299 9256, www.pannell.com.auSEPPELT1800 007 282, www.seppelt.comSEXTON VINEYARDS(03) 5962 6111, www.innocentbystander.com.auSHAW + SMITH(08) 8398 0500, www.shawandsmith.comSPINIFEX(08) 8564 2059, www.spinifexwines.com.auSPY VALLEY WINE+64 3 572 9840, www.spyvalleywine.co.nzSTELLA BELLA(08) 9757 6377, www.stellabella.com.auST HALLETT(08) 8563 7000, www.sthallett.com.auSTONIER(03) 5989 8300, www.stoniers.com.auTARRAWARRA ESTATE(03) 5962 3311, www.tarrawarra.com.auTAYLORS WINES(08) 9352 8235, www.taylorswines.com.auTIM ADAMS WINES1800 356 326, www.timadamswines.com.auTORBRECK(08) 8562 4155, www.torbreck.comTOWER ESTATE(02) 4998 7989, www.towerestatewines.com.auTWIN ISLAND+64 3 572 6008, www.twinislandswine.comVASSE FELIX(08) 9756 5000, www.vassefelix.com.auVOYAGER ESTATE(08) 9757 6354, www.voyagerestate.com.auWIRRA WIRRA VINEYARDS(08) 8323 8414, www.wirra.com.auWOLF BLASS(08) 8568 7300, www.wolfblass.com.auWITHER HILLS VINEYARDS+64 3 578 4036, www.witherhills.co.nzWYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE1300 651 650, www.wynns.com.auYABBY LAKE VINEYARD(03) 9251 5375, www.yabbylake.comYALUMBA(08) 8561 3200, www.yalumba.comYERING STATION(03) 9730 0100, www.yering.com
Australia’s international dialling code is +61.