Streicker Cabernet Wins GOLD at International Wine Challenge

Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvigon wins GOLD at 2016 International Wine Challenge

The 2013 Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious International Wine Challenge, held in London last month.

The show is in its 34th year and has a reputation for high-quality, meticulous judging.

Other medals awarded are as follows:

Silver - Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Chardonnay 2014

Silver - Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvingon 2014

Bronze - Clairault Estate Chardonnay 2015

Commended - Clairault Margaret River Chardonnay 2015

Commended - Streicker Bridgeland Block Syrah 2014

01/06/2017 at 7:12 PM Permalink

Estate Cabernet is 'Outstanding'

Clairault Estate Cabernet Receives Top Score from Decanter Magazine.

In a coup for Clairault wines, the 2012 Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was the only wine awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating and 95 points in a recent Decanter magazine tasting.

The tasting focussed on Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignons from the 2012 and 2013 vintages. Respected wine judges Sarah Ahmed, Justin Knock MW and Anthony Rose conducted the tasting, with 80 wines representing the region.

Sarah Ahmed noted that the Cabernets from Margaret River "...have an Old World feel in terms of their acid and tannin structure." In particular she recognised the Clairault Estate Cabernet as being, "dignified and handsome, with a perfumed finish tinged with earth and kelp, lending a sense of place and real character".

John Streicker, proprietor of Clairault | Streicker Wines, was very pleased with the result, “the Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made with fruit from the original 1976 plantings. An award like this is a tribute to our heritage, and to our team’s devotion to quality.”

The Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is available now in our Caves Road Cellar Door, online and at selected retail outlets. Learn more about Decanter here.

13/12/2016 at 7:08 PM Permalink

Gold for Clairault Estate Chardonnay

2014 Clairault Estate Chardonnay awarded GOLD at the 2016 Perth Royal Wine Show.

The Perth Royal Wine Show was established in 1843 and is credited with putting WA on the map as a producer of quality wines. The competition is held annually and receives thousands of entries.

The 2014 Clairault Estate Chardonnay utilises fruit from our cooler Bridgeland vineyard. This is a 'new style' Margaret River Chardonnay, and has just been released in the Clairault Streicker Cellar Door.

Aromas of stonefruit, squeezed lemon, vanilla pod and eastern spice are a luxurious starting point. The clean, precise palate has sophisticated lines of oyster shell, lime juice and orange blossom. The finish is long and creamy, with fine acidity. This wine is lovely now, for its freshness, but will reward with careful cellaring for another 8 - 10 years.

30/09/2016 at 7:04 PM Permalink

James Halliday Gives High Scores to Clairault.

5 Red Star James Halliday Rating = Outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity. Will have at least two wines rated at 94 points or above, and had a five-star rating for the previous two years. Top 4.9%.

Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015             
96/100 & * Special Value Star!

“Maximum return from high quality grapes, the region, and very good winemaking. The barrel ferment and Semillon inputs provide the framework for the melange of poached pear and yellow peach, lemony acidity running like a golden thread throughout. One of those wines causing you to regret having to spit out in tastings. Drink to 2020.”

Clairault Estate Chardonnay 2014    
96/100 & * Special Value Star!

“Both this and its ‘14 sibling come from estate vineyards and are made in a similar fashion, yet Clairault’s own notes use totally different descriptors for each. It’s not a question of volume, although I think that the significantly greater volume/intensity of this wine is the difference. Strange, but then that’s the everlasting fascination of wine. Drink to 2026.”

Clairault Margaret River Chardonnay 2014    
95/100 & * Special Value Star!

“A beautifully modulated chardonnay, all its facets in a harmonious, gravity-free space. While peach leads the stone fruit, grapefruit/citrus players; barrel fermentation has provided sotto voce notes of spice, grilled nuts and cream. Drink to 2025.”

Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
95/100

“Classic Margaret River style made from the original Clairault vines planted in ‘76; it is cabernet to its bootstraps with cassis/blackcurrant fruit on a pedestal of firm tannins that are unique to cabernet; cedary oak adds a further dimension. Drink to 2037.”

Clairault Cellar Release Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2013
95/100

“Interesting wine; you wander through a garden of berries of all kinds, finding them all delicately sweet, and matched by sufficient sous bois characters to provide structure and balance. Drink to 2028.”

Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014      
94/100 & * Special Value Star!

“There’s a nuclear arsenal of black and redcurrant, cassis, wild herb, black olive and charred, tarry tannins in each bottle of this wine, so handle with care. A big rib eye steak to start, and someone to share the bottle. Drink to 2028.”

Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014         
92/100 & * Special Value Star!

“Immediately dissociates itself from others at this price grown anywhere in WA. It has serious texture and structure, the flavours in a protective armour that preserves their black olive, wild herb, cassis and plum fruit marriage.

Read more on his site: http://www.winecompanion.com.au/ 
 

04/08/2016 at 7:01 PM Permalink

2017 Wine Companion Gives High Scores to Streicker

5 Red Star James Halliday Rating = Outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity. Will have at least two wines rated at 94 points or above, and had a five-star rating for the previous two years. Top 4.9%.

Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Chardonnay 2013  
97/100 & * Special Value Star!         

“Still pale straw-green; this is the big banana where the Streicker story began before Clairault in ‘03. This chardonnay has a rare inner strength (Leeuwin Estate another) that gives it prodigious length on the palate and equally prodigious longevity, but without ever having to get out of first gear or raise a mental or physical sweat. That’s why the special quality of this wine can simply not be recognised. Drink to 2030.”

Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2012     
96/100 & * Special Value Star!

“Open-fermented, 18 months maturation in French barriques. Uncompromisingly full-bodied, with blackcurrant and mulberry supported by a phalanx of firm tannins and French oak on the long finish. Will richly repay cellaring, the longer the better. Drink to 2047.”

Streicker Bridgeland Block Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014         
95/100 & * Special Value Star!

“Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, fermented and matured in French oak. You get the whole box and dice here: texture, structure, length and weight, very similar to dry white Bordeaux. It’s the polar opposite of the fruit bomb style, and at 2yo is only now starting to welcome all who venture near. Drink to 2020.”

Streicker Bridgeland Block Syrah 2013            
95/100  

“ Hand-picked, open-fermented, 18 months in French barriques. As interesting as it is complex, with a strong savoury/licorice/pepper trio wound around the blackberry fruit of the bouquet and palate; it is medium-bodied with a particularly good tannin framework to the fruit, assisted to a degree by the French oak. Drink to 2038.”

04/08/2016 at 6:59 PM Permalink

Time in the Show Circuit Reaps Rewards for Clairault Streicker!

Clairault and Streicker Wines have received a number of awards and excellent reviews in recent months.

With our partners Margaret River Imports up and running in the United States of America, we have seen wines reviewed in Wine Spectator magazine as well as online by the NationalWineReview.Com.

The most outstanding result in the USA came with being awarded Margaret River Winery of the Year at the New York International Wine Competition.

The International Wine Challenge is held each year in London. This year, Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignons were well-received, with both the Clairault Estate Cabernet [2013, not yet released] and the Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Cabernet [2012] awarded silver medals.

In another display of solidarity in the international show scene, Clairault and Streicker won gold medals at the Korea Wine Challenge for Clairault's Margaret River Chardonnay [2014] and Streicker's Bridgeland Block Syrah [2013, not yet released].

Back on home ground and the Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon appeared in the ‘Wow Factor Whites’ supplement of the Halliday magazine. Try it paired with a Moroccan vegetable tagine, as suggested by our winemaker.

If you’re looking for a classic winter red, then the Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is the wine for you! This wine picked up a gold medal at the Sydney Royal Wine Show in one of it's first show entries.

Follow links for more information about these results and the wines involved.

02/08/2016 at 6:57 PM Permalink

High Scores for the Clairault Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Wine critics are responding well to the Clairault Sauvignon Blanc Semillon from 2015. The wine showed promise late last year when it took home a gold medal from the Qantas Mt Barker Wine Show of WA, and has continued to receive positive reviews. It is currently available through Cellar Door, online and selected stockists.

  
2015 Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
96/100 - James Halliday 2016

“Maximum return from high quality grapes, the region, and very good winemaking. The barrel ferment and Semillon inputs provide the framework for the melange of poached pear and yellow peach, lemony acidity running like a golden thread throughout. One of those wines causing you to regret having to spit out in tastings. Drink until 2020.”

 4.5 Stars - Top Drops with Tony Love

“The ubiquitous WA white blend here steers away from wilder tropical aromatics for a more considered stance, lovely spices lifting the white fruit profile. Has a delicious finish.”

 Gold Medal - Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia 2015
 4 Stars - Winewise Championship Tasting
 93/100 - Wine of the Week, Ray Jordan 2016
 91/100 - James Suckling + Nick Stock, www.jamessuckling.com

“A white with sliced apple and pear aromas and flavours. Full body, bright acidity and a clean aftertaste. Tangy. Showing hints of grass and green apple skin on the finish”

02/05/2016 at 6:52 PM Permalink

Winewise Championship Tasting of 2016

Winewise is based in Canberra and invites all gold medal-winning wines from regional and national wine shows to enter the championship tasting. Wines are judged by a stellar panel of winemakers, media commentators, retail trade people and the Winewise crew to decide the best of the best.

2015 Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - 4 STARS

“Powerful gooseberry aroma and flavour…”

2014 Clairault Margaret River Chardonnay - 4.5 STARS

“A Chardonnay of considerable intensity backed up by a dash of classy French oak. It delivers considerable drinking enjoyment.”

23/03/2016 at 6:50 PM Permalink

Clairault & Streicker Wines Well-Received by Wine Critics James Suckling and Nick Stock

James Suckling is one of today’s leading wine critics, whose views are read and respected by wine lovers, serious wine collectors, and the wine trade worldwide. Nick Stock is one of Australia’s most prolific wine commentators whose involvements in wine stretches will beyond writing, to radio and television broadcasting, wine show judging, public speaking, educating and winemaking. The Margaret River Tasting Report can be found on JamesSuckling.com

2012 Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Chardonnay – 94/100

"Here is a chardonnay that delivers lots of depth and intensity. Full-bodied, layered and gorgeous. Super wine. Great vintage."

2013 Clairault Cellar Release Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc – 94/100

"A very plush, ripe and dense wine with terrific freshness on the nose and palate; pure and juicy, full of sapid appeal. The dark cherry flavors are super pure; blue plums too. Attractive oak treatment and a long, rich finish. Great wine. Drinking well already and for 8+ years."

2013 Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 92/100

"Lots of earth, spice and meat aromas and flavors. Full body, velvety tannins and a savory finish. Drink now."

2013 Streicker Bridgeland Block Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – 91/100

"A white with plenty of sliced lemon and lime aromas and flavors. An earthy undertone. Full body, bright acidity and a long and intense finish. Lots of character."

2015 Clairault Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon – 91/100

"A white with sliced apple and pear aromas and flavors. Full body, bright acidity and a clean aftertaste. Tangy. Showing hints of grass and green apple skin on the finish."

23/03/2016 at 6:49 PM Permalink

Blue-Gold & Top 100 Awards at Sydney International Wine Competition

The SIWC is a food-oriented wine show now in its 34th year of offering wine-lovers a free web-based ‘wines for food’ information service. The wines go through a three-phase blind-judging process, culminating in finalists being grouped together in food-friendly categories. These finalists are judged beside dishes of similar palate weight and individual judges’ comments are published on the website.

2014 Clairault Margaret River Chardonnay
Blue—Gold Award, Top 100 Wines

Judges’ Comments:

“An elegant complex wine with quite tight acidity. A very crisp Chablis style. Lovely texture and it went very well with the food” – Kym Milne, Chairman of Judges

“An oak dominant nose with fruit coming through on the palate. A hint of creaminess. Great balance with a touch of yeasty breadiness on the palate. A great match with the salmon and the creaminess of the wine marrying in well” – Brent Marris

“A toasty nutty spicy nose leads to a well-balanced palate which exhibits notes of white fruit toasty oak spice and nut which is cut by a fresh line of citrus acidity” – Jo Burzynska

“An effusive nose with ripe fruit influences of pawpaw and apple. Hints of cinnamon also seen on the nose. The palate shows lovely length of flavour. A restrained savoury style which married well with the food” – Ken Dobler

“Lovely lemon cashew perfumed aromas with some peach and apricot kernel. Textured with riper peach and nectarine flavours and a touch of honey suggesting some age. A great match with the food. A lovely wine” – Meg Brodtmann

2013 Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Blue—Gold Award

Judges’ Comments:
“Fresh bright fruit. Medium concentration. Elegant good fruit and balanced sweet oak...” – Kym Milne, Chairman of Judges

“A slightly herbal nose with hints of leafiness. Hints of floral coming through with green cane and oak on the finish. A lovely richness on the mid palate with subtle hints of chocolate. Well matched with the lamb giving the wine a lovely cigar box finish” – Brent Marris

“An elegant wine with fresh cassis fruit and a savoury undercurrent of fine tannins. Notes of freshly ground coffee and a bright fresh acid. It's a concentrated and beautifully harmonious wine” – Jo Burzynska

“A medium brick red colour. A wonderfully spicy nose with aromas of cherry and red berry with leafy nuances. A lovely mouth feel with excellent persistence of flavour. Ripe fruit flavours and well integrated tannins” – Ken Dobler

“Dark dense Cabernet family notes on the nose with cassis and red fruit. Dense dark fruit on the palate. The tannins are firm. Lifted and pure with the Cabernet flavours matching the lamb dish” – Warren Gibson

04/02/2016 at 6:45 PM Permalink