Classic Red Nectar!
August 31, 2006
Tammy Pfeiffer-Schutz's Red Nectar Vineyards & Wines was one of
our major discoveries when we traveled to the Barossa Valley last January. See
Photo Gallery at the webstore under
Features > Australia -
January 2006 - slide show #9-15. In 1997, nineteen year
old Tammy purchased a 66 acre parcel just outside of Tanunda near
her family's vineyard estate in the Stonewell region. At that
time the property consisted of grazing land and six acres of
shiraz. Tammy has since added 13 acres of shiraz and five acres of
cabernet sauvignon from cuttings she sourced from 80 year old vines grown on the
Moppa on the eastern outskirts of Barossa. Thus, she follows her
family's tradition as vignerons in the region for a sixth generation.
Tammy has an added advantage in being able to source the best low yield fruit
for her wines from her family's property (up to 70 year old vines) and
her Red Nectar Estate. Wine making duties are delegated to her cousin Troy Kalleske of the
reknown Kalleske Wines near the village of Greenock. It's all in the
family!
Tammy's wines have been cult followed
since her 2002 Red Nectar
Shiraz was awarded the Heinrich Cooperage Trophy for Best Shiraz of Show,
together with the Fineline Printing Trophy for Best Wine of Show at the
Marananga Regional Wine Show. Then Robert Parker sealed the deal when he
awarded her 2003 Red Nectar Shiraz
with 94-96 points and described it as "the essence of Shiraz".
What others are saying......
"Red Nectar is
"an excellent producer of very high quality wines. * * * * 1/2 "
and in Winestate Magazine National
Shiraz Tasting: September Issue (aka our
Wine Spectator)
Red Nectar
is "Top Wine of Class! * * * * "
2005 Red
Nectar Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from the fruit of
40+ year old vines from Tammy's family estate vineyard in Stonewell.
The wine spent 12 months in 63 gallon hogshead barrels: 20% new
French oak, and 80% old French oak.- "The wine is a medium bright red colour.
The nose is vibrant with blackcurrant, violets, ripe tomato bush, earth and a
hint of sandalwood and eucalyptus. The palate is juicy and shows ripe varietal
dark berry Cabernet fruit, a touch of licorice and it is supported by fine
background cedary oak. The wine has a silky structure with an extremely lengthy
finish." Alc/Vol - 14.5% - $35.95
2005 Red
Nectar Shiraz (Syrah) is produced from fruit grown solely
on Tammy's Red Nectar Estate Vineyard in Stonewell. The wine aged for 12 months
in 63 gallon hogshead barrels: 20% new American oak, and 80% old American
oak. - "The wine is red in colour with a purple tinge. On the nose there are
aromas of cherry liquer, chocolate, briar, nutmeg and roasted almonds. The
palate is mouthfilling, medium to full bodied in weight and exhibits plenty of
ripe black cherry fruit. Subtle barrel ferment characters of chocolate, nuts and
spice add complexity. It is a well structured wine with rich integrated tannins
and it finishes with lingering fruit." Alc/Vol - 14.5% - $29.95
These wines are made in a more traditional
style than the modern "showy" Southern Australian wines that have flooded
the American marketplace. Oak "seasoning" is selective and minimal,
allowing the true fruit aromas and flavors to show. Although the
alcohol is 14.5%, this content is relatively low for modern
Barossa/McLaren Vale wines that push the ripeness envelop and
result in gooey, messy, nuclear fruit bomb, low acid, fatiguing
wines. Since the grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness, and not
overripeness, the resulting wines are classically balanced to age; and
should develop added nuance, complexity, texture, and deeper flavors
with time. However, Tammy's fruit selection, with Troy's skills, will
always make these wines enjoyable with food from the get
go!
Eric Stumpf
The Wine Consultant
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