The wine tastes remarkably good: concentrated, aromatic, and complex. The speed with which the grapes became concentrated preserved magnificent vivaciousness. The wines are truly brilliant.
Cullen, world famous for their Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot, have introduced another Cab Merlot, a distinguished offshoot of the Langton's classified Diana Madeline. Majority Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot and touch of Petit Verdot gives the wine a luscious, bright cherry flavour with red berries playing their part. Aged in French oak, 40% of which was new, for one year. Delicious to serve with veal, lamb or beef today, but will also reward up to 10 years in the cellar.
This beautifully mature 2017, has a Top Gold, 7 Golds and 96pts from Halliday. "Peter Lehmann's Margaret Semillon provides complex drinking and a length of flavour that many producers aspire to. It's a regional classic, and rightly so", as Dave Brooks writes in The Halliday Wine Companion, "All lemon butter spread on freshly toasted brioche with hints of soft spice, marzipan, wildflowers, crushed stone and drying fields. Dry, savoury, long and compelling. Some crustaceans and some of this and you are in a very good place. 96pts. Great Value.”
Peter Lehmann Margaret Barossa Valley Semillon 2017
Mumm has a long and proud history of producing the one of the world's most consistent Non-Vintage Champagnes on the market with elegance, length of flavour and a pristine finish. Mumm's quality year in, year out is assisted along by the quite staggering amount of reserve stock available in their cellars consisting of all their prestige wines. Not only is this the perfect celebratory Champagne it is also a wonderful food pairing wine due to the high proportion of Pinot Noir lending a definite complexity that has become a trademark.
Golden in colour with aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. Delicate but mouthfilling, Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut reveals a balanced sweet palate with a hint of lime zest on the finish. A multi-award winning dessert wine over many years, this example of the style is a benchmark in Australia.
Margaret River is an under appreciated region for Australian Shiraz, and it's hard to see why with Cape Mentelle's Shiraz showing a vibrant core of blueberry, mulberry and hints of raspberry. It is well balanced with cocoa and savoury oak. The palate yet, is fine, elegant and focussed, finishing with chalky and structural tannins.
Petaluma Croser is one of the true premium quality sparklings produced in Australia. This Croser is subtle and refined on the nose and supported by lovely melony fruit on the palate and a clean crisp finish. Sourced from fruit high in the Adelaide Hills, Croser is the perfect aperitif style sparkling.