Cullen Mangan East Block
Vanya Cullen is relentless in her pursuit of excellence and commitment to low-yielding, biodynamically managed vineyards. This wine is 54% Petit Verdot and 46% Malbec from the Mangan Vineyard. It's deep red in colour, and vibrant purple/crimson at the rim. The nose combines mulberry, violets and roses. On the palate it's rich and intense with satsuma plum flavours complemented by fine-grained tannins. Long and full flavoured, it has all the signs of developing greater complexity with age.
Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon
A high quality wine from the first whiff of the bouquet through to the long finish...has a tapestry of flavours from the base of Cabernet...all supported by persistent but ripe tannins, the oak absorbed by the fruit. Winning the prestigious Decanter International Trophy, we snaffled as much of this wine as we could. Very limited.
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot
Blackberries, cherry and dark chocolate combine to create a layered, complex nose. The wine reveals an intense dark berry fruit spectrum coupled with a rich and lush mouthfeel. High quality French oak has given the wine great definition and a long, soft tannin structure and finish.
Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Margaret River is an under appreciated region for Australian Shiraz, and it's hard to see why with Cape Mentelle's Shiraz showing a vibrant core of blueberry, mulberry and hints of raspberry. It is well balanced with cocoa and savoury oak. The palate yet, is fine, elegant and focussed, finishing with chalky and structural tannins.
Savaterre Shiraz
The Savaterre vineyard is elevated at 430m above sea level and is farmed along organic principles. No pesticides are used. An incredibly complex, lifted, lively and intense nose. Exotic aromas of smoked meats, dried red rose, allspice, clove, dark plum, dark cherry ,blackberry, mulberry, mandarin, violets, sandalwood, bay and funky undergrowth. This aroma really revs me up, it continues to evolve as time goes by. This wine is alive! Complexity, poise, sinewy acid, fine tannins wrapped around a sleek core of pristine dark fruit. A wine thats slightly reduced and smelling of undergrowth now that transforms in the glass and continues to seduce. This is Terroir. This is Savaterre.
Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz
This Two Hands Shiraz is full bodied but very buoyant. Bright flavours are lifted and accented by notes of fresh blue and blackberry with hints of plum. Creamy complexity through the palate adds depth and interesting texture. Palate has great depth and a coating nature but doesnt feel heavy. Tannins start mid-palate and leave a lovely rolling chewy nature. Spicy through the finish with vanilla and sweet baking spices.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River icons, Leeuwin Estate, have produced a wine of true class here. A great finish to the vintage shows up here with aromas of cassis, redcurrant and chocolate. Sweet ripe fruit on the palate is well matched with toasty French oak and fine tannin.
Optimus Shiraz
A deep, dark wine with serious fruit concentration. Dominant flavours of plum, cherry, and blackberry are complemented by underlyinh notes of mocha, licorice, and spice. The oak is expertly integrated, adding depth without overpowering the fruit, and the finish is marked by velvety smooth tannins.
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz
One of the benchmarks of Barossa Shiraz, Peter Lehmann's Stonewell is a classic example of the rich concentrated old vine style. While bold on the palate, there is always an inherent complexity to the Stonewell that enables it to be compared with all of the great Australian wines produced today.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Caberent Sauvignon
Blackcurrants, cherries, dried cranberries and Satsuma plums feature on the nose at the forefront. Bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamon, cedar and clove combine with heightened lavender notes and hints of fresh tobacco. The palate is fine with a mineral thread. It is elegant and delicately layered. Blackcurrant and cherries feature again with a subtle cassis edge. The mid palate has supple flesh with cocoa, coffee bean and cassia leading to a graphite line and powdery tannins.