Pizzini Nonna Gisella
Named after Alfred Pizzini's grandmother, this is a medium bodied Sangiovese - warm and humble just like its namesake. Aromas of lightly spiced plums and cherries lead to hints of chocolate, leather and lovely savoury characters. The palate is generous and full flavoured with good length, soft tannins and flavours of plums and cherries.
Sticks Pinot Noir
Once again this producer provides us with a handy little number showing plenty of varietal and regional characteristics. Sticks Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley, features lovely red cherry flavours with playfull spices and charry oak influence. Lean with subtle tannins and medium finish.
Denton Shed Nebbiolo
La Bise Sangiovese
Given the evocative name of 'La Bise', the warm southerly breeze that wanders across the vineyards of Burgundy a few weeks before harvest are said to give the vineyards the 'kiss of life'. Natasha Mooney has hand selected vineyards for the La Bise label which have been given the kiss of life. The case in point is this remarkable Sangiovese that is sourced from two northern vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and two different Sangiovese clones that blend big round berries with cherry driven fruit flavours and the smaller, more concentrated berries that give the wine an aniseed and blackcurrant accent. A wine with great texture and mouthfeel that has density while maintaining its lifted fruit aromas.
Margan Shiraz
A wonderful example of Hunter Shiraz. Ripe berries and spice with a touch of leather on the nose and a beautifully integrated palate showing plenty of juicy fruit flavour in a subtle well balanced style.
Elderton Shiraz
Elderton is one of Australia's great Shiraz producers, year in and year out. Brimming with ripe juicy blood-plum and chocolate flavours, this is almost like Black Forest cake in a bottle!
Head Red Shiraz
Head Wines was started in 2006 by Alex Head. It focuses on single site Rhône varietals from the Barossa and Eden Valleys in South Australia. Head Red is a barrel cull from Barossa vineyards including 'The Blonde', 'The Brunette' and The Contrarian single vineyard Shiraz wines. It allows a pre-view of the vintage quality to come and keeps the quality of the Single vineyard wines as high as possible. The wine receives 12 months barrel age in predominantly older French hogsheads allowing the vintage and terroir to show clearly. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Bannockburn Shiraz
Bannockburn Shiraz is a multi-layered wine showing blackberry, black cherry and spice on the nose which follow through to the palate. Soft tannins and medium length.
Spinifex Esprit
Spinifex Esprit is a Grenache Mataro blend that has a vibrant, youthful and fresh palate driven by a tangy herb infused line of red fruit red currant, sour red plum, pomegranate and marjoram that gains warmth and depth turning to tobacco, game, cedar and darker fruit to close. Pulpy, fleshy fruit is drawn long with plum skin acids and stony tannins.
Swan Bay Pinot Noir
Scotchman's Hill's second label often throws up some terrific value for money. A beautiful spicy nose with cinnamon and clove elements, supported by cherry flavours and grippy tannins.