Stanton & Killeen Classic Muscat NV (Rutherglen, VIC)

NOTES

In 1855 Timothy Stanton abandoned his occupation as a mechanic in West Suffolk, England and brought his family to Australia in search of gold.  In 1864, together with his son John Lewis Stanton ,Timothy purchased land at Rutherglen in North East Victoria immediately establishing a farm and vineyard.

By 1875 the Stantons were well established as successful Rutherglen vignerons.  Timothy’s grandson John Richard Stanton continued to improve and expand the business and by the 1920’s had established the magnificent “Park View” vineyard and winery.

In 1921 John Richard Stanton’s son John Charles decided to start his own winery and with financial assistance from his father purchased a property nearby which was to become known as “Gracerray”.  John Charles or “Jack” as he was known worked for his father while he planted his vineyard and established a new winery.  Jack made his first vintage in 1925 and a thriving wine business followed, his grit and determination enabled him to survive the great depression of the early thirties which was the ruination of many local wineries, including his father’s “Park View” vineyard.

In 1948 Norman Killeen married Jack’s daughter Joan and in 1953 he joined her and his father-in-law in business resulting in the formation of Stanton and Killeen Wines.  During those early years Norman’s involvement was predominantly with the ever expanding farming side of the business but by 1967 he had taken over as winemaker and had launched into a considerable vine replanting program. Norman was able to grow and expand the business during the hectic years of the “70’s” and early “80’s” continuing to lay a firm foundation for the next generation.

Norman’s son Chris was also part of those expanding times and after ten years of training from his father took over as winemaker in 1981, thus becoming the sixth generation of Stanton and Killeen winemakers in the Rutherglen district.  It is the wonderful origins of history that make this winemaking family so important to the pioneering story of Rutherglen and the development of winemaking in Australia.

TASTING NOTES

The Stanton and Killeen parcels are situated three kilometres due west of Rutherglen on gently undulating picturesque farming country. 30 hectares of the best well drained soils are planted to vines, and range in quality from gravel ridges to red loam on the slopes under which lies a porous clay. It is on these latter soils that the Classic Muscat is grown. Sunning the oaken barrels that hold the Classic Muscat, and rotation through a complicated formula, develops the melt in your mouth characters so enticingly the result of the Solero system utilised by 6th geeration winemaker Chris Killeen.

Colour is scarlet red with orange smoke. Its viscosity and depth are like refined sultana juice. Nose is overwhelming, there are  mixed nuts, rancio, jaffa and sweet green herbal essences. The palate is luscious and immediate, a rush of butter, sweet fresh tobacco leaf, gumnuts and parched raisins. There is honey, citrus, fruitbread and green tea. An ebbing and flowing counterpoint between semi-dried out grapes and musty varietal sugars. An excellent after dinner drink, especially with coffee. Works well with strong cheeses, fruitcake and walnuts.