Some precious old blocks of ancient vine Grenache still remain after a government sponsored program to cull unproductive vineyards during the 1980s. Yielding excruciatingly small harvests of the most characterful fruit, these wizzened old veterans deliver small batch vintages which are evocative of the old world classics from Cotes du Rhone. The enduring Wirra Wirra were established 1894, their eclectic range belies the splendour of small parcels which are separately handled and bottled for exclusive release. The Absconder draws fruit from vines planted a century ago, it merits a breathing and decant, an articulation about the sublime excellence of old vine Australian Grenache...
The compelling case for old vines grenache»
Airline pilots make surprisingly good wine. Their appreciation of the sciences, a respect for the weather and a bird's eye view of the land, all invaluable to the winemaker's art. John Ellis would take every opportune weekend away from his regular New York Paris route, to pursue a passion for viticulture. He planted the first commercial Cabernet Merlot vines in the Hamptons and found time between trans atlantic flights to work vintages amongst the Grand Cru vineyards of La Bourgogne. Ellis ultimately made the great lifelong sea change in favour of our land downunder. He settled on a farmstead outside Leongatha, amongst the slow ripening pastures of Gippsland and established a vineyard called Bellvale. It is now a place of fully mature vines and old world Burgundian techniques, sur lie..
Placing pinot amongst the pastures»
Full bodied and tightly structured, the palate exhibits perfect ripeness and brooding richness along with a spine of beautifully integrated acidity and fine tannin that will greatly reward. The view from Struie down towards Dornoch Firth, is as inspiring as the panorama across Barossa's Valley floor from atop... More»
Best described as a new world Chablis, the palate is long and lean with citrus, white peach and excellent minerality before a spicy, nutty finish. Lock & Key redefines the style of New South Wales Chardonnay... More»
Rich and full flavoured palate, plum and blackberry and fruit jam flavours, chocolates and dusty carob over gentle, soft tannins. Rutherglen is possibly the only productive enclave of world class Durif wines anywhere on earth... More»
A full palate of clean characters in a dry captivating style, supported by stone fruit flavours and layered with mineral acidity. The Murphys were among the first settlers to establish vineyards around Mildura... More»
Palate displays a varietal integrity which belies its pricepoint. Moppity have claimed many conspicuous accolades at national wine shows and international competitions... More»
Marlborough viticulture owes much to the import of emigres from war torn Europe. Many were skilled fruit growers while others were passionate winemakers. They quickly discovered the magical affinity between aromatic white varietals and the mistral valleys of Te Wai Pounamu...
Match a meal with maria»
Greg Melick embarked on the prodigal road to gambling and booze as a mere teenager, after winning the daily double at Werribee and spending the lot on good red wine. He ultimately returned to the straight and narrow, achieving the rank of ADF Major General, Senior Law Counsel, Master Wine Judge and Officer of Australia AO. Melick now grows his own, he remains besotted with les grands vignobles de Bourgogne, the illustrious Pinot Noir of Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune. There are few places in the world, more akin to the 1er Grand Cru style of Pinot Noir, than the temperate pastures along Tasmania's River Derwent. It was here in 2002, amongst the woodland idylls of the apple isle, that Melick established Pressing Matters, a meagre four hectares of superior European clones Pinot Noir. Mr Melick has come full circle, this time exchanging..
Pressing matters in pinot noir»