2023 Norlana Shiraz

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

2022 WCD Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (100%) 
Region:     Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  WCD Vineyard

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

The Shiraz fruit from here has imposing ripeness yet also expresses a tinge of dark spice and ferrous savouriness, something of a classic hallmark for Hunter reds.

The aromas express dense blackfruit compote, mixing the freshness of black cherry and blood plum in even unity, plus deeper aromatic swirls of rotundone, juniper, and black Ceylon tea; on the palate, Ripe Shiraz fruit again delivers a rich seamless balance of plum and cherry, soft already onto a long finish. This inky blackfruit core is harmonised with notes of fine oak spice and cedar, and the finish delivers equally harmonious hints of graphite and black chocolate laced with licorice.

The WCD Shiraz is a charmer with bold expression yet refined soft tannins. 3 to 5 years in the cellar would be ideal, or if drinking before then decant for early reward.

Drink: Now to 2032

Only 157 dozen made

95 points Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alc 13.5%

2024 PERDIEM 'Pario' Pinot Gris

Variety:   100% Pinot Gris
Region:   Premium vineyard areas in New South Wales Australia

Tasting Notes

Pario ( Verb - Latin): ‘Bring forth’

The true varietal characters of musk and green apple offer bright, refreshing aromas lifting out of the glass. Nutty spice and the waxy textures of macadamia and barley carry through on the palate with the fruit flavours of white peach, pear and lime zest. A lovely balance of fruit and exotic spice that complements a wide variety of foods and appeals instantly. 

Pop it in the fridge or ice bucket immediately, and serve chilled.

Drink: Now.
Food Match: Most foods.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.4%
pH: 3.3

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