2012 Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon
$40.00
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Hunter Valley
Drink By: 2032
Tasted: December 2016
Rating: 94
Alcohol: 14.5%
From a perfect vintage and quality vineyard, matured in new French oak, only 70 dozen made. At the opulent end of the spectrum particularly the impact of the oak; its all high quality stuff – both fruit and oak.
Reviewed by James Halliday
Red Emperor Alpine Valleys Shiraz
$29.00
The fruit for this wine was again sourced from the Con Mara Vineyard in Whorouly South, Alpine Valleys of North Eastern Victoria, and made by Jo Marsh and the team at Billy Button Wines. We have had great success in the past with this fruit and winemaking combination and hope to carry it forward again this vintage!
This Shiraz has the trademark characteristics of the Con Mara vineyard with well-structured tannins and a toasty oak finish through the use of quality French Oak.
2015 Alpine Shiraz
$29.00
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Alpine Valleys
Drink By: 2030
Tasted: June 2017
Rating: 94
Alcohol: 13.5%
From the Conmara Vineyard in Whouroly South, vinified in Beechworth, spending 14 months in four new French puncheons. This is a pretty remarkable wine – who would have imagined a relatively early-picked shiraz from the Alpine Valleys would have been able to cope with 100% new French oak, and 14 months for good value? Well, it does so insouciantly, its black cherry and plum fruit supported by oak tannins and flavours. ‘More full-bodied that the ’14’ says the back label, and it certainly is.
Reviewed by James Halliday
2014 Hunter Semillon
$28.00
Variety: Semillon
Region: Hunter Valley
Drink By: 2025
Rating: 94
Alcohol: 11.2%
Is in the early stages of transformation to fully fledged maturity, but is open for business (not the sometimes awkward transition) with lemon rind, juice and grass flavours on the powerful and focused palate. Quite how such quality comes from purchased grapes and contracting winemaking is beyond me – this is a gift horse.
Reviewed by James Halliday
2014 Hunter Shiraz Viognier
$20.00
Variety: Shiraz Viognier
Region: Hunter Valley
Drink By: 2024
Tasted: December 2016
Rating: 92
Alcohol: 14
94% shiraz and 6% viognier fermented separately before being blended and matured to months in 1-4 year old barrels. Even more juicy and red-fruited than it’s Shiraz sibling, the value for money of similar dimension.
Reviewed by James Halliday
2014 Hunter Shiraz
$20.00
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Hunter Valley
Drink By: 2024
Tasted: December 2016
Rating: 92
Alcohol: 14%
No magic in the winemaking, just that of the 2014 vintage. A supremely elegant light to medium-bodied wine, deceptively ready to drink now with its supple array of red fruits and gentle tannins. A great bargain.
Reviewed by James Halliday
The palate consists of savoury tannins, spices, raspberry and plums. With medium-term cellars potential, you can choose to drink this Shiraz now or allow it to further develop in your cellar.
2013 Organic Hunter Shiraz
$27.00
Vintage: 2013
Colour: Bright ruby with purple hues.
Nose: Dark fruits, liquorice and dark chocolate.
Palate: Raspberries, blueberries, and liquorice with soft oak tannins to finish.
Winemaking: Handpicked, crushed and de-stemmed. Fermented for 8 days before being pressed into French oak for malolactic fermentation. This wine was left on lees for 3 months to build palate weight and to add texture. Matured in French oak for 15 months.
Cellaring: Enjoyable now but medium-term cellaring will reward
Bottling: Alc. 12.8%