Saturday 4th November at 5pm: "A Trip Down Under" with Peter & Sally in Rustington

Wine List:

The Whites:

1. 2022 Mac Forbes Strathbogie; Riesling; £17.00

Mac Forbes is one of Australia’s best young winemakers, and has been a dynamic leader of a new wave of winemaking in the country. This is the riesling formerly known as 'Spring', and Mac Forbes has decided to focus more on regionality here and bring Strathbogie to the fore. Strathbogie is a town in central Victoria. This is crisp and dry in style with great focus of acidity and pristine, juicy citrus and peach-fruit notes.

2. d'Arenberg 'Money Spider'; McLaren Vale; Roussanne; £13.95

d’Arenberg is one of the most significant wineries in the McLaren Vale. It was started in 1912 by teetotaler Joseph Osborn, who began selling fruit to local wineries. In 1984 Chester Osborn took over the reins as chief winemaker. This is a fleshy and delicately floral wine made from roussanne. Wonderfully lifted and textured on the palate with notes of elderflower, lime and apple, a with a rejuvenating freshness. Delicious.

3. 2021 The Society's Exhibition Tasmanian Chardonnay; £16.50

Made exclusively for The Society by Claudio Radenti of Freycinet, this has Tasmania's typical elegance. Lemon and green-apple flavours are well balanced by subtle oak notes, with a nicely textured mouthfeel and chalky mineral flavours on the finish.

The Reds:

4. 2021 Penfolds Koonunga Hill; Shiraz Cabernet; £11.00

Sourced from vineyards across South Australia this is a traditional “Australian blend” with the shiraz providing fleshy fruit flavour and the cabernet sauvignon some fine grained tannins. According to Penfolds “There are layers of flavour, the sweetness of hazelnut chocolate balanced by savoury pan-seared pancetta, sandalwood and salted nori. A fine line of acid and talcy tannins make for a supple and plush mouthfeel.

5. 2021 The Society's Exhibition Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon; £17.00

This is made exclusively for the Wine Society by Virginia Willcock, one of Australia’s most decorated winemakers at Vasse Felix. The long growing season allows cabernet to ripen to perfection revealing silky black-fruit flavours which follow on from the enticing bouquet. Full bodied with an elegant, pristine and polished finish, this is a beautiful expression of the grape. “Balancing dark blackcurrant fruit, velvety smoothness and a full-bodied structure with the hallmark Margaret River elegance. It’s richly satisfying and New World in character without being over the top.” Decanter September 2023

6. 2019 Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon; £21.00

The name is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert. According to Penfolds “On the palate a classically varietal rhubarb vibrancy is immediately apparent, supported by a dark fruit flavour profile. Earthy notes balance the sweeter fruits with hints of freshly grated beetroot, fresh mint, summer pudding and whipped cream. Oak derived nuances of cashews and walnuts provide texture, well supported by fine lacy tannins.”

7. 2021 Vanguardist 'V' ;Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale; Grenache; £30.00

Michael Corbett is arguably the greatest grenache winemaker in Australia and thanks to his skill and meticulous attention to detail his 'V' range has achieved cult-hero status in Australia. A medium-weight, elegant grenache, the aromas are immediately inviting, with notes of damsons, sloes and redcurrant. The palate is serious, with incredible presence, delicious firm tannins and beautifully integrated but ever-present acidity. It's a masterclass in structural balance. Redcurrant continues on the palate and is joined by bramble and dried herbs.

8. 2019 Vintage Longbottom 'H'; Adelaide Hills; Syrah; £19.00

A Wine Society Champion this is a big dark-fruited wine but with freshness. “Definitely syrah, rather than shiraz in style, despite coming from Australia. Made by mother and daughter team Kim and Margo Longbottom, in cool-climate Adelaide, it's very northern Rhône in character, but with a little more fruit sweetness. There's a lovely depth of aromas and flavours: mulberry, plum and blackberry fruit, plus a touch of bacon and leather. Medium-bodied, with subtle, well-integrated oak.” Decanter September 2023

9. 2020 Whistler Wines 'Shiver Down My Spine'; Barossa Valley; Shiraz; £21.00

Serious finesse and delicious drinkability combine in a small-production midweight shiraz that’s full of life and energy. A juicy wine bursting with notes of blackcurrant, plum and blueberry with twists of pepper, mocha and liquorice. “This shiraz will easily send a shiver down your spine with its explosive energy and joyous vibrancy. Juicy and fresh, with refreshing acidity driving the luscious blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit, all sprinkled with liquorice and black pepper. One to enjoy slightly chilled.” Decanter July 2022

10. 2022 Vanguardist 'V'; Barossa G.S.M.; £24.50

Made from a small vineyard of old vines, this Australian field blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre (with a little alicante bouschet) stopped Society Buyer Freddy Bulmer in his tracks and he has purchased it as a Wine Society exclusive. Seemingly aromatic layers begin with cherry blossom, cracked white pepper, damsons, lavendar and plum, continuing on the palate with pristine fruit, cherry, graphite minerality and sweet spices. The tannins are deliciously fine-grained with beautifully integrated acidity holding everything together remarkably. Cranberry and blackcurrant make an appearance on the finish, rounding things off and making for an incredibly moreish glass.

11. Penfolds Great Grandfather Rare Tawny N.V. (20%))

According to Penfolds “Seamless and integrated from start to finish. Dark fruitcake, milk and dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla and aniseed all in abundance. Toffee/brûlée sugar with orange zest and marzipan add length and balance to the palate. The richness and weight of the wine are held in harmony by the spirit-acid balance, which conveys the long, persistent finish.”

For Supper Sally served Chicken Provencale, Blueberry swirl cheesecake followed by a Cheese Board