Dog Point Pinot Noir
Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.
By Farr Chardonnay
Gary Farr is still one of Victoria's true Chardonnay maestro's and his Chardonnay By Farr is another example. Taken from the original By Farr vineyard, this is a clearly a wine of true clarity and finesse. Flavours of melon and hints of spice with wonderful oak integration mean this wine is simply delicious upon release, but handle some careful medium-term cellaring.
Elderton Shiraz
Elderton is one of Australia's great Shiraz producers, year in and year out. Brimming with ripe juicy blood-plum and chocolate flavours, this is almost like Black Forest cake in a bottle!
Schild Pramie Shiraz
Every so often there are parcels of wine that generate tremendous excitement amongst the winemakers at Schild Estate. They set this aside to make Prämie, the wine that defines the best of the vintage and the land on which it was grown. Intense primary fresh plum flavours show again on the palate, where they hold their presence all the way through to roll out soft and pillowy at the finish. A firmly present, but fine tannin framework provides just enough focus and lift for the fruit to ensure added complexity, but retaining vibrancy to the mouth flavours of this Shiraz.
Hogs 3 Bourbon
This exceptionally rich and mellow Dark Bourbon from Hogs takes its unusually distinctive complexity from the finest Rye that is used together with a final maturation in charred oak barrels.
Dog Point Chardonnay
Dog Point from Marlborough in New Zealand have quickly established themselves as quality Marlborough producers with their range of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This Chardonnay has lovely texture due to lees stirring and balanced oak influence. Hints of citrus still remain to produce a Chardonnay of versatility.
Castagna Growers Selection Roussanne
Bird On a Wire Yarra Valley Marsanne
Caroline Mooney specialises in small batch Single Vineyard releases from carefully selected sites. This 2017 has scores of 93 and 91pts. Philip Rich calls it "varietally correct" complimenting its " Apricot kernel, honeysuckle and a gentle beeswax". It is quite rich and will aprtner salmon or simmilarly slightly fattier fish splendidly.
Eden Hall Shiraz
Though part of the Barossa, the Eden Valley is a slightly cooler climate than the neighbouring Barossa Valley, so generally produce Shiraz that is slightly more elegant in style. That said, the Eden Hall Shiraz is a wine that is not only rich, vibrant and full of life today, it will also hang in for the long haul.
Choya Umeshu
Umeshu (plum wine) is a Japanese liqueur that is made from unripe Ume fruit that is steeped in Shochu and sugar. The result is a sweet and sour liqueur that is can be mixed with soda, green tea or just with ice.