Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing 2008

The Langhorne Creek area of Barossa Valley is renowned for producing fragrant, soft, fruit driven wines of gentle texture and superb varietal character. In the 2008 Bleasdale Langhorne Crossing Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (53%), Shiraz (35%), Petit Verdot (7%), and Malbec (5%), one gets all that and more. Heady with the scents of red and black fruits, mint, eucalyptus, and subtle spice, the deeply colored 2008 Langhorne Crossing is a smorgasbord for the nose. On the palate, it expresses a beautiful spectrum of berry flavors, a gentle complex herbaceous tenor, and smooth spice tones from 15 months in American and French oak barrels. Although elegant and smooth from the moment the bottle is opened, we found the 2008 Langhorne Crossing Red to handsomely reward aeration. After thirty or more minutes open, the wine seemed to pop, taking on even more complex scents and flavors that would shame some very expensive Bordeaux offerings. Enjoy this supple, skillfully blended, award-winning red at cool room temperature (62º-66 Fº).

What is so engaging and revealing about the 2008 Langhorne Crossing Red and Australia’s other highly successful red blends is their flexibility with food. The 2008 Langhorne Crossing can be paired with almost any meat or vegetable dish. Chicken, beef, lamb, pork and game all provide good palettes upon which to build a meal with this wine. Chicken Kabobs, Grilled Porcini Mushroom and Angus Beef Burgers, Loin of Lamb Stuffed with Cherries and Currants, and good old fashioned Pork Spareribs make outstanding complements to the Potts Family’s Langhorne Crossing Cabernet/Shiraz blend. Grilled eggplant, squash, onions, and tomatoes with just a touch of seasoning provide a tasty complement to this wine as well. Enjoy!

“The Potts' in Langhorne Creek never did things by halves. The 120 year old, hand-sawn red gum lever press in the Bleasdale cellar weighs 3.5 tons, is 15 metres long and stands 7 metres high. Makes today's modern winery machinery look like a Lego set.” Bleasdale – There is a story in every glass Bleasdale was founded in 1850 by Frank Potts, one of the first settlers to South Australia. After stints as a sailor, boat builder, and farmer on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia, Potts settled at Langhorne Creek in Barossa where he planted Shiraz and Verdelho vines and established a winery. It appears that Frank Potts was a man of many talents, and his many abilities and accomplishments have become part of the legends and folklore of South Australia – a tribute to Potts and the hardy free settlers to South Australia who survived on account of their courage and resourcefulness. Consequently, Bleasdale continues to thrive in its third century of operation. The original part of the winery is on the National Trust and National Heritage of Australia. Moreover, Bleasdale is the second oldest, continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the Barossa Valley and one of Australia’s most highly regarded wineries. Today, Bleasdale’s vineyards consist of approximately 110 acres. Not surprisingly, Shiraz and Verdelho still hold court as principal varietals, along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Small quantities of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are also cultivated. All five Bordeaux varietals are used in the winery’s flagship offering, a special meritage blend named for founder Frank Potts. Excellent single varietal offerings abound as well, including very fine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. However, it is Bleasdale’s Langhorne Crossing Red and White blends that have traveled far and wide to establish Bleasdale as one of the best sources for blended wines anywhere in the world.