Red

'The Doctor' is the zenith of our Shiraz winemaking, a selection of 100% Hunter Valley Shiraz barrels from exemplary batches, and made in only the most outstanding vintages. My father, Dr. Harold William Tulloch, is a viticultural scientist who has in so many ways shaped the course of my life and career - this wine is made and named in his honour.

Tasting Notes

The wine's colour displays a youthful purple rim over deep, inky red black. Aromatically, this wine is super dark and dense, with fully ripe black fruit crammed into every niche; hints of cinnamon, mocha, fresh nutmeg and clove sway over the fruit core - but these recede with breathing as the black fruit power punches through with a rapid ascension, building with stronger perfumed concentration of sweet liquorice, blackcurrant and cola.

In every way this aromatic intensity is matched on the palate, with opulent richness from start to finish, and flavours that are phenomenally energetic and long. Black cherry and liquorice command with delicious spicy depth, plus the savoury support of red cherry, cranberry and black olive. For all it's broody, dense flavour, this wine is a gentle giant - enormous concentration with equally lavish oak spices, regally poised amongst ripe, fine grained, satiny soft tannins. A sinewy, muscular powerhouse of flavour that will cellar beautifully for many years.

It is so wonderfully complete.

Drink: Now to 2034.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.35

Variety:  100% Shiraz
Region:  Upper Hunter Valley

Please note: this wine is due for release on the 1st of April, and will be available for shipping from the 4th of April 2018.

Tasting Notes

The fruit for this wine is sourced from a very unique site, which at 550m above sea level is the highest altitude vineyard in the Hunter Valley. This elevation and continental climate lead to cooler-climate aromatics, expressing violet and bramble with hints of eucalypt. These dark, aromatically tantalising fragrances point to this wine's power. Indeed, Flavours are palate saturating with terrific clarity, texture and creamy depth; the richness is liquorice-like and richly packed with plush purplish fruits, plus
chocolatey soft tannins that glide invitingly along in tight and centered focus. There is a wisp of stalky freshness adding to the finish, complete with a final assertion of gentle powdery firmness. This wine is a real statement of the vineyard's pedigree, expressing beautiful balance and structure ideal for cellaring beyond 15 years.

Drink: 2019 to 2038.
Food Match: Beef, lamb or kangaroo.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.46

Variety: Shiraz (99%) | Viognier (1%)
Region: Hunter Valley, single heritage listed vineyard
Vine Age: Planted on own roots in 1923

Tasting Notes

A beautiful example of our flagship wine, showing all of the concentration, power and structure expected from such ancient vines.

Colour is brilliant red/black with fine purple freshness at the rim. the aromas show a wealth of fruit - jammy blackberry and inky cherry, plum and hints of fresh red raspberry, underscored by the classic Kester savoury notes of garrigue/ crushed herb and black olive.

Flavours are bright and direct, showing muscular structure with taut focus. Pristine fruits are packed in with sustained intensity spanning the flavour spectrum, from red cherry through to blackberry to black olive, moderated by supple mocha, spice and oak tannin. As it sits in the glass, the 'terroir' savouriness becomes even richer, adding deeper velvety notes of liquorice, herb, coffee, smoke and game.

Cellaring for at least 3 years is essential to allow the Kester to bloom, with at least a decade of development capacity to follow. Keep it even longer if you can for the best rewards.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.6%
pH: 3.35

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

Tasting Notes

Impressively deep colour, dense red/black, showing a vibrant crimson rim.

The nose is powerful with the commanding authority of black cherry Shiraz aromas (95%), as well as honeysuckle and floral perfumes of Viognier ( 5%). Deluxe French oak simmers softly in the background, contributing spicier accents of vanilla, cinnamon, and fine, bergamont-tinged black tea. Flavours are dense and smooth, with the magic of  Shiraz and Viognier co-fermentation; the black cherry and black raspberry core flavours are sublimely softened be chocolatey roundness, generating a plush unity of fruit and tannin. Fine oak provides gentle support throughout, a tightly packed foundation with lovely balance and depth.

This will be a vintage to remember, with stellar harvesting conditions and fruit condition, this Shiraz-Viognier already shows delightfully fresh expression and charm, appealing for immediate drinking or medium term cellaring.

Drink: Now to 2023.
Food Match: Slow cooked meats, pizza, or risotto.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.8%
pH: 3.46

Variety: 100% Shiraz
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

Variety: Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) | Hilltops Merlot (13%) | Hunter Cabernet Franc (13%) | Hunter Shiraz (4%)
Region: Hilltops | Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Inky Cabernet Sauvignon dominates providing black fruit layered complexity and natural tannin depth. Merlot shows vibrant fresh mulberry and mint aromas with gentle plummy softness on the palate, velvet harmony and subtle black-cherry roundness. Cabernet Franc chimes in later giving beautiful lavender-like fragrance, in partership with a touch of Shiraz, contributing structural red-cherry lift complete this blend.

Drink: Now to 2027.
Food Match: Lamb, venison, beef, or charcuterie.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 15.1%
pH: 3.43