2023 Field of Mars Shiraz Block 1

2024 PERDIEM 'Recolo' Rose

Variety:   Shiraz, Viognier, Semillon
Region:   Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Recolo ( Verb - latin) : 'I remember'

This fresh, inviting Rosé is worth remembering. First, there are the aromas, like crushed raspberries and rosewater; the flavours that follow are racy blood orange zest, cherry, pomegranate and watermelon. To finish there's a bead of red-grape texture and crunchy pink lady apple, enough to remind you that you're drinking a crisp, dry Rosé. 

Pop in the fridge or ice bucket immediately and serve chilled. Drink tonight with good food and company.

Drink: Now.
Food Match: Chicken, pork belly, and salads.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.5%
pH: 3.3

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

2024 WCD Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (100%) 
Region:     Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  WCD Vineyard

This vineyard is located less than 14km from our cellar door, on Wine Country Drive in Central Pokolbin. This site enjoys balanced weather influences, gifting the vineyard with slightly cooler summer days with slightly more Easterly breeze. Soils are deep brown clays with flecks of red ironstone.

Shiraz aromatics of rich black cherry with concentrated blackberry, plus fresh leaf-and-flower accents of sweet briar and wild rose. Deeper spice-notes of juniper and black-pepper chime in too, with fine French-oak contributing subtle, elegant, and complex notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

Inky black-fruits dominate the palate, from black cherry to sweet blackcurrant, fanning out gradually with soft velvety notes of glace-fruits and dark chocolate. From mid-palate to the finish these flavours retain their power and energy, gaining lasting accents of liquorice, integrating beautifully with the softness of toasty barrel-spice. Tannins are deep and spice-laden too, gently staining the tongue with hints of malty Assam tea and graphite.

2 or 3 years in the cellar would be ideal, or if drinking before then decant for early reward.

Drink: Now to 2035

Only 157 dozen made                                                                     95 points The Real Review

Technical Data

Alc 14.7%

pH  3.5

TA  6.5

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range

Field of Mars  Block 2 Semillon  2023

Variety:   100% Semillon

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard: Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine age: Vines planted in 1968

Soil:         Fine, sandy alluvial 

Planted in 1968 on the finest alluvial sand, this vineyard site generates the ideal expressions of Hunter Semillon and is the pinnacle of our Vintage. It generates an ultra-fine white wine possessing the very best of zesty fruit brightness, always showing extraordinary length and beautifully fresh minerally persistence. Vintage 2023 weather was dry and stable throughout January, allowing for an unhurried harvest and extraordinarily high quality.

Aromas shift effortlessly between lemon juice and lemon curd with dynamic brightness, and highlight notes of citrus blossom and fine musky jasmine.

Fruit flavours are crystal clear and very direct, with pristine juiciness showing exceptional concentration. A finely textured palate delivering satin-soft flavour accents of citron-tart and fine pastry, yellow apple and honey-dew melon. Classically refined with a crisp minerally length, the palate retains vibrant focus, finishing with tangy notes of lemon-zest and sweet orange-grapefruit.

Always incredibly delicate and exuberant from the very first sip and has the timeless freshness for 10+ years in the cellar.

Limited edition; only 160 dozen made

Drink: now – 2045

95 pts  Halliday Wine Companion                 94 pts The Real Review

TECHNICAL

Alc: 10.5

pH:3.06

TA: 6.3