Gourmet Traveller Wine Best Australian Reds Under $20 - Voted Worlds Best Drink Magazine
2007 MIKE PRESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Adelaide Hills, A$13
Mike Press devoted a lifetime to working for the big boys but stepped down as chief winemaker for Mildara Blass in 1998, thinking that he and wife Judy could enjoy retirement growing grapes near Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills. When the big companies
refused to pay more than an uneconomic $300 per tonne for fruit, Press decided he'd be better off making his own wine and finding ways to distribute it.
Winning a trophy, with fruit classified as D-grade by one of the large wineries, proved a good launching pad for the venture. Further show success (three trophies and seven golds for the 2005 reds) with wines selling on the mailing list for less than $12, suggests that Mike Press can deliver quality wines at rock-bottom prices. The key to Press' success has been the vineyard's 24 hectares of mature vines and his winemaking experience. The wines are made under contract at Cellarmasters, where he employs some of the tricks he's learnt over the years. With new oak at a premium, the cabernet is rotated so that each batch has some time under the influence of the best oak. Press has chosen to market directly via cellar door and mail order, passing on the distributors' margin to customers in cheaper prices. This is possible because of his reputation, the show record of his wines and lower costs.
The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is a soft, round, silky-smooth Adelaide Hills cabernet, much riper than I would have expected, with blackcurrant and mulberry flavours, neatly integrated oak and supple, velvety tannins. 1t has a concentration and elegance that belies its price.
A wine only becomes a bargain if its quality is fantastic in relation to its price
Peter Forrestal Gourmet Traveller Wine Feb/Mar 2009 |
