2018 'The Doctor' Shiraz

Single Vineyard Range

2022 McKelvey Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay       

Vineyard:  McKelvey Vineyard

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley               

Vine age:  Vines planted in 1998                                                 

Tasting Note

Planted on a western-facing hillside on Deasys Road, Pokolbin, the McKelvey Vineyard was established in 1997/1998 by the viticulturalist and winemaker David Lowe; the property is proudly family-owned and operated, farmed by Peter McKelvey and his son James. The soils on this site are profound; rich red-brown clay loam with underlying chalky limestone, one of the most desirable soils for the growth of quality Chardonnay. The rows here wrap around the contours of the hills and valleys of a magnificent property, with Chardonnay running both NE-SW and NW-SE, balancing the exposure and shading of the fruit across the sunny days of the growing season. The quality vinestock here is also important, with Chardonnay clone I10V5 highly recognised for generating fruit with strong varietal distinction and wine quality.

The 2022 Chardonnay is a silky, sophisticated wine. There is fine frame and finesse, yet complexity grows in aromatic power as it breathes from an initial spark of flint and struck match to reveal cinnamon, ripe peach and autolysis. The palate follows through with ripe pineapple, super-smooth creamy softness and peach-skin crunch. These elements of fruit quality, ferment funk and barrel maturation beckon and entice as a young wine, but even more certainly as a wine that will reward those who cellar it.

Drink: Now - 2030 
257 dozen made.

95 points Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol:  13.6%
pH:          3.24
TA:          7.3        

Single Vineyard Range

2024 Latara Vineyard Semillon

Variety:      100% Semillon 

Vineyard:    Keith Tulloch Latara Vineyard

Region:       Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine age:    Vines planted in 1978

Tasting Notes

The Latara Vineyard is 4.5kms from the cellar door on the corner of Deasys & McDonalds Roads in Central Pokolbin, planted in 1978. This vineyard is owned by Keith, Amanda and family operated by Keith Tulloch Wine. Whilst many Hunter Valley Semillon vineyards are established on light sandy alluvial soils, this vineyard sits on dark cracking clay soils with a gentle East-West aspect. These soils make a powerful Semillon expression with body and frame that is more luscious and approachable, particularly as a young wine.

Richer, rounder Semillon aromas of lisbon-lemon and kafir lime-leaf are dominant at first, settling with air to allow the finer and sweeter signatures of meyer lemon and green-to-orange mandarin.

Flavours are exotic too, with layers of yellow and green citrus fruit giving mouth-filling tangy energy, with a classic hint of pithy dryness at the finish.

Uber-juicy and gentle, this is a delicious and opulent Semillon for immediate enjoyment but will cellar effortlessly for a decade for the patient.

93 points Halliday Wine Companion     93 points The Real Review

Drink: Now - 2036. 
120 dozen made.

Technical Data

Alc         11.2%
pH           3.01
TA            6.6

Single Vineyard Range

2023 Tawarri Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:     Upper Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Tawarri Vineyard 

Tasting Note

A unique vineyard in the Hunter Valley at 460m above sea level, with fertile black earth soils and rich basalt, characterised by cool Summer nights and even a dusting of snow through the Winter months. The Shiraz vines are 28 years old producing fruit with ripe black flavours of impressive density.
A twinning of black and red fruits delivers aromas of lush blackberry with flashes of plum and raspberry. The cooler climate fresh eucalyptus and wild bramble notes of mint leaf and fresh aniseed add to the perfumed core of opulent black fruits.
The same concentration rules the palate from start to a very long finish: supple and velvety, energetic and fresh, with a combination of power and elegance. The abundant black fruits anchor the palate, blackberry and licorice, with a finer tannin foundation already satin soft and supple yet beautifully nuanced from 12 months in a large format French oak barrel, accenting notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

I recommend decanting, particularly until the 5th year in bottle, to amplify the Tawarri-site accents to their max.

Halliday Wine Companion 95 points

Drink: Now – 2035

Limited Edition – only 193 dozen made

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%

pH: 3.5

TA: 6.3

The Family Collection Range

2023  The Wife Shiraz 

Varieties:   Shiraz 90 %,  Viognier 10 %

Region:      Hunter Valley

Vine Age:   Vines planted in 1978      
 

This wine is handmade for my wife Amanda, who loves aromatic and gentle reds.          

Tasting Notes  

Bright crimson-red with an almost opaque inky lustre, plus indigo-blue at the rim.

High levels of Viognier generate luxurious aromas, opening with refined and fragrances of  jasmine to fuller notes of honeysuckle.  With air these deepen to bolder scents of rose-petal and pot-pourri, together with  hints of fresh gingerbread.

The bouquet combines this top-note floral brightness with an equally impressive heart of black-fruits, with a lovely equilibrium of sweet ripe blackberry and glace cherry. Fine French-oak adds another dimension as the aromas develop, intertwining spice-notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

Flavours are rich with ripe black fruits that deliver luxurious texture, deliciously long and lavish with gentle chocolatey softness. This inky back-cherry Shiraz core is bold yet gentle, the high co-ferment proportion of Viognier delivering subtle power with reserve and elegance. Satin-soft tannins harmonise the palate with velvet notes of smooth vanilla and macadamia, elements of Viognier simmer with a heady exotic expression.

As always, the essence and character of ‘The Wife’ is about aromatic boldness with gentle textures. It possesses an aspect of refined power, delivering sophisticated grace and finesse.

Halliday Wine Companion 95 points

Drink : Now to 2040

Technical Data

Alcohol  13.8% 

pH 3.52