I purchased the wines of Fareham Estate, a winery between Auburn and Watervale, in the 1980s. The owner was Peter Rumball and I liked his personal style and the wines. The winery still exists and is now owned by Killikanoon. Glug re-trademarked the original name in 2005 and faithfully copied the pre-existing label design. We use Fareham Estate for Clare wines we purchase from Clare Valley boutiques.
Late last year we purchased a collection of Shiraz and Cabernet of exquisite quality from a ‘five star’ winery, this rating being awarded by a noted wine writer. I can say no more as part of any purchase means we are forbidden to use the maker’s name. The best of these barrels was kept for Fareham Estate and note this maker is not the same maker of the Riesling. I have great fondness for Clare reds which goes way back to red blends of the 1960s-1970s, from Wendouree and those fabulous Stanley Clare Bin Number, 56 and 49 reds of the 1980s.
Clare was on a roll yet since then so many other regions have developed that inevitably they have slipped back in customer recognition. The reason of course why we were offered these wines. I strongly endorse this Cabernet and may be matched against all more expensive wines. Note the obvious-it is a warm climate wine, not semi cool climate like say Margaret River, and displays an unusual high altitude twist of ‘menthol’ before this is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of warmer aromas. Great drinking.
