Here at J&C Kenny we were super excited last week to receive some new Australian wines from the Thorn-Clarke Barossa Winemakers into the warehouse. Our Aussie friends are huge wine producers and thankfully they see fit to share some of it with us! Wine is produced nationwide but most of the vineyards are based in the south to take advantage of the slightly cooler climate, though we suspect their idea of a ‘cooler climate’ might differ to us Irish!
You’ll be able to find these new wines in restaurants and hotels around Galway and we highly recommend you give them a taste. Here’s some more details on a few of our favourites.
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire
An exquisite shiraz from the Barossa Valley.
“Deep red with purple hues. This wine has a lifted nose of clean blackberry fruit and dried plums, accompanied by dark chocolate. The palate displays sweet fruit characters, dominated by ripe plums and dark chocolate. Full bodied with obvious fine tannin structure and oak maturation, adding texture and complexity to the wine. Long, persistent finish.”
Milton Park
Grown in the Eden Valley are these delightful varieties.
The shiraz has a nose “of lifted berry fruits with hints of dark chocolate and spice. The palate is medium bodied with intense plummy fruit. Soft and approachable tannins. Great length with plum, liquorice fruit and spicy oak.”
The chardonnay “has a pale yellow colour. Dominant peach aromas with a hint of pineapple on the nose. The palate has intense peach and pineapple characters. The mid palate is soft and creamy.”
Terra Barossa
Also hailing from (you guessed it!) the Barossa Valley and the experts at Thorn-Clarke is this delicious pair.
Their shiraz features a “deep red with a purple hue. Creamy plum aromas with blackberry and spice. A medium to full bodied wine with silky tannins. A hint of spice on the finish.”
The cabernet sauvignon has “lifted berry and herbal characters on the nose. Dark berry fruit and dried herbs on the palate. French oak spice adds to the complexity of the wine. Long, elegant tannins, clean finish with lingering finish.”
Mount Crawford
Like the Milton Park these grapes were grown in the Eden Valley, a great spot for grape varieties that respond well to a colder climate. Perfect then for a chardonnay and riesling!
The chardonnay “is a pale straw colour with a green hue. The nose displays some complexity with white peach and citrus, complemented by underlying nutty characteristics. This is a medium weight wine with peach and citrus characters, creamy mid palate, balanced nicely with a tight acid line. The wine finishes with balance and good persistence.”
The riesling has a “pale straw colour with green hues. Aromas of fresh, lifted lemon. Bright, ripe lemon fruit characters dominate the palate and crisp mineral acidity forms the backbone to the wine. The palate has rich citrus flavours, balanced by natural acidity and intense flavours. The wine has a refreshingly clean finish, with long acid persistence.”
Cool Woods
Finally we have the Cool Woods, also from the Barossa Valley. What a fruitful region! You’ll be able to find this in your local off licenses.
Their chardonnay is a “pale yellow colour. Dominant peach aromas with hints of pineapple on the nose. Intense peach and pineapple characters on the palate. Soft and creamy.”
The shiraz features a “lifted berry nose, with hints of dark chocolate and spice. Medium bodied with intense plummy fruit. Soft and approachable tannins. Long length with plummy and liquorice fruit and spicy oak.”
As you may have guessed we love to chat about wine! So if you’ve tried any of these gorgeous Aussie wines or would like to know more then please do get in touch through our social channels, by emailing info@jckenny.ie or on the phone at 091 794308!