Balgownie Estate Bendigo, Victoria

Established in 1969 by local pharmacist and winemaking legend, Stuart Anderson, Balgownie Estate was the first boutique vineyard to be planted in the Bendigo district in more than 80 years. The 70's and 80's are often reminisced over by those that would drive up from Melbourne for their allocation of the big full-flavoured reds, renowned for their exceptional ageing capabilities. From these artisan beginnings, the 'Balgownie' name quickly gained a reputation for it's award winning wines both in Australia and overseas. Even the Queen, on a stately visit, got to have a wee sample of the 1975 and 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Balgownie Estate boasts two vineyards and cellars: Bendigo, with predominantly old vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz as well as small parcels of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and now the cool climate Yarra Valley with the regionally distinctive varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Bendigo region's first wine grapes where planted in 1856 but by the late 1800's the vine louse phylloxera spread through the region and the majority of the vines had to be destroyed. The renaissance began in 1969 when Stuart Anderson established Balgownie Estate Vineyard and Winery. Bendigo, the atmospheric and historic gold mining town at the heart of Victoria's 'Red Centre' is just one and half-hours from Melbourne.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The fruit used to make this wine comes from the Estate vineyard at Bendigo, which was originally planted between 1969 and the early 1970's. The average age of the vines is almost 30 years. Traditional open and static fermenters were used to ensure full extraction of flavour. A portion of the wine was left on skins to macerate following fermentation to help build the structure of the wine. The wine was then aged in a combination of new and seasoned French and American oak barriques for 15 months prior to bottling. The 2006 Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon continues the tradition that has seen it established as one of Victoria's most renowned Cabernet based wines. This wine is a deep red colour. The bouquet has lifted blackcurrant and tobacco leaf aroma with hints of cedar and clove. The palate has intense blackcurrant flavours with fine persistant tannins providing structure and length. This wine will reward cellaring for 10 - 15 years. "Ruby-red. Spicy redcurrant, cherry and cassis aromas are complicated by anise, dried flowers and smoky minerals. Brisk, medium-bodied red and dark berry flavours pack serious punch, with silky tannins adding focus and grip. A graceful restrained style that combines New World vivacity and Old World balance. I wouldn't hesitate to hold this for another five or six years." 91 pts, Stephen Tanzer, July 2008

Shiraz 2006 The fruit used to make this wine comes from the Estate vineyard at Bendigo. Traditional open concrete fermenters were used to ensure a gentle extraction of colour and tannins. A portion of the wine was left on skins to macerate following fermentation to help build the structure of the wine. The same barrique maturation techniques that are used for the Cabernet Sauvignon are applied to the Shiraz. The 2006 Balgownie Estate Shiraz continues in the classic Balgownie Estate style. As with many of the best Central Victorian red wines, this Shiraz displays great concentration with a savoury earthiness. This wine has an intense almost impenetrable red/purple colour. The bouquet shows lifted dark berry fruit with spicy, earthy notes and complex mocha oak. The palate is concentrated with intense earth and berry fruit flavours backed by fine, persistent tannins that provide the structure for medium to long term cellaring (7-12 years). "Opaque ruby. Pungent red and dark berries on the nose, with a suave floral quality adding vivacity. Spicy raspberry and cherry flavours become sweeter with air and supple tannins gather strength on the back end. Maintains focus and energy through a long, juicy finish. This is an outstanding value." 92 pts, Stephen Tanzer, July 2008 "Dark-fruited, meaty and savoury, this firm palate-staining shiraz delivers deep, minty layers of blackberry, cassis, dark plum and mineral elements tightly knit with excellent, fine-grained chocolate/vanilla oak and supported by drying, powdery tannins. It's long, complete and surprisingly stylish, finishing with lingering, savoury and iodide-like influences. Despite the season's heat, a particular and regional Bendigo shiraz." 95 pts, Jeremy Oliver, Oct 2008

Visit Balgownie Estate

All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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