Clare Valley
If ever there was a list of Australian terroirs, Clare Valley would be near the top. Its location an hour north of Adelaide, its latitude and heat degree days (over the growing season) suggest a very hot clime suited to reds, yet white wines prevail. Taut, lime-sherbet Rieslings with fine minerality and ageing capacity are the region's most famous product, followed by Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
If ever there was a list of Australian terroirs, Clare Valley would be near the top. Its geographical position an hour north of Adelaide, its latitude and heat degree days (over the growing season) suggest a very hot clime suited to reds. Yet white wines prevail as these factors are offset by an average altitude of 398m (versus Geisenheim at 100m), low relative humidity (37 percent versus 56 percent), high sunshine hours, significant continentality levels (albeit less Geisenheim), cooling south-westerly sea breezes and prime, low, fertile red loam over marly limestone and shale soils set in cooling hill pockets. Irrigation is strictly controlled and less called for in the dry climate.
Taut lime-sherbet Rieslings with fine minerality and ageing capacity are the region's most famous product, followed by Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The town of Clare, founded by Irishman Edward Gleeson in 1840, first prospered on the back of copper mining, then a wheat and wine boom during the late 1800s. Vines were first planted in 1853 by an itinerant Cornishman at a site near present-day Watervale, and Birks Wendouree was founded before the century was over. The corporates moved in during the 1960s dry-wine boom, although there remains a core group of small, family-owned estates.
Recommended Producers: Grosset and Jim Barry Wines are among the leading exponents of the Clare Valley style.
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate - eRobertParker.com - Nov 2015
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com, Aug 2016
It’s the explosive flavours of the Grosset Polish Hill 2016 that distinguish this vintage with power and tremendous intensity of flavour. The bouquet has lavender, a touch of lime and some minerally notes while the palate has surprising generosity, lime juice characters and some characteristic chalkiness. It is tight, uber-fine with steely structure, before a dry finish featuring pure natural acidity and hints of schisty mineralogy.
While there’s no doubting its longevity, there will be many who will love this Polish Hill in its youth. Ageing Potential: 6-15 years, up to 20 years
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
Jeffrey Grosset, an oenology graduate, gained vast experience with large Australian wine companies, such as Lindemans, before starting his own winery in 1981in the historic township of Auburn, in the Clare Valley.
The winery is based in a picturesque old butter and ice factor. These vineyards have the most advanced vine canopy management system in the region and the virtual absence of chemicals in pest and disease control is unique. Grosset has built up a reputation as one of Australia’s best producers, particularly famous for his Riesling. "One of Australia's best small wineries, producing delicious Riesling" (Hugh Johnson).
Jeffrey Grosset has been held in such high esteem amongst his peers for his work with the Riesling grape that back in 1998 he won the accolade of 'Riesling Winemaker of the Year' in Hamburg, Germany.
A testament to his winemaking efforts, is his Polish hill Riesling being rated in the Langton’s classification as exceptional (only 17 wines in total and only 3 of these being white wine make this grade) alongside other iconic wines such as Penfolds Grange and Clarendon hills Astralis.
Langton's Classification of Australian Wine is a grouping of high-end Australian wines compiled by the Melbourne and Sydney based auction house Langton's, first released in 1991. The Classification is a ranking of the best performing wines based on market demand and vintages made. The Langton's Classification is split into four categories; Exceptional, Outstanding, Excellent and Distinguished.
Chris Pollington, Fine Wine