Clonakilla are one of our nation's most eminent vineyard wineries, a tiny production operation, established by a CSIRO scientist at Murrumbateman, very near Canberra. It turned out to be a fortuitous planting, with a climate not dissimilar to Bordeaux and northern Rhone, the Clonakilla property now occupies a rank next to the mighty Grange on the prestigious Exceptional Langtons Classification, it yields vintages of Australia's most invaluable Shiraz. At $26.99, the estate's entry level belies its stature and excellence within the pantheon of great Australian wine, an essential experience this week for all enthusiasts, a canny choice for shrewd and judicious aspirants of elite new world Shiraz...
Here's what our most picky pundits prefer»
Lindsay McCall's enthusiasm for great wine began in the 1970s, he established his first Mornington plantings in 1985 on the site of a derelict orchard at Red Hill along Paringa Road. From day one, McCall focused on exactingly managing the soils and the vines, after completing his day job as local school teacher. His affinity for the land and astonishing feel for winemaking produced monumental vintages of Pinot Noir, which propelled the exquisite range of Paringa Estate wines to international renown. McCall works closely with Mornington's finest vignerons to nurture better standards of viticulture and deliver finer vintages with each harvest. Limited yields of elite parcels, the artisanal efforts of Paringa Estate are regional icons, weaving the pick of Mornington's fruit into one of our..
Exquisite editions by the master of mornington»
Citrus and stone fruit flavours prevail, the wine shows a creamy texture and fine natural acid. Lock & Key is a reference to ancestors who were brought to New South Wales as convicts aboard Australia's second... More»
Full bodied and tightly structured, the palate exhibits perfect ripeness and brooding richness along with a spine of beautifully integrated acidity and fine tannin that will greatly reward. The view from Struie down towards Dornoch Firth, is as inspiring as the panorama across Barossa's Valley floor from atop... More»
Rich and full flavoured palate, plum and blackberry and fruit jam flavours, chocolates and dusty carob over gentle, soft tannins. Rutherglen is possibly the only productive enclave of world class Durif wines anywhere on earth... More»
The palate is rich and concentrated with sweet fruit and hints of nutmeg. A stately Victorian Cabernet Sauvignon and the Brown Brothers flagship, released at five years of age... More»
Best described as a new world Chablis, the palate is long and lean with citrus, white peach and excellent minerality before a spicy, nutty finish. Lock & Key redefines the style of New South Wales Chardonnay... More»
Planted to a steep north facing slope, under the shades of an ancient sawmill, very near the estuaries Mersey and Don, the measured yields of an elite little vineyard are hand picked for vinification by the illustrious Josef Chromy wineworks at Relbia. Highly specialised with the effusive sparkling styles and aromatic whites, winners Winestate Alternative Varietal of Year, the barriques of Barringwood are percolating parcels of Pinot Noir, which are setting a benchmark for the artisanal boutique estates of Devonport and greater Launceston. Barringwood are grown within a unique mesoclime, the longest growing season in Tasmania, each bottle is remarkable for its expression and articulation of a truly opportune site. There are only a few productive hectares at Barringwood, highly prized & passionately husbanded, a closely cosseted nursery..
Ardour of affection on the apple isle»
Jane Mitchell is one of Clare Valley's leading wine industry identities, Clare Valley Legend and Clare Valley Winemakers Hall of Fame, Centenary Federation of Australia Medal, SA Tourism Commission, Australian Regional Winemakers Forum, Wine Federation of Australia Council and Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Board. Mitchell's largest vineyard is at Watervale, a very bleak place in the middle of winter at pruning time. It is known by the vineyard workers as Alcatraz, a place to do penance in the cold, wind and rain of a Clare Valley winter. Alcatraz only ever yields minimal harvests, source of the most memorable vintages in our nation's..
These old clare valley vines are just getting better»