He was born in Jamaica, made wine in the Barossa Valley and the Yarra Valley region, and then finally settled in one of the most beautiful places in McLaren Vale. Winemaker Justin McNamee serves his wines on a ridge on the south side overlooking the vineyards and on the north steep sloping valley of the River Onkaparinga.

Samuel's Gorge is a small wine estate and McNamee wants to keep it this way. "I want to have control over my wine and to stay on top of it. "But exclusivity also plays a role. You’ll find his wines in the better Australian restaurants, or buy them at the Cellar Door overlooking the gap to which the wine label was named after.

This gap can be seen at Samuel's Gorge's stunning labels - designed by the twin brother of the winemaker - comprises a mosaic of tiny 'tiles'. Every year a red tile changes in place.

Table wine, literally
Justin McNamee interprets the term 'table wine' literally. "I love eating, cooking, slow food. I make wine to accompany dinner. "That’s what you taste. If there is something striking about the series which he pours it's a "hearty" flavor. No fruit bombs, no bombastic taste but funky wines.

His Shiraz has its distinctive taste of black currant and other dark fruits, I even seem to taste bits of licorice. The locally cherished Grenache produces often soft fruity wines. But not at Samuel's Gorge. McNamee's '08 Grenache is just a more greener and great wine smelling like thyme, herbs and eucalyptus.

Cork!
Only the white wines such as Riesling made from tightly fresh grapes from Tasmania, have a screw cap. The red wines are sealed with cork. Samuels Gorge is pretty much an exception in Australia, because the screw is commonplace even with the expensive wines.

"I have enough experience to say that I like the ordinary cork the most for these wines. I personally get the cork from Spain, so I know exactly what I buy, "says Justin McNamee. "Besides, I love to open up bottles."

This article was created in July 2010 by journalist Remke de Lange. For more wine articles: www.remkedelange.nl. This article is copyrighted.