First Drop Vivo Adelaide Hills Arneis 2022
VINEYARD: Kersbrook in the northern Adelaide Hills - 340m above sea level on complex sandy clay loams over shale
VINTAGE 2022: Above average winter rainfall initiated healthy bud burst and minimal irrigation was required as a result. Spring was also relatively cool & windy which lead to some prolific canopy growth in parts of vineyards but also uneven flowering, which saw lower yields in many cases.
Colour: Pale straw, with tinge of green
Nose: Nashi pear and passionfruit with a hint of lime
Palate: Nashi pear and pithy fruit flavours dominate, with lime zest and minerality, making the palate long and zingy.
Food Pairing: Fresh scallops with ginger and shallots, chilli crabs, salt & pepper squid, agnolotti al plin
"Tastes like arneis with candied lemons and limes with some steel and stone undertones. Medium body. Really takes off at the finish. So much energy. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
First Drop The Cream Barossa Shiraz 2016
The Cream is blended at the optimum time from the best barrels from First Drop’s most prized vineyards to create the ultimate expression of Barossa Shiraz from the vintage. A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance. It’s seductive, with a pedigree that will see it mature for a further 10 to 15 years. Indulge now or reward yourself later.
Single Vineyard Location:
35% Ebenezer
35% Greenock
30% Seppeltsfield
Colour: Black
Nose: Lifted black fruit aromas with hints of smoke, tar, leather, orals and Indian spices
Palate: Rich kirsch and black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, balanced with textured, lingeringly seamless tannins
"A spicy and brambly nose showing lots of liqueur notes derived from fruits, such as blackberries, dark cherries and dark plums. A hint of ivy extract and licorice, too. The palate is very composed with a surprisingly vibrant line of acidity that runs right through the middle, carrying ripe but structured and firm tannins to the very nicely structured finish." - 95 points, James Suckling
First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
This well balanced expression of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an ode to the ‘luncheon claret’, but it’s not as green and austere as the favourite lunchtime libation at the gentleman’s club. The fruit is from a vineyard with good breeding in the foothills and the resulting wine has been made in a fruit driven style this vintage. It has classic First Drop drinkability, so bottoms up!
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Cassis and plum fruit flavours with hints of eucalyptus and florals
Palate: Black fruits with a round mid palate, an elegant core of tannins and a textured finish.
"Dense wild blackberry, maraschino cherry and huckleberry flavors are at the core, with toothsome tannins and a juicy thread. The aromatics here stand out—sarsaparilla, palo santo and clove, dark chocolate and spicy cigar box notes that linger on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Ebenezer (Single Vineyard) 2015
The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living o- the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of each subregion, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the sub regions of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here. Shiraz from a single vineyard in Seppeltsfield.
Colour: Dark kirsch
Nose: Lifted dark cherry aromas with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
Palate: Flavour packed with kirsch, prunes, dark chocolate and liquorice. Rich and muscular, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"The nose is captivating here, offering up aromas of forest fruits, blueberries, sour cherries and a hint of walnut shell. Full body, structured and juicy tannins and a long finish. Everything is in balance and nothing's overdone. Drink now." - 94 points, James Suckling
"Offers toasty, cedary notes that lend a dominating spicy, tobacco-laced vibe to the core of plum and black cherry flavors. Finishes with licorice and toasty spice notes, and firming tannins. Drink now through 2028. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported." - MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
First Drop 2% Barossa Shiraz 2019
Our reserve Shiraz is sourced from vineyards in Greenock (35%), Ebenezer (35%), Seppeltseld (30%). Dense dark berry fruits, with hints of tobacco and cocoa are further enhanced by subtle use of oak. This wine has been matured in 28% new French oak hogsheads and the balance in 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads and American oak barriques for 17 months sur lie, resulting in a sexy, textured palate. And who’s 2%? Moscatel! A splash of funk that supports the base line fruit, and puts the ‘ph’ in fat.
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Lifted black fruit aromas with a hints of earth and spice
Palate: Rich, phat, dark berry fruits, with hints of dark chocolate and Indian ink, supported by a dense core of tannins.
"That’s two percent muscadelle for those playing at home, the rest is shiraz sourced from Ebenezer, Seppeltsfield and Greenock and aged in French oak (50% new). The split is roughly one-third each. The nose has a deeply spicy edge and aromas of ripe dark plums, blackberries and black cherries, as well as dark chocolate and currants. The palate has a wealth of rich black fruit and flavors of salted licorice, cocoa, blood plums and blackberries. Very concentrated. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap." - 94 points, James Suckling
First Drop The Cream Barossa Shiraz 2015
The Cream is blended at the optimum time from the best barrels from First Drop’s most prized vineyards to create the ultimate expression of Barossa Shiraz from the vintage. A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance. It’s seductive, with a pedigree that will see it mature for a further 10 to 15 years. Indulge now or reward yourself later.
Single Vineyard Location:
35% Ebenezer
35% Greenock
30% Seppeltsfield
Colour: Black
Nose: Lifted black fruit aromas with hints of smoke, tar, leather, orals and Indian spices
Palate: Rich kirsch and black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, balanced with textured, lingeringly seamless tannins
"The aromas to this are deep — in the form of blackberries, blueberry compote and just a hint of eucalyptus and vanilla. The palate is very well structured, showing layers of ripe but balanced fruit and a long. Character-driven finish." - 94 points, James Suckling
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Seppeltsfield (Single Vineyard) 2016
The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living o- the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of each subregion, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the sub regions of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here. Shiraz from a single vineyard in Seppeltsfield.
Colour : Dark kirsch
Nose : Lifted dark cherry aromas with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
Palate : Flavour packed with kirsch, prunes, dark chocolate and liquorice. Rich and muscular, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Another very ripe shiraz that remains attractive and delicious. So much blackberries that it’s almost hard to fathom. Dark cherry liqueur and dark plum cake and infusion, too. Sweetly scented milk chocolate throughout. Although restrained wouldn’t be the right word, this is actually quite elegant considering the fruit and how it manages to trade in floral territory between layers of ripe, lithe tannins. A chewy finish. Drink in 2022." - 94 points, James Suckling
First Drop Vivo Adelaide Hills Arneis 2021
This is the ultimate summer cleanser. Forget your G&T, this Arneis from the cool climates of the Adelaide Hills will quench and refresh. Citrus and lime zest with a hint
of nashi pear and minerality.
But this wine isn’t just an aperitivo tease. Its purity of fruit, zippy persistence and finely textured finish make it the ‘perfect match’ for a feast of dishes.
Colour: Pale straw with tinge of green
Nose: Nashi pear and passionfruit with a hint of lime
Palate: Nashi pear and pithy fruit avours dominate, with lime zest and minerality, making the palate long and zingy.
"From a parcel in Kersbrook, this has aromas of lemon blossom and wet stones with a gently herbal edge. The palate has some lees-derived texture with a compact and lively feel. Crisp and gently grippy with a dry, lively and tangy apple and lemon finish. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling