Spring - Red Dozen

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        

2025 Spring White Dozen

3 x 2024 Hunter Valley Semillon

1 x 2022 Field of Mars Semillon

1 x 2023 Latara Semillon

1 x 2025 Perdiem Sitio Semillon

2 x 2024 Perdiem Pario Pinot Gris

2 x 2024 Hunter Valley Chardonnay

2 x 2023 Celest Chardonnay

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Shiraz Block 1 2017

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 a mature low yielding vineyard delivering outstanding Shiraz, grown in deep clay soils, planted in 1968.

Colour: deep, dense, red and jet-black with a bright crimson rim.

Aroma: rich and complex, filling the glass with decadent black fruit power, dense cassis-like black cherry, lifted with juniper, sweet-currant and fresh quince, then heady hints of black pepper, clove, violet and mocha oak-spice.

Concentrated without being heavy, the palate captures mouth-filling blackberry power and depth, underpinned by gentle tannins which carry the momentum and deliver extra spiced layers of bramble and olive. This solid black fruit commands with terrific length, harmonising with French oak to amplify the volume and build a plush espresso-like crema onto the finish.

Drink: Now- 2035+

Limited Release – only 161 dozen made.

James Halliday 96 points

Technical Data

Alcohol:   14 %

pH:         3.37

TA:          7.2

The Family Collection

2023 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%) Viognier (1%)
Region:     Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Dense crimson purple in colour.

Opening with bright aromas similar to the beautiful 2022 Kester, albeit with riper-black fruit density and depth. A shape-shifting bouquet that glides from fresh raspberry and plum through to black-cherry and cola, with brushstrokes of fresh herb. Aromas deepen to include fuller scents of black-liquorice and anise, with finer hints of cranberry. French oak sits quietly in the background giving ever-present subtle notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, and chamomile.

Black fruits dominate the palate, red-fruit energy contributes a bright lift and length with notes of pomegranate and sweet red-currant. Cola sits centrally with a glossy inky richness and fine depth, broadening to accents of black olive tapenade and aniseed. Already delivering a wonderfully integrated harmony of fruit and barrel, with interwoven characters of berry, spice and herb. Dark chocolate tannins underpin the ripe fruits with a lovely foundation, subtle hints of graphite and an elegant dryness like liquorice-dust, finishing with an espresso-like creaminess.

The Kester is very drinkable and enjoyable young, yet this wine always holds remarkably well in the cellar and improves greatly with age. My recommendation is to decant if drinking before 2030, or drink and enjoy anytime without the need to decant through to 2040.

Drink: Now to 2040+

Halliday Wine Companion 96 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.52