Dear

We are very happy to report that despite the dire concerns expressed in our last newsletter regarding the future of our neighbours, Morris Wines, there has been a very favourable outcome.

Happily, the Casella organisation, another family owned Australian business, has pur-chased the operation and will allow the Morris family to retain their own branding and continue on much as before.

Mother Nature surprised us, and many other parts of the country, by sending lots of very cold weather and rain our way during winter. The whole place is resplendent in lush green, the dams are full, and of course the paddocks are full of lively little lambs.

Nearby Chiltern forest is alive with wildflowers and birdlife. I’m certain the Twitchers will be out in full force in the new year as there are so many lovely birds around. The Rosellas are stunning and look like they’ve just flown off sauce bottles and there are plenty of the prettiest little grass parrots to be seen fossicking on the roadsides.

The wattle and blossom trees are putting on a spectacular show as are the Canola crops. Unfortunately though, the yellow theme is continued with a heavy sprinkling of Sour Sobs. Bet the Hay Fever preparations are flying off the shelves.

Spring

2016

Vol. 72

“Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you.” Wendell Berry,

Drive safely . . .

make sure

you have a

designated

driver!

Spring 2016 Vol. 72

Chambers Rosewood Vineyard

Barkly Street Rutherglen VIC 3685

Postal Address: PO Box 8 Rutherglen

AUSTRALIA

Telephone: +61 02 6032 8641

Facsimile: +61 02 6032 8101

www.chambersrosewood.com.au

chambers@chambersrosewood.com.au

We support the responsible,

reasonable and moderate

consumption of wine.

OPENING HOURS

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5 pm

Sundays & Public Holidays 10am - 5 pm

Now, you may well have caught up with Stephen (on the right) as he’s been particularly active over the last few months travelling around the country hosting public tastings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Or you may have been lucky enough to have found Bill at the cellar door if you called in on a Sunday, but, to get both our 5th and 6th generation winemakers in the same spot, at the same time and standing still for a few minutes is a rare occurrence!

Thankfully Allison had her camera at the ready the other day so we were able to finally nail them down. It’s very timely actually, because we’ve received some exciting news from America.

Chambers Rosewood Vineyards has received a nomination in the prestigious annual Wine Enthusiast Awards under the ‘New World Winery of the Year’ section.

It’s a wonderful honour for this tiny little winery in the backstreets of Rutherglen to be the sole Australian winery nominated! We’re up against some mighty stiff competition from Alta Vista of Argentina, Mission Hill Family Estate from Canada , Kim Crawford of New Zealand and Undurraga from Chile.

The winners, in more than a dozen different categories, will be announced in the December in the ‘Best of the Year’ issue. Fingers crossed there’ll be an invitation to the a grand black-tie gala event to be held in Miami late in January!

“My first thought is that celebrities getting into wine is God’s way of telling them that they have too much money.”

Stuart Smith

Spring Deals

•WARM UP WINE 1 bottle x Muscat 1 bottle x Muscadelle 1 bottle x Tawny 1 bottle x Mt Carmel 1 bottle x Ruby 1 bottle x Old Tawny $90 plus freight •SPRING FLING 4 bottles x 2015 Moscato 4 bottles x 2008 Roussanne 4 bottles x 2013 Bill’s Ambrosia $100 plus freight •RECOIL REDS 2 bottles x 2014 Durif 2 bottles x 2010 Anton Ruch (Shiraz Mondeuse) 2 bottles x NV Thunderball Red $100 plus freight

•SUPERA 2 bottles x Dry Flor Apera 2 bottles x Sweet Amber Apera 2 bottles x Cream Apera $100 plus freight

•RACK PACK 3 bottles x 2010 Shiraz 3 bottles x 2014 Tempranillo 3 bottles x 2012 Grenache 3 bottles x 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

$160 plus freight

QUARTERLY DRAW WINNER

C Thomson of 3138 please ring 02 6032 8641

“I haven’t been

everywhere,

but it’s

on my list.”

Susan Sontag

HOW ABOUT THAT…

● Is it just me or are others struggling to understand this business about the WET (Wine Equalization Tax) scheme? After being developed to assist Australian regional wineries compete in the global market the program has now had to be reworked to reduce the rebate cap from a level of $500,000 per annum to $290,000 in 2018. What I find even more perplexing is the fact that because of our free trade arrange-ments, wineries in New Zealand still have access to the scheme. ● 97.5% of all the wine sold in British Columbia, Canada is imported ● Did you know it takes 12 bees their entire lifetime to produce just one teaspoon of honey?

Ashlan and Matt’s review from their visit in August 2016:

“Having been recommended by many locals to check out Chambers Winery, we were pleasantly surprised by the relaxed atmosphere that greeted us when we arrived.

The help yourself tasting system suited us perfectly as well as their pricing philosophy, Roberta was very kind and friendly and the wines delicious which made our time at Chambers! Chambers is all about the wines not the la di da.

Would highly recommend to anybody visiting the area and make sure you ask for a frozen Walnut Muscat when you’re there!”

Howard Rogers was pretty sure the angels had enjoyed a drop or two from his rather jaded looking bottle of Brown Muscat. He thought it may be over the hill, but was pleasantly surprised when he pulled the cork with his workmates at Constable Estate in the Hunter Valley.

As you can see his colleagues Jenny and Sue were in total agreement with his “Bloody Fantastic” review.

Howard went on to report that “The colour was so rich and dark and was the first thing that we noticed but as it was being poured into the glasses this gorgeous aroma spread through out the cellar door.

The wine was so smooth, rich and had so much flavour and it lined you mouth with a real oily sensation and the flavours just lingered there for ages. I think some of the sweetness has dissipated from the wine but it was just so enjoyable.“ Sadly it was his only bottle.

FLAGS & FANFARE Wine Enthusiast (USA) 100 points Chambers Rosewood Rare Muscat NV 100 points Chambers Rosewood Rare MuscatdelleNV 97 points Chambers Rosewood Grand Muscat NV 94 points Chambers Rosewood Grand Muscadelle NV 91 points Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat NV 89 points Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscadelle NV

James Suckling Review (USA) - Nick Stock 92 points Chambers Rosewood 2014 Durif “Black cherry, smells fresh and focused with attractive purity. The palate has excellent balance. Tannins are silky and tidy with deli-cious plum and blackberry fruit flavors running long and even. Drink now through to 2020.” 2016 Australian Sweet Wine Challenge 85 points (Bronze Medal) Chambers Nobel Muscadelle - (a very nice follow up on the Bronze Medal this wine picked up at the Rutherglen Wine Show a couple of years ago! Ed.) ● The Australian Golden Olive Awards were very successful for our local olive producers. Our congratulations to Rob and Mel from Gooramadda Olives on bringing home a Gold, 3 Silvers and awards for the Best Olive Oil in Show and Best Table Olives in Show while Wicked Virgin Olives picked up a gold, 2 silvers and 2 Bronzes. ● Congratulations also to Fiona and Gavin from Taste Restaurant and Brewery in Main Street Rutherglen who’ve earnt a spot in the Age Good Food Guide!

I haven’t tried it yet but Eileen Mason from Deniliquin

assures me that a Ginger Nut biscuit dipped into red wine

is absolutely delicious!!!

Chris and Greg Stuart from Yass recently stopped in to visit their friend Dave Biggart who lives in Scotland and is an avid Chambers fan. They enjoyed some of his favourites as well as a few more exotic lines like this bottle of Chateau Musar by Gaston Hochar which was produced in the Bekaa Valley in the Lebanon. The area which is almost certainly an area where the art on wine making began. They also en-joyed some of the Islands off the west coast including a flight between 2 of the Orkney islands on the shortest commercial flight in the world —a trip that will see them airborne for as little as 40 seconds !!

READER’S REVIEW Many thanks to Don McRae who sent his compliments to Stephen and said he was looking forward to trying the other wines he picked up while he was here. Reading the food matches made me salivate!

2006 Gouais: A deep lemon coloured wine. Honeysuckle, fresh toast and lemon rind aromas, with lemon/grapefruit citrus flavours on the palate with a crisp acidic finish. I enjoyed this wine chilled with a green Thai curry of fresh Rock Ling, tiger prawns and calamari. A party for the senses.

2010 Anton Ruch Shiraz Mondeuse: A beautiful deep purple/red colour. Sweet toffee, aniseed and plum aromas, with cherry and plum flavours giving a full round middle palate finishing with soft tannins and tart acidity. Matched with Lasagne and gardens salad of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and dill pickle. Simply delicious.

Old Vine Muscadelle: So glad you’ve used the grape variety instead of a made up name. Deep toffee brown with slight green tinge to the edges. Cedar wood, coffee and burnt toffee aromas, Caramel, toffee, orange peel, sultana, christmas cake and fish oil?? flavours on a warm sweet palate that is both subtle and luscious at the same time. An extremely complex wine that delights with a new sens-ory experience at each mouthful. Matched with a slice of Toblerone cheesecake and fresh strawberries it becomes the ultimate indulgence.

CHOCOLATE, CHERRY & ALMOND CAKE

This recipe has kindly been shared by a couple who visited the

cellar door recently. They’re not sure of its origins, and as you will

see, they’ve personalised the recipe as they’ve gone along to

make it their own. It looks pretty easy and I’m told everyone

adores it so I can’t wait to try it!

Ingredients:

Butter: 200grm (we use about 125-150 grams, 200 is too oily) Caster Sugar:150grm Eggs:3 Cinnamon and Nutmeg:1/2tsp of each Almond Meal: 200grm Flour: 35grm (Use whatever works/normal/gluten free/rice or corn) Baking Powder: 1tsp Brandy: 2-3Tbsps (We use Port) Morello pitted cherries: 1 Jar, yes the big one (available in supermarket, glass jar (Aprox 800 grams ) just comes in one size and is larger than the cans) Check for pits, there are regularly a couple that still have whole pits in them Dark Chocolate cooking etc 150grms Method:

Pre heat oven to 170 c. Grease and line a spring form pan. (Place a tray underneath also as the butter leaks out) Cream butter and sugar. Mix eggs with spices and gradually add to butter mixture. Mix together almond meal, flour and baking powder and add to mixture. Roughly chop chocolate and fold into mixture together with the brandy/port and the drained jar of cherries. Put into tin and bake until cooked, approximately 45-55 mins. Leave in tin for 5 min before taking off side. Then leave for another 5 min before turning out. Dust with icing sugar and ,when cold, ENJOY with maybe a glass of Mt Carmel!

“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.”

Jeremy Irons

A young woman was eager to earn some extra money during her summer holidays so she decided to hire herself out as a "handy-woman." She started canvassing around a nearby well-to-do neighbourhood and had a very good reaction at the very first door she knocked on. "Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint my porch," said the man. "How much will you charge me?" Delighted, the girl quickly responded, "How about $50?" The man agreed and told her that the paint brushes and everything she would need was in the garage. The man's wife, hearing the conversation said to her husband, "Does she realize that our porch goes ALL the way around the house?" He responded, "That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" The wife replied, "You're right. She’s using her initiative.” When the lass came to the door to collect her money the startled husband asked "You're finished already?" "Yes, she replied, and I even had paint left over, so I gave it two coats." Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her along with a $10 tip. “Oh and, by the way," she added, "it's not a Porch, it's a Lexus."

NOW FOR A BIT OF FUN ● https://www.youtube.com/embed/ub1Dc3NHZ3s?autoplay=1 ● http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-11/kindergarten-cop-and-the-45th-parliament-of/7833856

Answer to the page 4. question from Volume 71 This odd looking item is a Buddha’s Hand lemon. Other suggestions received … Asparagus Stupendus Octupeye , The issue of a sexual encounter between a yellow budgerigar and a banana, a lemon on steroids, Astro Boy, The number of fingers I can see on my hand after a days wine tasting in Rutherglen and Peppers gone wrong.

Vol. 72 ORDER FORM

(02) 6032 8641 02 6032 8101 chambers@chambersrosewood.com

www.chambersrosewood.com.au P O Box 8 Rutherglen 3685

FREIGHT RATES

Per Item

Victoria $13

New South Wales $16

ACT $16

South Australia $16

Queensland $19

Tasmania $26

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS

Mixed dozens can be shipped

Flagons: up to 6 to a carton

Payment must be forwarded with the order

Prices may vary without notice

The following bulk wines are available in 23 1/2 litre containers— P.O.A.

Rutherglen Ruby, Tawny, Muscat, Muscadelle & Mt Carmel

$10 Refundable security deposit for containers

Title__________ First Name ________________________________________________Surname______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No (______) ______________________________________________Email_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Address_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State_________ Postcode_________

Delivery Address (if different from above)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State________ Postcode_________

Is there somewhere safe to leave your order in no one home?

WHITE TABLE WINES Bottle Dozen Deals Qty Total

2012 Rosewood White (Dozens = Cleanskin) ____ $7 ___________ $65♥____$_____

2008 Roussanne_____________________________ $10 ________$100♥ ____$_____

2006 Gouais __________________________________ $15 ________ $150♥ ____$_____

2012 Chardonnay ____________________________ $12 ________ $120♥ ____$_____

2015 The Family _______________________________ $15 ________ $150♥ ____$_____

2015 Moscato ________________________________ $10 ________ $100♥ ____$_____

2010 Sparkling Chardonnay _________________ $20 __$240_____________$_____

2011 Noble Muscadelle (Bronze Medal) _______ $15 __ ______ $120♥____$_____

RED TABLE WINES

NV Rosewood Red (Dozens = Cleanskin) _______ $7.50 ______ $70♥ ____$_____

2013 Bill’s Ambrosia (Sweet Red) ________________ $10 _______ $100♥ ____$_____

2012 Grenache _________________________________ $15 _______ $150♥ ____$_____

2014 Blue Imperial & Grenache (Limited Release)$15 ________ $150♥ ____$_____

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (French Oak) ______ $13 _______ $130♥ ____$_____

2010 Shiraz ___________________________________ $15 ________ $150♥ ____$_____

2010 Anton Ruch (Shiraz Mondeuse) _____________ $20 __$240_____________$_____

NV Thunderball Red _________________________ $12 ________ $120♥ ____$_____

2014 Tempranillo (Limited Release) _____________ $25 __$300 ____________$_____

2014 Durif ________________________________________ $20 $240 ____________$_____

Sub Total $____

Please circle where applicable Cheque /Money Order/Mastercard/Visa

New Customer / Existing Customer

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Expiry __ __ /___

Please verify you are over 18 years of age____ Signature______________________

FORTIFIED WINES Bottle Flagon Qty Total

Dry Flor Apera ____________________$16 _____________ _____ $_____

Aged Dry Flor Apera (375ml)_____$25 _____________ _____ $_____

Sweet Amber Apera_____________ $17 _____________ _____ $_____

Rutherglen Cream Apera________ $17 _____$35 ______ _____ $_____

Rutherglen Ruby______________ $12 _____$25______ _____ $_____

Rutherglen Tawny_____________ $12 _____ $25 ______ _____ $_____

Rosewood Old Tawny___________ $20 _____________ ______ $_____

Mt Carmel _______________________ $17_____$35 ______ ______ $_____

1999 Vintage Ruby _____________ $15 _____________ _____ $_____

2004 Old Cellar (Vintage) ______ $20 _____________ ____ $_____

Muscadelle (Rutherglen) ________ $17 _____$35 _____________ $_____

Muscat (Rutherglen) _____________ $18 ______$37 ___________$_____

2012 Walnut Muscat ___________ $20 ________________ _____$_____

2012 Walnut Red _______________ $20________________ ______$_____

Old Vine Muscat (375ml) _______ $25______________ _____ $_____

Old Vine Muscadelle (375ml) _____$30 _____________ ______$_____

Grand Muscat (375ml) ____________$55 _______________ ______$_____

Grand Muscadelle (375ml)________$100_____________ ______$_____

Rare Muscat (375ml) ______________$250 _______________ ______ $_____

Rare Muscadelle (375ml) _________$250 _____________ _____$_____

SEASONAL DEALS Qty Total

Warm up Wine______________________ $90 ________________ ____$_____

Spring Fling_________________________ $100 _________________ _____$_____

Recoil Reds_________________________ $100 ________________ _____$_____

Supera_____________________________ $100 ________________ _____$_____

Rack Pack__________________________ $160 ________________ _____$____

Freight/Other____________________________________________$____

♥ = 12 bottles for the price of 10 ♦ = Change since last newsletter ● = Low Stock

Electronic Transfer now available:

NAB Account Chambers Rosewood Vineyards

BSB 082-406 Account No. 46206 5247

Please remember to identify Payee

Sub Total B/f $______

TOTAL $_____