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Origins
From its inception in 1990, Saddler’s Creek Wines have followed a guiding principle that our wines be made for the sole purpose of being savoured with both good food and good friends. The intent in our winemaking is clear - first and foremost, enjoyment and drinkability. Our flagship Bluegrass wines were born under this guiding principle. The naming of our Bluegrass Collection was inspired from where the original American oak barrels were produced, at the ‘Bluegrass’ Cooperage, in the ‘Bluegrass’ state of Kentucky. This region is famous for the annual running of the Kentucky Derby, the horse race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds run annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville and a leg of the celebrated Triple Crown. It was with a strong love of “all-things-equine” that our winery’s predecessors created a connection with this Kentucky heritage by including an illustration of the famed Kentucky Bluegrass on our wine’s iconic label. The inaugural vintage of Bluegrass Cabernet Sauvignon was produced in 1990 and harvested from small-batch parcels of the highest quality fruit, this wine has long been the darling of the collection. This classic and highly lauded varietal was followed by the introduction of
wines produced in a similar vein and structure: Bluegrass Merlot (first release 1995), a Bluegrass Shiraz (released 1998) and finally the luscious Bluegrass Cabernet Shiraz “The Blend” (released 2006). With the establishment of CLUB EQUUS in 1998, the Bluegrass label wines quickly became our Signature Collection of red wines. CLUB EQUUS Members and cellar door visitors alike were enamored by the wines’ rich and bold, up-front fruit qualities, with layers of flavour revealed in a long and elegant, textured finish. Today, the reputation of our Bluegrass wines have been enriched by the introduction of the bold and bubbly Bluegrass Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon, first released in 2015. This addition to the collection was initiated upon our succession of ownership and by simply asking our winemaker Brett, “What would you truly love to make?”. The result - a unique sparkling wine which embodies the heritage of our table wines. A true testament to our Winemakers’ initiative and shared desire for innovation and crafting wines for enjoyment and drinkability.
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A selection of carefully curated, traditional in nature, premium Australian wines. Crafted for longevity... Capable of being cellared for many years, first and foremost crafted to be enjoyed with good food and good friends.
Harvest February / March
FERMENTATION 4-6 WEEKS
Grape to Glass The winemaking process begins in the cool of the evening or early morning, where in the vineyard the grapes are harvested before being crushed and chilled prior to transport to the Hunter Valley. Fruit from regions such as Langhorne Creek and Mudgee experience a very gentle ‘cold soak’ along the way, as the ‘must’ is transported up to 1500km from the vineyard to us here in the Hunter Valley. This slow drive enables subtle extraction of colour and flavours from the skins of the grapes. The Must, freshly crushed juice that contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the grape is
Maturation up to 24 Months
then allowed to continue to soak for up to five days prior to fermentation, where the ferment is “pumped-over” multiple times per day to enable colour and flavour integration. Following primary (alcoholic) fermentation, malolactic fermentation (MLF) is allowed to finish in tank before the wines are transferred to a mix of new and old American oak hogsheads and barriques. The wine is matured in barrel for approximately 18 months prior to the finished wine being blended and prepared for bottling.
Released each May 26 months later
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One of the least known aspects of winemaking is blending. This vital step in the process is a team effort for our winemakers and ensures the final wine will be consistent, balanced and layered with aromatics, taste and textural complexities. Bluegrass, like almost all wines are blends in some form. Blending starts all the way back in the vineyard where fruit is selected from specific blocks that could vary in age, clone or soil type, all giving rise to unique characteristics only found in that one parcel of grapes.
Of course then there is blending of different varietals, regions, oak barrels, all of which are individual variables our winemakers have to play with. Blending is the process of combining all the elements and then fine tuning over and over again so as to create the best possible wine.
For our Head Winemaker, Brett Woodward, blending is a “labour-of-love” a time “where I get to get my hands dirty and actually feel like I’m making wine”. It requires the closest collaboration with his winemaking colleagues, where the meeting of creative minds with some 70 years of winemaking experience come together, to ensure that the final product carries the traditional Bluegrass stamp and meets the high expectations our CLUB EQUUS Members and visitors to the cellar door. With Brett at the helm of winemaking, these new release Bluegrass offerings are stunning. Exhibiting the renowned Bluegrass signature style, which is expected and loved by our extended Saddler’s family...
Balanced, Elegant and Fruit Driven... Wines crafted for longevity which no great cellar is complete without.
“Blending is one of my favourite times of winemaking, I actually feel like I’m making wine”
Brett Woodward Head Winemaker
l a n o i g e r Multi Langhorne Creek Our iconic Bluegrass Collection is produced from premium grapes which are historically harvested from Langhorne Creek in South Australia. Located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, 70km from Adelaide. It is home to some of the oldest recorded Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world and fifth-generation winemaking families. Nestled on the banks of the Bremer River which floods annually and deposits nutrient-rich soil on the surrounding plain. It is significantly cooler than the McLaren Vale and Barossa regions partly due to, ‘the Lake Doctor’, a
wind carrying cool breezes from nearby Lake Alexandrina. This cool maritime breeze, keeps temperatures down and allows for a longer, more even ripening period. This unique terrior produces full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz which are aromatic and fruit driven. The firm tannins create generous structure and body with good length of flavour. Bold, richly flavoured, opulent red wines, characters that have become synonymous with our Bluegrass Collection. Vineyards: Follett’s - Gumtree, 44R Blocks, Rivers End and Pecadore vineyards
The magic of wine is in its ability to express provenance.
Langhorne Creek Vineyard - SA
Hunter Valley
Mudgee
Home of our Saddler’s Creek winery and the place where the Bluegrass wines are nurtured and crafted. One of the most historical and significant viticultural regions in Australia, the Hunter Valley is synonymous for high quality medium bodied Shiraz.
This region has gained a reputation for producing robust and deeply coloured red wines of outstanding quality. Located in the Central Ranges, the higher altitude allows for slower ripening which delivers outstanding colour intensity and depth of flavour.
Concentrated bright red fruits, subtle spicy notes and savoury finishes. In the right proportions, the blending use of Hunter Valley Shiraz in our Bluegrass wines adds a sleek line of elegance and prettiness.
Vineyard: Westcourt
Vineyards: Hillside and Ryan’s Estate
2016 BLUEGRASS Cabernet Sauvignon
The darling
Finalist Wine of Year 2018 WineState magazine.
The matriarch of the Bluegrass collection, our Cabernet Sauvignon has been true to style since its inception in 1990. Our Bluegrass Cabernet Sauvignon displays rich plum and blackcurrant leaf aromas, soft juicy red fruits on the palate, supported by elegant Oak integration from gentle maturation in 25% new oak and 75% old American oak instilling an essence of cedar and mocha.
Like all of our wines in the Bluegrass Collection, this fine red can be enjoyed now or cellared with absolute confidence. Region:
Langhorne Creek
Matured:
18 months in American oak
Cellar:
Long term 10+ years
Food Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with juicy red meat. The firm tannins in these wines refresh the palate after each bite of meat.
A slow cooked lamb shoulder is the perfect winter comfort food.
2017 BLUEGRASS Shiraz Our 2017 Bluegrass Shiraz has been crafted from a blend of fruit sourced from Langhorne Creek, Mudgee and the Hunter Valley. The Bluegrass Shiraz displays the quintessential bright red fruit and plum characters that this varietal is known for, soft tannins that are encapsulated with a touch of vanilla and spice from 18 months of gentle maturation in American oak barriques and hogs heads.
A fine wine to be enjoyed now or cellared with absolute confidence. Region:
Langhorne Creek, Mudgee, Hunter Valley
Matured:
18 months in American oak
Cellar:
Long term 10+ years
Food Pairing: Think big flavours and spice. Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Shiraz.
Try with a smokey beef brisket or Italian meatball with pasta and tomato sauce.
2017 BLUEGRASS Cabernet Shiraz “The Blend” The 2017 vintage is the ninth release of ‘The Blend’ admired widely by the Bluegrass fans for it’s beautiful, elegant and fruit driven expression of the iconic collection. A classic Australian blend from three premium growing regions, the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is regarded by wine critics and judges as “the great Australian red”. Elegance, structure and length of Cabernet combines harmoniously with the rich fruit and ripe tannins of Shiraz which adds, middle-palate velvety richness and spicy notes, creating a complex but balanced wine with great cellaring potential. Raspberries, nutmeg and dark chocolate on the nose. Blackcurrant, plum, spice and mocha on the palate. The length is driven by its soft velvety tannins and depth of American oak.
A fine wine to be enjoyed now or cellared with absolute confidence. Region:
Langhorne Creek, Mudgee, Hunter Valley
Matured:
18 months in American oak
Cellar:
Long term 10+ years
Food Pairing: This is a wine for hearty flavoured dishes. Big and bold enough to drink with foods brushed with spiced sauces or rich, fatty dishes which are slow cooked.
Red wine braised beef ribs and polenta by the fire.
2017 BLUEGRASS Cabernet Merlot “The Blend II” The 2017 Bluegrass Cabernet Merlot, “The Blend II”, is our new release of this harmonious fusion of Cabernet and Merlot. Hand crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in the premium Langhorne Creek region and Merlot from the sought after region of Mudgee. Featuring a blend of 65% Cabernet, which delivers richness and body, and 35% Merlot, contributing elegance and subtlety, this wine displays beautiful lifted aromas of raspberry and ‘cigar box’ characters which combines nicely with a rich, ripe plum and mulberry mouthfeel, all supported by the ‘Signature Bluegrass Stamp’ of fine tannins derived from careful maturation in American oak.
A fine wine to be enjoyed now or cellared with absolute confidence. Region:
Langhorne Creek, Mudgee
Matured:
18 months in American oak
Cellar:
Medium Term 5-8 years
Food Pairing: This wine loves Italian flavours, especially tomato-based and savoury, salty foods with cured meats, mushrooms and parmesan.
Savour with homemade potato gnocchi with pork ragù.
2016 BLUEGRASS SPARKLING Cabernet Sauvignon Our third vintage of the Bluegrass Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon displays all the hallmarks of true Bluegrass with an elegant twist. Akin to our Bluegrass table wines, our Sparkling Bluegrass is crafted from premium Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from both Langhorne Creek, SA and Mudgee, NSW and was matured in French and American barriques prior to blending and secondary fermentation. This sparkling exhibits intense blackcurrant and cranberry fruit flavours, with a palate that is full bodied and rich. Best served chilled straight from the fridge. Deliciously refreshing, with a fine bead and a rich mouthfeel, it is the perfect sparkling for lovers of red wine. Region:
Langhorne Creek
Serve:
Chilled, below 4 deg.
Matured:
18 months French and American oak barriques
Cellar:
Up to 5 years
Food pairing: Not just a pre-dinner drink. It’s sensational to have with a meal and pairs nicely with a different range of food. Matching with rich meat allows the wine’s fruit notes to offset any gaminess like duck or venison. Subtle hints of sweetness calm a spicy sauce. Enjoy with sticky Korean ribs or duck pancakes.
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THE BLUEGRASS ROOM MEMBERS LOUNGE
This current release of our iconic Bluegrass Collection celebrates “The Collaboration” from Grape to your Glass. We have immense gratitude for the continued hard work our farmers endure during times of drought, we are thankful to our winemakers for their commitment, passion and pride they take in crafting our premium wines, and finally to all of our Saddler’s family who behind the scenes work with heart and soul to continuously strive to exceed the expectations of our Club Equus members and friends. Enjoy
xx
Wendy, Frank and Serge Laureti Proud Saddler’s Creek owners Original Club Equus members CE1461
15 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin, NSW Australia 2320 (02) 4991 1770 | saddlerscreek.com.au
