A Margaret River, Australia Rosé

Does a great wine region make a difference?...

Becketts Flat Winery

The Margaret River region of western Australia is considered world class. In the word’s of wine writer Tom Stevenson it “Remains Australia’s premier region for wine lovers who seek class and finesse, rather than weight and glory.” This may be my first Margaret River wine. Becketts Flat is a single vineyard winery of some 14 hectares (about 35 acres) founded in 1992. The winery is on site and they have a cottage that they rent to tourists. The companion wine is a high-volume Australian rosé at about half the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Five Stones Rosé Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 12.5 % alcohol about $14

There were no marketing materials so let’s start by quoting the back label. “A gently sweet wine displaying ripe strawberry fruit with a pinch of spice and a lemony finish. Serve lightly chilled.“ And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was light but long, almost ethereal. When paired with Japanese Wasabi crackers I could not believe this wine’s length. There was a touch of sweetness. The initial meal consisted of veal chops baked in a tomato sauce. Now the libation offered some citrus and strawberry. When paired with spicy French fries the wine tasted burnt and yet enticingly sweet. With fresh strawberries for dessert this rosé still tasted burnt and was slightly sweet.

My next meal was a (boxed) baked Ziti Siciliano doused with grated Parmesan cheese. Now the wine’s sweetness was excessive but it was long. The burnt taste was accompanied by light acidity. Dessert was frozen high-quality French-style custard pie with a buttery crust and strawberries. In response this drink’s acidity was somewhat sour at first before softening but was very long.

My final meal started with salted pistachios. Now the wine was multilayered and slightly sweet, tasting of citrus. Then I consumed an omelet perked up with cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Now the wine was light but assertive. It was nicely round with strawberries in the background. The side dish of spicy guacamole muted the rosé, which remained long with a tinge of strawberries.

When it met a marbled cheddar cheese the wine was syrupy and sweet, too sweet. A goat’s milk cheese covered in bruschetta gave this libation the taste of cooked strawberries.

Final verdict. I would definitely buy this wine again at the quoted (Internet) price. But I wouldn’t waste it on cheese, certainly not the two above cheeses.

Access the companion wine A Wine Lover's Weekly Review Of $10 Wine - A Mass Market Australian Rosé

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine websites include
www.theworldwidewine.com    and    http://www.wineinyourdiet.com

Visit his website devoted to Italian travel www.travelitalytravel.com

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