Tasting Notes - Granite Hills and Hanging Rock - Macedon Ranges
Hanging Rock Winery - 2008 Jim Jim Sauvignon Blanc and 2005 Heathcote Prospect Marsanne
Less than an hour out of Melbourne and set in incredible countryside, Macedon Ranges has Australia's coolest wine climate. As a result they produce wine that is limited in quantity but exceptionally high in quality. These wines represent some of the best from this Victorian region:
HANGING ROCK WINERY
Macedon NV Brut Rosé NV
'Macedon' Rosé is a non-vintage blend of pinot noir base wines from Hanging Rock vineyard, barrel aged before tirage bottling and aged on lees in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months. To be called 'Macedon', sparkling wine from the Macedon Ranges region must be made according to guidelines which govern grape varieties and winemaking methods.
'Macedon' Rosé is salmon pink, delicate in flavour, dry finishing and an ideal aperitif wine. Serve well chilled.
The Jim Jim Sauvignon Blanc 2008
The Jim Jim is a small mountain, elevation 750m, just near the famous Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges wine region of Victoria. Hanging Rock vineyard sits on the slopes of the 'Jim Jim' which lends its name to their flagship white table wine.
The vineyard is cold by world viticultural standards, producing wines that have a lot in common with the cooler regions of France and New Zealand and bearing little similarity to those of the warmer parts of Australia where this variety is often grown. Sauvignon Blanc is an early ripening variety that has distinctive grassy, herbaceous characters when grown in cool climates.
This wine is pale green/yellow in colour which will intensify with ageing. The nose is grassy and herbaceous, but with overtones of lychee, gooseberry, and asparagus. The palate is fresh, full of varietal fruit character - hints of passionfruit and asparagus, just-right acid on the middle and back palates and a clean, crisp finish. It's an excellent aperitif, and a perfect match for seafood. It will cellar well for many years, but for the best rewards drink whilst still young and fresh.
Flagship Macedon Brut Cuvée XII NV
Macedon XII - their twelfth release is a blend of Vintages: 2001(39%); 2000 (18%); 2003 (18%); 1999 back to 1987 inclusive. All components were aged on lees in old French oak barriques for at least two years before blending and tirage. The result is a base wine of immense complexity and creamy softness.
The blend is approximately 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, and the pinot comprises three distinct clones that each have an important impact on the final balance of the wine. To ensure consistency, each year we bottle only half of the initail blend, the balance being stored, again on yeast lees, until the preparation of the next blend.
This release was bottled in March 2004. After forty-four months on yeast lees in the bottle, with the second fermentation complete, the bead had become fine and the flavour had developed unmistakeable length due to the yeast autolysis in the bottle. Disgorgement commenced in October 2007, with absolutely minimum liquering (only 2g/l) and with minimal SO2. Undoubtedly it will be described as a rich wine. The palate is simultaneously full flavoured and yet dry; crisp, yet balanced. In short it is the wine of our dreams - a great Australian sparkling wine!
The Prospect Marsanne 2005
The Heathcote region in north central Victoria is particularly known for its shiraz, as is the Rhone region in France which is also the home of marsanne. In Heathcote marsanne enjoys the warm dry conditions and the rich red Cambrian soils found there.
This wine is made in a traditional style: it is quite rich and full bodied, with a smooth, rounded texture. The colour is deep straw. The nose and palate are distinctively varietal, showing flavours such as honeysuckle and blossom with a hint of almonds. It goes very well with seafood (especially shellfish and firmer flesh fish) and pasta with creamy sauces.Like many Marsannes it will age gracefully for up to 5 years.
Cambrian Rise Heathcote Shiraz 2005
Affectionately dubbed ‘Son of Heathcote’ by the winemaking team, Cambrian Rise is a fine example of Heathcote shiraz.
Cambrian Rise will always include components from a number of Heathcote shiraz vineyards, and its composition will vary from vintage to vintage. In 2005 the majority of the fruit came from the middle and the south of the Heathcote region. 2005 was hot, and whilst a lack of water in the region is a constant problem there are some benefits to hot dry years - there is very little disease and the grapes tend to ripen easily and quickly. The resulting wines are rich and powerful with a lot of fresh berry overtones.
This wine is deep red with a cherry red and slightly purple hue. The nose displays intense black forest cake aromas with a hint of eucalypt and white pepper. The palate is complex with ripe berry flavours well integrated with the steam bent American oak flavours. The wine has a great, long finish with notes of ripe berries and savoury flavours that last.
Drinking well now, this wine can be increasingly enjoyed over the next 5 to 8 years.
Yin Barun Merlot Cabernet Franc 2004
Merlot and cabernet franc have been familiar bedfellows in parts of Bordeaux, France for many decades. The Foletta's 20 year old 'Yin Barun' (an Aboriginal phrase meaning ‘Broken Waters’) vineyard in Swanpool in north-east Victoria, could be as close as they can get to Bordeaux while still in the shadow of Hanging Rock itself.
Typically merlot-soft, this richly flavoured wine is enhanced with the company of cabernet franc creating a lifted nose with subtle spicy floral characters, ripe plum flavours on the palate and fine smooth tannins through to a long finish.
The grapes were picked and fermented together and the wine was aged in new and one-year-old French and American oak barriques for 22 months prior to bottling. The 2004 vintage continues the style and standard of this wonderful food wine.
GRANITE HILLS WINERY
Granite Hills 2005 Merlot
Made from hand-harvested Merlot grapes grown in Heathcote and Macedon Ranges regions. Matured in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months, this wine has warm toasty aromas supported by ripe fragrant Merlot fruit. The palate is full but soft, showing spicy plum flavours and a supple tannin structure. Made to be enjoyed now, but will gain greater complexity in the bottle with a further 2-5 years cellaring.
Granite Hills 2008 Riesling
This is the 33rd consecutive vintage widely recognised as one of Australia’s finest cool climate Rieslings. The stony granite soils, high altitude and cool night temperatures impress the fruit of these nearly 40 year-old Riesling vines with a special refinement and persistence of flavour. These qualities are nurtured through hand harvesting and gentle winemaking techniques to mould a style renowned for its definitive varietal expression, fine natural acidity and the ability to age, gaining even greater complexity with time.
Nardoo Premium Cuvee Brut NV
The Nardoo Premium Cuvee Brut is a refreshing, crisp bubbly. On the nose it displays zesty citrus characteristics with a smooth, creamy finish on the palate.
Nardoo 2008 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
The Nardoo Semillon Sauvignon Blanc exhibits gorgeous nashi pear like characteristics with a touch of honey on the nose. On the palate, citrus tones leave a lovely clean and balanced mouth feel.
Nardoo 2007 Chardonnay
The Nardoo Chardonnay is an unoaked style wine. On the nose elements of stone fruit appear. The palate oozes juicy citrus fruits of lemon and grapefruit and leaves a fresh and zesty mouth feel.
Nardoo 2008 Pinot Noir
The Nardoo Pinot Noir displays fresh red cherry and plum characteristics on the nose. This sensation continues to the palate with vibrant sweet cherry fruit combined with a subtle touch of spice. This wine is well balanced and with its soft tannin structure, exhibits lovely lingering flavours.
Nardoo 2004 Shiraz
The Nardoo Shiraz displays classic cool climate characteristics of white pepper on the nose. On the palate, blackberry and spice flavours are wrapped in light toasty cedar oak. This full body wine is well balanced and finishes long.
Regions
- Macedon Ranges (Wine) (VIC)
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
The Macedon Ranges is regarded as one of mainland Australia’s coolest and most demanding wine producing regions. Discover some of their best »
Just northwest of Melbourne, the Macedon Ranges takes its name from a rocky volcanic outcrop on Australia's Great Dividing Range. Warmer sites in the north produce ... superb bottle-fermented sparkling wines »
You could be sipping on the new label wine from Granite Hills, getting the right wine advice from Ray Jordan or James Halliday, rediscovering the simple pleasures ... win Granite Hills wine, books and Budburst tickets here »
Hanging Rock Winery is located just north of the famous Hanging Rock landmark, in Newham, only a 55 minute drive from Melbourne in The Macedon Ranges Wine region ... read more
Granite Hills Winery (Knights Granite Hills)Granite Hills is one of Australia's highest and most picturesque vineyards – perched atop the spectacular boulder strewn hills of the Great Dividing Range at 550 ... read more
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
The restaurant at the iconic Montalto offers VisitVineyards.com members 
Is your wine cellar in need of some re-organisation. Vinified offers a unique cellar management service - they work out what you have, what you need, what it's worth and how to store it. All done with your personal taste in mind. Enter now and you could 