Family keep alive memory of the Jovial winemaker.

Ray Jordan- The West Australian

 

Not Long before Ian Tyrer lost his short battle with cancer in 2003, he told wife Linda and daughter Kim that they should sell Galafrey, the small Mt Barker winery he had set up in 1992.

“Everything is stuffed. Just sell it,” he said.

But Linda and Kim decided that they weren’t about to let go of all Tyrer had fought so hard to establish. In fact, I think they felt they owed it to the memory of this ebullient character to keep the place going.

“ We hung in there and it’s given me purpose,” Linda said.

 

 

 

Not only have they keep in going,they also have just released a new wine that captures the very essence of Tyrer. The name came from a wine column I wrote in the early 90’s after a visit to Galafrey, in which I had described this larger than life character as Jovial.

The Jovial is the name of the Cabernet blend that, like the man it honours, is full bodied, powerful and intense. And just like the sometimes brash Tyrer, there are hidden qualities that complete a stylish package of real class.

The Jovial 2003  which hits the shelves next month, is a predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and merlot. At the time of tasting, it was a little edgy, but there is some superb fruit in there with the mix of new and old French oak and some nice ripe tannins providing ample structure.

Galafrey dry grown vineyard in its 30th year, planted largely to Riesling, which , over the years produced some exceptional gold medal winning wines. The reds also offer excellent value and quality, their soft fleshly character making them immediately appealing, though there is real structure in there for extended cellaring in some cases.

The new Riesling 2007  is a fine dry style with a crisp palate and fine acid. Kim and Linda have maintained Tyrer’s passion for Riesling and wanting to be one of Australia’s

best producer.

The Chardonnay 2007 is another good value for money wine in the full bodied, ripe buttery style. The aim here is to make an unoaked Chardonnay that is more substantial than the standard for this style.

Of the reds , the Frankland River Shiraz 2002  is a cracking good value wine offering stacks of intense flavour in a classy package, while the Cabernet Sauvignon2002 ($24) , though still a little tight, is a very stylish and sophisticated wine.