Indholdsfortegnelse for WOYA/Annual Edition 2019 i Winestate Magazine

WELCOME TO OUR BLOCKBUSTER WINESTATE ANNUAL BUYING GUIDE. Here we show all those wines that have achieved four stars or higher throughout the year. It is a massive list, all judged blind, reflecting the world class level that Australian and New Zealand wines have achieved. If that is not enough we have combined our Winestate Wine of the Year Awards into this issue also. This is effectively a Trophy judging where we re-judge the best, to come up with the top five wines in 14 categories, from these we pick our top award for Australia and New Zealand. This year our Australasian Wine of the Year went to a Kiwi beauty from Villa Maria who excelled with other varieties also and takes the title for most successful winery overall this…

SOMETIMES it can be tough to keep pace with what’s going on in the European wine world. When we start learning about European countries and regions, we’re introduced to the various appellation systems in each country, how they arose out of a post-phylloxera environment in which fraud was common, often wine from outside a region being brought in. Appellations - delimited zones of production - were created to guarantee origin. What’s in the bottle comes from where it says on the label - Pauillac from the commune of Pauillac in Bordeaux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the area around the village of the same name in the Rhone. It’s all too easy to imagine that this is a reasonably static sort of picture dating from the 1930s, when many of the key European…

AUSTRALIANS flock to New York and Los Angeles in droves, but Chicago, the third largest metropolis in the US, is no laggard in attracting tourists. In 2017, a record 55 million visitors hit the city famed for its world class architecture and museums and second-to-none bar and restaurant scene. It hardly needs pointing out that you can’t leave town without eating one of Chicago’s three food staples - pizza, Italian beef and hot dogs. Yet a deep dive into the wealth of recent restaurant openings and new and old bars would keep you busy for weeks. The best kick-off point for nostalgia buffs is the Old Town Ale House in the area of the same name. A stone’s throw from Second City, the renowned comedy venue that launched the careers…

VILLA Maria has a special place in the New Zealand wine world. The brand is a household name; it’s the country’s largest, fully family-owned wine company; and its claim to be “New Zealand’s most awarded winery” is easy to justify. Regular readers of Winestate know just how often Villa Maria has scooped our New Zealand Wine Company of the Year and New Zealand Winemaker of the Year awards. I recently raided my cellar and opened Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 and Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015. Out tumbled a weighty, complex, very harmonious white, already drinking well, and a full-bodied, vibrant, richly flavoured red that should mature well for decades. Both wines are very classy, but it hasn’t always been like that. “The winery…

A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED SHANE Harris, the boy from Bundaberg, travelled an unusual route to becoming an award winning winemaker. Growing up in the heart of Queensland’s rum country, Harris became a qualified chef working in modern bistros in Brisbane during the late 1990s. Along the way many glasses of wine were sent to the kitchen by eager wine sales reps and appreciative diners. This sparked an interest in wine and the positive attributes it can bring to the table when enjoying a good meal. A pondering on “what makes a wine good” led to a search for more information. Walking past a news stand near the Fortitude Valley train station one day Harris noticed the glossy cover of Winestate magazine. “The more I learnt about wine and its production…

WINEMAKER: Joanne Irvine & Judy & Glen Kelly COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Our Fiano has elegant floral aromas with a hint of spice leading to a delicious palate of subtle spice notes of honey and hazelnut. Fiano gains additional honey characterisitics as it ages. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Fiano’s natural acidity offsets the richness of creamy sauces and complements tomato-based sauces. It is the perfect partner to fish and shellfish and the natural spiciness on the palate marries well to spicy foods such as Thai and curries. CELLARING: Up to 5 Years when the wine's nutty and honey spicey characteristics will develop. VITICULTURE: Vineyard is approximately 430 Metres above Sea Level. Vine rows run East – West. Latitude: 33.87 degrees South; Longitude: 138.64 degrees East (approx.). Soil – Red loam over a mixture…

ROBERT STEIN HALF DRY MUDGEE RIESLING 2018 WINEMAKER: Jacob Stein COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale and water like colour. It was very floral and fragrant during ferment, and has finished up very nicely in the bottle. We left a touch more residual sugar than normal in this vintage, to ensure it sits nicely in the half-dry category. Once again showing strong lemon/lime citrus characters, with a nice punch of fruit which is balanced out nicely by the crisp, clean acidity. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 6373 3991 Email: info@robertstein.com.au Web: www.robertstein.com.au KIMBARRA WINES GREAT WESTERN RIESLING 2017 WINEMAKER: Justin Purser COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale straw in colour. Light floral aromas on the nose and citrus flavours abound. Full depth of citrus character and acidity across the palate. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone:…

Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2016 WINEMAKER: Mat Donaldson COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: On the nose there are pronounced aromas of stone fruit, lychees and pear drops, underpinned with honeysuckle and tropical spices. It is full-bodied, concentrated and unctuous in the mouth with a tangy hint of root ginger. The earlier picked fruit adds freshness and satisfying acidity, while the noble botrytis and lees ageing have increased the mouth feel and complexity of this wine. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Asian inspired cuisine. Ingredients such as ginger, chilli, lemongrass, lime, coriander etc. CELLARING: 3-5 years. VITICULTURE: Warm and settled weather in North Canterbury during December provided optimal conditions for flowering. A perfect summer, followed by a warm dry autumn enabled the subsequent grapes to be picked with excellent flavour development and physiological ripeness.…

ALLANDALE HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2013 WINEMAKER: Bill Sneddon & Alex Woods COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The palate and bouquet are dominated by lemon and citrus with balanced acidity, enabling this wine to age gracefully through the years. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 4990 4526 Email: wines@allandalewinery.com.au Web: www.allandalewinery.com.au MCGUIGAN BIN SERIES 9000 HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2013 WINEMAKER: Peter Hall COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale straw in colour. Delicate lifted floral aromas with a touch of citrus and straw. Persistent and refreshing on the palate, light to medium bodied, youthful with a distinct lime juice character and herbaceous notes. The balanced acidity ensures this wine will age gracefully to become rich and succulent, the honey and toast emerging to reward the patient. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 8345 6347 (Roger Machonachie) Email: RMaconachie@australianvintage.com.au…

WINEMAKER: Peter Pollard COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The wine has brooding aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf, combined with ripe plum, mulberry, liquorice and ripe tannins. The result a perfect balance between flavour and structure. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: The ripe tannins and dark fruits pair perfectly with marinated lean red meat, creamy mushroom sauce or blue cheese. CELLARING: With superb length, it drinks beautifully now and will reward patient cellaring over the next decade. VITICULTURE: The vintage season was lively. A warm, dry Spring provided superb growing conditions. This was followed by cooler weather and timely rain in Summer. All made well for even fruit set and development, leading to excellent wine balance and structure. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Malbec was selected from a single vineyard in the heart of…

BASS RIVER 1835 GIPPSLAND PINOT NOIR 2016 WINEMAKER: Frank Butera COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: This wine is medium body with a red edge. The nose is perfumed with red berries followed by earthy notes, and spice the wine opens up to a stunning pinot noir. This wine keeps developing in the glass. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (03) 5678 8252 Email: info@bassriverwinery.com Web: www.bassriverwinery.com DELTA MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2016 WINEMAKER: Heather Stewart COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Deep garnet in colour. Rich berry and floral aromas, with savoury Kalamata olive and crushed thyme notes. The palate is rich, round and full bodied with red cherry, spiced red peppercorn and a hint of sandalwood on the finish. This wine has well balanced acidity, a fine tannin structure, and impressive length. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +64…

WINEMAKER: Nick Picone COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: This densely coloured wine shows lovely aromatics with layers of red and black plum, mingling with cassis, smoky roast coffee bean, dried thyme and complex cedary spice nuances. The palate is soft yet concentrated, with wonderfully fine-grained tannins and integrated oak. CELLARING: While approachable in its youth, this wine will benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next 10-15 years. VITICULTURE: The fruit for this wine was grown entirely on the gravelly soils of the Gimblett Gravels growing region in Hawkes Bay. Our different vineyards contribute small parcels of exceptional fruit, each with their own unique characteristics. The free draining soils of these sites help ensure balanced fruit and canopy growth which is essential for ripe flavours and tannin development. Yields…

MCLEANS FARM MASTER BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2016 WINEMAKER: Richard Quodling COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Deep red with purple tints. Lifted aromas of dark berry and red currant fruit. Spicy dark chocolate notes complexed with harmonious layers of oak. The flavours are dark and red berry fruits with a burst of chocolate and liquorice, moving evenly from entry through the mid to late palate. The strong core of fruit is supported by fine tannins, resulting in a soft and rewarding end palate leaving a lingering generous mouthfeel. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8561 2235 Email: alissa.harding@dorrienestate.com.au Web: www.cellarmasters.com.au Z WINE PLOWMAN DRY GROWN BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2016 WINEMAKER: Janelle Zerk COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Dark and Inky (almost black in the core) with indigo hues. Abundant mulberry and dark cocoa on the nose. Opulence…

WINEMAKER: David Morris COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Amber/brown with olive green hues. Bouquet of powerful, rich concentrated “raisiny” fruit scents and rancio characters. This Muscat shows superb fruit flavour and richness and exhibits the raisiny character of fully ripe brown Muscat grapes. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Crème Caramel. CELLARING: Made to enjoy now. VITICULTURE: The variety of Brown Muscat is grown on a single wire trellis system and allowed to ripen on the vine to achieve high level of ripeness, before hand harvesting. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: The grapes are crushed into fermenters with the addition of yeast, and allowed to partially undergo fermentation before draining, pressing and fortification. The wine is then transferred into oak casks and barrels, for many years of maturation to develop richness, intensity and age influence on the wine.…

CUPPA CUP LIMESTONE COAST MALBEC 2016 $8 WINEMAKER: Chris Polymiadis COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Vibrant purple in colour. A fresh medium bodied wine with concentrated fruit flavours of plums and dark fruits. Chewy tannins, with fruit lingering on the palate. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8304 8879 Email: vineyards@blaxvin.com.au Web: www.blaxwine.com.au JACOB'S CREEK CLASSIC AUSTRALIA RIESLING 2018 $11.99 WINEMAKER: Trina Smith COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale green in colour. Aromas of perfumed flowers with jasmine, lemon and lime. Delicately refreshing citrus notes are combined with bright acid and a seam of minerality on the palate. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +61 429 724 564 Email: emilie.reynolds@pernod-ricard.com Web: www.jacobscreek.com BERTON VINEYARDS METAL LABEL RIVERINA DURIF 2017 $12 WINEMAKER: Bill Gumbleton, James Ceccato COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Deep crimson with purple hues. Aromas of violets, blackberry…

ROSÉ $15 AND UNDER 17 TASTED 12 AWARDED The judges were pleasantly surprised with this class agreeing wines here offered good quality for the price with a distinct lack of the unbalanced sweet wines of the past. Well done! Arm's Length Wine Co Mix Tape Summer Grooves Mix Limestone Coast Rosé NV ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Bright, vibrant and fruit driven nose with a pleasant perfumed lift. The palate offers the perfect balance between the red fruit characters, residual sweetness and the crisp acidity. $15 Zilzie Wines Bulloak Murray Darling Rosé 2018 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Subtle wild strawberrylike aromas with a tropical note and some lovely delicate peach fruit flavours layered with lashings of acidity. $10 McPherson Family Lucie's Promise South Eastern Australia Grenache Rosé 2018 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Smells of cranberries and pomegranates and the palate…

sparkling Chateau Yaldara Vintage Adelaide Hills Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2015 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Faint strawberry characters edged with nice yeast autolysis. Searing acidity on the flavoursome palate holds it all together. $50 Sidewood Chloe Adelaide Hills Cuvée 2014 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Layers of interest running through this wine. Some very nice toasty oak, plenty of yeast autolysis and attractive aged characters. $30 Sidewood Isabella Adelaide Hills Sparkling Rosé 2013 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Nicely balanced wine for a 5-year old. Lovely yeasty richness with some fruit still evident and secondary notes adding complexity. $32 pinot gris/grigio Haselgrove Wines First Cut Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Lovely pear-like aromas leap out of the glass, and one judge described the flavour being like “homemade apple pie cooling on the bench!” $23 Blackbilly Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2017…

riesling Trevelen Farm Great Southern Riesling 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 A pure, beautifully focussed varietal with lime and lemongrass characters to the nose and a palate that has some body and is soft in the mouth with some minerality. 5+ $25 Plantagenet Angevin Mount Barker Riesling 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Lemon lime sherbet characters to the nose with oyster shell-like minerality. A tight true varietal palate with lime overlay and some piercing acidity creating interest. $28 Chalkboard Great Southern Riesling 2016 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Musky floral fragrances with honeyed notes creeping in. Elegant floral palate, nicely textured, with clean, fresh, green pear and crunchy apple flavours. Very good wine. 3-5 $NA Trevelen Farm Great Southern Riesling 2011 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 A very lifted and complex wine - ageing well but with plenty of freshness to it. Subtle kero…

Bannock Brae Pinot Noir 2015 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ This is a bold highly aromatic wine; red liquorice and sweet spice sitting next to red and black berry fruits. Starting to show some attractive bottle developed characters of forest floor, mushroom and leather too. A little lick of tannin gives a firmness to the palate but there is enough concentration to suggest the wine will continue to develop well. $60 Aotea By The Seifried Family Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ A muted, subtle aroma with a touch of gunflint and smoke complementing the snowpea and fresh lime. The palate is ripe with flavours of passionfruit, blackcurrant bush and elderflower, a very crisp line of acid keeping everything in balance and a juicy, dry finish. A restrained yet compelling example of sauvignon blanc. $29…

TARRANGO BACK IN THE MIX ONCE the biggest selling red wine by volume in the United Kingdom, Brown Brothers Tarrango is now lurking in the doldrums. The first Australian-born grape developed by the CSIRO is no longer sold domestically by the company that commercialised it, Brown Brothers, but that’s about to change. This summer tarrango will be re-introduced to the Australian wine market as a rose. “I’m very passionate about making sure that it keeps going,” says Brown Brothers winemaker Katherine Brown. “We were looking at trends and where this variety might work. Demand isn’t high for it at the moment but demand is for rose.” The 2018 Tarrango Rose will make its debut this summer, and is made in a Beaujolais-style with 15 per cent carbonic maceration to highlight…

FOR a long time in Australia we have been extolling the virtues of dry rieslings both in Australian wines as well as the dry German rieslings from producer organisation Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter Association (VDP) and especially their Grosses Gewachs (GG) wines. In bottle shops and on most wine lists, the traditional sweeter rieslings have been out of favour and are sometimes regarded as cheap and inferior wines. This is a throwback to the last century when the world was awash with Liebfraumilch, Piesporter and Niersteiner labels that were often made from the grape muller thurgau and not even riesling. We have been conditioned to drink dry and inadvertently see it has an indication of quality in riesling. But when I give an off dry wine to a student it is…

WINESTATE in conjunction with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board recently conducted the inaugural Global Gruner Challenge open to gruner veltliner producers from around the world. Gruner veltliner is a native Austrian white grape variety that is the “lead” superstar in Austria’s resurgence in the global wine industry. It accounts for one-third of all vines planted in Austria. While many Australian wine drinkers may not have heard of gruner veltliner, the Hills are alive with the excitement of this Austrian superstar as it undergoes a meteoric rise in the Adelaide Hills. Since its humble Australian beginnings when the first vintage was released in 2009, gruner has blossomed to become the fastest rising emerging variety in the country, with 44 wineries producing this exciting white variety - four in Canberra, three in…

MAKING MAGIC WINESTATE’S New Zealand Winemaker of the Year entered the industry in 1997 as a “fresh-faced newbie, straight out of the classroom”. Working the vintage at Esk Valley, “scrubbing the tanks and cleaning the floors,” Nick Picone was entranced by the “mystique and magic” involved in the production of top Hawke’s Bay wines. Today, as chief winemaker of the Villa Maria Group, the 38-year-old Picone oversees all of the company’s winemaking, including its Villa Maria, Esk Valley, Vidal, Te Awa and Thornbury brands. Sir George Fistonich, the group’s founder and owner, sees Picone as an “extremely talented” winemaker with “an exceptional palate”. Picone’s father runs Vince’s World of Wine, which offers vineyard tours in Hawke’s Bay. “My father would drink wine with dinner and that’s how I first discovered…

WINEMAKER: Mike Garland and Patrick Corbett COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Toasted brioche and strawberry aromas on the nose. It is rich and soft, displaying elegance, finesse and balance on the palate. The wine has refined tiny bubbles and finishes with a lingering acidity and freshness. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Enjoy with smoked salmon and creme fraiche, charcuterie meats, truffle risotto, sashimi, scallops or yum cha. CELLARING: Up to 10 years. VITICULTURE: 100% Denmark (Great Southern) fruit comprising of 59% Pinot Noir (“Droopy clone”) and 41% Chardonnay (Clone 5). All cane pruned and SP trained to 6T/ha. Hand-picked at optimal flavour/acid balance for sparkling fruit. Avoidance of exposed fruit to minimise phenolic development. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Whole bunched pressed, clarified and fermented at moderate temperature (17?C). Kept for 11 months on light lees with…

TAHBILK NAGAMBIE LAKES MARSANNE 2011 WINEMAKER: Alister Purbrick, Neil Larson, Alan George COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: This ‘Museum’ Marsanne re-release is showing all the signs of the rich development that is still to come with honeyed, toasty notes staking their claim on a nose and palate of classic lemon, lime and citrus fruits with a bright mineral acidity that will support further cellaring. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (03) 5974 2555 Email: admin@tahbilk.com.au Web: www.tahbilk.com.au HORNER WINES FAMILY RESERVE HUNTER VALLEY VIOGNIER 2017 WINEMAKER: Ash Horner COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Bright with green hues. Fresh aromas of pear and apple, with hints of sweet apricot and subtle oak. The palate brings a complex textured array of flavours like pear, green apple and apricots with delicate hints of oak. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: 0431…

WINEMAKER: Helen Morrison COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The 2017 Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc has lifted aromatics of garden peas and blackcurrants mingled with herbs such as coriander (cilantro). On the palate are concentrated flavours of jalapeno and grapefruit, with a punchy finish of lime zest and a hint of gunflint. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: An excellent pairing with red meat, especially grilled lamb. Can also be enjoyed with a cheese platter. CELLARING: 1-2 years. VITICULTURE: MS & BDX317 clones planted on 3309 & SO4. The picturesque Taylors Pass Vineyard is located on the northern bank of the Awatere River in southern Marlborough. The average vine age is between 11-16 years-old. Sheltered from prevailing cool easterly winds, each terrace of the vineyard has varying soil types, stony gravels are nearest the river,…

YEALANDS ESTATE LAND MADE MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2018 WINEMAKER: Jeff Fyfe COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale straw in colour. The bouquet is brimming with pear drop, fig and nutty characters, leading to flavours of stone fruit and honey. The palate is full and perfectly balanced with a refreshing finish. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +64 (3) 575 7618 Email: cellardoor@yealands.co.nz Web: www.yealands.co.nz CERES SWANSONG BANNOCKBURN CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT GRIS 2017 WINEMAKER: Matt Dicey COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Some chalky minerals unfold with aeration. Dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has intense and concentrated flavours of white stonefruits, acacia and exotic florals, along with nuances of honeysuckle. This has very good depth, and the mouthfeel follows a very fine, textural, phenolic line with soft and balanced acidity. The palate flows with good…

WINEMAKER: Gordon Russell COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: This is an elegant, complex and creamy textured Chardonnay which displays vineyard derived complexity and flavours of peach, grapefruit and cashew. Naturally made with a ‘hands-off’ approach it is both food friendly and age-worthy and vividly exhibits the complexity of Bay View Chardonnay. Further interest is added with subtle oak and lees developing complexity from barrel ageing. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Enjoy with rich seafood dishes especially crayfish. CELLARING: Cellaring potential of up to 10 years. VITICULTURE: This wine is an individual barrel selection from the Howard's Bay View vineyard. Situated on the former tidal estuary of the Esk River prior to the 1931 earthquake and planted in 2001 with Burgundy clone 95, the Howard's Vineyard produces powerful wine with noticeable peach flavours. The vineyard is…

KIRRIHILL WINES PICCOLI LOTTI MCLAREN VALE NERO D'AVOLA 2017 WINEMAKER: Will Shields COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Bright cherry red colour. A slightly off-centre aroma of blackberries with pink peppercorns and fresh red chillies. The palate is medium bodied with a linear fruit profile, good length and a cleansing finish. Overall a bright fresh wine that showcases the variety which challenges the traditional flavour combinations. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8842 4087 Email: cellardoor@kirrihillwines.com.au Web: www.kirrihillwines.com.au TENAFEATE CREEK ONE TREE HILL PETIT VERDOT 2016 WINEMAKER: Michael Costa COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Lovely clarity with a very deep black core intensity, and displaying a bright purple hue. The aromas are bright, fragrant and layered with fresh lavender, raspberries and black cherry. The flavours are powerful and rich with hints of darks fruits balanced by…

WINEMAKER: Nick Picone COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The Reserve Merlot reveals a saturated deep purple colour and perfumed aromatics of red and black plum, fruitcake and floral violet notes, interwoven with roasted coffee bean and complex herb nuances. The palate is concentrated and firmly structured in its youth with finegrained tannins enhanced by integrated oak. CELLARING: This wine will certainly benefit and gain additional complexity from careful cellaring over the next decade. VITICULTURE: The fruit for this wine was grown entirely on the gravelly soils of the Gimblett Gravels growing region in Hawkes Bay. Our different vineyards contribute small parcels of exceptional fruit, each with their own unique characteristics. The free draining soils of these sites help ensure balanced fruit and canopy growth which is essential for ripe flavours and tannin…

BOWEN ESTATE COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 WINEMAKER: Emma Bowen COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The ideal vintage conditions set this wine up from its inception to achieve high standards. All the classic Coonawarra hallmarks are evident in the wine and ensure absolute pleasure on consumption. On the nose lovely dark berry characters are finely integrated with the subtle French oak nuances. The Coonawarra hallmarks continue through to the palate with long fine tannins giving structure to the wine and supporting beautifully balanced fruit flavours entwined with lively spice structure. A fine wine for any cellar. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8737 2229 Email: bowen@bowenestate.com.au Web: www.bowenestate.com.au VILLA MARIA RESERVE GIMBLETT GRAVELS HAWKE'S BAY CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT 2016 WINEMAKER: Nick Picone COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: This densely coloured wine shows lovely aromatics with layers…

WINEMAKER: De Beaurepaire Wines COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Golden yel low in colour. Concentrated frui t characteristics of apricot, lime, cumquat and lychees. Palate is clean, rich, dense, with intense fresh fruit and layers of citrus and marmalade. Exceptional length with good acid lift, and lovely clean mouth feel and finish. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Cheese, cheesecake, fruit products, dark chocolate, salty products. CELLARING: 10-15 years. VITICULTURE: Initially wet with excellent canopy growth. Final three months were dry and above average temperatures. Vintage 2 weeks earlier than usual. Individual bunches in June with a Baumé of 32? and 20% Botrytis. The vines were 13 years old. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: The fruit was 100% de-stemmed and whole bunches pressed. Juice was left on skins overnight, then transferred to French hogsheads. Extended cool ferment, then…

MORRIS OF RUTHERGLEN MIA RUTHERGLEN PALE FLOR APERA NV WINEMAKER: David Morris COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The wine has a pale straw hue, clean Flor yeast culture characters on the bouquet. The palate showcases the typical nutty Flor character and is well balanced and soft and smooth, with a soft lingering nutty finish. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 6026 7303 Email: cellardoor@morriswines.com Web: www.morriswines.com MORRIS OLD PREMIUM RUTHERGLEN RARE LIQUEUR MUSCAT NV WINEMAKER: David Morris COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Deep brown with olive green tinges on the rim. Intense raisiny fruit and soft wood-aged characters on the nose. A rich luscious palate supported by rancio complexity, which gives a great depth of mouth-filling and lingering flavours. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 6026 7303 Email: cellardoor@morriswines.com Web: www.morriswines.com CARMINE'S WINES GRANDAD'S SEA RARE…

AUCTION DATES MW WINES 23 – 30 January (submissions close 19 January) 20 – 27 February (submissions close 16 February) LANGTON’S Langton’s mounts between 10 and 12 online auctions each week. Sales close at 9pm every Tuesday and Thursday, and 7pm every Sunday. The weekly Finest & Rare sale closes on Tuesday, and Thursday auctions - Cellar Reload and Spare Change - focus on value. Sunday auctions are more varied but always include the popular Weekly Unreserved sale. See langtons.com.au for the full calendar and information on selling. STERLING WINE Live on-line auctions run every two weeks, back-to-back, finishing on Wednesday evening. ODDBINS WINE AUCTIONS Visit oddbins.com.au for the latest auction dates and information. All dates subject to change without notice. Auction reports MW WINES (AUGUST - OCTOBER 2018 REPORT,…

SPARKLING 9 TASTED 5 AWARDED A mixed result with simple quaffing sparklings and those few that really stood out. Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Sparkling Shiraz NV ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Big rich mature plumlike aromas showing hints of vanilla. The well-balanced palate has a complexity of developed flavours. $30 Chandon Vintage Brut Whitlands Strathbogie Yarra Valley Methode Traditionelle 2015 ⋆⋆⋆ Chandon vintage Brut Whitlands Strathbogie Yarra Valley Methode Traditionelle 2015 ⋆⋆⋆ A mature, complex and yeasty nose with an attractive complexity of smoky/meaty flavours. $42 Vero King Valley Prosecco NV ⋆⋆⋆ Smells like a fresh fruit salad with a fresh, simple and flavoursome fruit palate. Great quaffer. $15 Sorriso King Valley Prosecco NV ⋆⋆⋆ Aromas of honeysuckle and lemon with a creamy floral apple palate and crisp line of acid. $20 Pertaringa…

sparkling Three Ponds Neptune Hunter Valley Sparkling 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Light sherbet-like characters on the tropical fruit nose with the tropical fruit following through onto the tight palate. Limey finish. $25 De Beaurepaire Blanchefleur Rylstone Central Ranges Blanc de Blancs 2016 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Complex honeyed age characters on the nose. Very tight palate that carries the honeyed fruit flavours very well. Aperitif style. $45 Ross Hill Orange Blanc de Blancs 2013 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Complex aromas of yeasty melon elements with lemon tones. Broad creamy palate with refreshing acidity and nice leesy notes. $35 sauvignon blanc & blends Allandale Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Nose shows powerful varietal tones of passionfruit, herbs and asparagus. Long, pleasing and lightly tropical/grassy flavours balanced by hints of limes. $27 Ross Hill Lily Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆…

US DEMAND DRIVING GROWTH THE New Zealand Winegrowers 2018 annual report has been released, with its usual array of fascinating facts and figures. There’s more good news in the form of wine exports, with US demand helping drive significant growth: value has grown by more than $NZ700 million in the last decade, with volume more than doubling in the same timeframe. Export earnings in the year to June 2018 grew to $NZ1.7 billion, though wary eyes are being kept on the current volatile international trade environment. NZ now has 2031 vineyards and 697 wineries (up from 643 in 2009), but growers have seen significant consolidation, dropping from 1073 to the current 699 in that period (the majority of that contraction occurring post-GFC around 2011). Vineyard area has expanded 2 per…

JANUARY 2019 PERTH - 2019 Winestate Best of the West & Wine of the Year Tasting Thursday 24 January 2019 - 6pm – 8.30pm Perth Hyatt Regency Hotel, Perth, Western Australia (Tickets available now - Subscribers receive two complimentary tickets upon request) APRIL 2019 Cabernet & Bordeaux Night National Wine Centre, Adelaide To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) Tickets available early 2019 ITALY, Verona - Vinitaly 2019 - Veronafiere 7-10 April, 2019 Details at: www.vinitaly.com/en Email: sales@winestate.com.au MAY 2019 Worlds Greatest Shiraz Challenge XIV National Wine Centre, Adelaide To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) Tickets available early 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 Winestate Wine of the Year 2019 Subscriber Tasting National Wine Centre, Adelaide To be advised (6 - 8.30pm) Tickets available mid-2019 NOVEMBER 2019 HONG KONG - Winestate Wines of Australia…

IT’S official - it was a pearler. The 2017/18 growing season was characterised by long spells of dry weather across south-eastern Australia, which in turn gave rise to twin phenomena - lower yields and disease-free, high-quality fruit. While the overall crush of 1.79 million tonnes was down by 10 per cent from the record set in 2017, the superlatives got a workout from winemakers in regions as disparate as Queensland’s Granite Belt, Canberra, Mornington Peninsula and the Margaret River, with the 2018 vintage described time and time again as “a cracker” or, in one case, “epic”. The heavy rains that sabotaged last year’s crop in the Granite Belt stayed away, and ripening conditions were ideal and free of mildew. Winemakers have flagged one of the region’s best ever vintages and…

THE JUDGING BEST OF THE BEST JUDGES WELCOME to Winestate magazine’s “cream of the crop” judging for 2018. Here we invite wineries to resubmit those wines awarded four and a half and five stars from numerous judgings throughout the year held both in Australia and New Zealand. These range from regional judgings to so-called style tastings such as chardonnay, or sweet whites, or new release judgings held for each issue. In what is effectively a trophy judging, our panel of three expert judges were asked to blind taste each category in turn, to select the Top 5 wines without fear or favour, then identify the winner in each group and finally an overall Wine of the Year for Australia and New Zealand. This is entirely blind until all results and…

MAINTAINING THE LEGACY AFTER 31 years with Wolf Blass Wines, chief winemaker Chris Hatcher is almost as synonymous with the brand as its founder and now ambassador at large, Wolf Blass. But Hatcher, who joined the company as senior winemaker in December 1987 after stints at Orlando and Kaiser Stuhl in the Barossa Valley and the Simi Winery in California, insists he is simply the custodian of one of Australia’s most famous brands and the legacy left by its famous founder. Just as Peter Gago is the latest custodian of Max Schubert and his iconic Grange legacy at sister winery Penfolds - also part of the Treasury Wine Estates conglomerate - Hatcher sees it as his responsibility to maintain the DNA of Wolf Blass wines. That DNA, Hatcher says, was…

NO.1 FAMILY ESTATE ADELE CUVEE MARLBOROUGH SPARKLING 2013 WINEMAKER: Daniel Le Brun COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale Gold hue. Delicate bead, with subtle nose, elegant, balanced, creamy palate. Lingering with nice persistence. The Cuvee Adele is of bright straw-yellow colour with a hint of gold. Vibrant aromas of yellow florals and white stone fruits intermixed with subtle aromas of fresh bread yeast and hints of minerals. A taut and angular palate and a honeyed aftertaste. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +64 (03) 572 9876 Email: no1wine@xtra.co.nz Web: www.no1familyestate.co.nz FEATHERTOP ALPINE VALLEYS BLANC DE BLANC 2012 WINEMAKER: Nick Toy COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale straw. Vibrant citrus and pear aromas with hints of complexing yeast derived characters. Flavours of green apples, nashi pear and citrus are complemented by rich toasted brioche notes. The racy…

WINEMAKER: Justin Ardill COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Aged golden hues. Developed, toasty bouquet with hints of buttery lemon. Palate displays crispy citrus flavours with toasty aged characters and textured mouthfeel. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Asian cuisine and roast pork. CELLARING: Until 2025 VITICULTURE: Low cropping at 1.6T / acre. Elevated site in Watervale, rich red loam over deep limestone. Aspect W/SW Elevation 350m Average vine age 17 years VINIFICATION & MATURATION: 100% free juice run. Bottle matured for 5 years prior to release. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +61 08 8843 9013 Email: cellardoor@reillyswines.com.au Web: www.reillyswines.com.au…

VIDAL ESTATE MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 WINEMAKER: Hugh Crichton COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Intense aromas of passionfruit and fresh herbs lead into a palate of vibrant, tropical fruit flavours. A distinctive and classical Marlborough style. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +64 (6) 872 7441 Email: enquiries@vidal.co.nz Web: www.vidal.co.nz CLOS MARGUERITE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 WINEMAKER: Jean-Charles Van Hove COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pure, clean and ripe fruits, shine in this vintage 2017. A beautiful example of balance, length and refinement. Bright pale yellow. Both bouquet and palate are layered, building over time. The encounter is traditional of the Clos Marguerite; sweet herbs; lemon grass, Thai basil, some elderflower too, followed by ripe lime and citrus, pear, hint of guavas and white peach flesh. Plenty of stony mineral and subtle nutty lees flavours, almost savoury.…

WINEMAKER: Andrew Spinaze COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Green Gold in colour with lifted floral and mineral aromas. A big soft citrus palate with classic developed Semillon characters beginning to show. Good fruit length and a crisp lime acid finish. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Seafood and Thai. CELLARING: To at least 2020. VITICULTURE: Grown in sandy loam from the two younger Semillon vineyards (2 and 4 years old) at Coolangatta Estate near Berry on the NSW South Coast, to a Smart Dyson Trellis. Vines are irrigated throughout the year, shoot & bunch thinned. Fruit was in great condition at harvest as a result of the excellent 2009 vintage. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Hand picked in the morning of 4th March 2009 & transported to Tyrrells Winery. The fruit was lightly pressed, juice centrifuged & then…

MCGUIGAN CELLAR SELECT TUMBARUMBA CHARDONNAY 2017 WINEMAKER: Peter Hall COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale straw in colour. Distinct cool climate aromatics with lychees and citrus orange. Light integrated French oak also contributes a subtle camomile aroma. Medium bodied with zesty white peach. Some light oak treatment provides mouth-weight and soft tannin, integrating nicely with the fruit and balanced but firm acidity to ensure a refreshing and persistent finish. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (02) 8345 6347 (Roger Machonachie) Email: RMaconachie@australianvintage.com.au Web: www.australianvintage.com.au MCGUIGAN PERSONAL RESERVE HUNTER RIDGE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2017 WINEMAKER: Peter Hall COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale Yellow in colour. Lifted floral, honey suckle aromatics complexed with light charry toffee French oak. Medium bodied with lower alcohol but good extract. Fresh with a bright acidity and excellent balance. Some fine grained tannin…

WINEMAKER: Hamish Clark, Kyle Thompson and Matt Thomson COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Dense ruby red. A Pinot Noir with rich aromas of a meadow of wild flowers, especially perfumed violets. This combines with a complex mix of blueberries, vanilla and dark chocolate mixed with fresh roasted coffee beans and subtle earthy characters. The palate is dark and rich with concentrated flavours of black cherry, blackcurrant, and Kalamata olive. The texture is reminiscent of silky dark chocolate finishing long and complex with freshly roasted coffee, toasted oak and spice. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Well matched with red meat dishes such as fillet steak and seasonal vegetables. CELLARING: This wine is drinking beautifully now or with careful cellaring will mature into a more complex wine that can be enjoyed for the next 8 to 10…

CHATEAU YALDARA RETRO BAROSSA VALLEY MERLOT 2017 WINEMAKER: Alex Peel COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Intense purple/red colour. Lifted black cherries, liquorice and pine forest freshness on the nose. Flavours of juicy blackcurrant, Morello cherry with sweet spices. The vibrant palate displays dusty tannins and savoury edges with a salivating finish. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8524 0225 Email: wineroom@1847wines.com Web: www.chateauyaldara.com.au MAJELLA COONAWARRA MERLOT 2016 WINEMAKER: Bruce Gregory & Michael Marcus COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: The 2016 Majella Merlot has a dark damson colour with a ruby hue. Red fruit aromas, a hint of mint eucalyptus on the nose. The palate is complex with a nice intensity, shows earthy nuances and a length of red berry fruit, subtle oak integration on the palate giving a clean line to finish with good tannins.…

WINEMAKER: Ben Riggs COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Hues of deep, purples and reds. Bouquet of plums, molasses and violets. A palate of spice with flourishes of vibrant fruit and dark chocolate. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: Beef, anyway you like it. Particularly your favourite Osso Bucco recipe. CELLARING: 2-20 years. VITICULTURE: Single block, single batch. From Clarendon sub-region, deep sand over ironstone pebble clay, arched cane VSP single cordon, mown permanent sword, minimal irrigation (.25megs/Ha) max. Netted for bird control. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Open ferment, pumped over 7-9 days on skins. Minimal acid adjustment when needed, pressed straight into barrel 2-5 years old, no new. Aged on lees, barrel selection. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: +61 (08) 8383 2050 Email: info@mrriggs.com.au Web: www.mrriggs.com.au…

K1 BY GEOFF HARDY AUTUMN HARVEST RIESLING 2017 WINEMAKER: Shane Harris COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Bright clear gold in colour. The nose offers beautifully complex aromas of lychee, ripe stone fruits and citrus blossom. The palate is vibrant and fresh with notes of stone fruits and lemon. The delicate sweetness is perfectly balanced with the refreshing and crisp acidity. CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8383 2700 Email: wine@winesbygeoffhardy.com.au Web: winesbygeoffhardy.com.au MR RIGGS STICKY END MCLAREN VALE VIOGNIER 2016 WINEMAKER: Ben Riggs COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Lovely golden hue. Bouquet of sweet citrus fruits. Fresh, zesty, and crisp over the palate – sticky to the end! CONSUMER CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: (08) 8383 2050 Email: info@mrriggs.com.au Web: www.mrriggs.com.au GMH NOBLE SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA NOBLE SWEET WHITE 2016 WINEMAKER: Shane Harris COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Bright…

WINEMAKER: Alana Langworthy COLOUR, BOUQUET, PALATE: Pale green/straw. Vibrant tropical fruit aromas are overlain with hints of lime and blossom. Intense passionfruit and citrus flavours are intertwined with hints of herbal tea and fresh cut grass. A zesty and refreshing acid backbone provides structure and length in this great Margaret River offering. FOOD SUGGESTIONS: White fish or seafood salad. CELLARING: Drink now. VITICULTURE: Produced from carefully selected parcels within the Margaret River region. 2017 was a cooler than average year, with late budburst resulting in a later harvest. Consistent cool ripening conditions can be beneficial however for preserving the lively aromas and zesty acidity of white varieties. VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Harvested in the cool of evening, the fruit was destemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks and inoculated with specially…

CLASSIC GRUNER VELTLINER 2018 VINTAGE 7 TASTED 5 AWARDED Young Southern Hemisphere wines with a tightness reflected by early releases. This could change with age. At the time of this tasting Northern Hemisphere was yet to have its 2018 vintage. Hahndorf Hill White Mischief Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner 2018 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 An abundance of apple-like aromas with floral overtones and earthy notes. The palate shows good complexity for a young wine with great flavour persistence. $24 K1 by Geoff Hardy Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner 2018 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Very varietal with mostly stonefruit derived aromas and a palate with loads of fresh spicy flavours with a good tannic grip. 3-5 $25 Artwine In The Groove Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner 2018 ⋆⋆⋆1/2 Classic clean apple/pear aromatics with generous mouthfeel to the palate…

Sensi 18K Gold Label Treviso Italy Brut Prosecco 2016 Very pleasant pear fragrances with a dash of citrus. Plenty of energy and life to this bright stonefruit-like varietal palate. $19.99 Coles Liquor Group Phone: 1300 300 640 Email: customerservice@liquorlanddirect.com.au Web: www.liquorland.com.au Berton Vineyards Winemaker's Reserve Riverina Fiano 2018 A crisp well made and very flavoursome wine. Light tropical notes on the nose and a vibrant fruit palate of apples and stonefruit supported by an excellent line of acid. 3-5 $14 Berton Vineyards Phone: 02 6968 1600 Email: leigh@bertonvineyards.com.au Web: www.bertonvineyards.com.au Scarpantoni Estate McLaren Vale Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Pungent herbaceous/passionfruit fragrances and good length of primary fruit flavours with nice level of flinty-like acidity. $13 Scarpantoni Estate Wines Phone: 08 8383 0186 Email: sales@scarpantoniwines.com Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Story Bay Margaret River Semillon…

sparkling Grampians Estate Rutherford Grampians Sparkling Shiraz 2014 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Rich musky fruit cake characters on the nose with minty hints. Lovely complexity of dark berry flavours with a dash of spice, soft tannins and balanced sweetness. $35 Dal Zotto Wines Pucino No 1 King Valley Prosecco NV ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Pale straw wine with a very fine bead and delicate nuances of citrus blossom aromas. Vibrant lemon and apple-like flavours are balanced by good acidity. Very drinkable! $20 Dal Zotto Wines Pucino No 1 King Valley Prosecco 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ A faint floral whiff to the lemon blossom nose. Very fine mousse and good weight of sherbet-like flavours with lingering acidity. $23 Seppelt Original Sparkling Victoria Sparkling Shiraz 2014 ⋆⋆⋆⋆ Briary fruit bouquet with a floral lift and some Christmas cake-like spiciness on…

sparkling Osawa Prestige Collection Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 This stylish sparkling was matured for 3½ years on its yeast lees, with base wine dating back to 2009. Bright, light lemon/green, it has an invitingly fragrant, lively, yeasty bouquet. Crisp and lively, with citrusy, biscuity flavours, it shows excellent vigour, complexity and length. $55 other white varietals & blends Anchorage Reserve Gewurztraminer 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Strongly floral with dried bourbon rose petal, pot pourri together with wild ginger and a gentle hint of spice. Palate has some sweetness but well balanced with the fruit and the little lift of acidity. An aromatic, delicate gewurztraminer with an appealing vibrant character. $18 Terrace Edge Liquid Geography Riesling 2017 ⋆⋆⋆⋆1/2 Very opulent aromas of mango and papaya. Succulent flavours with a little gingerbread and…

BEST OF VICTORIA Buller Wines Phone: 03 8794 7544 Email: davewhyte@bullerwines.com.au Web: www.bullerwines.com.au Dalberti Phone: 0427 041 146 Email: bullockflat@bigpond.com Web: www.dalberti.com.au Grampians Estate Phone: 03 5354 6245 Email: info@grampiansestate.com.au Web: www.grampiansestate.com.au Kimbarra Wines Phone: 03 5352 2238 Email: info@kimbarrawines.com.au Web: www.kimbarrawines.com.au BEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Brash Vineyard Phone: 0427 042 767 Email: anne_chris@brashvineyard.com.au Web: www.brashvineyard.com.au Coles Liquor Group Phone: 1300 300 640 Email: customerservice@liquorlanddirect.com.au Web: www.liquorland.com.au Flowstone Phone: 0487 010 275 Email: flowstone@flowstonewines.com Web: www.flowstonewines.com Swings & Roundabouts Ltd Phone: 08 9756 6735 Email: admin@swings.com.au Web: www.swings.com.au BEST OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Clare Wine Co Phone: 08 8562 4488 Email: renee@kaesler.com.au Web: www.clarewineco.com.au Greenock Estate Wines Phone: 08 8563 2898 Email: frederick@gewines.com Web: www.gewines.com Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 08 8323 8706 Email: cforel@haselgrove.com.au Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Hollick Estates Phone: 08…