If you’ve been following along, you’d know that Rob has cleaned out his cellar and (somewhat reluctantly!) prepared this list of top-notch wines he is ready to share with our Jockey Club members.

(Not a member of the Jockey Club? Find out how to join here.)

On Sunday 30th October (at 12pm ACDT), the following list of wines will be available for sale via our website…

 

Magnum 1.5L

1999

Shiraz

Admiral’s Reserve

Cape d’Estaing

2

$320

750mL

2000	Shiraz	cleanskin	Cape d’Estaing	5	$220
2003	Cabernet	Wisanger Hills	Cape d’Estaing	6	$220
2005	Cabernet		Cape d’Estaing	4	$220
2005	Cabernet	cleanskin	Cape d’Estaing	24	$200
2005	Sparkling Cabernet		Cape d’Estaing	4	$180
2009	Picnic Races Cabernet	1st ever vintage	Somerled	1	$55
2010	Pinot Noir		Somerled	2	$125
2012	Pinot Noir		Somerled	4	$125
2010	Fume Blanc		Somerled	2	$125
2008	Chardonnay	Steeplechase	Somerled	10	$125
2008	Sparkling Pinot	1st ever vintage	Somerled	4	$125
2011	Sparkling Pinot		Somerled	1	$125
2013	Sparkling Pinot		Somerled	5	$125
2014	Sparkling Pinot		Somerled	7	$125
2015	Sparkling Pinot		Somerled	3	$125
2016	Sparkling Pinot		Somerled	5	$125
2001	Shiraz		Somerled	9	$220
2002	Shiraz		Somerled	7	$220
2002	Shiraz	Steeplechase	Somerled	6	$220
2003	Shiraz		Somerled	2	$220
2005	Shiraz		Somerled	6	$220
2005	Shiraz	cleanskin	Somerled	6	$200

 

What you need to know…

 

CAPE D’ESTAING

Back in the early 90s Rob and Heather were convinced, by friends (probably over a glass of wine or two!), to grow grapes on Kangaroo Island.

Rob had always been adamant that he didn’t want to get involved in growing grapes. It’s a tricky thing to do and he didn’t really have the expertise.

BUT…

When a site on the North coast of Kangaroo Island (3km in from Emu Bay) came up, he could see the potential. The unique location of the vineyard meant that even on those hot north wind days, the wind would be coming off the sea. That means it would be degrees cooler and not have as much of an impact on the grapes. Rob thought there was a chance that it could be something very special. And could produce quite distinctive wines.

So, in 1993 Rob and Heather, along with three other couples bought the site for a reasonable price.

And so began the arduous task of planting the vineyard which was made up of 50% Shiraz and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon vines.

These varieties were specifically chosen for a couple of important reasons. First, it had to be a red variety. The fruit wouldn’t be processed on the island, so it needed to travel well. As it turned out though, the travel time between vineyard and winery (a contract facility in McLaren Vale headed up by Mike Farmilo) was at worst 12 hours. In hindsight, they could have probably planted a white variety.

The owners, and in particular Rob, were also keen to see how some classic varieties performed in that climate. In particular Cabernet and Shiraz.

Planting was completed in 1994 and the first vintage to come from Cape d’Estaing was 1998.

And boy… what a vintage it was!

There is often a belief that old vines make for better quality wine. But as Rob and his partners quickly discovered, this just wasn’t the case for this particular vineyard. Their first vintage was (in Rob’s words) “spectacular”!

Originally the group was planning on just growing the grapes and selling them to interested parties.

However… it soon became obvious, especially when they saw the quality of the first lot of fruit, that they should make it into wine and then sell that in bulk.

Two days into fermentation the wine was looking spectacularly good so they decided to hang onto it. In fact, it was so good that other people caught wind of it and started making approaches to buy the wine. That certainly made the group’s decision easier… “well, if it’s that good we should definitely keep it for ourselves!”

The group then found themselves having to make decisions about a brand name, artwork, labels, etc…. a time Heather admits was “the closest she has ever come to having a nervous breakdown!”

 

And the rest is history…

The group continued to produce great quality fruit and sensational wines until 2008 when they decided to sell the vineyard.

They had great success selling straight Shiraz and Cabernet into the USA along with a Shiraz/Cabernet blend into Europe. There were some word-of-mouth sales here in Australia, but the rest was happily consumed by family and friends (or ferreted away in wine cellars!).

Ideally, they should have had a retail outlet on the Island, but none of the parties were interested in getting involved to that level. With Rob still working for Penfold’s at the time and other “day jobs” taking up time, this was more of a side project for all involved.

After the vineyard was sold (and sadly left to its devices after a few years) the brand was also sold in 2008. If you happen to come across any wines labelled under the same brand then, keep in mind that they were not made by Rob and friends and were made from grapes from a different vineyard and region.

 

The wines

As fate would have it, Rob’s earlier prediction that the vineyard could be something quite special turned out to be true.

The grapes ripened nice and early (so less chance of the weather having an adverse impact) and the yields were low. The fruit produced very rich and full wines.

The cabernet is varietally very distinctive. You definitely know it’s cabernet.

The Shiraz has that lovely rich pruney, plummy character. Rob describes it as “McLaren Vale but even more so”.

The fruit consistently produced beautifully attractive wines. A sommelier in Baltimore once told Rob that the 2004 Cabernet was “the best cabernet in the world”. One man’s opinion, I know, but still…!

All of the partners liked the idea of making a sparkling red. So, beginning in 2001 some of the cabernet was made into sparkling (because the USA market preferred the Shiraz, so they had some cabernet to play with!).

*NOTE: the names Wisanger Hills and Admiral’s Reserve are just nicknames given to those wines

 

FUME BLANC

This is a heartbreaking sale. The 2010 is a coveted vintage. The Moodys have kept a couple for themselves, but they’re sharing the last two with you!

 

PINOT NOIR

These two pinots will be even more complex and interesting than when they were originally pouring at the Cellar Bar. And for those of you who can remember them back then, that’s pretty hard to imagine! They were sensational then and they’ll be incredible now. 

 

SPARKLING PINOT

Wonderful drunk now and all vintages are at their utter, elegant best. 

 

SOMERLED SHIRAZ

Need we say more (than all the amazing things we’ve said before)?!

This is the absolutely last time these wines will be for sale – a moment we have been avoiding for a long time (just between you and me, I think Lucy is taking it the hardest!).

The Moodys have ferreted away two bottles of each vintage and have added the rest to this list. Nothing would make them happier than to share the last beautiful, exquisite drops with our Club Members!!! 

 

If you haven’t already added this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to your calendar… what are you waiting for??!!

GO!

NOW!