What to Drink Tonight
Over 95 percent of Australian wine hails from the country’s southeastern reaches, but a growing number of top wines are emerging from another zone entirely. Over 1,000 miles from the nearest vineyard region lies the cool Margaret River peninsula, the westernmost point of Australia’s temperate southern coastline. Dominated by small estate producers, rather than large-scale corporate wineries, this tiny corner of the huge and sparsely populated state of Western Australia is making news with outstanding wines.
The style of wine made here is decidedly different from the stewed fruit and jam qualities more commonly associated with Australian wine. And the Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2003 combines cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot, in the image of classic Bordeaux wines. Sharp and herbal, this wine is more earthy and food-oriented than many would expect. Mid-weight and snappy, packed with tart wild berry flavors and graced with notes of tobacco and cedar, this wine, currently $16.99 at state stores, is a perfect partner for a sizzling steak and mushrooms or an herb-crusted loin of lamb.
Image, oldbridgecellars.com