1974 WINERY’S 2007 DEBUT

wine with david ellis

WESTERN Australia's Capel Vale wines have come a long way since Sydney
radiologist Dr Peter Pratten bought a block of land and set up a
winery in a tin shed a quarter-hour's drive outside Bunbury back in
1974.

Today under the guidance of son Simon, Capel Vale draws fruit from all
WA's major cool climate growing areas, and not content to rest on its
many well-earned laurels, the forever innovative outfit has just
released an outstanding 2007 Verdelho under a newly-conceived Debut
Series label.

This is a wine with nice sweet fruit character, a dry and clean
finish, and gorgeously rich tropical fruit aromas

Try it with roast duck, salt and pepper prawns, spicy Asian dishes,
basil chicken, or simply crackers and gherkins; it's enticingly priced
at $17.95.

ONE FOR LUNCH: NIGEL Dolan leads a very creative and imaginative
winemaking team at Pepperjack in the Barossa Valley, one that's
constantly working to showcase the outstanding qualities of the Valley
for which all have a truly genuine passion.

Their 2006 Shiraz is rich red in colour with soft purple hues, big on
rich and softly concentrated berry fruit flavours, and has a bouquet
with plenty of blackcurrant, cherry, plum and a touch of spice.

Well priced at $23.99 to share outdoors with a barbecued leg of lamb
spiked with sprigs of rosemary.

BUY OF THE WEEK: KIRRIHILL's 2007 Clare Valley Rosé was made from
Garnacha, a variety that's little-known here but is Spain's
most-widely grown wine grape; it's got nice strawberry and raspberry
flavours, and is vibrant in Rosé colour. Pay $14.99, chill and
toss-down with Indian butter chicken.

(David Ellis' wine column is archived on http://vintnews.com)

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EXCELLENT with a range of dishes from salt & pepper prawns to gherkins
and crackers, Capel Vale's 2007 Debut Verdelho.

TOSS a leg of rosemary-spiked lamb on the barbie to go with this Pepperjack

2006 Shiraz.