Claymore Who are you Clare Valley Shiraz Mataro
The Clare Valley's dynamic Claymore Wines celebrates a love of wine, music and football (of the round ball type). Their labels celebrate some of the winemaker's favourite albums and songs. Who are you is a deceptively attractive 93pts blend (65% Shiraz and 35% Mataro) taking an old school work-horse variety (Mataro) to pump up the volume on classic Clare Valley Shiraz... this is classy, complex and finely crafted. "... with plump mouthfeel backed by silky texture and beautifully melded tannins, offering excellent drinking. 93pts” (Sam Kim Wine Orbit). Ray Jodan, Wine Pilot agrees: "The seductive appeal is evident immediately the vibrant burst of red fruits leaps from the glass. A spicy and slightly savoury edge sits snuggly with the plump plummy cherry flavours of the palate. There’s a delicious, sweet fruit character on the finish. It’s a super combination that provides such excellent drinking in the short to medium term".
Taylors Heritage Release Clare Valley Shiraz
This limited-edition label, inspired by Taylors Wines very first release, celebrates both the heritage and the commitment of three generations of the Taylor family's dedication to making fine Australian wine. A soft and fleshy Shiraz boasting a lively palate of juicy red berry fruits, plum and spice, along with subtle chocolate and savoury characters from the oak maturation.
Pikes Wilfred's Block Clare Valley Cabernet Shiraz
The Pike brothers established Pikes winery in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley in 1984, renovating an old stone shearing shed to house their winery and cellar door. Neil is the veteran winemaker (he’s done 38 vintages in Clare); Andrew the seasoned viticulturist (he spent 22 years working for big names like Wynn’s Coonawarra and Southcorp before establishing Pikes). Together they turn out formidable wines that earn plenty of show medals and critical acclaim. Their richly textured 2017 'Wilfred's Block' really is magnificent. A definitive Australian blend of inky, slatey Cabernet and sumptuous, spicy Shiraz, it’s a contemplative wine – the layers of flavour will reveal themselves slowly – and perfect for winter sipping. It will cellar well until 2032, but is still drinking beautifully now. Decant, pour into big glasses, and savour with good food and good friends.
Taylors Heritage Release Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This limited-edition label, inspired by Taylors Wines very first release, celebrates both the heritage and the commitment of three generations of the Taylor family's dedication to making fine Australian wine. This wine shows ample varietal blackcurrant flavour seasoned with some attractive sweet oak. The tannins are firm but nicely in balance.
Sevenhill Cellars Estate Grown Inigo Clare Valley Shiraz
Sevenhill Cellars Estate Grown Inigo Clare Valley Malbec
Sevenhill was originally set up in 1851 when the Jesuits who settled in the area planted the Clare Valley’s first vines to produce sacramental wine. The estate’s wines, along with its old stone winery, stately St Aloysius’ Church, College building and spacious gardens has made the Sevenhill name famous. So much so that they have recently won the Gourmet Traveller Award for best Large Cellar Door in the Clare Valley! Ray Jordan gives their 2021 Malbec a solid 92pts, "Malbec is a variety that does rather well in Clare, especially as a major blending component with cabernet. Still this one does it solo, and it does it well. Lots of the distinctive red floral fruits on the nose have that stamp of malbec. Bright and alive on a high energy palate with plenty of ripe red fruit characters with chalky tannins and understated oak in support."
Pikes The Dogwalk Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
You'll love this 93pt Clare Cabernet from the excellent Pikes. “Easy drinking, charming and fresh-feeling cabernet sauvignon that delivers good, true cassis, black cherry, green olive and gum leaf notes all dusted with clove and pepper. Nicely done. Good sense of vitality and graphite tannins tighten the wine gently, but with refreshment factor in tow. A cracking drink for the bucks. 93pts. Great Value” (Mike Bennie, The Halliday Wine Companion). Sam Kim Wine Orbit adds that it's a "...lovely expression of the variety" with "fragrant bouquet... good weight and fine flow...92pts."
O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling
This fine elegant Riesling has aromas of lime juice and honey blossom while the palate offers excellent fruit weight with minerally flavours that linger on the finish. Drinking beautifully and sure to age well.
Jim Barry Barry Bros Shiraz
The late Jim Barry was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry. Today the company is headed by Jim's second son Peter. Jim Barry Wines produces their estate wines from family owned vineyards in the Clare Valley and Coonawarra. The Amragh Shiraz, with The McRae Wood Shiraz, The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon and the Florita Riesling are the super premium wines of the portfolio.
Jim Barry 'Barry & Sons' Rose
This great Clare Valley Rose opens up with cherry and strawbery succulent red berry fruit flavours. The wine is a great balance with ripe red fruits and a savoury, spicy edge which makes it easy on the palate and perfect for 'al fresco' dining.