Castagna Wines

Castagna Wines are committed to biodynamic grape growing and winemaking. Their wines are growing in recognition both locally and internationally, and they export to countries including the UK, France, Spain, Denmark, Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan.

And Julian Castagna takes the quality of his wines seriously. He recently contacted us about temperature loggers because he wanted to be able to guarantee that they reach their destination in perfect condition. The Logtag was ideal for his needs and he can now track the temperature of his wine from the moment it leaves the winery up to the moment his customers receive it.

But that’s not what this blog is about. It’s about the wine.

I need to make two confessions. Firstly, I enjoy a good red. Secondly, I would not normally spend $70 on a bottle of red. So when Julian offered us some samples, we jumped at the chance to try his wines. We tried the 2008 and 2009 Genesis Syrah.

I am sure that a good wine critique would mention the aromas and the hints of flavour and the after taste. I will cheat and use the notes from their own web site:

CASTAGNA 2009 GENESIS SYRAH

The nose is deep and compelling; black, brooding, with hints of sweet, ripe, cherry- to-plum fruit, then sweet leather – old leather, with a lick of boot polish that smells both intriguing and inviting. Then come notes of cracked black pepper and dried thyme, with just a touch of star anise. The palate is supple, earthen, rich and round with a fine dry spice – layers of black cherries, with an overlay of wild herbs giving a spicy lift to the wine. Mouth-filling, vibrant, spicy and alive, yet still long, dry, and savoury. A complex wine that lifts the bar another notch in the Genesis story. Spicy, juicy, savoury and yet complex, perhaps the most lush and approachable of all Genesis wines to date.

 

CASTAGNA 2008 GENESIS SYRAH

The colour is dark plum to magenta but yet still somehow transparent. A full throttle wine of depth and complexity. It smells of cassis and spice with enchanting aromas of cedar, sweet black pepper, freshly dampened earth and vanilla pod – yet restrained. The palate is rich, concentrated, deep – dark and mysterious with fine powdery tannins and a lovely drying extract. A subtle, delicate floral aspect lingers with the finely powdered tannins on the finish. The graphite-like character and the fresh acidity ensures the wine finishes long, dry and spicy, always alive.

But leaving it there would not do the wine true justice. They were both incredible wines that were a delight from the first smell to the final taste. So in true Australian fashion I will rate it as “not bad”. For any non-Australians reading this (hello to you all, thank you for reading my blog) that translates into “exceptionally good”.

But don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself at www.castagna.com.au and let him know that I sent you there. You probably won’t get a discount but if enough people do it I may get a sample from this year’s batch.