2009 JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK Merlot Mudgee, New South Wales

While perusing the wine section of my local Publix, I notice a small wine tasting. Not one to turn down a chance to sample new and free wine, I quickly parked my cart at the bar, uh I mean table. Before me was a line of wines I’ve not seen, JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK. I started with the Sauvignon Blanc and quickly added it to my cart. Next I moved onto the Syrah, again, this made its way to my cart. Finally the Merlot, which not only did I walk away with in my cart but the nice sample man filled my cup to the rim. I’m not talking about those tiny little Jello shot cups either; this was a decent size sample. So there I am, shopping is complete, wandering the aisles of Publix, drinking my wine when I decide it’s time to head home so I down the last of the wine in the art supple aisle. Tried the full bottle version last night and it really is quite nice. Sold for $12.99, the price isn’t too bad either.

Aromas of black berry, cherry and a hint of oak. The aromas carry over to the flavors in a fruit forward fashion and a nice balance of tannins. Body is soft and round. Finish isn’t as long as I would like but can’t win them all. I find the flavors are more developed than so many of the overly sweet Australian wines that seem to flood the inexpensive wine market these days.

Wondering who James Oatley is? I was too. James Oatley was born in Warwickshire, England in 1770. Skilled as a clockmaker, he went astray and stole bed linen. His sentence was life and he was exiled to Australia. Hmm, hope the linen was 600 count or higher, seems like a pretty extreme sentence for stealing sheets. So in 1815, James arrived in Sydney where he put his clock making skills to use. He was eventually pardoned from his crime in 1821 and was appointed the Keeper of the Town Hall Clock. He custom-built the clock that still stands at the Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney.

After seeing great success with their first line of wines, Rosemount Estate, the Oatley family started a second wine line under the direction of Robert Oatley, great-grandson of James Oatley. The family owns seven vineyards in Mudgee, New South Wales. The name TIC TOK seems a fitting tribute to Robert Oatley’s great-great grandfather and his treasured skill. Here’s to their continued success.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.
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