Where Good Wines hatch

Eagles’ Nest

I've loved Eagles' Nest since before I knew anything of The Wine. I met The Viognier one fateful afternoon and it's been true love ever since. I have even managed to save a bottle of the lesser spotted 2010 vintage, which I treasure (although it constantly tugs at my heart  asking me to give it a cuddle & pop the cork).

WHITE:

·         Eagles’ Nest Viognier (2012): Marmelade, lemon, jam & butter, chewing jasmine, silky, buttery, orange blossom, savouriness, green.

·         Eagles’ Nest Viognier (2011): Shy nose, nuts, subtle honey, buttery honey drenched French toast, caramel, toffee lurking, white pear, tulle & babies’ breath, nutmeg.  9 months in barrel on lees. Cold year – long hang time (**)

·         Eagles’ Nest Viognier (2010): Orange blossom & jasmine, honeysuckle, melting Camembert, lurking pear & litchi, exquisite, rich & raw silky, lurking nutmeg. Hot vintage, short hang time. (***)

RED:

·         Eagles’ Nest Shiraz (2008): Juicy, gummy berry juice, soft, lots of pepper, cumin, dried coriander (disguised biltong spice), smokey biltong wrapped in silk, mouth coating, cloves & aniseed.

·         Eagles’ Nest Shiraz (2009):  Stronger pepper nose, world renowned, cheesey, spaghetti, ginger, smooth, creamy, almost edible – want to make it into a meal, chalky end (tannin) (**)

·         Eagles’ Nest Shiraz (2010): Aggressive spice, wet biltong, chewy, soft spices, coffee, tanniny, berries in pavlova, smokey, coffee-mocha aftertaste, molasses (*)

Notes:

·         Bottle shock during bottling – like getting an 8 – 5 job after university

·         Viognier is the only white permitted to be blended with reds in Rhone valley

·         Grapes left on vines for 2 -3 months longer than most farms

·         2006 = 1^st vintage

·         White – new world style – tanks, low temperatures, expressive, lean, reserved

·         225l oak barrels – fermentation & maturation on lees

·         Vertical tasting – whites: light (primary fruit to rich); red: soft to spicy (richest white to softest red to transition pallet)

·         Shiraz – new world (Southern Hemisphere) – new wood, stylistic

·         Warm climates = fruit driven, jam & plums

·         Cool climate Shiraz = meaty, peppery, cloves

·         Old world style (France, Italy, Europe) – old barrels & older vines.