By John Rozentals.
Tim Adams … has every right to speak about the late ‘Mr Mick’.
As the last apprentice of the late, great Clare Valley winemaker Mick ‘Mr Mick’ Knappstein, Tim Adams has earned every right to speak, and on the labels of his latest releases he does so both succinctly and eloquently:
“Mr Mick, my mentor and friend, was a legendary Australian winemaker. He was passionate about making wines for everyone to enjoy. We are delighted to continue this tradition in his honour.”
Tim and his fellow winemaker Brett Schutz obviously enjoyed putting together the latest trio of wines under their Mr Mick label, especially the rosé.
“We had so much fun putting the rosé blend together as each taste just left us wanting more,” he said.
“It’s that sort of wine.”
Indeed it is, and it certainly didn’t last long on this tasting bench.
WINE REVIEWS
Mr Mick 2015 Shiraz ($17): This is a classic Clare Valley red from what Tim describes as an outstanding vintage. It’s elegant but old-fashioned, and shows great power and refinement in its fruit character, and subtlety in its oak treatment. In short, it’s a great full-flavoured winter drink, at the sort of price to be affordable for most wine lovers.
Sandalford 2018 Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc ($22): Pristine really is the only word for this delightfully more-ish dry white from Margaret River’s Wilyabrup sub-region. It’s fresh, it’s crisp and it’s dry — just the thing for easy drinking on the veranda or in font of the open fire. I love it and I can see why it’s attracting a band of followers.
WINE IF THE WEEK
Mr Mick 2019 Rosé ($17): I agree with Adams and Schutz that this is extremely gluggable. It’s made from sangiovese and tempranillo, and epitomises Mick Knappstein’s philosophy about providing drinking that is real value-for-money. Every winery seems to have a dry rosé at the moment and it’s what we should be drinking as the weather starts to warm. This is better than most.
