Source: The Armidale Express; 8 September 2008

 

Banalasta/Blickling Estate Wines has been named the leader of the New England wine region pack with a five start rating according to acclaimed wine critic James Halliday.

 

Banalasta received five out of five stars in the 2009 edition of Mr Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion for their 2006 Riesling and Wooded Chardonnay.

 

Mr Halliday is at the top of the wine list of who’s who, which is why the Banalasta staff is justifiably proud.

 

Banalasta/Blickling Estate Wines founding owner and managing director Rolf Blickling said it put smiles on the faces.

 

He said James Halliday is Australia’s ‘wine guru’ and his five star rating is testament to the quality of the grapes Banalasta has produced.

 

The ‘leader of the pack’ phrase used by the wine reviewer was particularly satisfying to Mr Blickling but he said Banalasta’s achievements are also indicative of what the region is capable.

 

As a recently classified appellation, Banalasta’s evaluations showed the New England’s potential as a leader of Australian wine regions.

 

“This region is capable of producing excellent and high quality wines,” Mr Blickling said.

 

He believes their success can only further the standing of the New England as a wine producing region.

 

Banalasta uses contract winemakers in the Hunter Valley for the riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes produced on the 10-hectares at Bendemeer.

 

Mr Halliday wrote the skilled contract winemakers could have been part of the reason Banalasta’s wines were so successful.

 

However, the wines produced from the fruit at Bendemeer did not receive less than four stars from Mr Halliday in his latest wine companion.

 

The 2009 edition ratings improved from 2008 and Mr Blickling is now looking forward to next year’s ratings – he said they received their rosé two weeks ago and the quality is so high they can’t wait to find out how many stars it will pick up.