“I don’t care what anyone says, the best semillon in the Hunter always comes from sandy soils, giving more finesse, better acid structure and longevity” says Meerea Park winemaker Rhys Eather, comparing his Alexander Munro (sandy soils) with his Terracotta (clay). Munro is sourced from the 1969 planted Braemore vineyard, referred to by Eather as […]
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Keith Tulloch’s vineyard forms a grand cru strip of the Hunter Valley, continuing the fine white sand that defines the great neighbouring vineyards of Braemore and HVD. From a single block on the edge of the creek, with soils so fine he compares them with pulverised talc, this wine articulates the epitome of this great […]
readThe Blackberry Vineyard provides the core of First Creek’s top semillon, setting a distinctive fruit character akin to blackcurrant bud in its youth, slowly developing via preserved lemon to lanolin and toast in its maturity. A wine of balance and poise, with wonderful focus, determined acid line and enduring persistence. $35 at Wine Selectors (2009). […]
readI admire the pristine development in the Hunter’s best 2007 semillons, and Maxwell is a benchmark of unhurried development. A core of lemon and pear fruit, with wonderful, primary aromatics of lemon blossom, very slowly evolving to become nutty and toasty. An excellent acid spine upholds focus, drive, persistence and completeness. Best price direct.
readOne of the finest wines to emerge from First Creek yet. Even in its just-bottled state, its classic, medium-bodied Hunter styling is apparent, while showcasing delightfully succulent yet impeccably focused fruit presence. It hails almost entirely from the Black Cluster vineyard, a site that presents an outstanding core of fruit right from the outset. With […]
readRemarkable, first in that this is a 2012 Hunter red and second in that it’s good. Very good. It rained so much during vintage that Lake’s Folly harvested no shiraz, only half its usual crop of merlot and a low yield of cabernet. The result is a production of just 2,000 dozen, half the usual […]
readFirst released in 2011, when I gave it a massive rap in these pages. Three years later, Alexander the Great has returned at the same price, a rerelease to bring the release age up to five years. It’s upheld great fruit integrity of black cherries and dark plums, layered with spice and a subtle backdrop […]
readVat 9 is one of the great success stories of the Hunter, and the Tyrrell’s team names the eradication of brettanomyces from the winery in the last decade as perhaps the biggest development in the company’s history. The result is a purity, an effortlessness, an elegance and a delightfully characteristic medium-bodied Hunter Burgundy restraint. Its […]
readA magnificent Musician and perpetually great value, this is a succulent and enticing blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% shiraz from Majella’s legendary Coonawarra vineyard. It’s immediately appealing in its berry compote and mixed spice flavours, supported by well integrated milk chocolate oak and fine, supple tannins. $17 at Nillumbik, Aussie Wines, Wine List […]
readBalnaves is one of Coonawarra’s reliable go-tos, consistently well made, ageworthy and the same value-for-money prices as always – the price of this wine hasn’t moved in more than five years. Co-fermented with a dash of viognier and aged in French oak (25% new FO), this is a fleshy, fruity and spicy Coonawarra shiraz that […]
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