Ralph Fowler Wines Mount Benson, South Australia

Ralph Fowler's winemaking career began 30 years ago at Tyrrell's. Much later he left Leconfield in Coonawarra to establish his own family winery, Ralph Fowler Wines. A true family company Ralph, his wife Deborah, daughter Sarah and son James are all involved in the 100 acre property at Mount Benson. The Vineyard is planted with selected clones of Shiraz, Viognier and Merlot and the latest viticultural technologies have been incorporated into the vineyard plantings. The Lyre trellis system gives fruit of the best quality and allows the production of fruit driven wines with strong varietal expression and superior mouthfeel. Mount Benson lies within the Limestone Coast region of South Australia and is a recently defined viticultural region located between the coastal towns of Robe and Kingston. The first grapes were planted in 1989 and the area has since rapidly expanded with more than 370 hectares now planted. The region benefits from the pervasive influence of the Limestone Coast - red sandy loam soils over a free draining limestone base and the maritime influence of the Great Southern Ocean which moderate the year round temperature producing fruit of distinctive character. The ample supply of high quality water, mild maritime climate and relatively low frost risk make for ideal growing conditions. The Mount Benson region is already being acknowledged for its cool climate Cabernet and Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

Viognier 2008 Ralph Fowler Wines have pioneered the Viognier variety in Mount Benson. The vines are trellised on a lyre (V) trellis system to maximize sunlight on the fruit and enhance the unique Viognier characteristics. The fully exposed berries acquire a golden colour and the unique honeysuckle taste needed to make quality Viognier. Viognier growing in the strongly maritime and cool climate of Mount Benson is producing a wine that is both elegant and powerful. The fragrance, perfume and acidity resulting from the cool climate are balanced with the strength, richness and fullness of the variety. The wine is fermented in French oak and bottled off lees with minimal handling to maximise the varietal expression and flavours. This exotic wine has the characters of white peaches, lychees, custard apple and honey suckle. The palate is elegant, long and silky with finesse and balance between the strong flavour of apricot and dried fruits and the crisp citrus, roasted nuts and sweet honeysuckle. Strongly flavoured, yet soft, with an elegant perfume, the wine can accompany a wide range of foods but is possibly best matched with the classic dishes. Enjoy the wine now for its unusual flavours and aroma. The wine will develop musk and honeysuckle characters with age if properly cellared, try 4 to 5 years. The 2008 is not yet reviewed, but the 2007 received the following. "Deep colour; a bit of struck match complexity, with straw and spiced apricot on the palate; rich and long. Screwcap." 89 points, James Halliday, Feb 2009

Shiraz 2007 The old vines from which these grapes are sourced yield a miserly 16.5 hectoliter per hectare. The wine was made from grapes grown on 35 year old vines and a small quantity produced from estate vines on the lyre trellis at Mount Benson. After a slow and patient fermentation the wine was allowed to sit on skins for 3 weeks before pressing and running into French oak barriques. The wine was matured in these barrels for 2 years before blending and bottling. The wine is rich and powerful and shows the ripe berry fruits, warm earthy characters and the cedar, licorice and fruit cake characters of the variety and the Fowler cellar style. The Fowlers consider this to be the best vintage they have produced so far and is of limited quantity. Optimal cellaring is in the region of 5 to 7 years which will allow the wine to develop bouquet and soften on the palate although the wine can be enjoyed now for its rich fruit flavour. Classic food pairings are Beef Wellington or Vintage Cheddar cheeses.

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

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