The Torbreck Les Amis Grenache is aged for 18 months in new oak and is a remarkably fragrant wine that shows abundant aromas of spice, cherry and wild raspberry. Textured and plush on the palate, it evolves into layers of blackberry and red currants with firm, ripe tannins. David Powell continues to lead this formidable Barossa wine estate to truly remarkable heights.

Chateau d’Esclans is situated in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez. With his acquisition of the Château in 2006, Sacha Lichine’s vision was to create the greatest rosés in the world, igniting the “Rosé Renaissance”. Château d’Esclans is home to Whispering Angel which is made from grapes sourced from amongst the most choice Vineyards in the vicinity of the Esclans Valley and nearby in the Cotes de Provence region. Harvesting is only conducted during at night time to avoid the heat of the day & to keep the crop of grapes fresh. Upon arriving in the Cellars, grapes are sorted for both health and quality ensuring that the selected grapes are assessed accurately in terms of overall quality. The harvest takes place each September, where grapes, at their ripest, are selected, picked and carefully placed in small crates, chosen in order to avoid too many grapes at the top crushing grapes at the bottom. Once the grapes arrive to the cellars all grapes which go into vinification are de-stemmed and resemble each of the physical characteristics dictated by the wine maker including shape, size, colour and condition. This is verified by an optical eye camera which is programmed to detect whether grapes correspond to the established criteria. The grapes are then sent through a soft crush mechanism which punctures them in order for the juice inside to flow followed by their entering a heat exchange system which reduces their temperature from what can be as high as 29 degrees celsius down to 7-8 degrees. Temperature reduction ensures that freshness and vivacity are locked in which is key to ensure consistent temperature control making the grapes ready for closed circuit (nitrogen) pressing ensues which produces 3 grades of what is primarily free run juice. Nitrogen pressing ensures no oxidation is taking place during the pressing process known as an accumulation of details that is carefully planned and monitored. Depending on which grade of juice the press produces, the wine makers determine which will be used to make barrel fermented (aged) wine or stainless steel fermented wine. The different grades of juice differ in terms of skin contact which pertains exclusively to the first press while the next two have no skin contact and increase in intensity from one to the next. The overall affect is a clear, clean tannin free juice which gives the wines an agreeable characteristic and taste profile while ensuring that the colour is quite pale. As the individual juices from corresponding Barrels and Vats are selected and placed into half bottles, the technical team will taste through these unique juices and they will start to form opinions for which wines they should be used to make the new vintage. The information which comes from this step in the process is noted for referential purposes related to the next step, the assemblage. The last step is the assemblage or blending for Chateau d’Esclans and Caves d’Esclans wines. While there is little variation vintage to vintage, percentage of different grape varieties that will make up the ultimate blend will differ with each new vintage, however the taste profile remains the same. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes, its pale colour is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. A blend of the best free run juices and press juices, fermented and aged in stainless steel with temperature control. A beautifully pale pink, which is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. Flavours of fresh red berry fruit characteristics with floral notes and a ripe and fleshy feel on the palate. This popular rosé wine has great concentration, a smooth and round finish and no astringent aftertaste.

A myriad of mulberry, wild thyme and enticing savoury undertones are interwoven with layers of ripe summer berries. The palate displays both generosity and restraint, with plump and supple tannins that are supported by an amalgam of summer ripened plums.

Brave Souls is the creation of young winemaker Julia Weirich, in collaboration with Simon Cowham and Corey Ryan of Sons of Eden. German in heritage but gypsy at heart, she has worked all over the world, honing her skills in wineries including Bass Phillip in Australia, Yealands in New Zealand, Le Grappin in Burgundy and Mulderbosch in South Africa. Upon her return to Australia, Julia set upon a plan to make wine for herself. Having known her for some time, Simon & Corey, the well-known dynamic team behind Sons of Eden, stepped in to help Julia realise this great adventure in the Barossa Valley. The name, Brave Souls, is inspired by the story of the famous Admella shipwreck of 1859 and spotlights the remarkable accounts of those characters who risked their lives to help the survivors. Iconic Australian artist Bruce Goold generously agreed to visualise the tales of these Brave Souls for the project’s labels. The Grenache is sourced from two, 90+ year-old vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Both are positioned in the Southern Barossa Valley between Lyndoch and Rowland Flat in the foothills of the Barossa Ranges. Ideally positioned in full sunlight during the day and benefiting from cooling gully winds in the late afternoon, the vineyards consistently produce exceptional fruit, with the 2022 vintage classed as outstanding. The Grenache was handpicked and predominantly destemmed, with 15% of whole bunch contribution. After a brief cold-soak period, the fruit was allowed to warm naturally to start fermentation. Hand plunged daily, helped to manage the temperature exchange and the gentle extraction of the tannins . After 20-days on skins the fermenters were pressed to large seasoned oak barrels for a 12-month maturation. Post maturation the wine was racked to blend, naturally clarified and then bottled. Bright ruby in colour, with a vibrant bouquet of mixed wild berries, red-liquorice spice and a hint of confectionary. The palate displays a fresh vibrancy and richness with seamless supporting tannins, and finishes with excellent balance and length.