Robert Oatley Vineyards – James Oatley Tic Tok Pinot Gris 2009

Adelaide Hills, South Australia
$16-18
www.robertoatley.com.au

Though not too many North Americans know about Bob – I mean – Robert – Oatley, he’s quite the figure down under.   A proud and passionate fifth-generation Aussie, Oatley has built a diverse family business that includes vineyards, wineries, cattle stations, thoroughbred horses and luxury tourism.  If his name isn’t familiar, his wine legacy certainly is – Bob Oatley established the now famous Hunter Valley-based Rosemount Estate, producing his first commercial vintages in the early 1970s.

In 2006, after leaving winemaking (his ‘retirement’ lasted one year), he returned with Robert Oatley Vineyards, now with 4 distinct wine lines. The newest range has been named James Oatley Tic Tok series – honouring Bob’s great, great grandfather James, a clockmaker, and the first of his clan to land in Sydney in 1815.

Haven’t come across Tic Tok on your wine watch?  Not surprising – these wines are new to BC.  The catchy label caught my eye, and the intro price tag reeled me in.  Glad I bit!  From the cool Adelaide Hills district, flavours of creamy ripe pear, pink lady apple and fresh minerality are under the welcomed stelvin cap.  Mostly fermented in stainless steel, a small portion was fermented in older oak – providing an oomph of musky complexity.  Medium bodied, smooth and nicely balanced – not at all wood-weighted, but fruit-forward.  A lovely little well-made surprise and one I’ll be sure to return to – especially for this price.

Watch for the more established Robert Oakley Vineyards range in private liquor stores in BC.

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