2016 was a superb vintage in Wrattonbully, and Shiraz was one of the stand-out varieties, as this impressive example shows. Drinking well.Inky deep brick colour. Aromas of prune, blackcurrant, leather, white pepper, earth and mocha. A developed Shiraz with a concentrated plummy core, firm and layered tannins, plenty of chocolatey oak, and secondary cigar box and old leather notes.

A purposely early harvest to highlight a fresh red fruit spectrum, naturally lower alcohol, wild ferments, and the use of larger oak for maturation are just some of the techniques employed to make these beautiful food friendly wines.

V&A Lane Shiraz showcases a contrasting wine style from one of the most beloved grape varietals. A purposely early harvest to highlight a fresh red fruit spectrum, naturally lower alcohol, whole bunch inclusion, wild ferments, and the use of larger oak for maturation are just some of the techniques employed to make these beautiful food friendly wines.

John Riddoch MHA, who entered South Australia’s parliament (1865) as the South-East’s representative, founded the Coonawarra region (1890) with the aspiration of making the finest wine in the country. The Representative Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot pays homage to this history as an iconic red wine blend for Coonawarra. Blackberry, blueberry and plum flavours with fleshy characters on the palate. Long fine tannins on the palate flow into a generous finish with a long length of flavour.

The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827-1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. An influential figure, he established The Coonawarra Fruit Colony in 1890 and a synonymous with the region’s story. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. Made from fruit from a vineyard situated from the warmer end of the region in the northern part of Coonawarra. The vineyard is 20 to 25 years, with a mixture of red loam over limestone and ironstone, with the fruit machine picked. Red fruits with hints of plums and bramble flavours. Gently integrated oak moulds around the fruit. Well refined tannins leading into a good length of flavour.

Classic Cabernet nose showing an abundance of dark berry fruits. Full bodied palate with blackberry and rich dark chocolate flavours supported by fine tannins and integrated fine oak from the centre of France. Showing the richness of the warmer Coonawarra Vintage.

The remnants of an ancient seabed formed the hard-packed Limestone base which atop sits the famous Coonawarra Red Terra-Rossa. Even today the marine life can be seen with the soft rock providing a natural filter for the water pooled in the aquifer below. A millennium in creation, it is these features combined that provide almost perfect conditions for premium grapes to grow. The ocean breeze still blows from the west providing the cool nights to compliment the warm days and development of flavour for our Coonawarra wines.