The best

• red wine
• white wine
• champagne
• rosé
• whisky
• spirits
• beer

deals in Australia

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

In early March, we hand harvested 6 tonnes of Cabernet sauvignon from our cane pruned, lower yielding section of our Cabernet sauvignon. The grapes were destemmed and very gently crushed prior to fermentation. Throughout fermentation, a range of cap management processes was used in order to extract colour and fine tannin. Once alcoholic fermentation was complete, the tanks were filled and allowed to macerate on their skins for 6 weeks. The post fermentation maceration allowed us to build tannin structure in the wine, without adding bitterness or astringency.The wine was placed in French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, followed by ageing for 12 months. At the end of the ageing, individual barrels were selected for the final blend. The wine required no further treatment except bottling.While 2017 was a cooler year, our 2017 Alena Cabernet Sauvignon still displays the classic Yarra Valley characteristics of cassis, violets and chocolate. This is all supported by refined tannins and the sweet spice from the oak. The wine is very young, after bottling in July 2018, and will reward time in the cellar.Such a fine, complex wine requires a fine, complex match with food.

AROMA Red cherry and berry fruits combine with earthy spice- cardamom and white pepper with hints of rose and leafiness- presenting an appealing and varietal aromatic wine. TASTE Bright red and dark cherry fruit flavours combine with leafy and earthy forest flavours. A fresh and vibrant medium weight palate with good acidity and fine and long, elegant tannins. CELLARING 7-10 years in the right cellaring conditions.

Look forward to strawberries, spices, herbs, bay leaves, and cassis on the nose – with a lovely vibrant intensity of red fruits on the palate. "Callie Jemmeson believes that winemaking doesn’t have to have barriers: what it does need is quality, focus and a destination. With a strong emphasis on vineyard selection and a gentle approach to their small-batch winemaking," Halliday.

Bright ruby red appearance with a lovely crimson hue. Lovely nose, highly perfumed wine with red cherry, five spice savoury and floral notes dominating the aromas. The palate has a core of red fruit flavours around a backbone of natural acid. The mouthfeel is lithe and energetic with slinky fine tannins and a clean, fruit-driven finish. A wine made for immediate consumption that will improve with careful cellaring over the medium term.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This single-site vineyard on fine clay loam produces wines with distinctive personalities, each wine showing a strong sense of place. The vines were cropped low, and the fruit was hand-harvested from 20-year-old vines of MV6 Pinot Noir clone. The fruit was destemmed as whole berries, with 5% left as whole bunches. There was a short cold soak prior to fermentation and the wine was then left on skins for 14 days. It was then pressed to French oak (5% new) for malolactic conversion and left on lees in oak for 10 months. “Light but satisfying. Delicious spice notes, sweet and roasted, with the tang of red cherry and cranberry flavours. It has both quality and complexity written all over it but, responsibly, it’s also the kind of pinot you just want to guzzle. It has that out-and-out drinkability. Firm-ish tannin keeps things controlled and it finishes long enough to satisfy.” 92 Points, Campbell Mattinson

Expressive, supple and complex Pinot Noir with an enticing crimson/purple hue. The nose speaks of place, under the shadow of the Warramatte Ranges, dark cherry, licorice, exotic red fruits, violets and spice it is both detailed and abundant. The 2018 season of mild weather delivered us a wine of incredible balance and charm. With a subtle and long palate, there is great vibrancy as well as plenty of ripe tannin presence, ensuring a wine suitable for cellaring. 'Our Estate vineyard Pinot Noir was grown on two quite different sites; loamy brown soils on the south facing C block, and the gravelly duplex clays of the North facing B block. 'Hand-picked on the 21st and 22nd of March the fruit was kept in the coolroom overnight. De-stemming into vats the following morning (3% whole bunch inclusion) the fruit purity of utmost importance with daily gentle wetting of the cap and CO2 (dry ice) for protection. Once fermentation commenced after the fourth day (indigenous yeasts finally co-operating), the cap was pumped over very gently twice per day, with the odd pigeage, and remained on its skins for 15 days. 'At the completion of fermentation, the wine was pressed to tank and then racked to French oak barrels (30% new) for malolactic fermentation. 10 months in oak, before being bottled.' Medhurst Wines is the realisation of the long held and shared vision of Ross and Robyn Wilson to own a property in the Yarra Valley and produce high quality wines. Ross was CEO of Southcorp and drove the companys acquisition of Penfolds, Lindemans and Wynns in 1990. He has remained passionate about wine ever since. Ross and Robyn Wilson spent years looking for the perfect site and for many reasons they jointly decided on the Yarra Valley. Robyn Wilson spent her childhood here, and the Australian and international status of this excellent cool climate wine region and its incredible beauty, helped make their decision. The Medhurst Vineyard was also particularly chosen for its favourable micro-climate, north facing slopes, good drainage and magnificent aspect. It was planted in 2000 with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. With the sole objective of making the best wine possible, careful vineyard management ensures yields are low, averaging two tonnes per acre and providing intensely flavoured fruit.

Fruit for this wine was hand sorted twice & produced in two ways; one fermenter of whole berries & another of 100% whole bunches. Blended together. Matured in 300-litre hogsheads (roughly 20% new, François Frères). Ten months on lees before bottling, unfiltered. A graceful & savoury expression of Mornington Pinot Noir. Red plum, spice & dark cherry characters. Fine, supporting tannins. A lingering, perfumed finish of amaro spice.