A brand new shiraz in the ever-growing Thomas arsenal, this wine is so new the bottles haven’t even been labelled yet. I wanted to announce it right away so you can be first in line when it lands before Christmas. Buy fast and drink slow, because its lively, sour, crunchy acidity and fine-grained tannins will […]

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An impressively honed and textured 2011 Hunter shiraz of fine-grained, gravelly tannin structure and lively acidity. Its well-composed palate presents pepper, greengage plum and blackberry fruit, with an aromatic air of rose hip and a hint of iron filings. A wine of persistence land grace. $39 at Flagstaff.

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A crescendo of Sam Connew’s reign at Tower, this impeccably composed Hunter shiraz exemplifies the captivatingly medium-bodied restraint of the season. Black cherry and plum fruits of great persistence are underlined by well-integrated dark chocolate oak, fine-grained tannins and the signature acid line of the season. It’s currently only offered to mailing list members, so […]

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Verona is just across the road from Graveyard and its vines celebrated their 43rd birthday in 2011, rising to the occasion with a delightfully medium-bodied result of restrained elegance. Violet fragrance, black plum skin and pepper accent a well-structured, gravelly and textural palate. It’s at once expansive and at the same time compact and coiled, […]

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Released yesterday, but I first tasted it last year, and it will appreciate some years yet for fruit and oak to mesh. De Iuliis Reserve is a selection of the finest barrels, a well-focused, tangy black cherry and dark berry fruit style of considerable poise and persistence, supported by fine-grained tannins and well-balanced oak. $52 […]

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There’s always a certain presence to Kiss, with a body that rises in stature above its siblings in Thommo’s range. The lively structure and firm, long-enduring tannins of 2011 tone this release considerably, quite controlled at 13.5% alcohol, yet carrying impressive concentration of crunchy blackberry and redcurrant fruit and pepper. This will be one of […]

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In years to come, we may look back on Coquun as Jim Chatto’s most profound and longest-lived achievement in his years at Pepper Tree. He describes 2011 as his “attack on Graveyard”. In brilliance of controlled power, there’s no question it’s one of the standouts of an incredible Hunter vintage. An impressively inky and focused […]

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Beautifully textured and skilfully crafted, 2012 is confirmation that Flametree is now securely in Margaret River’s chardonnay A-league. The inherent presence of Gin Gin clone chardonnay from old, low yielding vines in this warm season is perfectly energised by malic acidity. White peach succulence is offset by zesty grapefruit and crunchy green apples. Oak assumes […]

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The fifth great Margaret River vintage in succession, time may prove 2011 to be the fairest cabernet season of all. It’s wines like this that will set it apart for decades to come. At half the price of some Wilyabrup flagships, this is a standout that underscores impeccable violet lift and deep blackcurrant and cassis […]

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Lake’s Folly winemaker Rod Kempe has been “in awe” of some of the Western Australian fruit of owner Fogarty family vineyards and finally found the chance to blend with his historic Hunter vineyard. The result is a unique and perhaps unprecedented blend of Hunter Valley, Margaret River and Perth Hills cabernet, shiraz and a little […]

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