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Tuesday 8 April 2014

Symphony Hill Gewürztraminer 2013



This was an interesting exercise, two Gewürztraminer, fruit for both from New England, NSW, same winemaker (Mike Hayes), made at the same winery, for two different labels.

Gewürztraminer as a variety is often lazily lumped as a wine match for 'spicy' or 'Asian' food. Generic groupings as broad and limiting as that association in the first place. Look beyond that to the origin of the variety, and think about pairing with a veal schnitzel, or a lovely piece of fatty pork belly that's been spiced up a little, or perhaps even a weisswurst.

Here, a pale hint of colour on pouring; rosewater, lychee, turkish delight and musk; beautiful aromatics here.

Mineral feel is immediately noted on entry; texture comes through with crushed candies, a little sweetness detected balancing against a touch of acid. Excellent length, drive, tingly spine of acid through the wine. Texture seems enhanced a little with time, and in fact I remarked on tasting a second day how I thought it reminiscent of Grüner Veltliner. A stunning example. 93    

Tasted on: Saturday 29th March, a Flower Day 
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.symphonyhill.com.au/

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{This post was edited at 18:25 on 08/04/2014 after it was identified that fruit is contracted in from New England, NSW and is not grown in the grown Belt GI}

3 comments:

  1. I'm still confused - apparently the grapes for this bad boy come from New England (according to the back label) and Mike Hayes also makes the Toppers Mountain wines?

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    Replies
    1. G'day AG, hmm...requires further investigation. My belief was that the Symphony Hill is GB fruit. And yes, Mike Hayes makes both wines. Was in the Symphony Hill cellar this w/e just gone with the Topper's marked up as sleeping in wood.

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  2. Correct you are Mr Graham - post corrected to show as New England GI. I therefore now wonder if the fruit is from Topper's, and if so does it have any different viticulture applied? Or what the winemaking brief is given the marked differences in the respective palates of the wines.

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