2011 09 27 - Grant Burge - Australian Wine Tasting @ Enoteca

GRANT BURGE

History and Tradition

Grant Burge is a fifth-generation Barossa Vigneron. Throughout his career, Grant has been one of the most respected and innovative forces in the Australian wine industry. The history of the Burge family and their long association with winemaking in the region can be traced back to March 1855, when noted tailor John Burge immigrated to the Barossa from Hillcot, near Pewsey in Wiltshire, England with his wife Eliza and their two sons. With help from his sons Meshach and Henry, John’s farm flourished with wheat, sheep and viticulture. His eldest son Meshach continued the farming tradition and was a prominent community leader. He married Emma in the early 1900s and they had eight children. First-born Percival established the Wilsford Winery in 1916, beginning the Burge winemaking tradition. Percival had two sons, Noel and Colin, and Colin and his wife Nancy had one son, Grant. Following in the footsteps of his father and forefathers before him, Grant now carries the winemaking tradition into the 21st century

Family Owned

Grant Burge Wines was formed in 1988 by Grant and his wife Helen, and is located in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the banks of Jacobs Creek and is still proudly family owned. Continuing the family tradition, Grant and Helen have now brought the sixth generation into the fold. Eldest son Toby is the company’s Vineyard Manager, upholding the premium quality and consistency of fruit produced from the vineyards. Amelia joined the Marketing Department in an assistant role early in 2007, and in late 2008 went out into the world to gain more experience to bring back to the company later on in her career. Trent, the youngest, has been part of the hardworking cellar team at the Illaparra Winery since vintage 2006. All three children share Grant and Helen’s vision to continue this long family tradition of bringing exceptional wines to the world.

“I am a romantic, and I have a real sense of my family history, of my father and grandfather, and what they achieved.” Grant Burge

TASTING WINES

1. BENCHMARK SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010

This is a fresh wine which shows true varietal characters of green melons and tropical fruits, guava, florals and herbaceous notes of freshly cut grass. These notes follow onto the palate which is round and full of generous fruit flavours, balanced with crisp acidity and finishes clean.

2. BENCHHMARK CHARDONNAY 2010

This chardonnay is bright gold in colour with vibrant citrus, floral and tropical fruit aromas. The palate is lean and racy, with the fine natural acidity lending great length to the citrus flavours, with slight rounding of the palate from the time spent on lees.

3. BENCHMARK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep red in colour with intense aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries which are supported by lifted floral notes. The palate is round and fleshy, with concentrated flavour of blackcurrants layered with subtle spices. The soft tannins and fine acidity make this a moreish wine, perfectly suited to roast meats, and best enjoyed in its youth.

4. BENCHMARK SHIRAZ 2010

The 2010 Benchmark Shiraz is deep red with vibrant purple hues. The highly perfumed nose is dominated by aromas of ripe plums and is supported by sweet spices and vanilla. The juicy palate makes the wine a joy to drink, with choc-mint flavours enhancing the dark fruits.

5. BAROSSA VINES CABERNET/MERLOT 2009

The 2009 Cabernet Merlot is deep red with vibrant purple hues. The wine shows aromas of ripe black currants and dark plums complemented by notes of mint and savoury spice. The palate is rich and luscious with black cherry, bramble fruit and a hint of vanilla with elegant cedary oak and f­ine tannins.

6. BAROSSA VINES SHIRAZ 2010

The 2010 Barossa Shiraz is intense red with bright purple hues. The nose reveals a highly aromatic bouquet of red cherries, lifted ­orals and subtle vanilla, while the palate displays ripe red fruits such as raspberries and strawberries. Fine tannins and acidity complement the ripe fruits and provide a fresh ‑finish to the wine.

7. THE HOLY TRINITY 2008

The 2008 The Holy Trinity is a rich, deep magenta. There are vibrant fruit aromas of cherries, blackcurrant and raspberries, with underlying notes of sweet spices, liquorice and delicate florals adding complexity. The palate is silkysmooth, with fine tannins and acidity complementing the flavour of sweet dark fruit and spice, giving the wine abundant length and concentration of flavour.