Rogers & Company
Special Announcement
The Balgownies are here!
January 2009
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Greetings!
I'm writing today to only those of you who purchased Balgownie Estate wines from me last vintage. Last September I wrote to some of my clientele to let them know about a retrospective tasting that Wine Spectator had recently held, it was of two great years, the 1996 and 1998 vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shirazes from Australia. The usual suspects were included, Grange, Command, Bin 707, Armagh, Balmoral....etc. The wines were all retasted and rescored.
And lo and behold, right in the thick of all these great wines were two of my favourites from our portfolio, the Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon (1998 and 1996 vintages) and Balgownie Shiraz (1998 vintage).
The Balgownie Cabernet scored higher than Penfold's "Bin 707" in the 1998 vintage (94 to 93) and crushed it in the 1996 vintage (92 to 89). "Bin 707" is $119.00 at Vintages.
The Balgownie Shiraz 1998 scored 91 in the retasting, which tied Peter Lehmann "Stonewell" 1998 ($76 at Vintages), Rosemount "Balmoral" 1998 ($64.50 at Vintages) St. Hallett "Old Block" Shiraz 1998 ($52 at Vintages) and it outscored Yarra Yering Dry Red #2 1998 ($85 U.S. according to Spectator online).
Why is this so surprising? The Balgownies are a fraction
of the price of the competition. The 2005s that I had for sale in
September were $31 each, the 2006s that arrived today are even less!
$29.48, taxes in.
This winery is the oldest in Bendigo, an area of Victoria best known for big reds in the early part of the 20th century. This cool climate produces wines not of power, but balance and finesse. I believe this is the reason they age so well. The wines are sealed with Stelvin closures (screwcaps), so possibility of taint is zero. These wines drink very well young, but it's worth putting away a few for the future.
It's nice to see that all the great wines are not out of the price range of the average consumer and enthusiast.
Let me know if you'd like to order the 2006s.
My best to you,
Chris.
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Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Bendigo
[750ml/12 per case] $29.48
 "Ruby-red. Spicy redcurrant, cherry and cassis aromas are complicated by anise, dried flowers and smoky minerals. Brisk, medium-bodied red and dark berry flavours pack serious punch, with silky tannins adding focus and grip. A graceful restrained style that combines New World vivacity and Old World balance. I wouldn't hesitate to hold this for another five or six years."
91 points, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2008
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Balgownie Estate Shiraz 2006 Bendigo
[750ml/12 per case] $29.48
 "Opaque ruby. Pungent red and dark berries on the nose, with a suave floral quality adding vivacity. Spicy raspberry and cherry flavours become sweeter with air and supple tannins gather strength on the back end. Maintains focus and energy through a long, juicy finish. This is an outstanding value."
92 points, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2008
"Dark-fruited, meaty and savoury, this firm, palate-staining shiraz delivers deep, minty layers of blackberry, cassis, dark plum and mineral elements tightly knit with excellent, fine-grained chocolate/vanilla oak and supported by drying, powdery tannins. It's long, complete and surprisingly stylish, finishing with lingering, savoury and iodide-like influences. Despite the season's heat, a particular and regional Bendigo shiraz."
95 points, Jeremy Oliver, author The Australian Wine Annual,Oct 2008
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Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29
c.mclean@rogcowines.com
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