Past Issues: Bargain Wine, oct/nov 2003 --
Brown Brothers

In this regular feature, we spotlight those wines that offer great bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks, to be exact. Here you'll find our everyday wines, house pours, and occasionally a great new find. Have a favorite Bargain Wine? Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com! 

These days, when many leading Australian wineries are part of multinational conglomerates, it is gratifying to know that there are still some family-owned and –operated wineries preserving personal traditions and connections to their wines.

Brown Brothers wine debuted in 1889, when John Francis Brown produced his first vintage on ten acres in Australia’s Milawa region. In 1934, John Francis was joined at the winery by his son, John Charles Brown – now recognized as one of the country’s most innovative and experimental winemakers. Plantings soon expanded to red and white Grenache, Palomino, Trebbiano, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon. John Charles is now in his 80s and continues to be involved in the winery, along with his children. This third generation of Browns has expanded the estate holdings to 150 acres and has established an international reputation for the wines.

After a six-year absence from the U.S. market, Brown Brothers wines are back with four new value-priced releases. We recently had the opportunity to taste all four – here’s what we thought!

Brown Brothers 2001 Chardonnay Victoria ($11). Good fruit character shines through, with crisp apple and juicy citrus flavors and undertones of creamy vanilla and toasted hazelnut that linger on the finish. Tasted a little high in alcohol, but otherwise solid. Ready to drink now.

Brown Brothers 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Victoria ($13). Moderate spice and wet earth on the bouquet. A little thin up front, with richer ripe fruit and spice flavors kicking in on the finish along with green herbal notes. Not crazy about this one.

Brown Brothers 2001 Shiraz Victoria ($13). Jammy and appealing, with deep, ripe plum and black cherry laced with nutmeg, black pepper and toasty oak. Ready to drink now.

Brown Brothers 2001 Merlot Victoria ($13). Smooth plum and sweet cherry fruit, with licorice and spice notes. Ready to drink now.

To learn more about Brown Brothers and its wines, visit www.brown-brothers.com.au.

Check out previous Bargain Wines selections!
This now-fabulously-named column used to be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines, for reasons that we cannot currently remember but were surely enthusiastic about at the time. Anyhoo, check out our Past Issue Index for more great value-priced wine selections!