A fine, distinctive blend of 90% Syrah with 10% Cabernet Franc, each from a single vineyard parcel in the Franschhoek valley. A natural approach to winemaking gives a fresh, expressive style with attractively wild berry fruit characters.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Warm and spicy on the nose, aromas of fresh crushed raspberries and black cherry mingle with black pepper, allspice and woodsmoke. 

Palate

The palate has breadth and natural juiciness combining fresh cranberry and red berry fruit with spicy, peppercorn flavours. Best served at cool room temperature.

Production

Wildeberg is our small farm in Franschhoek. Only 10ha can be planted to vines, the rest is wild. The fruit for the Wildeberg wines comes from the Franschhoek Valley only, hand-harvested, naturally-fermented and gently matured in our mountain barrel hall on the farm. A blend of roughly 90% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Franc, both parcels of fruit were hand-harvested then allowed to macerate carbonically without press. These wild ferments were left to themselves with just one daily manual punchdown followed by 12 months ageing in 600 ltr French oak barrels.

Producer

The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.

The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.

A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.

Sustainability

Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.

This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.

Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.

All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.

Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.

Specifications

The second Vielles Vignes project from enigmatic winemaker Faouzi Issa.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose has an exotic mix of ripe fig, bright cranberry and rasberry fruit with notes of liquorice , it’s lifted and pronounced.

Palate

The palate had more beautifully ripe red fruit characters, along side lively fig and date notes, the acidity perfectly balances the generous flavours and leaves a pure, clean finish.

Production

Domaine des Tourelles have a 50 year old block of Carignan in their Amik vineyard in the Bekka Valley. The fruit from here provides an excellent component for the acclaimed Domaine des Tourelles Red, but winemaker Faouzi believed it could produce great wine in it’s own right. This first vintage highlights his belief in the project. The wine only sees concrete during production, being both fermented and aged for 24 months in his old but perfectly formed tanks.

Producer

Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.

Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.

Specifications

A classic cool climate Sauvignon blanc made from grapes grown at high altitude on incredibly steep NE-facing slopes. These low-yielding, windswept vines are determined to survive and produce fruit of incredible flavour concentration.

Beau Constantia is a boutique wine farm situated at the top of Constantia Nek overlooking False Bay. These lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges.

Tasting Notes 

A true reflection of a ‘sense of place’, this wine highlights the incredibly close proximity of Beau Constantia to the cold Atlantic Ocean with its profound minerality. The minerality serves to add flesh to the nervy acidity (high-altitude Sauv Blanc vines and cooling winds) and fine tannin structure (from skin contact and lees contact).

Notes of blackcurrant, ripe granadilla and buchu are complimented by the minerality, lively acid profile and tannin structure.

The Vintage by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe

"2022 was challenging, but challenges are what make a vintage unique, and overcoming them is what makes a vintage meaningful."

Winery

Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.

Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.

The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.

This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.

Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.

Accolades & Awards

• Tim Atkins | 93 points

‘’Two pickings across five different parcels are the building blocks of this blend, made from a pairing of Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon. Wild yeasts and some skin contact, as well as a variety of fermentation vessels, add complexity, mixing notes of nettles, elderflower and oyster shell with a dab of cream.’’

Specifications

Winery

The 2019 Paul Wallace Brave Heart Pinot Noir is our seventh vintage. The name is a tribute to William Wallace, a man of great principle and heart, who we would like to believe is one of our ancestors. It is also a play on the Pinot Noir cultivar’s nickname – the Heart Break grape. Fortunately, our 2019 Pinot Noir offering has once again captured our hearts and is anything but a disappointment. Production was very limited – only 10 barrels / 2400 liters of this vintage were vinified.

Pristine grapes (Clone PN115, Guyot pruned) selected from three different slopes on our farm Wallovale Vineyards, were vinified with much love and gentle attention at the Almenkerk Wine Estate. Whole berry fermented in open fermenters, basket pressed and taken to barrel where it completes malolactic fermentation. After 10 months on wood (20% new wood, 45% second fill, 35% third and fourth fill), the wine was prepared for bottling. Bottling date: 7th February 2020.

Accolade

• National Wine Challenge 2020 - Double Silver
• IWSC 2020 - Bronze Medal
• Michelangelo International Wine Awards – Bronze
• Platter Wine Guide 2021 – 4*

Specifications

 This amazing Pinot Noir is sure to become a delightful part of your daily routine!

Tasting Notes

The Daily August Pinot Noir has a subtle scent of cherry and blueberry, paired with the delicious aromas of cassis and red pepper.

Production

Grapes are hand-picked and then sorted again in the winery. Each parcel is vinified separately. Shortly before bottling the cuvée is assembled. Vinified in barriques in their double stored cellar dug out of the rock and dating from 1792.

Producer

When August Kesseler took over the company founded in 1924 by his parents, he was just 19 years old.

At the time it consisted of a small 2.5ha large-barrel wine business, and he worked hard to achieve the enviable international reputation he enjoys today. Located in the Pinot Noir heartland of Assmannshäusen, in one of the most prestigious wine growing areas for Riesling - the Rheingau, August Kesseler have some of the best Pinot Noir and Riesling sites that the lower and middle Rheingau have to offer spread over 32.5 hectares.

Specifications

Producer

Finca Ambrosia is the story of Argentinian’s wine revolution over the last 20 years where it has moved from big Malbecs to terroir driven fine wines. This revolution started 100kms south of Mendoza City in the Uco Valley, which is only 70km long and 40kms wide. The Andes give the Uco Valley its 2 critical attributes: alluvial soils with high quality and varied terroir and altitude which is unique to Argentina, enabling good acidity and luxurious tannins.

The friends bought land at 1250m in the sub-district of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley’s northern district of Tupungato. At the time the only neighbours were Moët & Chandon and Zapata Catena’s now world-famous Adrianna vineyard. Gualtallary’s terroir has a limestone concentration giving its wines minerality and is considered one of South America’s top terroirs for premium wines.

Finca Ambrosia produces the highest quality malbec, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and cabernet franc gapes from its 59ha and is 1 of only 3 artisanal producers in Gualtallary.

Since first harvest, Finca Ambrosia’s high-quality fruit was in demand from Argentina’s top wineries such as and Trapiche, Altos Los Hormegas and Vina Cobos. In 2010 renowned Argentinian winemaker Daniel Pi was engaged to make wine for the owners, paying him with bottles of the wine. One such bottle came to the attention of Robert Parker in 2012 who awarded it 95 points – an outstanding score for a first vintage!

Daniel Pi remains a key member of the team which has also been supported by Chile’s famous ‘terroirista’ Pedro Parra. Finca Ambrosia now has its own brand and style of interpretation of Gualtallary’s terroir. It has a growing reputation in Argentina and internationally where the soil, natural environment and team’s artisanal work are seen in its wine’s freshness, elegance and fruit purity.

Vintage

 2022 was a long and dry growing season of outstanding quality. Veering on the cooler side of average temperatures, yields were still plentiful, and grapes achieved ideal ripeness throughout a very long cycle. Rainfall was limited, but abundant glacial water and sporadic showers were timed perfectly to help the vine’s balance.  After cooler autumn and ideal growing conditions in February and March, they were able to produce
 wines with remarkable quality.

Viticulture

Soil: Limestone atop quaternary gravels and sand, shaped by wind erosion. Fermentation Vessel: Initial fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, succeeded by a traditional secondary fermentation in the bottle. Ageing: Matured on lees for a period of 12 months.

Specifications

It is a classic modern Chardonnay style, with elegant oak use, and delicate integration and balance. A premium, cool-climate, high-altitude Argentinian Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes

It is a classic modern Chardonnay style, with elegant oak use, and delicate integration and balance. On the nose shows a rather shy personality, with crunch red apple and lemon notes and a subtle smoky and white pepper hint. It is creamily textured on the palate and opens up generously with many layers of apple, pear, and spices. Its very bright acidity makes up for a great Chardonnay expression.

Vintage

Higher and well-distributed rainfall throughout the season was welcomed in 20/21 season after previous years of droughts, yet a hail storm hit hard on our Finca, and our production in volume was reduced significantly. An intensely hot summer was followed by temperatures cooling off slightly just before harvest, allowing the grapes to reach beneficial sugar levels, generous flavour concentration, and a beautifully textured structure. Rains were more intense than average but very well distributed throughout the seasons, providing sufficient water for the vines while keeping moderate yields and excellent health.

History

It was the year 2002 when a group of friends decided to invest in Argentina. They knew little about wine production, but all were passionate wine lovers and excited about the vision of bringing Argentine wines to the world stage. They bought the land that would become Finca Ambrosia and set about turning their idea into reality. At this time, the Gualtallary district began to attract the interest of wine producers, primarily because of its outstanding soil and climate characteristics. Encouraged by the positive forecasts, the friends bought 3 more plots over the years, from which the current winery emerged. Today, Gualtallary is considered the best terroir for producing premium wines in the province of Mendoza.

Specifications

Woori Yallock has gained cult status for Mac and its not hard to see why. 

Only 1,500 bottles produced

Tasting Notes

This is not about fruit, but about structure, with lemon pith, rock salts, pear skin running the taut, vibrant palate, to a humming and saline finish. Very much in youth, this is powerful now, just starting to reveal itself, and will certainly continue to impress over the coming years in your cellar.

The Wine

This is arguably the finest Chardonnay to ever be produced by the hands of Mac Forbes. The Woori Yallock vineyard is Mac's baby. Planted in 1995, the 'School House Block is owned by the Ferguson family. Mac has been working the vineyard since 2012 and the resultant wines have been spectacular. This is a Chardonnay with amazing intensity. It's wound tight but has a glorious generosity of fruit. Oak sits firmly in the background, Mac allowing the site to shine in the glass.

The Vineyard

Sitting behind the Waramate hills, this area encompasses both red volcanic and grey loam soils making it slightly more complicated to pinpoint a clear identity of this subregion. The undulating hills provide protection from the drier winds, the rainfall is slightly higher and the perfume, weight and structure appears more dense and effortless, pulling through seamlessly to the back palate.

De-stemmed and crushed before pressing, partial malo 10 months in old oak, indigenous, no fining, sterile filtration.

About Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.

And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!

Specifications

Its name derives from the average height of the selected parcels for this Blend.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Petit Verdot, Bonarda and Malbec compose this wine that has an intense violet color with black tint.

Nose

In the nose, Petit Verdot brings aromas of blueberries and jasmine while Bonarda adds intense aromas of blackberries and raspberries.

Palate

It stands out for its firm tannins and good volume in the mouth, Malbec offers an attractive structure and a long finish. 

Vineyards

In our Finca El Alto in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, we chose the stoniest plots that have the presence of Calcium carbonate, to plant the Petit Verdot at 1030 meters above sea level. In the lowest part of the same vineyard, at about 908 meters of height we have Bonarda, it has the most clay dominate soil with gravel and pebbles. The yield per hectare is 7 to 10 tons, and the irrigation is by drip. The climate of this is farm characterized by its warm days and cool nights, with a thermal amplitude of 14 ° C and an average annual rainfall of 250 mm. The training system used is double cordon. At Doña Paula we have always managed our vineyards with sustainable farming practices.

Vinification

The harvest begins with Malbec at the end of March, then the Petit Verdot in the first week of April and Bonarda in the middle of the same month. A manual harvest and a destemming without breaking grains is carried out. Traditional elaboration of each variety is carried out separately we call it of minimal intervention in cement eggs. After the alcoholic fermentation, the blend is made to begin the short aging in the same cement egg and immediately after malolactic fermentation has finished, the wine is bottled to keep the fruity and floral aromas in their freshest possible state.

Awards

• 91 points - Robert Parker
• 92 points - Tim Atkins Argentia Report

Specifications

Rare museum release of Tasmanian Riesling from the Mac Forbes cellar. This is a glorious wine drinking right at its peak! It's not often that you come across Australian Riesling with this amount of bottle age but when you do, you should jump at the chance.

Tasting Notes

Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!

It's a Riesling crafted in 2010 from Tasmania. It's off-dry in style with just 20 grams/litre of residual sugar. The balance as a young wine must have been spot on because it's in a magic spot at the moment.

The intense acidity this showed as a young wine has softened, the fruit has blossomed in the bottle, it's honeyed and absolutely at its drinking peak right now. 

About Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.

And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!

Specifications

Crisp, aromatic and organically alive — Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Notes 

Bright, tangy and bursting with Marlborough freshness. Aromas of green apple, nettle, lemongrass and a touch of juniper lead into a medium‑bodied palate with sharp, lively acidity. A flinty, mineral edge adds tension and drive, finishing clean and refreshing. 

Producer

Established in 1985, the Glover Family Vineyards have inspired the family’s 
passion for wine. This family-owned Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 
expresses the ethereal, aromatic, and structural flair of the Dillons Point 
Sub-Region in Marlborough, New Zealand.  
10 years after launching the wine brand Zephyr, Ben and his wife Susie have 
transitioned 17Ha of the family vineyard to organic farming practices.  By carrying the bio-bro certified organic logo - we are continuing Zephyr’s journey to express the true flavours of our family farm, while having an emphasis on wine growing through soil health, biodiversity, regenerative farming, and ultimately mindful consumption. 

Production

Crafted from organically farmed vineyards in Marlborough’s Dillon’s Point, where cool coastal breezes and long sunshine hours shape intensely aromatic fruit. The grapes are harvested in the cool of night to preserve freshness, then gently pressed to protect purity and aromatics. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel using selected yeasts to enhance vibrancy, with a small portion matured on fine lees to add texture and subtle complexity. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that balances bright, zesty fruit with a clean, mineral‑driven profile.

 Specifications

A striking Ukrainian white wine!

Tasting Notes

A structured palate with pears in honey, apples, almonds in caramel, floral and spices.  Full bodied which finishes with a clean lingering freshness.

Specifications

This wine is truly exciting showcasing the incredible potential of McLaren Vale Grenache.

Tasting Notes 

Forgotten IDA Grenache is light crimson in colour, generous raspberry and rhubarb tart bouquet with subtle fruit sweetness and creamy but textured palate.

History

The closest vineyard to the sea in Australia, the Lost Buoy vines grow within 50 meters of the cliff edge, high above the rolling waves of the Great Southern Ocean. The maritime influence refreshes the vines to create a naturally healthy growing environment.

The Lost Buoy vineyard is planted with eight acres of Grenache and seven acres of Shiraz vines. With an average age of 15 years, the vines’ roots are anchored deep into the Pliocene Hallett Cove Sandstone and Burnham Limestone of the cliff head, bringing an intricate minerality to the wines. The elemental growing conditions and shallow soils produce a humble yield of perfectly balanced fruit, on average just 1.5 to 2 tonnes per acre.

Winemaker, Matt O’Leary, is on deck to steer the fruit through the winemaking process, producing a fleet of wines to showcase and respect the distinctive characters of the grapes and where they are grown.

Now that the Lost Buoy vineyard has been found again, the vines speak clearly of the ocean they overlook, producing wines with elegance, vitality, crisp maritime acidity and earthy mineral complexity.

Specifications

A wine is only bottled under the Waterkloof label when one of the vineyard blocks on the Schapenberg offers up something extraordinary. This fourth such release from a great vintage for reds is a wonderfully complex Bordeaux blend, predominantly Cabernet Franc.

Tasting notes

Sublimely complex aromas of redcurrant, plum and red cherry with cedary spice and a hint of pencil shaving. The predominance of Cabernet Franc gives a wine of subtlety and elegance with lifted berry fruit and a supple, finely structured mid palate. Firm yet fine tannins frame the spicy, ethereal finish.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Straw yellow in colour.

Nose

Made in the oxidative style, citrus compote with touch of botrytis and fine oak nuances. 

Palate

Complex wine with a serious mid palate and length. 

Vintage

A better crop compared to 2019, owing to favourable post-harvest conditions and moderate temperatures during ripening.

Vinification

Grapes were picked at 20°C, gentle crushed and was cold macerated on the skins for 8 hours before pressing. The juice was left to settle for two days and racked to barrel. Using only wild yeast, fermentation occurred over an 8-day period. The wine spent 36 months in a 3rd fill 500L French oak barrel.

Accolades

• Gold Medal - Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2023 

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Megan van der Merwe, the brilliant young winemaker at Beau Constantia, set out to make the Stella with ‘the absolute intention to preserve the site that grew the fruit’. The Syrah and Viognier for this wine grow side by side on one of the farm’s lower lying slopes – both varietals are picked together, when the Syrah is ripe, meaning that the Viognier hangs on the vine until it is a little raisined, adding a rich honey-like component to the wine. 18 months in French oak (only 28% new) adds complexity to the wine.

Floral notes of violet, spicy black pepper, dried herbs and fresh red fruit – cherry and pomegranate – are held together by savoury fine tannin. Epic! 

Winery

Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.

Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.

The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.

This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.

Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.

Accolades & Awards

• 93pts | Platter's 2023
• Tim Atkin 90pts

“Stella is a Côte Rôtie style co-fermentation of Syrah with 0.05% (yes, really) Viognier and 52% whole bunches. Very much a cool climate style, it has aromas of dried herbs and white pepper, savoury tannins, perfumed 28% new wood and bright red cherry and pomegranate fruit.”

Specifications

This is the Barossa reimagined. An exuberant outpouring of energy, captured within a sculptured framework that reflects the rugged yet beautiful landscape of its conception.

Tasting Notes

A deliciously vibrant style of Barossa Shiraz with succulent raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, hints of spice and elegant, glossy texture.

Production

Joel Mattschoss' Eden Valley vineyard provides the majority of the fruit. This spectacular vineyard is planted on some of the most difficult, meagre soils of any we have seen. Littered with boulders composed of ironstone and pink quartz, it is a truly challenging site. Vineyards are trellised, cordon trained and spur pruned.  This wine is all about great fruit, picked at the right time. Frequent vineyard walks determines exactly the right time, the fruit full of energy. Wild fermented, using some whole bunch inclusion play their role in ensuring that this wine is full of bright, fleshy fruit with great texture and spice. Aged in French oak for 6 to 8 months prior to bottling.

Producer

Thistledown was founded by Master of Wine, Giles Cooke who had a vision for a more elegant, textural interpretation of Australian wine.

Initial explorations resulted in access to many of the best vineyards, many of which were the previously unloved Old Vine Grenache. Incredible, historic fruit sources coupled with Giles’ increasingly adept efforts has quickly resulted in a reputation for being amongst the best in the country. Narrating the stories of these wines to an increasingly attentive global audience is Giles’ heartfelt commitment and mission.

Specifications