Margan Fordwich Hill Hunter Valley Shiraz
Classical elegant Hunter shiraz, crafted from 50-year-old vines. Plums and violets on the nose, with touches of lavender and licorice. Savoury nuances mingle with juicy fruits on the palate, framed by smooth tannins. "A welcome confluence of 50yo vines, 12 months in (1st to 3rd pass) French barriques, volcanic loams and plenty of destemmed whole berries to impart a pulpy, lively jubiness to the fruit, all accentuated by a violet lift. Licorice straps and lavender notes, too. This is a benchmark medium-bodied Hunter red, drinking akin to a luncheon claret. Just what the region does well... 93pts" (Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion).
Margan Ceres Hill Hunter Valley Barbera
The first and only Barbera planted in the Hunter. This juicy red has become the biggest seller at Margan's cellar door and the former 2019 vintage took out a Trophy. Rhubarb, cherry and spice on the nose, typical of this Italian varietal. Bright red fruits and savoury spice on the palate, enlivened with a crunchy acidity. Partners with tomato-based dishes and lamb. Medium bodied.
Pooles Rock Premiere Semillon
The palate is expansive and gently fruity, with excellent fruit clarity and softness. Overall, the wine is beautifully lemony and full-flavoured. Multi-vineyard sourcing, including from the Soldier Settler vineyard in the Broke Fordwich subregion. Hand-picked fruit, cool-ferment and early bottling to preserve freshness. Alcohol: 11.5%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Feb 2024. Drink: 2024-2029. Price: $48. Rating: 96/100.
Pooles Rock Premiere Chardonnay
Picked from a wide cross-section of vineyards across the far reaches of the Hunter Valley. Whole-bunch pressed, directly transferred to French puncheons (40% new) ; a barrel selection was made with deliberate mlf; then matured 9 months with fortnightly batonnage. As complex as they come, but has retained focus and freshness. Alcohol: 12.5%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Mar 2023. Drink: 2023-2028. Price: $48. Rating: 95/100.
Laughing Jack Greenock Shiraz
Laughing Jack Greenock Shiraz is sourced from vineyards exclusively in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. Located in the Valley's western edge, Greenock imparts warm, plush fruit characters with a dark chocolate and leather backbone. The Laughing Jack shows all of these qualities in abundance, especially the dark chocolate aspect with real concentration of flavour. A very powerful wine.
Pepper Tree Wines 'Venator Shiraz'
Venator – the Latin word for HUNTER – is an apt way to describe this wine. Sourced from our best blocks of sub-regions across the Hunter Valley, this wine is a great representation of the region. Medium bodied with bright red fruit, savoury spice and violet notes, the fruit is balanced with fine layered tannins. A wine of great texture and elegance.
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz
Old vine Barossa Valley Shiraz doesn't get much better than this. The Kaesler name was reborn by winemaker and visionary Reid Bosward in 1997, breathing new life in the over 100 year old vineyards. A Quirky name matched with unrivaled concentration make The Bogan Shiraz as must have for all big Australian Shiraz lovers.
Tyrrell's Stevens Semillon
Complex mineral and flint aromas with a palate that has good length. Tyrrell's Stevens Semillon has wonderful balance between the fresh citrus flavours of youth and the aged 'toasty' characters. It is great with seafood dishes.
Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz
Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz has a potent herb infused fruit on attack. Spiced red plum, cherry and sage flavours with a saline edge are carried on mid-weight frame of strong black tea-like tannin. Barossa Shiraz with even temper - displays fleshy, dark and generous fruit measured by ripe acids and drying tannin.
Paxton Jones Block Shiraz
From the single vineyard site in the McLaren Vale comes this intensely dark crimson coloured Shiraz from the team at Paxton. Intense dark crimson in colour and equally intense flavours - this is for lovers of beautifully complex wine. It is a clear expression of its unique site.