Fresh back from the Hari Raya holidays, an opportunity to attend a MasterClass couldn't be of a better timing. Organized by Sommelier Association of Malaysia, the Master for today is none other than Mr Neil McGuigan, the winemaker of McGuigan Wines. With over 30 years experience in the wine industry, he is renowned as an innovator in the field of Australian wines. Holding firm to his tagline "Wine is the Hero", He is the first winemaker in the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 44 years history to win International Winemaker of the Year and Australian Producer of the Year for 3 times.
Held in evening of 14th August 2013, we were given chance to taste 9 different types of wines which can be broken down to:-
The WhiteWines
McGuigan Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2012
McGuigan Expressions Pinot Grigio 2012
McGuigan Founders Pinot Gris 2012
McGuigan Shortlist Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2011
The Red Wines
McGuigan Private Bin Shiraz 2012
McGuigan Founders Cab Shiraz 2011
McGuigan Shortlist Barossa Valley GSM 2011
McGuigan Handmade Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2009
McGuigan Farms Shiraz 2009
Among the first few questions, Mr Neil open to the class was what is the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. The answer was that Pinot Grigio is an Italian variety grape while Pinot Gris is a French variety grape. They may sound familiar but Pinot Grigio wines are lighter than Pinot Gris due to the duration of oxidation process. McGuigan Expressions Pinot Grigio 2012 is oily with pear aroma and is slightly pinky. According to Mr Neil, an A grade wines should fulfill the criteria in flavor, aroma and longetivity. As for McGuigan Founders Pinot Gris 2011 it is known as the mini chardonnay with musky, oaky, chewy and has more acidity. McGuigan Shortlist Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2011 on the other hand is known as the Prince of white grape variety as it consists of Chardonnay. Classified as a cool climate grape variety, the chardonnay of McGuigan Wines are harvested from the coolest region of chardonnay-Adelaide Hills.
Coming to the red wines, Mr Neil mentioned that wines are supposed to be taken with food and this is especially true for the red wines we are tasting. We started off with McGuigan Private Bin Shiraz 2012 and is such a lovely soft approachable red wine which Mr Neil term it as 5 o'clock wines :) as it has low tannin with soft peppery. For wine no. 6, Mcguigan Founders Cab Shiraz 2012, it is definitely a well balanced wine as it has a good fleshy palate with lovely warm tannin which finishes with acidity. McGuigan Shortlist Barossa Valley GSM 2011 which consists of 3 grapes blends namely Grenache - Mourvedre - Syrah caught us by surprise as it has a lingering effect on the palate! It is really rare and I indefinitely find it amazing!! However, the wine which made the biggest impression on me is none other than McGuigan Handmade Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2009, it actually taste a bit salty and you can taste almost no tannins! This is amazing as the wine are 4 years old! and it doesn't stop there..each time you take another sip, a different aroma and palete appears, it started of with blackcurrant then a bit buttery, it turns to spicy and then salty. It is as though the wine is evolving in the glass ..Wow! I can't wait to see what would this wine evolve to in another 2-3 years more.
Mr. Neil Mcguigan & I
A handful of the wines we tasted today had yet to hit Malaysian shores and I would look forward to the wines when it does. Cheers!
McGuigan Wines
Hunter Valley Cellar DoorCorner Broke & McDonalds Roads
Pokolbin NSW 2032
Ph: +61 (0)2 4998 7402
Barossa Valley Cellar Door (Yaldara)Hermann Thumm Drive
Lyndoch SA 5351
Ph: +61 (0)8 8524 0225
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