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
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
Yangarra Roussanne 2022
Yangarra GSM 2022
Our Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend is inspired by the traditional estate blends of the southern Rhône. The Grenache is sourced from a combination of young and old bush vines. We select the most elegant and perfumed Shiraz and add Mourvèdre for fragrance and solid tannin structure.
"Ferrous, nicely reductive and very savory, boasting grilled meats, camphor, iodine and cloves. A very earthy GSM, far from the fruitier Aussie norm. Plenty to like. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
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.
First Drop Cold Sweat Eden Valley Syrah – Moculta (Single Vineyard) 2015
Eden Valley is the perfect backdrop for us to further push our vinous boundaries. At a higher elevation than the Barossa Valley below, we embrace the funk to make even more diverse expressions of Syrah that speak of their unique sites. It’s all about the one. Give the drummer some! With this Eden Valley project we are looking for the ultimate expressions of three cooler climate sites and working hard to find them, utilising all our experience. Syrah from a single vineyard in Moculta.
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry, savoury and spice aromas
Palate: A brooding palate of grainy tannins support complex dark cherry, earthy and savoury flavours.
Cellaring: Drink up, but also 8-10 years proposition.
"Deep and decadent on the nose with plum, dried-meat and leather aromas. Some tar. Full-bodied yet fresh. Round and silky tannins. Juicy finish. Tangy acidity. Drink now. " - 95 points, James Suckling
VINTAGE 2015: A condensed vintage with full fat flavour! A warmer than usual spring led to an early, yet even flowering and fruit set. Together with a dry season, this led to an early start to vintage despite mild conditions and welcome rainfall in January. With harvest progressing quickly, it was clear that yields were variable, but the wines showed full flavours. Low yielding Barossa Valley Shiraz was rich (reminiscent of 2005). Yields were up in Eden Valley Shiraz, and thus looked less primary, more savoury, with good acid (reminiscent of 2002). So the upshot is we’ve almost got two vintages in one, with some diverse, full flavoured wines. Lap it up!
Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache 2019
Our first release of this wine and the only wine we make that is not sourced from the Yangarra Estate. We felt with Grenache being our specialty that this small plot (0.9 ha) of Grenache planted in 1962 is incredibly well-suited to our portfolio of single block wines. Hand-picked on the 9th of March and mechanically berry sorted, 100% destemmed, crushed and then tipped into 1800 L ‘cocciopesto’ stone egg-shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, with a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap, and remained on skins for 90 days. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured exclusively in the amphora for a further 8 months.
Hand-picked fruit is destemmed and fermented in 1800L egg-shaped amphorae, remaining on skins for 90 days. It then remains in the amphorae for a further 8 months. The resulting Grenache adds another exceptional expression to Yangarra’s stable. It holds great fruit purity and intensity, concentration, and a refreshing line of acidity.
First Drop Cold Sweat Eden Valley Syrah – Craneford (Single Vineyard) 2015
Eden Valley is the perfect backdrop for us to further push our vinous boundaries. At a higher elevation than the Barossa Valley below, we embrace the funk to make even more diverse expressions of Syrah that speak of their unique sites. It’s all about the one. Give the drummer some!
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry, tomato leaf, celery and pepper spice
Palate: A textured palate of fine graphite tannins support complex dark cherry savoury spice flavours.
Yangarra Noir 2021
Grenache is the emerging hero variety of McLaren Vale. Traditional blends of Grenache from the region focused on the varieties Grenache (G), Shiraz (S) and Mourvedre (M), and thus the term GSM. For many years in the old-world Grenache had many more blending partners. In France, namely the Sourthern Rhone, it can be blended with Cinsaut, Counouise, Picpoul Noir, Muscardin. In Priorat Spain, with Carignan. We started planting some of these obscure Southern Rhone and Priorat varieties in 2008 which has culminated in our first Noir blend being produced.
Many of these varieties, including Grenache, have a blanc (white), gris (grey) and noir (black) expression of the variety, which lead to calling this the Noir. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 6 months after fermentation.
VARIETY: 45% Grenache, 19% Mourvédre, 19% Carignan, 12% Shiraz, 4% Cinsaut, 1% Counoise
"A bright assemblage of fresh red-fruit aromas and flavors with crisp, easygoing texture and a neat, succulent finish. 62% grenache, 15% shiraz, 12% mourvedre, 6% carignan, 3% cinsault and 2% counoise. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
First Drop 2% Barossa Shiraz 2020
VINTAGE 2020: Below average rainfall over winter followed by a very dry spring; with high winds and cold nights in November disrupting flowering; and hot, dry conditions in December and early January reducing bunch and berry size; resulted in yields at least 50% below the 10-year average. Thankfully a cooler February and March led to slower ripening despite the low yields. Whilst variability within vineyards, caused by the earlier extremes in the season, meant for tricky picking decisions and reds that show great depth and structure. 2020 was yet another challenging vintage, to rival 2019, but again it’s delivered one of which to be proud.
VINIFICATION: The fruit is crushed/destemed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20-25°C for 8 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 transfered 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 20 months. This wine was bottled in April 2022.
Colour: Dark plum
Aroma: Lifted black fruit aromas with a hint 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.
Foor Pairing: Brownies
Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2019
Sourced exclusively from our special Block 31 (1.7 Ha). At 210m elevation, this is the highest section of the 1946 planted bush vine Grenache, which also has the deepest sandy soil. Our small yields were hand-picked 6th of March and mechanically sorted. 50% whole berries were destemmed and placed in open fermenters, with a long, gentle maceration for a minimum of 21 days. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured on lees in older large French oak and ceramic eggs for 11 months. Bottled March 2020.
On the palate, it reveals a perfumed, powerful and pristine with vibrant red berry fruit. Cherries, rose petal, clove, white spice, pomegranate seeds. Complex minerality with elegant, sculpted tannins.
Pairs well with kangaroo tartare, all spice, parsley, lemon, chilli, free range egg and potato crisps or Roast duck with cherries
Yangarra Estate IronHeart Shiraz 2019
Sourced exclusively from Block 15 (1.8 Ha), which lies amongst a north facing gravelly ironstone outcrop where the North Maslin Sand geology comes to the surface. Hand-picked (29th March), 25% whole bunches and the remainder has been destemmed, mechanical berry sorted and crushed. Open fermenters and on skins for 16 days. A gentle maceration principle of wetting the cap and only draining and returning when reductive. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 35% new French oak puncheons, 65% older French oak Puncheons for 9 months. We selected individual barrels which were blended and further matured for 7 months in a 2-year-old French 25hL foudre. Bottled September 2020.
On the palate, it reveals intense and graceful with savoury oak tannins framing complex layers of bright fruit – blackcurrant pastilles, plum, blueberry, leather.
Pairs well with steak with Heirloom tomatoes, slow roasted onion and red wine jus or Barbequed spareribs