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barossa
And just what is a Barossa?
2007 Earthworks Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley) $11.99
The question came up at dinner, the great wine valley north of Australia sounds Italian, maybe aboriginal?
Would you believe Spanish? Named by a British soldier and abetted by bureaucratic error but Spanish indeed.
How so? The valley is named for the Barossa Range. The Range was named by the English officer exploring it for a great battle in the Napoleonic wars along Barrosa Ridge near Cadiz. Somehow the spelling got goofed. I know that can happen, especially in Oz. Consider Earthworks 2007 cabernet sauvignon, a tight spicy cab from Barossa ($11.99). No question that its home in one of the valley; main town specifically n-u-r-i-o-o-p-t-a , is a word of the native peoples (it means “meeting place”).
My word processing program is not so multicultural and renders my attempt of the home place as “neuropath,” which sounds like a very pretentious psychopath.
Is it trying to tell me something?
- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler
2006 Kaesler Stonehorse GSM (Barossa, Australia)
“The label’s new to some U.S. drinkers, but Kaesler is old Barossa, old barrels, fairly old vines and an old Rhone blend. Not another Shiraz blend, but an elegant package, a lovely to drink early on. Grenache leads the flavor, with lots of flowers and jammy plums, while the Shiraz and Mourvedre provide structure, body and polish. It’s broad, sturdy but soft and thick. Don’t expect the pepper and spice of simple Rhones; you’ll get more licorice, coffee and chocolate. Not a wine for rustic lamb and game, this Stonehorse rides with good beef where Pomerol might go.”
2006 Kaesler Stonehorse GSM (Barossa, Australia) – 14.99