Tasting Notes of Current
Two Wheeler Creek Wines
REDS
There have been continuous vintages of the reds since
the first commercial vintage in 2003 of both the cabernet sauvignon
and the shiraz. These 2003 wines have sold out.
There was a very good 2004 cabernet which has
also sold out but there are still quantities of the 2004 shiraz.
The 2005 cabernet has just been released but as yet not the
2005 shiraz. Two bottlings of the original sparkling shiraz
have sold out but there is a current sparkling cabernet / shiraz.
2004 – Shiraz
This was bottled after 22 months in predominantly French oak
– a mixture of new and one and two year old barrels.
COLOUR: Medium to deep
APPEARANCE: Attractive – bright and inviting in the glass
ALCOHOL: 14.8%
NOSE: Characteristic spice and peppery nose with subtle oak
aromas
PALATE: Medium weighted – soft and warm reflecting the
nose with
lingering spicy flavours, nice oak and soft tannins
IMPROVEMENT: Drinks well and will improve in the short / medium
term and could cellar up to 2011/12 as it rounds off and becomes
more
complex
DRINKING: Will drink well at any time but particularly with
food –
casseroles, red meat, duck and chicken. Popular with many as
not a heavy ‘gutsy’ red. This is extremely popular
at the cellar door
2004 – Blend Shiraz (62%) and Cabernet
Sauvignon (38%)
The 2004 shiraz and cabernet were both initially in barrel for
22 months before bottling. The blend was bottled after a further
6 months in barrel.
COLOUR: Medium to deep
APPEARANCE: Attractive and bright in the glass
ALCOHOL: 14.4%
NOSE: Immediate impression of leafy cabernet with some underlying
Oak but then supportive muted shiraz spice coming through
PALATE: Soft, medium weighted and complex on the palate with
shiraz
Spicyness from the start to the lingering flavours at the finish.
It is fresh but with a ripe satisfying warmth
IMPROVEMENT: The warm soft impression will develop further with
time in the bottle but will peak around 2009/10. Longer bottle
aging is not recommended and the wine should be drunk.
DRINKING: This is a terrific ‘old style’ winter
quaffer and should
essentially be drunk now at any time and with food – casseroles,
red meat, duck and chicken.
2005 – Cabernet Sauvignon
This was bottled after approximately 24 months in predominantly
French oak.
COLOUR: Deep intense crimson
NOSE: Nice combination of ripe leafy cigar-box notes with spice
and
coconut from the oak
PALATE: Warm, mouth filling flavours which are distinctly varietal.
Generous soft supportive tannins carry the flavours through
a long finish. Layers of fruit and oak make the palate rich
and
satisfying.
DRINKING: Will age gracefully in the bottle and improve until
at least 2010, then lasting years after that. Great to drink
now but with loads of
potential. Excellent with beef, lamb and chicken or just to
enjoy.
2004 – Sparkling Cabernet / Shiraz
COLOUR: Medium depth sparkling red wine
APPEARANCE: Medium bodied, crystal clear with fine persistent
bubbles
NOSE: Attractive cigar box cabernet sauvignon aromas with a
hint of
spice from the shiraz. It is developed, quite complex and interesting
PALATE: Clean lingering flavours of berries and soft spicy oak.
The nicely
balanced sweetness lifts the flavours and a gentle acidity ensures
the wine is very pleasant to drink.
DRINKING: An excellent party or pre-meal drink.
WHITES
The first vintage in 2006 from the vines planted in
2003 resulted in little chardonnay but several tonnes of sauvignon
blanc producing a really excellent first vintage wine demonstrating
star qualities from this cool climate region.
The 2006 vintage sold out a little before the
2007 vintage was available with the 2007 being even better than
the 06. Again this sold out within the year just as 2008 was
released. The 2008 is high quality, very popular and currently
regarded as the flagship wine.
The 2007 chardonnay vintage also proved to be
good and the unwooded wine had many fans. Due to the cool climate
again, the 2008 chardonnay produced an excellent award winning
wine.
2008 - Sauvignon Blanc
COLOUR: Pale yellow but with attractive green tints
NOSE: Very lifted and interesting distinctive sauvignon blanc
aromas –
asparagus, green bean, tobacco and herbal notes.
PALATE: Quite strongly flavoured with herbal grassy notes continuing
the
nose. Very fresh, light bodied and clean with a lingering crisp
dry
finish.
DRINKING: Best drunk now for maximum enjoyment while young.
Ideal with seafood, poultry, pasta, light meals or just to enjoy.
This is a delightful wine and was independently chosen as one
of the best on Kangaroo Island.
2008 – Chardonnay – Unwooded
COLOUR: Medium pale yellow with nice tints.
NOSE: Fresh lively aromas with clean, citrus and tropical highlights,
fresh
and enticing.
PALATE: Attractive and medium bodiedwith fresh lingering flavours
of citrus
and pineapple. Dry and soft with a very nice crisp acid balance.
DRINKING: Best drunk while young and fresh. Excellent with seafood,
veal,
chicken, pasta or just to enjoy
This Chardonnay won a third prize in the 2008 McLaren Vale
Wine Show
2008 – Reserve Sparkling Chardonnay
COLOUR: Pale straw with attractive green tints
APPEARANCE: Bright and clear with persistent fine bubbles
NOSE: Lifted, fresh fruity aromas, youthful and clean
PALATE: Flavours reminiscent of apple and pear with a herbaceous
finish. Soft with a nicely balanced sweetness, kept fresh and
lively with its gentle acidity
DRINKING: A very pleasant wine to drink now and really enjoy
while it’s young.
Cellar Door
This is located in the marron shed
and provides the ideal opportunity for visitors to come and
view the marron close up and learn
a little of their life cycle before moving on to the wine tasting.
Invariably there are questions about marron that arise and these
can readily be discussed with staff over the bar as they sample
some or most of the wines. The staff provide as much information
as possible on the wines to help guide tastings. Many visitors
really like to select a wine they would like with lunch in the
Café, but tastings also lead to
bottle sales at the cellar door. Wine can be taken away or it
can be shipped very cost effectively
to anywhere in Australia via Australia Post. The Two Wheeler
Bush Tucker sauces are also sold
here or in the Café.
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