Pooles Rock Premiere Chardonnay
Picked from a wide cross-section of vineyards across the far reaches of the Hunter Valley. Whole-bunch pressed, directly transferred to French puncheons (40% new) ; a barrel selection was made with deliberate mlf; then matured 9 months with fortnightly batonnage. As complex as they come, but has retained focus and freshness. Alcohol: 12.5%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Mar 2023. Drink: 2023-2028. Price: $48. Rating: 95/100.
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.
Hungerford Hill Hilltops Shiraz
The palate is in the Hilltops medium bodied style and does not disappoint with lashings of juicy cherry fruit integrated with fine tannins throughout the palate and a fresh lingering acidity. The wine is combination of flavour, softness and lightness. Hungerford Hill is one of the Hunter Valley's great success stories. From our humble beginnings in the 1960s, we've grown over the past 50-odd years to incorporate the award-winning Sweetwater vineyard as well as the famous Dalwood vineyard, which is considered the birthplace of Australian wine and the country's oldest continually operating vineyard.
Château Haut Madrac Rouge
Second label of 5th growth producer Château Lynch Moussas this classic blend of Cabernet and Merlot has a distinctive cherry and blackberry palate enhanced by vanilla and cedar notes.
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz
Greenock is a long standing subregion in the Barossa Valley known for rich, silken, dark-fruited wines. When you mix that terroir-driven history with a winery like Kalleske you have a match made in heaven. Able to fully utilise the deeply concentrated flavours produced by the Greenock fruit, the skilled team has bottle a full-bodied Barossa Shiraz that is overflowing with fruit, balanced tannins and seamless oak. Given some time and a nice decant and this single vineyard Shiraz will open up wonderfully.
Gibson The Dirtman Shiraz
The Dirtman Shiraz by Gibson Wines is named after Rob Gibson, owner and winemaker. With love of viticulture and the soil, Rob has always been referred to as The Dirtman. This attractive Shiraz has wonderful rich, dark cherry notes with plums and a touch of apricot thrown in. The texture on the palate is vibrant with a length that is simply perfect.
Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier
The concept of blending Shiraz and Viognier was derived from the great French wine region of the Northern Rhône the Côte Rôtie area in particular. Using only the best Eden Valley fruit, this wine by Yalumba is rich in concentrated fruit flavour. Traditionally, the two different grape varieties for this wine have predominately been crushed and fermented together.
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva
Made from Sangiovese, this is a wine of great personality. Dusty tannin and earthy spice are balanced with some red fruit characters and mouth-watering acid that cries out for something rich and hearty to be eaten with it.
Mr Riggs Shiraz
Made by Rockstar winemaker Ben Riggs, the McLaren Vale Shiraz is as true an expression as one could hope for. The fifth release of the wine is based around a core of pristine fruit with dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather and with seamlessly integrated oak. Ripe tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 10-15 years.
Poole's Rock Chardonnay
Poole's Rock Chardonnay gives refreshing zesty flavours, lime juice, lemon zest, lemon grass, green melon, kiwi fruit with a lingering mineral line down the palate, a fresh mouth watering aftertaste.