2023 The Wife Shiraz

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        

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%

The Family Collection

2022 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (100%) 
Region:     Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

The Kester Shiraz showcases the best of the best from the Hunter Valley’s 2022 Shiraz harvest, capturing the region’s fruit expression in Keith’s signature style. The Hunter Valley reds from 2022 are remarkable for their youthful charm and soft tannins, reminiscent of the great medium-bodied wines from years like 2013, 2009 and 1999. 

Primary fruit aromas of raspberry, blueberry, and cherry, plus hints of juniper and blood orange are enhanced by perfumes of pressed flowers and garden herb, developing into a finer-leaf bouquet of lavender and fresh clove.

The palate has gentle blue and black fruit roundness, with full concentration yet pastille-like elegance, framed by lovely pure fruit focus and attractive lift, delivering a seamless velvety texture. The finish is deliciously long with whole-bunch energy and harmony, providing fine sappy hints of red-briar berry and pomegranate.

The Kester is matured only in large French oak Foudre, which gives a superb gentle spiciness with fine detail, plus sandy and subtle tannins with the polish of fine mocha and soft chocolate.

These fine red wines hold remarkably well and improve greatly with 3 to 7 years in the cellar, with best drinking from 2029 to 2033.

Decanting is always recommended if drinking within 5 years of Vintage.

Drink: Now to 2040+

96points Wine Companion    

Top 100 Wines in Australia Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.55

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