First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
VINTAGE 2019: A very dry winter and spring, with frost events in September and November disrupting bud burst and flowering, resulted in the lightest crops in the past decade. January and February were warm and dry, and in conjunction with the low yields, ripening was rapid. Quick decision making and early picking resulted in reds with great intensity and structure thanks also to the light crops and early tannin maturity. 2019 was a challenging vintage, but one of the most rewarding, with our alternative varieties showing particularly well. The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season. We salute you!
The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 10 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transferred to 10% new French oak barriques, and the balance to 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 18 months.
Body: Medium Bodied
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne 2020
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.
“A lovely nose of lemon curd, chamomile and crushed thyme. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Bright acidity and fresh citrus fruit wash over the palate. Taut and crisp. Refreshing tannins at the finish. Tropical fruit such as pineapple. From organically grown grapes. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.” – 94 points, Nick Stock at James Suckling
Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2018
VINTAGE SUMMARY
2018 was a text book growing season, with good winter rains, and favourable weather conditions during a very mild spring. We had a generally dry summer, which led to earlier expected picking dates, especially with lower than average yields. By the end of February and early march the Autumnal nights got quite cool, which really slowed down the ripening process.
WINEMAKING
Hand-picked and mechanically sorted. 100% Destemmed, with 50% whole berries. Cold soak. Open fermenters. Plunged. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 11 months. We have selected individual barrels that showcase the pedigree of the deep sand, with lifted fragrance, intense fruit expression and fine, gritty long tannin structure. Not fined.
"So rich, complex and intense with a wealth of very ripe, powerful fruit on offer. Blood-orange and pomegranate notes, together with stony aromas, providing a very complex feel. The palate is super powerful and juicy. So very long, so rich and so well defined, showing mouthwatering tannins and a very sleek, long and juicy drive of red-fruit flavor. This has immense power and carries rich, ripe red and blue fruit. Wow. So intense. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - 98 points, James Suckling
“Intense ruby colour, bright and clear throughout the glass. Wine gums, dry earth and wakame on the nose. The palate is medium in weight but full in power. Fruit sits with depth, but the tannin profile is something special in its intensity and grip. Great length, it lingers very long. Time in the cellar is highly recommended as this will age very well. If you're a classical Châteauneuf-du-Pape fan, then this is a wine to note.” - Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Gralyn Estate Reserve Shiraz 2015
A fragrant medium bodied dry red wine vintaged from old vine Shiraz, co-fermented with 5% Viognier. Dense purple, crimson with a ‘heady’ bouquet of ripe black fruits, pepper, violets and exotic spice. The beautifully balanced palate is rich and spicy with a core of sweet fruit. Fine silky tannins and supple oak support a long, persistent finish.
Matured in French oak barriques for 12 months.
Gralyn Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
The highly regarded flagship wine from Gralyn Estate, rich, full-bodied and elegant. Vintaged from unirrigated, organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1975. Dense, dark crimson in colour, perfumed with blackcurrant, violets, cedar and spice. The palate is well balanced, intense and powerful, with a core of sweet fruit and finely textured tannins supporting a long persistent finish.
Matured in French oak barriques for 18 months.
“Remarkably solid for a wine at this age. Cassis and fresh blackcurrant still at the fore with subtle notes of undergrowth. Still lots of energy.” - Gold Medal 95 points Decanter World Wine Awards 2021
"A very settled and integrated cabernet that has an array of blackcurrant and tobacco, some blueberry, chocolate and lightly spicy cedary oak, as well as darker licorice and tarry notes. The palate has succulent depth and rich blueberries and dark cherries with chocolate and anise to close. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - 95 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Shiraz 2019
There are 87 hectares of vineyards at Yangarra, of which 47 are Shiraz made up of thirteen individual blocks. Each block is defined by different aspects and subtle variations of the sand and Ironstone soils that overlie the ancient North Maslin Sands geological formation. Spread amongst an extra 70 hectares of creeks, native vegetation, and native corridors. Our estate has twelve individual blocks of Shiraz.
Kept on lees in 20% new French oak, 80% older French oak for 10 months.
VARIETY: 100% Shiraz
"Straight down the barrel of generous and hearty shiraz with dark berries and plums, framed in cedary oak and spice. The palate is boldly mouth-filling, saturated with ripe blackberry and dark-plum flavors. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Blanc 2021
Blanc is the result of years of research and quarantine of the best white varieties found amongst the ancient north-west Mediterranean vine types. The fact that these Châteauneuf varieties have been successfully blended for so many years, inspired the estate to pursue Châteauneuf’s top whites on the southern coast. The Blanc is produced using the simplest winemaking techniques to showcase the fresh and crunchy style these varieties provide.
VARIETY: 49% Grenache Blanc, 13% Roussanne, 15% Clairette, 18% Picpoul, 5% Bourboulenc
"Fresh and attractive fruit, in the pear and apple spectrum, with some light, pastry-like notes, too. The palate delivers a smooth, crisp impression with a gently chalky finish. I like the restraint here. A blend of 49% grenache blanc, 18% picpoul, 15% Claudette, 13% roussanne and 5% bourboulenc. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
Handpicked Regional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
This delicious wine has trademark aromas of blackberry, cassis and choc-mint with a lovely palate of concentrated dark fruits all balanced by leafy freshness and firm but long tannins. This is classic Coonawarra Cabernet.
Food Pairing: Roasted leg of lamb, slow cooked shanks, osso buco with gremolata, spicy meatballs.
Serving Temperature: 13˚C - 18˚C
Cellar Potential: 2026
"The region is Margaret River and it stands out like the proverbial. Rich and powerful cabernet from this great vintage packs quite a punch as it extends to a sustained finish.” 91 points, Ray Jordan - The West Australian
Handpicked Regional Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Tasting Notes
- A mouth-watering combination of juicy fruits, passionfruit, bright acidity and herbal lift. Pure Marlborough.
Season
- It was a warm and dry season in Marlborough with low yields as a result of unsettled weather around flowering in spring coupled with very dry weather after Christmas. There are advantages to such a season – low disease pressure and excellent fruit intensity among them.
Winemaking
Region
- This wine is made to preserve and highlight its fresh fruit flavours and refreshing acidity. The fruit is pressed to a temperature-controlled stainless-steel tank and the juice is vinified at low temperatures over a long fermentation. It is bottled within months of harvest and is best enjoyed when youthful and fresh.
- This wine is from select vineyards in Marlborough, where warm daytime temperatures, high sunshine hours, low rainfall and cool nights encourage the development of the intense aromas and flavours that are the hallmark of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The wine region is centred on two river valleys in the north east of New Zealand’s South Island – the Wairau River and the Awatere River valleys. Soils are alluvial and free draining silty shingles intermingled with stones and rocks. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is an internationally recognised wine style and accounts for about two thirds of the total vineyard in New Zealand, more than 70% of the country’s wine production and about 85% of its wine exports.
- Green salads, Asian-style salads, and slaws, goats' cheese, fried calamari seasoned with pepper or chilli.
- Crisp & Refreshing
Yangarra Roussanne 2021
Yangarra are one of the country's leaders in producing the varieties from the Rhone Valley.
Case in point being this excellent single varietal bottling of Roussanne. It is widely considered one of Australia's finest examples of what the variety is capable of.
The fruit is all biodynamically grown and picked by hand, with only 60% of juice pressed. It's fermented with wild yeasts, and left for 7 months on lees in barrel where it undergoes further stirring for added texture and complexity.
An organically grown high-quality example of this popular Rhone white variety. Textural and highly drinkable.
Two Eights Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Scented with dark berries and toasty vanilla oak, the palate unfolds with ripe fruit flavours, oak complexity and satisfying tannin. A full-bodied wine with great depth of flavour, it will complement a range of meat dishes. Ready to drink now but can be cellared over the medium term.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Seppeltsfield (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.