If anyone thinks making wine is a quick way to make money, they know nothing about the Australian wine industry. Drought, flood and locusts and countless other blights have turned many a winemaker’s dream to a nightmare. When three accountants in the Barossa began Cat Amongst the Pigeons, many thought they might go the same way.
Locals considered the block they bought at best unremarkable. Today Cat Amongst the Pigeons is known for consistently producing remarkable, well-priced wine from the Valley’s low yielding vines.
Cat Amongst the Pigeons produces wine from grapes grown in the Barossa and Eden Valley zones. Chief Winemaker, Nick Badrice oversees the three ranges, Barossa, Fat Cat and Jazz Cat. Barossa born and bred Nick, he knows what magic the Valley can produce with patience and attention to detail.
He honed his craft in Spain over three vintages, learning how the Spanish deal with a terroir not dissimilar to the Barossa.
Renowned across the globe for incredible Shiraz, the Barossa is also home to the world’s oldest Grenache vines. The cool climate and rich soil also provide ideal conditions for Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The deep, red 2017 Fat Cat Shiraz is pure, bottled Barossa. That big, bold full flavoured style with rich plum and spicy notes and a little oak for good measure. Good drinking now with even better to come.
The Eden Valley is both wetter and cooler than the other Barossa zones. Chardonnays grown here require some time in oak to overcome the natural acidity prevalent in Eden Valley whites.
The 2018 Eden Valley Chardonnay is sure to win over even the Chardonnay sceptics with a style all its own. You can taste the winemaker’s craft in this one. Somehow Nick Badrice has created a fruit forward wine that’s bold, delicious and intriguing. Invite your favourite Sauvignon Blanc tragic over for a roast chicken dinner and dazzle them with this wine’s unique richness. One to savour.
The Cat Amongst the Pigeons range is available exclusively at Dan Murphys and BWS nationally.
Disclaimer: This Magnificent Life was supplied these wines for review.
I purchased bottle after bottle of Cat from Dan Murphys when it was first stocked. In fact, I decided I preferred the cheaper product to the more expensive. However, when I found both bottles on Dan’s shelf again this week, and thought it was time for a change from my latest fave, I was horrified at the aroma ( more like smell or similar) when I took the top off the bottle, and the taste was totally sauvignon blanc.
I, like James Halliday, have always referred to SB as smelling like cat’s pee ( in fact that was Jim’s description in the 1990s, – I was less polite re the use of “pee”). I know he was referring to Malborough at the time, but has repeated the assertion in more general terms since.
Hence my total horror at the smell and taste of the Cat I purchased yesterday. I recall a WA wine producer using SB grapes and labelling it as Chardonnay when there was an oversupply of SB and the public interest in it waned. Wine producers need to know that although they may not be selling the most expensive product, purchasers of that product are not necessarily naive.
Yes, Gai I totally agree with your thoughts on Sauv Blanc. Bernadette O’Shea (well-known Champagne enthusiast and writer) like James H and myself consider most SB dreadful. Occasionally, we find one that is ok but definitely not a fave. As a loyal drinker, I would see if there is a ‘contact us page’ on their website to share your disappointment.