NEW GROOM WINES

[Jerry D Mead]

//Excerpted from my weekly newsletter/column...this has not appeared yet in any newspapers. Only my direct subscribers have seen it. JDM//

Daryl Groom, Geyser Peak's star winemaker and former winemaker of famous Penfold's "Grange" is now making his own wine, under his own name, in very tiny quantities, as part of a family owned project. Total production of these Australian jewels is around 1000 cases, with only 250 of the spectacular Shiraz. Mead On Wine readers have an inside track on acquiring some of the few bottles available. Contact the importer: Wine Marketing 2000 at (914) 533-0292 or e-mail: cmara@computer.net
Groom 1999 "Adelaide Hills" Sauvignon Blanc ($16.50) Definitely a food wine. Bone dry to the point of austerity. White grapefruit and lemon grass with a little gooseberry in the aftertaste. Crisp, refreshing acidity. Rating: 90/82
Groom 1998 "Barossa Valley" Shiraz ($37.50) I'm at a loss for words to adequately describe this fantastic first release from a vineyard contiguous to a famous "Grange" vineyard. Unbelievably intense black cherry and plum fruit with a little cassis. It is difficult to comprehend how a wine can be so big and extractive, yet so perfectly balanced and silky smooth at such a tender age. Rating: 98/88