Today we’re going to look at two Blended Wines one white and one red produced by a man called Chester d’Arenberg Osborn whose family have an Irish connection.
d’Arenberg is one of the most significant wineries in the McLaren Valley, an Australian wine region with its proud sense of its own identity. No winemaker epitomises that sense better than Chester Osborn, fourth generation family who took over as Chief Winemaker in D’Arenberg in 1984.
Chester’s wine making philosophy is to produce wines that have great fragrance and fruit character with palate texture and length balanced by fine natural acidity and tannins. D’Arenberg has been included in the Top 100 Wineries of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine USA for 2014 and 2013.
There is an Irish connection to this winery too. In 1881, Joseph Rowe Osborn, joined the prospering Wine Company Thomas Hardy and Sons. Although a teetotaller he eventually became a partner and director and was very successful. While not a drinker, he did have another vice of sorts... horse racing. Amongst his stable he had a horse called Footbolt who was relatively successful and won Joseph enough prize money to be in the position to purchase some land of his own.
Joseph's son Francis (‘Frank’) Osborn was studying medicine at Melbourne University but was advised upon ill health to, “take up life on the land”. In 1912 Frank and his father purchased two sections of land in the hills just north of the townships of Gloucester and Bellevue now just known as McLaren Vale. Joseph Osborn died on 25 May 1921 leaving full control of the business to Frank.
Frank married Helena d’Arenberg in 1920, built a house, and had three children, Antoinette, Rowen and d’Arry. Helena sadly died shortly after giving birth to d'Arry and the children who were raised by their father. In 1927, a year after Helena's death, Frank was encouraged by friends and family to consider building a winery and producing wine as a way of getting his life back on track.
Helena d’Arenberg’s family were of French origin. One of her direct ancestors ended up in Cork having won a duel against one of Napoleon’s generals. His son and Helena’s direct ancestor became provost of Trinity College and lived in Annamoe in Co Wicklow. The family eventually emigrated to Australia at the turn of the last century.
2009 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump McClaren Vale €14.99
Stockists: Egan’s Off Licence, Portlaoise; Carry Out, Tullamore; Ardkeen Superstore, Waterford; World Wide Wines, Waterford; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; DUBLIN: La Touche, Greystones; Gerry’s Supermarket, Skerrie; Village Off Licence, Castleknock; Gibney’s, Malahide; Drinks Direct, Harold’s Cross, Ringsend and Phibsborough; MOlloy’s, Nutgrove; Deveneys, Rathmines; Fresh Supermarket, Grand Canal Square; Hole in the Wall, Dublin 7; NATIONWIDE www.wineonline.ie
Made from a blend of Riesling (49%) Marsanne (29%) Sauvignon Blanc (22%) The nose is aromatic, fresh and lively with abundance of fruit including pineapple, lemon, melon and green mango. Citrus blossom and a touch of pistachio nut from the Marsanne shine through. The palate is equally complex with goose-berry joining the fruit spectrum. It’s a unique blend but it works with Marsanne adding good weight to the palate and the Sauvignon Blanc providing a touch of elegance. It’s all framed nicely around the linear acidity and freshness of the Riesling .
2011 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump McClaren Vale €14.99
Stockists: Egan’s Off Licence, Portlaoise; Carry Out, Tullamore; Ardkeen Superstore, Waterford; World Wide Wines, Waterford; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; DUBLIN: La Touche, Greystones; Gerry’s Supermarket, Skerrie; Village Off Licence, Castleknock; Gibney’s, Malahide; Drinks Direct, Harold’s Cross, Ringsend and Phibsborough; MOlloy’s, Nutgrove; Deveneys, Rathmines; Fresh Supermarket, Grand Canal Square; Hole in the Wall, Dublin 7; NATIONWIDE www.wineonline.ie
Made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mouvedre A very pure expression of this popular wine. All three varieties play an important role in the wine’s overall perception. The Shiraz offers dark plum fruits, mulberries and licorice with plenty of concentration, depth and velvety tannin.
The Grenache adds a lovely lusciousness to the wine with raspberry, blueberry and floral notes adding prettiness. Both of the afore mentioned varieties also give a little white pepper character which has been accentuated in the cooler vintage and really acts as a point of interest. Finally, the Mourvedre provides a perception of elegance and restraint through its lovely line of lovely red fruits with a hint of dried herb and importantly, a fine chalky tannin that carries all these characters to a long and wonderfully moreish finish.
Wine Australia Annual Trade Tasting
Thursday 29th January, 2015 RHA Gallery, Ely Place, Dublin 2.
Trade & Press Invitation Only – 13:00 – 18:00 more information in the wine diary
Wine Diary: www.jeansmullen.com
