Australia & New Zealand
Skillogalee Clare Valley - A 5 stars winery, James Halliday
Winery is located at the Western extreme of the Sevenhill sub-region within the Clare Valley wine region at an altitude of around 475m. First plantings in the 70s. A delightful and fantastic 143 year on-site old stone cottage restaurant. All wines from Skillogalee are from fruit harvest of their own vineyards. Region is reputed for cool climate wines.
Skillogalee Riesling 2017
From low yielding vines on high slopes about 500m above sea level using sustainable farming practices. 2015 was warm and dry. The fruit was processed in a number of individual parcels, with each contour/block of vines picked as it reached its optimum ripeness and flavour. Each parcel was then fermented separately, allowing us to vary winemaking and processing techniques to suit the individual characteristics of each, and giving us the opportunity to enhance individual highlights, before blending immediately prior to bottling.
The wine is straw like in appearance with a green tinge. The nose has a big lift of jasmine and lemon zest. The palate is full-flavoured with succulent and juicy acidity showing tangerine, some Tahitian lime and citrus spice. It has impressive length, a natural acid backbone, and has a mouth-wateringly dry finish.
Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz 2015
Premium Shiraz grapes were carefully harvested for this wine, from low yielding, dry grown vines, on the slopes around the Skillogalee Homestead, standing at approximately 450m above sea level.
There is a pronounced earthiness to this wine. Aromas of blue fruits, leather and tobacco on the nose, segue into a myriad of flavours on the palate, including plum, blackberry, spearmint and dark chocolate, all solidly conveyed atop a smoky persistence. The palate is bold, fleshy and yet medium bodied.
The fruit was vinified in open fermenters, then gently basket-pressed to create a wine that is fruit driven and concentrated with velvety tannins, needing no fining. Maturation in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads has added considerably to the wine's character, balance and complexity. The wine will cellar well for at least 10 years but, for those without that kind of patience, enjoy sooner with red or game meats, rich pasta dishes and fantastic company.
Suitable for vegan.
Skillogalee The Cabernets 2015
The fruit for this wine comes from un-irrigated, hand-pruned and hand-picked vines grown at Skillogalee around 450m above sea level. The wine was vinified in open fermenters and then basket-pressed. No fining was needed. Malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation and maturation took place in predominantly French oak hogsheads for around 24 months, before the separate components were blended and bottled.
Vintage 2016 was relatively dry and warm but without too much intense heat. The forty year old vines are dry grown and deep rooted, allowing the fruit to develop flavour and colour at a steady and combined pace.
This Cabernet blend (Cab Sauv 96%, Malbec 2% and Cab Franc 2%) has a hugely aromatic impact with lifted black olive and tobacco leaf with hints of comforting sweet plum pudding and chocolate. The palate is generous and rich yet medium bodied, with finely grained mouth-watering tannin with toast and spice. Whilst enjoyable immediately, the natural acid backbone freshens the wine and the integrated tannins provide the structure that will reward careful cellaring.
Skillogalee Trevarrick Shiraz 2012
Trevarrick is the original name of the Skillogalee property in the early 1850s. Wines is made only in vintage years of exceptional quality.
The wine has an attractive crimson robe with purple highlights. Aromas of black cherry, pan juices, mulberry and black pepper jump out of the glass. The palate is both medium bodied and sumptuous, with flavours of coffee, roasting herbs, black olive and boysenberry appearing in abundance with hints of spearmint on the finish.
Patritti Wines Adelaide Region - 5 Stars Winery, James Halliday
Founded by Giovanni Patritti in 1926. He began by leasing vineyards and making wines in the region. Business continued to build and gradually soared in the 1970s and vineyard plantings increased rapidly. Now, the second and third generation oversee all wine and grape production. Their passion for high end, small batch winemaking has resulted in a "Five Star" rating from James Halliday and many 90+ scores of current release wines. Many of these wines come from their 50+ years family owned vineyards, namely Tatachilla and Blewitt Springs. Patritti also produce a range of wines from other Adelaide regions.
Patritti Gloria Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre Mclaren Vale 2013
Fruits sourced from the Tatchilla and Blewitt Springs vineyards in the Mclaren Vale region. 55% Grenache 33% Shiraz and 12% Mourvèdre. A wet winter and hot dry summer allowing ripe fruit to develop with high quality fruit with small berries, great flavour and balanced acidity. Fruits harvested by hand in batches at optimal ripeness. Wines have undergone 12 months ageing in both French and American oak puncheons.
Bright ruby purple colour with a vibrantly perfumed nose of raspberry, dark cherry, dry peppery spices and nutty oak. The smooth, medium-weight palate delivers more peppery spice, dark cherry, violets and musk. Well integrated yet subtle tannins lead the wine to finish on a high note.
Patritti Blewitt Springs Estate Shiraz Mclaren Vale 2014
Despite 2014 being a challenging year, low yielding fruits resulting wines displaying excellent intensity.
This wine is deep red in colour. It exhibits jammy, plummy, spicy Shiraz fruit flavours and aromas that are well supported by French and American Oak.
Yarran Wines Yenda The Brewer family own and operate this boutique winery in the Riverina region since 1998. After years of growing grapes, their philosophy of making premium quality wines which are approachable to family and friends yet keeping the traditional style of the Riverina wine region. This region has a history of wine making dated back to 1913. Apart from own vineyards, which has currently the largest Durit plantation in Australia, they also harvest grapes from other regions namely Hilltops, Heathcote and Bendigo. Yarran is the name of the native trees grown throughout the vineyards.
Yarran Wines Pinot Grigio
Picked in the cool of the night and pressed immediately with no destemming or crushing to minimise any colour pick up from the skins of grapes. This Pinot Grigio is a soft and light, easy drinking with slight tropical fruits and floral lift.
HERITAGE WINES Barossa Valley
This boutique winery is established in 1984 and is family owned Located in the prestige wine region of Barossa Valley. Able to produce wines showing the region's unique big hearted fruits as well as with style and finesse. Exceptional quality for drinking now as well as potential for cellaring.
Harvesting grapes from the estate's 20 acres vineyards as well as sourcing from premium sites within the region. Believer of traditional style using key varieties best suited for the region.
Heritage Barossa Shiraz
100% Shiraz grown at estate's renown quality plots at Marananga.
This wine has undergone 12 months maturation in American Oak barriques.
Dark intense colour with intense aroma of ripe berries and minty spice. Palate is full bodied with dark ripe berries fruit jam; ripe sweetness lingering with touch of toasty oak, cream and fine peppery spices A powerful complex wine. Has finesse and elegance. 2014 vintage
Heritage Rossco's Shiraz
100% Shiraz from quality plots at Greenock. This wine is in memory of Ross Kalleske, a well known grape grower from Greenock. Only selective parcels will be made into this wine.
12 months maturation in old and 6 months in new American Oak barriques.
Intense aromatic and complex full bodied wine. Need time to breadth. Ready to drink and recommend cellaring
Dark opaque ruby colour. Nose showing dark ripe berries with spice and mint. Mouthful juicy ripe black berries, with touch of peppery spice, vanilla, liquorice, and hint of eucalyptus mint. Tannins may be gripping but in a good way. Releasing some coffee, coco notes. Sweetness of ripe fruits lingers. 2013 Vintage 94/100 JH
MIRAMAR WINES Riverina Region
A small family owned boutique winery located in Mudgee, a wine township on high altitude of over 450m in the state of NSW. Winemaker Ian MacRae has been making wine for over 40 years. This region produces high quality warm to moderate climate wines
Miramar Alice Cabernet Shiraz 2015
Dark ruby colour, nose is medium, slightly reserve initially. Shows ripe berries, dark cherry, with hint of vanilla, coconut and peppery spice. Wine is dry, palate is smooth, balance and delicate. Ripe sweet berries, dark cherry, plum, hint of blackcurrant, sweet spice, liquorice and touch of savory meat. Tannins are soft, with well balanced alcohol and acidity, complimented by fruit sweetness, giving a relative long juicy finish. Has potential to develop and collectible but equally enjoyable now.
Drayton's FamilyWines Hunter Valley This family winery established in 1853 is one of the oldest vineyard in Australia. The 5th generation wine makers insisting on traditional style and techniques while incorporating modern technology. Two iconic varieties of Hunter Valley are Semillon and Shiraz. The Semillon is harvested early with high acidity and has potential for ageing for many years. Young Semillons are crisp, citrus, and mineral, while aged Semillon are honey like complexity, oily with toasty fuller notes. Their traditional aged Shiraz is rustic with dark berries, have peppery spice and sawdust notes. The classic Chardonnay has plenty of tropical fruits flavours with hint of vanilla. Drayton's Family Wines also produce dessert and fortified wines.
