Liquid gold
The winners of the Qantas epiQure Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2018 have been revealed. Here are Peter Bourne’s picks.
Best for the cellar… 2012 HENSCHKE HILL OF GRACE Eden Valley, South Australia
Henschke has ascribed the word “joy” to its 2012 vintage and this tightly woven shiraz is indeed joyous. The Wine of the Year has perfumes of ripe raspberries and damson plums with a lift of exotic spices. A deep, intense palate awash with dark berries with incisive tannins drives the finish.
Best for chargrilled steak… 2015 BLEASDALE GENERATIONS MALBEC Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Malbec thrives in Langhorne Creek, its berries packed with big flavours. Winemaker of the Year Paul Hotker has tamed this grape’s innate boldness without losing its distinctive character – violet, ripe plum and mulberry aromas with a suggestion of mocha and worn leather. Autumn-berry flavours dance merrily with the sinewy tannins and underlying earthy elements.
Best for Christmas lunch… 2007 SEPPELT SHOW SPARKLING LIMITED RELEASE SHIRAZ Grampians, Victoria
Sparkling red wines are idiosyncratically Australian and mocked by many international commentators. However, just one mouthful of these explosive, flavour-packed bubbles tells another story. This has a ripe cherry and dark-plum bouquet with hints of cinnamon bark and licorice. The creamy bubbles amplify the fruit flavours and a swathe of sweet spices enhances the finish.
Best for roast lamb… 2015 YARRA YERING DRY RED NO. 1 Yarra Valley, Victoria
Winemaker Sarah Crowe honours the spirit of Yarra Yering’s founder, Dr Bailey Carrodus, with this ode to Bordeaux. Cabernet sauvignon leads, supported by merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Sweet and savoury blackcurrant aromas mingle with fresh tobacco and cedar. Gently persistent tannins define the palate with a fine balance of dark-berry flavours and piquant oak.
Best for crayfish… 2014 LEEUWIN ESTATE ART SERIES CHARDONNAY Margaret River, Western Australia
This benchmark chardonnay continues to impress, as do its artwork-adorned labels – the 2014 a mosaic by John Peart. The lush fruit flavours are of a similar ilk to the fragrances – white peach, pink grapefruit and toasted almonds – backed by subtle oak tannins and a bright, citrus-fresh acidity. Available inflight to First passengers on selected routes.