A Western Australia Mixed Case

Franklin Tate Cabernet Merlot

These Bordeaux varieties were processed individually with a portion fermented in open fermenters at temperatures up to 28°C. Control of tannin extraction and flavour preservation, were integral in the fermentation. Wine was pressed to Bordeaux style French oak, to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended from its components after maturation. The Merlot adds plush fruit and leafy characters as well as providing juicy acidity, in contrast to the Cabernet Sauvignon’s structured, but ripe tannin profile.

Vibrant crimson core with a lighter hue. Lifted aromas of blackcurrant and ripe dark plums with hints of black olive, sage and spices. Flavours of ripe blackcurrants and dark plums dominant the palate with a savoury hint of black olive. The fruit is integrated with oak flavours of cinnamon and cedar spice. Chalky tannins give this wine length.

VINIFICATION

The two Bordeaux varieties were processed individually with a portion fermented in open fermenters at temperatures up to 28°C. Control of tannin extraction and flavour preservation, were integral in the fermentation. The wine was pressed to Bordeaux style French oak to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended from its components after maturation.

RECOMMENDATION

Slow roasted leg of lamb with garlic and herbs served with roasted vegetables.

For more information on the winery go to http://www.franklintateestates.com.au/

To see our range of Franklin Estate products go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/franklin-estate/

Franklin Tate Estates is based in the beautifully isolated region of Margaret River, Western Australia, and is internationally revered as one of Australia’s premium wine growing regions. The Tate family have been making award winning wines in Margaret River since 1974. Franklin Tate Estates wines pride themselves on their passion for winemaking, hand-crafting unique, savoury but supple reds and crisp, aromatic whites that are the ultimate expression of what the region does best. Only the finest grapes from each of the Franklin Tate Estes vineyards are selected for inclusion in these premium wines.

Franklin Tate Cabernet Merlot – great value wine from a Margaret River winery

Vasse Felix Estate Semillon/Sauvignon

Vasse Felix Estate Semillon/Sauvignon

Pitchfork Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

To see our full range of Pitchfork wines go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/pitchfork/

For more information on the winery go to https://hayshedhill.com.au/collections/pitchfork

The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a group settlement farm for returned soldiers from the First World War. Known as Sussex Vale the property was originally a dairy farm. The current homestead, considerably renovated, still has much of the original Group Settlement look and feel.
Vines were first planted in the early 1970s. In the late 1980’s the vineyard was bought by the Morrison Family and the wine brand Hay Shed Hill was established taking its name from the local reference to the hay shed located on the property. The sister label, Pitchfork, was developed to complement the single vineyard Hay Shed Hill label. A series of ownership changes saw numerous alterations to labels, wine style and distribution until the current group of partners bought back the farm and the brand in late 2006 and returned to the original concept of producing wine with integrity that expresses the quality of the site.

The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is located in the Willyabrup Valley, the premier sub-region of the Margaret River Wine region. Only 5 Km from the Indian Ocean with an elevated aspect, the vineyard thus enjoys the benefit of the ‘doctor’ the well-known sea breeze that comes off the ocean each afternoon and cools down the vineyard giving the fruit a much cooler climate character than the latitude of the vineyard might suggest. The vineyard is hilly with several aspects ranging from steep south facing slopes on which the best Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is located, to equally steep north facing slopes where the best Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys the full face of the sun. The majority of the vineyard is dry grown producing small yields of outstanding fruit.

Pitchfork Semillon Sauvignon Blanc- great wine from Western Australia

Hamelin Bay Rampant Red

This wine has a generous mid-palate with long length of flavour and elegance.

An easy drinking red wine.

To find out more about the winery go to http://www.hbwines.com.au

To see our range of Hamelin Bay wines go to http://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/hamelin-bay/

Hamelin Bay Wines in the Margaret River wine region was established by the Drake-Brockman family in 1992.  The family-run vineyard near Karridale is now also home to a cellar door and restaurant.

Margaret River’s world-class wine region is located in the South West of Western Australia.  Surrounded by ocean, the area is blessed with a maritime climate; wet winters and mild, dry summers.  Fine wines, abundant local gourmet food, pristine beaches and majestic forests combine to make the region a favourite tourist destination.

Our unique Five Ashes vineyard is one of Margaret River’s most picturesque vineyards.  The moderate maritime climate and a north facing ridge of prime gravely loam soils are ideal for premium quality grape growing.  The exceptional wine produced reflects these superb natural attributes of our 26 hectare vineyard.  The Whites are positioned on a cool Easterly slope with soils varying from prized Forest Grove gravels to Karri loams, whilst the Reds are situated on a warmer North-facing slope beneath the cellar door on deep, dark gravel loams.  The Whites exude freshness and elegance, and the Reds have restrained power and depth, both with distinctive and intense characters specific to each particular variety, block and site.  From our very first vintage, our wines have won awards thanks to the outstanding terroir influenced by perfect gravel soils, select aspects, and cool moderate maritime microclimate.

Hamelin Bay Rampant Red

Pitchfork Shiraz

Every vintage is different; lessons learned from the previous year don’t always help the following year.
2018 vintage started late, two to three weeks later than the preceding couple of years. The reason for this was the mild, cool spring weather experienced all across the southern part of the state. During the middle and latter part of March the South-West region including Margaret River experienced a very unusual amount of rain and very cool weather, ripening over this period was very slow. The first suggestions of worry started to appear in growers eyes. Of recent history Margaret River has experienced very dry conditions in March and early April with the season breaking mid to late April, not a problem with all the grapes picked. But this year the concern was that if the season broke in mid April all the red grapes would be still on the vine. However anyone that lived though the late April and early May in the SouthWest of Western Australia will testify that never had we had a better, warmer early autumn. It was simply perfect; cool crisp mornings and evenings but beautiful warm and sunny days; not too hot, textbook conditions for great ripening especially for the red varieties.
WINEMAKING: Shiraz from selected premium Margaret River vineyards were used to make this wine. Fermented in open stainless steel tanks with twice daily pumpovers aiding fruit tannin development. Maturation in new, 1, 2 and 3 year old French oak for 12 months encouraged wine development and structural complexity. The objective was to produce an elegant Shiraz with complex aromas and characters and with texture and structure, the use of French oak instead of traditional American oak gives rise to a wine of greater sophistication.
COLOUR: Vibrant youthful brilliant hue of good depth.

NOSE: Ripe cherry and plum fruits with chocolaty influences.
PALATE: The palate displays good depth of fruit concentration, ripe sweet fruit fleshiness in the mid palate and good flavour extension.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION VINTAGE: 2017 VARIETY: Shiraz 100% ALCOHOL: 14.0% GROWING REGION: Margaret River

To see our full range of Pitchfork wines go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/pitchfork/
For more information on the winery go to https://hayshedhill.com.au/collections/pitchfork

Pitchfork Shiraz – great Western Australia wine

Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay – A modern Australian, softly textured Chardonnay. This distinct Vasse Felix style embraces the fruit with a focus on natural acidity. A selection of premium fruit is fermented in individual parcels with wild yeasts and some solids in the juice and maturated in French oak barriques for nine months.

Vasse Felix Chardonnay is typified by its bright, elegant fruit, subtle wild complexities and a tight acid structure, reflecting the vibrancy and purity of this variety in Margaret River. ‘Filius’ translates to ‘son of’ in Latin, reflecting the relationship between this wine and its premier ‘father’.

‘Son of’ the Vasse Felix Chardonnay. This is a modern, pure and vibrant style, with elegant fruit, wild complexities and mouthwatering natural acidity, crafted from fruit sourced from each of the Vasse Felix vineyards.

APPEARANCE Bright pale straw with a green tinge.
NOSE A delicate perfume of lemon cheesecake, panna cotta, a touch of pawpaw, light herbal coriander and lemon verbena notes, is supported by the underlying aroma of limestone and hazelnuts.
PALATE Light yet fleshy with lovely bright acidity, the palate carries to a crunchy, chalky finish with hints of green pawpaw, white peach and custard tart.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
The Filius Chardonnay is crafted from our lighter weight, pretty, fruitdriven Chardonnay sections. These selections are best handled with judicious oak and lighter solids in fermentation, producing a perfectly balanced, complex and fine Chardonnay with a clean bright palate.
All parcels were treated in respect of the unique characters of our four vineyard sites. Natural fermentation with varying solids levels, fine French oak and battonage programs were tailored to each individual batch. Following 8 months of maturation in oak, the parcels were combined to create a vibrant, elegant and complex Margaret River Chardonnay in the distinct Estate style.

For more information on our range of Vasse Felix products go to https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/vasse-felix/

To see more information on the Vasse Felix winery go to

https://www.vassefelix.com.au/

Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay