Table of Contents
1 Five great Australian wines for September, chosen by Sherry Rose Stolar from Hedonism Wines
We are delighted to announce that starting this month, we are running a new “wine of the month” feature. We are very excited to say the wines selected are chosen by our friends at Hedonism Wines. If you have not been to Hedonism, may I recommend visiting them the next time you are in London. It is like no other wine store I have ever been in. The most extensive wine & spirit collection matches the relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Feel free to browse & if you need any help, the team at Hedonism are pleased to help and share their passion with you. Also, please don’t feel you need deep pockets to be able to buy their wines, as wines start at as little as £15. To get a flavour of Hedonism, take a quick peek at our feature on Hedonism. We are delighted to bring you our first Wine of the month, September.
Well, let’s get on with this month’s selection and pass you over to Sherry Rose Stolar, who is the events Manager at Hedonism. Sherry has chosen five wines from Australia for this month’s wine of the Month. All the recommended wines are available to buy.
Over to you Sherry…
Thanks for the introduction, Martin.
We are heading down to Australia for the Wine of the Month September.
Nearly 2,500 miles separate Sydney in the east and Perth in the west. Across this huge distance, Australia offers winemakers a whole smorgasbord of unique and varied terroir. And it’s not just about Shiraz; over 100 grape varieties are grown across the country’s 65 wine-producing regions – with Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Blends, Chardonnay and Riesling being among the most acclaimed internationally. Australia also has a long history of making great wine, with the so-called “First Families of Wine” tracing their history back to the mid-1800s.
2 Plan BOD Riesling 2022
White Riesling, Franklin River £23.60
A fabulous new release Off Dry Riesling, hailing from the cooler Frankland River region, Australia. The brainchild of Terry Chellappah and Garry Gosatti. This is a lovely tipple at only 11% abv, characterised by vibrant aromatics and zesty acidity.
3 Leewin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Leewin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019 £89.90
White Chardonnay, Margaret River
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019 is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay produced from the best old-vine Chardonnay fruit on the Leeuwin estate in Margaret River, Australia. Undoubtedly one of the finest examples of Chardonnay being produced in Australia. “The 2019 Art Series Chardonnay is rich and savoury but pure and saline too. There is white peach, red apples, curry leaf and brine. The way the flavour moves across the palate is a testament to the phenolics that course through the wine; it’s all at a perfect intersect of fruit power, tannin and perfectly judged acidity. The flavour stains the palate and lingers in an unravelling spool of thread in the mouth long after the wine has gone. A stupendously good wine.” Wine Advocate, 2022
4 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir
Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, £45.70
Red Pinot Noir, Victoria
Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is a medium-bodied single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia. Founded by Phil Sexton in 1997, Giant Steps has forged an enviable reputation for making some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the Yarra Valley. The estate`s single-vineyard cuvées are only produced in exceptional vintages. “Light and fresh with definite sweetness, as well as the vegy savour, but more refreshing than the Primavera and with a nice lick of light tannins. Delicate texture. It tastes as though it were made with kid gloves. A definite success.” Jancis Robinson MW, 2022
5 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium
Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2017
Red , Barossa Valley £47.80
The 2017 Keyneton Euphonium is a blend of 62% Shiraz, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot grown in the Barossa (Eden and Barossa Valley). Notes of red plum, and mulberry, and herbal and black pepper nuances carry through to a concentrated, spiced palate balanced by fresh acidity and fine tannins.
6 Penfolds RWT
Penfolds RWT 2020 £135.00
Red, Barossa Valley
Penfolds RWT 2020 is a full-bodied Shiraz produced in the Adelaide region South Australia. It is seen by many as the counterpart to the celebrated Penfolds grange. Its style is opulent and fleshy, compared with the bold and muscular style of Grange. RWT is made from fruit selected for its aromatic qualities and plush texture. In operation since 1844 at the Magill Estate near Adelaide, Penfolds is the sine qua non of Australian wine. The winery team is led by the masterly winemaker Peter Gago. The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to this wine when development work began in 1995. “This is a wonderful Bin 789 with striking poise, polish, and intensity on offer. Show-stopping aromas of ripe blackberry, dark plum and espresso are primal and freshly captured. The palate is rich and lusciously expressed, with a very plush and intense core of ripe blackberry and dark plum fruit. Roasted coffee here, too. Such poise and polish. Drink over the next decade or more.” Nick Stock, 2022
I hope you enjoyed the wine of the month for September. When purchasing, if any of the wines are out of stock ( stock does move fast at Hedonism), speak to the team and they will recommend an alternative.
You might be interested in attending a wine tasting that Sherry is hosting on the wines of South Australia. Be sure to introduce yourself as a Mayfair Foodie reader.
Hedonism Wine School: The Wines of South Australia
Monday, 11 September 2023 18.30 – 20.30
£100.00 per ticket
Each month in our Hedonism Wine School series, we invite you to join our events manager, Sherry Rose Stolar, for a deep dive tasting featuring a selection of wines from a particular region, grape variety or style. This month, we are delighted to be partnering with the Government of South Australia on a journey down under to discover all the diversity that the state of South Australia has to offer. We’ll be tasting wines from across South Australia’s many wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and more, accompanied by some culinary delicacies hailing from South Australia, too!
You will find Hedonism Wines, 3-7 Davies Street London W1K 3DJ. 5 minutes walk from Green Park & Bond Street Stations.
www.hedonism.co.uk
Feel free to leave a message for the Mayfair Foodie, check out October’s Wine of the Month
