ALDGATE RIDGE 2004 PINOT NOIR

When we planted our first few hectares of vines in 1992 this was the sort of wine we aspired to producing. The fruit also shows lots of rich, plummy, meaty flavours which are complemented by the more aromatic, berrylike characters of the local pinot clones.

We were fortunate to be among the first in Australia to get access to a couple of Burgundian clones. These are characterised by smaller berries, deeper colour and more intense palate flavours than the more aromatic locally developed clones, which the Whissons also planted.

A decade and a bit after planting their vineyard, the Whissons think that the differences in flavour and structure from the Burgundian-clone blocks and the Australian-clone blocks are becoming more significant and providing our pinot maker, David Powell, with a real edge in building complexity.

“Aldgate Ridge is one of the few Australian vineyards growing pinot fruit that can make a genuinely rich, robust red without compromising varietal integrity,” said David.

“The Burgundian clones help a lot, because the fruit is less susceptible to oxidation so you can work it a bit harder and give it a bit more new oak. The fruit also shows lots of rich, plummy, meaty flavours which are complemented by the more aromatic, berrylike characters of the local pinot clones.

“I’m very pleased with the result and think that the Aldgate ’03 Pinot really does combine big, soft, mouth-filling structure with flavours that are unmistakably varietal and would easily be recognised by drinkers with a background in European wine.”

ALDGATE RIDGE 2006 SAUVIGNON BLANC

The 2006 Adelaide Hills vintage was near-perfect for sauvignon blanc — early, warm and quick, with fruit developing intense flavours and preserving acid balance.

This wine has just about everything we look for in a sauvignon blanc — pungent aromatics that are both herbaceous and redolent of tropical fruit, combined with a palate that is both fresh and zesty yet has enough mid-palate weight to be really satisfying.