The 5OS Project McLaren Vale Malbec
A stunning individual vineyard wine, sourced from the Lopresti vineyard, bursting with fresh dark plums and mocha on the nose, with a smoky, earthy varietal richness. It won Gold at the Australian Alternative Varieties Show, plus Gold and the TROPHY for Best Other Red in Show at McLaren Vale.
HJ Fabre Barrel Selection Patagonia Malbec
Argentine Malbec doesn't get much finer than this. From a Bordeaux wine family, Hervé came to South America to look for a vineyard and fell in love with old vine Malbec. He not only bought vineyards but also made his home there. Having started in Mendoza, he now has an estate in Patagonia too. He runs his properties like a top Bordeaux château, with impressive barrel cellar and meticulous attention to detail. This hugely impressive cuvée comes from 30 year old Malbec vines grown in Patagonia's Río Negro. Made like a fine claret, the juice was pumped over to extract colour from grape skins during fermentation then aged for 12 months in French oak barriques. Silky with violet and liquorice aromas and dense black fruit, it's perfect with beef.
Taylors Heritage Release Clare Valley Shiraz
This limited-edition label, inspired by Taylors Wines very first release, celebrates both the heritage and the commitment of three generations of the Taylor family's dedication to making fine Australian wine. A soft and fleshy Shiraz boasting a lively palate of juicy red berry fruits, plum and spice, along with subtle chocolate and savoury characters from the oak maturation.
Kilikanoon Settlement Block Clare Valley Shiraz
From Kilikanoon’s Clare Valley heartland – this cuvée makes use of fruit from several ‘Settlement’ blocks in Leasingham originally given to soldiers returning from the World Wars. Warm days and cool nights yield Shiraz of terrific power, elegance and length. The use of multiple blocks and careful oak ageing, adds complexity for a rich, satisfying premium Kilikanoon Shiraz full of black fruit and peppery notes.
Pikes Wilfred's Block Clare Valley Cabernet Shiraz
The Pike brothers established Pikes winery in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley in 1984, renovating an old stone shearing shed to house their winery and cellar door. Neil is the veteran winemaker (he’s done 38 vintages in Clare); Andrew the seasoned viticulturist (he spent 22 years working for big names like Wynn’s Coonawarra and Southcorp before establishing Pikes). Together they turn out formidable wines that earn plenty of show medals and critical acclaim. Their richly textured 2017 'Wilfred's Block' really is magnificent. A definitive Australian blend of inky, slatey Cabernet and sumptuous, spicy Shiraz, it’s a contemplative wine – the layers of flavour will reveal themselves slowly – and perfect for winter sipping. It will cellar well until 2032, but is still drinking beautifully now. Decant, pour into big glasses, and savour with good food and good friends.
Zonte's Footstep Violet Beauregard Langhorne Creek Malbec
If you thought that Argentina was the only place to find fine Malbec, think again! Zonte's Footstep have triumphed with this luscious Langhorne Creek example boastinga berryfest of flavour, FIVE Gold medals and 93 points from Halliday: "Violets, boysenberries, redcurrant and leather. Bright and characterful at once. Sweet and vibrant through the mouth, dry and firm through the finish. Mid-weight. In lovely form...93pts" (Halliday).
Taylors Heritage Release Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This limited-edition label, inspired by Taylors Wines very first release, celebrates both the heritage and the commitment of three generations of the Taylor family's dedication to making fine Australian wine. This wine shows ample varietal blackcurrant flavour seasoned with some attractive sweet oak. The tannins are firm but nicely in balance.
Knappstein Clare Valley Shiraz
The 2018 Shiraz is full of brambles and blue/black fruits with a spicy lift. Layers of brooding dark fruits, spice and savoury characters are framed in fine oak. The sinewy tannin profile pulls the wine through to a long and moreish finish.
Knappstein Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine displays a complex aroma of lifted violets, red berries and mint with lovely cedary oak. The palate is brimming with rich plums, blackberries and subtle chocolate and earthy notes. The intense flavour is balanced by fine sandy tannins and spicy vanillin oak.
Sevenhill Cellars Estate Grown Inigo Clare Valley Grenache
Come savour pure, delicious 91pt Sevenhill Inigo Grenache from vines planted in the 1920s, without a hint of oak. Fresh aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and a nice of cinnamon draw you in, leading to a pretty, finely detailed palate showcasing juicy fruits helmed by tart acidity. Another example of why Aussie Grenache is on the rise. "This is super-pale in the glass, and sets off with a magenta hue. Absolutely vibrant aromas, pretty and fresh; a cascade of pink fruit tumbles over itself to waft toward the nose. The palate is detailed, fresh and pretty, without the muscular, billowing density that grenache can achieve. A fine-boned wine that speaks of sumac strawberries, raspberry Freeza icypole, rhubarb pie, salted licorice and blackcurrant pastille... 91pts" (Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion).