St. Mary’s is the kind of place any weary traveler would want to take refuge. Located in the great expanse called the Limestone Coast in South Australia, the people of St. Mary’s are warm, welcoming, laid-back and true, passionate growers of the grape. These values are reflected in their remarkably well made basket pressed wines. At St. Mary’s, they take pride in producing wines which can evolve beautifully over years. The 2005 Bells & Whistles, made from Bordeaux varietals plus Shiraz, benefited from a long growing season tempered by cool ocean breezes and a unique, higher elevation vineyard site. The Limestone coast is famed for its Terra Rossa soil structure and St. Mary’s is no exception. Here the bedrock is of limestone covered by stony red soil.
The grapes are picked at perfect ripeness and basket pressed, ensuring a gentle handling and giving a soft and traditional character. The wine is a vibrant deep purple in color and alive with a robust bouquet of fruit and spice. There is much for the nose to contemplate, black currant and black plum jam, juicy black cherry, with a backdrop of earthy spices like black pepper, bay leaf, eucalyptus and dark chocolate to boot. The flavors are rich and concentrated, reflecting the bouquet; finishing long and sweetly spicy. Drink Bells & Whistles with down home favorites like barbeque, roast chicken with mashed potatoes or a big pot of chili.