Seek and you shall find. My task was plain and simple. Find a “ready to drink”, well priced ($10-15 per bottle) wine I could enjoy with my summer barbeques (BBQ). Then I stumbled over the Sticks winery in Yarra Glen.
Situated within the heart of the Yarra Valley, the Sicks winery overlooks the beautiful town of Yarra Glen only minutes drive from the town centre. A perfect place to grow premium fruit and turn that fruit into great quality wine.
The vineyard is set on 90 acres with 60 acres under vine. Intial plantings in 1983 included such varieties as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot.
The cellar door provides an opportunity to taste these wines and meet the friendly, helpful staff.
I ended up buying a mixed dozen of the following two wines;
1/ 2004 Sticks Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot
This cabernet blend from various regions amply illustrates the Sticks philosophy of value for money. It has a clean, pure nose of blackcurrant syrup, mulberries and dark chocolate, and the light-to-middleweight palate has plenty of smooth black fruit flavours in a balanced, friendly package. It finishes soft and seems best suited to be consumed young.
I strongly felt this wine exactly meet my needs!
2/ 2006 Sticks Shiraz Viognier
Shiraz-Viognier blends are all the rage. Sticks, made in the Yarra Valley, shows you don’t have to pay the earth to learn what it’s all about. Mulberry, plum, spice and a hint of must stick on the nose to precede a palate of silky texture, good intensity and moderate tannins. 4 stars, $$$ (A wine with a price tag that makes it a steal. Stock up on these; they usually don’t last long)
Editors Notes - I’m actually enjoying a bottle now, as I write this post.
In my humble opinion this is a must visit winery if your intending to tour the Yarra Valley.
Comments Courtesy: Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age - Epicure Wine Style, Autumn 2007
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