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Coonawarra graziers have access to the finest soils for viticulture. Doug Balnaves was born in the very heart of Coonawarra, quite near the sacred cricket pitch at Penola. An accomplished herdsman and shearer, Balnaves took up the challenge of planting vineyards in 1971. Working under the tutelage of legendary Coonawarra winemaker Bill Redman, Balnaves immersed himself in the culture of the vine, ultimately establishing a grande marque of Coonawarra and securing the inaugural presidency of the Coonawarra Vignerons Association. He remains a lifelong member of the Penola Pipe Band. For those who like their wines structured yet satin, powerful yet prettily perfumed, in the mouthfillingly muscular Coonawarra way, the Balnaves brand endures in the tradition of world class vintages grown to Terra Rosa soils, enriched by generations of happy and healthy Coonawarra sheep.. The old sheep shearer's shanty»
Heirloom Vineyards were born of love. A romance between an esteemed wine judge and his protege, consumated by a shared passion to preserve the integrity of venerable old vineyards. A deference for the sanctity of the soil and adherence to the timeless procedures of organic viticulture, were an integral part of the vision. Their parching quest, to secure some grand old blocks of vine in the elder precincts of Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra, Barossa and Valley Eden, were followed by years of corrective husbandry, pencil label releases and bespoke vintages. The fostered old vines have now been resurrected, yielding treasured harvests of the most sublime new world wine. Recipients of prestigious Platinum Award & Best Shiraz Trophy Sommelier International, Double Gold China Wine & Spirit, Gold USA and San Francisco International, Adelaide Hills Chardonnay of Year and Best Barossa.. Serenading sleeping vineyards to life»

Irvine Springhill Merlot CONFIRM VINTAGE

Merlot Eden Barossa South Australia
For quite some time, Jim Irvine pondered whether it would be practicable to make a splendid Merlot wine available at an entry pricepoint. It came down to the wine industry press to convince Irvine that the timing was right to release a Merlot which showed what the flagship Irvine estate wines were really all about. Springhill is made from grapes which are ripened longer than usual, accentuating depth of flavour, while adding more fruit. All this brings about the excellent, soft but full bodied texture and mouthfeel, advancing an argument for the hegemony of Merlot.
Available by the dozen
Case of 12
$275.00
Springhill Vineyard has its own terroir, acid soils and mostly gravels, where the fruit can ripen late through cooler autumn temperatures. The good natural rainfall, the high level drainage and the tough growing conditions all come together to give this terroir it's unique personality. Around a backbone of Springhill Merlot, Irvine have assembled parcels from the Eden and Barossa Valleys, to create a wine that's generous with velvet opulence and plum cherry richness. A year's maturation in fine French oak, infuses the palate with warm complexity, while mellowing the wine into a seamless expression of Eden Valley Merlot.
Dark red purple colour. Springhill shows distinctive varietal characters on the nose and big flavours to the palate. Pronounced spice, a level of bay leaf, olives and thyme, wrapped around a core of dark red fruit, plums, turkish delights and chocolate tannins, supported by cocoa vanilla oak and unassuming, passive acid. As a rule, Irvine Merlots are released at least a year older than, the extra time in oak really does work wonders.
Irvine
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Irvine
Irvine represents a super-premium wine brand, a gorgeous vineyard in Eden Valley, South Australia, a truly exciting dream and above all, a grand experience in wine

Irvine is a family name and a family business - the name at the front of the years of hard work and dedication put in by all at Springhill in the Eden Valley, Jim and Marjorie Irvine and winemaker daughter Joanne.

Irvine

Never in 1959 did James Irvine ever think he would one day own his own property in the ranges above the Eden Valley of South Australia. At that time he was with Thomas Hardy & Sons and was responsible for the purchase of grapes from the Eden Valley area for the production of the famous Siegersdorf Riesling. The area greatly impressed the young Jim Irvine, and he dreamed of some day being able to plant his own vineyard there.

Right from the start quality in all aspects of viticulture, winemaking and packaging has been the driving force, and the Irvine Merlots are already recognised the world over as being equal to the finest produced anywhere in Australia. Total dedication to the task and a willingness to fully age wines in Irvines' own maturation system together with a serious and determined approach, has resulted in wines of extraordinary style, depth of flavour, and intensity of varietal character seldom seen.

Hans Irvine (a distant relative) established Great Western, Australia's greatest sparkling wine cellars in 1888. His philosophy to provide sparkling wines and table wines of the highest quality and prestige style was proven and now another Irvine carries this philosophy on in a different way. This Irvine approach has not come overnight. Winemaking experience covers nearly forty years, with Hardy's Siegersdorf, Krondorf, Normans and Lakewood, each having sparkling wine and premium table wine production involved in their overall winemaking.

Irvine

The Irvine Winery's Springhill vineyard has its own terroir - its location, climate, the Barossan culture plus the modern Australian winemaker interpretation of classic styles, pristine varietal expression, and rarity, and we have an understanding of just what this means. Springhill is composed of acid soils, gravels mostly, and later ripening fruit resultant from cooler autumn temperatures.

The good natural rainfall, the high level drainage and the tough growing conditions all come together to give this terroir or regionality. With these then comes the Baronssan character of the vineyard staff. Their care, understanding, love of vineyards and high work ethic bonds together the natural elements and truly completes Springhill terroir. The wines reflect this most clearly in Grand Merlot, Pinot Gris, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and, when on their own, the Eden Crest Merlot portions. Long flavours, multiple nuances, slightly tighter finish, longevity also comes from these conditions of terroir.

Environmentally Springhill vineyard is operated on the minimal input system (MIP) where no spraying takes place as a routine program. Insect and disease monitoring picks up any problems and this then is assessed with no action unless absolutely necessary and then only on a minimum basis.

James Irvine has been winemaker, wine stylist, project manager, wine consultant and marketer of wine at senior levels. He feels that this offers more understanding of the consumers' needs and a wider appreciation of the responsibilities that the winemaker must have towards the consumer. As can be seen from his CV he has been involved in industry matters as well.

Irvine