On The Grapevine

with David Ellis

Iconic help for return of an icon

When Lindemans re-launched their iconic Hunter Valley Bin Range after a spell of four years, they sought another icon to ensure that they had it right.

For years these wines were amongst our most revered, and Lindemans winemaker Matthew Johnson was determined that the new Hunter Valley Range Semillon and Shiraz were as good as those of days gone by.

So he called on the skills and knowledge of the legendary Karl Stockhausen: Stockhausen had begun in career with the company in 1955 after emigrating from Germany, and his red wines of 1965 including the Bin 3110 and 3100 Burgundies, were deemed amongst the year's best by judges and wine writers.

And his Classic Release Hunter River Chablis 1970 was still being awarded medals and trophies 20 years after its release.

Stockhausen and Johnson assessed those wines, along with dozens of other Lindemans' Hunter back vintages, to pinpoint the qualities and characteristics of the best vintages.

"With Karl's insight and guidance I was able to harness the hallmark characteristics of the best of Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz for our 2004 wines," Johnson says.

The Hunter Valley Semillon Bin 0455 2004 has intense honeydew melon, citrus and floral flavours and really screams out "Hunter Valley" while the Shiraz Bin 0403 2004 is savoury with rich cherry, liquorice and Hunter Valley Shiraz flavours.

Each costs around $19.95; the Semillon makes a perfect match with seafood, and the Shiraz ideal to go on the table with beef, duck or veal.

Those Bin numbers: The first two digits represent the year of vintage, reduced to two digits (04). The last two are the wine style: 55 is Semillon and 03 Shiraz.