Red

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Shiraz Block 1 2014

Variety: 100% Shiraz

Region: Pokolbin Hunter Valley

Vineyard: Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine Age: Vines planted in 1968

Tasting Note

Block 1 is the flagship of our Hermitage Road ‘Field of Mars’ vineyard. Planted with the classic Hunter Valley vine spacing and PT-23 clone, Block 1 is 0.75 hectares of low-yielding, mature Shiraz vines on deep, black clay soils. In exceptional years this terroir contributes classic Hunter Valley Shiraz elements with robust flavour and power. 

The Field of Mars Shiraz is always our gentle giant.

Colour: Deep red with a dark crimson rim.

Aroma: This Shiraz exhibits the best of old-vine Hunter Shiraz intensity, filling the glass with saturated black fruits complemented by layer upon layer of gentle richness: black cherry, liquorice, black chocolate, black pepper, and juniper. Elements of regional terrior are present too, with aromas of currant and clove adding heady intensity to the fruit darkness at first, yielding inevitably to the massive power of cassis-like richness and oak-spice opulence which builds with unstoppable momentum.

Palate: This inky fruit, plus the extract of judicious pressing, combine with beautiful oak spice for magical harmony, delivering superb balance in rolling waves of mouth-filling and steadfast persistence.

The palate is deep yet gentle, showing a velvety foundation of tannins with a slight espresso-like dryness and tongue-staining grain.

Cellaring potential: This Field of Mars Shiraz is the showpiece of our reds from the great Vintage of 2014 and will greatly reward cellaring beyond 15 years.

134 dozen made

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.8%

pH:         3.53

TA:         7.0

The Family Collection Range

2016 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:       Shiraz (99%) | Viognier (1%)
Region:       Hunter Valley, single heritage listed vineyard
Vineyard:    Bainton 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

Single Vineyard Range

2017 Bainton Vineyard Shiraz    

Varieties: 100% Shiraz      

Vineyard: Bainton Vineyard

Region:    Fordwich, Hunter Valley

Vine age: Vines planted in 1923, 1942 and 1955

Tasting Note                                       

The vineyard blocks are situated at the base of the Brokenback Range in Broke Fordwich. Tony and Judy Bainton have grown the fruit for our wines from this heritage-listed vineyard for almost twenty years.

This single outstanding dry-grown vineyard has an East-West row orientation on colluvial soil: deep, dark gravel fringing on rocky sandstone hills. The Shiraz from this vineyard shows native garrigue and eucalypt aromas, flavours of dark raspberry, red liquorice, coconut and dark chocolate with considerable colour and structure, emphasized by extended skin contact and 18 months of French oak barrel maturations in 225L barriques. 

Drink: Now – 2030.

160 dozen made.                                    

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.9%

pH:         3.40

TA           6.9

2017 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

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

Single Vineyard Range

2017 McKelvey Vineyard Shiraz

Variety:     100% Shiraz

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  McKelvey Vineyard 

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1998

Tasting Note

A single vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz identified by the combination of vine site and clone. Soils are rich red-brown clay loam overlying a base of powdery limestone, on a gentle hillside with a north to north-west aspect on Deasys Road, Pokolbin. Shiraz clone SA1658 was planted here in 1998 – notably identified and isolated originally by my father, Dr Harry Tulloch in the 1960’s.

The aromas of this wine match the impressive colour; dark and laden with black fruit richness, paired to the subtle spice and creaminess of the oak bouquet. The length and intensity of black cherry, spiced plum and dark chocolate flavours prove the quality of this vineyard. The fresh lift, balance and tension of the finish points to many years of cellaring potential. 

Drink Now – 2030.

350 dozen made.

Food Match: Filet mignon, aged cheddar

92 points Huon Hooke

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.5%

pH:         3.41

TA           7.1

2018 PERDIEM 'Recolo' Rose

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