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Red cherries and strawberries along with notes of undergrowth and preserved lemon. Bright and juicy red fruit characters with a savoury back half of earth, leather and subtle dried herbs. The palate is of medium weight with graceful, fine tannins that lend it a plush quality throughout. Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to seasoned French oak barrels with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling. Stephen Georges three hectare, dry-grown, Ashton Hills vineyard lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub region of the Adelaide Hills on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty. Planted in 1982, its a quality site that, thanks to the humility and integrity of its gifted farmer, has been the source of some of South Australias most intriguing cool-climate wines, and certainly its most authentic and fascinating Pinot Noir. You dont need to spend much time in the Piccadilly Valley to realise why this area was granted sub-regional statusit is totally different to the rest of the Hills. In short, its much colder and wetter. Georges Estate vineyard lies at 570 metres above sea level and the vines shudder through some of the coolest vintage conditions in the country. Meanwhile, rainfall is a whopping 1200mm a year, well over double that of the Barossa. Whether its the lifted perfumes, elegant structure and Alpine freshness of the Pinot Noirs or the icy purity of the Riesling, Piccadilly Valleys bona-fide cool-climate imprint is never far away. A healthy portion of old-vines and the vineyards south-facing aspect afford George the luxury of late harvesting that plays a significant role in the personality of these wines. Terroir is one thing, how its worked is another, and Stephen George clearly has an intuitive touch and the drive to continually evolve. Most recently this evolution has resulted in George grubbing out all varieties except for Pinot Noir, and a little bit of Riesling, focusing his Pinot Noir on four specific clones selected from a line-up of 25 that he had tested. The Ashton Hills winery is incredibly basic, with an earth floor and next to no equipment whatsoever. The Pinot fruit is destemmed via a small, customised, gentle destemmer that keeps as many whole berries as possible. The fruit is then basket pressed, and the wine is made without any sulphur additions until bottling. Some whole bunches are included, and the percentage varies according to the style of the vintage. The red wines are mostly raised in aged, neutral French hogshead barrels. Having already cemented his living-legend status amongst his peers and compiled a storied CV that includes his role at Wendouree (since the 1980s) and twenty five vintages at the helm of Ashton Hills, you could forgive this reclusive winemaker for taking his foot off the gas. Not a bit of it. Stephen George is in fact making the best wines of his career.

COMMUNE OF BUTTONS ABC Chardonnay, Basket Range, Adelaide Hills Commune of Buttons began with a single dream between brother and sister, to continue as second-generation growers of grapes. The ABC is an exciting Chardonnay from the Buttons family vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. Whole bunches are pressed in stainless steel tanks and then allowed to go through a wild ferment in the barrel before bottling. This has the distinctive hallmarks of natural wine whilst maintaining a textural, bright and clean freshness.

A Shoemaker, also known as a Cordwainer, once lived at a creek. When he passed on, the place was then named after his most important tool, Snob, the small anvil used to shape the toe end of a boot. A balanced wine, The Cordwainer is a beautifully crafted Chardonnay with bright summer fruits of melon and intense stone fruit aromas on the nose. Combine with lees contact during barrel fermentation, the acidity is well integrated with the French oak, creating a seductive delicious finish.

Cherry and mulberry flavours, coupled with smoky, earthy notes really give this wine it's edge. Finely balanced with smooth tannins to give you a long and pleasant after taste. From the daughter of the legendary Brian and Fay McGuigan, Lisa McGuigan's Pinot Noir is not one to pass up.

Our Riesling is produced from 5 different clones enhancing the continued varietal flavours. Brilliantly clear with initial light floral aromas, followed with zesty flavours of spice, light citrus &; fresh ginger, a mouth-watering mid palate & a wonderful tight finish.Drink now to 2030.

Ten months in French oak (30% new), the fruit from one of our highest yielding vintages is brilliant straw green in colour and displays light citrus aromas combined with white stonefruit and a wonderful creamy multi layered finish from extended time on lees. Excellent cellaring potential.

Alluring aromas of wild strawberry, cherry, toffee and leafy notes. Medium bodied and lingering flavours of cherry and plum superbly integrated with fine tannins and spice on the finish. Will accompany many styles of fine food and game dishes also well suited to cheese.