Robert Whale might be onto something. Back in 1985, as managing director of a wine importer, Whale introduced wine drinkers in our region to the wonders of wines from Down Under. Big, juicy reds — which ran the gamut from such well-known wines as Peter Lehmann from Barossa and Parker Coonawarra Estate from Coonawarra to undiscovered gems such as Yellowglen from Victoria and Knappstein from the Clare Valley — opened up new avenues for consumers. In 2003, Whale founded Robert Whale Selections in order to focus specifically on boutique wineries in Australia and New Zealand that cut against the traditional grain.
Today, Whale looks for wines from these two countries that are both food-friendly and fun to drink.
For example, he is importing wines from the cooler climate region of Tasmania in Australia and the warmer Nelson region in New Zealand. A counterintuitive approach that is rewarding consumers with some great value-oriented wines. Most importantly, he looks for “wines you can have a conversation over.” I recently had the pleasure of having a wonderful conversation while sampling several of Robert’s wines over lunch and was wowed by both his charisma and the wines’ charm. My favorites are listed below. Retail prices are approximate.
2005 Plantagenet Estate Mount Baker Riesling, Western Australia ($15 – available at Paul’s in D.C.)
The citrusy nose of this warm-climate Riesling is enhanced by hints of crushed stone. Plentiful acidity keeps the lemon and lime flavors crisp and provides a “drizabone” finish. A perfect accompaniment to seared scallops in brown butter.
2005 Seifried Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson, New Zealand ($17 – available at Ace Beverages and Paul’s in D.C.)
Very floral nose with scents of tropical fruits and grassy notes. Tropical fruits carry over to the palate, where they are joined by pineapple and lemon on the crisp, bright finish. I’d give it a spin with crab and avocado salad.
2005 Yarraman Estates “Hay Burner” Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia ($10 – available at Fine Wine in Gaithersburg or Rodman’s in D.C.)
Yarraman literally translates to “wild horse” in Aboriginal, and many of this estates’ wines are a play on the horse theme. A combination of grapes that were fermented both in oak and in stainless steel produces a unique chardonnay that is both charming and rich with abundant peaches and nectarines on the front of the palate and hints of pineapple and creamy lemon on the graceful finish. Worth the price and a perfect pairing with butternut squash soup.
2003 Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir, Tasmania, Australia ($25 – available at The Vineyard in McLean)
This is my first experience with a wine from Tasmania (which currently is one big appellation), and it’s a keeper. Pretty, fruit-driven nose that features spicy raspberries and underbrush leads to tart/bright flavors of red cherries and plums. The ample acidity would hold up well to cedar plank salmon.
2003 Coriole Sangiovese/Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia ($15 – Cleveland Park Wines in D.C.)
A unique blend that leads to an intriguing nose of dark cherry and cassas with an underlying “earthiness.” The palate is coated by tons of ripe cherry/berry fruit that is kept light and lively thanks to the acidity, compliments of the sangiovese component. The ripe, lush finish and competitive price makes this one of the best pizza wines on the market.
2003 Rafferty Rules “Angel’s Share” Shiraz, South Eastern Australia ($15 – available at Morris Miller in D.C.)
Angel’s share is a term that refers to the portion of wine that evaporates out of the barrel during aging. Rafferty’s Rules is a quaint Australian colloquialism that means no rules at all — and those are the rules this producer (owned by Robert Whales Selections) follows. They get the best fruit they can from all over the region — McLaren Vale, Langhorn and Heathcote, to name a few — to produce a round, forward-styled wine. Flavors of black plums, cassis and licorice are full and lush in the mouth. The lasting finish is memorable thanks to the balance and hints of mint. It would be fun to try with lamb kabobs.
2002 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia ($30 – Schneider’s of Capitol Hill in D.C.)
This is one of my favorite wines to pull out when company pops in. The earthy nose of underbrush and ripe plums leads right into big flavors of blackberry, cassis and licorice on the tongue. The well-rounded finish keeps the hints of mint and chocolate echoing in your mouth long after the wine is swallowed. I would actually try this with a chocolate tort for a unique dessert pairing.
So, the next time you’re looking for something to enjoy while telling a whale of a tale, try telling it with a Robert Whale wine. You’ll be glad he did the “fishing” for you.
Do you have a favorite royalty of wine? E-mail me at [email protected].
