Australian Wines Connoisseur’s Choice

Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

This is the first release of this wine. Fruit was sourced from close-planted low yielding vines at Shaw + Smith’s Balhannah Vineyard in the central Adelaide Hills, planted in 2005. The distinctive site has always shown potential for a single site wine, and in this particular year the fruit was outstanding. It has a north-facing aspect and the soils are loam over clay, ironstone, quartzite and shale. Low yields are achieved by aggressive pruning and pre-harvest bunch thinning. 2013 was a fine growing season, with some warm days balanced by consistently cool nights. It was relatively dry and grapes ripened a touch earlier than usual. The weather leading up to harvest was also mostly dry, ensuring perfectly healthy fruit. The Shiraz was hand picked and fermented as predominantly whole bunches (70%) and the remainder whole berries, in open fermenters, with gentle plunging and minimal intervention. No berries were harmed during the making of this wine! It was aged in 500 litre French oak puncheons for fourteen months, followed by a further fourteen months in bottle. Crimson in colour with purple at the rim. The nose is very perfumed – rose petals, dried herbs, and red berries. Initially it’s generous on the palate, with boysenberry, mulberry, and blueberry notes. Then more layers of flavour and texture reveal themselves. Some cinnamon, some fennel seed, some rhubarb; fine but firm tannins that extend the palate, accompanied throughout by fresh acidity and intense perfume.

To see our full range of Shaw and Smith product go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/shaw-smith/

For more information on the Shaw and Smith winery go to https://www.shawandsmith.com/

Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz – a great wine from a top class winery

Grosset Alea Riesling

After fourteen vintages, the ‘European’ approach adopted for this individual-site wine is more subtle. Mild seasonal conditions have resulted in a bright and expressive Alea – the aromatics are pronounced with suggestions of preserved lemon and while almost bone-dry, is complex and perfectly balanced. It has freshness, mid-palate intensity, purity and finesse, finishing at full throttle with lime juice at its core.

Ageing Potential: Drink now – 20 years

Produced from riesling grown at the Grosset Rockwood Vineyard, an A-Grade Certified Organic and Biodynamic (ACO) vineyard.

Unfined- vegan and vegetarian friendly

For more information on the winery go to https://www.grosset.com.au/

Grosset Wines is a small family-run operation entering its fifth decade. The unwavering vision is to create pure expressions of variety and place.  Our four estate-owned vineyards, A-Grade Certified Organic and Biodynamic (ACO), are located in high altitude country of the Clare Valley, each site selected for its potential to produce great wine and planted by Grosset. Each is handpicked and hand pruned; each bunch of grapes harvested at optimum ripeness.

Production is tiny. Single vineyard wines are the focus. The winemaking process is gentle and uncomplicated. Custodianship remains with Grosset Wines from grape growing to in-house bottling; authenticity is assured.

To see our great range of Grosset wines go to the website by clicking here

Grosset Alea Riesling – A great Aussie Riesling

Philip Shaw No 11 Chardonnay

The No11 Chardonnay is pale straw in colour with a green hue. There are expressive white florals and stone fruits on the nose with bright citrus lift. The palate is powerful yet elegant with savoury layers of toasty oak and cashew nut that give the wine depth and complexity.

No11 Chardonnay is named in reference to the original block that the grapes used to make this wine came from, block 11. More recently blocks 6 and 12, have been dominate in this wine.

Grapes for this wine have been hand harvested with coarse settling at ambient temperatures overnight. Indigenous yeasts were used for fermentation within French oak barriques, of which 30% were new oak. The wine went through partial malolactic fermentation in spring and battonage occurred during maturation. The wine spent ten months on fermentation solids

They say it normally floods following a drought and in this case the old saying was proven correct. It was a wet winter and spring, and the start of summer was still full of hope. It was the earlier varieties such as Chardonnay that really stood out. It was a return to memories of the cooler vintages like 2012 where the wines are shy to begin with but hide a depth and elegance that will age for a considerable period of time. Not a great vintage for our bigger reds but classic for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

A cool climate region can be defined as an area with heat degree days of 1600 or less. Cool nights in the growing season, large diurnal variation, long cool autumns and distinct seasons are also key factors in defining a cool climate region. Orange is one of a handful of regions in Australia that fall into this category. Orange is unique among these regions due to the cool climate being the result
of continental conditions rather than latitude.

Koomooloo is volcanic in nature, something that the mountain continually reminds you of. There is a divide on the vineyard between
younger and older basalt soils. The majority of the vineyard is 12 million year old olivine basalt, overlaying deep limestone. 400 million year old Fairbridge basalt border the property adding to the complex character of the vineyard.

To see our full range of Philip Shaw product go to the website

To find out more about the Philip Shaw winery go to their website

Philip Shaw No 11 Chardonnay

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon – a classic wine from a classic Margaret River producer

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon -It delivers complex and intriguing dried sage, aniseed and violet aromas, which whisper through deeper notes of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and candied orange peel. A sophisticated lick of French oak provides hints of graphite and vanilla. Beguiling cranberry and blackberry flavours and an invigorating tangy acidity combine seemlessly to provide great intensity and succulence, whilst ultra-fine, structural tannins draw the palate to a tight, dry and delicately perfumed finish.

The Premier Cabernet Sauvignon of Vasse Felix. This wine’s distinctive style possesses all the hallmarks of the finest Margaret River Cabernet; elegance, generosity and ageability. Made every year since 1972, it is Margaret River’s archetypal Cabernet Sauvignon.
TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE Bright and deep ruby.
NOSE A loaded and dense perfume of cassis, licorice and strawberry sorbet is deepened by ocean scents of dried shells and crayfish bisque. Ironstone rock brings earthy notes which give way to dried rose petal and vanilla butter intrigue.
PALATE So intense, tight, lengthy and exciting. A fresh and succulent entry pulls inward with firm, linear tannins driving the flavours long. Fresh raspberry, wood spice, vanilla and peanut complexities linger.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
Our Cabernet parcels are grown in Wilyabrup, (the coastal, mid northern part of Margaret River) on ancient, well drained gravel loam soils to produce a wine of great varietal purity and character. These wonderful, often tiny, vineyard sections are individually fermented using indigenous yeasts, with many experiencing maceration periods of up to 40 days. Natural fermentation and extended maceration are coupled with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending. A higher portion of Petit Verdot (compared to previous vintages) brings a bright nuance and extended tannin profile in this well performing year. While a small portion of Malbec complements and enhances the Cabernet profile.

To see our full selection of Vasse Felix wines please take a look at https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/vasse-felix/

For more information about the winery go to https://www.vassefelix.com.au/

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon

Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache

A true individual showcasing the essence of Grenache, sourced from vines that have been in the ground for more than 125 years.
Year after year these veteran vines give up small quantities of exceptional grape

This single vineyard Grenache has been crafted from grapes sourced from the block we call VG05. This block comprises of 820 gnarly
old bush vines that were planted in 1889. The Nursery vineyard features deep sandy loam layers underlain with red-brown clay layers.
These soils are generally very deep and hold large volumes of water within their pore spaces, essential for good growth. As temperatures increase and evaporation levels rise, moisture levels in the sand decrease rapidly, but the vine is able to then draw moisture from the underlying clay. With careful management, dry grown vines on these soils can consistently produce outstanding quality fruit.

The grapes were handpicked and crushed to our 8 tonne open top stainless steel fermenters. The wild yeasts present on the grape skins
initiated fermentation; cultured winery yeasts were then added to complete fermentation. Remaining ‘on skins’ post-fermentation for
35 days, this extended maturation helps to contribute an even greater complexity and individuality to the wine. The resulting wine is one of individuality, richness, texture and complexity.

Dense black purple in colour, this wine has aromas of fig, plum, cassis, violet, rose petals, dark ganache and briar; all seamlessly
melded together between melted liquorice and Turkish coffee notes. The palate shows bittersweet chocolate, smouldering black
tea and charcoal, with notes of hot stone and lavender lurking in the background. A tarry spine keeps it all balanced, with finely
beaded acidity and a graphite filled finish. This wine wonderfully captures the power and drive of the 2012 vintage.
For something different, enjoy with dark chocolate fondant and Turkish delight ice-cream.

For more information on the winery go to https://www.yalumba.com/about-us

To see our full range of Yalumba products go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/yalumba/

Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache

Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier

The Virgilius is Yalumba’s most distinguished Viognier – a wine that shows power with restraint. As Yalumba’s most premium
and enchanting white wine, it is loved by wine lovers looking for something beyond the more conventional offering.

Terroir & Site
After 35 years we believe that the Eden Valley has proved its place as one of the great homes of Viognier. The ‘new’ clones, imported
by the Yalumba nursery, are starting to mature and bear fruit that we can compare to each other and our established vineyards. While
not enough volume or vine age for The Virgilius yet, the diversity of this material will help us to look at further planting material.
Winemaking & Viticulture
Handpicked grapes were whole-bunch pressed directly to mature French oak barriques, where they were fermented by ‘wild’ or
indigenous yeasts occurring naturally in the vineyard. These wild yeasts play a small and subtly different part in the development of
the wine, creating layers of richness, complexity, fine textures and flavours. After fermentation the wine was aged on lees with regular
batonnage for ten months to further heighten the palate weight and increase the complexity and flavour generosity.
TastingComments

The nose has intense aromas of early season just picked apricots, cardamom, white pepper and fresh ginger. Lifted ginger spice
is layered on the palate with mineral sourdough like texture and complex apricots and almond savouriness. The trademark
Viognier lusciousness of the palate is clearly evident in this wine. It is complex while at the same time showing purity and restraint
that will unwind slowly in the glass and take the imbiber on a sensory journey. At its best with food, The Virgilius complements a wide range of flavours, particularly dishes with spice and rich flavours. Try with poached pike perch; grilled sirloin and chips; beef rendang; pan fried herb stuffed mushrooms; or fresh gnocchi with olive oil and shaved truffles.

To find out more about the winery go to https://www.yalumba.com/about-us

To see our full range of Yalumba product go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/yalumba/

Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier