New Peter Lehmann range takes a different direction

So you've got shiploads of decent shiraz sitting in tanks.

Why not create a new wine brand comprising of Barossa shiraz blended with portions of tempranillo, montepulciano and Touriga Nacional?

Welcome to Barossan X - a new range from Peter Lehmann Wines.

The range aims to "redefine" classic Barossa Valley shiraz with a twist.

"[The late] Peter Lehmann himself believed rules existed to be bent, broken, blended and amended," said Alfred Loo senior brand manager at Peter Lehmann Wines.

"With this range, we aim to rewrite the rules of traditional Barossa shiraz, introducing three exceptional varietals - (not varietals, actually Alfred) - that showcase the diversity and vibrancy of our vineyards."

The star of the show is the Barossan X Daring Shiraz, with a dash of montepulciano. It's medium-bodied but full flavoured with generous fruit flavours and some savoury notes on the finish. Very nice.

My No.2 is the more intense Barossan X Radical Shiraz, with a dash of Touriga. I felt the Barossan X Twisted Shiraz, blended with tempranillo, was the least impressive of the trio.

"We are thrilled to release this new range as a celebration of innovation and creativity in winemaking,” says winemaker Lauren Hutton.

"Barossan X embodies our commitment to innovation while staying true to the unparalleled quality that defines Peter Lehmann Wines."

You'll find the range at BWS and Dan Murphy’s for $23ish.

See https://www.peterlehmannwines.com/pages/barossan-x

Banking on it: meet a new wine range inspired by Bordeaux

A new range of wines from Orange has been inspired by the acclaimed reds of Bordeaux.

Orange’s Stockman’s Ridge Wines has just released two new wines as part of its ‘Signature Range’: the 2022 Stockman’s Ridge ‘Signature Range’ Right Bank and its sister wine, the 2022 Stockman’s Ridge ‘Signature Range’ Left Bank.

I'm not sure how many Australian wine drinkers are familiar with the differences between the two styles, but the new releases are vigneron Jonathan Hambrook’s tribute to French inspiration. 

The ‘Left Bank’ is a nod to the Médoc region of Bordeaux and is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (60%) and merlot (40%). The ‘Right Bank’ tips its hat to St Emillion, being a blend of merlot (70%) and cabernet franc (30%).

“We have been producing our Bordeaux blend of merlot and cabernet franc since our second vintage,” says Hambrook. “I have a real love of these styles and wanted to explore them further with our ‘Left Bank’ blend of cabernet and merlot, which has a long and proud history in Australia,

“The [Orange] region is perfectly suited to these varieties. While there is strong focus on the Burgundy varieties in Orange, history has shown that these Bordeaux varieties excel.

"The founding vignerons of the region such as Bloodwood’s Stephen and Rhonda Doyle, Canobolas Smith’s Murray Smith and Philip Shaw have examples of these varieties that have shown to have superb depth, complexity and most of all, great longevity.

“We are hoping to build on these early examples and create wines that will evolve and develop in the bottle over the next 15 plus years."

Both wines are made by consultant winemaker Will Rikard-Bell.

The Stockman’s Ridge Vineyard is located on Boree Lane at an elevation of 800 meters, Wines are avilable available at www.stockmansridge.com.au.

The Bank wines cost $45 each. I'm traditionally a Left Bank man, but open minded. I will report back.