By Kat Hounsell
Being the most wonderful time of the year, we are all looking for a merry red for the festive season. On the agenda is something smooth, perfect for sipping with a snack of roasted chestnuts. Or something rich and full bodied, to accompany those hearty dinners. A wine that will please even the fussiest in the crowd, whilst keeping a gathering high in Christmas spirit.
Introducing the ultimate party pleaser, d’Arenberg The Cadenzia 2009. Aussies may be celebrating the holidays grilling burgers on the beach, but at least Australian producer d’Arenberg has parcelled up a Chateauneuf-du-Pape style red, packed with cranberries and spice to keep us smiling this chilly winter.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a story, and the vivacious 4th generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, has a tale to tell with the name of every wine. The Cadenzia comes from the word ‘Cadenza’, meaning an impassioned improvisation played by a virtuoso soloist towards the end of a musical performance. For the team at d’Arenberg it’s a celebration of the opportunity to blend so many varieties from within the McLaren Vale around the almighty Grenache.
The Cadenzia is one of several wines produced as part of the Cadenzia winemaking initiative in the MaLaren Vale. An initiative which was formed by some of the regions finest producers, to showcase the regions production of Grenache, raising awareness of its Grenache based wines, and a grape variety that really excels within this region.
Creative, passionate and full of gusto, the Osborn family understands the art of being different. It all began back in 1912, when teetotaller Joseph Osborn purchased 25 hectares of vines in the McLaren Vale. Before the winery took on the d’Arenberg label in 1959, when 3rd generation winemaker Francis (d’Arry) Osborn named the new venture in honour of his mother Frances Helena d’Arenberg.
Now in the hands of Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn, the winery is run with traditional winemaking methods very much at the fore front of everything they do. All grapes are basket-pressed, with the reds traditionally fermented with the grape skins (caps) submerged in open wax-lined concrete fermentation tanks, utilising the age-old technique of foot-treading.
Predominantly led by Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre, with elements of Tempranillo and Cinsault, the 2009 vintage includes fantastic examples of various varieties following a year of mild weather in the McLaren Vale. This has ensured stress free ripening and grapes with good natural acidity and balanced tannins. The result is a stimulating nose, jam packed with figgy pudding notes of currants, nuts and spice with delicate violent undertones. The palate is surprisingly earthy with dried herbs and pepper lifting the rich red fruit body.
Josh Raynolds from Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar gave the wine 90 points and no wonder when it was described as “deep ruby, sexy, perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry preserves and rose with a touch of smoky herbs”. Perhaps be careful who you hand a glass to at the party…A kiss under the mistletoe seems inevitable!
Want to show off your knowledge at this year’s festivities? Don’t forget to mention that the winery took home 8 Gold medals from the 2011 New Zealand International Wine fair including, you’ve guessed it, our favourite winter warmer The Cadenzia 2009!
Merry Christmas!
Tags: d'Arenberg, McLaren Vale, News, wine, wine of the week
