Thomas Goss Shiraz and BBQ Brisket

When you meet Ben Riggs, after you get over the sheer size of the him, you see a man who is seems very comfortable in his own skin – a guy who would be as comfortable in a board room, a lab or a vineyard. But, talking to Ben you soon figure out that Ben sees himself primarily as a farmer.

Ben Riggs is one of the most sought after wine-making consultants in Australia. He has help craft wine in France, Napa, Greece and Italy. For a relatively young man, (let say around my own age.) he clocked in more than 42 vintages, 14 at the helm of his own winery in Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale. Ben’s wines have won many awards and top scores in the media, he has twice been named Winemaker of the Year Gourmet Magazine (2005 & 2013).

Shiraz is Ben’s first love, McLaren Vale, Shiraz’s spiritual home, is Ben’s other love, and it is this dual passion that drives him to champion McLaren Vale Shiraz on a global scale.
2014 Thomas Goss Shiraz McLaren Vale $14.99

“An attractive, bright and clearly defined shiraz that offers up the full array of red to dark summer berry fruits, some plum too. All coached in attractive spicy mocha-scented oak. Balanced, ready to drink.”
91 points – James Suckling

The Shiraz grapes used to make this wine have been sourced from select vineyards in McLaren Vale including those planted on the original Goss property. McLaren Vale has one of the most consistent climates in which to grow premium wine grapes, particularly Shiraz.

The wine is made by Ben Riggs and Alexia Roberts, this wine has a long, soft and juicy palate and lush mouth-feel, bursting with blackberry, blueberry jam and licorice. This wine guarantees a true Australian Shiraz experience.

1 beef brisket (9-11 lb) Mesquite Charcoal 4 onces soaked wood chips in foil pouch

Rub: 2 tbsp. salt 2 tbsp. dry mustard 2 tbsp. cracked black pepper 2 tbsp. brown sugar 2 tbsp. Chili powder

Wrap 1 cup apple cider 4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Barbecue sauce 1 each Onion, diced 1 clove Garlic, Minced 2 cup Apple Cider ½ cup Cider Vinegar ½ cup Brown Sugar 1 cup Ketchup 1 cup Stone Ground Mustard 1 Tbsp. Tabasco 1 tbsp. Chili Powder

1. Clean brisket of any excess fat and silver skin.

2. Combine seasoning for rub.

3. Rub brisket with seasoning and let come to room temperature (1 hr.)

4. Light mesquite and move coals to one side of barbecue place wood chip pouch on coals.

5. When coals are ready place brisket on grill turning regularly.

6. After 30 to 40 minutes’ move brisket to cool side of grill, close and let smoke for 2 hours turning brisket regularly.

7. Remove brisket to roasting pan, add cider and Worchester, cover with foil.

8. Place in 250-degree oven for 4 -5 hours.

9. For Sauce: In bowl of blender combine onion, garlic and apple cider. Puree.

10. Add remaining ingredients and pulse

11. Pour into a sauce pan and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes

12. Remove brisket from oven and let rest for 30 minutes.

13. Drain liquid from pan.

14. Place brisket on cutting board and slice against grain.

15. Serve with Barbecue sauce.

Featured Winery ~ Renacer

Renacer’s vineyards are located in Perdriel, a unique zone in Mendoza, Argentina, where the soil, altitude, climate and water come together to create the perfect growing environment for Malbec.

Through hundreds of years of trial-and-error experimentation, winemakers noticed that certain areas within a single vineyard produce grapes with different characteristics than other areas within that same vineyard. Fruit from one section within one vineyard, farmed the same way, harvested at the same time by the same method, and produced into wine with the same technique, can be dramatically different! The soils play a significant role in these differences for each unique terroir within a vineyard.

Due to natural geological processes, soil properties can vary over distances as small as a few meters. Recognition of these small-scale variations within a vineyard can lead to wines that better reflect the terroir.

Renacer’s modern and sophisticated winery produces well-crafted, enjoyable wines that offer tremendous value and garner praise from industry critics and publications worldwide, most notably Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

Cabernet Sauvignon ’14

$8.99 / btl – save $5

New! Aromas of blackberries and cassis with a touch of spice. On the palate, notes of vanilla and sweet spice lead to flavors of juicy black cherries and plums. Elegant with a lingering finish and a bright acidity.

Malbec ’15

$8.99 / btl – save $5

90 Tim Atkin, Beautiful aromas of red currants, blackberries, and plums, with notes of pepper and clove. Black cherries and juicy plums fill the mouth leading to a bold lingering finish.

Malbec Reserva ’13

$18.99 / btl – save $3

90 Suckling! A deep ruby red color with violet highlights. On the nose, a combination of red and black fruit aromas mingle with earthy mineral and floral notes highlighted by sweet spice and vanilla. Black raspberry and plum flavors dominate the palate along with more subtle flavors of tangy cherries, vanilla, and mocha. The sweet tannins carry through to the long, robust finish.

House of Independent Producers

The House of Independent Producers is a project of Christophe Hedges from Hedges Family Wines. Its purpose is to showcase varietal character and terroir with single vineyard wines from Washington’s greatest vineyards at incredibly affordable prices.We’re pleased to be showcasing two releases this month that will surprise and delight you.

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon.

This Cabernet is sourced from the great Sagemoor Farms Vineyard in the Columbia Valley whose fruit is found in  the far more expensive wines of Corliss, Delille, Abeja and Woodward Canyon, to name a few. Christophe’s goal here is to display Cabernet’s world class power and structure, rather than produce a mere simple fruit bomb often found at this amazingly low price.

2012 Merlot

This Merlot is from the prized Bacchus Vineyard, a sister vineyard to Sagemoor, with its commanding view of the Columbia River and the Rattlesnake Hills. Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux and a major part of blends like Lafite, Mouton and all the other 1^st Growths. Merlot endows its wines with fleshiness, black cherry/black plum fruit and soft, supple tannins.

Both HIP 2012 Merlot and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon are priced at $9.99 a bottle, with a $5 savings, and can be purchased in our shop or online.