SWTD February 2023
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and transferred to stainless steel basket presses. Fermentation is long and moderately cool to retain fresh fruit characters, and was conducted in stainless steel tanks. Only free run juice was used for the final wine with no malo-lactic fermentation. This wine has an intense, exotic nose with aromas of orange zest, kaffir lime and lemon grass. The palate is rich and intense with loads of texture. There's concentrated flavours of citrus, grapefruit and green mango, followed by an attractive, slightly grippy phenolic finish.
Nothing in the Notes, but like it's Northern Rhone 'Stable mate,' Marsanne, enjoy on release and over the next few years, BUT, good ones, as this one claims to be, will cruise for years, ten or more.
"In 2020, yields were down significantly. October and November saw some cooler weather which made flowering and set spread out over a long period. An intense short heatwave hit in the middle of set, thus reducing the crop. Some nice early February rain and some warmth helped the last sugar push. The harvested fruit was exceptional, some of the best seen in years." Hopefully this is a suitable tribute to d'Arry Osborn who 'left the winery' at 95 this past December. He was a genuine Pioneer of the McLaren Vale and the Australian Wine Industry. Cheers.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8329 4888
Fax: 08 8323 9862
Open: Daily 10 to 5.
Address: Osborn Road, McLaren Vale, S.A., 5171.
Web: www.darenberg.com.au
Fruit is from the Willunga foothills in the south of McLaren Vale-130m above sea level on deep alluvial stony clay loam. Grapes were crushed and destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C for ten days, on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including 'aeration pump overs' and 'drain and returns' which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of the fermentation, it is drained and pressed and transferred to 10% new French oak barriques, and the balance to three and four year old French Hogsheads to undergo Malo Lactic Fermentation. The colour is dark plum. Cassis and plum fruit flavours with hints of eucalypt and florals on the nose. Black fruits with a round mid palate, an elegant core of tannins and a textured finish.
“Drink up, but also a 10-15 year proposition.”
“This well balanced expression of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an ode to the 'luncheon claret,' but it's not as green and austere as the favourite lunchtime libation at the gentleman's club. The fruit is from a vineyard with good breeding in the foothills and the resulting wine has been made in a fruit driven style this vintage. It has classic First Drop drinkability, so drink up! The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season. We salute you!”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0488 299 233
Open: Wednesday to Saturday 10.00 to 4.00.
Address: 30 – 38 Barossa Valley, Nuriootpa. S.A., 5355.
Web: www.firstdropwines.com
Harvested at 14° beaumé the fruit is crushed to a small fermenter, cold soaked for 48 hours and then inoculated. Twice daily pump-overs and at least two drain and returns during the course of the ferment. Pressed when dry and settled in tank before being racked to barrel for Malo-lactic Fermentation. The wine was matured in a combination of 15% new French St Martin oak with the balance in older French oak for texture. Spicy berry fruit aromas which lead to a palate of brooding, rich dark plum and spice with vanillin oak. Silky tannins and bright acidity giving this wine its structure, layers and length.
“This is a complex wine which can be drunk young or will continue to develop with careful cellaring. Five to eight years.”
“First Ridge Estate is passionate and dedicated to growing and producing the finest Italian varietals in the Mudgee region. Our strength is in the suitability of these varietals to the unique aspect and ancient soils of our vineyard. Producing lively, yet elegant food friendly wines. The North to North / West aspect, well ventilated slope, careful management of vine canopy and fruit thinning all culminate to ensure even ripening and fruit intensity.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0418 161 132
Open: Daily 11 to 4.
Address: 577 Burrundulla Road, Mudgee, NSW, 2850.
Web: www.firstridge.com.au
100% wild fermented in French oak puncheons (53%) and barriques (47%) using only free run juice. Ferment temperatures were around 18 – 25°C to retain and promote primary fruit flavours. 22% of the wine was fermented in new oak. This year we put 12% of the blend through Malo Lactic Fermentation and stirred the lees every four to six weeks. A small percentage of the blend was whole berry fermented to provide nice savoury solids complexity. Eight months in barrel before blending, fining and bottling. Citrus oil, floral notes, dried pear and grapefruit aromas are well supported by subtle French oak. The palate is textured yet fine, finishing dry and savoury; this is a direct result of wild ferments with 'turbid' juices.
"This is a classic Margaret River Chardonnay that drinks well now or can be cellared in the short to medium term, three to five years."
"The 2021 Flametree Chardonnay is a blend from four vineyards, two from the Wallcliffe sub-region, one from Karridale and one from Treeton. The Wallcliffe and Karridale parcels were from vineyards planted with cuttings from the famous Leeuwin Estate Block 20. This represents around 70% of the total blend. The remaining parcel was of the highly acclaimed Gin Gin clone. We chose to work with Chardonnay vineyards planted on well drained gravel loam soils on southerly facing hills that avoid the harsh afternoon heat. 2021 was a challenging vintage. Even the most avid climate change doubter might be scratching their head. Frost, hail and strong spring winds reduced the crop by 20%. Then rain! Thankfully, warm March weather allowed early ripening varieties like Chardonnay to be harvested with ripe fruit flavours and good acidity."
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 9756 8577
Open: Daily 10.00 to 5.00.
Address: Cnr Caves Road and Chain Avenue, Dunsborough, W.A., 6281.
Web: www.flametreewines.com
Harvested, crushed and then fermented in small batches in small, open French Oak, adding complexity. The ferments were hand plunged, skin contacted post fermentation, gently pressed and then aged in a 20/80 blend of new / old French barriques for 10 months prior to blending and bottling in late summer. Delicious aromas of raspberry, strawberry and black 'Dawson' cherry with hints of violets. The taste is all dark fruit cake and plum, with hints of spice and savoury 'forest floor' aromas. It's full, complex and delicious on the palate.
"It's great drinking now but your patience will be rewarded by cellaring for five + years."
"The cool climate queen of red wine, Pinot Noir, is a natural match for Marlborough's reliable cool and dry vintage climate. The grapes typically show ripe berry fruit flavours – raspberry and strawberry; that distinctive 'forest floor' earthen aroma and fresh acidity. Our Pinot Noir is produced from our Southern Valleys vineyard, planted over 25 years ago. A very special site with geologically older soils composed of crushed river stones, intermixed with clay."
Available to Retail.
Phone: +64 3 572 9084
Open: Daily 10.00 to 4.30 Closed on P/H.
Address: 19 Blicks Road, Blenheim, N.Z.
Web: www.forrestwines.co.nz
The blend is Shiraz 77%, Malbec 15% and Cabernet Sauvignon 8% with the grapes being harvested from the estate's Five Ashes vineyard at Karridale in Margaret River. Colour is red with purple hue. Aromas of blackberry and black plums are complemented by a hint of aniseed, white peppercorn and toffee apples. Ripe plum and toffee mingle with earthy and savoury elements. Medium weight and succulent with fine tannins and a warm perfumed finish.
Made to enjoy on release and will journey for up to five years.
This blend or variations of these varieties in blend have been very successful in Australia for decades. This wine raises the quality flag very high, which is not surprising as Hamelin Bay is without doubt a premium producer. And, in all consideration, 'Rampant' represents tremendous value for money. In the Notes and not described on its label: "Hamelin Bay's symbol is the heraldic beast called a wyvern, which is shown in full sway or rampant on this label. It suggests the wine has an exuberant spirit and lively character."
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 9758 6779
Open: Daily 10 to 7.
Address: McDonald Road, Karridale, W.A., 6288.
Web: www.hbwines.com.au
The grapes 100% organically grown, were harvested by hand, then destemmed and crushed to the press. Fermentation was carried out in stainless tanks using organic yeast which carried out a long cool ferment. Colour is flaxen. Floral and citrus flavours dominate on the nose. On the palate, jasmine and honeysuckle, mandarin and lemon take on a long and lively finish.
As with the Laurenz V: Treat like Riesling. Enjoy on release but will develop structure and complexity over time. Ten plus years.
This is a new release from Huia and it's fair to say at this stage is still a little lean, or tight, but you can see already, it is a classy and elegant wine. Claire showed me through all her wines at a Tasting last year. Fantastic. A real treat. Their Riesling was first in, and the thought to include the Huia Gruner Veltliner here was to accompany the Laurenz V. Gruner Veltliner wines aren't 'scarce' in the local marketplace but they aren't 'common' either. So they are here, together, in the warmer month's five white Dozen as an attempt to extend the 'Treat.'
Available to Retail.
Phone: +64 3 572 8326
Fax: +64 3 572 8331
Open: Daily 10 to 4.30
Address: Boyces Road, RD3, Blenheim N.Z.
Web: www.huiavineyards.com
A very attractive fruit bouquet yields apple, peach and citrus aromas along with a typical Veltliner spiciness and a touch of white pepper. The soft and juicy palate is supported by fine acidity. It sings on the palate.
Treat like Riesling. Enjoy on release but will develop structure and complexity over time. Ten plus years.
From the Notes Sheet: “The grapes for this Veltliner are grown in mainly loess and gravel soils of the Kamptal and Kremstal Valleys. (Niederosterreich Region – Lower Austria). The distinctive fruitiness is owed to the marked alternating temperatures of the north – south positioned valleys: warm air rising from the Danube Valley is met by cool air flowing down from the nearby Waldviertel Region and along the Kamp and Krems Rivers. While this warmth influences ripeness and concentrated aromas, the coolness lends lends strongly to the fresh fruitiness. The vintage is a highly elegant, very spicy, with an array of fruit driven aromas, showcasing the various terroir aspects of our beloved Kamptal Valley.” “In 2004, Laurenz Maria Moser V, descendant of the famous Austrian Moser wine family, dedicated himself wholly to Gruner Veltliner and established Laurenz V, standing for five generations of the Laurenz Moser wine dynasty.”
Available to Retail.
Sydney Distributor: Young and Rashleigh
Phone: 02 9967 5900
Web: www.laurenzfive.com/en/
(I remember a saying I heard in the early 1980s: 'I'm up to my armpits with crocodiles,' and while I don't know who I can credit this surreal description to, it works, and is Carla's daily scenario as Vintage snaps at her from all directions. Even my decision to pick up the wine from her, so as to avoid Australia Post, who took nine days to get the last lot from Canberra to Sydney in November, was a comedy – adventure. I went to the wrong address! So what follows is my best effort as there are no Notes available). The colour of this wine is very pale with just a blush of yellow at the core and an almost colourless clear edge, reminding me of a young Hunter Semillon's appearance. The nose is pure and fresh with whiffs of lemon, lime and lanolin, which with time in the glass, gave more of themselves. All the same messages are posted to the palate. A lean and tight and superbly dry mouth feel supported by a fantastic acid, sharp as you can get it. Elegance with length. And 10.5% Alcohol, brilliant.
I mentioned Hunter Semillon earlier and I would view this wine similarly. Subtle as it is, it's very good now (I finished the bottle over a movie which I now forget), but this to me is a long distance wine, a builder and with that in mind it's currently on the ground floor. Ten plus years.
Now, to what I know. Nicholas Gibson who set me up with Sapling Yard originally, organised their Lake George Riesling which is also lovely and lean and has May written all over it, hopefully. He pushed this one, saying only 40 dozen were made and it isn't made every year, grab it while you can. So I did, and I will try and put a few aside in the 'forget about them,' area.
Available to Retail. (Now).
Full contact details currently being set up.
For now contact me.
Phone: 0410 770 894
Open: Saturdays 11.00 to 4.00.
Cellar Door: 50 Molongolo Street Bungendore 2621.
Web: www.saplingyard.com.au
The 2019 is Cabernet Sauvignon 52%, Merlot 28%, Malbec 14% and Cabernet Franc 6%. The varieties are fermented separately in either the open slate fermenters or stainless steel tank, and were pressed off skins at dryness which was generally 10 to 14 days after harvest. The individual batches were blended to form the final wine in December 2019 and then returned to barrel (French Oak Puncheons, 35% new) for a further 10 months barrel maturation. The colour is solid and strong. The aroma is deep and layered. Aromas of black currant and cassis, swirls of mint, dried oregano, blueberry and juniper. The palate is luxurious. Plump sweet black fruits are wrapped in velvet tannins.
“Balanced and poised and ready for a long future, 10+ years.”
“The 2019 St Ignatius does not stray from the varietal mix and hierarchy that has given this wine such a following. The synchronicity of these varieties proves itself each vintage with only the percentage varying with each vintage.” 'Solid and strong,' an old favourite.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8843 5900
Open: Mon. to Fri. 9 to 5 & Weekends 10 to 5.
Address: 111 College Road, Sevenhill, S.A., 5453.
Web: www.sevenhill.com.au
95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier. The grapes were harvested once balance between fruit flavour, tannin ripeness and natural acidity had been achieved. The grapes were gently crushed into fermenters and a careful, temperature controlled co-fermentation with a small percentage of Viognier, allowed the the expression of intense varietal and regional characteristics. The wine was pressed off the skins and aged in premium oak barriques for 18 months before being carefully blended, gently filtered and bottled. The colour is deep plum with a crimson hue. Dark berry fruit aromas, followed by lifted spice and beautifully balanced white pepper nuances. On the palate, subtle oak influence adds structure while firm tannins give the wine great length.
Very good value at six years and will carry time well for the expected 10 year term.
Time and place create opportunities. For administrative reasons this wine became available at a price I couldn't ignore. As the back label states, 'Sourced from vines planted on the rich Terra Rossa soil found throughout Heathcote, one of Australia's best known Shiraz regions.' A lovely addition to this mix.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0419 539 108
Open: No Cellar Door.
Address: 52 Paringa Road, Red Hill South, Victoria, 3937.
Web: www.terrafelix.com.au
Colour is deep red. Intense aromas of plums, dark chocolate and violets with hints of black pepper and liquorice. A complex and attractive bouquet which draws us towards the wine. Rich and full flavoured wine which shows cool climate spice and pepper character yet is characterised by intensity and power. Dark plum fruit fills the front palate and is backed by the wonderful cool climate notes of violets and black pepper. The richness carries through the palate and is enhanced by balanced tannins, fine acidity and hints of high quality French oak. The finish is long and powerful.
“Enjoy now with red meat or cheeses or cellar for eight to ten years.”
Several weeks ago I opened the 2018 version of this wine with a couple of friends and a pizza. It was thumbs up all round. I have been keeping an eye out for the change of vintages in 3 Drops wines. Especially the Cabernet Franc. I was told this 2019 Shiraz had just come in and will follow on soon, after the pizza wine is gone. So, in the same way the Avalon Shiraz was included to show the form of that vineyard over changing vintages, before Doug Groom sold out, this 2019 is included.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0417 172 603
Open: No Cellar Door
Address: PO Box 1828, Applecross, Western Australia, 6953.
Web: www.3drops.com
All prices on this web site are in $AUD
Liquor Licence LIQP24009748
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Under the Liquor Act 2007, It is an offence to sell or supply to or to obtain liquor on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years.
You will be required to provide proof of age before any goods are shipped.
