This week, I discovered that I can’t afford Margaret River wines. Or at least, not the ones I’d really love to drink.
Margaret River – the pocket of land below Perth in Western Australia – is surrounded on three sides by water. The climate is cooler than some of the other big wine regions of Australia, with average growing season temperatures of between 17 and 19 degrees C. It produces around 20% of Australia’s fine wines and has a reputation for producing some of the best wines in the new world.
Breaking the budget
Our wine club has a budget each month – which I usually manage to break – of £75 for four bottles. When Cynth and I went into Jeroboam’s on Pont Street in London (which has a great collection of Margaret River wines) I told the incredibly helpful and knowledgeable man in there our budget. He asked “per bottle?” which should have rung an alarm bell.
It was a challenge, but one he rose to brilliantly. I’d wanted to include one of the big, punchy Cabernet Sauvignons that the area is famous for, but that was clearly out of range. We were both absolutely determined to include a Chardonnay, and so picked the cheapest one in the shop, from Moss Wood, at £27.50. We were warned that it was really a bit young to drink (it will mature in 10 years) but drink it we did, and it was amazing. Styled more like a Burgundy than what we’ve come to associate with Aussie Chardonnays, it was pale gold and lightly oaked, with just the right amount of nuttiness. I just wish it was cheaper.
The Chardonnay didn’t leave us with much for other three wines. We came away with a Moss Wood Pinot Noir, which was interesting and much spicier than I’d expected. A classic Bordeaux blend from Pierro was delicious, and probably worth the £17.95 we paid for it.
The real surprise was the white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that Margaret River is also known for. None of us are massive Sauvignon Blanc fans, and the initial smell was definitely too like cat’s pee for all of us. But with food – spiced prawns in this case – it was amazing. The Semillon completely softened the Sauvignon Blanc and you could taste the oak that the wine is aged in.
So, I’ll definitely be putting Margaret River wines on my Christmas list, and looking out for them in restaurants. But I’ll be especially happy when someone else is footing the bill.
The wines
The wines we tried were all from Jeroboam’s on Pont Street in London.
- 2015 Moss Wood Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend, Ribbon Vale Vineyard, £13.95
- 2015 Moss Wood Chardonnay, £27.40
- 2015 Moss Wood Pinot Noir, £19.95
- 2012 Pierro LTCF Cabernet/Merlot blend (touch of Cabernet Franc), £17.95
