Angove Family Winemakers have been dedicated supporters of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) in its work to save the wild koala for over 10 years.
"Bear Crossing" wine with its delightfully iconic label was created especially for the AKF to raise money through wine sales and create awareness of the plight of wild koala.
For information go to
www.savethekoala.com
REGION:
South Australia, 2008
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Angove Nanya Vineyard as well as selected premium growers in the Riverland region. Soils are predominantly red sandy loam over limestone, on gentle undulating east west ridges.
2008 was an early vintage with good ripening conditions in January and February, followed by extreme heat in March. Disease pressures were low, but ripening was quite fast putting emphasis back on the winemakers to manage grape harvest timing carefully.
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Deep red with purple hues, the colour of this wine gives the warning of the ripe opulent flavours on the nose and palate. Enticing varietal fruit, spicy cherry and plum fruits as well as herbal notes are apparent on the nose. Cherry and plum fruits flavours, some spice and a hint of oak come through on the palate of the medium bodied wine. The wine finishes with good length and fine tannins.
This wine is easy to drink and will complement a wide spectrum of food, including Asian dishes, pasta, pizza or a relaxed barbeque.
TECHNICAL:
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 65%
Merlot 35%
Alcohol: 14.5% alc/vol
Total Acidity: 6.5 gms/l
Residual Sugar: 4 gms/l
Every bottle of Angove's Bear Crossing sold throughout the world generates funding to assist the Australian Koala Foundation in their efforts to save the Koala.
Hubrecht Duijker - Netherlands Wine Writer - Interview with John Angove - October 2008
Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2006
'A very lively character with juicy black fruit, laurel and spicy wood, giving great pleasure.'
The Ottawa Citizen (Nov 1, 2006 issue) 'Wine Guide 2006' section;
Angove's Bear Crossing Cabernet/Merlot 2004 - 3 Stars
'Very fruity and flavorful (plums, mulberries, spices) with smooth texture. It's easy drinking and a good match for a wide range of dishes from steak to meat-based pasta.'
Wine Express - Frank Baldock - Ontario, Canada - Spring 2006
"Bear Crossing Cab Merlot 2003 is more cola-chocolate with plum and mulberry, spicy, soft with a lift of residual sugar for mouthfeeland smoothness. (86 points)"
Wine Trade Winds Diary May 2006 - Canada Tasting Australian Wines - Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2003
"Basic red, very acceptable."
Wine Spectator - March 2006 - USA
2003 Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot
86 Points - Best Values
"Bright and generous, a racy style with red pepper and black currant flavours. Drink now through 2009.
Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2003 - 3 Stars
A blend of 65 percent Cabernet sauvignon and 35 percent Merlot, this Bordeaux style wine is a deep red colour, with pronounced aromas of cherries, strawberries and oak. Medium-bodied with gripping tannins and a lingering oaky finish, enjoy with a spicy steak.
Annual Buyers Guide to Wine 2005 - Special Collectors Issue
Christopher Waters, Canada, September 2005
WINESTATE
Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2003 - 3 Stars
Ripe tarry/jammy aromas. Nice dusty/earthy character to the light but elegant sweet plum palate.
May/June 2005
AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE
Bear Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2002 - Angove's consistently serves up decent, easy-drinking wines in the cheaper bottle-wine categories. This has an impressively deep colour, typical of the Riverland's outstanding 2002 vintage. Aromas of mulberry, crushed leaves and mint are true to the cabernet family of grapes, while the palate is sweetish, grapey, plummy and light. It's a light, simple red wine that drinks well young, and what more could you want for $9? It would suit pizza or pasta with a meaty sauce, and a few cents from each bottle goes towards Koala conservation. Huon Hooke - August/September 2004
2007 Vintage - Berliner Wein Trophy, Germany, 2011 - 'Berlin Gold'
2008 Vintage - Riverland Wine Show 2009 - Bronze
2007 Vintage - Int'l Wine & Spirit Comp 2009 - Commended
2003 Vintage - International Wine Challenge 2005 - Seal of Approval
2002 Vintage - Atlanta Int'l Wine Summit, 2003 - Bronze
2002 Vintage - San Fran Int'l Wine Comp,2003 - Bronze
2001 Vintage - Int'l Wine & Spirit Comp 2002 - Commendation
2001 Vintage - Cairns Wine Show 2002 - Bronze
2001 Vintage - Japan Wine Challenge 2002 - Seal of Approval
2001 Vintage - Int'l Wine Challenge 2002 - Seal of Approval
REGION:
South Australia, 2007
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Angove Nanya Vineyard as well as selected premium growers in the Riverland region. Soils are predominantly red sandy loam over limestone, on gentle undulating east west ridges.
2007 will be a vintage remembered for many years. The continuing drought brought water restrictions and lead to heavy frosts in August and later in the early part of the growing season. Bud damage and difficult weather during flowering meant that crops across the country were down, in some cases by up to 50%. These low yields ripened very early and grapes were harvested up to a month ahead of the normal picking times.
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Deep red with purple hues, the colour of this wine gives the warning of the ripe opulent flavours on the nose and palate. Enticing varietal fruit, spicy cherry and plum fruits as well as herbal notes are apparent on the nose. Cherry and plum fruits flavours , some spice and a hint of oak come through on the palate of the medium bodied wine. The wine finishes with good length and fine tannins.
This wine is easy to drink and will complement a wide spectrum of food, including Asian dishes, pasta, pizza or a relaxed barbeque.
TECHNICAL:
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 65% Merlot 35%
Alcohol: 13.0% alc/vol
Total Acidity: 6.5 gms/l
Residual Sugar: 4 gms/l