Winemaker Notes
The Violinist is named for the days when Sarah was made to play the violin right-handed in school, so that she didn't poke her right-handed neighbours in the eye with her bow.
Pairs with all seafood, chicken, veal, cheese and dried fruits.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 1/3 Adelaide Hills fruit and 2/3 McLaren Vale, the 2010 The Violinist Verdelho gives intense aromas of lemon juice, white pepper, coriander seed and a touch of grapefruit peel. Crisp, rich and very full in the mouth (15.5% declared alcohol), this Verdelho provides a great intensity of spiced citrus flavors with some poached pears and apple slices coming through in the long finish. Delicious now, it should remain fresh and vibrant to 2013.
While capable of making a delightful Portugeuse dry white wine, great as an aperitif and for pairing with raw fish and oysters, Verdelho is also a major grape in the production of Madeira. While many less expensive Madeira wines can be blends of different years or grapes, including Verdelho, single-varietal Madeira represent the highest quality versions that also have long aging capacities. Sercial, Boal, Malmsey and Verdelho are the best Madeira grapes. Of the four, Verdelho is the most concentrated and smoky. It is dry, intense, spicy and is flexible in food pairings. Somm Secret—Like many other fortified wines, Madeira made of Verdelho can tolerate extreme aging and some rare bottles can still be found from the late 19th/early 20th century.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.