At a recent tasting at UNWINED, I had the pleasure to try some wines from Henry’s Drive Vignerons, a winery in Padthaway, part of the Limestone Coast in the southeastern corner of South Australia. This area was once ocean bottom as evidenced by the limestone surface lying beneath the rich red soil and sandy ridges. The Longbottom family, Mark and Kim, planted their vines in 1992, releasing their first vintage in 1996. Since then the vineyards have grown to over 500 acres and include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Verdelho.
Henry’s Drive is named after the 19th Century mail coach service that once ran through the property. These horse-drawn coaches were the only transportation of mail and passengers in this remote wild land and the drivers won the respect and admiration of their passengers. The coach service proprietor in this area was Mr. Henry John Hill. The coach routes were called Drives, and thus the winery is called Henry’s Drive. The labels of the wines is reminiscent of those early wild days with the Pillar Box line named for the ubiquitous red Pillar Boxes (mailboxes) that first appeared in the Padthaway region in the 1850s when the modern postal service was introduced.
Pillar Box White 2007 is a blend of 56% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 14% Verdelho. This very pale green colored wine has the aroma of orange blossom, gooseberry and an herbaceous quality. These same flavors are continued on the palate with the Sauvignon Blanc providing the strongest flavors and the Chardonnay providing the soft texture and a hint of green apple and tropical flavors. It has crisp acidity and a long finish. I would suggest this wine with seafood or chicken dishes.
Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz 2007 has a dark inky color with the rich aroma of black currant and peppery/spicy notes. On the palate you experience the same ripe dark berry flavors, cloves and a briary earthy quality overlaid with both black and white pepper. The tannins are firm but round and velvety in the mouth. This wine would be perfect for peppercorn steak or Cajun foods.
Dead Letter Office Shiraz 2006 is a blend of Shiraz grapes from their properties in McLaren Vale and Padthaway. The intense flavors on the nose include a wide spectrum of fruit, including raspberries, blackberries and cherries, plus a hint of milk chocolate, vanilla and roasted coffee. On the palate you can experience the wonderful blending of grapes from different regions as the same flavors come together in a creamy blend with hints of mint and chocolate. This wine would work well with a hearty steak.
Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz 2005 is a refined, elegant wine produced in a more Rhone style. The complex aromatic nose has floral qualities with hints of mint and eucalyptus. The palate presents luscious ripe blueberry and blackberry flavors with the hint of spice and cedar to complete this well balanced wine. This would be great with duck or goose or roasted lamb.
I have always been a fan of Syrah/Cab blends and the Parson’s Flat Cabernet Shiraz 2006 is an excellent showing of this blend. It has a ripe cherry color and on the nose it displays a spicy quality with clove, caramel and mocha. The explosive blackberry taste on the palate is followed by spice, coffee and licorice. The firm ripe tannins coat the mouth and the well balanced blend leads to a long finish. Sit down to a table with a thick steak and Parson’s Flat and enjoy!
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