Mt Benson Wine Region

SEPTEMBER 2004

JAMES HALLIDAY

The James Halliday 2005 Wine Companion is now available from bookstores. Considered by many as the most authoritative publication on Australian wineries and wines, this years Companion rates the majority of wines coming from Mount Benson Region producers with a 4 Star or better rating (out of 5 Star). These include:

Cape Jaffa

4½ Star	2003 Sauvignon Blanc
4 Star	2003 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc
	2000 Shiraz 2001 Shiraz

Frog Island

4½ Star	2001 Shiraz
4 Star	2003 Sauvignon Blanc

Guichen Bay Vineyards

4 Star

2003 Sauvignon Blanc

Murdup Wines

4 Star

2002 Shiraz

Ralph Fowler Wines

4½ Star	2002 Shiraz Viognier
4 Star	2001 Limestone Coast Cabernet

Wangolina Station

4½ Star	2002 Cabernet / Shiraz
4 Star	2003 Sauvignon Blanc

Wehl’s Mount Benson

5 Star	2002 Shiraz
4½ Star	2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
	2002 Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Cabernet / Merlo

And to put icing on the cake, Wehl’s Mount Benson was included in the select group of “10 of the Best New Wineries” with an overall Winery rating of 5 Stars, while Wangolina Station’s 2002 Cabernet / Shiraz was included in the group of “10 of the best value reds $10 -$15”. Good work, Mount Benson!

Valmai Henkle, wine judge, avid collector and wine writer for The Adelaide Review, in the February 2004 Edition writes "When there's mention of the Limestone Coast, most oenophiles think Coonawarra. But bibbers in the know are becoming increasingly aware of the zone's other regions . . (including) . . .Mt Benson. . . . At present we associate Coonawarra and cabernet sauvignon. Soon it may be Mt Benson and sauvignon blanc . . . . (and concludes the article with) . . .Mt Benson is a region to watch."

Wine Writer Ben Moechtar in his write-up of Cabernet Sauvignon in the September 2003 edition of Australian Good Taste, says “when it comes to producing good, ripe cabernet sauvignon, Australia’s most consistent regions are Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway and, more recently, Mount Benson in South Australia”.

A stunning result for Mount Benson Region wines in the November/December 2003 Edition of Winestate in their Limestone Coast Regional Tasting:

Sauvignon Blanc: Top & 4 Star rating to Ralph Fowler Wines 2003, with 3½ Star to Baudin Rock 2002 and 3 Star to Wangolina Station 2003

Chardonnay: 3 Star to Addisons Section 49 2001, Lysander 2003, Black Wattle 2001 and Wrights Bay 2002 Blend

Cabernet Blends: 4 Star to Wangolina Station Cab/Shiraz 2002 and Lysander Cab Merlot 2001; 3 Star to Cape Jaffa Brocks Reef 2001

Cabernet Sauvignon: 4½ Star to Cape Jaffa 2001; 3½ Star to Murdup Wines and Addison Section 49 2000; 3 Star to Wehls Mt Benson 2000, Black Wattle 2000 and Baudin Rock 1999

Shiraz: Equal top and 4½ Star to Murdup Wines 2002 with 3 Star to Baudin Rock and Cape Jaffa 2001