William Downie Gippsland Pinot Noir
William Downie is young Australian Pinot Noir royalty. Learning his trade in the vineyards of Burgundy, Bill came back to Australia and set up his own label in Victoria's east, specifically in Gippsland. His wines are extremely limited in nature and Pinot lovers shouldn't waste any time in adding some William Downie to their cellars. The Gippsland Pinot Noir is wonderfully balanced with blackcurrant, blackberry and hints of clove and nutmeg. Beautifully dense and concentrated on the palate, lifted violets and florals shine through along with the inextricably long finish.
John Duval Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre
John Duval was the Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 - 2002, entrusted to make some of Australia's most iconic wines. This traditional old vine blend is a superb expression of the Barossa. Savoury, spice and subtle oak sweetness on the nose lead to smooth, seamless palate laden with plum jam and liquorice fruit.
Moondarra Studebaker Pinot Noir
If Pinot Noir could replace blood, Neil Prentice would have it running through his veins. He is absolutely obsessed with the stuff. No fertilizers have ever been used. The vines have never been irrigated.
Clos Mogador Priorat
Intense, mineral-accented aromas of cherry, cassis and violets. Juicy with sweet dark berry flavours, bitter chocolate and candied flowers. Powerful and vibrant with excellent balance and clarity. Fine-grained tannins lead a long, spicy, penetrating finish. It will age gracefully.
Domaine Du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau
Chateau de Beaucastel Cuvee Hommage Jacques Perrin
Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin is a monumental wine, made only in top vintages. The wine was first produced in 1989 as a tribute to Jacques Perrin, who died in 1978. Atypical for Chateauneuf-du Pape, the Hommage is a Mourvèdre dominant blend sourced from low-yielding old vines. Deeply concentrated and powerful, it possesses immense capacity to age.
Teusner Righteous Mataro
Barossa Valley identity, Kym Teusner, harnesses the fruit weight and concentration of old vine Mataro with expert hands here with the Righteous Mataro. The fruit was sourced from the 'fruit salad' vineyard planted in the 1930s and consists mostly of Grenache, but if you look closely, every fourth vine is a quirky Mataro vine! Wonderful layers of spice over dense blue and black fruits pave the way for a finish that is utterly long and sublime.
Château Tanunda Chorus Grenache Shiraz Mataro
Château Tanunda Chorus GSM has lifted aromas of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry area accompanied by spicy, dark berry fruits and white pepper on the palate. The finish is long with fine-grained tannins from two years' maturation in a combination of new and seasoned American and French oak barrels. Although drinking well now the wine will benefit from medium-term cellaring.
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
For this Grenache blend, grapes are hand-picked, with double sorting at the vine, followed by a third sorting at the winery. Gentle crushing and selective destemming, followed by 25-40 days' traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel and wooden vats. Pneumatic pressing, then systematic malolactic fermentation. A classic red Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, very fine and elegant. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more.
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.
