Wild Duck Creek Estate Release 2011

David Anderson has released his wines from the 2009 vintage and before I review them I should say a few things.  In 2009 the drought continued in Heathcote with many wineries losing or down grading up to 80% of their fruit.  There was a burst of heat that resulted in vines dropping leaves.  As the leaves are pertinent for the development of flavor and sugar it is not the best result if you still have a lot of way to go.  How did the Duck fare in 09? Well, he believes that due to 90% of his vineyards being dry grown and farmed bio-dynamically that the vines didn’t drop much leaf, only 10%, so he is excited to say the least.   There is a huge tannin structure in every one of the wines while they are a degree or two tighter than in the last few years. Do they drink well now? Yes, but they will be better with at least 4 years under their belt. On a side note, Lisa Perrotti-Brown has just seen these wines and given them a score of 91 – 96 so I guess I’m a little tougher as my range is 89 – 93.

Wild Duck Creek The Blend Cabernet Merlot 2009

This has a nice vim and vigor to it.  The acidity brightens the flavours of cinnamon stick, licorice, mint, red fruits and plums.  The wine is not as big as I was expecting and has a lovely elegance about it.  The wine is beautiful especially for an entry level wine.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $22
Rated: 89
Drink: 2013 – 2020

Wild Duck Creek Alan’s Cabernet 2009

The wine starts out sophisticated and structured yet brings flavours of blackcurrant, eucalyptus, chocolate and spice before it turns more reserved.  Almost like a turtle’s head having a look around to see what enemy is prowling then upon seeing me it pulls its head back in.  I have found that this label needs ten years to start showing what marvellous substances lurk beneath.  The oak is a little prominent at the moment but I’m not concerned at all.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $43
Rated: 91++
Drink: 2019 – 2026

Wild Duck Creek Ducks & Drakes 2009

This is a new addition to the Wild Duck family and is a blend of old vine Cabernet and Shiraz.  Each variety is equally contributing to the message of the wine.  It blends supple sweet Shiraz flavours with more savoury Cabernet.  The acidity and tannin backbone pull the flavour very long through along my palate.  The wine has this even flow and buoyancy about it that I find enchanting. 

Alcohol: 84.5 VOL free
Price: $30
Rated: 93
Drink: 2019 – 2028

Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill 2009

What a glorious synergistic blend of earthy red fruits, from the Malbec, and juicy darker fruits and eucalyptus, from the Shiraz.  The harmony between flavour and tannin is remarkable which ends in my mouth salivating profusely from the bright acidity.  There is a little veggie stock that enters the mid palate which provides a nice counterpoint to the darkness of Shiraz.  Leave it alone so it can settle down.  Everything in the right place it just needs time to open up a bit.

Alcohol: 14.5
Price: $25
Rated: 91
Drink: 2015 – 2028

Wild Duck Creek Spring Flat 2009

Welcome to big town.  You can feel the step up in body but the flavours are locked up so tight that they don’t show much as they enter the mouth.  There is power, tannin, oak and acidity all intertwined but they just need time to open up.  If you haven’t had a Wild Duck before get your hands on this.  The Spring Flat is the cornerstone of the winery yet the quality between this and the higher end wines isn’t that great in most years.

Alcohol: 16%
Price: $36
Rated: 92+
Drink: 2019 – 2025