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.

Halliday Wine Companion 95 points

Drink: Now – 2035

Limited Edition – only 193 dozen made

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%

pH: 3.5

TA: 6.3

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

2022 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

Variety:     Shiraz (95%) | Viognier (5%)
Region:     Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  40+ years old

Tasting Notes

A  classically elegant Hunter Valley red; soft and immediately attractive with smooth tannins and glossy balance. Vibrant Shiraz aromatics full of black cherry and liquorice with the Viognier adding rose petal and  musk. Fruit flavours carry blackberry, cola and Turkish Delight underpinned by a velvet creaminess and chocolatey roundness - the magic of Shiraz-Viognier co-fermentation.  

92 points Halliday Wine Companion

Drink: Now to 2030

Technical Data

Alcohol 13%

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%