2023 Field of Mars Viognier B1

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

95 points Wine Companion

 Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%

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

Single Vineyard Range

Ewen Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Ewen Vineyard

Region:    Broke-Fordwich, Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

Close to the base of the Brokenback range in the Broke Fordwich subregion, this vineyard is sheltered during the growing season rainfall and has well-draining alluvial soils. This drainage and shelter contributes to the consistency of quality fruit from this site, as the proximity to the mountains also shades the fruit from the hot Western afternoon sun during hot days and seasons.

The vineyard was established with highly regarded ‘P58’ clone Chardonnay vines with high quality potential, aided by the fastidious attention to detail and care that the Ewen family put into their vineyard.

This is our most opulent and expressive Chardonnay from our 2022 release whites, with ripe stonefruit characters that we have come to expect from this site. There is the stamp of barrel-ferment with oak spices weaving in around struck-match sulfite aromas, with a flair of slate and brie skin. The palate has a velvet harmony of fruit, oak and lees; characters of pistachio nougat, vanilla cream biscuit and apricot dance onto the finish – each swirl of the glass revealing more of the winemaker's mojo.

Drink Now to 2030

278 dozen made

95points Halliday Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.2%
pH:         3.36
TA:         7.1

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Block 1 Shiraz 2021

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:      Pokolbin Hunter Valley

Vineyard:   Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine Age:   Vines planted in 1968

Soils:         Dark cracking clay

Tasting note

Block 1 Shiraz on Hermitage Road was planted in 1968 on 0.75 hectares of dark, fertile cracking clay soil. This terroir delivers a balanced and concentrated Hunter Valley Shiraz, with a core of dense black fruit that will allow many years of cellaring.

The black-fruit aromas of firm black cherry over a cola-like darkness, herb tinged, with bright supporting notes of black olive and peppercorn plus a dusting of juniper. Deluxe oak aromas sit further in the background, bringing deeper fragrances of tobacco and fine black tea.

The palate follows with the same deep black-cherry and a vibrant dark-streak of cola, with subtle waves of liquorice, anise and black chocolate. Flavours of black olive and juniper unite on the mid-palate, building a fine-grainy dryness and savory lift. Tannins are inky yet gentle with subtle oak-spice from a single 1500litre foudre, generating lovely balance, harmony, and grip on the finish.

Decant if drinking before 2027.

Drink: Now – 2040+

Limited edition - only 161 dozen made

96 points Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alc: 13.0

pH:  3.55

TA:  6.3