While the red berries are in no hurry to ripen, David Pike takes the opportunity to take into account a new offering.
While the red berries are in no hurry to ripen, David Pike takes the opportunity to take into account a new offering.
IT seems that the red berries just don’t want to ripen in a hurry.
Things have quietened down in the winery this last week, but I am sensing a barrage of red fruit this week.
Most of us enjoy drinking reds but working with red fruit is not much good when it comes to hiding the evidence in an attempt not to secure another six pack fine.
Fortunately I have thus far avoided adding to my total.
Of the reds that have come off the vine there seems to be plenty of flavour and from all reports cabernet sauvignon and merlot from the Margaret River region are looking the goods.
Cool days and nights, together with a spot of rain last weekend has not seemingly affected the fruit still hanging on vines.
If anything it will just delay harvesting by a few days.
New vineyards are continually popping up through out Western Australia and with those vineyards come hundreds of new labels.
One of these new developments caught my attention late last year as it involved a group of accountants.
Channybearup Vineyard was set up in Pemberton with Perth accounting firm Bentleys MRI involved in the investment.
The 62 hectare property was planted in 1999 with a second planting in 2000.
Given that it is a bunch of accountants you can imagine the methodical planning that went into selecting not only the site but the varieties as well – 9ha of shiraz, 10ha of merlot, 7.5ha of cabernet sauvignon, 2.5ha of sauvignon blanc 22ha of chardonnay and a handful of verdelho.
And yes, this is another vineyard trying its hand at – you guessed it – pinot noir, with 7 ha planted (more of this later).
Channybearup vineyards have created the Fly Brook label and the first releases are now available.
The label itself has been very well put together with some very engaging packaging.
But how do the wines stack up?
Taking into consideration that the wines are from young vines there is some very encouraging results.
The wines were made under the eye of Brendan Smith down at West Cape Howe and Bruce Dukes has lent his hand to the pinot noir.
The unwooded chardonnay at $18 is full of flavoursome fruit, some citrus notes and it is quite easy to enjoy right now.
It is not all that complicated yet quite delicious.
The cabernet sauvignon 2001 at $20 is very reasonably priced and for my mind showing slightly too many green herbal touches.
The fruit is ripe and combined with some smart oak looks the part but not my cup of tea.
Fly Brook Shiraz 2001 $20 17/20
Shiraz from down in Pemberton has the potential to produce some stunning results.
This wine was quite a delight.
Attractive mulberry fruits with an undertone of anise and complementing oak spice.
The palate displayed savoury touches with brambles, damson and black cherry fruits, integrated dusty tannins and a lively finish.
Fly Brook Pinot Noir 2002 17.5/20
This wine has not been released yet and the sample I tasted was from the barrel.
Just when my contempt for pinot noir from the west had almost been set in concrete, Bruce Dukes has worked some magic with this wine.
The wine is showing very attractive fragrant aromas of cherries, wild strawberries and smoky oak.
Although the palate is wrapped up tight in plenty of oak at present, there is some fleshy, savoury fruit hanging around.
The fruit looks good and more importantly even looks like pinot. I will be looking forward to seeing the finished wine.
For more information on the wines of Fly Brook and the Channybearup Vineyards visit www.channybearup.com.au or phone 9322 4142.
