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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»

Piano Piano Henrys Block Shiraz CONFIRM VINTAGE

Shiraz Beechworth Victoria
Marc Scalzo takes time out from his duties as chief winemaker at Rutherglen Estates to tend his closely coddled Beechworth vines. The two regions share a predisposition to yield structured Shiraz of remarkable purity and finesse, wines that are highly articulate of their very special terroir. The mineral rich hills of Beechworth impart added elegance and a conspicuous measure of Burgundian savoir faire. There are precious few plantings on Harry's Block but they yield the most invaluable fruit, immaculately crafted into the first growth of Beechworth Shiraz.
Available by the dozen
Case of 12
$527.00
Shiraz is hand picked over the course of a single day, grapes are sorted and gently crushed, a large part of the fruit remains uncrushed, a further component is included as whole bunches. Parcels are treated to a traditional open vat fermentation through the action of wild, indigenous vineyard yeasts over the course of a fortnight, gently hand plunged four times daily for optimal extraction of flavour and tannin. Upon completion, batches are pressed and filled to an extravagantly high selection of new French oak barriques for twenty months maturation and bottling after minimal filtration.
Dark scarlet red. A fragrant bouquet of fresh milled pepper and cool climate spice, dark cherries and blueberry notes, minaret of anise and the mineral richness of a splendid terroir. A palate brimming with complex red berries, brambles, cocoa and baking spice over a framework of chalky velvet tannins and seamless, inseparable oak. A refined, lengthy, elegant finish.
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Piano Piano
Traditional vignerons, Marc Scalzo and Lisa Hernan established a homestead vineyard by planting their own Chardonnay and Shiraz vines on a picturesque site in Beechworth

Piano Piano vineyards are located on a highly sought after golden mile amongst some of Beechworth’s most notable wine producers. They focus on making premium, estate grown single vineyard wines, vintages with a strong sense of place. Rather than impose his own personality on the wines, Marc has always strived to let the vineyard tell its own story. Marc started his wine education around the kitchen table at home. His father Mario introduced him to a wide selection of local and Italian wines. After graduating with a Science degree from Monash University and working for IBM for five years, the lure of wine was strong. Marc then studied Wine Science at Charles Sturt University and has many years of practical experience, including seven years as a winemaker at Brown Brothers and vintages at Giaconda, Seresin Estate (NZ), Delegat’s (NZ) and John Gehrig Wines. Marc is also Chief Winemaker at Rutherglen Estates.

Piano Piano

In 1997 Marc planted his first vines with Geoff Simpson at Brangie vineyard in King Valley. Oliver’s Blend, named after their eldest son and Mario’s Blend, named after Marc’s father are from the Brangie Vineyard. After searching for seven years Marc and his wife Lisa purchased their property at Beechworth in 2003. The Beechworth hills are famous for granitic soils and fine cool climate wines. They have since planted Chardonnay in 2006 and Shiraz in 2008. Sophie’s Block Chardonnay was named after their daughter Sophie who was born the year the Chardonnay was planted and similarly Henry’s Block Shiraz was planted, the year their youngest son Henry was born.

The famous Beechworth region is known for its iconic wines. Much of this can be attributed to the altitude, granitic soil and climate. Piano Piano vineyard is located on Beechworth-Wangaratta Road, at an altitude of 400m. The Chardonnay is planted on the southeast facing slope, in deep decomposed granitic top soil over rich clay. Sophie’s Block is situated on the coolest part of the site.

This cooler mesoclimate enhances the delicate but powerful flavours in the grapes. Given its proximity to some of Beechworth’s finest vineyards, the Chardonnay is already showing the exciting potential of this site. Five different clones, including the Bernard clones have been close planted at 1.2m x 2.4m rows to maximise intensity and complexity.

Piano Piano

Piano Piano Shiraz was planted on the northeast facing slope in decomposed granite soils, characterised by white granitic pebbles on the surface of a decomposed granite loam mix. At a depth of one meter the underlying clay is critical to the water holding capacity of the block whilst the granitic soils supply that rare, ethereal quality that makes Henry’s Block Shiraz so special. To enhance the cool climate quality of the fruit, vine rows have been planted in an east west orientation. Four Shiraz clones were selected to add complexity and spice and the vines were also planted at 1.2m x 2.4m. Piano Pianos Beechworth vines complement the King Valley plantings, established in partnership with Geoff Simpson, in the late 1990s.

This property is situated on the banks of the Hurdle Creek in the lower King valley, on a site perfectly situated for growing red wine grapes. The soil profile of sandy loam sitting on a clay base is ideal for controlling vigor. This ensures the grapes are grown under slight stress, thereby decreasing yields and maximising flavour and colour intensity.

Piano Piano