M chapoutier Barbe Rac
Powerful , densely structured and complex, M.Chapoutiers Barbe Rac Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a single vineyard wine produced entirely from Grenache. The fruit is sourced from vines averaging 90 years of age, located in the south of the appellation. The carefully selected grapes are hand harvested, entirely de-stemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Maturation takes place for 12 months in oak, followed by a further 12 months in bottle prior to release.
Teusner Righteous Grenache
The now much sought after Righteous range of wines from Kym Teusner was first established in 2005 with the Grenache and this is the latest incarnation of this foreboding Barossa wine. Sourced from an 80 year old bush-vine vineyard, the Righteous Grenache was gently crushed and fermented in open fermenters with regular pump-overs. Maturation was completed in a mix of French and American oak and has resulted in a modern classic Grenache.
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.
Millbrook Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
All three varieties were sourced from a single vineyard in an area of the Ferguson Valley that is perfect for growing these varieties and which produces fruit rich in flavour with tannins that are fleshy and ripe. The wine displays delicious characteristics of red fruit, cherry and plum with an underlying hint of blueberry and spice. The wine is medium-bodied, with pronounced varietal fruit flavours and a long finish.
Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Mourvèdre
While normally associated with Grenache and Shiraz blends, Mourvèdre recently has begun to stand on its own two feet as a stand-alone wine. Quite evocative in nature, Chapel Hill's Mourvèdre is a dark and brooding red with wonderful hints of spice and violet tones. Walking the line between medium and full-bodied, this wouldn't be out of place next to either a thick cut steak or a plate of picked Mediterranean vegetables.
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.
Henschke Johann's Garden
This spicy Barossa blend is based on fruit from mature Grenache vines. Ripe plum aromas jump out of the glass and the palate is rich and fruity with velvety tannins providing a lingering finish.
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.
Mount MacLeod Pinot Noir
The second label of Caledonia Australis, this is bright ruby in colour with great clarity. Classic Pinot hallmarks of raspberry and plum with subtle oak and lingering flavours supported by fine tannins. An excellent Pinot at a great price!
Cirillo The Vincent Grenache
Marco Cirillo, the guru of Grenache. A true artisan, Marco is the custodian of some of oldest Grenache vines in the world and remarkably he tends to each of the old, gnarly bush vines by hand, some standing 6-feet tall! The resulting Grenache that makes The Vincent has beautiful, fine grained tannin along with fruit that is remarkably vibrant and appealing to the palate.