2023 Latara Semillon

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

2024 Hunter Valley Semillon

Variety:     100% Semillon
Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  Planted in 1969

Vineyard : Keith Tulloch Hermitage Road 

Tasting Notes

100% Estate-grown fruit from the Field of Mars vineyard established in 1968 and our Latara vineyard established 1978. The mix of alluvial sand and richer clay soils from these two top Semillon sites delivers lovely fruit purity, along with bolder, richer depth of yellow and green citrus character.

Bright aromas of fully-ripe and freshly-squeezed Meyer-lemon and Tahitian lime are clear and powerful signatures, full of zest and energy. 

Flavours are equally zesty and direct – tangy and juicy and ripe from the initial taste through to a long-lasting and vibrant persistence. The mid-palate fruit focus is opulent lime and lemon, unwavering and full of potential with an almost endless fine balance. The finish and persistence are right on-point, showing delicious ripe-acid freshness plus hints of crunchy grapefruit and savory lemon-pith.

It shows terrific potential for cellaring beyond 10 years, but is so easy to enjoy now that we recommend drinking from now until 2040.

Drink: Now to 2040.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 10.5%

Single Vineyard Range

2021 Eagles Rest Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Eagles Rest Vineyard

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1970's by Don Maxwell

Tasting Note

The Eagles Rest Vineyard is sited in central Pokolbin, nestled on the high slopes of the Pokolbin Mountain foothills and enjoys the benefits of cooler sea breeze air flow during Summer. It is also a protected site from both rainfall and the hot mid-Summer sun, close up under the shoulder of the Brokenback Mountain Range.

The Chardonnay vines growing here relish the deep red volcanic-basalt and decomposed sandstone soils. Rows are steeply terraced facing South in this section, with the unique steepness of the vineyard contributing to wonderfully intense flavours and consistent quality.

 The mild weather of 2021 has given this wine a special reserve, with crystal-clear fruit detail, poise and balance. Fruit aromas are nectarine, yellow apple and golden pear, quite highly focussed and tense, with soft notes of quince and vanilla yoghurt. Flavours show classy reserve too, yellow to gold stone fruits with linear brightness, plus a subtle cashew-like roundness from wild-ferment.

Drink Now to 2030

200 dozen made

Technical Data
Alcohol: 13%

Single Vineyard Range

2022 McKelvey Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay       

Vineyard:  McKelvey Vineyard

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley               

Vine age:  Vines planted in 1998                                                 

Tasting Note

Planted on a western-facing hillside on Deasys Road, Pokolbin, the McKelvey Vineyard was established in 1997/1998 by the viticulturalist and winemaker David Lowe; the property is proudly family-owned and operated, farmed by Peter McKelvey and his son James. The soils on this site are profound; rich red-brown clay loam with underlying chalky limestone, one of the most desirable soils for the growth of quality Chardonnay. The rows here wrap around the contours of the hills and valleys of a magnificent property, with Chardonnay running both NE-SW and NW-SE, balancing the exposure and shading of the fruit across the sunny days of the growing season. The quality vinestock here is also important, with Chardonnay clone I10V5 highly recognised for generating fruit with strong varietal distinction and wine quality.

The 2022 Chardonnay is a silky, sophisticated wine. There is fine frame and finesse, yet complexity grows in aromatic power as it breathes from an initial spark of flint and struck match to reveal cinnamon, ripe peach and autolysis. The palate follows through with ripe pineapple, super-smooth creamy softness and peach-skin crunch. These elements of fruit quality, ferment funk and barrel maturation beckon and entice as a young wine, but even more certainly as a wine that will reward those who cellar it.

Drink: Now - 2030 
257 dozen made.

95 points Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol:  13.6%
pH:          3.24
TA:          7.3