Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling
Peter Lehmann, icon of the Barossa Valley, has been churning out award winning Rieslings like it's childs play recently. The Wigan Riesling with all its lifted aromatics of citrus and white flowers followed by a complex palate that lingers has again picked up award and award.
Quin Wines Eden Valley Shiraz
The nose has complex aromas of sarsaparilla, mulberries, tea leaf and fresh vanilla bean. There's a real smoky/gamey note to the fruits as well. The palate shows great tannin focus through the middle, flavours of red fruits and earth, with lovely intensity an a violet/lavender floral lift. Sitting at an altitude of 450m, Hampton Vineyard produces Shiraz with a surprising combination of finesse and power. Planted in 1982 this vineyard thrives on a silty, sandy-loam soil over red ironstone clay. The fruit was handled traditionally and matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak. Fruit was harvested in the cool of the morning and delivered to the winery where it was destemmed into an open top fermenter. After thirteen days on skins the wine was basket pressed before overnight settling and racking to seasoned French oak. Ten months maturation in oak before blending and bottling. Partners in crime and explorers at heart, Andrew and Skye Quin are the team behind Quin wines. Having travelled the world together, they finally settled in the Barossa, with a trailer of second-hand furniture and heads full of dreams. Andrew has spent the last 10 years as Chief Winemaker for Hentley Farm, during which time he has collected a swathe of awards and accolades. But 2018 saw the launch of his own brand: Quin Wines. His philosophy is simple - respect tradition, but continue to push boundaries. And that bigger is not always better!
Robert Weil Rheingau Riesling Trocken
Chaffey Bros Evangeline Syrah
Robert Stein Dry Riesling
This classic Riesling has crisp and racy finish with a slight touch of sweetness to balance the natural acidity.
Thorle Trocken Riesling
Meadowbank Riesling
Slight lift on the nose from barrel fermentation and long lees contact; a fitting compliment to the primary fruit by way of strawberry and fresh berry compote. There is a tenderness to this year's wine, the silky tannin-structure is first-rate with just enough back palate weight, by way of stalk use and light French oak, to hold its length. Meadowbank's Riesling vines, mostly Geisenheim 198 clone, were planted in 2005 and, since the arrival of Peter Dredge in 2016, have surely never been put to better use. From 2017 Dredge has rolled out organic practices across all the estate's vineyards allocated for the rebooted Meadowbank label. From the estate's sandy north-facing slopes overlying dark brown coffee rock, this spine-tingling Riesling was hand-picked, whole cluster pressed and naturally fermented in a mix of neutral oak (30%) and stainless tank. Both parcels were matured on their lees for five months before blending and bottling without fining. It's an incisively fresh Riesling offering Tassie Riesling's typical mix of fresh green apple and citrus and an acid spine seamlessly balanced by 8 g/L residual sugar. Meadowbank was first planted in 1974 prior to the purchase of the estate by Gerald and Sue Ellis in 1976. The initial plantings were small, but the business was enthusiastically grown by Gerald into the premium offering that is seen today. Partnering with friend and winemaker Peter Dredge, the next chapter is now being written. Meadowbank is the purest realisation of what our vineyard and Tasmania can offer. Located in the verdant Coal River Valley, north of Hobart in Tasmania, Meadowbank has two estate vineyards spanning over 50 hectares. The primary vineyard sites are at Cambridge and Glenora. Modern winemaking influence is obvious in these well packaged, cleanly made wines. Reflecting their cool climate origins, the winemaking team pick at physiological ripeness to elicit the most natural expression of their fruit.
Hutton Vale Farm Off Dry Riesling
Zesty and driven, the fresh citrus fruit is lifted by perfumed delicate florals and struck flint. A zip of acidity on the palate balances well the generosity of fruit, with a long and textured finish. Drink cold on a hot day for maximum refreshment or, if you have the patience, squirrel a few away to be rewarded over the next 5-10 years.
Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon
The Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from the Eden Valley is a wonderfully striking Cabernet with swathes of lifted violets, ripe plums and blackcurrant all supported by a quality oak regime that has integrated brilliantly. While youthful the wine is plump and juicy, it will age very nicely and improve with some careful cellaring over the next decade.
Jim Barry Florita Riesling
The story of Riesling in Australia is as old as the wine industry itself. The famed Florita Vineyard is synonymous with the classic grape variety and was established by Leo Buring in 1962. In 1986 the Barry family acquired the 80 acre property and began to write the next chapter in the famous vineyard's history. Opens with powerful floral aromas of rose water, citrus blossom, pear and lime. A wine with an eye to the future. Tightly wound within clean, straight acidity. Exhibits pure lime fruit with a long citrusy finish.