Nov 2000 Volume 81 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Simply Saltram
by Mark Altmann

Saltram Winery’s history is a deeply personal one. W. Salter and his son, Edward, founded the firm in 1859. When William Salter planted the first Shiraz vines in the Barossa valley, it was the beginning of the Mamre Brook heritage. The first wines from these vineyards were produced in 1862. To this day, some of the original vines are still producing excellent grapes. In 1880, Saltrams won its first awards in winemaking with entries in a Sydney exhibition.

Mildara Blass Ltd purchased Saltrams in 1996. The quality of the Saltram and Metala wines grew. Winemaking has become an even more highly-skilled endeavour at Saltram Wine Estate. Today’s advanced technology has given us the excellent Saltram wines with which consumers are well acquainted. Saltrams chief winemaker, Nigel Dolan, was recently awarded the Barossa Winemaker of the Year 2000 in recognition of his work with the Mamre Brook range.

Saltrams most recent success was in 1998 with the Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines winning six trophies and 10 gold medals.

MAMRE BROOK CHARDONNAY 1999

This dry, medium to full-bodied wine is a pale straw colour with a green tinge at the edges. An aromatic sensation of peach, pears and grapefruit is immediately apparent. A subtle hint of cream and toast characters emerge as a result of barrel fermentation.

The palate offers a fresh, crisp, acidic feel with a sweet variety of fruit flavours. Melons and pears are the most noticeable. A long, lingering aftertaste gives the wine an elegant structure of full rich flavours.

This wine is worth cellaring for two to four years, and is an excellent accompaniment to oysters kilpatrick.

RRP per bottle $16.

SALTRAM MAMRE BROOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1998

This wine has a deep, dark plum colour yet displays a youthful hue. Its aroma offers a complex array of berries with oak overtones, which result from the maturation process in French - mainly Nevers - oak hogsheads.

The palate yields a full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a taste of berries. Chocolate and cedar flavours abound subtly. This wine has a rich, layered structure giving excellent length in flavour, which seems to literally hang at the rear of the palate.

This wine’s full potential will result after 10-plus years’ cellaring. A roast leg of lamb garnished with oils and a sprig of rosemary is recommended as an accompaniment.

RRP per bottle $20.60.

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