2016 Hunter Valley Semillon Museum Release

Variety: 100% Shiraz

Region: Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

This is an elegant light dry red that embodies the historic 'HRB' style of the Hunter Valley wine region; this is a wine that is fresh and ready to enjoy, delightfully supple and juicy.

The nose fills with subtle cinnamon spice, lavender and rose petal, carrying onto the palate to add delicate layers over the lip-smacking red cherry flavour. Its deliciously approachable and easy to enjoy.

You can pour at room temperature or even chilled to enjoy with good food and company.

Drink: Now

Food Match: Pizza, BBQ, Pasta

The Family Collection

2021 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (100%) 
Region:     Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

The Kester 2021 shows all of the hallmarks and typicity of a classic Hunter Valley red, medium-weight in body but remarkably focused and concentrated on the palate. The 2020-21 growing season was influenced by the change in Pacific Ocean currents from El Niño to La Niña, which brought mild conditions; the vineyard enjoyed replenishing rains that promoted healthy subsoil moisture and strong vegetative growth compared to the hot and dry 2017-2020 period.

The wines from this season have remarkable bright black and red fruit duality, where the cooler growing conditions have led to the retention of natural grape acidity and a more stable accumulation of grape sugar; this has resulted in fresher, brighter fruit characters with compelling harmony and plush balance.

Aromas are black and purple fruited, intertwined with violet-like floral aromas complimented by barrel perfumes of sandalwood and vanilla pod; the palate balances primary and savoury notes, with black chocolate tannins backed by cherry-cheesecake umami, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit power.

95pointsHallidayWineCompanion

Drink: Now to 2040+

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.43

2023 Hunter Valley Semillon

Variety:     100% Semillon
Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  Planted in 1969

Vineyard : Keith Tulloch Hermitage Road 

Tasting Notes

Aromas of lemon and lime juice, lemongrass and tropical zest.

The cool spring and Summer with dry, stable weather brought about some striking Semillons; flavours are primary and bright, filled with bold citrus and apple flavours bringing crunchy energy to the palate.

Drink: Now to 2030.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 10.5%

Single Vineyard Range

2021 Tawarri Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:     Upper Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Tawarri Vineyard 

Tasting Note

The Tawarri Vineyard near Merriwa is one of the most unique vineyard sites in the Hunter region, only 10km from the top of the Great Dividing Range, 27km north-northeast of Merriwa. Here the climate differs entirely from the growing conditions of Pokolbin, with the 460m altitude bringing cool summer nights and even a dusting of snow through the winter months. The soils here are also unique, the Merriwa plateau being home to the deepest, most fertile black earth that is highly sought after by farmers. Red varieties thrive here, with this 25-year-old vineyard planted north-south with the P23 clone Shiraz that produces fruit with ripe, black flavours of impressive density.

The Tawarri Vineyard delivered by far the most powerful and intense wine of our 2021 harvest. This wine embraces that depth and fruit weight, with a full spectrum of concentrated black fruit ranging from sweet blackberry through to liquorice, black cherry and blackcurrant. There are briar-like elements, black tea and white pepper highlights, whilst the central pillars of texture are espresso-like tannins supported by fine-grained French oak extract. This wine hardly needs cellaring; it’s already hitting the sweet spot, but will preserve in bottle beautifully for those willing to wait.

94pointsHallidayWineCompanion

Drink: Now to 2032

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.9%