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
Starward Fortis Miniature
Fortis meaning ‘brave, bold’, is a full bodied, full flavoured whisky that celebrates local Australian ingredients. Bottled at a higher ABV of 50% and non-chill filtered, this whisky
is fully matured in 100% American oak red wine barrels, predominately sourced from the Barossa Valley.
These barrels, which previously held big Australian bold reds like cabernet and shiraz, offer a fuller and richer mouthfeel to this single malt whisky. Starward Fortis is blended in batches, meaning each batch will be unique but will maintain the core flavour profile and intensity.
Nose: Very forward aromas of Madagascan vanilla pods, rich toasted American oak, blackberry jam, raisins, caramelised fig, raw sugar and over ripe plums.
Palate: Rich and full bodied, upfront vanillin, quince paste, Muscadelle raisins, chocolate ganache, cinnamon and baked banana bread.
Finish: Viscous and long. It really captures the whole palate and balances well with a finish of baking spices from the oak and ripe figs and raisins.
Starward Nova Miniature
Our signature single malt.
Exceptional length thanks to the red wine barrels. Bright aromatic notes of red berries, orchard fruits, vanilla, caramel and soft oak spice. Smooth and complex when sipped neat. Shines in classic cocktails. Works exceptionally well with food.
Nova borrows from tradition but breaks away from it too.
Nova is matured exclusively in red wine barrels from wineries making great Australian shiraz, cabernets and pinot noirs. This whisky reflects Melbourne in every sip. From the vibrant foodie scene to the wild weather to the world-class, cool climate wine.
Nose: Like we took bright flavours of red berries and orchard fruit and coated them in soft oak spice.
Palate: Imagine a rich red berry pudding covered in vanilla, caramel and spice.
Finish: Balanced and long. The sweetness fades and the delicious flavour goes on.
First Drop Mother’s Milk Barossa Shiraz 2022
Not a sledgehammer style, this Barossa Shiraz is made for drinking! Soft, slurpy and textured it is balanced with good acidity, which refreshes the palate and makes you go back for a second / third glass. Sourced from 3 unique vineyards, it is fruit laden, savoury and dangerously easy to drink! It is matured for 12 months in French oak hogsheads to allow the fruit to express itself.
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry and blackberry aromas with a hint of forest floor and spice
Palate: Vibrant dark cherry and blackberry with a hint of ‘wombat rolled in all spice’ balanced with an even, textural palate with soft, supple tannins
Starward Octave Barrels
Starward Octave Barrels is a single malt Australian whisky which has been fully matured in 100L wine barrels called “Octaves”. The Octave wine barrels, that inspired the name for this release, were sourced from Yalumba – a family-owned Australian winery, located in the heart of Australian’s famed Barossa wine region, and were used to produce their iconic Octavius Old Vine Shiraz.
Aroma: Rich, full bodied expression. Lots of red fruit, raisins, ripe peach, caramel and toasty oak.
Palate: Viscous and long, dark forest fruits, and a toasted oak backbone.
Finish: Toasted marshmallow.
Starward Tawny #2
Captivating fragrances of raisin, dried orange, fig leaves and toasted oak drift through. A swirling of nutmeg, brown sugar and a rich dried fruit sweetness on the palate. Cosy spices deliver a slow and lingering finish. A rival to Nan’s fruit cake? Irresistibly so!
Aroma: Dried fruit /raisins, toasty oak, fig and dried orange.
Palate: Initial sweetness on the front palate, rich dried fruits, brown sugar and nutmeg.
Finish: Palate slowly dries from the spice leaving a well-balanced finish.
Food Pairing: Roast Turkey with Duck Fat Potatoes, Christmas cake
Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne 2019
The 2019 growing season was very dry, which resulted in incredibly low yields. We had a relatively warm lead up to the ripening period, which produced a very condensed and fast harvest. With Roussanne being a late ripening variety, it faired very well in a season like this, giving rise to concentration, freshness of flavor and marked natural acidity.
Hand-picked from Block 6 (1.0 ha) on March 16th, our oldest Roussanne planting which is now 15 years old. 50% is destemmed, crushed, and filled to 675L ceramic eggs, where it is fermented and remains on the skins for 193 days. The other 50% is pressed into ceramic eggs and fermented off of the skins. The final blend was 40% extended skin batch and 60% without skin contact. The final blend was 40% extended skin batch and 60% without skin contact. Bottled November 2019.
“This is a rich white, showing impressive structure and plenty of ripe lemon, pear, peach and mangosteen with some savory pastry-like notes, too. The palate has a tangy edge and smooth-toned phenolics carrying plenty of flavor. From organically grown grapes. Drink over the next six years.” – 94 points, Nick Stock at James Suckling
Yangarra Estate King’s Wood Shiraz 2019
Royal Oaks and King’s Wood were forests planted by monarchs to build cathedrals and navies.
The wine is exclusively matured in 25hL French oak Foudre for 15 months. No pressings.
"Rich dark plums, blueberries and blackberries with some olive, forest-wood and dark-stony elements, too. Impressive depth on the palate with dark fruit laced with spices. Such rich fruit with appealing, drinkable style. The calling card of shiraz in this region." - 95 points, James Suckling
“Incredibly vibrant deep purple colour in the glass. Subdued nose, dark loam and black fruits lurk with intent. Remarkable poise for such a young wine, dark fruits, blood and ironstone all meld seamlessly. Full of palate yet has a feeling of compression from acid and tannin so it pushes very deep and long. Time will provide even further layers and complexity.” - Stuart Knox; The Real Review
Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz 2018
Ironheart is the flagship Shiraz from our single vineyard estate at the northern edge of McLaren Vale.
The wine was kept on lees in 35% new French oak, 65% older French oak for 15 months. Each barrel was carefully selected to ensure it showcases the characters of the ironstone that it grows in.
"Squid-ink-purple colour, scents of plush boysenberry, balsamic flowers and coffee. A rush of flavour, sweet red and black cherries, bacon fat, dried herbs and vanilla bean cradled by a full-body with svelte tannins. Showcasing flavour concentration, depth, opulence and long persistence to finish." Amanda Yallop, The Real Review.