SWTD August 2023
We undertook three separate ferments with the 2021 fruit: Shiraz plus 2% Viognier; 15% Whole bunches, 10% crushed; with the remainder as whole berries. Sixty hour cold soak, cultured yeast, hand plunged daily and 21 days on skins. Whole berries, 20% whole bunches, cultured yeast, cool ferment, hand plunged daily and nine days on skins; Whole bunches, cultured yeast, cool ferment, hand plunged daily and 14 days on skins. All ferments were basket pressed and sent to new and seasoned French oak puncheons for an 18 month maturation on gross lees. Unfined, gentle filtered, vegan friendly and hand bottles. 'A concentrated, deep purple hue with scents of earth, dark berries, liquorice, chocolate and woody spice.' (Jeni Port, Halliday August 2023).
Medium term five to eight years.
“The 2021 Beechworth Syrah marks our third release from the Battely Vineyard since we took over management in 2017. The Battely Vineyard is unique because it comprises four different Shiraz clones: PT23, PT10, ESA3012 and the Best's clone. The site sits on a bony ridge and is composed of red sandy loam with slate ironstone fragments. A lot of hard work, but the vines are now showing good health and have really started to reward us with some top quality fruit. Much like our vineyards down the road in Eldorado, yields were very low in 2021, coming into the winery at around 30% of what we would expect.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 03 5725 1698
No Cellar Door.
Web: www.nomadsgarden.com.au
Address: 1317 Eldorado Road, Eldorado, Vic., 3678.
Web: www.eldoradoroad.com.au
The Shiraz and Grenache grapes were fermented separately in open fermenters. Shiraz is destemmed, and the Grenache is fermented as whole bunches. Viognier bunches are deftly sprinkled across both ferments. The Shiraz is pressed into old barrels mid-ferment to avoid harsh alcoholic extraction, while the Grenache grapes finish an extended fermentation on their skins. Both techniques promote the gentle extraction of flavour, colour and tannins. Each component is matured for 12 months in a mix of old and ex-Cognac oak puncheons and clay eggs. The wine is then blended, minimally fined and filtered at bottling. Medium bodied with a juicy fruitiness and a crunchy texture. The wine is fresh with bright notes of plum and pomegranate, dusted with vanilla and star anise. The flavours blend expertly on the palate, creating a generous and velvety taste with lively, fresh notes. The wine's flavour and texture linger on the palate with plenty of gentle, soft chalky tannins to finish.
“Drink now and over a few years.”
“Throughout history, the popularity of light to medium bodied youthful wines has fluctuated. Still, timeless styles such as Beaujolais, Spain's Joven wines and the exquisite blends from the Southern Rhone endure. The Moonmilk Shiraz Grenache Viognier is a perfect example of this winemaking style and an early celebration of the season.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0487 010 275
No Cellar Door.
Address: Flowstone, PO Box 570 Margaret River W.A., 6285.
Web: www.flowstonewines.com
20% of the fruit was hand picked as whole bunches and placed in the fermenter, with the remaining 80% crushed over the top. Fermentation then occurred over 10 days, then the whole bunches were crushed by foot. The inclusion of the whole bunches produces aromatic aromas, and the stalks add a further dimension and tannins to the structure and mouth feel. Complex and powerful. An intense floral bouquet, perfectly balanced with cherry, ripe plum and a smooth milk chocolate finish. Whole bunches adding a rich complexity. An impressive wine.
“Drink now or cellar this wine for a longer period and enjoy with extra bottle age over eight to fifteen years.”
“Sourced from the Wait family's 'Talara' vineyard, in the Blewitt Springs sub region of McLaren Vale. This vineyard sits on the sandy loam over shale soil, which has a big influence and what makes Blewitt Springs unique, and produces an intense, complex and floral Grenache wine. Great with game dishes such as Kangaroo, venison or duck. Mushroom and Grenache are best mates, as are strong herb flavours such as rosemary, thyme and sage. Family tradition began in 1945 in South Australia's Riverland region, with first generation grape growers Vic and Grace Jericho unknowingly sowing the seeds for future generations of the Jericho family to tend their vineyards. You have to be proud of something to put your name on it.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0410 519 945.
Open: Tastings by Appointment
Address: 211 Kays Road, McLaren Vale, S.A., 5171.
Web: www.jerichowines.com.au
Grapes were hand-harvested from a single, small vineyard in the Wairau sub-region of Marlborough. Whole bunch pressed and the free run juice was cold settled for 48 hours and then fermented cool and slow in a stainless steel tank to retain the vibrant aromatics. In contrast a second portion which was pressed directly into old French oak for a wild ferment followed by a full malolactic fermentation. The two components were blended and bottled. Pale straw in colour. Ripe russet apples, pears and macadamia notes combine on the nose with just a hint of fennel and dill and a touch of white pepper. The palate boasts delicious flavours of apples, pears, macadamia, sesame and fennel. A hint of Gruner's signature white pepper flavour. A lovely textural element from the wild fermented portion alongside crisp saline acidity and a long refreshing finish.
“Drink now. Can cellar up to five years.”
After a good growing season, “temperatures cooled down leading into harvest and a spell of rain in February made for some slightly nerve wracking moments. But in the end, in typical Marlborough fashion, the sun came out and the vines did their magic! Gruner Veltliner is a great match for strong flavours and spice, alternatively, it is great with summer salads or char-grilled veggies.” But what I like: “Imagine the illegitimate love-child of Pinot Gris and Riesling – what's not to love? Jules.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: +64 3 578 9831
Sydney Distributor: Bacchus Wines 1300 309 773.
Web: www.julestaylor.com
100% Chenin Blanc. The grapes are picked at a high degree of ripeness so as to retain some residual sugar after fermentation. Pressing, light racking, slow fermentation at low temperatures (18°C) in stainless steel vats. After fermentation, the wine was aged on fine lees for six months and bottled in the Spring season. Golden in colour, the wine shows delicate fruit (peach and pear) and floral (acacia) aromas. Round and rich on the palate. Long after-taste with a slight acidity which gives softness and freshness.
Nothing in the Notes. Lovely now and traditionally Chenin Blanc will develop over at least five years, probably more.
“The Vouvray vineyards cover 2000 hectares on clay-limestone to the east of Tours. The vines, also known Pineau de Loire, enjoy wonderful exposure to the sun on the plateau overlooking the Loire River.” Also in the Notes and worth inclusion. “It is in Vouvray that we have discovered the first vines in the Loire Valley were planted by Monks in Year 400. Honore de Balzac, well-known writer, was born in Tours in 1799 and he is the author of many chapters about wine: 'Wine has nourished my body while coffee kept my mind,' He was deeply in love with the wines of Vouvray.”
Available to Retail.
Sydney Distributor: Bacchus Wines 1300 309 773
www.vinsdevouvray.com/en/
100% Coonawarra Shiraz. Fermentation was initiated in both static and rotary stainless steel fermenters for five days and completed in 300 litre barrels. The wine was then aged for a further 18 months in a blend of French and American hogsheads. Deep, vibrant ruby red colour with a bright crimson hue. A full bodied, concentrated, rich style of Shiraz with oak flavours infusing everything. Laden with liquorice, mocha and hazelnut tannins and in the middle of it all, juicy plum and cherry fruit. There's also bright acidity and a youthful vitality that is appealing now.
“’Appealing now,' but will cellar and develop eight to ten years.”
“The 2018 vintage is set to be labelled an amazing vintage, with superb conditions and fruit of outstanding quality being harvested. The Winter and Spring rainfall leading into the 2018 season was excellent at 20% above long-term averages, soil moisture was replenished, and aquifers recharged. Winter was cold delivering a good dormancy. The flowering to fruit set period was quick, assisting good berry numbers. The berry development and ripening period from December to mid-April was very dry and the warm. Summer temperatures advanced veraison (green to black colouring of fruit) by two weeks.” These weather conditions and the memory of an old 'winehead' in the 70s who said to me: “a warm year in Coonawarra and Shiraz stands just as tall as the Noble Cabernet Sauvignon.” That, and recently within earshot of one of the Region's veteran Winemakers, Doug Bowen, as he commented on Shiraz: “I just love the variety.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8736 3055
Open: Daily 10 to 4.30
Address: Lynn Road, Coonawarra, S.A., 5263.
Web: www.majellawines.com.au
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested between the end of March and the beginning of April. The fruit is transported to the winery where it is selected, destemmed and crushed to be fermented in stainless steel tanks for a period of 20 days. The fermentation is kept at between 26° and 28°C. The wine is then aged in French and American oak barrels for six months. Bright ruby red with blue tones. On the nose, it is an expressive and intense wine with aromas of ripe red and black fruits such as plums and cherries. In addition, it has hints of vanilla and jam. On the palate it is medium bodied, with soft tannins and balanced alcohol. It has a long and persistent finish.
Enjoy on release and for five or so years.
“The Colchagua Valley, Chile, is located on the southern slope of the Rapel Valley and has evolved in the last fifteen years from a quiet stretch of farmland to one of the largest and most active wine regions in the country. The relatively low elevation of the coastal hills allows the Pacific to interact with the Andean winds, cooling the valley and prolonging the maturation period of the region which benefits the wine. The vast majority of the wine produced here is red, with a particular propensity for fine Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere (some Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc). Panul Vineyards are 110 hectares of organically grown grapes.”
Available to Retail.
Sydney Distributor: Young and Rashleigh
Phone: 02 9967 5900.
Web: marchiguewines.cl
100% Graciano. The whole berries were tipped into an open fermenter. Cool ferment temperatures and gentle hand plunging help capture the character of the vineyard and allowed the fermentation last for 21 days. When fermentation was complete the grapes were pressed into French oak barriques, of which 10% were new, for seven months prior to blending and bottling. Bright purple with a violet hue. A deliciously bright bouquet of red berries and lavender with white pepper adding an element of spice. Medium bodied in style with strawberry, cranberry, liquorice and baking spice. The natural acidity of Graciano gives a fresh, mouth-watering finish.
“A fantastic wine to drink when young, however careful cellaring of five to ten years will be rewarded.”
“At Paxton Wines we have been nurturing our family vineyards since 1979, where we embrace biodynamic and and organic practices (fully certified in 2011), to produce the healthiest of vines. Soils and vines in perfect balance give 'wines with life'.”
Available to Retail
Phone: 08 8323 9131
Open: Daily 10.00 to 5.00.
Address: Via Budgens Road, 68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale, S.A., 5171.
Web: www.paxtonwines.com
The Hilltops fruit was machine harvested giving mostly whole berries and some stalks, going into four 780litre 'picking bins' for fermentation. One bin had a wild ferment while the other three were inoculated with three different yeasts. Once fermentation had started it was plunged three times a day until nearly dry, when it was pressed and racked into five French hogsheads, one new, the rest two, three and four year old. The wine was aged in barrel for 10 months before being bottled unfiltered. A new addition to the Sapling Yard Portfolio, this is a medium bodied, medium tannin, bright young Sangiovese. Fresh red plums, savoury with dried herbs.
Enjoy on release and up to five or so years.
At some stage I would like to sit down and get a better insight into what Sapling Yard is all about. That is, I've heard and I think I'm right, Malcolm is interested in Italian varietals and I remember very well, the intense enthusiasm for wine Carla showed over a Vintage at Canobolas-Smith. In a manoeuvre to get some conversation going on this subject, and at the same time avoiding the post, I have collected the wine in Canberra and begun deliveries at that point. So far, I have been caught up in the 'in the moment' situations. It's a very busy scenario, even from what I understand. I have an investment in patience.
Sapling Yard Wines have very limited access to Retail. Contact me, or
Phone: 0410 770 894
50 Molongolo Street Bungendore 2621.
Open Saturdays 11.00 to 4.00.
Web: www.saplingyard.com.au
The fruit was harvested in the cool of the night and pressed. The juice was settled for 24 hours then drained into barrel for fermentation. The fermentation was allowed to start naturally then inoculated about halfway through, so that no sugar remains. The wine is then left in barrel on yeast lees until bottling. Prior to bottling, the wine was fined with a vegan friendly (pea based) fining agent. Light straw in colour. The wine has an approachable but complex nose. Ripe fruit notes of nectarine and peach, along with pink grapefruit characters are complemented by complex mealy aromas and subtle French oak. A full flavoured wine that is rich and complex, yet also fresh on the palate. The palate shows great balance between the stone fruit characters, crisp acidity and subtle integrated oak.
“This 3Drops cool climate Chardonnay is ready to drink now, or it can be aged over the next coming seven to eight years.”
It was a toss up between two 3Drops wines for this Dozen after a recent Portfolio Tasting. Both Whites, the Riesling and the Chardonnay. Different from the last seen wine, this Chardonnay is more complex and fits here nicely. The Riesling, however, looms. So too, and on Jo's recommendation the Nebbiolo.
Available to Retail.
Phone: 0417 172 603
Open: No Cellar Door
Address: PO Box 1828, Applecross, Western Australia, 6953
Web: www.3drops.com
Very pale straw with a green rim. On the nose, aromas of lifted apple blossom and dried flowers. Among other spices, ginger stands out with a decent dose of Polish Hill River slate for good measure. To the palate, pure elegance. Long and crisp notes of red apple and lemon rind in fine acidity and tight minerality. A long, clean and balanced finish that goes an eternity.
“There is a long line of awards to this wine proving both its pedigree and age worthiness for those who have the patience.”
“A classic style from our oldest vineyards in Polish Hill River, planted by John and Pat Wilson in the middle to late seventies. Vines are small and spindly, cropping at minuscule yields due to the lack of available nutrient in the heavy clay soils. 100% hand picked fruit provides rich citrus flavours within a steely structure, tight with lots of minerality, as you would expect from this area.” I remember John coming to Sydney in the 80s and 90s, bringing with him, his very dry sense of humour and 'spreading the word,' was charming to all. Once he gave a Tasting at an Advertising Agency in North Sydney, and a number of people said how refreshing it was to see such a genuine 'Presentation.' Amused, I thought they were struck by the humility of someone who loved what they do. Heard this before?
Available to Retail.
Phone 08 8843 4310
Open: Weekends 10.00 to 4.00
Address: Polish Hill River, Sevenhill via Clare S.A., 5453.
Web: www.wilsonvineyard.com.au
100% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was harvested at optimum maturity, then fermented for seven days under controlled temperatures in a combination of rotary and static fermenters. Maturation for 18 months in French oak Hogsheads has assisted the development of a wine that shows vibrancy and richness. Deep ruby red in colour, with classic varietal aromas of blackberry and mint. A medium bodied palate of mulberry and blackcurrant complimented by subtle menthol and well integrated French oak. Complex and well balanced with fine grained tannins to finish. Luscious and juicy, filled with black fruits. Generous yet soft, with an elegant finish.
“Will continue to gain complexity and offer excellent cellaring potential. 10 years.”
For decades, I, with many wine drinkers, in the 'minority' of the big picture, have thoroughly enjoyed local Riesling wines. $20 or thereabouts returned fantastic value as the 'majority' filled their glasses with Chardonnay and other varietals. Along the way, of course, the 'minority' voted with the 'majority.' And look at Riesling now, many over $30, for many marketing reasons. I was lucky to be asked to an 80th Birthday recently of a man I met in 1973, Sydney's then 'Young Gun Rep.' The group was Wine Reps, Winemakers and Wine Writers. As an old Retailer, I was all ears. Coonawarra was looked at as 'falling behind' in the Market Place. Speaking quietly with the Birthday Boy, he said to me and quite correctly, that I was looking at Coonawarra from a different perspective, one who enjoys its offerings. If, in the fluid Market Place Coonawarra is a new 'minority,' I'll keep my viewpoint and it's secret. As I ordered this 2018 from Jo at Bacchus, she said: “yep, always good.”
Available to Retail.
Phone: 08 8736 3219
Open: Daily 9 to 5.
Address: Riddoch Highway, Coonawarra, S.A., 5263.
Web: www.zema.com.au
All prices on this web site are in $AUD
Liquor Licence LIQP24009748
Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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.
