Brothers at War Single VIneyard Mataro The fruit for this single-vineyard Mataro comes from 80+-year-old vines from the Pendee Farm vineyard in Eden Valley. Fermented with natural yeast and 30% whole bunches with the balance being destemmed, not crushed, leaving the berries whole. The wine was hand plunged twice daily for two weeks before being pressed to seasoned French oak hogsheads then aged on lees for a year before bottling without fining or filtration.

Vintage conditions2017 vintage was set by a near-perfect growing season with a long-awaited wet winter and rainfall well above the long-term average. One of the wettest spring seasons on record minimised the risk of frost damage. Cooler than average spring and summer temperatures ensured a long, slow growing season and allowed intense flavour development and retention of natural grape acidity. Harvest was two weeks later than normal as a result of late January and early February rainfall.Vineyard selectionThe Shiraz is sourced from a selection of premium vineyards located in the northern Barossa Valley.WinemakingOnce the grapes have been identified to be of optimum maturation and flavour ripeness, the parcels are brought into the winery where they are destemmed and crushed into the open-topped fermenters. Manual pump-overs are conducted twice daily to provide extraction of colour, flavour and tannins. Towards the end of fermentation, the wine is drained and then pressed to a combination of predominately new French and American oak barrels for 17 months maturation. Careful barrel selection takes place before the wine is blended. The wine is neither fined, nor filtered.Tasting EvaluationColour: Typical 2017 colour of dark purple verging on black core with crimson rim.Aroma: Perfumed aromas of violets and blue lilies complimented with red cherry, dried cranberry, fig, green tobacco and sage. Subtle notes of camphor and sandalwood with some wafts of mocha appear upon subsequent swirling.Palate: Saturated red and blue fruits coat the surfaces of the palate. The acid line gives freshness and vibrancy. The fruit intensity has all but absorbed the 80% new oak barrels that were used in its production with an almost silky tannin finish.

Each cask contains 1.5 litresAlcohol content 13.8%Vol.Variety Red WineNumber of Serves at 50mL = 30 (Lasts 1 Month)Resveratrol concentration: 400mg/L (as measured by the Australian Wine Research Institute)Consume 1-2 x 50mL per day.

Krondorf 121 Settlers Barossa Valley Shiraz The 121 Settlers Old Vine Shiraz is sourced from a single site at the cooler southern extremity of Barossa, in St. Jakobi, abutting the western ridge of the Lyndoch sub-zone. Here, a conflation of red clay and loam promotes earlier ripening, a mitigating factor against inclement weather and the growing risk of early season frosts that Climate Change has foisted upon us. As importantly these dense soils imbue the wines with a firm tannic carriage, ensuring passage to greater complexity in the cellar, while serving as a structural harness for typically exuberant Barossan fruit. The average age of the vines is in excess of 35 years, with gnarled octogenarian survivors among them. Yields are inherently low as the established root systems reach deep below the soils substrata in search of water and the requisite nutrients drawn through it. Yet the fruit that is produced is immaculate: vibrant, concentrated and firmly stamped with the regional postcode of generosity. The winemaking is dutifully sensitive, chaperoning the fruit from vineyard to bottle with minimal intrusion: gravity feeds, gentle pigeage and 16-18 months in used, rather than new, oak. The result is one of dark fruit allusions from plum to blackberry, underlain by a potpourri of spice including black pepper, clove and star anise, all melded to a pungent thread of mineral. The oak is apparent, but only as an adjunct to propel the finish long. As with many Barossan greats, the fruit weight allows for early appeal, albeit, this is a wine that will easily cellar for 15 years onwards.

ALKINA Old Quarter Grenache Shiraz Mataro, Barossa Valley Alkina Old Quarter - a Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro blend. This is the purest expression of the character of our Greenock vineyard, our soils and our oldest vines, with minimal wine making intrusion. Made in very small quantities.

Alkina Spice Garden Shiraz, Barossa Valley A very welcome inclusion into the Premium Barossa Shiraz Club, Alkinas Spice Garden is 100% organic and biodynamic certified Shiraz from one specific block from which they produced just 44 cases (and some rare magnums). It looks and tastes like a high-gear Barossa Shiraz, with all the ripeness and power matched with a unique minerality.

Why do they make this style of thick, opulent wine in the Barossa? Because they can, and when done well, with all parts in harmony, intense engagement follows. The colour of an ominous thunder cloud, deep, rich aromas - so far, time in our cellar has seen hardly any change since release - perhaps, extra smoothness. This denotes a long and glorious future, although, those preferring a more youthful fruit profile will relish it's intense, smooth sumptuousness.. A Barossa classic to wow your friends.