Robert Rees (Wine Exchange Asia)

Mr. Robert Rees of newly launched wine auction website, Wine Exchange Asia posing with Kay Brothers Hillside Shiraz and a bottle of Rockburn Sauvignon Blanc.

New World Wines Tasting with Robert Rees, Wine Exchange Asia
@ Extra Space Storage Facility, 301 Boon Keng Road.

We were pleased to be invited and tasted the below wines were tasted on Thursday 24.01.2008 at the launch of Wine Exchange Asia Auction Portal @ Extra Space. Both myself, Frank Tan, Henry Wee, SG Yeo, Johnny, Brian, TK Ling were part of the attending audience as we were introduced to a new web based auction portal.

As part of the tasting, we are pleased to have Mr. Rees sharing with both readers and members of the community about himself and a little more on his latest initiative.

酒: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Robert: I am South African born - been living in Australia for the past 12 years, and commuting to Singapore and Hong Kong for the past five years or so. I have taken full time residency of Singapore about 18 months ago. I have always been in wine and now work for Wine Exchange Asia on a full time basis.

酒: How did you get involved with Wine?

Robert: I was a wine waiter at Law School back in South Africa (20 years ago now) and have never left wine. Have left Law School though…

酒: There are many wine business models around, both big and small, and now you’re doing your own company. Can you tell me about your new initiative and how different and unique is it as compared to the rest?

Robert: We have two main objectives:-

(a) To offer the very best of all of the world wine regions; and

(b) To be the cheapest in the market for it all. We are able to bring this cost equation to the mix because we are internet based mainly, but remain committed to understanding our customer`s wants and needs and servicing them in the very best way.

Many large internet retailers have migrated to “bricks and mortar” - we feel a mix of the two is best for us and our customers - I guess a sommelier-style service with none of the extra cost.

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2007 Rockburn Pinot Gris
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
www.rockburn.co.nz

24012008. 13.3%. 100% Pinot Gris. Stonefruit, lime. Medium-bodied, crisp with tart and tight acidity. Simple with a spicy medium finish. Drink between 2008 to 2012.

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2007 Rockburn Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
www.rockburn.co.nz
24012008. 12.8%. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Green with lime. Medium-bodied with unripe green apples, sheer sharp acidity, taut and tight with a short finish. Drink between 2008 to 2012.

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2006 Grosset Riesling Polish Hill
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
www.grosset.com.au

24012008. 100% Riesling. Waxed fruit with straight petrol-like smell. Medium-bodied, oily with melons and a short to medium finish. Drink between 2010 and 2016.

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2006 Rockburn Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
www.rockburn.co.nz

24012008. 100% Pinot Noir. Stylish with sweet black cherries. Medium-bodied, young with unresolved stalkiness amidst bright dark cherries with density and cream on the palate. Sweet plummy and firm finish. Drink between 2008 and 2011.

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2003 Meerlust Rubicon
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

www.meerlust.co.za

24012008. 13.5%. 10 days in stainless steel, and aged in barriques for 24 months, then another 24 months in bottle before release. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. When we came to this wine, I remembered the distorted face of Henry as he sip and spit 101% into the spittoon. A Bordeaux inspired wine with heavy green chemical components on the nose with underlying dark fruits. Medium-bodied, vigorous stalks, dryness and greenness with a dry black currant finish. Drink between 2009 and 2015. Price: S$55.00.

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2004 Kay Brothers Shiraz Hillside Amery Vineyards
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
www.kaybrothersamerywines.com
24012008. 14.5%. From 6 to 34 years old vines, the 2005 Hillside Shiraz sees 28 months in American oak, of which 50% new and used. 100% Shiraz. Kay Brothers brought me memories as I swirl and sip Kenneth’s favorite Barossa. Deek dark berries and exotic. Medium to full-bodied, jammy, plummy, good feel and a pleasant plummy finish. Drink between 2008 and 2015. Price: S$63.00.

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2005 Branson Coach House Shiraz Single Vineyard Greenock Block
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
www.bransoncoachhouse.com
Tasted on Thursday 24.01.2008. 14.6%. 100% Shiraz. I remembered Seow Guan liking this wine for its easy drinking style anytime, somewhere. Chocolate, jam and blue berries. Medium to full-bodied, juicy, jam coating tongue of generous dark fruits, soft and yummy. Dry, dusty finish. Drink from 2009 to 2013. Price: S$60.00.

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2004 Torbreck Shiraz The Factor
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
www.torbreck.com
24012008. 14.5%. 24 months in French oak before release. 100% Shiraz. This was Frank Tan’s favorite wine. Judging from the no. of pours he was swirling and drinking, refilling from my BYOed Riedel Restaurant Extreme stemware. Blue and black berries, pepper, smoke. Full-bodied, with a superior bouquet of dark fruit, meat, earth, complexity and a good blackberry finish. Enjoyable now. Drink between 2008 and 2017. Price: S$160.00.

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2001 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange
Australia, South Australia
Earlier Tasting 15012007. 24012008. 14.5%. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. An impressive effort which opened up in a Riedel Restaurant Extreme aeration after some aeration for a couple of minutes. Menthol and oak. Full-bodied, plums, licorice, black berries, with beautiful and lush tannins, smooth and an exceptional long finish. Drink from 2012 to 2022. Wine lovers present at this tasting would have voted it as WOTN, naturally. Price: S$450.00.

Click here to view: Wine Exchange Asia (Singapore).

Photographs and text by Daniel. Hit us with your best shots; we’ll try our best to listen. Send your inquiries or comments here or via email to jiuwine@gmail.com.