2018 McKelvey Shiraz

2018 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

Variety:  Shiraz (95%) | Viognier (5%)
Region:  Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  40+ years old

Tasting Notes

Brilliant scarlet-red in colour and brim-full with ripeness, this S/V shows the luxuriant completeness of co-fermenting, combining the Shiraz aromatic richness of soft black-cherry (95%) with floral jasmine-like perfumes of Viognier (5%). This profusion of fruit combines on the palate with plush unity: dense yet satiny smooth, blackberry and cola-like with milk-chocolate softness, given extra sheen and depth from fine French oak, completing this opulent balance with a foundation of fine-spice vanilla and cinnamon.

The 2018 vintage gave us stellar harvesting conditions and fruit condition, this Shiraz-Viognier has appeal for immediate drinking or medium term cellaring.

Drink: Now to 2025 

Food Match: Slow cooked meats, pizza, or risotto.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14%

Single Vineyard Range

2019 McKelvey Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay       

Vineyard:  McKelvey Vineyard

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley               

Vine age:  Vines planted in 1998                                                 

Tasting Note

The soils are rich red-brown clay loam overlying a base of powdery limestone, on a gentle hillside with a north to north-west aspect.

Colour is a pearl-like shimmer of chiffon-lemon-yellow tinged with opaline light green.

Aromas are intense and sophisticated, ripe citrus and stone fruits mixing with myrtle and verbena, tantalisingly elegant layers of barrel ferment giving unobtrusive dimensions of spice with the gentle fumé elements of sandalwood, mineral, and gun-flint simmering in the background.

The palate shows a ripe fruit length, seductively textured, nuanced with creamy, nutty, and ethereal mealy softness like nougat and fine pistachio.Oak is very subtle, almost saline, contributing a sustained savoury lightness plus a final dusting of spice and vanilla.

Drink: Now - 2028.  
224 dozen made.

Technical Data
Alcohol:  13%
pH:          3.18
TA:          6.5        

Single Vineyard Range

2019 Latara Vineyard Semillon                                           

Variety:      100% Semillon 

Vineyard:    Keith Tulloch Latara Vineyard

Region:       Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine age:    Vines planted in 1978

Tasting Notes

This single vineyard on Deasys Road, Pokolbin was established in 1978 on volcanic, clay and limestone soils. The site has a gentle rise with a Western aspect, providing plentiful sunlight for consistently outstanding fruit. Latara Semillon posses a very striking personality: a pure clarity of colour, aroma and flavour, delivering extra radiance and volume with natural grace and power.

Colour : Extremely fine with flecks of lime and neon-green.

Aromas: The vineyard signature fruit characters are ripe lime-juice and lemongrass through to zesty tropical notes of Kaffir lime and pineapple. 

Palate: A bolder expressive palate full of juicy lime energy with the textural roundness of golden apple with zesty tropical fruit and pineapple. Flavours combine with an elegant sherbet-like balance: fresh and tangy, effortlessly long, with terrific focus and persistence. 

Cellaring: Showing beautiful harmony already, but in 5 years it will be sensational drinking, and in 10 years even better.

Drink: Now - 2030. 
165 dozen made.                                                          

Technical Data
Alcohol   10.5%
pH           2.74
TA           7.6

The Family Collection

2018 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%)  Viognier (1%)
Region:     Lower Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  Planted on own roots in 1923

Tasting Notes

Showing all the hallmark signatures from a great Hunter Vintage, The Kester 2018 is a superb release. The colour of this wine is rich and deep, giving an indication of the power you will find in the glass - bright black and purple, with deep scarlet at the rim.

 The Shiraz fruit aromas are latent inky blackberry, immersed in deep perfumes of kirsch with lovely floral sweetness; following this is a lift of blueberry, and delicate Viognier hints of white bloom and jasmine. The classic old-vine elements chime in with grand flourish – aromas of juniper foremost, with hints of thyme, bay leaf, black olive, and espresso in reinforcement.The defining characteristics of this Kester are found on the palate - the wine’s lavish black fruit density and deep tannins are the heart of this complex expression of Hunter Valley terroir. Flavours are rich, concentrated, and intense, with powerful and inky black and blue fruits weaved in flawless union; delicious black cherry, boysenberry, dark chocolate, and liquorice-like characters unite, all bonding with satiny polish yet also a tongue staining flavour persistence. Superb tannin texture meshes fruit and French oak, entwined to delivering lasting momentum and flair. 

 Drink: With decanting you can enjoy this special wine on release, but it will also greatly reward cellaring for 20+ years.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.3%