2021 Field of Mars Shiraz Block 1

Single Vineyard Range

2022 Norlana Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:     Upper Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Norlana Vineyard  

Tasting Note

This special bottling is dedicated to the vineyard owner and grape grower Geoff Oldman, who supplied great quality Shiraz to us from 2015 - 2023, but sadly passed away in September 2023, aged 82.

Norlana is an outstanding vineyard just outside Denman in the Upper Hunter Valley, on a gentle hillside overlooking the confluence of the Goulburn and Hunter Rivers. The soil is a rich black clay flecked with iron-stone and red gravel, generating a perfumed and elegant style of Hunter Shiraz.

The sweet red-cherry, raspberry perfumes with a fine touch of cranberry, deliver freshness and elegance. Smooth and finely floral, with powdery fragrances of violet and lavender, beautifully fresh, lithe and light in expression, yet opulent.

Soft-fruits run along the palate, showing powder-soft flavours of raspberry and strawberry sherbet. This remarkably glossy texture continues with delicious velvety persistence, juicy red plum and red apple, finishing with hints of white pepper and nutmeg. Tannins are soft and creamy due to the whole-bunch nature of the fermentation, and the large format 1500litre oak foudre used for 12 months of aging.

Drink: Now – 2040

Limited Edition - only 160 dozen made

 Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%

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

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars  Block 2 Semillon  2021

Variety:   100% Semillon

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard: Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine age: Vines planted in 1968

Soil:         Fine, sandy alluvial 

Tasting Note 

Planted in 1968 the fine white sand of this vineyard generates lovely purity of fruit, very direct and positive, zesty and bright. Fine fruit-weight, elegant varietal character, and crisp acidity were natural hallmarks of the Vintage.

Dominant aromatic characters of Meyer lemon show yellow citrus juiciness and zest, hints of ripe orange-grapefruit and finer notes of apple and lime. These fill the glass with added notes of sweet floral frangipani and jasmine. Everything amplifies as the wine breathes, building and opening to show more energy and flair.

Citrus fruits expand onto the palate with bright vibrant energy, like freshly squeezed lime and lemon, a delicate extension of the fruit with the crunchiness of natural acids. There is a finer, satin-soft juiciness plus the sustained, powder-soft texture of mineral and chalk, almost transparent yet tangy. Finer notes of red-apple stay onto the finish with a gentle receding softness, sustaining a greater flavour length than usual.

Drink: now – 2045                                    95 points Halliday Wine Companion

Limited Edition - only 86 dozen made

Technical Data

Alc: 10.5

pH: 3.06

TA: 6.3

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Block 4 Chardonnay 2021

Variety:   100% Chardonnay

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 2014

Soils:        Fine, sandy alluvial

Tasting Note                                              

Block 4 is a high-density planting in fine sandy alluvial soils, of Clone 548 Chardonnay vines, recently selected from Burgundy vineyards. This clone is ultra-low yielding, generating wines that are immediately powerful and complex.

 Opulent fruit aromas, running from yellow nectarine to golden peach, pine-lime and pineapple with wild ferment contributing a gentle wash of cashew and nougat as well as exotic sulphide-scents of flint, slate, and oyster-shell. Soft leesy notes of lemon-yogurt swirl in the background, with elegant traces of vanilla and soft brown spice.

 Palate flavours are impressive, yellow and golden fruits running through nectarine, peach and pineapple, to yellow-apple and soft-fig. Echoes of the bouquet elaborate the wild-ferment-and-lees highlights of lemon yoghurt and pistachio nougat with impressive flavour. Fine French oak softly supports the fruit, giving fine satiny-texture, while bright acids give lift and lasting freshness. The striking palate feature of this wine is the elaborate fruit expression, delivering concentration and complexity with superb length.

Drink: now –  2035

 96 points Halliday Wine Companion

Limited Edition - only 45 dozen made

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.7

pH: 3.32

TA: 7.0