The Boutique Wine Lover's Wine Reviews and Wine Related Stories

This month, Basket Range Wine is celebrating not only the commencement of Spring, but also their 2006 Cabernet Blend.

Fifty of Australia's top winemakers were asked by Selector magazine to recommend a red that had impressed them in the last 12 months for inclusion in "Wines to Watch - 18 of the best reds", Winter 09 edition.

Renowned winemaker, Natasha Mooney recommended the 2006 Basket Range Cabernet Blend which was selected to be one of the 18 wines featured.

We're pleased to be able to offer this wine to you for drinking now or cellaring for the future.

ALSO AVAILABLE

The 2005 Basket Range Cabernet Blend. Reviewed in Winestate Magazine "insider tasting new releases" November/December 2007 - 3 stars and still going strong!

And the BAZZANI's keep on CELEBRATING!

2008 - 2009 has been quite a year at Warrenmang - so little rain, so much heat and so few grapes - but the 2009 vintage was special and harvest as exciting as always; Owners of Warrenmang, Luigi and Athalie Bazzani have certainly managed to balanced out any pain from fruit loss with the pleasure of many celebrations and spectacular wine and food events, including Luigi's 70th birthday and a fabulous party to mark the 30th Anniversary since he became part of Warrenmang Vineyard and made it his life!

On 20th June there was yet another great excuse for party in the Pyrenees; it was exactly 20 years since the official opening of Warrenmang's Restaurant and Resort village. The opening in 1989 marked the pioneering of wine tourism in Victoria and the tranquil Resort Village and the multi award winning restaurant still remain a favourite destination for lovers of wine food and nature twenty years on. Countless awards have been bestowed on the property over the years and once again, the restaurant and resort is in the highly coveted list recommended by the Age Good Food Guide 2010.

Guests have enjoyed two super premium wine releases created especially for the special anniversary celebrations, including Luigi "Tribute" 30th Anniversary wine and Torchio (red), multi vintage aged pressings. Both wines have been widely applauded by the wine media and sold out quickly.

Invited guests throughout the year have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the memorable anniversary events. Daniel Jones, executive chef at Warrenmang has created a series of degustation dinners and long slow lunches resulting in outstanding regional food and wine experiences; Wine loving guests have reaped the benefits of Luigi's unswerving dedication to maintaining a serious museum cellar. For each celebration, he has burrowed deep into the darkest corners and brought out some amazing wines including an original 1980 Cabernet, some early 1980's Shiraz wines and the first vintage of Grand Pyrenees from 1985. All were exceptional and had maintained their fruit, their rich colour and distinctive Pyrenees characteristics of mint and spice.

In 2009, it is also 40 years since Luigi arrived in Australia and though his Australian story is long and momentous, he thinks the best celebration is yet to come. In September (this month) he and partner Athalie will celebrate 40 years of marriage and plan to continue sharing their lifelong love for a common passion, wine food and hospitality.

Luigi & Athalie Bazzani