This will be the first opportunity to taste a couple of the late Ken Kirkpatrick's wines. This keenly critical wine man is much missed at Regional tastings, for little escaped his attention. Before his death he arranged for Geoff Kelly to hold certain of his wines in trust, specifically to add depth and points of interest / detail to the Library Tastings series. Each bottle used will result in a contribution to the Educational Trust Ken has established in Southland.

For this tasting, our goal will be to check grape expression and wine style from the key varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, when grown variously in mainland Australia, Western Australia, South Africa, California, and one French, and then talk about them. The tasting includes some of the top wines of the time, but no Trophy wines. At the time they were selected to show varietal quality rather more than oak or weight, hence the favouring of the cooler year 1994. In general, it is true to say that only 20 years ago, Australians had not realised that their finest wines were made in the cool years. Big wines were more the goal then.

For my Library Tastings, the presentation is based on 12 wines all out at once, so comparisons can be made. Note however the pours are very small (30 ml) to both enable more to share sometimes rare bottles, and to lower the entry price. Please come prepared to sniff and sip and savour rather more than initially drinking. Such a small volume can very easily be consumed, without thinking. For this tasting, the wines will be presented blind, since the most expensive wines are up to 7 times the price of the cheapest. It is much more fun to decide which wine one likes best, before the price is known.

Cabernet dominant wines: 
1992 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace, Napa Valley (KK)
1994 Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon Cyril Henschke, Barossa Valley.
1993 Kanoncop Cabernet Sauvignon Paul Sauer, Stellenbosch (KK)
1994 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series, Margaret River
1994 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407, South Australia – various
1993 Peter Lehmann Cabernet-dominant Mentor, Barossa Valley
Reserve wine: 1994 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

Shiraz dominant:
1994 David Wynn Shiraz Patriarch, Eden Valley
1992 Barossa Valley Estates E&E Shiraz Black Pepper, Barossa Valley (KK)
1992 Elderton Shiraz Command, Barossa Valley
1994 Penfolds Shiraz / Cabernet Bin 389, Barossa Valley mainly
1994 Penfolds Shiraz Magill, Adelaide district
1994 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie La Landonne (syrah), Northern Rhone Valley
Reserve wine: 1992 Orlando Shiraz Lawson's, Padthaway
Note: There will be no refunds for cancellations made after 9.00 am sharp, on the Thursday. However, if space allows, bookings after that time will be accepted.

Craggy Range has a long term ambition to be recognised as a producer of some of the world’s finest wines. Their considerable investment has produced vineyards and wineries that are undoubtedly first class. So, how do their current wines stack up? As with all new wineries there has been significant evolution in their wine styles. The more recent wines, particularly the reds, have more elegance and finesse rather than the outright power of the earlier vintages.

For this tasting we are very pleased to have Steve Smith MW, who is a founding director of Craggy Range, present the yet-to-be-released 2010 vintage of Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay, Sophia and Le Sol Syrah alongside older vintages of each wine. Steve is their Director of Wine and Viticulture and will provide unique insight into their fascinating story.

This will be a highlight of the tasting calendar.
Please note the different venue.

In 1928 Maurice Drouhin took over the reigns from his farther, Joseph Drouhin who had founded the merchant company in 1880. He embarked on a programme of buying vineyards to improve the quality of the firm’s wines. One of his first purchases was the vineyard of Beaune Clos du Mouche. Since that time the firm has gone from strength to strength and now has holdings in some of the most famous vineyards in Burgundy.

2009 was an extremely good vintage in Burgundy and for this tasting we will have a line up representing both red and white wines.

Included will be: Clos des Mouche 1er Cru Red and white both 2009 vintage, 

Drouhin Pouilly Fuisse 2009
Drouhin Meursault 2009
Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 2009

Drouhin Givry 2009
Drouhin Santenay 2009
Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin 2009
Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 2009