W.O.T.W

This weeks wine of the week always makes me laugh.  Not because of the juice inside but because of the name, Tait "The Ball Buster" Red 2009, Barossa Valley Australia.  Leave it up to the cooky Aussie's to come up with a name like that!  In all honesty, don't take this wine lightly(it might bust your balls).  This estate is making world class wines with the pub to follow.

Tait Winery is located at the southern end of the famous Barossa Valley, in a town called Lyndoch in South Australia, and overlooks the spectacular Barossa Ranges. The owners of the winery are brothers Michael and Bruno Tait, and Bruno's wife, Michelle. They purchased the property in 1994 with the purpose of continuing their family's involvement in the winemaking industry. Although fairly new to the winemaking aspect of the industry, the Tait family has long established roots in the South Australian wine industry.

Michael and Bruno's vision for Tait Wines was a traditional winery, using all the old winemaking methods to produce handcrafted wines that were full-flavored and tasty. The Barossa fruit they use is always very low-yielding and produces highly concentrated flavors and aromas. The grapes used to make Tait Wines are all grown in the Barossa Valley, either by Michael and Bruno or by partnering grape growers who have the same winemaking philosophy as they do. The obvious attention to detail along with strong relationships with his growers has allowed Bruno access to high quality fruit (the old vine fruit is from vines 50-80 years old) which he has then transformed into wines that are reflective of his personality - big, generous with loads of personality. A minimal spraying philosophy is used to ensure a chemical-free wine.

Tait Wines is truly the epitome of the boutique winery. Winemaker Bruno's winemaking philosophy is a simple one – source the highest quality grapes possible, preferably from old vines, and then produce limited quantities of full-bodied, rich flavored wines that are mouth-filling and soft-textured, expressing the generosity of the Barossa at its best.

The 2009 Ball Buster is a blend of 73% Shiraz, 16% Merlot and 11% Cabernet.  The wine spends 12 months in American oak and shows a great depth of intense aromas.  The 2009 represents the 8th straight year of 90+ Points from Robert Parker.

"Deep garnet color and aromas of blackberry preserves, prunes, mulberries and dried leaves with nuances of Indian spices and dusty earth. Full bodied and rich in the mouth, it has a high level of acid providing freshness to the generous fruit and a medium-firm level of grainy tannins, finish long with lingering notes of anise.  Australia's best value wine under $20." 90 Points-Wine Advocate.

Now you might still be wondering why this awesome Aussie blend is called The Ball Buster?  Origanally named "Michelle's Block" after Bruno's wife.  After endless bottles and stories with friends, Bruno felt that with his wife being broad shouldered and built like a stallion that packs a punch of endless intensity, and this bottle of wine that punches you in the mouth with rich aromas and flavors, that his nickname better suited the wine - The Ball Buster!  This bottle is a lot of wine for under 20 bucks and for you fans of Australian wines a must try. 

Trip to Langtry Estae

Yep, just got back from California.  In particular Langtry Estate(Guenoc Winery) in Lake County.  As you cruse through the green lushness of Napa you can not only smell the grapes but you can smell the money.  Full of expensive restaurants, B&B's, and the most famous wineries in California is exactly where I was not!  And I loved it!!  Just over Howell Mountain and through the Pope Valley you come to the Guenoc Valley.  Green and lush is precisely what it is not.  The area reminded me of the Sierra Foothills.  Desert like terrain with small shrubs and rocky soils.  And no one in site.....I think that's why I liked it so much. 

The picturesque estate consists of 23,000 acres and straddles both Lake and Napa Counties where cougar, bear and wild boar still roam the remote hills. Despite the vastness, Langtry's vineyards are limited to 400 prime acres, ensuring the highest quality of wines. 

The winery's namesake, Lillie Langtry, flamboyant British Theatre star, purchased the property sight unseen in 1888. On her first visit, she arrived in St. Helena in her lavish private railroad car, then embarked with a small fleet of stagecoaches carrying her entourage and paramour, Freddie Gebhard. Raised as a tomboy, she apparently was quite a horsewoman. She also made wine, which she proclaimed the “greatest claret in the country.” With the help of her winemaker Henri Descelles, she had 51 tons crushed her first vintage and bottled wine in unique vessels portraying her likeness on the glass. By 1900 Lake County wines were winning awards in international competition, and the region was earning a reputation for producing some of the world's greatest wines. Lillie Langtry sold the property in 1906 and the years of prohibition and vineyard destruction soon followed.

It was a miracle that any vineyard area was left when the property was acquired by 1962. A syrah, petit verdot and white grape vines of mysterious origin were found on the hillside vineyard site after at least half a century of neglect. In 1963, Malulani Investments acquired the 23,000 acre Langtry Estate & Vineyards with a focus of producing top-tier wines from the Guenoc Valley. The Winery planted extensive vineyard acreage and was one of the first in California to plant the five major red Bordeaux grape varieties. The Langtry Red Wine is a supreme example of Langtry's artistry in blending the red Bordeaux varietals.

In 1981, Guenoc Valleywas approved as an AVA (American Viticultural Area), with the distinction of being the first single-proprietor AVA in the country.

Since then, under the new Langtry Estate & Vineyards name, the winery continues to produce award winning Bordeaux style wines as well as their signature Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Pinot Grigio.

My highlight of the trip was the Tephra Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon which is on top of Howell Mountain.  Unbelievable bottle of wine for a fraction of what those folks in the Napa Zip Code want.  Unfortunately its hard to find.  Great news is the Guenoc Lake County Cabernet is easy to find.  Most of the fruit comes from Tephra Ridge and can be found in fine wine retail for around $15.  The Sauvignon Blanc is rather tasty as well.