An 'Aladdin's Cave of Wines await you here!
2022 Rag and Bone Riesling
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The rationale behind this label is a quirky one! Our product manager found out that due to the tiny production of a particular wine, half the vineyard fruit was to be discarded....so he stepped in to say we would be interested to play with this other half given the quality of the wine over previous years. This lead to thinking about up-cycling the near-discarded, how one man’s trash is another man’s treasure etc and whilst humming over a potential moniker for the wine, God’s honest truth, a rag & bone van parked up outside his house calling for any old iron etc. Albeit a man in a white van, rather than horse & cart, the name stuck. The label reflects a collection of discarded items that together make up an eclectic assortment greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose classically expresses the vineyard... it's like having a fresh lime in your hand that you crush gently over minerals... literally lime on the rocks!!
Palate
The palate is bright, zingy, singing with natural acidity and really textural. It reflects the vineyard with its fine sandy texture with really bright, white pithy fruit. Just a cracking Eden Valley Riesling!
Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver IWC 2018 - 2017 vintage
- Gold IWC 2017 - 2016 vintage
- Silver IWSC 2016 - 2015 vintage
Production
Eden Valley Riesling is prized for its vibrancy, purity and longevity and has produced many of Australia’s greatest Rieslings. The fruit for Rag & Bone is sourced from Binder’s single-vineyard, high up on the Eastern side of Eden Valley. Warm days and cool nights ensure that the grapes develop ripe, intense fruit flavours whilst retaining appealing zing and acidity. The fruit was delivered to the winery immediately after harvesting in the cool hours of the morning, then processed very gently through our tank press. Free run and pressing portions were determined by Christa, using her vast experience with this variety. A Ratafia style wine was made from the pressings and the free-run juice was used to make this wine. The juice was cold settled and 3 days later the clear juice was transferred into fermentation tanks. Bottling took place in the middle of June.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Well suited to seafood dishes, spicy cuisine and anytime in the company of those who enjoy a quality riesling! Try chili prawns, green Thai curry, fish and chicken laksa (with chili, coconut, ginger and lime). |
Origin | Eden Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Soldier’s Block Malbec
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Warm, soft and lusciously lush this is juicy, crunchy and bright.
Tasting Notes
Black aromatic Malbec, with notes of black cherry fruit and flavours of summer pudding. Charming, soft, sumptuous but with a core grip and power that gives it length and the muscles for food.
Production
All the Malbec fruit comes from an estate in the Swan Hill region where there are 5 hectares of Malbec (approximately 12.5 acres which produces 90 tonnes of fruit per vintage). The Malbec are on their own roots and were planted in 2000. With the age of the vines and the harsh growing conditions, the Malbec vines are less vigorous which leads to a more intense colour and flavour. The vines are trained on a two wire vertical trellis, drip irrigation and minimum fertilisation. All the vines are machine harvested at night between mid to late March and grown on red sandy loam soil with limestone clay base. Climate is Mediterranean with summer temperatures between 30 and 40°C. Total vineyard area is 1250 acres. Once the grapes have been crushed pressed and sent to the fermenter, the winery then pumps over 4 times a day. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks at 25°C for three weeks. Malolactic fermentation takes place over 4 weeks. 50% of the blend is aged in French and American oak barriques for 3 months.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Malbec |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2020 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Great with rich and hearty food. Try me with a rich casserole or roasted Mediterranean vegetables |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | South Australia |
2019 Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Cabernet Shiraz Merlot
Regular price £18.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Excellent colour and mid-density.
Nose
Being 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz it is more of the classic Aussie blend Cabernet/Shiraz. Lifted dark fruit and cedar notes on the nose. Riper dark fruit aromas than previously vintages, due to a warm year in McLaren Vale.
Palate
The vanillin oak background adds extra lift to the dark cherry/plum aromas, and finishes with a ripe tannin mouthfeel. Turkish delight and dark chocolate from the Shiraz component, makes this a very enjoyable Cricket Pitch blend.
Vinification
Winemaker Comments
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and highquality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Shiraz, 11% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Pairs well with rich seafood, pasta and light meat dishes. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2022 Soldier’s Block Shiraz
Regular price £9.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Soft supple Victorian Shiraz, dangerously moreish by the glass.
Tasting Notes
Bright, aromatic and juicy on the nose with just a touch of naughty bacon fat. True to the varietal, the tiny proportion of Malbec in this blend gives a flowery perfume. This vintage is our brightest, most dangerously drinkable Shiraz to date due to its fine, bright fruit and soft silky elegance.
Production
Our Shiraz is sourced from ancient Victorian soils in order to achieve a wine with greater finesse, purity and structure as well as typical eucalypt flavours and saline finish associated with the area. Picked at night and crushed within an hour of picking before being sent to the fermentation tanks. The Shiraz grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled tanks maintained at 22 - 25ºC to avoid extracting any harsh tannins, with the fermentations pumped over to extract good colour. 20% of the final blend is barrel aged. The winemaker also added 5% Malbec at the end of the whole process - a sneaky technique that gives a mulberry fruit twist on the finish.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2020 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Drink with Moroccan lamb tagine, roast vegetables and hard cheeses. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | South Australia |
2017 Mac Forbes 'Hugh' Cabernet Blend
Regular price £66.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Gentlemen (and ladies), grab your Claret, for the game is afoot. Wonderful, sophisticated wine." Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
Mac's much-loved Cabernet blend named in honour of his father. An Australian Bordeaux.
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!
The Wine
Mac Forbes believes the Yarra Valley's best wine is, in fact, the Cabernet blend, rather than Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. He's been inspired by the likes of Mount Mary where he worked for many years, and this blend, named after Mac's father Hugh, is every bit the highly fragrant, medium-bodied and elegant style of Bordeaux blend the region is famous for.
The 2016 season in the Yarra Valley brought lovely ripeness to the Cabernet et. al. in this blend and has resulted in one of Mac's best releases of the wine to date. This site offering perhaps a little more 'flesh' on release than previous versions of Hugh. If you like your Cabernet blends in a more subtle and elegant style, this is simply stunning. Only made in tiny quantities and just a pleasure to drink.
The "Hugh" Cabernet Blend
The Bordeaux blend is still arguably the most successful of all grapes or blends from the Yarra Valley. At relatively low alcohols the wines are elegant, perfumed and ripe. While approachable as a young wine – the 2017 Hugh will age gracefully for twenty plus years. In this wine Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety and is complimented by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The Vintage
2017 started slowly and took a more leisurely stroll through to harvest in March. Punctuated with regular rainfall and a moderate warmth, 2017 was a gorgeous season with near-perfect conditions for ripening fruit. Low sugars and higher acids dancing with glorious fruit weight define 2017.
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
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec. |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2030. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 15 months old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Glen, Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2022 Smalltown Vineyards The Black Craft Shiraz
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Germans were the first free immigrants into Australia in the 1850s onwards. They planted Shiraz in Barossa. Germans also invented letterpress in the 1500s. The suspicion around the “magick” of a printing press coupled with the inky hands of the printers meant that the art became known as the Black Craft. The wine is an homage to both the German influence of the oldest wine-making in Australia, as well as the letterpress.
Tasting Notes
A compelling, dark and rich chocolately beast. A classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness, this is serious Shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, a touch of cocao powder in the finish and tremendous length.
Production Method
This Shiraz is sourced from the finest available vineyard sites across the premium Northern Barossa Valley including for the most part Greenock, Western Ridge and Ebenezer. Aged 11 months in a variety of oaks, all American and French, new and old, around 35% new. All oaks were AP John, Barossa coopered. As usual withSmalltown, it was fermented in open fermenters. They don’t set the blades too close together during crushing so a fair bit of whole berry in the ferment which gives the wine generous fruit and soft tannins.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | As the name implies, black is the key - anything chargrilled would be superb here, so think griddle pans and barbecues! |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa |
2021/2022 Peculiar Mr Pat Merlot
Regular price £8.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Bright, plush, deeply tasty Merlot from Riverland vineyards, this is abundant in freshly picked red fruit with a soft tannic profile and a long, moreish finish.
Production
The Merlot grapes that make this wine were grown in the glorious Australian sunshine. Merlot thrives along the banks of Australia’s largest river, the Murray, near the bustling inland town of Mildura, in the middle of Australia’s food bowl. A Mediterranean climate, with plenty of sunshine, we carefully tend the vines and enrich the ancient, sandy soils with recycled organic matter from other crops that also thrive locally, to make the most of every precious drop of water. Speckled light reaches through lush green vine canopies to ensure the berries ripen steadily throughout late summer in time for harvest in Autumn.
Producer
Quintessentially Australian, this range offers consistent quality, hugely appealing, commercial wine styles that have gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of Australia, our wines capture ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.
Boutinot's Samantha Bailey brings her signature palate and decades of experience to finessing our components into the loveliest Boutinot expressions of Oz.
Specifications
Year | 2021/2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | This wine can be enjoyed with a wide range of meat dishes, and minimal winemaking intervention means that this wine can also be enjoyed, guilt-free by Pescatarians, Vegetarians and Vegans. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian and Vegan Approved |
Origin | South East Australia |
2021 Soldier’s Block Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
This vibrant Chardonnay exhibits lifted fruit character, bright tangerine fleshiness, textural mouthfeel, a bright palate and a long and foodie finish. The judicious blend of oaked Chardonnay adds palate weight and texture without overwhelming the fruit.
Production
Long-standing working relationships with some key growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Australian house wines with true style and character. Grapes are picked earlier than usual to ensure balance and freshness in the final wine. Harvesting took place in the early dawn hours when it’s still cool and calm which helps retain the rich characters within these grapes. Once in the cellar, they are gently crushed to maintain the bright, fresh flavours crucial to the clonal tang. Around 15% of the grapes are sourced from the cooler, sea breeze-influenced Langhorne Creek area. This portion is barrel-aged in French medium toast casks to obtain a more complex, textural and weighty style of wine. It is then added to the greater part of the blend which is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to retain the fresh fruit characters.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Soldiers block is a new (affordable) range to us – and the Chardonnay certainly under promises and over-delivers. I say underpromises as the label is pretty underwhelming and gives nothing away about the beauty of the wine within.
This is made from rich, ripe fruit from Victoria with a percentage matured in French oak which gives a creamy, more textural mouthful. Add to that incredible balance and juicy acidity and you have an overall great wine – a real crowd pleaser and one of our most popular whites which tells me our customers have great palates!" Jan 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Full-flavoured fish such as trout or halibut or chicken in a light creamy sauce. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Good Luck Club' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Summer pudding reaches from the glass, there is an abundance of blackberry and cassis fruit with a naughty creaminess of oak that marries on the palate for a bold pastiche of old vine Barossa Cabernet.
Production
The Smalltown block was purchased in 2016, 40 hectares of 28-year-old Shiraz and Cabernet in the premium Ebenezer District of the Barossa Valley. This wine was aged in new and tertiary French oak for 24 months. The oak lends a subtle texture and structure to the fruit leaving the palate fresh so this is a bright, varietal Cab that wears its oak lightly as a structural veil rather than anything more monstrous.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Awards
- 2020 IWC Bronze (2017 Vintage)
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is a cracker - loads of red berry and blackcurrant aromas and flavours with a structural creaminess as scaffolding in the background. Balance, complexity and length are all perfect - a real well put together glass of wine - sublime and great value at £13.99" Tasted Dec 2021.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It’s lovely with steak tartare, seared tuna, roast Mediterranean veg and some crunchy, matured hard cheese. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2019 Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Directors’ Cut is Heartland’s most powerful expression of Langhorne Creek’s classic varietals. Only the best fruit makes the “cut”.
Tasting Notes
In appearance, an opaque mulberry core softens to a thin crimson rim. The nose is blackberry jam with complimentary aromas reminiscent of a Turkish spice bazaar. The palate offers purple fruit with hints of refreshing rosewater and rich aniseed. The finish is long and refreshing.
Vinification
The grapes are selected from some of the best Shiraz vineyards in the region. These vineyards are chosen for the consistent intensity and texture of the fruit. The strictest pruning techniques are used. The fruit for Directors’ Cut Shiraz was harvested at night and then crushed to small open top stainless-steel fermenters. After 24 hours of skin contact fermentation was commenced with our Rhône isolate yeast. Following 10 days of cool fermentation on skins and pumped over 3 times daily, the wine was transferred to French and American oak hogsheads for 12-14 months maturation. In the 2019 vintage we have limited ourselves to 40% new oak to ensure the fruit remained the focus.
Vintage
Ben reckons this might be the finest vintage he has ever seen from Langhorne Creek. Only time will tell. Harvest was more generous than the previous few years, with above average quantity and quality. Total degree days were up from the last three years, with wonderful ripeness levels recorded leading to amazing fruit intensity. This may supersede the 2012 vintage for overall quality and has led to a very happy winemaker.
Information on Heartland Wines
Heartland Wines is a joint venture from industry veterans and lifelong mates Ben Glaetzer (of Glaetzer Wines fame) and Nick Keukenmeester in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. From its inception in 1999, Heartland’s ethos has been to create wines of balance, texture and a distinctive Australian identity, with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Langhorne Creek’s exceptional terroir is the soul of Heartland. One of Australia’s oldest viticultural regions, the area is unique in South Australia due to its cool maritime climate and significant diurnal range. The resulting long growing season, along with ancient alluvial soils, makes it particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Many local growers have been cultivating the variety for generations, which explains the prevalence of old vines; Langhorne Creek boasts the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world. In addition to purchasing old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the region’s top growers, Heartland has also experimented successfully with plantings of Dolcetto and Lagrein, which make up a few of their unique blends. Sustainability is the cornerstone of Heartland’s approach to viticulture: they encourage plantings of indigenous trees, grasses and bushes, practice rational water management, and eschew chemical treatments in the vineyards. They even have a herd of goats to keep the weeds down. Heartland’s wines are made at Ben Glaetzer’s Barossa Vintners winery in Tanunda, Barossa. Completed in 1995, Barossa Vintners is a purpose-built, pioneering solar-powered and gravityfed winery. Here Ben Glaetzer takes his characteristic minimum-intervention approach, with gentle handling and long, cool fermentations to guarantee freshness, elegance and drinkability in the wines. The whole range truly reflects the terroir of the region and demonstrates the stylistic differences that can be achieved in this beautiful area of Australia
Accolades
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Infomation | Contains Sulphites |
Cellaring | 15 years + |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Langhorne Creek |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Glaetzer Wallace
Regular price £19.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant purple with bright red hues.
Nose
Wild cherries with a hint of blueberry and rose petal.
Palate
Upfront red berry fruit, midpalate richness and brightness from the Grenache. Finishes fresh and long.
Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way. The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.
Vineyards
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 year old Shiraz and 50—100 year old Grenache. Yield 3.5 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage Conditions
A wet winter and spring coupled with cooler than average spring temperatures resulted in slower yet balanced canopy development and healthy flowering and fruit set. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed allowing the fruit to be in no rush to mature, perfect for consistent ripening. Harvest commenced a few weeks later than recent years. The 2017 wines are of excellent quality exhibiting purity and lift with firm tannins and exceptional length.
Vinification
Old vine Barossa Grenache has a liveliness and structure that does not benefit from oak maturation—oak contact was thus minimised for the Grenache component to preserve the purity and animation of the fruit. The Shiraz was matured for 16 months in 2—3 year old oak hogshead barrels (80% French / 20% American).
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, sitespecific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
2018 Wallace from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 72% Shiraz and 28% Grenache |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | A wine to enjoy in its youth that will also develop additional complexity over 6 to 8 years of cellaring. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz from a great year that will reward for many years.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Superb colour with dark red and purple hues.
Nose
Lifted aromas of red fruit and ginger spice. While there is some oak, it is very much in the background.
Palate
Soft entry on the palate, fine tannins and perfect acid carry through to the finish. A typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz that will give drinking pleasure now and over the long term.
Vinification
Winemaker Comments
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Very enjoyable over the medium term, and will reward long term cellaring |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Veal, duck and cheese. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2020/21 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Outstanding value Pinot Noir from one of the Yarra Valley's most loved small producers.
Tasting Notes
A stunning vintage with near-perfect conditions during flowering and fruit set.
Colour
Semi-translucent red colour with a light red hue.
Nose
Fragrant violet, red cherry, strawberry and subtle anise aromas are intermeshed with dried herbs, forest floor and spice.
Palate
Fresh and light in weight the palate has a savoury profile of red cherries and delicate rhubarb over forest floor, infusions of fresh herbs and spice. Bright finish with polished tannins and an elegant aftertaste.
"Our philosophy towards pinot is to look after the detail, keep it simple and respect the fruit. The onus is on fruit quality and balance and not on winemaking solutions or corrections. For us winemaking is an extension of the vineyard where we aim to capture the fruit expression and carry this through to bottle. We pick when the fruit is ripe but still crunchy to taste. The Yarra Valley Pinot is a blend of our declassified barrels from each of our single-vineyard wine." Mac Forbes, Owner/Winemaker
About the Wine
Mac Forbes is passionate about Pinot Noir, and his 'Yarra Valley' release is the perfect way to get to know his unique style. It comes from declassified portions of Mac's six single-vineyard Pinots, taking on characters of each to present a beautifully balanced wine that reflects what quality Yarra Pinot is all about.
This gives the drinker an immediate insight into what Mac Forbes Pinot Noir is all about. He stands for quality, and this characterful Pinot this is sensational value. Tiny volumes were made so get in quick!
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
Year | 2020/21 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
11.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2022-27. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
The Yarra Valley Pinot is a blend of fruit from Coldstream, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, and Gladysdale vineyards.
|
Appellation | Victoria |
2021 Dry River Chardonnay (187ml Single Serve)
Regular price £1.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The rivers of Australia help to irrigate the vineyards. Although water is important; the drier the river the better the concentration of flavours in our wines. We are working in close partnership with a family-owned winery, which prides themselves on producing consistent and good quality wines. After harvest, our wine buyer traveled to Australia to specially select these wines for this range.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light straw in colour
Nose
Dry River Chardonnay displays an enticing nose of peach, citrus and lemon aromas.
Palate
The tropical fruit flavours and luscious mouth feel mid-palate complement each other to deliver a deliciously rounded wine with a crisp and clean finish, balanced nicely by acidity.
Oak Treatment - Aged with French and American Oak Chips
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml & 187ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve lightly chilled, it is an ideal accompaniment to smoked salmon or trout. |
Origin | Southern Australia |
2018 Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz
Regular price £23.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aromas of blue fruits, leather and tobacco on the nose, segue into a myriad of flavours on the palate, including plum, blackberry, spearmint and dark chocolate, all solidly conveyed atop a smoky persistence. The palate is bold, fleshy and yet medium-bodied.
Vinification
The fruit was vinified in open fermenters, then gently basket-pressed to create a wine that is fruit-driven and concentrated with velvety tannins, needing no fining. Maturation in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads has added considerably to the wine’s character, balance and complexity. The wine will cellar well for at least 10 years but, for those without that kind of patience, enjoy sooner with red or game meats, rich pasta dishes and fantastic company. This Shiraz is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
N/V Skillogalee Liqueur Muscat
Regular price £32.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
It is bright, red/amber in colour with a light young sweet raisin nose.
Palate
The palate shows nutty raisin apricot flavours, very full and sweet but not cloying. The finish is lingering – very smooth and liqueur-like!
Vinification
This fortified wine is made in the same way that tawny port is made. It is a blend of different vintages all made from fruit growing on Skillogalee vineyards. These separate wines are fermented and fortified and left to age in oak puncheons (500L). The current blend is made from 1992 and 1993 vintages predominantly, with a little older material to contribute some aged, rancio character and some younger wine to give freshness and lift.
Around 2000 litres are made each year depending on the vintage.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Muscat |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 18.6% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 13.95 units |
Type | Fortified and Dessert |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2022 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Next Big Thing' Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
With the faintest whiff of biscuity oak this bright, tangy Barossa Chardonnay is an absolute delight. It has that classical Barossa charm, elegance, poise, tang and naggingly more-ish elusive something-or-other which makes one wonder why there isn't more Australian Chardonnay.
Production
Grapes are hand-harvested from an old block on the Binder family Barossa vineyards. Small batches of Chardonnay are picked and pressed through a tank press with some skin contact. 25% is fermented in French puncheons and American hogsheads for 6 months, aged on lees then blended with the 75% unoaked juice, settled, and bottled. Into the main Barossa blend, a small component of Eden Valley Chardonnay is blended and the whole sees a tiny bit of secondary use oak for some fine structure.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Anything with chicken, pork, prawns, seafood... Brilliant as a quaffer or perfect with a lovingly cooked meal. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2021 The Landings Chardonnay Colombard
Regular price £7.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Andrew Peace wines is a family owned and operated business, comprising a modern winery and a 180 hectares wine grape vineyard. The Peace family’s achievements in creating a commercially successful vineyard/winery business in recent years have been little short of amazing, demonstrating a strong capacity to utilise technology, with enormous hard work and exceptional planning skills.
Tasting Notes
The Colombard and Chardonnay grapes are just made for each other and with the skill of a talented winemaker, we have developed a very refreshing white wine with lively citrus fruit characteristics and crisp, fresh acidity.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Chardonnay & 40% Colombard |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites, skim milk |
Food Matches | Chicken, seafood, summer salads. |
Origin | South Eastern Australia |
2022 De Bortoli WillowGlen Merlot
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, fruit focussed, and a crowd-pleasing Merlot - perfect for entertaining!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant red with garnet edges.
Nose & Palate
This Merlot is full of ripe plum and berries, lead to a soft rounded palate chock full of juicy red fruit, spicy undertones and gentle tannin with just a touch of vanillin oak.
Producer
The De Bortoli family story is one of determination and triumph that started 90 years ago in war-torn Europe and is now told, generations later, across Australia.
Our heritage encompasses the universal story of immigrants making good in an adopted land, the rise and rise of the Australian wine industry and the tale of a hardworking and innovative family who considers good wine, good food and good friends to be among the true pleasures in life.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Pairing | This wine is excellent with beef or lamb dishes. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Riverina |
Appellation | Western Australia |
2018 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Estate Pinot Noir'
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aged in a mixture of new and old French oak barriques. Semi-translucent dark red colour with a light red hue. Perfumed scents of violets, ripe cherries and strawberries meld into anise, hints of toasty oak, traces of forest floor and spice notes. Light and expressive the palate has flavours of ripe dark cherries and strawberries which are carried by anise, light smoky cedar, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements. Supple mouthfeel, silky tannins and well-balanced acidity concluding with good power.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge – Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been!
Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their ‘force to be reckoned with’ status. The ‘home’ vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils.
These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique ‘terroir’. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others – coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Acclaim
- 94 points by Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
- 92 points by Tina Gellie, Decanter - This estate Pinot is now split into the Up the Hill and Down the Hill cuvées, but in this vintage was a barrel selection of Martin Spedding's four vineyards. This is seductively savoury wine, with bold earthy beetroot and undergrowth tones to join autumnal plum and black cherry. Vanilla chai oak spice and supple tannins too. Drink 2023-2028
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Oak | 12 months - 21% new French oak barriques (medium toast; very tight grain) |
Cellaring potential | 2018-2026 |
Food Matching |
That bright fruit means that it will match well with more savoury meat. Soy marinated pork with grape jus would do nicely here. Serve at 14–17°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz
Regular price £57.80 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Amon-Ra Shiraz is an iconic wine that epitomises Ben Glaetzer’s passion to create wines that are full flavoured, multi layered and intense but still elegant, stylish and finely balanced.
Tasting Notes
In Egyptian mythology, Amon-Ra is considered to be the king of all gods. The temple of Amon-Ra was believed to be the first temple to ever plant a monoculture vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple.
The eye on front of the label is the all-seeing eye of Horus or wedjat ("whole one") - a powerful Egyptian symbol of protection. It is represented as a figure with six parts, corresponding to what Egyptians regarded as the six senses; touch, taste, hearing, sight, smell and thought.
Ben created Amon-Ra Shiraz to appeal to all these six senses.
Colour
Deep purple in youth, will evolve to a lovely dark red hue with maturation.
Nose
Blood plum showing hints of dark cherries and dried garden herbs.
Palate
Rich and mouthcoating yet with the balance, finesse and elegance that epitomises Amon-Ra. An earthy spice complements the brooding dark fruit flavours.
Vineyards
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—130 years old. Yield 2 tonnes per hectare.
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, site-specific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80 - 110-year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
Reviews
"The 2019 Amon-Ra Shiraz is 100% Shiraz and 100% from the 2019 vintage, as Ben Glaetzer felt it – unlike many previous vintages – didn’t need to be freshened with a small proportion of younger wine. From old vines in the Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley, it offers classic notes of blackberries and spice, framed by hints of cedar and vanilla (it’s aged in 100% new oak hogsheads, mostly French). It’s full-bodied yet crisp, supple but tight and really long. Offering lovely dark fruit, hints of espresso and black olive, it finishes mouthwatering and firm. Give it some time in the cellar and drink it from 2025 – 2040." 96+ points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 15.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | 2025-2040 |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2020 Brokenwood Hunter Valley Semillon
Regular price £18.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This is an outstanding young Hunter Valley Semillon and great drinking now or this will age gracefully if a more mature style is desired.
Tasting Notes
The warmer weather has resulted in great fruit intensity. The colours are outstanding, lots of luminous green tints. Lifted aromas of citrus/lemongrass notes. Sweet fruit flavours with great lime juice acidity.
Classic Hunter Valley Semillon aromas of talc, citrus rind, and notes of orange blossom in the background. This wine has a great balance and finish.
Vinification
Harvesting all by hand. The fruit was crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation, bottled in May. No oak and no malolactic ferment, only stainless steel.
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Awards
- 94 Pts - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion (2019 vintage)
- 2016 Silver Medal - Hunter Valley Wine Show
- 2014 90 Pts / Silver Ribbon - Huon Hooke
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Semillion |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Asian food, any seafood especially freshly shucked oysters. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2019 Mac Forbes Strathbogie Dry Riesling RS3
Regular price £28.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"A joyful wine! " ..." A very refreshing style, low alcohol (12%) and it is unbelievably bright on both nose and palate", David Crossley's Wide World of Wine.
Tasting Notes
Unusually for an RS this was a blend of first and second pick. First pick went straight to concrete for ferment which is so vivid and riveting, blended with some second pick fermented in large oak, bringing a fine supple texture that veers from the highly recognisable RS style we know to a structural clarity that seems just a little more amplified than normal.
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!
The Vineyard
"Over the past 15 years, we have always been overwhelmed by the presence of our Caveat vineyard in the Strathbogie Ranges. A supposedly sealed road that wanders north from Yea climbing to the elevated granite soils that sit 600m above sea level. Generally 5 degrees cooler than the valley floor, this small vineyard is surrounded not by other vineyards but rather unforgiving grazing land."
The Vintage
A hot and exceptionally dry growing season, yields were low in 2019, but produced grapes with an intense and complex fruit profile different to what we had seen from this site previously. The RS3 is a blend of two harvest days - March 6th and 14th. It was fermented and matured mainly in neutral French oak barriques, with a small component being drawn from our brand new 2000L concrete tank. "
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
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor '10X Chardonnay'
Regular price £26.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The crew at Ten Minutes By Tractor don't do too much wrong. What a delight this Chardonnay is!
Tasting Notes
Peach, honeydew and citrus characters pair perfectly with the crunchy phenolics, depth of fruit and elegant edge of this inviting and irresistible Chardonnay.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. All of our fruit is Estate grown and managed.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering. However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge – Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties.
In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today.
In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their ‘force to be reckoned with’ status. The ‘home’ vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils.
These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique ‘terroir’. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength.
Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others – coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Cellaring Potential | 2020 - 2025 |
Food matching | Salmon Fishcakes - serve at 7–10°C |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Glaetzer Bishop
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Icon's of Barossa
Glaetzer Bishop is a true expression of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep inky red with purple hues.
Palate
An explosion of brooding dark tones with bright cassis and coffee bean
hints. Subtle richness with flavours of dark plum and blackberry intermingled with dark chocolate and dried spice. Generous yet restrained tannin provides exceptional palate length and persistence
Background
Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife' Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – a nod to Bishop’s link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna.
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, site specific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
2019 Bishop from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.
Review
"The 2019 Bishop Shiraz is all Shiraz and all from the Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley. Aged almost exclusively in second, third and fourth use oak (mostly French), it features slight herbal overtones to the black cherry and black olive notes. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, supple, generous and reasonably concentrated, folding in hints of peppery spice and mocha shadings on the velvety, mouthwatering finish." 91 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is a real delight - loads of dense fruits with spice, herbs and vanillin in support. Super smooth tannins give it great complexity, structure and length. A real triumph Barossan beauty. Well worth double the retail price!" January 2023
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | Great drinking now but this wine will also benefit from 10—12 years of careful cellaring. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2017 Skillogalee Gewurztraminer
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Skillogalee crafts their Gewurztraminer in the classic style – textural, aromatic and spicy with a crisp finish.
Tasting Notes
The wine is pale straw yellow in appearance with green tinges. Exotic aromatics of orange blossom and quince with ginger spice and orange zest follow through onto the palate which is slippery and round with fruit sweetness, balanced by refreshing, juicy acidity and a lingering, dry finish.
The Gewurztraminer vines at Skillogalee are grown using minimal intervention and sustainable farming practices to minimise the impact on our environment. The wine was made on-site at the Skillogalee winery.
Information on Skillogalee Wines
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Gewurztraminer |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.7% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A fantastic food matching wine, spanning most genres: - top of the list should be lightly-spiced, contemporary Asian food, fresh summertime salads and flavoursome white meat dishes. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Soumah of the Yarra Valley d'Soumah Pinot Noir
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pinot Noir is a very selective grape. It does not like the heat but does like the sun. It likes to be on well-drained soils so not good on flat landscapes. It likes warm days but more important, cold summer nights. It is so demanding that only a few Australian regions can aspire to produce a Pinot Noir of any pedigree...the Yarra Valley being one of them.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright, cherry and raspberry aromas are supported by a palate of brooding dark fruit and deep earthy flavours.
Palate
Elegantly balanced on the palate of soft tannins and subtle spice with a lengthy finish
'
Producer
Soumah of the Yarra Valley is a producer of fine wines from the region. A hidden gem located down a country lane, in the dress circle of the cool Warramate foothills of Gruyere. Soumah set out to make wine with the charm of northern Italy but the provenance of the Yarra Valley. Situated an average of 120 meters above sea level, the vineyard is elevated above the valley floor. The ancient sandy-clay loams with broken sandstone shape the small yield and define the detail in these precise, focused expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Production Method
There are four clones of Pinot Noir on Hexham Vineyard and once combined they create a classic, cool climate style wine showing elegance and savoury spice. Fermentation is completed using indigenous yeasts followed by a lengthy maturation in premium French oak to add a layer of earthy complexity.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"More a savoury Pinot than a fruity one. There is good fruit but it’s dark and brooding and overlaid with a smoky oakiness - but it’s the savoury notes that shine through from start to finish. Very well made - smooth and with some complexity held together with soft tannins. Very good value! April 2023
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled spatchcock with braised lentils or roasted mushrooms and pecorino polenta. |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | Yarra Valley |
2021 Brokenwood Chardonnay
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very modern Australian Chardonnay that will age perfectly.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Perfect, pale green colour and lifted grapefruit aromas.
Nose
The finesse on both aroma and palate comes from earlier picking dates and older, large format French oak. Some ‘bran meal’ notes but the fruit takes centre stage with stone fruit and zesty citrus characters.
Palate
The minimal oak sits nicely with the fine, juicy citrus flavours on the palate accompanied by subtle bran meal. The driving force of this wine is the acidity – long and pure. Approximately 90% from Beechworth and the balance from Orange, the final components of this wine basically selected themselves. Another top-notch vintage!
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Astounding balance of fresh fruit and oak in this beauty. Lots of zesty citric fruits are tempered by a really soft, round oak influence. The oak is larger format and older than standard Australian practices - which tempers the influence over the fruit. Perfect balance and poise, lovely complexity - all the attributes for good bottle ageing - so will hide a few of these for later years!" May 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Rich seafoods, pasta and light meat dishes. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2017 Mac Forbes Coldstream Pinot Noir
Regular price £31.68 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Utterly charming and generous wine from Mac's warmest Pinot site.
An understated, elegant Pinot with fine ripe red fruit well balanced with freshness and hints of spicy oak. Subtle and long, hints of minerality with great purity.
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!
The Wine
"This is our warmest Pinot vineyard," says Mac, "so we are conscious of protecting the fruit from hot prevailing winds and high temperatures. The soils hold much of the afternoon heat so this is usually the first vineyard picked. Due to the increased exposure, this wine displays greater fruit punctuation supported by a firm yet dense tannin bed."
Critical Acclaim
"Mac Forbes’s pinot noirs – not to mention his gorgeous rieslings – are the epitome of elegant freshness, with this equivalent of a Burgundy village all about purity and clarity of red fruit and subtle savouriness."
David Williams, The Observer Magazine, 14th April 2019
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!
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is delicious!! Not many times I reach for a second bottle but I did tonight!! Delicate soft berry fruit, fresh acidity but not overwhelming, soft, supple tannins. Light bodied but with great length, structure and complexity- a true masterpiece!!"
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5 alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Coldstream, Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2018 Mac Forbes EB42 Summer Lovin' Pinot Meunier
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pinot Meunier made for smashing in the sunshine. Such a gluggable delight from Mac Forbes!
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!
"This is our second go at a Pinot Meunier. Like its predecessor (EB26) this light red is best served chilled on a balmy day….because sometimes, all you want is a refreshing thirst quenching red." says Mac.
Mac's had a few digs at Pinot Meunier over the last few years, it's as light as a feather. A crunchy nouveau light red that loves a little chill before being served.
Mac's got great feel when crafting Pinot Noir, same deal here with the cousin variety. Chill it down and drink in the warmer months!
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
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Meunier |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 10.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 7.88 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2022 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Up The Hill' Estate Pinot Noir
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ten Minutes by Tractor started in 1997 with three vineyards in Main Ridge, all ten minutes by tractor apart. Soft and savoury, with impressive length, this is an elegant Mornington Pinot.
Tasting Notes
Perfume and spice dance around licorice, cumquat and lavender notes that are expressed willingly in the glass. The fine mineral tannins groove the palate and complete a well-structured and enjoyable wine, typical of ‘Up the Hill’.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. From shining star Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes By Tractor comes the Estate Up the Hill Pinot Noir. With fruit from four of the wineries impressive vineyard holdings (Wallis, McCutcheon, Spedding and Judd), it is a fresh cool climate Pinot. Made with a blend of whole bunch and whole berry fruit, grapes are harvested by hand and wild fermented. It is matured in a quarter new French oak.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering.
However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant an early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Fruit was handpicked, fermented on skins in a combination of concrete tanks and stainless steel for 14-21 days. 10% whole bunch fermented & 10 months in a combination of new (18%) and old oak.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge - Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn't get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia's heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment's hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin's journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their `force to be reckoned with` status.
The 'home' vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils. These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique 'terroir'. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others - coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now to 2029 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Roast pork belly and crackling with a fennel salad :: serve at 13- 16 C |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Regular price £16.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A perfect summer drink paired with a wide range of food
Tasting Notes
Colour
Lovely pale yellow colour with green tints.
Nose
Citrus pith and florals on the nose with a clear Sauvignon Blanc lift.
Palate
Initial flavours of citrus and melon, light cool palate at 11.5% alcohol. Grapefruit, finger lime and a zesty acidity adds to the structure.
Vinification
Fruit outside the Hunter Valley is processed to the primary juice stage before transport to the winery in the Hunter Valley for fermentation and blending. This ensures the delicate grape and fruit aromas are preserved. A small percentage (approximately 5%) of this wine was fermented in barrel.
Winemaker Comments
We’re quite proud to introduce this wine as it is the 26th vintage of the blend. The label didn’t get the full Cricket Pitch livery until the 1995 vintage, although the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot was labelled as Cricket Pitch for the 1991 wine released in 1993. This wine is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon, one of the highest proportions of Sauvignon Blanc we’ve bottled. Four regions make up the blend being Cowra 85%, Hunter Valley 5%, Orange 3% and McLaren Vale 7%. This wine also highlights our desire for lower alcohol and weighs in at 12.0% and with plenty of zesty fruit lift.
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
11.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8,63 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A dozen freshly shucked oysters and a whole baked barramundi for lunch or a spicy Asian laksa for dinner. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2015 Brokenwood IRL Reserve Semillon (11% abv)
Regular price £53.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The ILR (Iain Lesley Riggs - Chief Winemaker) Reserve Semillon is released from the best years and this is a beauty.
Light-bodied and lithe, it is silky, weightless and immensely complex.
Tasting Notes
Colour
At 6 years of age on release, the colour is just starting to show some development with yellow tints complimenting the green edges.
Nose
Lifted almond bread and the floral notes heading to beeswax and toast.
Palate
Lively lime juice, Bickford cordial characters and backed by a superb zesty acidity. The magic of Hunter Valley Semillon on display with texture, fruit weight and great length from a wine that sees no oak.
Vinification
Harvesting all by hand. The fruit was crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation, bottled in July. No oak and no malolactic ferment, only stainless steel.
Winemaker Comments
Brokenwood’s 41st vintage got underway a lot earlier than anticipated. The continued dry weather across the eastern half of Australia intensified in early January with a run of above average temperatures including a new January record high of 45.7C in Sydney. Tasmania suffered through bush fires, Victoria and NSW were also on high alert. The heavy rain that disrupted the 2012 red harvest gave way to a typical dry winter and even drier spring when only 92mm of rain fell in the 4 months July to October. La Nina seemed to be on the way out. November, December and the early part of January were also dry, leading to lighter canopies to go with the lighter crop load. Semillon started rolling into the winery on January 16th and well over half was picked before a tropical deluge of 150mm after Australia Day. Guess La Nina wasn’t quite gone.
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz.
Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs (ILR) joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production. Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Ratings
- 97Pts James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2019
Awards
- 4 Gold Medals
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Not cheap but a real treat! 6 years old but still very young. Wonderful citric fruit with aromas of beeswax- a classic hunter valley Semillon descriptor. Great weight, wonderful balance and a complexity that will see it evolve for many years yet. Simply sublime and a real star and keeper. Will be interesting to see how it develops!" February 2020
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Semillon |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Asian food, any seafood especially freshly shucked oysters. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2016 Mac Forbes Healesville Syrah
Regular price £36.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great intro to cool climate Syrah from the cool climate master Mac Forbes.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vivid purple
Nose
Fresh fruit scent.
Palate
Very intense, bittersweet, with crunchy blackcurrant flavours. Pepper and spice on the finish.
Is this a look-alike for Hermitage? Whatever, it’s very convincing. One of Matthew Jukes’ 100 best Australian Wines 2018/19.
The Vintage
In 2017, the warmer conditions offered fruit ripeness with plenty of flavour from the fruit grown on his home block near Healesville. This Syrah is filled with spice and plenty of juicy fruit. It sits well and truly in the cool-climate style, however, there is no shortage of flavour. Lovers of the spicy side of Syrah will find plenty of joy here. Very high quality Yarra Syrah for a modest price.
Alan's Tasting Notes
Such a wolf in sheep’s clothing, iron fist in velvet glove kinda wine, very attractive, super smooth with lots of supple fruit and no real tannins or rough edges. But it’s complex and packs a real punch at the same time!! Stupendous from young Mac - maybe he should spend more time on Syrah/Shiraz!!
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
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Drinking Potential |
Now until 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2007 Penfolds RWT Shiraz
Regular price £130.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Penfolds RWT Shiraz presents an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead, single-region Barossa Valley Shiraz matured only in French oak. The initials RWT stand for 'Red Winemaking Trial', the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. Naturally, now no longer a 'Trial'!
RWT Shiraz was launched in May 2000 with the 1997 vintage. Its style is opulent and fleshy, contrasting with Grange, which is more muscular and assertive. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and fine texture rather than sheer intensity or power of flavour. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa Shiraz at the highest quality level.
"Now into its second decade of release, the 2007 vintage excels. It encapsulates what is now the RWT style... defined with its own personality and style territory." Peter Gago - Penfolds Chief Winemaker
Colour
Dark Red
Nose
Opulent glaceed fruits - saturated blueberry and satsuma plum elude from a freshly mixed summer berry compote. Stylish cedary oak marries with mixed spices and an element of (Gorgonzola) blue-vein cheese. Aromatically decries Barossa, and Shiraz - but not separately, as per these words!
Palate
Firm, lively & vibrant. Cola and a flavour sensation not dissimilar to a generous longitudinal slice of Blackforest cake, replete with fruits. Tight, finely-grained harmonious oak and lacy, mouth-coating tannins induce a multidimensional 3D palate, tempered by crisp acidity. Awash with flavour, depth & extract. The essence of Barossa Valley Shiraz... oh, and balanced! Convincing ... and out of 2007!
Reviews
Please Note
A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!
Specifications
Year | 2007 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2030 - Penfolds Rewards of Patience VI Edition, 2008. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Duck, red curry 'ice cream', split rice porridge, lychee, tamarind and pineapple |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2017 Mac Forbes EB38 'Showdown' #2 Pinot Noir, Syrah
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Drink this slightly chilled for a super Summer red.
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!
Mac Forbes loves to tinker with new blends in his EB ('experimental batch') range: 2016 was Nebbiolo/Pinot, 2017 Pinot/Syrah.
This meeting of varieties was made famous in the Hunter Valley where some of the country's greatest wines were made half a century ago. Mac brings the blend to the Yarra with great results. The richness and spiciness of the Syrah, the prettiness of the Pinot, the varieties get along brilliantly.
Slippery, spicy, floral and delicious, this is one experiment that has definitely paid dividends for Mac.
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
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir & Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Now - 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching | BBQ lamb chops. |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2017 Skillogalee Trevarrick Riesling
Regular price £28.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character. It showcases the essence of Skillogalee!
Tasting Notes
The wine shows an intense lift of Tahitian lime, bathpowder and floral perfume on the nose with a touch of orange blossom. The palate is highly structured and the mineral notes speak strongly of the Skillogalee Dolomite soils that nurtured the vines.
- Matthew Jukes Top 100 Australian Wines 2017
History
Trevarrick was the original name of the Skillogalee property, settled by John and Anne Trestrail in the early 1850’s. In 1970 it was planted to vines and renamed. Now at Skillogalee, each individual contour block on the estate is harvested and vinified separately. The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character.
The grapes for this wine were selectively harvested off the highest altitude, earliest ripening contour on the property at around 500m. The stony, thin soils and topography of this part of the vineyard produce unique, high-quality grapes bursting with varietal character.
The 2012 Trevarrick Riesling was made from 100% hand-picked fruit. Only first-cut free-run juice was used to ensure the varietal character was captured in the finished wine.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.4% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2017 Mac Forbes Wesburn Chenin
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Amazing Chenin Blanc from Mac's final Wesburn release. A special wine.
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!
The Wine
This is the final release of Wesburn Chenin Blanc. Mac feels that this variety matches perfectly with the Wesburn vineyard. It's a textural, flinty version of the variety. Immensely cellar-worthy and finely detailed.
On the list of the country's best Chenin Blancs, this sits in the top echelon. A phenomenal final release of this unique wine, Wesburn Chenin going out with a bang. This will unwind in the bottle for the next decade or more.
The Vintage
"2016 was a year that tested the vine and tested us. Ripening was condensed in a manner we have not witnessed and freshness came and went in a blink. So with all our picking crews working overtime, not to mention the staff in the winery, we went to work and didn’t stop until the last grape was squeezed to barrel. However, it is becoming very exciting that we have sites that can and do cope with such an array of seasonal challenges."
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is really interesting. Fully dry but with a lovely, honey mouthful initially which gives way to a refreshing, mineral acid rich mouth feel. Oozes class, depth, and interest and I suggest this will develop well in bottle and continue to change its spots over the next few years."
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
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Maturation | 9 months in old oak |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |