By David Ellis from Vintnews.
There was a time when true gentlemen of this world always had a good tawny port on hand to offer guests at the completion of a fine dinner, or to bid them Good Night or Farewell as they made their way to bed or to home.
Now, Lindeman have released a wonderful new tawny to recall that era, offering with it a light-hearted set of rules reflecting yesteryear chivalry, and complete with guidelines to savouring this almost by-gone wine style. For, as Chief Winemaker Wayne Falkenberg says, “along with slippers and dressing gowns, fortified wines have become somewhat of a quaint tradition of yesteryear, a terrible shame for the generations who have missed out on this rich, luscious wine style.”
As part of Lindeman’s Gentleman’s Collection, this is an almost-must for those of us who can remember those days of yore, and a great idea as a Christmas gift for dads, grand-dads, older-era uncles (and aunts!) who can fondly remember “another time.”
A blend of four grape varieties from half a dozen vintages, and fortified with a secret select spirit, this Lindeman’s Gentleman’s Collection Tawny has lovely concentrated sweet fruit flavours, hints of spicy raisins, sweet maple syrup and a nutty finish. At just $22, it’s an ideal gift to leave under the tree.
One to note: a somewhat simple and impromptu “dinner party” of creamed and slightly-peppery mushrooms on toast for those who lingered on after watching the Melbourne Cup at a mate’s home, will in fact be long remembered for one thing – our host’s choice of a perfect wine to match this simple, but successful offering.
For he broke out a few 2016 Pepper Tree Limited Release Wrattonbully Pinot Gris’, a wine whose lovely Nashi pear and fig flavours matched so stunningly with the creamy spiciness of those mushrooms. Winemaker Gwyn Olsen really has crafted a cracker drop with this one, and if you are after something more substantial than those mushrooms on toast, think about matching it with Thai fish cakes, lemon chicken or even German sauerbraten (pot roast.) And it is just $22 a bottle.
