2022 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

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

2024 Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay
Region:     Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  20+ years old

Tasting Notes

A bright and focused Chardonnay showing the full spectrum of yellow and golden fruit aromas, stone fruit and citrus flavours, intertwined with savoury barrel elements. Lovely textures, creamy and mouth filling with a macadamia nut roundness and a long finish. A wine to be enjoyed, whatever the season.

Halliday Wine Companion 92 points

Drink: Now to 2030

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.5%

The Family Collection

2023 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%) Viognier (1%)
Region:     Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Dense crimson purple in colour.

Opening with bright aromas similar to the beautiful 2022 Kester, albeit with riper-black fruit density and depth. A shape-shifting bouquet that glides from fresh raspberry and plum through to black-cherry and cola, with brushstrokes of fresh herb. Aromas deepen to include fuller scents of black-liquorice and anise, with finer hints of cranberry. French oak sits quietly in the background giving ever-present subtle notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, and chamomile.

Black fruits dominate the palate, red-fruit energy contributes a bright lift and length with notes of pomegranate and sweet red-currant. Cola sits centrally with a glossy inky richness and fine depth, broadening to accents of black olive tapenade and aniseed. Already delivering a wonderfully integrated harmony of fruit and barrel, with interwoven characters of berry, spice and herb. Dark chocolate tannins underpin the ripe fruits with a lovely foundation, subtle hints of graphite and an elegant dryness like liquorice-dust, finishing with an espresso-like creaminess.

The Kester is very drinkable and enjoyable young, yet this wine always holds remarkably well in the cellar and improves greatly with age. My recommendation is to decant if drinking before 2030, or drink and enjoy anytime without the need to decant through to 2040.

Drink: Now to 2040+

Halliday Wine Companion 96 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.52

Single Vineyard Range

Ewen Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Ewen Vineyard

Region:    Broke-Fordwich, Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

This vineyard is owned and farmed by Stewart and Liz Ewen. Sited close to the base of the Brokenback range in the Broke-Fordwich subregion, planted to the high quality Chardonnay clone P58. The well drained alluvial soils are sheltered from afternoon Western heat by the lee of the mountains.

A powerful aromatic mélange of orchard fruits from a warm vintage highlighting nectarine through citrus and green melon, to the reductive undercurrent aromas of gun-flint and oyster-shell. Subtle aromas of barrel spice give a quieter aromatic undertow, with warm brown-spice and notes of nougat and almond.

The palate is long and plush with ripe stone-fruit, apple, and melon fruits combining with notes of pastry, cashew and butterscotch. Dynamic elements of flint and mineral give savoury brightness with exotic and appetising flair.

This young and expressive Chardonnay is an outstanding example ready for enjoyment now but will age superbly if you have the patience.

Drink Now to 2035

88 dozen made

91 points The Real Review, 94pts Halliday Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.8%
pH:         3.30
TA:          6.5