Spinifex Rose
Vinification is simple and centred around preserving the delicacy, freshness and vitality found in early picked old vine fruit. This Spinifex Rose consists of Grenache (52%), Cinsault (30 %), Mataro (14%) and Ugni blanc (4%). Bunches from mature (averaging 65 years of age) dry drown vineyards are hand harvested and the crushed and left to macerate for between 4 and 48 hrs prior to pressing.
Spinifex Esprit
Spinifex Esprit is a Grenache Mataro blend that has a vibrant, youthful and fresh palate driven by a tangy herb infused line of red fruit red currant, sour red plum, pomegranate and marjoram that gains warmth and depth turning to tobacco, game, cedar and darker fruit to close. Pulpy, fleshy fruit is drawn long with plum skin acids and stony tannins.
Spinifex Papillon
Spinifex Papillon is a vibrant and luscious red from the Baross Valley that is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mataro. Made in the typical modern Australian mould, the Papillon is bright and aromatic with lifted cherry, red currant and spicy raspberry. A very perfumed wine with earthy flavours of beetroot and white pepper which lends itself to being a terrific food style wine with lovely acid structure and a medium weight.
Papagiannakos Retsina
Retsina hails from the hills of Attica and Central Greece and was traditionally made from the Savatiano grape variety. Vassilis Papagiannakos has taken it upon himself to raise the profile of this much-maligned style of wine. He does this by sourcing fruit from old, well-sited Savatiano vineyards. He then adds very controlled amounts of pine resin during a temperature controlled fermentation to ensure a delicate and well integrated blend of flavours and complexity.
Bethany Cabernet Merlot
The Bethany Cabernet Merlot from the Schrapel family's Bethany winery exhibits herbal blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle oak in the background. Drinking well now, but also can handle a little bit of medium term cellaring to really coax those soft, ripe tannins to infuse beautifully with its primary fruit.
Kaesler Old Vine Semillon
Kaesler have had their Semillon vines in the ground since 1960, and in that time have made some truly wonderful wines. The now Old Vines produce wine of intensity, focus, character and sheer drinkability. Cut grass and citrus, green apple and lemon curd, it is drinking beautifully now and will improve over the short term.
Kalleske JMK Shiraz VP
Kalleske JMK Vintage fortified has been made in honour of John Malcolm Kalleske who has hand tended the vineyard where the fruit for this fabulous VP is sourced from for over 50 years. Kalleske's first attempt at a vintage fortified has seen it excel beyond belief. A very 'serious' style fortified without any of the candied sweetness sometimes evident in Australian 'ports', but a lip-smacking sweet/savoury blend that is at home more in Portugal than in the Barossa Valley. Outstanding.
Hentley Farm The Marl Shiraz
Hentley Farm is a boutique, single estate vineyard that focuses on producing premium quality single-estate and single-block wines reflective of their exceptional Barossan terrior. 'The Marl' takes its name from the fruit grown on red clay loam over marl (a friable earthy deposit consisting of clay and limestone) which reduces the water and nutrient availability producing low crops and rich flavours. True to the style, the Shiraz is layered with berry fruits with hints of dark chocolate, earth and subtle spice. While full-bodied the palate is soft with lovely lingering finish.
Schwarz Nitschke Block Shiraz
Nitschke Block Shiraz displays rich, opulent fruit with a fantastic balance of texture. Lifted notes of greengage plums are first to emerge from what is a tightly-wound wine. There is also a warming spice element of subtle white pepper as well as some dark cherry and plum flavours.
The Thief? Barossa Valley Shiraz
Shiraz made with a family story in mind. Its a story about a cow but you will need to buy the wine to find out more. Alternatively you could ring the winery. Estate grown Shiraz from the Greenock vineyard. A quieter style of Shiraz with finesse and elegance.