Gibraltar Rock, Porongurups, WA
I first visited this area in 1999 and loved the vast expanse of the rocks that tower over the vineyard. The biggest rock is known locally as “Elephant rock” and is a granite monolith that brings an extra dimension to the wines (especially the Riesling which is planted just underneath the rock) due to its affect on the temperature of the soil. It tends to keep the soil warmer at night and a little cooler during the day. Opposite the impressive Sterling mountain range the area is one of the oldest rock formations in the world and Dr Peter Honey, who acquired the site in 2001, has taken the operation into new leagues with the help of Doug, his vineyard manager.
Click the images below to see larger pictures of Gibraltar Rock
Riesling 2004
The vineyard for this wine was planted in 1979 at 300 metres above sea level. Cool nights and a north facing slope provide ideal conditions for growing super premium Riesling. Rhine Riesling makes up 80% of the plantings with a Geisenheim clone making up the remainder.
The wine is typically pale green, straw coloured, with a nose of lime, musk and spice. This wine displays a fresh juicy sweetness on entry. Lime and spice liven the palate while the slatey linear acidity gives great backbone and mouthwatering length. This wine will develop for well in the bottle for up to 10 years.
Alc 12% vol
Price: £11.85
Mr Whirly says
“A summer Riesling that flows with the freshness of cut limes, stoned fruit, nectarine and peaches with a hint of banana. This wine will be perfect this summer as an aperitif, with English asparagus and with poached salmon with Hollandaise”
Chardonnay 2004
The vines from which this wine was made were planted in 1980 from a 1.6 hectare site at the Karrivale vineyard. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented for 10 months in French oak.
This is a great example of typical cool climate Chardonnay. Aromatic and textured this wine has aromas of white peach, pink grapefruit and cashew. The palate has depth and concentration with bright stone fruit characteristics and a crisp, clean, acidity with a long finish. The oak is soft and subtle, vitally important today and adds beautifully to the texture of the wine. Drink now and in the next 5 years.
Alc 14% vol
Price: sold out
Mr Whirly says
“ lets start to drink Chardonnay again from Australia in the mid-price range that is oaked softly in French oak; this wine has great tropical depth, limes, guava, hazelnut, apple seeds and truffle on the palate and nose. Would accompany oak smoked salmon or smoked haddock.”
“A wine that could be confused with a premier cru St Aubin”, Chris Chown, Proprietor, Plas Bodegroes
Prices...
(all prices are per bottle and ex vat.
Unless stated the bottles are 750ml)
Whilst Whirly wine will endeavour to maintain prices
at the same level we reserve the right to change the prices of the wines
without given notice. This will invariably be due to the fluctuation of
currency rates and therefore beyond our control
Wines will be delivered, where possible, within 48 hours but this cannot be guaranteed. The majority of deliveries throughout the UK will be charged at a set rate of £9.95 plus VAT but this depends on the number of cases ordered and exactly where the delivery is to in the UK. Please ask for delivery rates at the time of ordering. Delivery from the “ Whirly Van” will be charged at £7.50 plus VAT.
Whirly wine reserves the right not to sell any wine to anyone who it suspects of being less than 18 years old