Bremerton Range

Bremerton Range

I’m actually on holidays in the USA this week, but after noticing that my tasting notebook curiously ended up in my bag, I thought I’d put some jetlag related insomnia to good use and bash out some tasting notes. So these three wines were actually tasted and drunk last week.

I’ve got plenty of time for the Bremerton wines, as they are all good value and utterly affable (if not the most complex) a combination that, when combined with consistency, makes for easy recommendations.

Bremerton Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Langhorne Creek, SA)
$18, Screwcap, 12.5%


The market may call for Sauvignon Blanc but I’d argue that it’s generally not suited to this region at all…

It’s a big, ripe, fruit salad of a Sauv this one, with nary a hint of varietal herbs to be found. That’s a turnoff I think, for the best (or at least the most distinctive) thing about good Sauv Blanc is those varietal aromatics. This, instead, has a tropical nose actually, with lush guava fruit characters, and following with a palate showing generous and reasonably broad simple fruit flavours, set a fraction short but pleasant enough.

All in all its a solid drink, but just not much to get excited about. 16/87

Bremerton Verdelho 2010 (Langhorne Creek, SA)
$18, Screwcap, 13.5%

…and instead this variety, old Verdelho, is entirely well suited, yet no one buys it (or at least that’s the impression). That’s a shame really for this presents with some grip and real interest.

It’s not much to sniff at (for the moment at least), with a waxy pear, lightly honeyed nose that still seems a little bound up. Underneath however lies a palate full of welcome surprise, with sweet pear fruit over some very well handled textural phenolics. What’s more, it lingers too, the acidity and length all very surprising for such an unheralded wine.

This, happily, tastes like a wine punching above it’s weight, and the score reflects that. Well done. 17.5/91

Bremerton Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Langhorne Creek, SA)
$22, Screwcap, 14.5%

A new label for Bremerton and certainly a fair result for the vintage.

What I like most about this wine is the rich, minty, super concentrated palate. It’s the sort of hearty, full flavoured wine that you just know that blokey Aussies will love. For mine it’s a fraction roasted, warm and raw, but I can’t begrudge the obvious quality of the winemaking and viticulture, both of which have only been challenged by the bitch of a vintage that was 2008.

Likeable, honest stuff. 16.7/89