The Perfect Storm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017

The Perfect Storm Vineyard as we have dubbed it sits high in the McLaren Vale ranges with a perfect vantage point to view the many storms that sweep in from Gulf St Vincent across the McLaren Vale region. We have hand crafted a Shiraz by hand picking fruit, crushing and fermenting in small batches and allowing extended time on skins to ensure luscious fruit flavours prevail. Following on from fermentation the wine was pressed and aged in American barrique barrels for 12 months prior to bottling with minimal filtration.

Allow it to breathe if drinking early, this wine is built to last and I expect to be drinking it over the next decade.

Chain of Ponds Section 400 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2017

Fruit for the Section 400 Pinot Noir is sourced from two Adelaide Hills vineyards and three blocks. A combination of east and west (Kuitpo) and north facing slopes (Gumeracha) with different clonal material (MV6, D4V2, D5V12, 777, 114) to produce distinctly different fruit flavours which combine to complement each other in the final wine. All vineyards are managed with strict VSP trellis. 

All bar 20% of the grapes were crushed and de-stemmed soon after receival and soaked for 48 hours before inoculation, the remaining 20% was fermented as 50% wholebunch and 50% crushed fruit. The blocks were partially fermented in a combination of open fermenters with extended maceration and the balance fermented in potters using minimal cap management. Fermented with a varietal enhancing burgundian yeast to preserve the fresh primary fruit aromas of Pinot Noir and stabilise colour. It was pressed off skins after 7 days of fermentation and transferred straight into French oak 60% (7% New) with the balance remaining in stainless to preserve freshness. Malo-lactic fermentation was completed while in oak and stainless and the wine was left on full lees for 6 months to gain complexity and mouthfeel during the ageing process. 

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna South Australia Shiraz 2016

All the major growing regions in South Australia experienced ideal conditions leading into the harvest of 2016. Overall, the season started off cool and dry, with low rainfall. Spring and early summer warmed up considerably resulting in an average growing season with little rainfall. A warm, dry spring was ideal for flowering and fruit-set. Warm conditions prevailed in the early part of the summer allowing vines to grow well with good bunch set. Milder conditions in January allowed for optimal flavour development, with late rain refreshing the vines.

Despite the challenges of a relatively dry season, ripening was even with smaller than average berries. Harvest commenced quickly with shiraz showing great colour and complex flavours.

Cannon Ball Ridge Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

At Cannon Ball Ridge our winemaking approach begins with expressing the bright fruit qualities of each varietal and showcasing the distinct characteristics of the Limestone Coast region. Carefully selected grapes from our vineyard near Bordertown were gently pressed and slowly fermented. Aged with American oak for 8 months to allow the fruit aromas to develop and tannins to soften. 

Lindsay Park Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017

The fruit for this wine was picked over 10 days from a single vineyard in the Barossa Valley ensuring a range of fruit characters despite being from a single location. We then crushed, de-stemmed and left on skins in open top fermenters for 7 days. A slow ferment then occurred at cool temperatures, the wine was pumped over to ensure fruit intensity. Once fermentation was completed the wine was pressed into old French and American barrels. The wine spent 12 months maturing in oak then under went final barrel selection prior to bottling with minimal filtration.

1838 Reserve McLaren Vale Grenache 2018

Fruit was sourced from 2 select growers in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia. The result is intensely flavoured wines due to the care and attention these growers give them. This wine was fermented warm and received pump overs during their fermentation. The wine is made in a joven style to ensure fruit purity is the hero here.

Normans Bin C169 McLaren Vale Pinot Noir 2018

Normans is one of the oldest and most respected names in Australian Winemaking. Since 1853, when Jesse Norman planted his first vines in Adelaide, Normans has developed a reputation for premium award winning wines. The Bin Range reflects the bin numbers at the Old Clarendon Winery where Normans have produced so many epic wines, with the company’s commitment To the tradition of fine wine making.