ArtSound Mixed Dozen

From Marlborough in New Zealand to Margaret River in WA, our panel of experts have put together a fascinating selection of wines covering the leading grape varieties.

The Gallagher Shiraz received top marks from our panel, out of a selection of 48 wines. The Hanenhof Voignier was voted the most interesting wine and was chosen for two years in a row as the leading Viognier in the WINEWISE Small Vignerons Wine Awards. And of course, the Canberra region is well represented with three great wines.

The winery stars were awarded by leading author and wine writer James Halliday in his book Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition.

The entire selection was based on quality, variety and appeal and is excellent value at $180 a case which is a significant discount off bottleshop prices. ArtSound members are entitled to a further 5% discount, so support ArtSound and try a dozen great wines.

To order wines please download and complete order form (PDF - 28KB)

Gallagher	Shiraz	2005	Canberra	NSW
Hanenhof	Merlot Cabernet Franc	2005	Barossa Valley	SA
Yilgarnia	Cabernet Shiraz	2004	Denmark	WA
Coral Sea	Merlot	2005	South Australia	SA
Lightning Creek	Cabernet Shiraz	2006	Riverina	NSW
St Helena	Pinot Noir	2006	Canterbury	NZ
Happs Marrimee	Semillon Chardonnay	2003	Margaret River	WA
Hirsch Hill Estate	Chardonnay	2006	Yarra Valley	VIC
Gipsie Jack	Sauvignon Blanc	2007	Marlborough	NZ
Hanenhof	Viognier	2006	Barossa Valley	SA
Gallagher	Chardonnay	2004	Canberra	NSW
Z4 Zarah	Sauvignon Blanc Riesling	2007	Canberra	NSW

Tasting Notes

2004 Gallagher SHIRAZ

Variety: - 100% Shiraz Canberra Region
Harvest: - 27 March 2005
Wine Analysis: 13.8% Alc, pH 3.63, Total Acid = 6.10g/l
Production: Crushed and fermented on skins for 7 days, pressed and racked to barrels. After full Malo-Lactic fermentation, the wine was further aged in new and one year old French and American oak for another 14 months, lightly filtered and bottled
Colour: Deep garnet red
Nose: Red berry and plum fruits with spice and pepper characters
Palate: Very full and rich multiple flavours that persist throughout with a rounded ‘velvet’ tannin structure. Clean and long finish on a medium-full bodied wine that will age well and develop more richness with time
Food: Serve with lamb or rich Mediterranean meat dishes

2004 Gallagher CHARDONNAY

Variety: 100% Chardonnay Canberra Region
Harvest: 27 March 2004
Wine Analysis: 12.8% Alc, pH 3.20, Total Acid = 6.22g/l
Production: Whole bunch pressed, cold settled and clarify juice. Temperature controlled fermentation over four weeks. Aged on lees for ten weeks to enhance mouth-feel with partial wood ageing in new French Oak to enhance the fruit flavour without any wood dominance.
Colour: Pale lemon straw
Nose: Rich honeydew / melon with light peach and just a hint of vanilla from the oak treatment
Palate: Fruit dominant and full flavoured, the palate is clean and long with good fruit sweetness and balance. The wine is essentially fruit driven with only subtle use of oak to enhance the fruit flavours and give a well rounded wine.
Food: Serve with salads, pasta and most white meat dishes.

2004 Yilgarnia CABERNET SHIRAZ

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (62%) & Shiraz (38%) - estate grown Great Southern, Denmark, WA
Wine Analysis: 12.5% Alc.
Production: The spring gave plenty of rain and sunshine producing strong healthy vine growth, but the 2004 summer was exceptionally cool. This resulted in the fruit ripening very slowly and harvest was the latest it has ever been. The vines were deliberately pruned to limit the amount of fruit grown and irrigation was minimal, resulting in a harvest of just over 1 tonne to the acre. Immediately after harvesting, the fruit was crushed and fermented rapidly over 8 days at 26 Degrees Celsius. The wine was racked every 3 to 4 months and matured in American Oak for 18 months. One third of the oak barrels were new.
Colour: A ruby colour with brick red hues
Nose: A complex, mature nose of cedar, cigar box and truffle with hints of blackberry and spice.
Palate: The complexity continues on to the palate with earthy and plum flavours complemented by mocha and spice. Velvety, mature tannins and vanillin oak are well integrated.
Food: Roast beef; Peppered Steak; Lamb; Pasta; Coffee.

2007 Z4 ZARAH SAUVIGNON BLANC RIESLING

Variety: This Sauvignon Blanc Riesling 2007 is a unique blend and is rarely produced in the Canberra
District region. It is an exciting addition to the fine cool climate wines being produced in this region.
Wine Analysis: 12.0% Alc.

Colour: Pale lemon straw
Nose: Floral, white peach and fresh pear fruit aromas on the nose.
Palate: It has vibrant and fresh fruit flavours on the palate with a clean, soft, long finish.

The Z4 label celebrates the focus of this family owned and managed wine enterprise. The christian names of each of the four members of the second generation begin with the letter “Z”.

2006 Hirsch Hill CHARDONNAY

Variety: 100% Chardonnay Yarra Valley Region VIC
Wine Analysis: 13.5% Alc.
Colour: Straw green
Nose: Lifted fruit driven aromas of honeydew, melon and creamy citrus
Palate: Soft tropical fruit and silky oak characters on a well structured creamy palate

2007 Gipsie Jack SAUVIGNON BLANC

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand Region
Wine Analysis: 13.0% Alc., pH 3.42 Total Acid = 7.8g/l
Production: Picked in three separate parcels over three different dates to attain a range of flavours for blending. Whole bunch pressed, cold settled, racked off solids. Inoculated with yeast culture, fermented for 12-14 days at cold temperature to retain aromatics .Racked of gross lees, cold stabilised. Membrane filtered to bottle.

Colour: Pale lemon straw
Nose: Intensely tropical with passionfruit and lychees and lime.
Palate: Fruit dominant and full flavoured, refreshing, zesty and intense with superb length of finish
Food: Perfect with seafood, creamy pasta dishes, chicken and Asian dishes.