2022 Field of Mars Chardonnay B4

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars  Block 2 Semillon  2022

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 on the finest alluvial sand; this vineyard generates lovely purity of fruit with a beautiful fresh acid profile and extraordinary flavour length, the result of mild weather conditions and a longer ripening season.
Classic aromatic signatures of Meyer-lemon are matched with the cooler growing and ripening aromas of orange grapefruit provide real lift and energy. The bouquet’s fruit intensity jumps immediately from the glass: slightly tropical with zest and pith, yet completely satisfying with juicy yellow-citrus ripeness.
Jasmine perfumes are present too, but the zesty citrus dominates now with absolute clarity.
These same citrus fruits fill the palate with terrific focus and vibrant tension, harmonising this lovely fruit ripeness with saline dryness and energy. This Semillon’s balance is fine and bright, delivering the classic line-and-length of the very best, finishing with hints of mineral plus subtle “Gin & Tonic” savouriness.
A great future ahead, with a delicate yet exuberant pure fruit expression from the very first sip, this has the timeless vibrant freshness of a classic in the making.
Keep for 5 to 7 years to enjoy at its early maturity, or after  to 15 years to see at its greatest.

Limited Edition - only 160 dozen made

Drink: now – 2040                                   

95 points Halliday Wine Companion

TECHNICAL

Alc: 10.2

pH: 3.0

TA: 7.3

Single Vineyard Range

Celest Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Celest Vineyard

Region:    Broke-Fordwich, Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

Planted in 1988 into alluvial soils washed down from the ancient sandstone hills bounding the southern wall of the vineyard, in the Broke valley.
Full of vivid freshness, energy and precision, showing lifted reductive accents of struck-match plus undercurrent aromas of crushed oyster shell. The main fruit florals are of acacia-flower, rockmelon, ripe white peach and soft yellow fig, plus warmer scents of honey, vanilla and biscotti.
Flavours are fine framed and direct, fleshy peach opens to musk melon, giving delicious fruit length and persistence with a positive crisp fullness throughout and a tang of crunchy red apple towards the finish. Satin-soft barrel spices give lovely harmony with textural yeast-lees creaminess, subtle notes of almond-meal and shortbread. Acidity is tightly wound with beautiful lift, showing the crystalline flavours of the sea, bright with clear-cut minerality.
A trophy winner at the Hunter Valley wine show, so drink some now and cellar the rest, either way it’s a very classy wine.

Drink: Now – 2030

Limited edition – only 244 dozen made

93 pts Halliday Wine Companion
Trophy at Hunter Valley Wine Show

95 points The Real Review

Technical Data
Alc: 13.0

pH: 3.18

TA: 6.9

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.

Drink: Now – 2035

Limited Edition – only 193 dozen made

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%

pH: 3.5

TA: 6.3

Single Vineyard Range

2023 Norlana Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:     Upper Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Norlana Vineyard  

Tasting Note

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 style of Hunter Shiraz.
A swirl of lovely aromas open with concentrated inky black cherry, a delicious mix of cassis, kirsch and mineral, richly scented with floral touches of mulberry and violets.
Glossy mouth-filling flavours, tightly wound with delicious intensity, dark stone-fruit combining beautifully with notes of briar, eucalypt and white pepper. Powerful yet gentle tannins, tongue staining and central, flow around the primary Shiraz core with the softness and density of dark chocolate.
12 months in a large format 1500 litre French oak barrel combines the fruit and oak to deliver a seamless harmony, intense and deep like fine espresso coffee, with lasting notes of sandalwood, bay leaf and peppery licorice.

It greatly rewards decanting, 1 hour before drinking. Afterwards, this wine is amazing.

Drink: Now – 2035

Limited Edition – only 162 dozen made

 

 Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.0%

pH: 3.52

TA: 6.0