The Rude Mechanicals ‘Suck-it-and-see-Frizzante’ from the Magpie Estate, Barossa Valley
The Producer
THE RUDE MECHANICALS… a roughly-hewn and hybrid bunch of hapless hams whose play-within-a-play lives as a list within our list, not necessarily to be repeated but purely to express some individual urge – an itch scratched, a plan made flesh, an idea finally hatched, some sudden rush of blood, just something fresh.
The Magpie Estate
This is a partnership between Barossa Valley winemaker, Rolf Binder and UK wine merchant, Noel Young. Established in 1993 when Mourvèdre and Grenache were largely forgotten varieties, these two Rhône-philes have adapted that great larrikin of the Australian sky – the magpie – as their mascot. Driven by the desire to highlight the Barossa Valley’s rich resources of Rhône Valley varieties and to have a good laugh along the way, Magpie Estate claims Mourvèdre, Grenache and Shiraz as its own. The pair create a range of superbly crafted varietals and blends that collectively represent the many personalities and expressions of these three noble varieties in the Barossa. The Russ Meyer cult films have provided the inspiration behind many of the quirky wine names
The Vineyard
This wine is made from grapes grown in the Vine Vale region of the Barossa Valley, where the deep alluvial soil on an old family block of 43 year old Frontignac vines marries with 35 year old Gewurztraminer vines. The grapes are picked relatively young to retain freshness of each individual aromatic characteristic and charm.
Press Quotes
2014 Vintage: “Old vine Frontignac with a hit of Gewurz results in a fascinating wine where the sweetness is balanced by the lime acidity. ‘Light, grapey Muscat aromas with some notes of peach and fragrant rose petal,’ said team leader Tom Forrest, with Yves Desmaris MS of Lutyens adding: ‘Quite sweet, floral and delicate petal fragrance, with medium length.’” Sommelier Wine Awards 2015, Judges Comments
2014 Vintage: “Sweet grape juie scent with at bit of leafiness. Plenty of flavour, easygoing – not to be taken seriously!”. Jancis Robinson’s Purple Pages – Antipodean Alternatives By Richard Hemming. 16 Mar 2015
