In this regular feature,
we spotlight those wines that offer great
bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks,
to be exact. Here you'll find our everyday
wines, house pours, and occasionally a
great new find. Have a favorite Bargain
Wine? Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com!
McWilliam
has been a name player in Australia’s
wine scene before there even was an Australia
wine scene. Dating from 1877, the McWilliams
family now has vast vineyard holdings
in some of Australia’s prime wine
regions, including Coonawarra, Hunter
Valley and Yarra Valley, as well as the
Riverina region of New South Wales.
It was in the Riverina region
in 1917 that John James McWilliam established
the Hanwood winery. Today the region produces
an astonishing amount of wine – nearly
25% of Australia’s total production,
including McWilliam’s Hanwood, now
under the direction of sixth generation
winemaker Scott McWilliam.
We recently had the opportunity
to taste the McWilliam’s Hanwood
Estate line – we think there are
some great bargains in this line-up! The
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are new
to the U.S. market in 2003. Here are our
tasting notes:
($12). Smooth and
balanced, with focused apple and pear
fruit, subtle tropical accents and creamy
vanilla rounding out through the finish.
Ready to drink now.
($12). Smooth and ripe,
with plenty of red cherry fruit and sweet
vanilla oak. 10% Cabernet Sauvignon adds
body and structure to this fun, food-friendly
wine. Ready to drink now.
($12). Tasty and appealing,
with concentrated black cherry and currant
fruit accented with loads of warm spices
and smooth mocha notes. Ready to drink
now.
($12).
Smooth and medium-bodied, but showing
good concentration of black cherry and
berry fruit and touches of mint and spice.
Ready to drink now.
To learn more about McWilliam's
and all its wines, visit http://www.mcwilliams.com.au/
This now-fabulously-named column used
to be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines,
for reasons that we cannot currently remember
but were surely enthusiastic about at
the time. Anyhoo, check out our Past
Issue Index for more great value-priced
wine selections!
