HENSCHKE HILL OF GRACE 2013
96 POINTS // $825
There is a calm, effortless, unassuming confidence to Hill of Grace, as the stamina of more than 150 years in the soil transcends the vagaries of the seasons. 2013 is magnificently polished, as layers of signature exotic spice weave seamlessly with glossy black cherry and succulent satsuma plum fruit, supported gently by fine, silky tannins. This is a vintage ready to entice from the outset.
DUTSCHKE SINGLE BARREL ST JAKOBI VINEYARD BLOCK 75 SHIRAZ PRESSINGS 2015
96 POINTS // $130
Wayne Dutschke’s Shiraz pressings take his estate to an all new level and – crucially – not only in depth of black fruits and sheer presence but also in mouth-filling, silky tannin texture, unnerving persistence and vibrant, fragrant, floral lift. The result is thrillingly captivating and one of the finest he has made. Just 400 bottles
– join the queue.
PETER LEHMANN STONEWELL SHIRAZ 2013
95 POINTS // $100
Stonewell presents Barossa presence with enduring structure, and 2013 exemplifies its black fruit body and gamey, northern Barossa personality. Firm, fine, dry tannins rise to the challenge, propelled by 15 months in French oak. It’s as age worthy as ever. Patience.
PETER LEHMANN WIGAN EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2013
95 POINTS // $35
The zest and zing of Eden Valley Riesling defines a style that juxtaposes electric energy with commanding fruit confidence, evolving ever so slowly into the spicy, honeyed allure of five years of age. This is a powerful Wigan with the acid line and length for the long-haul.
DUTSCHKE ST JAKOBI SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2015
95 POINTS // $42
2015 was a record early vintage in the Barossa (and the fastest to finish!) and Wayne Dutschke made the gamble to be the first to pick. He nailed it, and the evidence is the bright lift, fruit definition and acid drive that define one of his greatest St Jakobis yet. Black fruit depth lingers very long amidst firm, finely crafted tannin structure that promises great longevity.
ST HUGO COONAWARRA BAROSSA VALLEY CABERNET SHIRAZ 2013
93 POINTS // $58
The bright rose petal lift and redcurrant tang of Coonawarra Cabernet is well supported by the supple blue fruits, spice and fleshy balance of Barossa Shiraz in the ripe 2013 vintage, culminating in a long finish of firm, fine tannins that promise a great future.
THE THIEF BAROSSA VALLEY GRENACHE SHIRAZ MATARO 2016
92 POINTS // $25
A spicy and textural style with smoky barrel complexity and a long finish of fine supple tannins. A lovely contrast between bright fruit core and savoury complexity, this is a juicy and drinkable blend that
ticks every box as a crowd-pleasing style.
HAYES FAMILY WINES BAROSSA VALLEY REGIONAL SERIES MATARO 2017
91 POINTS // $26
Brett Hayes describes 2017 as a season more about elegance than raw power, and his Ebenezer Mataro captures this mood precisely. Primary red cherry, blackberry and strawberry fruits are graced with soft, supple tannins and just a hint of earthy character to confirm that this is truly Mataro. A great value red in a friendly and fruity style to enjoy in its youth.
SEPPELTSFIELD PARA CENTENARY 1918 (100ML)
99 POINTS // $700
In sheer concentration and complexity, Para Centenary is impossible to compare with anything else in the world, and futile to describe in mere mortal comparisons. 1918 represents a deeply spicy vintage of dry, savoury intrigue that holds for minutes on the palate. An experience everyone should have at least once.
ST HALLETT OLD BLOCK SHIRAZ 2014
96 POINTS // $100
With old vines taking the rain events of 2014 in their stride, Old Block represents a standout of the season. Barossa Valley (almost two-thirds) provides depth of blackberry and blueberry fruit, while Eden Valley lends lift and layers of exotic spice. The result is bright, long, and age worthy.
TURKEY FLAT VINEYARDS MATARO 2017
94 POINTS // $32
Here’s proof that Mataro is capable of impeccable ripeness and beautiful allure without booming alcohol or looming oak. Just eight months in French oak puncheons tones its black and red fruits eloquently. It’s fragrant, medium-bodied, spicy, finely structured and downright delicious.
TURKEY FLAT VINEYARDS BAROSSA VALLEY WHITE MARSANNE VIOGNIER ROUSSANNE 2017
93 POINTS // $25
Ravishing in all the textural and characterful complexity of whole bunch pressing, extended skin contact and partial new oak maturation, this is a blend that upholds the character of its three varieties with magnificent precision. To achieve all this with crunch, zest, vibrancy and persistence takes wizardry indeed. The result is one of the best warm climate white blends going.
ST HALLETT FAITH SHIRAZ 2016
92 POINTS // $20
A beautifully affordable Barossa Shiraz and always a reliable quaffer. Tangy dark berry fruits are well underlined by bright acidity and fine, well crafted tannins. A credit to Toby Barlow and his team’s ability not only to blend seamlessly but to manage tannins eloquently, even in sizeable production volume.
ROCKFORD EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2015
92 POINTS // $24
The assemblage of three key Eden Valley vineyards, this three-year-old Riesling presents a great contrast between the tension of cool, high acidity, the exotic lift of guava and mandarin and the subtle honey nuances of bottle maturity. Lees age in tank has heightened its texture.
WHISTLER GET IN MY BELLY BAROSSA VALLEY GRENACHE 2017
92 POINTS // $35
Playing tactically into the crucial food-matching void between Rosé and dry reds, this perky little Grenache has been delicately tuned for fragrance, freshness, tang and deliciousness. Just a touch of whole bunch (7%), judicious time on skins and restrained oak for texture only (old puncheons for six months) makes for a crunchy style of pretty strawberry and raspberry fruit. Clever new wave Barossa Grenache.
WHISTLER FIND YOUR ROOTS BAROSSA VALLEY MATARO 2017
91 POINTS // $35
The new generation has stepped up at Whistler and the result is a range of fresh, juicy reds that champion fragrance and liveliness before alcohol, oak and impact. Bring it on! Wild ferment, foot stomping, a touch of whole bunch and old oak maturation are all a part of the recipe, but the focus remains resolutely on crunchy young fruit and fragrant allure.
TORBRECK WOODCUTTER’S ROUSANNE VIOGNIER MARSANNE 2017
91 POINTS // $23
It’s great to see a Barossa floor white from Rhône varieties achieving such freshness and vibrancy. Stone fruits and spice with lemon and mandarin notes carry with bright acidity and finely structured persistence. It’s varietal and focused, bright and impressive.
TORBRECK BAROSSA VALLEY HARRIS GRENACHE 2016
91 POINTS // $50
From bush vines in the Harris vineyard in Marananga, this is a Grenache that unites rose hip and dried herb aromas with ripe mulberry fruit, culminating in a warm and bright finish of finely textured tannin structure. Classic Barossa Grenache of fruity approachability and food-matching dexterity.
WOODS CRAMPTON SINGEL VINEYARD EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2017
91 POINTS // $21
A spicy and full Eden Valley Riesling that contrasts the concentration of a late season with the tension of cool nights. It’s characterful and intense, layered with kaffir lime, granny smith apple and layers of spice. Fleshiness is balanced by some fine phenolic grip on the finish.
ROCKFORD FRUGAL FARMER 2016
90 POINTS // $23
Lift, freshness and spice are the aim here, achieved by picking Grenache and Mataro early and fermenting them on ex-Rosé Alicante skins. The result is a pretty, fresh and lively lunchtime red of lifted rose petal aromatics and white pepper, underlined by tangy morello cherry fruit and finely textured tannins. It’s bright, lively and food-versatile.
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