Mount Majura Pinot Gris
Opulent, flushed with pear juice flavour with sighs of orange blossom and citrus.
Lerida Estate Shiraz
No two words go together as well as Canberra and Shiraz in the wine world. The favourable terroir and hands on winemaking make Lerida Estate's Shiraz a must have. Brambly spice aromas are complimented by a palate that is long and refined with flavours of berried and touch of pepper. With age, the wine will become progressively richer, revealing warmer, more complex flavours, riper berries and a little liquorice.
Collector Lamp Lit Marsanne
As featured on "Battle of the Vines": Arthur puts up what he says is a bombshell from a boutique winery. He goes on to describe it as a Rich and powerful Marsanne from a great winemaker, Alex McKay. Its fresh on the nose with aromas of white flowers, flint and notes of quince and exotic spice.
Spinifex Syrah
Beautifully sculpted, racy, red-and-blackberry-fruit along with a lifted rosehip note as well, and some inky depths on the driven finish. Gets more and more perfumed and lively with air, it's another terrific effort from one of Australia's most gifted wine people. The wine, naturally fermented with a judicious use of whole clusters (on average 30%) in a combination of stainless steel, wood and concrete fermenters, also sees a shorter maturation than the Esprit and Bête Noir, et al. The 2018 was cropped from five high, exposed parcels in the Barossa and Eden Valley, where the soils are generally poor and skeletal - for the most part light, gravelly and silty sands over deeply weathered base rocks of varied origins. Vine age varies from 25 to 115 years old (averaging 50 years old), and all fruit is hand harvested. Spinifex was started in 2001 with the opportunity to source some great old vine Mataro growing in deep white drift-sand on the Barossa Valleys Western Ridge. Owned by husband and wife team, Peter Schell and Magali Gely, their focus is on regional wines from the traditional Mediterranean grape varieties that have been grown successfully in Australia for over 150 years - Shiraz, Mataro, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Semillon. They aim to make wines that display signatures of vineyard provenance and vintage, show regional typicity and have a consistent thread of 'house style' that reflects their preferences and experiences with wine. The wines they choose to make are predominately blends, the synergies derived from blending wines of differing character enhance the subtle complexities, even textures and profound personalities delivered from great old vine vineyards.
The Little Wine Co Petit Verdot
The beauty of this wine is in the perfumed lift of spice and violets overlaying the subtle tobacco characters on the palate. Oak maturation has imparted a little extra complexity and structure making the palate supple with fine lingering tannins.
Quarry Hill Shiraz
Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill produces a Shiraz with ripe flavours and excellent natural acids; the hallmarks of great cool-climate Shiraz. Aged in a mix of new and older French oak, the wine is bright purple in the glass, follwed by aromas of raspberry, plum, spice and a little pepper. Through the palate, there are flavours of mulberry and plum, fine tannins and a crisp, dry finish.
Quarry Hill Tempranillo
Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill's climate is well-suited to produce one of the great red grapes of the world, tempranillo. Taking a cue from Spanish joven styles of young & fresh tempranillo, Quarry Hill's expression is fresh and bright-fruited, but guided in by the chewy skin tannin characteristic of the grape variety. The versatility of the wine means its not just for tapas or other Spanish foods, it also goes great with any grilled dishes or roast pork.
Lark Hill Biodynamic Sangiovese
Lark Hill turn their winemaking skills and Biodynamic farming to the great (red) grape of Tuscany - Sangiovese. Red berry fruits, light tannins and a sumptuous palate give this wine a juicy, savoury character; perfect with grilled meats, pizza, pasta and charcuterie.This wine has been made for early drinking and does not require extensive cellaring.
Capital Wines The Whip Riesling
As part of their quirky Ministry Series, Capital Wine produce a wonderfully racy and aromatic Riesling named The Whip. A floral nose of lime citrus and lemon rind followed by an intense palate of searing natural citrus acidity. The finish lingers in the mouth and is the perfect wine match with Thai food or simple fish 'n' chips.
Lerida Estate Lake George Chardonnay
The cool climate of the ACTs Canberra District is the perfect place to grow and produce quality Chardonnay and Lerida Estate Lake George Chardonnay is a fine example. Picked early to maintain its distinctive freshness and elegance, this delicious white has a vibrant aroma of quince, nectarine and orange zest with a hint of cashew. The palate demonstrates tangy white stone fruit and grapefruit characters with a subtle mineral undertone that adds complexity. 100% barrel fermented and matured for 11 months with regular lees stirring in French oak, this is a classic, definitive Chardonnay.