Vibrant Victoria, Australia Wines from Fowles

We’re off to Victoria, Australia this week, with a look at a range of wines from Fowles.

Fowles is located in one of Australia’s coolest winegrowing regions, the Strathbogie Ranges in Victoria. Located about 80 miles north of Melbourne, this area is home to decomposed granite soils, low rainfall, and plenty of wind, which combine to form fresh wines with vibrant acidity.

Founder Matt Fowles is an avid hunter and gatherer, which is evident in the winery’s branding aesthetic. Fowles releases three lines of wines: Are you Game?, brighter and fresher-styled wines; Ladies who Shoot their Lunch, which Matt Fowles says are designed to be paired with wild game; and Farm to Table, richer wines to pair with farmed meats.

The Farm to Table brand wines can be found in the U.S. market for about $16 a pop, while the Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch wines should cost about $35 per bottle.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Fowles Wine Sauvignon Blanc Farm to Table - Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Nagambie Lakes

Light gold color. Bursting aromatics of white peach, kiwi, orange slices, with honeysuckle and fresh laundry notes. On the palate, creamy but zesty, white peaches, limes and green apples blend well with honeysuckle, floral perfume, and sliced cucumbers. Flora, punchy, but fresh and tasty. (86 points)

2015 Fowles Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Farm to Table - Australia, Victoria, Strathbogie Ranges

Lively purple color. Nose of blueberry, juicy black cherries, violets, sweet coffee, menthol and cedar. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and medium acidity. Dark plums, boysenberry, blueberry jam, mixed with sweet coffee, dark chocolate, cedar, menthol and black tea. Juicy and plump but not simple, this could stand up to lots of hearty foods. (87 points)

2016 Fowles Wine Pinot Noir Farm to Table - Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Nagambie Lakes

Ruby color. Aromas of rhubarb, rose petal, white pepper, on top of cool, crisp, chilled red fruits (strawberry, raspberry). On the palate, some light structure from the tannins but this shows a chilled, crisp vibe, with red cherries, tart red plums. I get notes of cola, rhubarb, menthol, some integrated cedar. Wow, color me impressed with this Victorian Pinot Noir. (90 points)

2016 Fowles Wine Riesling Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch - Australia, Victoria, Strathbogie Ranges

Light yellow color. Aromas of white peaches, lime juice, yellow flowers, chalk dust and quinine. On the palate, mouth-watering acidity, a salty, nervy aesthetic on this wine (which tastes dry or very near it). Lemon, lime, apricot, laced with chalky-mineral tones and spicy floral tea flavors. This would be so great with sushi or spicy seafood or veggie meals. (89 points)

2016 Fowles Wine Chardonnay Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Wild Ferment - Australia, Victoria, Strathbogie Ranges

Light gold color. Aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, buttercream, sea salt, floral perfume. Medium+ bodied, plenty of refreshing acidity but also plush texture. Flavors of lemon crème and lime, yellow apples, mixed with almond, honeyed tea, buttercream, but also some sea salt and white flowers. Integrated and vibrant, immediately pleasurable but shows significant complexity. (88 points)

2015 Fowles Wine Shiraz Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch - Australia, Victoria, Strathbogie Ranges

Deep ruby color. Aromas of fresh black cherries, wild blackberry, notes of earth, loam and clay, with some black pepper and cedar. Medium-bodied, vibrant, lively acidity, moderate grip on the tannins. Flavors of plums, black cherry, along with cola, eucalyptus, pepper and cedar. Not “light” but more freshness and vibrancy that the term “Australian Shiraz” generally connotes. (89 points) 

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.